TUESDAY 25TH FEBRUARY 2025

Saudi Agriculture Company to Acquire

Oil Marketers Threaten Strike, Give

Seven Days to Offset N100 Billion Debts

Say many depots in North already grounded over mounting

El-Rufai: Tinubu, Not N'Assembly Rejected My Nomination as Minister

Says there's anger in north, nobody from the region will vote the president today Wants so-called security report on him released Hints he might leave APC, insists party has left him Pledges never to defect to PDP, but any other party remains an option Gov Sani Uba, Nuhu Ribadu no longer my friends, ex-minister affirms Alleges Ribadu trying to eliminate all opposition to his 2031 presidential ambition Ribadu responds: I have never discussed running for president in 2031, my focus is on Nigeria and President Tinubu Reno Omokri to ex-Kaduna gov: You failed screening woefully, you were a diplomatic liability

L-R: Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani; Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate; Wife of the Kaduna State Governor, Hajiya Hafsat Uba Sani; First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Executive Secretary/ CEO, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Muyi Aina; Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria, Hajia Nana Shettima; Wife of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mrs. Salamatu Gbajabiamila;

NIPSS COURSE 46 PARTICIPANTS...

Tinubu: We'll Prioritise Digital Economy for Youth Empowerment, Job Creation

Receives NIPSS report Ministries move to address fiber cuts, internet disruptions

President Bola Tinubu has given assurance that the federal government would continue to prioritise the development of the digital economy to enhance youth empowerment and job creation.

This comes as the Federal Ministry of Works (FMoW) and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy (FMoCIDE) have established a joint standing committee on the protection of fiber optic cables to address the persistent issue of cable cuts and subsequent internet disruptions caused by the damage during road construction and rehabilitation activities across the country.

President Tinubu made the pledge yesterday, at the State House, Abuja while receiving a report titled, "Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities," presented by participants of the Senior Executive Course 46 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru.

In their eight-point recommendation, the course participants urged the federal government to expedite the enactment of the Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill 2024 and encourage States to waive the Right of Way fees on the deployment of telecoms infrastructure.

The 96 participants also recom- mended that the President issue an Executive Order mandating all MDAs to migrate to the OneGov.ng portal.

They advocated adopting a Quintuple-Helix Model to promote the digital economy, youth empowerment, and sustainable job creation.

Other recommendations were promoting long-term funding for the 3MTT scheme, accelerating the transition from IPv4 to IPv6, establishing Digital Health Innovation Hubs across

Nigeria, and developing a preventive maintenance application for the nation's automotive industry.

Responding, Tinubu directed the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy to coordinate with the group and present their recommendations to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Head of the Civil Service for streamlined implementation.

Emphasising the importance of youth empowerment through innovation and digital skills development, Tinubu said: "At the core of our administration is youth empowerment. We cannot relent on that, and we need everyone's collaboration.

"I have listened carefully to your recommendations and the thorough work you did. We will continue to engage the Institute as a resource centre and Think Tank.

"As Nigeria's foremost policy ThinkTank, you have highlighted the overlap of some government agencies, and we'll look at that.

"You are an asset to our country, and I thank the participants for their dedication to their studies. We will continue to collaborate with you for the prosperity of our country."

Highlighting the importance of data in national planning, Tinubu told the meeting he had earlier met with officials from the National Population Commission (NPC) to discuss the upcoming census.

Earlier, the Director-General of NIPSS, Prof Ayo Omotayo, said during the yearlong engagement, course participants undertook study tours across Nigeria and abroad, exploring the theme of their study.

"We recognise that in an era where technology drives innovation, Nigeria must aggressively leverage its youthful population to build a thriving ecosystem. The opportunities are boundless, from Fintech to Agri-Tech, E-Commerce

to Artificial Intelligence.

"However, systemic challenges such as infrastructural deficits, inadequate digital skills, and regulatory bottlenecks must be addressed.

"Our findings highlight the urgent need for targeted policies that foster an enabling environment for startups, enhance access to finance, and expand broadband penetration.

"We believe that with your administration's continued support, Nigeria will fully unlock the potential of the digital economy and create millions of sustainable jobs for our teeming youth," he said.

On his part, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, announced that the Digital Economy Bill, currently before the National Assembly, would undergo public hearings in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) before its passage in the second quarter of 2025.

According to him, this was the first time legislation would be subjected to such an extensive review.

Regarding the Right of Way fees, the Minister disclosed that 11 states have responded to the federal government's request to waive the charges, a move aimed at facilitating broadband infrastructure expansion.

He expressed optimism that all states in the Federation would comply with this initiative before the end of the second year of the Tinubu administration.

On Nigeria's progress in internet protocol transition, Tijani stated that the country is on track to become one of the first in Africa to migrate fully from IPv4 to IPv6.

He added that in 2024, the federal government approved a $2 billion investment into 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables to ensure nationwide broadband coverage.

This project would have the third-longest fibre network in Africa, following South Africa and Egypt.

According to the Minister, the project has made significant progress, with support from the Ministry of Finance and a $500 million commitment secured by the World Bank.

In his intervention, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, noted that the ICT sector contributed 16 percent to Nigeria's GDP in 2024.

He emphasised the government's commitment to prioritising the sector as crucial for economic stability and job creation.

Edun, also recalled Tinubu's recent meeting with the Chief Executive of Flutterwave, during which the company pledged to support Nigerian youth and SMEs through technology-driven solutions with long-term economic impact.

"Flutterwave is considering listing on Nigeria's Stock Exchange, and we expect this to strengthen the tech and payments ecosystem further," he said. Meanwhile, the FMoW and the FMoCIDE have established a joint standing committee on the protection of fiber optic cables to address the persistent issue of fiber optic cuts and subsequent internet disruptions caused by the damage during road construction and rehabilitation activities across the country.

The Joint Standing Committee on Protection of Fiber Optic Cables was inaugurated Tuesday 18th February at the Boardroom of the FMoW, by the Permanent Secretary, Olufunso Adebiyi, and his counterpart at the FMoCIDE, Farouk Yusuf, with the attendance of the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida.

The European Commission (EC) has received requests from Nigeria and 23 other non members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), for inclusion on the list of countries eligible to import non-hazardous waste from the European Union (EU).

Non-hazardous waste represents 95.6 per cent of solid waste produced in Europe.

It includes municipal solid waste (packaging, clothing, bottles, paper, cardboard and plastics, among others).

Others are demolition waste with inert materials like concrete, bricks, stones, and food waste.

In a statement yesterday, the European Commission confirmed that Nigeria and 23 others became the first non-OECD countries that met the February 21 deadline for inclusion in non-hazardous waste imports.

Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, El Salvador, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, NorthMacedonia, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Taiwan1,

Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Ukraine and Vietnam also applied for inclusion.

In line with the European Green Deal and second EU Circular Economy Action Plan, the new Waste Shipments Regulation establishes a new regime for the shipment of waste within the EU, as well as for imports and exports of waste into and from the EU.

The Regulation also introduces stricter rules on waste exports to non-OECD countries, including a full ban on the export of plastic waste from November 21, 2026.

The objective is to ensure that iinstead of exporting its waste problems, the EU contributes to the environmentally sound management of waste, and better addresses the illegal trafficking of waste.

submit a formal request to the European Commission to continue importing such waste from the EU. The deadline set under the Regulation for submitting such a request was February 21, 2025.

The EC statement confirmed that by that date, 24 requests were received for inclusion on the list of countries eligible to import non-hazardous waste from the EU after May 21, 2027.

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Oando Plc will participate as a Silver Sponsor at the eighth edition of the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2025, scheduled to take place from February 24 to 27, 2025, a statement from the company has said.

Scheduled to be held at the Presidential Banquet Hall, Aso Villa, and Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja, this year’s summit is themed “Bridging Continents: Connecting Investors Worldwide with Africa’s Energy Potential.”

According to the statement, the event will provide a critical

platform for Oando to showcase its commitment to attracting global investment and driving sustainable energy development across the African continent.

“As a Silver Sponsor, Oando will leverage NIES 2025 to highlight its strategic initiatives designed to foster international collaboration and propel Africa's energy sector forward. The company’s participation underscores its dedication to supporting Nigeria's energy transition while connecting global investors with the continent's vast energy opportunities,” it added.

A key highlight of Oando’s involvement will be the participation of its Group Chief Executive, Wale

Tinubu, in a high-level panel discussion titled: "Transformative Deals and Nigeria’s Upstream Future."

He is expected to feature alongside esteemed industry leaders, including Gbenga Komolafe, Commission Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and Tony Attah, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Renaissance Africa Energy.

Others are: Roger Brown, Chief Executive, Seplat Energy PLC; Ufoma Immanuel, Chief Executive Officer, Chappal Energies; and Mallam Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) NNPC Limited.

Wale Tinubu will share his insights

on the strategic deals shaping Nigeria's upstream sector and its potential for global investors, drawing on the company’s recent acquisition of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) from Eni in August 2024 and its award of Block KON 13 in Onshore Kwanza Basin, Angola in January 2025.

Further demonstrating Oando’s expertise, Dr. Ainojie ‘Alex’ Irune, Managing Director, Oando Energy Resources Nigeria Limited (OERNL), will contribute to a panel discussion focused on "Structuring Global Investments: De-risking Energy Projects in Africa," the statement added.

For other types of non-hazardous waste, non-OECD countries have to submit a formal request to the European Commission to continue importing such waste from the EU by February 21, 2025.

In this request, non-OECD countries must demonstrate their ability to manage the waste they wish to import from the EU in an environmentally sound manner under conditions equivalent to those applying in the EU. This includes providing detailed information and documentation, as outlined in Annex VIII of the Regulation.

In line with this objective, the Regulation introduces stricter rules on waste exports to non-OECD countries, including a full ban on the export of plastic waste from November 21, 2026.

For other types of non-hazardous waste, non-OECD countries must

"By that date, 24 requests were received for inclusion on the list of countries eligible to import non-hazardous waste from the EU after 21 May 2027 from Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, El Salvador, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, Nigeria, North-Macedonia, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Taiwan1, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Ukraine and Vietnam," the EC said.

The Commission explaine that it would assess these applications and draw up a list of non-OECD countries authorised to import specific waste streams from the EU.

In the assessment process, the Commission may reach out to applicant countries to seek clarifications or request to complete the information provided, it added.

"The first list of countries authorised to receive waste from the EU will be established by 21 November 2026. Exports of waste to non-OECD countries that are not included in the list will be prohibited from 21 May 2027. This list will be updated regularly and at least every two years.

Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Emma Okonji in Lagos

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a group photo with some NIPSS Course 46 participants... yesterday

COURTESY VISIT TO AMCON...

L-R: Registrar/Secretary to the Council, Chartered Risk Management Association of Nigeria (CRMI), Dr. Victor Olannye; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Gbenga Alade; and Second Vice President, CRMI, Alhaji Yayangida Umar, during a courtesy visit by CRMI to AMCON in Abuja… recently

Indigenous Producers' Oil Output to Grow by One Million Barrels Per Day in 5 Years

PETAN plans $450m investment to boost members' local content capacity

Contractors lament import of 76,000MT of threaded steel pipes in 2024 against industry rules

Peter Uzoho

Indigenous producers under the umbrella of Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG), said they planned to ramp up their crude oil production by one million barrels per day (bpd) and their gas output by one trillion cubic feet (TCF) per day within the next five to 10 years.

The assertion came amid a rebounding Nigerian oil and gas industry, after years of decline and inactivity.

Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) and Chief Executive Officer of Geoplex Driileq, Mr. Wole Ogunsanya, made the projection yesterday during his kick-off address at the day one of the ongoing Nigerian International Energy

Summit (NIES 2024) in Abuja. Ogunsanya, who spoke during the Local Content Forum of the summit, which centred around "Accelerating Local Content Development: Practical Solutions for Africa's Energy Future," also revealed that PETAN planned to invest about $450 million to grow the capacity of its members in preparation for future jobs and projects.

He spoke on the heels of the opportunities provided by the Nigerian Content Act, which mandated that local operators, service companies and contractors be prioritised during divestment of assets or award of contracts.

Promoting local content in the oil and gas sector, Ogunsanya argued that big indigenous players had emerged, saying with their proven capacity and

2025 Nobel Peace Prize Nomination: Dabiri-Erewa Congratulates Zuriel Oduwole

Michael Olugbode in Abuja Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has congratulated 22-year-old Zuriel Oduwole on her nomination by three institutions for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.

In a congratulatory message, an elated Abike Dabiri-Erewa said the nomination was not a surprise to her due to the tireless work of Zuriel advocating for girls’ education over the last 12 years across Africa and

the Caribbean, and for her peace mediating work between nations in South America and the Middle East.

She expressed optimism that Zuriel will win the topmost prize going by her determination, zeal and enthusiasm for success.

Dabiri-Erewa, while wishing her the very best luck in her endeavours, implored youths to emulate the impactful spirit of Zuriel and shun any acts capable of denigrating the image of Nigeria.

The nominations were made on

behalf of USC by a Professor of Clinical Education Engineering, the University of Missouri by an Emeritus Professor of Social Science, and by a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It is the culmination of a dedication to making a measurable difference in the world, that has seen her receive among others, a Forbes Leadership Award, the CARE Global Impact Award, and the UN Secretary General Ban Ki- Moon Award.

In the course of her 12-year journey, Ms. Oduwole had met

Lagos Govt, HCD Africa Empower 500 Women in Epe, Ojodu, Three Other Councils

The Lagos State Government, in partnership with development partners and financial institutions, have empowered over 500 community women with essential financial literacy, entrepreneurship training, and access to vital financial services for them to be self-independent. The women were empowered during advocacy programmes held on different days in five communities in Lagos State with over 100 women from each community. The beneficiaries were drawn from Odomola Community, Epe; Amukoko Community, Ajeromi Ifelodun; Ojojo Community, Kosofe; Oke Ira Community, Ojodu and Ojora Badia Community, Apapa Iganmu.

The advocacy programme tagged “Promoting Human Capital Development through Advocacy for Women’s Financial Inclusion in the hard-to-reach communities” is organised by the Office of SDGs in collaboration with HCD Africa, Pay Business (Opay), Cowrywise, Lagos State Resident Registration Agency

(LASRRA), and National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

Speaking during the advocacy programme, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih, restated its commitment to women’s empowerment and financial inclusion in hard-to-reach communities for them to be independent and self-reliant. She advised women to ensure they are engaged in one business or the other, no matter how small, to be financially empowered, with a call on them to imbibe saving culture.

Dr. Finnih, represented by her Technical Assistant, Dr. Oluwunmi Akinlade, said the advocacy programme in partnership with Human Capital Development (HCD) Africa was to increase advocacy for women’s financial inclusion in hard-to-reach communities as well as increase awareness of data’s role in delivering better HCD outcomes.

She said: "It is very important to empower women with necessary

skills to improve their businesses and to save. Our advice to women is to make sure that they save for the future. We want women to be financially independent. We don’t want them to depend solely on any man.

“Women should have financial freedom. As a woman, we don’t want to depend solely on other people, especially if we have children. We want to take care of our children and make sure that we have enough money to do whatever we want,” she said.

Speaking during the advocacy programme in his council, the Chairman of Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Segun Odunmbaku, expressed his readiness to partner with the Office of the SDGs, HCD Africa, and financial institutions to empower women in his community.

He said the advocacy programme, which is in tandem with the programme of the Ojodu LCDA, is commendable. He therefore promised partnership with the State Government and the partners to make the programme reach more women.

one-on-one with 36 Presidents and Prime Ministers, to learn about and then crafting simpler solutions to the planet’s burgeoning socio-economic challenges.

Oduwole’s grandfather, Dr. Michael Oduwole, left Nigeria in 1954 to Scotland to become a medical doctor, where Zuriels father Ademola Oduwole was born.

He then emigrated to Los Angeles - CA in 1991, where Zuriel was born in 2002.

Dabiri-Erewa, in the statement, said Zuriel’s recognition and nomination for arguably the most prestigious award known to man, is another evidence of that resilient and hardworking Nigerian spirit, warmly coded in Nigerians’ DNA, and simply waiting for the slightest opportunity to, not just express the innate abilities, but to lead and dominate where ever Nigerians find themselves across the globe.

the growth in the number of assets being in the hands of indigenous firms, their production would rise significantly in the next five to 10 years.

He stated, "In the next five to 10 years, we see the IPPG growing production by a million barrels. We see their gas production increase by 1 billion cubic feet. That will represent 15 per cent of the gas that we produced last year," he said.

Quoting data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), he said Nigeria produced seven billion cubic feet (BCF) of gas in 2024.

"For us in PETAN, we see ourselves investing up to $450 million to grow local content capacity of our members, including the new members that are joining us."

Ogunsanya said companies on the oil services side would ensure that they have the right capacity to complement the producers.

According to him, Nigeria is witnessing growth in domestic refining capacity as well as the rising demand for crude, citing the 450,000 barrels refining capacity by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery.

He mentioned BUA's 350,000 barrels capacity refinery, stating that with all the refineries currently existing, the country boast 1.2 million barrels of refining capacity in the country.

Ogunsanya explained , "If we do the job right, those of us in the industry providing services, the producers, the regulators are here, and the government of Nigeria, whatever the price of oil is, we need 1.2 million barrels for local

refining. And after that, the government is still going to make money. The OPEC puts about 1.6. So if you add that, you're in the region of 2.7 or 2.8 million barrels.

"If we do it right for this country, and most of those productions will be owned by Nigerians, either through NNPC, where there are 55 per cent, the 45 per cent is owned by indigenous E&P companies. So, imagine the implication of that on our GDP. Imagine the ability to have all the products that we need in Nigeria.

"Imagine what 1 billion cubic feet of gas will do to power in this country. So that's what we see. We see a very rosy industry for the next five to 10 years. And it's going to require a collaborative effort from every stakeholder."

Meanwhile, Petroleum Contractors Trade Section (PCTS), a unit of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), decried the importation of threaded steel pipes into Nigeria in violation of the Nigerian Content Act. Chairman of PCTS, Mrs Rosario Osobase, stated this at the same event, revealing that 76,000 metric tons of threaded steel pipes were imported from China and some other places into Nigeria in 2024 alone with no single ton threaded in-country according to set rules.

Osobase said, "In PCTS, we see issues in the last 10 years where we see myriads of threaded pipes coming into this country. Last year alone, in 2024, 76,000 metric tons of threaded steel pipes arrived from China and various destinations. The only problem with those tonnages coming into this country is that not even a ton was threaded in-country.

MAN Hails BOI for Fostering Green, Sustainable Industrial Practices

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) yesterday lauded the Bank of Industry (BoI) for its interest in fostering green and sustainable industrial practices in Nigeria.

The Director General of MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir said this in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital at the 'Global Environment Facility -United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (GEF-UNIDO) Industrial Energy Efficiency (IEE) and Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) project Nigeria,' workshop for the BoI and other strategic stakeholders.

Ajayi-Kadir, pointed out that

the 5-day capacity building workshop showed their collective commitment to support the quest for transformation of the manufacturing sector in the country through adoption of resourceefficient and cleaner production methodologies while ensuring environmental sustainability.

"This workshop represents a significant milestone in our shared aspiration towards achieving greater sustainability in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.

"It underscores the importance of advancing industrial energy efficiency and resource optimisation to ensure that our industries remain competitive while reducing their environmental impact.

"Our veritable partners, the BoI

plays a pivotal role in this project. They have been tasked with managing the financing component, ensuring that manufacturers have the necessary resources to implement energy-efficient solutions and cleaner production practices.

"This financial support is essential in helping industries across Nigeria to adopt technologies and systems that reduce energy consumption, lower operational costs, and contribute to sustainable development.

"I therefore commend the BoI for its dedication to fostering green and sustainable industrial practices in Nigeria. We are grateful for your commitment to the project, which we have leveraged to put up this workshop," he stressed.

Okon Bassey in Uyo

GOVERNANCE EDUCATION IN AFRICA...

Professor Kingsley Moghalu, President & Vice-Chancellor, African School of Governance (ASG), Kigali, Rwanda, with H.E. Kashim Shettima, Vice-President of Nigeria at Aguda House (Vice-President's residence), after the vice president hosted Prof. Moghalu to a breakfast meeting during the ASG president’s official visit to Nigeria...recently

Akpabio: Only 30% Of Nigerians Pay Tax, But Everybody Wants Infrastructure

Tax

reform bills crucial for Nigeria’s economic growth, Edun declares Tinubu has asked National Assembly to produce workable tax law, says Musa Stakeholders throw weight behind proposed fiscal laws Arewa group debunks north opposition to proposed legislations

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, yesterday said not up to 30 percent of Nigerians pay tax to the government even though every citizen expects the provision of infrastructure, efficient education and security, among other social amenities.

Akpabio stated this in Abuja, when he declared open the public hearing on the tax reform bills forwarded to both chambers of the National Assembly on October 3, 2024, by President Bola Tinubu.

Akpabio said the reforms were necessary as the nation cannot continue to do the same thing repeatedly and expect different results.

He pledged that the National Assembly would improve on its oversight functions once the bills were passed to ensure that taxpayers’ resources are spent judiciously by the government.

He said the public hearing should be used to think of a better Nigeria, condemning leaders who were condemning the proposed legislations when they had not even read them.

Akpabio said, “This is part of the ways we can diversify the economy by making sure that we get it right as a nation.

“I don't think that at the moment, up to 30 percent of Nigerians pay tax. Yet, 100 percent of Nigerians want good roads, and other infrastructure.

“They want effective train

services. They even want Nigeria to be modernised in a hurry but those things need money to be able to put them in place.

“Most Nigerians do not want to pay tax but at the end of the tax bills’ passage it would be easier for everybody to pay tax whether you like it or not.

“We would also oversight the executive arm of government to make sure that whatever revenue comes into the purse of the government is well utilised. This is part of the ways we can diversify the economy.”

Akpabio urged the participants and Nigerians to get copies of the bills and x-ray them properly instead of relying on social media.

He said, “The tax reform bills we are discussing today are not just about revenue collection—they are about fostering economic growth and ensuring social equity.

“We recognise the misconceptions and concerns surrounding taxation, and we are determined to pass laws that truly benefit the majority of Nigerians.

“Oversight is a key function of government, and we are committed to ensuring that all revenue collected is transparently and effectively utilised for national development.”

Stakeholders including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, Lateef

Fagbemi (SAN).

Others were the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji; Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, (NSC), Adewale Adeniyi, made contributions on the occasion.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) said about 71 different groups of stakeholders were invited for the public hearing.

He said Tinubu had challenged the Senate to give him workable laws from the bills.

Musa said, “I met President Bola Ahmed Tinubu two days ago on the tax reform bills and he told me that, ‘Mr. Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, go and do the needful.’ "Give me a law that is workable from the tax reform bills, which I forwarded to the Senate and the House of Representatives in October last year.”

He said further: "That request by Mr. President came at a very auspicious time of this public hearing on the tax reform bills which are not meant to add burden to any section of the country or give undue advantage to any section as well."

Speaking on behalf of the federal government’s economic team, the head, Edun, said the tax reform bills were crucial to the nation's economic growth.

Edun added: “There is a need now

for this all-important reform as part of Mr. President’s economic agenda. “It is a bold step, another bold step because we are all privy to the reforms that have been made over the last 20 months or so.

“We can all see the progress that has been made, the success that we are witnessing in terms of the economy growing, the reserves growing, the inflation stabilising and the budget deficit being under control, and in particular, food prices.

Otti: I Blocked 'Criminals' from Infiltrating my Govt, Forbid any Deals with Them

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has stated that he has successfully prevented "criminals" from getting appointments in his government in order to keep the integrity of his administration intact.

He also vowed he would never negotiate with the ruinous politicians that plundered Abia and set the state backwards for several years.

A government house press release issued Monday by the chief press secretary to the Abia Governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, said that

Otti spoke about his battle with "the criminals" during two separate church services he attended on Sunday.

He worshipped with the congregations at the Master's Vessel Church, Umuahia North and the Power World Ministry International, Umuahia South.

Otti said that after destroying Abia, the same people that wreaked the havoc started lobbying and seeking attention in order to be brought into his government.

However, he declared that after he has shut the door against the undesirable elements, they resorted

Nigeria, Kazakhstan to Sign MOU on Trade, Agriculture,

Michael Olugbode in Abuja Nigeria and Kazakhstan are set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cement bilateral relations aimed at building cooperation in agriculture, trade and information technologies.

A 30-member high powered delegation from Kazakhstan led by the country’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alibek Kuantyrov are presently in Nigeria.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, facilitated the

meeting which brought many top public and private sector operators from Kazakhstan to explore several areas of cooperation in Nigeria.

Speaking at the conference organized for the two countries to brainstorm on areas of collaboration, the Minister Ministry of Communications, innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said the ministry had already developed a strategic blueprint with six pillars, adding that each of these pillars is a potential area of collaboration and partnership with the Kazakhstan team.

The minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Faruk Yabo, said: “In particular, pillar number one speaks about knowledge, capacity building and talents. I'm aware that Kazakhstan is quite advanced in terms of its knowledge base in ICT. So, this is a big area that we can partner.

"We already have the world's largest capacity-building initiative that we are running, which is the three million technical talents by 2027. This is intended to train Nigerians in technical talent so that at least

to blackmail and false information against his administration so he could invite them for negotiations.

"Ours is a government that has integrity; we will never negotiate with criminals," Otti declared with an air of finality.

After dethroning the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Otti who had won the poll on the platform of the Labour Party, has been enduring a rash of blistering criticisms from his opponents.

He chose to use the platform of the churches to launch counter attack on his opponents, saying that "some of them have resorted to attacks in

IT

1.5 million of them will be able to work in Europe and the remaining ones could be here."

He also said the two countries were looking to cooperate in artificial intelligence, adding that Nigeria had just finished drafting its artificial intelligence strategy.

He also called for cooperation in the development of digital infrastructure.

On his part, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, who highlighted the giant strides made so far in the

Collaboration

agriculture sector by the current administration, said Nigeria could collaborate with Kazakhstan in many areas of the sector.

Kyari said: "We're meeting with them on Tuesday at 2 o'clock, and we will talk more and elaborately on some of the opportunities that exist between Nigeria and Kazakhstan in terms of the agricultural space.

"We are not asking only for them to come and invest. We are also asking for us to partner with them. What is it that they need? We have products that we have in abundance here."

the media".

According to him, the same people attacking had "started by applying" for political appointments, telling him that "you need us to run a government,(but) we politely declined (as) darkness and daylight have no meeting points".

"And the next thing they do is to start attacking you thinking you would call them for negotiations".

The Abia State governor absolved his government of all the charges of wrongdoings by the opposition, insisting that "we are not doing anything wrong".

However, referencing the portion of the Bible that says, "righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach" Otti said that he does not claim to be righteous, only that his administration would not purposely engage in wrongdoing.

He said: "We will not deliberately do the wrong thing. You may hear some people making noise left, right, and center; it is because they are used to things being done in the wrong way, and we have come to say no".

"So, if you bring something that is wrong to us, we are not afraid to say no".

Otti told the cheering congregations that he has come to restore the dignity of Abians, who are hard-working people and only need "enabling environment" to soar high.

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Rewane: CBN Policies Are Working to Stabilise the Naira

Market transparency, interest rates, trade balances showing signs of improvement

Nume Ekeghe

Renowned economist and Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivative Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, has applauded the recent interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the foreign exchange market, saying the policies are effectively stabilising the naira.

Rewane stressed that CBN's core mandate included maintaining external reserves to safeguard the naira’s value, a responsibility it was currently fulfilling.

He stated that the policies embarked upon by CBN had made the foreign exchange market more transparent, thereby bringing confidence into the market and reducing speculative activities.

Speaking on ARISE TV yesterday, Rewane said, “When the CBN or the federal government intervenes to stabilise or protect the value of the naira, that is exactly what they are supposed to do.

“Secondly, we must understand what happened in line with economic objectives. The fair value of the naira, based on purchasing power parity (PPP) analysis, is 1,002.15/$1. This means the naira is 26.35 per cent undervalued. If you intervene to protect an overvalued currency, that is bad, but if you intervene to support an undervalued currency, you are correcting a misalignment. That is what the CBN is doing, and we applaud them for it.”

