THURSDAY 7TH DECEMBER 2023

Cardoso Approves New CBN Service Charter

Restates commitment to its full implementation Policy prioritises customer satisfaction, others

James Emejo in Abuja The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, yesterday approved the reviewed Service Charter of the bank.

The Charter is a requirement of the Business Facilitation Act (BFA) 2022, for driving the ease of doing business in the country.

The central bank governor said the second edition of the charter supports the bank's vision of being

a "People-focused central bank".

He said the CBN, being a responsible corporate citizen was committed to ensuring full compliance with the laws and regulations of the country and other international obligations.

Writing in the document's foreword, Cardoso stated that the Service Compact with all Nigerians (SERVICOM) expresses the federal government's commitment to providing more responsive and citizen-friendly governance

through quality service delivery that is efficient, accountable, and transparent.

He said the Service Charter document remained one of the requirements of SERVICOM which expresses the CBN's commitment

to its customers.

He added, "Therefore, our Service Charter conveys our pledge to our customers in respect of courtesy and standard of service, informaContinued on page 16

Following GSK’s Exit, P&G Moves to Leave Nigeria... Page 6 Thursday 07 December, 2023 Vol 28. No 10466. Price: N250

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Ex-Beauty Queen, Helen Prest, Challenges Admissibility of 1974 Marriage Certificate... Page 16

Tinubu to Talon: Our Countries Are Conjoined Twins Held Together at Hip

Flays lack of development synergy between Nigeria and Benin Republic Beninese president advocates free movement of people, goods

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday,

likened the relationship between Nigeria and Benin Republic to the connection between conjoined twins

held together at the hip. Tinubu made the assertion when he received President Patrice Talon of Benin

Republic at State House, Abuja.

The Nigerian president stressed the need for cooperation for the

economic prosperity of West Africa.

He stated that lack of synergy between Nigeria and Benin Republic

had been an encumbrance to mutual Continued on page 16

S'Court to Hit Full Complement as NJC Recommends Appointment of 11 Justices Abiru, Tsammani, Adah, Sankey, Uwa, Nwosu-Iheme, five others make list

NGX Honours Private Sector Doyen, Chris Ogunbanjo...

Story on page 16

L-R: Rotimi Ogunbanjo; Olaotan Towry-Coker; Obafeyikemi Luther; Mosunmola Ogunbanjo; Otunba Abimbola Ogunbanjo; Kunbi Ogunmekan; Tayo Odeyemi and Tobi Ogunbanjo, children and grandchildren of late Christopher Ogunbanjo, during the Closing Gong Ceremony in his honour at the NGX …. recently

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T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 07, 2023

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

NEWS

HONOURING LATE CHIEF CHRIS OGUNBANJO...

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Exchange Limited (NGX), Temi Popoola; former President, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE),Goodie Ibru; Group Chairman, NGX Group, Umaru Kwairanga; CEO, NGX Group, Oscar Onyema, and former Group Chairman, NGX Group, Otunba Abimbola Ogunbanjo, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, with his family members and other guests, during the Closing Gong Ceremony in honour of the foremost Nigerian corporate lawyer, industrialist Honourary Fellow of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Late Chief Christopher Oladipo Ogunbanjo, at the NGX in Lagos…recently

National Assembly Asks FG to Stop Granting Tax Waivers Edun: Nigeria to strengthen ties with Islamic financial markets IFSB Scribe prescribes non-interest financing option to strengthen naira

Ndubuisi Francis and Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The National Assembly joint committee on Appropriations has urged the federal government to stop tax waivers and concessions already granted to corporate entities.

This was just as the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, yesterday, stated that non-interest financial market also known as Islamic financial market offers cheaper and more sustainable way to raise funding for major infrastructure, hinting that Nigeria would need to play deeper in the global non-interest market.

The National Assembly panel said the country was losing huge revenue to tax waivers and incentives.

It, however, suggested that all companies should pay their taxes in full to the government coffers and then request for rebate.

The chairman of the joint committee, Senator Adeola Olamilekan (APC, Ogun West), and other members stated this during an interactive session on the 2024 budget with the Finance minister, Wale Edun, and his counterpart from the budget and economic planning ministry, Atiku Bagudu.

The Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele had last month said the country incurred losses of up to N6 trillion in tax waivers annually.

He said the country was generating a similar amount of revenue annually.

Oyedele, stated that the levels of government had failed to measure the impact of tax waivers on the economy of the country The finance minister had told the panel that Nigeria lost over N3 trillion to tax waivers this year.

Senator Mohammed Sani Musa (APC, Niger) said the federal government should adopt the system of withholding taxes for tax waivers.

He said, “If you look at tax credits and the waivers, why can't we adopt a system like what we are doing with withholding taxes?

“Withholding taxes is going into a fund. After a while, if you can prove that you have paid all your taxes, they pay you your rebate back.

So, why can't we do the same?”

Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno) said the government should be bold enough to stop the tax credits and waivers just as it did with the fuel subsidy.

He said, “I think we should be

bold enough just like the president is very bold. I still want to use this opportunity to commend him for his speech to say there is no more fuel subsidy.

“If he were to consult and talk to people, the subsidy would have still been there. So, if you come out from here and declare that no more waivers, it must be appropriated, and you as the Minister of Finance can do that. We have to make bold decisions.

“Some people are taking advantage unnecessarily of Nigerians and benefiting to the detriment of Nigerians. We talk about tax credits; it is an expenditure and it should go through the National Assembly and there are no two ways about that.

“Look at these illegalities, remove them, and then let us move ahead. If not, this country is being drained by some loopholes. It is our loopholes in revenue collection that is killing

Fenchurch Power, an energy-focused firm headquartered in Nigeria, has announced the signing of a landmark 150mw offtake framework agreement with the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), and Faiza Utilities Ltd. The deal is expected to boost power supply and distribution infrastructure in Ondo, Edo and Delta states, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s energy sector.

The agreement was signed at the NDPHC head office in Abuja

by the Executive Vice Chairman of Faiza Utilities Limited, Mr. Olufemi Bakare; Managing Director/Chief Executive of NDPHC, Mr. Chiedu Ugbo and CEO of BEDC, Mr. Deolu Ijose.

The collaboration, a statement from the group said, will strengthen the last-mile distribution network, enabling the efficient supply of power generated by NDPHC’s Ogorode Independent Power Project to BEDC’s customers.

“Fenchurch Power is proud to announce the signing of a landmark 150MW Off-Take Framework Agreement with Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Benin

agreed that all taxes should be paid to the coffers of the government and then corporate entities should apply for rebates.

“Since this is a transition period, can we half it? The provision for these waivers should be reduced by 50 per cent,” he said.

The finance minister, in his response, said the lawmakers’ advice would be looked into by the federal government’s fiscal policy and tax reform committee.

NNPC Seals Deals to Deliver LNG to Domestic, Int’l Gas Markets Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) yesterday announced that it had signed two major agreements to deliver Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to the domestic and international gas markets.

The national oil company in a statement signed by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, said the move aligned with its efforts to further

boost natural gas utilisation in the country and enhance Nigeria’s gas revenue.

During two separate signing ceremonies held on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nation’s Climate Change Conference (COP28), the NNPC said one of the the agreements was with Wison Heavy Industry Co. Ltd, a Chinese company, for the development of a floating LNG project in Nigeria, targeting the international LNG market.

Fenchurch, NDPHC Sign 150mw Offtake Deal to Boost Power Supply in Edo, Delta, Ondo Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

this country.

“Few people are taking advantage of it. Look at the tax credit they collected for roads, up till now they did not do the roads. So, what the constitution says is very clear.

“The ball is in your court, the President has done his own, no more subsidy, five months after Nigerians said yes but let us see the benefit and they are seeing the benefits bit by bit and more is coming.”

Adeola, said the committee had

Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), and Faiza Utilities Limited.

“This strategic partnership is set to enhance power supply and distribution infrastructure in Ondo State, Edo State, and Delta State, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s energy sector.

“Initial geographical areas of focus under the agreement include Ilaje, Okitipupa, Igbokoda, and Irele local governments in Ondo State, as well as the Chinese Industrial Cluster, Benin bypass, and the Useluku-Umunede axis around Asaba,” the firm stated.

The project also aims to achieve increased efficiency and power

supply to the areas by the second quarter of 2024, it added.

Executive Vice Chairman of Faiza Utilities Limited, Bakare, in his remarks, described the agreement as transformative, stressing that when operational, it will help deliver massive improvement in power supply.

“This agreement represents a transformative step towards ensuring reliable and sustainable power distribution in key regions of Nigeria. By leveraging the strengths of our collective expertise, we are poised to deliver significant improvements in energy access and economic development,” he said.

Also, NNPC Prime LNG Ltd, an arm of NNPC Trading Ltd, signed a Supply, Installation and Commissioning Agreement with SDP Services, an independent oil and gas company, for 421 tonnes per day LNG project, targeting the domestic LNG market.

The Floating LNG Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy, Olalekan Ogunbayo on behalf of NNPC Ltd while the Managing Director of Wison Ltd, Mr. Kai Xu, signed on behalf of his company.

Both parties, the statement said, agreed to work together to chart a roadmap for the project development that will lead to an investment decision.

Similarly, the Small-Scale LNG (SSLNG) project agreement, it said , was signed by the Managing Director, NNPC Trading Ltd., Mr. Lawal Sade, on behalf of NNPC Prime LNG Ltd while Mr. Abhinav Modi, Managing Director of SDP Services Ltd, signed on behalf of his company.

The SSLNG project, which will be located at Ajaokuta in Kogi State, Central Nigeria, it noted, will ensure the efficient supply of LNG to the Autogas/Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and industrial/commercial customers nationwide. The LNG project is expected to be operational

by December 2024.

Speaking shortly after the signing ceremony, the EVP Gas, Power &

New Energy, Ogunleye, said the company was committed to delivering gas to industries nationwide and accelerating the NNPC’s gas commercialisation efforts through the floating LNG project.

“We see both projects as having enormous impact all over the country because they are central to the commercialisation of Nigeria’s abundant gas resources and ensuring that our country earns the muchneeded foreign revenue from its abundant gas assets.

“It is also consistent with NNPC management’s drive to deliver on Mr. President’s gas and power aspirations across the country,” Ogunleye stated.

Also in an address after the signing, the MD NNPC Trading Ltd, Sade said the SSLNG Project will boost the domestication of LNG utilisation by supporting the growth of auto-gas initiatives across the country.

“We are looking at a timeframe of 12 months from execution to the commissioning of the project.

“The project will deliver about 420 tonnes per day of LNG per day into the domestic market, which will enhance efficient delivery of gas to the auto-gas/CNG and industrial customers in line with presidential mandate,” Sade added.

While expressing their delight at signing the agreements, the partners pledged to work with the NNPC to deliver the projects within schedule and in the most cost-effective manner.

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NEWS

NNPC Ltd Seals LNG Deals for Domestic, International Markets...

R-L: Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy, NNPC Ltd, Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye; Managing Director, NNPC Trading Ltd., Mr. Lawal Sade and Managing Director, SDP Services Limited, Mr. Abhinav Modi all displaying the signed agreement for the Supply, Installation and Commissioning of a Small-Scale LNG (SSLNG) Project in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nation’s Climate Change Conference (also known as COP28), in Dubai, UAE... yesterday

Following GSK’s Exit, P&G Moves to Leave Nigeria Economists urge FG to accelerate backward integration, support domestic production

Dike Onwuamaeze Barely four months after the GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc (GSK), took the decision to exit the Nigerian market, the Procter & Gamble (P&G), another multinational firm, has taken a decision to shut down its production lines and commence the exportation of its products into Nigeria.

This was announced recently by the Chief Financial Officer of P&G, Mr. Andre Schulten, at the Morgan

Stanley Global Consumer & Retail Conference when he stated specifically that, “we have announced that we will turn Nigeria into an import-only market, effectively dissolving our footprint on the ground in Nigeria and reverting to an import-only model.”

Schulten, attributed the P&G’s decision exit Nigeria to the prevailing foreign exchange rate situation in the country, saying that Nigeria and Argentina were difficult to do business in because of macroeconomic

environment.

He stated that, “the other reality that arises in some of these markets is that it gets increasingly difficult to operate and create U.S dollar value.

So when you think about places like Nigeria and Argentina, it is difficult for us to operate because of the macroeconomic environment.

“So with that in mind, we are announcing a restructuring program with the intent to adjust operating model and adjust the portfolio to ensure that we maintain the portfolio

discipline that has brought us to this point.

“The restructuring program will largely focus on Nigeria and Argentina. We’ve announced that we will turn Nigeria into an import-only market, effectively dissolving our footprint on the ground in Nigeria and reverting to an import-only model.”

He explained that Nigeria was a $50 million net sales business which would not make any significant marginal impact on the P&Gs

AMCRON Urges FG to Support Academic Research for National Devt Emma Okonji

The Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON) has called on the federal and state governments, including the private and public sector organisations, to support academic research that will boost national development across the country.

AMCRON made the call during its Third International Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM), a two-day forum, which opened yesterday, at the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos.

In his opening remarks, the President of AMCRON, Prof.

Eserinune McCarty Mojaye, stressed the need for government support for meaningful academic research that would add value to national development.

According to him, “The advanced countries of the world realise the importance of research and they deploy it on all frontiers. In the developing countries however, we do not seem to accord research its pride of place in the scheme of things.

“At AMCRON, members are determined to change this narrative and we are committed to making research the bedrock of our development. We therefore need support from governments and collaboration from the private and public organisations, including well-meaning individuals to achieve our goals in the areas of research and development.”

Chairman, Board of Trustees at AMCRON, Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye, who delivered the keynote address on the theme: ‘Communication, Mass Media And Governance in Africa-Trajectories, Expectations and |Realities,’ said contemporary research works that are timely, would drive national development.

According to him, AMCRON was dedicated to research that would not only support mass communication, but also support democracy. He stressed the role of the media in monitoring government and making government accountable to the people at all time.

“The task of the media is to uncover hidden facts and the goal of AMCRON is to deepen research and make recommendations available for government to further deepen democracy in Nigeria that will bring renewed hope to all Nigerians,” Akinfeleye said.

The Chairman of the forum, Dr. Biodun Shobanjo, who commended AMCRON for its vision on research and development, said the association would have enough to research upon, especially in governance and disputes in election matters, which he said, remained highest in the history of Nigerian elections.

He said the role of the media had always been informative, entertaining and a strong advocate for good governance, and he encouraged AMCRON to hold government accountable through its value-added research and development initiatives.

In her goodwill message, the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Folashade Ogunshola, who

was represented by the Chairman, Local Organising Committee of AMCRON and Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Lagos, Prof.

Adepoju Tejumaiye, said there had always been a wide communication gap between governance and the governed and called on AMCRON to ensure that such gap is closed for the benefit of the general public.

In his welcome address as the Chairman, Local Organising Committee of AMCRON, Tejumaiye welcomed all participants to the conference, and stressed

the importance of the conference theme, which he said, would help to address the failed governance system in Nigeria and Africa at large.

Others who delivered goodwill messages at the conference, include the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos, Prof. Ladja Odukoya; Dean, School of Post Graduate Studies, University of Lagos, Prof. Abraham Oshunubi; Lead Partner, CMC Communications, Yomi Badejo; Director General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC); and Director General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), among others.

overall portfolio worth $85 billion.

Reacting to the move by P&G to exit the country, the Founder of the Centre for Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr. Muda Yusuf, told THISDAY that it was a reflection of the challenges that businesses with high foreign exchange exposures were facing in the country.

Yusuf, further explained that the challenge was not limited to foreign companies as indigenous Nigerian companies, both big and small companies that are not well known, were also facing challenge because of the foreign exchange rate situation.

He said: “Competitiveness and sustainability issues now for businesses that have high foreign exchange exposure. The only way out of this situation is for us to accelerate the process of backward integration as much as we can.

Secondly, is to accelerate the rate of import substitution.

“We know that there is effort by the CBN to stablise the market.

Some progress has been made but it depends on how fast we are able to fix the fundamentals, especially around the supply of foreign exchange.

“So, these are reflections of the macroeconomic challenges that we are facing at the moment.”

Speaking in the vein, the Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Economic

Summit Group (NESG), Mr. Laoye Jaiyeola, told THISDAY yesterday that the current development was inevitable because of the careless ways Nigeria had managed its financial and monetary affairs in the recent past.

Jaiyeola, however, said the exit of foreign manufacturing firms from Nigeria could be an opportunity for Nigerians to produce and consume made in Nigeria products.

He said: “We are all paying for it.

It is bad but in every setback there is an opportunity to look inward.

We all know that it will get to this level when we were printing money and being reckless about the way we were conducting our financial and monetary position.

“And now it seems that the chicken has come home to roost and we are all suffering for it now.

However, this is an opportunity for us to start looking for made in Nigeria.

“If they (P&G) think that we will import from them and we now develop our own local substitute and did not import from them what will happen? And if we produce locally, we will create jobs. The time is ripe for us to know that for everyone (foreign firm) that goes we should look for local substitute.

“Government’s own is to ensure that it is making the environment for doing business good enough for us.”

Abia Partners Poland, Bulgaria to Grow Strategic Sectors in State Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia Abia State government has opened its doors to enter into economic partnership with Poland and Bulgaria in order to enhance the development of the state.

Governor Alex Otti expressed Abia's disposition to robust economic collaborations with the two European nations when he received their Ambassadors on separate official visits to the state.

The Polish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Joan Tarnawska, with her delegation was the first that visited while her Bulgarian counterpart, Yanko Yardonov, also came with his delegation.

While the delegation from Poland were interested in partnering Abia in the area of agriculture, mining,

education and culture, Bulgaria was attracted to agriculture, trade, education and human capital development.

Otti, who was elated by the interest shown in Abia by the two countries, said his government would welcome any partnership that could lead to the growth of the state’s economy.

"There can't be a better state to partner with than Abia, and I say that for a lot of reasons," Otti told the Polish delegation.

He specifically stated that, "our dreams are very big" in such sectors as agriculture and education, hinting that Abia was desirous of exporting skilled workers.

"Our people are very creative, very innovative, very focused. They produce virtually everything; they may not be as sophisticated as those in Europe but they work,"

Otti added.

The Polish Ambassador, who disclosed that the visit was her first to the South-east of Nigeria, said there was a lot that can be done together between Nigeria and Poland.

"Nigeria is a country of great opportunities and potentials. We would like to tap into that potential and look for new avenues of cooperation between Poland and Nigeria ,and in particular your state," she told the Abia governor.

Tarnawska, recalled that the President of Poland visited Nigeria last year during which, "we signed an MoU on cooperation, agriculture and I hope that we can on this basis develop even closer ties with Nigeria and with Abia State."

Meanwhile, Otti told the Bulgarian delegation that, "the government we

have in Abia State right now is a very serious government, focused on delivering good governance to our people."

He said Bulgaria has come at the right time to assist Abia grow its economy, adding that he was satisfied with the areas the Bulgarian government has chosen to intervene in Abia.

The Bulgarian Ambassador to Nigeria, said the delegation was in the State to seek collaboration with Abia in order to boost agriculture, trade, education and human capital development.

"In more concrete terms, the project we wish to bring to your attention will be offering comprehensive understanding about the need to develop, not only economic ties, but also the people to people exchange," Yordanov said.

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Appropriation Committee Interacts With Critical Stakeholders on 2024 Budget...

L-R: Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin; Chief Whip/Vice Chairman Appropriation Committee, Senator Ali Ndume and Chairman Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa Photo: Julius Atoi in an interactive session with critical stakeholders and the general public on the 2024 Budget held in Abuja... yesterday

Nigerian Scholar Wins UK Varsity Award for New Research on Autism

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

A Nigerian scholar, Samuel Fasanmi, has won an award at the University of Bradford, United Kingdom, for his new discovery in the study of autism.

Fasanmi, who hails from Ilogbo-Ekiti, won the award via his dissertation titled: “Retrospective Narratives Generated by Autistic and Non-autistic Individuals: How Are They Perceived and Evaluated?"

In the academic work, Fasanmi was said to have answered the “double empathy problem” differently by examining how “neurotypical” and autistic individuals would perceive narratives generated by autistic persons in a non-social setting.

“The study was a clear departure from Alkhaldi et al. (2021), where social setting was a factor. Due to the fact that both neurotypical and autistic people produce the narratives, it represents a methodical advancement over earlier research on readability issues relating to retrodiction.

“The cross-sectional study utilised secondary data and analysed 120 narratives that were generated by 20 participants with different autistic statuses,” a statement following the award stressed.

The Dean and Professor of Communication Economy at the Faculty of Management, Law, and Social Sciences, University

of Bradford, Prof. Amir Sharif, announced Fasanmi as the winner of the Prize for Best Dissertation in MSc Psychology in a letter dated November 24, 2023.

Besides, the dissertation was supervised by Prof. Peter Mitchell, former Editor-in-Chief of the British Journal of Psychology (2007-2012), a British Psychological Society (BPS) flagship periodical and the current chair of the developmental section of the BPS. The former Head of the School of Social Sciences and a visiting professor from Nottingham University, the statement said, could not hide his admiration for the Nigerian scholar.

“The dissertation is an exemplary piece of work," he said, describing Fasanmi as being "extremely professional and competent."

“He remarked that Fasanmi did a great work and that he was happy to have such a capable student as good as Fasanmi,” it added.

The scholar got 79 per cent in his dissertation and a record landmark score of 76 per cent to clinch the prestigious award.

Fasanmi, who won a merit-based financial aid package of a $78,700 annual grant at Fordham University in the United States in July 2023, had obtained 13 different grants in the last 10 years.

Reacting to the news of the award, Fasanmi described his supervisor as “a mentor, top-notch academic, teacher, and a renowned

professor of psychology."

According to him, Mitchell had exuded “golden touches” in the field of developmental psychology and his particular interest in the mental health of autistic individuals was evident in the award-winning study.

He thanked the Vice Chancellor of the University of Bradford, Prof. Shirley Congdon; the Head of the Department of Psychology, Dr. Paul Sullivan; the Dissertation Coordinator, Dr. Eleanor Bryant and other lecturers in the Department of Psychology as well as his friends

who supported him in achieving what was described as a “rare feat.”

According to the release, the thriving literature on double empathy gained another argument from Fasanmi, which might account for the participants' unfavourable attitudes toward the texts they produced.

“The study contributed to the progress of methodology in psychology by being the first to examine different psychological themes derived from narratives produced by individuals diagnosed

with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a non-social environment, thus introducing a novel approach.

“Fasanmi creatively took out several psychological themes from the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) streams.

“These themes are cognition (Rosen et al., 2019), lifestyle (Bellon-Harn, 2022), emotion (Thin et al., 2018), social support (Saha & Agarwal, 2020), and affect (Bellon-Harn et al., 2019). This is a rare research ingenuity.

“The study supports Milton's

Gbajabiamila: 2024 Budget Has no Provision for Chief of Staff’s Residence Renovation Says funds allocated for renovating the presidential quarters, VP's lodge in Lagos

Deji Elumoye in Abuja Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, has punctured claims in some online publications that his office is to get N21 billion allocation in the 2024 budget estimates presented to the National Assembly by the President last week.

The report claimed N104 million is for the purchase of computers and printers for ‘local travel and transport for international training;’

his office is to spend N579 million, while ‘miscellaneous’ is expected to gulp N103 million.

The report also claimed a further breakdown of the proposed budgetary allocations showed that the reconstruction and repair of the CoS’s official residence is to get N10 billion while the computer software purchase for his office is purportedly expected to gulp about N10.1 billion while N290 million is allocated for purchase of vehicles.

Reacting to the report via a clari-

fication on his X handle@femigbaja on Wednesday, Gbajabiamila said he lives in his private residence in Abuja, adding that the sum mischievously quoted by online bloggers and those he called fake news merchants are for renovating the Presidential Quarters in Dodan Barracks and the Vice President’s Lodge in Lagos; to overhaul the information management and communications facilities in the Presidency to meet modern standards and to provide vehicles for

UNICEF Commences Enumeration Of Out-of-School Children in Bauchi

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (BASUBEB) has commenced house-to-house enumeration of out-of-school children targeting getting as many children as possible into school during the current academic session.

THISDAY reports that In July 2023, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office in collaboration with other stakeholders conducted a media field trip and a media dialogue on the issue of out-of-school children (OOSC) in the state.

The activities highlighted the risks of having many children who are not in school in the state; the

approaches to tackling the problem and the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration on the issue.

Since then, the Bauchi State government and UNICEF have strengthened the collaboration to address the problem.

Speaking on ‘Mapping Out-ofSchool-Children,’ in the state during the training of the enumerators held at the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, yesterday, the Officer-inCharge/Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Nigeria, Bauchi Field Office, Clement Adams, said the mapping activity will enable the state to know the actual number of children that are out of school, for effective planning.

He said that the mapping is a comprehensive household survey for children towards actualizing

double empathy theory, as it supports the narrative states of both autistic and neurotypical narrators.

“However, the study found no interaction effect between narrative state and autistic status on linguistic patterns, indicating that linguistic patterns do not determine autistic status in non-social settings.

“The findings contribute to the ongoing debate on the relationship between autism and narrative states in language analysis and communication,” the statement added.

the state’s strategic plans to reduce the number and rate of out-of-school children as well as increase public participation and respond to the global targets of achieving Education For All (EFA) and Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) targets.

Adams also explained that the exercise is geared towards obtaining information on out-ofschool children and the underlying reasons, adding that it would ensure gathering adequate information that will inform its decision-making for education planning, especially for the marginalized and vulnerable children in the state.

According to him, "During the commencement of the 2023/2024 academic session, UNICEF supported the state to

conduct enrolment drive campaign across the state, and so far, about 18,900 pupils have enrolled (new entrants/returned) and the number is expected to increase after the validation of the enrolment drive campaign, when the final figures will be available".

He also explained that "The stratified cluster sampling design (SCSD) was adopted for the OOSC mapping because it always gives a better representative sample.

The SCSD is a combination of stratified random sampling and cluster sampling methods.

"This SCSD involves the stratification of the population while using cluster sampling to select samples independently from each stratum. The 20 LGAs of Bauchi State are the strata and each stratum

is subdivided into primary schools (clusters). Samples of five primary schools (clusters) were selected from each LGA using one-stage cluster sampling with optimum allocation.

"We believe that this activity will be integral to further fine tuning our approaches to addressing the menace of OOSC in Bauchi State.

The state government and UNICEF have trained the enumerators on the tools and the modalities to ensure that the mapping activity yields the desired results.”

In his remarks, the Education Officer, UNICEF Nigeria Bauchi Field Office, Mr. Ralph Aiyedipe, said that the 325 enumerators trained by UNICEF have been deployed to work across the 20 local government areas within the catchment communities of the state.

the staff of the Presidency.

The Chief of Staff said: “I have seen social media commentary regarding the 2024 Appropriation Bill, particularly the provisions under the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.

“Owing to the erroneous nature of these reports, it has become necessary to clarify that there is no provision in the 2024 Appropriation Bill for the renovation of any residence for the Chief of Staff to the President. I live in my private residence.

“The sums mischievously quoted by online bloggers and fake news merchants are for renovating the Presidential Quarters in Dodan Barracks and the Vice President’s Lodge in Lagos, to overhaul the information management and communications facilities in the Presidency to meet modern standards and to provide vehicles for the staff of the Presidency. The sums proposed for these projects are clearly stated in the budget proposal and bear no resemblance to the deceptive online commentary.

“This administration welcomes and encourages scrutiny of government expenditure; this is why the Budget proposal is publicly available. However, healthy public debate about government actions requires us to be responsible with our utterances and engage based on facts rather than insinuations and falsehoods.”

