TUESDAY 1ST APRIL 2025

Nigerian Billionaire, Adebayo Ogunlesi, Leads

BlackRock’s $23bn Acquisition of Panama Canal Ports

Months after President Donald Trump had been hammering Panama over its most valuable asset,

BlackRock, a giant American asset manager, has agreed to buy two ports in the place owned by a Hong Kong company. BlackRock will buy the ports, which sit at either end of the canal,

and over 40 others from the Hong Kong conglomerate, CK Hutchison, for about $23 billion. Though Trump has other complaints about the canal, he said it charges too much. President José Raúl Mulino of

Panama appeared to downplay the geopolitical implications of the proposed acquisition, describing the deal in a social media post as “a global transaction, between private companies, motivated by mutual interests.”

Adebayo Ogunlesi, Founding Partner, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a subsidiary of BlackRock, will lead the move to acquire the key

port operations near the Panama Canal in the deal. As part of the agreement, GIP will manage the newly acquired

Continued on page 10

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Outrage over Uromi Killings as Akpabio Okpebholo, Barau, NASFAT, Condemn Act

For Their Impact in Business, Politics, Media, Others, ARISE NEWS Honours 80 Unstoppable Women

Okonjo Iweala advocates diversity in appointment, right training, experience Jonathan: I gave more appointment to women than any Nigerian president Sanwo-olu, Atedo, Fola Adeola, others, grace event French Far-right Leader, Marine Le Pen, Found Guilty of Embezzlement, Barred from 2027 Polls...

JONATHAN GETS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

the Panama Canal, an investment group led by

L-R: Mr. Eyimofe Atake, SAN; Former President Goodluck Jonathan; and Mr. Abiodun Owonikoko, SAN, presenting the THISDAY Lifetime Achievement Award to Jonathan during the ARISE Gala: Honouring Women of Impact, held at Eko Hotel, Lagos, yesterday PHOTO KuNLE OGuNFuYI

sector during Arise Gala, Women of Impact held at Eko Hotel ...y

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Co-founder of GTCO Group, Fola Adeola; His wife, Hajara; and Olori Elizabeth Ogunwusi, during the presentation of the THISDAY Lifetime Achievement Award to Mr. Adeola at the ARISE Gala: Honouring Women of Impact, held at Eko Hotel, Lagos, yesterday PHOTO KuNLE OGuNFuYI

Continued

Adedayo Akinwale, Sunday Aborisade in Abuja, Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City, Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano and Ayodeji Ake in Lagos

The recent mob killing in Uromi, Edo State, has continued to spark

MUSLIM LEADERS AND FAITHFUL CELEBRATE EID-EL-FITR WITH DIRI...

Bayelsa

Otobo, and other Muslim leaders and faithful, during their Eidel-Fitr visit to the governor’s country home in Sampou community, yesterday

NSIA Grew Net Assets

N3.74

James Emejo in Abuja

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), yesterday, disclosed that its net assets increased by 96 per cent to N4.35 trillion in December 2024, nearly doubling the N2.22 trillion recorded 2023.

The authority has remained profitable for 12 consecutive years, leading to cumulative retained earnings of N3.74 trillion in 2024.

NSIA made the revelations in a statement issued by Head, Corporate Communications, Joyce Onyegbula, highlighting its audited financial results for the 2024 fiscal year.

The results underscored the resilience of the authority’s investment strategy and the strength of its earnings, driven by a welldiversified revenue base and robust risk management practices, despite a challenging global macroeconomic and geopolitical environment, the statement added.

Total operating profits, excluding share of profits from associates and Joint Venture (JV) entities, increased from N1.17 trillion in 2023 to N1.86 trillion in 2024, driven by the strong performance of NSIA’s diversified investment portfolio, infrastructure assets, gains from foreign exchange movements, and derivative valuations.

In addition, Total Comprehensive Income (TCI), inclusive of share of profits from associates and JV entities, reached N1.89 trillion in 2024,

reflecting a 59 per cent increase from N1.18 trillion in 2023.

Core TCI (excluding foreign exchange and derivative valuation gains) rose by 148 per cent to N407.9 billion in 2024 compared to N164.7 billion in 2023, supported by robust returns on financial assets measured at fair value through profit and loss, including collateralised securities, private equity, hedge funds, and Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs).

Managing Director/Chief Executive, NSIA, Mr. Aminu Umar-Sadiq, said the authority’s outstanding financial performance in 2024 reflected the “strength of our strategic vision, disciplined execution and unwavering commitment to sustainable socioeconomic advancement”.

Umar-Sadiq stated, “By leveraging innovation, strategic partnerships and sound risk management, we have not only delivered strong returns but also created value for our stakeholders.

“As we move forward, we remain focused on driving economic transformation, expanding opportunities, scaling transformative impact and ensuring long-term prosperity for current and future generations of Nigerians.”

Umar-Sadiq reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to managing the country’s SWF, and delivering the mandates enshrined in the NSIA Act.

He said NSIA remained poised to continually create long-term value for its stakeholders by delivering excellent risk-adjusted financial

results, developing a healthy and well-diversified portfolio of assets and large-scale infrastructure projects, and enhancing the desired social outcomes.

Umar-Sadiq also said NSIA was committed to its mandate of prudent management and investment of Nigeria’s sovereign wealth.

He said, “In adherence to its Establishment Act, NSIA prioritises transparency, disclosure, and effective

communication with all stakeholders and counterparties.”

The statement added that in the year under review, a new board, led by Mr. Olusegun Ogunsanya as Chairman, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu, in accordance with the provisions of the NSIA Act.

The new board will provide strategic direction and oversight, in addition to playing a pivotal role in critical decision making.

It stated that under the guidance of the board, the authority will retain focus on its primary mandate of creating shared value for all stakeholders based on its continued adoption of corporate governance practices.

NSIA is an investment institution of the federation set up to manage funds in excess of budgeted hydrocarbon revenues. Its mission is to play a leading role in driving sustained

economic development for the benefit of all Nigerians through building a savings base for the Nigerian people, enhancing the development of the county’s infrastructure, and providing stabilisation support in times of economic stress.

Essentially, NSIA operates three mandate funds, including the Stabilisation Fund, Future Generations Fund, and the Nigeria Infrastructure Fund.

Concern Mounts over House of Reps Threat to Arrest NIMC DG

There is growing concern among some Nigerians over the inability of the House of Representatives to make good its threat to arrest Director-General of National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Mrs. Bisoye Coker-Odusote, for failure to appear before it to answer questions bordering on alleged breach of contract.

The House had summoned Coker-Odusote over the commission’s refusal to pay for a state-of-the-art software development project executed by a private company, Truid Limited.

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions invited the NIMC director-general to appear before it to explain the commission’s failure to pay for the job executed by Truid Limited for NIMC.

Coker-Odusote had yet to honour the committee’s invitation in person.

The House committee chairman, Hon. Mike Etaba was angered by the NIMC DG’s failure to appear before the committee to personally address the allegation after repeated invitations. Last month, Etaba issued a stern warning to order the Inspector-General of Police to arrest her if she did not appear before the committee at its next hearing, which

was fixed for March 13. However, more than two weeks after the committee’s sitting of March 13, there was no indication that Coker-Odusote honoured the committee’s invitation by personally appearing before it.

During the committee’s sitting of February11, the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions had threatened to order the director-general’s arrest. The committee said it would make good the threat if Coker-Odusote failed to come in person.

In a statement by Media Head, Public Petitions Committee of the House of Representatives, Chooks Oko, the committee chairman stated, “If she fails to show up at the next hearing of this case, we’ll have no

option than to ask the InspectorGeneral of Police to bring her.”

The statement added that the private company, Truid Limited, which executed the state-of-theart software development project, was alleging a breach of licence agreement by NIMC. It said E. R. Opara, counsel to Truid Limited, stated that the contract was premised on an arrangement whereby the Truid Limited funded, developed and deployed the “tokenisation system project” without any financial obligation from NIMC. But in a new development, THISDAY gathered that the matter had been stepped down for now, with a plan to take the case on an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) route.

Sunday Ehigiator

Glo Foundation, Globacom’s Corporate Social Responsibility arm, donated food packs to indigent residents of Ikota Community, Lagos, over the weekend.

The Foundation executed the initiative in collaboration with the Lagos Food Bank Initiative.

Speaking at the event, Senior Manager, Glo Foundation, Mr. Ufuoma Dogun, explained that the initiative is part of the Foundation’s long term initiative to alleviate the burden of hunger which indigent communities experience.

“Like we all know, times are hard, and part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, after poverty, which is number one, is zero hunger. We are doing our part

to support the zero hunger initiative.

“For this project, we decided to collaborate with Lagos Food Bank because we needed a partner that has done this for a long time and has a record of excellence. This is the first time we are having an outreach of this nature in this part of Ikota, and we plan to reach as many people as possible.

“While the initiative has started in Lagos, Dogun revealed that plans are underway to reach indigent communities across the nation. The Food Drive would continue every quarter with a long-term vision to catalyse entrepreneurship for sustainable progress. This long-term dream, he said, would be engineered in communities through backward integration in training and business mentorship.

“This is just the beginning of this initiative. For now, we have identified five locations across the nation as Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kaduna, kano and one other state. One of the discussions we are having.

“Working with the Lagos Food Bank team is backward integration in terms of empowerment. We are also looking at how we can reach people in underserved areas across the country with Healthcare, education, and business,” Dogun said.

Speaking on the CSR, the Managing Director of Lagos Food Bank Initiative, Mr. Michael Sunbola, explained that the CSR put together by Glo Foundation in collaboration with the Lagos Food Bank Initiative is a celebration of how much can be achieved through collaboration. According to him, “Collaboration

like this is necessary to bring relief to our communities, to uplift our people and reach them in harsh economic situations. We have to continue to come together, leverage on partnerships and reach out to more communities.”

On her part, a beneficiary of the programme who spoke with THISDAY, Mrs. Ruth Wasiu, explained that the food packs would provide financial relief to her family.

Sharing information on the content of the box and her gratitude for it, she said, “The box contains a pet bottle of vegetable oil, a mini bag of rice, a pack of seasoning cubes, noodles, salt, tooth brushes, amongst others. I feel happy because I have children, and if I had to cook for them on my own today, I would spend more than 20,000.”

private companies such as SpaceX, China’s ByteDance and Stripe.

Emma Okonji

State Governor, Senator Douye Diri (middle), flanked on his left by the State Chairman, Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Yakubu

WOMEN ALLYING WOMEN ORGANISED BY ELEVATE AFRICA...

L-R: CEO, Elevate Africa, Daniel Ikuenobe; Founder, Uriel Impact Generation Politician, Yarya Portia Klu; Founder, WILAN Global, Abosede George-Ogan; Economic Development Strategist & Founder, Sukume Consulting, Vuyelwa Nyakaza; Founder, Elevate Africa & Royal, HRM Olori Atuwatse III; Gender Advocate & Founder, Hijabi Mentorship Program, Nimah N’zani Kassim; Founder & Producer, IVEDIA Hub Integrated, Nicolette Ndigwe-Kalu; and Biotech Executive & Venture Strategist, Ngomah Temukum, during Women Allying Women organised by Elevate Africa in Warri, Delta State… recently

French Far-right Leader, Marine Le Pen, Found

Guilty of Embezzlement, Barred from 2027 Polls

56-year-old politician handed suspended jail time

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The French far-right leader. Marine Le Pen, has been barred from running for president in 2027 after a court found her guilty of a vast system of embezzlement of European parliament funds and banned her from running for public office with immediate effect.

The decision was a political earthquake for Le Pen, the leader of the far-right anti-immigration National Rally (RN) party, who had hoped to mount a fourth campaign to become president,

the UK Guardian reported.

The RN, the single largest party in the French parliament, reacted with fury, calling the sentence a travesty and an attack on democracy, backed by some politicians on the traditional right.

The party’s president, Jordan Bardella, 29, who could be seen as a replacement presidential candidate despite his relative inexperience, said: “Today it is not only Marine Le Pen who was unjustly condemned: it was French democracy that was killed.”

Judges handed Le Pen, 56, a

five-year ban on running for public office with the added provision that it will take immediate effect and will apply despite the fact that she is appealing against the verdict.

Le Pen, who left the court before the hearing had finished, was also sentenced to four years in prison with two years suspended and the other two to be served outside jail with an electronic bracelet. She was handed a €100,000 (£84,000) fine. Neither the prison penalty nor fine will be applied until her appeals are exhausted, a process that could take years.

In the front row of the court, Le Pen showed no immediate reaction when the judge declared her guilty. But she grew more agitated and shook her head in disagreement as the judge said her party had illegally used European funds for its own benefit.

At one point, Le Pen whispered: “Incredible”. She then abruptly left without warning, before her sentence had been handed down.

Louis Aliot, the RN vice-president and mayor of Perpignan, who was also found guilty, said Le Pen’s sentence was an “intrusion” into

Tinubu Rejoices with Banking Guru, Jim Ovia, on Admission to Freedom of City of London

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu rejoiced with the founder and chairman of Zenith Bank Plc., Mr Jim Ovia, on his admission to the prestigious Freedom of the City of London.

the electoral process which would “leave an indelible stain on the history of our democracy”.

Le Pen’s lawyer, Rodolphe Bosselut said: “It’s a blow to democracy.”

Laurent Jacobelli, an RN lawmaker and party spokesperson, said Le Pen was in a “fighting mood”.

Le Pen’s niece, Marion Maréchal, also accused the court’s judges of “thinking about themselves as above the … people” and claimed that Le Pen had only been condemned because she was “leading our side on the path to victory.”

The French Socialist party said in a statement that the “independence of the justice system and the rule of law” must be respected by all. But Laurent Wauquiez, of the traditional right Les Républicains party, said it was a “very heavy and exceptional sentence” that was “not very healthy in democracy”.

the European parliament and their 12 parliamentary assistants, were found guilty of a vast scheme over many years to embezzle European parliament funds, by using money earmarked for European parliament assistants to instead pay party workers in France.

The so-called fake jobs system covered parliamentary assistant contracts between 2004 and 2016, and was unprecedented in scale and duration, causing losses of €4.5 million to European taxpayer funds. Assistants paid by the European parliament must work directly on Strasbourg parliamentary matters, which the judges found had not been the case.

Admission to the Freedom of the City of London is an honour bestowed on individuals either for their service to the city or for their achievements.

The president, in a release issued on Monday by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the honour as a fitting recognition of Ovia’s exceptional contributions to business, innovation, and technology.

It was also a testament to Ovia’s role in shaping Nigeria’s financial landscape and strengthening economic ties between Africa and the rest of the world.

According to Tinubu, “This honour is a testament to your unwavering commitment to excellence, your pioneering role in the growth of the

2027: Oil & Gas Host Communities’ Leaders Canvass Tinubu’s Re-election

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The leaders and people of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM) have urged President Bola Tinubu to contest the 2027 presidential election.

They said his reelection would enable him to continue his reforms aimed at Nigeria’s economic recovery, stability, and growth.

The President of HOSTCOM, Chief Benjamin Style Tamaranabi, who made the call at a news conference in Abuja, yesterday, said it was clear that Tinubu’s leadership has been a turning point for the nation.

Tamaranabi explained, “The President’s strategic policies and bold reforms have set Nigeria on a path to prosperity, and it is imperative that we consolidate these gains rather than disrupt the progress made so far.

“Now and then, a leader emerges, who understands the pulse of the people, feels their struggles, and dares to change the course of history.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is that leader.

“The weight of expectations was heavy when he assumed office. Nigeria was at a crossroads. Crude oil production dwindled, debt servicing consumed nearly all revenue.

“With the audacity of a man, who has walked this path before, President Tinubu rolled up his sleeves and got to work.

“In nearly two years, the results speak for themselves,” he said.

Tamaranabi who was surrounded by some leaders and traditional rulers of the oil and gas host communities said the Grand Patron of HOSTCOM, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), was fully in support of their action.

He added, “We took this position after a thorough evaluation and critical appraisal of President Tinubu’s performance in less than two years of his first term.

“In obedience of clearly unambiguous directives of our Grand Patron, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, believe that our President should remain in office till 2031 to enable him to conclude

all ongoing development initiatives of his administration across the six geopolitical zones of the country.”

The HOSTCOM President said Tinubu had been to a very great extent, reduce crime and criminal activities in the oil rich Niger Delta region.

He said, “For decades, oil theft and pipeline vandalism have crippled Nigeria’s economy.

“The twin cancerous maladies also destroyed the normal life of our people. President Tinubu, through his strategic partnerships with Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) and other security agencies, has reduced oil theft to historic lows.

“The oil and gas sector—long left for dead—has staged a stunning comeback. Crude oil production has jumped from a shameful 600,000 barrels per day to a respectable 1.8 million.

“Nigeria is earning its rightful place in the global oil market for the first time in years.

“Perhaps the most significant win has been on security, particularly in the oil-producing Niger Delta.

financial services sector in Nigeria, and your visionary leadership that continues to inspire generations.

“As an accomplished entrepreneur and advocate of innovation-driven development, your recognition in the City of London affirms the global relevance of Nigerian excellence and enterprise.”

The president commended Ovia for being a distinguished ambassador of the country’s private sector and wished him continued success in his endeavours.

François-Xavier Bellamy, a member of the European parliament for Les Républicains, said: “Whatever you think of the RN and this case, today is a dark day for French democracy.”

International politicians on the populist right criticised the sentence, including the Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders. In an apparent display of solidarity, the Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, declared: “I am Marine.”

Le Pen and 24 party members, including nine former members of

Le Pen will be able to retain her current post as member of the French parliament for Pas-de-Calais, but will not be able to stand again in a future parliamentary election for the duration of her ban on running for office.

Le Pen took over the leadership of the Front National from her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, in 2011 and began a drive to sanitise the party’s jackbooted, antisemitic image.

She renamed the party National Rally in 2018, wanting it to be viewed as a potential governing force, not just a protest movement, and has run for president three times, twice making it to the final run-off against Emmanuel Macron.

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt Stakeholders and host communities of Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) in Rivers, Imo and Abia states have commended Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), the surveillance company responsible for securing the TNP for the services they have been rendering since they were contracted by the federal government.

This is as the stakeholders have urged the federal government to be fair in their dealings with oil host communities in the areas, demanding for a clear explanation of what the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) stands for.

The demand was made yesterday, at a stakeholders’ engagement organised by PINL in Port Harcourt.

During the interactive session, the stakeholders noted that since

the takeover of protection of the pipelines by PINL, the TNP trunk line has witnessed improved production running into billions of dollars for the country as the line has recorded zero infractions except for the recent past weeks.

In his speech, President of the Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Kennedy Tonjo-West, said PINL has saved the country billions of dollars by virtue of their surveillance activities.

He commended the company for their continuous engagement with host communities and called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), to come out with plans for host communities in the region for their years of support and cooperation.

He said: “We have a credible company like PINL who have laboured, they are people friendly,

they know how to go about securing pipelines.

“PINL is doing a credible job. I want to thank the management. You have saved billions of naira for the Federal Government but I want to say, how is it reflecting on the communities from the angle of the NNPCL?” Tonjo-West challenged communities to continue putting in more efforts in ensuring the pipelines are safe while urging the federal government to be fair to host communities.

“We have been cooperative, we have been very supportive, in terms of ensuring the federal government seamlessly carries out oil production. We want to use this privilege to urge the federal government to ensure that they make host communities understand what’s in there for them,” he added.

Naira-for-Crude Policy Expires, HURIWA Seeks Continuation

Group says stoppage will throw more Nigerians into poverty

Negotiation between FG, Dangote refinery continues without agreement

Okocha and Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The naira-for-crude for crude policy agreed between the Dangote refinery and the federal government for six months in the first instance, expired yesterday, without the parties finding a middle ground in their prolonged negotiations.

The deal expired as the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure a continuation of the initiative between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and indigenous refineries.

THISDAY recalls that the Nairafor-Crude policy is an initiative by the Nigerian government aimed at bolstering the domestic refining sector and reducing reliance on foreign exchange for crude oil transactions.

Launched in October 2024, the policy enables local refineries, notably the Dangote Petroleum refinery, to purchase crude oil in Nigerian naira rather than US dollars. The primary objectives are to alleviate pressure on the naira, minimise transaction costs, and enhance the availability of petroleum products within Nigeria.

Under the arrangement, the NNPC supplies crude oil to domestic refineries, which in turn provide refined petroleum products for the local market, all transactions conducted in naira. The strategy aims to stabilise fuel prices and support the local currency by reducing the demand for foreign exchange in the

oil sector.

However, the policy has encountered challenges. The Dangote refinery had recently temporarily suspended fuel sales in naira due to discrepancies between naira sales and dollar-denominated crude purchases. The suspension raised concerns about potential increases in petrol prices and added pressure on the naira, as market participants might seek US dollars for transactions.

But despite these hurdles, discussions between NNPC and the Dangote refinery are ongoing to potentially renew and extend the naira-based crude supply agreement, with the aim of addressing supply issues and ensuring the policy’s sustainability.

As the parties have failed to reach an agreement, it has raised anxiety in the downstream oil and gas sector. The uncertainty has also led to the raising of petrol from about N860/ litre to over N930/litre within one week.

But HURIWA, in the statement, stressed that any change in the arrangement could result in sudden and indiscriminate hikes in the pump prices of petroleum products, transportation, goods and services and inflation.

A statement by Emmanuel Onwubiko, National Coordinator of HURIWA, appealed to Tinubu to direct his Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Finance, Wale Edun, to transparently and rapidly reach agreement to continue the naira-to-crude-deal with local crude

oil refineries.

HURIWA stated: “We make this public supplication and appeal because any alteration to this deal would mean excruciating hardships and the massive affliction of poverty on millions of the already suffering, struggling and multidimensionally poor households.

“Political leadership is not about theatrics or empty rhetorics but leadership ought to be embedded in the virtues of compassion, care for humanity and implementation of economic policies with human face.

“It is only when the interests of

the greatest percentage of the citizens are satisfied that a central or regional government can be assessed to have kept faith with the constitutionally guaranteed principles of transparency, accountability and promotion of the public good. The security and welfare of the citizenry is the primary lawful duty of the government.”

HURIWA stated that based on its assessment of the public perception of the failure to keep the implementation of the naira-to-crude deal, many Nigerians would be thrown out of work, given that the operational costs of running small and medium scale

businesses that depend of privately generated electricity power supply which come basically from petrolpowered generators, would shut down businesses and eventually sack of thousands of private sector workers.

It also said even citizens working with federal agencies and state governments would be in severe difficulties to meet up with the anticipated hikes in transportation and costs of living as a result of upward adjustments in the prices of petroleum products and the persistent poor salaries that the public sector

workers earned. HURIWA noted that there was a general climate of public anxiety not only in the downstream of the oil and gas sector as operators await the decision of the federal government on the naira-for-crude deal between the NNPC and the Dangote Petroleum refinery. The rights group argued that the most affected segment of the society were the over 133 million multi-dimensionally poor households going by the old 2018 statistical data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Operators Move to Avert Threats to Telecoms’ Critical Infrastructure

Disturbed by the willful destruction of telecoms infrastructure across the country which leads to disruptions in telecoms services such as incessant drop calls and disconnection of voice calls and data, telecoms operators under the aegis of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), met in Lagos recently to develop a multi-stakeholder action plan for the protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) assets in the telecoms sector.

The meeting, which was a gather-

ing of high-level stakeholders in the industry, included regulators and law enforcement agencies, and was hosted by IHS Nigeria, part of the IHS Holding Limited and developers of shared communications infrastructure.

Recognising the importance of communications infrastructure as the backbone of national security, economic growth and social cohesion, the stakeholders agreed on the urgent need for collaborative solutions to ensure the protection of vital telecoms assets in Nigeria.

The meeting was attended by senior representatives from the tele-

communications stakeholder groups and regulatory bodies, including the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), ALTON, the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), and the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency, (LASIMRA).

Also in attendance were representatives from the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), and InfraCos as well as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the security agency tasked with the protection of Critical National Infrastructure across the country.

Army Arrests 39 Oil Thieves, Destroys 18 Illegal Refining Sites in N’Delta

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The 6 Division, Nigerian Army has announced the arrest of 39 suspected oil thieves in the Niger Delta region.

In a statement yesterday, by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Danjuma Jonah, disclosed that troops of the division also dismantled 18 illegal refining sites in the region.

Danjuma explained that the achievements were part of the ongoing crackdown against Crude Oil Theft (COT) as well as other associated crimes conducted in the region from March 24 to 30, 2025.

He further explained that the

operations which were conducted across the Joint Operations Area (JOA) with sister agencies, led to the confiscation of over 60,000 litres of stolen products and other items recovered.

According to Danjuma “The operations conducted in Rivers State, along Ochokocho Road in Etche Local Government Area led to the interception of an inbuilt fabricated twin tank stocked with 18,000 litres of stolen products. “Additionally, a MAN Diesel container body truck with Reg LXA 44 XA concealed with bags of Sawdust, conveying unquantified quantity of stolen products was

intercepted. The suspects fled on sighting troops.”

He also revealed that, “along the Imo River, the anti COT operations progressed with several illegal refining sites, drum pots and receivers taken out, with over 15,000 litres of stolen products recovered. While around Rumuekpe Forest in Ahoada East LGA, two illegal refining sites with over 2,800 litres of stolen products confiscated. Other seizures were made around Ebocha, Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA.”

He said troops also closed up on oil thieves at Jelikri Creek in Degema LGA, with several illegal

refining sites dismantled, drum ovens, receivers, hoses, metal pipes destroyed.

In Yenagoa LGA, Bayelsa State, two illegal refining sites, containing drums and cooking ovens with over 8,000 litres of stolen crude in drums and sacks were confiscated.

“At Okighene in Southern Ijaw LGA, one illegal refining site with over 1,500 litres of crude oil and 300 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) recovered.

“At Egbokodo Itsekiri Community in Warri South LGA, Delta State, troops confiscated several jerricans filled with illegally refined AGO and destroyed several cellophanes

bags used for the criminality. While in Akwa Ibom State, troops have dominated the operations landscape making it impossible for the criminals to have freedom of action,” Danjuma further disclosed.

Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Emekah has charged the troops to upscale the crackdown against oil thieves, and sustain the enabling environment for exploration activities to thrive seamlessly.

Emekeh warned oil thieves to turn a new leaf and engage in legitimate means of livelihood or be ready to face the wrath of the law.

Following extensive deliberations, the stakeholders resolved to establish a working group dedicated to addressing key industry challenges, including the vandalisation and theft of telecommunications infrastructure, arbitrary shutdown of base stations, fiber cuts due to road construction and the denial of access by unauthorised individuals by leveraging technology for realtime monitoring and protection, strengthening security measures around telecommunications sites and collaborating more with the security and regulatory agencies to mitigate the challenges. The stakeholders underscored the need to prioritise deterrence and prevention of the incidents and highlighted the importance of public awareness campaigns to sensitise the host communities and public of the need to protect telecommunications infrastructure in their localities.

