THEWILL NEWSPAPER July 31, 2022

VOL 2 NO. 31 • JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 VOL 2 NO. 31 • JULY

Stories Magical African On Ampl On Ampl ifyingifying Magical African Stories

Price: N250

Unilever Nigeria Posts 996% Decline in Q2 2022 Profit

FROM Uzoka: Six Years BACK VALLEY OF of Efficient DEATH Leadership @ UBA

PAGE 16

PAGE 19

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 • VOL . 2 NO. 31

PAGE 21

T H EWI LLNI GERI A

T H EWI LLN G

THEWILLNIGERIA

www.thewillnigeria.com

NEW NNPC:

Clean Break From The Past?

INSIDE KANO Community Where Illegal Miners Cash-in on Residents' Pains … pages 28-29

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

IS NOW WHOLLY DIGITAL I

Photo: Kola Oshalusi @insignamedia Makeup: Zaron

’ve often wondered what it would feel like to breastfeed. As exciting as it seems, the act has been known to come with some form of pain. And then there's the weaning phase where the mother also has to deal with lumpy breasts, which sometimes is painful because of a blocked duct. Jeez, the many truths that mothers hardly tell their daughters before they have a baby. What we often hear is, ‘labour is painful, but the minute you hold the baby, you forget all about the pain’.

No one talks about breast engorgement from your body storing milk for the baby. And let’s not forget the sleepless nights during your first few months of becoming a mother because babies eat every three to four hours. In some cases, especially with boys, you might feed them every two hours. Yes, that includes nighttime until dawn.

I think mothers should have such discussions with their daughters from a certain age.

When they have ‘the talk’ about menstrual cycles with their daughters (oh, we have a controversial conversation about this and sex on the downtown confidential page this week), the discussion about having babies and what to expect should follow at some point.

And because we don’t have first-hand information, women tend to follow so many myths about breastfeeding, most of which aren’t exactly true. So, as we celebrate World Breastfeeding Week from the first to the seventh of August, we bring you some myths about breastfeeding and the truths about them. Happy Breastfeeding Week, mamas, don’t forget to stay hydrated and exercise when you have the time.

VOL 2 NO. 31 • JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022

Speaking of exercise, staying fit has become quite the trend, so more and more people are hitting the gym to sculpt their bodies naturally in the hopes of looking like Greek gods and goddesses. But it isn’t just their bodies they are ensuring looks good; they go all out with their exercise ensemble too. Everyone is so trendy in their outfit; it almost feels like you are at the new season’s sportswear fashion show. Who says you can’t look good while trying to get your body to look good? See pages 4-5.

Until next week, enjoy your read.

Onah Nwachukwu Editor, THEWILL DOWNTOWN @onahluciaa +2349088352246

On Amplifying Magical African Stories

Scan The QR Code to Read on Issuu

VOL 2 NO.04 • JANUARY 23 - JANUARY 29, 2022

SPECIAL EDITION • MONDAY APRIL 11 – 16, 2022

Fruits To Help You Stay Hydrated This

Ramadan

Scan The QR Code to Read on Website Or Visit www. thewilldowntown.com

Scan the QR Code to Download current edition

Under Pressure?

Discover The Healing Power Of Sound Baths

New Edition Available Every Sunday @ 6am Nigerian Time Bye-Bye Racoon Eyes

5 Easy Steps to Reduce The Appearance of Dark Circles

What You Should Know About

PAGE 2

Say Hello to

Grammy Award Nominee

Austism Spectrum Disorder

THIS SOUND CONNOISSEUR WAS BORN FOR MUSIC

THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

THEWILLNIGERIA

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

THEWILLNIGERIA

PAGE 3

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

PAGE 4

THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

THEWILLNIGERIA

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

THEWILLNIGERIA

PAGE 5

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

PAGE 6

THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

THEWILLNIGERIA

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

COVER

NEW NNPC:

Clean Break From The Past?

BY SAM DIALA olitics is in the air and Nigerians are currently swayed by the ongoing electoral processes leading to the 2023 general elections. How far their focus on politics matters would go in the next few months is uncertain as the bad news of the economy is gradually creeping rudely into the public domain courtesy of the sudden rise in the Naira/Dollar exchange rate, increase in petrol price with their trickle down impact on the economy and welfare of the people, courtesy of the nonremittance of crude oil sales to the Federation Account by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, in the past seven months.

P

As the traditional cash cow that kept the Nigerian economy running with billions of remittances from crude oil sales for many years, the rebranding of NNPC as a limited liability company last week by the Federal Government has kept many alert to what changes that the new status will bring.

“The transitioning of the NNPC to a limited liability company is a laudable move. It would unlock the enormous value in our oil and gas sector for the benefit of the Nigerian economy and its citizens. The assets available to the NNPC are awesome.

With the right business model, the returns on investment will be phenomenal,” the CEO, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE), Dr. Muda Yusuf, told THEWILL last Friday.

Yusuf, who was a one-time Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, lauded the transitioning of the NNPC to a limited liability company, saying it would unlock the enormous value in the nation’s oil and gas sector for the benefit of the Nigerian economy and its citizens.

He, however, noted that the success of the company would depend on the extent to which the NNPC is decoupled from the political leadership and the bureaucrats.

According to Yusuf, “The business model must be such that it will decouple the company from political interference and meddling by the bureaucracy. The management must be independent and professional. Overtime, there should be a dilution of ownership and the company should be listed on both the domestic and international stock markets. This is imperative to alter the ownership structure and foster good corporate governance.”

Other experts have identified several ways of achieving the objectives of the new NNPC structure and steering the system away from the old order.

THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

Dr. Nnaemeka Obiaraeri, Managing Director/CEO, Taurus Oil and Gas Limited, a firm with expertise in finance and global oil and gas, advocates quick and total unbundling of NNPC to eliminate direct government control and involvement to the barest minimum. Obiaraeri told this newspaper that the government is holding huge assets that need to be disposed of to generate funds and also pave ways to minimise state control of the nation’s oil company.

NEW NNPC President Muhammadu Buhari on July 19, 2022 performed the historic unveiling of the New Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.

Coming after the nation’s oil company had towed the path of poor corporate governance, Nigerians were eager to see a truly new entity after 45 years of unmatched infamy: A break from the old order.

Over the years, the oil and gas sector, which contributes relatively less to total GDP (6.63 percent in Q1 2022), accounts for 95 percent of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings and about 80 percent of its budget revenues. With Nigeria ranked the sixth largest oil producer in the world, and blessed with the sweet, low-sulphur, top-grade Brent Crude variety, crude oil effectively remains the country’s economic livewire with NNPC as the husbandman.

IN THE BEGINNING The old NNPC remained a cash cow for the Federal Government.

Its statutory role, from the inception, was to manage the vast oil and gas resources of the country and generate money to boost the nation’s treasury with petrodollar. What happens to NNPC is felt in every aspect of the people’s lives, reflecting its old motto: “We touch your lives in many positive ways”.

Consequently, when the global oil market sneezes, the domestic economy catches flu, with NNPC conveying the shocks that define the behavioural impact on the known economic agents – government, firms and households.

As a rule, every month, the three tiers of government look forward to the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee

THEWILLNIGERIA

(FAAC) meeting. Bowls in hand, they converge on Abuja to share the national cake baked with proceeds from the crude sales as the main ingredient – supplied by NNPC. The quantity of the ingredient determines the size of the cake and what each beneficiary gets and defines their woes as the case may be. Not anymore with the new status.

A simple way to understand the depth of trouble in which the Nigerian economy is currently immersed, is by looking at what has happened to its critical source of revenue since the beginning of the year. For five consecutive months, the ‘old’ NNPC made zero remittance to FAAC as at May 2022. This anomaly was as a result of the huge sum of money spent in the payment of petrol subsidy, a widely discredited fraudulent federal government program, which has eroded the gains of the firm, and it gets worse by the day.

The national oil company disclosed in its monthly presentation to FAAC on Wednesday June 22 that the subsidy claims eroded the gains it had recorded. According to NNPC, which is struggling to generate enough revenue to cover the soaring cost of subsidising the product, the nation incurred an estimated petrol subsidy of N2.1 trillion in the first six months of this year. This explains the paradox of a failure to benefit from the spike in global oil prices amid supply shortages. It also points to clearly difficult times for a hemorrhaging economy in the grips of stifling fiscal policies.

For instance, the Federal Government, which had initially budgeted to spend N443 billion on petrol subsidy between January and June, got the approval of the National Assembly in April to raise the subsidy amount to N4 trillion for the year.

The World Bank had in its latest Nigeria Development update reported that “due to the petrol subsidy and low oil production, Nigeria faces a potential fiscal time bomb.”

This may escalate the 2022 fiscal deficit beyond N10 trillion.

With the nation’s debt stock hitting N41.6 trillion as at Q1 2022, there were fears that the nation might be using about 100 percent of its revenue to service debts. This leaves a meagre revenue for capital and other recurrent expenditures and worsens the fiscal challenges by the day, thus underscoring the fears that the country might become really broke and unable to meet its obligations.

PAGE 7

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

COVER

...Clean Break From The Past?

WHERE WE ARE Speaking in Abuja at the public consultation to the draft 20232025 Medium-Term Fiscal Expenditure/Fiscal Strategy Paper, which officially commenced preparation for the 2023 budget, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said on Thursday, July 21, that the economy was heading to a difficult course.

According to Ahmed, for the full-year 2022, oil revenues were projected at N9.37 trillion, but just 39 percent of the projected N3.12 trillion for April-January was realised.

Absorbing this ‘mess’ is a great trouble for NNPC which already absorbs the greed, corruption, mismanagement and inefficiency which the political space symbolises. For instance, the refineries spend billions of naira on salaries, wages and other benefits to workers despite producing no refined product in recent years.

The Port Harcourt refinery reported no income in 2020 but incurred administrative expenses of N19.22 billion, according to its audited reports. The refinery employed 487 new staff members in 2020. Its directors received N99.75 million as emoluments in 2020, a 67 percent increase from N59.66 million in 2019.

The workers, among the highest paid in the country, earn their salaries, promotions, allowances and go on local and foreign training while the facilities are idle. The government in 2021 earmarked about $3 billion to fix the refineries: $1.5 billion for the repairs of the Port Harcourt Refinery, while $897.6 million and $586.9 million were approved for Warri and Kaduna Refineries respectively.

Still, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, had said that the incoming government would continue from where this administration stopped in fixing the refineries “because government is continuum”.

NEW NNPC TO THE RESCUE In due course, the Petroleum Industry Act was enacted to give legal teeth to the creation of the NNPC Limited which means abandoning the establishment’s old ways for a new route on the Commercialisation Expressway. The new NNPC has therefore been described as a child of the Petroleum Industry Act, passed into law in 2021. The Corporate Affairs Commission, in September 2021, completed the incorporation of the new company which makes NNPC a Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) organisation.

Below are 10 important facts about the new NNPC Ltd: 1. Section 53(1) of the PIA 2021 requires the Minister of Petroleum Resources to cause the incorporation of the NNPC Limited within six months of the enactment of the Act in consultation with the Minister of Finance on the nominal shares of the company.

2. What this means is that with the transition, the government will no longer have control over the staffing of the NNPC. 3. Section 53 (5) of the Act stipulates that shares of the company held by the government are not transferable or mortgaged unless approved by the government and the National Economic Council.

4. With the NNPC Limited coming on board, the new company will not concern itself with issues of petrol price determination, and subsidy.

5. The new NNPC will no longer remit into the Federal Account Allocation Committee. This invariably means no more money to be shared by state governors.

6. Sector 54(9) provides that the initial capitalisation of the NNPC Limited will not be less than its financial requirements to effectively discharge its commercial duties and deal with its obligations and liabilities transferred to it.

7. Following the transition of the NNPC Ltd to a commercial entity, it is believed the Federal Government will put an end to funding the oil firm’s projects as was obtainable since it was established in 1977.

8. The PIA also mandates the NNPC Ltd to conduct its affairs on a commercial basis in line with the Companies and Allied Matters Act. According to the law, the company will run on a

PAGE 8

“

A lot will change. It may appear a little bit slow but that is expected considering the legal obligations required of a limited liability company transiting from being a wholly State-owned entity to a public liability company with shareholders interest

commercial basis in a profitable and efficient manner without recourse to government funds. It shall declare dividends to shareholders and retain 20 percent of profits as retained earnings to grow its business.

9. Apart from profit-seeking, NNPC Limited is expected to operate above board by mandatorily making disclosures for every financial year.

10. It is expected that NNPC Limited may decide to go public later in future. The NNPC Ltd management has indicated that the firm will go public in the middle of 2023.

What has happened to the NNPC is commercialisation, not privatisation. NNPC still remains in the public sector. The only difference is that as a commercial entity, it will now have to pay more attention to its profit and cost centres and take appropriate decisions purely on a commercial basis.

While the New NNPC may still have a relationship with the government, the same government can no longer have control over the staffing of the NNPC, and control of the Minister of Petroleum will be limited. As a commercial entity, the NNPC is responsible to its shareholders while competence, quality will determine recruitment.

What this means is that the old practice of anyone in government sending notes for NNPC allocation or employment would be untenable under the new arrangement. The influence of rent collectors would be watered down, if not completely eliminated.

It also means that the country can no longer depend mainly on NNPC for Federation Accounts returns (FAAC). The Federal Government would be entitled strictly to returns on its shares.