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THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2023 •T H I S D AY Advertorial

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Ex-Beauty Queen, Helen Prest, Challenges Admissibility of 1974 Marriage Certificate

Wale Igbintade

Justice Oluwatoyin Odusanya of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, has fixed January 23, 2024, to rule on the admissibility of a 1974 marriage certificate tendered by Mrs. Adenike Oluwayemisi Ajayi over the estate of her late estranged husband, Dr. Tosin Ajayi who died intestate in Lagos State on April 26, 2020.

Justice Odusanya adjourned for ruling after talking arguments from counsel to the Claimants, Mr. Kunle Adegoke SAN and that of the Defendants, Mr. Abiodun Owonikoko.

The Claimants, Mrs. Adenike Oluyemisi Ajayi, her children, Tomi Deru (Nee Ajayi Olumide Ajayi, Omolade Soetan (Nee Ajayi, Mayowa Okeowo (Nee Ajayi) and Bisola Ajayi had in suit number ID/3364LM/21 filed against Ms. Helen Davies, and her daughter, Tomisin Ajayi are praying the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st Defendant from interfering in the management of the Estate of Dr. Tosin Ajayi.

In her evidence-in-chief yesterday, Mrs. Adenike Ajayi (1st claimant) told the court that she was a retired nurse and adopted her witness statement on oath dated 17th February, 2023.

She also tendered several documents including the death certificate of Dr. Tosin Ajayi, the funeral receipt, letter from Falana & Falana law firm, a Certified True Copy (CTC) of Counter Affidavit, Certificate of Compliance, and Photographs among others.

However, counsel to the Defendants, Abiodun Owonikoko, objected to the admissibility of of her Marriage Certificate dated 6th of July 1974 on the ground that the marriage certificate was not authentic.

Owonikoko, argued that the certificate was not qualified as a Certified True Copy of a public document, stressing that only copies made from the original can be administered by the court.

He stated that only a duplicate copy of the Marriage Certificate and not a photocopy could be admitted as part of the record of the court.

But, lawyer to the Claimants,

Kunle Adegoke, submitted that a public document either original or a Certified True Copy was admissible in court.

He said there was no allegations of forgery or falsification and urged the court to admit it as part of the documents of the Claimant.

The Claimants in their statement of claim averred that the 1st Claimant was the only surviving spouse of late Dr. Tosin Ajayi, who passed on April 26, 2020.

The Claimants praying for a declaration that the 1st Claimant was entitled to the personal chattels absolutely and one-third of the Estate of Dr. Tosin Ajayi who died intestate in Lagos State on April 26, 2020.

"A declaration that the Claimants and the 2nd Defendant are entitled to apply and obtain Letters of Administration of the Estate of Dr. Tosin Ajayi who died intestate in Lagos State on April 26, 2020.

"A declaration that the 1st Defendant is not entitled to any share in the personal chattels and residuary Estate of Dr. Tosin Ajayi who died intestate in Lagos State

on April 26, 2020.

"An Order directing the 1st Claimant to take the personal chattels absolutely and one-third of the Estate of Dr. Tosin Ajayi who died intestate in Lagos State on April 26, 2020.

"An Order directing the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Claimants and the 2nd Defendant to take an equal share of the remaining two-thirds of the Estate of Dr. Tosin Ajayi who died intestate in Lagos State on April 26, 2020.”

But, the Defendants in their statement of defence averred that 1st Claimant was no more than an estranged spouse of Late Dr Tosin Ajayi (the deceased), as parties were separated for about thirty-five (35) years before the demise of the deceased.

They stated that after the separation, the deceased spent the next 10 years living alone before he met the 1st Defendant.

The Defendants stated that after a period of courtship, the deceased expressed his intention of marrying the 1st Defendant and thereafter

travelled to Port Harcourt to see her mother (1st Defendant's mother).

Further to the deceased’s expression of interest, he carried out all requisite demands under the Kalabari custom (where the 1st defendant hails from) upon acceptance of his proposal by the 1st defendant’s mother (who was the only surviving parent at the material time) at her Kalabari homestead.

Furthermore, defendants averred that no form of traditional marriage rites under Yoruba custom was observed in the marriage by either the 1st defendant or the deceased, both having elected to adopt the Kalabari native law and custom as demanded by the 1st defendant’s mother in keeping with the promise made by the deceased.

Defendants averred that the standard incidence of unconditional marriage under Kalabari culture was that the wife enjoys the right of inheritance and the home of the husband along with children of the husband where he predeceases her (as in this case where the deceased predeceased the 1st defendant).

Helen Prest They stated that contrary to the averments in paragraphs 3 and 18 of the Statement of Claim, the 1st defendant and the deceased performed all the requisite Kalabari traditional marriage rites after the period of courtship to consolidate their marriage as husband and wife.

The matter has been adjourned till January 23, and 26, 2024 for ruling and continuation of trial.

Touray: Military Rule Has Increased Terrorism, Insecurity in W’Africa Says it poses existential threat to region

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The President of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Omar Touray, has warned the people of West Africa against being hoodwinked by romantic notions of military takeovers, saying the rise in military rule has led to worsening insecurity and increased exposure to terrorism in the region.

Touray, who decried that the growing military rule, insisted it posed existential threat to the region, and that there must be no weak link if ECOWAS must prevail.

Delivering a welcome address at the 51st Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council at Ministerial Level in Abuja, yesterday, Touray gave a rather disturbing situation report in some of the West African countries currently under military rule.

“On the political front, the transi-

tion roadmaps and timetables agreed with the transition authorities in Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso for a rapid and peaceful restoration of constitutional order have been implemented at varied paces amid worsening security situations.

The attempted coup d’état in Niger has further distracted attention from the support to these transition processes as the transition countries seek to forge a solidarity with the military authorities in the Republic of Niger, thereby creating an impression of a divide between them and ECOWAS. “These military coups are not only based on fake narrative and false justifications; they are also a driver of insecurity in the region.

In a statement at the recently concluded Saudi Africa summit, this is the warning that President Tinubu had to sound.

“Do not be hoodwinked by romantic notions of military

takeovers. They end up pointing their guns at each other, trying to control the capital cities and leave the border areas to the terrorists.

For those, who may still not be aware, this poses an existential threat and there must be no weak links in ECOWAS if we are to prevail.

“To drive home the gravity of the insecurity to which military coups contribute, let us look at some data. Victims of insecurity – those killed, maimed, and displaced and those who have lost livelihoods and educational opportunities – are the subject of conflicting figures. Yet, all the figures are indicative of the pain and suffering that insecurity continues to inflict on the people.

“For example, from January 1st to October 22, 2023, 1503 incidents of terrorist attacks were recorded in Burkina Faso; 1044 in Mali; 376 in Niger 166 since the coup). These incidents have resulted in several fatalities: 6811 in Burkina Faso, 2889

in Mali: 768 in Niger (557 since the Coup).

“In addition to the unbearable toll on human lives, insecurity continues to have dire humanitarian consequences. In just Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, a total of 4.8 million people face food insecurity, 2.4 million people are internally-displaced and close to 9000 schools remain closed.

“A disaggregation of the data shows that Burkina Faso, has the highest number of food-insecure people – close to 2.2 million, followed

by Niger with 1.9 million and Mali about 800 000. Burkina Faso also accounts for the largest number of internally displaced people – about 2 million, while Mali and Niger each have close to half a million displaced persons.

“The number of schools closed stands at 6000 in Burkina Faso, 1700 in Mali and 1000 in Niger. to the claims of the military authorities,

Supreme Court to Hit Full Complement as NJC Recommends Appointment of 11 Justices

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Supreme Court is, for the first time in history, set to attain its full complement of 21 justices following the recommendation of 11 justices to President Bola Tinubu for appointment.

Among those recommended by the National Judicial Council (NJC) are two justices who sat on the 2023 Presidential Election Petition Court, Justice Haruna Tsammani and Justice Stephen Adah.

A statement from NJC said the recommended justices had emerged successful from the council's interview committee.

Twenty two justices were initially shortlisted to fill vacant positions on the bench of the apex court, which recently reduced to 10 justices, its lowest ever.

The last time the court got close to achieving its full complement was in 2020, when eight justices were elevated from the Court of Appeal to join 12 other justices on the bench of the apex court.

However, owing to retirements and deaths, the bench in the last three years continued to experience depletion, raising serious concerns among litigants and Nigerians, in general.

The statement signed by NJC's Director of Information, Mr Soji Oye, listed the other recommended justices as Justice Jummai Sankey, Justice Chidiebere Uwa, Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, Justice Moore Adumein, and Justice Obande Ogbuinya.

Others were Justice Habeeb

Abiru, Justice Jamilu Tukur, Justice Abubakar Umar, and Justice Mohammed Idris.

Meanwhile, NJC, which is headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, also recommended Justice Mohammed Ramat for appointment as Justice of the Court of Appeal.

In addition, Justice Joel Agya and Justice Umar Abubakar were recommended for appointment as Chief Judges of Taraba and Kebbi states, respectively.

Equally recommended by NJC were Kadi Sadiq Mukhtar as Grand Kadi, Sharia Court of Appeal, Kebbi State; Justice A. O. Femi-Segun, as President, Customary Court of Appeal, Ogun State; Justice Alfred Yakubu, President Customary Court of Appeal, Taraba State; and Justice Tajudeen Abdulganiyu, Customary Court of Appeal, Oyo State.

NJC also recommended the appointment of 26 lawyers for appointment as judicial officers across the federation.

NJC said in its statement, "All recommended candidates to the Supreme Court Bench would be sworn-in after the approval of their recommendation by President Bola Tinubu, and the subsequent confirmation of their appointment by the senate.

"The various heads of court recommended would also be sworn-in upon the approval of their appointment by their various state governors and subsequent confirmation of same by their respective State Houses of Assembly."

Recall that the CJN had at a

special court session to mark the opening of the 2023/2024 new legal year vowed to break the jinx over the realisation of the composition of 21 justices on the bench of the Supreme Court.

Ariwoola had assured that he would do everything in his power to ensure that the apex court attained its full complement of 21 justices before his retirement next year.

Currently, there are just 10 justices on the bench of the Supreme Court, the lowest in the history of the court.

Ariwoola disclosed, "As soon as I assumed office on June 27, 2022, I immediately got down to work on this urgent and immediate need in particular.”

He added, "Though we have

not gotten them on board yet, I can convincingly assure the litigant public that within a very short while, the Supreme Court of Nigeria will, for the very first time in its history, get the constitutionally-prescribed full complement of 21 Justices.

"That is one of the legacies I have been working assiduously to leave behind as it now seems that the court has been somewhat ‘jinxed’ from meeting its constitutional requirement since that piece of legislation was enacted several years ago."

The issue of appointment to fill vacant positions at the apex court had been on the front burner of national discourse for some time now.

Cardoso Approves New CBN Service Charter

tion dissemination, availability of consultation, non-discrimination and accessibility to service, and grievance redress mechanism."

Cardoso, also said he, and the central bank remained committed to the, "full implementation of this document towards ensuring excellent customer service delivery.

"I, therefore, enjoin our valued customers to fulfil their obligations as enshrined herein to help us serve them better."

Essentially, the document clearly outlines the bank's mandates, vision, mission, and core values as well as lists services offered by the CBN through its various departments and the service standards for each service.

The Charter also includes a

standardised Customer Complaints Form for reporting service failure as well as a mechanism for addressing service failure in any of the bank's services.

The policy enables the central bank to fully comply with the directives of SERVICOM Nigeria (the Presidency) on improvement of customer service delivery.

It further outlines how the bank promises to work with its external customers in meeting their expectations of service along with what the bank expects from them.

In one of such service obligations, the Corporate Communications Department of the CBN is expected to respond to calls on enquiries and complaints via the Contact Centre and resolve issues in two minutes.

the incidences of terror attacks have been on the increase with attendant humanitarian consequences.

“From January to 30th November, the number of terrorist attacks in Burkina was 1256, in Mali-1032 and in Niger 391. The figures in terms of casualties were 4788 in Burkina Faso; 2174 in Mali and 606 in Niger.”

He noted that the overall peace and security environment, from the Sahel region through the Lake Chad Basin and beyond remained a matter of concern.

He lamented that, “Terrorists and armed groups continue to hold sway in Central Sahel and the northern parts of some coastal states. Indeed, it is evident that terrorism and unconstitutional political practices have remained the major security threat in the region that must be frontally addressed.”

He however, pledged that

the region would continue “to make efforts for a quick return to constitutional order in these member states” adding that, “as part of our humanitarian response, the Commission is taking several significant steps to increase its intervention assistance.”

These he claimed, included “the deployment of some funds from the counterterrorism fund to provide for basic education to conflict-affected children, livelihood support, and resilience building.”

In his opening address, the Chairman of the Mediation and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, said the meeting availed the region ministers the opportunity to exhaustively discuss its collective existential challenges, and to devise strategies to tackle these emerging threats for the overall well-being of their community citizens.

Tinubu to Talon: Our Countries Are Conjoined Twins Held Together at Hip

development.

Tinubu told Talon that the main reason he never missed his steps was that he always looked forward in all his undertakings.

Talon, who sought stronger trade ties with Nigeria, emphasised the imperative of free movement of people and goods between Benin Republic and Nigeria.

Tinubu told his Beninese counterpart, "We are one. No other nation like ours should be worried. What is affecting us is a lack of synergy. We have not developed the necessary economic synergy that will develop our two nations.

“We must have common economic principles and priorities.

The economic programme you are developing through inter-ministerial collaboration is welcomed by me.

"We will support all of our private sector interests to facilitate prosperity in both of our important countries.

I appreciate the urgency of your approach, and we welcome this.

Leadership is sometimes defined by urgent action.

“Thank you for your quality leadership. We are together. I am not a backward looking person. I look forward. This is how I avoid missing steps."

Earlier, Talon, who was at State House to seek Tinubu’s support in the improvement of trade relations, ahead of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Summit, described the relationship between his country and Nigeria as crucial.

He said, "Benin has started implementing a national development

plan, which includes enhanced integration between Nigeria and Benin Republic.

“Our development plan includes taking into account what investments are required in Benin to enhance our integration with Nigeria in trade terms. It is true that many agreements have been signed to push our integration forward, but they have not been implemented.

"At the level of ECOWAS, we embrace free movement and integration, and at the African level, AfCFTA envisages this. So, we need to move urgently to make this a reality.

"Our investment programme must be revised to factor in all factors of the Nigerian economy. We seek to set up an inter-ministerial technical committee that will jointly prepare a draft document for our legislatures.”

Talon added, “I am ready to sign an executive order to appoint members of the council to advance mutually beneficial cooperation across sectors.

"There have been difficulties bilaterally on the issue of smuggling.

We will work hard to coordinate and ensure that your interests are protected as we integrate our economies. I want us to make history together."

Tinubu’s predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, had in August 2019 shut all Nigeria’s land borders in an effort to curtail smuggling of goods, especially, rice, and boost local production. Buhari reopened four of the border points in December 2020. Currently, five of the land borders have been opened.

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T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 07, 2023

NEWS

New Cabinet Members For Lagos...

L-R: Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Mr. Olufemi Daramola; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Commissioner for Energy & Mineral Resources, Mr. Biodun Ogunleye, during the swearing in of the two new cabinet members at the EXCO chambers, Lagos House, Ikeja, ... yesterday

Interior Ministry Generates N1.195bn Through Expatriate Quotas in 10 Months NASS alleges foreign prisoners working as construction workers in Nigeria

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said his ministry surpassed its budgetary target of N600 million revenue from the issuance of expatriate quotas in 2023, by generating N1.195 billion from January to October this year.

The National Assembly however through its joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Interior, challenged the ministry

on the issuance of the expatriate quotas.

The federal parliament said it was serving as avenue for stealing jobs from Nigerians in Nigeria by expatriates.

Tunji-Ojo, spoke when he appeared before the joint panel to defend the 2024 budget of his ministry yesterday.

The Minister said the Ministry surpassed its budgetary revenue projections on expatriate quotas

and marriage.

He said, "Apart from the projected revenue from expatriate quotas that had been surpassed by about N600m extra, the N380million projected revenue from marriage, has also been surpassed by over N500 million with N892.774 million realised as at October 31, 2023," he said.

The Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC Edo North) admitted that the Ministry surpassed its revenue

targets on issuance of expatriate quotas.

He said the policy gave room for expatriates to steal jobs meant for Nigerians in Nigeria.

He explained: "Your Ministry needs to regulate issuance of the quotas very well as I have on good authority that prisoners from foreign land are working in Nigeria as construction workers.

"This is even different from the age-long fraud the oil companies

have been carrying out in the country through the policy of expatriate quotas by making our own qualified engineers to work under foreign technicians.

"Many non-Nigerians are in the country, some of them live inside containers. I even believe and dare say it that there are foreign prisoners who are working in Nigeria. They were shipped to our country to serve their prison terms.

"They were being paid according to their country's minimum wage by the construction industry that brought them. I don't want to mention the company's name but if I am provoked, I will mention them.

"Honourable Minister, this is a serious issue, prisoners are not expected to work in their countries if the product or whatever they engage in is meant to be exported," he said.

But the Minister in his response , assured the committee members that the Ministry had already come up with initiative for job protection for Nigerians.

The initiative according to him is known as Expatriate Employee Network ( EEN) primarily aimed to safeguard jobs meant for Nigerians from been stolen by expatriates and also prevent expatriate workers from evading tax payment in Nigeria.

ELRA Seeks Operators’ Collaboration for Better Leasing Regulatory Environment 2024 Budget: National Assembly Dike Onwuamaeze The Chairman/CEO of the Equipment Leasing Registration Authority (ELRA), Mr. Saidu Njidda, has called on stakeholders in the industry to synergise with ELRA to engender a regulatory environment that would tackle poor access to long term funding for leasing businesses, and address high incidence of lack of equipment and machinery for setting up businesses, expanding existing ones.

Njidda, also tasked operators in the leasing industry to support the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s drive to propel leasing business in the country and provide access to capital as part of the 8-Point Agenda of the President Tinubu’s administration.

He said: “May I pause to recommend that all industry players take advantage of this nascent agency (ELRA) by partnering and synergis-

ing with us to achieve this very important feat.

“Furthermore, I urge all prospective investors and other corporate organisations at all levels to also take advantage of the new vistas opened by the establishment of ELRA.” Njidda made the call during the recently concluded National Lease Conference of the Equipment Leasing Association of Nigeria (ELAN), which brought together all stakeholders to see to the growth of the nation’s economy through leasing, which he said, is apt and in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration.

He added that “there is no gainsaying in the fact that leasing, if properly harnessed, will propel economic growth and help chart a cause that will benefit and reshape the economy.”

He also tasked operators to analyse the imperative of equipment leasing to the attainment of

the economic growth agenda of this administration, adding that deliberations during the conference would further entrench the imperatives of equipment leasing to developmental initiatives and “the outcome of today’s deliberation will go a long way in supporting the current administration’s drive in propelling leasing and providing access to capital as part of the 8-Point Agenda of the President Tinubu’s administration.

“I am convinced that this will be one of the game changers in turning around the economic fortunes of this country towards the Renewed Hope Agenda and to pull the country out of economic doldrums and move it to the highest level among comity of nation’s where it rightfully belongs.

I therefore, once again, congratulate ELAN for putting together this conference.”

Njidda, noted that the ELRA, which is an agency under the Federal

Ministry of Finance, was established by an act of the National Assembly under the Equipment Leasing Act 2015 as a revenue generation agency with the mandate to register lease agreement, monitor banks and other financial institutions with regards to leasing, enhance capital asset formation and attracting investment into the country.

He said: “By this development, efforts to tackle high incidence of lack of equipment and machinery for set up businesses, expansion of existing businesses, regulation of the sector as well as economic growth through access to funding and leasing windows shall be addressed.

“No nation and its citizens attain such high economic growth without fully exploring and harnessing the leasing option. This, ELRA has come to fill. All challenges of this sector shall be articulated and addressed through this window.”

Will Support Solid Minerals’ Development, Senate Tells Alake Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The Senate Committee on Solid Minerals has assured the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, of its readiness to support the ministry with budgetary allocation to enable it generate necessary data that would attract investors to the sector.

The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Samson Ekong, gave the promise when Alake appeared before the panel to defend his 2024 budgetary allocation.

Alake had earlier told the committee that the ministry under his leadership requires huge funds to generate geo-science data on about 44 mineral deposits across the country.

A cursory look at the ministry’s

COP28: NDDC to Collaborate with Investors on Green Innovations

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed determination for significant investments, partnerships and collaboration on green innovation, an approach for clean energy.

According to a statement, Wednesday, by Mr. Pius Ughakpoteni, Director, Corporate Affairs, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, made the call for the partnership during a side event at the Climate Change

Conference, COP28 in Dubai.

Ogbuku said the Commission was leveraging the key sectors of the energy transition plan to develop new green skills and create new jobs in the region.

He said: “Our gathering at COP28 is a reminder of the urgent need for several and collective actions to address the issues of climate change.

“Sustainable development for the Niger Delta region is underscored by the high vulnerability of the region to impacts of climate change and environmental pollution. The high exposure of

the region to sea level rise, storm surges, coastal erosion, and river flooding, compounded by increasing human-induced pressures on coastal areas made the region one of the most impacted by climate change in Africa.”

The NDDC boss observed that the vulnerability of the region was further aggravated by oil spillages, gas flaring and environmental degradation.

He noted: “While the Niger Delta region is a critical ecosystem, rich in natural resource, and a significant contributor to the global economy, this vast resource

is intricately interwoven with compounding climate change and environmental issues.

He said further: “These resources have the leveraging capacity for the transition to a low carbon, climate-resilient development pathway.”

Ogbuku stated that the Commission would explore the four major themes of COP28, namely; “technology and innovation, inclusion, frontline communities, and finance.”

He explained that NDDC was participating at the climate change conference to leverage the spirit of

the themes to seek partnerships in green innovations and finance to fast-track green initiatives aimed at limiting global warming to 1.5 degree centigrade by 2030.

“NDDC is determined to mainstream climate considerations in our operations and in our development planning and implementation. Our theme at this side event: “Green Innovation for Climate-Resilient Development in the Niger Delta Region: A Credible Approach for Net-Zero Target,” shows our commitment to national and international direction for carbon neutrality”, Ogbuku added

budget proposal showed that N24,917,158,629 has been earmarked for capital expenditure in 2024 out of its total allocation of N29,243,373,419.

Alake said the availability of the data would help to attract investors into the sector.

He said: “The first thing is to create the attention necessary for this sector before the international community, before local investors “ I want to state categorically that we've been able to achieve that in the last 100 days more than what had been achieved in that sector in several years.

“Today, international investors are on our necks making inquiries as to which minerals they are interested in, that they want to pump in their foreign direct investment and all of that.

“Even a few days ago, I was at the mines and money conference in London, which is an annual thing with members of my team and the degree of interest that our presentations generated there was quite enthusiastic and very encouraging.

“In fact, during the conference, the US Under Secretary of State came to me. We had a meeting, very useful meeting, expressing serious interest in our solid mineral sector and said categorically that in the last couple of weeks, the attention on that sector had generated their own interest that they didn't even know before that we had all of these things. Now they are interested to come with their money, which we need,” he said.

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T H I S D AY • THURSday DECEMBER 7, 2023

politics

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

Nwangwu: Some INEC Staff Deserves Punishment for Frolicking with Politicians

Chairman, Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa, Ezenwa Nwangwu, in this interview with Adedayo Akinwale, speaks on the reported corrupt practises of some staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission and other issues associated with the conduct of the 2023 general election in the country.

W

hat is your reaction to the recent Appeal court judgement on the Kano Governorship election, considering the fact that the Supreme Court held that nobody has the right to question the decision of the court as far as party nomination was concerned?

Well, I think you need to, first, be very clear, oftentimes, the court of public opinion trife on emotion and ignorance. If I ask you now, whether you have read that judgment of the Court of Appeal and the reasons it adduced for particular cases, because every case has its different understanding and the law is wide.

It is important that before you comment, do not comment based on what you hear somebody saying. It is important that you avail yourself the opportunity of seeing (reading the judgement).

If you go and read why the Court of Appeal held that position, you may be shocked that certain things were not done properly by the people who are raising those issues in the court of public opinion.

Let me give you an instance, before the presidential election, some people were already taking a position about what the outcome of the court will be.

We saw lawyers who were not practising law inside the courts, they were practising it on television. Their law was practised on television. Even, what lay people like us understood clearly about the elections through long period of engagement and participation with this process, those lawyers did not know.

Until the presidential court had a masterclass on electoral jurisprudence for all of us for 12 hours and taught us simple issues about procedure in elections, evidence.

Did you have party agents? Are your party agents part of your witnesses? No. The political parties did not bring party agents to court who were the people at the polling units, at the granular level.

But they were posting everywhere, and making anybody who says anything to the contrary looked like you were the bad guys. The court came and exposed those things. My sense always is that I do not think that it is right to castigate a judgment that you have not read based on the interpretation of partisans.

Now, when I mean partisans in a court case, lawyers are either for or against. So when you listen to a lawyer, 1,000 of them have different opinion on ‘but’ and ‘when’, in the Constitution or in the Electoral Act. 1,000 of them have different opinions. So, when you are talking to this lawyer, the lawyer will tell you that according to the law, but the judge is the one who has a wider view of all the arguments.

My sense is that we should respect them and even if we don’t respect them, and castigate a particular judgement we should not paint a black tag on the whole institution, because this same institution like you were referring to also were the ones who gave judgment in Bauchi, who gave the judgment in Delta, who gave judgment in Imo, against the ruling party and such other episodic interventions that they have done that gives hope.

So if we take those who are side by side, and then put the places where we probably don’t understand, or where even they erred, it is not enough to condemn completely the whole institution.

And that is the whole thing that was being done with INEC. Oh, the election was this, and you ask people, this electoral process, this thing is a process, it is not an event. Which particular part of this process do you have problems with?

Of course, it was the upload of the result on IReV. Now, that particular action was just a very little part of the whole process. The whole authentication and voting, results at the polling units, all of those things, according to the data for the 2023 elections, went well.

We have held on to one activity, out of almost more than 100 activities that were done through

that institution, INEC. 214 attacks on its facilities before the 2023 election. It means that we have to really respect those institutions and work to see how we consolidate this democracy.

What kind of reforms should they pursue so that the citizens will also see when they give judgment that judgment hasn’t been done?

Election is not an emotion. Two things: what are you dealing with? Are you dealing with ignorance or mischief? There are two issues, where a lawyer knows that he has a bad case, does he come and say I have a bad case? He does not say I have a bad case.

It tells you that the case, we will see what we can do and then when he fails in the first instance, he said let’s go to the Appeal. And then when he finishes, he say let’s go to the Supreme Court. You’re not going there free, they are paying money. And he knows ab initio that he wants to see whether he can wriggle it out through technicalities or other things.

Nwangwu 2023 elections. And on the basis of that we want to say the election was...

There is just that thing about wanting to pull down, destroy those institutions, and then create the argument for an alternative that is dangerous.

That alternative is that people [will say,] you know this democracy is no longer working for us, we can go back to the military.

The people who made that argument, they were not expelled from the university, they were not detained, they didn’t lose their lives for this democracy. There are even those who made the argument who were merchants in the struggle for democracy. They were business people.

That period was a period of business for them. So, those of us who sacrificed our youth, who lost our studentship, had to go to court, the court had to recall us and all of those issues will not sit pretty and watch people do the kind of things they are doing right now with these institutions.

And it is only natural that we see it that way.

