MONDAY 9TH DECEMBER 2024

Bagudu: Tax Reform Targeted at Stimulating Economic

Welcomes

Activities, Employment Generation, Others

constructive debate on reform bills, not religious, tribal sentiments

Insists Tinubu means well for Nigeria, should be supported to heal country

James Emejo in Abuja

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Ba-

gudu, has said contrary to speculations, the tax reform effort of the President Bola Tinubu administration seeks to stimulate

economic activities and generate jobs for Nigerians. Speaking with journalists on the side-lines of the 2024 Annual Retreat

of the Bankers’ Committee in Abuja over the weekend, Bagudu said Tinubu remained committed to entrenching the principle of equal-

ity in all parts of the country. He added that there was currently no legislation or action under Tinubu that was designed to be detrimental

to any part of the country. The minister said tax legislation

www.thisdaylive.com

with Honorary

Syrian President, Assad, Overthrown by Rebels, Flees to Russia, Gets Asylum

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Jubilant crowds gathered in Damascus yesterday after the stunning advance from opposition forces put an end to the Assad family's 50 years of iron rule, but raised questions about the future of the Continued on page 39

Mahama Wins Ghana Election, Ruling Party Concedes Defeat

Tinubu calls president-elect, praises country’s commitment to democracy Ex-VP, Namadi Sambo, lauds Ghana’s democratic maturity, high voters’ turnout Atiku sends greetings, Fayemi says election blueprint for credible polls

Deji Elumoye, Emmanuel Addeh and Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Ghana’s former President, John Mahama, of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), yesterday made a historic return to power in the West African country, in an election generally described as one of the most transparent in Africa’s recent political history.

It also saw Nigeria’s neighbour continuing its tradition of conducting almost seamless general polls, with the ruling party’s candidate and current Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia, conceding defeat even before the electoral commission called the final results.

For the winner, who was the country’s president from 2012 to 2017, it was his third attempt to reclaim the presidency after falling short in 2016 and 2020 elections. The electoral commission has said it will announce official results on Tuesday.

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L-R: Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma; First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; and Borno State Governor, Prof. Umar Zulum, shortly after they were conferred

Doctorate (Honoris Causa) of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri...on Saturday

GOVERNORS' WIVES CONFERENCE...

R-L:

of the

of Women

Imaan

Minister of Arts, Culture,

the

Chappal Energies Announces Final Acquisition of Equinor’s Nigeria Business

Deal to unlock oil, gas assets stranded for over 20 years

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Chappal Energies at the weekend announced the completion of a deal to acquire the entire oil and gas business hitherto operated in Nigeria by the Norwegian state-owned multinational energy company, Equinor.

A statement by the firm noted that with the deal, it is set to unlock one of Nigeria’s oil and gas assets which had been stranded for over two decades.

“Chappal Energies is pleased to announce the closing of the acquisition of Equinor Nigeria Energy Company (ENEC), which holds a 53.85 per cent ownership in oil and gas lease OML 128, including the unitised 20.21 per cent stake in the Agbami oil field, operated by Chevron.

“Since production started in 2008, the Agbami field has produced more than 1 billion barrels of oil, creating value for the Nigerian society and the various stakeholders,” the statement from the company stated.

Chappal Energies said it will also assume the operatorship of OML 129, which has several significant prospects and undeveloped discoveries, including Nnwa, Bilah and Sehki.

The Nnwa discovery, it said, is part of the giant Nnwa-Doro field, a major gas resource with significant potential to deliver value for Nigeria.

On its website, THISDAY checks showed that Chappal in Nigeria is chaired by William Higgins, with Ufoma Immanuel as Managing

Director. Directors of the company include Adesola Oyinlola as well as Victor Imevbore.

“This field development opportunity will unlock a world class asset that has been stranded for over 20 years and is poised to bring substantial benefits to the many stakeholders.

“These include shareholders, employees, local communities and the national economy while supporting the fulfilment of the nation’s objectives as articulated in the Nigerian decade of gas objective,” Chappal said.

Equinor and Chappal Energies entered into an agreement on November 29, 2023 with regards to the acquisition for an undisclosed consideration.

Managing Director of Chappal Energies, Immanuel, in his remarks, described the deal as a milestone, saying it aligns with the company’s existing production and development opportunities.

“We are proud to announce this milestone achievement as an indigenous company acquiring a stake in an offshore Production Sharing Contract (PSC) through a competitive process. This acquisition aligns with our objectives of securing existing production alongside development opportunities.

“We extend our heartfelt appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Honourable

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, Mallam Mele Kyari the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, our concessionaire and our partners in the PSC.

“We also applaud the efforts of the regulatory authorities who have guided us through the approval process, specifically the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) team led by Gbenga Komolafe. We realise that government and regulatory support play a pivotal role in fostering impactful investments and enabling

indigenous companies to thrive in Nigeria’s energy sector.

“This acquisition not only brings immediate production and cashflow benefits but also reinforces our vision of building an upstream company capable of driving transformative change in Africa’s energy sector.

“We remain dedicated to contributing to Nigeria’s economic prosperity and the development of its energy landscape through responsible and efficient operations.”

Besides, it was learnt that Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), a division of First Rand Bank Limited, acted as

the sole financial advisor to Chappal Energies on the acquisition.

Chappal Energies said it’s an energy company focusing on investments in deep value and brownfield upstream opportunities within Africa.

According to the company, its aim is to unlock latent value in Nigeria and Africa’s oil and gas resources and revitalise aging assets with solutions that secure longevity, and enhance operational efficiency.

The completion of the deal has effectively led to the cutting of Equinor’s ties with Nigeria, which

go back more than three decades to as far as 1992.

Chappal Energies which is registered in Mauritius, had struck several deals in recent years, including the July 2024 acquisition of a minority share in TotalEnergies' Nigerian onshore joint venture assets for $860 million.

Aside Equinor, oil majors like Eni and Exxon Mobil as well as TotalEnergies have recently had their divestment agreements approved by the authorities, while Shell Plc has had its own rejected by the NUPRC, the upstream regulator.

Tax Reform Bills: SERAP Urges NASS to Assess Human Rights Impact

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to urgently assess the human rights impact of Nigeria’s tax reform bills currently being discussed by the National Assembly, especially on citizens living in poverty.

SERAP said, “Any discussion and consideration of the tax reform bills must ensure full compliance with provisions of the Nigerian Constitution

1999 (as amended) and the country’s international human rights obligations and commitments.”

In the letter dated December 7, 2024, by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said, “The assessments should be transparent, include public participation, and shape the provisions and measures that are ultimately passed. The outcome of any such assessments should be widely published.”

SERAP urged Akpabio and Abbas to pass “a resolution directing Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister

Stop Appointing Non-professionals as Spokespersons, NIPR Warns MDAs

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has urged ministries, departments and agencies under the federal government to stop appointing uncertified professionals as spokesmen and heads of their information units and departments.

The institute expressed concerns that many quacks have infiltrated the profession and exhibiting unethical conducts.

It warned that there would henceforth be dire consequences for anyone practising public relations without being certified.

The National President of the institute, Dr. Ike Neliaku, gave the warning at the induction ceremony of 421 new members and officers of

the Federal Ministry of Information in Abuja on Saturday night.

According to him, any public relations expert caught practising without certification risks being prosecuted and imprisoned.

He said, "People are beginning to appreciate the practice of public relations as a solution-providing institute.

“Secondly, we have been advocating for those who are qualified to come forward and become chartered.

“According to the law of the federation, you are a quack if you are not certified by the institute.

"As a matter of fact, the law of the institute provides for criminal prosecution for persons practising public relations without certification from the institute.

“Nobody wants to be an ex-convict

because if a person is taken to court, there is option of fine, imprisonment or both.

"The important thing is that once you are convicted, you become an ex-convict. It is as serious as that and there is a stigma that goes with anybody that becomes an ex-convict."

The Minister of Information, Idris Mohammed said the Federal Government recognised the role of effective communication in governance.

Idris was represented on the occasion by the Director of Public Relations and Protocol in his ministry, Suleiman Haruna.

He raised the alarm that some mischievous Nigerians have started taking advantage of the digital age to peddle fake news and misinformation.

He said, "We operate in a dynamic

environment where the speed and scale of information dissemination present both challenges and opportunities.

“The digital age has empowered citizens with access to information but has also given rise to misinformation and disinformation.

"As professionals, you are now tasked with the critical responsibility of ensuring that truth prevails over falsehood and that facts triumph over fiction.

“To the newly inducted members, I charge you to uphold the values of the NIPR and to be ambassadors of truth, integrity, and excellence in your respective roles.

"Remember, your work does not merely reflect on your organization or institution; it reflects on the entire nation.

of Justice, to hold Nigeria’s state governors to account on their spending of trillions of naira of revenue derived from taxes, including VATs collected by their states since 2015, and to ensure the recovery of any proceeds of corruption”.

The letter told the senate and House leaders, “SERAP urges you to ensure the inclusion in the tax reform bills of transparency and accountability mechanisms to ensure that any revenue derived from taxes covered under the bills are not mismanaged, diverted or pocketed by politicians, their family members and close associates.

“SERAP notes that Nigerian authorities have the discretion to develop laws on taxation most appropriate to their circumstances.

“However, the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and human rights and anti-corruption treaties to which the country is a state party impose limits on the discretion of the authorities in the development of any such laws.”

SERAP stressed, “Our preliminary review of the provisions of the tax reform bills shows that the bills contain some provisions that are antithetical to human rights and the rule of law.

“For example, Section 28(2)(c) of the Tax Administration bill, among others, requires financial institutions, including banks, to provide to tax authorities ‘the names, addresses, or any other information of new or existing customers.’

“Under Section 28(4), financial institutions must make ‘additional disclosure’ about their customers ‘if it is required by a notice signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the relevant tax authority.’

“These provisions, especially the phrases ‘any other information’ and ‘additional disclosure’, if implemented, could be used unjustifiably or arbitrarily to restrict the right to privacy of customers.

“The risks of violations of human rights are illustrated by the absence in the bills of sufficient safeguards against abuse of access to personal data of customers.

“The provisions also give little or no consideration to data protection, thereby increasing the risks of misuse by public authorities of a customer’s personal details, including their home address.”

SERAP added, “Another troubling provision of the tax reform bills is Section 57 of the Tax Administration bill, which grants broad, extensive, and intrusive powers to tax authorities, which may be misused to undermine Nigerians’ human rights.

“The provisions of Section 81 of the Tax Administration bill essentially oust the jurisdiction of the court in pending tax matters by stating that ‘the pendency of a legal proceeding shall not affect the performance of the duties or obligations of any taxable person under this Act or any other tax law’.

“The country also needs transparent, democratic and rights-aligned tax reforms to unlock the maximum available resources for the full realisation of human rights.”

The letter said, “Furthermore, there are credible reports that several state governors continue to divert or mismanage the revenue derived from taxes, impeding the funding of public goods and services that are crucial for the progressive realisation of human rights.

Representative

Minister

Affairs,

Suleman,

Tourism and

Creative Economy Barr Hanatu Musawa, First Lady of Ogun Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, First Lady of Gombe Hajia Asmau Inuwa Yahaya, First Lady of Kwara and Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors Spouses Forum, Olufolake Abdulrazaq, Governor of Kebbi State, Dr Nasir idris, Gen Buba

Marwa NDLEA, Wife of the Speaker Hajia Fatima Abbas and, First Lady of Oyo State Mrs Tamunonini Makinde during the the governors' wives conference in Abuja at the weekend

TRANSCORP HILTON CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY...

Alleged Exploitative Fares: FCCPC Warns Air Peace against Obstructing Inquiry

Keyamo says commission’s statement on airline careless

Chinedu Eze

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has said efforts made by Air Peace to explain its price mechanism in a press conference last week was an attempt to obfuscate the issues.

It said that it was also meant to distract the commission from

the ongoing inquiry into alleged exploitative ticket pricing among other alleged violations of consumer rights.

But the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has described the FCCPC’s statement on the airline’s pricing methodology as careless and insisted that the commission should have contacted the Nigeria Civil Aviation

Authority (NCAA).

The FCCPC in a statement signed by its Director, Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu yesterday, said insisted that it was investigating Air Peace, the biggest Nigerian carrier after receiving an avalanche of petitions from passengers.

This followed an invitation by the FCCPC which was honoured by the airline’s executives last week, to

address allegations of price gouging and poor service delivery.

Air Peace on Friday, during a press conference, wondered the perimeters which FCCPC uses to determine exploitative pricing and gave details of what it spends in a one-hour flight operation.

“In asserting that only the aviation regulatory agency could inquire into its affairs, Air Peace only betrays

Oando Team Visits NNPC to Discuss Future Business Plans with JV Partner

Kyari says firm’s acquisition of NAOC shows indigenous capacity

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

One of Nigeria’s leading indigenous integrated energy solutions providers, Oando Plc, has visited the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC) to discuss its future business plans with the national oil company, its Joint Venture (JV) partner in the oil and gas sector.

Speaking at the meeting which held in Abuja, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, Mele Kyari, congratulated Oando on its recent acquisition of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) from Eni.

While Kyari led the NNPC side, Managing Director, Oando Energy Resources Nigeria Limited, (OERNL), Dr. Ainojie Irune, led the Oando delegation.

Also at the event were NNPC executives such as Adedapo Segun, Chief Financial Officer, NNPC; Danladi Inuwa, Executive Vice President, Business Services; and Udobong Ntia, Executive Vice President, Upstream.

Kyari stated that the recent milestone by Oando further showed the capacity of indigenous companies, promising to work closely with the company to realise the country’s goals in the oil and gas sector.

A statement from Oando Plc said the NNPC chief executive emphasised the importance of the partnership and the potential for further growth, expressing confidence in Oando's ability to drive the JV to new heights.

"We believe that you will be able to steer this ship to the delivery line in the short term and the long term. We believe that taking over the interests from Eni in this joint venture is a positive development for our industry and country.

“It signifies indigenous companies' ability to play a bigger role in big assets and align with the national aspiration in the energy industry.

“We see this development as a massive step on the path to realising that national goal. We will work with Oando intently to ensure that we do two things, as you have highlighted: increase oil production and also increase gas production,” Kyari remarked.

Speaking on behalf of the Oando team, Irune expressed his gratitude

for NNPC’s support and used the opportunity to provide critical updates on the developments since Oando’s acquisition in August 2024.

“Just by way of an update, in less than 100 days, since acquisition, we have been able to increase our production outputs by almost 50 per cent. This could not have been achieved without your support.

“We've been able to improve the integration of both legacy companies, again led by not just Oando, but NNPC, bringing the JV that used to exist in three parts into two, seamlessly,” said Irune.

He emphasised the company's commitment to increasing production and improving operational efficiency.

"We are excited about the future of this partnership. With the support of NNPC, we aim to increase production to over 100,000 barrels of oil per day and 1.3 billion to 1.4 billion cubic feet of gas per day within the next three years," Irune added

He also stressed the need for collaboration to successfully tackle the issues surrounding the industry’s current reality, which extend beyond financial, security, community, or production integrity issues.

“The challenges we have seen are not insurmountable. Rather, with the commitment and collaboration of all parties, we will overcome the current adversity to build a sustainable industry and economy,” he concluded.

a terribly poor understanding of both the legal and moral pillars of its operating environment.

“Passengers are consumers of its services. Their rights are inalienable and guaranteed under the FCCPA. It is the basis of FCCPC’ intervention,” the commission said.

It said the inquiry into Air Peace’s pricing practices stems from allegations of unjustified fare increases on advanced bookings for certain domestic routes, lack of transparency in pricing structures and practices that potentially contravene consumer rights and fair competition principles.

Meanwhile, Keyamo, in an interview with Arise News on Sunday said that the statement by the FCCPC which questioned Air Peace’s pricing methodology was careless. Keyamo said the agency should have contacted the NCAA directly instead of going public.

“I think it was a very careless statement – I say that with all apology – by the agency, making such a statement without consulting the core agency involved in regulation, which is the NCAA. The power to regulate these airlines and for the airlines to inform about their price increase and all of that is domiciled in NCAA; that is the core agency.

“They should have contacted the NCAA for them to look at the books, which we have been doing, so we would have given them facts. But to single out a few airlines that we are struggling to expose to the world for them to get more enhanced capacity, it was a bit careless,” he added.

Keyamo emphasised that the issue at hand was not one of

exploitation but rather the airline industry’s capacity limitations, especially regarding aircraft acquisition and servicing routes. He said: “What we are facing is a problem of capacity of the airlines to acquire aircraft and to service their routes. Again, we have things that are totally out of our control, which is the issue of the fluctuation of the forex, that affects everything in aviation. Everything in aviation is dollar based.” He explained that Nigerian airlines spend majorly foreign exchange due to their need to hire aircraft, which he referred to as wet leasing.

“All of these are foreign exchange, and with the fluctuating nature of our naira against the dollar, you will expect that it will affect also their cost of operation. Now, what we are therefore doing is to ensure that we expose them to the markets across the world where they can now access aircraft on very good terms, and this will impact on the prices of tickets and their cost of operation.

“That is what led us to addressing the issue of the practice direction pursuant to the Cape Town Convention. That is the core of the problem of the aviation industry that this president and vice president graciously supported us to get to, and we are there now,” he said.

Keyamo revealed that in January he will be leading a Nigerian delegation to Dublin to meet major airline financiers and discuss how to access aircraft at better rates, a move he believes will positively impact ticket prices and operational costs.

PIA: NGO Kicks as Oil Firms Allegedly Flout Community Development Plans

Okon Bassey in Uyo

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Initiative for Africa Society Inclusion and Diversity (INCLUD), has decried the alleged noncompliance of oil companies with extant community development plans of their Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs).

The observation was made by the Executive Director of the NGO, Olayinka Akeredolu-Martins at a one-day town hall meeting held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

This is as she also tasked them on effective community participation

in the entire development process.

"It is unacceptable, a situation where oil companies have now made community development plan a document shrouded in secrecy. Regrettably, many communities have no access to it. In some cases, the supposed content of the development plan have been altered by them.

"Some of them now give motorcycles as development project, and N100,000 bursary as against scholarship to students," Akeredolu-Martins alleged.

Speaking further, the NGO's executive director said: "As we

move forward, it is essential that we continue to work together, as equal partners, to ensure that HOSTCOM is implemented in a way that is fair, equitable, and beneficial to all stakeholders.

"This will require us to be proactive, to be creative, and to be committed to finding solutions that work for everyone."

According to a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and made available to newsmen, the stakeholders warned that companies that fail to comply with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) provision regarding the setting up

of the HCDT should face sanctions. It noted that the issue of noncompliance with community development plans is a recurring concern in Nigeria's oil-rich region.

Participants further expressed disappointment over the absence of oil company representatives, including Universal Energy Resources Ltd (UERL) and TotalEnergies despite their earlier receipt and acknowledgement of invitations to the event.

The forum maintained that host communities often bear the brunt of environmental degradation and economic displacement caused by

oil exploration and production activities and should therefore be held in high esteem. The meeting was attended by representatives from host communities, government agencies, and civil society organisations.

The PIA established the HCDTs, which guide oil and gas company investments in community development.

However, experts have highlighted issues related to finance and governance mechanisms that need to be addressed to ensure effective implementation of the HCDTs.

L-R: President/CEO, Transcorp Group Plc, Owen Omogiafo; Chairman Transcorp Group, Tony Elumelu; Managing Director/CEO, Transcorp Hotels Plc, Dupe Olusola, and General Manager, Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Jorg Potreck, at the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony of Transcorp Hilton Abuja…recently

THE EXPERIENCE 2024...

Shettima Tasks Nigerian Youths on Digital Economy, Entrepreneurial Opportunities

As experts canvass collaboration to bridge skills gap, equip Africa’s youths for 21st century

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt and Funmi Ogundare in Lagos

Vice President Kashim Shettima has challenged youths to make good use of the entrepreneurial and digital opportunities open to them in order to transform the country. Shettima said this in his address at an event to mark the 60th Anniversary of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), held in Port Harcourt, at the weekend.

In another development, founding Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Emeritus Professor Olugbemiro Jegede, weekend, called for collaborative efforts between the government, educators, industries, and communities in the development of 21st century skills.

Speaking at the unveiling of the 21st Century Skills Roadmap organised by Career Digest Limited, in Lagos, Jegede emphasised the importance of integrating key skills, such as automated scheduling software and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered analytics, into the national curriculum.

Shettima, represented by Technical Advisor to the Vice President on Women, Youth Engagement and Impact, Hauwa Liman, said with available data, Nigeria had the youngest population in the world.

He stressed that the Tinubu administration had prioritised initiatives that empowered young Nigerians to excel in education, entrepreneurship, and the creative and digital industries.

He pointed out that the N110 billion transformative initiative for youths’ entrepreneurship across agriculture, technology and industry, the $618 billion initiative to support tech and creative enterprises, and as

well the education funds, were all geared towards youths’ inclusion and development.

The vice president also stated the federal government was working to establish a National Youth Develop Bank and a Youth Data Bank.

“These platforms will ensure that young Nigerians have the resources, information and access they need to succeed,” Shettima said.

He reiterated the federal government’s commitment to providing the youths with the support needed for them to succeed.

The vice president stated, “Dear young Nigerian youths, the opportunities before you are vast. You are part of a generation that has the tools, skills and platforms to transform not only Nigeria, but the world. The digital economy, creative industry and entrepreneurial space are yours to dominate.