Senior Vice President & Chief Corporate Services Officer of IHS Nigeria, Dapo Otunla, said: “The protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure has been a critical concern for all industry stakeholders.

“We are experiencing daily losses of assets, which significantly impacted on the quality of service delivered to subscribers. Addressing the issues is paramount to sustaining Nigeria’s digital ecosystem and meeting regulatory expectations.”

Chuks

Emma Okonji

The Vice President of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), Mrs Chidinma Obiejesi; The Aragbiji of Iragbiji, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi (JP); President & Chairman of the Governing Council, CIPM, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir; National Treasurer of CIPM, Mrs. Ogochukwu Egbuonu; Registrar/Chief Executive, Ms Oluwatoyin Naiwo; and the Guest Speaker, Mr. Samuel Olu Laluwoye, at the 62nd Specialised Induction Ceremony of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), held in Osun State, Nigeria… recently

Chiemelie Ezeobi and Sunday Ehigiator

Arise News Television, last night, honoured some 80 formidable women of substance, who had made significant impact in business, politics, and media, amongst other thriving human endeavours.

Themed the ‘Arise Gala for Women Making Impact’, in commemoration of the International Women’s Month (IWM) 2025, the initiative was in recognition of their impacts in Nigeria and across the global stage.

From policy to finance, innovation and technology, arts, media, entertainment and even health, the event underscored the pivotal roles women play in driving economic growth and fostering opportunities.

Practically all the speakers at the event concurred with the notion that, when women thrive, economies of nations prosper, and doors to greater possibilities open.

This, however, was why the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, advocated diversity in appointment in the private and the public sectors in Nigeria, and proper training and experience for women, if they must ‘shatter ceilings’, like their male counterparts.

Held at the Eko Convention Center Lagos, the event played host to several industry leaders, as well as past and present public office holders and technocrats.

These important guests included former President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Founder of Stanbic IBTC, Atedo Peterside; the Managing Director, Eleganza, Shade Okoya; and First Female Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa, amongst others.

The award presentation, divided into 10 categories, started with the ‘Global Recognition for Contribution to Fashion Across Africa’ Award Category.

Other categories were the Global Leaders and Policymakers Award, Government and Politics Award, Business and Finance Award, Energy, Oil and Gas Award, Technology and Innovation Award, Fashion Award, Media, Entertainment and Arts Award, Philanthropy and Advocacy Award, Healthcare and Social Impact Award, and Justice, Law and Security Award.

In their opening remarks, the duo of Efe and Eka Obaigbena, took the audience through the several notable contributions of women to the rich history of Nigeria.

They traversed through the stories of the great Aba women, Queen Idia, Stella Adadevoh, Funmilayo Ransome Kuti and Margaret Ekpo, amongst others, highlighting how they laid the path for other women to thrive even long after their generations.

Okonjo-Iweala, who later spoke on how women could break barriers across the private and the public sectors, in an exclusive interview with ARISENEWS CHANNEL, noted that, structurally, women in leadership positions had to make sure that they had other women in the succession pipeline.

“I can tell you that times have changed and what I’m proud to say is that I meet so many women with the qualifications because we often used

assets in partnership with Terminal Investment Limited (TIL) and other strategic partners.

Under Ogunlesi’s leadership, GIP has grown into the world’s largest independent infrastructure manager, overseeing more than $100 billion in assets. The firm’s infrastructure equity funds alone account for $60 billion of its portfolio, reinforcing its position as a global leader in infrastructure investment For BlackRock, it’s the latest sign of its desire to expand beyond what it has historically been known for — managing trillions of dollars for everyday investors in stock and bond funds. BlackRock is buying the ports through GIP, an investment firm it bought last year for almost $13 billion that owns and operates many ports, airports and data centres.

The conversations between the BlackRock-led consortium and executives at CK Hutchison, which is owned by the Li family, one of Asia’s wealthiest, began a few weeks ago, according to a person familiar with the discussions.

The Li family believed it was under political pressure to exit

to hear, oh, we don’t have women who have these qualifications.

“So, we need to make sure if we are going to break the glass ceiling in different areas that we have the right training and the right experience. So that cannot be an excuse. That is on that side and I do see progress there.

“I think the second issue comes from us. We women also have to be ready to take up these challenges when the opportunity arises. And sometimes it’s a bit of a risk.

“If you are called up to take up a difficult leadership position, there are those who are willing to take these risks and see them as opportunities and go for it. And others may be risk averse. So, I just encourage women, when the opportunity arises, go for it. You have the right qualifications, why not?

“Third, men have to be willing to support, to open the way for those structurally who are in control of making the opportunities available. And more often than not, men. And so in their minds, they may not really be against women, but they are just used to seeing other men in these positions.

“And we need to persuade them to open up their minds and be supportive so that women can compete. Women are not asking for a handout or to be put in when they are not qualified. No.

“Let them compete and they will get the jobs. Totally understandable. Changing the current status quo is definitely something that’s multifaceted.

“We also know from the World Economic Forum numbers and other studies that if we are to close the global gender gap, it might take us more than 130 or more years to do that. So the pace of change is too slow. We also know that there are particular parts of professions where women are not making progress as fast as they could.

“If you look at politics, for example, only a handful of women have led

widespread outrage across Nigeria, with many prominent leaders seeking justice for the victims.

Although initial reports indicated that 16 travellers were killed, THISDAY can authoritatively confirm that the actual number of deceased individuals stands at seven, while 14 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.

The victims, mostly of Northern extraction, were said to have been travelling from Port Harcourt to Kano for the Eid al-Fitr celebrations, when they were intercepted by local security personnel, who discovered locally made weapons in their vehicle.

While this led to suspicion of criminal activity, new information from Major General Cecil Esekhaigbe (Rtd.), who appeared on Arise News yesterday, revealed that the victims had rebuffed attempts to search them and struck one of the vigilante first, which triggered the attack.

“The vigilante had information that they were carrying arms. In the process of trying to search them, one of the travelers stabbed one of the vigilante guys, and hell was let loose- ultimately triggering the violent mob attack that claimed their lives,” he said. Meanwhile, President of the Senate,

the ports business, particularly its holdings in the Panama Canal, the person said, according to the New York Times.

The Panama Canal provides a crucial shortcut, connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Vessels do not need to stop at Panama’s ports to go through the canal. Trump has frequently said he wants the United States to retake control of the waterway, which it ceded to Panama in 2000.

In a joint statement by BlackRock Consortium and CK Hutchison, seen by THISDAY, both companies said they were pleased to announce that they had reached in principle agreements whereby the BlackRock-TiL Consortium will acquire 90 per cent interests in Panama Ports Company, which owns and operates the ports of Balboa and Cristobal in Panama.

“The Transaction will proceed separately on confirmation by the Government of Panama of the proposed terms of the purchase and sale. Acquisition of the HPH Ports Sale Perimeter will proceed on an expedited basis subject to the BlackRock-TiL Consortium

countries in this world. And this is the 21st century. In our own country, Nigeria, I just said the other day at another talk or speech that I gave, we’ve not even had a female governor, let alone a female leader of the country.

“The percentage of women in our parliament is one of the lowest on the continent, let alone the world. So, in science and technology, we need to make progress. We find we are not making as fast an advance as we should.

“So, structurally, what do we do? I think I’m somebody who is a strong believer in merit. But I think we have to couple merit sometimes with saying we just need diversity. The economic losses arising from not having women go to positions is vast.

“There are estimates that if women would have the same opportunities as men, the world would have 26 or so trillion to double GDP. This is from a case study. We know that when you educate a woman, she educates her household, adds to household income, to community income, and to national income.”

Former President Jonathan, In his acceptance speech, declared that he gave more appointments to women during his tenure as president than any other president Nigeria has ever done.

His words: “Thank you so much for spending quite some time here. I didn’t want to take much of your time. But first, let me appreciate the Arise and THISDAY family for this series of awards, especially to the Duke, Prince Nduka Obaigbena.

“When people are recognised, it’s significant because it sends a message to others. And for today, it is actually the day we are celebrating our women.

“For the women, I have to thank you very sincerely. You are recognised because of your hard work, because of your dedication, and because of your resilience, and you’re able to get to the level you’ve got, and you have

Godswill Akpabio, yesterday described the killings as a senseless act of violence, saying it is unacceptable and have no place in the Nigerian society.

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, who visited families of those killed in Kano, promised to pay compensation, and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Deputy Senate President, Jibril Barau, reiterated the need to bring the perpetrators to book to serve as a deterrent to others, who might be keen to administer jungle justice.

Chief Missioner of NasrulLahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT), Imam Maroofdeen AbdulAzeez Onike, also condemned the brutal killing of the travellers.

The minority caucus in the House of Representatives called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the security agencies to investigate the killings and bring all those involved to book in order to prevent a recurrence.

A mob had on Thursday intercepted some travellers, numbering 16, who were on their way to Kano State for the Sallah celebrations, ransacked their vehicle, and gruesomely murdered them. The victims were from Kano State.

In a statement yesterday by his

conducting normal and usual confirmatory due diligence, settlement of definitive documentation, receipt of any necessary regulatory approvals, amongst others.

“The aggregate Enterprise Value for 100 per cent of HPH Ports Sale Perimeter including the Panama Ports has been agreed at $22.8 billion. The allocation of transaction proceeds between the PPC Transaction and the HPH Transaction has also been agreed in principle.

“Fundamental and Essential Terms of the PPC Transaction and the HPH Transaction have also been agreed in principle, subject to definitive documentation. The PPC Transaction definitive documentation is expected to be signed on or before 2nd April 2025.

“ Pending signature of the definitive documents CK Hutchison and HPH have entered into exclusive negotiation and non-disclosure arrangements with the BlackRock-TiL Consortium which will be given full access to information and documentation for purposes of conducting confirmatory due diligence,” the statement said.

been recognised today.

“And to me, it’s a big thing for the women because I can say clearly that as a president, I gave appointments to women more than any other president.

“I was the first president that made a female the president of the Court of Appeal. I was the first president that also made a female the Chief Justice of the Federation.

“I’d done that, but most especially, as a president, when I used to decorate senior military officers. There was a time I decorated only one Brigadier General. It was a Naval officer, who was an Architect that entered the Navy.

“And I said no, because without passing through the Nigerian Defence Academy, most cases you end up as a major. You hardly get up to even the rank of a colonel. And I say what is happening to the rest of the world must happen in Nigeria that ladies, girls must be admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy.

“And from that day till now, we have gotten women doing wonderfully well. Maybe next year when they will recognise women again, some of them may be appreciated. So, I’m always happy when women are promoted, because my philosophy is that it’s like a farm.

“If you fertilize only 50 per cent of a farm, during the harvest you cannot get the yield of somebody who fertilised 100 per cent of the farm. So, you cannot abandon the women and only promote the men.

“In most cases, the women are even a little more in population than the men. So, I have to thank Nduka for this, because it will encourage younger girls to emulate these great women.”

In her acceptance remarks for the Philanthropy and Advocacy Award, Former Minister of Solid Minerals, Oby Ezekwesili, noted that, “The only usefulness of privilege is to use your privilege to bring privilege to the less privileged. This is the cornerstone of

Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, Akpabio said, “I am deeply saddened and disturbed by the gruesome murder of 16 travellers in Edo State. This senseless act of violence is unacceptable and has no place in our society.

“I condemn in very strong terms this heinous crime and I urge the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that the perpetrators of this barbaric act are brought to book and held accountable for their actions.”

Akpabio added, “As a people, we must work together to promote peace, unity, and understanding among our people. We cannot afford to let such act of violence divide us or undermine our collective efforts to build a better Nigeria.

“My heartfelt condolences go to the families of the victims, the government and people of Edo State, and all those affected by this needless act, and pray that God grants the departed peaceful rest, and the loved ones they left behind, the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

Okpebholo Visits Families, Promises Compensation

Speaking on behalf of BlackRock,

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Larry Fink said: “This agreement is a powerful illustration of BlackRock and GIP’s combined platform and our ability to deliver differentiated investments for clients.

“These world-class ports facilitate global growth. Through our deep connectivity to organisations like Hutchison and MSC/TIL and governments around the world, we are increasingly the first call for partners seeking patient, long-term capital. We are thrilled our clients can participate in this investment.”

Speaking on behalf of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a part of BlackRock, GIP Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ogunlesi said: “We are delighted to partner with Terminal Investment Limited and MSC, with whom we have a longstanding and productive relationship, to make an offer for certain interests in ports owned and operated by Hutchison Ports Holdings.

“Given GIP’s substantial expertise in owning and operating ports, together with our partners, we can focus on our joint ambition

the life of purpose that I live.”

Speaking after receiving the award for Government and Politics: Bold Voice for Good Governance, the Senator Representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti, noted that, “This morning, I almost didn’t feel like attending this event, but my husband had to speak to me.

“Courage, he said; Natasha, it doesn’t matter what the media has narrated of you, that doesn’t define you.

“And walking up here, the cheers I heard from you all, just reaffirmed who we are, that in truth, one must find courage, even to speak the most difficult of things.

“And today, I’ve been honoured, amongst many women, to receive the award of the Bold Voice of Good Governance. And I say this, it takes a whole lot of courage to reform governance. And in trust, I hope we jointly do right by our country.”

Business leader Chief Shade Okoya of Eleganza Limited expressed gratitude to her husband, Chief Rasaq Okoya, for his unwavering support in her journey. Similarly, Nkiru Anumudu of Globe Motors acknowledged THISDAY Publisher, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, for his continuous encouragement.

Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Margaret Ochalla thanked the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for fostering an environment that allows women in the force to excel. Likewise, Emem Usoro extended her appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his contributions to women’s advancement.

Highlighting the role of women in the economy, Uju Ifejika of Brittania stressed that she was not in the male-dominated oil and gas sector for handouts but to make a lasting impact. Senator Daisy Danjuma, Chairman of May & Baker Nigeria, expressed her honor at receiving the award, acknowledging that many other women were equally deserving. She advocated

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, paid a condolence visit to the families of the 16 travelers skilled in the state.

Some of the victims hailed from Bankure Local Government Area of Kano State.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, in Benin City, the governor assured the bereaved families and the people of Kano State that justice would be served.

Speaking during the visit, Okpebholo described the attack as unfortunate and reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the perpetrators were brought to justice.

He told the victims’ families, “I was deeply touched when I received the news of the incident at night. By 4am, I left Abuja and rushed to Uromi to meet with the affected families.

“During my campaign, your people supported me, and I stand with you in this time of grief. I extend my condolences to the people of Kano State and pray for the eternal rest of the victims’ souls.

“We have made significant progress in our investigations. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not happy about this incident and has directed security agencies to go after the culprits. I can

for these assets to continue to be world-class ports operators which are competitive, efficient, commercial and service-focused.”

Speaking on behalf of Terminal Investment Limited (TiL), Chairman of TiL and President of the MSC Group Diego Aponte said:

“Our relationship with Hutchison Ports goes back a long way and is a relationship of mutual respect and friendship.

“Furthermore, we are very pleased to partner with BlackRock and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), with whom we share a longstanding relationship. We have a very high regard toward the Hutchison Ports management team, and once this transaction closes, we look forward to welcoming them into our larger family. We are very focused on this industry, and we know that the investment in Hutchison Ports will be a very viable investment commercially.”

Speaking on behalf of CK Hutchison, Co-Managing Director Mr. Frank Sixt said:

for increased female representation in the executive, legislative, and judicial arms of government. Dr. Owen Omogiafo, Group CEO of Transcorp, reinforced the belief that women can thrive in leadership roles, stating that her journey is proof of the limitless potential of women. However, on the list of Global Leaders & Policymakers were Amina Mohammed, Chair of Sustainable Development Goals Advocacy Group; Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as an Esteemed Jurist; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Trailblazer, Global Economic Leadership; Olufemi Tinubu as First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Kanayo Awani as Leader in African Trade and Development Finance; and Justice Amina Augie for her Unrivalled LegalUnderMind.Government & Politics were the likes of Justice Amina Augie as Judicial Leader, Legal Pillar; Kasarachi Asuelu as Leader in Diplomatic Relations; Hajiya Bala Usman as a Trailblazer Policy Guru; Fatima Kyari Mohammed for Advancing Key Multilateral Finance Initiatives; Ima Agunbiade-Abdul as a Respected Diplomat in Europe; Ingid Kirschning as Influential Advocate for Gender Parity; Jumoke Okoya-Thomas as a Determined Politician; Hannatu Musawa as Key Arts Advocate & Youth Ambassador; Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe for Driving Governance Reforms; Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Bold Voice for Grassroots Development; and Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as a Politician & Diplomat. May Agbamuche-Mbu as an Indefatigable Electoral Umpire being National Commissioner at INEC; Hadiza Bala Usman as President Bola Tinubu’s Policy Guru; Ireti Kingibe as Development Advocate; Jumoke Oduwole as Business Reform Champion; Imaan Sulaiman-/brahim for

assure you that justice will prevail.”

The governor revealed, “So far, about 14 suspects have been arrested, and after the holiday, they will be transferred to Abuja for further interrogation. More arrests will follow as investigations continue.”

The governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, commended Okpebholo for his swift intervention and support to the bereaved families.

Yusuf said in response to Okpebholo’s speech, “We appreciate the governor of Edo State for his prompt response to this tragic event. It is well known that our people were returning from Port Harcourt when they were brutally murdered.

“The majority of the victims were from two local governments in Kano State. Governor Okpebholo immediately visited the scene, ensured that the corpses were retrieved, and arranged for their proper burial.

“He also made commitments to support the affected families, and I can confirm that he has fulfilled those promises. We trust his assurance that the culprits will be brought to book, as justice remains our utmost priority.

The people of Kano are peaceful and hospitable.

“This tragedy serves as a lesson to all, and I urge all leaders across Nigeria to ensure the safety and protection of all citizens, regardless of their location. Governor Okpebholo’s visit today is a mark of true leadership, and we appreciate his gesture.”

Speaking on behalf of the Arewa community in Edo State, Badamasi Sally reaffirmed the longstanding cordial relationship between the northern community and Edo people, emphasising that the unfortunate event should not be used to tarnish the state’s image.

Sally said, “I was born and raised in Edo State, and we have always maintained a peaceful relationship with the people here. This incident should not be used to create division or smear the reputation of the Edo State government.

“The swift response of the state government was commendable. Moreover, it was the people of Uromi who rescued some of the victims from the assailants. This tragedy will not change our bond with the people of Edo.”

Leader of the Edo community in Kano, Fred Akhigbe, also expressed appreciation for Okpebholo’s visit, urging both communities to maintain peace and unity.

BORDER SECURITY SUMMIT...

Adamu to Tinubu: Listen to Nigerians’ Cry

Says nation’s leadership trying its best, but not good enough

Nobody can manipulate our people in 2027, CP-PDP replies Tinubu over Wike

Tinubu to listen to the cries of Nigerians and do the needful to lessen their pain. Adamu made the appeal yesterday while speaking with journalists at his Keffi, Nasarawa State country

home as part of activities marking the end of the Ramadan season.

He acknowledged that the country’s leadership was doing its best in the circumstances, but said their best had not been enough.

Adamu’s comments came as Conference of Professionals in the Peoples Democratic Party (CP-PDP) advised Tinubu to do himself good by shelving the thoughts of retaining the presidency beyond May 29, 2027.

Retired CP Adeoye: Nigeria Police Grossly Understaffed, Underfunded

Advocates death penalty for kidnapping

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Retired Commissioner of Police

Aderemi Adeoye has highlighted what he called a severe understaffing and underfunding of the Nigeria Police, warning that the challenges leave large segments of the population unprotected.

Adeoye, who spoke on Arise News Television on Monday, also recommended the death penalty for kidnappers.

He said, “The Nigeria Police Force is grossly understaffed and underfunded. You have a country of 240 million people and a police force of just 300,000. From that statistic alone, you know a lot of areas will be uncovered, and a huge segment of the population will be unpoliced.”

Adeoye stressed that effective policing required not just manpower but also adequate logistics and funding.

He stated that while President Bola Tinubu had approved the rapid recruitment of officers to strengthen the force, recruitment alone was not enough.

Proper training, better equipment, and the deployment of modern technology are crucial for improving

police performance, he stated. According to the former Anambra State Commissioner of Police, “We need to start looking at practical ways. Mr. President has done something in that regard by giving approval for the rapid recruitment of personnel to beef up the strength of the force.

“I hope that is followed by better equipment and funding so that the spread can be better, the training more qualitative, and equipment enables them to do more than they do currently.

“Technology is available to enhance performance. If all these are deployed, I assure you performance will be much better. But coming to the present, we are in agreement that a lot more needs to be done to enhance safety of life and property across the nation.”

Adeoye also addressed the growing menace of kidnapping across Nigeria, arguing that stronger deterrents were needed.

He recalled warning that what began as targeted attacks on expatriates in the Niger Delta would eventually spiral into a widespread problem affecting locals.

He stated, “Kidnapping is a

menace in many jurisdictions, not just in Edo State and not just this occurrence. It’s happening in many states across the country.

“When kidnapping started in the Niger Delta way back, when expatriates were the target for ransom, I warned. I said this thing that is starting and it’s against expatriates and the locals are clapping, eventually, it will become a problem of the locals.

“We are there now. Kidnapping has become a lucrative business. Deliberate actions need to be taken to stem the tide.”

Adeoye said, “If death penalty is the punishment for armed robbery, taking somebody’s property by force, I see no reason why kidnapping of a human being should attract less a penalty.

“So even though the world is running away from death penalty and we are heading away from it, we have a peculiar problem. And only a strong deterrence can stem the tide.

“I advocate the death penalty for kidnappers so that a strong warning will be sent to all that it is not just business, it is a deadly business. I also advocate that better synergy,

Tinubu Extends Immigration CG, Kemi Nandap’s Tenure by 16 Months

President Bola Tinubu

approved an extension of the tenure of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs. Kemi Nanna Nandap, till December 31, 2026. According to a press release issued on Monday by presidential spokesperson,

in the Nigeria Immigration Service

on October 9, 1989, was appointed by the president as ComptrollerGeneral on March 1, 2024, to serve till August 31, 2025. Under her leadership, the Nigeria Immigration Service has witnessed significant advancements in its core mandate, with notable improvements in border management, modernisation of immigration processes and national security measures.

President Tinubu commended

the Comptroller-General for her exemplary leadership and urged her to continue dedicating herself to the service’s strategic priorities, which align with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The president reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the Nigeria Immigration Service in fulfilling its mandate to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity and promote safe, legal, and orderly migration.

communication, information, and intelligence sharing be promoted among various agencies.”

His remarks came amid growing concerns over security failures in Edo State, where 16 travellers were killed in Uromi, Esan North-east Local Government Area.

The Edo State government has since suspended the commander of its security outfit, retired CP Friday Ibadin, following preliminary investigations into the extrajudicial killings.Authorities have also banned all unauthorised vigilante groups, revealing that the suspects involved were neither registered nor profiled with the state’s official security corps.

Adeoye expressed concern that the incident occurred without intervention from any security agency. He urged the police leadership in Edo State to reassess their strategies and ensure better protection for residents.

The group said Nigerians would never reward failure and purveying of hardship with re-election or allow anybody to manipulate the outcome of the 2027 presidential election.

Adamu, a former two-term governor of Nasarawa State, implored government at all levels to heed the grievances of their citizens and exercise genuine leadership.

He, nevertheless, commended the Tinubu government’s restructuring initiatives, and also encouraged the citizenry to keep on praying for the country’s leadership.

Adamu stated, “Thus far, our best (APC government) is not yet good enough, unfortunately. People are suffering, and they are complaining.

“We are here at their level, we listen to them and we just ask them not to cast aspersions on the leadership.

“Let’s pray for the leadership. To get the right bearing, the right thinking, have the right plan, uplift the fortunes of this country.”

‘Nobody Can Manipulate Nigerians in 2027’

The Conference of Professionals in the Peoples Democratic Party (CP-PDP), in a statement by its chairman, Obinna Nwachukwu, said no amount of electoral manoeuvring, intimidation or coercion from APC would yield electoral control of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which was a stronghold of PDP, to APC in the coming February 2026 FCT Area

Council election. According to Nwachukwu, ‘’This is part of the resolution reached by the conference in its meeting on Monday, 31st of March 2025 in response to the open confession by President Tinubu on Sunday, 30th of March 2025 that he consented to the request by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja,Chief Nyesom Wike to remove the FCT from the Treasury Singe Account (TSA) for the partisan reason of winning election in the FCT.

‘’President Tinubu also confessed that he threatened to sack the FCT minister if the PDP again lead the FCT election, even when the FCT is an undisputed stronghold of the PDP, where the president was defeated in the 2023 presidential election and where the PDP has 42 councillors and three council chairmen over APC’s three chairmen and 20 councillors.’’

The conference hoped that the quest to capture FCT for APC was not the driving force behind the condemnable allegations of harassment, land grabbing, vindictive revocation and demolition of property, reportedly, targeted to intimidate perceived APC opponents, and the reported hazy contract allocations to favour APC apologists in the FCT.

Nwachukwu said in any event, with a badly battered image, worsened by bad governance, it was clear that APC had no chance in the FCT and the 2027 general election, despite its rigging plots.

Three Lagos Assembly Workers Apologise for Assaulting DSS Personnel

Three officials of the Lagos, State House of Assembly arrested for assaulting officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) during the recent leadership crisus that rocked the legislative house have apologised to the Service.

According to a statement yesterday, the Assembly, in a letter dated February 14, 2025, and signed by the acting clerk, A. T. B. Ottun, had invited the DSS to beef up security at the assembly.

In the letter with reference number LSHA/FAD/0/7554/323, the acting clerk had begged the DSS to secure the facility “from February 15 till further notice.”

However, when DSS operatives arrived to beef up security at the Assembly, three workers at the

facility reportedly attacked them.

Relying on CCTV footage, the DSS arrested the assembly workers and filed charges against them.

In separate letters of apology dated March 28, 2025, Ibrahim Abdul-Akeem Olarenwaju, a public affairs officer at the assembly, Miss Adetola Fatimoh Oluwatosin and Adetu Samshudeen Adekunle, both officers with the Sergeant-at- Arms told the DSS Director General, Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi that they were deeply sorry for their actions.

The letters were routed through the State Director of Security, Lagos State Command. “I, Ibrahim Abdul- Akeem Olarenwaju. .., hereby tender my unreserved apology for any act or ommission that I might have caused

your distinguished office (DSS) and personnel in the course of my duty at the hallowed chamber of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa, on the 27th day of February, 2025,” one of the letters addressed to the DSS Director Genera, read. In the apology letters by the three assembly workers, they promised the secret police to be of good conduct and refrain from any future acts that could undermine their personnel. In the wake of the Assembly leadership crisis, several media houses had published reports that DSS operatives invaded the assembly. However, some had retracted the stories and had apologised to the DSS.