Rewane highlighted the CBN’s role in unifying multiple exchange

rates, which previously created a fragmented market.

He said, “There were five or six exchange rates before now. The market was segmented, with price discrimination, CBN selling at one rate while others sold back at a different rate. The CBN has now de-segmented the market, increasing transparency and price discovery. Policies on zero-placement levels and other measures have reduced speculative activities and arbitrage, leading to stability.”

Rewane underscored key economic data supporting the effectiveness of the CBN’s interventions, saying the spread between parallel and official exchange rates has narrowed from 15-20 per cent to less than oneper cent.

He said market price discovery had improved, fostering investor confidence.

According to him, Nigeria’s balance of trade has reached $18.6 billion, its highest in years; and depreciation of the naira has encouraged export growth and made import substitution more viable.

Rewane stated, “Money supply growth has decreased from 85 per cent to 17 per cent, approaching the 15 per cent target. Oil price is falling, and now we have projects like the Dangote refinery begin to do so.

“We are now refining locally and becoming more independent, as a matter of fact, exporting some of our refined products to Western Central Africa exporting some of our cement to these countries,

and Nigerian airlines are carrying people across the continent.

“So the policies are working. No question about that. Can we do more? Yes, we can do more, and definitely we'll do more.”

Rewane cited the CBN’s decision to maintain a firm stance on interest rates as a sign of its commitment to economic stability.

He stated, “Looking at what happened last year: the CBN intervened with a 400-basis-point increase in interest rates, a move not seen in a long time. The naira appreciated. But markets often overreact. Now, they are taking a systematic approach.”

Rewane also tackled what he described as misinformation circulating about CBN’s intervention.

“Many are ignorant, but some

EL-RUFAI: TINUBU, NOT NATIONAL ASSEMBLY REJECTED MY NOMINATION AS MINISTER

Former Kaduna State Governor and a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nasir el-Rufai yesterday responded to a plethora of issues, especially relating to his relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declaring that the president pointedly rejected him as a minister, and not the stage-managed National Assembly’s security report.

Speaking with Arise Television, THISDAY's broadcast arm, in his first interview since exiting government in May 2023, el-Rufai, now a strong critic of his party, the APC as well as the Tinubu's administration, maintained that there was no doubt that the president changed his mind against appointing him as the minister of power.

El-Rufai reiterated that Tinubu begged him to work with him initially, but that it was surprising that the Nigerian leader hid under the cover of a so-called security report to ease him out of his government.

The former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) called on the president to release the security report that led to his rejection if it actually exists. He added that the president has invited him to a meeting since his rejection, stressing that although Tinubu told him they still both needed to work together, when asked in what area, the president was non-committal.

Having been a specialist adviser, minister and governor, el-Rufai stated that the talk of a rejection of his ministerial nomination due to a security report did not make sense.

“What was the security issue? I have been a governor for eight years in one of the most difficult states in

the country. I had been minister 20 years earlier. I've been in public life in the last 25, 26 years. What is the security issue? Where is the report?

“What about other ministers far less qualified, far less experienced, with huge controversies around them that scaled through because the president made a call? So please leave that aside. I don't want to focus too much on that. The president is a human being. He is entitled to change his mind. And it's not an issue. It is a job I didn't want in the first place,” he contended.

The former governor stated that although he told Tinubu he did not want to be a minister, the president prevailed on him that he wanted him (el-Rufai) to sort out Nigeria's intractable power challenges as minister.

“I was not interested. He appealed to me, begged me and gave me a challenge. What was the challenge?

Nobody had sorted out electricity. No president had defeated the electricity mafia. You and I can work to defeat it. It was the challenge that made me accept,” he added.

Describing himself as a ‘self-made man’, the former Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), rubbished insinuations that he could defect to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), hinting that although he was ready to work with any other party in 2027, the PDP was out of the question.

“I'm not in politics to get anything. I have a surname. I'm a self-made man. I had made my money before coming into public office. I don't need anything. After eight years in Kaduna I was nearly burnt out.

“I was struggling for eight years and I wanted to take a break and I had my private plans. The president publicly appealed to me to put my

OIL MARKETERS THREATEN STRIKE, GIVE FG SEVEN DAYS TO OFFSET N100 BILLION DEBTS

Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) fails to make the payment within the stipulated time, marketers will halt the loading and distribution of petroleum products nationwide.

Alhasan said: “If NMDPRA does not pay our money within seven working days, we are going to withdraw our services all over the country and we are going to withdraw our tanks from loading and discharging. At the same time, we are going to lock all our stations across Nigeria.”

According to him, the marketers are now frustrated that a year after the demand for payment, the NMDPRA has continued to ignore the group, recalling that the regulator promised to pay on the eve of the last strike action declared by Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO).

He added: “We are extremely frustrated that one year after our last demand as a forum, requesting the payment of over N100 billion owed our members in bridging and claims by the NMDPRA, the management of the NMDPRA has deliberately ignored our request, even after making clear promises to pay us.”

Reading the communique, Alhasan expressed frustration over the NMDPRA’s failure to settle the bridging claims, despite repeated assurances. The claims, which date back to 2024, he said, were deducted from marketers’ payments for products to settle bridging allowances.

“If NMDPRA doesn’t pay our money within seven days, we are going to withdraw our services across the nation,” he stated.

He revealed that Northern depots, comprising the Jos, Gusau, Minna, Suleja, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Yola and Maiduguri depot, had become completely grounded due to this lingering debt.

IPMAN also frowned on the 5 per cent levy imposed on its members by NMDPRA on the

sale of petrol stations, which they described as unconstitutional and anti-developmental. It clarified that the funds were not government allocations but monies that were deducted from payments made by its members to settle bridging allowances.

It stressed that the prolonged non-payment of these debts had led to devastating consequences for its members, including the loss of lives, the closure of businesses, staff retrenchment and the takeover of business premises by commercial banks.

“These debts are not ours, they belong to marketers and were deducted from us at the point of payments for products. We have continued to face the tragic consequences of this refusal to pay, and it has reached a critical point.

“The NMDPRA has no business acting as real estate agents, collecting commissions on the sale of petrol stations. This is just one of the many strange levies that we are being forced to pay, which are anti-developmental and unconstitutional,” it added.

Additionally, IPMAN pointed to difficulties in maintaining and renovating petrol outlets due to further excessive levies imposed by the NMDPRA. Members, they argued, are being penalised for seeking to meet international best practices by modernising their outlets.

“And so, as IPMAN members, we go the extra mile to renovate our outlets occasionally, to meet with international best practices. However, the NMDPRA has also made this very difficult for us, as they have also subjected our members to paying bizarre levies whenever we deem it fit to renovate our petrol outlets.

“These are just a few of the many distressing levies they have forced on us; these are not only anti-developmental, they are also unconstitutional, and we are demanding their immediate suspension,”

the oil marketers added.

The forum stressed that as lawabiding Nigerians, it believes that it has given the NMDPRA enough time to pay its monies in bulk and clear the bridging claims.

“But in view of their constant refusal, we have therefore decided to liaise with our sister organisations, the PTD and NARTO, in order to take collective action in due course. As members of IPMAN, it is important to state that we also own sizeable numbers of petroleum tankers driven by the PTD, and we may be forced to withdraw our tankers from loading petroleum products in a view to enforce the immediate payment of our bridging and NTA claims.

“We hereby call on the federal government of Nigeria headed by President Bola Tinubu to fully intervene in these prolonged disputes between Depot Chairmen of the

Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria and the NMDPRA. We will not hesitate to immediately take action in due course if our demands are not met immediately beginning from today Monday 24th February 2025,” the group stressed.

The oil marketers further recalled that the NMDPRA had promised to offset the bridging claims in 40 days even in the presence of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and the Director Department of State Service (DSS), Mr. Adeola Ajayi.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it is imperative to state again that this debt being owed us are monies belonging to marketers, and which were deducted from us at the point of payments for products, in order to settle our bridging allowances,” the group noted.

plans on hold and through two months of negotiation we finally agreed that he would nominate me as minister and there were certain conditions I attached to that. I think along the line either the president changed his mind or something else because please don't believe the story that the National Assembly rejected me.

“The National Assembly had nothing to do with this. The president didn't want me in his cabinet. He changed his mind. Whatever it is, frankly I don't care and I told him and I moved on,” the technocrat turned politician stated.

As it is today, el-Rufai argued that nobody in the region will vote for Tinubu in the north, stressing that there's palpable anger against the current administration.

Disclosing that he supports some of the current administration’s economic policies, el-Rufai however stated that the sequencing is wrong.

Besides, el-Rufai stated that the quality of the people implementing the reforms leaves much to be desired, pointing out that some of the reforms are just wrong outright.

“You don't address food inflation by destroying domestic agriculture through importation, for instance. Food prices may be going down, but farmers are being impoverished because they are being made to compete with subsidised agricultural products from Europe and other countries.

“So I have issues with many of them. And I'm in touch with many senior officials of the administration, and I give them my opinion privately. But I don't want to go beyond that, because tomorrow they will say, oh, it's because he was not made minister,” he explained.

According to el-Rufai, although he might still support a southerner in 2027, just like he did in 2023, a lot of consultations will have to be carried out before the decision is taken.

are deliberate mercenaries, socalled influencers. Ignorance can be addressed with education, but deliberate misinformation is another matter,” he warned.

“I will evaluate the situation at the time and I will consult widely because when I supported President Tinubu before the primaries, it was a decision that the leaders of the APC took in Kaduna. Who would we support? Okay, we've succeeded in ensuring that power goes to the south. And we knew that all the northern candidates would go nowhere.

“Tinubu was not my friend. I was never close to him. But the consensus of the APC in Kaduna was that we should support Bola Tinubu because he is (was) the one that is (was) more likely to win,” the professional quantity surveyor said. He also flayed his party, the APC for breaching its own laws, with the constitution providing that meetings must take place at least once in a quarter, even if just to give the government feedback on some of its policies. “In two years, the party has not met,” he said.

Although he has no immediate plans to leave the APC, he hinted that unless the party is reformed and returned to the right path, he was willing to work with any other political party except the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“But now, I'm not leaving the APC. The APC has left me. We founded that party based on certain values. The party has left. I am stranded,” he added, stressing that “sooner or later, yI may have to find another platform to pursue those progressive values that I believe in, if I can't find them in the APC.”

El-Rufai pointed out that he wasn't sure he would be in the APC by 2027, stressing that if Tinubu hasn't done well by 2027, he should be voted out, but quickly added that he would prefer that a southerner succeeds Tinubu. Regardless of whatever ‘baggage’ the president contested with, he noted

Continued on page 29

SAUDI AGRICULTURE COMPANY TO ACQUIRE 44.58% STAKE IN OLAM AGRI FOR $1.78BN

remaining Olam Group.

The 100 per cent equity valuation of $4 billion reflects a 14 per cent premium to the $3.50 billion valuation at which SALIC first acquired a 35.43 per cent stake in Olam Agri in December 2022, which closed at a total final consideration of $1.29 billion (inclusive of post-closing adjustments in H1 2023).

The statement added that the valuation also represented a 3.47x price-to-book value multiple to Olam Agri's book value of $1.15 billion as at December 31, 2023.

Furthermore, on completion of the sale of tranche 1, OGL would realise an estimated gain on disposal of $1.84 billion which will accrete to the equity reserves of OGL5.

OGL would raise estimated total gross cash proceeds of $2.58 billion from the sale of tranche 1 and 2.

The OGL Board would also take into consideration various factors including the level of the Group's

future earnings, cash flows, capital requirements for maintenance and growth, other financial and general business conditions before making any decision on the use of the proceeds which may include debt repayment, right-sizing the capital structure of OGL and ofi, as well as the provision of a possible one-time special dividend distribution.

According to Olam, the transformative deal represented a significant value realisation for OGL shareholders: OGL's divestment of a 100 [er cent interest in Olam Agri at the end of tranche 2, including the initial sale of 35.43 per cent stake in 2022, would raise total gross proceeds of $3.87 billion accreting a total gain of $2.72 billion to the equity reserves of the group.

OGL continues to hold a 100 percent interest in ofl and the Remaining Olam Group, and would now focus on seeking strategic options to unlock value for the Remaining Olam Group

businesses and ofi, including the pursuit of an ofi IPO.

The deal aligns with SALIC's strategic investment approach, which prioritises high-potential companies addressing future food security needs through innovation and integrated supply chains both locally and globally, and remains confident that the partnership would contribute to achieving national and global objectives.

Commenting on the deal, OGL's Cofounder and Group Chief Executive, Sunny Verghese said, "Since SALIC's investment in Olam Agri în 2022, our partnership with SALIC has unveiled new avenues of growth. With its strategic mandate as a global agrifoods investor and related complementary strengths, SALIC and Olam Agri share the same vision and focus on sustainable sourcing and commitment to meet the rising demand for food, feed and fibre.

“Importantly, this transaction is transformative for Olam Agri. The

sale of Olam Agri to SALIC marks another key milestone in Olam's re-organisation journey announced in January 2020. With this transaction, we can now focus our attention on seeking strategic options to unlock value for the Remaining Olam Group businesses and ofi, including the pursuit of an ofi IPO."

Also, the Group Chief Executive, SALIC, Sulaiman AlRumaih said, "The full acquisition agreement of Olam Agri aligns with SALIC's strategic objectives of diversifying sources of essential commodities, strengthening supply chain integration, and enhancing logistical efficiency across its local and International investments.

“Furthermore, this acquisition underscores SALIC's ambition to secure a key position in the global grains sector.

"Olam Agri, a global player in trading essential while continually enhancing production in efficiency for the benefit of all stakeholders."

Emmanuel Addeh, Chuks Okocha, James Emejo in Abuja, Sunday Ehigiator and Funmi Ogundare

Rewane

TAX BILL ON THEIR MINDS...

L-R: Minister of Finance and Coordinating Economy, Wale Edun; CEOO of NNPCl, Mele Kyari; and Director Legal Drafting, Federal Ministry of Justice,

First Lady Flags Off Distribution Of 10,000 Professional Kits to Midwives in North West

Says RHI will continue to intervene in critical areas to help families

Empowers 1,000 women petty traders with N50,000 each to recapitalise their business

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu on Monday flagged off the distribution of professional kits to midwives provided by her pet project, the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

The flag off for the North West geo-political zone of the country was held in Kaduna State with the First Ladies of the seven component States in attendance.

According to the First Lady, the demands of the health profession goes beyond mere skills and compassion, noting that the right tools and infrastructure are also needed.

While commending the efforts and contributions of the midwives and the entire health workforce, Mrs Tinubu

said their efforts continue to be pivotal to attaining the reduction of maternal and child mortality in Nigeria.

Her words: “I am honoured to officially flag-off the distribution of 10,000 Professional Kits to Midwives in the North-West States, namely Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara, with Kaduna State being the Chief Host today.

"This event is to complement the ongoing Federal Government retraining exercise for 120,000 frontline health workers nationwide. I am informed that 59,570 health workers have already completed their training and that is why the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) procured 60,000 branded scrubs and 60,000 pairs of crocs, as an incentive to encourage and support the tireless

AbdulRazaq

Vows

dedication of our Midwives”.

She appealed to Nigerians to keep encouraging health workers for their tireless efforts, especially the leadership of the sector.

The First Lady further said: "I commend the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate,, the Executive Director and CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina, and their entire workforce for their dedicated focus on improving healthcare delivery for our citizens as an important pillar of development, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

“All six geo-political zones will receive 10,000 scrubs and 10,000 pairs

Food

of crocs, which will be distributed among the states in each zone. The North-Central Zone received its allocation on the 29th of January, 2025 during my three-day working visit to Kwara State. Today, we are in Kaduna to distribute the kits to the North-West Zone. By the grace of God, the next zone to benefit will be the South-South”.

In his remarks, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani said the nation is currently witnessing great transformation in the health sector that is gradually but consciously improving life expectancy and other outcomes in the sector.

He commended the Mrs Tinubu for her strong determination and dedication to improving the lives of the

Security for Kwarans, Flags Off Agro Input Fair

Lower food prices ahead of Ramadan, monarch appeals to traders

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin and Wole Ayodele in Jalingo

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State yesterday said his administration would leave no stone unturned towards providing food security for the people of the state.

AbdulRazaq stated this in Ilorin during the launch of the State Agro Inputs Fair for the year 2025.

The Fair, organised by the Kwara Agricultural Development Project (KWADP), an agency under the State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, will last for five days.

In another development, the District Head of Jalingo and Galadima of Muri Emirate, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Lamido Abba Tukur has appealed to farmers and traders in Taraba State to lower the cost of food items in the spirit of Ramadan.

Speaking at a ceremony to commemorate the 40th anniversary of his coronation held on Sunday in Jalingo, Alhaji Abba Tukur, urged the traders to consider the plight of the poor masses and bring down the prices of food items especially that Ramadan is just few days away. Meanwhile, in achieving food security, AbdulRazaq said the launch of the agro inputs fair is to provide farmers early access to high-quality

inputs at affordable prices, training, mechanisation support, climate advisory, and market linkages

AbdulRazaq, represented at the event by his deputy, Mr. Kayode Alabi stated: “This fair is not just about agro inputs. It is about innovation, knowledge sharing, and creating solutions that will drive agricultural productivity.

"It is a platform where farmers, researchers, and industry leaders connect, exchange ideas, and access cutting-edge solutions that will define the future of farming in Kwara.

“Kwara is not just participating in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation; it is leading the charge. The bar has been set, and there is no going back.

"The goal is clear: greater yields, lower food prices, and a thriving, self-sufficient agricultural economy."

Recalling how Kwara recorded the lowest food inflation rate for three consecutive months last year in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the Governor called the ranking a testament to his administration’s efforts, smart policies, and strategic investments.

He lauded the local farmers for their relentless hard work and said they have been complementing the government to achieve food sufficiency in the state.

Also speaking at the event, the

state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon.

Oloruntoyosi Thomas, said the fair sought to equip the farmers with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to maximize productivity and profitability this season.

ordinary Nigerian especially through the visible activities of the Renewed Hope Initiative since inception in 2023. Also speaking, Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare,

Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate assured that the Federal Government is doing all it can to close the gap in access to healthcare especially for pregnant women and mothers.

Abbas Distributes Ramadan Palliatives to 1,833 Teachers, Targets

70,000 Constituents

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen has distributed Ramadan palliatives to 1,833 primary school teachers in his Zaria Federal Constituency, Kaduna State.

The Speaker also gave out a total of 116 motorcycles to headmasters/ headmistresses from primary schools within the constituency to ease their transportation to work.

semovita, and vegetable oil. Abbas was quoted to have said: "I am passionate about workers in general. Anything that affects the life of a civil servant, especially a teacher, I take it seriously. I don't support civil servants or teachers because of anything, but I do it wholeheartedly.

"I believe anyone bestowed with leadership and has the opportunity to impact the lives of teachers positively but doesn't do so, definitely God will ask such a person. No society will progress without enhancing the lives of teachers, especially those at the primary schools.

She said: "The government is committed to strengthening agriculture through mechanization, provision of extension services for farmers, distribution of inputs, provision of tractors to local governments, and support for dry-season farming.

The Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, in a statement issued Monday said Abbas also pledged to extend the gesture to other teachers working at different public primary schools in the constituency before the end of his tenure.

"Beyond discounted fertilizers, seeds, and agrochemicals, this fair provides practical workshops on modern farming techniques, pest control, and post-harvest management.

The Ramadan fasting is expected to commence next weekend.

He said the food items distributed to the teachers included bags of rice, cartons of noodles, spaghetti,

"I am a living witness, having taught at different primary schools within Zaria for six years when I was studying for my diploma and degree programmes (in the 1980s). I know what teachers go through because I had a firsthand experience in those days when things were better.

Court Admits Kogi Government House's Account Statement, Others

Witness admits former governor's name not on property documents

Alex Enumah in Abuja

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday admitted documents relating to the Kogi State Government House bank account from 2016 to 2024.

The documents which include bank statement for the said period, Account Opening Package of the Kogi State Government House as well as similar documents belonging to Marcelina Njoku and American International School, were admitted in evidence by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

This is just as the 1st Prosecution Witness (PW1), under cross examina-

tion admitted that the name of the immediate former governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello, is not in a property document for which he is being tried.

Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had last year arraigned Bello on charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80 billion.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was admitted to bail in the sum of N500 million.

At the commencement of trial on Monday, the anti-graft agency through its lead counsel, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, called two witnesses to prove

its case against the defendant.

The first was a property developer from Efab Property Ltd, Mr. Segun Adeleke, who narrated how one Shehu Bello and one Nuhu Mohammed bought two properties in Maitama and Gwarinpa, respectively.

Led in evidence by Pinheiro, the 1st witness who is the General Manager of Efab Property Ltd told the court how the Chairman of EFAB, Fabian Nwora, introduced him to Sheu Bello in respect of the purchase of a property located at No 1, Ikogosi Street in Maitama Abuja, sometimes in 2020.

"We had a discussion concerning the purchase of the property in ques-

tion. And he told me that the young man would be coming back to make payment for the property at an agreed price of N550 million," he said. Besides the Maitama property, the witness also listed another property at 5th Avenue in Gwarinpa, which he said was purchased by one Nuhu Mohammed for N70 million and was paid for through a bank transfer. Under cross examination by Bello's lawyer, Chief Joseph Daudu, SAN, the witness admitted that in respect of the Maitama property, he acted "purely on the instructions of Efab chairman" and that he never initiated any transactions with Shehu Bello.

Dr. Patrick Etta Oyong, during a two-day public hearing organised by Senate Committee on Finance on the Tax Bill in Abuja, yesterday PHOTO: JULIUS ATOI.

Acting Group Politics Editor DEJI ELUMOYE

Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com

08033025611 sms only

As APC Holds One NEC Meeting in 18 Months

The National Working Committee of the all Progressives Congress has scheduled its National Executive Committee meeting for Wednesday, february 26, the first in the last one and half years. Adedayo Akinwale writes.

If the notice issued by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is anything to go by, the ruling party will hold its National Caucus meeting on Tuesday, February 25, while the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 18 months after the last meeting was held.

The National Secretary of the party, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, in a notice issued last Friday said the Caucus meeting is billed to hold at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa by 6 pm on Tuesday, while the NEC meeting will take place at the party’s national secretariat on Wednesday in Abuja.

The notice read: “Notice is hereby given for the meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Party. Note that the National Executive Committee (NEC) is one of the organs of the Party under Article 11 of the party’s constitution.”

While the party indicated that all arrangement for the party’s NEC meeting has been concluded, party chieftains are cautious considering the last-minute cancellation of the caucus and NEC meetings scheduled to hold on September 11 and 12, 2024.

The last time the ruling party held NEC meeting was on August 3, 2023 when its former chairman, Senator Abdulahi Adamu and Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore were forced to resign their positions, with Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje and Basiru drafted in to pilot the affairs of the party.

The ruling party’s constitution stipulates that: “The National Executive Committee shall meet every quarter and or at any time decided by the National Chairman or at the request made in writing by at least two-thirds of the members of the NEC provided that not less than 14 days’ notice is given for the meeting to be summoned.”

“Without prejudice to Article 25(B)(i) of this Constitution, the NWC may summon an emergency NEC meeting at any time, provided that at least seven days’ notice of the meeting shall be given to all those entitled to attend.”

But in clear violation of its constitution, the ruling party has not held the NEC meeting for 18 months.

Expectedly, the failure of the party leadership to organise NEC meetings in the past 18 months has created bad blood within the party considering the fact that the NEC meeting is supposed to be held every quarter according to the party’s constitution.

This development was one of the reasons

why the former National Vice Chairman North-West of the party, Dr. Salihu Lukman resigned his membership, while the immediate past governor of Kaduna state, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai recently launched attacks against the party for the same reason.

While some chieftains of the party have voiced their frustration over the inability of the leadership of the party to organise NEC meetings, others preferred to grumble.

El-Rufai recently said the affairs of the ruling party was being directed by illiterates, semi illiterates and cunning people as leaders.

“I no longer recognise the APC. No party organ has met in two years—no caucus, no NEC, nothing. You don’t even know if it is a one-man show; it’s a zero-man show. You cannot afford to have illiterates, semi-illiterates, and cunning people as your leaders. This is why we end up with the poor leadership we have today,” he had said.

Responding to El-Rufai’s claim on national television, APC National Secretary maintained that the opinion expressed by the former governor was based on fiction and outright fallacies.

Basiru explained that the party has about nine organs including executives at the unit level, ward level, local govern-

ment, state, zonal level, NWC, NEC, national caucus, National Advisory Council and the convention.

He was of the opinion that the fact that the national caucus and NEC have not met for about two years should not be used as a barometer to say other organs of the party are not functioning.

The national secretary said, “That is not true. I was elected at the NEC of our meeting held on August 3, 2023. Is 2023 August 3, up to two years? The answer is No!. So to say that NEC has not met in the past two years is to fit into the falsehood of Mallam Nasir el-Rufai.

“I wouldn’t want to get distracted with the fallacious statement of Mallam Nasir el-Rufai. We are focused on winning the election in Anambra, on retaining power in Ekiti state, and, of course, sensing the marauders in Osun. That’s the focus, I will not let anybody distract us from our objective as a political party.”

Nevertheless, analysts believe that while there was no doubt that the leadership of the party has flagrantly violated the party’s constitution, they were of the opinion that no date for NEC or caucus meeting could be fixed by the NWC without a green light from the President, who is the leader of the party.

With the caucus meeting of the ruling party on the cards on Tuesday, one of the issues expected to be considered is to fix a date to organise a non-elective convention in accordance with the party’s constitution.

For emphasis, Article 25(A)(i) of the APC

o ther issues for consideration and adoption at the n EC meeting include the party’s financial and audit reports for the 2022/2023 fiscal year, the budget proposal for 2025, and more importantly, the up-to-date payment of check-off dues by the national Assembly members and federal appointees, who are members of the ruling party. Besides, n EC members at the meeting would also be briefed on the concluded off-cycle gubernatorial elections held since the 2023 general elections in Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo, Edo, and o ndo states, as well as the run-off elections, and preparation ahead of the n ovember 8, 2025 governorship poll in Anambra s tate.

Constitution specifies that, “The National Convention of the party shall be held in two years at a date, venue and time to be recommended by the National Working Committee (NWC) and approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC), subject to giving statutory notices to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and at least, 14 days’ notice given to members eligible to attend.”

Checks revealed that the proposed non-elective convention, which is one of the issues to be discussed during the National Caucus meeting on Tuesday may have laid to rest speculations and uncertainty about the future of the current national officers of the party.

Ever since President Tinubu appointed members of the NWC of the party into the boards of federal government agencies, there had been rumours that their days in office may be numbered. But the agenda for the caucus meeting appeared to have put that to rest.

Other issues for consideration and adoption at the NEC meeting include the party’s financial and audit reports for the 2022/2023 fiscal year, the budget proposal for 2025, and more importantly, the up-to-date payment of check-off dues by the National Assembly members and federal appointees, who are members of the ruling party.

Besides, NEC members at the meeting would also be briefed on the concluded off-cycle gubernatorial elections held since the 2023 general elections in Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo, Edo, and Ondo states, as well as the run-off elections, and preparation ahead of the November 8, 2025 governorship poll in Anambra State.

The agenda for the Caucus meeting also include the issue of the standing committees, a presentation on the establishment of The Progressive Institute (TPI), membership e-registration and a report from the national legal adviser over the various litigations involving the ruling party still pending before the court of law.

According to the constitution of the party, those expected at the caucus meeting include the party’s national chairman, who will lead other nine NWC members, comprising deputy national chairman for North and South, national secretary, legal adviser, treasurer, organising secretary, women leader, youth leader, and leader of persons living with disabilities.

Others expected are former President Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and his deputy, Jubril Barau, past and incumbent state governors and former national chairmen and secretaries of the ruling party.