“As we celebrate this milestone, I challenge you to seize this moment, embrace innovation, creativity and hard work. Let your generation be the one that will transform Nigeria into a beacon of democracy, development and progress.

“Your voices are heard, your contributions are valid, and your future is being shaped by the decisions you make today.”

Earlier in his address, National President of NYCN, Sukubo Sara-Igbe, stated the 60th anniversary of the council was not just a celebration of an organisation, but also of a movement that had given the Nigerian youth a platform to lead, inspire, and impact.

Sara-Igbe said the theme for the 2024 International Youth Day was “Sustaining a Legacy of Leadership and Service”. He explained that the theme was in sync with the 60th

anniversary theme, “Reflecting on the Past, Maximising the Present to Shaping the Future.”

Sara-Igbe thanked the Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for hosting the NYCN anniversary. He called on the Nigerian youth to not rely solely on white collar jobs, but also take advantage of the digital space to create jobs for themselves.

Sara-Igbe called on the National Assembly to formulate legislations and policies that focused on the good of the youth.

He noted both the challenges and successes of his leadership, which he said had further strengthened NYCN.

According to Sara-Igbe, “To my fellow youth, I say this: the future belongs to you. The challenges we face are not insurmountable. You are the torchbearers of this nation’s destiny. Let us rise above limitations and lead with integrity, purpose, and innovation.

“To our stakeholders, your support and investment are indispensable. Empowering youth is not just an act of charity; it is an investment in our shared future. Let us work together to build a Nigeria where every young person has the tools, opportunities, and confidence to succeed.”

Jegede also advocated investing in teacher training and fostering public-private partnerships to equip Africa’s youth with the skills needed to thrive in the modern workforce.

In his keynote address at the unveiling of the 21st Century Skills Roadmap, Jegede expressed concerns about the National Policy on Education (NPE), suggesting that it has become outdated and must undergo a complete review.

He stated, "the curriculum at all educational levels must be rewritten

to align with the evolving landscape. There must be rigorous monitoring to assess the effectiveness of programmes and ensure data-driven decisionmaking.

"Continuous engagement with stakeholders throughout the implementation process is essential. Additionally, teacher training, ongoing professional development, appropriate remuneration, and the provision of infrastructure and equipment must be prioritised."

Jegede, who is a former Secretary- General of the Association of African Universities, described future skills as a blend of cognitive and interpersonal abilities, emphasising that soft skills would become increasingly important.

He highlighted the growing demand for digital technology skills,

predicting that by 2030, nearly half of global professions would require digital proficiency to remain relevant.

“To be indispensable to future employers, soft skills will be essential, not just technical or academic qualifications,” he stressed.

Chief Executive Officer of Career Digest Limited, Joy Chinwokwu, underscored the urgency of addressing the skills gap in an ever-evolving, technology-driven world.

Chinwokwu expressed concern that educational institutions, from primary schools to universities, were still producing graduates with outdated skills that did not meet 21st century expectations.

"The fourth industrial revolution is no longer on the horizon; it is already here, demanding a workforce that is adaptable, innovative, and forward-

thinking," she stated. Chinwokwu’s organisation is committed to bridging the skills gap between education and the workplace across Nigeria and other parts of Africa.

She said, "Our mission is to guide students, youth, and women toward relevant courses that will empower them economically, whether through employment or entrepreneurship." Chinwokwu added, "We aim to create sustainable partnerships that involve key stakeholders in the development and implementation of world-class digital skills."

The CEO also reiterated Career Digest’s dedication to a results-oriented advocacy agenda aimed at empowering individuals, organisations and nations to compete on a global scale in the digital age.

Interior Ministry Assures on Staff Enrolment into NSITF

The Minister of the Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has assured the compliance of all the ministry’s agencies to the Employees Compensation Scheme(ECS) of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund(NSITF).

A statement by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Nwachukwu Godson said that the minister charged NSITF to work towards a fair and equitable work environment beneficial to both the strong and weak in line with the agenda of the Bola Tinubu administration.

The Alternative Bank Fosters Entrepreneurial Spirit in Port Harcourt

The Alternative Bank successfully hosted its highly anticipated Business Forum on December 4, 2024, at the prestigious Osborn La Palm Hotel, GRA, Port Harcourt.

The event drew a distinguished audience of High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs), corporate and retail business leaders, as well as entrepreneurs from diverse sectors including agriculture, health, education, retail, oil services, transportation and real estate.

The forum provided a strategic platform for The Alternative Bank to engage key stakeholders in the Port Harcourt business community

who participated in vibrant discussions about the bank’s innovative offerings in the corporate and investment, business, personal and private banking segments. Participants sought to understand The Alternative Bank’s business model, propositions and approach to ethical banking. They also shared the challenges they face in the current banking landscape. The Alternative Bank addressed these concerns by outlining tailored solutions designed to meet the unique business and personal needs.

In her address, the Executive Director - South, Korede DemolaAdeniyi, stated that “At The Alternative Bank, our purpose is clear: Creating Wealth. Guided by our mission to innovate and challenge boundaries, we empower individuals and businesses to thrive in a dynamic economy through cutting-edge digital product offerings and tailored services designed to drive progress.” She further reaffirmed The Alternative Bank’s commitment to partnering businesses across key sectors: "Our focus sectors are health, education, transportation,

renewable energy/oil services, real estate, and agriculture. Around these areas, we are extremely open to doing business.”

The Alternative Bank’s quick and efficient services were acknowledged by customers who attended the forum, a worthy testimonial that reinforces the bank’s reputation as a trusted and reliable partner.

The forum concluded with a vibrant networking session, allowing participants to build valuable connections and strengthen The Alternative Bank’s position as a key enabler of growth in the South-South region.

The minister stated this in Abuja during an advocacy visit by the Managing Director of the NSITF, Oluwaseun Faleye, over the weekend.

He said: “ What the President wants is a new Nigeria, a Nigeria that will work not just for the strong but also for the weak, a renewed hope: to give hope even in the most hopeless situation, that’s what he wants.

“And I believe that as young people, we are in a better position to think out of the box, to be able to create a new Nigeria, to change the story, re-write it that generations coming can be proud of. Nobody can write such a story better than we can.”

Tunji-Ojo emphasised that the Employees’ Compensation Scheme is a creation of the law and pledged the compliance of all the agencies under the Ministry of Interior to the scheme.

“For us as Ministry of Interior, Federal Fire Service, Correctional Service, Immigration Service, National Identity Management Commission, NSCDC, others, we will obey the law.

“Putting it in proper perspective, the risk my officers take every day is huge, my officers at the border, when they are there, you never know what can happen. They don’t sleep so that we all can sleep.

“ They go hungry so that we can eat, they sacrifice their blood, their sweat, and everything for this country. We will make sure that all the agencies under the boards of the ministry obey the law. It is a law, and compliance is mandatory,” he said .

The Managing Director of the NSITF, Oluwaseun Faleye in his remark, assured on the preparedness of the NSITF to support the economic renaissance effort by the president. He further spoke on the benefits of the ECS to workers and employers, stating that the Interior Ministry with agencies whose employees work in difficult terrains are better assured of better safety cover with the ECS.

Faleye said: “It is also very important to speak about the benefits that are expected if there is compliance with the law. I have mentioned the payment of medical refunds. Where there is any injury or sickness that is work-related, NSITF will step in and be responsible for such medical bills.

“In the unfortunate occurrence of death arising out of work, we will pay compensation to family members of the bereaved up to a certain threshold. There is also the payment of loss of productivity where employers are able to recoup loss of productivity that is associated with the death of an employee or sickness arising from work".

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

L-R: Group Managing Director of CMC Connect, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya; Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment and Representative of the President, Mrs. Jumoke Oduwole; and wife of the Convener of The Experience, Pastor Ifeanyi Adefarasin; and the Senior Metropolitan Pastor of all House on The Rock Churches, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, at The Experience 2024 event held in Lagos ... recently

Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com 08033025611

As Legal Battle in Babalola, Farotimi Case Resumes this Week...

No doubt the recent arrest and subsequent remand of rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi may serve as a bad publicity for legal icon, aare afe Babalola, SaN, it nonetheless raises concerns on the need to protect the destruction of other people’s reputation, image, integrity on the altar of freedom of speech, writes Alex Enumah

Barely few days after his arrest, rights activist and lawyer, Mr Dele Farotimi has become not just a global citizen, but his book at the center of his predicament and controversy, suddenly rose to number one spot on the Amazon best selling list.

Farotimi had since news of his arrest last Tuesday, became the darling of many rights activists, lawyers including the Nigerian Bar Association and the general public, many of whom don’t have an understanding of the real issues at stake. Some sympathizers like the publisher of Sahara-reporters online news, Omoyele Sowore and the obedient group have issued ultimatum to the federal government on the need to immediately release Farotimi or be prepared for nationwide protest.

Unfortunately, the reverse is the case for his opponent, revered educationist and philanthropist, Aare Afe Babalola. Ideally, the legal luminary and nonagenarian, who is the victim due to the grievous but unsubstantiated corruption allegations against him, have been receiving unrelenting abuses and insults from both young and old in the last one week. His offence, was that he chose to defend corruption allegations levelled against him in the book, “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System”, authored and selfpublished by Mr Dele Farotimi.

The activist and former spokesman of the Obi-Datti Presidential campaign had in the book alleged that Chief Afe Babalola, “corrupted the Supreme Court to procure a fraudulent judgement in the service of his clients”. While little was known of the book published in July this year, a recent media interview and last week’s arrest of Farotimi by officers of the Nigeria Police Force, acting on a petition by the nonagenarian and founder of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), sparked a serious uproar in both the social and main media, with the usual characteristics of divides alongside emotional and objective leanings.

Most of the supporters of Farotimi, condemned the Police, accusing the force of doing the bidding of Babalola, by going all the way to Lagos to arrest the activist and subsequently arraigned him before a Magistrate Court, who also ordered his remand till December 10, 2024 to hear Farotimi’s bail application. It is their position that the police was wrong to have involved

themselves in what according to them is a civil offence at most. Besides, they argued that Farotimi cannot be arrested in Lagos and arraigned in Ekiti because the said book was published in Lagos, where the alleged issue of defamation raised by the SAN, was not a criminal offence.

Sympathizers and supporters of the nonagenarian however, hold a contrary view. While noting that defamation could either be civil or criminal, this group observed that a person who feels defamed can decide which course of remedial action to take depending on the level of punishment he/she wants to extract. They further argued that defamation cases can be prosecuted anywhere outside the place of origin or where the offense is allegedly committed. According to them, a book where a person is defamed may be written or published in Lagos State as in the instant case but, that book written or published in Lagos is being read all over the world.

Furthermore, while they argued that the effect of the book can be on someone and a set of people in Ekiti, and other states of the federation, they submitted that because the book was published in Lagos was not enough to argue that the author cannot be arrested or prosecuted in Ekiti because Afe Babalola, who is a subject of defamation, lives in Ado Ekiti. The effect of the defamation is on him in Ekiti, his family, businesses, associates, and friends all over the world.

In less than one week of this imbroglio,

there is no gainsaying the fact that the reputation of the revered senior lawyer and nonagenarian has been so lowered in the eyes of many members of the public as evidenced by all manner of abuse and insults being hauled at him, especially in the social media.

The Police in its own defence, pointed out that contrary to allegations that they were being used to punish the activist, observed that Farotimi was arrested based on a warrant by a court in Ado-Ekiti, following his refusal to honour invitation to defend the defamation petition against. Both in his interview and in the fresh charge against him, the rights activist had declined to respond to the court’s proceedings prior to his arrest.

Part of the fresh 12 count charge filed against Farotimi on Friday read, “That you Dele Farotimi on December 2, 2024 intentionally sent a message in the course of a press conference held on Online on your YouTube Channel (https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k6HzdQXLEk) where you stated that: “It came to my knowledge that there is a charge preferred before a court in Ekiti State against me at the instance of Chief Afe Babalola. This preferred, hidden from view and the court had purpottedly demanded my presence multiple times and failed to appear before the court and this Court had then proceeded to issue bench warrant for my arrest, This is classic Afe Babalola, I detailed his corruptive influence in my book titled: ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System”, which you know to contain false information for the purpose of causing breakdown of law and order thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 24(1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 as amended.

As legal fireworks resume at the Magistrate and Federal High Court, both in Ado-Ekiti, the need for all and sundry to be cautious of their utterances, statements and publication has once again been brought to the fore, because of the attending consequences. Someone once advised that, as an activist, if you are thinking of making a statement, check that the statement is not defamatory

“That you Dele Farotimi on August 28, 2024, knowingly and intentionally transmitted communication in an online interview on Mic On Podcast by Seun Okinbaloye on your YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=4USuxBfZCQA) in respect of a book authored and published by you titled: “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System” wherein you stated in the interview that: “If Aare Afe Babalola is the only person licenced to enjoy that level of impunity, that is different” with the intention of bullying and harassing the named persons thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (a) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 as amended.

While reacting to the whole development, lawyers to Afe Babalola maintained that Farotimi must prove the allegations before he can be freed.

“The Constitution recognizes Fundamental Human Rights and our firm has championed these rights in over 60 years of its existence. However, these rights are not absolute. The freedom to speak is not freedom from consequence of speech. And the subject of speech also has a fundamental right to hold the speaker accountable using lawful means.

“Since the matter is subjudice, we do not intend to join issues in the media on the merits of our complaints or the strength of evidence against Mr Farotimi. Unlike him, we believe in the justice delivery system every time - not only when it favours us. In six decades of litigating cases across Nigeria, we have encountered several lawyers who prevailed against us in court. Their existence disproves Mr Farotimi’s wild accusations and indicates that at the end of this process, only the law will matter — not media tactic or street yelling”, Adebayo Adenepekun, SAN stated.

Also speaking at a press conference on Friday, other lawyers including Owoseni Ajayi, Olakanmi Falade, and Lawrence Fasanmi, observed that charging Farotimi to court by the police was for the law to take its due course on the issue. They explained that the purpose of the press conference was to correct the misleading publications about the ongoing matter between the police and Farotimi.

NOTE:

Babalola Farotimi

Banks’ Recapitalisation, New

Kayode Tokede

Despite economic downturn in Nigeria and rising interest rates, the Nigerian equities has remained resilient with the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) listing whooping N8.1 trillion worth of shares from January 2024 to November 2024.

In all, the overall market capitalisation that opened 2024 at N40.918 trillion, gained N18.2 trillion or 44.5 per cent to close November 29, 2024 at N59.107 trillion.

Also, the All-Share Index or ASI closed November 29, 2024 at 97, 506.87 basis points, about 22,733.10 basis points or 30.4 per cent from 74,773.77 basis points the stock market opened for trading this year.

Twenty companies responsible for the N8.1 trillion comprise of 10 financial institutions, two breweries manufacturing companies, who

were driven by the need to expand business and meet the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) minimum capital requirement.

While most of the banks already listed on the local bourse embarked on public offer, and rights Issue, others came by way of private placement and “listing by introduction.”

Among major listings by introduction in 2024 was Aradel Holdings Plc that listed N3.05 trillion, followed by Transcorp Power Plc that listed by introduction N1.8trillion worth of shares.

Also, Haldane McCall Plc recently listed by introduction 3.12 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N3.84 per share with a market capitalization of over N11.99 billion.

In term of raising fresh capital, Nigerian Breweries Plc, and International Breweries Plc are the

only two breweries manufacturing companies that have raised the highest amount, followed by Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO).

Nigerian Breweries is in the market to raise N599.1 billion, International Breweries has raised N588.28billion fresh capital from investing public.

Nigerian Breweries in August 2024 got approval for Rights Issue of 22,607,491,232 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N26.50 per share on the basis of 11 new ordinary shares for every existing 5 ordinary shares held as at the close of business on Friday, July 12, 2024.

The Issue is part of Nigerian Breweries’ business recovery plan to strengthen its capital base by deleveraging its balance sheet, eliminating certain foreign exchange-related exposures and reducing bank borrowings, thereby giving the Company greater financial

As police officers are itching to exit the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), the military which exited the scheme some years ago said it is having challenges in the payment of pensions to retired service personnel.

Recently, a bill for the police to exit the CPS, sponsored by Senator Binos Dauda Yaroe, representing

Adamawa South, was passed by the National Assembly and is awaiting presidential assent.

However, the military which exited the CPS some years back is beginning to record delays in the payment of pension benefits.

Recently, ex-servicemen staged a peaceful protest at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja over non payment of pension benefits.

Service Men and Family Welfare Association of Nigeria, Anthony Agbas, during the rally urged the government to pay all their pension arrears and other entitlements.

He said that military pensioners in the country had endured financial hardship and pain over the years.

flexibility to promote business growth and continuity.

Nigerian Breweries has been operating in a position of negative working capital since 2020. The company posted a negative working capital of N102.3 billion at the end of FY 2020. It declined to N152.4 billion in 2021, stood at N252.3 billion in 2022 and N356.9 billion in 2023.

The Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries, Mr. Hans Essadi, had explained that the Issue represents an opportunity for shareholders to support the company’s strategic vision and participate in the next phase of its growth.

For International Breweries, the N588 billion rights issue programme was 87.75 per cent oversubscribed, with 141.43 billion shares taken up by the company’s shareholders. It amounted to a capital raise of N516. 2 billion for the company, which was used to offset the company’s current liabilities.

Further investigation by THISDAY revealed that out of the N8.12 trillion capital in the period under review, GTCO, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Holdings Plc, FCMB Group Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, United Bak for Africa Plc, FBN Holdings Plc, Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc, and Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc contributed about 23.4per cent or N1.92 trillion amid CBN’s latest policy in the banking sector.

Jaiz Bank Plc in the February 2024 got approval from the Exchange to raise N10.05 billion through private placement.

The non-interest financial institution listed a private placement of 10,048,237,995 ordinary shares of N0.50 each at N1.00 per share.

Jaiz Bank’s Chairman, Mohammed Bintube, had hinted that the proceeds of the capital raising exercise would be deployed to improve service delivery on its various platforms to enable the Bank achieve its five-year

we have not received anything. Our requests are: payment of our palliatives and their arrears from October 2023 to November 2024; payment of the 20 to 28 per cent salary increment and its arrears from January to November;

from July to November, among others,” he said.

Agbas said that the association was an umbrella body made up of several associations of retired members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and their families.

strategic objectives. He further said, “the Bank chose this route to sustain its growth trajectory and also to ensure it remains well capitalised in line with its capital management strategy.” Recall that on March 28, 2024, the CBN revised the minimum capital requirements for Banks.

In the new dispensation, commercial banks are facing minimum capital thresholds of N500 billion for international authorisation and N200 billion for national authorisation.

In contrast, those with regional authorisation are expected to achieve a N50 billion capital floor. Similarly, non-interest banks with national and regional authorisations will need to increase their capital to N20 billion and N10 billion, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has kicked against the bill seeking to exempt the police from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) saying that it would not favour the police force. Egbetokun who stated this while addressing some police officers noted that if the police exit the CPS, they would go back to square one. RATES AS

The President of the Ex-

“We were told the money has been approved for a long time, but

“We also request the payment of N32,000 flat rate and its arrears from July to November, payment of the new National Minimum Wage increment and the arrears

An official of the Ministry of Finance, who addressed the protesters, said that their request had been approved and was being processed.

Ebere Nwoji

UBA Outperforms Average Return on NGX with 375% Capital Gain in

Kayode Tokede

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has delivered 375 per cent capital gains to investors in nearly five years, outperforming the average returns at the Nigerian stock market and the entire financial services sector.

Official data at the Nigerian stock market at the weekend indicated that investors in UBA have continued to earn an average annual return of about 75 per cent over some five years period. This highlights UBA’s impressive records as a high-yielding, inflation-hedging stock.

The trading report for the period

between December 31, 2019 and December 06, 2024 showed that UBA recorded cumulative capital gain of 374.83 per cent during the period, representing average annual gain of 74.97 per cent.

This implies that an investor who had invested N500, 000 in the shares of UBA at the year’s opening price for 2020, now has a real, immediate market value of more than N2.374 million, due to accumulated capital gains. This excludes accrued cash dividends over the five-year period.

UBA, which pays dividends twice a year, is reputed as an investors’ friendly stock in terms of consistent and above-average

Dangote Cement Trains 46 Solar Energy Entrepreneurs in Kogi

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

As part of efforts to consolidate on its role as a driver of socio-economic empowerment and sustainable development in Nigeria, Dangote Cement Plc has trained and graduated 46 Solar Energy installers and entrepreneurs.

The Plant Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, Azad Nawabuddin who disclosed this while speaking during the graduation ceremony at Dangote Academy, said the new graduands were ready to “shakeup the nation” in the renewable energy sector of Nigeria’s economy.

Azad said the Group President, Aliko Dangote, was passionate about youth empowerment as it supports

government’s effort in the provision of jobs, noting that this training will support the provision of electricity in the communities and the country at large.

The Plant Director, who was represented by the Head of Production Department, Engr John Gwong, described the training as a meal ticket, rare opportunity and futuristic.”

He said the programme was part of Dangote Cement’s Corporate Social Responsibility scheme.

Head of Social Performance Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola, who was represented by Mr. Olusegun Olojede said the solar energy experts and entrepreneurs will support government in the provision of power supply to millions of Nigerians.

Also speaking General Manager, Community Affairs and Special Duties, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi, said the empowerment scheme is a way of given back to the society, and that of the 46 beneficiaries, 27 are men, while 19 are women.