Nigerian Interior Minister, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (L), in a handshake with his United Kingdom counterpart, Yvette Cooper, at the 2025 Border Security Summit in London, yesterday

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

has

Bayo Onanuga, Mrs. Nandap, who began her career

Chuks Okocha and Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

Former National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, has urged

President Bola

LAWYER

‘Technology Should be an Ally, Not an Afterthought’

dR KemI PInheIRo, San

Quotables

‘Today, we have democracy which is Government of a small number of people, by a small number of people, over a large number of people.’ - General Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Page V

‘‘…. I have heard some commentators say that we should go back to the Parliamentary system, and I think it would have been much more affordable for us. The Presidential system of government is expensive, and also presents this winner takes all approach.’ - Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN, Immediate Past Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission Tu Face: Court Dismisses Suit Against Copyright Society of Nigeria

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Page V

Convict Sunday Jackson: Between Facts and Emotion

Introduction

Recently the story of the judgement of the Supreme Court in Appeal No. SC/ CR/1026/2022 delivered on March 7, 2025 Sunday Jackson v The State per Mohammed Baba Idris, JSC made the rounds. As usual, it elicited comments vilifying the whole Nigerian judicial system and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, GCON, who didn’t even sit on the Appeal Panel in that case, alleging injustice and accusing her of sentencing the Appellant, Mr Jackson to death out of evil!

Five other Supreme Court Justices, decided this appeal. While the majority (four Justices) affirmed the decisions of lower courts convicting Jackson for culpable homicide punishable by death contrary to Section 221(a) of the Penal Code Law of Adamawa State 1997 (PCLA), the Head of the Panel, Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, JSC dissented. In her minority dissenting judgement, Ogunwumiju, JSC set aside the judgements of the trial court and Court of Appeal, allowed the appeal, acquitted and discharged Jackson, and recommended him to the Governor of Adamawa State as a proper candidate for him to exercise his prerogative of mercy in favour of.

None of the reasons for the majority and minority decisions, had to do with wickedness, evil, ethnicity or religious sentiments; but, rather, the interpretation of the law, exercising their judicial discretion judiciously and judicially. The Supreme Court Appeal Panel consisted of three Christian Justices and two Muslims, while I don’t think any of the Justices is of the Fulani extraction as stated by some, alleging ‘they had it in’ for Jackson for killing a Fulani Herdsman.

Elements of a Good Judgement

It is sad that these days, once judgements are handed down, people do not take the time to read them and understand the reasoning behind them, before automatically, and regularly, erroneously, concluding that they are perverse.

Once a decision bears the elements of a good judgement, that is, one that is based on law and facts - issues distilled; evidence adduced properly evaluated; clear findings of fact made; the law properly applied to arrive at the correct conclusion; clear and coherent reasoning behind the judgement, this is all that is required. See Mbani v Bosi & Ors (2006) LPELR-1853(SC). Though the principle of ‘Stare Decisis’ must be adhered to, it comes with the caveat of avoiding bad precedent. Deciding cases based on public policy, which is seen as being synonymous with public good, is only permissible when the decision aligns with the rules, law and procedure that govern the matter. See Sonnar (Nigeria) Ltd & Anor v Partenreedri M.S. Nordwind Owners of the Ship M.V. Nordwind & Anor (1987) LPELR- 3494(SC) per Kayode Eso, JSC. Doing substantial justice between the parties in a case and avoiding being bugged down with technicalities, is also important. See Akpan v Bob (2010) LPELR-376(SC) per Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, JSC (later CJN). It is only when these elements are absent from a judgement that we can begin to criticise it as wanting, and not just because it doesn’t favour us or it offends our sentiments.

Background

Sunday Jackson, a farmer, had been found guilty of culpable homicide punishable by death by a High Court of Adamawa State, for killing one Buba Bawuro, a Herdsman, who had trespassed on Jackson’s land with his cattle in January 2015.

The summarised facts of the case related in the extra-judicial statement made at the Police Station by Jackson who was the sole witness of the incident, was that Bawuro allegedly pursuing some people who killed his cattle, trespassed onto his farm, attacked Jackson out of frustration and tried to stab him; they struggled and Jackson wrestled the knife from him, and then stabbed Bawuro in the neck three times. Jackson then fled the scene, leaving Bawuro in a pool of blood. Jackson had stated that he knew that he could kill Bawuro by stabbing him, and he meant to kill him. Jackson reported himself to his Mother, who reported to her brother, and Jackson ended up being arrested. Of course, there is scepticism about confessional statements taken by the Police.

Jackson’s testimony in court, however, differed in some respects from his extra-judicial statement. Jackson testified that Bawuro, a Fulani Herdsman, had asked him if he had seen the people he was pursuing, to which he replied in the negative. Bawuro brought his cattle onto his land, and when he tried to drive away Bawuro’s cattle, Bawuro brought out a knife to attack him, and being unarmed he fled with Bawuro in hot pursuit. He testified that Bawuro was able to stab him in the back of the head and left leg. The trial Judge confirmed seeing the scars of the injuries (evidence of the scars sighted by the Judge, prosecution and defence Counsel was stated in the record of proceedings). Bawuro caught up with him, and then tried to stab Jackson again, they struggled and Jackson wrestled the knife from him. Bawuro picked up a stick and started beating Jackson, who then stabbed Bawuro in the neck three times, until he was weak and unable to continue beating him. Jackson also testified in court, that he believed that Bawuro would kill him.

onikepo braithwaite

onIkepo BraIThwaITe

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

“None of the reasons for the majority and minority decisions, had to do with wickedness, evil, ethnicity or religious sentiments; but, rather, the interpretation of the law, exercising their judicial discretion judiciously and judicially…..This habit of criticising every judgement without the facts of the case, and based on everything else but established legal principles and procedure, is a matter of grave concern. It only ignites the polity, and erodes public confidence in the Judiciary unnecessarily and unfairly… It is our hope that the Governor of Adamawa State will….pardon him”

Plea of Self Defence

Jackson pleaded that he killed Bawuro in self defence; the courts didn’t accept this plea. The majority believed that the varied version of events that Jackson testified to in court, was an afterthought (obviously to lay the foundation for the plea of self defence). To buttress this view, in his lead judgement Baba Idris, JSC, referred to Jackson’s oral testimony in court as an attempt to perform an “11th hour miracle”, and held that where an accused does not challenge the making of his confessional statement, but merely gives oral evidence that is inconsistent with or contradicts the contents of the statement, the oral evidence should be treated as unreliable and liable to be rejected, and the contents of the confessional statement upheld, unless a satisfactory explanation of the inconsistency is proffered. In support this position, Aliyu v State (2021) LPELR-55002 (SC) was cited. The purport of this is that, Jackson didn’t give a cogent reason for the inconsistency between his extra-judicial statement and oral testimony in court, and that where Jackson didn’t challenge his extra-judicial statement, and gave oral testimony that is different from it, the latter would be treated as unreliable and was liable to be rejected. And, this was what the Apex Court did - rejected his oral testimony. Furthermore, the Supreme Court held that there was no medical report presented to the court, to confirm that Jackson’s scars that were seen by the trial court, were as a result of injuries sustained from Jackson’s encounter with Bawuro, since there was no other witness to the encounter.

A successful plea of self defence, is a complete defence for a case of murder, and will result in the discharge and acquittal of the Defendant. See Okorodudu v State (2024) LPELR-62191(SC) per Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, JSC, where the Apex Court held that the defence of self defence is based on the facts of each case; that it is a total defence which the prosecution has the burden of disproving, failing which the burden of proof

beyond reasonable doubt will not be discharged In State v Shonto (2019) LPELR-47431 (SC) per Amina Adamu Augie, JSC, the Supreme Court held inter alia that killing in self defence is a total exoneration of the Accused Person, resulting in their discharge and acquittal.

For the plea of self defence to be successful, the Supreme Court cited the case of Ochani v State (2017) LPELR-42352 (SC) in which it had listed what must be proved 1) that the Deceased was the aggressor - the accused must be free from fault in bringing about the encounter; 2) there must be present an impending peril to life or of great bodily harm, either real or apparent as to create the honest belief of an existing necessity; 3) there must be no safe or reasonable mode of escape by retreat; and 4) there must have been a necessity for taking life.

The Supreme Court also cited Afosi v State (2013) LPELR -20751 (SC), where it had held that all the above ingredients must be established conjunctively. In State v Shonto (Supra) the Supreme Court also held that the force used in self defence must be reasonable in the circumstances, to repel the attack.

The Majority Decision and Her Lordship, Ogunwumiju, JSC’s Dissenting Judgement

Both the majority and dissenting decisions agreed that the deceased, Bawuro, was the aggressor, and Jackson wasn’t the cause of the unfortunate encounter. It was on the other three elements that there was a disagreement.

In both his extra-judicial statement, which the Baba Idris, JSC held was a valid confessional statement made voluntarily (since the objection on its admission into evidence necessitating a trial-within-trial was withdrawn) and oral testimony, Jackson stated that he was able to wrestle the knife from Bawuro. As far as the majority was concerned, by seizing the knife, the impending danger to Jackson’s life had been averted, and he had a means of escape since they were in an open bush. Since Jackson’s oral testimony had

been discountenanced in favour of the extra-judicial statement, so was his story therein, that Bawuro picked up a stick after the knife was seized and was beating him with it, that he feared for his life and had to defend himself by stabbing him. Instead, the majority accepted Jackson’s extra-judicial/confessional statement that he stabbed Bawuro thrice in the throat with the intention of killing him; that any reasonable person would know that stabbing in the throat would cause grievous bodily harm or death, and the medical report admitted into evidence supporting the fact that Bawuro was stabbed multiple times was countenanced. Her Lordship, Ogunwumiju, JSC, on the other hand, was of the view that both courts should have countenanced Jackson’s testimony on oath which was not contradicted successfully under cross-examination (see Okorodudu v State (Supra)); that Bawuro had attacked Jackson first when he tried to run away from Bawuro; that Bawuro stabbed Jackson on the back of the head with the knife and when he kicked Bawuro to get away, he stabbed Jackson on the left leg. Her Lordship was of the opinion that, the trial Judge’s confirmation of them seeing the scars was sufficient, and that proportionality can be difficult to measure, particularly when there was no eyewitness to the incident. Her Lordship, Ogunwumiju, JSC, also believed that from the account of events, where such a fight with a knife was ongoing, there couldn’t have been enough time or the circumstances for Jackson to properly, intentionally and purposely form an intention to kill Bawuro. Forming an intention to kill presupposes premeditation, and premeditation would be having a guilty mind even before the act, that is, forming a plan to kill someone beforehand, and this couldn’t have been done during a sudden fight between strangers, as in the case of Jackson and Bawuro. See Ibrahim v State (2018) LPELR-45967(CA). In using the plea of self defence, the Defendant doesn’t deny killing the deceased, but, maintains that the killing was done only to save their own life; so, even if Jackson admitted to wanting to kill Bawuro, it was probably on the spur of the moment to save his own life. Her Lordship was also of the view that, the doubts raised should have been resolved in favour of Jackson. In trying to save Jackson, the defence of self defence having failed, though it wasn’t raised by him, Baba Idris, JSC also examined the defence of provocation, though it is trite that self defence and provocation cannot co-exist on the same evidence - they are mutually exclusive. Unlike self defence, provocation is a mitigating defence, not absolute, and would have the effect of reducing the offence to culpable homicide not punishable with death, that is, from murder to manslaughter. The Apex Court cited the case of Mohammed v State (2017) LPELR-42098 (SC) which held the three elements that must co-exist for the defence of provocation to succeed: 1) In the heat of passion; 2) grave and sudden provocation as to deprive the accused of self-control and 3) before there is time for passion to cool. The Supreme Court found that while the first eleme nt was proved, and in the second element, Jackson lost his self control while wrestling for the knife with Bawuro, the third element, the mode of resentment bore no reasonable relationship with the provocation. It appears that the majority were of the view that Jackson had time to cool having wrestled the knife from Bawuro; they may have been able to live with Jackson stabbing Bawuro once, but, thrice? They believe it was excessive.

Conclusion

I respectfully disagree with the majority judgement and I tend to align myself more with the dissenting judgement of Her Lordship, Ogunwumiju, JSC. I’m of view that, even if the plea of self defence didn’t avail him, Jackson’s actions still do not appear to me to fall within the definition of premeditation/malice aforethought/ guilty mind, but more like Voluntary Manslaughter at worst - intentional killing without premeditation (which could bag up to life imprisonment upon conviction). Being suddenly attacked with a dagger by a trespasser, isn’t a normal daily occurrence that everyone is prepared for. And, not everyone can remain cool, calm, collected and rational in such circumstances. Section 33(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution also permits a person to use reasonable force to defend their life and property. Since there was no eye witness, who is to say that the force Jackson used on Bawuro was excessive, given the circumstances? In my humble opinion, Jackson should have been given the benefit of the doubt, and in the worst case scenario, convicted for the lesser of offence of culpable homicide not punishable with death, if not a discharge and acquittal on the basis of self defence. But, the majority were obviously of the opinion that the fact that Jackson was able to wrestle the knife from Bawuro gave him an upper hand, time to cool down and an escape route that no longer necessitated the stabbing of Bawuro to death. Their position negates the defence of self defence. And, while we may not align with the majority judgement of the Supreme Court in this matter, it is obvious that coming to the decision had nothing to do with bizarre non-legal reasons given by some. This habit of criticising every judgement without the facts of the case, and based on everything else but established legal principles and procedure, is a matter of grave concern. It only ignites the polity, and erodes public confidence in the Judiciary unnecessarily and unfairly. It is our hope that the Governor of Adamawa State will however, exercise the prerogative of mercy in favour of Jackson, and pardon him.

Whether Restrictive Covenants in Employment Contracts Amount to Forced Labour/Against Public Policy

s

Fact

The 1st Claimant is an oil and gas services company. The Defendant was employed as the Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental Officer (QHSE) in the 1st Claimant company. The Claimants had commenced this suit vide a General Form of Complaint, with accompanying processes, seeking enforcement of the service bond and redress for breach of contract of employment against the Defendant. The Claimants also claimed the sum of N5 million as compensation/ general damages.

The case of the Claimants was that, in October 2021, and in the course of the employment, the Defendant was nominated along some other employees for a training program in Spain, with the aim of developing the professional capacities of the trainees. Apprehensive that the trained employees may leave its employment and apply the skills acquired at the training in other competing organisations, the Claimants requested the nominated employees (the Defendant inclusive), to enter into a service bond. The Defendant willingly executed the agreement on 15th October, 2021 (Exhibit C3). By the said Service Bond Agreement, the Defendant undertook not to leave the employment of the 1st Claimant until after three years (1st November, 2024), upon being sponsored by the 1st Claimant. And, in event that the Defendant leaves the employment within the stipulated period, he undertook to pay the sum of N3 million, being the sum spent for his training.

The Defendant proceeded to Spain for the training as scheduled from 1st November to 5th November, 2021, and a report of the training was issued. Thereafter, on 21st February, 2022, the Defendant resigned from the employment of the 1st Claimant with immediate effect, in disregard of the terms of the employment and the service bond agreement. The Defendant also failed to brief the Claimants about the outcome of the training workshop on Subsea Systems and Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO), which held on 1st February, 2022 and which he was registered to participate in. The development informed the Claimant’s engagement of a Solicitor who wrote a letter dated 8th March, 2022 titled Notice of Wrongful Termination of Employment, to the Defendant, demanding payment of the stipulated one month salary in lieu of notice and N3 million refund, being the cost of the training overseas.

The Defendant responded through his Solicitors, disclaiming any liability and describing the training as “deceit camouflaged”. It was the case of the Defendant that he was not trained in any engineering field by the 1st Claimant or any related field, while in Spain. He stated that upon his return from Spain, he protested to the Human Resource Coordinator (HR) that they went on an excursion, and not a training, but, his complaint was not attended to. He maintained that the action of the 1st Claimant, vitiated the service bond agreement. Regarding the payment in lieu of notice, he asserted that he worked for twenty-one days in February 2021, leaving out seven days which he would be willing to pay for upon accurate computation of the sum due for the days. He urged the court to dismiss the suit with substantial costs.

Issue(s) for Determination

The issues for determination as modified by the court were:

1. Is the service bond (exhibit C4) a valid and enforceable contract, or fraudulently procured and contrary to law and public policy?

2. Did the Defendant breach the terms of the employment contract, by the way and manner of his resignation from the employment with the 1st Claimant Company?

3. Given the facts and evidence led, is the Claimant entitled to the reliefs sought?

Arguments

Arguing issue one, it was submitted for the Claimants that the Defendant freely and willingly entered into the service bond agreement, which he enjoyed benefits from by participating in the training in Spain, and that the Defendant did not dispute the quality of the training. The Defendant, on his part, challenged the validity and enforceability of the service bond agreement, while alleging that it was fraudulently procured as the so-called training was a hoax, a mere excursion. He described the training, as useless and unworthy. Counsel for the Defendant also challenged the agreement and classified it as forced labour, contrary to the provisions of Section 73 of

In the National Industrial Court of Nigeria In the Port Harcourt Judicial division Holden at Owerri On Tuesday, 11th day of February, 2025

Before His lordship Honourable Justice N.C.S. Ogbuanya

Suit No: NICN/PHC/39/2022

Between

1. aSHBaRd eNeRGy COMPaNy LTd

2. MR adeWaLe adeLaJa CLaIMaNTS

And MR JeReMIaH aGBaRaKWe deFeNdaNT

Judgement delivered by Honourable Justice N.C.S. Ogbuanya

the Labour Act and Section 34(1)(d) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which prohibit forced or compulsory labour. Counsel also challenged the agreement as being illegal and contrary to public policy, thereby relieving the parties of any obligation arising therefrom – ONAMADE v ACB LTD (1997 1 NWLR (PT. 480) 123.

On issue two, the Claimants relied on the training Report (Exhibit C8), to buttress their position that the training was adequate and proper for the value expected for the office of the Defendant as QHSE officer. The details of Exhibit C8 shows that on day three, there was a training programme on quality control, which falls squarely in line with the Defendant’s duty. The Defendant, however, maintained that the training was hoax and the bond fraudulently obtained. To support his particulars of fraud, the Defendant insisted that the Claimants knew the training was meant for Marketers and not Engineers like him, but arranged the training to back up their desire to keep him in their employment against his will, without any gain from the deceptive training.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale

Before delving into the issues for its determination, the court considered the submissions of Counsel for the Defendant, challenging the admissibility of Exhibits C4 (the resignation

“Such a restraint agreement in form of service bond, is not only valid, but also reasonable and fair, provided that the terms are not capricious and unduly lasting for long time. Reasonable service bond is not forced labour, or contrary to public policy”

letter by email) and C9 (certificate of the training), which documents were admitted without objection by Counsel and without complying with Section 84(2) of the Evidence Act, 2011 on the procedure for admission of electronic evidence. Counsel had urged the court, to expunge the documents from its records. The court found that Exhibit C4 was captured in the Claimant’s statement of facts, which duly made compliance expressions in line with the admissibility requirement of Section 84(2) of the Evidence Act. For Exhibit C9, the court found that the Defendant assumed what was presented to the court is the “soft copy” sent to the Defendant. However, what was presented is a hard copy original of the document, which was not generated electronically. The court found no merit in the submissions on this point, and discountenanced same.

Deciding issue one, His Lordship held that the service bond agreement, just like any other non-compete agreement, being a variant of the concept of restrictive covenants in employment contract resulting in restraint of trade, is viewed with legal suspicion to check its reasonableness, as it may be construed to be contrary to public policy. It may amount to forced labour, and a contravention of constitutional provisions, if not checked. The court was persuaded by the decision in the Canadian case of JONES v GEROSA (2016) ABQB 207, where it was held that contest against any restrictive covenant in an employment contract is subjected to ‘fairness’ and ‘reasonableness’ test, as to whether such restrictive covenant is ‘fair’ and ‘reasonable’ in the circumstance of its execution. The court held that adoption of a restrictive covenant in form of service bond is borne out of business expediency and legal reality of the vagaries of the labour market in modern time, which necessitates using legal instruments to curb and moderate the myriad of odious competitive attitude of labour market operators and fervent mobility of labour in the modern world of work. Considering the agreement in this instance, His Lordship found that the bond duration and the release condition stipulating repayment of

the cost of the training is reasonable and fair, in the circumstance of its execution. Such a restraint agreement in form of service bond, is not only valid, but also reasonable and fair, provided that the terms are not capricious and unduly lasting for long time. Reasonable service bond is not forced labour, or contrary to public policy. On issue two, the court found that the training report (Exhibit C8) tendered by the Claimants, is direct on the core contention that the training programme was for Marketers as alleged by the Defendant. The exhibit showed that a training programme on “quality control” (which falls squarely within the domain of the Defendant’s line of duty and office), was held during the training. The Defendant did not tender better evidence in support of his assertion. Further, the Defendant’s resignation did not reflect the training issue as a basis for his decision to leave the employment, rather he expressed his appreciation for the good relationship shared with his employer. The evidential burden of proof shifted to the Defendant, to disprove Exhibit C8. The Claimants also relied on Exhibit C3, the service bond agreement to show the terms and what is expected of the Defendant. It is on record, that the Defendant did not comply with the terms therein. The Defendant equally failed to serve the required one month notice, or pay the one-month salary in lieu. The position of the Defendant on paying for the seven days outstanding in the month of February, failed to take into consideration the principle of “no fractionalisation of payment in periodic employment”, to the effect that monthly salary is not calculated by fraction per day, but whole sum payment monthly. Resignation ranks as termination of employment from the side of the employee; hence, it is often used by employees to “sack their master”. The Defendant is entitled to resign, subject to compliance with the stipulation of his employment contract in Exhibit C2 and C3. Thus, where service of notice was not done, the option left is payment of equivalent monthly salary. A clear calendar month is the required notice, not a fraction; and the payment in lieu is for full month, not a fraction of days. Pro rata payment of salary is not applicable to workers in periodic employment, but only applicable to daily paid workers – GRANT MPANUGO v CAT CONSTRUCTION NIG. LTD & ANOR (Suit No. NICN/LA/660/2015, Judgement delivered on 20th September, 2019, per Ogbuanya J.). Thus, the Defendant ought to pay the full one-month salary, and not a fraction. The defence of set-off is erroneous and inapplicable, in this instance. It is thereby, discountenanced. Regarding issue three relating to reliefs sought, the court held that the Claimants have the sole onerous burden in law to prove declaratory reliefs. The court referenced its earlier findings on validity of the service bond agreement, the breach of the service bond and terms of employment contract by the Defendant, and came to conclusion that reliefs one and two succeed. The court declared that the Defendant was in breach of the contract of employment, and the service bond agreement. Reliefs three to five are substantive reliefs relating to recovery of sums due for payment by the Defendant in line with the contract of employment and service bond agreement. Parties to an agreement or contract are bound by the terms and conditions of the contract they signed, and the primary duty of the court is restricted to interpretation and enforcement of the terms of the contract as agreed by the parties thereto - IHUNWO v IHUNWO (2013) 8 NWLR (PT. 1375) S.C. 550 at 583. The court thereby ordered the Defendant to pay sum equivalent to his last salary in lieu of the notice required, and pay the sum of N3million representing the cost of the training.

On the relief for sum of N5million as compensation for the collateral losses and general damages suffered by the 1st Claimant following the sudden termination of the contract by the Defendant, the court noted that the action of the Defendant is a pointer to unfair labour practice which the court frowns at, and curtails in modern workplace practice both from the employer and the employee. In the circumstance, the sum of N2million was awarded as compensation, by way of general damages against the Defendant in favour of the Claimants. Cost of the action in the sum of N1million, was also awarded to the Claimants.

Claim Succeeds; Reliefs Granted.

Representation

A.K. Nelson-Briggs with Dr R.A. Imoma-Abbey for the Claimants.

C.L. Nwodo with G.C. Agbarakwe for the Defendant.

Honourable Justice N.C.S. Ogbuanya

Again, Court Rules For GHL Against First Bank

Stories by Steve Aya

In the ongoing legal tussle between General Hydrocarbon Limited (GHL) and First Bank of Nigeria Limited, the Defendant, GHL recorded a major victory against the Plaintiff/Respondent.

In a ruling last Tuesday, March 25, delivered by Hon. Justice E.A. Obile of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the court set aside and vacated the earlier order the court made on January 9, 2025. His Lordship also set aside and vacated the warrant of arrest and detention order granted by the court to the Plaintiff/Respondent on January 9, 2025. Finally, Obile J concluded that the Plaintiff’s suit is lacking in merit and consequently, dismissed it.

Counsel for GHL, Dr Layonu, SAN, had approached the court by way of a Notice of Preliminary Objection under Section 6(6) (B) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended, Order 29, Rule 1 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, and under the Inherent Jurisdiction of the Court praying for two reliefs. Firstly, an Order dismissing and striking out the suit for abuse of court processes and lack of jurisdiction. Also, for such orders as the court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.

The Defendant/ Applicants identified six grounds on

which the application was predicated upon. That the ruling delivered by Hon. Justice Allagoa on December 12, 2024 had effectively restrained First Bank from taking any steps whatsoever

to enforce any security, receivables, instrument, finance documents or assets of the GHL arising from the facility agreements and amended restatement agreement in respect of OML 120, pending

the hearing and determination of the ongoing arbitration proceeding between the parties in the suit.

That the Plaintiff/ Respondent’s attempt to seek to enforce the finance

documents executed between the parties in suit, despite the clear orders of Justice Allagoa in Suit 1953, is an abuse of the processes of the court. That it is in the interest of justice to grant the application of the

Defendant/Applicants. On the strength of the arguments of Defendants/ Applicants’ Counsel, the court found in favour of the GHL and dismissed First Bank’s suit for lacking in merit.

N19bn Fraud Case: Court Fixes May 12 for Hearing of Applications on AGF Suit

Stories by Steve Aya

Justice Ambrose LewisAllagoa of the Federal High Court in Lagos, will hear arguments on the priority of applications on May 12, 2025, in a suit filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation over the alleged conversion of approximately N19 billion against a new generation bank and three others.

At the resumed hearing of the matter last Thursday, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, Counsel to the 1st and 4th Defendant, told the court that they had preliminary objection applications and that it had been served on the prosecution.

Responding, the Prosecutor, Chelsasy Emezina objected to the hearing of the preliminary objection, stating that it was not ripe for hearing. The Prosecutor stated that the law provides that the Defendants shall be arraigned first, before any application can be taken. She cited various decided

Otteh, Justice Sector Reform Activist, Passes On

The Nigerian legal community has lost one of its own, Joseph Otteh. Mr Otteh was the Founder and Executive Director of Access to Justice (A2J), an NGO dedicated to broad reforms in the Nigerian Justice sector. Over the years, he fought doggedly in the push for

a better, saner, efficient and corruption free Judiciary.