Tinubu

Ganduje

Basiru

LAWYER

Niger-Delta: An Iroko Tree has Fallen

His eminence, edwin Kiagbodo Clark, CON

Page IV

Quotable

‘I’m glad about what is happening in America, Europe, the contradiction that we are seeing now, all over. What is it telling us? It’s telling us to wake up, to make Africa a better place, particularly this country, Nigeria.’ - HE, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria Action Over Intestate’s Property by Beneficiaries Without Letters of Administration

Donates

Herbert Wigwe: Between Familial Relationships and Inheritance Laws

Introduction

Last week, social media was awash with stories about the Wigwe Family and the Ruling delivered by Hon. Adeyemi J of the Ikeja High Court (Family & Probate), which arose from a Motion for Interlocutory Injunction brought by the Claimant/Applicants, in Suit No. ID/7735FPM/2024 In the Matter of the Administration of the Estate of Late Mr Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe - Christian Wigwe & Pastor Shyngle Wigwe v Uche Wigwe, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede & Otutochi Wigwe (the Ruling)

I decided to read the ruling and discuss it, before social media drenches the place with misinformation. Let me state categorically that, I take nobody's side here; I'm only interpreting the law as it relates to the facts of this motion, correctly. But, if I was constrained to choose a side, as a mother, I would choose the side of Herbert Wigwe's children, particularly the minors who have been orphaned so early in life, and ensure that their interest is well protected.

Testate & Intestate

But, before I delve into the ruling, I will briefly mention in as simple terms as possible, the two situations that arise upon death - where a person dies and leaves a will, Testacy, (see the Wills Law of Lagos State 2004 (WL)) or dies without leaving a will, Intestacy (see the Administration of Estates Law of Lagos State 1959 now 2015 (AEL))

Section 2(1)(a) & (b) of the WL refers to the deceased’s spouse(s) and children as the family and dependants of the deceased (different States have their definition of dependants), while Section 4 thereof provides for the requirements of a valid will - a) that it is in writing; b) signed by the Testator; c) signed by the Testator in the presence of at least 2 witnesses; d) the witnesses attest and subscribe to the will in the presence of the Testator. Obviously, a Testator must be of sound mind and at least 18 years old (see Section 3 of the WL), and the will must be made voluntarily. A will made outside Nigeria, can also be valid in Nigeria if it meets the right conditions. Revocable Trust, another tool adopted by Herbert Wigwe, may also be used in place of or alongside a will. It doesn’t require Probate, ensures privacy as the assets and beneficiaries don’t have to be disclosed, allows assets to be transferred from one generation to the other, and is administered by the Trustee.

The second scenario in death, intestacy, was what I used to cut my legal teeth on, as a fresh wig in 1991, newly employed at Priscilla O. Kuye & Co. One of the first cases that was assigned to me to handle was Onye v Onye, a case in which the deceased, Mr Onye who married his wife under the Marriage Act, died rather suddenly after a very brief illness. The marriage was blessed with 6 children - 5 girls and a boy. I applied for Letters of Administration, with Mrs Onye and her first daughter who was of age as Administrators. Late Mr Onye’s brothers then filed a caveat, insisting that they should be joined as the Administrators instead of the widow and child, or in the alternative as Co-Administrators. Needless to say, we went to court, and I won the case for Mrs Onye. The court declined to join the Brothers Onye as Administrators, whether sole or joint. It was from handling that case, that I became conversant with the AEL particularly, Section 49(2)(a) & (b) (now Section 46) which fitted the circumstances of Mrs Onye like a glove, and provided inter alia that when a person dies intestate and leaves a spouse and children, the spouse is entitled to the deceased’s personal chattels and one-third of the estate, while the children of the deceased are entitled to the other two-thirds of the estate. There are other scenarios envisaged by Section 46, but, for the purposes of this discourse, I will limit myself to these four - 1) if the deceased has no spouse, but has children or 2) if the deceased has a spouse, but no children; 3) if the deceased has no spouse or children, but leaves parents and siblings (collaterals); or 4) if the deceased has no spouse, children or parents, but has siblings. There is a hierarchy of inheritance when there’s no will. In short, parents will only be partly entitled when there are no children, and siblings will only be entitled where there is no spouse, children and parents. See Salubi v Nwariaku (2003) LPELR-2998(SC) per Emmanuel Olayinka Ayoola, JSC on the hierarchy of inheritance in intestacy.

Background

In the case of Herbert Wigwe, though his will was made outside Nigeria, it covers everything that belongs to him, both personal and real property, within and outside Nigeria, and has since been submitted to Probate in Nigeria. In his testaments, Herbert Wigwe named 3 people alternatively to be his personal representatives, and 3 people alternatively to be his trustees. It is pertinent to note that, in the 2 capacities, that is personal representative and trustee, late Doreen Wigwe and his first cousin, Uche Wigwe are listed as 1st and 3rd respectively, while an American, Ms Blanco is listed as the 2nd alternative personal representative, and Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede is listed as the 2nd alternative trustee. Ms Blanco subsequently declined to be the personal representative.

That said, the first point to note is that, in Lagos, dependants are defined as a spouse(s) and children, to the exclusion of all other relatives - see Section 2 of WL. The second point to note is that, a community

onIkepo BraITHWaITe

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

“All the Claimant/Applicants’ prayers were however, refused by the court in this well considered ruling. …. their familial relationships do not appear to endow them with the locus standi to have brought this application, which in itself is an abuse of court process….. particularly as Herbert’s wishes as to his personal representatives, trustees and bequests have been clearly stated. Mere assertion of a familial relationship without more, does not suffice …The relationship must confer a right or vested interest, that can be protected and enforced in law”

reading of Section 2 of the WL and the hierarchy of inheritance in the case of intestacy under Section 46 of the AEL, that where a deceased has a spouse and children, or no spouse and children, in the former scenario of testacy, the spouse and children are the dependants that can contest the will, and in the latter scenario of intestacy, the spouse and the children are the ones with the right to the deceased’s estate to the exclusion of all others.

In intestacy, the children are the most superior, in that, where there’s no spouse, whether there are parents or siblings of the deceased, the children take the whole estate of their father; while in the case of a surviving spouse and no children, the spouse will only take half, and the other half goes to the parents of the deceased in equal shares.

From the foregoing, it is obvious that it is not merely a biological relationship that confers interest on people in respect of a deceased’s estate, but more importantly, the wishes of the deceased when there’s a will, or in the case of intestacy, the provisions of the law following the hierarchy of inheritance.

The Ruling

The Judge reduced the issues for determination in the motion on notice into three: 1) appointment of interim administrators; 2) appointment of interim guardians/supervision; 3) request for a Norwich Pharmacal Order. All the Claimant/Applicants’ prayers were however, refused by the court in this well considered ruling. It was indeed, a rather bizarre motion; an abuse of court process, surprisingly argued by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and not a ‘Baby’ Lawyer like I was when I handled the Onye case, as firstly, the prayers in the motion were practically a regurgitation of some of the prayers in the substantive suit!

Specifically, Prayers b, f, h, i, j, and the alternative prayer k contained in the statement of claim, are the same as those contained in the motion on notice (1-3), and this was rightfully noted by Adeyemi

J, who supported the court’s position with the case of Shanu v Afribank (Nig) Plc (2002) LPELR-3036(SC) per Samson Odemwingie Uwaifo, JSC where the Supreme Court held thus: “….a court should not delve into issues meant for the substantive suit or appeal, when considering relevant interlocutory applications”.

For one, praying the court for interim administrators are prayers in both the statement of claim and motion on notice. Ditto for that of guardianship/ supervision. The rationale for the position of the law is that, it will amount to deciding the case at an interlocutory stage, before the court has had the benefit of taking evidence and hearing the whole case! Having decided the case at an interlocutory stage, what would be left for trial?! In Agwu & Ors v Julius Berger (Nig) Plc (2019) LPELR-47625 (SC) per John Inyang Okoro, JSC, the Supreme Court held that “….the position of the law is that, in determining any interlocutory application pending the trial of the substantive case, care should be taken not to make pronouncements which may prejudice the trial of the claims filed and still pending before the court. To do otherwise, is to prejudge the matter in respect of which evidence is yet to be led”.

The proper thing to do when the interlocutory prayers tend to coincide with the substantive prayers, is to ask the court for accelerated hearing of the case.

In Dustin Pharmaceutical & Chemical Co. Ltd v Beneks Pharmaceutical & Cosmetics Ltd & Ors (2008) LPELR-974(SC) per Francis Fedode Tabai, JSC, the Supreme Court held thus: “….it has often been advised that in appropriate cases, a recourse to an order of accelerated hearing should be preferred to an interlocutory injunction, so that the matters in controversy can be settled once and for all”. I submit that, the Wigwe case is one of those cases.

Another clear abuse of court process was praying the court for the appointment of interim guardians/

supervision, when Otutochi Wigwe, the adult daughter of Herbert and Doreen Wigwe, and the older sister of the three minors - David, Hannah, and Okachi, had already been so appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction as their legal guardian. In this prayer, what the Claimant/Applicants sought to do, is tantamount to seeking to appeal the decision of a court of competent jurisdiction by way of an interlocutory application, instead of by way of an appeal. It therefore, came as no surprise, that this prayer was also resolved against the Claimant/Applicants. In support of this position, Adeyemi J. cited the case of Akinpelu v Adegbore & Ors (2008) LPELR-354 (SC) per Niki Tobi, JSC in which the Supreme Court held that “Wherever or in whatever way the table turns, this Court cannot convert a motion to an appeal…..this court has not the jurisdiction, to convert the motion before it as an appeal”.

As for the third prayer, seeking the grant of a Norwich Pharmacal Order (NPO), the Claimant/Applicants failed to fulfil any of the conditions for the grant of same. An NPO is used to obtain information from a party for purposes of litigation, and if there is suspected wrongdoing, to be able to identify the culprits and/or to stop the wrongdoing. Firstly, the Claimant/Applicants adduced no prima facie evidence of wrongdoing against the Respondents, a precondition that could warrant the grant of an NPO. A claim that someone is manipulated by another, is neither here nor there and holds no water in law. What the law recognises is duress, force, trick and fraud, and this allegation must be proven. See Okon v State (2021) LPELR-53308 (CA) per Mojeed Adekunle Owoade, JCA; Saidu v State (1982) LPELR-2977(SC) per Andrews Otutu Obaseki, JSC. Secondly, the Claimant/Applicants, not being beneficiaries under the will of late Herbert Wigwe, with all due respect, for want of a better description, they may be what is referred to in law as ‘meddlesome interlopers’, that is, uninvited participants interfering in something that doesn’t concern them. See the case of Daniel v INEC & Ors (2015) LPELR-24566(SC) per Olabode Rhodes-Vivour, JSC on the definition of a meddlesome interloper, with regard to political party primaries - a candidate who didn’t participate in the primaries, with no real interest in it. Similarly, non-beneficiaries of a will, have no interest in it. And, in the case of intestacy, there would be some conditions to be fulfilled, before the 2nd Claimant/Applicant could have an interest in Herbert Wigwe’s estate - no spouse, no children; or spouse and no children. In this case, Herbert Wigwe died alongside his spouse, Doreen Wigwe and his eldest child, Chizi Wigwe, and they left four children, including one adult, Otutochi Wigwe. It was therefore again, no surprise that this prayer also fell flat on its face.

Conclusion

While the 1st Claimant/Applicant, Christian Wigwe may be Herbert Wigwe’s cousin, and the 2nd Claimant/ Applicant, Pastor Shyngle Wigwe is Herbert Wigwe’s Father and 90 year old Patriarch of the Wigwe Family, their familial relationships do not appear to endow them with the locus standi to have brought this application which in itself is an abuse of court process, particularly as Herbert’s wishes as to his personal representatives, trustees and bequests have been clearly stated. Mere assertion of a familial relationship without more, does not suffice in this case. The relationship must confer a right or vested interest, that can be protected and enforced in law. Additionally, when an individual lives their life under the law as opposed to native law and custom as Herbert Wigwe did, customs and traditions play no role.

I also did not find any provision in the two major laws concerning death that I cited above, that based on a familial relationship with the Testator, allows relatives to select Administrators different from the personal representatives selected by the Testator themselves, thereby overriding the wishes of the Testator. Indeed, if such a law exists, undoubtedly, certain conditions would have to be fulfilled before it can be ignited. For example, maybe if the representatives selected by the Testator are incapacitated, maybe mentally unstable, or it is proven that they are bleeding the deceased’s estate dry. In respect of Uche Wigwe and Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, no evidence was adduced by the Claimant/Applicants against them in this regard. It is trite law that, he who alleges, must prove. See the case of Aderounmu & Anor v Olowu (2000) LPELR-141(SC) per Emmanuel Olayinka Ayoola, JSC on the burden of proof.

It is not the natural order of life for one to pre-decease one’s Parents, so even though Herbert Wigwe’s love for his Parents is undeniable and undoubted, one would not expect that they would be mentioned in his Last Will and Testament, as this would be considered to be an abomination in our African culture. Nevertheless, it is expected that the Parents would be catered for by Herbert Wigwe’s estate.

Finally, as a Lawyer of over 33 years standing, my recommendation to litigants is always to first explore alternative dispute resolution, particularly mediation/ amicable settlement. Litigation should be a last resort. This is because with mediation, it’s usually possible to emerge with a settlement that leaves all parties fairly satisfied, and in the case of a family, reconcile them. But, with litigation, only one party usually emerges victorious - a winner takes all scenario - more so, when the writing can clearly be seen on the wall, and in a family matter, this will only engender polarisation and enmity.

Action Over Intestate’s Property by Beneficiaries Without Letters of Administration

Facts

The Respondents instituted an action against the Appellant at the High Court of Lagos State (the “trial court”) by a writ of summons dated and filed on 22nd March 2011. The Respondents sought a declaration of title to a parcel of land at Fola Agoro Street, Abule Ijesha, Yaba, Lagos described in the Deed of Conveyance dated 28th April, 1978 registered as No. 32 at Page 32 in Volume 1771 of the Land Registry of Lagos State; a declaration that the Appellant trespassed on the said land; an order of possession of the land; an order of perpetual injunction against the Appellant, as well as special damages for the annual rental value of the land from 1st February, 2011 till possession is recovered from the Appellant. The case of the Respondents who filed the action as the wife and children of one late Mr Paul Oladimeji Borges Dasilva, was that the subject property was owned by the deceased by virtue of the Deed of Conveyance dated 28th April, 1978 registered as No. 32 at Page 32 in Volume 1771, and the Appellant had encroached on the same.

The Appellant filed an Amended Statement of Defence, in which he claimed that the subject property was sold to him by the Eletu Odibo Family in 2011. He relied on an unregistered Deed of Assignment, purportedly issued to him. At the conclusion of trial, the trial court delivered its judgement in favour of the Respondents, and granted all the reliefs sought.

Dissatisfied, the Appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal. The appeal was heard and in its judgement, the Court of Appeal allowed the appeal in part, only as regards the trial court’s award of special damages to the Respondents. The Court of Appeal however, affirmed the other parts of the decision of the trial court delivered in favour of the Respondents. Aggrieved, the Appellant filed a further appeal at the Supreme Court.

Issues for Determination

The Supreme Court adopted the 1st issue submitted by the Appellant, whilst it collapsed the Appellant’s 2nd and 3rd issues into a singular issue as follows:

1. Whether the Court of Appeal was correct in law when it affirmed the decision of the trial lower court, that the Respondents have the necessary standing (Locus Standi) or the capacity to institute or maintain the action against the Appellant.

2. Whether, in the overall circumstances of this appeal, the Court of Appeal was right in granting the reliefs for declaration of title, possession, trespass and damages to the Respondents.

Arguments

Counsel for the Appellant argued on the 1st issue that the Respondents did not establish that they had the requisite locus standi to institute the action at the trial court. Counsel submitted that the mere assertion of the Respondents as to their relationship with the purported owner of the subject property without more, was not enough to establish their locus standi. He contended that the Respondents had a further duty to plead and prove how title in the land devolved on them after the intestate death of the Mr Paul Oladimeji Borges Dasilva. Counsel submitted that a claim brought on behalf of an intestate’s estate which is without a grant or letters of administration as in the case of the Respondents is an incurable nullity, as it is only a letter of administration or probate that can give life to such action. He relied on the case of AYORINDE v KUFORIJI (2007) 4 NWLR (PT. 1024) 341.

In response, Counsel for the Respondents argued that so long as the Plaintiffs have a right or vested interest to protect and enforce legally, which right has been disclosed in the Statement of Claim, they would have discharged the onus on them to show that they have

Honourable

Chioma Egondu Nwosu-Iheme, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at abuja

On Friday, the 14th day of June, 2024

Before their lordships

Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-ekun Ibrahim Musa Mohammed Saulawa Chioma egondu Nwosu-Iheme Haruna Simon Tsammani Jamilu yammama Tukur Justices, Supreme Court SC/914/2017

Between

PRINCe IdOWu KayOde adeBIyI aPPeLLaNT

And

1. MRS aGNeS daSILVa

2. MRS OMOLaRa daSILVa

3. MR OLaTuNde daSILVa

ReSPONdeNTS (for themselves and on behalf of the Beneficiaries of the Estate of Late Mr Paul Oladimeji Borges Dasilva)

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Chioma Egondu Nwosu-Iheme, JSC)

the necessary locus standi to institute the action. Counsel submitted that the Respondents are well protected under the Administration of Estates Law of Lagos State Cap. 2 1973 which provides that all properties of any person who died intestate belong exclusively to his children and assigns, and that the court would judicially notice a family member with interest in a family property. Counsel submitted that the res had become family property at the intestate death of Mr Paul Oladimeji Borges Dasilva, and the Respondents were not only competent to sue in their capacity as the deceased’s wife and the children, they were also competent to represent other beneficiaries of his Estate. It was further submitted that the facts demonstrating the Respondents’ right and vested interest as family members of the intestate, were disclosed in the Statement of Claim, and so the onus on

““…the fact that the Respondents did not tender Letters of Administration, cannot affect their right to protect the family property…”

an action in respect of any wrongdoing to such land or property.

On the relationship of the Respondents with the deceased owner of the subject property, the Supreme Court held that it was not in dispute that the Respondents are the wife and children respectively of the late Mr Paul Oladimeji Borges Dasilva, the holder of Deed of Conveyance dated 28th April, 1978 registered as No. 32 at Page 32 in Volume 1771 of the Land Registry of Lagos State. The Court referenced the averments of the Respondents in paragraph 1 of the Respondents’ Further Amended Statement of Claim in which the 1st Respondent was described as the wife, and the 2nd and 3rd Respondent as the children of the late Mr Paul Oladimeji Borges Dasilva. The Supreme Court held that the fact that the Respondents did not tender Letters of Administration cannot affect their right to protect the family property, as to do nothing would give rise to the defence of laches and acquiescence where they decide to pursue their claim at a later date. The Court held that as the widow and children of the late Mr Paul Oladimeji Borges Dasilva, the Respondents have sufficient interest in the property in dispute under Yoruba Native Law and Custom. The Apex Court found that the Respondents having established their relationship to the deceased intestate through their averments in pleadings, testimony of witnesses and documentary evidence, which was never challenged by the Appellant; had demonstrated that they had the necessary locus standi to institute the action.

the Respondents to establish their locus standi had been discharged. Counsel relied on UGWUNZE v ADELEKE (2008) 2 NWLR (PT. 1070); (2007) LPELR-8101(CA).

On the 2nd issue, Counsel for the Appellant argued that the Respondents failed to prove their inheritance of the subject property under native law and custom, and as such, are themselves strangers to the land with no legal interest in the same.

On the contrary, Counsel for the Respondents argued that the uncontroverted evidence adduced by the Respondents at trial to show how the subject property was acquired by their late husband and father respectively, and evince the exercise of proprietary rights on the property, established the Respondents’ entitlement to a declaration of title to the property and the other reliefs affirmed by the Court of Appeal.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale

On the 1st issue, the Supreme Court held that a person is said to have locus standi to sue in an action if he is able to show o the Court’s satisfaction that his civil rights and obligations have been or are in danger of being infringed. The Court further held that the law is settled that any member of a family may sue to protect family property and therefore, has locus standi to institute

On the 2nd issue, the Supreme Court held that the production of title documents to land is one of the ways of establishing ownership of land. The Court referred to its decision in IDUNDUN v OKUMAGBA (1976) 9-10 SC 227. The Apex Court held that the Respondents successfully debunked the Appellant’s assertion that their claim to title to the property was a “factual impossibility”, by presenting uncontradicted documentary evidence which included (i) the Notice to tenants issued by Chief J. S. Oke who was acting for the Eletu Odibo Chieftaincy Family which sold the subject property to the deceased Mr Paul Oladimeji Borges Dasilva (Exhibit C1); (ii) Lease Agreement dated 15th June, 1991 by which the Respondents’ progenitor leased the land to an automobile mechanic (Exhibit C2); (iii) Rental Valuation Report dated 15th November, 2011 (Exhibit C3); (iv) Registered Deed of Conveyance dated 28th day of August, 1978 (Exhibit C7); and (v) Photographs showing the subject property inter alia (Exhibit C8(A-D)) The Court held further that above all, apart from the fact that Exhibit C7 (the Deed of Conveyance of the late Mr Paul Oladimeji Borges Dasilva) presented by the Respondents was not contradicted, it was also duly executed and duly registered as No. 32 at Page 32 in Volume 1771 of the Land Registry of Lagos State. The Court reiterated its decision in ADELAJA v FANOIKI (1990) 2 NWLR (PT. 131) that where the complaint is that no such document exists, the proof of the existence of the document will be conclusive as to its validity, except where the person challenging the existence of the document is able to show that the document so proved to exist is a forgery.

The Apex Court found that the Respondents adduced uncontroverted evidence that established the ownership of the subject property by the intestate who was the 1st Respondent’s late husband and the 2nd and 3rd Respondent’s father, hence, there was no reason for Apex Court to interfere with the concurrent findings of the trial court and the Court of Appeal, that the Respondents are entitled to the reliefs sought for declaration of title, possession, trespass and general damages.

Appeal Dismissed.

Representation

Azeez Atanda for the Appellant. Olufemi Olulowo for the Respondents.

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

Olanipekun Donates Law Auditorium to Babcock University

Story by Steve Aya

Big wigs in the legal and education sectors converged at Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State last Friday, February 21, 2025, to join Nigeria’s legal numero uno, Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, SAN at the commissioning of an Ultramodern Law Auditorium which he donated to the University.

The building aptly christened the Wole Olanipekun Law Auditorium (WOLA), is another in the numerous philanthropic gestures the former NBA President has made to various educational institutions across the country, including the University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, Ajayi Crowther University,

Bamidele Olumilua University of Science and Technology, and now Babcock University, also gifting facilities to the Bar and the Bench in various jurisdictions. Chief Olanipekun, a former Chairman of the Body of Benchers, is on record to have built and donated imposing edifices to NBA Bar Centres, and a Courthouse to the profession.

Dignitaries in attendance at the auspicious occasion were Chief Olanipekun’s wife, Princess Erelu Omolara Olanipekun. They have four children who are all Lawyers, including two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Dr Dapo Olanipekun and Bode Olanipekun.

Also at the event were the Akarigbo of Remoland, His

Majesty, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi; the Orogun of Okenla, Oba Dokun Abolarin; the Olofin of Ilishan, Oba Michael Sonuga; Oba Sikiru Adeyega; Archbishop Olusina Fape, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Ogun State, Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN; and Prof Roland Otaru, SAN.

Babcock University Officials were on hand to welcome guests at the event, including the University’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ademola S. Tayo; the Dean of the School of Law and Security Studies, Professor Dorcas Odunaike, as well as academic and administrative leaders (past and present) such as Professor Isaac Oluwole Agbede; Professor Pius Deji

Olanrewaju; Professor Bankole Sodipo, SAN; Professor Zac Olomojobi; Professor Philemon Amanze; Professor Olugbenga Idowu; Professor Ilesanmi; Professor Efe Ehioga; Dr Sunday Audu and the School's Bursar, Dr Folorunsho Akande, among others.

The 250-seater Auditorium is an architectural masterpiece of its own and full equipped. nce their graduation from Babcock.

Since its establishment in 2005, the School, according to its Dean, Prof. Odunaike, boasts of 15 sets of graduates. These alumni, she said, possess not just degrees in law, but also professional certifications such as CIBN and ICSAN.

In his speech, Chief Olanipekun commended the management of Babcock

University for its ability to make the most out of scarce resources, in order to meet desired targets. He described his gesture as an endorsement of the University's lofty ambitions. In respect of his venture into social investment (especially in the field of education and empowerment), the learned Senior Advocate said he was merely responding to the urgings of his conscience.

Speaking on the state of the legal profession in Nigeria today, and on the nation in general, Chief Olanipekun lamented about the gradual loss of our humanity, and asked rhetorically what sort of legal profession such departed heroes of the profession as Chief Rotimi Williams, QC, SAN, Chief Gani Fawehinmi,

SAN, and others would find, if they were to return to life. Against this backdrop, the Senior Advocate appealed to well-to-do Nigerians to make similar investments in the future, in order to safeguard the destinies of upcoming generations and to ensure the proper development of education - including legal education in Nigeria.

The Akarigbo of Remoland, thereafter, performed the cutting of the tape to declare the Wole Olanipekun Law Auditorium officially open. He and his royal counterparts, were joined by the assembled attendees as they admired the cavernous interior of the edifice, before settling down to listen to a benediction by the eminent Bishop Olusina Fape.

Inside of the WOLA Auditorium

Bishop Olusina Fape (left) and Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN

L-R: Akarigbo of Remoland, His Majesty, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi; Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN and Princess Erelu Omolara Olanipekun

Chief Olanipekun, SAN, Princess Erelu Olanipekun and Guests

The Wole Olanipekun Law Auditorium

L-R: Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN; Princess Erelu Omolara Olanipekun; Professor Dorcas Odunaike; Immediate Past Provost of Law, Babcock University, Professor Deji Olanrewaju and Dr Roland Otaru, SAN Olofin of Ilishan, HM, Oba Dokun Abolarin

Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ogun State, Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN

Vice Chancellor, Babcock University, Professor Ademola Tayo

Chief Olanipekun, SAN and his wife Princess Erelu Omolara Olanipekun

Niger-Delta: An Iroko Tree has Fallen

The Niger-delta Region of Nigeria had enjoyed absolute peace and abundant natural resources, until the discovery of oil in the region in the late 1950sThe plundering activities of oil multinationals which has left the area polluted, despoiled and somewhat environmentally devastated, gradually visited untold hardship on the people of this region, because of the unscrupulous prospecting for the proverbial ‘Black Gold.’ But, the emergence of a young, heady and educated man, Edwin Kiagbodo clark brought hope, in the midst of despair of the people. Chief Clark cut his political and activist teeth in London, united Kingdom, where he went to further his education. He returned to Nigeria, a Lawyer, thoroughly prepared to stand up for his Ijaw people, and he became a voice for the entire Niger-delta Region, against environmental injustice meted out on his people. The first Secretary of NBa Warri Branch, Chief Clark’s achievements as a legal practitioner in Warri, further strengthened and emboldened him to take up the humungous challenges for the region. That voice went silent last week, February 17, 2025, at the age of 96. The Attorney-General and commissioner for Justice of ondo State, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN in his “Tribute to a Titan: Farewell to His Eminence, E.K. clark” had this to say: “In the depths of my sorrow, I find myself utterly shattered, mourning not just a father, but a towering figure whose unwavering belief in me shaped the very course of my life. His Eminence, Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, CON, was more than a mentor - he was my guardian, my guide, and my fiercest advocate. He was my guiding star in a world shrouded in darkness, opening doors where none existed, and paving paths with his boundless generosity. Against all odds, even in defiance of his own blood, he stood firmly by my side, shielding me with a love so fierce, that it became my greatest source of strength.... His wisdom was vast, his generosity boundless, and his courage unshakable. He was a man who created paths where none existed, opening doors that many dared not even knock on. His presence was formidable, his words carried weight, and his vision for justice and equity was unparalleled. He was a giant among men, a beacon of leadership, and a voice that resonated across generations. As I bid farewell to this extraordinary soul, I do so with a heart heavy laden with grief, but, also with immense gratitude. The legacy he leaves behind is not just one of political and social impact, but of love, kindness, and selfless mentorship. The void he leaves is immeasurable….Adieu, dear father, teacher, and inspiration. Your light will never dim in my heart”. In his uncommon candour, Chief e. K. Clark had bluntly spoken his mind to the authorities, in an engaging interview with THISDAY LAWYER’s onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi in January 2022. We reproduce his interview, in this Tribute edition to Chief edwin Kiagbodo Clark, the Founder of e.K. Clark university, and voice of the Ijaw People and Niger-deltans, and join Nigerians to pray for the repose of his soul

You are a Lawyer by training Sir. Did you ever practice as one, or you went straight into politics after you finished your studies and returned to Nigeria? Tell us about the highlights in your life/career I am a qualified Lawyer from the Honourable Society of Inner Temple, London. I graduated from Holborn College, London.