Does that mean that everything went well? Certainly no. But if there’s a difference between criticism and

malicious slander, where people just want to destroy a process, the changes that we look for, we can begin to talk about how we ensure that we do proper electronic voting and then it has to be instrumental because there is no electronic voting anywhere that is complete, it is still Bi-modal— the manual going side by side with electronic. There is no country where you have complete electronic management of the electoral process. It is still manual and so we can increase more and more the technology component of our elections.

We can expand the space by independent candidacy. We can also look at diaspora voting where it is possible. At least, let us take it away from the law, in a way that guarantees that our citizens who live outside the country can cast their votes.

We have to make it clear that we are all about expanding the democratic space, improving the capacity of the electoral management body to also deal with its own issues internally.

The sabotage, the subterfuge internally by some INEC staff who hawk solutions to politicians that they can help them do this and that needs to be exposed and punished. And incidentally INEC is in the forefront of doing that. It has its own staff being tried in law courts as we speak today. There is no institution that has been caught under the kind of ferocious attack like

We have to make it clear that we are all about expanding the democratic space, improving the capacity of the electoral management body to also deal with its own issues internally.

The sabotage, the subterfuge internally by some INEC staff who hawk solutions to politicians that they can help them do this and that needs to be exposed and punished. And incidentally INEC is in the forefront of doing that. It has its own staff being tried in law courts as we speak today.

There is no institution that has been caught under the kind of ferocious attack like that institution, INEC.

Do you think the judiciary has a constitutional right to declare any particular candidate the winner of an election, instead of ordering a rerun?

The Constitution empowers them to do the work that they are doing. If by the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act they find it that somebody did not even qualify. If you do not qualify to stand for an election, let’s say you are not 18 years old, let’s say you are not a Nigerian and your party goes and puts you forward to run for office when you do not qualify. Or when the Constitution says you don’t qualify. If you run all your running is nullity, you wasted your energy. So, the court will say, even if you win, you are not the rightful owner of this position. You can be crying, you can be shouting, but most times what has happened is that the people who are in the wrong are the loudest.

They are the ones who made the biggest noise and noise is attractive to the ordinary person.

With regard to elections, what kind of reforms do you want to see in the judiciary?

What we need is more and more training for judges. When you say judiciary, you are also talking about lawyers, so you’re not just talking about judges. You are talking about lawyers, you are talking about the bench and the bar. You need increased training for the judges. Election and electoral matters are a difficult issue. It’s not as easy as a lot of people would like to see it. Many lawyers run away from it because the burden of proof is on you that is alleging.

There have been allegations of corruption against the judges, especially the recent Kano judgement...

We cannot be talking about Kano because it will go to the Supreme Court. If the Supreme Court says what the Court of Appeal did was wrong, then, that is it.

Until that happens, because of the specific engagement with that issue, only the judges who have the different evidences can make a call on it. We cannot take the court of public opinion above the court of experts. The court of public opinion should not be leading this discussion.

Are you saying we should not talk about any alleged corruption among the judges regarding this judgment?

If for instance, you are alleging, don’t allege in the media, allege through the proper channels. For instance, if I want to say that a judge is corrupt, I will go to the National Judicial Council. I can share that document with the media, where I will depose to an affidavit, saying this judge is corrupt. If you’re not quoting from that document, you are spreading rumour and hearsay.

Because the lawyer who thinks that the judgment was against him, or if he thinks the judge is corrupt, he is knowledgeable about where to take the matter to.

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T H I S D AY • Thursday, december 7 2023

FEatures

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

Spotlight on Judicial Integrity, Call for Inclusive Electoral Reform

Stakeholders at the recently held ‘National Seminar on Targeted Electoral Reforms and Enhanced Judicial Integrity in PostElection Litigation’ organised by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, have raised several questions on the integrity of the Nigeria Judiciary, while also calling for an inclusive electoral reform in the country. Sunday Ehigiator reports

I

n recent times, Nigeria has witnessed a series of hitches in electoral outcomes as most electoral candidates look up to the judiciary to rightfully or fraudulently obtain victory, leveraging various technicalities or loopholes in the electoral process and legal provisions.

Similarly, the judiciary through Electoral Tribunals and other Courts of Law has reportedly employed technicalities in upturning electoral victories, which on most occasions, rigs out the choices of the electorate.

The potential repercussions of the judiciary taking on the role of determining political leadership by supplanting the electorate through technicalities are believed by stakeholders to be gradually taking away the essence of elections and diminishing the role of citizens in Nigeria’s political history.

The 2023 Elections In early 2022, Nigeria made commendable progress with amendments to various provisions of the Electoral Act. However, the recently concluded 2023 general and off-cycle elections have revealed some critical areas for further reforms, towards enhancing electoral credibility in the country and restoring public confidence in the system.

Electoral outcomes have further exposed the extent of judicial independence and its inability to dispense justice appropriately. This discouraging trend continues to amplify apathy and discontent amongst Nigerians towards the electoral process, hence the essence of the seminar.

The Seminar Against the backdrop of the controversial court judgements, including the controversial Kano State Appeal Court Judgement, in which the judgement contained in the court’s Certified True Copy (CTC), was different from what was pronounced by the Judges, CISLAC hosted other stakeholders to highlight the issues, and forge out lasting solutions to tackle the issues.

At the National seminar held in Lagos state, stakeholders critically observed the areas enabling technicalities and challenges bedevilling the electoral system and conducted, to proffer holistic recommendations for comprehensive and all-inclusive reform in Nigeria’s electoral system.

In his introductory remarks, the Executive Director, of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Rafsanjani, said Nigeria’s democracy has hitherto been threatened by a series of systemic challenges since 1999.

“Despite various legal reforms preceding the 2023 general and off-cycle elections, the conduct and outcomes of the elections have questioned the direction of Nigeria’s democracy.

It is like going ten steps backwards for every step taken forward.

“We are not unaware of the undemocratic actions of the political class who are bent on capturing power at all cost for their aggrandisement and the detriment of the collective good remains a growing challenge.

“These unpatriotic political groups appear with the determination to sabotage the integrity and backpedal progress in our legal and institutional reforms targeted at the electoral system and process, as well as any other thing that stands in their way. This has left devastating effects on citizens’ trust in the Electoral Body and the judiciary.”

Rafsanjani said the growing commercialisation of the electoral process has deprived many decent Nigerians of the opportunity to compete favourably in primary elections across political parties.

He said, “Money politics constitutes a threat to the credible and inclusive electoral system in the country. Political financing has become a profitable investment in the country.

“Despite the limits to campaign donation and finance as stipulated by the Electoral Act, in 2023 general and off-cycle elections, there was no control in political spending, as whopping sums were expended on party primaries, electoral campaigns, vote-buying and vote-trading that consequently defeated the essence of electoral integrity.

“Electoral violence is one problem that has been identified as a stumbling block to free,

L-R: Renowned Pro-Democracy Advocate, Omoyele Sowore; Professor Sam Egwu, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner Benue State; Dr Kole Shettima, County Director MacArthur Foundation; Professor Mohammad, Kuna Special Adviser to INEC Chairman; Professor Jibril Ibrahim, Senior fellow at Centre for Democracy and Development; and Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) Advocate at the National Seminar on Judicial Reforms held in Lagos fair and credible elections in Nigeria. It is no longer news that many politicians resort to illicit electoral strategies and make use of militant youth wings, militias or the state security forces to either win the election or strengthen their post-election bargaining position. Politics at all levels is currently marred by violence, persecution, intimidation and exclusion of women from active participation in electoral politics.

“The emerging judicial corruption through the post-election litigations like tribunal activities and outcomes has called for adequate reform in our judicial system to make it more independent and efficient in the delivery of electoral justice through which the citizens’ choices prevail.

“Many Nigerians strongly believe that the judiciary suffers from credibility as allegations of bribery activities to truncate justice and compromise electoral outcomes are playing out.

“We must recall the alleged attempts to truncate citizens’ electoral choices through the tribunal judgements in Kano, Kaduna, Plateau and Zamfara states which highlight a disastrous channel Nigeria’s democracy trends in recent times.

“The judiciary through tribunal judgements has reportedly employed the technicalities in upturning electoral victories, which in most occasions, rigs out the choices of the electorate.

“These are very disturbing trends that must be brought to an end in order not to make the role of the electorates irrelevant. Again, the case of the Kano election tribunal is a clear example of a deliberate effort still people’s mandate through the conninvance of both INEC and sponsored judiciary injustice. The conflicting double standard court judgement papers showed the desperation to undermine Kano election victory.”

Rafsanjani concluded that as concerned citizens, it is imperative for everyone “desiring the reflection of true democracy in our practice to be apprehensive of the current situation and seek channels for improvement.”

Use of Professors for Elections not Working Also speaking, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (ACN) in last Nigeria’s general elections and pro-democracy campaigner, Omoyele Sowore, said university professors should not be appointed again as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He said the majority of them who have occupied the office and those appointed as returning officers in the past general elections did not live up to public expectations and the integrity of the high status of their academic attainment in the discharge of their electoral rolls.

He also expressed great displeasure over the weak state of Nigeria’s electoral process and judiciary, saying both have been grossly compromised and are doing the country great harm.

According to him, Nigeria’s constitution

does not preserve the office of only professors.

“The reason is simple, and it is the fact that most of the professors who have been appointed to serve either as Chairman of INEC or returning officers in past elections have not been able to prove that their actions and inaction in that capacity satisfied the will of the electorate and the generality of Nigerians.”

He pointed out that the attributes that occupiers of those high electoral offices require are good character and integrity to be able to stand by the truth as expected of their roles.

He said that a situation whereby professors are partisans and manipulate the results of the elections in favour of one candidate against the others, as most of them do, has rubbished the high academic status they attain.

Sowore argued that the judiciary had done great havoc on Nigeria’s democracy over the years, and expressed great doubt that nothing good can ever come out of the judiciary system, particularly as regards post-election litigation in the country.

He concluded that it was too late to talk about judicial or electoral reforms again in the country, as the various reforms carried out in the past to enhance both institutions have failed to achieve positive results, hence “Nigeria needs a revolution, not reform.”

The Politicisation of Election Disputes in Nigeria’s Courts Speaking on the topic, ‘Politicisation of election disputes in Nigeria’s courts: Key Provisions of the Electoral Act and the Challenges of Technical Interpretation’ a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, lamented that it was a pity that almost everything about Nigeria is politicised.

According to him, “It is not only the judiciary that is politicised but also the civil society groups, the security, the electoral officers, and every other segment of society.”

He advocated that while genuine reform is required in the judiciary in Nigeria, he noted that it would be better to limit post-election litigation only to election results and not on issues like candidate qualifications, either concerning academic certificates or ages or any other matter.

He said those types of concerns were supposed to have been raised and resolved by interested opponents before elections would take place.

He also said, “It would be better for INEC to be neutral in any election litigation and not be on the side of any particular candidate or political party, and judges who handle electoral litigation should be specially trained for the purpose.”

Electoral Offenders to Face Stringent Consequences Also speaking, Senior Fellow, Centre for Democracy and Development, Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim, said there was a need for election riggers and other offenders to face stringent consequences for their actions as this will improve election outcomes.

Speaking on the topic, ‘Reforming Nigeria’s Electoral System for Mandate Protection: Opportunities, Challenges and the Way Forward’, Prof. Ibrahim said when election riggers face consequences, things will be better.

Professor Ibrahim also seized the moment to hit the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CNJ), Olukayode Ariwoola, for regarding critics of his compromised judiciary as a mob.

He said, “You cannot insult us for complaining about your judiciary’s misdeed. I am astonished that we complicate and mess up something so simple.”

He noted that even in the Niger Republic there is no post-election litigation “because votes are cast, they are counted and winners are announced and people move on.”

He said the only time an election was compromised in the Republic of Niger was when a military leader, who had made a law against a military person contesting the election, eventually changed his mind and contested.

“After he got a security report that he had lost the election, he ordered that the votes be taken to the army Barracks and there the votes were recounted. Then he won in a landslide.

What happened the next day? His own ADC took a machine gun and blasted his head,” he narrated, saying that was to tell all political leaders that there are consequences for every action.

Other Suggestions Also speaking, Lawyer and Daughter of former Governor of Old Ondo State, late Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, Mrs Olajumoke Anifowose, called on stakeholders to be on a path of courage to speak truth to power.

She says, “Not being able to attain political height without going through a godfather makes the Nigerian democratic experience very difficult.”

Also speaking, Dr. Sam Amadi of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, called for the termination of the present INEC commissioners before 2027.

Amadi said that there should be replacements and appointments in line with a model close to that recommended by the Uwais Committee.

Similarly, Former Federal Lawmaker, Uche Onyeagocha, noted that certain criteria, as presently obtainable, as requirements for contesting elections in Nigeria should be stopped.

This includes, “Age limits, tribe, academic qualifications etc.” He also suggested that the formation of electoral officers should comprise selected members of all political parties, who will checkmate each from the rigging as they have varying interests, instead of the traditional academia which he said, has proven to be incapable of election matters.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2023 20 TR

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& RE A S O

Thursday December 7, 2023 Vol 27. No 10464

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GODSWILL AKPABIO SUFUYAN OJEIFO pays tribute to the Senate President at 61

See page 21

WHAT HAPPENED TO ELECTORAL REFORM?

SCOTT G. OKOARHERHE argues that INEC’s verdict on governorship election in Delta violates the provisions of the Electoral Act

See page 21 EDITORIAL

AKEREDOLU SHOULD HEED HIS OWN COUNSEL

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There is growing frustration among lecturers, contends OLUDAYO TADE

A LETTER TO PRESIDENT TINUBU ON PUBLIC VARSITIES

The country is hard. Nigerians are not smiling. The harsh social-economic realities are hard-hitting. When Mr President announced that subsidy was gone, it actually meant GUNshot for many people who are still nursing the unending wounds from that policy declaration. As Nigerians battle to survive, the president and his team said they inherited a bad economy from their own government. That is, All Progressives Congress Muhammadu Buhari handed over a bad economy to another APC leader; the lion of Bourdillon, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. From this proclaimed inherited bad economy, the ruling class have managed to get the best things of this world for themselves. The meaning of awalokan (it is our turn) that the president said while campaigning is now becoming clearer.

The people that constitute the ‘awa’ (We) are those from his primary political group who are being blessed with strategic portfolios.

It is in this bad economy that they are able to get money to buy jeeps that can protect them from violent attacks and the violent pot-holes.

In this same bad economy, the wife of the president gets something even though ‘our mummy’ claimed her family does not need our money to survive. The other WE (awa) that the president is attending to are those from his political partnership (the G-5 caucus) which made his presidency possible. They are being given portfolios befitting the contributions they made to the actualization of the Tinubu presidency. The third category of the ‘awa’tokan (we that it is our turn) are those from the political party of Mr President. They have earned themselves ministerial appointments, board appointments and heads of agencies.

The political actors are living large. The masses are told to keep tightening their belts. In all these, how are the university system and the lecturers coping?

Mr President, the university system is under attack by the ruling class. Maybe you don’t know or your aides didn’t bring it to your notice. Lecturers are using their blood to sustain the remains of the public university. To get courses accredited in many departments in Nigeria public universities by the National Universities Commission (NUC), lecturers in those departments contribute money to prepare for the accreditation because most of these universities don’t release money or the school administrations have also become nonchalant like their political class counterparts. It is very bad in some institutions; door label/tags are paid for by staff. I had a colleague who brought his generating set to school to power his class because he wanted the students to get some things. After being frustrated by the same system, he resigned and moved to a better place where he is better appreciated for his worth. He would only be coordinating people to earn his living. Some years ago, I could print project materials for students with my money, but today, I no longer do that. If I dare to do that, my dependents will suffer

the consequences of that action. The burden of moving to school with the current price regime due to subsidy removal is killing. You are either teaching or attending meetings throughout the week. Salaries remain constant, expenses keep rising. Those you support with money at the end of the month tell you to help them add to what you pay them but you, as the source, nothing has been added to what you are paid since 2009!

Mr President, lecturers have been on the same salary since 2009. Your predecessors signed agreements with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) but were not faithful to it. As a responsible Union of intellectuals, the Union calls attention of government to the degeneration of things in the public universities and its implications for national growth and development. Sir, the government of Goodluck Jonathan carried out NEEDS assessment of public varsities in 2012.

The findings shocked many. The government found that about #1.13trillion would be enough to arrest the infrastructural decay. Only former President Goodluck Jonathan released two hundred billion naira at once. He pledged to release for the succeeding year in tranches quarterly, the Union went on strike when that didn’t happen. Your immediate predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari came on board and literally used military approach and was not committed to education. Mr President, as I write, the federal government owes lecturers billions of naira of earned academic allowances for more than six years. If this is not clear to you, it is the money for doing excess teaching and excess supervision. This happened because federal government refused to recruit more lecturers and ASUU struck a deal that those doing more than they ought to do should be compensated until government is able to employ more hands.

While you were campaigning to become President Sir, and we were on strike, your Chief of Staff, then speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila mid-wife the suspension of the strike, reaching some informal agreements with ASUU. Now that you are in power, with him closest to you, we learnt you want us to sign ourselves into perpetual slavery that we will not be able to

fight for our rights again in the future. I don’t want to believe this Sir. Or is it true that a comrade in government is a lost comrade?

Mr President, the lecturing and supervision affected by the strike have been done and the students have graduated but the workers are yet to be paid. Some of our colleagues died in their offices. Some cannot effectively meet societally imposed obligations.

The commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Sir, it may interest you that many universities brought out advertisement for vacant lecturing positions. A few applied.

Among those selected, some didn’t pick up the appointment. Those who picked up the employment in some universities did not stay up to three months before they tendered their resignation. They could not believe what they were paid and the volume of workload allocated to them. Those still on the job are waiting for their planned alternative to click before they abandon their institutions to their fate. What then is the sin that lecturers have committed to warrant such treatments?

Someone asked: is it a crime to choose to lecture in a Nigerian University? Mr President, I will be happy if you can also persuade scholars abroad to come and lecture in Nigeria just as you are doing to attract investors to Nigeria.

This will let you know how attractive the salary you pay to Nigerian lecturers is to attract scholars to your universities. Who will come to where there is no light to work? Who wants to receive poverty wage? Who will come to where the intellectual community is derided?

Which foreign scholar will come to Nigeria to teach six courses and hundreds of students in a classroom that has no public address system?

Mr President, there is growing frustration among lecturers and attitude to work is being negatively affected. There is no motivation, salaries have been seized and/or delayed with no explanations. There are regrets here and there among those who returned to Nigeria after their scholarship abroad. Shall we then ask those not catered for by Nigeria to be fervent in teaching and research without adequate funding and motivation? Do you expect poorly paid lecturers to use their salaries to carry out researches for your universities to rank among top universities in the world? Sadly, to appoint lecturers now, Abuja people dictate who should be employed into our universities. My fear is about the future outcomes of what government is (not) doing. As a Yoruba man, you know that the children we fail to train, will sell the infrastructure that we labour to build. You need to invest in people. Invest in Education because those you call developed countries bear that name because of advances in science and technology as a result of their investment in education. Public University needs urgent attention and rescue. The University system is asking you Sir, Mr President, Nìgbàwo, ló máa tó kàn wá (when will it be our turn)?

Tade, a sociologist writes via dotad2003@yahoo.com

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THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2023

SUFUYAN OJEIFO pays tribute to the Senate President at 61

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GODSWILL AKPABIO

Another year around the sun is always something to celebrate. When an outstanding personality, a star, completes this existential and transcendental course, there is even more reason to roll out the drums in festivity. Incidentally, a man who cares little for mundane revelry - recall that only very recently, he apprised us with the reasons he does not drink and smoke.

This would seem the best way, in the circumstance of this intervention, to herald the uncommon personality who presently orbits the circumference of the National Assembly, defining, as it were, its atmospherics and nuances, in his usually unusual, yet companionably engaging manner. The character stated, supra, undergirds the essential leadership

of the Senate President and Chairman of the 10th National Assembly, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio (GOA), who turns 61 on December 9.

Love him or hate him, GOA is defined by his sheer, yet controlled kinetic energy and revels in pushing new frontiers, not minding whether or not he gets obligatory approbation from any quarters. For him, he would have satisfied himself, yes, his conscience.

These ingrained traits remain the central portrayal of Akpabio, who may go down in annals as Nigeria’s inimitable national assembly political leader, away from the administrative wing of the legislature, as a significant arm of the trinity- the executive, the legislature and the judiciary.

It is, indeed, no secret that today, Nigeria, Africa and the world at large stand on the brink of substantial disruptions - and of considerable opportunity as new economic, cultural and political models challenge traditional playbooks. To proactively navigate these existential mazes clearly requires clear vision, knowledge, courage, and cutting-edge leadership. Only this can hold the promise of both stability and progression. Against the background of these high-octane socio-political, economic, and cultural ferment and consequent imperatives for uncommon leadership focus and transformative thinking, cant - a hypocritical and sanctimonious mindset - absolutely has no place.

This is where Akpabio enters the fray, with a gravitas of purpose to repudiate cant, yes, outright banalities, in legislative interactions. Quite early in his rich political career, he had repudiated cant as a tool of political engagement or service to humanity. His trajectories in Akwa Ibom, where he rose into the plum elective position of governor after heading several ministries, are writ large, and are rendered much more so by the magnitude of his legacy infrastructure projects. This is just an adumbration. I will explicate this point of legacy infrastructure development soonest on the basis of what I saw recently in Akwa Ibom when I went

for my induction into the membership of the elite Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

Not surprisingly, this no less a philosophical footing of repudiating cant, has, in no small measure, helped to leverage his life journey. As he marks his 61st birthday with a thanksgiving service in Uyo on December 9 and a colloquium in Abuja, on December 14, it is a good time to acknowledge this Essien Udim-born leader, whose singular disavowal of cant has shaped his uncommon, multi-faceted impact within his troubled milieu occasioned by the opposition elements within his party and outside in the other camps.

Unassuming Senator Akpabio, who was governor of Akwa Ibom State for two terms, is no less a child of providence who wields influence and authority with humility and focus. In addition to his humility is his compassionate and community spirit. The top-draw politician has demonstrated with his life’s trajectory that indeed law (which he studied and practised until he veered into public office), politics, administration, and faith fundamentally address transformation of society and the human condition for good.

Always smiling, humorous, and kind to a fault, Akpabio has managed through his eleemosynary acts to connect to a wide range of stakeholders and ordinary Nigerians - adroitly deploying his folksy charm and communitarian zest. But in a season of “hanger” (hunger and anger combined), humour could become a slippery anecdote - and worse – can, outright, backfire. This is especially true when it plays out in an environment which many have rightly or wrongly grown to distrust.

The foregoing scenario largely captures the essence of the incident that transpired in the Senate on August 7, when Senate President Akpabio offhandedly spoke about a token being paid into the accounts of his peers to aid a pleasant recess. But he had, since, typically overcome the associated backlash - with a smile.

Certainly not a rookie in the executive governance, legal, administrative, and legislative spheres, Akpabio has often been misread by friends and foes, possibly on account of his accommodating and unassuming disposition. He is certainly not a politician who craves crude acquisition of raw power for the sake of it. His bold visions are anchored on consistent principles, which have come to define his life story.

The South-South region’s highest-ranking politician is not given to political chicanery. He is expressive and expansive on his positions on issues.

As he speaks, he smiles and sometimes laughs. He is not swayed by primordial considerations that tend to de-emphasise the essential gravitas of his political standpoints.

It could easily be recalled how he reacted to Senator Ndume on the floor when he (Ndume) was trying to drive home the point that the Senate President committed some procedural infractions.

Senator Akpabio did not consider his closeness with Ndume to bend the Senate rule. He felt otherwise.

He spoke with candour in the knowledge that he did the right thing. He was not ready to revisit a decision already taken by the Senate at plenary.

That’s unvarnished leadership.

It is often said that a powerful vision, like a magnet, draws in ideas, people, and other resources. It creates momentum and will to make change happen. It inspires individuals, complementary democratic organizations, and institutions to commit, persist, and give their best. . Ojeifo, MNGE, contributed this piece via ojwonderngr@yahoo. com

SCOTT G. OKO-ARHERHE argues that INEC’s verdict on governorship election in Delta violates the provisions of the Electoral Act

WHAT HAPPENED TO ELECTORAL REFORM? Just recently, a special panel of Honourable Justices of the Court of Appeal affirmed an earlier decision of the Delta State Governorship Election Tribunal dismissing a petition filed by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the declaration of Rt. Honourable Sheriff Oborevwori of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the March 18, 2023 Governorship Election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Delta State. In the main, Omo-Agege and APC (petitioners/appellants) contend, as a matter of law and fact, that INEC’s return of Oborevwori as winner violates the spirit and letters of specific innovative provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022. For them, INEC acted brazenly to make a mockery of some major electoral reforms made by the National Assembly when it enacted the extant Act. Amongst others, it is the petitioners/appellants prayer that they be declared the rightful winners of the said governorship election having scored the majority of the lawful votes cast and met other constitutional requirements to be so declared. This discussion is on the substance of the petitioners’ case vis-à-vis some innovations contained in the 2022 Act. A product of sustained patriotic agitations by vigilant stakeholders, the 2022 Act was enacted essentially to enhance INEC’s capacity to conduct free, fair and credible elections and cure its troubling recurrent failings as revealed by the outcomes of a plethora of post-election litigations. Parliament therefore infused the new Act with commonsense innovations and some reforms that are wholly new in Nigeria’s history of electoral lawmaking.

These innovations are undoubtedly carefully designed to promote substantial electoral justice through positive changes in the electoral process, law and jurisprudence. The overall intent is to deepen Nigeria’s democracy through credible elections and delivery of substantial, rather than technical, justice by a judiciary that is patriotic, resourceful and bold.

In the Omo-Agege-APC case at hand, some of the innovative provisions of the 2022 Act are of particular relevance. Generally, these provisions are meant to ensure that election riggers are not positively rewarded, but more specifically to attain these narrow objectives: a. section 51(2) – to disallow overvoting in elections; b. section 73(2) – to stop election rigging by using only genuine sensitive electoral materials supplied by INEC for the conduct of elections by mandatorily recording their serial numbers or unique identities, quantities and other important information as strictly prescribed by the Commission; and c. section 137 and paragraph 46(4) of the First Schedule – to prevent undue technicalities that often sustain systemic election rigging by applying simplified evidentiary rules during judicial inquiries to determine the true winners of elections.

Now, let us consider these provisions of the new Act in relation to the mischiefs they are meant to cure or solutions they are meant to bring to the electoral process using the case at hand as a test hanger.

Section 53(2) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (old Act) states that: “Where the votes cast at an election in any polling unit exceeds the number of registered voters in that polling unit, the result of the election for that polling unit shall be declared null and void ….” Following public

hearings on the 2022 electoral reforms legislative proposals that birthed the 2022 Act, the National Assembly agreed with the unanimous position of citizens and all stakeholders, including INEC, that ‘number of registered voters’ as the reference point for determining overvoting allowed election riggers to write arbitrary election results to suit themselves up to that number, which is usually far above the number of intending voters actually accredited to vote! As a result, parliament responded with section 51(2) of the extant Act which provides that: “Where the number of votes cast at an election in any polling unit exceeds the number of accredited voters in that polling unit, the Presiding officer shall cancel the result of the election in that polling unit.”

Thus, ‘number of accredited voters’ is now the commonsense reference point for the determination of overvoting.

In the instant case, Omo-Agege and APC contend under section 51(2) of the new Act that Oborevwori and PDP received over 36,000 votes due to overvoting in about 144 polling units. Quite distinct from the case of Oyetola v. INEC (2023) 11 NWLR (Pt. 1994) 125 where the Supreme Court intervened chiefly because of different or conflicting records of accreditation, all accreditation records tendered by parties in this case are perfectly the same, including the one tendered by INEC – the umpire of the election.