Mr Otteh spent most of his life advocating for a better Judiciary. He received many awards, in the course of his crusade for a better justice delivery system in Nigeria. Notably he was the recipient of the 2009 MacArthur Foundation Award for Creative and Effective Institution, and also the recipient of the first ever NBA Gani Fawehinmi Award 2010 for the defence of human rights and social justice. Joseph Otteh was a regular contributor in THISDAY LAWYER. He was in the forefront for the abolition of the death penalty and the abolition of torture of crime suspects. His death is a monumental loss to the Nigerian Justice Reform Sector. May his soul rest in peace. Amen.

legal authorities, including the decision on Onnoghen and Sections 221, 396 (1)and 382 (5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

“My Lord will not hear the motion, until the Defendants submit themselves to the authority of this court”, she said.

However, Justice LewisAllagoa cautioned the Prosecutor about her line of argument. The trial Judge also drew the Prosecutor’s attention to the difference between challenging the jurisdiction of a court, and that of a defective charge. Consequently, the Judge ordered both parties to file their processes, on the priority of the application to be taken first. The Defendants in the suit are the Bank, its Managing Director, a Lawyer, Victor Ukutt, and Whoba Ugwunna Ogo (who is currently at large).

The Federal Government, in the charge marked FHC/L/138C/2025, filed eight counts of alleged conspiracy, conversion, obtaining by false pretences, forgery, fraud, and money laundering against the Defendants. They were accused of conspiring between 2011 and 2023 to fraudulently convert about N19 billion from Woobs

Resources Limited’s account with the Bank. The alleged offences violate sections of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).

On the last adjourned date, Emezina informed the court that the case was scheduled for arraignment, and that all the Defendants have been served with the charge and hearing notices except the 4th Defendant, Whoba Ugwunna Ogo, who has not been served with the charge hearing notice.

The Prosecutor requested a Bench Warrant to be issued on Whoba Ugwunna Ogo, in accordance with Section

113 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2023.

However, Mr Falana opposed the request, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the charge, claiming the case was an abuse of court process. He noted that the matter involved alleged theft from a company, which was already under consideration by the Court of Appeal.

The Defendants filed a motion under Section 305(1) (a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, and Sections 6(a) & (b) and 295 of the Constitution, requesting that the court

dismiss the charge due to lack of jurisdiction and abuse of process. They also sought a stay of proceedings, pending the resolution of a dispute over the ownership of shares in Woobs Resources Limited, which is currently before the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/L/343/2020. The Defendants argued that the charges arose from a dispute about the ownership of shares in Woobs Resources Limited, stemming from a Joint Venture Agreement involving the 4th Defendant, Whoba Ugwunna Ogo, and the nominal complainant, Mr James Onyemenam.

Tu Face: Court Dismisses Suit Against Copyright Society of Nigeria

Hon. Justice B.O. Quadri of the Federal High Court Benin, sitting in Benin City, has dismissed a Case filed by Tu Face Innocent Idibia and Others Against Copyright Society of Nigeria and Others.

In a Judgement delivered on Thursday, the 27th of March, 2025, in the case marked Suit No:FHC/B/ C15/39/2021, the trial Judge after hearing Counsel to the Copyright Society of Nigeria and others - Douglas

Ogbankwa, dismissed the suit for lacking in territorial jurisdiction as the Defendants - Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Tony Okoroji, Ms Bernice Eriemeghe and Nigeria Copyright Council, operate and do business in Lagos and Abuja respectively.

The Court also held that it will amount to judicial rascality for the court to adjudicate over a matter that had a multiplicity of suits over the same matter, indicating that the case was a classic example of Forum Shopping. The Court further held that the action of the Claimants in the Suit amount to an improper use of the court process, which connotes an abuse of court process.

The Court dismissed the Suit of the Claimants and adjourned hearing of the Counter-Claim of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Defendant till 19th of May, 2025.

EFCC Slammed With N3 Million Fine Over Illegal Passport Seizure

Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos, has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to pay N3 million in damages to businessman, Idaresit Monday Ekpo, for violating his fundamental rights.

The trial Judge ruled that the EFCC’s prolonged seizure of Mr Ekpo’s passport since 2015 was

unconstitutional, illegal, and an infringement on his personal liberty, freedom of movement, and property rights. The court further instructed the immediate release of Mr Ekpo’s passport, and the removal of his name and image from the EFCC’s wanted list across all platforms.

Mr Monday Ekpo had fled a suit (FHC/L/ CS/1885/2024) seeking

redress for the continuous publication of his name and photo on EFCC’s wanted list, as well as the unlawful confiscation of his passport. He argued that these actions, damaged his reputation and dignity.

The businessman’s Lawyer, C. Anyanwu, pointed out that the EFCC’s conduct violated sections of the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human

and Peoples’ Rights. Despite being properly served with court documents, the EFCC failed to file any counteraffidavits or respond to Mr Ekpo’s claims.

In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu affirmed that the unchallenged affidavit evidence is considered accepted, stating that when facts in an affidavit are not disputed, they are deemed true, unless they are baseless.

Prince Nduka Obaigbena Femi Otedola

Tu Face Innocent Idibia

EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede

Late Joseph Otteh

‘Technology

Should be an Ally, Not an Afterthought’

despite the giant strides that have been recorded in the Nigerian legal profession, concerns have been expressed about its slow pace of development. With emerging technology, it does appear that the practice of the profession in Nigeria also has a lot of catching up to do, to be at par with what obtains presently in most advanced jurisdictions. onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi spoke with Dr Kemi Pinheiro, SAN who turned 60 recently. He expressed his deep concern over the obvious decline in professional ethics, the process of appointment of Judges, the Supreme Court and some of the reasons why its docket is over-burdened, offering viable solutions to the issues raised

Learned Silk, briefly give us an overview of your career till present day. At 60, would you say you are fulfilled?

Thank you for the opportunity. My journey in the legal profession has been both challenging and rewarding. I was called to the Nigerian Bar over three decades ago, and since then, I have dedicated myself to legal advocacy, litigation, and mentoring young Lawyers. In fact, in order to ensure that I continue to hone my advocacy skills, I had to, at an early stage of my career, take a pay cut, a decision which at that time was not in conformity with my economic reality. Over the years, I have had the privilege of handling several landmark cases that have contributed to the development of Nigerian jurisprudence. My career path has taken me through various aspects of legal practice, including commercial litigation, election petitions, constitutional law, and arbitration.

Beyond litigation, I have also been deeply involved in legal education, mentorship, and professional development. I have trained and guided many young Lawyers, some of whom have risen to the Inner Bar as Senior Advocates

of Nigeria (SANs), while others who have distinguished themselves in different areas of law.

At 60, do I feel fulfilled? I would say, to a large extent, yes. I have contributed to the profession, upheld the values of justice, and played my part in shaping the legal landscape. However, I still believe there is more to do, especially in terms of legal reforms and mentorship. The legal profession is constantly evolving, and I remain committed to contributing in whatever way I can.

You have mentored a good number of Lawyers. What is your assessment of the quality of the present crop of new wigs being admitted into the Bar? What key pieces of advice do you have for new wigs?

Mentorship has been one of the most gratifying aspects of my career. There is no greater joy than watching young Lawyers evolve - finding their voice, mastering their craft, and ultimately excelling. However, when I assess the present crop of new wigs, I must confess

“At 60, do I feel fulfilled? I would say, to a large extent, yes. I have contributed to the profession, upheld the values of justice, and played my part in shaping the legal landscape. However, I still believe there is more to do, especially in terms of legal reforms and mentorship”

that I am both hopeful and concerned.

Many young Lawyers today are brilliant, ambitious, and tech-savvy. Yet, something seems missing - the painstaking diligence, the hunger for deep knowledge, and the patience to master the rudiments of the law. There is an over-reliance on technology, without a firm grasp of fundamental legal principles. Many struggle with basic legal writing, courtroom decorum, and critical thinking. Some are in a haste for wealth and recognition, unwilling to endure the rigorous pupilage that moulds great advocates.

To be a great Lawyer, one must develop a strong foundation. My advice to new wigs is to: (a) Invest in Continuous Learning – The law is dynamic. Read widely, attend seminars, and seek mentorship (b) Master Legal Research and Writing – Every great advocate must be able to construct compelling arguments, based on sound legal reasoning (c) Be Ethical and Professional – Integrity is the foundation of a successful legal career. No amount of money or influence can substitute for a good reputation (d) Develop Advocacy Skills – Whether you are in litigation or corporate practice, effective communication and persuasive argumentation are essential and (e) Be Patient and Diligent – Success in law does not come overnight. Hard work, dedication, and perseverance will always pay off.

There is a complaint that there’s a decline in the standard of the legal profession, and this concerns the senior Lawyers even more. They frequently engage in abuse of court process - forum shopping, filing frivolous applications and suits, filing matters in courts that have no jurisdiction etc. It appears that,

in the UK, Judges can directly report Lawyers to their disciplinary body when they engage in this kind of misconduct. Would such a system work here? What can be done to raise the standard of our profession?

The decline in professional ethics, is a serious concern. Unfortunately, some senior Lawyers who should be setting the right example, engage in practices that undermine the integrity of our judicial system.

The abuse of court process—forum shopping, frivolous applications, and jurisdictional manipulations—have become rampant. This not only clogs the judicial system, but also erodes public confidence in the profession.

Just like in the UK, Nigerian Judges have the power to report erring Lawyers to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC). Sadly, it appears that most Judges would rather leave professional discipline to the NBA. We have rules of professional conduct robust enough to deal with most of these issues, but enforcement has been weak.

To improve standards, we must:

1. Strengthen Disciplinary Mechanisms – Judges, the NBA and LPDC must take a firmer stance against unethical practices.

2. Review Sanctions for Misconduct –There should be stricter penalties, including suspension for Lawyers who engage in unethical practices.

3. Enhance Legal Ethics Training – From Law School to practice, greater emphasis must be placed on legal ethics and professional responsibility. Raising the standard of our profession, requires collective responsibility. Senior Lawyers, in particular, must lead by example.

The process of the appointment of Judges has been criticised as being opaque, and

Dr Kemi Pinheiro, SAN

‘Technology

Should

not based on merit and capacity. That we have judicial officers who are not even computer literate, which should be a basic requirement in today’s world. What can be done to make the system of appointment of judicial officers transparent and competitive, so that only the brightest and the best are chosen?

Judicial appointments should be based on merit, experience, and competence. Unfortunately, the current process appears not to be fully reflective of these ideals. There have been improvements recently, but, there is more to be done. To allow for more transparency in the recruitment process for Judges, I would suggest that:

(a) Judicial vacancies should be widely advertised, and candidates should go through rigorous screening, including written examinations and public scrutiny.

(b) Introduce Mandatory Computer Literacy Tests – In today’s digital age, no Judge should be technologically handicapped. Basic IT proficiency should be a requirement.

(c) Introduce Performance Reviews – Judges should be regularly assessed based on their judgements, efficiency, and knowledge of the law. The review should form the basis of the type of trainings to be attended by the Judges. Submission of quarterly returns alone, without any assessment of some of the judgements, is to encourage quantity alone and not quality. Regular reviews will help maintain a balance.

Justice is too sacred, to be entrusted to mediocrity. We must demand nothing but excellence, from those who sit in judgement over others.

There has been a recent debate that the Nigerian Supreme Court which should be a Policy Court like it’s peers in other jurisdictions, has been turned into a glorified appeal court, hearing all manner of trivial matters like landlord and tenant, chieftaincy and pre-election matters, even matrimonial causes, instead of matters of public interest/policy and the like. Should this be so? For instance, the US & UK Supreme Court do not appear to hear up to 80 cases per annum. It has also been argued that the requirement of a certain number of Supreme Court cases in order to take Silk, has also contributed to the trivialisation and overcrowding of the Apex Court’s docket. As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, kindly, share your views on this important issue

This is a critical issue. The Supreme Court is supposed to be a constitutional and policy court, that interprets the law in a way that shapes the nation’s legal framework. However, it has become overburdened with appeals that should have ended at the Court of Appeal.

In the US and UK, the Supreme Court hears only a limited number of cases, focusing on significant legal and constitutional questions. In contrast, Nigeria’s Supreme Court is handling cases that should not reach that level.

One major contributor to this problem, is the requirement that SAN Applicants must have handled a certain number of Supreme Court cases. This has led to an influx of unnecessary appeals.

I have, in several fora, made suggestions on this issues which include; (a) Establishing a Strict Case Selection Process – Only cases of national importance and constitutional significance should reach the Supreme Court. (b) Strengthening the Court of Appeal – It should serve as the final court for most matters.(c) Revise the SAN Requirement – The Guideline that mandates four Supreme Court cases for SAN qualification should be reconsidered, and the number reduced.

The Supreme Court must focus on legal principles and policy matters that advance the law, not routine appeals that add no value to jurisprudence.

There is a general complaint that over 50% of inmates in the correctional facilities

be an Ally, Not an Afterthought’

are awaiting trial. This, in turn, is blamed on the Police and the Prosecutors. As a result, criminal trials take too long, so much so that there’s a law that a person cannot be detained for longer than the crime they are charged for. Considering the fact that Nigerians enjoy several fundamental rights including that of liberty and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, what can be done to speed up criminal trials?

The alarming number of awaiting trial inmates in Nigeria’s correctional facilities, is a major indictment on the justice system. Several factors contribute to these delays, including poor investigation by law enforcement, congestion in the courts, inadequate legal representation, and the inefficiency of the prosecution. To resolve these issues, the following measures must be implemented:

1. Strict Case Management and Time Limits for Trials: Most court rules already contain provisions for expeditious disposal of criminal cases. Courts should enforce these stringent timelines for criminal trials. A case management system, similar to the front-loading system used in civil cases, should be introduced.

2. Strengthening the Role of Magistrates: Many cases that end up in High Courts could be concluded at the Magistrates’ level, if the Magistracy is empowered to handle more matters. This will significantly reduce the burden on superior courts.

3. Expansion of Plea Bargaining: Plea bargaining should be encouraged in appropriate cases to resolve matters swiftly, especially in financial crimes and non-violent offences.

4. Reduction in Use of Pre-Trial Detention: Many suspects are kept in detention for minor offences, due to their inability to meet bail conditions. Courts should be more liberal in granting bail where appropriate, and non-custodial alternatives

“The world has embraced Artificial Intelligence, virtual courtrooms, and automated legal research, yet, we remain frozen in time—our Judges still wielding pens, our courts still drowning in paper in an era of automation. This is not just inefficiency; it is self-sabotage. AI is not the future; it is the present… We must invest in digital literacy, overhaul court infrastructure….”

should be explored.

5. Capacity Building for Prosecutors and Law Enforcement: A large number of criminal cases fail, due to poor prosecution. Law enforcement officers and prosecutors must be better trained to ensure that investigations are thorough, and trials proceed without undue adjournments.

Justice delayed is justice denied. These measures will help create a more efficient criminal justice system, and uphold the rights of accused persons.

The Nation’s laws are currently being reviewed, what specific areas would you recommend for urgent attention? What about the issue of constitutional reform and the call for devolution of powers?

The ongoing review of our laws is a welcome development, but, more needs to be done to ensure that our legal framework reflects current realities. Some key areas that require urgent reform include:

1. Criminal Justice System: The procedural laws governing criminal trials need revision, to eliminate undue delays.

2. Electoral Laws: Nigeria’s electoral process still suffers from credibility issues. Strengthening electoral laws to ensure more transparent elections, is essential. We must review the introduction of technology into our electoral process from the last election, to cater for issues which will impugn the integrity of the electoral process.

3. Investment and Business Laws: To attract foreign investment, our business environment must be legally secure. Laws on contracts, corporate governance, and arbitration must be updated to align with global best practices.

Regarding constitutional amendments, the most critical area is devolution of powers. Nigeria’s Federal structure is over-centralised, with the Federal Government controlling too many responsibilities that should ideally be managed at the State level. A restructured Federal system will promote efficiency, encourage development, and reduce the burden on the central government.

You have successfully prosecuted some high-profile cases for the EFCC. Is it true that the Commission has a low rate of convictions in its cases? If so, what is the reason for this?

The perception that the EFCC has a low conviction rate, is not entirely accurate. In fact, the Commission has made remarkable strides in securing convictions, particularly in cases involving politically exposed persons.

EFCC has very dedicated and extremely hardworking investigators and Lawyers, so it would be unfair not to acknowledge these patriotic Nigerians who risk their lives daily in the fight against corruption. Conviction rates have increased exponentially. Check

published records, you will agree.

That said, there are still notable challenges in the prosecutorial process which will need to be reviewed, such as weak investigations leading to avoidable legal loopholes that Defendants exploit. Delays in Trials, many Defendants use legal technicalities to frustrate proceedings. The slow nature of our judicial system, also contributes to the problem.

The perception of most Nigerians is that arbitration is a first step towards litigation, as most arbitral awards often end up in court. As a Chartered Arbitrator, what is your assessment of arbitration practice in Nigeria. The nation has yet to attain the position of an arbitration hub, nor does it have any international arbitration seat. What can be done to reverse this trend?

The perception that arbitration is merely a step toward litigation, arises from the frequent judicial interference in arbitral awards. While arbitration is meant to be a faster and more efficient dispute resolution mechanism, excessive court intervention has undermined its effectiveness in Nigeria. To reverse this trend, the Judiciary must adopt an arbitration-friendly stance, enforcing awards with minimal interference. Legislative reforms, improved institutional capacity, and promoting Nigeria as a reliable arbitration seat through international partnerships, will also help position the country as a preferred arbitration destination.

Is the Nigerian legal profession prepared for the onslaught of Artificial Intelligence? While the rest of the world appears to be moving in that direction, including virtual court proceedings, it doesn’t appear as if the Nigerian legal system is in a hurry to catch up with the rest of the world. Even the judicial officers are still writing in longhand to date. Kindly, comment on this

The Nigerian legal profession, stands on the precipice of change. The world has embraced Artificial Intelligence, virtual courtrooms, and automated legal research, yet, we remain frozen in time—our Judges still wielding pens, our courts still drowning in paper in an era of automation. This is not just inefficiency; it is self-sabotage.

AI is not the future; it is the present. Globally, it is transforming legal research, case management, and judicial decision-making. Yet, we hesitate, clinging to outdated traditions, while the world speeds past us. If we do not act now, we will become relics in a digital era.

The Judiciary, the Bar, and policymakers must awaken to this reality. We must invest in digital literacy, overhaul court infrastructure, and integrate AI into our legal practice. Technology should be an ally, not an afterthought. The law thrives on precision, speed, and accessibility—qualities that AI enhances, not diminishes. The choice before us is clear: evolve, or be left behind.

Thank you, Learned Silk.

Dr Kemi Pinheiro, SAN

The theme for the well-attended event was ‘Half a Century of the Body of Benchers: The Past, The Present, and The Future of Maintaining the Ethics of the Legal Profession in Nigeria’.

Chairman, BoB 2024/2025: Asiwaju Awomolo, SAN

In his welcome remarks, Chairman of the Body, Asiwaju Adegboyega Solomon Awomolo, SAN gave a brief history of the Body and its statutory functions.

He said “Members of the Body of Benchers, by statute, are men and women of the highest distinction in the legal profession. They constitute the heart and conscience of the profession.

“Law is now at the heart of very human activity. The boundaries of human rights, its enforcement and the principle of ubu jus ibi remedium keeps expanding every day. The demand on the legal profession whether in domestic or global environment have broken the bounds known when the Body was established in 1971.

“There is the ever recurring argument in this country, as to whether the law degree should be a second degree in the University programme. There is a common agreement that the standard of Lawyers being produced are of less quality than the years when the Body was established, and so the minimum qualification and perhaps, age, should be reconsidered.” “There are beliefs that the ethics in the Legal Profession, has also suffered deterioration.”

According to Asiwaju Awomolo, the revolution in science and technology has thrown up changes in world societies faster than the law can keep pace, hence, the need for the BoB to constantly avail itself of the opportunity of introspection by a platform for intellectual cum practical reflections of the dynamic of changes in the world.

Asiwaju Awomolo placed emphasis on the benefit of the public presentation of the LPDC Report by the BoB for, “particularly the young ones who are easily tempted to commit acts that contravene the Rules of Professional Conduct in the Legal Profession”. He thanked all in attendance “for accepting to be part of the History of the Body of Benchers”.

CJN Kekere-Ekun

The Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the event, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, GCON, commended the leadership of the BoB for the initiative to address the issue of ethics in the legal profession. According to her, strict adherence to ethical principles in the legal profession and society at large is facing serious challenges.

"Today, more than ever, there is an urgent need to recommit ourselves to the fundamental values of ethics, discipline, and professional responsibility.

“This maiden edition of the Annual Lecture, with the theme: “Half-A-Century of the Body of Benchers: The Past, The Present, and The Future of Maintaining the Ethics of the Legal Profession in Nigeria”, is both timely and significant.” She expressed deep concern over what she described as, a decline in adherence to ethical principles within the legal profession. The CJN further highlighted the growing challenges, to maintaining professional ethics in the legal sector and society at large. She urged legal practitioners to recommit themselves to the core values of ethics, discipline, and professional responsibility to reverse the trend.

“It is instructive to note that the Body of Benchers, as the apex institution of the legal profession in Nigeria, is uniquely positioned to lead the charge in this regard. The responsibility of upholding the legal profession’s sanctity rests heavily on its shoulders, and I have no doubt that the Body will continue to rise to the occasion”, she stated.

The CJN emphasised the importance of the LPDC in enforcing professional discipline, stressing that this must be carried out with fairness, transparency, and resolve.

While stating that the responsibility of upholding the legal profession’s sanctity rests heavily on the BoB, the CJN expressed confidence that the Body will continue to rise to the occasion. She stressed that enforcement of professional discipline among legal practitioners, through the LPDC is a vital function that must be pursued with fairness, transparency, and unwavering resolve, adding that the publication of the Body of Benchers Law Report is a significant milestone. According to the CJN, the collection of the Directions of the LPDC will serve as an invaluable resource for legal practitioners, scholars, and all stakeholders interested in the disciplinary jurisprudence of the legal profession.

"By making these decisions readily accessible, the Body of Benchers has further reinforced the principles of accountability, transparency, and consistency in the administration of discipline within the legal profession.

"As we inaugurate this Annual Lecture, I urge that this initiative be sustained and expanded. It should not only serve as an avenue for reflection and discourse, but, also as a mechanism for setting clear benchmarks for professional ethics, continuous legal education,

Body of Benchers: Maiden Annual Lecture and Presentation of LPDC Reports

Last Wednesday, Nigeria’s highest regulatory body in the legal profession, the Body of Benchers held its maiden annual lecture and presented the Report of the directions of the Legal Practitioners disciplinary Committee (LPdC) at its Complex in abuja. Onikepo Braithwaite, Jude Igbanoi and Alex Enumah who attended the event report

and justice sector reforms.

"Through sustained engagement and collaboration, the Body of Benchers can further its leadership role in shaping the future of legal practice in Nigeria", she added.

According to the CJN, the Keynote Lecture by Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, will serve multiple purposes, including shedding light on the Body of Benchers’ role both nationally and internationally, addressing ethical challenges in the profession, and fostering a forward-thinking agenda to strengthen the legal system. “It will also help in presenting a forward-looking agenda for strengthening the legal profession, while enhancing public confidence in the Judiciary and legal practice”, she noted.

BRF’s Keynote Address

The highlight of the event was the lecture delivered by former Lagos State Governor and former Minister of Works, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN (BRF). He indeed approached the subject-matter from the perspective of the past, present and future.

BRF tasked the Body of Benchers to endeavour to thoroughly scrutinise those taking up legal practice as a profession. According to him the admittance of any person of "unsuitable quality, character, integrity, or competence" into the law profession could only portend a great danger, not just on the system of administration of justice, but on the lives and livelihoods of the citizens.

"It suffices to say, as a reminder to all who are present that this body is the Regulator and quality controller of the legal profession; if quality control fails, the society is in trouble", he stressed.

While disclosing that as at today, there are 146,255 Lawyers on the nominal roll of the Supreme Court, BRF called for a rethinking of how Lawyers are being trained in the country. He questioned the continued relevance of the Law School as a training institution, as well as its efficacy to train over 5,000 students into proficient advocates. He suggested that “Given the public concerns about the administration of justice, has the time not come upon us to separate and specialise the training of Solicitors from Barristers or Advocates?

“Is this not time to also look in the mirror and at the current Law School curriculum, and ask ourselves what kind of advocate we can train in one year with a theoretical outlook and insufficient time on infrastructure for Court Room practice and exposure?”

BRF recommended that post-University training of Solicitors and Advocates be left to law firms to be accredited nationwide. He suggested that the

“Is this not time to also look in the mirror and at the current Law School curriculum, and ask ourselves what kind of advocate we can train in one year….My suggestions are not perfect, but I believe that the time for change and reform was yesterday…..”

Law School remain as an examining and certification body, separating Solicitors examinations from that of Barristers.

"My suggestions are not perfect, but I believe that the time for change and reform was yesterday, if we are to make the system of administration of justice, we must start with the people who get to operate the system.

"Competence is key, and it is from competence that we can set standards; when we set standards, non-compliance is easily detectable and sanctionable ", he added.

Public Presentation of the LPDC Reports & Review

The event also featured the public presentation of the Report on the Directions of the LPDC.

As Chairman of the inaugural lecture, Justice Kekere-Ekun commended the leadership and members of the Body of Benchers, for their vision and dedication in launching the initiative. She described the lecture as a critical platform for intellectual engagement, practical dialogue, and reflective discussions on the future of the legal profession.

The Benchers LPDC Reports, with former Edo State Attorney-General, Charles Uwensuyi Edosomwan, SAN as Editor-in-Chief of the publication, was commended for its hard work and diligence in compiling the Reports.

The Law Report was reviewed by the former Attorney-General of Plateau State, Prof Dakas C. Dakas, SAN. He expressed concern over the fact that it takes an average of three years to resolve a case at the LPDC. Prof Dakas suggested that more Panels of the LPDC should be constituted and be sitting. He further suggested that they should leverage on technology, to ensure speedy resolution of cases. He urged that the system should create an electronic platform for filling cases, while advocating virtual court hearings of cases.

Panel Discussion

Discussants in this segment included Hon. Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, JSC; Hon. Justice Ishaq Bello; Prof Isa Chiroma, SAN and Prof Damilola Olawuyi, SAN.

VP Shettima

The need for legal practitioners in the country to maintain high ethical standard at all times, was the centre of discussion at the maiden annual lecture of the Body of Benchers (BoB), held in Abuja on Wednesday. The event which attracted eminent personalities in the legal profession, including former Chief Justices of Nigeria, was declared open by the Vice President (VP), His Excellency, Kashim Shettima, GCON.

Speaking at the occasion, the VP who observed that the foundation of every great nation is built on the ethical sensitivity of the institutions that uphold justice, stressed that such moral requirements prepare them to refuse to bend to divisive sentiments and to stand firm against the currents of expediency. While stating that the Body of Benchers represents the highest traditions of the country's legal profession, he commended the body for the role it plays in ensuring smooth

dispensation of justice in the country.