One of my classmates was Justice Akintan, formerly of the Supreme Court. Also, Justice Jinadu of the Lagos State High Court, Justice Kaltugo and so many of them.

In 1965 I returned to Nigeria as a Lawyer, as a member of the English Bar and I attended the three months course at the Nigerian Law School, then at Igbosere Road, Lagos. Then

“I am a qualified Lawyer…. I was the first Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Warri, as far back as 1966…. When I went to London to study law, I was more of an activist than any other student. I was the Secretary of the Midwest Students Union and member of Nigerian Students Union. I was also the Founder and Chairman of the Izon Students, in the United Kingdom….the Secretary of the Zikist Vanguard, in London….”

we qualified as legal practitioners, and I went to practice in Warri.

First I practiced under Dr Mudiaga Odje, SAN and also under Hon. Justice Rufus Ogbobine.

I was the Lawyer of the Ogbijaws of Warri, especially those who had cases with the Itsekiris of Warri. They asked me to do their cases for them. First, the then Governor, Major General Ejoor (Colonel at the time). He set up a Commission of Enquiry in 1966, to look into the affairs of the Town Planning Authority and the Itsekiri Communal Land Trust. I, as a Lawyer prepared to appear for the Ijaws and to give evidence. The Lawyers for the Itsekiris, were led by Godwin Boyo of blessed memory. Since that time, I was recognised as a Lawyer, and I conducted many cases. The first case I did when I returned from England was a murder case, which I also won. It was reported in the Law Reports of Nigeria. Later I had junior Lawyers working under me, including three who became Judges of the High Court. Stella Agbasa later became President of the

Customary Court at Asaba.

I was the first Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Warri, as far back as 1966. Members of the NBA back then included the Hon. Justice Ayo Irikefe, who later became the Chief Justice of Nigeria. Justice Ogbobine was the Chairman. So, today you go to the office of the NBA Warri Branch - my photograph is there!

In December 1967, I went to a party, and Chief S.O. Esiri who was the Chairman of the District Council called me and said ‘I heard that you are being appointed as a Commissioner in Benin City’. I didn’t believe him. When I got home I got a call, and I heard my name announced on the radio. I became the Commissioner of Education.

How did you then veer into Politics and Activism?

When in the first Republic, there was a Party called NCNC, National Party of Nigeria and Cameroun. Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe was the leader of that party. There were some youth organisations, the Zikist Movement and Zikist Vanguard; and I was a member of Zikist Vanguard. So, as far back as 1958, I was an activist.

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Niger-Delta: An Iroko Tree has Fallen

When I went to London to study law, I was more of an activist than any other student. I was the Secretary of the Midwest Students Union and member of Nigerian Students Union. I was also the Founder and Chairman of the Izon Students, in the United Kingdom. I remember I was the Secretary of the Zikist Vanguard, in London; when we were to have that election in London, there was one Godwin Okigbo who had just arrived in London. We were to elect officers, and after the Chairman had been elected, they said, Secretary, and someone nominated Okigbo. So, I stood up and said: ‘this man only arrived in London last month. I have been a member of the Zikist Movement here in London! What type of tribalism are you practising? Is the party an Igbo party?!’ So, they apologised and they said I should be; I reluctantly accepted, and became the Secretary of the Zikist Movement in London.

Another one was, in 1962 and 1963, President Nkrumah was becoming a dictator in Ghana. He sacked Busia and Gbedemah. I led students to Hyde Park Corner in London. We demanded the resignation of Nkrumah.

In 1996, you more or the less became one of the major voices of the Ijaw nation due to an ethnic crisis in Warri. Since then, you have been one of the leaders of the Niger Delta region, an activist against what many see as an injustice against the region that has generated the bulk of Nigeria’s income since the 1970s

Thank you. First, let me correct you. I did not become leader of our people in 1996. This position I have held, even when I was in Government. I told you I was the Founder and President of Ijaw Students Union, and Secretary of the Midwest Students Association. Since I came back in 1965, I have been a leader of our people, and that position I have held to date.

When I became Commissioner of Education in 1968, there was only one Grammar School in the whole of Ijaw land, called Brendan College; and there was one Teacher Training College, Senebe. I knew that education solves the problems of backwardness of any society. So, I went to my Governor and said: ‘I will accept being Commissioner of Education in your Government, please, give me a freehand to develop my place before the whole of the Midwest. Before I left in 1971, I established nine secondary schools in Ijaw land, and converted the only Grammar School to Government College, Bomadi. We built dormitories and so on. I remember when Governor Ogbemudia was to commission the building we had built, he came with the Governor of Lagos State, Col. Mobolaji Johnson. We went to Bomadi by boat, and he said he would copy our pattern to build his schools in Lagos. I saw to it that every girl who gained admission to thd tertiary institution got automatic scholarship, and I can name many who got it. I also gave scholarship to the boys, and later to the whole of Midwest State.

In 1996, now that you mention it, there was problem of the ownership of Warri and I led my people. I have Itsekiri blood in me, and I hate injustice. I have Urhobo blood in me. I have Isoko blood in me, and I am an Ijaw man! Its only western Igbo I don’t have relationship with, but, I have a child over there. So, I knew the whole of Midwest State which later became Bendel State. When the Itsekiris were lording it over the Urhobos of Warri, I took the leadership of this people. Warri belongs to the three ethnic groups! In fact I have just completed the book, ‘The Owners of Warri’. It will soon be published, to show how Warri developed.

At that time, Itsekiri youth burnt my two houses in Warri! The houses were located at No. 6 Baptist Mission Road, Warri. They

destroyed my law Chambers, which occupied one of the two buildings. They burnt all my law books, my gown and everything. That was the time I stopped practicing law, because I had no law books available to me again. They thought I was in my house, but fortunately, that evening I got a call from the Military Administrator, John Duru that I should proceed to Asaba. So, five Chiefs of the Ogbijo of Warri followed me. Before we left, a prayer was said. Some people phoned to find out whether I was in town; one Lawyer, Bosseh picked it up, and he told them yes, I was. So, we left for Asaba and we got there by 11pm. I spoke to my family. One of my daughters was celebrating her 16th birthday that day. In the morning, I wanted to speak with them, the call didn’t go through, and we went to the meeting.

At the end of the meeting, the Governor stood and said, ‘Chief Clark, your houses were burnt last night.’

I said ‘what about my children?’ the Commissioner of Police stood up and said, ‘they are safe’. He said ‘Do you want to go home?’ I said ‘yes, I must go’. They gave me some Policemen, and we left.

I arrived Warri to see that my houses were burnt. As I was about to enter, I saw Policemen carrying the dead body of my security man, Mr Ndukwe. They carried the body like a roasted ram! That was how the trouble started.

So, its not true that I was supporting any ethnic group. In 1996, the Idoko Commission of Enquiry was appointed, and I played a leading role. I must tell you that, I am still playing that role. I was not a leader of the Ijaw people alone. I became a leader of the of Midwest State, and I took part in the creation of Delta State in 1991. When Delta State was created, I was involved in the leadership. After having been Minister of State in the Federal Government, there was nothing else

“Today, if you go to Rivers, Bayelsa or Delta, you have fishes floating on top of the rivers. You can’t eat them. The Ijaw man never ate iced fish before. It’s because of this oil exploration, no more fishes in the area. Niger-Delta people now eat iced fish”

for me to do.

In a few words, can you articulate the major grievances of the Niger Delta people? Government gave the Niger Delta OMPADEC and NDDC with the mandate of developing the region, but, yet the region is not only under-developed, but suffering from serious pollution and despoliation. Why have these bodies failed to make any impact, despite the fact that successive administrations of the Federal Government made a lot of funds available? Have you ever been a beneficiary of any of the contracts given by any of these bodies?

The grievance of the Niger-Delta People is that the area is underdeveloped, despite the oil we are producing!

I remember Senator Olusola Saraki, he visited the Niger-Delta. He visited Burutu and Ogidigben in Escravos. When he came back he asked me ‘are these people part of Nigeria?’

So, we have no water, yet we sit on top of water. The water is polluted by the oil companies, operating in this area. We don’t have electricity! We have nothing! The oil companies have never built any house, in the area. They choose to hire and live on houseboats. When they finish their operation in a particular location they move to another, so that you’ll think that the company has never operated in that place.

But, they have their own settlements in Ogborodo where they live. Chevron has a very good village in Ogidigben with electricity, tarred roads, water, everything. But, their hosts Ogborodo, which is less than one kilometre from them, have no water or any amenities. All these facilities I mentioned, were not extended to them.

And, we are not lifting oil. All the oil blocks were given to Northerners, and people from the Western Region! We have never benefited. 90% of the oil blocks have been allocated to Northerners, and a few people from the West. Apart from Chief LuluBriggs who died recently, no other Niger-Delta man has an oil block. I remember Olorogun Michael Ibru, the oil block he had was taken away from him by President Olusegun Obasanjo. None of us from the Niger-Delta lift oil, nor have oil blocks. Today, 95% of senior appointments at the NNPC are held by Northerners! I have the list. When Buhari appointed members of the NNPC Board of Directors, they were nine. One was given to Niger-Delta, one to South-West, all the remainder went to the North,

including the late Abba Kyari. I complained to Mr President that it is pure injustice, and very inequitable. You are oppressing us! You don’t produce oil. Why must you appoint a board of directors, six members from the North that doesn’t produce oil? Even the South-East, they produce oil in Imo and Abia States. The West produces about 4 to 5% of oil produced in Nigeria, in Ondo State, mostly Ogidigben and the Ijaw areas of Ondo State. Only one member, and I don’t think the person is even from Ondo State.

The GMDs of NNPC for sometime now, have only been Northerners. They change from one to another! Now, there is one Petroleum Development Fund, a subsidiary of NNPC, and its controlled by Northerners. Used by Northerners alone, and they award about 1,000 scholarships every year. They built their headquarters there with billions of Naira, while they don’t produce any oil.

Remember in 1963, the Constitution recommended that 50% of revenue must go to the area or region where the resources come from. That is why at the early stage, the West produced cocoa with which Chief Obafemi Awolowo developed the whole Western Region, with the exception of Midwest. When the Israeli company was working there, they did not come to Midwest. They only concentrated in Yoruba areas. When television came in 1959, Chief Awolowo didn’t extend it to the Midwest! When it came to free primary education, they included us. But, Cocoa House and every other thing that was built, the Ikeja Industrial Estate, the Apapa Industrial Estate, Western House and Odua Investment Company, they excluded us. When finally Midwest was created, we said let us share assets and liabilities. They said ‘No! You didn’t contribute to the economy of Western Nigeria’. Till today, nothing in the assets of Western Nigeria has been shared. But, today the irony of it, the Niger-Delta now produces 90% the oil. So, this is one thing I want to point out to you. That we are not benefiting at all, from the resources of our land. See the Ogoni cleanup. A report by the United Nations was produced. The Government, to implement that report, they haven’t done anything, and Ogoni remains as it was. Apart from Ogoni, what is happening there, is happening to the rest of the Niger-Delta. Go to Bayelsa State, Delta, Rivers, Edo, Ondo, Akwa Ibom; the pollution is everywhere and the people are suffering.

You saw recently the soot or you may have experienced it. The entire Niger-Delta is covered in black soot! Nobody cares! Today, Kano State has 44 local government

His eminence, edwin Kiagbodo clark, coN

Niger-Delta: An Iroko Tree has Fallen

councils. But, Bayelsa has only eight local government councils! Why were these States created? Just to make money! Today, the 44 local government councils in Kano receive money directly from the Federation Account. So, at the end of it what the local governments receive and what their government receive, is more than most of our own. The development that is going on in Nigeria today, particularly by this President Buhari’s Government. He has done nothing in the South-South, and in the Niger-Delta. The only road we have, the East-West Road, hasn’t been completed in 10 years. Whereas they are building roads everywhere! Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Kano-Maiduguri Expressway! Recently, they awarded N70 billion for the construction of roads in Kano. Where does the money come from? Then you have NNPC serving only one part of the country, whereas the headquarters of this NNPC could have been located in the Niger-Delta, like Port Harcourt. What is happening? You have what is called Equalisation Fund Act by the Federal Government, which makes the price of oil the same level in every part of the country. You can’t buy fuel for N30 where it comes from, and buy it for the same price in Kano. So, they brought the equalisation of funds, that you must buy fuel for the same price in any part of the country, wasting our money.

Recently the PIB has been passed into law. What has happened? We kicked against it. We wanted 10% which the Government proposed, but the National Assembly in collaboration with the Executive, reduced it to 3% for the host communities. Whereas, they provided 30% for oil exploration in the North.

They have been exploring for oil in the North for many years, with our oil money. It’s not political. It’s not by force! If God has not provided oil in your area, He’ll give you another thing. Why must you spend money looking for oil in every place?! The recent one is that, areas that have no oil, will become host communities. Like Sokoto, Bauchi and some places.

Will they also be getting the 3% for host communities?

Yes! Let me tell you, they said host communities will be impacted areas. Like, where you have pipelines passing through. They will be treated as host communities, all the way to the North! We are still waiting. The President didn’t waste any time, in signing the PIB. They didn’t even read it to him. At the end, they resubmitted it to him for amendment.

When the Electoral Bill went to Mr President, he was looking at it for 30 days and refused to sign it for petty reasons. What about NDDC?

When Obasanjo took office in 1999 as President, I came to see him in Abuja. He had just been sworn in, but, he had not appointed Ministers. I knew him very well. We were both members of the cabinet of General Yakubu Gowon, in 1975. I was the Minister of Information, and Obasanjo was the Minister of Works and Housing. Murtala Mohammed was Minister of Communications, Alhaji Shehu Shagari was Minister of Finance. Three of them later became Heads of State. Murtala, Obasanjo and Shagari. The mere fact that I have not been President, does not mean I should not speak my mind on issues. I am not the leader of the Ijaws alone. I am a leader in Nigeria. In the South-South, I am their leader.

So, when Obasanjo visited the SouthSouth, after my visit to him Abuja, he later visited Warri and later went to Port Harcourt. He sent me plane to take me to Port Harcourt from Warri, to join the

meeting. It was then he produced a Draft Bill for the creation of NDDC. Harold Dappa-Biriye was our leader of the South-South Peoples Conference, which later became South-South Peoples Assembly. We were there, and he later invited us to Abuja. We sat down with him at dinner, including Senator Brume of blessed memory. We redrafted the Bill. Then, he called us again and said he wanted Ondo, Abia and Imo to be included, because they also produce oil. But. I said ‘they are not part of the Niger-Delta!’ I said if you find oil in Sokoto, will Sokoto become part of the Niger-Delta?

So, we came to Abuja to meet the National Assembly members of the South-West and South-East. We had meetings. But, at the end, he refused to sign Bill. The National Assembly went back, and ensured the Bill was passed after 30 days.

NDDC has been like that. It provided for Directors from the oil producing areas. It also provided for three Directors from the non-oil producing areas; the three Northern zones, North-East, North-West and North-Central. The people nominated from the North, outclassed our own people! Former Ministers, former Senators and so on. So, our people were feeling inferior to them. Most of the contracts, went to people who are not Niger-Deltans. What has happened! Every member of the National Assembly who was a member of the Committee on NigerDelta which we now call NDDC, were exploiting the NDDC. They change the budget, include their own projects. This is what has been happening. Let me give you an example. There one member of the National Assembly, from Ondo State. He is not Ilaje, he is not from Ijaw area. He is from somewhere in the North of Ondo! They don’t produce oil. Within a short time, he awarded N10 billion contracts, to the area he comes from. The records are there!

Then you have one Member from my

“… NNPC controls the operations of the oil companies. The oil companies now hide under the cloak of NNPC…The Federal Government is behind these oil companies, and they don’t care! ….The Ministry of Environment has a department, IFEP, and they are not doing anything. The pollution in Ogoni, is not worse than the pollution in other parts of Niger-Delta”

place, Bomadi who has been in the National Assembly for 20 years! He has never moved a motion. He has never submitted a Bill. Today, imagine what damage that man has done. He is now facing charges of corruption, by the EFCC. This is how they take the money. The contracts are awarded, they tip the Directors of NDDC, and you don’t know how those contracts are executed.

Then one Managing Director from Akwa Ibom was appointed as MD of NDDC; because he wanted to be Governor, all he did was to syphon the money of NDDC under the guise of emergency contracts. Billions of Naira!

The Presidency can’t be excluded from this. They send contractors, and these people who are holding positions at the mercy of the Presidency, and some of these contracts will not be carried out.

So, I am not surprised that over 2,000 contracts awarded have not been executed. You submitted a forensic audit report, and for over two months now nothing has been heard about it. No white paper has been produced, and that is the problem we have been facing. You asked whether I have benefited from the contracts, No! Recently, I saw in the papers that they awarded contracts in Ogborumabri, Bayelsa State in billions of Naira. I asked my Lawyer, Dr Kayode Ajulo to write to them about it, and he did. I was in London. He sent me another publication about this thing. Luckily Dr Ajulo and Dotun Sowemimo, they searched for it and wrote to them again. After that, the man who got the contract owned up that he owned the contract. The documents are there!

How have the IOCs been able to get away with not cleaning up the Niger Delta environment that has become contaminated by their oil exploration activities? Is it that the Government/FEPA isn’t holding them accountable, or what really is the problem?

Thank you very much! The IOCs, Shell, Chevron and others, the Federal Government own 60% of the shareholding, while the oil companies have 40%. But, when they want to do something for the host communities, like building houses, Federal Government will say no. That it will reduce their profits. Chevron for instance can’t award any project for the building of houses in the Niger-Delta above N20 million, and it has to be split into two, N10 million each.

So, NNPC controls the operations of the oil companies. The oil companies now hide under the cloak of NNPC, and they are very proud. We have

met them several times. They believe that the Federal Government, is behind them. Our people have gone to court, and have won their cases. The money they won, has never been paid to them. The Federal Government is behind these oil companies, and they don’t care!

So, there is no plan for cleanup?

That is why I told you about Ogoni. The Ministry of Environment has a department, IFEP, and they are not doing anything. The pollution in Ogoni, is not worse than the pollution in other parts of Niger-Delta. The oil companies sign MOUs with the host communities; they don’t even comply with it.

In 1964, there was a crisis at the airport in Warri, two Ijaws had been killed while fighting. I was sent for. They said they were militants. The oil company officials were employing divers and seamen from other parts of the country, to go and do the jobs in the Niger-Delta where they know we have traditional swimmers and traditional divers! So, the boys said ‘No! You deprive us of every other thing. But, this is an area where we specialise in naturally, and you don’t employ us’. That was what caused the fight. Big trouble, and I had to intervene - as far back as 1964. So, the people are aggrieved.

Look at what happened in Bayelsa State recently, in Basambiri and Gbolumabri in Nembe area. One oil company sold their company to this Nigerian company, Aiteo that has no technical knowledge nor technology. So, when the oil spillage happened, they couldn’t control it for over three weeks! The oil was flowing out, polluting the entire place. Today, if you go to Rivers, Bayelsa or Delta, you have fishes floating on top of the rivers. You can’t eat them. The Ijaw man never ate iced fish before. Its because of this oil exploration, no more fishes in the area. Niger-Delta people now eat iced fish. When I was a school boy, in the Ijaw area, we go school and come back. After eating we take out pots to the river to wash, and fish will come inside the pot. We took the fish home, to cook again. Today, you can’t find the fish anymore. That is our plight now.

So, this is our problem. The Niger-Deltans are neglected. The President doesn’t listen to us. He said recently and I am going to answer him; that he has been able to still the problem of the North-East and South-South. He did not! We submitted a 16-point agenda to him in 2016. He has not replied. He has not said anything. So, if our boys are kicking, you can’t say you have been able to stop it. I remember when the Niger-Delta Avengers, the militants came in at the time Buhari came in 2015, he couldn’t stop them. They were destroying pipelines. They were

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Niger-Delta: An Iroko Tree has Fallen

destroying oil platforms. I met the Chief of Army Staff, Buratai for the first time at the airport in Benin. He came to greet me. He introduced himself, and said he was just coming from Sapele where he went to commission Operation Crocodile Smile, as if that is the problem of the Niger-Delta. I told him ‘you didn’t have to do that’. Unfortunately for them, they couldn’t succeed. But, the damage to the area continued, until I decided to convene a meeting of the leaders of the Niger-Delta at Petroleum Training Institute in Warri. That was when we formed the Niger-Delta forum, PANDEF, which appealed to the youths to stop their operations and they did.

As a result of that, I led a one hundred team of traditional rulers and eminent personalities, including former Senators, Ministers and Youths. I led MEND leaders to Aso Rock, and we submitted this document. Till today, nothing has been done. Its only the Vice President, when the President was sick in London, that visited the area, Okerenkoko. That is when he approved the establishment of the Maritime University in Okerenkoko.

You said again, EPZ, the gas company in Ogidigben, in Escravos River, which was to take off in Jonathan’s time, the foreign companies had come to the area. But, they abandoned it and they are now establishing gas companies in Ajaokuta, Kaduna and Kano and many other places. Where do you treat people like that?

In 2005, Obasanjo set up the Political Reform Conference in Abuja here. I was the leader of the South-South delegation. We pressed for 50% to be introduced, they refused. We said ok. We reduced it to 25%, and the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Conference was Justice Babalakin who died recently. The Committee said they have approved 18% and we said, ‘No, we want 25%’. When the whole assembly refused, we staged a walkout, and that was the collapse of the Confab.

Then the whole thing was manipulated, by the Northern delegation. They said they won’t increase the 13%. We came to the 2014 National Conference, the same thing happened. The Northerners said they don’t want an increase. Yet, if my oil belongs to the whole of this country, why does the gold found in Zamfara not belong to the entire country?

I was coming to that question.

So, that is the problem we are facing. You recently engaged the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo over the ownership of Nigeria’s mineral resources in the Niger-Delta. Many believe that, as a Lawyer, you know who truly owns Nigeria’s oil, but deliberately chose a contrary position. What really is your position on the issue?

Listen, I had told you earlier that Obasanjo was my colleague in Government. He used to work on his own. He doesn’t believe in any government, that comes into office. He criticised Shagari, he criticised every other government that came after him. He criticised Jonathan. That was our difference. But, he now helped APC to win the election! We thought he was an APC man, because he submitted some documents to Buhari that this is what he should follow. But, when he discovered that Buhari was not taking his directives, he now went against APC. He has published it. They then came to us, Afenifere, the Middle Belt and Ohaneze. We have what is called Southern and Midwest Leaders Forum, of which I am the Chairman. Ayo Adebanjo is the Chairman representing Afenifere. John Nwodo was the one representing Ohaneze, and now Ambassador Obiozor. Then we

“Exactly!

have Dr Bitrus Pogu, representing the Middle Belt. We had a meeting with him at Yar’Adua Centre. That was why we came together. Last year, he invited us again to a meeting in Transcorp Hilton. He invited former Heads of State, first class traditional rulers, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, academicians and others. We held a meeting which lasted for nine hours. He said he had the permission of the President to convene the meeting, that the President was aware of what we were doing. Therefore, the communiqué we issued should not be published. Till today, that communiqué has not been published.

Then he invited us again to another meeting, on the 14th of January. But, I have been sick. He said he was coming to see me. Meanwhile, on Monday, there was another meeting he called, Golbal Peace Foundation. I didn’t want to go.

So, we sent representatives. Ambassador Igali, Mark Imakpore who was Director in NTA and the Secretary General of the Ijaw National Congress, an Engineer, Mr Wodu. He attended on my behalf. So, when Wodu was making a presentation about happened in Nembe about this oil spillage and how we have been deprived of our resources, Obasanjo shouted ‘Will you shut up! When did the oil in Nigeria belong to you?! It belongs to the whole of Nigeria’.

But, in the evening he came to visit me at about 6pm and he didn’t mention this. The following day, Ambassador Igali and his people now came to report to me, and brought the video. That is what happened. When I saw it, I said let me write him a letter. We used to exchange letters. I did, and he replied. I haven’t sent him another reply, because people have been condemning him, including Cardinal Okogie, Mike Ozekhome, SAN. Everybody has been condemning him, so, I decided not to reply him again. So what is your position on the

The land and the resources belong to Niger-Delta…. So, 1% was approved. Then to 3%. That was when OMPADEC was established…President Umaru Yar’Adua contributed a lot. That was how we got 13%….an increase of that 13% to 25%? Yes. And, to be graduated to 50% over a period of five years….”

ownership of the oil in the NigerDelta?

My position is that, I am a Lawyer, and he quoted all the various laws to me.

If I have a piece of land, and you come to take my land and I say no, and you continue to take that land, using the Land Use Decree which Obasanjo established in 1978. The land belongs to the State Governors, and they are the trustees of that land on behalf of the people who own the land. It’s a part of the Nigerian Constitution, and can’t be repealed by any legislation, except they want to amend the Constitution. That doesn’t prevent me from saying that this land belongs to me. The resources you acquired belong to me. You are not using the same yardstick for other resources, in other places like Zamfara State. There is gold in Zamfara. There is lead in Nasarawa. Why oil alone? That is my problem. But, what is the evidence that people have? Because I have been hearing this lately, that the gold in Zamfara belongs only to Zamfara Listen!

The Governor of Zamfara, Matawalle, accompanied by the Governor of Central Bank went with gold to see Mr President, that this is their gold! They sold gold for N5 billion. The Governor is not denying it. It is now that the Minister of Mines and Power, that is running around the country because of the complaints that people give. You can’t treat people with double standards. If you say the oil belongs to the whole of Nigeria because you have brought some legislation to take my land, what happens in every Federation?

Go to America. Oil found in my area belongs to me. I pay tax to the Federal Government. Go to California, they are very rich in oil. It is just a State. For the State of New York, they have other things, not oil. The American Government has not enacted a law to say that the oil found in America belongs to their Federal Government. Except where they have interest in the offshore oil. Go to other countries, it’s the same thing. But, in Nigeria, its different, because you want to oppress the Niger-Delta people.

1963 Constitution says that 50% of revenue should go to the region where the resources emanate from. 20% to the Federal Government. 30% to to be shared by the Federal Government and the regions again. The question I now ask is, have you changed the 1963 Constitution, and you now say that because you have the 1999 Constitution we have nothing again? That is my problem with Obasanjo. So what would you say in terms

of how it should be? Do you think its should go back to 50%?

No. we are not even demanding 50%. We are not a greedy people. We are part of Nigeria. We said ‘first of all, give us 25%. Thereafter, give us 5% every year until we get to 50% in five years. We are following the 1963 Constitution. Basically, what you are saying is that Niger-Delta land and what is in it, belongs to Niger-Delta?

Exactly! The land and the resources belong to Niger-Delta. That was the Constitution of this country, in 1963. The Military Government, for about 27 years, didn’t observe this until Shagari came into office. Professor Ambrose Alli, the then Governor of Bendel State took the Federal Government to court, and the court gave him judgement, that indeed, the land and the oil belong to Niger-Delta people. He was joined by Melford Okilo, the Governor of Rivers State, who was in NPN. They were in different parties, but he joined him and they won. So, 1% was approved. Then to 3%. That was when OMPADEC was established. From there to 13%, at one of the constitutional conferences. President Umaru Yar’Adua contributed a lot. That was how we got 13%. The Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution provides for a minimum of 13%, which can be increased by Parliament when they desire. Since 1999, no increase has been made. We remain at 13% up till today. That is one of our grievances.

So, in a nutshell Sir, what you want is an increase of that 13% to 25%?

Yes. And, to be graduated to 50% over a period of five years, as it happened in 1963. Are you and your South-South Governors, all on the same page?