Moreover, the New NNPC is owned by 200 million Nigerians holding 1,000 shares each at N1 per share. This translates to N200 billion – which is the initial share capital registered in the Corporate Affairs Commission in line with CAMA. The shares are held in trust by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MoFI) and the Nigerian Treasury both holding 50 percent each.

WHAT HAS CHANGED? Most Nigerians are still confused about the ‘Old’ and ‘New’ NNPC, as they asked to know what really has changed. Others demand to see the practicability of the commercialisation of NNPC as a profit-oriented outfit, in the light of the existing structure of the firm. There are deep-rooted challenges with the subsidiaries that cannot easily be addressed with the current framework.

The NNPC Limited says it will send debit and credit notes for services rendered to demonstrate its own accountability. What will NNPC Ltd do if the government fails to pay? Who will the shareholders hold responsible?

Experts believe that New NNPC would not make any profit in the next three years with the current structure and workforce.

Moreover, all the loss-making subsidiaries of NNPC Limited and its leadership remain intact. Data from Statisense, a data consulting firm showed that the NNPC has 23 subsidiaries running businesses in both Nigeria and Europe, with some of

them founded in island countries.

These loss-making subsidiaries are still in “operation”. While the title of Mele Kyari has been changed from Group Managing Director to Group Chief Executive, the board of the subsidiaries appointed by the Federal Government remains intact. The transition exercise has further revealed the lopsided nature of the appointment of top executives of the old NNPC to the exclusion of the oil bearing Niger Delta.

Experts have raised concerns about the company’s employee structure, high credit sales, high indebtedness, low revenues and low gross profit as factors likely to hinder the success of the company under the new arrangement. How will NNPC succeed as a commercial entity with an employee level employed on political considerations? Transiting from a political or civil servant culture with a nonchalant attitude to a business entity with profit culture is considered a tall ordeal for the new entity.

An executive of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Mr Victor Ononokpono, sees the transition of the NNPC to a limited liability entity as a welcome development. He observed, like Muda Yusuf, CEO of Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE), that the benefits would take some time to fully manifest.

“It is a welcome development and a huge step towards evolving a truly national oil company that is commercially positioned to compete favourably amongst its contemporaries around the globe. It is, however, going to be a gradual process. Don't forget this is a Corporation that was structured and ran along a particular model for over 40 years since its creation in 1978. So you will expect a gradual unbundling of the various entities and strengthening of the administrative processes,” Ononokpono told THEWILL in a note.

He added, “A lot will change. It may appear a little bit slow but that is expected considering the legal obligations required of a limited liability company transiting from being a wholly Stateowned entity to a public liability company with shareholders interest.

“Don't forget about the plethora of Joint venture agreements with third parties - Assets and liabilities formalities and, of course, the remodelling of the 11 Small Business Units (SBU's) which were not expressly assigned functions in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

“The principal benefit for Nigerians is the repositioning of the corporation for profitability, which means more income for the nation, less wastage, and guaranteed premium services.”

An investment expert, and Vice-President at Planet Capital Limited, Paul Uzum, expressed concern over the possible impediments by the tardy structure of the old NNPC. He acknowledged the efforts to commence the repositioning of NNPC, but believed that not much has changed.

“The process has begun - making it profitable and independent of political strangulation. But fuel subsidy is still on. The government is still implementing price control on PMS; appointments into NNPC are still driven by political influence.

So, the commercialisation is just in name, not in substance. With the current structure, nothing has changed and NNPC will hardly be profitable until you deregulate. For me, the best way out for NNPC is outright unbundling and privatisation of the units.

Or better still, a Private sector-led Public Private partnership,” Uzum said.

Dr. Obiaraeri, who once worked for NNPC in the past, advised the Federal Government to model the New NNPC after the Saudi Aramco of Saudi Arabia, Petrobras of Brazil, Petronas of Malaysia and the ADNOC of Abu Dhabi to make the new NNPC work for the good of Nigerians.

He said: “Even South Africa and Angola have run their national oil companies successfully and profitably. Nigeria can emulate them and operate the New NNPC in the most professional manner.”

Obiaraeri wants a completely unbundled NNPC, reduced government’s holdings in the Joint Ventures, privatised refineries and deployment of effective steps to curb oil theft.

It is reported that the NNPC plans to disengage 500 employees with handsome severance packages as part of the transition process to a profit-making entity. NNPC Group General Manager, Public Affairs, Garba Deen Mohammed, did not respond to an enquiry sent to him by THEWILL on this report.

THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

THEWILLNIGERIA

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

NEWS C’River lawmaker Lauds INEC on Osun Guber Election

A

PDP member of the House of Representatives representing Calabar Municipality/ Odukpani Federal Constituency, Hon. Eta Mbora, has welcomed the outcome of the Osun governorship election.

He said INEC discharged its duty effectively in line with the Electoral Act and this would spur massive participation in future elections.

R-L: Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari; President Muhammadu Buhari; Chairman Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun and Vice Chairman, Hon Justice Mary Peter Odili, during an audience with President Buhari at the State House in Abuja on July 28, 2022.

CAN Opens Cocoa House in C’River Former AttorneyFROM BASSEY ANIEKAN, CALABAR he Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN) has opened a multimillion naira Cocoa House in Ikom, the commercial nerve city of Cross River State.

The edifice was constructed by some stakeholders in the industry and it will help to accommodate businessmen and women visiting the state.

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Cross River, Alphonsus Eba Ogar, inaugurated the building on behalf of Governor Ben Ayade.

Ogar lauded the state branch of CAN for its developmental stride.

The Chairman of CAN in the state, Ejor Obi, said the association was fully prepared to increase the production of cocoa in the state.

The Vice-President, Cross River/

T

Akwa Ibom and Rivers Zone of CAN and Chairman LOC, Godwin Okwu, described the guest house as a well thought-out facility that was topmost on agenda of the association.

Okwu said the current cocoa economy in the state was operating at less than 40 per cent of its capacity at the farm level, less than 50 per cent in marketing and 0 per cent in manufacturing.

He said that the Cross River cocoa economy had the potential to sustain the state's economy.

The association appealed to the Cross River State Government to provide 20 hectares of land, specifically at a government-owned estate in Effray so as to enable the association raise a cocoa seed garden and a demonstration farm.

Sanwo-Olu Commends Runsewe on NAFEST

BY JANEFRANCES CHIBUZOR

G

overnor Babajide SanwoOlu of Lagos State on Friday took to effusive celebration and commendation of the DirectorGeneral of the National Council for Arts and culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, to what he described as ‘Runsewe’s dogged patriotism in promoting Nigeria unity and cohesion.’

Quite elated by Runsewe’s promotion of Nigeria indigenous fashion and on this day in full revelation of the beauty of South-South dress patterns, the governor praised Runsewe for always putting Nigeria first in his manner of speech, public conduct, dress sense and above all, consistent call for the best of Nigerian culture and tradition.

Sanwo-Olu, who received Runsewe and select members of the technical committee on NAFEST, insisted that THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

Lagos State will bring a new vista to hosting of NAFEST in November, noting that the unity of Nigeria should be paramount in the effort of using culture as a vehicle of promoting National unity and cohesion.

Earlier in his address, Otunba Segun Runsewe disclosed that the technical committee for NAFEST 2022 was in Lagos to put finishing touches to the preparation for the iconic cultural event, appreciating the governor for hosting the technical committee and making all participants feel at home in Lagos.

He gave Sanwo-Olu the assurance that the NCAC would not fail in the mission to use the arts and culture to bring Nigerians together, vocalise the advocacy for love and temperance among Nigerians and bring all shades of opinion in Nigeria to love and respect each other.

THEWILLNIGERIA

General Notes Flaws in Jos Market Deal

FROM UKANDI ODEY, JOS

Mbora said this in Calabar, the state capital, while reacting to the outcome of the election and his party's preparation for the 2023 general election.

"INEC upheld the credibility of the ballot as envisaged by the new Electoral Law. "The electoral umpire should leverage the global commendations arising from the Osun governorship election to enhance a credible outing in future engagements," he said

former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Plateau, Hon Edward Gyang Pwajok, SAN, has carpeted the Plateau State Government on technical details and overall constitutionality of the Jos Main Market concession deal that it is putting together with Jaiz Bank, an Islamic financial institution.

A

The lawmaker expressed opinion that the impressive performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Osun would encourage massive participation in future elections, since the electorate have been assured that their votes will count.

In a statement released in Jos, Pwajok, who is also the immediate House of Representatives member for Jos South/ Jos East Federal Constituency, questioned the legality of the Memorandum of understanding against the background that ‘market’ is reserved for the local government area as a tier of government, as stated in the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria.

On his party's chances in the next elections in the state, he called on the members of his party to do away with bickering and form a united front ahead of the 2023 general election.

He advised his fellow party men to stop apportioning blame to one another and focus on reclaiming the state.

Pwajok wondered how the state government became ‘the beneficial owner’ of the land, given the “root of the title of the land.”

He noted that the manner of acquisition of the land, its attendant encumbrances, and the agreements pertaining thereto have to be cleared for any transaction or deal to be struck pertaining to the land.

Questioning the value of the project, Pwajok also wondered how the parties arrived at the sum of N9billion plus valuation figure, saying, “There may be a need for independent and expert valuation to confirm the figure contained in the MoU”.

He expressed distrust as to whether other stakeholders were consulted before the MoU was drafted, and whether the communities have been validly identified and informed of the unfolding deal affecting their interests.

Asking for the identities of the communities, he also interrogated the application of due diligence in the process, as he said, “There is a need for transparency and due diligence. We have a House of Assembly.

I have not heard from them, whether as a House or the views of individual members.

"Primary elections have been won and lost. Apportioning blames amount to an exercise in futility.

"What we should focus on now is how to forge ahead with a united squad to reclaim our dear state and reverse its downward slide," he said.

He stated unequivocally that the Peoples Democratic Party was totally committed to reclaiming Cross River as the state had been traditionally PDP before Governor Ben Ayade's defection to the All Progressives Congress.

He said that rather than dwelling on perceived factors that influenced the outcome of the party’s primaries, such energies should be invested in programmes and issues that build cohesion, harmony and the needed synergy among stakeholders.

According to him, this is the only way to guarantee a formidable force that can subdue the opponents in the forthcoming elections.

PAGE 9

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

POLITICS

BY AYO ESAN f there is one issue that has dominated the political space in the last couple of weeks, it is the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to field a Muslim presidential candidate and a Muslim vice presidential candidate in the presidential election coming up early in 2023.

I

The controversy over the single-faith presidential ticket started when Tinubu, who is a southern Muslim, chose a northern Muslim, Kashim Shettima, as his running mate.

Many Nigerians, including Christian leaders across the country, have opposed the ruling party's choice of presenting two Muslims as its presidential and vice presidential candidates.

Penultimate week, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, stirred the Hornet’s nest when he said, during g a television interview, that he rejected Tinubu as his running mate in 2007 to avoid a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Atiku said Tinubu wanted to be his running mate in the 2007 presidential election, but he rejected the idea because he “didn’t believe it was right to have a Muslim-Muslim ticket.”

He also said Tinubu wanted to be running mate to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, but he and others opposed him because he and Buhari were of the same religion.

“The Muslim-Muslim ticket has always been my fundamental disagreement. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multireligious country and there should be a religious balance in our leadership.

“He (Tinubu) insisted on running with me and I didn’t believe it was right to have a Muslim-Muslim ticket. That was

PAGE 10

“

Atiku

Tinubu

Atiku, Tinubu’s ‘War of Words’:

The Muslim-Muslim ticket has always been my fundamental disagreement. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multireligious country and there should be a religious balance in our leadership

the point of my fundamental departure from him.”

Shortly after the interview, Tinubu denied that he sought to be Atiku’s vice presidential candidate in 2007, saying that Atiku offered him the ticket and he rejected it.

Tinubu went on to say that Atiku had lost his moral compass.

From that point, an altercation ensued. Both men, through their aides, engaged in a verbal ‘war, ‘with Tinubu saying that Atiku had for the of “love of his own ambition” had “eclipsed his relationship with the truth and an honest account of the past.”

He said Atiku, in his desperate attempt to win the election by stoking religious bias, had reduced himself to uttering baseless lies during his exclusive interview with Arise TV.

Tinubu said, “We are saddened to see such a man become unhinged from the truth. So obsessed is he with his quest for office, Atiku is willing to render any form of untruth if he thinks it might gain him a single vote. Atiku may want to be president. However, all he has shown is that he is pathological.”

“Whatever moral compass he had has been lost. During a 22 July television interview, Atiku assaulted historic truth by lying that he did not name Tinubu as his running mate in 2007 on the Action Congress ticket because Atiku did not want a Muslim as his running mate.”

“Atiku has no business raising the issue of a Muslim-Muslim ticket except as a hypocrite. Perhaps he believes people have forgotten his antics during the 1993 election. After he woefully lost his bid to be the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, what did he do? He canvassed and lobbied harder than anyone to become the running mate to late Chief MKO Abiola. When it benefitted him personally, Atiku did not see anything wrong with a Muslim-Muslim ticket. He saw everything right in such a ticket as long as he was on it.

“Now, Atiku criticises my selection as running mate, based on religion. He does so because he cannot criticise it on other grounds. If Atiku were to have one of his rare moments of honesty, he would admit that the person I selected as my running mate is more qualified for the position than the man who joined him. And this conclusion has nothing to do with religious faith. It has everything to do with competence, experience, ability and vision.”