"The pursuit of justice does not happen in a vacuum. It is shaped by the gatekeepers and personnel of the law, which is why the Body of Benchers is an essential pillar of our sovereign existence. Time and again, we are reminded that a nation is only as accountable, fair, and orderly as the people who make, enforce, and interpret its laws", he said.

According to the VP, the Judges are not just interpreters of the law; they are custodians of justice, whose role is not without its burdens. He said, "The expectations are high, and the temptations are many. Yet, I urge you, my Lords, to remain steadfast. To borrow the words of the eminent jurist Lord Atkin, Justice is not a cloistered virtue; it must be allowed to suffer the scrutiny of reasonable men.

"Permit me, therefore, to reiterate that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has demonstrated that the best way for our tripartite system of government to function, is when we do not treat one another as enemies, but as allies dedicated to the republican virtues of the nation and the advancement of our democracy".

VP Shettima congratulated the BoB on the launch of its Law Report, which he described as a reflection of the collective commitment to legal scholarship, the preservation of precedent, and the continuous refinement of the legal system.

Governor Aiyedatiwa

In a goodwill message, the Governor of Ondo State, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, commended the BoB, as well as the entire Judiciary for the enthronement of the rule of law in Nigeria, and pledged his commitment to its success in his State and country at large.

Aiyedatiwa, who claimed to be a "proud beneficiary of the rule of law", pointed out that, but for the Judiciary, he would have been removed as acting Governor of Ondo State when the late Governor was away. He stated that the rule of law has "strengthened my resolve in the Judiciary as the last hope of the common man", and that his administration is more committed in put in place a viable justice system through the implementation of reforms, increase funding for the Judiciary, amongst others.

According to the senior lawyer, the revolution in science and technology has thrown up changes in world societies faster than the law can keep pace, hence, the need for the BoB to constantly avail itself of the opportunity of introspection by a platform for intellectual cum practical reflections of the dynamic of changes in the world.

"There is now the threat of artificial intelligence, Lawyers Without Borders and International Organisations that claim to stand as guardians of the world legal consult propagating ideologies that constitute threats to the Legal Profession world wide.

"There is the ever recurring argument in this country, as to whether law degree should be a second degree in the university programme. There is a common agreement that the standard of Lawyers being produced are of less quality than the years when the Body was established, and so the minimum qualification and perhaps, age, should be reconsidered.

"The question then, is whether the law degree should be made a second degree holder before being offered admission to the Nigerian Law School. There are beliefs that the ethics in the Legal Profession has also suffered deterioration", Awomolo stated.

CJN Kekere-Ekun and Asiwaju Awomolo, SAN

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, GCON (left) welcoming the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON (right) and the Outgoing Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN (centre) looking on

Benchers L-R: Oba Adelodun, SAN; Solomon Umoh, SAN; Chris Uche, SAN; Kanu Agabi, SAN; Tayo Oyetibo, SAN

Prof Damilola Olawuyi, SAN (left) and Mrs Victoria Awomolo, SAN

L-R: President of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN; Editor-in-Chief of LPDC Reports, Charles Uwensuyi Edosomwan, SAN and Asiwaju Awomolo, SAN

L-R: Representing the Senate President, Senator Niyi Adegbonmire, SAN; Solicitor-General of the Federation & Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba and former NBA General Secretary, Adesina Adegbite

Former NBA General Secretaries, Deacon Dele Adesina, SAN (left) and Lawal Rabana, SAN

Asiwaju Awomolo, SAN (left); Hon. Justice Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, JSC and CJN Kekere-Ekun

Asiwaju Awomolo, SAN (left) and Past Chairman, BoB, Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili, JSC (Rtd)

Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Salihu Modibbo Alfa Belgore, GCON (left) and Babatunde Fashola, SAN

L-R: Charles Uwensuyi Edosomwan, SAN; Editor, This Day Lawyer, Onikepo Braithwaite and Dr Richard Ahonaruogo, SAN

Keynote Speaker, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN (left) and CJN Kekere-Ekun

L-R: Asiwaju Awomolo, SAN; Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN; Hon. Justice Chidiebere Nwaoma Uwa, JSC; former AGF, Adetokunbo Kayode, SAN and Babatunde Fashola, SAN

Benchers L-R: Victor Ndoma Egba, SAN; Prof Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN; Asiwaju Awomolo, SAN and Adetokunbo Kayode, SAN

L-R: Jonathan Taidi, SAN; Ibrahim Mark; Austin Ottah and Afam Okeke

Panelists L-R: Justice Ishaq Bello; Prof Damilola Olawuyi, SAN; Prof Isa Chiroma, SAN and Hon. Justice Ogunwumiju, JSC

Kanu Agabi, SAN (left) greeting Deputy Editor, This Day Lawyer, Jude Igbanoi (right); Chris Uche, SAN and Tayo Oyetibo, SAN (middle)

Benchers Dubem Okwuosa (left) and Anozie Obi, mni

Members of the Joint Planning Committee

Reviewer of the Reports, Prof Dakas, SAN

Mrs Rita Chris-Garuba (left) and Hon. Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court

Benchers L-R: Oba Adelodun, SAN; Lawal Rabana, SAN; Prof Yusuf Ali, SAN; Justice Ishaq Bello and Tayo Oyetibo, SAN

L-R: Babatunde Fashola, SAN; CJN Kekere-Ekun; VP Shettima; Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili, JSC (Rtd) and Benchers during the Presentation of the LPDC Reports

PENSIONS DESK OFFICERS AND HUMAN RESOURCES FORUM……

L-R: Head, Contribution Administration, First Pension Custodian, Yeyeodu Olakusehin; Acting Commissioner, Admin, PenCom, Michael Popoola; Associate Director, Access ARM Pensions, Adaora Ude; Executive Director, Investments and strategy, Access ARM Pensions, Abimbola Sulaiman, and Zonal Head, South-west, PenCom, Sola Adeseun, at the Pensions Desk Officers and Human Resources Forum, organised by Access ARM Pensions in Lagos…recently

Crisis Brews in Bayelsa as Supporters of Diri, Wike Fix Rally for Same Venue

Chuks Okocha in abuja

Political crisis is brewing in Bayelsa State ahead of the April 12 mega rally in support of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

The organisers are also planning to inaugurate a political group: The New Associates, Bayelsa chapter.

But Governor Douye Diri warned against the rally which he said is capable of triggering violence. However, George Turnah, the lead organiser, dare the governor, vowing that the rally would go on.

After this development, supporters of the governor also

Kogi Bans Rallies, Public Gatherings

Worried by the various threats to security and peaceful co-existence among the people of Kogi State, the state government has placed a ban on all forms of rallies or public gatherings that have the potential to disrupt public peace.

The ban was contained in the Security Alert statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, and made available to journalists in Lokoja yesterday.

Fanwo explained that the state government remains unwavering in its commitment to protecting the lives and property of all residents and ensuring that the state remains a haven of peace and security.

In light of credible intelligence

reports, the government has deemed it necessary to take proactive measures to prevent any form of security breach that could destabilise the state.

The commissioner highlighted three flash points where security of lives and property are being threatened.

According to him, “In Kasemiya, Katubo, and Umozu Ette all in Kogi Local Government Area in Kogi West, fishing activities have resulted in serious crisis, leading to the loss of two lives.

“All fishing activities in Kogi Local Government Area is hereby suspended until peace is completely restored. Swecurity operatives have been deployed in the affected areas to restore peace and implement our directive.”

‘

fixed a rally at the same venue, choosing same date and time.

Governor Diri had last week during meetings with Bayelsa elders and security chiefs alerted that the planned pro-Wike rally is capable of igniting crisis in the

state due to already tense political climate in the neighbouring Rivers State.

Few days after the governor declared his stance against the pro-Wike rally, his supporters under the auspices of a group

‘Izon Keme-Ama Assembly’ rolled out their own programme for their grand mega rally tagged ‘Assured Prosperity Prosperity Rally In Appreciation of His Excellency Senator Douye Diri’s Unprecedented Achievements in Bayelsa State.” According to the flyer from the Convener of pro-Diri rally, Tony Nathan Ile, he urged all sons and daughters of Izon both home and abroad to attend the rally.

Police Recover N4m from Kidnappers in Kano, Rescue 20 Victims in Taraba

Linus Aleke in abuja

The Police hierarchy yesterday said that operatives of the Kano State Anti-Kidnapping Squad recovered over N4 million suspected to be ransom payment from suspected kidnappers.

Police authority also revealed that a meticulous investigation

was launched on March 8, 2025, following the kidnapping of Dr. Muhammad Bello Yushau, which culminated in a series of arrests.

A statement by Force Spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, said:

“On March 18 and 19, technical analysis led police operatives

from the state Anti-Kidnapping Squad to apprehend Tukur Lawal AKA Maikudi, along with accomplices Ado Usman, Sanusi Surajo, Habiba Shuaibu, and Ummulkhairi Ibrahim.

“In their possession, authorities recovered a locally made rifle and N4,840,000 in cash believed to be ransom money. The victim was rescued unhurt and reunited with his family.”

In a separate operation in Taraba State, operatives attached to the State Command in conjunction with other security agencies, swiftly responded to ongoing kidnapping at Muji Town.

Bauchi Seeks Support of Monarchs in Delivery of Democracy Dividends

Segun Awofadeji inBauchi

The Bauchi State Government yesterday solicited the continued support and cooperation of traditional rulers to enable it succeed in the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed made the request when the Emir of Bauchi, Rilwanu Suleiman

Adamu paid him homage as part of sallah celebrations.

Represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Auwal Jatau, the governor in particular requested Emirs to educate their people on government’s efforts for their continued understanding and support to the government.

He appreciated the Emir of Bauchi Alhaji (Dr) Adamu, alongside his

District Heads and other traditional title holders in his Emirate for the sallah homage, observing that the sustenance of this age-long tradition is a manifestation of the support and honour he is enjoying from the traditional institution in the state.

“This understanding between government and the traditional institution will go a long way in strengthening the existing cordial relationship between the two parties. I am therefore, most appreciative and grateful for the gesture. “As a government that has been put in place through a popular mandate freely given by the people of the state, we are not only committed to bringing about positive change in the lives of the people, but would also ensure that lives and property of all citizens are protected.”

Eledumare Festival ‘ll Boost Yoruba Culture, Nation’s Tourism’

Segun James

to Combat Banditry

Sokoto Gov Calls for Collective Efforts

Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has called for collective efforts to combat banditry in the state, emphasizing the need for all segments of society to work together to address this challenge.

The governor made the call yesterday during a Sallah homage to the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, at his palace. He highlighted the progress made by his administration in the fight against insecurity, attributing the successes to the fervent prayers of the people, as well as the renewed commitment of the state government and security agencies.

The governor also reiterated his administration’s unwavering support for Islamic propagation in the state.

This call to action comes as part of the governor’s efforts to strengthen security and promote peace in Sokoto State.

Aliyu further praised Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar for his contributions to Da’awah (Islamic propagation), and called for continued support and advice from the revered traditional ruler.

Governor Aliyu noted that the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps, established by his government, has been instrumental in assisting conventional security forces in securing the state. He commended traditional institutions for their role in curbing banditry, and called for sustained efforts.

THISDAY published a news story on Thursday, March 27, 2025 with the title, Atiku: National Assembly is Corrupt, where the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar accused the current leadership of the National Assembly of being corrupt. In the story, we said Atiku spoke in an interview with ARISE News Channels. We have come to realise that Atiku actually spoke in an interview with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie for her Untold Stories Project. This mix-up is highly regretted.

As part of moves to boost Yoruba culture and tourism in the country, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams has announced the dates for this year’s edition of Eledumare festival, which is meant to appreciate what God has done in the lives of Nigeria and the people.

Adams, who disclosed this while flagging off the 21-day event, which commences on Sunday and will run till Tuesday, April 22, 2025, with various programmes, said through cultural and traditional activities, God can be appreciated.

He has expressed the organisers resolve to “always make sure that it promotes the culture and tradition and even tourism in our community, the

state and the country.”

“The festival is to appreciate what God has done in our lives and to even let people know that we can appreciate God through cultural and traditional and not only through religious programmes and activities. And this festival will create commerce in the host communities and the state, and it is also a potential for tourism.

“We have been doing this programme for the past 13 years and even during the time of COVID-19, we managed and made sure that Eledumare Festival was organised.

“Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF) will always make sure that it promotes the cultures and traditions and even tourism in our community, the state and the country,” he stated.

Lawmaker, Adelegbe, Expresses Concern over Low Execution Rate of Bills

A member representing Owo/Ose federal constituency in the National Assembly, Timilehin Adelegbe, has expressed concerns over the low execution rates of bills, which is hindering the Nigeria’s progress.

The lawmaker stated this at a press briefing ahead of the 2025 edition of his empowerment programme held at the NUJ Press

Centre, Akure. He highlighted the challenges faced by lawmakers in getting their proposed legislation passed and implemented.

Particularly, Adelegbe, who spoke on his achievement as a lawmaker within five years assured his constituents that his second term in the 10th Assembly will bring more effective representation and he’ll continue to empower his constituents.

He said his commitment to infrastructural developments, poverty alleviation, skill acquisition, mega empowerment programmes, sports development, educational support through bursary award to students, construction of block of classrooms, renovation of schools, financial aid to market women and men could be attested to by the people of Owo and Ose council areas.

He itemized the projects

initiated by him in the education sector to include: “Construction of skill acquisition centres in Iredari Grammar School Idoani; construction of skill acquisitions centres in Adeyeri Grammar School, Owo; renovation of schools in Okeluse; renovation of Irekari Grammar School, Idoani and construction of a block of six classroom in Ekamarun Grammar School.

Minister of Interior, Tunji-Ojo, Participates in Border Security Summit in London

Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Hon. Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, participated in the border security summit in London yesterday. The event brought together over 30 global leaders, including United Kingdom(UK) Prime Minister, Keir_Starmer, and UK Home Secretary, Yvette

Cooper, to discuss critical issues surrounding border control and organised immigration crime (OIC).

The summit provided a platform for international collaboration on migration policies, security threats, and strategies to combat illegal immigration activities.

Tunji-Ojo’s presence underscored Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its immigration policies and working with global partners to tackle transnational crimes such as human trafficking, smuggling, and document fraud.

According to a statement, during his participation, TunjiOjo contributed to discussions on improving border security, utilising technology-driven solutions, and enhancing regional cooperation to dismantle criminal networks exploiting immigration loopholes.

Fidelis David inakure

Ibrahim Oyewale inlokoja

Edo Extrajudicial Killing and the Demolishing of Obaseki’s Security Architecture

Emeka Nwachukwu

The blood of 16 Nigerians from the Northern part of the country who were transiting from Port Harcourt in Rivers State to their home state flowed painfully in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, on Thursday, March 28, 2025.

From the look of things, even though investigations are currently ongoing, these victims were mere resource-poor farmers, most likely as deprived and angry with the nation’s problems as the mob in whose hands they met their violent and untimely death.

The very sad and unfortunate incident, which has continued to elicit outrage and criticism, has made it manifestly clear that the Edo State security system has collapsed.

An investigative inquest into this terrible incident has, however, revealed that what happened in Uromi is not just an isolated event but a calamity waiting to happen, considering the devastating assault on the meticulously planned security architecture painstakingly put together by His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the former governor of Edo State, working hand in hand with various institutions.

Understanding Edo’s unique positioning as a critical transport hub in the country, one that links the north to the south, whether from the southwest, southeast, or south-south regions of Nigeria, Obaseki during his tenure as the State’s helmsman built a very nimble security system to address these sorts of crisis and bequeathed same to new government of Senator Monday Okpebholo.

The Obaseki Security Model Obaseki developed this nuanced security model by first leveraging traditional institutions. The governor recognized that an effective and efficient security system cannot be planned without the involvement of local leadership of the communities that you’re trying to secure. On account of this, Obaseki ensured that there was an active traditional council in each local government area (LGA) of the State.

These traditional councils gave the various traditional rulers in each LGA a sense of leadership that was recognised by the government in their communities. These leaders were not just figureheads as they were formally incorporated into the state government’s payroll and every month, they received allowances from the government, empowering them to provide local leadership and ensuring they commanded respect within their communities.

With this foundation of traditional leadership, Obaseki encouraged different communities to nominate operatives, who were then taken for rigorous training, to the Police Academy at Ogida Barracks in Benin, which was rebuilt and equipped by Obaseki.

The training was conducted by the police, DSS, military, and other security agencies, covering intelligence gathering, community policing, firearm handling, and other critical security skills. After the training, the operatives were profiled, their data was entered into a central database, and they were officially inaugurated into what Obaseki called the Edo State Security Network.

These operatives were then equipped with sophisticated handheld walkie-talkies and communication gadgets and were deployed back to the communities they originated from. The idea was that, since security is local, only those who live within a locality can effectively secure it. This structure strengthened the security system, making it more nimble and effective.

The next layer involved strengthening the state’s surveillance system. In addition to surveillance conducted by these well-trained operatives of the Edo State Security Network in their various localities, a network of security cameras was deployed in the first phase across every nook and cranny of Benin City. The feeds from these cameras were transmitted to the Command and Control Center, where large screens allowed trained experts to monitor activities across the state 24/7.

Inside the Command and Control Center, a dedicated call center operated in three shifts of eight hours each, ensuring 24-hour coverage. Professionals at the call center

received emergency calls through the state’s emergency numbers, 731 and 112.

Once an emergency was reported, they monitored the situation via the surveillance system and deployed the relevant emergency response team accordingly. If it were a fire emergency, the nearest firefighters were dispatched. If it involved robbery or arson, the closest police or military unit was deployed. For health emergencies, the EMS was activated.

Seamless communication was also ensured through high-end, long-range radio devices (walkie-talkies) that covered every inch of Edo State. This eliminated the need to rely on GSM or mobile networks, which often have poor signals in certain remote areas. Additionally, the security system incorporated highly sophisticated drones capable of detecting human body heat in forests, further enhancing the security operations.

Interagency Collaboration

One of the critical pillars of Obaseki’s nimble security model was strong interagency collaboration. The police, military, DSS, NSCDC, and other security agencies worked together, shared information, and held frequent security meetings. Most importantly, all of these efforts were under the strong leadership of the then Chief Security Officer of the State, Godwin Obaseki, who, every week, convened high-level security council meetings with these agencies and other stakeholders in the security chain.

Security decisions were made based on real-time data, allowing authorities to track and monitor crime trends, including homicide, murder, kidnapping, and other criminal activities.

All of these elements combined to create a resilient and robust security system that made Edo impenetrable to insecurity. As a result, the state was at the time adjudged the safest place to live and do business in the entire South-South region of Nigeria.

The Deluge Unfortunately, as the 2024 governorship elections in Edo State approached, some political actors within the state orchestrated a nonexistent security crisis, which led to the death of a police officer. They then used this incident as an excuse to deceive the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in Abuja, giving him the false impression that the security structure built by Obaseki

posed a threat to the election.

Having been misled by this contrived crisis, the IGP came to Edo State and began dismantling the robust security system put in place by the then governor. The operatives of the Edo Security Network, who had been thoroughly trained and equipped to perform effectively, were disbanded.

The communication gadgets handed over to the operatives were confiscated, the surveillance system was set aside, and security agencies in the State were turned against the Chief Security Officer. Everything was thrown into disarray.

This led to a heavily militarized election, followed by the enthronement of a new government and then the complete degradation of the entire security system.

The new government sacked the Edo Security Network and replaced them with political actors who had no training whatsoever. All security gadgets were discarded, the Command and Control Center was consigned to the rubbish bin of history, and the strategic security meetings were abandoned. As a result, insecurity reigned supreme across the land.

Edo People Kidnapped, Maimed and Killed

The consequences of this security collapse have been dire. The state has become a safe haven for killings, kidnappings and violent attacks.

Apart from the 16 people who were recently burnt alive, in the past two months alone, at least 50 persons have reportedly died from the mindless killings and brutal attacks by herders and other criminal gangs, with properties worth millions of naira destroyed.

The devastating attack on seven farming communities in Ovia South-West LGA, about a month ago, was said to have claimed at least 24 lives.

Three residents of Okpekpe community in Etsako East LGa, including Batemue Philip Ebo and Christopher Bello, were also brutally killed by suspected herders, a few days after the Ovia incident.

In Edo Central, the blood bath has continued unabated with at least 10 persons killed in various communities from Uromi, in Esan North East, to Ubiajia in Esan South East and Igueben, among others.

In Ekpoma precisely, an 18-year-old boy, identified as Chinedu Abimbor, also met his untimely death when he was

shot dead by police officers in Ekpoma, Esan West local council.

Very recently, Fr. Philip Ekweli and 21-year-old major seminarian Andrew Peter, who was later killed by his abductors, were kidnapped in Etsako East LGA of the State.

The National President of the Afenifere Youth Council, Prince Eniola Olajuni, who was kidnapped on his way to Abuja, was released in Ibilo, Akoko-Edo LGA, after 12 days in captivity, highlighting how emboldened criminal elements have become in the state.

This is in addition to the brutality the people have had to endure in the hands of non state actors who have held them hostage, hounding, harassing, intimidating and extorting them. The activities of government-backed thugs under the State Public Safety Response Team (PSRT), reportedly claimed the life of a two-year-old girl who was crushed to death by a commercial driver who had a clash the thugs, while driving at the Ring Road, Benin City.

In terms of insecurity, it has been a perfect storm in Edo State, chaos and brigandage everywhere. Worse still, the supposed Chief Security Officer of the State appears completely disconnected from these tragic events, not even as little as making a public statement himself on the matter. No sense of governance. No empathy. No connection to the people.

A concerned citizen of the State had to even write an article stating that the governor was "dancing on the graves" of the victims of the insecurity caused by his own government as a result of his inability to show empathy and concern to these long-list of victims, their families and communities.

This abandonment by their supposed Chief Security Officer left Edo people feeling completely alone, forcing them to resort to self-help.

The Uromi Self-Justice and Jungle Justice

The sad and unfortunate Uromi incident of March 2025 didn’t happen by accident. It was the result of paranoia, fear, and a deep sense of abandonment by the authorities. The people, feeling left to their fate, took the law into their own hands.

Okpebholo’s handling of the security crisis made it seem as though there was no leadership in the State. The people had concluded that their Chief Security Officer appeared uninterested in their dilemma, and help was not coming anytime soon. As a result, everyone felt the need to take personal responsibility for their own security.

This paranoia drove people to move from one road to another, stopping and checking and scrutinizing everyone and once they saw persons that appeared to look like those they felt were a threat to them and their security, all hell broke loose.

There was no attempt to report to the authorities because, in the minds of the people, those authorities never proved to have existed. Hence, they became the judge, the jury, and the executioners and tragically, 16 innocent people, probably just as poor, vulnerable and scared as they were, were violently and mindlessly killed.

It is imperative to state that the problem goes beyond name-calling, sporadic arrests, and demolishing buildings. These are surface-level responses that will not solve the problem. The fact is that there was a robust, nimble and well coordinated security system established by the immediate past governor, Godwin Obaseki that was completely disregarded and discarded for political reasons.

This is the main problem and to tackle the problem, there must be a deliberate step and urgent need to redeploy the same strategy and tactics to rebuild the security system from the ground up. This includes incorporating locals to provide intelligence, reestablishing a robust surveillance system, deploying advanced technological communication and drone systems, reinstating inter-agency collaboration, and, most importantly, ensuring strong leadership from the Chief Security Officer of the State. This is the only path to restoring security in Edo State and ensuring the protection of the lives and property of the people of the State.

•Nwachukwu, a journalist wrote in from Lagos

Governor Godwin Obaseki

Acting Group Politics Editor DEJI ELUMOYE

Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com

08033025611 sms only

Okpebholo: We Won’t Condone Savagery, Jungle Justice in Edo

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo state in this interview speaks on salient issues on security, good governance, economy, agriculture, education, and infrastructural development of the heartbeat of the nation. Folalumi Alaran brings excerpts:

Why is your government placing more emphasis on the provision of road infrastructure in Edo State?

Before I came in, the state was totally cut off due to the bad road, and my administration would not allow that to happen. We have no time to waste. We have no time to waste as we turn Edo into a construction site and are ready to partner with reputable organizations. We promised our people that we would fix and construct the roads. Edo people should expect good things to happen. We will fix our roads and ensure that our people enjoy the dividends of democracy. The failed portion at Upper Mission Extension Road in Benin city was terrible when we took over. My administration is determined to solve the problem and put smiles on the faces of Edo people. When I took over, President Tinubu was not happy with the way Edo State was going. But you can see that we are already working as he will join us to fix Edo State and that we must surely accomplish. The Ramat flyover, for instance, will transform the economy and social fortunes of our capital city and indeed Edo state. Ramat Park is a gateway to Benin City and other parts of the country. This is the first fly-over we are constructing, and we are going to construct more. There will be one by Dawson Road junction and another one by Sapele Road/ Adesuwa Road junction.

Ramat Park Fly-Over will provide a new lease of life for motorists in Benin city and communities along these two corridors; the Benin-Auchi expressway and the Benin-Asaba expressway. We have instructed the contractor to work day and night to ensure the road is completed on time. My job is not to sit in the office, I promise Edo people practical and good governance, and sitting in the office will not allow me to achieve that. So, I have to monitor every project embarked upon by this administration to ensure quality of work and also ensure the work is delivered on time and to specification.

I am elected to work and must work for Edo people. The reason why Edo people elected me as governor is to work for them, and that is exactly what I am doing for them by the grace of God Almighty.

What about the federal roads in the State?

We are working to fix the failed portion of Federal roads. We have fixed Obadan Junction, Benin-Auchi road. This road is a gateway between the South East and Northern part of the country. This is a Federal road in Edo State, and it does not really matter. People from Edo State, Eastern, and Northern parts of the country use this road. Doing this road (Obadan junction) will boost the credibility of our party and the government of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Nothing is wrong in fixing this road for Edo people. I am very honoured and very happy seeing the remedial work on the Benin/Ekpoma/ Auchi Express Way.

The President promised to fix this road and now has matched words with actions, and Edo people in general are happy with the development on this road, which is now passable. You can see what my administration has done in terms of fixing federal roads in the State. Initially, the road was not passable as several accidents were recorded on the Benin-Iruekpen federal road, both small and big vehicles, and lives were lost as well. Once upon a time, we had a government in Edo State that was used to placing signboards across all federal roads with the inscription ‘this is a federal road, bear with us’. But today, we know Edo people used these roads and it is now Edo roads and by the grace of God,

we will continue to move forward to see that our people enjoy good roads across the State. For me, working for my people is the only thing that can give Edo people happiness and joy. Reducing the time of travel along this road is our achievement. A journey that will take up to four hours is now 45 minutes.

In the area of education, what has been the intervention of your government in less than one year in office?