Oh yes!

And, you have a good relationship with them?

Oh yes!

Lately, there have been a few secessionist movements. Like Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB, and Sunday Igboho. What are your views on this?

We all believe in a united Nigeria. In 1914, Lord Lugard amalgamated the South and North. He didn’t make it in a way that one region will dominate the other. We came to that union on an equal basis. But, what has happened? Over the years, deliberate attempts have been made to increase the Northern population over the South. Today, you have more members of the House of Representatives from the North. Its only in the Senate that you have equal members. Is there equal representation in the Senate?

No, let me come! North West has 7 States. South-South has 6, South East 5. They go

His eminence, edwin Kiagbodo clark, coN

Niger-Delta: An Iroko Tree has Fallen

to share money, and other States would have more money than the South-East. You established universities in all States, whereas South-East has only five Federal universities.

So, the people are oppressed. When the civil war was fought, after the war, I accompanied my Governor, Ogbemudia to visit the Head of State, General Gowon at Dodan Barracks in Lagos, to congratulate him. He said ‘No. you don’t have to congratulate me. No victor, no vanquished. It’s a family war. We have come together. You go home and carry out my policy of rehabilitation, reconstruction and reconciliation’ .

The Igbos fought a war, should they continue to be punished and victimised?

I said no. These are traces of the cause of what is happening now.

So, this Nnamdi Kanu is not the first to do it. Uwazurike started it. They detained him, and so on. So, this boy came, and instead of fighting, started an academic war with the Federal Government. So, they now declared them terrorists. Their claim, I will say it when my autobiography is published.

These young Igbos don’t want to be second-class citizens, in their own country. They don’t see their future, in a place where they are being discriminated against. That is why they said ‘if we cannot come back to be equal in Nigeria, let us go back to fight the war that has ended’. But, they don’t believe in violence. Due to the bad governance of the Federal Government, that is why the young man in the West and the young man in the East decided to break away.

This is what they are fighting for. Apartheid in South Africa, Murtala Mohammed fought against it. If everybody is equal in Nigeria, when you qualify for appointment, you get it, because its on merit, nobody will complain. Today, all the Federal appointments are held by Fulanis and Hausas, to the exclusion of our people. That is what they are fighting for. They found themselves second-class citizens in their own country, where apartheid is being practised.

So, Federal Government should not declare them terrorists. This is not a matter for the courts. Asari Dokubo was charged for treasonable felony. I met President Obasanjo and the matter was treated politically, and Asari Dokubo was later released after he had spent one year in prison. I sent a team of Niger-Delta leaders to Abuja, when Alabo Graham-Douglas was Minister of Aviation in Abacha and Obasanjo’s Governments. He used his house in Abuja here, as surety. That was how Asari Dokubo left prison, and the matter was allowed to die down.

Do you think that they should follow the same route with Nnamdi Kanu?

That is what I am saying. Kanu and Igboho should follow the Asari Dokubo example. The same charge given to Asari Dokubo was given to Nnamdi Kanu, but I negotiated with President Obasanjo and the matter was treated politically. That is the position.

2023 is round the corner and Nigeria’s nationhood and democracy is being tested. Should the Presidency be zoned to a particular section or ethnic group? If so, which section of the country do you think should produce the next President? Some say it shouldn’t be about zone or ethnicity, but about capacity; that zoning is not provided for in the Constitution; so that, if a candidate emerges from one of the zones that may have had a bite of the Presidency before or had it repeatedly, it should be about such a person’s capabilities and being able to take Nigeria out of the rut it is in, and not whether the South East or North East zones haven’t had a bite before. Kindly, share your views on this My views are very simple. Without

rotation or zoning there will be no Nigeria, because the present Nigeria we are in, some people are oppressing others because they believe they own Nigeria.

Now, zoning has been in existence conventionally, even before independence. When Tafawa Balewa was Prime Minister of Nigeria, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe was Governor General of Nigeria. He is from the East, and there was President of the Senate. I remember when Alhaji Ribadu was Minister of Defence in the first Republic, General Maimalari was the most qualified Officer in the Nigerian Army who should take over from the British. The Northerners said no. That Ribadu was the Minister of Defence and Maimalari cannot be the General Officer Commanding the Nigerian Army, that they are from the same North. That was why it went to Aguyi Ironsi, otherwise Maimalari was more qualified. He went to Sandhurst, Aguyi Ironsi didn’t got to Sandhurst. So, this zoning has been in existence.

During the NPN, Shagari’s Government, in 1982, we went to Kaduna for convention, and this matter was argued. That after Shagari, the Presidency should go to the South. The late Umaru Dikko said that because the people who overthrew Shagari felt that the Presidency would now leave the North, that was why they staged a coup.

Nobody has refuted it. So, what am I saying? There must be zoning, if you want Nigeria to survive and be a united country.

So, whose turn should it be?

Its must be to the South! South or South-East?

No! It should not be zoned to SouthEast now. It should be zoned to the South, and the South will then decide who should have it. We may then give it to the South-East who have not had it before. All I am saying is that, the Presidency must be zoned to the South. Then we’ll now zone it to the South-East, when it comes.

Many have posited that the American styled Presidential system of governance which Nigeria presently operates, has failed us. While some advocate a return to the old parliamentary system, others advocate an admixture of both. As an elder statesman who has seen Nigeria through many seasons, what are your

“Corruption is reigning high in Nigeria today. Go to the Presidency, the Judiciary, and the National Assembly, corruption is there!”

views? Why are you insisting that we return to the 1963 Republican Constitution? How do you think Nigeria should be restructured?

Let me say this, the American Constitution is what we copied. But, the powers being exercised by the President of Nigeria today, is more than that of the American President.

Are you saying it is autocratic?

It’s autocratic! It’s dictatorial! A situation where you have about 70 items on the Exclusive List of the Federal Government.

But, that was not the making of this administration I am not talking about this administration alone. But, the President will abuse the system, believing in the Constitution.

We want a Constitution, whether a Republican Constitution or America, power devolves to the States like the USA. So, we need a reconstruction of the country, whereby power will now go back to the States. The States should operate on their own, and at their own pace. Not where they will carry briefcase to Abuja every month, to carry money from the Federal Government. As a result, the States are not doing anything now on their own.

So, this diversification of our resources is not happening now, because of easy money from the centre.

These Ministers in the Federal Government now, are not accountable to anybody. But, in the 1963 Constitution, you must contest election and be a member of Parliament to become a Minister. If you lost your election, you couldn’t be a Minister. So, you were accountable to your people.

Not like now, where you’ll be in Lagos, and they just nominate you because you are a friend. You must go to your constituency, where you are elected. So, whether its Parliamentary or American, the Constitution must go back to its pattern of 1963, where it looked like Parliamentary and Republican. That is what we want. When you restructure this country in accordance with 1963 Constitution, we are safe and dry.

As the Buhari Administration enters its twilight, how would you rate its performance visà-vis its three major campaign promises - fighting insurgency and corruption, and revamping Nigeria’s economy?

You can only rate a Government based on its performance. When Buhari came to power in 2015, during the campaigns, there were three cardinal points they mentioned. Eradication of corruption, security and improvement of the economy.

Today, the insecurity in Nigeria, the killings, kidnappings, rape and everything, are worse than at any other time in Nigeria. We are at the height of insecurity in Nigeria. So, the Government has not done anything! They claim that when they came into power, that they were the ones that cleared insurgents from the 14 local government areas in Borno. That is why Lai Mohammed, like Paul Goebbels of Germany, speaking lies at all times, saying we are to be grateful to General Buhari. Because without him, Nigeria would have been taken over by Islam. But, Jonathan in his book, ‘My Transition Hours’, stated he cleared the insurgents from Borno before the elections. They had to suspend the elections at that time, for six weeks. He published his book in 2018. The Government has not refuted this. Jonathan cleared the insurgents just before the elections. That was when they brought in mercenaries from South Africa, to drive away the insurgents. Buhari did not do it.

Today, the Governor of Borno State, Prof Zulum, said that two local governments in Borno State, are now occupied by insurgents. But, you’ll hear the Federal Government saying they have cleared the insurgents from Borno. That is not true. Recently, the Mobile Police College was invaded by insurgents, and they kidnapped some of the instructors. Even though the Federal Government denied it, but they carried away everything. We were even told that they attacked the Army headquarters in one of these places.

They are riding high. Go to Katsina where the President comes from, they have been kidnapping people. They kidnapped and killed a medical doctor in Katsina.

During Buharis’s visit to Daura, several students were kidnapped and taken away! What are the security people doing? While I praise them, they should put in more effort. Corruption is reigning high in Nigeria today. Go to the Presidency, the Judiciary, and the National Assembly, corruption is there! Go to the private sector, corruption is there. Where is there no corruption? What has President Buhari done? He came and said he was going to fight corruption, but, he hasn’t done anything.

So, why do you want me to rate them? Give them what? 10 upon what? Zero point upon what? They have not performed. Simple. That maybe similar to what people have said about the administration that preceded the Buhari Administration. That President Jonathan is from the Niger-Delta. He was there for about six years, and the condition of that place didn’t seem to have improved I agree with you! I am not gong to defend Jonathan. He did not do anything for the Niger-Delta. The East-West Road, he did nothing to complete it.

Thank you Sir.

His eminence, edwin Kiagbodo clark, coN

Tamuno Tonte Abban: Dynamic Leader Revolutionising Supported Living and Home Care in the UK

Precious Ugwuzor

Supported living and home care have become vital sectors in the Western world, offering essential services to senior citizens and individuals with special needs. Among the trailblazers making a meaningful impact is Tamuno Tonte Abban, a UK-based Nigerian who has established herself as a driving force in the care industry.

With over 15 years of hands-on experience in the healthcare industry, Tonte Abban has built a reputation as a results-driven leader with a proven track record in founding, growing, and managing successful care businesses. Her passion lies in delivering high-quality, person-centred services to individuals with diverse needs—including the elderly, people with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, and those facing mental health challenges.

As the Founder, CEO, and Director of Myrtle Healthcare Ltdin London, Tonte Abban has transformed her vision into reality, establishing a thriving Supported Living and Home Care business. What started as a small venture has grown into a care provider that now supports over 100 clients across London, Bournemouth, Milton Keynes, Hertfordshire, Essex, Reading, and Surrey.

Her leadership has been pivotal in driving a 30% year-on-year revenue growth, while maintaining exceptional care standards. Under her management, Myrtle Healthcare has secured a coveted ‘Good’ rating from the UK Healthcare regulatory body: Care Quality Commission (CQC), reflecting her commitment to compliance and quality service

delivery.

Tonte Abban’s expertise spans strategic planning, operational manage-

ment, recruitment, and financial oversight. She leads a dedicated team of 60 staff members—including care workers, managers,

Love, Laughter, and Music: How LiVE! Lounge Lit

and operational staff—ensuring continuous training and professional development. She has also built strong partnerships with local authorities, healthcare professionals, families, and regulatory bodies, all while championing person-centred care.

One of her most notable achievements is her drive for innovation. Abban has introduced digital solutions tostreamline operations, improve efficiency, and enhance the overall service user experience. She has also expanded Myrtle Healthcare’s service offerings to include complex medical conditions, learning disabilities, and mental health care—leading to a 35% increase in market share.

Her contributions to the sector have not gone unnoticed. Myrtle Healthcare Ltd was recently honoured with the Greater London Enterprise Award (2024) for Most Compassionate Homecare Agency in South London, as well as the prestigious Business of the Year Award at the Milton Keynes Multicultural Excellence Awards (2025).

A lifelong learner, Tonte Abban holds an impressive academic portfolio, including an LLB (Hons) in Law, a BSc (Hons) in Adult Nursing, and an MSc in Learning Disability Nursing. Her multidisciplinary background equips her with a unique perspective on both the legal and practical aspects of healthcare management.

Tonte Abban’s unwavering dedication to excellence, innovation, and compassionate care continues to shape the future of supported living and home care in the UK. Her leadership not only sets industry standards but also transforms lives—making her a true pioneer in the sector.

Up Lagos for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day in Lagos is always special, but this year, LiVE! Lounge took it to another level with a spectacular three-day celebration. From Friday through Sunday, the lounge was a vibrant hub of romance, music, and joy, bringing together couples, friends, and music lovers for an unforgettable experience. Mary Nnah reports

As Valentine's Day approached, the city of Lagos was abuzz with excitement, and LiVE! Lounge was at the heart of the celebrations, hosting three unforgettable nights of love, laughter, and music.

The festivities kicked off on Wednesday, February 12th, with a comedy night featuring Buchi and friends.

The audience was in stitches as the comedians took the stage, regaling them with hilarious jokes and witty one-liners.

The room was filled with the sound of laughter and applause, setting the tone for the rest of the celebrations. It was clear that this was going to be a Valentine's Day to remember.

The following evening, a karaoke night took center stage, with guests belting out their favorite tunes to serenade their loved ones and friends. The atmosphere was electric, with everyone letting loose and having the time of their

lives. The room was filled with the sound of music and laughter, as strangers became friends and

friends became family. It was a night that would be etched in the memories of all who attended.

But the highlight of the celebrations was yet to come. On Valentine's Day itself, February 14th, R&B star Chike took the stage, captivating the audience with his smooth vocals and effortless charm. The room was entranced as he performed hit after hit, his voice soaring and dipping with emotional intensity.

The Energy God, Do2dtun, added to the evening's magic, surprising everyone with his grown-man side and setting a relaxed, sultry vibe.

As the night drew to a close, couples and friends alike left with huge smiles on their faces, already planning their next night out. The Valentine's celebrations at LiVE! Lounge was truly unforgettable, and it was clear that the venue had once again proved itself to be a hub of entertainment in Lagos. The night had been a testament to the power of music and laughter to bring people together and to the enduring magic of Valentine's Day.

Wizkid and Buchi Comedian

Abban

Burna Boy & MC Douglas CFR

Buchi Comedian and Friends at the event

Do2dtun

Unseen, Unheard, but Resilient: Dr. Umezulike's Mission to Unlock Nigerian Rural Women's Potential

In the rural markets of Nigeria, thousands of women work tirelessly to provide for their families and communities. Despite their hard work, they face numerous challenges, from financial exclusion to systemic marginalisation. Mary Nnah writes on the struggles of these unsung heroes and the efforts of Dr. Cynthia Umezulike, a renowned human rights lawyer, to advocate for their economic justice and empowerment

As the sun rises over the rural markets of Enugu State, Nigeria, a group of young women stir to life, preparing for another day of selling their wares. They are the backbone of their communities, providing food, clothing, and other essentials to their neighbourhood. But despite their hard work, they struggle to make ends meet.

One of these women is 25-year-old Nneoma, who sells vegetables in the local market. She wakes up every morning at 4 am to prepare for the day, only to face numerous challenges. The prices of her goods fluctuate wildly, making it impossible for her to plan ahead. She struggles to access credit, forcing her to operate with inadequate stock. And to make matters worse, she has to pay exorbitant levies and commissions to market officials.

Nneoma's story is not unique. Thousands of rural market women like her face similar challenges, making it difficult for them to achieve financial stability or business growth. They are denied access to affordable credit, forcing them to operate with inadequate stock and stifling business expansion.

The rapid price fluctuations make it impossible for them to maintain stock levels and effectively plan their business. Reduced consumer spending amid soaring fuel and transportation costs has drastically limited profitability.

The challenges faced by rural market women are not limited to financial struggles. They also face systemic barriers that continue to marginalize them, making it nearly impossible for them to achieve financial stability or business growth. Despite their significant contributions to food security, rural employment, and local trade networks, they face systemic financial exclusion and economic instability.

But help may be on the way. Dr. Cynthia Umezulike, a renowned human rights lawyer and Associate Professor at the University of Bedfordshire, UK, has taken up the cause of these women.

She recently presented a report to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, highlighting the challenges faced by rural market women and proposing solutions to empower them.

The report, titled "Strategies for Fostering

Sustainable Livelihoods and Economic Inclusion for Rural Market Women in Enugu State, Nigeria”, was presented at the recent United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) World Food Forum, Thematic Youth Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.

The forum, organised in technical cooperation with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), focused on

advancing sustainable economic opportunities for rural women.

According to Dr. Umezulike, rural market women are the unsung heroes of their communities, providing essential goods and services despite facing numerous challenges.

“Rural market women are the backbone of informal economies, yet they continue to operate without formal protections, employment benefits, or access to stable financial

resources”, she noted.

Umezulike's report proposed several solutions to address the challenges faced by rural market women. She advocated for low-interest microloans and targeted grants to provide financial capital for business expansion and protection against inflation. She also proposes bulk purchase agreements and cooperative buying systems to regulate price volatility and increase profitability.

In addition, Dr. Umezulike recommended training in pricing strategies, financial management, and business planning to enhance financial literacy and sustainability. She also advocated for women-led business cooperatives, which would provide a platform for rural market women to support each other and access resources.

For Nneoma and thousands of women like her, Dr. Umezulike's report offers a glimmer of hope. With the right support and resources, they may finally be able to overcome the challenges that have held them back for so long.

As Dr. Umezulike puts it, “Economic justice for rural women is not just a human rights issue, but an economic necessity. It is time for us to recognise the value of their contributions and provide them with the support they need to thrive.”

She, therefore, urged governments, financial institutions, and development agencies to transform the informal economy into a structured, thriving, and inclusive financial ecosystem that prioritises women’s economic empowerment. By doing so, they can unlock the full potential of rural market women and promote sustainable economic growth and development.

Umezulike's work demonstrates her deep commitment to human rights, sustainability, and climate action. As President of the Global Human Rights Centre, she has advised governments, international organisations, and the private sector on human rights due diligence, sustainable development, and climate policy.

As Nneoma and her fellow market women look to the future, they know that they have a long way to go. But with the support of Dr. Umezulike and other advocates, they may finally be able to achieve the financial stability and business growth they have always dreamed of.

With Export Growth Strategy Yields, BOI Backs SecureID's Continental Expansion

The Bank of Industry (BoI) has reiterated its commitment to supporting SecureID, Africa’s leading smart card manufacturing company as the firm expands operations toother regions in Africa. Dr. Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BoI, made the pledge during a recent visit to SecureID’s state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Lagos, Nigeria.

SecureID, headquartered in Nigeria serves clients across 21 African countries, providing innovative, high-quality and sustainable solutions for the financial, telecom and public sectors.

Dr. Olusi commended SecureID’s achievements, describing the company as “a classic example of Nigeria’s entrepreneurship at its very best.” He stated, “We are proud that BoI has supported SecureID since its inception. We will continue to support them because the trajectory of their progress is remarkable. This is one of those key success stories that truly exemplifies Nigeria’s potential.”

Adedotun Sulaiman, Chairman of SecureID, expressed gratitude for BoI’s unwavering support which has been instrumental in the

company’s growth. He highlighted SecureID’s ambitions to explore new markets, particularly in the public

sector. “The future is bright. There are many areas we have yet to conquer, especially in the public sector. We have the capacity

to produce voter cards and international passports. The possibilities are immense,” Sulaiman said.

During the visit, SecureID’s Founder and GMD, Kofo Akinkugbe, led the BoI team on a tour of the facility. She emphasized that BoI’s role in the company’s success extends beyond financial backing. “I would call BoI a stakeholder—a stakeholder in the vision and dream we had from the beginning. BoI has not only provided financial support but has also ensured that we stay on the right path. As a technology-driven business, innovation is key and the Bank has been a fantastic strategic partner,” Akinkugbe noted. Akinkugbe also emphasised that BoI’s gender-sensitive approach which has been particularly supportive of her leadership. “BoI’s development finance has been crucial in helping us expand. Their patient capital has allowed us to grow steadily and achieve significant milestones,” she added.

Since receiving its first financing facility from the Bank in 2010, SecureID has grown exponentially now exporting to 21 countries across Africa. The company is also eyeing opportunities beyond the continent aiming to solidify its position as a global player in the smart card industry.

Cynthia Umezulike

L- R: Mr. Taiye Emagha, Divisional Head, Manufacturing Industries, BoI; Mr. Ali Joda, Director, SecureID; Mrs Ifeoma Uz’Okpala, Executive Director, Large Enterprises, BoI; Mr. Dotun Sulaiman, Chairman, SecureID; Dr. Olasupo Olusi, MD/CEO, BoI; Mrs Kofo Akinkugbe, GMD, SecureID and Mr. Ayokunle Akinkugbe, Director, SecureID

NERC issues 286 mini-grid permits in five years

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

As the national power grid continues to experience stunted growth, and barely able to satisfy 30 per cent of the country’s electricity needs, Nigerians have found comfort in alternative sources, mainly solar energy.

An industry document seen by THISDAY showed that to facilitate this off-grid expansion, the industry regulator, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued at least 286 permits and certificates for mini-grids

development in the last five years.

In addition, in the commission’s Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) 2024 target, NERC insisted that Distribution Companies (Discos) must fulfil the 10 per cent embedded generation targets as mandated by the commission.

Of the 14,000mw immediately required to boost in-country electricity supply, only 4,000mw is readily available, leaving over 80 million Nigerians without access to reliable grid power supply, according to the document.

With the prevailing bad situation

of grid-connected power, Nigeria’s off-grid electricity market has been experiencing significant growth due to increasing demand for reliable power, government initiatives, and private sector investment. Major companies have also exited the grid.

At the last count these companies include about 250 manufacturers and academic institutions that have abandoned their respective power distribution companies to generate their own electricity.

Between the period spanning 2019 to 2023, THISDAY gathered that the 286 mini-grid projects

generated a gross installed capacity of 36.8mw. These projects include: Seven solar-hybrid mini-grids, eight inter-connected mini-grids and 271 isolated mini-grids.

The number of mini-grid approvals increased from an annual average of six between 2019 and 2020 to 84 approvals in 2023. The commission also issued licences for 30 renewable energy embedded and captive generation projects between 2021 and 2024, with a total nameplate capacity of 112mw.

On why the off-grid electricity sources were increasingly gaining ground, it stated that the national grid is at the moment generally unreliable, stressing that this has been made worse by the frequency of national grid collapse.

“Supply through the grid is insufficient, (with) 10gw of unmet demand from the grid. (There is) 70 per cent non-compliance with service level commitments in some Discos. Prior to the commencement of cost reflective Band ‘A’ billing, over 800 feeders previously classified as Band A

were downgraded from Band A to Band B.

“Grid is susceptible to interruption (with) 140 grid collapse since privatisation, seven grid collapse in 2024, regular Frequency Control measures leads to poor reliability, load shedding, sometimes multiple times a day. The demand is still largely met by alternative sources, especially diesel and petrol run generators,” it added.

FG Fostering Strategy to Strengthen Investments in Special Economic Zones

Says scheme attracted over $300bn investments

The Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, has disclosed that the federal government is initiating a coordinated strategy that would boost exports, expand access to financing and enhance regulatory reforms in order to strengthen investments in the Special Economic Zones (SEZ).

Oduwole said that the strategy

would prioritise regulatory synergy with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) to ensure that fiscal, monetary, and trade policies are aligned to enhance the SEZs competitiveness.

Oduwale stated these in Lagos at the third Special Economic Zones (SEZs) annual meeting that was organised by the Nigerian Economic

Zones Association (NEZA), NEPZA) and the Oil & Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) with the theme, “Fostering Strategic Synergies for Enhanced Special Economic Zones Operations and Sustainable Economic Growth.”

According to her, the FTZs in Nigeria have attracted over $300 billion in investments, contributed over N650 billion to government revenue and created significant

employment opportunities.

In his address, the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, said many of Nigeria’s tax regimes like the Free Zone law of 1992, that were established many decades ago required to be updated in order to align them with current economic realities.

Oyedele said that what should be

uppermost fo Nigeria is the impacts the FTZs on exports, adding that Nigeria’s non-oil export is currently below $5 billion annually compared to Morocco’s $40 billion.

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, harped on the need to improve infrastructure, ease of access to financing for investors, regulatory harmonisation in order to ensure that the FTZs would remain competitive on a global scale.

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, said that it is imperative that the federal government should implement policies that would provide clear incentives to investors.

Dike Onwuamaeze

FG Constitutes Industrial Revolution Work Group, Promises to Stir up Dormant Industries

Dike Onwuamaeze

A 22-member Industrial Revolution Work Group (IRWG) has been inaugurated by the federal government to enhance the productivity of the Nigerian manufacturing sector. The federal government said that the IRWG would be saddled with revitalising dormant industries in the country and proffering solutions to infrastructure and energy constraints and aiding technology innovation, access to finance and competitiveness

of made in Nigeria products.

The IRWG, which was inaugurated in Abuja, would be chaired by the Minister of State for Industry, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, and Co-chaired by the President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Francis Meshioye.

Enoh explained that the constitution of the IRWG was necessitated by the concern of the federal government about the challenges being faced by operators

SON’s Structure Will Achieve Timely, Effective Delivery of its Mandate

Dike Onwuamaeze

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, has remarked that the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has the structure to deliver its mandate.

Enoh made this remark during his recent visit to the SON’s laboratory complex at Ogba, Lagos State, where he noted that the SON has the ability to ensure that manufactured goods that are onsumed in Nigerian meet specified standards and qualities.

He said: “The structure of SON according to the Director General’s explanation on the capacity of the laboratories and locations in various commands and zones in the country, make the organisation so positioned to deliver so quickly and effectively. As you discharge your work in conformity to standard, there is need to deliver quickly on what government wants.”

He also tasked the organization on the importance of satisfying the seventh point on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 8-points agenda, especially on the promotion of “Made

in Nigeria” products and services.

He said: “My team and I are determined that this mandate has been there for too long, but we are going beyond the talk to the action to make sure we deliver. And as we get set, quality products are going to be key in terms of having to advance the ‘Made in Nigeria’ goods and services that will be competitive in and outside the country.”

He also decried the counterfeiting of Nigerian products and vowed to protect the country’s local companies.

In his address, the Director General of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, said that the minister’s visit underscored the commitment of the federal government to strengthen the nation’s quality infrastructure in alignment with the renewed hope agenda of the president.

Okeke said that SON, as a regulatory institution, is playing a pivotal role in realising the renewed hope agenda by ensuring that quality and standardisation remained at the heart of national development.

He pointed out that the SON’s laboratory is serving as the bedrock of conformity assessment by providing essential testing and analysis across critical sectors, including mechanical engineering, energy, food safety, petroleum products and micro biology.

These activities, according to him, directly support the federal government’s drive towards economic diversification, industrialisation and global competitiveness.

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“We carry out test on products.

So we are trying our utmost best to make our testing and its process effective for our clients, which are manufacturers. We test their samples and products to ensure that they are in line with our established standards. So that was what led to the idea of developing an edifice like this (the laboratory complex) that house our laboratory facilities.

“We also have our regional laboratories, which is actually sited in the six geopolitical zones of the country to ensure that our services reach everyone one that needs our services throughout the country. We have laboratories in Kaduna, Uyo, Awka, Bouchi Abuja and this one in Lagos. This is to help us effectively service our cliental base,” he said.

in the country’s industrial sector and the need to proffer urgent solutions to them.

He said: “We are blessed with vast natural resources, an industrious and youthful population, and an entrepreneurial spirit that is second to none. What we require now is a deliberate, structured, and resultsoriented industrial roadmap.”

The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho has called on the trading and investing public to explore the tailor-made simplified export processes and other vistas of opportunity now available at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

Speaking at the ‘Special Day’ of the NPA at the ongoing Kaduna International Trade Fair, Dantsoho assured every stakeholder that the doors of NPA are always open for partnerships even beyond the trade fair.

“I therefore want to warmly invite you to interact with our business development team at the NPA pavilion and to also visit our fully interactive online real time website www.nigerianports.gov.ng to access our growth offerings,” he said.

Dantsoho disclosed that the Authority in its bid to contribute to the strengthening of the domestic economy through the promotion of Balance of Trade, established the Export Process Terminal (EPTs) to simplify the hitherto burdensome

He also said that the group would address regulatory bottlenecks, power supply issues and customs procedures.

Stories by Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, has said that since the launch of the ‘1 Million Barrels Per Day Incremental Initiative’ in October 2024, Nigeria’s crude production has increased by 250,000 bpd. Besides, Komolafe outlined the significant strides being made in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, particularly through the project.