Following this was also a release from the Tinubu Campaign Organisation through its Director, Media and Communication, Bayo Onanuga, which faulted some of Atiku’s claim in the interview on Arise TV. THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

THEWILLNIGERIA

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

POLITICS

Implications For 2023 Poll One thing that political analysts and watchers of political developments had found disturbing is the fact that the altercation between the two frontline presidential candidates is on trivial issues, not what affects the generality of the people of Nigeria.

None of the two candidates, for instance, have spoken on what they are going to do for Nigerians, if eventually they win the election and how they are going to do it. Rather, they are arguing on what they had done in the past, which has no benefit to any Nigerian.

We feel they should, instead of ‘fighting over trivial issues’, tell Nigerians their manifestoes and how they plan to ameliorate the harsh conditions under which Nigerians are living, if elected in 2023.

“They are calling each other names and each camp is saying the other is not fit to rule. That is shameful. Why fight on personal issues rather than the problems facing the country.

Nigerians would have appreciated it, if the two were quarrelling on the best way to fix the economy or resolve the country’s security problems. It is unfortunate that the two leading candidates are not talking on issues as they affect the country”

Okowa

Shettima

Speaking with THEWILL, a member of Campaign for Democracy in Ogun State, Comrade Sola Olawale, said the war of words between Atiku and Tinubu showed that none of them have any good programme to offer Nigerians.

Onanuga in the release said, “We have watched Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s interview on Arise Television and were extremely shocked by the many lies and ignorance displayed by the Peoples Democratic Party's presidential candidate.

“In the interview, Alhaji Atiku exposed himself as a man who is not prepared for the job he is applying for and a man who cannot be entrusted with our commonwealth. He was flippant in his response to important questions about his record of service and how he made money while serving in Customs.

He muddled up facts and exhibited a befuddling absence of mind”.

He said the takeaways from the interview include the fact that the PDP candidate is a law breaker: “It was most shocking Atiku admitted that he cheated the system for decades and engaged in gross misconduct as a government worker. As a customs officer at the Idi-Iroko border, Atiku revealed that he ran a commercial taxi service, claiming, “There is no law stopping public officers from doing business in Nigeria."

Onanuga also alleged that Atiku had poor knowledge of the key sectors of the economy: “Atiku Abubakar also exhibited poor knowledge of history when he claimed that Abraham Lincoln, one of America’s famous leaders, contested the presidency five or six times before he eventually won.

“This is a beer parlour tale that has been recycled over time.

Lincoln contested the U.S. presidency twice. He ran in 1860 and 1864 and won both, before he was assassinated on 15 April, 1865.

“The false story about Lincoln’s failed presidential bids sprang from his previous failed state and national elections, from his state of Illinois. They were not the same as America’s presidential election.

“According to historians, Lincoln lost his first election in 1832 for the Illinois State legislature. In 1834, he ran again and won.

“In 1843 he ran for Congress, but lost. Three years after in 1846, Lincoln ran for Congress again. This time, he won and went to Washington. From established history, in 1848, Lincoln ran for re-election to Congress and lost. In 1854, he ran for Senate of the United States. He lost. Lincoln also made THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

“

In any case, if Bola Tinubu can forget the name of his own political party, why will he not also forget what transpired in 2007 and 2015? We do sympathise with him

another failed bid for the U.S. Senate from Illinois in 1858.

He lost to Democrat Steven Douglas.

“Our conclusion is that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is ill-prepared to be President of Nigeria, if he could bungle a television interview that was planned well ahead of the day.”

Atiku through his media aide, Paul Ibe, as if exposing the claim that Tinubu is not physically and mentally fit, challenged Tinubu to take the hot seat for an hour.

He said, “In any case, if Bola Tinubu can forget the name of his own political party, why will he not also forget what transpired in 2007 and 2015? We do sympathise with him.

“The fact remains that in a fragile and ethnically diverse nation, such as ours, religious and ethnic balance must be observed at the highest levels and from there flow downwards.

“We were rather amused to read the knee-jerk response from the Tinubu Campaign Organisation to the wave making interview granted by Waziri Atiku Abubakar to Arise TV on Thursday, July 21, 2022. Amusement because we expected this. Mr Tinubu has not sat down to do any prolonged interview for obvious reasons. Nigerians have seen him talk in public and can themselves gauge the reason why he is mortified to do so.”

THEWILLNIGERIA

Also speaking with THEWILL, Paul James, a public affairs commentator based in Abuja, said the duo were just wasting their energy on frivolous issues.

“But I think Atiku is right on the issue of Muslim- Muslim ticket. It is not a good development in a pluralistic country like Nigeria. We need to be religiously sensitive. We need to ensure religious balance and the APC as a party and its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, have taken a gamble and we shall see how it will play out”.

Speaking on the altercation between Atiku and Tinubu, Mrs Beatrice Uche said it was a normal thing in politics.

“It shows how competitive the race is going to be. I think it is a good development that we have two candidates who can match each other in so many ways. The umpire is yet to blow the whistle for the campaign, but they have started dragging themselves on the ground. It is good, let them hit the ground running,“ she said.

Also, Fola Ojo said, “You can see that both Tinubu and Atiku are not good enough for us in 2023. Please vote for Obi and the Labour Party in the next election. You can see, Tinubu said Atiku is a pathological liar and Atiku said Tinubu cannot stand for an hour interview, which means he is not mentally and physically fit to be Nigeria’s president. Peter Obi is not a liar and he is physically and mentally fit to run the affairs of the country. Let us forget Tinubu and Atiku, they are birds of the same feather.”

Speaking on the face-off between Atiku and Tinubu, a member of a pro- Atiku Abubakar Group, Dr Sola Babafemi Akinbade, said, “Tinubu has a huge and unfavourable perception index arising from a dubious mystery surrounding vital aspects of his life. Some netizens have argued that supporting Tinubu is the most difficult task to undertake. You will have to defend his age. You will have to defend his health because he claims to be well whereas there is evidence of dementia.

You will also have to defend his educational certificates as he claims not to have attended primary and secondary schools and his degree certificate was carted away by the military.

“When he called Atiku a desperate liar who should never be trusted, given this avalanche of falsifications about his entire life, who is the desperate liar?”

PAGE 11

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

POLITICS/INTERVIEW

Insecurity: Buhari Must Reach Out to Past Presidents For Solution – Tanko Dr Yunusa Tanko is the Spokesperson of National Consultative Front, a Third Force Movement. In this interview with AYO ESAN, he speaks on the worsening insecurity in the country, among other issues of national importance. Excerpts:

Which party have you now adopted as the third force?

What we mean by a third force is a major political party that is different from the PDP or APC. It means that there has to be a political party. So what we need to do is to either form a new political party or adopt a political party. The process of registering a new party is of course tedious and so we adopted the Labour Party. Now the Labour Party represents the interest of the third force. The Labour Party is the political vehicle that we are using as an opportunity to transform this country to a new horizon.

So how far can you go with this choice in the 2023 general election?

Well we will go very far because as you can see a lot of Nigerians gravitated towards the Labour Party. In fact we adopted the Labour Party before Peter Obi joined the party. What we have done was to adopt the Labour Party as our platform and as our collective vehicle to achieve our collective interest. And when we did that, we announced the adoption and a lot of people joined the party including Comrade Peter Obi. But that is not to say there are no other consultations going on long before now with the Labour Party.

You will also notice that we have the Trade Unions Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on board in this particular movement. And the house is in continuity with other political parties to give us a big tent to fight or contest for the position of President, Governors, senatorial, Federal House of Representatives and state House of Assemblies. So it is a big and huge movement that we are putting in place.

Which other political parties are in this coalition?

There are several political parties that we have talked to, those who are registered and those who are unregistered. Like the National Conscience Party, NCP and the Progressive Peoples Alliance , PPA and other political parties with whom we are working to have a big tent.

There have been terrorist attacks on the Kuje Correctional Centre and other targets in the Federal Capital Territory recently. What is your take on this development?

The truth about this is that there is evidence to show that there is a conspiracy against the state. This conspiracy is both external and internal. It is when you have a politically motivated leadership that you can be able to change the tide. I mean how can you explain that hundreds of motorcycles rode into Abuja and bombed the prison yard in Kuje and released the prisoners? That is to tell you the level of inefficiency of governance in Nigeria as it is today.

We cannot wait to have a new government that will technically resolve the security challenges in our country. This issue must start from the local government areas to the state level, before it will come to the federal level. All aggrieved individuals who have

PAGE 12

taken arms against the state must be consulted, so that we may know the root cause of the problem. We also need to train our policemen and armed men. We need to train at least 10, 000 of them, so that we will have enough welltrained policemen to man the affairs of our internal security. We should also ensure that our borders are not too porous. We should equip our military in such a way that they will have good intelligence gathering.

It will also be important to look at the recruitment process of our security agencies including the reward programme. If the reward programme is weak, it won’t give room for encouragement and so we must look into this. We must look into the economic importance attached to every livelihood so that our young boys and young girls will not be used as ready tools against the state. These are practical measures that can help to change the narratives as it were.

Some senators and members of the House of Representatives are calling for the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari. What is your reaction to this?

At the moment, it is not only the senate and the House of Representatives members that are tired but all Nigerians are tired and aggrieved. They feel if the president is incapacitated, he should resign. This is because I listened to the spokesperson of the president saying that the president has done his best and that the media should carry on the rest. That kind of statement is loaded and it deserves some explanation. We want to know if in fact the president is still in control of the apparatus of security in Nigeria. If not, I think it will be honourable for the president to bow out if he feels incapacitated.

Tanko

Y

ou are the spokesperson of the Nigerian Consultative Front, a Third Force Movement. What is this all about?

The National Consultative Front is an assemblage of technocrats, civil society groups, and leaders of thoughts, young boys and girls who are determined to make a change in the country. We came together under a platform to chart a course of adopting a political party that will lead to the aspiration of leading a third force movement which is devoid of the APC or the PDP. The idea of course is to bring credible Nigerians under a big tent to contest election in 2023. The ideological base is a pro-masses political movement under the leadership of Professor Pat Utomi.

So the National Assembly, I think they came in too late. This thing has been going on and there has been no solution. May be this attempt to impeach the president by the National Assembly will make Mr. President takes more decisive actions on the matter.

“

It is an urgent matter and the President should look inwards and reach out to past presidents, ask for their contributions to the solution to the problem of insecurity, so that they can join hands to solve the problem of insecurity in the country

How would you advise President Muhammadu Buhari on insecurity in the country?

Mr President should look inward, but, at the same time, he should reach out to his partners outside the country to ensure permanent solutions to the problems. The problems are very identifiable, that is like I mentioned earlier, the economic situation in the country.

He should look at this and find a solution to it immediately. If there are issues that he cannot handle, he can seek help. There are Nigerians that are knowledgeable in the area of security. He should also reach out to past Presidents, let them sit down and identify all the problems and cooperate with the president on how to solve the problem.

It is an urgent matter and the President should look inwards and reach out to past presidents, ask for their contributions to the solution to the problem of insecurity, so that they can join hands to solve the problem of insecurity in the country.

What is your advice to INEC as we move closer to the 2023 general election?

My advice is on the issuance of Permanent Voter Cards, (PVC).

It is true that a lot of Nigerians intend to vote and they want to register. It is important that INEC publish the names of all the owners of PVCs that are still lying fallow in their offices. It is also important that INEC should provide opportunities for all Nigerians to register for the voter cards. If possible, INEC should give Nigerians one more month to register and get the PVC. However, we must give kudos to INEC for doing the best it can do at this moment and the success recorded in the Osun and Ekiti governorship election.

What will you tell the electorate as they also prepare for the forthcoming election?

The electorate should look for credible Nigerians to lead us.

They can see where we are at the moment. They can be part of determining the future by electing credible Nigerians who can serve them and help transform this country to a very great nation.

THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

THEWILLNIGERIA

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

POLITICS

How Far Can Social Media Impact 2023 Polls?

BY AMOS ESELE

A

group of youths that had gathered at a popular newsstand, close to the pedestrian bridge at Ele-epo Bus Stop flanking a large market on the busy Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, were discussing the trending political issue of the day last Wednesday.

The reason was because newspaper reports covered the activities of the two parties. Even when somebody tried to interject with a reference to Labour Party (LP), the discussion, which turned heated and abusive at a point, managed to stay on the two parties.

“Obi kolo ibi kokon (meaning literally that Peter Obi, the LP presidential candidate, is going nowhere)”, one youth whom others constantly called Ekuse, said rather dismissively in reply to another youth who said something about the LP. Visibly scornful, he even ignored the reporter’s question to prove his statement.

“Open your eyes and do not wait until it happens,” an obvious LP supporter replied and walked away, perhaps sensing trouble from the menacing glance of others who brooked no interruption of the trend of their discussion, which went on for the next 30 minutes, dwelling on how, why and what of the fortunes of their preferred candidates on the platforms of the two major parties.

Assessing their engagement, an Executive Director of an NGO dealing with the electoral processes of the forthcoming 2023 poll, told THEWILL on the condition of anonymity: “Visibility and presence are essential to political marketing and the media has a major role to play in conveying these qualities to their readers through their reportage.”

According to him, although the media has since gone digital and news coverage has gone digital, traditional media still holds sway among many Nigerians, particularly radio, which is cheap to buy and portable to carry from place to place, even on android phones.

Explaining further, he said: “Nonetheless, social media influence on politics has attracted much attention because the LP and supporters of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, are deploying it effectively. The majority of those spreading the Obidient gospel are youths who form a major demographic in the voting population.