Group Business Editor

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Comms/e-Business Editor Emma Okonji

Asst. Editor, Energy

Emmanuel Addeh

Asst. Editor, Money Market

Nume Ekeghe

Correspondents

KayodeTokede(CapitalMarkets)

James Emejo (Finance)

Ebere Nwoji (Insurance)

Reporter Peter Uzoho (Energy)

Adeyemi said the beneficiary communities in Kogi State are: Obajana, Oyo, Iwaa and Apata.

He said the training was conducted in collaboration with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).

In his response, Training Manager at ITF, Kogi State, Engr. Abdulrahman Shehu Wudilawa, said the beneficiaries should consider themselves fortunate as Solar Technology is one of the most lucrative sectors of the Nigerian economy.

The Bajana of Obajana, HRH Idowu Isenibi, extolled the company’s Group President for his foresight and patriotism towards the development of Nigeria.

Representatives from Apata, Iwaa and Oyo communities also spoke glowingly of the scheme.

cash dividend payment. It recently paid interim dividend of N2 per share on its first half 2024 results, the highest payout by any bank and one of the three highest yields in the entire stock market.

Such an investor who had invested N500, 000 at the 2020’s opening price would have received cash dividend of some N139, 860 as interim dividend for the 2024

business year, more than a quarter of his initial investment.

UBA is currently offering existing shareholders exclusive opportunities to increase their shareholdings in the bank with its ongoing N239.4 billion rights issue. The pan-African banking group is offering 6.84 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to existing shareholders at N35 per share. The rights issue

Five Years

is pre-allotted on the basis of one new ordinary share of 50 kobo each to every five ordinary shares held as at November 05, 2024. The rights issue is scheduled to close on December 24, 2024.

Shareholders have hailed the decision on a rights issue as a deliberate incentive. In a survey, minority retail shareholders, who constitute nearly three-quarters of

UBA’s nearly 280,000 shareholders, were excited about the rights issue, with most indicating possibility of applying for more than their preallotted shares. Extant rules at the Nigerian market allow shareholders to apply for more shares and also for the company to consider such requests for additional shares.

Shareholders can also trade their rights at the stock market.

Sanwo-Olu: Lagos Has Created Enabling Environment for Tech Innovation

Emma Okonji

Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said the Lagos State government has created an enabling environment for technology innovation to thrive in the state, through its deliberate policies and investments.

The enabling environment, according to him, spurred the Lagos-based startups to raise over $1.2 billion, which is 75 per cent of all startup investments in Nigeria in 2023.

The governor said this during the Art of Technology Lagos 6.0 event, which held in Lagos, with the theme: “Artificial Intelligence And The Lagos Digital Economy.” Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat,

said: “Through deliberate policies and investments, we have created an enabling environment that fosters innovation and positioned Lagos as a global player in the technology value chain. The achievements reflect the ingenuity of our people and our unwavering commitment to innovation. But we must continue to build on this foundation to secure our position as a leader in the global tech ecosystem.”

Delivering a keynote paper at the event, Managing Director, Enterprise Business Group at Huawei Technologies, Mr. Terrens Wu, said from the first growth curve of the informatization age, human society has achieved ubiquitous interconnection, connecting a large number of users and causing a traffic explosion.

Soludo Infrastructural Drive Intensifies, More Strategic Roads Across Anambra Set for Construction

Oluchi Chibuzor

Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) has approved the N2.1 billion road construction of the Trans-Nkisi Boulevard 1 road, GRA Onitsha, in favour of Paul-B Nig Limited, as part of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s ongoing infrastructure revolution.

According to the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, the project which would be delivered in six months, is based on the strategic road selection intended to increase connectivity between communities and the 21 Local Government Areas of Anambra State and to strengthen its foundation as a livable and prosperous mega-city.

Sunday Ehigiator

Accion Microfinance Bank has revealed that it disbursed over N33 billion in loans to Medium Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs) in 2024, as it aims to increase the number to N60 billion in 2025, establish a presence in four new states, and heavily deploy the use of technology in servicing its customers across the country, Speaking to journalists during

He said N7.5 billion has also been released to construct the flood-prone and erosion-threatened Nanka-Aguluzigbo-Umuona road measuring 8.906 km.

the bank’s ‘2024 Annual Financial Inclusion Seminar’, themed, “Digital Lending: A Path to Financial Inclusion or a Barrier for the Informal Sector?” the MD/CEO Accion MfB, Taiwo Joda, noted that, “For this year, we’ve done an average of N3 billion per month. So we’ve done about N33 billion. But in the last 10 years, we’ve done about N250 billion. And they are very small borrowers. Our average loan is N700,000 to a customer,

The contract, he said, has been awarded to IDC Construction Company with a completion period of 12 months.

“Other projects include the Mbaukwu-Awgbu-AmaetitiOkpaeze road, measuring about 16.37 km with a 22-meter, 1-span bridge, awarded to Cossel Construction Ltd at N10.95 billion, with an 18-month completion date. The construction of the 4.56 km Azigbo-Awka Etiti-Amichi-Onuselogu road with a spur to Diocesan Hospital Amichi, traversing three local governments of Nnewi South, Idemili South, and Nnewi North was approved and to be completed in 8 months.

which is less than $200.

“So next year, we intend to do N60 billion, targeted at MSMEs. That’s almost double what we did this year. And we will double it easily for two reasons. First, even for customers to maintain their business at the same level, they need more because of the situation. And then we intend to also grow our customer base.

“And next year, we’re going to four new locations. So we’re going

to open branches in Kwara, Abuja, Kano, and Kaduna State. So as you move there, you deploy technology, and you acquire new customers.” Speaking on digital lending of the bank, towards the Central Bank of Nigeria’s financial inclusion drive, Joda noted that the concept of digital financial inclusion is about giving convenience and access to the customer, either to do transactions, to take loans, or to save money.

In a groundbreaking initiative to accelerate Africa’s green economy, government leaders from African countries, representing over 20 per cent of the continent’s countries, will convene at the African Women Sustainability Conference 2024. This landmark event, organised by ImpactHER in partnership with the African Union and the United States Department of Commerce, will take place in Abuja, Nigeria. The event is hosted by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Under the theme, “Igniting Africa’s Green Revolution: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs as Catalysts for Sustainable Growth and

Unlocking Access to Eco-Financing,” the conference aims to bridge the green financing gap, recognizing the pivotal role of women-led businesses in Africa’s economies and addressing the significant barriers they face in accessing eco-financing opportunities.

This is more than a conference—it’s a turning point for Africa’s women entrepreneurs,” said Efe Ukala, Founder of ImpactHER. “By uniting government leaders, global financiers, and visionary women entrepreneurs, we aim to unlock millions of dollars in eco-financing by 2026 and position women as the driving force of Africa’s sustainable future.”

L- R: Chairman, Gerrald Capital Advisory Services, Kunle Elebute; Chairman, Board of Directors, Union Bank, Bayo Adeleke; MD/CEO, FITC, Dr. Chizor Malize; Chairman, Board of Directors, Greenwich Merchant Bank, Kayode Falowo; Non-Executive Director, Union Bank, Chiamaka Ezenwa and Chairman, Borad of Directors, FCMB, Olutola Mobolurin at the CBN FITC CEP program for directors of banks and other financial institutions in Lagos… recently

L- R: Chairman, Gerrald Capital Advisory Services, Kunle Elebute; Chairman, Board of Directors, Union Bank, Bayo Adeleke; MD/CEO, FITC, Dr. Chizor Malize; Chairman, Board of Directors, Greenwich Merchant Bank, Kayode Falowo; Non-Executive Director, Union Bank, Chiamaka Ezenwa and Chairman, Borad of Directors, FCMB, Olutola Mobolurin at the CBN FITC CEP program for directors of banks and other financial institutions in Lagos… recently

Rite Foods Partners Chops and Chills to Empower Youths, Showcase Culinary Talent

Rite Foods Limited once again, demonstrated its commitment to youth empowerment and community engagement by partnering with the Ibadan Chops and Chills Festival 2.0 which took place in the state capital. The event attracted a diverse audience of youths, bakers, food vendors, and culinary enthusiasts in Ibadan, Oyo State, and beyond.

Speaking on the partnership, Corporate Communications Manager at Rite Foods Limited, Innocent Adulugba, stated; “As a manufacturing company driven by innovation, Rite Foods Limited believes in the power of young people and the importance of providing platforms that enable them to showcase their skills and talents. The Ibadan Chops and Chills Festival aligns with our mission to inspire, support, and add value to talents and entrepreneurs across Nigeria.”

or Fearless with complementary food options of their choice.” He said.

The Festival’s Special Guest of Honour, the Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adefemi Adegoke, commended the event stating, “This initiative is one of the best I have seen. It aligns perfectly with our administration’s goals of empowering the youth, promoting cultural heritage, and fostering talent. Under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, we are committed to supporting such programs that encourage self-expression and skill development.” She further pledged continued support from the Ministry of Youth and Sports for future editions, emphasizing the state’s dedication to youth development and innovation.

Coronation Insurance Plc recently hosted its 66th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, reflecting on a transformative year marked by significant financial and operational milestones.

The AGM provided a platform to highlight the company’s resilience and strategic initiatives that drove profitability and positioned it for sustained growth in the insurance industry.

Coronation Insurance Group has recorded a remarkable turnaround, reporting a profit before tax of N2.2 billion for

the year ended December 31st, 2023. This performance marks a significant recovery from the N1.8 billion loss reported in 2022.

The Group’s insurance revenue grew by 34 per cent, this rose to N24 billion, from N18 billion in the previous year. This growth was underpinned by its commitment to delivering value to policyholders through innovative insurance solutions and efficient risk management.

Additionally, net investment income for the year soared to N1.5 billion, representing an impressive 228 per cent growth compared to N461 million in 2022. This

achievement reflects the group’s strategic focus on optimizing its investment portfolio.

The group attributes its success to financial sustainability and operational excellence. Strategic initiatives and innovation were at the heart of the company’s efforts, ensuring profitability while navigating an evolving market landscape.

Addressing shareholders, Chairman of Board of Directors, Coronation Insurance Plc, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu expressed pride in the company’s performance: “Despite the volatile market conditions, Coronation Insurance

delivered remarkable growth across key financial metrics. The Group achieved a profit before tax of N2.2 billion, a testament to our strategic direction and operational excellence.

He said, “This recovery reflects our commitment to navigating challenges and creating long-term value for stakeholders.”

He also highlighted the growth of Nigeria’s insurance sector, noting that the industry’s gross premiums rose by 38% in 2023 to N1 trillion, driven by the Oil & Gas, Fire, and Motor insurance segments.

He added that, “Rite Foods Limited recognizes the Ibadan Chops and Chills Festival as a platform for growth and that is why the Company is here today to leverage support so the participating food exhibitors can benefit via joint marketing efforts, co-promotions, and expanded distribution channels under one roof.”

Adulugba reiterated that Rite Foods Limited places a very high premium on all its stakeholders, “We are partnering with food vendors to offer consumers a more comprehensive and enjoyable experience, such as pairing beverages like Bigi, Sosa

The Festival Convener, and CEO of Wendy’s Kitchen, Chinwendu Festus, shared her motivation and appreciation. She said, “The first edition of Ibadan Chops and Chills was a success, which inspired us to aim higher this year. Our goal is to provide young people with the space to showcase their culinary talents, grow their businesses, and connect with a broader audience.”

The Chef expressed her gratitude to all sponsors and supporters, including Rite Foods, UBA, and performing artists, who “Helped to bring the Festival to life.”

Kayode Tokede

Business Special

Tolani: Food Crisis Must Be Addressed to Avert National Disaster

The c hief e xecutive Officer, c ommunity e nergy Social e nterprise l imited, Mr. patrick Tolani, has, in this interview, emphasised the need to tackle food crisis in order to prevent nationwide disaster among other issues. Kayode Tokede brings the excerpts

What are your views on the current food crisis in Nigeria and what specific factors do you believe are contributing to this situation?

The high food prices we are facing in Nigeria are a result of several factors. Some of these factors are historical, while others stem from climate-induced problems we have in Nigeria. Let me start with the historical factors. Nigeria has fertile land; some would even say it’s more than 34 million hectares of farmland, and I think probably less than 40per cent of that figure is currently being cultivated. The historical reason I alluded to is that years ago, when Nigeria hadn’t discovered oil, we placed a premium on agriculture—both food crops and economic crops. However, when oil and portfolio companies merged, it became very quick to make money, and agriculture was no longer prioritised.

This neglect is part of the historical context of where we are today. Now, looking at the climate-induced reasons, we have always been dependent on rain-fed farming. Everyone believed that there shouldn’t be a cost for producing food. Everything depended on someone else. Lastly, of course, there is the security challenge in the country, which has kept many farmers away from their farms. It simply doesn’t make sense to plant any crop when people can come and destroy everything with their animals. Even when farmers try to complain, they are either killed, raped, or maimed. The truth of the matter is that given the magnitude of arable land we have in Nigeria, along with the fertility of our soil, we shouldn’t have any reason not to produce enough food for our population of approximately 220 million people.

I understand your company is launching a new service, so I just want to understand how it alleviates the challenges faced by these farmers, particularly in relation to water scarcity and crop production?

Let me give you a little bit of background on how we got here. In 2020, my company, Community Energy Social Enterprise Limited (CESEL), brought a modular solar-powered rice milling machine into Nigeria. If you recall, that year there was a drought, so there was no rain, and actually, there were no paddies to mill. So when we noticed that, we decided that we should take a step backwards by providing solutions that can address the scarcity of water for plants to grow. I have always said, everywhere I have spoken, that plants actually don’t need rain; they just need water.

Just like human beings, if you provide food for someone today and then don’t feed that person again for two weeks, that human being—if he doesn’t die—will be malnourished and will not be able to grow properly.We decided to focus on solar energy because we believed it was the best option for irrigation systems. The advantages of solar irrigation systems make them more appealing compared to fossil fuel irrigation systems. Solar irrigation pumps are larger and more durable, allowing for many years of use. This led us to develop what we call “Irrigation As a Service,” branded as “Irri-Go.” This service allows us to enter into agreements with farmers where we deploy these assets on their farms. Farmers can pay us over a period of 6-7 years to recoup our costs, after which they will own these assets. This model functions as a form of asset finance.

In fact, our understanding of this payment structure is straightforward. When we deploy the system on a farm, farmers can utilise it for a minimum of two planting seasons each year. For instance, if they are planting rice or maize, they can have two seasons for maize and then another season for cowpeas, wheat, soyabean, etc. The essence and importance of solar irrigation lie in its ability to enable year-round farming.The way we approach solar irrigation is by encouraging farmers to come together as

clusters. The era of peasant farmers—where someone has one acre somewhere and two acres somewhere else—doesn’t work. I have been advocating this since 2021, but the necessity now is for farmers in Nigeria to appreciate and understand that they need to come together, perhaps as cooperatives. They need to gather in a particular location where they can farm, and then people like us can bring our resources to them in those locations—fertilizer distributors or sellers, and others who can support them. Everyone can come together in the same location rather than being scattered all over the place, which makes it difficult to service them.

What strategy is CESEL implementing to ensure that this technology is accessible to smallholder farmers, like you mentioned, the peasant farmers in the nation who may lack the resources to invest in some systems?

As I mentioned earlier, we target big farmers, no doubt. However, there are some development partners who are also concerned about income and livelihoods, as well as reducing poverty. One of these institutions has just given us a grant to support farmers who will be farming on 250 hectares. Our target is to support 4,500 farmers on those 250 hectares. This means that on one hectare alone, smallholder farmers can actually be aggregated—up to 18 of them—just on one hectare. So, have a picture in your mind: one hectare of land is about the size of a football field, with 18 farmers on a football field planting their crops together. Those are the people I can call smallholder farmers. We signed a memorandum of

understanding (MOU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) earlier in the yet to work together and provide solar irrigation for 200,000 hectares of farmland within the next four years. If you multiply that by say 10 farmers per hectare, you can see that we will literally be reaching out to a minimum of about 20 million farmers altogether within the next four years.We have already designed this programme to support smallholder farmers. However, one thing must be clear: it has to be sustainable. Sustainable in the sense that farmers should understand that if we give them inputs, they cannot go behind our backs to sell those outputs without paying us. It is as detrimental as when animals come to feed on their crops. So everybody must think about sustainability. Sustainability for everyone means that when inputs are provided, farmers must be ready to develop the right mindset. They should say, “The moment we harvest, let us pay our input suppliers so they will keep supplying us.”

That is a mindset shift that everyone must start to embrace.

Speaking of sustainability, first, I want to congratulate you for what you are about to do for the Nigerian agriculture industry. Now, looking ahead, how do you envision CESEL enhancing food security in Nigeria, and what collaborations do you see as important for achieving this goal?

Looking at food security and sustainability, as I mentioned, all the components that I have discussed during this interview are things we can boost food production in Nigeria. This means that farmers must first develop

the mentality that this is not just farming; this is crop production – Agribusiness. Secondly, this is not just a hobby; this is a business—a business that will require adequate inputs and returns. This is what all the development partners are trying to achieve.

For example, I mentioned that an organisation funded us to provide irrigation as a service to about 4,500 farmers on 250 hectares of farmland. If this experiment works, if the farmers can plant and have the water they need for their crops, then at the end of the day, when they harvest, they will pay the money they are supposed to pay. I think all partners will be very willing to provide us with further concessionary loans in the future. What we are doing is positioning ourselves to supply what the farmers need based on the guarantee that they will also get their crops, sell them appropriately, and then pay us. This way, we can manage our finances effectively.

The more people see this experiment as worthwhile, the more development partners will be willing to allocate resources to us. As we gain more resources, we can deploy more farms. Commercial banks and other Development Bank and institutions are also watching to see how they could join the movement in no distant time. Additionally, a significant partnership with security agencies is also essential. As I mentioned at the beginning, there are three main problems: historical issues, lack of rainfall, and security challenges. Security agencies must be involved. There was a time when the Presidency mentioned that “Agro Rangers” would be deployed to farmers and would be protecting farmers and their farmlands from invaders and vandals. It has to be a robust partnership across the board; this partnership is a necessity. I made an argument that in Africa, over 600 million people exist without electricity, but I bet you that 50 million people cannot afford to exist without food. Food crisis threatens our security as a nation and as a continent, and we must start addressing it. Our goal is to establish our grounding in Nigeria and subsequently take these products into other African countries to expand our reach.

Let me emphasise the importance of partnerships—both local and international. For example, we want to get to a stage where we are strong enough and with enough evidence to approach African Development Bank (AfDB) because they often claim that they support farming initiatives. This is the kind of product they should invest in because food security is a national security issue.

All of us must collaborate to address food security; individual farmers, the finance sector— everyone must understand that when we work together to grow food, we simultaneously meet many sustainable development goals such as no poverty and no hunger.

For instance, I see some state governments claiming they are providing inputs for dry-season farming by supplying fertilizers and seedlings without considering irrigation. I just wonder how they can overlook such an essential factor. When they do think about irrigation, it should be solar irrigation because fossil fuels are no longer sustainable; petroleum products for powering irrigation pumps are no longer sustainable. No farmer can deploy petroleum pumps for irrigation and not end up in huge debt.

Our sustainability plan encompasses all areas of sustainability so that everyone can participate in investment and profit from it because when everyone does well, we can attract more investment into the sector. This could transform agriculture into a robust sector where our nation moves from scarcity in feeding ourselves and we even get to a state where we start export food crops outside Nigeria. That should be the collective dream of the Nigeria we hope to see any moment from now. Let’s address food security and avert national disaster.

Tolani

How Dr. Ngozi Omambala Has Championed African Creativity through Music Fashion Runway for a Decade

Following the highly successful 10th edition of Music Fashion Runway (MFR) on December 7th, the spotlight continues to shine on the visionary force behind this monumental Pan-African cultural phenomenon. Dr. Ngozi Omambala, a trailblazing entrepreneur and Group Managing Director/CEO of NMO Management Limited, has spearheaded a decade-long journey of championing African creativity, innovation, and resilience. Additionally, as the Chairperson of the Creative and Entertainment Group at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Omambala has been a driving force in shaping the creative industry's landscape and promoting its vast potential for economic growth and cultural exchange. With a career spanning multiple sectors, Dr. Omambala's passion for empowering African creatives has left an indelible mark on the continent's cultural landscape.

In this exclusive interview with Mary Nnah, Dr. Omambala reflects on her inspiring journey, the evolution of MFR, and her vision for the future of African creativity, offering a rare glimpse into the mind of a true pioneer and champion of African excellence.

What inspired you to create Music Fashion Runway, and how has the journey been over the past decade?

That's going back a long time. When we did Music Fashion Runway (MFR) in 2015, we already had an established music platform called Loud and Proud Live, which was doing well. For us, we see ourselves as a youth-empowering platform. So, we just knew that fashion was intrinsic to music; fashion and music go hand in hand. So, it was a way of also celebrating our creative sector, celebrating our youth, our designers. We merged the two platforms and called it the Pan-African Music Fashion Runway, incorporating not just Nigerians but also designers from across the continent and incorporating what we are known best for doing, which is live music. Loud and Proud Live was a platform that started in 2011 as a female-only platform, in fact, to redress the inequity where not many women were in the music industry. So, I created Loud and Proud to really redress that disparity. Then, along comes Music Fashion Runway, again, to address the fact that our creatives have not got a platform to showcase their craft, their skills, and talents. Music and fashion, as I said, came together and created the Pan-African Music Fashion Runway, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and we are very proud of that platform.

How has the journey been over the past decade?