Do you remember when we went to one abandoned Ebomisi Secondary School in Ugbogiobo, Ovia North East Local Governments area during my campaign?

I had imagined that the former governor would have rebuilt the school, but nothing happened there. For me, this was not acceptable. The situation of Edo schools is terrible,

and children attend these so-called EdoBest schools. For me, this is not acceptable. My administration will fix these schools. My administration will correct the wrong, make and change the narratives of our schools in Edo State. Our job is to make Edo people happy and our children educated in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. Education is the bedrock of development. For instance, take a look at Ambrose Alli University (AAU). It holds a special place in Edo State as the institution has produced the finest minds in Nigeria, and it’s our responsibility to restore its lost glory and ensure its continuous existence. One of the first steps my administration took in restoring the lost glory of the institution was to increase the monthly subvention from N41 million to N500 million. This is a bold step that reflects our commitment to the revival of AAU and also introduced special intervention to accelerate infrastructural development, ensuring that students and staff have the needed resources to strive.

It was a very distressing incident which tended to cast a blight on what we are doing in security. I visited the area and also spoke with my brother-Governors of Kano and Katsina states and before then, we had even apprehended 14 persons who are currently under interrogation and appropriate further actions will be taken. In Edo state, there is no room for savagery. There is no room for jungle justice and or mob attacks. We will never condone such behaviours. I won’t want to talk more on that so as not to jeopardize security investigations.

You can see the massive work ongoing across schools in Edo State. I have visited several schools and you can see for yourself the massive renovation, reconstruction and remodeling of the schools. Edo people are happy. We will continue to do more for the benefit of our people. By the time we would be one or two years in office, Edo State and its people would have experienced a lot of transformation across the State in the education and other sectors. When I was campaigning, I told Edo people that I would declare a state of emergency in our schools across the State.

Security has become a major concern in the state. What steps are you taking to make the state safe for the citizens?

As a government, our responsibility is to provide the people of the State with security. During my campaign, I placed security above all, and it’s an area of focus and priority for my administration because it is important. The issues of cultism dominate the discussion, and the rate of cultism is not acceptable. The issue of cultism is not acceptable in Edo State. We do not want to lose anybody, and we will be firm about this. We have ordered the security agencies to collaborate and ensure Edo is safe for all, but not safe for criminals. We charge them to smoke criminals out of the State wherever they are hiding and ensure the State is safe for all.

You are aware of the recent unfortunate incident in Uromi where some persons purporting to be members of a vigilance team, took the laws into their hands and murdered some people who were traveling home for the festivities.

It was a very distressing incident which tended to cast a blight on what we are doing in security. I visited the area and also spoke with my brother-Governors of Kano and Katsina states and before then, we had even apprehended 14 persons who are currently under interrogation and appropriate further actions will be taken.

In Edo state, there is no room for savagery. There is no room for jungle justice and or mob attacks. We will never condone such behaviours. I won’t want to talk more on that so as not to jeopardize security investigations. We have reorganized the Security Corps of the State. As soon as I came in, I purchased security vehicles equipped with modern gadgets. The challenges in the area of insecurity you see in Edo State are being addressed. I have also signed some bills into law to strengthen the security of our State. Kidnappers and cultists are on the run. When we took over government, cultism was a common thing in Edo State. We have addressed that now. Other security challenges we face will be addressed soon, I assure you.

What about the state of the economy?

We are ready to provide an enabling environment for businesses in the State to strive. We urge investors to bring more investments to the State. My agenda is to develop Edo State and make it a better place than we met it. Key decisions have been taken, and more good decisions will still be taken to improve the lives of Edo people.

We shall begin to provide interest-free loans to Edo traders. Our traders are the backbone of our economy, and we must support them with the capital to help boost their businesses and improve the state economy. The interest-free loans will help empower our traders, enhance growth, development, and stability, and improve the livelihoods of the people.

NOTE:

okpebholo

FOCUS

Celebrating Excellence: The Many Honours of Leemon Ikpea

Bayo Akinloye

The Benson Idahosa University Senate and Council sat in Benin City amid an atmosphere of a serene scene. There was a matter of national importance. It transcends academic ruminations. It was a deliberation situated at the heart of Africa’s most populous nation: the compelling conclusion of a man’s immense contribution to development and innovation nationwide. The Senate and Council had deliberated and unanimously agreed to honour a man whose contributions to society were nothing short of extraordinary.

On December 14, 2012, Dr Leemon Ikpea, Chief Executive Officer of Lee Engineering and Allied Construction Companies, was conferred with the degree of Doctor of Science in Business Administration (D.Sc) Honoris Causa. The ceremony, held in the university’s grand hall, was a testament to Ikpea’s unwavering dedication to business and philanthropy. The pro-chancellor, vice-chancellor, and president signed the certificate of award, marking the beginning of a series of accolades that would follow.

Years later, on July 11, 2024, the Nigerian Society of Engineers gathered to celebrate another milestone in Ikpea’s illustrious journey. Having met all the stringent conditions outlined in the society’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, Ikpea was elected as an Honorary Fellow. The certificate, dated and sealed, granted him all the privileges of this esteemed title, recognising his impact on engineering. This distinction underscores his commitment to the advancement of engineering in Nigeria. His visionary leadership in business and infrastructure development earned him that prestigious place among Nigeria’s finest engineers, granting him the privileges of a society dedicated to shaping the nation’s future. The accolades did not stop there.

The University of Benin soon followed suit. On November 23, 2024, the university’s Senate and Council convened to honour Ikpea, Nigeria’s true patriot and patent philanthropist. This time, the degree of Doctor of Business Administration (BA) (Honoris Causa) was conferred upon him. The ceremony, held in the university’s historic

POLITY

convocation hall, was a celebration of Ikpea’s lifelong commitment to business and community development, recognising his transformative impact on Nigeria’s corporate landscape and cementing his reputation as a titan of industry.

In Effurun, Delta State, the Federal University of Petroleum Resources marked a significant day on March 15, 2025. At their convocation ceremony, Ikpea was awarded the degree of Doctor of Engineering

(D.Eng) (Honoris Causa). The event, attended by dignitaries and scholars alike, highlighted Ikpea’s contributions to the engineering sector and his relentless pursuit of excellence, underscoring his influence in Nigeria’s critical energy sector.

Rewinding to April 25, 2015, Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma had already recognised Ikpea’s achievements. During AAU’s 19th convocation, the Senate and governing council conferred upon the oil magnate the degree of Doctor of Business Administration (D.BA) (Honoris Causa). The ceremony, filled with academic pomp and circumstance, celebrated Ikpea’s dedication to business and philanthropic endeavours.

Each of these moments, which spread across different years and institutions, paints a picture of Ikpea, whose life’s work has been consistently recognised and celebrated. From Benin City to Effurun, Ikpea’s name has become synonymous with excellence, leadership, and transcendent selflessness. Ikpea is a name synonymous with excellence, extraordinary, and exquisiteness. With a career spanning several decades, Ikpea has received multiple accolades and honorary degrees from prestigious institutions across Nigeria. In his illustrious business trajectory, Ikpea has continued to demonstrate unwavering dedication to excellence, innovation, and selfless service, reflecting his enduring impact on various fields and inspiring future generations to strive for greatness.

Ikpea is more than the sum of his titles, honours and awards. Futuristic and pragmatic, Ikpea is a visionary entrepreneur, a philanthropist, and a patriotic nationalist. Each honorary degree and fellowship is not just a recognition of past achievements but a challenge for him to continue shaping industries, empowering communities, and inspiring generations.

Trailblazing and trial-defying, Ikpea is a humble, proud Nigerian and a poster boy for business integrity and national development. Former President Muhammadu Buhari testified much to that. The then-Nigerian leader was among the first to honour the billionaire oil mogul, rejoicing with the oil and gas, engineering and local content promoter during his 66th birthday as the Adolor of the Ewato Kingdom and Odonlagbon of Warri, continues to touch lives through patriotic philanthropy. Ikpea is a point of

reference for Nigerian youths that “entrepreneurship pays, with attainments in areas of endeavour like oil, gas, engineering, construction, manufacturing, and many others.”

With his ingenuity and industriousness, Ikpea has the world at his feet: family, fortune, fame and future. Ikpea’s exploits and accomplishments have not dimmed his vision and fervour. Futuristic in vision, subtle in temperament, and principled in integrity, Ikpea, in self-effacing grandeur, is a modern-day workman who wines and dines with kings of the earth. Little wonder a couple of years ago, the unassuming oil magnate was at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, for the National Honours Awards Investiture honoured with one of the highest national awards in the country. For his devotion to humanity and unflinching commitment to national development, Ikpea, the oil and gas veteran, was bestowed with the national honour of the Commander of the Niger (CON).

The oil mogul has risen over the years to create indelible prints through uncharted courses. His extraordinary ordinariness is legendary —inexplicably indescribable but formidably enchanting. Loved by many, admired by even many more. Ikpea looms large on Africa’s most populous nation’s horizon for his devotion to humanity and unflinching commitment to national development. In over three decades, with a Midas’ touch, Ikpea’s group of companies has undergone phenomenal transformation anchored on its philosophy of honesty, integrity and transparency. Ikpea’s life—his exploits and the positive impact of Nigeria’s local content policy on the nation’s oil and gas industry—exemplifies the billionaire’s stardom and human essence, woven into the secret of his business longevity and success. Ikpea’s life is a lesson in perseverance and perspicacity. Ikpea’s organisation does more than create wealth and value. As an intrepid business mogul, Ikpea sees to it personally that the less privileged are empowered. He considers philanthropy a “gift from God,” establishing the Agbonjagwe Leemon Ikpea Foundation (ALIF). The foundation has trained students, the majority of whom are orphans. As of 2019, the foundation has cared for many young children and produced 119 graduates, including dozens of medical doctors.

Ogalla: Building Alliances for Regional, Continental Security

The Gulf of Guinea is one of the most important economic corridors in the world, given its abundance of natural and mineral resources, including oil and gas, and its status as a major maritime corridor for trade.

The Gulf is a region that is vital not only to the economies of regional countries, but also other parts of the world, and every country that trades with Africa is very interested in ensuring that the area is safe and secure from all forms of criminal threat and activity.

This would explain the active role that the European Union (EU) plays in supporting the Navies in the Gulf, through the EU Strategy and Action Plan for the Gulf of Guinea to Address Transnational Crime, as well as the development of the YARIS (Yaoundé Architecture Regional Information System) maritime surveillance software.

It also explains the support of the People’s Republic of China, which in December 2024 hosted the second edition of the Gulf of Guinea Security Situation Seminar, a gathering of Naval Heads and the Inter-regional Coordination Center, under the theme: “Maritime Security Situation and Cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea.”

With Nigeria being the biggest economy and most formidable military in the Gulf of Guinea, it is not surprising that the country plays a leading role when it comes to the maintenance of peace and security, through the direct interventions of the Nigerian Navy, as well as through mobilizing and supporting regional and multinational cooperation.

In November 2024, the Nigerian Navy hosted the 8th Symposium of Heads of Navies and Coastguards of the Gulf of Guinea Region. That gathering, which had as its theme: “Maritime Security and Sustainable Development in the Gulf of Guinea” is one of the most important forums focused on peace and security in Gulf of Guinea and West Africa, with the 2024 edition assembling about 200 delegates from various GoG countries, as well from regional institutions,

European countries and the United States. Nigeria has also led the push for the establishment of a Combined Maritime Task Force for the Gulf of Guinea, and has expressed its desire and readiness to support by hosting the headquarters of the Task Force in Lagos, a position affirmed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in February.

The Nigerian Navy under Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla is resolute in its ambitions for continental impact, asserting its credentials and capacity well beyond the Gulf of Guinea. It is in line with this that the federal government in February 2025 signed an agreement with the African Union

to provide Strategic Sea Lift Services for African peacekeeping and support operations, humanitarian efforts, natural disaster assistance, and the movement of military personnel and materiel. According to the terms of that agreement, the Nigerian Navy will make a vessel available to fulfill these services on a cost-recovery basis.

Vice Admiral Ogalla is indeed an unrelentingly vocal advocate of Nigeria’s central role in maintaining the Gulf of Guinea as a stable, secure and business-friendly maritime environment. It is noteworthy that Nigeria was taken off the global list of piracy-prone countries in March 2022, and Vice Admiral Ogalla has diligently maintained this status since he assumed office in June 2023, in part through the careful nurturing of bilateral and multilateral security and defence relationships.

Proof of this commitment to relationship-building abounds, looking at the Naval Chief’s various bilateral engagements in this outgoing first quarter of 2025.

In January, Vice Admiral Ogalla received courtesy visits from the Bangladeshi High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency Mr Masudur Rahman, and the new Ambassador of Denmark to Nigeria, His Excellency Jens Ole Bach Hansen. Also in January, the Indian Navy Ship (INS) TUSHIL sailed to Nigeria on a Port Visit.

At the beginning of March, the Director of the French Directorate for Cooperation in Security and Defence was at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja for a courtesy visit to the Naval Chief. During that meeting, the French Navy outlined potential areas for deepening cooperation with their Nigerian counterparts. Indeed, France has been a critical partner to the Nigerian Navy, playing active roles in regional maritime exercises such as Exercise GRAND AFRICAN NEMO and Exercise CROCODILE LIFT.

For Vice Admiral Ogalla, thought leadership is also an important aspect of leading Africa’s most dynamic Navy, and he demonstrates this by his readiness to share insights and shape narratives in the most important intellectual spaces in the country and outside.

As Guest Speaker at the Annual Faculty of the Social Sciences’ Distinguished Annual Public Lecture, at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka – his alma mater – in October 2024, he spoke on the topic: “Safeguarding Nigeria’s Blue Economy Potential: The Role of the Nigerian Navy.” In that speech he harped on the importance of multilateralism, positing that “multinational synergies are necessary to enhance maritime security for safeguarding the enormous potentials of the nation’s Blue Economy.”

Three months later, in January 2025, Vice Admiral Ogalla was at the National Defence College Abuja –Nigeria’s highest military institution for the training of senior military and police officers and high-ranking civil servants – to deliver a lecture on “Maritime Security and National Development – The Role of the Nigerian Navy” to participants of NDC Course 33, including delegates from foreign countries. Earlier, during the 14th Trans-Regional Seapower Symposium in Venice, Italy in October 2024, Vice Admiral Ogalla delivered a paper titled, “Preserving the Underwater – the Secure and Sustainable Use of the Underwater” to an audience of Naval Chiefs and maritime experts from around the world. On the sidelines of that Symposium, he held bilateral engagements with the Chief of the Italian Navy, and the American Chief of Naval Operations (CNO).

Also in October 2024, he delivered an address on: “Non-Traditional Maritime Security Challenges/ Threats in the African Maritime Domain”, at the 5th Sea Power Symposium for Africa Symposium (SPAS) hosted by the South African Navy (SAN) in Cape Town.

Under Vice Admiral Ogalla’s watch – in his words: “As someone who has dedicated a significant part of my career to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain” – the Nigerian Navy continues to demonstrate its readiness not only to fulfil that constitutional mandate of maritime domain security, but also to actively engage with key partners and stakeholders, and shape strategic narratives that bolster Nigeria’s military standing.

•Fadoju, a public policy expert, writes from Abuja

Ikpea

Babajide Fadoju

Ogalla

Despite the general discontent over estimated billing nationwide, metering devices installed by power Distribution Companies (Discos) only climbed by 542,738 in the entire 12 months of 2024 out of a whopping outstanding of over 7.21 million unmetered electricity customers nationwide.

Data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) analysed by THISDAY, showed that the country had over 13.5 million registered electricity customers across the 12 Discos at the end of 2024.

The NERC reports stated that as of March 31, 2024, only 5,989,727 (44.79 per cent) out of the 13,372,524 registered electricity customers across the Discos were metered.

“During 2024/Q1, 123,604 enduser customers were metered which translated to a 7.31 per cent increase compared to the 115,181 meter installations recorded in 2023/Q4. Ikeja and Ibadan Discos recorded the highest number of meter installations

accounting for 21.41 per cent and 20.67 per cent respectively, of the total installations in 2024/Q1,” the report for Q1 stated. Currently, the power sector has several metering frameworks contained in the commission’s updated regulations. They include: Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) framework; Meter Asset Provider (MAP); the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP); Vendor Finance; Self-funding by Discos and External Efficient Meter Financing.

Nigeria’s estimated billing problem is a major issue in the power sector, causing frustration among electricity consumers. The problem arises because many households and businesses are not metered, so Discos charge them based on estimates rather than actual electricity consumption. This often results in inflated bills that do not reflect the amount of power used.

On the other hand, Nigeria’s electricity sector has long been

plagued by inefficiencies, with one of the most pressing being the metering challenge. Millions of electricity consumers across the country remain unmetered, forcing them to rely on the controversial estimated billing system.

This practice, which assigns arbitrary charges to households and businesses without measuring actual consumption, has led to widespread dissatisfaction, financial strain, and allegations of exploitation by Discos.

However, in Q1, the NERC report stated that five Discos recorded improvements in the number of meter installations with Eko (119.82 per cent), Aba (97.90 per cent) and Ikeja (89.99 per cent) recording the greatest improvements.

Conversely, Port Harcourt recorded (-38.50 per cent) and Yola (-32.00 per cent), the biggest decline in the number of meters installed in 2024/Q1.

As of Q2, 5,993,340 (45.43 per cent) out of the 13,192,573 registered

electricity customers across the Discos were metered. During the period, metering fell drastically to 49,188 compared to Q1.

Abuja, Ikeja and Aba Discos recorded the highest number of meter installations accounting for 23.85 per cent, 18.45 per cent and 17.86 per cent respectively, of the total installations. Relative to 2024/ Q1, this translated to a 60.86 per cent decrease in the total number of customers metered during the quarter (125,664).

Out of the end-use customers metered in 2024/Q2, 73.16 per cent of customers were metered under the MAP framework, 26.11 per cent were metered under Vendor Financed framework, 0.54 per cent were metered under the NMMP framework and 0.20 per cent were metered under the Disco Financed framework.

In the same vein, as of Q3, Nigeria had a total of 6,156,726 (46.15 per cent) out of the 13,339,635 registered electricity customers across the 12 Discos.

During the period, 184,507 end-user customers were metered across all the Discos with Ikeja, Ibadan and Abuja Discos recording the highest number of meter installations. They accounted for 25.45 per cent, 21.48 per cent and 14.61 per cent respectively.

Relative to 2024/Q2, there was a 256.01 per cent increase in the total number of customers metered in 2024/Q3.

“All Discos except Aba (-43.90 per cent), Kaduna (-24.69 per cent) and Jos (-9.31 per cent) recorded improvements in the number of meter installations. Eko, Ibadan, Ikeja and Benin Discos recorded the greatest improvements,” the NERC report said.

Out of the 184,507 end-use customers metered in 2024/Q3, 178,715 (96.86 per cent) of customers were metered under the MAP framework, 3,508 (1.90 per cent) were metered under the Vendor Financed framework, and 2,298 (1.24 per cent) were metered under the Disco Financed framework.

Also, as of Q4, 6,288,624 (46.57 per cent) out of the 13,503,342 registered electricity customers across the 12 Discos were metered. During 2024/Q4, 185,439 enduser customers were metered across all the Discos with Ikeja, Ibadan and Benin DisCos recording the highest number of meter installations. According to the NERC data, they accounted for 28.81 per cent, 20.00 per cent, and 12.62 per cent respectively, of the total installations. Relative to 2024/Q3, when 185,087 customers were metered, there was a slight increase (0.19 per cent) in the total number of customers metered in 2024/Q4. Out of the 185,439 end-use customers metered in 2024/ Q4, 179,064 (96.56 per cent) of customers were metered under the MAP framework, 4,076 (2.20 per cent) were metered under MAF, 1,924 (1.04 per cent) were metered under the Vendor Financed framework, and 374 (0.21 per cent) were metered under the Disco financed framework.

Arthur Eriye

Kaduna State University (KASU) has secured a World Bank-funded Agro-Climatic Resilience in SemiArid Landscapes (ACReSAL) grant.

The Chairman of Green KASU, Dr Aliyu Jaafar made the disclosure recently during a courtesy visit by the ACReSAL team to the Vice-Chancellor in Kaduna. Jaafar stated that the undisclosed grant would be used to set up two greenhouses on each of the university’s campuses, providing hands-on sustainability education for students.

“This initiative aligns with KASU’s vision of integrating sustainability into its academic framework while fostering

environmental consciousness among students and faculty,” He said.

“The greenhouses will serve as living laboratories where students can gain practical experience in sustainable agricultural practices and contribute to research on climate adaptation strategies,” he added.

Speaking during the visit, the

Head of the ACReSAL delegation, Hadiza Halid, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting KASU in dryland management, institutional capacity-building, and climate resilience.

She emphasized that the project reflected ACReSAL’s broader mission to enhance climate adaptation strategies in Nigeria’s semi-arid regions.

The Vice-Chancellor of KASU, Prof. Abdullahi Musa, commended ACReSAL and Green KASU for securing the grant, describing it as a significant milestone in the university’s sustainability efforts.

“This partnership will position KASU as a leader in climate-smart education in the country. We are committed to ensuring proper implementation, continuous monitoring, and the long-term sustainability of the project,” he said.

The initiative aims to strengthen KASU’s role in environmental research, equip students with essential skills for addressing climate challenges, and contribute to global efforts in sustainable development.

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Autistic Teenager Sets Guinness World Record, Redefines Possibilities in Art

Mary Nnah

In a groundbreaking achievement that is set to inspire millions around the world, 14-year-old autistic artist, Tagbo-Okeke Kanyeyachukwu, has created the largest art canvas in

the world, certified by Guinness World Records.

This remarkable feat will be celebrated on World Autism Awareness Day, tomorrow, as Kanyeyachukwu unveils his masterpiece at Eagle Square in

Abuja, Nigeria.

The unveiling ceremony, scheduled to take place at 10:00 AM, will be attended by several dignitaries, including Chief Host, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ezenwo Nyesome

NNPC Launches Eye Care Initiative for 6,000 Nigerians

NNPC Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has announced that it is is expanding its social impact initiatives with three additional programmes aimed at improving healthcare, education, and agriculture across Nigeria.

The interventions which include free cataract surgeries, STEM education support, and agricultural training for vulnerable farmers, it said, underscores its commitment to national development by enhancing quality of life and creating sustainable opportunities for Nigerians.

Highlighting the success of its free cataract surgery programme in the South-west region with 1002 successful surgeries, including minors born blind, the Foundation said it is expanding its outreach to the South-east and South-south, and subsequently to the three northern regions and Abuja to ensure nationwide coverage.

With cataracts accounting for over 43 per cent of blindness cases in Nigeria, the initiative, a statement by the NNPC spokesman, Olufemi Soneye, said, aims to restore sight to 6,000 beneficiaries, 1000 from each of the six geopolitical zones, by providing free screenings, surgeries, and post-operative care.

The next phase of the cataract intervention kicked off on March 31, 2025, in the South-east and South-south regions, the NNPC added.

“To bridge the educational gaps and inspire future scientists, the NNPC Foundation will also donate 25,000 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) textbooks and branded bookshelves to 25 secondary schools across 24 states, and the FCT in its second phase. 15,000 STEM books were distributed to twelve states and the FCT in the first phase.

“This initiative addresses the limited access to quality STEM learning resources, a major factor contributing to the low enrolment of Nigerian students in science and technology in tertiary institutions.

Recognising agriculture as a catalyst for economic growth, NNPC Foundation is also launching a nationwide training program for 6,000 vulnerable farmers.

Wike, and Co-Host, Minister of State, FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud. The Special Guest of Honour, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, will also be in attendance.

Kanyeyachukwu’s remarkable achievement showcases his artistic genius and his philosophy that “Impossibility is a Myth.” As an advocate for autism awareness and inclusion, his art serves as a medium for empowerment and social change. This historic event is made possible through the support of esteemed organizations, including the Society of Nigerian Artists, The Zeebah Foundation, the Federal Ministries of Education and Health, and corporate partners such as MTN Nigeria

Plc, GTCO Plc, and others.

The Guinness World Records certificate will be officially presented during the unveiling ceremony, recognizing Kanyeyachukwu’s extraordinary accomplishment. This achievement not only highlights Kanyeyachukwu’s artistic talent but also underscores the power of creativity and perseverance. As the world comes together to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day, Kanyeyachukwu’s story serves as a reminder that individuals with autism can achieve greatness with the right support and opportunities. His art continues to inspire millions across the globe, and this historic achievement will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the world of art and beyond.

Group Says Call for Adelabu’s Resignation Misguided, Lists Achievements

The Coalition of Concerned Progressives (COCOP), a civil society group, has condemned the call for the removal of the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, describing it as misguided, uncalled for and mischievous.

A statement in Abuja signed by the National Coordinator of the group, Sam Okwaji and Richard Ibeh, Secretary, said that efforts to downplay the progress made in the power sector will fail.

“The attention of the Coalition of Concerned Progressives has been drawn to recent calls by the

Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) demanding the removal of the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu.

“While we respect the right of individuals and groups to express their opinions, we categorically state that such calls are misguided, premature, and fail to acknowledge the significant progress being made in Nigeria’s power sector under Adelabu’s leadership.

“Contrary to the claims of stagnation, the following key

achievements under Chief Adelabu stand as testament to his dedication and effectiveness. Through proactive measures, including improved grid management and infrastructure upgrades, the frequency of national grid collapses has significantly reduced compared to previous years.

“We are aware that the ministry has intensified efforts to modernise transmission infrastructure to ensure reliable power supply nationwide. Within the period of Chief Adelabu stewardship, the pilot stage of the Siemens deal

had reached an advance stage of 95 per cent completion as at December 2024 with the installation of 10 mobile substations and 10 power transformers.

“With the completion of the pilot stage, the first phase of the Siemens deal will soon commence. We all know that the Siemens deal was initially signed in 2019 but due to financial, regulatory constraints and Covid 19, nothing was achieved until 2023 when President Bola Tinubu signed an accelerated agreement to fast-track the project.

Stories by Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Kanyeyachukwu

L-R: First Secretary (Economic/Development Cooperation), Embassy of Japan in Nigeria, Kentaro Tahara; Managing Director, Dentsu Creative Nigeria, Funke Adekola; Group Chief Executive Officer, MediaFuseDentsu Nigeria, Emeka Chris Okeke; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of Japan in Nigeria, Hideo Suzuki; Managing Director, Dentsu X Nigeria, Chike Oputa and Adviser (Economic/ Development Cooperation), Embassy of Japan in Nigeria, Isaiah Adejoh during a courtesy visit of the Dentsu Nigeria team to office of the Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria in Abuja… recently

In Eid-el-Fitr

Message, NEMSA

Vows to Ensure Safety in Power Sector

The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), has pledged to ensure that says set quality standards are complied with by operators in the power sector in Nigeria.

In a statement in Abuja, NEMSA felicitated the Muslim faithful on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebration after completion of the Ramadan fast, a major pillar of Islam.