How far they can go in the 2023 polls is another question, but it is not going to be business as usual as the LP candidate is seen as a fresh face from those of the two major parties. Even if Obi does not win the presidency but manages to get, say 5million votes, he would have made the impact to give people the courage that they can make a change in the future.”

He added that the impression that the Obidient Movement is the only one dependent on use of social media for political mobilisation for 2023 election is incorrect.

According to him, groups for the two other candidates Abubakar Atiku of the PDP and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu are also active on social media, some as far back as 2013.

Pro-Tinubu groups have been active since 2019. The Tinubu Media Team created the ‘Arewa Youth Progressive Alliance (AYPA) for the propagation of Tinubu candidacy in 2023; Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu – located in Kano, Lagos and Ibadan, was created on September 30, 2020.

The Tinubu Support Organisation (TSO) Bola Tinubu 2023,” as well as The Young Professionals for Tinubu Presidency – created on October 28, 2019.

For Atiku, a group with different names consists of ‘Atiku for President 2023,’ created on February 9, 2013, but the name was last changed on March 16, 2021.

Another prominent pro-Atiku group is known as ‘Atiku Abubakar is Coming Next Year’ created on November 19, 2021.

Atiku Youths Campaign Group, created on November 1, 2021 and Atiku Abubakar Campaign Group Organisation, which was founded on September 17, 2020.

Lending credence to his summation is the low coverage, penetration and usage of social media by the majority of Nigerians. Unlike what happens in the developed world like the U.S.A where THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

Voting at the polling point

Their discussion centered on the activities of the two major political parties in the country, the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“

Visibility and presence are essential to political marketing and the media has a major role to play in conveying these qualities to their readers through their reportage

ex-President Barack Obama deployed it to maximum use to cause an upset in the 2000 presidential election, and his successor Donald Trump prided himself as the most social media friendly president in American history, Internet penetration in Nigeria is still very low.

But the comparison pales when it is considered that an African country like Egypt used it to mobilise support during the 2011 Arab Spring that led to the collapse of the 40-year old regime of late President Hosni Mubarak.

Also, during last month’s presidential election in the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos' son, Marcos Jr, deployed it to woo the youths with shallow memories of the dictatorship and oppression under his father’s government, which fell to the peoples’ revolution in 1986.

March Oyinchi, a former Information Assistant with the United States Information Service (USIS), who is now a digital marketing consultant, explained it to the THEWILL, thus: “It is true that Internet penetration in Nigeria is low, considering the country’s population of about 200 million. It is still largely an urban affair. Some of these countries you mentioned comparatively have lower populations. But more important is the fact that they have taken care of other variables like electricity supply (where Egypt power generation capacity recorded 59,063 megawatts for its 100 million population), which make it possible for service providers to extend their facilities at low costs. In Nigeria, it is not the people but the system that makes Internet penetration an issue.”

Oyinchi, who now leads one of the approved coalitions for Peter Obi, CPO, admits this. Using his own group, Movement for Change Worldwide as an example, he said they have penetrated much of the South. “Our major headache is the North. We have been finding it hard to get real canvassers to work for us up North.”

That challenge, he quickly submitted, is only a political challenge and not necessarily a true picture of what social media would do in 2023.

According to him, social media has 60 per cent coverage in the country, more than the traditional media of radio, television and newspaper combined. “But sadly social media has little presence of boomers, those above 50 years. This has created the impression that nothing significant is happening on social media.

Considering that social media information reaches far too many people almost immediately than traditional media, its impact cannot be underestimated in any election year, especially in a country like ours where many are yearning for change.

Luka Binniyat, spokesperson for 160 ethnic groups in the political Middle Belt, consisting of most Christian and animist populations in 19 states in the North, supports Oyinchi’s findings though in a way that confirms our investigation about the sway of primordial sentiments on the electorate.

He confided in THEWILL that the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the APC has made the group to re-strategise ahead of the 2023 elections.

“The decision of the APC to choose a Muslim-Muslim ticket has made us to rethink our strategy considering the marginalization and oppression we have gone through on the basis of religion.

We are considering the Obi ticket, though the various groups are yet to take a decision in that regard. We can mobilise 15 to 20 million voters across the Middle Belt, comprising Christian populations in 15 of the 19 states in the North.”

This convergence of hard politics and social media power being used by the political parties may go a long way to create the desired impact in the 2023 election.

In Nigeria, according to research, Facebook is the most popular social media platform, among Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, WhatsApp and Telegram, You Tune and Tik Tok, for example, though WhatsApp and Instagram belong to Facebook to make it the leading social media platform globally.

On this, Oyinchi said: “Parties will mobilise, send messages and instructions through social media. Everything immediately flows from top to bottom. Where there is no coverage, physical meetings can then be convened by those who have access to the messages. In any case, do not forget that APC used social media to good effect in 2015. So it has been confirmed that social media can have an impact on elections in our country.”

Even so, at 36 million subscribers as at 2022, which represents 18 per cent of the Nigerian population, Facebook is still far below the number in the country when compared to countries like Egypt with 56.2 million users among its 100 million population and the Philippines with 91 million subscribers among its 106 population.

In the Philippines, for example, fabricated stories were posted in 514 Facebook groups and viewed more than 89 million times.

If data on the recently concluded Continuous Voter Registration exercise is factored into the equation, then the 60 per cent of youthful electorate is up for grabs by the parties through social media because many of them are showing concern about the present circumstances like their counterparts in the Philippines, Egypt and the developed countries.

THEWILLNIGERIA

PAGE 13

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

EDITORIAL

Abuja Under Siege by Terrorists?

R

eports on the security situation in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja are quite disturbing. First, terrorists attacked the Kuje Correctional Centre and set free more than 879 inmates.

The terrorists operated for several hours with little or no resistance from the guards at the facility, many of who had, in fact, left their duty posts a few hours before the attack.

Not less than 69 escapees were confirmed to be Boko Haram insurgents. Many have since been recaptured and security beefed up at the correctional centre.

Then, last Sunday, a terrorist attack in Bwari Local Government Area where a Federal Government College is located, prompted a statement from a panicky Federal Ministry of Education urging parents to evacuate their children from the school with immediate effect.

On the same day, terrorists ambushed a contingent of the Presidential Guards Brigade, killing two officers, Captain Samuel Attah and Lieutenant Ibrahim Suleiman, and wounding several others.

For residents of Abuja, especially those living in

the suburbs, life has become one huge nightmare. The city is now notorious for being a convenient launching pad for terrorists. Viewed closely, the attacks on the Kuje correctional centre and soldiers of the Brigade of Guards, an elite defence corps, as well as the forced closure of educational institutions in the FCT, leaves one wondering if Nigeria’s administrative headquarters and seat of government is under siege by terrorists.

In context, this connotes a very bad omen for national security. The reason is that, in martial parlance, a country is considered conquered once its capital city or seat of government has been captured by enemy forces. It shows that the terrorists, hitherto confined to the suburbs, are now strong enough to invade cities.

The terrorists were even bold enough to threaten the life of the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Nigeria Armed Forces!

Although that verdict on the exposure of FCT to captivity is far from reality, it will require a stretch of the imagination to fault a likely possibility.

Sometime in 2021, Governor Mohammed Bello of Niger State, which is 120 kilometres to the FCT, cried

himself hoarse alerting Abuja to the possibility of a terrorist attack because 50 communities in five out of 25 local government areas in his state had been overrun by insurgents, who had taken to imposing levies on the communities, raiding the people’s food barns and raping women with impunity.

Abuja paid deaf ears.

Not too long ago, terrorists attacked the presidential convoy in Katsina, a few hours before they invaded the Kuje Correctional Centre.

Again, Abuja practically did nothing, except to issue the usual general statement restating President Muhamadu Buhari’s commitment to eliminating terrorists from the country.

If the attacks on the Nigeria

The Federal Government does not need to be reminded that one of the reasons why Nigerians voted it into office was to safeguard their lives and property from terrorists

Defence Academy, which is Africa’s foremost military institution, and the yet-to-befound-crashed fighter jets, is added to these accounts of attacks on hard targets, it is easy to conclude that the terrorists had done enough dress rehearsal to launch a daredevil attack anywhere in the country.

The Federal Government does not need to be reminded that one of the reasons why Nigerians voted it into office was to safeguard their lives and property from terrorists.

Still, the protection of the life and property of the citizenry is one of the constitutional directives for the existence of government in Nigeria. It is bad news that the nation’s capital city, a symbol of unity, strength and faith, has become the den of terrorists.

In all these, the principle of accountability and transparency appears to have been lost on the government.

No appointed or elected official has even been held accountable for some of the lapses that have caused this dreadful situation, which has led to the killings of innocent Nigerians and the kidnapping of many others for ransom.

On this note, we call on the government to sit up and rescue Nigerians from the abyss that their country is heading to, especially as ragtag terrorists appear to lay siege to Abuja.

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Austyn Ogannah Editor – Olaolu Olusina Deputy Editor – Amos Esele Politics Editor – Ayo Esan Business Editor – Sam Diala Copy Editor – Chux Ohai Cartoon Editor – Victor Asowata Entertainment/Society Editor – Ivory Ukonu Photo Editor – Peace Udugba Head, Graphics – Tosin Yusuph Circulation Manager – Victor Nwokoh Nigeria Bureau: 36AA Remi Fani-Kayode Street, GRA, Ikeja. Lagos, Nigeria. info@thewillnigeria.com / @ THEWILLNG, +234 810 345 2286, +234 913 333 3888.

EDITOR: Olaolu Olusina @OLUSINA [Letters/Opinions: opinion.letters@thewillnigeria.com]

PAGE 14

THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

THEWILLNIGERIA

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

OPI N ION

Sacking of 27 IMC Chairmen in Imo And Matters Arising G

BY SAMPSON UHUEGBU, OWERRI

overnor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has sacked the heads of the Interim Management Committees (IMC) and 305 Councillors in the 27 local government areas in the state, barely two years and four months after he appointed them.

Ifeoma Ndupu (Orlu), Uchenna Osigwe (Orsu), Nyerere Ogbonna (Oru East), Emma Mazi (Oguta), Amadioha Marcel (Ohaji/Egbema), Willie Okoliegwo (Oru West), John Eke (Mbaitoli), Engr. Lams ibeh (Owerri North) and Tony lwuamadi (Ikeduru).

Mixed reactions from members of the public, who feel that the non- elected officials had overstayed in office and should not have been allowed to hold sway for more than six months, have trailed the governor’s action.

Imo residents had initially looked forward to the appointments with some expectations. They had waited to see the calibre of people that Uzodimma would appoint as councilors and chairman of the IMCs. Some political analysts in the state alleged that he picked mostly his loyalists to chair the committees in the various local government areas of the state.

Some expressed the opinion that Uzodimma ought to have conducted local government elections instead of leaving the appointees in charge of the local government areas for more than two years.

It would be recalled that the governor appointed the IMC chairmen in March, 2020, two months after his emergence as governor of the state in January, 2020.

The immediate past IMC chairmen are Barr. Emma Njoku (Aboh Mbaise), Larry Obinna Chikwe (Ahiazu Mbaise), Francis Onyeberechi (Ezinihitte Mbaise), Chidi Okechukwu (Ehime Mbano), Olemgbe Chike (Ihitte Uboma), C. C ihejirike (Obowo) and Nkechi Mbaonu (Okigwe).

Others are Charles Mathew Ijezie (Onuimo), Chika Okoroike (Isiala Mbano), Gloria Mbadigwe (Ideato North), Mayor Obinna Nweke (Ngor Okpalla), Ambrose Nkwodinma (Owerri Municipal), Chukwuma Ikeaka (Ideato South) and Enyioha okechukwu (Owerri West), Frank Onyejiaka (Nkwerre), Kenneth Uka (Isu), Emeka Iheanacho (Njaba), Cosmos Iwuagwu (Nwangele),

Others held that he toed same line with his predecessors by rewarding his foot soldiers who worked hard towards his emergence as governor of Imo. Apart from that, it was also echoed in some quarters that with the appointments, what he simply did was to reward core APC stalwarts in the state.

Just as the saying saying goes, whatsoever that has a beginning has an end. The appointments were terminated on Thursday, July 22, 2022 after a meeting with the IMC chairmen at Government House, Owerri.

Governor Uzodimma thanked them for the services they rendered in their different local government areas and loyalty since their appointment about two and half years ago. But it was not fair that throughout their stay in in the LGAs, the governor never visited or toured the 27 LGAs to find out if the appointees delivered as expected.

Due to security challenges, Njaba, Orsu, Orlu, Oru East and Oru West Local government headquarters have been deserted by their staff for safety.

Some of the sacked IMC Chairmen lived in Owerri, the state capital whereas they ought to have been domiciled in the headquarters of each of the LGAs. Sadly the local government areas, which used to be beehives of activities, are now shadows of their old selves. When will they come alive again? What about the monthly allocations from the Federal Government?

The Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs under the supervision of Hon. Rubby Emele had ensured that local government areas in the state received their statutory entitlements, but they were not monitored. It is not known if the funds were reasonably utilized or not.

Even as Uzodimma has promised to hold local government elections any moment from now and to appoint sole administrators, who will oversee the election in August, 2022, it is worrisome that local government areas that are known for governance at the grassroots are no longer as functional and useful to the rural people as they used to be. As a result, the people certainly do not feel the impact of the government’s actions.