Clearly, the issue of overvoting in this case is quite straightforward and narrow. It does not require undue hair-splitting. It either there was overvoting or there wasn’t. For substantial justice envisaged under section 51(2) of the new Act, all that is required is to simply compare INEC’s accreditation data with the disputed results issued in the 144 polling units of interest. Interestingly, the plain case of the petitioners/appellants in this regard has not been faulted. What then is the rationale for injudiciously kicking this can of injustice worth 36,000 unlawful votes down the road on this vexed, live and plain matter of manifest overvoting?

Next, let us consider section 73(2) of the new Act in relation to this case. This section states that: “An election conducted at a polling unit without the prior recording in the forms prescribed by the Commission of the quantity, serial numbers and other particulars of results sheets, ballot papers and other sensitive electoral materials made available by the Commission for the conduct of the election shall be invalid.” · Dr. Oko-Arherhe is a legal researcher and consultant

22 4

T H I S D AY

THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2023

EDITORIAL

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

AKEREDOLU SHOULD HEED HIS OWN COUNSEL

T

The governor should resign his appointment if he cannot perform the functions of his office

travelling out. To make matters worse, there is no he prolonged absence from office by indication about when he will return to his state.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has become With a health that is still suspect, and evidently not a matter of serious concern for the good enough to withstand the pressure and weight people of Ondo State. The anxiety has of governance, Ibadan is a safer place as it is also been further heightened by the fact that home to the University College Hospital which could ever since he returned to the country be of immense help in case of emergency health from his medical sojourn abroad, he has been at complications.

Ibadan, capital of Oyo State, rather than Akure.

Unfortunately, due to some pecuniary and When a sitting governor stays out of his desk for primordial considerations, Akeredolu’s loyalists, as long as Akeredolu has done, there is an urgent especially members of the state House of Assembly, and mandatory need to tell the people the truth. have been threatening to impeach Aiyedatiwa after Besides, this unexplained absence from duty is a alleging that he approved N300 million for himself for violation of the constitutional provision. Statecraft the purchase of a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) without is rule-governed and state chief executives whose the consent of his principal, among other contrived conduct amounts to arbitrary exercise of discretion, charges.

However, where none is provided, Akeredolu cannot have only undermine the his way, despite the rule of law. As a Senior flawed agreement the The 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended clearly states that the Advocate of Nigeria warring factions reached (SAN) and former deputy governor shall assume the functions of the governor if the latter in Abuja, to the extent president of the Nigerian that Aiyedatiwa cannot Bar Association (NBA), is unable to discharge the functions of his office hold the office of governor Akeredolu knows all in acting capacity. This these too well. is in addition to another After short-changing clause that the deputy T H I S D AY the people for months by lack of governance, governor should write and sign an undated letter of EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU a semblance of normalcy was introduced last DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE resignation.

These are reckless propositions that the Thursday when the Deputy Governor, Lucky MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO lawmakers claim President Tinubu sanctioned.

Aiyedatiwa, presided over the executive meeting.

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU This so-called agreement in Abuja needs updating.

But the government is still divided by infighting CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI Its chief failing is a reliance on politics rather than the EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN between the supporters of Akeredolu, and law.

Section 190 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE loyalists of his embattled deputy. This is despite as amended clearly states that the deputy governor the intervention of President Bola Tinubu who shall assume the functions of the governor if the summoned the warring parties to a round table in latter is unable to discharge the functions of his Abuja for some form of agreement. “I pledge to all office. Interestingly, Akeredolu knows the law as of you that I embrace every one of you. I put behind T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D well as what to do in circumstances in which he has EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA all that has happened before now,” Aiyedatiwa told now found himself. Insisting that “the right thing GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, the belligerent lawmakers who still behave like ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI must be done” during the ill-health saga of the late Akeredolu’s enforcers.

DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in December The crisis began last August when Akeredolu ANTHONY OGEDENGBE 2009, Akeredolu said the president “should recover returned from his medical trip abroad. Instead of DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI fast, return to his office, or resign.”

SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH going to Akure, the state capital and seat of power, Now that Akeredolu has returned to Nigeria but ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI he stayed back in his family house in Ibadan, Oyo unable to be at his duty post in Akure, we call on State from where he is reportedly treating files and CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO him to take his own counsel and resign. governing with a clique, like he did shortly before TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

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

LETTERS NIGERIA: A CONFLUENCE OF CONTRADICTIONS

Nigeria is currently a confluence of contradictions. Every now and then, in one corner of the country or another, confusion springs up sprinkling its fair share of chaos along the way.

In May 2022, on flimsy excuses of blasphemy, 22-year-old Deborah Samuel was lynched by a crowd baying for blood in Sokoto State. By the time the smoke cleared, the student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education Sokoto had been killed in the most agonizing manner possible.

While her devastated family was forced to collect her bones and ashes and attempt anything resembling a burial decked with dignity, Nigerians wondered aloud what their country was becoming in the face of so much lawlessness laced with lethal religiosity.

Of course, there were immediate and harsh calls for the prosecution of the killers of Deborah. But more than one year later, they have remained just that—calls that no one has responded to, calls that have gone largely unheeded.

The failure to prosecute the perpetrators of one of Nigeria’s most recent public crimes continues to claim victims. For one Nigerian woman, Deborah Samuel’s victimhood has become a shared one.

Since May 2022, Rhoda Jatau has been in detention. Her crime? A WhatsApp video condemning mob action on another on Deborah Samuel. No sooner had the video shared among her coworkers circulated than the victim also became the perpetrator.

The healthcare administrator with the Warji local government in Bauchi, northeastern Nigeria was arrested a few days after forwarding the video condemning the burning to death of Deborah Yakubu, a College of Education student in Sokoto.

Prosecutors allege that by sharing the video, Jatau committed multiple offences of inciting disturbance, contempt for religious creed, and cyberstalking.

How ironic! More than a year after the gruesome killing, while the chief perpetrators are at large, presumably enjoying events from the precincts of Niger Republic and no doubt enjoying some self-satisfaction having defended the honour of their religion, a woman who has dared to speak up remains incarcerated.

Nigeria remains one of those odiously unique country where justice remains selective, defining its parameters of selection alongside religious and ethnic lines.

The gruesome killing of Deborah Samuel invariably set off a chain reaction. Since then, there have been other instances of people being targeted by mobs because of unproven allegations of blasphemy.

The danger is great if people are allowed to take the law into their hands and apply it indiscriminately, the society faces the danger of disintegrating bit by bit.

A society which lacks basic freedoms is a society that is leaking the rights of its most vulnerable members. Such a society faces real danger.

It is an open secret that in Nigeria, many of those awaiting trial have been unjustly accused and incarcerated. They fill up Nigeria’s overburdened correctional facilities and generally smear a system desperately in need of a facelift.

In public conversations, Nigeria must ask itself pertinent questions that border on national unity and cohesion as well as national interest.

It is only a country where everyone can feel safe and secure that can boast of being a developed country.

Ike Willie-Nwobu, Ikewilly9@gmail.com

23

T H I S D AY • Thursday, DECEMBER 7, 2023

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

A T

REPO

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Email oriarehu.eromosele@thisdaylive.com

08056356325

D e c e m b er

S & P INDEX

6 , 2 0 2 3

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

19.12%

INDEX LEVEL

611.31%

1/4 to daTE

-0.07%

N795.28/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

16.25%

1-DAY

0.03%

YEAR TO DATE

0.48%

*AS AT Monday, July 24, 2023

3-MONTH

15.75%

MONTH-TO-DATE

-0.7%

Nigeria’s .ng Domain Name Maintains Steady Growth, Increased to 206,970 in October 2023

Emma Okonji The adoption rate of Nigeria’s .ng domain name continues to maintain steady growth in the last six months, with a further rise to 206,970 in October this year, latest statistics released by the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), the body responsible for managing Nigeria’s country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) has revealed.

According to the statistics, which THISDAY obtained from the official website of NiRA, the .ng domain name registration, renewal and restoration, reached 206,970 in October this year, slightly up from the 201,442 and 203,904

figures that were attained in August and September respectively this year.

In the last six months, the .ng domain name has maintained a steady growth in its adoption rate across the country, rising from 193,085 in May this year to 195,098 and 198,294 in June and July respectively, with a further rise to 201,442; 203,904; and 206,970 in August, September and October respectively this year.

THISDAY had earlier reported a steady growth in the country’s .ng domain name from July 2022 to July 2023. According to the report, in July 2022, the figure grew to 180,162 and from August to September same year, it increased to 181,275. From

October to November 2022, the figure increased again to 183,169.

In December 2022, it increased again to 183,792 before it reached 184,425 in January 2023, and 189,158 in March 2023.

Again it increased from 189,158 in March to 193,085 in May this year, and rose again to 195,098 in June, before reaching 198,294 in July 2023.

But according to the latest statistics, registration of .ng domain name alone reached 8,676 in August this year, and slide to 8,433 in September, before increasing again to 8,598 in October 2023. Renewal of .ng domain name alone was 5,317 in August this year, before sliding to 4,925 in September, but later increased to 5,181 in October

this year, while restoration of .ng domain name was 109 in August, and increased to 125 in September before sliding to 118 in October2023.

The ccTLD .ng domain name is Nigeria’s identity in cyberspace, which has the .ng at the suffix of every official email address that originates from Nigeria. In the United Kingdom, all official email addresses end with .co.uk, in United States of America, they end with .com, while in South Africa, the official email addresses end with .co.za.

In Nigeria, NiRA has carried out several campaigns to sensitise Nigerians on the need to populate .ng domain name.

Giving reasons for the continuous increase in the adoption rate of .ng

domain name across the county in the past one year, the President of NiRA, Mr. Adesola Akinsanya, told THISDAY that the strategic collaborations between NiRA and some government agencies, aimed at populating Nigeria’s .ng domain name, were largely responsible.

According to him, NiRA holds a pivotal role as the steward of Nigeria’s country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD), a crucial element in advancing the nation’s digital ecosystem, adding that NiRA recognises the significance of collaborating with strategic partners who share in NiRA’s vision and can assist in achieving its vital objective.

“Our commitment to innovation and the pivotal role of the .ng

domain has been underscored by remarkable growth, fueled by impactful collaborations that have driven meaningful change in the Nigerian internet ecosystem.

The recently concluded 6th .NG Awards stand as a testament to our dedication to celebrating impactful contributions and outstanding innovations that shape Nigeria’s evolving internet space. Beyond recognition, these awards actively promote the .ng brand, significantly contributing to the growth of our nation’s internet landscape. Our journey this year has been one of positive impact in the digital space, and as we continue our engagements, we look forward to even greater strides,” Akinsanya further said.

ITU Releases Framework for Development of Standards for 6G Technology

Emma Okonji

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has published the framework for the development of standards and radio interface technologies for the sixth generation of mobile systems, popularly referred to as 6G. The framework is in line with the ‘IMT-2030 Framework’ approved by the ITU Radio communication Assembly (RA-23) at its recent meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Based on the new framework, ITU’s Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) will now focus on defining technical requirements,

the submission process, and the evaluation criteria for potential 6G radio interface technologies.

Giving details of the framework for the development of standards for 6G technology, ITU Secretary General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, said: “Mobile communications are central to our efforts to ensure that everyone is meaningfully connected.

By agreeing on a way forward on 6G, ITU Member States have taken an important step toward ensuring that technical progress is synonymous with affordability, security, and resilience, thus supporting sustainable development and digital transformation everywhere.”

The ITU-R Recommendation, which contains the framework, represents significant progress in the development and implementation of globally accepted standards for mobile systems using 6G. All the previous mobile telecommunication generations - analogue cellular (1G), digital cellular (2G), IMT 2000 (3G), IMT Advanced (4G), and IMT 2020 (5G), were also standardised through ITU. Director of the ITU Radio communication Bureau, Mario Maniewicz, said: “Terrestrial wireless systems to be developed under IMT-2030 are expected to drive the next wave of innovative radio communication systems,

promote digital equity and advance universal connectivity. The publication of the Recommendation on future 6G mobile technologies is a testament to ITU’s longstanding multi-stakeholder approach which ensures the development of globally accepted technical and regulatory solutions.”

For the next phase of 6G development, companies and industry associations will submit proposals for the IMT-2030 Radio Interface Technology (RIT) for ITU-R consideration in early 2027. These submissions will then be evaluated against the agreed minimum requirements prepared by ITU’s expert group

on IMT systems (ITU-R Working Party 5D), with the prospect of getting a final set of 6G technology standards approved by 2030.

The IMT-2030 Framework Recommendation identifies 15 capabilities for 6G technology. Nine of those capabilities are derived from existing 5G systems.

IMT-2030 is also expected to help address the need for increased environmental, social and economic sustainability, and also support the goals of the Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

ITU’s Radio communication Assembly, held between 13 and 17 November last year, also

agreed on “IMT-2030” as the technical reference for the latest generation of International Mobile Telecommunications and updated the principles (Resolution ITU-R 65) for future development of IMT for 2030 and beyond.

More information is available on the IMT-2030 website.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialised agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs), driving innovation in ICTs together with 193 Member States and a membership of over 900 companies, universities, and international and regional organisations.

M a r k e t d ata A s at w e d n e s d ay, D e c e m b e r 6 , 2 0 2 3 BONDS Description Price Yield Change Updated Time (%) ^13.53 23November 98.19 14.98 46,00 22, 2023 MAR-2025 November ^12.50 2295.52 14.91 28,00 22, 2023 JAN-2026 ^16.2884 November 10.3.85 14.78 0.00 22, 17-MAR-27 2023 ^13.98 23November 97.09 14.90 0.00 FEB-2028 22, 2023 ^14.55 26November 97.62 15.20 0.00 APR-2029 22, 2023

BILLS

OTC F X F U T U R E S

CPS

Maturity

Discount Yield

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

6.85

6.86

Change (%) Updated Time November 0.00 22, 2023

Maturity

7.15

7.20

November -0.01 22, 2023

7.96

7.83

November 0.01 22, 2023

7.85

8.02

November 0.00 22, 2023

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

NTB 7-Mar24

11.20

11.65

November 3.00 22, 2023

VAAG CP XVII 24-NOV-23

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

19.85

November 0,00 22, 2023

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

Date

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

24

Thursday, DECEMBER 7, 2023 • T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Unlocking African Value Chain At the just concluded Africa Investment Forum organised by African Development Bank Group, a fresh $34.8 billion in investment interests was secured for the continent. Ugo Aliogo, who attended the event, reports

A

frican economies witnessed a real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 3.8 per cent in 2022, higher than the world average of 3.5 per cent.

Five of the six pre-pandemic top performing African countries are projected to be back in the league of the world’s 10 fastest-growing economies for 2023–2024.

Africa’s population will reach 2.5 billion by 2050, and will account for 25 per cent of the global population.

The New York Times recently affirmed in a headline, “What we know, that the world is becoming more African.” With a youth population of 477 million people between the ages of 15 and 25, Africa will be vital in supplying the global labour force.

The size of the food and agriculture market in Africa will be worth $1 trillion by 2030, in less than 7 years from now.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCTA) presents a consolidated market size of $3.4 trillion.

The future of electric vehicles in the world depends on Africa.

The size of the electric vehicles value chain is estimated to increase from the current $7 trillion to $57 trillion by 2050, and that future depends on Africa.

That is because Africa accounts for the largest source of the green metals for the development of electric vehicles, including platinum (70 percent), cobalt (52 percent), manganese (46percent), bauxite (25 percent), and graphite (21 percent).

An assessment by Bloomberg NEF show that the cost of manufacturing of lithium-ion precursor batteries in Africa is 3 times less than in the U.S., China, and Poland.

Africa has the largest sources of renewable energy sources in the world, including hydro and solar. In Morocco, the Noor Ouarzazate, is the largest concentrated solar zone in the world.

At the just concluded the Africa Investment Forum (AIF) organised by African Development Bank Group, a fresh $34.8 billion in investment interest was secured for the continent. The amount, which is an outcome of a three-day AIF Market Days held in Marrakesh, Morocco, brings the total value of investment commitment secured by the forum since 2018 when it started to close to $178 billion. At the close of last year’s edition held in Côte d’Ivoire, about $143 billion was mobilised.

The investment interests cut across health, creative industry, renewable energy, agriculture, infrastructure and other critical sectors of the economy.

Speaking at the event, the President of African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, said the African Development Bank and its partners are developing the $20 billion Desert-to-Power project across 11 countries that share the Sahel zone, which when completed would be the largest solar zone in the world.

He said whether it is in oil and gas, minerals and metals, renewable energy, agriculture, or the labour force that would drive the global growth, Africa is where to be.

He noted that Moody’s Analytics did an analysis of default rates on infrastructure financing globally over the past 14 years, adding that their discovery showed that Africa’s default rate is the lowest in the world: 2.1 percent compared to Eastern Europe: well over 10 percent; and Asia with over 8 percent.

He averred that the Abidjan-Lagos highway corridor was able to secure $15.5 billion of investment interest in 2022, adding that this corridor would transform the entire West African region and speed up regional integration and trade.

Adesina hinted that the African Continental Free Trade Area presents a consolidated market size of $3.4 trillion.

The AFDB President further explained that in January 2023, the bank, and the Government of Senegal, in partnership with the African Union, organized the Feed Africa Summit.

“The Summit, attended by 34 Heads of State and Government, took the decision to decisively feed Africa, adding that they have collectively mobilized $72 billion towards implementing food and agriculture delivery compacts from the summit.

“Africa must end the export of raw agricultural commodities, stating that governments of countries must recognize that the fastest way to poverty is through the export of raw commodities, while the highway to wealth is from export of value-added products,” he said.

Attracting FDIs to Lagos

As the economic nerve centre of West Africa, Lagos State is well positioned not just to attract investments, but to catalyse economic growth for Nigeria under the administration of President Bola Tinubu. At the state level, the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is not leaving any stone unturned in putting in place key infrastructural projects that would attract foreign investors to Lagos. The administration is not just showing commitment in words only, but in action especially with projects such as the Lekki Deep Seaport, the construction of the Lekki Airport, the construction of the Lagos Film City, the construction of Fourth Mainland bridge and others. Due to the potential of the state as the fertile ground for prosperity, it has also been able to attract the Dangote Single Train Oil refinery and Fertiliser plant. Experts have described these projects as economic cash cow capable of transforming the fortunes of the state and Nigeria.

The refinery is worth $20 billion and aims to produce up to 53 million liters of gasoline per day, as well as 4 million liters of diesel and 2 million liters of aviation jet fuel daily. While the Fertilizer plant is capable of producing 2.8 million metric tons of urea a year, it sits on more than 6,700 acres of land along the coastal line of southern Nigeria and has been valued at $5 billion.

Speaking during a panel session at the African Investment Forum, Sanwo-Olu revealed that the state government is looking at adopting a strategy where the investments coming that would be domiciled in the state are in local currency to de-risk forex, and interest rates challenges.

Sanwo-Olu said: “Such strategy will deepen our own local currency and also help us de-risk foreign currency interest rates and other issues. So, indeed, it is a lot of money. So, if you want me to put some numbers to it. It could be a billion dollars in local currency or trillion Naira. That is the kind of thing that we are going to pick on.”

Speaking on the need to sweat out public assets more in order to generate revenue and cash, the governor explained that the state government is discussion with the Federal Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), adding that there are a lot of assets that are also in Lagos, which they want to determine the real ownership and what percentage everybody owns, and be able to free up dead assets that are locked down in some of those sectors, and you take them back into a new investable instruments.

He expressed confidence that the state government is working on the timelines, adding that with MOFI, they have started, and Lagosians should begin to see some of progress being made in the next couple of months.

Desert-to-Power Project

AFDB and partners are implementing the $20 billion Desert-to-Power initiative to develop 10 Gigawatts of solar power across Nigeria and 10 countries of the Sahel zone, including the Sahel regional transmission lines.

Another major infrastructure project the bank is investing on is the Lagos-Abidjan highway, which connects Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Cote d’Ivoire, secured investment interest of $15.2 billion at the Africa Investment Forum last year, from multiple financiers and investors.

Adesina revealed that the Bank has provided over $44 billion for the development of infrastructure, adding that the bank has also devoted $2.5 billion for the development of regional infrastructure. He noted that the bank is financing the development of regional electricity corridors, to assure reliable and competitively priced electricity, adding that the Bank’s support for regional integration focuses on catalyzing public and private investment in transport and electricity connections.

He remarked that as of 2022, the bank had financed 25 transport corridors, constructed over 18,000 kilometers of roads, 27 border posts and 16 bridges, for a total amount of $13.5 billion.

The AFDB President expressed delight that the bank and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) have joined the United States, the European Union, together with the governments of Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo to develop the strategic Lobito Corridor, which he said the strategic corridor would connect Angola, Zambia, and Democratic Republic of Congo, opening linkages to the mines and connecting them to the port in Angola.

According to him, “The African Development Bank will commit $500 million to this $1.6 billion investment opportunity. The Lobito corridor also brings together the power of two global initiatives, the U.S-led Partnership for Global Infrastructure and the European Union’s Global Gateway. To fully optimize the benefits of the development of regional corridors across Africa, we should focus on five priority areas.

“First, dedicate pooled financing facilities to support the preparation and development of corridor projects. Second, special industrial zones should be developed around the corridors to optimize on the existing infrastructure in these corridors.

“Third, we need to put in place a systematic approach and platform to identify and syndicate around the development of strategic regional corridors. To achieve this, the Africa Investment Forum will dedicate a special board room annually for regional corridors. This will foster greater collaboration, co-financing and faster development of strategic corridors.”

NLNG Position

On his part, the Chief Executive of Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas, (NLNG) Limited, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, disclosed that federal government’s import tax, Value Added Tax (VAT) and the

chronic shortage of foreign exchange facing importers as key variables behind rising cost of cooking gas in Nigeria.

He has therefore urged the federal government to take a second look at those factors which he said impact about 60 percent of the product component if it wants Nigerians to enjoy lower prices of cooking gas.

The NLNG boss said in terms of pricing, he could not speak about the backend of the market, noted that it is obvious that “our supply makes only 40 percent of supply for the local market, the remaining 60 percent has to be imported and many of the marketers are struggling to source forex.”

He also noted that LPG is also subject to import duty and VAT and that is one of areas that the federal government has to look into if the country wants to lower the price of the product.

The NLNG CEO averred that two years ago, they took a decision that NLNG’s butane and propane would be sold to the local market as cooking gas, and they have kept to that decision.

“We have struggled with propane because our local market cannot take all our production. We have just a few customers that can take our propane which includes Indorama a private company. But they could not take all our propane and so from time to time, we export some of the products, not because we want to export, but because our local market cannot take all of our production,” he said.

Mshelbila further explained that Nigeria needs more investments in that area so that more development and investments need to take place, adding that Propane can be used for transportation, power generation, and cell phone tower.

He remarked that there is a huge investment opportunity in propane, noting that the product is available, but it is an issue of balancing supply and demand to create opportunity for more investment inflows to come into the country.

According to him, “I can’t speak much about German discussion with the federal government of Nigeria because that is between them. But I can tell you that the decade of gas aspiration we are talking about is one that focuses on both domestic and export market. It is focused on allowing Nigeria to develop all its gas resources, some can go into export market, but the domestic market to ensure we have enough gas to power industry, transportation, petrochemical and others. It is basically about unlocking our gas resources. NLNG today as earlier stated exports its Liquified natural gas.

“I believe Nigeria can benefit from investments, not only from the natural gas industry, but also in the renewable energy and across the energy value chain.

But we cannot get other benefits, if people don’t hear our story, we need people to hear our story. There are opportunities for investors as have been said by different speakers and African Development Bank Group (AFDB). Investors need to make returns and that return needs to be sustainable overtime, which include having things such as corporate governance.

NLNG is a good demonstration of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Nigeria where billions of US have been invested. But there are still opportunities for small investments across the oil and gas value chain that need to embraced. There should be a systematic approach can be used. In the North, sun is available in the body of the Sahara. There are some areas in Nigeria where wind is strong and it requires looking at the whole system to make policies that drive investments.”

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T H I S D AY • Thursday, DECEMBER 7, 2023

BUSINESSWORLD

BRANDS AND MARKETING

Customers’ Value as Niche Strategy In a top-notch positioning approach, the management of Intercontinental Distillers Limited (IDL) has refreshed its Teezers drink to give consumers more value as well as earning their loyalty. Raheem Akingbolu reports.

I

n a competitive market, where rival brands strive to win customers’ loyalty, innovation and clear understanding of what consumers want are key for positioning and sustainability of market leadership. Among other benefits, refreshing of products and brand extension give the brand fresh energy in the market and provide fresh opportunity for brand owners to attract new customers. It is believed that extension of frontiers stimulates brands’ need for growth in an ever-evolving market like Nigeria. After perhaps months of research and market survey, which culminated in the birth of a new set of flavours, the Intercontinental Distillers Limited (IDL), a leading player in the Nigerian Wine and Spirit industry, last week unveiled the new look of Teezers Sparkling Cocktail Drink and the new variants of the brand. The promoters of the brand also leveraged on the event to reward its distributors for the last business year. The company also during this distributors award The Head of Marketing at IDL, Mobolaji Alalade, captured the mood succinctly when he stated that the company has responded to the dynamic preferences of Nigeria’s vibrant and youthful population by introducing two new additions to Teezers Sparking Cocktail Drink range; Teezers Orange Flavour, designed for people seeking a zesty, refreshing citrus experience, embodies an invigorating source of energy with its vibrant colour, as well as Teezers Lemon and Ginger Flavour, a non-alcoholic option catering to non-drinkers and children, ensuring inclusivity across demographics.

According to Alalade, the revamp of Teezers Sparking Cocktail Drink includes an upgrade from the 300ml bottle to a trendy, convenient 400ml container. He pointed out that the brand label is now in a contemporary design, which resonates with the spirit of the new age. “Notably, the logo radiates an aura of elegance while embracing the brand’s youthful and fun-filled essence,” he stated.

He further added that the IDL launches a new Teezers Sparking Cocktail Drink marketing campaign ‘More Fun’ emphasing the need to increase the options for consumers as well as Teezers’ unique proposition as the Master of Fun. The company’s Managing Director, Patrick Anegbe emphasizing the theme of the event “Beyond Limits” said, “it reflected the collective journey of surpassing boundaries and pushing the company, her brand and distributors to new heights.”

While admitting that the business environment has been turbulent over the years, he said IDL as a company also strived relentlessly in 2022 to tackle the challenges encountered head-on through strategic planning, operational efficiency and investment in technology.

“We have pioneered processes that empowered us to thrive in the face of adversity. To ensure more availability of our brands to our esteemed distributors in the future, we have invested heavily in capacity building. You will therefore start to notice improvement in supplies of our products from the beginning of next year, ”he said.

He attested to the fact that the company has invested in research and that it will continue to exhibit its strength in this direction to introduce new products developments and innovative activities to keep IDL brands above others in the Wines and Spirits industry in Nigeria and make doing business with the company more interesting.

To make the new products and existing ones achieve success in the market, the company has promised that IDL plans to activate fun - filled experiences for consumers at various leisure destinations and touch points throughout Nigeria.

To further push the new products and the existing ones, the company made a

passionate appeal to its valued distributors to always ensure that they buy across the range of their brands whenever they make purchases. According to him, this will ensure improved growth and profitability for the businesses of the trade partners.

Strengthening Relationship with Consumers The company, in line with global trends, rewarded some of its outstanding trade partners for their contribution to the growth of the business between 2022 and this year.