In the release signed by the Managing Director, NEMSA & Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation (CEIF), Aliyu Tukur, NEMSA describing it as an opportunity for to deepen relationship with God, promote life of sacrifice, charity and love for one another.

“And as we celebrate, I enjoin

the faithful to use the period to offer prayers for peace, unity, prosperity, healing of the land, and rapid development at all levels of governance in the country.

“Let us equally use the occasion to put into practice lessons learnt during the Ramadan period and to love and share with the less privileged in the society as exemplified by Prophet Mohammed. This is because, when every citizen upholds and practices the teachings from our holy books, peace and tranquility would reign in the society.

“Let me assure Nigerians of NEMSA’ s determination to discharge its mandate which includes: the enforcement of Technical Standards and

Regulations, Technical Inspection, Testing and Certification of all categories of Electrical installations, electricity meters and instruments.

“This is to ensure an efficient production and delivery of safe, reliable and sustainable electivity power supply and guarantee safety of lives and property in the Nigerian electricity supply industry ( NESI) and other allied industries in Nigeria.

“In doing this, we must not fail to acknowledge the unflinching support we receive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Power, Chief Adabayo Adelabu, members of the National Assembly and the judiciary as well as other stakeholders,” NEMSA added.

Wema Bank declares N102.5bn profit, Proposes N1.00 Final Dividend

Kayode Tokede

Wema Bank Nigeria has released its audited consolidated financial statements for the period ended December 3st, 2024, to the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX)with a profit before tax of N102.51billion, representing an increase of 135 per cent over the N43.59 billion recorded in the corresponding period in 2023.

The Bank also proposed a dividend of N1.00 per share on the back of the impressive result.

The Bank’s Balance sheet remained well structured, diversified and resilient with Total Assets at N3,585.05 billion in 2024, up by 60per cent from N2,240.06 billion in 2023.

The bank also grew its deposit base to 2,523.82billion, representing 36 per cent increase from N1,860.57 billion reported in 2023. Loans and Advances closed 2024 at N1,201.21, about year on year by 36 per cent growth from N801.10 billion in 2023.

The financial institution announced 3.86 per cent NonPerforming Loan (NPL) at the end of 2024 financial year.

The bank recorded improved year on year performance as Gross Earnings closed 2024 at N432.34 billion, about 92 per cent increase over N225.75 billion.

Interest Income rises to N353.54 billion, representing an increase of about 92per cent from N184.48

billion in 2023.

Return on Equity (ROAE) of 43.60per cent, Return on Assets (ROAA) of 2.96 per cent Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of 19.67per cent and Cost to Income ratio of 56.23per cent underscore the commercial bank’s resilience and financial strength.

Commenting on the 2024 performance, the Managing Director/ CEO of the Bank, Wema Bank, Mr. Moruf Oseni in a statement stated that the strong 2024 performance stems from the commercial bank’s focus on strong strategy execution in the key areas of risk management, customer relationship management and digital banking.

Eunisell Champions Energy Sustainability as Sponsor of Oloibiri Lecture Series

Chinedu Eze

Eunisell, a leading specialty chemicals and oilfield solutions provider, has announced its sponsorship and support for the upcoming Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum (OLEF) 2025, scheduled to take place in Abuja.

This year’s event, themed, “Driving Energy Sustainability Through Technology, Policy, and Supply Chain Excellence,” will bring together key industry stakeholders, policymakers, and experts to discuss critical strategies for a sustainable energy future in Nigeria.

As a committed advocate for innovation and sustainability in the Nigerian energy sector, Eunisell

Lush Hair Partners

continues to drive growth by delivering cutting-edge technology solutions, enhancing operational efficiency, and supporting local content development. The company’s investment in advanced oilfield chemicals and production enhancement solutions has significantly improved efficiency and sustainability across the industry.

Funke

Akindele, Others as Brand Ambassadors

Mary Nnah

Beauty brand Lush Hair has made a bold statement with the announcement of its new celebrity ambassadors: award-winning actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele (Jenifa), comedian and media personality Anita Alaire Afoke Asuoha (Real Warri Pikin), and Nollywood star and Philanthropist Rachael Okonkwo (Nkoli Nwa Nsukka), three of Africa’s most

dynamic and inspiring women.

Lush Hair, a leading name in the hair extension and hair care industry across Africa is a brand that celebrates beauty, confidence and self-expression.

The unveiling took place during a special episode of “Your View” on TVC that aired on Monday, March 10th, It was an interactive and lively session where the new ambassadors shared their excitement about joining the Lush

Hair family and what the brand means to them.

Speaking at the event, Funke Akindele highlighted the power of self-confidence and self-care in every woman’s journey.

She said, “For me, confidence is everything—loving yourself, embracing who you are, and celebrating your unique beauty. Lush Hair understands this, and that’s why I’m proud to be part of the brand.”

INAUGURATION OF NEW BRANCH OF CODEONE ENTERPRISE...

Enugu: LP Guber Candidate Cites Mbah’s

Superlative Performance, Re-joins

Edeoga: I’m happy to

The 2023 governorship candidate of Labour Party (LP), in Enugu State, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, has returned to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Edeoga had met with the leadership of Enugu State PDP behind closed doors on January 31, fuelling speculations about a possible dumping of LP and return to his former party.

About 12 noon on Monday, Edeoga, accompanied by his supporters, drove into the PDP state office at No. 1 Charles Street, GRA, Enugu, in a convoy and was received by the state party leadership and stakeholders led by the chairman, Dr. Martins Chukwunweike.

Addressing party faithful, Edeoga thanked Governor Peter Mbah and his Eha-Amufu Ward III, Isi-Uzo Loca, Government Area, and the state party leadership for making his return possible and smooth.

Rededicating himself to PDP, the former LP governorship candidate said it was time for all to join hands with Mbah in the great works he was doing in Enugu State.

Edeoga’s stated, “I want to say that I’m happy to be here. I want to start by thanking in a very special way, the governor of Enugu State. I appreciate that what has happened today cannot begin to be conceived without his political involvement.

“By this gesture, he has dem-

onstrated a mental state that is worthy of appreciation and that is worthy of being supported or rewarded to the extent that is humanly possible.

“A thing like this has never happened in the annals of Enugu State politics. It might look small, but it will cause a paradigm shift in the way politics is played in Enugu State. It is no longer something where you warehouse bitterness.

“It is no longer winner takes all.

All those things that people have been trying to preach in Nigeria, like accommodating everybody, are being demonstrated in Enugu State.

“So, I rededicate myself again to the PDP to make sure that the PDP remains a winning machine in Enugu State, as it has always been. I am happy to be here. I appreciate all those who made it possible.”

The PDP state chairman described Edeoga’s return as strategic for Enugu PDP, saying it has the full blessing of Mbah, whom he said, desired a united Enugu PDP.

He stated, “Our number one term of reference upon our election as the state’s party leadership is to reunite the party. His Excellency said that we must work to bring everybody together. So, today is a major step in that direction.

“With this move and many others like it to come, 2027 general election will be a walkover for the PDP in Enugu State. So, we

warmly welcome our brother and his supporters back.”

Chairman of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, where Edeoga hails from, Barr. Obiora Obeagu, described his return as a welcome development and a milestone for Isi-Uzo and Enugu PDP, an affirmation of Mbah’s leadership, and vindication of those who worked for the governor’s victory in the

2023 election.

Obeagu said, “It is a welcome development. For me, I will say it is long expected, considering the conciliatory dispositions of our capable governor.

“From day one, the governor has shown that after politics, we have governance. Not minding that the major opposition came from Isi-Uzo, Governor Peter Mbah

started a lot of projects there. When the Smart Schools were first being awarded, Isi-Uzo got the next to the highest. That will show you the type of a leader he is.

PDP

The Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers who is also the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya

and the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Niger State, Most Reverend, Dr. Dauwa Bulus Yohanna, have called for sustained prayers by Nigerians for God to surmount insurgency across the country. The monarch and the religious clergyman also challenged people of the state to pursue peace and remain law abiding. They made the admonition in separate statements made available to newsmen in Minna Niger State to celebrate the eid- il - fitri with Muslim faithful across the state.

Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar specifically submitted that there was the need for Nigerians to ensure peaceful co-existence in the country so as to ensure economic growth and development adding that no society or country can achieve any meaningful development or greatness in an atmosphere of chaos and mistrust. He therefore urged Muslims to intensify prayers during the Sallah and after, for return of permanent peace in Nigeria, stressing that “prayer remains the most effective weapon against any form of challenges”.

Most Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, in his statement, urged Muslims to sustain the unity and peace that has existed between them and adherents of other religions

Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State says his administration has brought about a level of economic stability in the state with the monthly payment of about N24 billion in salaries to state and local government workers. Makinde stated this on Sunday, when Muslim faithful, comprising clerics, traditional rulers and political office holders paid a visit to his Ikolaba, Ibadan home, shortly after the Eid-el-Fitri prayers at the Eid Ground, Agodi, Ibadan. He said his government’s commitment to expanding the economy of the state had been yielding results in terms of private sector investments,

as more private sector players had become comfortable investing in the state.

In a related development, on Monday, Makinde conducted former governor of the state and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, round the Ibadan Circular Road Project, named after him.

The duo inspected the 32.2-kilometre East Wing of the project, which infrastructure component was nearing completion.

The East Wing End connects Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to Badeku Village on Ibadan-Ile Ife Road.

Meanwhile, the delegation of Muslim faithful, led by the deputy governor, Barr. Abdulraheem Lawal, included Ladoja; senator representing Oyo South, Oloye Alli; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and Professor

across the state.

In the statement signed on his behalf by his Media Officer, Mr. Dan Atori, Most Reverend Yohanna commended the Muslims for successfully completing the 30 days fast and charged them to keep the spirit burning.

“I congratulate our Muslim brothers and sisters across the state, especially our farmer-governor for a successful Ramadan fast. And I commend your show of love, arms giving to the less privileged and the peaceful co-existence with people of other religions.” the CAN Chairman said.

Yohanna prayed that the Almighty God will grant the governor and other leaders the grace to continue to serve humanity selflessly.

Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki

The wife of Ebonyi State Governor, Mrs. Uzomaka Nwifuru, has distributed farm inputs and other equipment to 100 women and young farmers club in the state in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda on agricultural projects and food security of the wife of the president.

Mrs. Nwifuru who distributed the items at Old Presidential Lodge in Abakaliki said it is a collaborative effort between the BERWO Foundation

“Beyond the Smart Green Schools, we have Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres across all the wards. We have the almost completed 21.7 kilometres asphalt road going to our farm settlements as well as the ongoing 41 kilometres Owo-Ubahu-Amankanu-NekeIkem dual carriageway to help open up the economic corridors and solve the problem of insecurity.

“These things are practical and there is nobody that will see them and will not want to come back to the PDP and join the governor in the good works he is doing to transform Enugu State.”

Makinde: We’ve Achieved Economic Stability with N24bn Monthly Salary Payment, Others

While addressing the delegation, the governor congratulated the Muslim Ummah on witnessing the end of Ramadan and the Eid-el-Fitri 2025. He lauded them for their prayers, patriotism and commitment to the state, as well as their support for his government.

Makinde stated that the economic stability and development being witnessed in the state were as a result of the peace and harmonious coexistence among residents.

He said the new Oyo State was renowned for peace, unity and harmony, and urged all residents to work hard to sustain the atmosphere.

The governor said every good thing the people desired for the state was tied to the existence of peace and harmony in the state.

He stated, “I want to recognise and greet the father of the state, Oba Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.

I also want to greet everyone here and use this opportunity to say Eid Mubarak to all our Muslim brothers and sisters. Congratulations on seeing the end of Ramadan for this year.

“Let me also use the opportunity to say one or two things. When we cast our minds back to 2007, a lot of things have happened since then. We can all see here, how our people from different political parties went for the prayer at the Eid Ground and everyone came together and came to greet me as the governor.

“We used to have the opposite of this in Oyo State back then. You would hear people say before Eid that this one should not come and that one should not come.

“But, today, because we have peace in Oyo State, we are in a situation where we can see development and peaceful co-existence and we want to sustain these.”

and the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Ebonyi State.

She said agriculture has always been the backbone of the country’s economy and called young farmers to put more effort in agricultural activities for food sufficiency in families.

Mrs. Nwifuru who noted that many individuals, particularly women and young people, face significant barriers that prevent them from fully participating in this essential sector said such gap is what Renewed Hope Agricultural

Support Program seeks to address these challenges by providing targeted support, resources, and training.

Her words: “This initiative, Renewed Hope Agriculture Support Program, is designed to enhance productivity, promote agribusiness, and create wealth through four major components: Women in Agriculture Initiative, Young Farmers Club, Every Home a Garden Campaign and Youth in Agriculture and Empowerment Program.”

Kamil Oloso.

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

L-R: Managing Director, Codeone Enterprises, Mr. Adeniyi Omololu; MD/CEO, Smiley-Hooks, Mrs. Olayinka Odunsi; and Philanthropist/Fabrics Merchant, Yeye Aare Omotayo Fakorede, during the

inauguration of a new branch of CODEONE Enterprise in Lagos… recently

PHOtO: AbiODuN AjALA

Laleye Dipo in Minna

Abubakar,

AWARD PRESENTATIONS AT THE WOMEN CONNECT HANGOUT...

L-R: Founder, Lawrence Grace Foundation, Mrs. Oluyinka Adewoye; Founder/CEO, Intelfigura Consulting, Ms Bukky Latunji; Founder, Women Connect Hangout, Oyinlola Sale; and Divisional Head, Institutional Banking, Providus Bank, Dr. Abosede Yinka-Ogundimu, during award presentations at the Women Connect Hangout 5.0, in Lagos… recently

Rivers Will Emerge Stronger from Political Crisis, Fubara Optimistic During Eid Visits

Muslim leaders pay him Eid-el-fitri visit

Funmi Ogundare in Lagos and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured residents that the ongoing political crisis in the state would ultimately strengthen the people and not weaken them.

Fubara made the statement when he received Muslim leaders from 20 Islamic-based groups, including the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, at his private residence in Port Harcourt, during an Eid-el-Fitri Sallah visit.

The Amanayabo of Opobo and Treaty King, Dandeson Douglas Jaja V, in his intervention yesterday, emphasised the importance of resolving the ongoing crisis in the state through dialogue for the wellbeing of the people.

But a pressure group under the aegis of Supreme Council for Sim (Worldwide) urged President Bola Tinubu to end the anarchy in Rivers State.

Addressing the delegation of Muslim leaders, Fubara urged them and his supporters to trust in God’s process.

He said, “This season is one of love, sharing, and sacrifice. You have come to share in our pain and have made a great sacrifice through your prayers.

“As Christians, we believe that everything happens for a purpose, and I strongly believe that this situation is leading us towards a greater purpose.”

The governor acknowledged that the current political tension might leave many feeling depressed, but emphasised that supernatural forces could be at play beyond human

understanding.

“No matter what we see, we must remain steadfast. In all things, we give glory to Almighty God. I believe that, in the end, we will emerge stronger,” he added.

Fubara reaffirmed his commitment to justice and equality, stressing that his administration envisioned a society where no one was oppressed.

“We believe in egalitarianism, and if our beliefs bring us some pain, so be it. The most important thing is that we stand on the side of truth and righteousness,” he stated.

Fubara regretted that he was unable to formally reach out to the Muslim Ummah during their celebrations but promised that the relationship between religious groups and the government would be strengthened once the current uncertainties were resolved.

He assured the leaders that their pending requests would be addressed after the crisis.

Speaking earlier on behalf of the Muslim Ummah, Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor declared their solidarity with Fubara, assuring him of their prayers and support as he navigates the current political challenges.

Opobo Monarch Calls for Dialogue

The Amanayabo of Opobo and Treaty King, Dandeson Douglas Jaja V, yesterday, emphasised the need to resolve the ongoing crisis in Rivers State through dialogue for the overall wellbeing of the people.

King Jaja, who was on The Morning Show, Arise TV Channel, spoke on the state of emergency declared by Tinubu, the impact of the state of

Opobo monarch calls for dialogue Group tells Tinubu to end anarchy in state

emergency on the local economy, and the involvement of former Governor Nyesom Wike in the current situation.

He acknowledged the fact that while the president might have made a gaffe, the appointment of an administrator could bring stability and allow for a resolution of the ongoing issues.

“I think the action by Mr. President must be based on all the secret information and those exactly, if he’s in that part,” Jaja said.

The Amanayabo also spoke about the changes brought by the state of emergency. According to him, the most noticeable impact has been economic.

“No self-respecting investor would want to go to Rivers State that is not democratically ruled,” he stated, warning that this would result in a downturn in the local economy.

He also stated that political activities had calmed, which he believed provided an opportunity for a peace panel to step in and facilitate dialogue between the conflicting parties.

Asked if he supported the state of emergency, King Jaja V stressed the need to reform internally and engage in constructive dialogue to resolve the state’s issues.

Although he refrained from directly criticising Tinubu’s decision, he acknowledged that the president likely acted on the information made available to him at the time.

Group Tells Tinubu to End Chaos in Rivers

A pressure group under the aegis of Supreme Council for Sim (Worldwide) urged President Bola Tinubu to end an alleged state of

Adeleke to Royal Fathers: Sustain Peace or Be Dethroned

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has warned the traditional rulers in Ifon, Erin Osun and Ilobu communities that they would be dethroned if they failed to sustain current peace and de-escalate the crisis in their domains.

The governor issued the warning against the backdrop of online reports that some faceless groups across the conflict areas were planning another round of attacks.

“In the midst of Sallah celebrations, I got reports of some people

planning another round of conflict around Ifon, Ilobu and Erin Osun towns. The security agencies have tightened surveillance to ensure no attacks take place.

“The security agencies are also speeding up the interrogation of key chieftains and actors in the conflict. I will remind top leaders of the towns that the peace undertaking they are signing are not for joke. They will be held accountable. There will be accountability before the law.

“The curfew we relaxed was on humanitarian grounds. As a compassionate government, we

know many innocent people are suffering because of the evil agenda of a few elements across the conflict areas.

“Any attempt to exploit the adjustment of the curfew for renewed violence will be met with full reimposition of the 24-hour curfew.

“Additionally, I will remove from office, any traditional ruler where violence recurs. This card is on the table. Royal fathers of each town must call their subjects to order. I will wield the big stick. Enough is enough,” the governor was quoted as saying.

anarchy in Rivers State.

The group made the call yesterday, during a press briefing in Port Harcourt, in reaction to the ongoing political crisis in the state.

National Chairman of the council, Oji Ngofa, who spoke on behalf of the group, condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.

“There is no war, no widespread violence, and no breakdown of law and order warranting emergency declaration,” Ngofa said.

The group stated that the suspension of Fubara, his deputy, and the House of Assembly members was not only unlawful but also a subversion of democracy and imposition of autocratic

federal control over a duly elected state government.

Supreme Council for Sim (Worldwide) stated, “What is going on in the state as a manufactured crisis for political control as the state of emergency declaration is not about security, it is about power grabbing and control.

For T H e I r ImpA c T I n Bu SI ne SS , p ol ITI c S , m e DIA , oTH er S , A r IS e ne WS Honour S 80 u n SToppAB le Women

Living for the Cause of Women; Doris Uzoka-Aniete for her From Industry to Finance sojourn; Suwaiba Said Ahmad for Championing Education Reform; and Olu Arowolo Verheijen for Leading Energy Transition as Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu.

For Business and Finance, the like of Yetunde Oni was awarded as Banker Par Excellence; Adaora Umeoji for Driving Financial Innovation at Zenith Bank; Fatima Aliko Dangote for Spearheading DIL’s Commercial Operations As Group Executive Director of Commercial Operations; Nkiru Anumudu as Businesswoman and Influential Socialite; Owen Omogiafo for Driving Unprecedented Growth at Transcorp; Evelyn Oputu for Laying Solid Foundation at Bol; Bolaji Agbede for Blazing the Trail at Access Bank; and Nneka Enwereji, MD/CEO Citibank Nigeria Limited, as a powerhouse in every sense of the word.

Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe was honoured for Championing Fidelity Bank’s Expansion as the first female MD/ CEO in Fidelity Bank’s history; Ireti Samuel-Ogbu as Distinguished Banker, Barriers Breaker; Yemisi Edun for Steering Growth at FCMB; Kafilat Araoye for Championing Ethical Banking at Lotus Bank; Chinwe lloghalu for Advancing Financial Innovation at NOVA Bank; Miriam Olusanya for Shaping the Future of GTB; Belinda “Bella” Disu for Expanding Telecom and Real Estate; Sola David-Borha for Transforming the Banking Sector as Director, Stanbic Bank Group; Emem Nnana Usoro for Overseeing Corporate Services at CBN; Chief Folashade Noimat Okoya for Driving Innovation and Growth at Eleganza Industrial City as Deputy Managing Director of Eleganza Industrial City; Halima Buba for Driving Financial Inclusion as Managing Director & CEO of Sun Trust Bank; and Ms Helen Prest Ajayi as Beauty and Brains. Under Energy, Oil and Gas, ENERGY, Senator Daisy Danjuma was recognised as a Politician & Philanthropist; Winifred Akpani as Champion of Down Stream Oil &

Gas; Uju Ifejika as a Leading Oil/ Gas Woman; Adesuwa Dozie as a Lawyer & Oil Woman; and Amina Maina as Inspirational Oil Business Executive as Managing Director of MRS Oil.

The Media, Entertainment and Arts category had Mo Abudu for Reshaping Africa’s Media Landscape; three times 25 Most Powerful Woman in Journalism in Africa, Ijeoma Nwogwugwu for Pioneering Media Leadership as the first editor to lead the daily, Saturday, and Sunday editions of THISDAY Newspaper. She was also the founding Managing Director of ARISE News, where she brought sharp editorial focus and leadership to the platform; Ruth Osime as Renowned Fashion Editor and TV Host; Ojy Okpe for Taking Trends Mainstream with Panache; Kadaria Ahmed for Canvassing Independent, Impactful Journalism; and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as a Celebrated Storyteller.

Chioma Ude, too, was recognised for Elevating the Quality of African Films as the Founder of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF); Funke Akindele, for The Box Office Queen of Nollywood role; Nike Davies-Okundaye as Advocate of African Art, founder of Nike Art Gallery, and a mentor in traditional Nigerian art forms; Zuriel Oduwole as Nobel Peace Prize Nominee and global advocate for girls’ education through documentary filmmaking and policy influence; Victoria Abiola Ajayi for Spearheading Innovation in Broadcasting as Group MD & CEO of TVC Communications; and Ngozi Alaegbu for Elevating Journalism as an ARISE News Anchor and Senior Journalist.

For Technology and Innovation, Juliet Ehimuan was honoured for Driving Digital Transformation in Africa; Kofo Akinkugbe as a Leading Figure in Nigeria’s Fintech Sector; Tito Ovia for Revolutionising Nigeria’s Healthcare through Tech; and Odunayo Eweniyi for Driving Financial Inclusion through Digital Solutions.

In the standalone Fashion category, Reni Folawiyo was highlighted for Revolutionising Retail Landscape in

Nigeria through Alára. Under Healthcare and Social Impact were the likes of Joke Bakare for Championing Innovative Healthcare Solutions Joke; Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli for Equipping Young Leaders; Awele Vivian Elumelu for Dedication to Improving Healthcare Access; Fola Laoye for Advancing Healthcare Investment as Co-Founder & CEO of Iwosan Investments Limited; Awuneba Ajumogobia for Strengthening Education and Energy as Chair, Grange Schools & Co-Founder, Mainstream Energy Solutions; Kate Isa for Enhancing Science and Technology as Founder & CEO of Katchey Company Limited; Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu as Cancer Warrior on a Global Stage; and Toyin Saraki Advancing Maternal and Stage Child Health as President of The Wellbeing Foundation. For Justice, Law and Security, the Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap was awarded for Leading Efforts to Modernise Border Security; AIG Margaret Ochalla was honoured for Tackling Crime AIG; Chief Mrs. Folake Solanke, SAN as a Historic Legal Trailblazer; Justice Jane Esienanwan Inyang as Defender of Justice and Integrity; and Justice Monica Bolna’an Dongban-Mensem CFR for Shaping Nigeria’s Judicial Landscape as the President of the Court of Appeal. Finally, in a Global Recognition for Contribution to Fashion across Africa, Supermodel and Fashion Icon, Naomi Campbell for spotlighting African designers on global runways and red carpets.

The highpoints of the night were the electrifying performances from some of Nigeria’s frontline musical acts like Teniola Apata, stage named, Teni Makanaki, and legendary Nigerian singer, Bukola Elemide, popularly known as Asa.

The duo impressed the audience with their amazing vocals and and singable lyrics, from Eyo, to Case, Hustle, Billionaire, Fire on the Mountain, No One Knows, amongst others, thrilling the audience, who danced and sang along in harmonious rhythm, climaxing the eventful evening.

INAUGURAL MEETING OF TELECOMMUNICATION INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS...

L-R:

More Nigerian Leaders, Institutions Salute

Muslim Faithful for Eid-el-Fitr Celebration

Our Correspondents

More Nigerian leaders, including governors as well as groups and institutions, have continued to felicitate the Muslim faithful for the recent Eid-el-fitr celebrations.

They, among others, commended the Muslims for a successful completion of the 29 days of Ramadan and pleaded with everyone, irrespective of faith, to embrace peace and unity.

PDP Governors Seek Peace, Harmony

The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF),has commenced and congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the completion of a month-long Ramadan fast, which heralded the Eid-el-Fitr celebration..

In a statement by the Director General of the PDP governors, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, the PDP governors felicitated with Muslims from across the world for the dawn of another Eidel-fitr, and prayed that the Almighty Allah would accept their worship and keep them all alive and healthy to witness many more.

The PDP governors said though the Ramadan season was over, they urged all Muslim faithful to continue to practise the lessons taught by the Holy Month by remaining pious and close to Allah.

They said they should continue to deny themselves in total submission to His will, not forgetting that as one of the key pillars of Islam, the Ramadan

“This Transaction is the result of a rapid, discrete but competitive process in which numerous bids and expressions of interest were received.

“As a result, the Transaction valuation agreed in principle is compelling, and the Transaction is clearly in the best interest of our shareholders. After adjusting for minority interests and repayment of certain shareholder loans due from HPH to CK Hutchison, the Transaction would be expected to deliver cash proceeds in excess of US$19 billion to our Group.

“I would like to stress that the transaction is purely commercial in nature and wholly unrelated to recent political news reports concerning the Panama Ports.

“It must be noted that, however, the transaction does remain subject to confirmatory due diligence, settlement of definitive documentations, and normal and usual completion procedures, adjustments and conditions as well as compliance by HPH with the rights of minority shareholders under existing shareholders agreements

was important for developing the virtues of self-renunciation in every true Muslim.

The party’s governors equally called on all Nigerians to continue to live together harmoniously, coexist peaceful and dedicate this period of celebration to remain relentless in their prayers and support for its leaders, peace, security and unity of the country.