•Uhuegbu is a journalist based in Owerri, Imo State

Obaseki And Verdict of Posterity T

BY CRUSOE OSAGIE he verdict of posterity cannot be rigged. Usually, it delivers the final judgement, after all jealousy, political bickering, ill-will and media hype are no longer in play.

I have reserved a copious amount of sympathy for whoever the next Governor of Edo State is going to be after His Excellency, Mr Godwin Obaseki, disembarks on November 12, 2024.

The grim political and economic outlook of our country, coupled with the sheer colossal amount of development Obaseki has managed to churn out with such limited resources would certainly create a towering legacy, which his successor will grapple with.

Many states in Nigeria, in the past six years, have been essentially rudderless. This is the result of a complete change in the paradigm of governance. It used to be that governors would head to Abuja monthly to collect reasonable amounts of money, go back home to pay salaries and use what is left for pockets of capital projects across their states. Not so straightforward anymore. In the last six years, the fundamental change in revenue patterns has left states comatose.

Governor Obaseki has, however, shone brightly amid the gloom, leveraging private capital.

Three weeks ago, we visited two communities in Orhionmwon and Ikpoba Okha Local Government Areas of Edo State, where a $250 million agribusiness investment is unravelling.

This multi-million-dollar investment comprises two integrated farm projects, one of which is a 10,000-hectare oil palm estate and the other, a cassava project, accompanied by an ethanol production plant, which will get its feedstock from the vast cassava farm.

At the last count, the state has over 62,000 hectares of oil palm plantations undergoing development with private companies leading the charge, resulting in the largest THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

ever oil palm development project in the history of the country.

Under the governor’s watch, there is a revolution in the education sector, which has seen the training of not less than 15,000 teachers on tech-driven teaching methods and delivering globally-rated education to over 200,000 pupils across the state. The project tagged EdoBEST 2.0, has been expanded to secondary and tertiary institutions in the state, creating a knowledge pipeline to drive sustainability, impact and prosperity.

Obaseki’s digitisation drive has led to transformational partnerships with technology companies such as Facebook, MainOne and Global Independent Connect Limited (GICL), which has resulted in the laying of over 400km of fibre optic cables, which serve as a superstructure for the state’s technology ecosystem, creating a new lease of life for business and technology hubs, expanding internet access for entrepreneurs, tech workers, government agencies and schools.

The ecosystem has birthed a knowledge economy through which not less than 150,000 youths have received Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training, and are gainfully employed. Conscious of the need to create high-net worth startups and a globally sought-after talent base, the governor entered into an agreement with a talent training firm, Decagon, to train not less than 15,000 elite software engineers at the Edo Tech Park, a campus-style institution for training a new corps of young technology trend-setters.

There are quite a few individuals across the political class in Nigeria who hate Obaseki’s guts; and one would understand why this is the case, because he appears to be making headway where others see roadblocks and an insurmountable financial hurdle. Where a lot of states have cut salaries due to dwindling revenue from the centre, the governor announced a new peg for minimum wage in the state – N40,000. This is above the national average, which puts Edo far above other states, as the

THEWILLNIGERIA

highest paying public employer in Nigeria.

The governor’s astute ability to manage resources and capacity to leverage private capital to finance projects have no doubt set him apart from the pack. He sees opportunity in chaos. This can be said to be one of the game-changing skill sets that has ensured the Edo success story.

It is this attitude to adversity that has earned him enemies.

His frankness has also not particularly won him friends.

He speaks his mind on serious issues when others won’t, for fear of political backlash. Be it the abysmal management of the nation’s economy or the new rave of Nigeria’s youth dispassion towards the two major parties, he is in his element when speaking truth to power – especially the political class.

Although his numerous jaw-dropping projects sprawl across the state, a few who have chosen to be willfully blind still take up the uphill task of criticising Obaseki unjustly.

However, because posterity is the final judge, the Edo State Governor, who is 65 years today, has no reason to worry.

This impartial judge has since vindicated former Governor of Bendel State, Professor Ambrose Alli, who was initially sent to prison for his fidelity to his people.

Also, former Governor of Midwest State (later Bendel State) Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, has had his name etched in gold by the same impartial judge, who does not have political affiliations.

In much the same way, posterity will rise in the defence of Obaseki’s legacies for decades to come, even though many, due to their personal biases, would wish it to do otherwise.

•Osagie is Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Projects.

PAGE 15

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R

www.t hew i llni g eri a. c om VOL .2 N O.3 1

•

UNILEVER NIG. PLC. PERFORMANCE DATA

Q2 2022

Q2 2021

Q1 2022

(N’bn, m)

(N’bn, m)

(N’bn,m)

50BN

16.21 bn

11.88 bn

13.38 bn

16.33 bn

23.24 bn

20.56 bn

10BN

1.20 bn 507.46m

121.13m

110.37m

B

C

D

Cost of Sales

C

Marketing & Admin Exp.

D

Sales & Dist. Exp.

G

11.09m

0 A

B

F PAT

1.76 bn

628.27m

650.53m

2.24 bn

749m

100M

Revenue

E PBT

4.05 bn

3.43 bn

4.82 bn

1.01 bn

1.27 bn

1BN

A

E

F

Finance Costs

G

Cruz

Source; Company’s Annual Reports.

Unilever Nigeria Posts 996% Decline in Q2 2022 Profit

BY SAM DIALA

U

nilever Nigeria Plc recorded a profit after tax (PAT) decline of 996.4 percent in its second quarter (April – June) 2022 operations as shown in its interim half-year report submitted to The Exchange and posted on its website. The foremost FastMoving Consumer Goods (FMCG) firm recorded a post-tax profit of N110.4 million, year-to-year, from N1.2 billion achieved in the corresponding period (April – June) of 2021.

This reflects the worsening economic headwinds that have created severe pressure on the real sector, especially manufacturing firms, which have continued to bear the brunt of rising inflation occasioned by high cost of diesel and slump in the value of the Naira. Manufacturing firms that rely on the input of the backward integration programme, a policy that promotes local sourcing of raw materials, are also battling with the severe economic challenges notwithstanding the significant increase in the price of their products.

An analysis of Unilever’s Q2 2022 report revealed that the FMCG company operated under financial pressure during the period, as financial costs rose to N507.46 million from N11.09 million in the corresponding period of 2021, reflecting a 4,510 percent jump. Compared to the preceding period (Q1 2022), the increase was also remarkably high. It jumped from N121.13 to N507.46 million suggesting that the firm’s fortune began to experience the downward slope in its 2021 operations.

Environmental effects on its business were equally not friendly.

Cost of sales jumped from N11.88 billion in Q2 2021 to N16.21 billion in the review period, showing a rise of 36 percent – a

reflection of the rising inflationary trend since the year from 15.60 percent in January to 16.8 percent in June 2022, a rise of 120 basis points. Selling and distribution expenses increased to N1.27 billion from N749 million in the corresponding period, or 70 percent rise, while marketing and administrative expenses followed the same upward trajectory to N4.82 billion from N3.43 billion in Q2 2021, a jump of 41 percent.

The finance costs pressure impacted the gains recorded in revenue which rose by 42.4 percent from N16.33 billion to N23.24 billion – a positive trend that began to show in the year with Q1 2022 revenue jumping 13 percent to N23.24 billion from N20.56 billion in the preceding quarter.

A segregation of the data revealed that revenue for food products rose to N10.43 billion from N7.18 billion in the corresponding period (Q2 2021), while home and personal care items also increased: from N9.15 billion in Q2 2021 to N12.81 billion showing a 40 percent jump. The firm’s sluggish growth reflected in its earnings per share performance which declined from 0.21k (in Q2 2021) to 0.02k in the review period.

Unilever’s Corporate Affairs Department did not respond to the enquiry by this newspaper on the firm’s Q2 2022 performance.

Commenting on the firm’s Q2 2022 performance, Dr Biodun Adedipe, Chief Consultant, B. Adedipe Associates Limited, a management and financial services firm, observed that Unilever is facing challenges of economic headwinds among other unfavourable circumstances.

Continues on page 17

BY ANTHONY AWUNOR

S

takeholders in the nation's aviation industry have declared that Nigeria has an aviation crisis and emergency in the operators’ hands as the number of airlines continues to shrink. Recently, some aviation staff had joined the general strike convened by

PAGE 16

the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and two of the biggest and most recognised Nigerian airlines had stopped their flight operations.

First, it was Aero Contractors and two days later, it was the Continues on page 17

MORE INSIDE

FCMB Group Grosses N126.2bn in First Half-Year 2022

FBN Holdings Reports N56.5bn PBT For H1 ’02

F

PAGE 18

Guinness Nigeria Announces Final Dividend of N7.14 Per 50k Ordinary Share PAGE 18

Adeduntan

Deepening Aviation Crises Worry Stakeholders as Airlines Shrink

BN Holdings, the parent company of Nigeria’s oldest financial institution, FirstBank, posted a post-tax profit of N56.5 billion at mid-year, its earnings report showed Friday, a level never before seen since it transfigured into a holdco more or less a decade ago.

That was enabled by an expansion by two-fifths in interest income to N226.4 billion, which itself dominantly aided the 22.4 per cent boost Continues on page 18

THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

THEWILLNIGERIA

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

AVIATION/INDUSTRY Unilever Nigeria Posts 996% Decline in Q2 2022 Profit

Continued from page 16

Continued from page 16

Benin Airport

Deepening Aviation Crises Worry Stakeholders as Airlines Shrink

turn of Dana Air. Aero Contractors was forced to fold the wings of its scheduled flights due to exorbitant and unsustainable expenditures they have to incur in order to operate their scheduled flights and lack of equipment needed for their processes.

Similarly, Dana Air was forced to quit the field operation over poor liquidity by the apex regulator, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). In both cases the result was stranded angry and, in some cases, violent passengers that had to deal with disrupted plans and the challenges of looking for replacement flights at prices way higher than what they initially budgeted and paid According to aviation experts, the situation is a crisis because the high cost of flights and shutting down of airlines in a country as big as Nigeria looks very bad.

Prof Anthony Kila, Centre Director at Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS), Lagos made the observation weekend at the 26th annual conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) with the theme: ‘Sunset Airports: Economic and Safety Implications,’ held in Lagos.

Prof Kila, therefore, advised that the authorities need to act swiftly and decisively to deal with this situation so that this very bad situation the country has at hand does not turn into an unmanageable disaster.

In his paper titled, ‘Time to Rethink and Reset Aviation,’ Kila stated that decisive actions in this case will require a total rethink and resetting of the way Nigeria conceive and manage their aviation manners. He pointed out that the impression that aviation is a sector that services the elites or the privileged, is however an anachronistic misconception that needs to be

“

Domestic airline operators in Nigeria have lost, at least N4.3 billion annually due to their restriction to operate 24 hours flight daily to the airports of their choice

deliberately and assertively corrected.

Advising that the role of regulators in the sector needs to be radically modified, Kila said, "At the moment, our aviation regulators seem to come alive and are felt by many only when they disrupt, we seem to know they are there only after they have been grounded or suspended".

"The regulator of a basic and essential service should be and must be seen to be committed to the delivery of services not its suspension, regardless of how noble their intentions are.

The NCAA should be known for what it is doing to help airlines fly and we should all be educated to know that they are doing so because of the general good not as a favour to a company, private or public it does not matter".

For the sake of consumers and citizens, Prof Kila also noted that aviation regulators should be working like a clearing house on ensuring that stranded passengers of delayed and cancelled flights can fly with the next available flights just as debit and credit card holders issued by one bank can easily withdraw money from the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) of any available bank.

Also worried about the state of aviation in the country, Mr George Uriesi, the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Ibom Air said that the lack of 24 hours flight operations to major routes in Nigeria was impeding the growth of the airlines.

According to Uriesi domestic airline operators in Nigeria have lost, at least N4.3 billion annually due to their restriction to operate 24 hours flight daily to the airports of their choice Uriesi in his paper, ‘Maximising Runway Utilisation: A Nigerian Airline Perspective,’ stated that the country’s carriers are losing an average of N4 million per flight, N12 million in every flight, N360 million in 90 flights and N4.3 billion annually on every flight lost to sunset airport operations.

This restriction, Uriesi noted, has led to a huge underutilisation of aircraft fleets by the Nigerian airlines as against the global industry standards.

He added “This is due partly because of too many impediments in the operating environment that limit airline productivity.

These include limited runway availability across the domestic network, multiple operational infrastructure deficiencies, poor organisation and many others.”

•Continues online at www.thewillnigeria.com

THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

THEWILLNIGERIA

“No doubt, the company is facing challenges of economic headwinds that have caused escalation of the cost of doing business in Nigeria as well as capital structure that made it to depend more on borrowing, which is an expensive source of fund at the present moment in Nigeria.

“Others include limited space for increase in product prices, which may play out in two ways of buyer resistance and/or competitiveness and inability to effectively manage costs. Proper cost profiling should still leave some scope for cost management – a situation like this warrants reworking the business model, right through the supply chains to internal workings of the firm.

“Perhaps the firm has to intensify local sourcing of inputs and deliberately reduce its vulnerability to exchange rate movements. These are the issues I can immediately raise in this situation of Unilever,” the renowned Economist told THEWILL in a note.

A study by THEWILL earlier in the year showed that the performances of Nigeria’s FMCG firms were severely impacted by a tough operating environment in the first quarter of the year (Q1 2022). Spiral inflation, decline in consumer demand, wrong-headed policies, among the others, combined to create a regime of high operating costs for the companies surveyed.