A note from the commission stated that he made these remarks at the

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nicholas Ella, has called on the staff of the ministry to embrace a culture of zero tolerance for corruption and ensure that ethical considerations are at the heart of their official decisions.

He made the call in Abuja at a sensitisation workshop with the theme: “Curbing Corruption at Workplace” organised by the Anti - Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the ministry, a statement by the Head Press and Public Relations, Christopher

Speaking during the inauguration of the IRWG, a former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, said that the IRWG would help to resuscitate moribund industries and create an enabling environment for sustainable industrial growth.

process of exporting Nigerian goods.

He said, “The EPTs were conceptualized to serve as a onestop-shop for cargo consolidation, stuffing, documentation, packaging, certification and onward shipment through electronic call-up to the Ports in quick turnaround time thus eliminating the duplications and bureaucratic overlaps that previously rendered Nigerian exports uncompetitive in the international marketplace.

“To facilitate Port-Hinterland connectivity and create pathways for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) to play in the export value chain, the EPTs are to be linked with Domestic Export Warehouses (DEWs) in synergy with the NEPC and relevant partners.”

According to him, the EPTs was established to align with the ease of doing business orientation of the Federal Government and the theme of this year’s Kaduna Trade Fair “Promoting Efficiency in Manufacturing, Agriculture and Trade through Digital Transformation”.

Aganga said: “The IRWG has been entrusted with an immense responsibility: to identify, analyse, and rehabilitate industries that once contributed significantly to our GDP but have since been neglected. This is not merely an economic necessity but a patriotic duty.”

Speaking in the same vein, the Director General of MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said that the IRWG would enhance ease of doing business and orchestrate the revival of the Nigerian industrial sector by “waking up those more than 700 industries that have been shut down for one reason or the other.”

He further disclosed that the Authority is aggressively pursuing the full automation of all its processes and procedures through the Ports Community System (PCS) which lays the groundwork for the implementation of the National Single Window (NSW).

Dantsoho explained that the NSW is the global best practice for delivering the greatest value with the greatest ease by connecting all stakeholders in the trade value chain for seamless interaction at the push of a button, saying “I have said all of these, to show that the Nigerian Ports Authority has put measures in place to link value creators in the remotest part of the hinterland with the farthest clusters of demand anywhere on the globe.

He commended the commend the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture (KADCCIMA) for the resilience to sustain the culture of hospitality and business friendliness that has continued to attract people from all

over the globe to be a part of the International Kaduna Trade fair for deepening economic prosperity. He noted that the strategic positioning of Kaduna as a melting pot of population, trade and a major transportation hub as the gateway to the northern hinterland and by extension Nigeria’s landlocked neighbouring countries presents huge opportunities waiting to be harnessed.

This, according to him, is coupled with its rich agro-allied potentials which are very important to actualising Nigerian Ports Authority’s quest to connect local value producers in the non-oil value chain to identified international clusters of demand for their goods.

“As Nigeria’s foremost trade facilitation platform, the Nigerian Ports Authority is always proud to be associated with the noble cause that this fair represents, especially seeing that trade remains the most veritable tool for actualising most of our economic aspirations,” Dantsoho said.

Heirs Energies Leadership Forum 2025, held in Abuja. With the theme: “Growth Accelerated,” Komolafe revealed that since the launch of the programme, oil production rose from 1.5 million bpd to 1.75 million bpd.

He outlined key strategies such as re-entry of candidate wells to enhance production, attracting funding and investments to boost exploration and development and increase in rig counts, with 38 rigs currently in operation and a target of 50 by March 2025

On security in the oil industry, Komolafe reaffirmed the government’s

Ugwuegbulam, said. Ella noted that the petroleum industry remains the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, contributing approximately 85 per cent of government revenue and 95 per cent of foreign exchange earnings. He added that in spite of its critical importance, the oil and gas sector had historically been susceptible to financial malpractices, contract opacity, revenue leakages and operational inefficiencies, all of which have significantly undermined national development efforts.

multi-faceted approach to combating crude oil theft, deploying both kinetic and non-kinetic measures. He also highlighted the smooth implementation of the Host Communities Development Initiative, ensuring social inclusiveness and stability in oil-producing regions.

Transparency remains a top priority for the NUPRC, Komolafe stressed. The commission, he said, has introduced a two-phase metering regulation to enhance accurate hydrocarbon measurement and production allocation.

Additionally, the Advanced Cargo Implementation Initiative, nearing

Citing the 2021 Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) Oil and Gas Industry Report, Ella said that Nigeria lost approximately $46 billion in oil revenue between 2009 and 2020 due to operational inefficiencies, contract opacity, and illicit financial flows.

The permanent secretary further stated that the 2023 Global Corruption Index ranked Nigeria 150 out of 180 countries, with corruption in the extractive industries cited as a major contributing factor.

completion, he stressed, aims to resolve discrepancies between loaded and discharged crude volumes, strengthening accountability and reducing revenue losses.

With these initiatives in place, Komolafe affirmed that Nigeria’s oil and gas sector was on the verge of a major transformation, built on efficiency, transparency, and collaboration.

Stakeholders at the forum expressed confidence that with sustained investment and policy support, Nigeria will not only meet but exceed its production targets, reinforcing its global energy leadership.

He however expressed optimism that the inauguration of the anticorruption unit was a significant step towards institutionalising ethical practices, improving governance structures, and ensuring regulatory compliance within the Ministry and its affiliated Agencies. Speaking at the workshop, the Director of Special Duties in the Ministry, Mr. Salami Adebola opined that corruption is a problem that can have catastrophic consequences on the nation’s economy.

AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol Eyes 50% Intra-African Trade Growth by 2030

Arthur Eriye

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has stated that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Protocol is set to grow intra-African trade from 18 per cent in 2022 to 50 per cent by 2030.

Commenting at the AfCFTA Digital Trade Workshop and Global Market, with the theme, “Unlocking State Exports Potential,” held in Abuja, Shettima who was represented by the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, highlights Nigeria’s role in digital commerce, citing the country’s 109 million internet users and expanding mobile economy as key enablers.

He emphasised that Nigeria’s advancements in mobile pay-

ments have revolutionized cross-border transactions, financial inclusion, and digital commerce, positioning the country as Africa’s digital trade hub.

“The internet economy is expected to contribute 5.2 per cent of Africa’s GDP this year, with the digital economy projected to grow to $180 billion, up from $115 billion in 2020,” he noted.

Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to modernising passport application systems and upgrading port infrastructure to streamline trade, reduce customs processing times, and strengthen the country’s role in handling West Africa’s cargo.

“We must move from policy discussions to implementing digitally enabled trade that fosters economic prosperity,”

he urged.

The African Union (AU) recently recognised Nigeria as the Digital Trade Champion for Africa under the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, a status confirmed during the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, warns that any nation failing to embrace digital trade risks being left behind. He commends the Tinubu administration for its achievements in the ICT sector.

“Digital trade platforms have broken traditional barriers, allowing businesses of all sizes to access regional and global markets more efficiently,” he says,

Foreign Investors Eye Nigeria’s Growing Agro, Plastprint Sectors

Omolabake Fasogbon

No fewer than 100 exhibitors from over 15 countries are set to explore business opportunities in Nigeria’s burgeoning agrofood&plastprint sectors.

This is as the local food packaging business, presently raking in over €304m continued to draw new opportunities that solidifies Nigeria’s presence in global market. Similarly, Nigeria’s surging food production from €26bn in 2016 to €36.3bn in 2020 and a projected rise by 48% further positions it as a viable investment destination.

EFInA

Senior Project Manager at Fairtrade, Freyja Detjen said that the investors who will be visiting the country for 10th agrofood & plastprintpack Nigeria, will enjoy unique privilege to tap into West Africa’s largest economy and leverage expertise of global players. Detjen while speaking recently in Lagos at a press briefing heralding the event, further assured of Nigerian government’s readiness to support investors across sectors with initiatives as the Pioneer Status Incentive (PSI) offering tax holidays of up to five years for qualifying industries .

He hinted that the involvement of Germany as the event headline will strengthen collaboration, facilitate knowledge exchange, and unlock new business opportunities for both Nigerian and international stakeholders.

He said, “Nigeria’s industrial growth is undeniable, and foreign investors are taking notice. The numbers speak for themselves—this is a market with immense potential. The country’s record in food, plastics, printing, and packaging technologies position it among Africa’s leading industrial players.”

Unveils Refreshed Brand Identity, New Corporate Strategy

Kayode Tokede

Enhancing Financial Inclusion and Advancement (EFInA), recently hosted a landmark stakeholder event in Lagos, marking the unveiling of its refreshed brand identity, new five-year corporate strategy, and the introduction of its new Chief Executive Officer, Foyinsolami Akinjayeju.

Themed, “Beyond Financial Inclusion: A New Chapter Unfolds for

EFInA,” the event brought together key stakeholders from across the financial, government, development, and private sectors.

Opening with an inspiring and contextual welcome remark by the EFInA Board Chair, Dr. Tokunbo Agnes Martins, and continuing with engaging multimedia presentations, goodwill messages, and

thought-provoking remarks from global and government leaders, EFInA’s mission to drive economic empowerment and sustainable growth for all Nigerians was reinforced.

Speaking at the event, EFInA’s new CEO, Foyinsolami Akinjayeju stated: EFInA is evolving to ensure that financial advancement goes beyond inclusion—our work is about creating real, measurable impact in the lives of the excluded and underserved, ensuring that financial services become a foundation for resilience, opportunity, and progress for every individual.”

EFInA’s new brand identity reveal was a symbolic moment of transformation; with the refreshed visual identity and integrated brand architecture reflecting EFInA’s position as a dynamic

leader, combining research, advocacy, systems-strengthening, and innovation to deliver impactful financial solutions for real people by leveraging its targeted platforms – Access to Financial Services (A2F) Surveys, Gender Centre of Excellence (GCE) and Inclusion for All (I4ALL).

Also present at the event were other EFInA board directors - Professor Janice Olawoye, Mr. Kola Aina, including Mr. Olu Akanmu who brought the event to a formal close with a charge for more collaboration.

Jason Lamb, Deputy Director of Inclusive Financial Systems, Country Engagements at the Gates Foundation, shared insights on the critical role of financial inclusion in Nigeria’s economic development and perspectives on the catalytic role EFInA must continue to play.

Nigerian Food Tech Scene Gets a Boost with Olokpo App Launch

In a move set to revolutionise how Nigerians access culinary services, the Olokpo App has officially launched, connecting users with trusted culinary experts worldwide.

Founded by Jennifer Onose, Olokpo aims to simplify the process of booking catering services, whether for weddings, corporate events, or intimate family dinners.

With a vast network of professional bakers, chefs, mixologists, and grill experts, the app provides a seamless experience, ensuring quality, reliability, and

exceptional culinary experiences.

According to Onose, Olokpo is more than just an app - it’s a community, a movement that seeks to empower culinary experts and transform the food industry.

According to Onose, Olokpo is poised to transform the culinary landscape, providing a platform for experts to showcase their skills and for users to access quality culinary services. “We are excited to launch Olokpo App, which we believe will revolutionize the way Nigerians access culinary services,” Onose said. “Our goal is to create a community of culinary experts

and users who can connect, share ideas, and access quality services.”

The app’s launch event, which featured a fireside chat on “Scaling Your Culinary Business Through Technology,” was attended by industry leaders, including the Permanent Secretary at the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Mr. Emmanuel Audu.

Audu emphasised the ministry’s commitment to supporting the culinary industry, highlighting initiatives like the Lagos Food Festival and Eko Flavors, a cooking competition that showcases the skills of young chefs.

Saharan Blend (Algeria), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

Mary Nnah

Stock Market Drops by N231bn on Profit-taking in FBN Holdings, Others

Kayode Tokede

The stock market yesterday opened the week on a bearish note as losses in FBN Holdings Plc and 36 others plummet the overall capitalisation by N231 billion.

As FBN Holdings dropped by 4.07 per cent to close at N29.45per share, the Nigerian Exchange Limited All-Share Index (NGX ASI) declined by 370.43 basis points or 0.34 per cent to close at 108,126.97

basis points as the Month-toDate and Year-to-Date returns moderated to +3.5per cent and +5.1per cent respectively.

Also, market capitalisation lost N231 billion to close at N67.383 trillion.

Sectoral performance was broadly negative, as the NGX Banking Index was down by 1.4per cent, NGX Insurance Index dipped by 0.9per cent, NGX Oil & Gas depreciated by 0.3per cent, NGX Consumer Goods Index dropped by 0.2per

cent and NGX Industrial Goods fell by 0.1per cent.

The market breadth, which measures investor sentiment close in negative, as 17 stocks appreciated, while 37 stocks depreciated. Ikeja Hotel emerged the highest price gainer of 10 per cent to close at N12.10, per share. PZ Cussons Nigeria followed with a gain of 9.26 per cent to close at N29.50, while Consolidated Hallmark Holdings up by 8.85 per cent to close at N4.18, per share.

DAAR Communications rose by 8.82 per cent to close at 74 kobo, while Livestock Feeds appreciated by 5.95 per cent to close at N6.41, per share. On the other side, NNFM led others on the losers’ chart with 9.99 per cent to close at N72.55, per share. Eunisell Interlinked followed with a decline of 9.96 per cent to close at N10.85, while Sovereign Trust Insurance shed 9.09 per cent to close at N1.20, per share.

Secure Electronic Technology

went down by 7.46 per cent to close at 62 kobo, while UPDC depreciated by 6.13 per cent to close at N2.91, per share. However, the total volume of trade improved by 13.3 per cent to 357.759 million units, valued at N9.211 billion, and exchanged in 15,914 deals. Transactions in the shares of Jaiz Bank led the activity with 48.188 million shares worth N161.638 million.

Zenith Bank followed with an account of 28.192 million shares valued at N1.373 billion, while

N1.126 billion, while Access Holdings traded 15.515 million shares worth N403.585 million. Analysts at Afrinvest Limited stated that, “barring the emergence of market stimulating shocks, we expect the negative sentiment to persist due to depressed investor sentiment.”

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF FEBRUARY 24/25

Thisday Afrinvest Index Down 0.6%

Thisday Afrinvest 40 index fell 0.6% to print at 5,422.42 points due to price depreciation in GTCO (-1.0%), ZENITH (-2.0%), and UBA (-1.9%). Cumulatively, these stocks account for 16.1% of the index.

Bears Usher in Trading Week ASI down 0.3%

Yesterday, the local bourse opened the week on a bearish note as losses in TRANSCORP ( -3.1%), FBNH (-4.1%), and ZENITH ( -2.0%) dragged the NGX -ASI down 0.3% to 108,126.97 points. Consequently, YTD return moderated to 5.1% (previously: 5.4%) while market capitalisation lost 0.3% to ₦67.4tn. However, activity level improved as the volume and value traded increased 13.3% and 10.2% to 357.8m units and ₦9.2bn, respectively.

Negative Sector Performance

Performance across the sectors within our purview was negative as all six indices lost. The Banking and Insurance indices lost the most, down 1.4% and 0.9% respectively, on the back of price decline in FBNH (-4.1%), ZENITH (-2.0%), MANSARD (-2.7%), and SUNUASSURE (-5.3%). Following, profit-taking on OANDO (-2.4%), ETERNA (-3.0%), DANGSUGAR (-1.0%), and HONYFLOUR (-4.7%) weighed on the Oil & Gas and Consumer Goods indices with losses of 0.3% and 0.1%, accordingly. Similarly, the Industrial Goods and AFR-ICT indices declined 10bps and 1bp respectively on the back of price depreciation in WAPCO (-0.5%), CUTIX (-2.0%), CWG (-2.4%), and CHAMS (-3.8%).

Outlook

Investor sentiment, as measured by market breadth worsened to -0.27x (previously -0.11x) as 17 stocks advanced, 37 declined, while 73 closed flat. Barring the emergence of market stimulating shocks, we expect the negative sentiment to persist today due to depressed investor sentiment.

Fundamental Performance Metrics for

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

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

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA:

Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 21 February-2025, unless otherwise stated.

SUBMISSION OF ANAMBRA STATE GUBER NOMINATION FORMS AT APC...

L-R: Director, Paul Chuwuma Campaign Council, (PCCC), Dr. Lilian Agbazue; Director, Contact Mobilisation, PCCC, Chinedu Eluemunoh; Anambra State APC Governorship aspirant, Sir Paul Chukwuma, and Director General, PCCC, Ifeanyichukwu Ibezi, during the submission of Nominations and Expression of Interest Forms by the aspirant at APC national secretariat in Abuja ... yesterday

Emefiele Accuses Judge of Bias, Unjust Handling of Questions in Ongoing Trial

A judge can be biased, either consciously or unconsciously, defence lawyer tells court

Wale Igbintade

Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has requested the recusal of Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court in Lagos, citing alleged bias in the ongoing trial.

At the resumed trial yesterday, Emefiele's lawyer, Olalekan Ojo, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), accused the trial judge of permitting a leading question, which the defense had previously objected to.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged Emefiele with accepting bribes and making corrupt demands while in office.

The EFCC had initially filed 22 charges against Emefiele and co-defendant Henry Omoile.

Emefiele faces charges of abuse of office, accepting gratification, and corrupt demands, while Omoile was charged with three counts related to the unlawful acceptance of gifts by an agent.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty, and the trial proceeded.

During the trial, prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, continued presenting evidence.

Leading the seventh prosecution witness, Mr. John Adetola, Oyedepo reminded the witness of his earlier testimony, in which he stated that he had received $400,000 from John Ayoh and handed it over to Emefiele at his office.

Oyedepo then asked the witness to confirm a WhatsApp message,

allegedly printed from Adetola's phone by the EFCC investigators .

The defence objected, arguing that the document was only meant for identification and not an official exhibit. also , according to Ojo, OYEDEPO PW7 had earlier told the court that he collected the sum of $500,000 from John AYOH and handed it over to the 1st defendant.

OYEDEPO further asked him “… was it $400,00 that you collected from Ayoh that was handed to the 1st defendant defendant? On his part Ojo objected to the question because it a leading question and urged the court not to allow it. The judge in its ruling allowed the question because, according to him, a leading question relates to matters that are introductory or undisputed or which have, in the opinion of the court been already sufficiently proved and allowed the question. The implication of allowing the question is that the court has formed the opinion that the prosecution had sufficiently proved that PW7 accepted none and handed it over to the defendant.

Justice Oshodi overruled the objection, allowing the witness to read from the document, relying on Section 221 (3) of the Evidence Act, which permits leading questions regarding introductory facts, undisputed facts, or facts already proven.

In response, Emefiele’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo, argued that the judge's ruling prematurely confirmed the $400,000 transaction between Adetola and Emefiele, making it impossible for the defence to cross-examine the

witness fairly.

As a result, Lekan Ojo requested that Justice Oshodi recuse himself from further hearings.

Ojo, along with Omoile's counsel, Kazeem Gbadamosi, SAN, asked the judge to withdraw on grounds of bias.

They also declined to cross-examine the witness, submitting an oral application for the judge's recusal.

Ojo stated, "A judge can be either consciously or unconsciously biased... and that this present case is a matter

of being unconsciously biased against the defendant. At this stage, I urge the court to recuse itself." Lekan Ojo further cited the case of the State Vs Major Hamza Mustapha and others , where , when the judge was requested to allow defendants to seat at the duck he replied as follows “ .. I don’t allow criminals to seat in my court

“ The counsel to the defendants in that case quickly told the court that the court had already adjudged the defendant to be guilty and urged the court to recuse itself on grounds of

bias. Honourable Justice Christopher Segun honourably withdrew from the case because he admitted that the legal counsel to the defendants was correct.

In response, Oyedepo opposed the defence's application and argued that the court had ruled multiple times against the prosecution without bias.

He accused the defence of using delay tactics and urged the court to disregard the recusal request.

Earlier in the proceedings, Ojo informed the court of an application

seeking permission for Emefiele to appeal a ruling made on January 8, 2025, challenging the court's jurisdiction to hear the case. Justice Oshodi adjourned the case to February 26, 2025, to rule on whether he would recuse himself from further hearings.

During his trial, Emefiele had challenged the court's jurisdiction over some of the charges, arguing that he could not be tried in any State High Court for alleged offences brought by the EFCC.

Ayo Adebanjo: Family Announces Funeral Arrangements for Late Elder Statesman, Nationalist

Wale Igbintade

The family of Chief Samuel Ayodele Adebanjo, born April 10, 1928, distinguished nationalist, elder statesman, and leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has announced the funeral arrangements following his passing on February 14, 2025, at the age of 96.

A series of events have been planned to honor the late patriarch.

A statement issued by the family, and signed by Ms. Ayotunde Ayo-Adebanjo, Mrs. Adeola Azeez, and Mr. Obafemi Ayo-Adebanjo, said the memorial services for the late nonagenarian will begin on

Wednesday, April 30, 2025, with tributes and a service of songs at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos.

A wake will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025, at Pa Ayo Adebanjo’s country home in Isanya Ogbo, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

The funeral will conclude with a church service and final burial at St. Phillips Anglican Church, Isanya Ogbo, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

The family requests prayers and support during this time as they prepare to bid their beloved patriarch a fitting farewell. They also welcome well-wishers to attend all events.

Chief Adebanjo, lawyer, radical politician, and Yoruba nationalist,

was born in Isanya Ogbo, a village near Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, SouthWest Nigeria, on April 10, 1928. He initially started as a journalist before traveling to the United Kingdom to study law. After completing his studies, he was called to the English Bar in 1961.

Chief Adebanjo began his political career early, joining the Zikist movement in 1943 as a follower of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. In 1951, he became a member of the youth wing of the Action Group and a mentee and political disciple of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He remained an active and vocal figure in Nigerian politics until his passing on.

Allow Presidential Amnesty Coordinator Peace to Advance Programme, N'Delta Monarch Pleads

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The NAFDAC branch of the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has appealed to the federal government to accord it the same treatment given the military, police and the intelligence agencies.

In a joint statement by the union's Acting Chairman, Jerry Chagga Makeri and Secretary, Aledeh Salih Ahmed, dated February 24, it argued that their role intersects with national security on public health and safety, combating illicit trade and enforcement and regulation.

MHWUN insisted NAFDAC staff deserved better wages because of

the risks associated with their roles and to attract, retain and motivate skilled professionals. The union demanded that wages be aligned with industry standards and urged government to take drastic steps to improve the welfare of NAFDAC employees, through compensation packages, enhanced working conditions and opportunities for professional development and fair promotion potentials.

"A unique salary structure should be created for NAFDAC to put into account all the peculiar and unique duties that NAFDAC employees perform. NAFDAC staff

should be paid salaries, wages and compensations comparable to other agencies of government performing similar functions.

“The organogram of NAFDAC should be opened such that the agency should have presence/offices in at least all the senatorial zones in the country. NAFDAC ought to have no fewer than 10,000 personnel across the country as against the current workforce of just over 2,000 across the country," the union said.

It lamented that despite their dedication to duty and enduring all risks, the salaries and welfare of NAFDAC staff are not commensurate with their efforts and

roles in the country.

MHWUN said its members are subjected to dangerous situations in the field, when inspecting unlicensed manufacturers, illegal drug producers, or counterfeit product distributors.

It added such encounters can put the staff personal safety at risk.

The union acknowledged the synergy between NAFDAC, Office of the NSA, which enhances NAFDAC’s ability to protect consumers and public health, in addition to the necessary support in tackling illicit trade and counterfeit products that threaten the health of the Nigerian consumers.

The Paramount Ruler of the Oil and Gas rich Idjerhe Kingdom in Ethiope West Local Government area of Delta State, HRM Obukowho Monday Whiskey, Udurhie 1, has advocated for peace and greater understanding to enable the Dr. Dennis Otuaro-led Presidential Amnesty programme to succeed.

The journalist-turned-first class traditional ruler, in a statement issued yesterday, said he was saddened that while the Co-ordinator was doing everything humanly possible to reposition the PAP office, some self-centered persons were out to discredit his efforts.

He called for more stakeholders’ meetings geared towards findings acceptable solutions to unending quagmire.

His words: "Our region and our political appointees cannot

achieve the desired result if all we do daily is to protest and write petitions aimed at undermining their concerted efforts.

"Let's do more of consultations with our sons and daughters in government instead of this dangerous approach of always dragging down our people.

"Collectively, we can achieve more but individually we cannot achieve anything. As a critical stakeholder in the PAP programme, I am convinced that Dr. Dennis Otuaro is on the right track. All that is needed is collective supports so that greater result can be achieved."

The monarch appealed to the federal government to convoke a critical stakeholders’ meeting and look at the possibilities of reviewing the N60,000 monthly stipends for the Ex-Agitators noting that the amount can no longer sustain families and dependents of ex-agitators.

PHOTO: ENOCK REUBEN

THIRD EDITION OF THE CAVISTA TECHNOLOGIES HACKATHON...

L-R: Director of Marketing, Cavista Holdings, Wole Adedeji; Director of Government Relations & External Affairs, Cavista Holdings, Olumide Olayomi; General Manager, Cavista Technologies, Oyebola Morakinyo; Minister for Youth Development, Hon Ayodele Olawande; General Manager, Cavista Holdings, Anthony Iloh; and Director of Strategy, Cavista Holdings, Kabir Shagaya, at the 3rd Edition of the Cavista Technologies Hackathon, in YABATECH, Lagos, last Saturday

Tinubu: Public Trust, Inclusive Policing, Synergy Among Agencies Vital to Security

Military advocates wide-ranging approaches to curtail effect of threats on civilians

Non-state actors should be included in fight against terrorism, others, says General Laka

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, emphasised the need for inter-agency collaboration, public trust, and inclusive policing in tackling banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, and other security challenges confronting the country.

Tinubu spoke in Abeokuta while declaring open a three-day retreat for senior police officers in the country.

The president sought more support for the Nigeria Police in the performance of their jobs, saying the business of adequate security provision is a shared responsibility

of all citizens.

Relatedly, the military, yesterday, said the contemporary security landscape in Nigeria required inclusive approaches to curtail the effect of security threats on civilians, especially women and children, who remained the most vulnerable during armed conflicts.

Similarly, National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA), Major General Adamu Laka, warned that the use of force alone could not end terrorism. Laka suggested the inclusion of non-state actors to achieve results.

Tinubu was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the senior

police officers retreat, with the theme, "Improving Nigeria's Internal Security and Economic Prosperity Through InclusiveTinubuPolicing." said his administration recognised the importance of strong internal security to the prosperity of the country, and it had been doing all necessary to reposition the Nigeria Police to more effectively perform their constitutional mandate of protecting lives and property across the country.

He said his government had been working to bridge the security infrastructure and equipment gap through a comprehensive and sustainable programme that included renovating police barracks, improving

their mobility, and upgrading combat and protective gears.

Tinubu said, "While the Nigerian police is constitutionally empowered to maintain internal security, protect lives and property, and uphold public order, it's essential to recognise that security is a shared responsibility.

"Therefore, community and citizens must actively collaborate with the police, to foster a safer society, because no matter how well funded and equipped or well-trained a police force is, it cannot succeed without the cooperation of the people it serves.

"Public engagement and trust are central in the process of inclusive policing. Synergy among security

Akpoti-Uduaghan: Group Accuses Akpabio of Suppressing Women's Voices

Raises concern over condescending comments on Kogi senator Urges him to uphold respect, fairness, inclusivity

A group, Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW) yesterday accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of suppressing women's voices, citing what it described as the troubling actions of the former Akwa Ibom governor against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The group stated that the situation once again highlighted the systemic suppression of women's voices in Nigerian politics, insisting that the recent incident, where AkpotiUduaghan was ordered out of the Senate chambers for asseting her rightful role to speak, was not an isolated case.

Leaders of the coalition which says it's committed to fostering equitable, inclusive, and just societies for women across the nation include: Asma'u Joda; Maryam Uwais; Mairo Mandara; Fatima Akilu; Aisha Oyebode; Kadaria Ahmed and Aisha Waziri Ibrahim.

According to the women's group, Akpabio’s action is part of a disturbing pattern of gender-based intimidation that must be interrogated and challenged.