All over the world, customer rewards and promotions have been identified as marketing strategies to reinforce existing relationships between organisations and customers who are global citizens resident in a locality. The primary reason is to ensure brand loyalty and generate profit.

Employment of these strategies by organisations is with understanding that consumer loyalty is pre-requisite for success in a highly competitive environment like the Nigerian market. But more important to customer reward and promotions is the drive of value and trust.

Organisations like IDL, one of the few manufacturers of Teezers and leading producers of sachet and PET bottled drinks in Nigeria, recognizes that promotions alone which are normally short-lived cannot continuously guarantee consumer loyalty, and have been able to fuse into this reward strategy value and trust schemes driven by consumer insight.

As said by experts, organisations cannot buy customer loyalty, it is earned. According to them, the value perception by the customer has a direct impact on the level of loyalty to the brand.

Speaking on the customer reward scheme, the Head of Sales, Hope Gbagi, explained that the 2023 Distributors’ Award, is a testament to commitment and excellence, celebrates

the outstanding contributions of distributors who have demonstrated unparalleled dedication and achieved remarkable milestones in their service to IDL. For this year, the deserving awardees include Sunday Emmanuel, MD of Chubby Bros Enterprises; Yemisi Adewusi, MD of YTT Distributors Investment; Biola Adewuyi, MD of Biola AY Stores; and Dorothy Anegbe, MD of Ogbohu Enterprises who emerged the number one distributor of the company.

Earlier, the company’s Managing mirector pointed out that the event was a testament to the amazing partnership IDL shared and the impressive achievements it has accomplished together with the trade partners, in-spite of the unfavourable business environment in the country.

According to him, each and every one of the distributors have steadfastly navigated through challenges and persevered in the face of adversity. To this end, he added that the dedication and unwavering commitment of the distributors had uplifted the company’s business to new levels of excellence.

“Today, we embrace the theme “Beyond Limits” which perfectly reflects our collective journey of surpassing boundaries and pushing ourselves to new heights. Each and every one of you have steadfastly navigated through challenges and persevered in the face of adversity. Your dedication and unwavering commitment have uplifted our business to new levels of excellence,” he stated.

To be more specific, Anegbe pointed out that the Theme, “Beyond Limits” to distributors implies but not limited to; experiencing products that go beyond your expectation and experiencing opportunities in sales of both successful and new brands for the growth and success of your business.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

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Thursday, DECEMBER 7, 2023 • T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

News

ICIPM INDUCTION…

L-R: Head, Employee Relations, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Kola Taiwo; Human Resources Director, NB Plc, Grace Omo-Lamai; and Human Resource Business Partner, Ama Brewery, NB Plc, Onyeka Okoh, during the induction of Human Resource Director, Grace Omo-Lamai by Chartered Photo: SUNDAY ADIGUN Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria in Abuja… recently

Theft: Creative Firms Asked to Deposit Works with NCC

Stories by Raheem Akingbolu

As part of the measures to bring intellectual property theft to barest minimum in Nigeria, the Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC), has urged content creators and conceptualizers of creative works in the country to protect their works by depositing the content either online or offline with the commission.

According to the Deputy Director, Operations, NCC, Charles Amudipe, keeping the works under NCC’s care is in line with the law and will make it easier for members of task-force to go after pirates and intellectual property thieves as

well as prosecute them when found guilty.

Amudipe made this submission at the just concluded DSTV Multichoice fire side chat on “Piracy Untells Our Stories” event, with the theme: “The Economic Impact of Piracy: Lost Revenues and Jobs.”

His words: “The law provides for creative owners to deposit their works with Nigeria Copyright Commission and once that is done, two things have been established: one is that the commission is aware of the existence of the work – two is that when there is an issue on that particular work the creative can come with their proof of ownership. Then the commission,

through the depository system that is in place, will check the system and establish that the work truly belongs to the original owner.”

Meanwhile, industry leaders, legal practitioners and stakeholders in the entertainment industry, who contributed to the conversation called on creative professionals to discourage piracy by not downloading or leveraging other people’s works through inappropriate channels or use without acknowledging the real owners. They added that such a step, if collectively taken, will reduce piracy to the barest minimum even though the act may not be totally eliminated.

BATNF Advocates Sustainable Solutions for Agriculture in Nigeria In a bold move toward its commitment to fostering sustainable agricultural practices, the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation hosted its biennial Agribusiness Dialogue Session, aimed to address the challenges faced by Agripreneurs and create sustainable paths in the agricultural sector.

The dialogues session held in Lagos, centered around the theme, “Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Establishing Sustainable Strategies and Pathways for Smallholder Farmers in the Agrifood System,” underscores the Foundation’s to support agribusiness and grow sustainable agriculture in the country.

Executive Director, British

American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF), Ololade Johnson-Agiri, in her opening remark stated that since the inception of the Foundation in 2002, the Foundation has remained committed on sustainable agriculture development and the improvement of livelihoods of smallholder farmers, their families, and communities.

“In her words: “Since the establishment of the BATN Foundation in 2002, we have been working determinedly to empower smallholder farmers through a range of programmes and initiatives. We believe that smallholder farmers are the key to unlocking Nigeria’s agricultural potential and

ensuring food security for future generations.”

Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Professor Olusola Kehinde, in a keynote address commended BATN Foundation for focusing on helping smallholder farmers in Nigeria succeed while also acknowledging the challenges that must be addressed in order to achieve sustainable agriculture.

Director, Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University, Nneka Okekearu, in her goodwill message encouraged stakeholders to be intentional about advancing sustainable agriculture and supporting the well-being of farmers and rural communities.

TotalEnergies Expands Information Dissemination at NIS with Donation

Ugo Aliogo

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), TotalEnergies Upstream Nigeria Limited has commissioned a remodeled Information Desk at the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) Office in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Speaking at the commissioning in Lagos, the Managing Director, Matthieu Bouyer who was represented by the company’s Acting General Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Tonye Osifo, said TotalEnergies was committed to the sustainable development of its host regions and people.

She also stated in

Nigeria, their approach has been to intervene in the critical areas of the society with initiatives that create the greatest impact, while promoting the realisation of the United Nations Sustainable Development goals.

“The aim is to facilitate smooth operation of passport issuance by providing capability for communication to people on the premises and ensure better organisation and security. We believe that this facility will be put to good use to create a conducive environment for effective information sharing with members of the public and indeed within the NIS. As a responsible energy company committed to leaving impactful footprints in all regions of

our operations, we will continue to contribute meaningfully to societal development,” she stated.

On her part, the Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS), Mrs.Caroline Adepoju, said the partnership between NIS and TotalEnergies did not start today, noting that they have benefited from the support the company have provided.

She said the system they commissioned further reiterates the importance of security in the environment and the significance of information dissemination, adding that information is key, information is power, and where there is a gap, it can result in a threat to lives.

27

T H I S D AY • Thursday, DECEMBER 7, 2023

BUSINESSWORLD

News

Uba Sani Named Digital Governor of the Year The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), the umbrella body for all Information Technology (IT) Professionals in Nigeria, has named the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, as the Digital Governor of the Year, following

his outstanding contributions to the growth of the digital sector of the state.

He emerged Digital Governor of the Year, having scored the highest votes in an online voting conducted among selected

governors across Nigeria.

Announcing his emergence as the Digital Governor of the Year during the 2023 Nigeria Information Technology Merit Award (NITMA 2023) organised

by NCS, the President of NCS, Dr.

Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu, said the Kaduna State governor emerged winner, having polled the highest votes in the online election held across the country.

Other awards announced during NITMA 2023, which held in Lagos

recently, were: IT Personality of the Year, IT Company of the Year, Technology Innovation Award, Youth Innovator of the Year, and IT Gold Merit Award.

MD/CEO of Digital Communications Konsult (DCK),

Tunji Gafaar, received the IT Personality of the Year Award, in recognition of his achievements and leadership in the Information Technology sector, as well as his contributions to IT development in Nigeria.

AVEVA to Fast-track Industrial Decarbonisation with Digital Solutions LagosDeepensOutdoorAdvertising AVEVA, a global leader in industrial software, driving digital transformation and sustainability, is set to demonstrate at the ongoing COP28, how leveraging data in a connected industrial economy can accelerate the path towards a sustainable future.

AVEVA’s delegation at the ongoing COP28, led by its CEO, Caspar Herzberg along with Lisa Wee, Head of Global Sustainability; Harpreet Gulati, Senior Vice President, Head of PI System Business; Evgeny Fedotov, Senior Vice President, EMEA; and Nayef Bou Chaaya, Vice President MEA, will discuss new ways to enhance

industrial decarbonisation.

According to Herzberg, “The world must dramatically cut waste.

The industrial sector accounts for a quarter of global emissions. Every day, our customers prove that digitalization enables industrial companies to drive measurable carbon reductions, including for traditionally energy-intensive industries. At AVEVA, our ambition is to accelerate low-carbon innovation, and to drive circularity and efficiency across the value chain. We want the software we create to transform how industries are designed and how they operate, to accelerate climate action and

reduce inequalities. Forging partnerships with businesses, governments and civil society leaders here at COP is critical to build forward-thinking, collective solutions that accelerate climate action, worldwide.”

Senior Vice President, EMEA, at AVEVA, Evgeny Fedotov, said: “Collaboration is essential to driving efficient global value chains – collective action is also essential to drive decarbonization.

This is why we want to be part of the conversation at COP28 to advance necessary and inclusive climate progress by building bridges across international

communities.

“As a driving force toward a more sustainable world, COP28 is a milestone moment for the world to take stock of its progress on the Paris Agreement. We are eager to engage with world leaders, governments, and our technology peers, to drive insightful discussions on how together, we can accelerate the transition to a sustainable future.”

Vice President MEA at AVEVA, Nayef Bou Chaaya, said: “While AVEVA helps industrial customers optimize their existing processes and operations, we drive innovation, opening up new

News Central Unveils Akintemi as Managing Director News Central, in her quest to revolutionise the news reporting and delivery landscape in Nigeria and the rest of Africa, has announced renowned media practitioner and ace broadcaster, Mr. Kayode Akintemi, as Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief.

With a rich and fulfilling relationship with the media industry that spans over 35 years and experiences with top

news and media organisations in Nigeria and other parts of Africa, having held leadership roles in these organisations, Akintemi is positioned to navigate the media landscape and take News Central to unprecedented heights.

He has mentored a sizable number of young broadcasters within the African continent, especially in Nigeria and Ghana where he has worked extensively

at executive management level.

Armed with a history of successes, Akintemi is poised to oversee the entire operations of the media outfit, work hand in hand with the top brass of the organisation to develop and churn out content aimed at aligning with his vision of enhanced news reportage, creating major footprints in the digital space and ultimately, cultivating a tradition of

excellence among the team.

Pleased with the new position, Akintemi said: “I am honoured to join the News Central Team, I look forward to working closely with our dedicated journalists and staff to deliver news and content that informs, engages, and empowers our audience. Together, we will continue to be a trusted source of information in this dynamic media landscape.”

with New Permit, Website

Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) has launched the 2024 Mobile Advert permit, a new website and a refreshed corporate logo.

The move, according to the regulatory agency, is strategic to its commitment to leverage technology to make LASAA and make outdoor advertising regulation seamless.

The agency has indicated that the Mobile Advert Permit, a QR code secured by encryption, is set to revolutionize the registration process for branded vehicles in the state. This unique code, according to LASAA, contains; brand type, number plate, and permit year with assurance of authenticity and compliance.

To further facilitate ease of doing business, LASAA has decentralised the registration process as clients can now register their branded vehicles conveniently at any LASAA branch office across the state or online.

“Today’s launch renders all existing branded vehicle permits obsolete, prompting clients, both prospective and

existing, to commence immediate registration and permit renewal for the new year. We emphasize strict compliance to avoid potential vehicle impoundment, with enforcement teams deployed across Lagos for comprehensive coverage,” LASAA’s Chief Executive Officer, Prince Fatiu Akiolu, stated at the launch.

In line with the Mobile Advert Permit, the agency has also introduced a technologically advanced website designed to elevate user experience, streamline navigation, and simplify interface interaction..

Commenting on these initiatives, Akiolu added that, “Today marks a significant leap forward for LASAA. The Mobile Advert Permit, our new website, and refreshed logo are integral to our commitment to efficiency, innovation, and maintaining the highest standard in outdoor advertising regulation.”

LASAA invites stakeholders, clients, and the public to explore the new website, engage with the Mobile Advert Permit system, and embrace the refreshed LASAA brand.

28

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023 • T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 05Dec-2023, unless otherwise stated.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS

AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 298.36 298.36 58.27% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 9.83% Nigeria International Debt Fund 337.88 337.88 4.83% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 109.80 109.80 6.08% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.82% AIICO Balanced Fund 4.78 4.88 41.05% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 0.03% Anchoria Equity Fund 183.53 185.94 26.62% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.24 1.24 0.95% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com info@anchoriaam.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 29.41 30.29 34.01% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 648.52 668.07 24.42% ARM Ethical Fund 53.59 55.20 18.78% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.17 1.17 4.03% ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.00 0.00 -100.00% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.20% ARM Short Term Bond Fund 1.06 1.06 2.55% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 103.3 103.3 13.54% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,121.86 1,121.86 4.76% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.22 2.22 9.47% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.99 3.06 34.93% CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn N/A N/A N/A CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Paramount Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Women's Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A CHD Nigeria Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A CHD Nigeria Dollar Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 10.08% Cordros Milestone Fund 163.81 164.90 27.41% Cordros Fixed Income Fund 106.98 106.98 10.31% Cordros Halal Fixed Income Fund 108.75 108.75 11.05% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 113.82 113.82 6.06% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 1.00 11.97% Coronation Money Market Fund 1.46 1.47 27.97% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.37 1.37 0.79% Coronation Fixed Income Fund EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSETS MANAGEMENT LIMITED invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Bond Fund 1534.62 1534.62 11.85% FBN Balanced Fund 260.21 262.43 41.00% FBN Halal Fund 132.50 132.50 13.38% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 10.22% FBN Dollar Fund 123.30 123.30 7.50% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 235.58 238.72 55.85% FBN Specialized Dollar Fund 111.07 111.07 9.52% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.61% Legacy Debt Fund 3.57 3.57 -0.15% Legacy Equity Fund 2.65 2.70 32.56% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.32 1.32 4.73% 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 5,474.54 5,514.77 32.41% Coral Income Fund 3,977.24 3,977.24 7.69% Coral Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.57% FSDH Dollar Fund 1.19 1.19 5.82%

GUARANTY TRUST FUND MANAGERS LIMITED enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.gtcoplc.bank; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Guaranty Trust Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Guaranty Trust Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Guaranty Trust Equity Income Fund (VEIF) N/A N/A N/A Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.78 1.81 15.70% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,205.83 1,205.83 10.16% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: www.meristemwealth.com/funds/; Tel: +2348028496012 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 103.79 103.79 11.93% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 11.55% Norrenberger Dollar Fund (NDF) ($) 103.26 103.26 11.24% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 2.05 2.09 30.05% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.96 12.17 7.80% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 9.11% PACAM Equity Fund 2.10 2.12 47.62% PACAM EuroBond Fund 128.16 131.22 15.05% SCM CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital The Frontier Fund 152.87 157.62 21.61% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.10 1.10 10.05% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 4,805.02 4,847.97 41.81% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 255.42 255.42 8.43% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.99 2.02 59.13% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 350.45 350.59 11.94% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 366.02 370.34 56.69% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.92% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 17,343.55 17,557.60 58.87% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.46 1.46 12.77% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 127.64 127.64 9.18% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 125.15 125.15 17.65% Stanbic IBTC Absolute Fund 4,975.10 4,975.10 16.95% Stanbic IBTC Aggressive Fund 5,117.18 5,180.92 84.05% Stanbic IBTC Conservative Fund 5,170.50 5,194.59 35.88% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund 1.26 1.27 38.03% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.78 1.79 37.12% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.35 1.36 25.37% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.17 1.17 11.50% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.94 1.94 6.89% United Capital Eurobond Fund 123.86 123.86 5.54% United Capital Global Fixed Income Fund 1.08 1.08 8.49% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.86% Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 18.14 18.35 30.96% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 21.52 21.74 36.16% Zenith Income Fund 25.33 25.33 7.52% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.27% VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD funds@vetiva.com Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 7.48 7.58 85.44% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 11.37 11.47 93.80% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 25.49 25.69 43.90% Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.05% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 26.54 26.74 32.65% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 147.83 149.83 -6.26%

REITS

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

128.80 59.23 101.79 9.99

13.18% 11.71% -12.52%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

20.85 460.00 613.90 21.23 32.79

23.05 460.00 613.90 21.58 33.19

41.40% 257.36% 508.73% 49.12% 88.19%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

N/A

N/A

Fund Name

SFS REIT Union Homes REIT Nigeria Real Estate Investment Trust UPDC REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS

Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund MERGROWTH ETF MERVALUE ETF

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

Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

T H I S D AY • Thursday, DECEMBER 7, 2023

29

Health & lifestyle

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

World Diabetes Day: Ikoyi Lions Club Takes Awareness, Free Screening to Prison Warders Barrack

In commemoration of World Diabetes Day 2023, themed, ‘Access to Diabetes Care’, members of the Lagos-Ikoyi Lions Club, District 404A3, Nigeria Region 2, recently conducted a diabetes awareness campaign and free diabetes screening for residents of Ikoyi Prison Warders Barrack. Sunday Ehigiator writes

U

sually observed on every November 14, the World Diabetes Day is a global awareness campaign that aims to raise understanding about diabetes, advocate for improved diabetes care and prevention, and support those affected by the condition.

This day serves as a rallying point for the worldwide diabetes community, including healthcare professionals, organizations, and individuals, to address the growing diabetes epidemic.

It was established by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1991, to address the rising concerns about diabetes, and focuses on raising awareness about diabetes, its risk factors, and the importance of early diagnosis and effective management. It was officially recognised as a United Nations Day in 2006.

This year ’s World Diabetes Day, themed, ‘Access to Diabetes Care’ focuses on the importance of knowing your risk of type 2 diabetes to help delay or prevent the condition and highlights the impact of diabetes-related complications and the importance of having access to the right information and care to ensure timely treatment and management.

According to the IDF, “1 in 10 adults worldwide have diabetes. Over 90 per cent have type 2 diabetes. Close to half are not yet diagnosed.

“In many cases, type 2 diabetes and its complications can be delayed or prevented by adopting and maintaining healthy habits. When not detected and treated early, diabetes can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications.

“For people at risk of type 2 diabetes, knowing your risk and what to do is important to support prevention, early diagnosis and timely treatment.

“For people living with diabetes, awareness and access to the correct information and best available medicines and tools to support self-care is vital to delay or prevent complications.

“For healthcare professionals, access to sufficient training and resources is required to detect complications early and provide the best possible care.”

In commemoration of the day in Nigeria, the Lagos-Ikoyi Lion’s Club carried out an awareness exercise about diabetes, its prevention, and management at the Ikoyi Prison Warder Barrack, while also providing free medical checkups, and diabetes screening to members of the community.

The exercise saw over 112 members of the community benefit from the screening exercise and also get proper checks on their vitals.

Speaking on the exercise, Region 2 Chairperson, Lion District 404-A3 Nigeria, Lion (TPL) Soledotun AbdulkarimYusuf, said, “As you know, this month is diabetes awareness month, and one of the focus areas of Lions Club is Diabetics.

“Every year, we observe this week and put together activities to commemorate it all over all our clubs in the regions, zones, and also the District on its own.

The District has observed theirs, and this one is being observed by the Lagos Ikoyi Lions Club.

“Usually, we begin first by carrying out a needs assessment. This is Ikoyi’s environment, and we decided to come

L-R: Lagos-Ikoyi Lions Club Member, Lion Stella Momoh; Past President, Lagos-Ikoyi Lions Club, Lion Stella Busari; Region 2 Chairperson, Lagos-Ikoyi Lions Club, Lion Tpl Soledotun Abdulkarim-Yusuf; First Vice President & Diabetes Committee Chairperson 2023/2024, Lion Doris Lewis; Lion PCC AVM (Rtd) Anthony Okpere; Zonal Chairperson, Lion Adetutu Nelson; Lagos-Ikoyi Lions Club Treasurer, Lion Moiett Adeola; Lagos-Ikoyi Lions Club Member, Lion Ingofuro Wakama and Lagos-Ikoyi Lions Club Temmar, Lion Omokehinde Anifowoshe at the event

Cross session of Residents at the Ikoyi Prison Warder’s Barrack getting screened at the World Diabetes Day Screening Exercise recently organised by the Lagos-Ikoyi Lions Club at Ikoyi Prison Warders Barrack, Lagos to the Warders Barrack here in Ikoyi because we believe that most of the residents are always busy going about their daily activities with little or no attention paid to their sugar levels.

“So we thought it’s necessary to bring it here, we created awareness early this morning and are currently screening them free of charge. If it’s discovered that they are at risk, we would be able to advise them better on the importance and need to book an appointment with a doctor.”

Speaking on diabetes awareness level in Nigeria, Soledotun said, the government “has been trying, and Nigerians are also trying.

“On social media space, I discovered that there are now so many organisations and NGOs focused on diabetes awareness. Even in the market spaces, you see many diabetes organisations conducting free screenings on Diabetics.

“So I think the NGOs all operating in that space are trying, but it’s never enough, so we must continue to do more, and that is why the Lions Club is

also helping in creating awareness.

“Our message to the public is to always test their sugar level, and create time for their mental health, and as Lions, we are doing this as well to attract other Lions to join us in the service of humanity. The more the merrier.”

Also speaking, Lagos Ikoyi Lions Club, Diabetics Committee Chairperson, Lion Doris Luis, noted “Today, we are here to provide diabetics screening service to members of this community within the barracks.

“We are creating awareness on diabetics, testing their blood sugar level, blood pressure, weight, and height, all free of charge just to assist them to be conscious of their body max index.

“If you know your height, you should understand what you ought to be weighing. Some people are just 5 ft., and they weigh over 100, while some are 6 ft and weigh 70, whereas, if you know your body max index, you will know whether you are

overweight or not based on your height.

“So, we are providing them with free medical checkups. We have discovered that a lot of people didn’t know that they were diabetics and have been living in ignorance. Some have even died without knowing.

“Our job is to ensure that they get tested and know their status, and they are becoming conscious about their health and know how best to prevent or manage diabetics. As it is said, prevention is better than cure.

“November 14 of every year is always celebrated as World Diabetics Day. On that day, we visited radio stations to create awareness, just as we also started today by creating awareness within the community about diabetics and informing them about the different types of diabetics.

“It was pointed out that we have gestational diabetes, which affects children who got it through their pregnant parents.

“If you are pregnant and you have already checked that you are diabetic, there are some medications that you would be placed on to assist you in curbing the spread, which is our ultimate goal as a club.”

30

THURSday, DECEMBER 7, 2023 T H I S D AY

business/MOnEYGUIDE

Nwizu: GDP Growth Needs Strategic Interventions, Policy Support

Kayode Tokede

Co Founder, Comercio Partners, an investment bank, Nnamdi Nwizu has said that achieving faster Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in Nigeria requires strategic interventions, policy support and focus on sustainable growth sectors.

Nwizu, stated this in an analysis of the Gross Domestic Product report for the third quarter, 2023.

He noted that the Q3 2023 GDP growth of 2.54 per cent in Q3’23 is indicative of a resilient Nigerian economy, demonstrating notable recovery from previous economic challenges.

“The service sector’s standout performance, with a robust 3.99% growth, has played a pivotal role in driving overall economic expansion. Despite the oil sector experiencing a slight contraction of -0.85%, it remains a crucial contributor, contributing 5.48%

to the GDP, ”he said.

Highlighting areas concerns in the GDP Q3’23, Nwizu said: “The contraction in the oil sector, albeit modest at -0.85%, raises concerns due to its historical significance in Nigeria’s economic landscape.

“The marginal decline in the agricultural sector’s growth to 1.30% in Q3’2023 from 1.34% in Q2 2023 is a nuanced concern.

Agricultural activities are pivotal for food security and employment generation.

“Addressing challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, access to finance, and climate-related issues becomes imperative to unlock the sector’s full potential and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported food products.

“While the non-oil sector’s growth at 2.75% remains positive, the 0.84% decrease from Q2 2023 warrants attention. The deceleration is largely attributed to a slowdown in information and communication, finance,

and insurance.”

Speaking on the outlook for GDP in the last quarter of the year, Q4’23, Nwizu said expressed optimism that the oil sector may experience a more positive outlook in Q4 2023 despite challenges in Q3’23.

He also projected that the non-oil sector’s performance, driven by key contributors such as information and communication, finance, agriculture, trade, construction, and real estate, will continue to positively to impact GDP growth.

Nwizu however noted that consideration of global economic conditions remains paramount, adding that geopolitical events, trade dynamics, and fluctuations in commodity prices can influence Nigeria’s economic outlook.

Consequently, he call for a proactive approach to navigating global uncertainties is essential for strategic decision-making.

Baobab MFB Launched Girl Child Education Scholarship Program Baobab Nigeria recently launched its Girl Child Education Scholarship Program, advocating for educational inclusivity by awarding scholarships to deserving female students. The initiative allocated scholarships to 16 students from Morit International School in Apapa, Lagos State, and extended support to four girls from Rock Foundation School in Abuja.

The ceremony for the Morit International School scholarship recipients took place at Baobab Nigeria’s headquarters in Lagos on November 6, 2023. Esteemed executives from Baobab Nigeria, in conjunction with the leadership from Morit International School, presided over the event, attended by some of the scholarship beneficiaries.

Contrastingly, the scholarship award for the Rock Foundation School students unfolded at

the school premises in Abuja.

Representatives from Baobab Nigeria and Rock Foundation School collaborated in a distinctive ceremony that celebrated the advancement of educational opportunities for young girls.

With a commitment to addressing the disparity between boys and girls in the classroom, promoting gender equality in education, promoting inclusive education, and championing good environmental practices, both ceremonies showcased Baobab Nigeria’s dedication to transforming lives and creating a more inclusive society through education. in a significant stride towards financial empowerment, the inaugurated several branches across Nigeria Speaking at the inauguration of its branch in Nasarawa State, located in Lafia, the bank’s Chief Risk Officer, Mr. Babatunde Omolere, praised

Nasarawa State’s conducive business environment.

He emphasized the bank’s dedication to supporting industrious individuals and drew parallels between the bank and the sturdy Baobab tree, highlighting their shared commitment to providing shelter and support.

Omolere recounted the bank’s journey from its modest beginnings in Kaduna to its current status with 38 branches across Nigeria. He stressed the bank’s mission to serve the financially underserved in Nasarawa State, with a primary focus on facilitating business growth for those who have faced financial challenges.

He proudly shared the bank’s achievements in Nasarawa, including over N1.5 billion in loans disbursed to about 2,000 clients in 2023 alone.

NAICOM Tasks Insurance Directors to Institutionalise Sustainability in Businesses Ebere Nwoji National Insurance Commission(NAICOM), has tasked board members of all the insurance institutions to contribute towards institutionalising sustainability in their various business entities.

The commission stated this duriing the 2023 insurance Directors’ conference held in Lagos recently.

In his key note address

at the conference which has the theme, “Driving Insurance Sustainability through Innovations and Performance: Directors’ Engagement,” the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Sunday Olorundare Thomas, explained that sustainable insurance entails conducting all activities in the insurance value chain in a responsible and forward-looking way by identifying, assessing,

managing and monitoring risks and opportunities associated with environmental, social and governance issues.

“My esteemed members of boards of directors of insurance institutions, the concept of insurance sustainability is no longer new to you all, however, what we should be discussing is how we will contribute to institutionalising sustainability in your various business entities, ”he said.