An analysis of the Q1 2022 interim reports revealed that the companies struggled to lift margins. Their profit and revenue haul showed an average 50 percent growth year-on-year, while the key six cost/expenses indices revealed an average 92 percent increase. The selected key cost areas include Tax Expenses, Cost of Sales, Administrative Cost, Sales/Marketing Distribution, Raw Materials/Inventory and Employee Expenses/Entitlements.

Data from the firms’ interim reports showed a significant increase in their operating costs which could lead to downscaling in the firms’ operations, or outright downsizing to remain in business.

Stakeholders and industry experts believe that the firms must take drastic measures to avoid sinking in the miry clay of high operating expenses as raging inflation continues.

The six quoted major FMCG firms surveyed include Nigerian Breweries Plc, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Cadbury Nigeria Plc and Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc. They have a combined market capitalisation of N2.3 trillion and constitute over 60 percent of total market capitalisation of the Consumer Goods Sector amounting to N3.36 trillion as of Friday May 13, 2022.

The highest expenses window recorded by the six surveyed firms was in cost of sales (COS) which jumped from N216.3 billion in Q1 2021 to N269.9 billion in Q1 2022, representing a 24.8 percent increase. The COS is the

“

No doubt, the company is facing challenges of economic headwinds that have caused escalation of the cost of doing business in Nigeria as well as capital structure that made it to depend more on borrowing, which is an expensive source of fund at the present moment in Nigeria

accumulated total of all costs used to create a product or service which has been sold. It represents the direct costs related to the manufacturing of goods and services that are sold.

The companies’ raw/packaging materials inventories showed a total of N161.4 billion during the three months of the year, a 20 percent rise from N134.7 billion spent in the corresponding period in 2021.

Employee expenses/entitlements during the period grew by 23 percent to N63.6 billion from N51.8 billion posted in Q1 2021, with Unilever recording the highest employee/ personnel expenses/entitlements of N37.9 billion followed by Nigerian Breweries with N13.6 billion. The other higher number was that of Nestle which recorded N8.4 billion.

Sales/ Marketing/ Distribution expenses by the six firms totaled N57.9 billion against N40.5 billion in the corresponding period which reflects a 43.3 percent increase.

The challenged performance of the FMCGs firms emanates from the rising cost of goods and services which ate into companies’ profits at levels not seen since 2017. This is despite price adjustments made across board by most of the consumer goods companies.

Specifically, Nigerian companies spent a huge sum on power in the first quarter of 2022 as the cost of energy surged significantly across most countries in the world. Escalating power supply blackouts worsen the situation by forcing businesses and households to buy more diesel and petrol to operate generators. Cost of diesel sold as high as N850 per litre in some parts of the country, while some firms had to cut down on working hours in order to manage costs.

•Continues online at www.thewillnigeria.com

PAGE 17

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

BUSINESS NEWS FCMB Group Grosses N126.2bn in First Half-Year 2022

F

CMB Group has announced its Unaudited Group Results for the first half ended 30 June 2022, grossing revenue of N126.2 billion for the six months ended June 2022.

The result is 34.0 per cent growth from N94.2 billion for the same period prior year.

This was driven by a 35.0 per cent growth in interest income and a 30.5 per cent growth in non-interest income.

Net interest income grew by 39.9 per cent from N42.9 billion, for the first six months of 2021, to N60.2 billion in H1 2022. This was driven by a growth in the yield on earning assets from 9.9 per cent to 10.9 per cent which led to an increase in NIM from 7.0 per cent to 7.2 per cent.

L-R: Access Bank Deputy Managing Director, Chizoma Okoli; U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), CEO, Scott Nathan; Access Bank Managing Director, Roosevelt Ogbonna; Access Bank Group Head of Women Banking Team, Abiodun Olubitan, during a ceremony to commemorate the signing of a commitment letter for $280 million in financing for Access Bank Plc in Lagos on July 25, 2022.

FBN Holdings Reports N56.5bn PBT For H1 ’02 Orange Telecom Vows to Play in Nigeria’s Big Market

Continued from page 16

in revenue.

The financial services group’s gross earnings for the period was N359.3 billion, which compares with the N293.6 billion on record a year ago.

Little improvement, fees and commission income scraped a growth of 2.3 per cent to N70.7 billion. But there is a reason to worry about a marked deceleration in e-banking income, the biggest component of this earnings class which, despite having been noted across the industry as a bright spot for lenders at a time of muted growth, fell 11.4 per cent lower.

FBN Holdings laid aside N21.7 billion of its revenue, 18.7 percent less than it did a year earlier, to cover credit facilities whose likelihood of being paid down is in limbo by reason of repeated defaults, leaving the institution’s non-

performing loans at N142 billion at the end of June.

Profit before tax scaled up by N20.5 billion to N65.7 billion, while after-tax profit stood 48.6 per cent higher than a year earlier.

FBN Holdings, which holds 42 per cent stake in Seawoulf Oilfield Services Limited – an investment that has been fully impaired – has incurred N10.4 billion in impairment loss, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria having appointed a receiver manager to take over Seawoulf Oilfield’s business in 2014. Net profit margin for the period was 15.7 per cent.

In May, the group through its pension division, First Pension Custodian Limited, agreed to fully procure Access Bank’s 100 per cent stake held in Access Pension Fund Custodian Limited.

Guinness Nigeria Announces Final Dividend of N7.14 Per 50k Ordinary Share

G

uinness Nigeria Plc has announced a final dividend of N7.14k per 50k ordinary share, subject to appropriate withholding tax.

According to a disclosure filed to the Nigerian Exchange, approval will be paid to shareholders whose names appear in the Register of Members as at the close of business on the 23rd of September 2022.

It also stated that by October 26, 2022, dividends will be paid electronically to shareholders whose names appear on the Register of Members as at 23rd of September 2022.

The company stated,“On October 26, 2022, dividends will be paid electronically to shareholders whose names appear on the Register of Members as at September 23, 2022 and who have completed the e-dividend registration and mandated the Registrar to pay their dividends directly into their Bank accounts.

“Shareholders who are yet to complete the e-dividend registration are advised to download the Registrar’s E-Dividend

PAGE 18

Mandate Activation Form, which is also available on our Registrars’ website and complete and submit to the Registrar or their respective Banks.”

On unclaimed dividend warrants and share certificates, it stated, “Warrants and Share Certificates Shareholders with dividend warrants and share certificates that have remained unclaimed or are yet to be presented for payment or returned for validation are advised to complete the e-dividend registration or contact the Registrar.”

The company recently reported a massive increase in profit for the first half of 2021 by 1147 per cent to N15.7 billion from N1.3 billion in the same period last year.

This revenue for the period also went up by 29 per cent in H1 2022 to N206.8 billion from N160 billion in H1 2021 while the total equities was up by 21 per cent to N89.98 billion from N74 billion.

The earnings per share rose by 11.54 per cent from N57 during the first half of the year to N715 in the first half of last year.

BY ANTHONY AWUNOR

A

fter a close analysis of the huge potentials of the Nigerian telecommunication market, international telecom investoroperator, Orange Group, has vowed to play a big part in Africa’s biggest service space in diversified areas, including mobile, data, fixed and financial technology support services.

A six-man team of Orange Middle East and Africa, led by Mrs. Victoria Adefala, who delivered this message to the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, during a business visit to his office in Abuja at the weekend, said the group is fully determined to do all it takes to get a slice of the Nigerian market.

“We are here to ensure steady investment for a long term. We also want to support the vision of the Commission in driving broadband penetration for a robust digital economy and leverage on local content development initiatives,” she said.

The delegation, including Orange’s Africa Director of Regulatory Affairs, Mr. Jean Chalhoub, sought clarifications on several regulatory and policy issues that will engender the company’s speedy entry into the country.

Adefala said Nigeria was missing in Orange Group’s portfolio of combined networks of over 140 million subscribers across 18 countries of its operations. “The large market potentials buoyed by the huge population, impressive Gross Domestic product (GDP) figure, proximity to our operations in the neighbouring African countries, as well as the appreciable friendly operating environment are great motivators for our expansion plan into the Nigerian telecom market”.

NCC’s chief, Danbatta who welcomed the group’s quest to invest in Nigeria, reassured the delegation of a robust policy and regulatory environment that provides quality enabling environment, has the full support of the Federal Government, as evidenced in the contents of such instruments like the Executive Order 001 on the promotion of transparency and efficiency in the business, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), and the Federal Government’s Economy Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) with ample provisions to protect investors.

Digital continues to gain traction across our various businesses and now accounts for 13.6 per cent of gross earnings, 9.3 per cent of interest income, 6.6 per cent of the loan book and 7.9 per cent of the AUM of our Asset Management business.

Operating expenses grew 19.1 per cent Yearon-Year to N57.1 billion in the first six months of 2022, largely due to increased regulatory costs, technology related costs and general inflationary pressures.

Net impairment loss on financial assets increased Year-on-Year to N10.7billion, for the six months ended June 2022, from N4.0 billion for the same period prior year. H1 2022 cost of risk was 1.9 per cent.

According to the group, PBT grew by 73.2 per cent Year-on-Year to N15.4 billion with strong double-digit growth in each of their business segments as follows; Banking Group 84.2 per cent, Consumer Finance 42.7 per cent, Investment Management 41.9 per cent, and Investment Banking 253.8 per cent.

Earnings diversification; banking subsidiaries contributed 70.8 per cent of Group profits, whilst our other non-banking subsidiaries contributed 29.2 per cent (Consumer Finance 13.8 per cent, Investment Management 11.0 per cent and Investment Banking 4.2 per cent).

Loans and advances grew by 22.3 per cent Year-on-Year from N916.7 billion to N1.1 trillion in June 2022.

Total assets increased by 18.3 per cent Yearon-Year from N2.2 trillion to N2.7 trillion in June 2022.

Customer deposits grew by 22.3 per cent Yearon-Year from N1.3 trillion to N1.6 trillion in June 2022.

Assets Under Management grew by 47.3 per cent Year-on-Year from N500 billion to N736 billion in June 2022.

Explaining key non-financial highlights, the bank stated that "In areas of climate action, we transitioned 8 branches from grid/diesel generators to solar power in H1 2022, taking the number of branches running on renewable energy to 150 (i.e., 73 per cent of total branches) as at June 30th.

"As in financial inclusion, we provided N6.3 billion loans to over 52,000 MSMEs at an average ticket size of N99,000, 77 per cent of which were women. Our focus on financial inclusion and MSMEs have been further bolstered by a $17.3 million funding partnership with Mastercard Foundation to provide affordable loans to 100,000 MSMEs over the next 5 years with a focus on 90 per cent participation by women".

"We contributed to food security and import substitution in Nigeria by growing our lending to the agricultural sector from N53.6 billion in H1 2021 to N87.9 billion in H1 2022, a net disbursement of N34.3 billion over the last one year which represents 16.5 per cent of our total loan growth over the period".

THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

THEWILLNIGERIA

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

SPOTLIGHT

Uzoka: Six Years of Efficient Leadership @ UBA

BY SAM DIALA

our utmost delight to honour the pioneers and visionaries who have transformed the financial services industry and present you with this award.” Ancy said that the Finnovex Awards cherishes and celebrates outstanding achievements in the banking and finance industry, adding that the award is aimed at honouring organisations and individuals that have consistently demonstrated exemplary performance.

M

r Kennedy Uzoka is six years this week, August 1, 2022, on the exalted position of Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO) of Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc. When the Chairman of UBA, Mr Tony Elumelu, ‘unveiled’ Mr Uzoka as the GMD/CEO-designate at the bank’s 54th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday April 8, 2016, the atmosphere in the wide expanse events hall of Eko Hotels & Suits, Victoria Island, Lagos, erupted into visible ecstasy.

The joyous shareholders responded in a thunderous unison that could be mistaken for excited school children being offered a bunch of free chocolate: “Yeah! Kennedy we love you … we love you …!”

UBA reaffirmed its leadership position across Africa, as it was globally recognised as the African Bank of the year 2021 by the prestigious Banker Magazine, a leading global finance news publication published by the Financial Times of London.

The organisers explained that UBA’s solid financial performance, its excellent service delivery to customers and its continuous role of facilitating rapid economic growth across the African continent were some of the reasons that led to the bank being named best bank in 12 of its African subsidiaries and in Nigeria:

It was an infectious joy. The shareholders had applauded the board and management of the bank for an impressive performance in the previous year. They had also approved the board’s recommendation to pay a final dividend of 40 kobo per share having paid an interim dividend of 20 kobo in September 2015, bringing the total dividend paid in respect of its 2015 financial year to 60 kobo per share.

UBA Nigeria Plc, UBA Benin UBA Burkina Faso UBA Cameroon, UBA Chad, UBA Congo Brazzaville, UBA Cote D’Ivoire, UBA Gabon, UBA Guinea, UBA Liberia, UBA Senegal, UBA Sierra Leone and UBA Zambia all came out top as the best banks in their respective countries.

Speaking on behalf of the shareholders, President, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Sir Sunny Nwosu, expressed their appreciation to the bank’s board and management for growing profit and increasing dividend payment at a time when many other banks recorded lower profit and had to cut dividends.

In 2020, six of its subsidiaries in Benin, Cote D’Ivoire, Chad, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Zambia were winners of the Best Bank award. The UBA Group, in 2021, broke a record with its exceptional wins as African Bank of the Year and Bank of the year in 13 countries. “The total 14 awards makes it the first time ever in the history of the almost 100 years of The Banker, that any banking group will be clinching as many as 14 wins in a single year,” the announcement stated.