They advocated further that all Nigerians should get involved in the process of peace building in order to get the country to work for the good of all citizens.

Bayelsa Muslims Praise Diri

Muslims in Bayelsa State, yesterday, gave thumbs up to Governor Douye Diri for his administration’s show of love during the Ramadan period.

Speaking on behalf of the Muslim community, chairman of the state chapter of the Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Yakubu Otobo, who led other leaders to celebrate the Eidel-Fitr at the governor’s hometown, Sampou, in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state, expressed appreciation for the support to the Muslim brethren in the state during their festive seasons.

He also thanked the governor for the regular pilgrimage sponsorship of Muslims throughout his first tenure.

Otobo described the administration’s welfare gestures as laudable, noting that Muslims in the state enjoy a rare privilege compared to their

relating to the Sold HPH Interests.”

CK Hutchison has operated the Balboa and Cristóbal ports since 1997, when Panama granted the company 25 year concessions for the facilities. The concessions were renewed for another 25 years in 2021.

The BlackRock investment group will be buying the companies that own the port concessions.

In the past several days, executives at BlackRock, including Laurence D. Fink, its chief executive, and a board member, Adebayo Ogunlesi, briefed Trump; the Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent; the secretary of state, Marco Rubio; and others on the deal, according to two people involved in the deal. The administration was supportive, they added.

The Li family specifically sought an American buyer, one of the people briefed on the discussions said. There were three other bids for the deal, another person familiar with the deal said.

Frank Sixt, a co-managing director at CK Hutchison, said in a statement that the deal was “purely commercial in nature and wholly unrelated to

counterparts in other states.

Responding, Diri expressed gratitude to the Muslim leaders, stating that they have been supportive and contributing to the development of the state’s economy, and urged them to promote religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence.

“As you celebrate Sallah across the country and the world, l want to identify with you. Let us not elevate our religious and ethnic differences high and above other religious groups.

“Wherever you reside is your home. Bayelsa is your home and so guard it jealously and not allow criminality in the state. We are all Nigerians. Let us continue to work hand in gloves to develop Bayelsa.

“Whenever we have security reports, you have always cooperated with us. There is no society where peace is one hundred per cent. Bayelsa still has pockets of crime but our state is ranked as one of the safest in the country.”

SAZU VC Greets Bauchi Gov

The Vice Chancellor of Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), Bauchi, Professor Fatimah Tahir, and the entire management, has felicitated with Governor Bala Abdukadir Mohammed of the state, the University community, and the entire people of Bauchi on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

This is contained in a goodwill message issued by Auwal Hassan, Public Relations Officer, Sa’adu

recent political news reports concerning the Panama ports.”

This is BlackRock’s largest infrastructure deal ever and it is doing the deal with a partner known as Terminal Investment Limited, which operates ports served by the world’s largest container shipping company, Mediterranean Shipping.

The deal adds to Terminal Investment’s portfolio of ports in Europe and Latin America, and in addition to operating ports in the Panama Canal, the buyers were particularly interested in CK Hutchison’s ports in Asia.

Trump had also taken aim at the fees that the Panama Canal charges shipping companies to use the waterway. The fees have gone up in recent years, but the Panamanian agency that runs the canal has said droughts, investments in upgrades and sheer demand were responsible for the increases.

The American president has made several arguments for retaking control of the canal and the surrounding area. He argued that Chinese influence was a national security threat.

Zungur University, Bauchi.

“As we mark the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting, reflection, and spiritual growth, we reflect on the values of compassion, kindness, and generosity that define our university community.

“We are grateful for the support and partnership of the Bauchi State Government, led by His Excellency, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed _CON,_ which has enabled us to provide quality education and services to our students.”

Anambra Muslims Talk Peace, Back Soludo

Muslim leaders in Onitsha, Anambra State, have used the opportunity of the Eid-el-Fitr celebration to preach peace and mutual co-existence among Nigerians of all faith.

The Kabiyesi of Yoruba in Onitsha, Alhaji Abraham Zubairu, made the call while addressing some members of the Muslim community at the Eid praying ground in Onitsha, yesterday.

Akhigbe stated, “We are grateful to the governor of Edo State for personally coming to Kano to express his condolences. When this tragic incident happened, there was apprehension, but we are reassured by the swift actions taken by both state governments. We sympathise with the people of Kano State and pray for the victims.”

Okpebholo also visited Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, at his Maitama residence in Abuja over the killings.

Special Adviser to Barau on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Ismail Mudashir, in a statement, said the governor extended his condolences to Barau, who is from Kano State. The statement added that the governor pledged that the state government would assist the families of the victims.

He assured that the perpetrators will face the full wrath of the law and described the killing of the innocent travellers as unfortunate and condemnable.

Okpebholo said, “It is unfortunate that it happened in our state. We are here to say, to let you and other people know that we are not happy.

“The president is doing something drastic about this. He’s not happy also. The IG has swung into action. The DIG CID is in charge. So far, they have arrested 14 suspects.

“So they are bringing them to Abuja for interrogation. We have also set up a committee to see that we take care of the families of the deceased.”

Barau said the perpetrators must be brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others.

He stated, “We cannot undo what has been done. But we all want all Nigerians, what they are looking

Zubairu, who is also the Chairman, Anambra State Muslim Council advised his Muslim brothers to work for the re-election of Governor Chukwuma Soludo in the November 8, 2025 governorship election.

He stated that the Muslim community since the emergence of Soludo as the governor of Anambra State, has witnessed many qualities of a dynamic leader, one of which was “peaceful co-existence” between them and their host community as well as the government.

He said: “For all Muslim faithful, we thank God for being alive to witness this year’s Sallah, and we pray that this celebration will not be the end. We shall have cause to continue to celebrate.”

“We use the opportunity of the Eid-el-Fitr celebration to call for mutual co-existence. People should do well to tolerate people of other religion as we are all one.

“The governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has done well in ensuring our safety in

forward to is to make sure that these people are arrested and brought to justice.

“You are doing well in that direction. And I’m also glad you’ve spoken about the fact that your government is ready to assist the families of those affected.

“I want you to continue to pursue the case so that all those who were involved in these barbaric actions are brought to justice. It’s a barbaric action, to say the facts.

“If they are brought to justice, it would serve as a deterrent to those who might want to do this in future.

“I know that people from other parts of the country have been staying with your people in Edo for centuries in a very conducive atmosphere. And this barbaric act has never happened. I’m sure, under your watch, this will not happen again.

“I thank you very much. You’ve told me now that you’ll meet the Kano State governor today. This is very good.

“Please, continue what you are doing. Mr President also told us that you are doing very well in this direction, and we have seen it because, as I said, we have spoken several times on this matter in the last 72 hours.”

NASFAT Decries Silence Amid

Injustice

Chief Missioner of Nasrul-Lahi-lFatih Society (NASFAT), Imam Maroofdeen AbdulAzeez Onike, condemned the killings and decried what he termed silence in the face of injustice.

The tragic incident also prompted condemnation from the entire NASFAT.

In a press statement, the chief missioner emphasised that silence in

Anambra State. Since he came on board he has been working tirelessly to develop the state. “There have been massive road constructions and other infrastructural developments in the state since Prof. Chukwuma Soludo took over as governor, therefore the Muslim community would re-elect the governor to continue his good works in the state, I pray for Anambra State.” Globacom Felicitates Muslims

Digital Solutions Provider, Globacom, has congratulated Muslims in the country on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast, and urged them to continue to embody the values of Godliness, charity, good neighbourliness, contentment, and righteousness.

In a goodwill message marking the Eid-el-Fitri celebration, Globacom encouraged Muslims to use the occasion for worship, reconciliation, and sober reflection.

the face of injustice was tantamount to complicity. He urged Nigerians to speak out against violence and discrimination.

Onike lamented the lack of vocal condemnation from both public commentators and religious leaders, especially those from other faiths.

“Had the victims been from different religious backgrounds, the media would have been flooded with reactions. This silence only deepens the injustice, as it allows such tragic events to be swept under the rug,” he said. He also referenced a verse from the Quran (Q5:32), reminding the society that killing an innocent soul is akin to killing all of mankind.

NASFAT’s President, Alhaji Ayodeji AbdulWahid AbdulRauf, emphasised the importance of being each other’s keeper, regardless of religion or tribe. AbdulRauf called for unity and compassion in the face of such tragic events, reminding the people of Nigeria that it is a collective responsibility to support each other through difficult times. NASFAT demanded that the security agencies intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

House Minority Caucus Urges Tinubu to Direct Investigation

The minority caucus in the House of Representatives called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the security agencies to investigate the killings. The caucus, in a joint statement, co-signed by its leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, and Minority Whip, Hon. Ali Isa, condemned the violent attack on the travellers, which culminated in their gruesome deaths.

Deputy Commandant of Corps, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Agbetiloye Kolawole; Senior Vice President & Chief Corporate Services Officer, IHS Nigeria, Dapo Otunla; Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo; Zonal Controller, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Tunji Jimoh; and President, Association of Telecommunication Companies (ATCON), Tony Emoekpere, during the inaugural meeting of telecommunication industry stakeholders in Lagos to discuss the protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), hosted by IHS Nigeria at its corporate headquarters in Lagos… recently

Shooting Stars Expelled from President’s Federation Cup

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Shooting Stars of Ibadan have been expelled from the President’s Federation Cup competition after listing ineligible players for what was to be their Round of 64 encounter against Zamfara United.

Zamfara United however failed to show up at the match venueand therefore walked over.

According to Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) sources, Delta State owned team, Warri Wolves earlier scheduled to play the winner of the Zamfara United versus Shooting

Stars Round of 64 clash have now qualified for the next round of the competition following Shooting Stars’ disqualification.

Meanwhile, some of the competition’s standout fixtures for midweek Round of 16 include; Cup holders El-Kanemi Warriors (Borno) taking on

Enyimba FC (Abia) in Bwari, Abuja on Wednesday evening. Already, this fixture is causing a buzz as El Kanemi who are the current President Federation Cup defending champions, having thrashed Abia Warriors 4-0 in the 2024 final of the prestigious domestic

Man City’s Haaland to See Specialist for Ankle Injury

will see a specialist after suffering an ankle injury in Sunday’s FA Cup win against Bournemouth, with the club expecting him to play again this season.

The Norwegian was substituted in the 61st minute after scoring the equaliser as City went on to beat the Cherries 2-1and reach the semi-finals.

The 24-year-old was later seen in a video on social media leaving the Vitality Stadium on crutches and with his left ankle in a protective boot.

City said on Monday that they anticipate Haaland “will be fit to play a further part in the remainder of this season including this summer’s Fifa Club World Cup”.

The club explained that Haaland, who has scored 30 goals in 40 games

this season, had tests on Monday before being referred to a specialist to understand “the full extent of the injury”.

Haaland missed a penalty and two big chances on Sunday, but he turned in Nico O’Reilly’scross to level the game before Omar Marmoush put City ahead as Pep Guardiola’s side progressed to the last four.

The FA Cup provides City’s only remaining chance of silverware this season following a difficult Premier League campaign and early exits from the Champions League and Carabao Cup.

Manager Guardiola has had to deal with injuries to key players throughout the campaign. His side sit fifth in the Premier League, one point off Chelsea in the Champions League places.

...Saka Back from Threemonth Injury Sidelines

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is fit again after missing three months with injury, says manager Mikel Arteta.

The England international had surgery on a hamstring problem suffered in Arsenal’s Premier League win over Crystal Palace on 21 December.

Saka, who has scored nine goals and contributed 10 assists in 24 games in all competitions for Arsenal this season, could feature in Tuesday’s league meeting with Fulham at Emirates Stadium.

“Bukayo Saka is ready to go,” said Arteta.

“All the careful things are already done. Now it’s about putting him on the grass at the right moment, but he’s pushing because he really wants to.

“We have respected the timeline and we have done everything.

“Bukayo is a massive weapon that we have. We know the impact he

has in the team and how important his role and contribution is to our success.”

Arsenal are second in the Premier League, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool with nine games remaining.

Defender Riccardo Calafiori faces a spell on the sidelines with a knee injury sustained on international duty for Italy against Germany on 20 March.

“It could have been much worse,” said Arteta.

“Hopefully it’s going to be a matter of weeks, but we have to see how the injury evolves.”

Andrea Berta, Arsenal’s new sporting director, was present at Monday’s news conference after he was named as Edu’s successor this week.

Arteta said the Italian Berta had “many options” from other clubs but was “positive” about joining Arsenal.

over

Adibe Emenyonuin Benin City

A Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, Vitalis Oshokene, has said that history will forever be kind to President Bola Tinubu and the member representing Owan Federal Constituency, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere Ph.D for the establishment of the Federal University of Sports at Afuze. Oshokene, a former Executive Director, Oil and Gas to former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, said that the university recently signed into law by President Tinubu would be the biggest federal government presence

not only in Owan federal constituency, but in the entire Edo North senatorial district, since the advent of the present democracy.

He also noted that Prof. Ihonbvere has over time demonstrated that politics is all about service to the people and contributing to nation building adding that his role in the ensuring that the University of Sports come to fruition is worthy of commendation. Oshokene stressed that the multiplier effects of situating the university in Afuze will completely change the lives of the people of Owan, Edo North, and indeed the state and the country in general.

competition, are boasting of surmounting the Enyimba challenge on their way to an encore. The Borno Warriors are handled by Flying Eagles coach Aliyu Zubair. Also on Wednesday, there is going to be another “Oriental Derby” in Awka as Heartland FC (Imo) battle

Security Beefed up Around Niger Delta Sports Festival Venues in Uyo

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Ahead of the official flag off of the inaugural Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) on Wednesday by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Uyo Township Stadium, security deployment has been activated at the various venues of the sports fiesta in the Akwa Ibom State capital.

Already, a detachment of operatives from the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp and Department of State Security are already on ground at the six locations hosting the festival.

According to a member of the Security Sub-committee who pleaded anonymity, there will be strict adherence to the access codes as unauthorized persons will not not be allowed into restricted areas.

“There are defined access codes for different areas and only those with accreditation tags with specific access codes would be allowed into such areas”, the official said.

security plans at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo...on Monday afternoon

Security vans have been stationed at strategic locations at the venues as at Monday morning.

Meanwhile, members of the Akwa Ibom State Executive Council led by Elder Paul Bassey, the Commissioner for Sports made a last minutes round of tour of the venues on Monday morning as directed by Governor

Hails Tinubu,

Sports University

Also reacting, Dr. Buddy Mustapha, a one-time Executive Director, Ministry of Land and Survey said the benefit of having a Sports University in Edo State cannot be overemphasized just as he hailed Prof Julius Ihonbvere and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu .

“It will ensure economic growth by generating revenue to the state through sports tourism and encourage people to adopt a healthy life style and contributing to the nation’s overall well-being. It is a thing of pride to us in Edo State.

According to Oshokene , aside from access to education, the first federal owned Sport University will provide

job opportunities and improve the economy of the people in the area.

He said, “ We indeed are excited with our erudite Professor for ensuring that this is coming to Edo State. To say we are happy about this development will be an understatement; we are elated beyond comprehension.

“In terms of infrastructural development and political appointments, the federal constituency have been neglected over the years.

“But with Ihonvbere and President Bola Tinubu, this narrative has changed. This particular change is one that many of us never expected it will happen in our live time.

Umo Bassey Eno. They were joined by the Co-Chairman of the Main Organising Committee (MOC), Sir Itiako Ikpokpo and some other members of the MOC.

Bassey again expressed satisfaction with the level of preparations and assured stakeholders that the state was ready for the festival.

Some of the inspected facilities include the renovated Olympic-size swimming pool at the Uyo Township Stadium, Basketball, Volleyball and Handball and Tennis.

Other venues are the Ultrafit Sports Centre which will host table tennis

and tennis as well as the Itam West Secondary School that will also host Handball.

The festival is sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and supported by Premium Trust Bank.

About 3000 athletes, 800 coaches and technical officials from the nine mandate states of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) that includes host Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Ondo, Abia and Imo states, are expected at the games which will feature 17 events from April 1 through April 8.

Rangers Int’l (Enugu) NPFL teams, Sunshine Stars (Ondo) will battle Plateau United (Plateau) same Wednesday in Anyigba, Kogi State while Bendel Insurance (Edo) have a tough customer in Adamawa United (Adamawa) in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

Erling Haaland who has scored over 30 goals and provided assists in all competitions for Manchester City, is to see specialist on his nagging ankle injury

A detachment of mobile policemen and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp and the Department of State Security strategizing on

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland

MISSILE

UN Experts to FG

“Demolitions must never lead to homelessness of the evicted persons, who should have access to adequate alternative housing, resettlement and compensation for lost property. Urban development in the city of Lagos must not harm communities living in poverty who are already suffering due to poor government housing policies” --HumanRightsExperts,OfficeoftheUnitedNations HighCommissionerforHuman Rights(OHCHR),callonFGtohaltdemolitionsofwaterfrontcommunitiesinLagos.

TUESDAY WITH REUBEN ABATI

The Uromi 16 And The Problem With Nigeria

The killing last Friday of 16 Northern travellers along the Uromi-Ubiaja road in Edo state is an event that will live in infamy. Twenty-five travellers from Port Harcourt going home to the North, Kano specifically for the Eid el-fitri celebrations were intercepted by vigilantes along the way on the suspicion that they were kidnappers and they were lynched to death. There were 25 of them travelling together, nine of them managed to survive, but for the majority, it was an encounter with death. Some of the victims are from the Bunkura and Rano Local Government Areas of Kano State, mostly from Garko, Kibiya, Toronkawa and Rano villages. The fallen victims had wives, children and mothers. The men were said to be hunters and they were suspected by the vigilantes because they were reportedly carrying dane guns, and they had dogs with them too. It was a tragic incident. Madam Sadiya Sa’adu, for example, lost her son, her brother and her nephew: “They were not criminals; they were simply out to make an honest living. My son’s blood must not be spilled in vain,” she said.

One of the victims, Abdullahi Harisu, 21, got married only four months ago. In one account, the Edo Vigilante Commander was said to have ordered the killings. He had concluded that the travellers were Boko Haram terrorists and kidnappers. Three of them were reportedly taken to the police station, with the vigilante commander telling the police that they had brought in kidnappers. He then, in spite of the police, instructed that the remaining persons who had been apprehended should be killed by the vigilantes. Now, the people of Bunkura and Rano LGAs are mourning. More orphans and widows have been created. Nigeria happened to the Uromi 16. When Nigeria happens to you, it means literally that the state has turned you into a victim of its many imperfections, and justice may never be done. In some other places in the world, even when a person dies unjustly, the law takes its course, but here in Nigeria, a country of over 230 million persons, when a whole village is razed to the ground due to jungle justice, the media would make righteous noise, the people would oh and ah, and just almost immediately, the country moves on. Everything wrong with Nigeria is written all over the Uromi tragedy. It is such an irony that Uromi in that axis is the home-town of prominent nationalist and statesman Anthony Enahoro, and his brother Peter Enahoro – the inimitable “Peter Pan”, two brothers who championed the ideals of national peace and progress.

The Nigerian 1999 Constitution guarantees the right to life (Section 33), the right to the dignity of the human person (section 34) and the right to be free from discrimination (Section 42), and the right to the freedom of movement (section 41). The rights of the Uromi 25 to all these fundamental human rights were brutally violated. Only a court of law can determine that life be taken after the accused person has gone through the justice system and he or she has been taken through due process, and fair hearing has been allowed, and it is established that a criminal offence, punishable by death, has been committed, as provided for in an existing law of the Federation of Nigeria. But things have gone so bad that vigilante groups of different colours in all parts of the country take the laws into their hands and dispense jungle justice. The vigilante group in Uromi reportedly went to the police station. What did the police do? It was

the duty of the police to step in, and not allow the vigilantes to inflict punishment and commit murder. We need to know the exact police station where the complaint was lodged, who the officers on duty were, and what exactly was done or not done. Vigilantes telling the police that they had arrested Boko Haramists and kidnappers should have prompted the police to intervene immediately. They are definitely complicit in the tragedy that followed by their inaction. The least that the police could have done was to establish whether or not the apprehended persons bearing dane guns have the required licenses under the Firearms Act. The Nigerian Constitution further talks about the duty of the government to ensure the safety and welfare of every citizen (Section 14 (2b) and says that every Nigerian can move freely, reside in, and egress in and out of every part of Nigeria.

The dangerous and painful reality that we have seen in Uromi and elsewhere is that this is never the case. It is possible for a Nigerian to leave home in the morning, but the road is forever lying in wait, hungry and ravenous, cruel and unkind, either in form of bad roads, dangerous, unlatched container trucks, tankers bearing toxic and flammable cargo that could fall over at the mere rush of saliva, or armed vigilantes and other criminals inflicting jungle justice and a reign of impunity. This is so because the state is in retreat. This is so also because the state has been captured by unscrupulous elements. The emergence of non-state actors, otherwise called vigilantes or by whatever other appellation, is one of the responses to this failure. We are in a country where the routine loss of lives, and the habitual conflicts that have enveloped our lives, have forced many to resort to self-help. People have also lost faith in the state’s institutions. They don’t trust the police because they believe every policeman can be easily compromised. They doubt the judicial system because they are convinced that the courts no longer dispense justice. They do not trust anyone who does not speak their language. The Uromi 25 were labelled and profiled as terrorists and kidnappers because they are from a certain part of the country – the North, and yet there has been no report that they were engaged in any act of aggression, or violence that could

be considered suspicious. They were travelling, they had dane guns, they identified themselves as hunters travelling back to the North. They were citizens moving from one part of the country to the other! They didn’t deserve to die just because they spoke a different language or looked different. The problem with Nigeria is that ethnicity is written into every fabric of social interaction.

It is most unfortunate that this happened, as the Ramadan, the Muslim Holy month was ending, and Christians were still observing the Lenten season. Nigerians are a very religious people, but they are also very hypocritical about their faith. Most of the persons who murdered the Uromi 16 in the early hours of Friday, would have gone to the Mosque later in the day, wearing the garment of piety. Others would have been in church on Sunday singing alleluia and asking their Daddies and Mummies, the entrepreneurs of Christianity, who sell salvation for tithes, to pray for them. Both religions teach self-discipline, comportment, compassion and charity, but such virtues are sorely missing in our land. The leaders set bad examples. The followers are worse. We harvest the collapse of values and ideals in the needless mass graves that we often dig, the cry of orphans and widows, and the agony of parents and communities. There is such a yawning gap between private morality – what we say to God and public morality – what we do as citizens.

The bloodbath in Uromi has been condemned by many including Waziri Adamawa Atiku Abubakar, Senators, members of the House of Representatives, the Northern Elders Forum, the Edo community in Kano, and the Arewa community in Edo State. The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo has since ordered the suspension of all vigilante groups in Edo State. He has suspended the Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, CP Friday Ibadin (rtd.). The state has also disowned the vigilante group involved in the dastardly act and commenced investigations. Further, Governor Okepbholo has paid a visit to the Governor and the people of Kano State, and the families of the victims to commiserate with them. Fourteen suspects have reportedly been arrested. What this means is that the Governors of both Kano and Edo states and the leaders of the respective communities are trying their level best to de-escalate tensions, and ward off reprisal killings. There is too much shared bloodshed in Nigeria. This is what led to the counter-coup of July 1966, and the eventual blow-out that resulted in the three-year fratricidal civil war, 1967 – 70. Till date, the civil war has not ended. There has been no full reconciliation. The biggest emergency in the land is the spectre of revenge killings: seen, with tragic consequences in Southern Kaduna, Plateau state and the entire Middle Belt, and as seen most recently in the third week of March in Ondo state, with the killing of five farmers by persons described as herdsmen. In Ondo state, two weeks earlier, about 14 persons had been killed in the same Akure North Local Government Area. The killers, it was claimed, infiltrated Ondo State, through Edo State, and if we may stretch the logic, there could be a connection between the incident in Uromi last Friday and the killings in Ondo State two weeks earlier and what could come after in the nearest future in an unending cycle death and violence.

This is the real national emergency that the Tinubu administration must worry about. Insecurity in the country and a growing culture of vengeance and reprisal killings are the real issues that the

government of the day must tackle, to stem the tide of imminent anomie, and anarchy resulting in the threat of disintegration. We survived the civil war. No country can afford to have two civil wars – the consequences would be terrible. The interest of individuals or specific groups relying on the advantages of power and position should not supersede that of the nation. There is obviously a need to rethink the country’s security architecture: what we have at the moment is not working. It has failed to work before now. It has no prospect of working tomorrow. With over 200 million people, and just about 300, 000 policemen, the country is grossly under-policed. The police are also under-funded, and there are too many criminals within the security sector. The police are in fact, so overwhelmed and poorly structured, that the military are often called upon to do police work. What would happen in the case of any external aggression? The same soldiers that have been immersed in police habits and culture would be the ones to defend Njgeria’s territorial integrity. The police should be restructured for efficiency and performance. The police force, as it is presently structured, cannot meet the security needs of the country. The emergence of groups like the vigilantes, and regional quasi-police structures like the Amotekun, Hisbah, Agunechemba, and neighbourhood watch groups are attempts to fill the gap and meet the people’s needs. There is now a clear case to be made for the creation of state police, and even a National Guard. The fact that an incident in Uromi or elsewhere would require a convoluted search for clearance and direction from Abuja makes mockery of the urgency of the crisis of insecurity that the country faces. The most unfortunate part of it all is that Nigerians are quick to forget. There is an evil spirit of selective amnesia upon the land. Nothing shocks the average Nigerian anymore. We have become so numbed by state failure that once a tragedy occurs, our defence mechanism is to move on, carry on actually with life as if nothing happened, as if nobody died; like a people used to disaster, as in Thomas Mann’s The Magic Mountain, we seem to have developed a sympathy for death. It is a horrible place to be – for a country to be moving backwards, or at best, paralysed, bereft of empathy, when the rest of humanity is struggling to advance. The death of the Uromi 16 must not be treated like other cases before it; the investigations must be carried out to the letter, and the files must not disappear, all the police officers involved must not be transferred out of Edo state until thorough investigations are done and a report written; and the report must not disappear, and due action must be taken in this as in all similar cases. Certain questions beg for answers: what were hunters from Kano State doing in Rivers State? Rivers is a fishing community for the most part. Does anyone fish with dane guns?

Other state governments must learn from the tragedy in Uromi. It is colourful, after a fashion, for Governors to wear fanciful uniforms of auxiliary security outfits in their states, inspect guards of honour set up by untrained, ill-equipped fancy brigades who have neither the powers nor the intelligence to manage the security situation in the state. More Governors have learnt to dance on those occasions, thinking that this is some form of Nollywood entertainment. Meanwhile, Nigerians have found themselves in a situation where security is an issue, and welfare is a nightmare - with more people sliding daily into poverty. From whence then, cometh our help?

President Bola Tinubu