Applications Open for ARM Young Talent Award The Deji Alli ARM Young Talent Award (DAAYTA) in partnership with TechnoVision (TVC) had announced the commencement of its 2024 Call for Applications, continuing its mission to empower and support young entrepreneurs with innovative ideas that drive positive change.

Established in 2015 by ARM in honor of its founding CEO, Deji Alli, DAAYTA reflects the firm’s dedication to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and

nurturing young entrepreneurs.

DAAYTA is a youth awards program dedicated to recognising and fostering the potential of young entrepreneurs who demonstrate intelligence, innovation, and a commitment to making a meaningful impact on the lives of the people and communities around them. The program aligns with ARM’s vision of building a better future by investing in the next generation of change-makers.

The winner of DAAYTA 2024 will receive funding of N12,000,000 over one year.

According to the organizers, the funding is intended for developing a robust business plan, completing entrepreneurial education at the Pan Atlantic University’s Enterprise Development Centre in Lagos, Nigeria, and financing a 5-month acceleration program to develop their venture at a reputable entrepreneurial hub in Lagos.

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

Money Supply (M3)

65,445,154.2

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

552,553.58

Money Supply (M2)

64,892,600.61

-- Quasi Money

40,870,301.28

-- Narrow Money (M1)

24,022,299.33

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,295,309.10

---- Demand Deposits

21,726,990.23

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,144,158.92

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

58,300,995.27

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

87,273,966.81

---- Credit to Government (Net)

32,511,333.17

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

54,762,633.63

--Other Assets Net

13,347,376.27

Reserve Money (Base Money

19,429,603.25

--Currency in Circulation

2,660,138.92

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

16,769,464.34 428,519.21

• Source - CBN

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

August 2023

Inter-Bank Call Rate

3.89

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

18.75

Treasury Bill Rate

5.13

Savings Deposit Rate

5.26

1 Month Deposit Rate

7.31

3 Months Deposit Rate

7.55

6 Months Deposit Rate

8.30

12 Months Deposit Rate

8.13

Prime Lending rate

13.99

Maximum Lending Rate

27.59

• Monetary Policy Rate - 13%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE As At 29th September , 2023

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

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

T H I S D AY •THURSday, DECEMBER 7, 2023

31

mARKET NEWS

FBN Holdings, 33 Others Lift Market Cap by N306bn

Kayode Tokede

The Nigerian stock market yesterday extended its positive performance as gains in FBN Holdings Plc and 33 others pushed the overall market capitalization up by N306 billion.

The NGXASI advanced by 0.78 per cent today to close at 71,808.64basis points from 71,250.17 basis points, as buying interest in FBN Holdings gained

9.91per cent, Access Holdings gained 9.04per cent and Stanbic IBTC Holdings rose by 5.60 per cent drove the market into the green zone.

Also, market capitalisation rose

by N306 billion to close at N39.295 trillion from N38.989trillion it closed the previous day.

Performance across the sectors was mixed, as the NGX Insurance dropped by two per cent and NGX Consumer Goods depreci-

P R I C E S MaiN Board

F O R DEALS

ated by 0.1per cent, while the NGX Industrial Goods and NGX Oil & Gas indices closed flat.

The NGX Banking added five per cent, the sole gainer for yesterday.

As measured by market breadth, market sentiment was positive, as 34 stocks gained relative to 22 losers. Thomas Wyatt Nigeria emerged the highest price gainer of 9.93 per cent to close at N3.32 per share.

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

quantity traded

FBNH followed with a gain of 9.91 per cent to close at N29.40, while Multiverse Mining and Exploration advanced by 9.90 per cent to close at N7.77, per share.

ETI rose by 9.88 per cent to close at N18.90, while Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank appreciated by 9.70 per cent to close at N1.47, per share. On the other side, AXA Mansard Insurance led others on the losers’ chart

T R A D E D

value traded ( N )

MaiN Board

A S O F

with 9.69 per cent to close at N4.10, per share. Guinea Insurance followed with a decline of 9.68 per cent to close at 28 kobo, while Oando shed 9.13 per cent to close at N10.45, per share.

Omatek Ventures lost 8.14 per cent to close at 79 kobo, while Universal Insurance depreciated by 7.41 per cent to close at 25 kobo, per share.

The total volume traded advanced by 61.2 per cent to

690.01 million units, valued at N12.10 billion, and exchanged in 8,412 deals. Transactions in the shares of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) led the activity with 76.703 million shares worth N3.04 billion. United Bank for Africa (UBA) followed with account of 74.567 million shares valued at N1.658 billion, while Fidelity Bank traded 65.633 million shares valued at N596.318 million.

D E C E M B E R / 6 / 2 3 DEALS

Market Price

quantity traded

value traded ( N)

32

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 07, 2023 • T H I S D AY

Thursday, December 7, 2023

Thisday Afrinvest Index up 155bps

Thisday Afrinvest 40 index gained 155bps to close

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

at 3461.61 index points following price apprecia-

tion in MTNN (+0.3%), GTCO (+0.5%), and ZENITH

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

(+3.4%). Cumulatively, these stocks account for 20.7% of the index.

Ticker

Current Price

Previous Price Change

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

3461.61

1.55%

Current Price Change Weighting YTD

Price Change Index to Date

ROE

ROA

P/E

P/BV

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

46.6%

246.2%

18.6%

4.0%

5.0x

1.1x

5.3%

13.4%

1

BUA Foods PLC

198.90

0.0%

22.1%

206.0%

46.5%

54.0%

18.0%

28.7x

14.0x

2.5%

3.5%

2

MTN Nigeria Communications PLC

238.60

0.3%

7.3%

11.0%

-12.7%

85.8%

8.6%

20.6x

16.2x

6.5%

4.9%

Local Bourse Extends Positive Performance... ASI up 0.8%

3

Airtel Africa PLC

1,763.00

0.0%

10.8%

7.8%

33.6%

10.0%

3.1%

In line with our projection, the local bourse extended its positive performance as gains in FBNH (+9.9%), ACCESSCORP (+9.0%), and STANBIC

2.5%

4

Guaranty Trust Holding Co PLC

39.70

0.5%

7.2%

72.6%

13.4%

38.3%

5.6%

2.8x

0.9x

8.3%

36.2%

5

Zenith Bank PLC

36.10

3.4%

6.2%

50.4%

5.4%

27.6%

3.0%

2.5x

0.6x

9.8%

39.2%

6

FBN Holdings Plc

29.40

9.9%

6.1%

169.7%

72.4%

24.9%

2.3%

3.8x

0.8x

1.7%

26.5%

4.0%

22.6%

12.3%

40.4%

15.3%

12.4x

4.1x

6.3%

8.0%

3.0%

24.2%

1.0%

11.6%

7.9%

10.0x

1.1x

6.7%

10.0% 65.7%

7

Dangote Cement PLC

320.00

0.0%

8

Lafarge Africa PLC

29.80

-0.3%

9

United Bank for Africa PLC

22.00

3.3%

4.3%

189.5%

79.6%

39.5%

3.9%

1.5x

0.4x

6.2%

3.4%

118.7%

65.0%

1.5%

0.8%

57.2x

0.9x

3.1%

1.7%

1.9%

4.5%

-8.0%

5.3%

-2.9%

10

SEPLAT Energy PLC

2,310.10

0.0%

11

Nestle Nigeria PLC

1,150.00

0.0%

12

Access Holdings PLC

21.10

9.0%

4.4%

148.2%

126.9%

20.5%

1.5%

2.8x

0.5x

7.8%

36.0%

66.00

5.6%

2.2%

97.3%

22.2%

31.5%

3.4%

6.5x

1.8x

5.6%

15.4% 58.8%

-6.1%

(+5.6%) pushed the NGXͲASI up 0.8% to 71,808.63

13 14

Ecobank Transnational Inc

18.90

9.9%

2.1%

points. As a result, YTD return advanced to 40.1%

78.3%

24.3%

26.9%

1.2%

1.7x

0.5x

2.7%

15

Okomu Oil Palm PLC

240.00

0.0%

1.4%

45.5%

2.1%

47.0%

24.2%

12.0x

5.3x

1.9%

8.3%

16

Nigerian Brew eries PLC

37.05

0.0%

1.0%

-9.6%

-17.7%

-39.6%

-9.3%

2.7x

3.6%

-19.1%

17

Fidelity Bank PLC

9.15

2.8%

1.6%

110.3%

30.7%

26.2%

2.1%

2.9x

0.7x

5.6%

34.7%

18

Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

31.90

0.0%

0.8%

12.3%

-6.5%

6.0%

1.0%

11.2x

0.7x

7.1%

8.9%

19

Transnational Corp of Nigeria

6.86

-1.3%

1.7%

507.1%

95.4%

11.9%

3.0%

18.9x

2.2x

0.7%

5.3%

(previously 39.0%) while market capitalisation increased ₦305.6bn to ₦39.3tn. Activity level ad-

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

20

International Brew eries PLC

4.26

-5.3%

0.7%

-9.4%

-18.1%

-37.7%

-9.3%

21

AXA Mansard Insurance PLC

4.10

-9.7%

0.7%

105.0%

3.8%

40.8%

11.2%

2.8x

1.0x

2.9%

36.3%

22

FCMB Group Plc

6.95

2.2%

0.8%

80.5%

36.3%

18.0%

1.7%

2.4x

0.4x

3.6%

41.6%

8.9% to 690.0m units and ₦12.1bn, respectively.

23

PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

23.30

0.0%

0.6%

105.3%

5.9%

35.2%

10.0%

6.3x

2.1x

16.0%

24

Guinness Nigeria PLC

67.90

0.0%

0.5%

-2.0%

-15.1%

-24.1%

-7.9%

2.5x

-12.3%

Mixed Sector Performance

25

Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

57.40

-0.1%

1.2%

257.6%

129.6%

2.2%

0.5%

245.3x

5.5x

2.6%

0.4%

0.5%

38.1%

6.7%

45.9%

13.7%

9.2x

3.7x

4.6%

10.9%

vanced as volume and value traded rose 59.2% and

1.0x

-41.3%

26

Presco PLC

189.90

0.0%

27

United Capital PLC

17.85

2.0%

0.5%

27.5%

13.3%

22.9%

1.6%

10.3x

1.7x

8.4%

9.7%

28

BUA Cement Plc

98.00

0.0%

0.4%

0.3%

6.2%

25.0%

12.6%

32.9x

8.1x

3.0%

3.0%

mixed albeit negatively skewed as three indices

29

NASCON Allied Industries PLC

54.00

0.2%

0.9%

386.5%

188.8%

60.2%

19.8%

5.2x

5.2x

1.9%

19.3%

30

TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeri

385.00

0.0%

0.3%

99.5%

10.0%

28.3%

3.9%

9.1x

2.4x

6.8%

11.0%

lost, two gained while the Oil & Gas index closed

31

Wema Bank PLC

5.30

1.3%

0.2%

35.9%

0.2%

23.1%

1.3%

3.0x

0.6x

5.6%

32.9%

32

Jaiz Bank PLC

1.60

0.6%

0.2%

73.9%

-4.2%

38.4%

2.2%

5.9x

2.0x

31.3%

16.8%

flat. Leading the pack, the Insurance index dipped

33

Geregu Pow er PLC

399.00

0.0%

0.3%

167.8%

33.0%

24.6x

2.1%

34

Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

0.2%

3.9%

-9.5%

15.8%

1.6%

5.4x

0.6x

0.0%

0.2%

42.0%

12.3%

12.7%

1.6%

5.6x

0.7x

7.4%

10.0%

5.0%

13.2x

1.3x

1.7%

3.2%

3.4x

Performance across sectors within our purview was

2.0% due to price decline in MANSARD (Ͳ9.7%) and

35

CORNEST (Ͳ5.7%). Similarly, the Consumer and Industrial Goods indices fell 10bps and 2bps respec-

Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

34.80

18.5%

36

Unilever Nigeria PLC

14.90

0.0%

0.1%

28.4%

-8.6%

37

Oando PLC

10.45

-9.1%

0.2%

166.6%

81.7%

38

Conoil PLC

86.50

0.0%

0.1%

226.4%

4.2%

41.0%

16.3%

5.0x

1.8x

3.1%

39

Transcorp Hotels Plc

44.40

0.0%

0.1%

610.4%

89.7%

6.9%

3.7%

99.6x

6.8x

0.3%

40

Notore Chemical Industries Ltd

62.50

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

-140.7%

-24.8%

tively owing to sellͲoffs in INTBREW (Ͳ5.3%), DANGSUGAR (Ͳ0.1%), and WAPCO (Ͳ0.3%). Con-

6.65

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

T H OM A SWY

3.32

9.9%

GT C O

76.7

0.5%

FB NH

29.40

9.9%

UB A

74.6

3.3%

9.9%

F ID ELIT YB K

65.6

2.8%

18.90

9.9%

A C C ESSC OR P

64.2

9.0%

IN F IN IT Y

1.47

9.7%

UN IVIN SUR E

47.1

-7.4%

MTNN (+0.3%).

D A A R C OM M

0.34

9.7%

Z EN IT H B A N K

38.6

3.4%

A C C ESSC OR P

21.10

9.0%

FCM B

37.4

2.2%

A IIC O

0.77

8.5%

VER IT A SKA P

33.5

-2.9%

A B CTRA NS

0.91

8.3%

T R A N SC OR P

28.9

-1.3%

Outlook

N SLT EC H

0.83

7.8%

FB NH

24.8

9.9%

5.0% and 0.1%, respectively aided by price appreciation in ACCESSCORP (+9.0), ZENITH (+3.4%), and

M ULT IVER SE ET I

stocks advanced, 21 declined, while 63 closed flat.

Today, we anticipate an extended gains on the bourse, due to sustained positive investor senti-

ment.

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

T o p 10 L o s e r s

Investor sentiment, as measured by market breadth, declined to 0.21x (previously 0.40x) as 34

7.77

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

M A N SA R D

4.10

-9.7%

GT C O

3039.6

0.5%

GUIN EA IN S

0.28

-9.7%

UB A

1657.7

3.3%

OA N D O

10.45

-9.1%

Z EN IT H B A N K

1367.2

3.4%

OM A T EK

0.79

-8.1%

A C C ESSC OR P

1337.2

9.0%

UN IVIN SUR E

0.25

-7.4%

M TNN

938.9

0.3%

N EIM ET H

2.11

-6.2%

FB NH

728.2

9.9%

C A VER T ON

1.55

-6.1%

F ID ELIT YB K

596.3

2.8%

C OR N ER ST

1.36

-5.6%

SEP LA T

482.4

0.0%

259.3

2.2%

225.0

-0.1%

T ic k er

M C N IC H OLS

0.69

-5.5%

FCM B

M B EN EF IT

0.53

-5.4%

D A N GSUGA R

20.0% 1.0% -71.9%

T ic k er

versely, the Banking and AFRͲICT indices gained

7.6% 29.1%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

T o p 10 G a i n e r s

17.9%

Brokerage

Asset Management

Investment Research

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Abiodun Keripe | AKeripe@afrinvest.com

Taiwo Ogundipe | togundipe@afrinvest.com

Christopher Omoh | comoh@afrinvest.com

Damilare Asimiyu | dasimiyu@afrinvest.com

33

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 07, 2023

NEWS

A walk against gender-based violence...

L-R: Commissioner for Women and Social Development, Mrs. Adijat Oladipo Adeleye; Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi; Governor Dapo Abiodun; wife of the governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun and the wife of the Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Mrs. Victoria Oluomo, when members of the Ajose Foundation, led by the governor's wife, embarked on a walk to the governor's office, Oke-Mosan Abeokuta, as part of the 16 Days activities against Gender-Based Violence... yesterday

Ganduje: S’East Must Speak with One Voice to Negotiate Nigeria’s Political Leadership Says Tinubu has approved blueprint for zone’s liberation We need APC to be fully integrated, Uzodimma submits Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, yesterday, advised the leaders of South-east geo-political zone to start speaking with one voice to be able to negotiate for the political leadership of the country.

He however, hinted that President Bola Tinubu, had already approved a blueprint for the political liberation of the zone to the ruling party, APC. On his part, the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, said it was important for APC as a political party to become the vehicle for the South-east region to be fully integrated into the national project.

Ganduje and Uzodimma spoke when Anambra APC stakeholders paid the national chairman a courtesy visit at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja.

He said, "I will like to let you know that Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved our blueprint for political liberation of the South-east to the APC. "He has approved the political emancipation, he has approved the political de-marginalisation of the South-east. Be with one voice because if you speak with one voice, your voice will be bigger,

wider...for the negotiation for the political leadership of this country.

"There is no unity and you need unity in diversity. We need you to be united and deliberately the party in Anambra State needs a change, revolution of the South-east."

Also, the Governor of Imo state, Hope Uzodimma said it was important for APC as a political party to become the vehicle for the South-east region to be fully integrated into the national project.

According to him, “We are determined in our region to be part and parcel of Nigerian politics.

We are going to do our best to make sure that the five states in the South-eastern region are dominated

by APC by endearing our party to the people of the South-east region.”

Earlier, the Anambra State Chairman of the party, Hon. Basil Ejidike, said the party at the state level was poised to go into the 2025 governorship election and ready to deploy all democratic arsenals to win the election.

He said the party appreciated the importance of Anambra State as a socio-political and economic melting pot of South-east and therefore could not afford to gamble with the coming opportunity to take over the Government House in Awka.

Ejidike told the NWC that

at one of the party's periodic stakeholders meetings held on December 2, 2023, they received the senator representing Anambra

South Senatorial District, Ifeanyi Ubah of the Youth Democratic Party (YPP), and Senator Uche Ekwunife, as well as Hon John

Nwokeji.

He said they had also set up a strategic membership drive committee with the intent of

reaching out to persons with the wherewithal, as well as harnessing the grassroots in order to improve the fortunes of the party.

FIDA Seeks Investment of Time, Resources to Curb Violence against Women Funmi Ogundare

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, yesterday, called for an investment of resources and time in fighting the scourge of violence against women and girls in the country.

The Country Vice, FIDA, Mrs. Amina Sauzana Agbaje, who made this call at FIDA Badagry Branch 2023 Law Week, in Lagos, expressed concern about how women and girls are constantly abused sexually, harassed and deprived of healthy food and participation in development.

Speaking further at the event themed, “Empower a Woman, Empower a Girl Child, Empower the World,” she held that they must be empowered so as to change the narrative and battle against poverty.

Agbaje who was represented by

the National Secretary, Mrs. Eliana Martins, explained that 35 per cent of women have experienced gender-based violence, economic inequality, discriminatory practices in employment, political exclusion, education disparity and culture related issues of patriarchy and religion, among others.

"Empowering women and girls is essential to the health and social development of families, communities and countries. When women are living safe, fulfilled and productive lives, they can reach their full potentials, contributing their skills to the workforce and can raise happier and healthier children who can equally contribute meaningfully to societal growth", she stated.

In her remarks, the Chairperson of the Badagry Branch, Lady Adaku Mbama, stated that the Law Week coincides with the 16 days of

activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV) commemorated globally, noting the theme was apt.

She described an empowered woman as one with a sense of selfworth who has a right to determine and make good choices, access to opportunities and resources and control their own lives.

She regretted the many of the abuses women are subjected to saying that they tend to undermine their integral development.

Her words: "Even though it is incontestable that women are builders of the world's nations and that the human capital of many nations cannot be complete unless the female population, a vital section of the economy, is harnessed.

“In our country, women are still seen as second class citizens, who should not rise unless they compromise their womanhood and lower their moral standard."

The Keynote Speaker and Nigeria Gender Ambassador, International Bar Association, Mrs. Anthonia Akinlawon, SAN, who emphasized on the theme, stated that empowering girls from a young age sets the pace for them to grow, adding that the benefits also extends to families, communities and the entire world.

According to her, "Empowerment is a powerful tool for development.

The opportunity of education that a girl should have is what should not be taken for granted because if you educate a girl, you educate a nation."

She stressed the need for women not to pull themselves down saying that by empowering a woman, they will be able to control their resources, take up any challenge and also empower others that will lead to the development of communities.

Ten Nigerian Technical Aids Volunteers Receive Meritorious Service Award in Sierra Leone

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Nigerian technical aid volunteers continue to make waves in Africa where there is high demand for their service as the government of Sierra Leone gave out meritorious service awards to the last set of Nigerian volunteers to the West African country.

Just recently, Liberian government wanted an extension to the two-year service of volunteers to the country.

The volunteers to Sierra Leone who returned to Nigeria on Tuesday were described by their host government as the best ever volunteers to have served in that West African country.

The 10 volunteers: Mr. Abdullahi Hashimu Ulaira, Mr. Umar Farouq Baba, Mr. Jakada Ayuba Bulus, Mr. Dachollom Emmanuel Chong,

Mr. Izuka Iloabuchi Nnaemeka, Mr. Adamu Isyaka Omame, Ms. Bosindo Buluembelemere, Mrs. Uchendu Varsity David, Mr. Madalla Aliyu and Ms. Omorere Deborah Eunice, cut across various professions.

They were posted out under the Technical Aid Corps programme in December 2021 for a two-year non-renewable volunteer service.

Receiving the volunteers on Wednesday, the Director General of Directorate of Technical Aid Corps (DTAC), Hon. Buba Yusuf Yakub, described them as worthy ambassadors who made Nigeria proud by their deeds.

He said: “In Sierra Leone you were not there on your own capacity but you were there as Nigeria.

Whatever you do in Sierra Leone, you were seen as Nigeria. So the

people will judge Nigeria through what you have done.

“Thank God that you have been judged well to the extent of receiving an award as the best set of volunteers that have ever served in that country and I am proud to say that we are very proud of you and I am sure that President Bola Tinubu who has a "4 D" foreign policy instruments, which I am sure you have covered about two or three of it during your volunteering services will be very proud of you as worthy, patriotic Nigerians that have been sent on assignment and have come back with a trophy.

"So we are going to celebrate that.

I assure you that what you have done will not go in vain. You will be surely rewarded. We are going to celebrate your achievements and

you will be rewarded for that."

Yakub who presented certificates to the volunteers, stressed that Nigeria will continue to deploy volunteers as part of the soft power diplomacy as it has brought about so many benefits to the country."

One of the volunteers, Ms. Omorere, a nurse, who specialises in mental health and also nurse educator shared her experience, describing it as a pleasant one.

She said: "It's been a very pleasant experience. We arrived there, and we were well received. We were given good reception and accommodated properly. And we the volunteers actually did our best. We gave our best to the country.

"We did a lot up to the extent they recommended and they even insisted we stay back.

"So I want to also use this op-

portunity to say thank you to the to Mr. President, to the Director General, Technical Aid Corp and to all the resource persons that assisted us during our stay in Sierra Leone, and returned to the country."

Meanwhile, one of the Nigerian volunteer who chaired Sierra Leone's COVID Programme, Dr. Ebenezer Adejayan died during the exercise.

The DTAC DG disclosed this during a reception for the ten returning volunteers from Sierra Leone following the completion of their assignment.

Yakub said the late Adejayan was so exceptional that the government of Sierra Leone had to engage him at the height of the COVID outbreak.

The late medical doctor, according to Yakub, became a household name in Sierra Leone.

The DG who observed a minute’s

silence for the departed medical doctor, said, "He was one of our excellent volunteers, who served in Sierra Leone during the COVID. Because of his excellent performance, the government of Sierra Leone appointed him as the Chairman of the COVID programme. He did very well but unfortunately we lost him."

The DG clarified that he did not die of COVID, explaining that: "He did not die as a result of COVID. He finished his assignment very well during the COVID period."

He also added: “He was one of the best. He was an excellent ambassador that represented his country well, so may his soul rest in peace."

The late Adejanya has since been buried in his home town in Ondo State.

34

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 07, 2023 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

SOEHPON ANNUAL CONFERENCE...

L-R: Scientific Sub Committee Chairman, Society of Occupational and Environmental Health Physicians of Nigeria (SOEHPON), Dr Israel Iroezindu; President, Dr Musa Shaibu; Treasurer, Dr Kemi Albert-Udoh; Chairman, Local Organising Commitee, Dr Uche Enumah; National Secretary, Dr. Ayo Agboola; and National PRO, Dr Babajide Onigbogi, during the 2023 SOEHPON's Annual Scientific Conference in Lagos... yesterday PHOTO: ABAYOMI AKINYELE

Accelerate Training of New, Proficient Air Traffic Controllers, Keyamo Tasks NCAT As ICAO projects 4,203 new Africa controllers in 2037 Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, Wednesday, tasked the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), to come up with innovative solutions to accelerate the training of new and proficient air traffic controllers in Nigeria This was even as he disclosed

that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has hinted that Africa is expected to have 4,203 new air traffic controllers in 2037.

Keyamo made the disclosure at the 34th International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers Association (IFATAC) regional meeting of Africa and Middle East (AFM) conference in Abuja.

The Aviation and Aerospace

Development Minister in his address at the event, noted: "The target of 4,203 new air traffic controllers was a projection of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).”

He also stated that the ministry will undoubtedly continue to provide all the necessary support to NCAT to ensure that it meets and exceeds its statutory responsibilities and functions.

According to him, the profession of air traffic control has evolved rapidly, transitioning from simple flag signalling to sophisticated technologies noting that, "This evolution facilitates management of the surging number of aircraft traversing our skies daily."

Represented by the Acting Director, Air Safety and Administration, Michael Chiko, Keyamo further

maintained that, as a vital, indispensable component of air safety, air traffic controllers are responsible for the safe, orderly and expeditious flow of air traffic.

"Therefore, I am not unaware of the critical role you play and invariably, the heavy burden you bear. This burden is compounded by increased air traffic, workforce shortages, technological shifts; neces-

FCTA Flags off Renovation of 51 Streets in Asokoro District Tweaks multiple taxation, harmonises revenue collections

Olawale Ajimotokan and Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The Minister of FCT Nyesom Wike will, today, flag off the rehabilitation of 51 road projects in the Asokoro District, Abuja, as part of commitment to the maintenance and optimisation of public infrastructure as well as ensuring the seamless functioning of essential services in the city.

According to a statement by the Director of Press, Office of FCT Minister, Anthony Ogunleye, the comprehensive road rehabilitation targets improving accessibility, traffic flow, and overall urban aesthetics of the Asokoro District, known for its significance and strategic importance in the city.

Meanwhile, the FCTA has said it was working with the six area councils and the FCT internal Revenue Service to harmonise revenue collection in the FCT. It explained that the purpose of the collaboration was to ensure that small and medium scale enterprises in the capital city are no longer experiencing multiple taxation.

The flag-off ceremony of the road rehabilitation project will take place at the AYA roundabout in Asokoro by 12 noon.

The streets to be rehabilitated include, Abdoul Diouf Street, Akenzua Street, Gado Nasko Close, Gnassingbe Eyadema Street, Haile Selassie Street, Julius Nyerere Crescent, Justice Roseline Ukeje Close, Kwame Nkrumah Crescent and Kyari Mohammed Crescent.

Others include River Yambo Street, Maitama Sule Street, Nelson Mandela Street, Patrice Lumumba Street, Samora Machel Street, Siaka Steven Street, Udo Udoma Street, Ukpabi Asika Street, Williams Tolbert Close, Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Aya Ramp, Aya Roundabout, Usman

Fodio Crescent, Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Muhammadu Ribadu Street, J. F. Kennedy Street, Ali Akilu Crescent, Ibrahim Taiwo Street and Justice G. Sowemimo Street/Jose Marti Crescent.