It's been a rollercoaster; I won't lie. It's never easy doing business in Nigeria, but you just have to be resilient, persevere, and have a lot of passion for what you believe in. I think those different values will see you through the rough patches. We've been through COVID. COVID was probably our most challenging year; when a lot of businesses shut down. A lot of businesses didn't even survive the COVID pandemic, as you know. It lasted two years. Some people thought it was going to last maybe one week, two weeks or one month. Two years is a long time to be out of business. So, I said to my team, we are not going to sit back and wait for COVID to pass. We are going to utilize what we have, and we have an online presence. Not very strong, but we have an online presence. What I said to my team was, we are going to throw everything on the online platform. Because people are not allowed outside of their homes, they are all staying in. So, we have the internet; we have the online where people can watch it on their phones. That's what we did. We had 150 people in the building, models sticking with Lagos protocols. The governor said, you know, only 150 people in the building, social distance, masks. We did all of that strictly. But we had an online activity. We had 150 people in the building, and we had 10,000 people watching us live at the event. So, it was a real cornerstone for us in utilizing the hybrid model of online and physical. And we've never ever detracted from that model ever since. You can imagine it was full of challenges, but out of the challenge came triumph. Things like that, you don't know until you actually learn.

How do you balance the creative and business aspects of running a successful event like MFR?

Well, for me, I think I'm a mixture of both hats. I have a corporate hat; I'm the Chairperson of the Creative and Entertainment Group at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

Our president, Mr. Gabriel Idahosa, was here earlier on, gave a keynote address, and is very supportive of the creative sector and understands that it's a vital part of our economy, contributing to GDP, Forex, and also empowering our youth and creating jobs. It's an ecosystem within itself. And so, he has given me the influence and power to push and explore and galvanize and upscale the creative sector, which is what we're doing. The Pan-African Music Fashion Runway is one of those platforms that we can do that, introducing, you know, sustainability, innovation, and creating practices where we can push and support our youth who are in the creative sector and make them world-class creative citizens, representing Nigeria and the continent.

What are your thoughts on the current state of the African creative industry, and how does MFR contribute to its growth?

I think the future is bright. Apart from any other industry, I think the creative and entertainment sector is robust; it's thriving and doing a lot for itself. I think you will

see that there's no part of the planet that isn't performing or listening or playing our Afrobeats. Is that not a testament to our creative sector? It's the same thing that's happening with our fashion industry. Our fashion is being exported globally now. Everybody wants a piece of African culture, which is fabulous for us as Nigerians; because it means that we can kick-start the economy, we can bring forex into the country, and we can increase productivity and create jobs. That is the whole essence of that, and also galvanizes our youth. The youth sector takes up a huge proportion of our industry. Even when you look at our current population, Nigeria has a population of 232 million. Of that 232 million, 70% are under 30. Of that 70%, 42% are under 15. What does that tell you? We have a huge, young resource of youth who need to be employed, who need to find purpose, who are creatives, who want to work. But we need to build infrastructure to make that happen. So, from our perspective, as the chairperson of the Creative and Entertainment Group at the LCCI, it's for me to try and galvanize that, create platforms like this that really support the sector. As a business entrepreneur, which is what I am - NMO management, I am the managing director and CEO of the company. Again, we are the founders of the Pan-African

'It's been a rollercoaster; I won't lie. It's never easy doing business in Nigeria, but you just have to be resilient, persevere, and have a lot of passion for what you believe in. I think those different values will see you through the rough patches

Music Fashion Runway. We've been going for 10 years. And don't forget we're founders of Loud and Proud Live, that live music platform that's been running. We are 14 years strong in January. We also have another platform called the GBT, which we were speaking about there. Galvanizing new models on the runway, creating and finding new talent to run our runways, to walk the runways, and really showcase Nigeria to the max. We are trying to do our best, with the resources that we have, to make sure our industry is number one globally.

What makes this 10th-anniversary edition of MFR special?

I think 10 is one of those numbers which signifies you've done well. Kudos. Also, new beginnings. It's a milestone for any company to reach a 10-year milestone in their history, on their journey. And you learn a lot. It's a coming of age, where you know a lot, you can call yourself an expert, and then you can also give back. People that have not gone through that journey, you can actually impart your knowledge, so that they don't have to go through some of the challenges that you've had to go through. So there are many facets to being 10, but primarily it's a celebration of a milestone. Look at our industry from 10 years ago to now. Leaps and bounds, we've done so, so well, and I think we should be giving ourselves pats on the back. And as I said, our team, we've got the same team, we've all grown and matured, and we're thankful, and we're very happy.

How does the hybrid format enhance the experience?

Well, it means that people who don't live in Nigeria, who are not even on the continent, can actually see what we are doing, just by watching us live. You can be on the far corners. I came back from Samoa last month, and Samoa is on the other side of the world. I was at the Commonwealth Business Forum. Samoa is past Australia, past New Zealand. It took me two days to get there from Lagos. Now, I have people over there watching us live, people who ordinarily would not be even aware of what we are doing. That is the beauty of technology. That is the beauty of innovation, to get people watching, get them involved in our economy, in our resources, fashion and export. All we need is awareness, and this is what our platforms are doing.

What are your expectations for this year's event, and how do you plan to build on the success of previous editions?

I think experience is everything. I believe we have been building on our previous experiences since our inception. Every year, you learn something new. It is like a child growing up into puberty. This platform has grown from year one to year ten. Consequently, you know there will be changes along the way. It is like a child growing up; you gain experiences, learn new things, become aware of your circumstances and environment, and you want to build. Build so that others can learn from your craft. They can use your platform to build their own journeys and make their own history. For us, we give back and move forward. That is why the theme is "Reflections and New Horizons." You look back, but you also move forward. Does that make sense?

NOTE:

Dr. Omambala

Firm, NFIU Partner to Enhance Financial Security in Nigeria

Emma Okonji

PalmPay, a leading fintech company in Nigeria, has reiterated its commitment to combating financial fraud through cuttingedge technology.

The company gave the commitment when its management team, led by the company’s managing director, paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), recently.

Addressing the growing prevalence of fraud in the country, Managing Director of PalmPay Limited, Chika Nwosu, stressed the need for robust collaboration between fintech companies and government agencies.

“At PalmPay, we believe that

a secure financial ecosystem is the foundation for a thriving digital economy. Our partnership with NFIU underscores our dedication to supporting Nigeria’s anti-fraud and antimoney laundering (AML) efforts. Together, we aim to ensure a safer digital experience for all Nigerians,” Nwosu said.

He also highlighted the significant rise in electronic payment transactions across Nigeria’s financial system, underscoring the importance of proactive measures to address emerging threats. PalmPay reaffirmed its support for the NFIU’s mission to safeguard the country’s financial infrastructure.

The company outlined plans for close collaboration with the agency, including knowledge-

sharing initiatives, stakeholder training programs, and the development of innovative solutions to combat fraud in the digital space.

In his response, Chief Executive Officer of NFIU, Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, commended PalmPay for its proactive approach to financial security and its commitment to aligning with national and international regulatory frameworks. She emphasised the importance of continuous collaboration between private sector players and government institutions in the fight against financial crimes. PalmPay’s visit to the NFIU reflects its vision of contributing to a secure, transparent, and inclusive financial ecosystem in Nigeria.

20 New Millionaires to Emerge in FCMB Promo

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has kicked off the 10th season of its popular, “Millionaire Promo,” a campaign designed to reward and empower customers across Nigeria. During the nationwide promotion, 20 customers will win N1 million each, while hundreds more will receive cash prizes ranging from N20,000 to N100,000. The promotion runs until September 2025, with thousands of customers expected to benefit.

Divisional Head of Personal Banking at FCMB, Adetunji Lamidi highlighted Millionaire

Promo’s role in deepening customer engagement and reinforcing the bank’s commitment to financial security. He stated that the promotion rewards and empowers customers to achieve their financial goals. “The FCMB Millionaire Promo has become a meaningful way to reward customer loyalty and encourage savings. We are excited to see winners emerge this season from cities and towns across Nigeria.” To qualify, customers must increase their account balance by at least N10,000 and maintain it for 30 days to enter the monthly and seasonal draws. Additional increments of N10,000 will boost

a customer’s chances of winning. Several past winners shared their experiences. Thompson Akinnodi, from Ondo State, said, “The FCMB Millionaire Promo shows the bank keeps its promises.” Akinnodi used his cash prize to support his children’s education and holiday celebrations.

Port Harcourt-based businessman Onuoha Harol described his win last year as a “fantastic Christmas gift.” He invested his prize in his block and real estate business. Similarly, Lagos resident Omoye Oyakhire used her prize money to expand her poultry farm.

Coronation Joins AFIS as Gold Sponsor, Championing Innovation in African Finance

Kayode Tokede

Coronation Group has proudly announced its participation as a Gold Sponsor at the highly anticipated Africa Financial Summit (AFIS), scheduled to take place this week in Casablanca, Morocco.

Africa Financial Summit (AFIS) serves as a premier platform for over 1,000 financial leaders, including bankers, insurers, fintech innovators, and policymakers, to collaborate on building a more inclusive and robust pan-African financial ecosystem.

Co-hosted by the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, the summit will feature thoughtprovoking discussions, high-level meetings, and industry-defining debates aimed at addressing challenges and seizing opportunities within the African financial

services sector.

As a Gold Sponsor, Coronation Group will spotlight its commitment to innovation and its track record of delivering transformative financial solutions. Among these solutions are Coronation Wealth, Fiducia, CapTable, and the Marine Insurance Portal, all designed to enhance convenience, accessibility, and efficiency for clients across Africa. These innovations underscore Coronation’s mission to create an ecosystem where technology and financial expertise converge to empower clients and drive sustainable growth.

Coronation’s sponsorship aligns with its vision of creating a prosperous future for Africa through innovation and impactful solutions. Speaking about the partnership, Mr. Aigbovbioise AigImoukhuede, CEO of Coronation Asset Management, remarked:

“As a financial institution committed to democratising wealth creation and fostering financial inclusion, our sponsorship of AFIS underscores our dedication to shaping Africa’s economic destiny. The summit represents a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and collaborate with other leaders to build a sustainable and scalable financial ecosystem across the continent.”

Coronation’s delegation will be led by Mr. Aigbovbioise Aig-Imoukhuede and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Ngozi Akinyele, who will join other distinguished leaders to chart a path forward for the sector.

With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity, Coronation continues to position itself at the forefront of Africa’s financial transformation.

SON Appoints Ethan as Director Public Relations

Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has appointed Mrs. Talatu K. Ethan as its new Director, Public Relations.

A Bachelor of Science degree holder in Microbiology of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Mrs. Ethan brings more than two decades of multiple leadership roles and expertise in Food Science and public engagement to the table.

Ethan also holds a Master of Technology degree in Microbiology from the Federal University of Technology, Minna. She holds notable certifications, including ISO/IEC 17025 Laboratory Assessor, Food Safety Management System (FSMS), Food Safety System Certification (FSSC)

Lead Auditor and Certified Food Scientist of Nigeria.

As a national expert in food fortification and vitamins/ minerals analysis, Mrs. Ethan has made significant contributions to advancing public health initiatives in Nigeria and beyond.

She is adept at creating awareness on food safety and has engaged in several sensitization campaigns to support Nigeria’s non- oil sector.

Her distinguished career includes serving as SON’s Director for the North Central Region, Lagos Operations, and South-West Regional Operations, where she demonstrated exceptional leadership.

Ethan has extensive experi-

ence in standardization and quality assurance, focusing on implementing industry standards, streamlining processes, and ensuring compliance with relevant Standards.

She is well-versed in quality management systems, Food Safety Management System, audits, and process optimisation, resulting in improved efficiency and product reliability. She excels in fostering continuous improvement to achieve operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

Ethan also possesses significant expertise in laboratory analyses, specialising in vitamins, minerals, Mycotoxins and Pesticide Residues testing.

following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), 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).

L-R: Publisher/Executive Director, Nigerian NewsDirect, Mr Mathew Ibiyemi, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola represented by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mrs Vivian Richard-Edet and Chairman of NewsDirect Awards and Odua Investment Company Limited, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru during the presentation of the ”Award of Exemplary Service in Public service” to the Minister at the NewsDirect 14th Anniversary and Awards ceremony in Lagos at the weekend

Kayode Tokede

FCMB Group Reports 67% Profit Before Tax Growth to N91.8bn

Kayode Tokede

FCMB Group Plc has announced a 67% growth in Profit Before Tax (PBT) to N91.8 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, reflecting robust financial and operational performance across its business divisions.

The group in a statement said it recorded a 67.2 per cent increase in gross revenue to N587.8 billion, compared to N351.5 billion in the same

period in 2023. This, it said, was driven by an 86.5 per cent growth in interest income and a 26.2 per cent increase in non-interest income. Net interest income rose by 44.3 per cent year-onyear, from N120.5 billion to N173.8 billion, bolstered by an improvement in the yield on earning assets from 14.9 per cent to 17.4 per cent.

Commenting on the results, Group Chief Executive, FCMB Group, Ladi Balogun, said,

“The Group has maintained its double-digit growth trajectory across all four business divisions and expects to sustain this momentum for the rest of the year. As we continue our transformative capital raising programme, we expect the performance to be bolstered through improved interest margins, material balance sheet growth, and consequently improved efficiency ratios. We will also see liquidity and capital adequacy rising sharply. Most

importantly, we look forward to accelerating our support for the Nigerian and broader African economies with our purpose-led strategy.”

“Operating expenses increased by 51.7 per cent year-on-year to N169.1 billion, impacted by rising personnel, regulatory costs, and inflationary pressures. Despite this, the cost-to-income ratio remained efficient at 55.4 per cent. Additionally, net impairment losses on financial assets declined by 22 per cent

to N44.4 billion, resulting in a lower cost of risk of 2.7 per cent, compared to 3.9 per cent in the prior year.

“PBT growth was welldistributed across the Group’s operating divisions. The Nigerian Banking operations accounted for 68 per cent of the total PBT, while 32 per cent came from other operating companies. Each of the Group’s divisions posted impressive year-on-year earnings growth: Consumer Finance (108.5%), Investment Banking

“The Group’s financial position also strengthened significantly. Total assets grew by

TRADED ASOF DECEMBER 5/24

Nigeria’s Unity May Be Destroyed If Power Leaves South in 2027, George Akume Warns

Urges north to wait till 2031 for power shift Says Tinubu will

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, yesterday, said it was not yet the turn of the north to produce Nigeria’s president in 2027, warning that to do otherwise could undermine the

nation’s unity and destroy her.

He, therefore, advised the Northern interest groups to wait until 2031 before running for the presidency, with a caveat that, it was not their time to throw their hat in the ring.

Akume, who spoke as a guest

on a television political progamme against the backdrop of deft political scheming and coalition by different groups with the aim to take over power from the ruling APC and succeed President Bola Tinubu in 2027, declared the current president would serve two terms of eight

years.

“It is not yet time for the North. This is my appeal to them. Don’t let us destroy our country because of personal ambition. It is my advice and this has been consistent. Do not let us rock the boat.

“Let us allow this power to reside

MAHAMA WINS GHANA ELECTION, RULING PARTY CONCEDES DEFEAT

Under the current administration, Ghanaians have had to deal with high cost of living, high inflation and a debt default occasioned by the West African nation’s worst economic challenge in years.

But yesterday, plaudits poured in from Nigerian leaders, current and former, cutting across political divides.

Some of those who praised the conduct of the election included:

President Bola Tinubu; former Vice President Namadi Sambo, who was an observer in the December 7 election; ex-Nigerian number two man, Atiku Abubakar and a former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Kayode Fayemi.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) through its Commission President, Dr Omar Touray also extended its felicitation to the president-elect and the entire Ghanaian people.

The polls in Ghana further put paid to insinuations that Africans cannot conduct open and acceptable elections, strengthening the argument that the tension and strife that usually follow general elections could be minimised with transparent electoral processes.

It is coming less than a week after Namibia elected its first female leader, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who won with 57 per cent of the vote, according to official results.

In an address conceding defeat, Bawumia of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), said he had called Mahama, whose party also won the parliamentary election, to congratulate him.

"Let me say that the data from our own internal collation of the election results indicate that former President John Dramani Mahama has won the

BAGUDU:

Presidential election decisively.

"The NDC has also won the parliamentary election. Even though we await final collation of a number of seats, I believe ultimately these will not change the outcome," Bawumia told his supporters.

Stressing that he conceded before the official results to ease tensions, the ruling party’s presidential candidate acknowledged that the people’s choice must be respected.

"I am making this concession speech before the official announcement by the electoral commission to avoid further tension and preserve the peace of our country.

"It is important that the world investor community continues to believe in the peaceful and democratic character of Ghana. The people have voted for change at this time, and we respect that decision with all humility,” the defeated candidate stressed.

Besides, Tinubu, in a telephone call to Mahama yesterday, congratulated the president-elect on his victory.

Tinubu said he hoped that Mahama’s return would further bring stability to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), of which he is the chairman.

Tinubu, according to a release issued by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, commended the people of Ghana for their commitment to democracy, which he said was demonstrated through the peaceful and successful conduct of both the presidential and parliamentary polls.

He applauded Ghanaians for demonstrating again to the world that democracy is the preferred path to achieving political stability, economic development, social justice,

and transparent governance in Africa.

The president affirmed that Nigeria and the region’s belief in the principles of the people's right to choose their leaders freely will remain a source of pride.

The Nigerian leader applauded the candidate of the governing NPP, vice president Bawumia for conceding defeat before the official announcement by Ghana’s electoral commission, noting that Bawumia’s stance reinforced Ghana’s democratic ethos.

He noted that Mahama’s return to Jubilee House, having served as president from 2012 to 2017, reflected the Ghanaian people’s trust in his stewardship and vision to take the country to greater heights.

Mahama also served as vice president of Ghana from 2009 to 2012 and was Member of Parliament from 1997 to 2009 as well as holding deputy and ministerial roles between 1998 and 2001.

Tinubu renewed his steadfast support for deepening the fraternal bonds between Nigeria and Ghana, underpinned by shared history, cultural ties, mutual support and cooperation, pan-African goals, democracy, the rule of law, and economic integration.

He thanked President Nana AkufoAddo for his ‘exemplary leadership’ and numerous contributions to Ghana’s progress and regional peace and stability.

The president said he looked forward to working with the incoming administration to strengthen bilateral ties across various sectors and build a brighter future in the West African region.

In the same vein, former vice president, Sambo, who was head

of the ECOWAS election observer group, commended Ghanaians for their democratic maturity and called for sustained peace after Bawumia conceded defeat even as the country awaited the announcement of the official results.

“These elections represent a landmark moment in Ghana’s democratic journey, characterised by remarkable voter turnout, a predominantly peaceful process, and the political maturity of its participants.

“ Despite the challenges inherent in an electoral process, the events of Election Day showcased the resilience and vibrancy of Ghana's democratic culture,” Sambo said at a meeting of Heads of International Election Observation Missions in Accra yesterday.

He added that the decision by the NPP candidate to accept the election results further underscored the strength of the nation’s democratic institutions and its enduring commitment to upholding electoral integrity.

“We commend the NPP presidential candidate for his remarkable statesmanship in acknowledging the results and fostering peace. Ghana has built an impressive electoral legacy, distinguished by peaceful transitions and an unwavering respect for the people’s will.

“It is now incumbent upon all stakeholders to consolidate this progress, ensuring that the successes of these elections serve as a foundation for even greater strides in democratic governance,” Sambo added.

He also commended Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC) and other critical stakeholders for their professionalism and dedication in managing the electoral process.

TAX REFORM TARGETED AT STIMULATING ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES, EMPLOYMENT GENERATION, OTHERS

was a major issue in economic development globally, stating that the current tax debate is not limited to Nigeria.

He said the amendment bills sought to simplify the business environment by addressing the multiplicity of taxes and introducing equity and fairness in the distribution of Value-Added Tax (VAT) among the states.

He said that while every Nigerian had a right to seek answers and participate in the ongoing debate on the tax amendment bills currently before the National Assembly.

Bagudu, however, stated that such arguments should be objective and not centred on religion, tribalism, or sentiments.

He stressed that the Tinubu administration was committed to ensuring that Nigeria took a place of pride in the comity of nations.

He said, “We are doing infrastructure works that show the kind of commitment the president has for Nigeria. He is supporting different states in their various quests to develop.

“President Tinubu has also requested all state governors to give him what can be done more in their states so that more economic activity can be generated.

“Some of the reform initiatives, energy transition, for example, is for all parts of Nigeria. Security – the additional investment in security is for everyone in Nigeria.”

Bagudu added, “We can debate about argument. But what is wrong is for us, given the great effort to put our economy in the right direction, to be swayed by arguments of tribalism, religion, and sentiments.

“We have a president who

believes in Nigeria, who is a committed democrat, so he understands that people have the right to debate.

“But what is annoying is when people, to make a point, resort to sentiments that can weaken our federation.

“Because one of the intended benefits of this tax legislation is to simplify tax compliance for small, small companies.

“And we have been investing in MSMEs. We have been investing in nano-credits. We want them to be the engines of growth.”

Bagudu insisted the government could not undertake any measures to deliberately undermine the economy.

He said, “We are under pressure to ensure that Nigeria maintains a higher level of growth. We want to generate growth. We will not do anything that will sabotage employment generation.

“Any measure we take is intended to generate economic activity and growth. That is what we can bring even as politicians, to talk from a self-serving interest, that is, what I can get a clap for, not the other way around. And, indeed, Mr. President is leading that drive.”