He said; “this dividend payment reinforces the resilience of the Bank amidst a challenging operating environment; it also shows the quality of the bank’s management”. He added, “Kennedy, we welcome you as the GMD/CEO effective August 1, after Mr Phillips Oduoza, who is holding his last AGM with us today. We have been with you all these years and we know you have the capacity to deliver.” Nwosu was not wrong.

The bank’s digital transformation continued unabated during the year, with the continued rollout and take up of its relaunched UBA Mobile and Redd apps, together with its Leo chatbot and UBA Connect services. These were complemented by innovative services in individual markets, such as the low-income UBA Sharp-Sharp account service offered in Sierra Leone, which can be opened with a deposit of just 10,000 leones ($0.91).

Uzoka, then Group DMD of the bank’s operations in Africa, had assured shareholders that UBA’s African subsidiaries were growing stronger and that the group had a target to increase Africa’s contribution to the Group’s profit to over 25 per cent in 2016 from 24 per cent in 2015, without undermining the positive outlook on Nigeria, where he predicted a positive growth. He was both prophetic and realistic. The shareholders’ applause was more thunderous. But what was the future going to offer Kennedy, who was assuming the challenging position of leading Africa’s Global Bank, then in its 67th year, ahead of two critical junctures – two recessions in 2016 and 2020 coupled with the ruinous effects COVID-19.

Uzoka’s leadership is leveraging technology to improve the bank’s operations on consumer lending among other areas of operation.

In a webinar held last year on loans with the theme: ‘Stimulating Nigeria’s Economic Growth and Impacting People’s Life’, the bank gave insights on the approach it is using to navigate current challenges in the consumer lending space.

Proof of the pudding The six years of Uzoka as GMD/CEO of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc leaves indelible footprints of premium leadership by a young man who studied Mechanical Engineering and later opted to ‘engineer’ money. He has shown capacity in the application of Elasticity, Plasticity, Ductility … to create and multiply wealth in an organized manner. And the numbers are there.

Digitizing lending is one of the plans the bank is adopting to scale up that sub-sector. Others include expanding to customers of other banks, leveraging the power of the ecosystem which has to do with fintech partnerships and convenient user-friendly products. The bank said it had created a data warehouse whereby it can profile a customer and know exactly what is happening in his business.

“Uzoka is a ‘bulldozer’. The bank has recorded phenomenal growth in all aspects since he came on board as the GMD/CEO. The banks’ customers and shareholders are satisfied. How he steered the affairs of the bank during the COVID-19 period is commendable,” a top management employee of the bank who would not want his name disclosed, told THEWILL last week.

The bank’s gross earnings surged by 71.6 percent from N383.64 billion in 2016 to N658.29 billion in 2021, according to data from the annual reports of the Tier-1 Bank. Profit before tax rose to N153.07 billion from N90.64 or 68.9 percent, while profit after tax jumped by 64.3 percent to N118.67 billion in 2021 from N72.26 in 2016.

Loans and advances to customers increased significantly during Mr Uzoka’s leadership, from N1.50 trillion on his assumption of duty to N2.68 trillion, a rise of 78.7 percent; while deposit from customers, a measure of growth of confidence in the service and performance of the bank jumped by 156.5 percent to N6.36 trillion in 2021 from N2.48 trillion in 2016.

Total earnings by external operations (subsidiaries) in Africa and the rest of the world, increased by 135 per cent from N159.42 billion in 2016 to N374.69 billion in 2021. E-banking income rose to N64.59 billion from N30.46 billion during the period, an increase of 112 percent which confirms Uzoka’s brilliant performance as DMD in charge of Africa subsidiaries.

These numbers evidenced the strength of the bank with robust assets which jumped by 144 percent to N8.54 trillion in 2021 from N3.50 trillion in 2016 reflecting in the remarkable performance of the bank’s earnings per share, which rose to N3.39 from N2.04 - a jump of 66.2 percent.

Plethora of awards Uzoka’s tenure is a harvest of awards, prizes and recognitions for the bank and for himself. He emerged as the winner of the ‘Finovator of the Year’ award for 2021, organised by the Finnovex West Africa THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

The National President, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr Boniface Okezie, commended Uzoka for his impressive performance since his appointment six years ago. “Mr Kennedy Uzoka has done quite well as UBA GMD in every aspect. Dividend pay-out has improved significantly. Service delivery has also improved significantly unlike in other companies which shares have nosedived. I hope the board will allow him to continue and complete the good works he has started,” he told THEWILL in a note.

Awards 2021 and co-located with Finnovex West Africa Virtual Summit. UBA was also named as the winner, ‘Excellence in Digital Banking’ award at the same event.

Finnovex is the leading series of summits on financial services innovation and excellence that examines the future of financial services on how disruptive innovations are reshaping the way they are structured, provisioned and consumed.

While presenting the awards at the virtual event, Ancy Antony, conference manager, Finnovex West Africa Awards 2021, said, “It is

THEWILLNIGERIA

The National Chairman, Trusted Shareholders’ Association of Nigeria (TSAN), Alhaji Mukhtar Mukhtar, described Uzoka as a colossal personality and master of the job, under whose leadership has achieved tremendous progress. He remarked that Uzoka’s leadership has widened and strengthened the bank’s off-shore locations with the recent inauguration of the Dubai Branch in the United Arab Emirate.

He said, “We truly love this man for his commitment, dedication and vision for a greater, efficient and solid UBA and he has made investors to always smile to their banks. As a matter of fact, he is the best for UBA. We all love and appreciate him for the excellent achievement and value he has continued to create for the investors.

Kennedy is a silent achiever who accomplishes set goals without unnecessary media noise.”

PAGE 19

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

PAGE 20

THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

THEWILLNIGERIA

JULY JULY31 31- -AUGUST AUGUST 06, 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E TR H•E www.thewillnigeria.com WILL NEWSPAPER • www.thewillnigeria.com

•Adichie

•Irabor

•Mo'cheddah

•Osi Suave •Franklin

•Edochie •Omah Lay •Nomoreloss

•Abubakar

BACK FROM VALLEY OF DEATH PAGE 21-26 THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

THEWILLNIGERIA

PAGE 21

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

Depression is real. Unlike in developed countries where people speak out and get help, the situation is different on this side of the globe where people are conditioned to keep their problems to themselves.

Fortunately, the narrative is changing as the afflicted are now speaking out and seeking help. And like the average Nigerian, quite a number of Nigerian celebrities have also battled depression at one time or the other. In the last three weeks, a few of them have shared their stories.

The likes of singer, Omah Lay, actress, Ada Ameh and May Edochie made it known that they had dealt with depression at certain stages of their lives. Some of them were able to overcome it, but not a few others, like the late Nollywood actress, Ada Ameh.

Shade Wesley-Metibogun takes a look at some celebrities who successfully battled depression and those who didn't.

CELEBRITIES WHO BATTLED DEPRESSION O

BETTY IRABOR

ne would think that luxury, success and a life that seems so perfect should exempt media executive, Betty Irabor, from the plague known as depression. She battled the dreaded disorder for eight years. Her case can be attributed to the long hours she had to put in to nurture Genevieve Magazine. She also lost her brother and father along the way and then fell into depression. At one point, many thought she was on a diet after she lost so much weight. She was labeled snobbish and anorexic. She attempted suicide several times, but was fortunate to be saved at every point in time by her husband and loved ones. Betty eventually sought help at the Yaba Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Lagos.

She also travelled to Dubai to seek medical help. After she overcame depression, she put her experience in a book titled Dust to Dew.

PAGE 22

M

MAY EDOCHIE

ay Edochie, the beautiful wife of actor Yul Edochie, battled with depression after her husband took a second wife, actress Judy Austin Muoghalu, and welcomed a son with her. Having spent 18 years as Yul’s wife, depression was inevitable for May. She married him when she was just 22 years-old. The duo attended the University of Port-Harcourt together. She was only able to get over depression when her family and friends rallied round her as well as her resolve to chart a positive course for herself.

T

HALIMA ABUBAKAR

he entrepreneur cum actress who has been in the news all week for admitting to an affair with Apostle Johnson Suleiman of the Omega Power Ministries, fought depression for seven months after ending her relationship with her then boyfriend.

Her case was further compounded because of the negative way she was portrayed in the media. She was also broke at the time and she had many responsibilities to shoulder.

Halima claimed people lied against her, told lies in her name and was also deceived by those she loved. These led to her slipping into depression.

She constantly battled migraines and sleepless nights.

At some point, she attempted suicide because she had nobody to run to for help. She eventually sought help and was on medication for a while before she could overcome depression.

S

TEEBILLZ

inger Tiwa Savage's ex-husband, Tunji Balogun, otherwise known as TeeBillz, battled depression in 2016 after his marriage to Tiwa crashed. He also attempted suicide. It started with him ranting about his wife and her mother. He revealed that his wife cheated on him and accused his mother-in-law of being diabolical.

He stopped talking to people and took solace in alcohol.

To crown it all, he attempted jumping into the Lagos Lagoon but was fortunately rescued by some of his friends. In 2018, he began to see a therapist and was able to overcome the ordeal. Teebillz lives happily in LosAngeles, California with his lover and welcomed a baby with her a few months ago.

T

TONTO DIKEH

he running mate to Tonte Ibraye, the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) fell into depression in 2013, but she didn't open up about it until seven years later.

She attributed this to her troubled career. Many producers complained of her rudeness on movie sets, she fought with some of her colleagues such as veterans Ngozi Ezeonu, Kenneth Okonkwo and called out Mercy Johnson after she returned to movie set a few weeks after giving birth to her first child. Dikeh was blacklisted and many producers avoided her. Some of her friends also started avoiding her because of her erratic behavior.

It got so bad that she almost committed suicide at a point, but she was rescued by Michael Ajereh, also known as Don Jazzy and Tunji Balogun, aka TeeBillz. She had to undergo therapy in order to overcome her depression.She later set up the Tonto Dikeh Foundation to help those who are fighting depression so that they can conquer the plague.

THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

THEWILLNIGERIA

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

M

HARRISONG

any did not believe that Harrison Tare Okiri, also known as Harrysong, battled depression, judging by his successful career and the number of hit songs he has churned out over the years. However, in 2018, the singer cried out on social media with a cryptic message about dying and the way he should be remembered. He revealed that his family and friends should not cry after his death because he had done his best, but they should celebrate and stage a concert in his honour.

His management had to issue a press release to notify his fans that their idol was battling depression. A few days after his outburst, he gave his fans an update about his condition, while revealing that he sought help from a therapist.

A

ENIOLA BADMUS

ctress Eniola Badmus also has her share of depression stories to tell. Gbogbo Bigz girls, as she is fondly called, fought depression as a result of her stature, as a plus sized lady. She was often body shamed and rejected for some roles in the movie industry.

She once opened up to a friend who also joined in gossiping about her mental health instead of helping her. The actress had to fight so hard to lose weight and disgrace those who had been body shaming her.

Funny enough, those who were trolling her when she was voluptuous are the ones hailing her new look after she shed the excess fat.

T

E

EVA ALORDIAH

lohor Ava Alordiah, better known as Eva Alordiah, had to give up her vibrant music career because of depression. She recounted her struggle with it and how she was able to overcome it in the end.

Things were working so well for the artiste until she fell into depression after she became broke. She got lost and couldn't separate her alter ego from her identity. Every criticism and failure that Eva got in the course of her career got to her. She also realized that she had been living a lie and lost touch with reality.

She had to quit music for a period of five years and tried to discover herself. She had to prove to herself that she would be able to live without depending on her music, fame and whatever she was identified with. She later learnt how to make money online and became a content creator, earning N17 million within nine months of starting her journey as a content creator. She built an app, Kobocourse.com where coaches can upload and sell their courses online. She also returned to music but now does it at her leisure.

ADA AMEH

he actress unfortunately passed on after a prolonged battle with depression. She had some ugly and unpalatable experiences that she couldn't deal with and these eventually led to her death.

She lost her only daughter, Aladi Godgift whom she had when she was a teenager.

She also lost six of her siblings and her father. She was warring against all the forces that contributed to her depression when she was slammed with a suit for not executing a job she was given. The actress was in and out of hospital for a long time before she slumped and died in Warri, Delta State while visiting a couple on Sunday, July 17, 2022.

THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

T

CHIMAMANDA ADICHIE

T

TOYIN ABRAHAM

he renowned author whose thoughts and creative prowess has been applauded over the years has also been a victim of depression.

She first made her struggle known in an article in the UK Guardian. For her, it usually starts with a pimple or a feeling of heaviness which leads to pain. She had to seek medical help and it was in the process that she was diagnosed. She signed up for counseling until she was free from it.

alented thespian, Toyin Abraham might be living a fulfilled and happy life, but she has contended with depression and this was after her first marriage with colleague, Adeniyi Johnson crashed. She fell into depression and became addicted to drugs. Her management ensured that she sought help and was able to overcome the plague.

THEWILLNIGERIA

S

NOMORELOSS

G

YOMI MAKUN

R

TOKE MAKINWA

inger Adeyemi Olumuyiwa Osinuga, more popularly known as Nomoreloss, battled depression till he breathed his last in 2016. He was a force to reckon with in the music world.

At one point, he ventured into the broadcast industry as a radio and television host. Things suddenly nosedived for him and his wife of many years deserted him. He fell into depression after that and battled ill health until his death.