Other locations outside Asokoro include: Burundi Street, Cabinda Street, Damba Close, Ndande Crescent, Suez Crescent, Lumsar Street, Addis Ababa Street, Manzini Street, Benghazi Street, Manapulane +Casamance Street, Bamenda Street, Lukulu Street, Kamina Street, Tamale Street, Matadi Street, Algeria Street, ASBA / Dantata Street, Off Ring Road-2, Queen Elizebeth Street and Gashua Close, Area-8, Garki.

The statement described the initiative as a testament to the minister’s dedication to ensuring that public infrastructure was not only developed but also meticulously maintained to meet the evolving needs of the city.

On the revenue harmonization front, the Permanent Secretary of FCT, Mr. Olusade Adesola, stated this yesterday at the annual Leadership summit of the Princeton Leadership Forum in Abuja.

Adesola said the arrangement was achieving great results following a meeting held in Akure in April where the Area Councils supported the initiative.

He said the FCT Internal Revenue Service is driving the process and that the impact would soon be felt.

He said that the administration under Nyesom Wike was committed to creating enabling environment for entrepreneurs and business owners in the FCT. He stressed that more attention would be placed on human resources development and financial empowerment of Nigerian youths.

Adesola insisted that the level of development of any nation depends solemnly on the degree of the human resources department of its nation

He said, "When a nation improves the financial, literary and socioeconomic situation of its citizenry, it without a doubt develops thinkers, philosophers, entrepreneurs and innovators to solve age old problems which conventional methods have failed to address.

"Experience has shown government's limitations as an employer of labour and therefore the gap needs to be filled by the private sector, and in particular, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

"These MSMEs are often than not, the product of an entrepreneurial mind in action."

The President of the Princeton Leadership Forum and Convener

of the summit, Dr. Chibuike Echem, said the group was geared with the responsibility of training individuals, especially youths with leadership passion for future tasks.

Echem further added that Nigeria's major challenge is lack of trained leaders, saying that narratives can't change until those in the political space stop seeing it as their birthright.

"The achievement of national development requires financial empowerment of individuals through gainful employment" Echem stressed.

On his part, former chief of staff to the Imo State government, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, said entrepreneurs and innovators play in important roles in the development of any economy.

Nwosu noted that Nigeria needs the assistance of entrepreneurs and innovators to be able to come out of the present situation.

"Judging the country that we are now, you know that the entrepreneurs are most needed. An entrepreneur is the only man that can provide jobs and it increase the economy of the nation" Nwosu emphasized Awards were presented to 10 distinguished Nigerians who contributed meaningfully to the nation in their various fields.

This year's annual summit drew participants from the private sectors both locally and globally, top government officials, entrepreneurs, captains of industries among others.

sitating rigorous training regimes.

"Moreso, with the emergence of unmanned aerial vehicles, reshaping dynamics and challenging the norm, it is thus paramount to prepare for the future and indeed Nigeria like other countries must prepare for the future," the Aviation Minister said.

In a similar vein, the Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Mohammed Odunowo, stated that the theme of the 34th IFATCA Africa and Middle East Regional meeting titled 'Shaping the Future: Trends and Insights On ATC Training for Tomorrow' was very appropriate at this time as air traffic control reaches a major turning point with the celebration of 100 years in existence.

Odunowo, represented by Mr. Lawrence Pwajok, further said that a historical look at what air traffic control was a 100 years ago at Croydon airport where history recorded air traffic control first started, and a look at what air traffic control is today at modern day airports like Dubai, Istanbul, JFK, Charles De Gaulle etc, "will give us a glimpse of what a future air traffic control system would look like in the next 100 years.

"It is obvious that the future air traffic management system will be characterised by extensive application of automation, digitization and artificial intelligence," Odunowo said.

PTD Crisis Deepens as Factional Chair Accuses NUPENG of Forcing Members’ Loyalty Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The leadership crisis in the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) deepened yesterday with the factional National Chairman of the group, Lucky Osesua, accusing the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) of coercing its members to pledge loyalty to an “illegal” group.

In a statement in Abuja, the PTD branch of NUPENG, led by Osesua and his Deputy, Dayyabu Garga, said the parent body was compelling members into signing an undertaking to that effect against the principles of fair labour practices.

According to the PTD, the illegal faction of the branch is under Augustine Egbon, which it said is brazenly backed by the president

and general secretary of the union, despite the interventions of the courts of competent jurisdiction to reverse the “illegality.”

Osesua emphasised that the actions and inactions of NUPENG leadership, particularly that of the President, Williams Akporeha, the General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale and the Trustee, Akanni Oladiti was a total affront to the rule of law and the extant rules of the union.

The group demanded that the intimidation, harassment, humiliation and emotional attacks on their members must stop forthwith.

It also urged the presidency, ministry of labour and employment, elders of the union, the police and other key stakeholders in the industry to come to their aid and deliver the union before it slides

into an “irredeemable implosion.”

In the statement jointly signed

by Osesua and National Secretary, Humble Power, the group noted that the fresh anti-labour activity will further subject its members to slavery and servitude against their wishes.

“It is appalling that these people would form an unholy alliance to use force, harassment, victimisation and emotional attack on our members at the units and zonal levels by luring them into signing an undertaking with the header “loyalty clearance.”

“This oppressive style of leadership is alien to our union and we urge the government and the public to take note of this flagrant abuse of power.

“A union which had time without

number accused management of different oil and gas companies in the country of stopping their members from being unionised is the same union that is foisting on its members a demand to build support and loyalty for a leadership that was illegally constituted and forcing members to comply or face forceful exit from the union.

“The psychological and emotional trauma currently being experienced by our members is totally unbearable for them, and this is unfortunately making them to feel less human and completely depressed and unhappy.

“We wish to emphasise here that this lack of respect and sensitivity to Nigeria's extant labour laws, international conventions and global best practices is gradually becoming the stock-in-trade for NUPENG.

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NEWS

OYO EXCO Meeting Press Briefing...

L-R: Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun; Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Prof. Daud Sangodoyin; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Toyin Balogun; Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade and Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Prof Musibau Babatunde, during a press briefing held at governor's office, secretariat, Ibadan

Court Strikes Out Money Laundering Charge against Shasore as EFCC Discontinues Case Wale Igbintade Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, hasstruck out a four-count charge of money laundering filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), against a former Attorney General of Lagos State, Supo Shasore, SAN. At the resumed hearing of the suit, yesterday, the EFCC Prosecutor, Bala Sanga, informed the court that the commission was no longer interested in continuing its money laundering case against the former Lagos State Attorney-General.

Consequently, Justice Aneke struck out the charge.

With the matter struck out, the defence team led by Wale Akoni, SAN and Chijioke Okoli, SAN applied for the release of Shasore’s international passport, which the court granted.

The two charges brought against Shasore on similar set of facts had earlier been struck out by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting at Abuja and Justice Mojisola Dada of the High Court of Lagos State.

The former AG was recently exonerated of complicity by Justice Robin Knowles of the Commercial Courts of England and Wales in the shenanigans that bedeviled by

controversial Process & Industrial Developments (P&ID) Limited contract.

The judgment was delivered in favour of the federal government after five years of legal frameworks, which saw the court quash the $11 billion arbitration award in favour of P&ID.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Shasore last October before Justice Aneke over alleged money laundering to the tune of $200,000.

But, Shasore's team of lawyers led by Akoni SAN, challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain

the charge among other issues.

Consequently, Akoni urged the court to quash the four-count charge of money laundering brought against him by the EFCC. The EFCC in charge numbered FHC/L/447C/2022, had accused Shasore (SAN) of accepting, transacting and making payments

The Head of Department, History and International Studies, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Prof.

Adeolu Falode, has said the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) simulation event introduced by the department was aimed at producing talented and young diplomats with requisite skills.

According to him, this year's event was practically targeted at catching young diplomats and exposing them with the same intensity that nations put in diplomacy that plays out at the UNGA. He disclosed this yesterday in Lagos, as over 400 first year students gather for a simulation UNGA event and made presentations on the countries they were representing.

According to him, “This kind of programme will let the government know that there are young Nigerians that are actually interested in foreign policy-related issues.

tion) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 16(6) and 16(2)(b)of the same Act. The defendant had pleaded not guilty to the charges, when he was arraigned and he was accordingly admitted to bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety in like sum.

Third Republic Lawmakers Beg Tinubu to Pay Their Entitlements Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Third Republic Parliamentarian Forum has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to pay their entitlements, which have been left hanging for the past 31 years.

The lawmakers, who were members of the House of Representatives, who served in the aborted third republic made the appeal yesterday in Abuja, when they honoured one of their own and member representing Sagbama federal constituency of Bayelsa state, Hon Fred Agbedi, who was a member of the third Assembly.

They noted that if Chief MKO Abiola and Ambassador Babagana Kinginbe could be recognised, former members, who were

duly inaugurated should also be given due recognition and get their entitlement paid.

The Forum's Welfare Officer, Amina Aliyu, said even though about 593 of them were inaugurated as members of the third assembly, about 250 of them had died without being paid their entitlements.

She added that former lawmakers decided to honour Agbedi because he has continued to identify with them and taken care of the welfare of many of them.

“When we came here, we were 593, but over 250 have gone. Most of the women are dead. Yesterday (Tuesday) was 31 years since we were sworn in as members of this parliament. Our grandchildren can vote and be voted for now. Yet, we still have problems.

“Our problem is one, our claims.

We are here to honour this man who has been struggling to fight for our rights and the rights of other Nigerians. If Abiola and Kingibe were being honoured and recognised, we are the foot soldiers.

We are the delegates that voted them into power. What about us?

“As it is there are lots of conflicts that predates the existence of Nigeria and there are lots of conflicts that have been here before I became a lecturer.

“Our idea is that these young minds when properly groomed and tutored can be the missing link to providing such important solutions to long running world conflicts provided they can actually be given the proper guidance and attention they need.”

Speaking on the significance of the programme to the profession, Falode said LASU was the first university in Nigeria that would be carrying out such kind of simulation on its own.

“This is a departmental programme and is not the universitywide thing as it is. The initiative came from the department, we look around and most of the time, what we teach is theory.

“So, we want our students to feel that thing, the tactical aspect of

international diplomacy and that is why we conceived this idea. When we started this programme and they entered into that hall, they assumed the role of the countries they are representing, they are no longer Nigerians, are no longer within Nigeria and are now within the confines of United Nations building or the organisation,” he explained.

He added that through this kind of simulation training, “those with the ambition in the future of becoming diplomats and ambassadors can represent the country on any fora internationally.

“We usually catch them young at 100 level and build that idea into them. Imagine about 400 of them actively taking part. So, those you see that came out to make presentations are the delegates for each country that was adopted by them.

“If you notice they usually start with the language of the country they are representing, that shows their seriousness and devotedness

Why can we not be honoured and paid our salaries and outstanding?”

Responding, Agbedi appealed to the president to listen to the cry of the former lawmakers and order the payment of their entitlements.

“I also join them in calling on the National Assembly to do the needful. If for any reason, they

have kept crying out that there are things, there are entitlements, there are benefits that were cut short because of the military intervention, of course, and the National Assembly should take the lead in ensuring that what is right is done for the people,” Agbedi said.

Kaduna Killings: Sheikh Bauchi, PDP Demand Probe, Compensation for Victims’ Families Chuks Okocha in Abuja, Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi and Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja A renowned Islamic Scholar, and leader of Tijjaniyyah Disciples,

Don: LASU-UNGA Simulation Exercise Aimed at Producing Young Diplomats

Oluchi Chibuzor

with cash payment of the sum of US100,000 USD, without going through a financial institution, which such exceeded the amount authorised by law.

The alleged offences, according to the EFCC, contravened sections 78(c), 1(a) and 16(1)(d) and 18(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibi-

to this event.”

For the chief host and the coordinator of the LASU-UNGA Simulation programme, Associate Prof. Olawale Lawal, the department saw a gap that needed to be closed up for their students.

For him, the message was that international relations and diplomacy cannot end in the classroom.

He stressed that universities should introduce their students to the practicality of what diplomacy was all about.

According to him, “We have seen globally, where all nations practice diplomacy, inside the UNGA. Doing an UNGA simulation as we are doing now is a gap we saw and needed to close for our students.

“This is the third in a series; we did one around 2018, with our Master student and off course we experimented with that.

“We had another two years with our undergraduate students and we are having this today.”

Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to as a matter of urgency, constitute an Investigative panel into the recent accidental killing of innocent people celebrating Maulud in Tudun Biri community in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, by the army.

Also, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said it was alarmed by the killing of over 120 Nigerians and wounding several others in the reported accidental bombing of a Kaduna community.

At the same time, the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has expressed his condolences on behalf of the People and Government of the state to his counterpart in Kaduna, as well as the citizens and government of the state, in the wake of the regrettable bombing.

However, Bauchi, who reacted to the development while speaking with journalists yesterday at his Bauchi residence, said a thorough probe of the incident would bring out the real situation.

He also called on the government to ensure payment of compensation to the families of the Muslim ummah killed in the accident.

"We want the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to stand firm to ensure justice for the affected people killed while celebrating Maulud, and punish the officers that carried out this

dastardly act to prevent future occurrences,” he said.

He also called for the upholding of the "principles of protecting their dignity, protect their fundamental human rights to live, to practice their religion without hindrance and to uphold human rights and international humanitarian law.”

The PDP, in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, said the fact that the area was bombed twice raised serious concern and questions bordering on intelligence gathering, information processing, synergy, command and operation control coordination in the security system.

It therefore, called on the federal government to immediately commence an independent systemwide inquiry to dispassionately investigate the sad and unfortunate episode.

"Our party deeply commiserated with the families of the victims of the bombing and prays for the speedy recovery of the wounded," Ologunagba said.

On his part, Bello, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Muhammed Onogwu, observed a minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident during the State Executive Council Meeting at the EXCO Hall of the governor’s office in Lokoja and conveyed his condolences to the government and people of the state.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 07, 2023 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

Courtesy Visit...

L-R: Major General Barry Tariye Ndiomu, mni (rtd) interim administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme and Chief (Hon.) Kingsley Kuku, former special adviser to the President on Niger Delta and chairman Presidential Amnesty Implementation Committee, in an interview following a courtesy visit to the PAP office by the latter in Abuja... yesterday

2027 Polls: 25 New Parties Seek INEC’s Registration Akpabio: Lack of accountability making citizens not trust parties

Chuks Okocha in Abuja Preparations for the 2027 general election might have commenced as some 25new political associations had applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for registration as full-fledged political parties.

This was as the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has said there was a need to reposition political parties for transparency and accountability, adding that, repositioning the parties would help restore public trust and confidence.

So far, there are 18 registered political parties in Nigeria. If their

request was granted, the number of registered political parties would be 43 in total.

On the registration of new political parties, Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who disclosed the development in Abuja, said, “As of today, we have about 25 political associations that have applied that

they want to register as political parties.”

Speaking at the Public Presentation of the ‘NEEDS Assessment of Political Parties in Nigeria’, organised by the Kukah Centre and the European Union (EU), Yakubu further said, the high number of applications demonstrated that the political

Commonwealth Launches ‘Polluter-pay’ Rule to Reduce Greenhouse Emissions Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Commonwealth Secretariat has launched a new law model that it said would drastically reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and achieve the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global heating to 1.5°C. The Commonwealth Carbon Tax Model Law was presented yesterday at a high-level event in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28).

Guided by the ‘polluter-pay principle’, the model law provides for an easily administrable carbon tax, with the tax being levied on fossil fuels companies and industrial emitters.

This approach, according to a statement issued by Commonwealth Secretariat, will help ensure that the majority of emissions in most Commonwealth countries are taxed.

“Governments and legislators from the 56 Commonwealth countries can use the model law as a starting point to draft new legislation or adapt certain provisions to existing statutes in line with their local circumstances and national climate plans.

“Implementing a carbon tax outlined in the model law would help countries reduce their carbon emissions, attract new investment for clean energy and boost government revenue, while contributing to their national climate commitments under the Paris Agreement,” the statement said.

Launching the model law, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, said there is now widespread agreement on the effective ways to help countries meet the net-zero carbon emissions target.

“Delivering the Paris Agreement remains humanity’s greatest hope.

But globally, current climate action is too weak and too slow, while

the window for action continues to narrow.

“There is widespread agreement that one of the most effective ways to help countries meet the net-zero carbon emissions target of the Paris Agreement is carbon taxation.

“Considering the growing interest in this area and the need for a coordinated approach, this model law is a valuable resource for all 56 Commonwealth countries, as

they seek to avoid the worst effects of climate change and introduce policies for a more sustainable and prosperous common future,” Scotland said.

The statement revealed that in order to ensure a just transition, the model law includes provisions for measuring and mitigating the carbon tax’s impact on low-income households and other vulnerable groups.

“This is achieved through regular impact reporting, stakeholder engagement and by directing revenue generated from the carbon tax towards supporting clean energy initiatives for low-income households.

“The new model law is the latest in a series of Commonwealth model laws produced by the Commonwealth Secretariat,” the statement noted.

party system was working.

“If political parties are not functioning well, why are groups coming up to seek registration as political parties?” he asked.

Represented by Mr Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Yakubu said, “Despite harsh criticism that INEC has passed through, especially in the last couple of months, we have the National Assembly that emerged from the political parties. There was a time when we had many political parties before they were pruned down by legal requirements to 19.”

Represented by Victor Umeh, senator representing Anambra central, the senate president, said there was a need to reposition political parties for transparency and accountability.

The number three citizen said repositioning the parties would help restore public trust and confidence.

“Political parties have not only provided platforms for citizens to participate in the democratic process but have also played a vital role in

shaping our nation’s policies and governance structures.

“However, it would be remiss of us not to acknowledge the issues that have marred our democratic culture.

These issues have led to a decrease in public trust and confidence in political parties.

“It is disheartening to witness citizens disenchanted with the very institutions that should represent their interests and safeguard their democratic rights,” he said.

Bishop Kukah, on his part, said the “Needs Assessment of Political Parties in Nigeria’ publication serves as a roadmap in addressing the issues that have taken away trust from parties.

“Political Parties are the platforms on which politicians are weaned, trained and deployed to serve the public good. We want to dredge up some of the good, the bad and the very ugly phases of our national history so that we can have an idea of where we have come from.”

Kukah said it was only when that was done that politics could be made “noble”.

C’River Govt, Oando Sign MoU on Renewable Energy Infrastructure Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Cross River state government and Oando Clean Energy (OCEL), the renewable energy business subsidiary of Oando Energy Resources, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on renewable energy infrastructure, OCEL yesterday hosted a side event at the Nigeria pavilion to showcase its clean energy solutions and how the company is supporting the government in its journey to achieving its net zero ambition by 2060.

In attendance at the side event were amongst others, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Abubakar Momoh; Minister of the Environment, Abbas Balarabe; Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Kunle Salako; Commissioner for Special Duties, Cross River State, Mr. Oden Ewa, among others.

The highlight of the session was the signing of the MoU with the Cross River state government for the rollout of electric vehicles for mass transportation within the state.

It also included the framework for the setting up of an Electric Vehicle (EV) assembly plant, thus creating jobs for indigenes as well as building a 100 mw wind plant

for power generation.

Representing the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, at the MoU signing was the State’s Commissioner for Special Duties, Ewa. “This landmark agreement marks a significant step forward in Cross Rivers’ journey towards a cleaner and more sustainable future.

“The MoU paves the way for the transitioning of our mass transit system to cleaner and less expensive fuels whilst also allowing for the use of our natural resource, wind to provide electrification for our people.

“I commend Oando Clean Energy for their innovative solutions that address the impact of climate change in Nigeria and her citizens,” Otu said.

In response, OCEL President, Dr. Ainojie Irune said: “As a company, we are committed to ensuring that this journey to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future is as seamless and as easy as possible.

“This is by putting our confidence in, not only the technology but the partnership and ensuring that the Cross River State government

and her people reap the benefits of generating power from sustainable sources”.

Continuing, Irune said Oando’s Clean Energy’s scope spans the entire 35 states of the federation and the federal capital, promising to create a cleaner, more viable energy ecosystem for Nigeria and the people of Cross River.

NHRC Seeks Investor-friendly, Human Rights Compliant Nigeria Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) yesterday said Nigeria that needs to be investor friendly while also respecting the human rights of its citizens.

The charge was given by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu at the High Level Forum on Business and Human Rights and the Launch of the National Action Plan (NAP) on Business and Human Rights in Abuja.

Ojukwu said: “Today, as we gather here, we embark on a new chapter in our collective efforts to ensure that businesses operating within our borders adhere to both nationally, regionally and internationally recognised human rights standards.

“The provision for the establishment of the National Working Group on Business and Human Rights in the NAP is to further ensure our collective responsibility to the effective implementation of the action plan.

“It also signifies our commitment to fostering collaboration and coordination among relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, businesses, civil society organisations, Labour/Trade Unions, human rights defenders and community representatives.”

According to him, Nigeria can chart a course towards implementing the NAP on business and human rights, promoting responsible business conduct and addressing human rights impacts.

“This high-level forum provides

a platform for robust discussions, knowledge-sharing, and the exchange of ideas on how best we can implement the NAP and make our country investor-friendly while respecting human rights.

“We have the privilege of engaging with experts, practitioners, and thought leaders from various sectors who will contribute their invaluable insights and experiences.

“Through these deliberations, we aim to identify practical strategies, innovative approaches, and effective mechanisms to ensure that businesses respect and protect human rights throughout their operations and value chains,” he stressed.

The NAP on business and human rights serves as the guiding framework, providing a roadmap

for integrating human rights considerations into business practices.

“This momentous occasion marks a significant milestone in our journey towards promoting responsible business practices and upholding human rights in Nigeria,” Ojukwu said.

In her welcome address, the Chairperson of the Governing Council of the NHRC, Dr. Salamatu Suleiman said that business activities have a profound impact on societies, economies, and the lives of individuals.

She stated that it was therefore imperative that the country ensures its activities align with human rights principles, respect the dignity and wellbeing of all individuals, and contribute to sustainable development.

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NEWS

CFA INSTITUTE AFRICA INVESTMENT CONFERENCE...

L-R: Coverage Director & Head of Nigeria Office, British International Investments (BII), Benson Adenuga; Chairman/Co-Founder, African Capital Alliance, Okechukwu Enelamah; President & CEO, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute, Margaret Franklin; President, CFA Society Nigeria, Ibukun Oyedeji; Executive Director & Chief Investment Officer, Africa Finance Corporation, Sameh Shenouda, and Managing Director/CEO Access Pensions, Dave Uduanu at 2023 CFA Institute Africa Investment Conference in Lagos… recently

COAS Commends Edo People for Unwavering Support

Adibe Emenyonu inBeninCity

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has commended Edo people for the unfaltering support for the military in its fight against insecurity nationwide.

Lagbaja gave the praise when he inaugurated the Pa Igbinomwanhia Uyigie Multi

Purpose Hall at Iduowina Town, in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.

He said the inauguration of this special intervention civil-military cooperation project represents a significant achievement in the Nigerian Army’s efforts to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities of carrying out crucial activities towards the realisation of its

Hensard Varsity Commences Admission of Students Into Five Faculties

The management of Hensard University, in Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State, has announced the commencement of admission into 30 courses that are spread across five faculties of the school. All the admission processes are online.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Dileep Kumar, made the announcement on the institution’s website yesterday.

“We are glad to announce that our admissions have started. All the details are available on our

website. There is a buffet of 30 courses to choose from and as has been stated we would avail students the best teaching and learning experience in the conducive environment of ToruOrua,” he said.

According to him, the National Universities Commission (NUC), gave the approval after its resources verification inspection team had a final look at the facilities the Hensard University was placing at the deposition of students.

non-kinetic drives.

“The good people of Edo State, who are committed to promoting peace, have earned the respect

of the Nigerian Army for their unwavering support in our joint pursuit of peace, security and tranquility in Nigeria,” Lagbaja

declared.

According to him, the operational achievements of the Nigerian Army in the southern

region, particularly in Edo State, can largely be attributed to the untiring support of the people of the state.

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

Bauchi at Yelwa community.

This is as the Bauchi State Police Command has explained that the murdered 500 level student of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University(ATBU) was stabbed with a sharp knife while trying to help his girlfriend recover a snatched phone.

The CSO also condemned what it called the inconsiderate actions taken by the leadership of the University in response to the protest staged by the aggrieved students of the University.

According to a press statement signed by Its

Executive Director, Seun Justin Onarinde, and made available to Journalists yesterday, “Young Leaders Network condemns in its entirety the evil act of taking one’s life as perpetrated against a promising final-year student, a great asset to the nation and a pillar to his family.”

CSO Condemns Killing of Tafawa Balewa Varsity Student in Bauchi

A civil society organization (CSO) known as Young Leaders Network (YLN) has vehemently condemned the gruesome killing of a 500 level Geology student of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU),

Oyo Approves Contracts for 84.7km Ibadan Inner Roads Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Barely two weeks after Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, promised the kick-start the rehabilitation and reconstruction of internal roads in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the state government yesterday approved contracts for

the construction and rehabilitation of inner roads within Ibadan metropolis totaling 84.75km.

The state government approved infrastructure briefs at the 8th Executive Council Meeting under Omituntun 2.0, listing scores of internal roads in the state capital, which will

be handled by Messrs Kopek Ratcon Construction Company Limited, Messrs Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited and Craneburg Construction Company.

The state Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Prof.

Daud Shangodoyin, stated this yesterday, during a press briefing

at the Secretariat, Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, adding that several other roads were approved for rehabilitation and maintenance by the Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OYSROMA) at the cost of N553,604,734.3 for a duration of three months.

Ikpeazu Calls for Validation of Folk Medicine to Check Organ Failures

immediate past Governor of and Environmental Biochemistry, food consumption patterns with has been a high increase in cases of Rivers Assembly Elects New Leader, Whip The Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, said this during a one-day research a view to finding the causes of organ failure, especially the kidney.

BlessingIbungeinPortHarcourt

The Rivers State House of Assembly under the Speakership of Martins Amaewhule yesterday, at the 85th legislative sitting elected new Majority Leader and House Whip.

The newly elected are, Hon Major Jack, the member representing Akuku Toru Constituency 1, and former Whip of the House as the Majority Leader, while, Hon Frankline Nwabochi, member, representing Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Constituency 1, was elected the new Whip of the House.

THISDAY observed that the two new principal officers took their oath

of office, immediately after they were voted by the members present at the sitting.

The Speaker, Amaewhule, congratulated the duo and charged them to be committed to their new responsibilities.

In another development, the Bill seeking to amend the Rivers State Local Government Law, No. 5 of 2018 and other matters connected thereto, has reached first reading.

The assembly members also debated on the Rivers State House of Assembly Funds Management (Financial Autonomy) Bill, 2023, after giving the Bill Second Reading.

has called for the validation of folk medicine in Nigeria as one of the best ways of finding lasting solutions to the rising cases of organ failures.

The former governor, who is a teacher and author in Pharmacology

products exhibition and award ceremony organised by The Nigerian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NSBMB) on Tuesday in Abuja.

He called for a thorough investigation into the people’s

organ failure which has become prevalent in our society lately and proffer solution to the menace through folk medicine.

Ikpeazu said: “I am particularly interested in the validation of folk medicine in Nigeria. Lately, there

I think we need to look at some of the things that we are consuming that we were not consuming before and try to bring out what could be the culprit that is poisoning our kidneys, and causing organ failure.”

Fidelis David in Akure

his own party, and his alleged attempt to cast aspersions on APC is a desperate ploy to deflect attention from PDP’s shortcomings.

THISDAY reported that the state PDP Chairman, Fatai Adams at a press conference held in Akure on Tuesday described as a disregard for rule of law,

the screening and approval of Caretaker Committees of Local Council Development Areas and Local Government Areas by the APC Chairman and the State House of Assembly, despite obtaining a court order restraining the state government from doing so.