The minister said there was no point in animosity against any group, pointing out that as one of the most prominent members of the president’s team, “I am very confident that all the measures that are taken, pleasant and otherwise, because sometimes when you are confronting your reality, you take measures that may seem tough, they are taken by a leader who believes in Nigeria, who loves Nigeria, who wants to see a united Nigeria growing and fulfilling the dreams of all Nigerians.”

Bagudu explained, “As we stated before, the VAT is not a new tax. So, if there is a proposal to vary the rate, that is debatable. Make your inputs, and say how it affects you.

“First and foremost, try to understand it. Don't just judge, try to understand. And like I said, compare it with other countries. The UK has VAT legislation, and maybe a significant proportion of their accounting industry is based on VAT reconciliation because VAT

SYRIAN

is a tough one.

“Certainly, people can debate, that's what we want. It's not a monologue. And we are dealing with a president, God bless him, who is very democratic. He listens to others; he expects people to make contributions.

“So, whatever legislation it is, let people make reasonable, respectable, proper nationalistic contributions so that we can get a better outcome.”

serve two terms

in the south for eight years and then it will come to the North. To do otherwise, honestly is to destroy this country.

“This democracy and people are entitled to their views. Again, in democracy, you always have groups springing up and forming alliance,

“As we await the EC’s final declaration of results, it is essential to acknowledge that the post-election phase offers an opportunity for reflection and improvement. Challenges identified by observer groups, including isolated security incidents, and procedural lapses, call for collective action and collaborative solutions,” Sambo affirmed.

He stressed that ECOWAS remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting Ghana as it addresses these challenges and strengthens its electoral processes and institutions.

Similarly, his counterparts from the African Union, Sahle-Work Zewde, former President of Ethiopia, Mokqweetsi Eric Masisi, former President of Botswana and Head of the Commonwealth, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former President of Nigeria and Head of the West African Elders Forum, called for collective solutions to identified challenges to strengthen democracy in the Alsoregion. at the event were: Leonardo Santos Simão, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel, and Aisha Abdullahi, former Commissioner of Political Affairs, African Union (AU) and head of Yiaga Africa.

They commended the people of Ghana for the generally peaceful elections, bar one or two violent incidents, which the police said claimed one life in the North of the country.

Meanwhile, the ECOWAS Commission President, Touray, has also congratulated the people of Ghana for the generally peaceful elections, and former President Mahama on his victory.

The president equally commended Vice President Bawumia for “his timely concession, which demonstrates his statesmanship and love for the country,” he said in a statement.

Other attendees at the meeting hosted by the AU Mission, included Baboucarr Blaise Jagne, Deputy Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Amb. Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, and Mohammed Lawan Gana, Resident Representative of the President of the ECOWAS Commission in Ghana.

creating movement and intending to transform them into political parties.

“The political ball, quite frankly, has started to roll and there is one group that is headed by the former governor of Kano State and Continued on page 44

ECOWAS deployed 120 long- and short-term observers to Ghana’s 16 regions and 216 districts to observe the elections, with the approval of the President of the Commission, Touray. Also, former Vice President and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Abubakar has congratulated Mahama on his election.

''Your Excellency, Mr. Presidentelect John Mahama, my warmest congratulations on your victory. I was told you were on your way to church and thought I could catch up with you before you entered the church for the Sunday service.

Once again, kindly accept my hearty congratulations on your landslide victory,'' Atiku said on his X handle. On his part, former Governor Fayemi of Ekiti state, said that the 2024 presidential election in Ghana should be a model for political actors in Africa.

In a statement released by his media office, Fayemi commended Bawumia for his concession speech, noting that the decision exemplifies the very best of African political leadership.

The former Ekiti governor said Ghana has become a model of democracy in Africa, adding that the cornerstone of democracy is the supremacy of the people’s will.

“Dr. Bawumia’s decision to place the interest of Ghana above personal ambition reinforces the values of democracy and demonstrates a maturity that will undoubtedly serve as a model for political actors across the continent.

“As Africans, we must draw lessons from Ghana’s example. The supremacy of the people’s will is the cornerstone of democracy and the desire to serve must always align with the mandate freely given by the electorate, not through coercion or manipulation.

“Ghana has set high standards by proving that democracy can thrive in Africa when institutions are allowed to function independently and political actors prioritize the collective good over individual aspirations.

“As Nigeria and other African nations continue to strengthen their democratic foundations, the Ghanaian experience provides a blueprint for conducting elections that are credible, peaceful, and reflective of the people’s choice,” he added.

PRESIDENT, ASSAD, OVERTHROWN BY REBELS, FLEES TO RUSSIA, GETS

country and the wider region.

President Bashar Assad and other officials, including his family, left Syria, after the erstwhile leader resigned and hosted negotiations with rebel groups, Russia's Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry said Assad left Syria after negotiations with opposition fighters and gave "instructions" to "transfer power peacefully", adding that "Russia did not participate in these negotiations.”

After fleeing Damascus ahead of a rebel advance, Assad and his family were confirmed last night to have arrived in Moscow and had been granted political asylum, according to Russia state media.

US President, Joe Biden, welcomed the fall of the Assad regime in remarks from the White House.

The US leader described it as a “historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future” while cautioning that it was also a moment of risk and uncertainty in the region.

It was the first time opposition forces had reached Damascus since

2018 when Syrian troops recaptured areas on the outskirts of the capital following a siege.

The leader of the largest insurgent group in Syria visited the Syrian capital's sprawling Umayyad Mosque and declared that the victory against Assad "is a victory to the Islamic nation."

Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, made his first public appearance and remarks since fighters entered Damascus, a CBS News report added.

He told hundreds of people at the historic mosque that Assad had made Syria "a farm for Iran's greed." He added that Assad made Syria a base for the illegal ‘amphetamine Captagon’ that brought cash to Assad's circles.

The rapidly developing events have shaken the region. Lebanon said it was closing its land border crossings with Syria except for one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan also closed a border crossing with Syria.

The rebels now face the daunting task of healing bitter divides in a country ravaged by war and still split among different armed

factions. Turkey-backed opposition fighters are battling US-allied Kurdish forces in the north, and the Islamic State group is still active in some remote areas.

Iran, which had strongly backed Assad's deposed government, said Syrians should decide their country's future "without destructive, coercive, foreign intervention."

The statement from the Foreign Ministry on Sunday was the country's first official reaction to the overthrow of Assad's government by rebel forces.

The UN's special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called Saturday for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an "orderly political transition."

The Gulf nation of Qatar, a key regional mediator, hosted an emergency meeting of foreign ministers and top officials from eight countries with interests in Syria. The participants included Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Turkey.

The French Foreign Affairs ministry said France "welcomes" the fall of Assad's government "after more than 13 years of violent repression against its own people."

The ministry said in a statement:

"The Syrian people have suffered too much. Bashar Assad has bled dry the country, emptied of a large part of its people who, if not forced into exile, have been massacred, tortured and bombarded with chemical weapons by the regime and its allies."

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed understanding for the relief Syrian people felt after the fall of Assad's government but warned that "the country must not now fall into the hands of other radicals."

"Several hundred thousand Syrians have been killed in the civil war, millions have fled," Baerbock said in a statement emailed by her office Sunday. "Assad has murdered, tortured and used poison gas against his own people. He must finally be held accountable for this," she added.

The war in Syria began in 2011 when a pro-democracy uprising calling for the end of Assad's long reign escalated quickly into a brutal civil war. Since then, the conflict has killed more than 500,000 people and displaced some 12 million from their homes.

ASYLUM

LAUNCH OF TOGETHER FOR HER BREAST SCREENING BY CANCER AWARE...

L-R:

Jimoh Ibrahim: How Nigeria Can Turn Its $100bn Failed Projects into New Opportunities

The Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District, Jimoh Ibrahim, has urged global stakeholders to see mega projects which have failed in Nigeria valued at about $100 billion as fresh development opportunities, rather than lamenting constantly.

Ibrahim, who was a speaker at the 2024 Oxford Major Programme Management conference, put the number of Nigeria’s abandoned projects at about 11,866, arguing that even abroad some projects overshoot scheduled timelines as well as initial costs.

He encouraged foreign businessmen to view the situation as a significant opportunity for sustainable development, noting that if the failed mega projects were successful, Nigeria will look like the United Kingdom.

The businessman pointed to Ajaokuta, where he said the

government has spent $11 billion over the past 43 years without producing steel. The site, he said, has remained abandoned for those 43 years.

Ibrahim, in a statement by his media office, also cited examples such as Malabo, Sure P, SAT One, and the National Library as some

Traditional Rulers Seek Constitutional Roles for Sustainable Peace in N'Delta

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Royal fathers in the Niger Delta region have pitched for constitutional roles as part of efforts to build sustainable peace and progressive development in the area.

The monarchs maintained that lack of constitutional responsibilities have frustrated efforts to engender peace in most of the kingdoms in Niger Delta.

The royal fathers, under the aegis of Traditional Rulers of Oil Producing Communities of Niger Delta (TROMPCOM), Delta State Chapter, bared their minds over the weekend at a one-day capacity building programme held at Mofor, Udu Council Area.

The workshop, organised by the Community and Rural Development (CRD) Directorate of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was themed “Capacity Building on Emerging Trends in Rural Governance.”

The theme was to identify the challenges of sustainable development as it related to Delta and Edo states, as well as develop mitigation pathways to addressing them.

The royal fathers identified lack of stakeholder collaboration, good governance, communication, transparency and accountability among others, as challenges faced by royal fathers in the oil-rich region, despite their critical role at the grassroots level.

Chairman of TROMPCOM, Delta State Chapter, Ovie of Ozoro, HRM Obuka I, said the role of the traditional institutions were currently “stifled,” due to lack of constitutional powers and urged the government to recognise the roles of traditional rulers and empower them.

He lauded the NDDC for its initiative in organising the capacity building workshop for the monarchs

adding, "It is a forum to ginger us up on what we are supposed to do and also advise us on how we are supposed to go about them".

While noting that the workshop gave the traditional rulers opportunities to brainstorm on the contemporary issues inhibiting development in the Niger Delta region, Ovie Anthony Ogbogbo submitted that "the monarchs were able to identify and highlight notable challenges of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) as affecting the host communities".

He noted: "the TROMPCOM, Delta State executives also used the forum to make some suggestions and recommendations to the organizers for possible collation and presentation to the appropriate authorities".

Speaking specifically on some identified challenges confronting TROMPCOM, the monarch highlighted "the absence of constitutional roles for traditional rulers", which according to him, include "power to back up responsibility".

His words: "We are subjected to the whims and caprices of the ruling government", he stated adding that "traditional rulers are ready to work but they are frustrated. Government should recognize the roles of traditional rulers and ensure operational guidelines to that effect.

"In this regard, advocacy to integrate traditional rulers should be sustained.

"Lack of constitutional roles for traditional rulers has been hampering our contributions. It brings us downward.

"If there is need to checkmate identified excesses from some quarters, individuals will challenge you; they will oppose you; they will frustrate you because you don't have something to point out to, to say I am working within the ambit

of my power."

The NDDC workshop facilitator, Stanley Okereke, a climatologist and peace advocate had called on all stakeholders, especially the government, the oil and gas companies and others, to work in synergy and not in isolation "or else we keep having retrogressive development".

He emphasized the imperative of traditional rulers in utilizing their indigenous knowledge as local content into peace initiatives in the Niger Delta stressing that they have key roles to play in the narratives.

"If the traditional rulers are playing their roles effectively and efficiently, then the issue of violent conflict will actually not happen.

The way of managing conflict or preventing conflict will help in ensuring sustainable development in the Niger Delta as any development without sustainability is a waste of resources.

"Consequently, we need to develop a framework that will ensure that the traditional rulers are integrated into the system for managing peace and conflict in the Niger Delta", Okereke added.

of Nigeria’s failed mega projects.

He acknowledged that corruption is a critical issue, but emphasised that it is not confined to Nigeria as it affects many significant projects across ‘geo-centric’ politics.

“Yes, I recognise that corruption is a notable problem in Nigeria. I have (also) observed cost overruns and schedule delays in the UK Cross-rail project, which has escalated from the estimated total cost of £14.8 billion to £18.7 billion.

“Similarly disappointingly, the US government faced a loss of $65 billion in one megaproject, Nevada’s Yucca, with no relief since the Obama administration cancelled the project after the staggering loss,” he maintained.

Ibrahim stated that the mega projects consistently come with complexities, arguing that even the most prudent governments occasionally invest state funds in questionable initiatives.

He said that Nigeria’s challenge primarily pertains to the difficulties in translating the benefits of mega projects into value creation.

The federal lawmaker urged the Nigerian government to prioritise completing abandoned megaprojects, requesting the Bola

Tinubu administration to designate all unused projects as ‘national failed projects’ and to take steps to complete some of them.

The businessman asserted that only operational mega projects can mitigate Nigeria's ethnic diversity, referencing the Akpabio Stadium, Goodluck Jonathan's successful railway projects as well as the Abuja and Lagos airports as remarkable successes of national unity.

In return, the statement said that the University of Oxford gave Ibrahim a certificate of appreciation and extended congratulations on his status as a proud alumnus of Oxford.

It described the senator as being globally celebrated as the first-ever business doctorate graduate of the University of Cambridge.

“Furthermore, his successful completion of the PhD in modern war and foresight in establishing the proposed University of Fortune in Nigeria showcased Jimoh Ibrahim's pioneering book on African mega projects at the conference.

“Jimoh Ibrahim is an alumnus of the MSc in Major Programme Management at the Said Business School of the University of Oxford,” it added.

MultiChoice Talent Factory West Africa Celebrates Next Generation

of Storytellers at the 2024 Graduation Ceremony

MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) West Africa, the pioneering initiative established to nurture emerging African filmmakers and storytellers, celebrated the achievements of its 2024 cohort at its graduation ceremony on December 6 in Lagos.

This is the fifth graduation ceremony by the MTF.

The occasion marked another year of empowering young filmmakers in Africa. Each year, the MTF programme trains 60 young filmmakers across its various academies through a comprehensive, fully funded cinematography course.

The programme equips participants with the technical and creative skills necessary to craft compelling stories that highlight Africa’s cultural wealth to worldwide audiences.

In her congratulatory message, Executive Head of Content and Channels, West Africa, MultiChoice, Dr Busola Tejumola, stated that the graduation ceremony is a time of celebrate creativity, dedication and

the exceptional achievements of the graduands.

“This ceremony is more than just an acknowledgment of academic journey; it is a physical mark of the graduation into an elite class of the MTF Alumni Network, a family whose contributions continue to shape the narrative of African storytelling globally,” she said.

Tejumola also stated that within one year, the students made great strides, including the selection of Non Cras by Elma Baisie at the Life-Off Global Network and Get Out of Your Head by Oluwayanmife Arogundade and Winner Achimugu at the Afropolis Lagos 2024.

Atinuke Babatunde, Academy Director of MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) West Africa, noted that the sub-region is crucial to the continent’s film and television industry

"West Africa is a hub of cultural richness and vibrant storytelling, which has been the foundation of its thriving film and TV industry.

Through the MultiChoice Talent Factory, we have consistently supported the development of exceptional talents, who are capable of elevating this heritage to global standards.

“The 2024 cohort has been phenomenal, and we are excited to celebrate their achievements as they graduate," Babatunde said.

At the event, the three best graduating students won one-year scholarship to international film schools. Winner Achimugu and Anjoluwa Aluko won scholarships to the New York Film Academy and Zee World, India, respectively, while Adejo Edebo Emmanuel won a scholarship to learn at MNET Production in South Africa

This year, MTF West Africa collaborated with the Earthshot Prize initiative, producing projects focused on environmental sustainability. Among these are “Revive the Ocean,” which explores innovative solutions for ocean preservation; “Racing Against Time,” a mini documentary addressing the

dangers of plastic waste; and “2070,” a thought-provoking short film envisioning future environmental challenges.

Students of the Academy fully conceptualised, shot, and produced these projects, demonstrating their ability to create compelling stories.

Additionally, Rekiya, a short film by the class of 2023 has been selected at AFRIFF 2024 and Poached, directed Adeola Andrea Peregrino, earned accolades including 1st Prize in the LEAP Africa USAID Film Contest, 2nd Prize at the IOM Film Contest and was an official selection at AFRIFF 2024 and at Edo State Festival. Love from Bayelsa, written by alumnus Gabrie Odigiri, won Best Short Film of the Year at the Imo International Film Festival.

The graduation of the 2024 cohort represents yet another milestone in MTF’s ongoing commitment to upskilling exceptional storytellers, who continue to redefine the African narrative on a global stage.

Marketing Specialist/Patient Journey Partner, Roche Products Ltd, Gilbert Ogbewele; Consultant Clinical and Radiation Oncologist and Board Member, CancerAware Nigeria, Dr. Adewuri Alabi; General Manager, General Electric Healthcare, Dr. George Uduku; Board Member, CancerAware Nigeria and Programme Director, Together for HER Breast Screening Project, Dr. Abosede Lewu; Medical Director, Roche Products Ltd, Dr. Bolarina Oyedeji; and Community Outreach Manager, CancerAware Nigeria, Adesina Agbelemoge, at the launch of the Together for HER Breast Screening Project organised by CancerAware Nigeria held in Lagos... recently

PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

NEWSDIRECT 14TH ANNIVERSARY LECTURE AND AWARDS CEREMONY...

L-R: Publisher of NewsDirect, Mr Mathew Ibiyemi; Representative of the Governor of Borneo State and Winner of the NewsDirect Governor of the Year award (Nationwide), Borno State Commissioner of Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman A. Tar; Winner of the NewsDirect Governor of the Year award (Agro-investments and Security) and representative of the Governor of Jigawa State, Secretary to the State Government of Jigawa, Mallam Bala Ibrahim; Winner of the NewsDirect Man of the Year award and representative of the Governor of Ogun State, Hon. Kayode Akinmade; Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Winner of the NewsDirect Corporate Icon of the Year award and Chairman of Odua Investment Company Limited, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru; and Representative of the Lagos State Governor, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy at the Nigerian NewsDirect 14th anniversary lecture and awards ceremony held in Lagos… yesterday

Job Creation: FG Shifting Emphasis to ICT, Digital Skills, Says Minister

Youths tasked to shun ‘Japa,’ exploit bountiful opportunities in Nigeria

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejocha, said the current focus of the federal government was to accelerate the training and equipping of unemployed youths towards acquiring knowledge in digital skills and information technology.

Onyejocha spoke at the launch of the 93,731 Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI) at the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Skills Acquisition Centre, Kuduru, Bwari, in Abuja at the weekend.

Meanwhile, a Nigerian social entrepreneur, Mr. Olusoji Oyawoye, also weekend, said there still existed a lot of opportunities for the youth in the country despite negativity and hopelessness being portrayed by many in the society.

Oyawoye urged the youth to come out to exhibit their potential, which were capable of advancing the socio-economic development of the country.

Onyejocha said the job initiative was a bold attempt at providing decent employment opportunities for the unemployed and unskilled in Nigeria through the vehicle of skills acquisition training in both traditional and emerging skills.

The minister, represented by Director of Skills Development and Certification, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Engr. Tiza Shaakaa, commended NDE for aligning with modern work skills, digitisation, which was in line with

the new world of work.

She said, "I am informed that great care has been taken in designing this programme in order to cater for the needs of diverse unskilled and unemployed persons in Nigeria.

“It is exciting to know that women, persons with special needs and matured persons have been adequately provided for while also ensuring that the youth have been given a pride of place.

"Equally, the number of persons who will benefit from the ICT digital skills training speaks to the fact that the employment creation strategy of NDE is shifting towards the 21st century skills.

"This paradigm shift has the potential to accelerate the training and equipping of the next generation of Nigerians that will drive the emerging concept of the new world of works which thrives significantly on ICT and digital skills and know-how."

The minister also said special attention would be paid to women, persons with special needs and matured persons.

While flagging off the initiative, Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, said it would target training about 40,000 Nigerians in Information Communication Technology (ICT) and digital skills.

Represented by Director Overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary, Labour, Mr. John Nyamale, Dingyadi said the federal government would continue to provide sound policies and funding needed to create more jobs and empowerment opportunities forTheNigerians.initiative was carried out in

partnership with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

About 3,000 slots out of the 93,731 beneficiaries of the scheme under the supervision of NDE had been reserved for persons with special needs.

Dingyadi said, "This initiative connects deeply with the aspiration of the current government at the centre, which seeks to provide jobs for Nigerians as a means of addressing our economic challenges.

“Through the instrumentality of skilled acquisition training across several sectors, I was informed that the NDE will be reaching out and touching unemployed person in the next three months

"I admonish the beneficiaries to take maximum advantage of the opportunity the programme offers."

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Professor

Nentawe Yilwatda, represented by Odii Barry, said the initiative was one of the current administration's strategies to remove 10 million Nigerians living in Nigeria from poverty.

Yilwatda stated, "You will agree with me that if 93,731 persons are gainfully employed, productively working, they are out of the poverty level. For that reason, the Ministry has no choice but to continue to collaborate with the NDE in order to get lots of Nigerians out of the poverty level.”

Director General of NDE, Honourable Silas Agara, explained that out of the 3,000 slots reserved for persons with special needs, each state of the federation, including the FCT, was expected to have 81 slots.

According to him, some of the beneficiaries would be resettled into productive entrepreneurial

lives through the provision of tools, equipment and start-up capital. He added that discussions were ongoing with credit granting institutions to ensure every beneficiary of the scheme was settled.