“This follows previous instances where the senate president has demonstrated disregard for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and other women in leadership, a trend that VIEW and other advocates for gender inclusion have consistently condemned.

“The continued harassment

of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is emblematic of a broader culture where women who demand accountability and equity are met with hostility rather than respect,” the group said.

It argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s defiant statement, "I am not afraid of you" was a rallying cry for all women in leadership, reinforcing the necessity of unwavering resilience in the face of institutional suppression.

According to the coalition, it is unacceptable that female lawmakers must constantly fight not just for policies and representation but for the fundamental right to be heard and respected.

“Why is it that the Senate President cannot engage with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan without resorting to condescension and dismissal? A leader in his position should be able to engage in discourse with respect and fairness rather than resorting to outright disregard and intimidation.

“This latest episode reaffirms the urgent need for systemic change. VIEW reiterates its strong condemnation of the senate president's actions and demands accountability for his behaviour,” the women's group added.

As a leader in a democratic institution, VIEW explained that Akpabio must uphold respect, fairness, and inclusivity, ensuring that all lawmakers, regardless of gender, are treated with dignity.

Concrete measures, it said, must be taken to end gender-based intimida-

tion in the senate, as the continued bullying and silencing of female lawmakers cannot be tolerated and should not continue.

It urged the Nigerian senate to take deliberate steps to foster a political culture that welcomes and supports women's voices, ensuring their full engagement and participation in governance.

“ VIEW stands unwavering in its solidarity with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and all Nigerian women who refuse to be silenced. A democracy that marginalises women's voices is a democracy in crisis.

“We will continue to demand justice, equity, and accountability until true inclusivity is achieved,” the women's coalition stated.

agencies is also vital to eliminating banditry, terrorism kidnapping, armed robbery, and other forms of criminality.

"You must, therefore, in your deliberation focus more on strategies to achieve multi agencies collaboration in tackling all forms of criminal acts in the country."

The president promised to always prioritise the welfare of the police, adding that aside from the implementation of the new minimum wage, the government would be ready to grant financial incentives to deserving officers.

In his welcome address, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, said the annual gathering served as a crucial platform for reviewing police operational strategies, exchanging insights, and realigning the country's policing objectives with the evolving global security landscape in the country.

Egbetokun said this year’s theme was in line with Tinubu’s security vision. He underscored "the determination to cultivate a police force that is professionally competent, intelligence-driven, and equipped to confront emerging threats proactively".

The IGP said intensified operations by the police and commitment to cooperation with the military and other security agencies in the fight against banditry, kidnapping, and other organised crimes had yielded significant results, in the past year alone.

He said to sustain the onslaught against criminal acts in the country, all the commands and formations had been mandated to implement a comprehensive action plan aimed

at reducing crime rate by 50 per cent in 2025. He explained that this mandate would form a crucial part of the discussion at the conference. Egbetokun stated, "As we continue with the current policing year, our focus remains steadfast on enhancing intelligence-sharing, strengthening forensic and digital investigative capabilities, and upholding zero tolerance for corruption and human right violation within the force.

"Simultaneously, we will continue to prioritise the welfare and well-being of our officers to boost morale and enhance service delivery."

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, said adequate security for all was a top priority of his administration. Abiodun said apart from being the industrial capital of the country, about two million people traversed Ogun State to neighbouring states daily. He said this was the reason his administration continued to support the police to strengthen the security architecture of the state. The governor urged the police to continue to uphold professionalism, respect for human rights, and integrity to build public confidence.

Abiodun said the business of security concerned all, stressing that Nigerians must continue to support the security agencies, particularly the police, to strengthen the fight against threats to peace, law and order in the country. The retreat had in attendance Inspector General of Rwanda National Police, Felix Namuhoranye; and Inspector General of the National Police Service of Kenya, Douglas Kirocho.

Segun James

The founder of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chekwas Okorie, has pleaded with the federal government to name the national headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja after, Professor Humphrey Nwosu, who superintended the June 12, 1993 election, is still considered the best and fairest election in the history of the country.

According to Okorie, in a statement he personally signed, "it is sad that the most visibly unsung hero of the much-celebrated June 12, 1993 presidential election in Nigeria is Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the

National Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) which later became INEC.

"Nigerians commended President Muhammadu Buhari for declaring June 12 as Democracy Day in the place of May 29. He also affirmed late Chief M.K.O Abiola, the winner of the June 12 presidential election, along with Alhaji Babagana Kingigbe as his running mate.

“The two were accordingly honored with the requisite national honors of GCFR and GCON, respectively.

"Regrettably, no mention was made of Professor Humphrey Nwosu in the honors list for the historic June 12 election. Professor Nwosu had long before President Buhari

honored the June 12 heroes, written his book where he gave account of the true outcome of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, including the figures scored by Chief MKO Abiola the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, and Alhaji Bashir Tofa, the presidential candidate of the National Republican Convention, NRC, showing Chief Abiola's resounding victory in that election."

Okorie insisted the undisputed fact is that there would be no June 12 celebration in Nigeria without Professor Humphrey Nwosu.

"He stuck out his neck in the face of obvious threats to his life by a military junta determined to scuttle the election and announced

the actual election results. This did not prevent General Ibrahim Babangida, the military President of Nigeria, from proceeding to annul the election." He stressed that "after more than three decades, General Ibrahim Babangida publicly presented his memoir in which he vindicated Professor Humphrey Nwosu. He even boasted that it was under his watch that Nigeria had the fairest and freest presidential election. "Yet the architect of this unprecedented national feat remained unsung. The big question is, when will Nigeria have the good fortune to have the likes of Professor Humphrey Nwosu to preside over our Independent National Electoral Commission again?

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Chiemelie Eszeobi in Lagos, Deji Elumoye, Linus Aleke in Abuja and James Sowole in Abeokuta

THE 7EVEN INTERACTIVE 10TH ANNIVERSARY PRESS CONFERENCE...

Kano NNPP Suspends Senator, Three Other Members for Alleged Anti-party Activities

Our suspension fraudulent, political gimmick, victims react APC crisis festers as housing minister threatens to resign over chairmanship dispute

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano took disciplinary actions against some of its members, including a senator and three members of the House of Representatives, over alleged anti-party activities. Chairman of the party in the state, Alhaji Hashimu Dungurawa, disclosed this to newsmen yesterday in Kano.

But the suspended NNPP leaders of rejected their suspension, and described it as fraudulent and a political gimmick.

In another development, Minister of State for Housing and urban development, Yusuf Ata, threatened to resign from his position, if the current chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Abdullahi Abbas, was re-elected.

The NNPP state chairman said the four legislators were the senator for Kano South, Kawu Sumaila; member representing Rogo Federal Constituency, Alhaji Abdullahi Rogo; member representing Rano/Kibiya, Alhaji Abdullahi Rurum; and Ali Maadakin Gini representing Dala Federal Constituency.

He said the party was disappointed with the recent actions of some National Assembly members elected on the party's platform.

According to him, despite being given complementary tickets during the party elections, the accused members went against the party's wishes, beliefs, and values.

Dungurawa said Sumaila recently made headlines for hosting a highprofile event where he gave his daughter in marriage and commissioned some projects at his university in Sumaila.

He stated, "It is unfortunate that none of our party members, who supported him, was invited to the event, including our national leader, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and the Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

"This action has really sparked curiosity about Senator Kawu inviting his opponents, especially those who kicked against his bid to clinch the ticket in their political party."

The state chairman emphasised that despite the suspension, the door remained open for dialogue if the suspended members repented and sought forgiveness. He reassured members that NNPP remained strong and committed to achieving victory, both now and in the future.

But, in a joint statement by Sumaila, Gini, Rurum, and Rogo, they described their suspension as an attempt to mislead the public.

“This reckless move is not just illegal; it is a desperate act by a faction that has already been expelled from the NNPP and holds no authority whatsoever,” the statement read.

They accused Kwankwaso of running the party without regard for democratic principles, and also criticised his absence at events, including the wedding of Sumaila’s daughters and the convocation of Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila.

The statement said, “His deliberate absence, especially in the presence of APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahahi Umar Ganduje, Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin, former Governor Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, and other national figures, was a petty and calculated attempt to undermine political opponents.”

They dismissed Dungurawa, who announced the suspension, as a “political puppet of Kwankwaso” with no legitimacy.

According to them, “Hashimu Dungurawa lacks any credibility to speak on NNPP matters. His so-called ‘suspension’ is nothing but a fraudulent political gimmick designed to deceive the public and distract from the monumental failures of Kwankwaso’s faction.”

Citing a court ruling, they stated that Kwankwaso and his loyalists

had no legal claim to the party’s leadership.

“The truth remains that the Abia High Court judgement of November 1, 2024 affirmed Dr. Boniface Aniebonam as the only legally recognised NNPP leader, expelling Kwankwaso and his loyalists.”

The statement urged the public to disregard the suspension and reaffirmed the affected members’ commitment to NNPP.

“We remain committed to strengthening the NNPP under its

legitimate leadership and ensuring that the party serves the people, not the selfish ambitions of Kwankwaso and his cronies,” they stated.

Kano APC Crisis Deepens as Minister Vows to Resign over If Chairman is Re-elected Minister State for Housing and urban development, Yusuf Ata, threatened to resign from his position if the chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Abdullahi Abbas,

was re-elected. Ata, who disclosed this to newsmen in Kano, said Abbas had been steering the affairs of the party for the last 10 years, contrary to the party’s constitution. He attributed the loss of APC in 2023 to numerous utterances of Abbas, adding that the party has to change the narrative ahead of the 2027 general election. According to him, Abbas's leadership style has weakened the party's public image and contributed to its defeat in the 2023 elections.

Says

gov's directive to chairmen to avoid secretariats deceitful Adeleke sustaining peace despite machinations of anarchists, says spokesperson

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Osun State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has advised the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to stop referring to the Osun chapter of APC as the aggressor in the lingering political impasse in the state, which has consumed about 10 persons from the attacks by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters across the state.

Makinde was in Osun State last Sunday to witness the swearing-in of the council chairmen by his Osun State counterpart.

A statement by Osun State APC Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, said, "If we may ask,

where was Governor Makinde when his political soulmate in the hitherto state of the virtuous used the sanctity of the Osun State Government House to incite the members of his party to go all out and attack our members and chieftains?

"Where was Governor Makinde when the political hoodlums of his party killed through gun shots the newly reinstated chairman of our party in Ikire, Hon Remi Abass, Irewole Local Government Council Area, apparently emboldened by the earlier incitement by Governor Adeleke?

“Where was Governor Makinde when the thugs loyal to the PDP killed one person in Irojo, Ilesa, Osun State, during the illegal shambolic local government council election

purportedly held by his brother on Saturday?

“Governor Makinde should tell the right-thinking Nigerians why he lost his voice when daredevil thugs traceable to the violent thugs of his party almost killed a chieftain of our party, Engr Remi Omowaye, who is a serving Executive Director at the Federal Housing Authority and Mr Tobi Famurewa in Ilesa few days ago?

"We want to make it clear to Governor Makinde that he is not in a better position to teach the leadership of the APC how to prosecute the ongoing efforts of our duly elected chairmen and councillors how to reap the benefit of the Court of Appeal judgement, Akure Division, given on the 10th of February, 2025."

Meanwhile, spokesperson of the Osun State governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, said his principal had proven to be a crisis manager with an eye on public peace and prosperity, hence, the sustenance of peace across the state despite the evil plot of anarchists within the opposition.

Rasheed described as “libellous and defamatory” allegation of importing thugs levelled against top functionaries of the administration by children of anarchy as “a baseless concoction without any iota of truth”. Rasheed said, “From the beginning of the face off, the state governor, being a security expert and a criminologist, had deployed his skills of conflict resolution to sustain peace even with the worst of provocations.

Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Blessing

Ibunge in Port Harcourt

In a setback to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Rivers State lawmakers in the House of Representatives, yesterday, insisted that Martin Amaewhule and his colleagues had since ceased to be members of the state House of Assembly. They said this when they paid a solidarity visit to Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, and reaffirmed their support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration.

Led by Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante of the Andoni-Opobo/ Nkoro Federal Constituency, the Rivers

No Longer Lawmakers Katsina CJ Warns LG Election Tribunal Members against Politicians’ Influence, Bias

State NASS Caucus dismissed claims that the judgement of Justice James Omotosho reinstated Amaewhule and his 26 colleagues. According to the lawmakers, ”Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule and 26 others lost their seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly following their voluntary defection on December 11, 2023. Their cross-carpeting happened on the floor of the House in full public view.”

Abiante cited multiple Supreme Court rulings, emphasising that Section 109(1)(g) and Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution made it clear that: He stated, “Any elected lawmaker who defects from the political party under which they were elected automatically loses their seat.”

Abiante added that since the Supreme Court’s rulings on similar cases had not been overturned, they remained the legal precedent in Nigeria.

“As of December 11, 2023, when Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule and his 26 colleagues publicly declared their defection, they ceased to be members of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” he said.

He stressed that parading as lawmakers and participation in Assembly activities were illegal and unconstitutional.

The lawmakers dismissed claims that the Federal High Court judgement of January 22, 2024, delivered by Justice Omotosho, validated Amaewhule’s group.

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

The Katsina State Chief Judge (CJ), Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar, has warned the newly sworn-in chairmen and members of the state's Local Governments Election and Appeal Tribunals to resist being influenced by politicians.

He said chairmen and members of the tribunals should be impermeable to all forms of temptations and undue influences from politicians and other members of the public while discharging their duties.

Abubakar, who gave the warning yesterday while swearing in

the chairmen and members of the tribunals, said appropriate disciplinary sanctions awaited any erring chairman or member of the tribunals.

He explained that members of the tribunals must stand firm and avoid judicial misconduct and other acts that would portray them as being biased in their assignment.

Acknowledging that political cases were prone to pressures, the state chief judge admonished members of the tribunals to shun such coercions and work in conformity with the laws establishing the tribunals.

He equally urged members of the tribunals to hear and determine

petitions from the February 15 councils election within 90 days as enshrined in the Katsina State Local Government Councils Election

“I do urge you to be totally committed to ensure compliance with the law. You must equally stand firm and avoid acts and conducts that would portray you as being biased.

“There is no doubt that political cases are prone to pressures, you must therefore resist all forms of temptations and undue influences from any quarters. Appropriate disciplinary sanctions will be employed in case of any form of judicial misconduct in the course of this assignment,” he said.

L-R: Head of Brand Management and Strategy, 7even Interactive Limited, Samuel Obasi; Creative Director 7even Interactive, Oluwatobilola Williams; CEO 7even Interactive, Taiwo Agboola; Copy Head 7even Interactive, Modupe Popoola; and Head of Finance 7even Interactive, Bisi Ajayi, during the 7even Interactive Limited 10th Anniversary Press Conference, held in Lagos, at the weekend

ANTI-CORRUPTION STRATEGY 2022-2026 MONITORING AND EVALUATION COMMITTEE...

The Attorney-General of Nigeria, Hon. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, (m) flanked on his left by the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice JedyAgba; on his right by the Director, Technical Unit on Governance, and Anti-Corruption Reforms (TUGAR), Mrs. Jane Onwumere; and on her right, the Director (Planning, Research and Statistics), Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Victoria Fila Ojogbane, with other senior officials and inducted members of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) 2022-2026 Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (M&E), at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja... recently

Aiyedatiwa Sworn-in as Ondo Gov, Assures of All-inclusive Govt, Appoints SSG, Others

Pardons 43 convicts Tinubu, Abiodun congratulate him

Deji Elumoye in Abuja, James Sowole in Abeokuta and Fidelis David in Akure

Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been swornin as the seventh Governor of Ondo State, marking the beginning of his first full four-year term after completing the term of his joint ticket with the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who died in 2023 after a prolonged illness.

The ceremony took place yesterday at the Ondo State Sports Complex in Akure, the state capital, two months after he won the November 16 governorship election on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).

Aiyedatiwa took his oath of office just after his running mate, Olayide Adelami, about 1pm and later rode in an open van around the complex, waving to cheers from supporters.

The ceremony was attended by dignitaries, including APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu;

He was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), after polling 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ajayi, who scored 117,845 votes.

Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti, former governor, Bisi Akande (Osun).

In attendance, also, were former Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; and ex-governor Olusegun Osoba (Ogun); Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Youth, Ayodele Olawande; and Deputy Governor of Edo State, Felix Idahosa, among others.

EL-RUFAI: TINUBU, NOT NATIONAL ASSEMBLY REJECTED MY NOMINATION AS MINISTER

that the decision was to manage it after we won.

On the question of imbalance in government appointments, el-Rufai contended that it was not a south-west problem, but that the president was simply picking his boys and loyalists into government positions.

“I think that President Tinubu's appointments are quite imbalanced. But unlike others that think the appointments are skewed towards South-west, no. Please, don't blame the South-west for what one individual is doing. As a northerner and someone that lived half of his life under military rule, we have suffered that.

“...President Tinubu is appointing his own boys, not because they are Yoruba, but because they are his own boys. And most of the appointments do not even reasonably cover the South-west. So people should stop confusing the two. The appointments are not balanced. But it's not a Yoruba thing,” he argued.

He added: “President Tinubu needs to do something about that. It's still not too late, he can correct it. But there is palpable anger in the North, and all the people around him, all those telling him that everything is quiet, they cannot go to the North and say vote for APC or vote for Tinubu today.

“But it's two years until the elections. It's not too late to correct things. And I have passed this message through many of those close to him. I hope they have the guts to tell him,” he said.

El-Rufai also took a swipe at his successor, Governor Uba Sani as well as his one-time ally and current National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, saying pointedly that they are no longer his friends.

“Look, Uba Sani has been my friend for many, many years. But he is not my friend anymore. Because for me, friendship is a very important concept. God gave us our relatives. He chose our relatives for us. We have no choice. But thank God we can choose our friends. And for me, a friend is someone that has some fidelity, some ethical and moral standards, and will be there for you when you need him, not when it's time to party or enjoy.

“And I try to live like that. And

those that are my friends know that I will be there for them when they need me. And I will rise and defend them. That's what I call a friend. Uba Sani is not my friend. Nuhu Ribadu is not my friend. They were my friends at some point, but not anymore,” el-Rufai affirmed.

On his troubles with the anticorruption agencies, he blamed Ribadu, the NSA for everything, alleging that Ribadu was bent on eliminating any viable opposition to his 2031 presidential ambition.

“This project of destroying Nasir el-Rufai is Nuhu Ribadu's conception. He's the architect and he's the builder of that project and he's the one working with Uba Sani to implement it. So far, it has been frustrating for them because they have not been able to find anything.

“In fact, what they have resorted to doing in the last two weeks is to be calling lower-level people and some of my officials and saying, implicate Nasir el-Rufai and your problems will go away. This is what the ICPC has become. The EFCC is far more professional,” he maintained.

He added: I have never taken a penny of it. But somebody wants to destroy my reputation. Why? Nuhu Ribadu wants to be president in 2031. He has to eliminate every northerner that he thinks is in the radar. That's what's going on,” el-Rufai stated.

RIBADU: I WON'T JOIN ISSUES WITH NASIR EL-RUFAI

In a statement late yesterday night, Ribadu declined to join issues with el-Rufai whom he alleged had been baiting him with attacks on his person. He however denied discussing presidential ambition in 2031 with anyone, saying his focus was on his current assignment.

see full statement below:

My attention has been drawn to the interview granted by Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State Monday evening. If my silence wouldn't risk being construed as consent, I would have ignored him. I am too preoccupied

with my current assignment as to get into a media fight with Nasir El-Rufai or anyone else.

Despite the incessant baiting and attacks I have never spoken ill of Nasir on record anywhere. This is out of respect for our past association and our respective families. I will not start today.

I however urge the public to disregard El-rufai's statements against me.

For the avoidance of doubt, I want to put it on record that I have never discussed running for president in 2031 with anybody. All my focus and energy are geared completely towards the advancement of Nigeria and the success of the President Tinubu administration.

I therefore ask Nasir El-Rufai to allow me face my onerous national assignment just as I do not bother myself with his own affairs.

Meanwhile, an author and a strong defender of the Tinubu administration, Reno Omokri, has responded to el-Rufai, accusing him of lying about his ministerial nomination and eventual rejection.

“During the Senate confirmation process, the National Assembly requested security clearance from both national and international security and intelligence agencies, and it was discovered that Nasir el-Rufai failed his security screening woefully.

“He was considered a diplomatic liability to Nigeria because, on Thursday, February 7, 2019, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai threatened European Union observers with death if they intervened in Nigeria's impending presidential elections, which were to take place on Saturday, February 16, 2019,” Omokri stated.

Omokri stressed that so strongly did the European Union view this threat that they wrote officially to the Government of Nigeria to protest and issued a public statement censuring Nigeria.

“Malam Nasir el-Rufai was also fingered as a major contributor to the genocide of Southern Kaduna Christians after he admitted on multiple occasions to paying killer herdsmen while he was governor.

“Thirdly, Nasir el-Rufai's govern-

ment was indicted in the Zaria Shiite Massacre of Saturday, December 12, 2015, where 438 Shiite men, women, children and infants were slaughtered in one of Africa's worst human rights violations.

“Additionally, Mr. el-Rufai was specifically cited for demolishing the homes of his political opponents in Kaduna. For example, he demolished the home of Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi and Inuwa Abdulkadir, the then North-west Zonal Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, who was an ally of Nasir el-Rufai's political foe, Senator Shehu Sani.

“Then, there is the demolition of another critic's home under the guise that the house hosted a sex party. It was later established that the so-called sex party was a prank, and the prankster was not even the owner of the building. Yet, the el-Rufai regime destroyed Aisha Yakubu's home,” Omokri pointed out.

Finally, Omokri said that el-Rufai's reckless utterances against Christians, whereby on Saturday, January 27, 2013, he insulted Jesus Christ, and on Friday, January 18, 2019, when he said, 'Even if I bring the Pope, Christians will never vote for me', worked against him.

“For these and other reasons, Malam Nasir el-Rufai failed his security clearance and could not be cleared by the Senate of the National Assembly. He has himself to blame for this, not the President or the NSA.

“Nigerians may recall that el-Rufai was not the only ministerial nominee who was refused clearance. Nasir el-Rufai and two others, including Danladi Sani, the Taraba state nominee, and Stella Okotete of Delta state, were rejected because security agencies refused to clear them.

“None of the others has blamed the duo of the president or his NSA. None. Except el-Rufai. Thereafter, Nasir elRufai withdrew his nomination and named his former Commissioner for Local Government, Jafaru Sani, as his replacement.

“The fact remains that Nasir elRufai is bitter that his desire to be a minister was scuttled, and in his bitterness, he is attacking those who are bringing betterment to Nigeria,” Omokri argued.

Speaking after his inauguration, Aiyedatiwa vowed to continue to prioritise the welfare of the people of the coastal state, foster economic growth and ensure that the state remained a beacon of hope and prosperity for generations to come.

He stated, "We are in a hurry to justify this fresh mandate entrusted to us. In the next four years, we will work with interested investors and our development partners in ensuring that our Port Ondo becomes a reality.

“We will also facilitate investors to explore our large deposits of bitumen for local use and export purposes, thereby generating huge revenue to the state.

“This has been the vision and goals of our founding fathers. There is no doubt that this would not be an easy task but we are prepared to frontally confront these challenges and succeed."

He said his administration's New Development Agenda, ‘O’ Datiwa, O’ Dirorun’ (OUR EASE), would focus on seven key pillars: Order, Security, and Rule of Law; Urban/Rural Development via Agriculture and Blue Economy; Revolutionary Tech Advancement and Industrialisation; Efficient Healthcare and Socio-Economic Welfare; Adequate Power and Affordable Energy; Sustainable Infrastructure Development and Tourism, as well as Education, Human Capital Development, and Entrepreneurship.

Aiyedatiwa stated, "We shall provide a level playing ground for all to maximise their God-given potential, while creating an enabling environment for all to optimise the countless opportunities that abound in our State. Let me assure you that nobody will be discriminated against on account of political, cultural, religious, gender or ethnic propensities.

"By the same token, I like to appeal to our friends in the opposition parties to join hands with our administration to develop the Sunshine State. We have no need for unnecessary political distractions which are costing us time, resources and energies that could be redirected and gainfully utilised for accelerated development of the State. There is room enough for all.

"We make a solemn pledge this day that we shall lead and govern with the fear of God and utmost dedication to the progress of the State. We will prioritise the welfare of our people, particularly the most vulnerable among us - the poor, the sick and the marginalised.”

Aiyedatiwa, who announced the extension of grace and mercy to 43 convicts commuted to various prison terms, highlighted his achievement within the last 14 months.

He said they included infrastructure development, provision of social amenities and public buildings while he has kept on the front burner the social well-being of the people.

The governor said, "We have impacted the state positively in agriculture, health, revenue generation, urban renewal, rural roads construction, education, employment, investments promotion and entrepreneurship.

“We like to assure you that the overwhelming renewed mandate you have freely given to us has further placed on us a huge burden of leadership and we promise never to rest on our oars."

He further expressed deep sorrow that his predecessor, Akeredolu, was not alive to witness his swearing-in ceremony, hailing his visionary leadership and tireless efforts in developing the Sunshine State.

Aiyedatiwa approved the appointment of Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, son of the leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, as Secretary to the State Government.

A statement by his press secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the appointment came immediately the governor resumed at his desk.

Until his appointment as SSG, Dr. Fasoranti, who hails from Akure South Local Government Area, was the chairman of the Ondo State Hospitals Management Board.

Aiyedatiwa also approved the reappointment of Dr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac as Commissioner for Finance.

For special advisers, the governor reappointed Johnson Alabi, Power; Dr. Seun Osamaye, Women Affairs; Comrade Bola Taiwo, Union Matters, and Special Duties and Prof Simidele Odimayo, Health.

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Abiola Olawoye, was elevated to the position of Special Adviser, Infrastructure, Lands and Housing.

The statement said, "All the appointments take immediate effect. Governor Aiyedatiwa urged the new appointees to hit the ground running in providing effective and efficient services to the people of Ondo State," Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Orimisan Aiyedatiwa on his fresh term in office. The president, in a release by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged Aiyedatiwa to use his overwhelming mandate to serve the good people of the state and build on the legacy of his illustrious predecessor, Akeredolu, by expanding economic opportunities, reducing poverty, improving security, and providing critical infrastructure. Tinubu stated, "I congratulate you for your successful inauguration today for a new term of office after an outstanding run in the last governorship election in Ondo State.

Journalist Petitions Ebonyi CP Over Threat to Life, Rights Violation by Police

Benjamin Nworie in abakaliki

An Anambra-based journalist, Mr. David-Chyddy Eleke has petitioned Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police (CP) Anthonia Uche-Anya over an alleged threat to his life by an Ebonyi State-born Unite States (US) citizen, Mr. Ikechukwu Nkumeh.

Eleke, who is Anambra State Correspondent of THISDAY

Newspapers and an indigene of Oshiri in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, alleged that Nkumeh and his brother, Friday were using operatives of Anti-kidnapping and SWAT squads of the command to torment his life and other members of his family for their refusal to surrender a portion of their family land to Nkumeh’s family. In the petition, which was

VC Seeks Inclusion of Private Varsities as Beneficiaries of TETFUND, NELFUND

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The Vice-Chancellor, McPherson University, Seriki Sotayo, Ogun State, Prof. Francis Igbasan, yesterday, appealed to the federal government to include private universities as beneficiaries of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and their students in Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

He lamented that the exclusion of private varsities as well as their students from the two agencies of the federal government amounts to depriving the students their rights as citizens of Nigeria and the institutions of what they should also enjoy.

Igbasan, while addressing a press conference to herald the combined 8th and 9th convocation ceremonies of the institution, billed for Friday February 28, maintained that the federal government has no reason to exclude private varsities and their students from the interventions as they also contribute their quota to

the growth of the country.

The VC then called on

President Bola Tinubu, the Ministers of Education and other stakeholders in the education sector to consider private universities as beneficiaries of TETFUND and their students as beneficiaries of NELFUND, stating that private institutions needed the intervention to develop their infrastructures while the students are also bonafide citizens of Nigeria.