However, reacting through a statement he personally signed

and made available to Journalists in Akure, Adetimehin said the PDP chairman had chosen to misrepresent the facts to discredit him and APC. “I have noted the recent comments made by the Chairman of the PDP, Adams, regarding me as Chairman of the APC, Ade Adetimehin.”

The state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also promised private developers in the state its total support to establish housing estates in order to check the housing deficit in Lagos State and the country in general.

Speaking during the inauguration of Greenfield Estate Community Development Association (CDA) secretariat, road projects and their end of year party in Ago Palace, Okota, the governor, who was represented by the Isolo

Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Adebayo Aremu Olasoju, said: “We commend the Greenfield Estate CDA for the project put on ground to make the estate livable as well as help reduce the housing deficit in the state and Nigeria.

Ondo PDP, is a Disorganised, Drowning Party, Says APC

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, Engr. Ade Adetimehin yesterday said the opposition Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in the state is a disorganised, drowning party and its Chairman, Mr Fatai Adams, has lost grip of

Guild of Photojournalists Holds Conference, Exhibition Lagos Hails Greenfield Estate for Efforts to Address Housing Deficit The Guild of Photojournalists Nigeria (GPN) is set to hold its third annual conference and awards at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Hall in Lagos on December 08, 2023.

The group said the event, which will be chaired by the grand patron of the association and Group Chairman of Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, would feature a landscape architect and Executive Director, Earthshield International Foundation, Dr. Jumoke Kassim, and General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, as keynote speakers.

The GPN Secretary, Odutayo Odusanya, in a statement said

the guest speakers for the event include: Founder, Technology Times Media Limited, Mr. Shina Badaru; CEO, Precise Company, Bolaji Okusaga, and CEO, Travelogue Communications Limited, Ayodele Omotoso.

The special guests of honour are Prince Yemisi Shyllon, one of Nigeria’s biggest art collectors, and Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State chapter, Adeleye Ajayi.

The statement noted that the theme for the annual event is: ‘Environmental Pollution: Threat to Human, Social and Economic Rights’, with a sub theme: ‘Artificial Intelligence and Spread of Misinformation in Today’s Photojournalism’.

Sunday Okobi

The Lagos State Government has commended the Greenfield Estate Community Development Association (CDA) in Ago Palace, Lagos, for helping to address the housing deficit in the country.

Abiodun: Ogun to Provide Shelter for Victims of Gender Based Violence

James Sowole in Abeokuta

The Ogun State Government yesterday said that it would provide a befitting accommodation for victims of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the state.

The State Governor, Mr. Dapo Abiodun, made this known in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta,

when he received his wife and other women, who were on a road show as part of activities for the 16 days’ Activism against Gender Based Violence in the state.

The governor, who acknowledged that gender violence has become pronounced among males and females in the country, assured that the state

government would provide a befitting building to serve as a shelter for people that have been sexually harassed or subjected to other forms of molestation in the state.

The shelter, he said, would save them from the stigma usually associated with the problem.

He added that the government

would also work towards instituting a Gender Based Violence Trust Funds to finance the welfare of the victims.

He said: “You want us to ensure that we have a befitting shelter and you made a case for that, and you emphasised the fact that people abused in the house or at home cannot go back home.”

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GamingWeek

Thursday, DECEMBER 7, 2023 • T H I S D AY

Edited by Nseobong Okon-Ekong | ikotibok@gmail.com | Tel: 08114495324 TR

The Role of EA Sports FC24, ESports Betting UT H

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Davidson Abraham delves into the diverse betting options available in the world of football-themed simulator video game developed by EA Sports

I

n recent years, the realm of esports has experienced an unprecedented surge in popularity, with EA Sports’ FC24 emerging as a prominent player in this dynamic arena.

Renowned for its realistic gameplay, engaging competitions, and a fervent global fanbase, EA Sports’ FC24 has not only captured the gaming community’s imagination but has also left an indelible mark on the esports betting landscape, shaping it into a thriving phenomenon.

EA Sports FC24 is an association football-themed simulator video game developed by EA Vancouver and EA Romania and published by Sports.

EA Sports FC 24 was officially released worldwide on Friday, September 29, 2023.

Accessibility and competition: Catalysts of EA Sports’ FC24 betting A pivotal driver behind the exponential rise in EA Sports’ FC24 betting is its unmatched accessibility.

The game, available across a diverse array of platforms—consoles, PCs, and mobile devices—has democratised the esports experience, welcoming a broad audience with open arms. This widespread accessibility has played a pivotal role in expanding the game’s reach and nurturing a vibrant esports community.

Moreover, the intricate and competitive gameplay of EA Sports’

FC24 has ignited the passion of both casual and professional gamers alike.

Offering a spectrum of competitive modes, including 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3 matches, the game provides a diverse array of betting options, further fueling its popularity and attracting a substantial number of betting enthusiasts.

Resounding impact of fanbase

Integral to EA Sports’ FC24’s success in the esports betting realm is its passionate and dedicated global fanbase. These ardent supporters, eager to showcase their knowledge and rally behind their favourite teams and players, have actively contributed to the growth of EA Sports’ FC24 betting market. Their unwavering enthusiasm and engagement have undoubtedly propelled the game to unprecedented heights in the esports betting arena.

Unveiling the rich tapestry

The world of EA Sports’ FC24 betting unfolds a captivating array of wagering options meticulously crafted to cater to the diverse preferences of bettors. Among the most popular types of bets are match betting (where bettors predict the winner of a match, injecting an element of excitement into the viewing experience), handicap

betting (adding complexity by providing one team with a virtual advantage or disadvantage, creating intriguing betting opportunities), over/under betting (revolving around predicting whether the total number of goals scored in a match will exceed or fall below a predetermined number, introducing

suspense and anticipation), and prop bets (specialised bets focusing on specific events within a match, allowing bettors to showcase their in-depth knowledge of the game).

Premier esports betting platforms

The esports betting landscape is

NUGA, Gamr Forge Partnership to Elevate Esports in Nigerian Universities Olamide Michael At a recent groundbreaking event, the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA) entered into a strategic working relationship with GAMR Tech Solutions Limited to revolutionise the esports and video game industry within Nigerian universities.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) heralds the beginning of an innovative collaboration that seeks to nurture esports talent, organise the annual top-tier inter-university games and develop related educational programmes across the nation’s higher institutions.

Gamr’s Head of Partnerships, Damilola Pedro, explained that Damilola Pedro this unique partnership will position her organisation to deliver we’re paving the way for the unparalleled eSports experiences next generation of African and tap into youth’s immense gaming industry professionals. potential during the annual varsity From game development and design to media, production, games and beyond.

Pedro said, “With the and project management, we’re establishment of cutting-edge cultivating a holistic ecosystem game labs in our universities, that will elevate our national

talent to global stages. This alliance is more than just a partnership; it’s a commitment to nurturing the leaders and innovators who will drive the future of the gaming industry in Africa.”

GAMR will serve as the exclusive partner for NUGA, managing and executing esports activities and providing technical c o n s u l t a n c y.

This symbiotic relationship extends to utilising NUGA’s extensive university network to promote eSports initiatives.

“We’re not just investing in games. We’re investing in our students’ future. Through collaborative efforts in education

and training initiatives, we’re setting the stage for Nigeria to become a formidable force in the global gaming scene,” said the Acting Secretary General of NUGA, Chidiebere Ezeani.

Key highlights of the partnership include exclusive partnership (GAMR becomes the sole partner for NUGA in esports endeavours), educational initiatives (joint development of a game design curriculum and establishment of gaming labs in selected Nigerian universities), talent development (annual industry placements for students and the formation of university eSports teams), and scholarship opportunities (esports tournament winnings to fund educational scholarships).

Both parties believe that this partnership will stimulate growth in the Nigerian Gaming industry and contribute significantly to educational advancement through scholarships and international exposure for students.

ADVISORY: +18 PERSONS UNDER 18 MUST NOT PARTICIPATE IN BETTING, GAMING OR LOTTERY ACTIVITY

adorned with reputable and secure platforms for EA Sports’ FC24 betting, featuring some of the most prominent and trusted sites, including Bet365 (renowned for its extensive betting options, providing a user-friendly interface and a comprehensive range of EA Sports’ FC24 betting markets), Betway (a leading destination for EA Sports’ FC24 enthusiasts, offering competitive odds and a diverse selection of bets), William Hill (a pioneer in the sports betting industry, extending its expertise to the esports realm, delivering a reliable and secure platform for EA Sports’ FC24 betting), Unibet (gaining recognition as a top choice for EA Sports’ FC24 bettors, thanks to its commitment to innovation and user satisfaction), GG.bet, (tailoring its services specifically to the esports community), and GG.bet offers a specialized platform catering to the needs of EA Sports’ FC24 betting enthusiasts).

Venturing into the world of e-sports betting demands meticulous consideration and strategic planning.

Below are essential tips to elevate one’s betting experience.

Research and select a reputable

betting site. Conduct thorough research to identify a licensed and reputable betting site aligning with your preferences and betting goals.

Establish a betting budget. Set clear and manageable betting limits, ensuring responsible gambling practices.

Stay informed. Keep abreast of the latest news, trends, and player performances within the EA Sports’ FC24 esports scene.

Analyse and strategise. Scrutinise team statistics, player form, and historical matchups to make informed betting decisions.

Embrace responsible gaming— Prioritise entertainment over financial gains, practising responsible gambling habits.

In the ever-evolving landscape of esports betting, EA Sports’ FC24 has undeniably carved a substantial niche, capturing the attention of enthusiasts worldwide. Its realistic gameplay, diverse betting options, and a fervent global fanbase have collectively propelled EA Sports’ FC24 into the forefront of the esports betting phenomenon, marking it as a thriving and enduring force in competitive gaming.

GAMINGWEEK TEAM Nseobong Okon-Ekong ikotibok@gmail.com | 08114495324 Iyke Bede ikennabede@gmail.com | 0703 044 7714 Akeem Lasisi lasaisai@yahoo.com | 08023687884 Vanessa Obioha vaysylver@gmail.com | 08069838305 Davidson Abraham davisiano.adm@gmail.com | +971 56 744 6013

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T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 07, 2023

THURSdaysports

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Okocha Tips Osimhen to be Crowned CAF Player of the Year

Former Super Eagles Captain, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, has tipped Victor Osimhen to be named CAF Player of the Year for 2023 after his exploits with his Italian club Napoli.

Osimhen, 24, was top scorer in Serie A as Napoli won the Italian league last season for the first time since 1990.

Okocha said Osimhen’s consis-

tency at the highest level has won him the prestigious gong.

“He (Osimhen) deserves it because for me, he was the most consistent player of last season,”

remarked the former PSG midfield star.

Nwankwo Kanu was the last Nigeria star to win the CAF Player of the Year Award in 1999.

Nigeria’s Female Yellow-Greens in Uganda for World Cup Qualifier Nigeria Women's cricket team, the Female 'Yellow-Greens' will depart the country today for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier taking place in Uganda between December 9 and 17 at the Entebbe Cricket Oval.

Currently ranked 30th in the world, the Nigerian ladies will be hoping to pick one of the two tickets at stake during the event.

The qualifiers will feature eight teams that have been divided into two groups. Group A has Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Botswana, and Kenya, while Nigeria will feature in Group B, alongside Rwanda, Namibia and hosts Uganda.

Coach of the female Yellow-Greens, Leke Oyede, said the team camped at the Cricket High-Performance Centre at Edo Boys' High School in Benin City for the better part of the last six weeks, and he believes the players are primed for the qualifiers.

“The players have the benefit of being together for a long time and the coaches have put in a lot of work to address the weaknesses that we observed from their last outings. So, we are going to Uganda assured of better performance when compared with our outings earlier in the year.”

Coach Oyede listed the team’s long serving captain, Blessing Etim, as the leader of the pack.

Other members in the squad include: Sunday Salome, Esther Sandy, Lucky Piety, Victory Igbinedion, Favour Eseigbe and Christabel Chukwuonye.

Sarah Etim, Abigail Igbobie, Lilian Udeh, Rukayat Abdulrasaq, Peculiar Agboya, Adekunle Adeshola and Rachael Samson also made the team.

Nigeria’s opening match will be against Namibia on Sunday, December 10th, 2023, by 9:30am local time.

The female national team had won the fivenation NCF Women’s T20i Invitational earlier in the year. The event featured, Rwanda, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Cameroon and host Nigeria.

With barely 37 days to the kick off of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, yesterday engaged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Super Eagles Head Coach, Jose Santos Peseiro, to know the state of readiness of the team.

The meeting which held at the Minister’s office in Abuja, it was learnt, focused more on

Femi Solaja

Alex Iwobi scored twice as Everton hammered Nottingham Forest 5-0 in a Premier League game last night

fostering synergy and solidifying a comprehensive roadmap to ensure optimal preparations for Nigeria to win the AFCON again, 10 years after the late Stephen Keshi did at South Africa in 2013.

"Our country is so passionate about football, such that amidst all other sports, football is about the only sport that has an entry in the nation's national budget," the Minister noted. "That is how important football is, because whatever happens to it, happens

to us as a country."

"After 10 years, the country is thirsty to win the AFCON. It will matter a great deal to the Nigerian people, and to the Government of President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

“It is important to not just leave the task to the NFF alone, but the Government is also interested in being able to tell the Nigerian people what is being done in that regard," Senator Enoh added.

He stated that the AFCON represents a pivotal opportunity

IBA Champions’ Night in Dubai to Be Memorable, Says Roberts The International Boxing Association (IBA) has scheduled its inaugural Champions’ Night in Dubaifor this Saturday where Olympic champion Albert Batyrgaziev from Russia and Cuban three-time world champion, Lazaro Alvarez, will slug it out over 10 rounds in the 60kg weight category for the first IBA professional title.

Four IBA professional bouts, in the pro-style boxing format first of its kind, are scheduled in the main event, as well as three professional

the award that also featured his teammates Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (goal of the season) and his former manager, Luciano Spalletti (best coach of the season) as awardees.

The CAF Awards ceremony will be staged on Monday, December 11 in Marrakesh, Morocco with several players of the host country also in the running for the coveted crown.

NPFL: Heartland Shock Insurance as Sunshine, Lobi, Plateau Win

Sports Minister Meets NFF, Peseiro Over AFCON 2023 Duro Ikhazuagbe

On Monday night, Osimhen was crowned Italian Footballers’ Association (AIC) 2022/23 Player of the Year at the Gran Gala del Calcio which held in Milan.

The 24-year-old Super Eagles forward was deservedly selected after scoring 26 goals in the Italian topflight that earned Napoli their first Scudetto in over three decades.

Osimhen came out tops in

fights.

Silver medallist of the IBA Men’s World Championships 2023 Saidjamshid Jafarov from Uzbekistan will battle Sewonrets Okazawa, a World champion from Japan, in 71kg division fight.

Also, Aliaksei Alfiorau from Belarus, a silver medallist of the IBA World Championships, challenges Loren Alfonso representing Azerbaijan who is a World champion and Olympic bronze medallist in their 86kg contest.

The three professional fights for same night include the one involving World and Olympic champion from Russia Evgeny Tishchenko who will fight Leon Harth from Germany for the WBA World Champion title in 12-round bout.

World champion from Russia Muslim Gadzhimagomedov have a date with German boxer, Artur Mann, in a 10-round bout, and World champion Mark Petrovskii fights Australian boxer Lukas Browne in another scheduled 10-round contest.

for the national team to showcase strength and resilience on the continental stage.

The meeting underscores the Ministry's commitment to providing all necessary support and resources to ensure Super Eagles' readiness and competitiveness at the tournament.

Speaking at the meeting, NFF president, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau assured Nigerians that there is no need to panic, as all hands are on deck, working round the clock to ensure the country flies high at the AFCON in Cote d'Ivoire.

He added that the NFF is committed to making sure the country performs well at the championship.

Super Eagles gaffer, Peseiro, conveyed his appreciation for the collaborative efforts and reiterated his commitment to steering the Nigerian national team towards excellence.

He however highlighted the significance of a robust preparation and emphasised that the technical crew will work with the players to sort out grey areas and bring joy to Nigerians.

The 2023 AFCON will be held in Côte d’Ivoire between January 13 and February 11 with Nigeria to battle hosts Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau in the group stage.

Heartland FC of Owerri began their resurgence in the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL), winning their first game of the season against Bendel Insurance in one of the midweek matches played yesterday.

Just last Sunday, the relegationthreatened Naze side, against all odds, secured a goalless outing against Shooting FC of Ibadan at the Lekan Salami Stadium. Though still languishing in the 19th spot on 10 points from 12 matches at the bottom of the table, the 1-0 defeat of Insurance appears the tonic Heartland players need to launch them back to reckoning.

It was Austin Osayande’s strike in the 57th minute that confined the Benin side to their second defeat of the ongoing season and pushed the Benin Arsenal down to seventh position on the log on 17 points.

In other midweek matches, Sunshine Stars were the better side in the ‘Star War’ following the lone goal victory of the Akure team over Shooting Stars of Ibadan.

After what looks like an even tie in the first stanza in Akure, Moses Omodumueke settled the ‘Western Derby’ in the 73rd minute and pushed the hosts further away from the relegation zone. Shooting are down to sixth on the log on 18 points.

Former champions, Lobi Stars of Makurdi secured a vital lone-goal win also against Gombe United with the goal coming from the boots of Sunday Chukwu. The win move Lobi to same 23 points as leaders Remo Stars . The Ikenne team are ahead on superior +8 goal difference.

Plateau United bounced back from their loss to Remo Stars last Sunday with a 2-1 win against Enugu Rangers.

It was Olawale Doyeni’s stoppagetime goal that secured the win for the Jos team. Moses Adikwu had put the hosts in the driving seat in the 3rd minute but Rangers equalised in the 15th minute via Chidiebere Nwobodo.

Elsewhere, Abia Warriors had to fight from behind to level score at 1-1 against visiting Sporting Lagos.

Naibe Akpesiri opened the score for the visitors in the 18th minute but the hosts restored parity in the 84th minute.

Only Niger Tornadoes as hosts lost against leaders, Remo Stars while Kwara United against visiting Doma United ended it a goalless draw.

Kano Pillars pipped visiting Akwa United by a lone goal margin.

NPFL Abia War 1-1 Sporting Heartland 1-0 B'Insurance Kwara Utd 0-0 Doma Lobi Stars 1-0 Gombe Tornadoes 0-0 Remo Plateau 2-1 Rangers Sunshine 1-0 Shooting K'Pillars 1-0 Akwa Utd

Premier League Brighton 2-1 Brentford Cry’Palace 0-2 Bo’mouth Fulham 5-0 Forest Sheffield 0-2 Liverpool Aston Villa 1-0 Man City Man Utd 2-1 Chelsea

TR

Thursday, December 07, 2023

UT H

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Price: N250

MISSILE

‘Portable’ to Celestial Church Leadership

‘Celestial Church, we must do the show o; you have already paid me N5 million.

Pasuma will perform, and I will also perform. The children of God are coming. Land of Goshen Cathedral, please in God’s name, consider us as children of God. Don’t judge me by my appearance’—Following social media outrage over its Upcoming 15 December Praise Night, Celestial Church announced the withdrawal of invitation to Habeed Okikiola, aka Portable and Fuji musician, Wasiu Alabi aka Pasuma.

olusegunadeniyi the verdict olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

Yet Another Tragic Bombing Error O n 17 January 2017, a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jet mistakenly dropped bombs on settlements harbouring Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs) in Rann, Kala Balge local government area of Borno State.

Fifty-three persons died on the spot while no fewer than 200 others, including humanitarian aid workers of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), were seriously injured.

President Muhammadu Buhari made the usual pledge at the time to investigate “this regrettable operational mistake”. But nothing happened in the aftermath. And apparently no sufficient lessons were learnt by military authorities because we continue to witness these avoidable tragedies.

Last Sunday night in Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, dozens of people were killed, and hundreds of others injured when a military drone bombed a gathering of residents who were reportedly celebrating Maulud. I commiserate with people of the affected Kaduna community even as we continue to hear heartrending stories about the plights of the survivors. The federal government has issued the usual ‘call for probe’ statement, but I strongly urge President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate how he will be different from his predecessor who was characteristically aloof in moments of national grief such as this. I also call on federal and state authorities as well as public-spirited individuals to come to the aid of those who sustained injuries to help mitigate their sufferings. Given that we are dealing with people on the lower rung of the social ladder, the tendency is to quickly forget about them and move on in a nation where the lives of ordinary citizens count for little.

Let me be very clear here. Anywhere there are military operations, there are usually collateral damages. And we must commend our armed forces for their sacrifice over the years as we confront insurgency, banditry and sundry other criminal cartels who work against the peace and progress of Nigeria. The concern is that this is a recurring tragedy, and no explanation has been made, even though hundreds of lives have been lost in the past decade. That is where accountability by the military comes in. In its report on Monday, ‘Daily Trust’ newspaper documented 15 military air strikes on civilian populations between 2014 and 2023, that have led to hundreds of fatalities.

Perhaps more revealing is the ‘Special Report’

by Reuters (one of the largest news agencies in the world) in June this year. Authored by David Lewis and Reade Levinson, the report highlighted what was described as a pattern of deadly aerial assaults by the military on civilian populations in Nigeria. “An airstrike near the village of Akwanaja earlier this year (January 2023) shows how Nigeria’s military, which is backed by the United States and other powers, has repeatedly conducted attacks from the air that have killed civilians.

Engaged in a war with Islamist insurgents in the northeast, the air force is often called on to tackle criminal activity like banditry in areas far from the conflict zone,” the report claimed in the introduction. “A Reuters analysis of violent incidents documented by the Armed Conflict Location & Event

Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff

Data Project (ACLED), a U.S.-based crisis monitoring group, found that more than 2,600 people had been killed in the last five years in 248 air strikes by the Nigerian Air Force outside the three northeastern states engulfed in war…Most victims are identified in the database as belonging to ‘communal militia,’ a broad term that in Nigeria can include anyone from community self-defence groups to criminal gangs known locally as bandits. The incidents documented in the database were not independently confirmed

by Reuters.”

Military authorities are aware of these challenges. In October last year, the immediate past Chief of Air Staff, Oladayo Amao disclosed during the opening of the 2022 Air Operations Seminar in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, that a committee had been established to compile all allegations of accidental air strikes on civilians in recent years. The investigation, he said, was aimed at proffering far-reaching measures that would mitigate future incidences of collateral damage to civilians during such operations. While no one knows the status of that investigation, assuming there is one, the Reuters’ report was ignored by Nigerian authorities. But the American State Department deputy spokesman, Vedant Patel said in August that they were aware of the issues raised by Reuters. “We take all reports of civilian casualties seriously, and they should be thoroughly and transparently investigated.”

Preventing them, Patel added, is “central to our security cooperation with the Nigerian military.”

The Kaduna bombing is indeed one too many. I am delighted that many religious and traditional leaders in the North have waded in to prevent a misreading of the situation and the danger such portends for the health of our country. As painful as this tragedy is, it was a mistake on the part of the military.

But in calling for adequate compensation for victims, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has summed up what the real issue is. “Communities in the northern states have enough problems with banditry to have to again worry about becoming hapless victims of the misbegotten strategies of those who should be helping to wipe out the scourge of banditry and terrorism,” ACF National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba said on Tuesday.

This then brings me to the issue of how traumatized victims are almost always abandoned after every tragedy. In January 2019, two years after the Rann bombing, Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, called on the federal government to compensate victims. “While soliciting the understanding and support of all Nigerians and members of the international community regarding the tragic incident, the panel of inquiry and the NAF Authorities have failed to address the payment of compensation to the people who were injured and the families of those who were killed in the bombing incident”, Falana wrote in a letter directed to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). There is nothing on record that he got any response to his letter or that the victims have been compensated.

Indeed, if there is anything to take from the statement by Dr Shuaibu Musa, the Deputy Chief Medical Director of the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, it is the absence of any structure to take care of victims who are often abandoned to their fate. While updating the media about the number of casualties brought to the hospital, Shuaibu said that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, had promised to give the victims “something” for feeding and laundry. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoheed Lagbaja also reportedly ‘donated’ N10 million at the hospital. Such an ad hoc arrangement is unacceptable for people whose lives have been turned upside down due to no fault of theirs. Not only should the federal government foot the medical bills of all the victims, but compensations should also be paid for these collateral damages, as being demanded by many stakeholders.

Meanwhile, I understand that the general area where the incident occurred is heavily infested with bandits and terrorists who carry out attacks on the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road and other locations in Igabi, Chikun, Giwa and Birnin Gwari local governments.

It is the same location that respected retired federal permanent secretary, Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed, who is currently an adviser to Vice President Kashim Shettima, once described as a bandit territory. “For almost 400 square kilometers, from Abuja to Kaduna, Zaria and Birnin Gwari, there is hardly any farm with cattle [left],” he once wrote. “A huge swathe of the north is now bandit territory. Most of us know where our cattle are, but we cannot retrieve them. Abducted women and young girls hardly ever return…”

The fact that this has long been a dangerous territory was also confirmed in a March 2014 interview in ‘Daily Trust’ newspaper by the Emir of Birnin Gwari who spoke about criminality in his domain and the activities of cattle rustlers. “They are in control of one village called Jan Birni. You can’t go there now

if you are not a thief. If they don’t know you, they may kill you,” said the Emir who then advocated self-defence by his subjects at the time. “These rustlers don’t care whether you put fire on your cattle, they will whisk them away. If your cattle are branded, they will slaughter them, cut them up and sell them in pieces. If you go to Birnin Gwari-Funtua axis, they are gradually taking over all villages and towns along the roads. They come out on market days and brandish their weapons without a care…”

We do not have the exact details of what led to the latest catastrophic error that claimed several lives in Kaduna State, but what is not in dispute is that the intelligence relied upon for the attack was wrong. From the little information I have been able to pierce together from military and political sources in Kaduna, most of the area where the tragedy occurred had practically been taken over by criminal overlords. But I have also been told that some of the military theatre commanders are either confused or have not mastered the new equipment at their disposal. For instance, there are reports that the army did not double check the ‘unusual movement’ picked up in the area by their Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAE) before the attack last Sunday night.

That should never happen. Besides, there is a doctrinal deficit in fighting banditry and related crimes from the air with either drones or combat aircraft. Even in advance societies, such targeting can be imprecise as it is often difficult to sift the bad guys from innocent civilian populations from the air.

I sympathise with the Nigerian Army on this issue, because of the challenges they have had to grapple with by combining internal security with defending the nation’s territorial integrity. But it is not enough for them to just own up to the Kaduna killings, apologise and move on. They owe Nigerians an explanation as to what exactly happened. At all times and in all circumstances, people in uniform and under authorized orders are accountable for lives, even in combat zones. It is therefore imperative that the Defence Headquarters investigate this and other accidental mass killings of innocents in recent times with a view to ensuring they do not happen again.

Metro Bakery’s Remarkable Story

C

ome Saturday, Mrs Sandra Adio will open her Metro Restaurant in Abuja: “A culinary haven where flavours and passion converge”. Built on the same plot (then rented but now bought) where they started just as a bakery nine years ago, the story of Metro Bakery and Restaurant is one of resilience and entrepreneurship. It is heartwarming to see that she dared and ultimately won, even in an environment as hostile to small businesses as ours. It also speaks to the power of social media for those who deploy it for worthwhile causes. I was at the site for the new restaurant yesterday to watch as Mrs Adio put finishing touches to the elegant building ahead of the opening ceremony and I could not hide my admiration.

NOTE: Piece concluded in the online edition

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