“The current employment initiative has been designed to engage a total of 93,731 unskilled and unemployed persons across Nigeria,” he said.

In Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, Nigerian social entrepreneur, Mr. Olusoji Oyawoye, expressed his position on bountiful opportunities for youths, during the commissioning of a workplace and lifestyle project, called House 12, built by him.

The edifice was commissioned by the state deputy governor, Chief Kayode Alabi, and other well-wishers.

Oyawoye said the Nigerian youth could aspire to be what they wanted to be in life, adding that they need to have positive mind-set and relate with

people with the right and positive attitude.

He advised the youth to be careful who they associated with in order not to be misguided.

Oyawoye said, "You should relate with people with right ambition and positive mind-set because you're a product of your environment.

"Second, look inward and find out what are your strengths and passion beyond the academic.”

He added, “You may have a fantastic grade but someone with lower grade and with right connection may get the deal.

"There're lots of negativity in the society. But focus on the positive side, which are also there.

“Browse internet for opportunities for personal growth like free professional trainings or paid ones. Access knowledge, trainings on vacation or ideas on internet."

NSIB Begins Investigation into Serious Incident Involving Fly Bird HS 125 Aircraft

Chinedu Eze

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has announced commencement of investigation into a serious incident involving a Fly Bird HS 125 aircraft with registration number 5NKAL.

NSIB disclosed that the aircraft, a private jet, was operating a flight

from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (DNAA), to Kotoka International Airport, Accra (DGAA), and experienced technical difficulties during its flight on December 6, 2024.

Statement released by the Bureau and signed by the Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau,

Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, said: “Preliminary information indicates that the aircraft, with four persons on board (three crew members and one passenger), was climbing through flight level 240 enroute to flight level 280 when the crew reported an engine number 2 indication issue.

“The aircraft was at a position

Navy Offers Free Medical Treatments to Over 1500 Residents in Delta Community

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

The Nigerian Navy Ship Delta (NNS Delta) Warri, over the weekend, treated over 1500 residents of Burutu, capital of Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State of their various ailments.

The leadership of the riverine community, lacking in health care facilities, took advantage of the free medical rhapsody offered by NNS Delta by mobilising the residents in large numbers to benefit from the exercise.

The free medical services included routine check-ups, medication provision, health education, distribution of insecticide-treated nets, health talks and free medicated glasses amongst others.

Flagging off the exercise, Commander NNS Delta, Commodore Abba Muhsin said the medical rhapsody aimed to strengthen and deepen the civil-military relations between the host community and the Nigerian Navy.

"The outreach is a key component of the Nigerian Navy’s Corporate Social Responsibility. Under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla", he said. Commodore Muhsin expressed satisfaction with the response of the residents of the community.

He further observed: “The turnout is impressive, and I am confident that the overall objectives of this exercise will be achieved.

"We are making them to

understand that we are not only fighting, we are also participating in humanitarian assistance and we are also participating in peace keeping.

“So, this particular aspect, which is humanitarian assistance, has a long way in terms of improving the relationship between the military personnel, in this case, the Nigerian Navy and the community.

"We want the community people to know that the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the Navy particularly, is not an enemy to them, it is not an adversary. So, we are here to serve them. That we are committed to see that their well-being is our well-being."

Speaking on previous medical rhapsodies, the NNS Delta Boss stated that the feedbacks indicated

that the exercise is reinforcing the trust between the civil population and the military, particularly the Nigerian Navy.

Executive Chairman of Burutu Local Government Council, Chief Julius Takeme, commended the NNS Delta for the exercise noting that the gesture was cementing the relationship between the people and the Navy.

The council boss who was a beneficiary of the exercise said: "I want to commend and thank the Nigerian Navy, particularly the NNS Delta for this cooperation of its social responsibility. They are giving back back to the society".

Another beneficiary and Chairman of Burutu Community, Binebai Patricia, said it was the first time he

was seeing the Nigerian Navy offering medical services to his community adding "it's a good exercise. Women, men and children are benefiting from the health services by the Nigerian Navy. We need this exercise every year in the community".

He noted that the Navy's gesture bridged the gap of the only functioning General Hospital and Maternity that lacked medical personnel in the community.

"We have a General Hospital here with Maternity but there is no doctors in this place. So this medical rhapsody by the Nigerian Navy has help our people here. We requested for doctors in this place that the government is not bringing because of the difficult terrain, but this exercise is a good exercise to community", he added.

approximately 25 nautical miles southwest of VOR station VONUK at 17:54 UTC when the crew requested a diversion back to Abuja due to the engine indication. The request was promptly granted, and the aircraft was cleared to descend to flight level 190.”

NSIB said during the descent, the aircraft experienced the loss of engine No.2 at flight level 230; so, the crew elected to return to Abuja.

“On approaching Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, at approximately 5,000 feet, the crew declared Mayday, stating they had lost Engine No.1. The crew managed to safely land the aircraft at Abuja Airport at 18:16 UTC. There were no injuries reported, and all individuals on board are safe,” the agency said.

The NSIB also said it has launched an investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the engine malfunction and the subsequent loss of both engines.

“Our Go Team is gathering evidence, conducting interviews, and reviewing the aircraft's flight data and maintenance records to uncover underlying causes. This investigation aims to prevent future occurrences and enhance aviation safety,” NSIB also said.

PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT...

Elumelu, Alawuba Eulogise Contributions of Retired Directors in Shaping UBA for Next Challenges

James Emejo in Abuja

The Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group, Mr. Tony Elumelu, has praised retired directors of the bank for their invaluable contributions and sacrifices that have earned the bank its enviable heights and positioned it as a global financial institution.

Elumelu, at a recent send-forth dinner in honour of four retired non-executive directors of the bank in Abuja, also commended the spouses and families of the directors for the support and understanding they accorded to their wives and husband during their challenges

tenure at the bank.

They included Mrs. Onari Duke, Dr. Kayode Fasola, Mrs. Foluke Abdulrazaq, and Ambassador Joe Keshi.

The UBA chairman said, “So, thank you to a great family, a great UBA family for what you all have done… We appreciate all of you, and God bless you for your support.

“I want to say thank you to our great directors. At UBA, we're a family, and we bond. We stay, and we stick together. Once you've been a part of the family, you stay part of that family forever.

“And that is one of the reasons

God has continued to bless the institution. The people we are celebrating today, it's good to celebrate them, but my main message and appreciation goes to their family.”

Elumelu said, “Without their family, without the support of their family, they would not have been able to give us their all at UBA.

“This is who we are, and we are able to achieve what we have achieved in Nigeria, across Africa, and in the globe because of these men and women who are selfless, totally committed, up-front, dedicated, and give their best. And so, I want to use this evening to say thank you

to their families.”

In the same vein, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive, United bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Oliver Alawuba, said the directors had made impactful and indelible contributions to the bank.

He said, “So it's not just a dinner to appreciate them, it's also to show our heartfelt tribute, pro-contribute on the impacts they've made on not just UBA, also on the communities, the countries, and also changing the financial landscape of Nigeria and Africa.

“We remember them because as non-executive directors of UBA,

Troops Dismantle 19 Illegal Refining Sites, Arrest 12 Suspects in N'Delta

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Operatives of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have dismantled 19 illegal refining sites, arrested 12 suspected oil thieves and confiscated over 170,000 litres of stolen products across the Niger Delta region.

In a statement yesterday by the spokesperson of the 6 Division, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah, he said the troops achieved the milestones between December 2 to 8, 2024.

Danjuma who said anti-illegal oil bunkering operations had continued to record operational successes, stressed that the operatives conducted several fronts, denying economic saboteurs freedom of action to compromise pipelines.

He disclosed that 21 boats were demobilised, noting that Cotonou boats, with one fully loaded with over 34,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), were intercepted around Okarki in Ahoada West council.

He also revealed that at Ogbonga forest in Bonny Island, troops uncovered an illegal refining site with over 30,000 litres of stolen crude oil. At Bakana/Buguma general area, in Degema and Asari-Toru LGAs, he said a big pot containing unquantified products suspected to be stolen crude was impounded.

"In Okrika LGA, troops discovered an illegal connection point with a valve on NNPC pipeline

with about 2,000 meters of three inches hose connected to a storage pit containing over 20,000 litres of stolen crude. Three receivers, six locally made boats with 14,000 litres of stolen crude oil were confiscated.

"Similarly, around AmohaMgbede area, one illegal refining site, 16 locally made metal oven drums, 211 sacks ladened with over 13,000 litres of stolen crude, 20 sacks loaded with 1,200 litres of illegally refined AGO were recovered," he added. At the Idu flow station in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, Danjuma revealed that three suspected oil thieves were sighted at Oando pipeline, in the process of vandalising the pipeline. "In an attempt to apprehended the criminals, one ran into the bush, while the other who attempted to escape was demobilised".

According to him, items recovered from the suspects, include pliers, saw, hammer and fabricated F angle pipes used to compromise pipelines.

In another development, two suspected oil thieves were arrested by the troops in one wooden boat loaded with vandalised pipeline rails and cylinders concealed with sacks of periwinkles, in Kula, Akuku-Toru LGA of Rivers.

Danjuma said: "At the Imo River bunkering corridor, 10 illegal refining sites, seven boats, 38 drum pots, 22 metal container receivers

were destroyed with over 13,000 litres of products confiscated. This was in addition to a tanker truck fully loaded with stolen products, traced to an illegal connection point intercepted at Rukpoku general area.

"In Bayelsa State, at Kalabilema general area in Nembe, one illegal refining site with over 2,000 litres of illegally refined AGO was deactivated. Also, around Igbomotoru Creek in Southern Ijaw, one illegal refining site and one wooden boat suspected to be used for oil theft was intercepted".

He said the Division also conducted operations at Mbo

LGA in Akwa Ibom, "the operation, was conducted following credible intelligence, which led to the interception of 43 drums loaded with 280 litres of premium motor spirit each, estimated to be 12,040 litres. The products were being prepared for smuggling to a neighbouring country".

He further revealed that in Delta State, four suspected oil thieves were arrested at Koko in Warri LGA.

"They were arrested for conveying 35 drums of black oil estimated to be over 7,000 litres in a Mercedes Benz truck with Reg No BKH 660 XA Delta.

they mentored, they inspired, they motivated, and they ensured that UBA moved from point one to a very high level where we are today.

“We remember the balance, the expertise, the leadership they bring to the boardroom. And for us at the executive management, we remember the four of them especially because at times in the boardroom, the ACs don't work, if you know what I mean.”

He said, “At times, when the executive management enters the boardroom, it will be too hot. But the four of them will always bring balance and a cooling system to that boardroom.

“I would like to tell the four of them that indeed, their legacy is UBA.

The UBA has over 25,000 staff today.

The UBA that you have built today has over 45 million customers. We are serving people, about 800 million people in 24 countries.

“That is the UBA that you have worked for and contributed to. And that is the UBA that will live from generation to generation. We are today celebrating also part of this year, our 75 years. And we will rise from that. For UBA, we remain, even in the next 75 years, because we are building to last.”

Alawuba said the bank was changing the narrative in Africa, and preparing an adequate succession plan to ensure its mission was accomplished.

While thanking the director for a job well done, he assured them that the current crop of management will press forward towards actualising the UBA dream.

The UBA MD added, “So, it's like a baton. You pass the baton to us and we will, that's the assurance we are giving, we will make sure we build this bank and also pass the baton to the next generation.

“If any one of us comes here in 75 years, we will see UBA. Their children will see UBA. Africa is already filling this bank.

“Our chairman was in Saudi Arabia recently and announced that this bank will be in Saudi Arabia next year. We will also open other African subsidiaries next year. Just to assure you that the bank will continue to grow from strength to strength.

“We have worked hard for UBA and we will not stop. We will make sure your contributions continue. It is difficult at times in a manner like this to really express the way we feel.

“But you see, UBA is such a family. So, you are not going out of UBA. So, it's not like you are doing a send-off. You are in UBA. You are in the family because that is also one of two things we will continue to do in UBA.

“Our name cuts out our job. United Bank for Africa. Our vision, our mission all cut our jobs. And indeed, this is the best moment for Africa. This is the best time for Africa. This is the best time to have skills like this. Distinguished people like this are from Africa. And we can't leave Africa. And that's what UBA is doing. So, we're not just a bank. We are changing lives in Africa, and you have done your contributions. We appreciate that. I will continue to take UBA to the next level.”

Legal Fire Works at Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal Begin

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, will today, December 9, 2024, commence sitting/pre-hearing on the petitions challenging the declaration of the All Progressives Congress Candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, as winner of the September 21, 2024 governorship poll held in the state.

The tribunal was set up a week before the September 21 governorship election and inaugurated by the

National Judiciary Council.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had on September 22, 2024 declared Okpebholo winner of the poll, after pulling 291,667 votes to defeat candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), Dr. Asue Ighodalo and Mr. Olumide Akpata, who scored 247,274 and 22,763 votes respectively

Dissatisfied, Ighodalo and his party, PDP approached the Tribunal with an ex parte motion with suit number ED/ GOV/01m/2024 and dated September

27, 2024, seeking the permission to inspect all electoral materials used during the election.

The ex parte motion filed on behalf of the applicants by Rotimi Ogunso, SAN, with Seun Olusuyi, was granted by the Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Kpochi.

The three-man Tribunal headed by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, is expected to hear seven petitions filed by different political parties and their candidates.

The PDP is particularly asking the tribunal to nullify the result and

instead, declare its candidate, Ighodalo, winner of the election. In the Suit number EPT/ED/GOV/ 01/2024, the Accord Party and Anor dragged INEC, Okpebholo and the APC, 1st-3rd respondents before the Tribunal.

Also, the PDP, Ighodalo, acting as 1st and 2nd Petitioners in Suit No. EPT/ ED/GOV/02/2024, approached the Tribunal to challenge INEC declaration of Okpebholo as winner of the poll. INEC, Okpebholo and APC are the respondents in the petition

Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah (left) presents a souvenir to the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa (right), during the Minster's official visit to Enugu at the weekend.

ENGAGEMENT WITH MINISTRY OF DEFENCE...

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana; Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman; and Minister of state for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, during Usman’s engagement with the ministry at the Ship House, Abuja ... recently

Zamfara Miners Laud Tinubu for Reappointing Umaru-Shinkafi as Executive Secretary

The Association of Small Scale Miners of Nigeria, Zamfara State Chapter, has commended

President Bola Tinubu for reappointing Fatima Umaru-Shinkafi as the Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) and the Presidential

Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative (PAGMI).

In a press release signed by its chairman, Abubakar Rabiu, the association described the reap-

pointment as a strategic decision that underscores the president’s commitment to the growth of Nigeria’s non-oil sector.

The association congratulated

ASUU Ponders Strike over FG’s Breach of Needs Assessment Scheme

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is threatening again an industrial action that may upend academic activities across universities in the country over allegation that the federal government had failed to implement the 2009 Needs Assessment agreement targeted at providing N220 billion annually for the revitalisation of public universities in Nigeria.

An official of the union, seeking anonymity, disclosed this over the weekend, saying ASUU leadership had concluded plans to embark on industrial action should government renege on that understanding among several agreements it entered into by both parties.

He faulted the federal government for its apathy towards the Needs Assessment Programme considered as a game changer towards the revival of the decaying infrastructure in the nation's public universities.

It was gathered that the National Executive Council (NEC) of the

Union will meet soon and it is expected to come out with a resolution on the next course of action.

The source also reiterated the opposition of the union leadership to the tax reform bills introduced by the present government, especially the provision that could affect the Education Tax and accessed by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for the benefit of institutions of higher learning.

It would be recalled that ASUU President Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke had recently on a television programme condemned the proposed scrapping of TETFund, insisting that the agency has impacted positively on tertiary institutions in the country and should not be scrapped or striped of its core mandate.

In a related development, a research fellow at the Institute of Project Management Jos and a university lecturer, Dr. Tunde Olagunjembi, has urged President Bola Tinubu not to jettison the needs assessment scheme designed to

provide funds for the reinvigoration of public universities, particularly rehabilitation of decaying infrastructure, as well as the provision of state-of-the-art teaching and learning equipment for tertiary institutions.

He said the president should sustain the scheme in the interest and development of the Nigerian

university system.

The university don attributed he stability in university academic calendar to the sacrifices of ASUU members who resolved to allow the President time to settle down and for the ultimate benefits of the education sector and indeed, the society at large.

Umaru-Shinkafi on her “welldeserved” reappointment, lauding her dedication to the development of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

It highlighted her contributions, including attracting foreign investors, empowering local miners, and creating job opportunities for thousands of youths.

“This is a well-considered appointment that will consolidate, deepen, and strengthen the solid minerals sector. Hajia Fatima Umaru-Shinkafi has demonstrated exceptional commitment to driving the sector forward, significantly contributing to the nation’s gross domestic product,” the statement said.

The group also praised Tinubu for fulfilling his campaign

promise to include women in key government positions, calling the move an “eloquent testimony” of his administration’s gender-friendly stance. The association pledged its support for Umaru-Shinkafi’s leadership, expressing optimism that she would advance the sector and contribute to revamping the nation’s economy.

“We urge Nigerians to support this woman of destiny in our collective quest for a better society,” the statement concluded.

Umaru-Shinkafi’s reappointment comes at a critical time the Nigerian government is prioritising diversification efforts to reduce dependence on oil revenue.

Ogun State has emerged the Best Overall Performing State in Digital Technology Development in the country. This was the result of the collaborations between the state governments and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) professionals, as well as startups, towards advancing the digital economy.

At the same time, founder of Demola Okeowo Foundation (DOF), Dr. Ademola Okeowo, has applauded the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, for empowering the youth and women and spreading developmental projects across the state.

Speaking while presenting

the award at the 12th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (NCCIDE), held in Makurdi, Benue State, Governor Hyacinth Alia of the state, commended Abiodun's administration in the digitalisation and tech entrepreneurship, which has positioned the state as the best among other states. He noted that the award was a testament to the visionary leadership of Abiodun and called for more synergy between ICT professionals and governments at all levels to enable the country to attain a maximal level in information technology.

Receiving the award on behalf of the Ogun State government, Special Adviser on ICT, Dayo Abiodun,

The Court of Appeal, Enugu Division has dismissed an appeal filed by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and a former Executive Secretary, Peter Okebukola. They lost their appeal seeking to upturn the judgement of a Federal High Court in Enugu, in favour of Richmond Open University, Arochukwu Abia State.

This followed the dismissal of their appeal for being incompetent and lacking in merit.

In the lead judgement delivered by Justice Olasumbo Goodluck, the three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, Enugu division, held that the appellants did not provide any credible grounds for it to deviate from the sound judgement of the trial court.

Justice A.L Allagoa, then of the

Gov's Devt Strides

attributed the feat to the digital initiatives of Abiodun towards digitalising the state through various training programmes for the citizenry, especially the youth.

The Special Adviser, who was represented by a Programme Analyst from the Ogun State Bureau of Information Technology (BIT), Ridwan Odufowora, stated that the award would spur the state government to show more commitment towards harnessing the prospects of emerging digital innovations for the development of the state.

Meanwhile, founder of Demola Okeowo Foundation (DOF), has noted that infrastructure, especially road networks, was necessary to open up the state for more investment opportunities.

Okeowo gave the commendation, at distribution of food items and other forms of empowerment to over 200 less privileged and the vulnerable, at an event held at the St. John's Anglican Church Hall, Oke Sopen, Ijebu-Igbo.

"I am delighted about the current governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun. I particularly like the idea of his 'Building Our Future Together' mantra. In the government capacity, they have been able to empower a lot of people.

“With the projects the governor is focussing in terms of the development of the rural areas, youth empowerment, I know it is the right steps in the right direction. I just want to urge everyone to support the efforts of the government at this time.

Federal High Court, Enugu Division, had in a judgement in 2006, declared as illegal and unconstitutional the Commission's closure of Richmond Open University.

Dissatisfied, NUC and Okebukola filed an application asking the trial court to set aside its own judgement in favour of the university but, the trial court declined stating that the it has become "functus officio" in the matter, having delivered its judgement.

Still not satisfied, NUC and Okebukola then approached the appellate court to argue that the trial court erred in law when it refused to set aside its own judgement in favour of Richmond University.

They argued further that the judgement of the trial court was a nullity among other grounds being that the originating process was filed by a layman.

They, therefore, urged the three-member panel to set aside the judgement of the trial court which had nullified the closure of Richmond University by the appellants.

But the appellate court in the judgement delivered on November 29, disagreed with the appellants and dismissed their case for lacking merit.

A Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgement dated December 6, showed that while NUC and Okebukola were 1st and 2nd appellants, Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo, who sued for himself and on behalf of Richmond Open University, the

Federal Government of Nigeria and the Inspector General of Police, were 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents respectively.

Justice Goodluck, in the lead judgment said she was unpersuaded by the submission of appellants' lawyers that the judgement of the lower court was a nullity, which the lower court itself could set aside.

According to her, the lower court rightly and validly declined to set aside its judgement on the grounds that “the exceptions in the case of Abana vs, Obi” warranting the court to set aside its findings, did not exist in the matter before it.

Regarding the appellant’s submission that the originating summons filed by Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo, a layman, renders the entire process filed by the respondent a nullity, Justice Goodluck agreed with the decision of the trial court in this regard.

“I am unable to fault the decision of the trial court in this regard. Any attempt to upset the findings of the learned trial court in respect of the judgment given on the merit can only be considered by the Appellate Court.