He said: “Private universities are crying out, the TETFUND should not be meant for public institutions alone but for private universities also. Excluding us from the fund is a discrimination, it is bad, as the private universities are equally training the future leaders of our country.

“Similarly, excluding students of private institutions from NELFUND is like short changing the students, these students are citizens of Nigeria who will also contribute to the economy of the nation after leaving school.”

made available to journalists, Mr. Eleke called on CP Anthonia Uche-Anya to restrain operatives of anti-kidnapping squad and SWAT from lending themselves as agents of suppression and abuse of human rights in the

hands of Mr Nkumeh and his brother, Friday.

The journalist lamented that the Nkumehs have since early December 2024 been using operatives of anti-kidnapping squad and SWAT in Abakiliki

to hound, arrest and illegally detain members of his family.

According to Eleke, “I hail from Oshiri in Ebonyi State, Mr. Ikechukwu and his brother Friday are our neighbours in my village. Both claim to be US

Annulment of June 12 Election: Arrest, Prosecute Babangida

Segun James

The Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED) has expressed its deep concern and outrage over the recent launch of the autobiography of former military dictator, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida(rtd), titled ‘A Journey in Service.’ In the book, Babangida admitted and acknowledged that Chief MKO

Abiola was the rightful winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

Based on this admission, CHRICED said the former military president should be arrested immediately and prosecuted.

The NGO, in a statement by its Executive Director, Dr Ibrahim Zikirullahi, lamented that the annulment of the election, which was widely regarded, both

domestically and internationally, as the most free and fair electoral process in Nigeria’s history, was a disservice to the nation.

The group said: “Yet, it was annulled without any justification during Babangida’s regime as military Head of State, a decision that has left an indelible mark on the nation’s democratic journey. Babangida’s candid admission of his role in the annulment of the June 12,

HURIWA: Senate’s Summoning of Brekete CEO

Pro-democracy advocacy organisation: Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has described as deeply troubling the Senate’s decision to summon the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Brekete Family Radio, Ahmad Isah, over a broadcast involving

Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. HURIWA said in a statement by the National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, that the invitation trivialises the business of law making just as it said that soon, the National Assembly may spend the massively expensive legislative periods to entertain road-side gossip.

citizens, but the biggest torment my family has received is ever knowing them. “Since their return from the US last year, they have been grabbing lands belonging to their neighbours in the village.“

Now, Says Group

1993 elections paints a vivid and troubling picture. It evokes the image of a criminal who, after committing heinous acts of theft and violence, brazenly takes pride in his misdeeds, all while being celebrated as a hero by those around him.

“This disconcerting scenario is not merely a reflection of individual moral failure; it is emblematic of a broader societal malaise.”

an Affront to Press Freedom

According to Onwubiko, “The National Assembly should be the incubator of good and quality laws to enhance good governance.

Those who are made legislators by the votes of Nigerians should therefore, not turn themselves or their leaders into demi-gods. Sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria as clearly stated by the Nigerian constitution.

‘’Any manifestation of intolerance to divergent opinions by legislators, is antithetical to constitutional democracy and must be discouraged by all lovers of democracy,” Onwubiko stressed.

HURIWA said the summoning of Brekete family by the Senate typifies “a man whose house is on fire but goes about chasing rats.”

‘After June 12 Debacle, Nigerians Believe Votes No Longer Count’

Chuks Okocha in abuja

A former presidential candidate of the defunct Alliance for New Nigeria(ANN), Fela Durotoye, has said that the annulment of June 12, 1993, presidential election by former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, has a “devastating impact on the

Katsina CJ Warns LG Election Tribunal Members against Politicians’

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

The Katsina State Chief Judge (CJ), Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar, has warned the newly sworn-in chairmen and members of the state Local Governments Election and Appeal Tribunals to resist influence from politicians.

He said chairmen and members of the tribunals should be impermeable to all forms of temptations and undue influences from politicians and other members of the public while discharging their duties. Abubakar, who gave the warning yesterday while swearing in the chairmen and members of the tribunals,

said appropriate disciplinary sanctions await any erring chairman or member of the tribunals.

He explained that members of the tribunals must stand firm and avoid judicial misconduct and other acts that would portray them as being biased in their assignment.

Monarch Appeals to Traders to Lower Food Prices Ahead of Ramadan

Wole AyodeleinJalingo

The District Head of Jalingo and Galadima of Muri Emirate, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Lamido Abba Tukur, has appealed to farmers and traders in Taraba State to lower the cost of food items in the spirit of Ramadan.

Speaking at a ceremony to

commemorate the 40th anniversary of his coronation held last Sunday in Jalingo, Alhaji Abba Tukur urged the traders to consider the plight of the poor masses and bring down the prices of food items, especially that Ramadan is just few days away.

He lamented that the daily increment in the prices of food has

become worrisome and has further worsen the economic challenges of indigent persons which may hinder their ability to diligently observe the Ramadan fasting period.

According to the traditional ruler, “I wish to appeal to both farmers and traders to consider the plight of the poor people and reduce the prices of food items.”

Suspected Herdsmen Kill Two Farmers in Edo

Adibe Emenyonu in benin City

The sleepy community of Okpekpe in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, yesterday came under attack following the killing of two farmers by suspected herdsmen.

This incident came barely 48 hours after five persons were reported to have died after a clash between vigilance group and produce thieves in Gbelemotin community, Ovia South West local government area of the state.

The death of the two farmers were confirmed by both the community Royal father, Onwuweko of Okpekpe, HRH Peter Osigbemeh and the Chairman of the Local Government Council, Hon Benedicta Attoh.

Rivers Community Seeks Govt’s Intervention on Alleged Land Grabbing

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt Indigenes of Degema Community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State have called on the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to come to their aid following alleged land grabbing and threats by suspected local

security outfit in the area.

The community, while speaking through the Degema Kingdom Development Forum (DKDF), during a procession and thanksgiving to mark the first memorial of the alleged assassination of seven indigenes of the community, lamented

that they have suffered series of harassment by the security group disclosed as ‘Amama Soldiers’.

The community alleged that the paramount ruler of Elem-Kalabari, Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, was attempting to forcefully take over their land.

Lagos Rallies Lekki Economic Zone Stakeholders for Growth

Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment (MCCTI) has brought together major drivers and stakeholders in Lekki Economic Zone for collaboration towards accelerated development of the corridor.

The relations between the zones and enterprises became formalised

with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by Lekki Worldwide Investment Limited, representing the Lagos State Government, Lekki Free Zone Development Company (LFZDC), Lagos Free Zone, Dangote Enterprise Zone, Alaro City, Lekki Ports and others at Alausa yesterday.

Commissioner for CCTI, Folashade Ambrose, described the occasion as historic as leaders of enterprises in Lekki Economic Zone rose above the walls of economic partitions and organisational divides, to collaborate and set off a transformational shift that will redefine business and investment landscape in the Zone.

trajectory as a nation”.

According to the leadership coach, most Nigerians concluded that their votes don’t count after the controversial annulment of the election adjudged by many as one of the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history.

Durotoye, who was a guest

on a television programme, said the annulment of the June 12 presidential had negatively affected the mindset of Nigerians that votes don’t count on election days.

The former presidential candidate said the annulment of the June 12 election over three decades ago tampered with the voting behaviour of Nigerians and enthroned the culture of electoral apathy in the populace. He said: “The past does not shape the future; it only shapes the present. It is now that matters because we like to look back at the things that happened.”

Chuks Okocha in abuja

Afrobasket 2025: FG Pledges to Support D'Tigers in Angola

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Federal Government has assured Nigeria’s senior men's basketball team, D'Tigers, of maximum support at August’s 2025 FIBA Afrobasket Tournament in Angola to ensure a victorious outing.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Malam Shehu Dikko, made the pledge yesterday in a statement signed by his SA (Media and Publicity) Office of the Chairman NSC, Clement Nwankpa.

The team secured qualification to the tournament in convincing fashion

at the mini tournament in Tripoli, Libya by beating Libya, Uganda and Cape Verde in the final window of qualification.

Dikko said that all outstanding issues will be promptly addressed to ensure the players and the team are focused on the competition.

"We last won this trophy in 2015. Based on our podium performance campaign, it won't be out of place to target another success in Angola. They can be assured of our support at the Commission. I, my DG, Hon. Bukola Olopade, and everyone at NSC are committed to this one",

of Federal Government’s support in their quest to win the

in August

SV Award: Kuejubola Hails Green, Owumi over Nominations

The Chairman and Proprietor of Ufuoma Babes Football Club, Elder Eddington Kuejubola has hailed the organisers of the annual Sportsville Special Recognition Awards for the nomination of Davidson

Africa

A new milestone in sports and community development was achieved recently with the inauguration of the Africa 4 Peace Games Village in Delta State.

The state-of-the-art recreational and sporting facility, located at the Africa 4 Peace Centre in Ugolo, near Osubi Airport in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, aims to foster peace, unity, and progress through sports and leisure activities.

The Games Village boasts an impressive range of facilities, including an event centre, a fivea-side football pitch, a combined basketball/volleyball court, and a modern gymnasium. For younger visitors, there are bouncing castles and swimming pools, while indoor game enthusiasts can enjoy snooker, table tennis, chess, air hockey, and scrabble.

The convener and host of the event, Chief Sheriff Mulade while flagging off the games village highlighted the role of sports in promoting peace and unity.

He said the facility would serve as a platform for fostering social cohesion and youth development.

The launch attracted a host of dignitaries, community leaders, and sports stakeholders, who commended the initiative for its potential to transform the region.

Owumi and Barr. Chris Green for this year's award. Owumi and Green have been nominated to receive awards in the Achievers Category of the annual ceremony.

According to Kuejubola, a recipient in the 2024 edition, their nomination is a fitting recognition for hard work and great contribution to football development in Nigeria.

"Honestly, these are well deserved honours for two great Nigerians who have done more than enough for the upliftment of the great game in Nigeria.

"I want to commend Sportsville for appreciating and rewarding excellence in these exceptional administrators.

Many expressed optimism that the center would contribute significantly to peace building and economic growth.

With its modern amenities and focus on promoting harmony through sports, the Africa 4 Peace Games Village is expected to become a major hub for recreational activities and community engagement in Delta State and beyond.

Owumi, has, over the years proved how successful ex- internationals could be when it comes to football administration.

As the Chief Operating Officer of NPFL, the ex-Rangers striker has brought stability and respect to the Nigerian league. His firmness and honesty in dealing with the stakeholders have drawn admira-

tion from all.

"I am excited to hear that one's efforts are being recognised," echoes the soft spoken administrator fondly called “Okada” during his playing days. "This is a big honour to me and I appreciate Sportsville for this recognition."

For Chris Green, the Sportsville Achievers Award is another feather to his flowing cap of honour when it comes to football administration.

"This recognition means a lot to me, not only because of my pedigree in sports administration, but because of the organisation it's coming from.

"The quality and credibility of people behind this award is enough to celebrate.”

This year's award comes up on Friday, March 21st at the Prestigious Eko Club, Surulere Lagos, under the Chairmanship of Arise, TV anchor, Oseni Rufai.

observed Dikko.

He also assured stakeholders that the NSC will continue to advocate for the domestic development of the various sports in fulfilment of President Bola Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda.

Dikko congratulated the team for getting the job done at the qualifiers and opined that having more players from the domestic league in future campaigns will make such accomplishments stellar.

"I looked at the final rooster of 12 players and there were just two home-based players. We are planing to get to that territory where more players from the domestic league will be involved. Experts always say that a country's national team is as good as its league. This postulation is applicable to all team sports, basketball inclusive and indeed other sports.

"Our growth in basketball will be

measured by how many players from the home scene are good enough to play for the national team and not players who went abroad to make name for themselves in the advanced leagues before becoming key to the national team.

“This is why we will not relent in our efforts to have thriving domestic tournaments in all our sports. It is a mandate from the President and we are only the implementers. So we will work hand in hand with NBBF to make the domestic league stronger," Dikko said.

He also said the internal acrimony in the NBBF will be addressed in order for the domestic growth of basketball to be realized.

"We will work in conjunction with the NBBF to settle any and all mitigating issues. Everyone needs to be on the same page so that we can pull in the same direction", concludes the NSC Chief.

Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna Teams Share Top Honours at 2025 Lagos Polo

After three weeks of exciting polo experience, the epic 2025 Lagos International Polo Tournament came to a befitting climax at the foremost Ribadu Polo Ground in Ikoyi, with Lagos-based teams and their counterparts from Abuja and Kaduna dominating.

Lagos MSD BabyBear cosponsored by Mayowa Ogunusi and Mohammed Sani Dangote put the host firmly on top, harvesting three major prizes-the Low Cup, Silver Cup, and the Chief of Naval Staff Cup in impressive campaign of the grand finale week of the prestigious polo festival.

Seyi Tinubu powered Lagos STL team had earlier in the second week opened the door for Lagos dominance with a double honour, clinching the Oba of Lagos Cup and the event second most wanted prize, the Chapel Hill Denham Open Cup.

The Lagos international polo fiesta that galloped off with 33 teams fortified with top professionals from Argentina, Europe and South Africa, saw the duo of Lagos FK3 Pawa and Lagos MSR BUA teams running out winners in the Governor’s Cup and the Cancer Awareness Bowl to give an unassailable domination.

Elated President of Lagos Polo Club and Chief Host, Olabode Makanjuola, congratulated the Lagos

champions for their determination, commitment and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.

“We are glad that we hosted well and finished well as the best performing club in the country, while also thanking our visiting friends from other clubs for being part of this historic achievement,” the Lagos polo boss added in his closing remarks.

Makanjuola who commended the Tournament Committee for packaging another exciting and memorable Lagos international polo tournament, lauded all the major sponsors, partners and individual benefactors for making the 2025 edition of the glamorous tournament such a huge success.

“The Theme this year, “Lagos the Heartbeat of Polo in Nigeria” captures the essence of our vibrant city as the epicenter of polo. Here in Lagos, tradition, innovation and passion converge to move our sport forward”, the big boss of Lagos polo enthused.

While the host let out the loudest roar, visiting teams also had their moments of glory as Senator Hadi Sirika mounted Abuja Rubicon polo team pulled off a sensational victory in the oldest polo tournament in the country, clinching three glittering prizes, their best wins yet in Lagos.

The Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C) has passed a vote of confidence on its SecretaryGeneral, Remi Aboderin, amid recent controversy surrounding his role as West African Boxing Union (WABU) president.

The decision was reached during the NBB of C’s executive board meeting in Lagos, where they condemned calls for Aboderin's removal while expressing satisfaction with his performance.

President of NBB of C, Dr Rafiu Ladipo addressed the situation regarding Aboderin's ongoing dispute with the African Boxing Union.

"Our Secretary, Mr. Remi Aboderin, has been given a clean

bill of health from us. Whatever the issues he has with the ABU President, they should sort it out. We at the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control have passed a vote of confidence on him at our meeting," Oladipo revealed yesterday. The development comes just days after ABU President, Houcine Houichi, announced WABU's disbandment, citing allegations of blackmail, manipulation, financial misappropriation and exploitation of boxers and promoters.

To enhance efficiency, the NBB of C established three standing committees - Ratings/Rankings, Disciplinary and Contract/Verification committees, with different Board members named to be in charge.

Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, have been assured

2025 Afrobasket Tournaments scheduled to hold in Angola

L-R: Wilson Egberipou, Luke Anele, and Bayo Alli all winners at the Rising Golfers 2025 golf challenge held at the Lakowe Golf resort in lagos at the weekend

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

SERAP to

“Theincreasecreatesatwo-tieredfinancialsystemthatdiscriminatesagainstpoor NigerianswhomaynotbeabletoaffordorpaytheincreasedATMfees...inherently contributetoviolationsofthehumanrightsofsociallyandeconomicallyvulnerable Nigerians.TheincreaseinATMtransactionfeesoughttohavebeenshoulderedby wealthybanksandtheirshareholders,notthegeneralpublic”--Socio-EconomicRights andAccountabilityProject(SERAP),suestheCBNover ATMfeeshike.

ABATI

Babangida’s Book

The most important event in Nigeria in the last week has been the publication and public presentation in Abuja, of a book titled Journey in Service: An Autobiography of IbrahimBabangida.In many ways, this should be perfectly understandable. General Babangida was Nigeria’s military ruler (1985-1993), although he styled himself President, to show as he argues in this book, his preference for the Presidential system of government. Since he “stepped aside” as he claimed in 1993, and with rumoured and failed attempts to “step back” in 2007, IBB, as he is known has remained topical and controversial in Nigerian politics. The big things around his neck include the assassination of Newswatch journalist, Dele Giwa in October 1996 and the annulment of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election, which he has now openly admitted was won by Chief MKO Abiola (pp. 390 - 391).

General Babangida argues that “this is not a book about finding blame, inventing excuses or whitewashing known facts.”(p. xv). But that is precisely what the book is all about, for the most part. This is certainly not the first attempt to write General Babangida into the positive side of history, such enterprise has been quite an industry over the years for a number of intellectuals and non-intellectuals alike. The basic references in this regard would include Chidi Amuta’s Prince of the Niger: The Babangida Years, published in 1992 by Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi’s Tanus Communications. Interestingly, both Drs Amuta and Ogunbiyi are acknowledged in this book as two of Babangida’s friends who encouraged him to write AJourney In Service. The story is even more interesting with the reference to Dr. Chidi Amuta who after the annulment of the June 12 election, had written what sounded like a renunciation of Prince of the Niger in a scathing re-appraisal of Babangida’s Presidency. Dr. Amuta, like the alleluia chorus of praise-singers who attended the presentation of this book in Abuja, have with the benefit of hindsight, rediscovered their “Prince of the Niger.” This was the same man the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), the Nigerian media, civil society and others described as “Maradona” or “the evil genius. The hypocrisy that we have witnessed, the gutless amnesia on display speaks to the hollowness of the Nigerian character. History is written by the living and if you live long enough, you would find a ready audience for your side of the story. Students of the Babangida story in our national life should also remember the book, Foundations of a New Nigeria by Sam Oyovbaire and Tunji Olagunju, and Transition to Democracy in Nigeria (1985 – 1993) by Tunji Olagunju, Adele Jinadu and Sam Oyovbaire (1993). When Babangida turned 65 on August 17, 2026, two groups – Initiative for Equal Co-Existence and IBB for President Organisation organised a four-day carnival-like event in Abuja to celebrate him. The newspapers were awash with adverts and Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, his first Minister of External Affairs, delivered a friendly lecture. What is new is that this is the first time, apart from media interviews in the past, that General Babangida is telling his own story in full detail, and the product is a 440-page book in Five Parts and 13 Chapters, with a prologue, an epilogue, acknowledgements and appendices. It is an interesting, intriguing and engaging personal narrative about his life and his “journey through Nigeria’s path to the public.” (p. xviii). Dedicated to his parents: Isha Aishatu and Muhammadu Badamasi, “our fallen heroes, my comrade in arms who fought gallantly to protect the unity of Nigeria” and his wife, Maryam Ndidi Babangida, the foreword is written by General Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s military Head of State, 1966 -1975. I consider the book an important and welcome contribution to the extant literature on Nigeria’s political, social and military history, written by a direct participant for more than three decades in that history, and whose perspectives shed more light on not just the general history of Nigeria but also the

Nigerian military, the civil war, ethnic politics, coups and coup-making and the challenges of leadership and governance. Babangida enriches our knowledge and public discourse with his boldness to tell his story. This is an example that should be emulated by other Nigerian leaders, for it is from the interplay of narratives that a more robust context of our historical experience can be constructed for public enlightenment. I am however concerned that most of the persons who have been running commentaries on this book in the last few days sound typically Nigerian- commenting on a book they have not read, even when the full text was already in circulation on social media before the public presentation ended. There is more to this book than the civil war and June 12.

It is a sinful act of dishonesty and mental laziness for anyone to run commentaries on the basis of hearsay. Curiously, this is one book, whose open piracy has not attracted complaints about copyright and intellectual property rights. With about N17 billion donated at the book presentation and the launch of a proposed Babangida Presidential Library, the bulk of that donation done on behalf of “all Nigerians”, many think that the retired General is getting more than he deserves. Sometime in 2002, General Yakubu Gowon had publicly apologised to the people of Asaba over the 1967 Asaba massacre; on another occasion he apologised to Professor Wole Soyinka for his incarceration during the civil war. Perhaps, following this cue, Professor Soyinka during a visit to Kaduna prisons had remarked that Babangida owes Nigerians an apology for annulling the June 12, 1993 Presidential election. He does something close to that in this book, with caveats to which I shall return, but what is frightening is that rather than interrogate Babangida’s acceptance of responsibility for what went wrong, most of those who attended his recent Abuja event behaved and spoke as if it is Nigerians who owe Babangida an apology! This looked like they were dancing on Dele Giwa’s grave, and spitting at MKO Abiola’s tombstone.

In the first Three Parts of the book: Early Years, Early Military Career and Governance and Military Rule – The Murtala Muhammed Years - written in lucid and readable prose, the author leads us on a journey through his family background in Wushishi and Minna, how he came about the name Badamasi, and later Babangida, his early school years at the Gwari Native Authority Primary School, the death of his father, and how he ended up at Provincial Secondary School, Bida (founded in 1910), which later became Government Secondary School, Bida. He tells the stories of his teachers and

also his classmates, and how his stocky physique and sporting skills earned him the nicknames - “Blockbuster and Kulele”. In November 1962, Babangida and some of his classmates including Garba Duba, Sani Bello, Mohammed Magoro, Gado Nasko and Mamman Vatsa were encouraged to join the military by their teacher, Papa Onimole (later Dr Adeyemi Onimole) and also by Captain Yakubu Gowon, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko Galadima and other Northern officials who visited their school. In December 1962, they were admitted into the Nigerian Military Training College (NMTC), founded in 1960, the precursor to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). The Northern political elite saw a future in the military for young Northerners and had actively mobilized them to become soldiers. In Part Two, Babangida offers an insight into the early history of the Nigerian military and the training that he and his colleagues received at the NDA and the early friendships that he forged with others with whom his path crossed at the Academy. He and others received further training in India, at the India Military Academy, Dehradun now in Uttarakhand and returned to Nigeria in January 1964 as 2nd Lieutenant. In this part of the book, General Babangida gives an interesting account of the January 15, 1966 coup and the counter-coup of July 15, 1966, and the ethnic colouration that the events assumed, and this has been perhaps a controversial part of the book resulting in name-calling and abuses, which I find shocking and unnecessary. The author is accused of claiming that the January 15, 1966 was not an Igbo coup. He has been asked at what point did he arrive at that since he participated in the killing and marginalization of Igbos during the civil war and after. My own reading of the author’s submission is that the coup plotters of January 1966 were driven by ideology, rather than ethnic sentiments. They were idealists not ethnic gladiators. Major Kaduna Nzeogwu, who led the coup “was only Igbo in name”. He was born and raised in Kaduna and was “as Hausa as any!” (p.59). He was also the first Nigerian soldier with training in intelligence and in that position he and his colleagues were privy to the excesses of the political elite of the time. There were non-Igbo officers in the coup-making, and part of their plan was to release Chief Obafemi Awolowo and make him “the executive provisional president of Nigeria” (p. 60).

Babangida explains convincingly that the problem was what came after. It was an Igbo man, General Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi who emerged as Head of State after the January coup. This led to suspicions in the North that Igbos were planning to dominate Nigeria after killing prominent Northern leaders including the Sardauna and his wife and the much-loved Brigadier Zakariya Maimalari. The coup- makers were not punished, instead some of them were promoted. To worsen matters, the Aguiyi-Ironsi-led administration introduced the Unification Decree No. 34 of 1966 which Babangida says was “a significant disadvantage to Northern Nigeria” (p. 62). This infuriated young Northern soldiers who staged a counter-coup on July 28, 1966. There is not much that Babangida has said here that is unknown, either about the coups of 1966 or the Ironsi administration, but it is a measure of how deeply divided Nigeria is along ethnic lines that this has generated so much furore.

Subsequently, Babangida gives an account of the Nigerian civil war, the horrific circumstances that led to it, the blow out in the North and the massacre of Igbos, the Aburi Accord, and the beginning of the war. He was sent to the 1st Infantry Division in the Nsukka sector, under Colonel Muhammed Shuwa as sector commander. I doubt if anyone would disagree with the author’s conclusion about “the futility of war” (p. 66) or that “War is horrifying and painful. All wars erode human dignity in places and sometimes destroy the best in us and remain so for a long time.” (p. 95). Truly, Nigeria is yet to recover from that war that ended on January 15,1970. The scars remain. The country is still at war with itself. Part Three is devoted to the Murtala Muhammed Years. I find particularly useful here, the author’s reflections on “coup d’etats and the Nigerian

military” (pp. 104 – 115) especially his submission that military interventions in politics are often prompted by the failure of the civilian leadership and the political class and that the military alone cannot be blamed; the civilian populace often invites and welcomes military interventions.

On August 27, 1985, Babangida emerged as Nigeria’s new Head of State after a bloodless coup that ousted Major General Muhammadu Buhari. In Chapter Six titled “Mounting the Saddle, Defining a Military Presidency” (pp. 137 – 170), he describes the circumstances of his emergence and his priorities in settling down to office. Chapter Seven – “Reforming the Economy: Privatisation, IMF, SAP and other matters” explains the open, free market, liberalization and privatization directions of his administration and the IMF loan debate which led to a home-grown Structural adjustment Programme (SAP). In Chapter Eight, Babangida reflects further on some of the highlights of the new socio-economic order that he introduced – People’s Bank, Community Banks, DFRRI, and MAMSER. Chapter Nine is focused on Foreign Policy – Nigeria’s leadership of ECOMOG, restoration of ties with Israel, Concert of Medium Powers, Hosting the OAU, and the Technical Aid Corps. In the foregoing, Babangida thus deals with the highlights of his stewardship and whereas many persons may pick issues with his economic policies and manipulative political engineering processes, no one could readily doubt the fact that he ran a hardworking, well-meaning, charismatic government. He recruited some of the brightest brains in the land, from every part of the country, creating a cult of pro-Babangida intellectuals and technocrats.

It is in Chapter 10 that the author finally arrives at the controversial issues of his tenure. He calls them “the challenges of leadership.” On each of the issues, he offers “excuses” that are either downright disingenuous or that may be legitimately considered insulting by the affected parties. He tries to rewrite history. On the death of Dele Giwa, he blames the Newswatch team for “playing to the gallery” (p. 226), the media for hysteria, and he plays the victim. Years later, the question is still being asked: Who killed Dele Giwa? He was President of Nigeria. He could not solve the riddle. On “The Vatsa Coup” (pp. 207 - 231), again Babangida plays the victim, relapsing into a schoolboy tirade about how Vatsa had always been envious of his achievements since their secondary school days! Babangida should repeat that to Hajiya Safiya, Vatsa’s widow and her children, and have a second look at a documentary titled “A Widow’s Pains, A General’s Burden” (2006). He also reflects on the Gideon Orkar Coup, the OIC palaver, the 1989 SAP Riots, and the C-130 Air Crash. Other issues are covered in an interview with TELL magazine reproduced as Appendix II (pp. 342-379). Chapter 11 is a well-considered tribute to his wife, Maryam - without doubt an outstanding First Lady, a memorable Juliet to Romeo IBB, and an accomplished citizen in her own right.

In Chapter 12, the book reaches its highest moment titled “Transition to Civil Rule and the June 12 saga.” Here, Babangida tries to whitewash his own story. He says he regrets the annulment of June 12 1993 election. Mistakes were made. And although he accepts responsibility, he wants it known that Abacha-led forces were the ones who suspended the announcement of the results and when the Presidential election was annulled, it was done without his knowledge. He claims he “had a duty to protect the country at all costs” (p. 288). In retrospect, it looks like the General. was so afraid of his own lieutenants, he was more interested in saving his own neck! His June 12 story is a confession of cowardice. Is he aware that many died and Nigeria suffered because of that annulment? Many years after him, a Goodluck Jonathan as President stopped an attempt by a certain Elder Godsday Orubebe to derail the announcement of the results of the 2015 Presidential election. Where a civil war hero turned President ran from his own troops, a civilian President stood firm and defended due process and the rule of law. It is all about character.

Babangida