“This case clearly does not fall under the exceptions for setting aside the judgment of the lower court. In effect, the trial court rightly dismissed the appellant’s application for setting aside its judgment.

“Accordingly, I find no merit in this application. It is hereby dismissed,” Justice Goodluck stated.

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

James Sowole in Abeokuta

Alex Enumah in Abuja

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

MONEYMASTER TEAM VISITS MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FOOD SYSTEMS IN LAGOS...

Delta Governor, Oborevwori, Assures State

FG’ll Handle River Niger Dredging, Others

Presents Aboh King staff of office amid fanfare

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has promised to channel to the federal government numerous complaints and appeal by coastal communities in the state for the dredging of the River Niger and address associated shoreline challenges in order to end perennial flooding in the riverside communities. According to him, the responsibility fell on the federal government, which has the capacity and authority to dredge the River Niger as several other states would be impacted by the Niger dredging.

Segun James

As drug abuse among youths in the country continues to rise frighteningly, the chairman National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, retired Brig Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa has lamented, saying that this is affecting the social and economic fabrics of the nation.

This is as the President of Christ Hospital Ministry, CHM, Reverend Samuel Ajibola and Pastor Ituah Ighodalo have reiterated the call to address drug abuse in the country.

They expressed these positions during a one-day conference on drug abuse held for youths at the Regency Hall, Otunba Jobi Fele Way,

He was represented by his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, who stressed that the state government was excited at the restoration of peace in the ancient coastal kingdom with prospects for accelerated socio-economic and

The ceremony took place at the Aboh Grammar School ground

Oborevwori stated this during the presentation of Staff of Office to His Imperial Majesty, Dr Gregory Nnamdi Oputa as Obi Oputa III, being the 20th Obi of Aboh Kingdom in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of the state.

amid diverse cultural displays and attracted eminent personalities, including members of the national and state assemblies, senior government functionaries and a retinue of monarchs.

There were also representatives of other monarchs like the Oba of Benin, Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Asagba of Asaba, Olu of Warri, Onojie of Ujogba as well as those of Umuolu,

Ibrede, Ashaka, Egbudu-Aka, Abala, Igbuku and Adonte.

The governor urged the people to rally behind their new king and work earnestly to make the reign of Obi Oputa III peaceful and remarkable such that its fame would resonate across the country and beyond as one of the most successful in the history of Aboh Kingdom.

Responding to several requests

Drug Abuse Still Prevalent Among Youths, Marwa, Ajibola, Ighodalo Lament

Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State.

At the event which was organized by Christ Hospital Ministry, CHM with the topic, "Youth and Our Future: School-Based Substance Abuse Prevention," Marwa expressed satisfaction over the conference, saying it was a laudable approach to educate the children on the danger of illicit drugs.

Marwa, represented by Mrs. Odili, noted, "Youths have expiry date, whatever you do today will determine how tomorrow will be."

He warned the children to always exhibit good character to excel in the society, saying "Complement your certificates with good characters of humility, kindness and respect. It is

NIGERIA’S UNITY MAY BE DESTROYED IF POWER LEAVES SOUTH IN 2027, GEORGE AKUME WARNS

the Secretary is from Benue State, Emmanuel Jume. He was a member of House of Representative before.

“People have the right to form alliances but my candid advice to my people in the North is that if you should form your alliances, make sure your candidates are from the South. Why? Because that is one thing that will guarantee our territorial integrity and unity,” he said.

The former governor of Benue State also advised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the main opposition party, PDP, to perish the thought of taking over presidential power in 2027.

“If it’s the will of God at 90, you can still become the president of this country, but if it is not his will, you will never be,” he declared.

He said Tinubu as a southerner, should be allowed to have a sec-

ond term while those eyeing the presidency from the North in 2027 should look beyond that year by waiting till 2031. He also boasted that Tinubu had not lost goodwill among Nigerians as a result of tax reform bills and other strategic economic decisions taken within the last 17 months of his administration, expressing optimism that the president would run Nigeria for two terms of eight years. He defended the tax reform bills as a well-envisioned proposed legislations that would help the country when passed by the National Assembly.

The SGF pleaded with to Nigerians to allow the bills to scale through the required legislative processes, saying, they were well-envisioned for Nigeria and Nigerians.

your characters that will give value to your papers," he stated.

The father of the Day, and President of CHM, worldwide, Reverend Ajibola said, "I want you to bear in your minds, you are not here to mark register but to be good examples to your generation."

He explained that the participating children would be in a position to influence other children in the public domain.

He noted: "Your generation will understand your language more than me. So, God has selected you to be a blessing to your generation."

The conference chairman, Pastor Ighodalo, said in addressing drug abuse, "The first step is information

and education. A lot of people are not well informed. Most of the times, social involvement is a challenge, they give you drug, little by little; if you are not careful, it becomes habitual and people are not able to get away with it."

He added: "It therefore affects the ability to take rational decisions. Your spending habit and so and so forth. So, the first thing is to inform and educate people."

He explained that the cooperation of everybody is needed to win the war on hard drug, saying "We need the cooperation of the parents, spouses and cooperation of the children and relatives."

Ighodalo also stated that there is

need for serious medical support. "Unfortunately, some of our psychiatrists are more concerned about the money, they are not concerned about the success of the treatments.

"So, the church should take it more as a calling, so we need a lot of spiritual support because some are spiritual matters at a stage. Some got addicted because they didn't have the spiritual will power to break it.

In our churches and mosques, we need to put in the spiritual efforts," he submitted.

The Mother of the Day, Mrs. Susan Oyemade, represented by Mrs. Alabode, asked the children to avoid temptation in committing crimes, saying it is a path to destruction.

by the community, Oborevwori said, "The issue of dredging the River Niger is a long standing one; it will best be handled by the federal government as many states will be affected.”

He, however, said the state government would look into the issue of the local shoreline with a view to making them more functional and economically valuable. The governor congratulated Oputa for successfully scaling the customary installation hurdle on his journey to sitting on the royal stool of his forebears as Obi of Aboh Kingdom. He urged him to deploy his "wealth of experience and international exposure" towards the upliftment of his people in all ramifications.

“As a traditional ruler, especially under a democratic dispensation, it is crucial that I stress the need for you to follow the path of dialogue and consensus in all your dealings with your subjects and in all the community’s relationship with all tiers and levels of government.

“It is my sincere hope that Your Majesty will strive to maintain the sanctity of his exalted office and lead your people to greater prosperity while upholding the tenet of justice, fair play and equity,” Oborevwiri said.

The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) has revealed its plan to profile for the purpose of proper identification and management high-net-worth individuals within the FCT earning N25 million and above for tax compliance purposes.

The Acting Executive Chairman of the Service, Michael Ango, disclosed this in a circular issued over the weekend.

He added that to ensure success of the scheme, the service has also created a dedicated unit for taxation of High Networth Individuals (HNIs) in the FCT.

He said the unit would essentially focus on assessment and collection of income and other taxes as well as oversee compliance and enforcement of tax obligations by HNIs in the FCT.

In addition, the unit will also be the body to interface with agencies of government and other organisations, within and outside the FCT regarding the taxation of HNIs in the FCT.

At a meeting to unveil the unit, the Acting Execu- tive Chairman described the HNIs as “any individual whether in paid employment, self-employed, carrying on business or having passive annual income of N25m and above in any financial year.

To this effect, he urged all taxpayers that fall within this category to comply with their tax obligations and pay up all outstanding liabilities within two weeks.

"For our HNI taxpayers, we believe it is in our mutual interest that they comply voluntarily and we have identified over 10,000 of such individuals, with income in trillions of Naira, to whom we have started to send notices.

“We expect that they will respond and comply voluntarily, otherwise, we will apply the relevant provisions of the law and exercise our powers to recover all the outstanding liabilities," Ango said. It will be recalled that since

Ango was appointed as the chief executive of the Service, he has consistently stressed the need to enhance revenue generation in the FCT, in order to support the aggressive infrastructural transformation being undertaken by the FCT Administration under the Minister of the FCT, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike. He assured to continue to take bold steps that would ensure compliance by all taxpayers, irrespective of status and also enjoined residents of the FCT to support the administration's efforts to improve the infrastructure and public services in the FCT and satellite towns by paying their taxes.

L– R: Julius Arhebun, Director, Agency Business, Moneymaster Payment Service Bank; Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture & Food Systems, Lagos, Ruth Abisola Olusanya; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Mr Emmanuel Fatai Audu, during a courtesy visit by MoneyMaster team to the Ministry in Lagos ... recently

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

CAMCAN 2024 ANNUAL WORKSHOP…

L-R: Group CEO; Cowry Asset Management Limited; Mr. Johnson Chukwu; Group Chairman, NGX Group Plc, Alhaji (Dr.) Umar Kwairanga; Chairman, Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN): Mrs. Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma, and Divisional Head, Legal and Enforcement, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. John Achile, who represented the Director-General of SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, during the CAMCAN 2024 annual workshop held in Lagos…recently

Engineer in NDLEA Custody for Illicit Drug Consignments in Pressure Machines

Michael Olugbode in abuja

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a suspected drug trafficker, Egwu Inya, who claimed to be a building engineer, while attempting to take delivery of illicit consignments concealed in pressure machines imported from South Africa.

According to a statement issued yesterday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, the 42-year-old Egwu was arrested last Monday at Okeyson motor park in Enugu when

Police Rescue 20 Passengers from Terrorists in Katsina

Francis SardaunainKatsina

Operatives of the Katsina State Police Command have thwarted two separate kidnapping attempts by suspected terrorists and rescued 20 passengers in Jibia and Faskari Local Government Areas of the state.

The Command, in yesterday’s statement by its Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, said the terrorists opened fire on a commercial vehicle conveying passengers at Kwanar Makera along the Katsina-Magamar Jibia road in Jibia local government on Saturday.

He said the terrorists armed with sophisticated weapons such as Ak-47 rifles, shot the moving

vehicle with a preconceived plan to abduct its occupants but police operatives swiftly engaged them in a fierce gun battle and rescued the 10 passengers. He reiterated that the gun duel between police and the hoodlums forced them to abandon their heinous mission and “flee the scene with gunshot injuries. All the 10 occupants of the vehicle were successfully rescued unhurt.” Aliyu, in the statement, added that operatives of the command foiled another kidnapping attempt and rescued 10 other passengers at Marabar Bangori, along the Funtua-Gusau road, in Faskari Local Government on December 7th, 2024.

18-year-old Suspect Arrested for Murder of Ex Permanent Secretary in Niger

Less than 12 hours after the former Permanent Secretary in the Niger State Ministry of Works, Mr. Adamu Jagaba, was murdered, an 18-year-old car painter, Fatai Abdulkhareem, has been arrested in connection with the incident.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent of Police Wasiu Abiodun, who confirmed the arrest of Abdulkhareem, said he was apprehended around the Bosso estate area of Minna, the state capital.

The suspect was reportedly

arrested with the Toyota Camry car belonging to the deceased which was taken from Jagabas’ block making factory along the eastern bypass of the state capital.

According to Abiodun in the statement, “Men of the Tudun Wada Divisional Police Command had on December 7, 2024, at about 3 p.m. received a report concerning a culpable homicide that at about 11.30 a.m., some yet-to-be-identified assailants trespassed into the block industry located along Eastern by-pass, Minna, attacked and stabbed one Adamu Jagaba on the head severally and made away with his vehicle.”

Debt Profile: ‘Data by DMO Validates Osun’s Success on Debt Mgt’

Yinka Kolawole in osogbo

The spokesperson to Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, has said that the data released by Debt Management Office has vindicated the Adeleke-led administration on the debt profile of the state.

He added that as against the falsehood published by certain online news platforms and amplified by the All Progressives Congress (APC), the State External Debt, according to the DMO, has reduced by 15% while domestic

debt reduced by 42%.

Stating this in a statement issued yesterday, Rasheed said that the domestic debt of Osun State was N148.37 billion as at December 2022 but reduced to N86.06 billion as at June 2024 while Foreign Debt as at December 2022 was $91.78 million but reduced to $78.17 million as at June 2024.

He said: “The truth remains that Osun State debt profile has actually reduced under the leadership of Governor Ademola Adeleke in the last two years. Data doesn’t lie and cannot be hidden.

he showed up to collect three units of pressure machines with hidden parcels of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, weighing 7.4 kilogrammes.

Group

Babafemi said the consignments had arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos import shed on November 29,

2024, and following credible intelligence, officers of the MMIA Strategic Command of the agency had monitored the shipment pass through

clearing processes up to a logistics company’s warehouse outside the airport where it was to be collected by the consignee.

Demands End to Damagum’s Alleged Blackmail of Wabara

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The apparent cold war between the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Amb. Umar Damagum and the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Senator Adolphus

Alex Enumah in abuja

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has called on governments at all levels to partner genuine religious organizations so as to bring about speedy development in the country.

Wabara has continued to raise concerns in the party.

Consequently, a pressure group in the main opposition party known as PDP Frontiers for Change and Progress(PFCP) has alleged that Damagun was sponsoring media propaganda and blackmail against Wabara “for speaking the bitter truth”

The Pastor-in-Charge of the City of David Parish of the RCCG, Gbolade Okenla, made the call over the weekend when the Welfare and Medical Outreach unit of the church visited the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) community in Karomajiji, Airport Road in Abuja.

on the ills of the party. Wabara came under attack for questioning the repeated postponement of the National Executive Committee(NEC), by the Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC).

The Convener of PFCP, Emeka-Yellow Ikpegbu, said that Damagum was the one sponsoring the anti-Wabara sentiment posted on the Facebook wall of Northern PDP Social Media. The unsigned post dragged the BoT Chairman, accusing him of “working against the interest of PDP” and antagonising the Damagun-led NWC.

Pastor Okenla also challenged religious bodies to take the initiative and do more than the government so that, “a little drop of water can make a mighty ocean.”

He disclosed that the gesture is part of the vision of the church and the General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, to reach out to neighbours and communities to show them the love of Christ during the Christmas season. During the visit items such as crutches, wheelchairs, medicine, rice and clothes worth over N35 million were distributed to needy members of the community.

Kwara University Teaching Hospital Threatens Mass Burial for Unclaimed Bodies

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

The management of the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH), Ilorin, at the weekend threatened to embark on mass burial of unclaimed bodies over its filled morgue.

Already, the hospital has

Nedcomoaks

Sunday Okobi

issued a two-week ultimatum to owners of the dead bodies to appear at the hospital to collect their bodies or else the hospital would embark on mass burial.

The development, according to the THISDAY checks, might not be unconnected with the non-available spaces for the accommodation of dead bodies in the hospital.

Group Restates

A leading real estate firm in Nigeria, Nedcomoaks Group has renewed its commitment to addressing Nigeria’s housing deficit, as it marked its 20th anniversary in Lagos at the weekend.

Commitment

The Head of the Corporate Affairs Unit of KWASUTH, Mr. Yakub Kamaldeen Aliagan, who stated this in Ilorin in a statement, However, said that the hospital’s morgue is filled up.

He stated that housing deficit in Nigeria is a shared challenge between the people and the government, which need a collaborative solution.

Group Managing Director of the firm, Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo, at the event to commemorate its 20th anniversary, which took place at in Lagos, emphasised the need for a collective effort to address the nation’s housing challenges.

Ibrahim OyewaleinLokoja

The federal government has vowed continue to prioritise the security of lives and property of all Nigerians irrespective of their creeds and political affiliations, and protect the territorial integrity of the country.

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Police Trust Fund (NPTF), Mohammed Femi, disclosed this while speaking at the ground breaking of the ultra-modern Police Divisional Station at Ekinrin- Adde in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State at weekend.

He explained that the federal

The statement stated that:

“The management of Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH) wishes to announce to the general public that its mortuary is filled beyond capacity with no available space due to unclaimed bodies.

He added that the hospital’s management has sent out messages inviting people to come and claim the bodies of their deceased relatives.

to Addressing Housing Deficit in Nigeria

According to him, “At Nedcomoaks, we are committed to making affordable housing accessible to all Nigerians, ensuring dreams of homeownership come true for young men and women alike.”

Acknowledging challenges in the real estate sector, including trust issues with Diaspora clients and market volatility, Okonkwo urged investors to perform due diligence before engaging developers. He added: “Integrity is the cornerstone of real estate. Before entrusting your money to any developer, verify their reputation and track record. At Nedcomoaks, we talk the talk and also do the work.”

FG Will Continue to Prioritise Security of Lives, Property of Nigerians, Says NPTF Boss

government was planning to replicate the ultra-modern police divisional stations across the 36 states of the country.

Mohammed noted that the present administration under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu has continued to prioritise security of lives and property of all Nigerians,

commending the president for the unwavering support for the security of the nation.

He explained that citing the project at Ekirin Adde becomes imperatives because of the centrality, adding that in view of the tasking challenges of security and the Ijumu LGA was bound by four states.

Modo Ante Recommits to Driving Revenue Generation through Technology, Innovation

Following the conclusion of the highly successful Eko Revenue Plus Summit, Modo Ante, a pioneer consultancy specialising in governance, public sector, and political consulting, has reiterated its dedication to leveraging technology and innovative strategies to optimise revenue generation for governments and the private sector partners.

The two-day summit held in Lagos brought together policymakers, thought leaders, and private sector stakeholders to explore new revenue streams and innovative approaches to revenue generation. Anchored by Modo Ante in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, the summit served as a platform for robust discussions on the role of technology and innovation in addressing fiscal challenges and enhancing public service delivery.

Speaking Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Modo Ante and co-convener of the summit, Bamijoko Okupe, highlighted the consultancy’s mission to transform governance and public sector performance through innovation and growth strategies.

Okupe expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Government for partnering with Modo Ante on the summit and commended the leadership of Governor Sanwo-Olu for prioritizing technology-driven governance.

Laleye Dipo in minna

MEMORY OF MONSTER TANAKA

ing, after Bhutto was convicted of murder of a political opponent, despite appeals from all over the world, including from the King of Saudi Arabia, who was thought to have a lot of influence on Zia. Newsweek headlined its story, “One grave for two men.” Indeed that was what happened. Nine years later in 1988, a bomb exploded on Zia’s plane as it took off from a military airport, with no survivors.

There was this 1980 American “faction” [i.e. fact plus fiction] novel, which said then Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin was suffering from a “Masada Complex,” which it defined as “a fundamental inability to comprehend a problem from any other than its Jewish dimension.” I wonder how it will characterize his current successor, Benjamin Netanyahu.

Too many cooks, spoil the broth is a saying we were much familiar with in our primary school days. Our teachers often cited it when too many of us were doing the same job and marring it in the process. In the 1980s, there was a story in Newsweek that criminals had infested Chicago city’s brothels and were driving away regular customers. So the story headline was, “Too many crooks spoil the brothel!” Talk about a play of names in headlines. Last decade, the Saatchi Brothers sold their stakes in the famous advertising firm Saatchi and Saatchi. So, TIME magazine headlined its story, “Saatchi Without Saatchi.”

The simplest boast I saw in newspapers was in a 1979 edition of TIME magazine, when it managed, with great effort, to secure an exclusive interview with Leonid Brezhnev, the all-powerful General Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party and President of the Soviet Union. The magazine took a full coloured page with a large picture of Brezhnev and placed beside him a quote, “It is not in my nature to grant interviews.” It then added underneath, “Leonid Brezhnev, in an interview with TIME magazine.”

I have read and heard many stories in newspapers and the airwaves over the years, but few were funnier than a late 1980s BBC story about a bank robber who was caught just outside the bank. He had the bag of money with him, and was identified by the bank staff.

GHANA ON MY MIND

to technological innovation, such as biometric voter registration and real-time results tracking, could also enhance transparency and reduce electoral fraud in Nigeria.

Ghanaians’ active engagement in the democratic process is another area where Nigeria could learn valuable lessons. Ghana boasts consistently high voter turnout rates, frequently exceeding 70%, as seen in the 2020 elections, where turnout reached 79%. This contrasts with Nigeria, where voter turnout has steadily declined, hitting a record low of 35% in the 2019 elections. The difference stems from Ghana’s emphasis on political awareness and education, which has cultivated an electorate that values its role in governance. Nigeria must urgently invest in civic education to enlighten citizens about their rights and responsibilities in a democracy. Such initiatives would boost voter participation and foster public officials’ accountability, as an informed electorate demands transparency and results.

Leadership plays a pivotal role in the evolution of democracy, and Ghana’s political history offers significant insights in this regard. Leaders like Jerry John Rawlings demonstrated a successful transition from authoritarianism to democracy, emphasizing moral governance and economic reform. While Nigeria has also made the transition from military rule to civilian governance, the quality of leadership has often been questioned, with allegations of corruption and self-serving policies taking precedence over national interests. Ghana’s relatively high level of political accountability can be attributed to the integrity of its leaders and their commitment to strengthening institutions rather than personalizing power. Nigeria could greatly benefit from prioritizing the election of leaders who value national development over individual gain, thereby fostering a culture of service and responsibility.

Education has been a cornerstone of Ghana’s democratic success, and it offers a model for Nigeria to invest in political and public administration education. According to the Ghana Statistical Service, the country’s political elite are notably welleducated, with over 60% holding tertiary degrees. This high level of education has translated into slightly better-informed policymaking and effective governance. In contrast, Nigeria’s political class has been criticized for lacking the requisite skills and educational background to address the complex governance challenges. By investing in education, particularly in political and public administration, Nigeria could prepare future leaders for the demands of public office. Ghana’s Free Senior High School policy, which has expanded access to education for thousands of students, provides a model that

It looked like an open and shut case but he still appealed his conviction. His grouse was the female bank clerk who said she identified him. He shouted at the judge, “How could she identify me? I was wearing a mask when I did the job!” In 1999 when US President Bill Clinton led NATO forces to oust Serbians troops that were committing atrocities in Kosovo, BBC World Service had a live radio interview with the British Defence Secretary, who tried to justify the NATO operation. A skeptical listener however phoned from Serbia and asked why NATO did not intervene to stop the 1994 Rwandan genocide but was now intervening in Kosovo.

I thought the minister was cornered, but he memorably said, “The fact that you cannot help everybody does not mean you should not help somebody.”

There was a quote from WEST AFRICA magazine in, I think, 1984 that I have been mulling over ever since. The then President of Cote D’Ivoire, grand old man Felix HouphouetBoigny, was speaking in Parliament and warning against unrest to protest cost of living increases. When an MP said people were going to protest because there was injustice, Boigny said, “No one has ever died from injustice. But a lot of people die from disorder.”

A most memorable cleansing was from 1983.

Nigeria could adapt to improve its human capital and strengthen its democratic institutions over the long term.

The role of Ghana’s Electoral Commission in ensuring credible elections provides another lesson for Nigeria. Ghana’s EC operates with high independence, overseeing the electoral process with transparency and professionalism. This starkly contrasts Nigeria, where INEC has often faced accusations of partiality and inefficiency. Nigeria must empower INEC to function autonomously to address these issues, with sufficient funding and legal protections against political interference. Additionally, Ghana’s adoption of technology, such as biometric voter registration and electronic transmission of results, has reduced incidents of electoral fraud and increased public confidence.

Nigeria’s gradual adoption of such innovations is a step in the right direction, but it must ensure full implementation and proper oversight to achieve similar success.

Ghana’s vibrant political culture, characterised by constructive opposition and peaceful political rivalry, contrasts with Nigeria’s divisive and contentious political landscape. In Ghana, the ruling and opposition parties engage in policy debates that enrich the democratic process. Nigeria, however, has struggled with political violence and antagonism that undermine governance and stability. Encouraging issue-based politics and promoting dialogue between political parties could help Nigeria replicate Ghana’s inclusive and cooperative political environment.

In this last 2024 general election, voters turnout was encouraging and the election was fairly

The British Roman Catholic priest Monsignor Bruce Kent was at the head of the very vibrant organization called Campaign For Nuclear Disarmament [CND], which mounted a civil disobedience campaign to stop the deployment of American short-range nukes in Britain. Some people sent a petition to Pope John Paul II and said Kent was engaging in politics, which Catholic priests are not allowed to do. But Pope John Paul declared, “Campaigning against nuclear weapons is not politics. It is a moral issue.” A most shocking public campaign of civil disobedience occurred in June 1963. To protest what they saw as President Ngo Dinh Diem’s discriminatory policies against South Vietnam’s Buddhist majority by the minority Roman Catholic rulers, Buddhist monk Thich Quang-Duc marched to Saigon city square, accompanied by 300 singing and praying monks. He sat down, collected a gallon of kerosene, drenched himself in it, then set himself ablaze. He did not move an inch while the flames consumed him, while his mates continued to sing and pray.

Talk about capital punishment for open defecation. I thought about the American writer David Bergamini, who said in his 1950s book that the Japanese are the most awkward of English speakers. During World War Two, his family was held in a Japanese camp in the Philippines, and he recalled a notice they pasted at the gate, about prisoners and natives defaecating in the surrounding bush. It said, “Some Igorot people who are living around Baggio are spoiling the place… This is not good behaviour anyway. If the Imperial Japanese Army catches those who intend to do so, it shall shoot them by guns.”

Some people who read these old stories today might say that this columnist has a large memory of old stories. Which reminds me of former Japanese Army Major General Tanaka Takayoshi, a star prosecution witness at the Allies’ International War Crimes Tribunal for the Far East, which tried Japanese war criminals in 1945-48. Tanaka had a huge head, so Western reporters at the tribunals nicknamed him “Monster Tanaka.” He remembered in great detail meetings that took place years before, who was present and who said what. Don’t call me Monster Mahmud. My head is of normal size.

peaceful considering African election standards. There are isolated cases of ballot box snatching, and a confirmed case of one person was shot in Kasoa Zongo, located in the Awutu Senya East Constituency. that resulted in the death of a man, and accusations of low level interference by the government in power. However, ECOWAS observation mission and other election observation agencies have stated that the election was peaceful and credible. There are strong indications that the opposition party, NDC, may win the presidential election. This will be good for democracy in Ghana. The handing over of power from the ruling party to the opposition party demonstrates the maturing of Ghana’s democracy and indicates that the will of the people reigns supreme and is not subverted.

As the sun sets over the vibrant lands of West Africa, casting long shadows over bustling cities and quiet villages alike, Ghana stands tall—a lighthouse amid turbulent seas, a radiant beacon of democracy and hope. Its path has not been without trials, yet each challenge overcome has added strength to its foundation and brilliance to its light. Ghana’s story is a powerful reminder that democracy when nurtured with care, courage, and integrity, can endure against all odds. It is a testament to the transformative power of engaged citizens and enlightened leadership, showing that even in the most challenging circumstances, progress is not only possible but inevitable when people’s will prevails.

For Nigeria, whose vastness carries both the burden of its challenges and the weight of its promise, Ghana’s example is more than a model; it is a lifeline, a whisper of hope urging the giant to awaken, reflect, and reclaim its rightful place as a leader in Africa’s democratic renaissance. Nigeria has the resources, the people, and the potential to rival and surpass the success of Ghana, but it must first learn the lessons of vigilance, accountability, and the power of an informed electorate. Ghana’s journey offers a blueprint for navigating the storms of instability and creating a legacy of stability and progress.

In Ghana’s steady progress lies a profound truth: democracy is not a gift bestowed by chance or luck,but a destiny earned through sacrifice, unity, and determination. The heartbeat of Ghana’s democratic evolution reverberates across the continent, calling out to nations like Nigeria to rise above their struggles and embrace the transformative power of governance that truly serves the people. In this shared journey toward a brighter future, Ghana reminds us that where there is will, there is an unyielding way, and where there is hope, there lies the promise of renewal and greatness.

Former US President Bill Clinton

Ghana’s president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

EFCC Beams Searchlights on NFF Finances Again

Directs NSC to furnish the anti-graft agency with records of NFF

Duro Ikhazuagbe

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has come under scrutiny once again as the country’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has beamed its searchlight on the finances of the federation once more.

In a letter EFCC wrote the National Sports Commission (NSC) dated November 28, 2024, the anti-graft agency asked the commission to furnish it with the full list of sponsors of the NFF and the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) (companies and individuals) from 2022 to date.

The letter sighted by THISDAY,

was signed by Farouk Dogondaji, on behalf of the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukayede and addressed to the Director General of the NSC, Hon Bukola Olopade.

“This commission is investigating an alleged case of abuse of office and diversion of public funds in which the need to obtain information from your office becomes imperative,” stressed the letter.

“In view of the above, you are requested to kindly furnish this office with the details of the following information to enable us conclude our“Detailsinvestigation. of the amount donated and the account/ banks into which those funds were lodged.

CAF Confed Cup: Enyimba Fight Back to Hold Zamalek

Nigeria’s representatives in the CAF Confederation Cup, Enyimba FC, fought back from two goals down yesterday to draw 2-2 with Zamalek of Egypt in continuation of the group stage of the second-tier continental competition.

finances

accounts/banks into which those funds were lodged.

“Details of companies appointed as consultants for the Nigeria Football Federation and Professional Football League and any other information that may assist this office in this investigation.”

The anti-graft agency said the request was made in accordance to section 38 (1) and (2) of the EFCC establishment Act, 2004.

However, in a swift reaction to the letter, an aide of the NSC DG, Michael Obasi, expressed shock and dismay at how a section of the online media had sensationalized the issue and linked the barely two-month old NSC with the probe.

He described it as “malicious’, ‘very unprofessional’ and ‘an extreme case of distorted sensationalism.”

However, Enyimba showed their resilience by pulling a goal back in first half stoppage time through Ifeanyi Ihemekwele, before Ufere Chinedu equalised in the 57th minute.

Both teams had chances to win this encounter but good goalkeeping or poor finishing denied them.

The draw gave Enyimba their first points in the mini-league stage of the competition, while Zamalek now have four points from two matches. The home fans in Aba were left stunned with goals by Seifeddine Jaziri in the 33rd minute and Omar Faraj on 41 minutes.

Calabar Agog as Senator Enoh Hosts the Renewed Hope and People First Tennis Open

The Minister of State for Industry who once served Nigeria as the 36th Minister of Sports, Senator John Owan Enoh, hosted players from across Nigeria for the second edition of the Renewed Hope and People First National Tennis Open in Calabar at the weekend.

The finals held last Saturday on the hard court of the Calabar Sports Club 1898.

John Nubari and Rebecca Ekpenyong stole the show at the finals of the tournament after pipping their opponents Aliyah Precious and Timiprie Maxwell , to walk home with cash prizes, gifts and trophies.

With an electric crowd cheering the players' concerted efforts as hard hitters, who display wonderful backhand with utmost precision, playing very calculated games with their hands while talking with their racquets.

Speaking at the finals, Senator John Owan Enoh, who served Nigeria as the 36th sports minister and currently

the Honourable Minister of State for Industry, (FIMTI), made it clear, that although he was no longer Sports Minister, but he will continue to support the growth and development of tennis and football in Cross River State his home state.

“I will continue to give young Cross Riverians who show excellence and hard work, the platform to excel right to the zenith of tennis and football."

Senator John Enoh committed to increasing the prize money through every edition of the tournament ,and challenged players in the state to make it to the finals.

The Minister further announced his plan for a football talent hunt across Cross River State early in 2025.

He stated that early exposure is good for football talents. "This is a clarion call to Cross Riverians ,that there is an opportunity and early support for those who show seriousness to excell in tennis and football.

“While in the body of the story, there was nowhere it explained what the headline portrayed that the newly established Sports Commission is being investigated, it is therefore very easy to conclude that the writer was intentional in a bid to malign the newly established sports commission,” the statement read in part.

“As much as the leadership of the NSC under the Chairmanship of Mallam Shehu Dikko and Honourable Bukola Olopade as Director General, are media-friendly administrators, the commission will not accept a deliberate effort to damage the new brand that it’s starting to build.

“Setting the record very straight, it is important to state that the EFCC only asked the commission to furnish it with relevant documents concerning the Nigeria Football Federation.

“The EFCC did this because the National Sports Commission is the apex body of Sports in the country, which has all the various sports federations under it.

NPFL: Rangers Pip Rivers Utd as Remo Stars Return to the Top

Femi Solaja

Defending champions of the NPFL, Enugu Rangers, yesterday dislodged Rivers United from the top of the table with a lone-goal win at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium in Enugu but it was Remo Stars that profited with a 2-0 win against visiting El Kanemi Warriors at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne in a late kick-off.

With both top teams without some of their regulars who were in Super Eagles Team B preparing for the CHAN encounter against Ghana next week, hosts Enugu Rangers were on the front foot from the start putting the visiting Rivers United side on the edge but in the 18th minute, Collins Ugwueze puts the home side in front from closeAllrange.attempts by the visiting side to level up were unsuccessful till the end of the match. Rivers United, for the loss, dropped to second spot on 29 points. Rangers are third on the log on 27 points.

In Ikenne, Remo Stars’ domination of the first stanza earned two goals off Peter Onuoha in the 31st minute. The forward pounced on a goal post and rebounded for a header that beat El Kanemi Warriors' goalkeeper to the wrong side.

Franck Mawuena doubled the lead in the added time of the first half and the result put them back at the summit with 29 points.

In Yenagoa, high-ridding Ikorodu

City had to endure a late goal con- ceded in the 79th minute for the host Bayelsa United to secure a hard-earned win over the Oga Boys.

While in Jos, Coach Emmanuel Amuneke’s side Heartland were coasting home with another massive away win but host Plateau United turned the heat late in the second half to win at 3-2.

The host opened the score in the 6th minute via Anthony Sunday and held on till the end of the half but the visiting side turned the heat in the second half with two quick goals by Tobi Ige in the 51st and 57th minute.

But Anthony Sunday restored parity in the 70th minute and Mafeng Pam

scored the winner in the 90th minute.

The result dropped Heartland to the 13th position while Plateau United maintained the 15th position with 18 points. Kano Pillars were the better side with a lone goal win against visiting Katsina United and the only goal was scored by Abba Adam in the 33rd minute.

While Abia Warriors were 2-1 better against visiting Niger Tornadoes in Aba. Ijoma Desouza put the host in front in the 21st minute an own goal but Ernest Onyeka doubled the lead Ahmed Family pegged the score from the spot in the 90th minute.

Earlier on Saturday, Shooting Stars of Ibadan had secured a lone

Obaseki, Wife, Gift Edo Queens N10m for Nomination as CAF Women's Club of the Year

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The former Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and his wife, Betsy, haved doled out a N10 million cash reward to the players and technical crew of Edo Queens for their nomination as CAF Women’s Club of the Year. Obaseki and his wife who celebrated the team’s superlative performance at the just-concluded CAF Champions League, said Edo Queens have not only conquered Nigeria as the reigning champions

of the Nigerian Women's Football League (NWFL), but have also made their mark on the continental stage with their nomination as CAF Women’s Club of the Year.

In a statement by the Media Adviser to the former governor, Crusoe Osagie, Obaseki said the team's accomplishments highlight the profound impact of the investments and reforms implemented in the sports sector by his administration between 2016 and 2024, particularly in promoting grassroots sports development, creating opportunities, and

harnessing the sporting potential of women and youth in the State.

The statement reads, “We are delighted to announce a 10 million cash reward for the technical crew and players of our State’s women’s football team and Nigerian Women’s Premier League (NWPL) champions, Edo Queens, by His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his wife, Betsy, in recognition of the team's impressive performance at the just-concluded CAF Champions League and their subsequent nomination as CAF Women’s Club of the Year.

“Details of the releases made to NFF for the prosecution of the three major football tournaments aside budgetary allocations.

“Details of the amount donated by FIFA for the preparation of Super Falcons for the 2023 Women World Cup and the account /banks into

which those funds were lodge.

“Details of the amount donated by CAF for the participating in the final of the 2023 AFCON and the

Moses Simon scored a late winner as Nantes defeated Rennes 1-0 in a French Ligue 1 game yesterday

Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh (left), presenting trophy and cheque to Rebecca Ekpenyong, Winner (Female) of the Renewed Hope and People First National Tennis Open finals in Calabar...at the weekend

MISSILE

Shehu Sani to Northern Antagonists of Tax Bills

“This is the first time that a deliberate attempt is made to reset the Nigerian economy that has become stunted and parasitic over the years. The choice is for us in the country to continue to do things in the way of the past or look at the future areas of concern for us. We should stop intimidating our lawmakers and be the first to always complain against any policy as anti-North” --Former Kaduna State Senator, Shehu Sani, urges the North not to be against Tinubu’s administration because of the Tax reform bills.

MAHMUD JEGA

VIEW FROM THE GALLERY

Apart from stories of kidnapping, fraud and cost of living crisis which are the staple in Nigerian news media, the most “interesting” headlines I could find at the weekend were about policemen sealing an emir’s palace, labour strikes in some states to protest delay in paying the new minimum wage, epileptic restart of an oil refinery, a policeman who accidentally shot a governor’s sister that he was guarding, and the confusing debate over VAT sharing formula. Is that the best “news” we can generate? I therefore thought about some of the most interesting news stories I read in the last four and a half decades. I wish to recount some of them, in no particular order, with the hope that they will inspire Nigerian sub-editors to greater headline-casting feats.

In the early 1980s there was this competition in Europe to identify the most interesting of all possible newspaper headlines. Tens of thousands of entries were sent from all over the continent. After the panel of judges, all of them highly experienced newspaper editors, studied them, the winning entry was, “Pope elopes.” There can be no bigger story than this, the editors concluded.

I thought of the biggest advert irony. The Dutch beer firm Heineken used to place eye-

catching ads in all international newspapers and magazines. All of them ended with the legend underneath, “When you make a great beer, you don’t have a great fuss.” Then in 1983, Heineken Chairman/CEO Freddy Heineken was kidnapped in Amsterdam. The company’s executives shouted blue murder. In the opening sentence of its story about the incident,

Newsweek magazine stated, “The company’s advert says when you make a great beer, you don’t have to make a great fuss but last week, Heineken made a great fuss over the kidnap of its chairman.”

Here in Africa during the 1980s, we didn’t like British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher very much. While she was popularly known in Europe as the Iron Lady for her anti-communist, anti-union stand and her firm stand for British interests in European Union meetings, we hated her opposition to the international campaign to clamp sanctions against apartheid South Africa. We were not alone; Britain’s then powerful labour unions detested Mrs. Thatcher too. During one long strike, British steel workers held aloft a banner which read, “Smelt the Iron Lady.”

I sat up all night in November 2000AD to watch returns from the US presidential elections. Before it degenerated into recounts and dimple chads, CNN political analyst Bill Snyder delivered a memorable line. Democrat Al Gore had just won the key Great Lakes states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Ohio with immense help from the labour unions, which deployed hundreds of thousands of their members to mount a door-to-door, get out the vote out campaign. As he surveyed the returns, Schneider said, “Labour has delivered

DAKUKU PETERSIDE

BENEATH THE SURFACE

to Al Gore [he paused, nodded three times, then continued] big time.”

There was this story and picture in 1982 of the Italian Prime Minister Giovanni Spadolini. His fragile coalition government had collapsed, and after many weeks of haggling with his coalition partners, he managed to cobble together a new cabinet. It so happened that every minister made it back to the cabinet and to the same position he vacated. So, Newsweek stated, “Spadolini unveils his new cabinet [his old one].”

Unforgettable, to me at least, was a mid-1980s interview that the BBC Africa Editor Robin White had in Kampala with then Ugandan President Milton Obote. Daringly, he asked Obote if it was true that his friend, President Julius Nyerere of neighbouring Tanzania, gave him ideas of rule. Obote lost his temper. He said, with heavy East African-accented English, “You come here and insult me in my own capital? You say that somebody puts ideas in my head? You are not a good person!”

Memorably prophetic was a 1979 Newsweek magazine headline about the hanging of former Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto by the man who overthrew him, General Zia Ul-Haque. Haque went ahead with the hang-

Memory of Monster Tanaka Ghana on My Mind

In the heart of West Africa, where the echoes of drums narrate ancient tales of resilience, hope, and ambition, one nation rises as a luminous star in the ever-changing tapestry of democracy—Ghana. Its journey, marked by scars of struggle, is a testament to the resilience and determination of its people. Ghana’s democracy, like a river, carves its path through a region often engulfed by the shadows of political instability, offering more than just a model; it offers hope—a flickering yet determined flame that illuminates a region yearning for transformation.

For Nigeria, the region’s largest democracy, this light is both an invitation and a challenge. Despite its size, wealth, and influence, Nigeria struggles under the weight of its unrealised potential, grappling with systemic failures that have weakened its institutions and tested the faith of its people. Ghana’s journey is not just an inspiration for its neighbours; it is a call to action—a reminder that democracy is not a static state but a dynamic process that demands vigilance, sacrifice, and a relentless pursuit of the common good. Ghana’s story is not merely a narrative of governance; it is a powerful song of possibilities, a melody of what can be achieved when people and institutions unite to

of justice, equality, and peace. It is a message to Nigeria and allWest Africa: the future belongs to those who dare to shape it. Although fraught with multiple democratic missteps, Ghana towers above its neighbours in

upholding the democratic tenet of free and fair elections, with little incidence of intimidation, vote buying, box snatching, political thuggery and official manipulations of electoral outcomes that are common in Nigeria’s electoral history. Besides the militarism and coup de tat that is sweeping across West Africa, it is not touching Ghana where, although with its many challenges, the people have adopted democracy as their ultimate form of government and are doing everything possible to deepen and consolidate the democratic gains.

At the heart of Ghana’s democratic strength lies its commitment to fostering political accountability and citizen engagement. Unlike many West African nations where power often oscillates between authoritarian rule and fragile democratic experiments, Ghana has maintained a steady course of civilian governance for decades. Since its return to multiparty democracy in 1992, Ghana has conducted eight successful general elections, with peaceful transitions of power occurring between rival political parties. For instance, in 2001, Ghana witnessed a historic moment when power peacefully transitioned from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to the New Patriotic Party (NPP), setting a standard for political civility. 2009, this tradition continued as

the NPP handed power back to the NDC after a closely contested election. These transitions contrast sharply with Nigeria, where political transitions have often been marred by allegations of electoral fraud, violence, and post-election litigation that weaken public trust in the democratic process. Nigeria can draw significant lessons from Ghana’s ability to ensure smooth transitions of power. The peaceful handover of leadership in Ghana has been underpinned by the independence of its Electoral Commission (EC). Ghana’s EC has consistently exhibited professionalism, transparency, and impartiality, earning the confidence of both political parties and the electorate. By contrast, Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has faced numerous allegations of bias and logistical challenges, often leading to disputed results and eroded trust. For example, during Nigeria’s 2019 general elections, reports of logistical delays and allegations of vote-buying cast a shadow over the process. Nigeria must strengthen INEC’s independence, provide adequate resources, and ensure that it operates free from political interference. Adopting Ghana’s approach

Former Ugandan President Milton Obote Ghana’s president-elect, John Mahama