He had to relocate to his brother's house but unfortunately left when his brother's wife couldn't tolerate his stay. He was down with malaria and typhoid for a while but close sources revealed that he committed suicide to end his pain. He was deserted by friends who were supposedly close to him when the going was good.

ifted designer, Yomi Makun, otherwise known as Yomi Casual, has it all; a vibrant and successful career, beautiful wife and children, a garage filled with the latest automobiles.

However, at a point in his life, he felt his complexion was just too dark. He slipped into depression because of that.

The designer tried all he could to tone up his complexion but in vain. He was able to overcome his depression after he realised that the colour of his skin was unique.

He became an advocate of the black skin colour after his ordeal. eality show host, Toke Makinwa, appears to be a strong woman who has everything put together, but she once battled depression. In an emotional post, she revealed how the devil targeted her mind and how she was living in constant fear and doubt which later turned to depression. It got worse after her marriage to her fitness expert husband, Maje Ayida, crumbled. She plunged further into depression and became suicidal. She was sitting in her bedroom one day when the thought of drinking Dettol came to her mind. She wanted to yield to the thought and end it all so that she wouldn't have to face the shame and ridicule of what happened in her marriage. She had to seek help to overcome the feelings and got back on the right path.

PAGE 23

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

W

MOYO LAWAL

ell-endowed actress, Moyo Lawal, also battled depression at a certain stage in her life. She took a break from her career in 2017 as a result of that and also left social media until she was able to overcome her pitiful state.

She later shared her journey with her fans where she revealed that she had been living in a body fighting to survive with a mind that was trying to die.

But she revealed that she wasn't suicidal and was able to get back on her feet again with the help and support she got from her family and friends.

However, she didn't reveal why she was depressed.

B

OSIKHENA DIRISU

roadcaster Osikhena Dirisu, more popularly known as Osi Suave, battled depression for a very long time and also attempted suicide three times. He once revealed that his jovial personality is one of the strategies he uses to keep depressive thoughts away.

He was able to open up about his plight after news of a man who wanted to jump into the lagoon went viral.

In an open letter to his future girlfriend, which he wrote in 2016, he revealed that he battled clinical depression for a long time. It often starts with mood swings and the feeling of irritation at the slightest touch from someone. He however had to develop ways to cope with his constant depressive personality by speaking out and finding a reason to stay alive. To him, most people don't open up about their mental state because they are usually ridiculed and laughed at.

W

S

STANLEY OMAH DIDIA

umour merchant, Julius Agwu, battled depression in 2015 after it was discovered that he had three tumours in his brain. The comedian, who is one of the most successful men in the entertainment industry, became a shadow of himself. He attempted suicide when his family was not at home one day, but he was later rescued. He had parked all the important documents of his assets and given them to his wife with the hope of ending it all.

Agwu later went for surgery at Park Plaza Hospital in Houston, Texas, United State of America. Doctors battled to save his life in a surgery that lasted four hours. At a point, he was pronounced dead and was packed to be moved to the morgue, but God miraculously restored him and he was able to live a normal life afterwards.

inger Stanley Omah Didia, also known as Omah Lay, has churned out hit songs in the course of his career, but his latest album, Boy Alone, got him depressed. He even went as far as contemplating suicide in June while working on some of the songs. After the album was released, he opened up about his ordeal and promised that it was the last time he would ever cry because of a song.

He felt insecure, scared, depressed and was losing his mind because people who used to believe in him stopped showing him love. He was also dumped by his girlfriend at that time. To make his case worse, after he started therapy, he slept with his therapist. He is on a journey to recovery.

UBI FRANKLIN

MODUPE OREOLUWA OLATERU-OLAGBEGI

U

bi Ekapong Ofem, popularly known as Ubi Franklin, fell into depression in 2016 after his marriage to Nollywood actress, Lillian Esoro, fell apart not too long after they both walked down the aisle. He battled the feeling for almost a year and almost ended his own life. He lost appetite and struggled with insomnia for a long time. He became a shadow of himself and kept his friends and family worried about his welfare. He became a constant visitor to the hospital where he was treated for different ailments almost every week. He would show up every day looking lost and drained, but he kept pretending in public as if everything was okay.

He tried to cover up with material possession and got himself a car of his dreams worth millions of naira, but he still wasn't fulfilled.

Deep down within him, he continued battling his bouts of depression. He planned to end it all one day as thoughts of depression filled his mind but the picture of his son, Jayden, who was born the same year, kept him from committing suicide. He was able to overcome depression with the help of his pastor.

S

inger turned digital content creator, Modupe Oreoluwa Olateru-Olagbegi, otherwise known as Mo'cheddah, went through depression due to the hostility and hate she experienced in the music industry. It was one of the reasons she had to quit music and venture into digital content creation.

Mo'cheddah grew up in a God-fearing family and started music when she was 16 years-old. She found herself in an adult world and had to battle to stay afloat despite the attacks and criticism she received. The industry was very hostile to her because many adults felt threatened by her talent. She would be performing and someone would just turn-off the microphone just because an A-list artiste doesn't like her.

As a teenage girl, she couldn't cope with the pressure and the demands of stardom and she lost her identity along the way.

She had to fight a legal battle with her record label when she was 21 years-old. After her exit from the record label, she tried to stand on her own, but she was bad-mouthed and blacklisted and nobody wanted to work with her. She slipped into depression and almost jumped into the lagoon, but her friends and family helped her to get over it and she started out anew again.

Depression in Brief

hat is Depression?

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in activities that were formerly considered pleasurable, lack of concentration, memory problems, inability to make decisions, feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness, constant worry and anxiety and in extreme cases, thoughts of death, self-harm or suicide. It generally affects how one thinks, feels, behaves.

According to Dr Martins Osamagbe Ihowa of Samas Hospital, Lagos, how people go through depression differs from one person to the other. While some of these feelings usually fade away within a few days or weeks, depending on the circumstances, some are more intense and can last for more than two weeks, extending to years. What this therefore means is that there are different types of depression with peculiar treatments.

Types of depression Persistent depression lasts for many years at a time. People with this type of depression may start to feel like their

PAGE 24

H

JULIUS AGWU

symptoms are just part of their normal outlook on life.

Bipolar disorder means one minute you are happy and the next you are experiencing a negative or sad mood swing. It also involves hallucinations and delusions.

Depressive psychosis involves hallucinations and delusions including physical symptoms.

Postpartum depression occurs during pregnancy or within weeks of childbirth.

Seasonal depression occurs with specific patterns only at certain seasons.

Situational depression is brought on by specific events or situations that causes deep emotional pain.

Causes of depression According to Dr Wasiu Badru, a psychologist at Yaba Hospital, Lagos, the causes of depression could be as a result of neurochemical imbalance in the brain, genetic or negative and stressful life events. These will disturb the ways the person thinks and acts and it will fuel more negative experiences.

Treatment for depression

If deemed to be chemical imbalance in the brain, antidepressants will be used.

When related to life circumstances, psychological treatment, that is therapy, may be of more use in addition to the antidepressants.

Electroconvulsive therapy is a procedure done using electric currents for very severe cases.

Tips on how to personally overcome depression •Exercise - Take a 15-30 minutes brisk walk every day, it will lead to improvement in mild to moderate depression •Make out time for fun •Challenge negative thoughts •Regularly eat wholesome food •Get adequate sleep •Drink plenty of water - It will remove toxins, improve the function of internal organs and enhance clear thinking.

•Change your routine.

Additional information by Ivory Ukonu.

THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

THEWILLNIGERIA

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

STORIES BY IVORY UKONU

Jimoh Ibrahim Bags PhD From Cambridge University

MEET MODUPE ADELEKE-SANNI, MATRIARCH OF ADELEKE FAMILY

T

he recent Osun State governorship election, which sent the incumbent Governor Gboyega Oyetola of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) packing and brought Senator Ademola Jackson Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to power, may have come and gone, but the euphoria that comes with defeating an incumbent as a result of the choices the people of the state made, lingers. Many have applauded Senator Adeleke’s older brother, Dr Adedeji Adeleke, for playing a major role in his emergence as governorelect of the state.

Dr Adeleke bankrolled his brother’s campaign almost single-handedly.

He was the money-bag behind the scene who stood solidly behind Ademola to ensure that he won the election. His son, David Adeleke, aka Davido, also went all out to ensure that his favourite uncle emerged victorious.

Many have also applauded the strong bond that held the Adeleke family together, which enabled them to work toward achieving success at the election.

What most people do not know however, is that the bond uniting the family was strengthened over the years by a formidable force within the family. That person is none other than Chief Modupe Adeleke-Sanni.

Although Mrs Adeleke-Sanni is the immediate younger sister of Adedeji Adeleke and older than the governor-elect, she is regarded as the matriarch of the Adeleke family.

She is the most-influential woman in the family and a big mother figure in the lives of her brothers and their children. She ensures that everything goes on well in their home fronts and in their businesses.

Known as 'Mrs Fix It All', she is the backbone of the family and a rallying

C

Adeleke-Sanni point for her brothers, nieces and nephews. There is virtually nothing that goes on or around the Adeleke family that she has no knowledge of. Since Senator Adeleke's political journey began, she has remained a pillar of support for him and was with him every step of the way up until his recent victory. Her contributions could be gauged by the encomiums he showered on her in his first interview as the governor-elect. A grandmother whose only daughter lives in the United States, 'Mrs Fix It All' is a member of the Governing Council of Adeleke University owned

by Dr Adedeji Adeleke.

ontroversial businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim has bagged a doctorate degree from the University of Cambridge.

He received a PhD in Management Science from the prestigious university.

Jimoh, who has made several attempts to govern Ondo State and failed, beamed with pride as he graduated alongside other graduands from other departments at a ceremony that took place at the University Senate.

Sharing in his joy were Nigeria High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Sarafadeen Tunji and the Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu who thought it expedient to attend having received over

T

Okoya-Thomas THEWILLNIGERIA

the APC in Lagos State and how that her life was worthy of emulation.

Not a few people were impressed that Okoya-Thomas put aside her differences with Nelson and recognised her place in Lagos politics, while celebrating her life and times.

Before Nelson’s demise, their relationship was far from cordial.

Their rivalry began in 2018. THEWILL gathered that the bone of contention between both women was simply over the position of Women Leader of the APC in the state, which Nelson the deceased once occupied and Okoya-Thomas currently occupies. All efforts made by their mutual friends to have them reconciled was allegedly rebuffed by both parties and this continued till January 2022 when Okoya-Thomas celebrated her 65th birthday. Nelson was conspicuously

Nelson THEWILLNG

absent.

Nelson was former Executive Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), a position she held till May 2021 when Buhari sacked her alongside other top management staff of the agency, following the recommendations of a Presidential Joint Board and Audit Investigation Panel which investigate the infractions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, and the Financial Regulations (FR) in the NSITF. Until her demise, she was the only female member of APC presidential flag bearer, Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s influential Governance Advisory Council in Lagos.

Nelson was reportedly unwell for a while, treating undisclosed ailments at different hospitals. At some point, she seemed to get better and even held a special thanksgiving service on May 8, 2022. But unknown to her, death lurked nearby. Two months later, she was struck by a strange ailment. She never recovered from it. She was 66 years-old at the time of her death.

Okoya-Thomas on her part is the daughter of late industrialist, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, a former chairman of CFAO Nigeria Limited and the Asoju Oba of Lagos. She was a three-time member of the Federal House of Representatives where she chaired the committee on Public Procurement and the House Committee of prisons.

THEWILLNIGERIA

Ibrahim

Erelu Tola Osifeso Shuts Down Dubai For 60th Birthday

S

Jumoke Okoya-Thomas Puts Differences Aside, Mourns Kemi Nelson he age-long quarrel between the woman Leader of the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Jumoke OkoyaThomas and Kemi Nelson, socialite and a former South West Zonal woman leader of APC, has finally been resolved, following the latter's death.

It would be recalled that Nelson, who was the Yeyesewa of Lagos, died on Sunday, July 17, 2022, sending shock waves across the Lagos political and social establishment. In her reaction, Okoya-Thomas expressed sadness over the sad event. She described it as a great loss to the APC, adding that Nelson would be greatly missed as a woman of great strength, an irreplaceable political icon and a grassroots mobiliser.

She also recognised the deceased’s contributions to the development of

20 campaign vehicles from Jimoh two months to the governorship election in the state where he was seeking a second tenure.

This latest achievement makes it a total of nine degrees Jimoh now has in his kitty. A graduate of law from the University of Ife, he acquired his other degrees from Oxford and Harvard Universities. An author of three books, the serial entrepreneur's academic success has unfortunately not translated to the several businesses he ran at different times in his life.

From aviation, to publishing to insurance to hospitality, to banking and oil and gas - any business he lays his hands on seems to be on cue to go down.

Osifeso

ociety woman, Chief Mrs Tola Osifeso will today, shut down the oil rich country of Dubai for her 60th birthday. The countdown to the celebration of her diamond jubilee started over a week ago, but the big party takes place today where she will be hosting selected friends and members of her family for the time of their lives. For a woman who doesn't do things in half measures, Tola arrived in Dubai well prepared.

There will be a boat cruise and a private dinner at a place where she and her guests will let down their hair. Admired by many of her fellow society matriarchs, she is considered one of the movers and shakers of the social circle.

Despite living in Abuja which is devoid of major social activities, she somehow finds a way to make merry with her clique of friends.

Tola used to be married to Otunba Alfred Solomon, her Londonbased husband of many years before the marriage crashed, following allegations of infidelity committed with Otunba Lekan Osifeso, a wealthy businessman who was recently conferred with two prestigious chieftaincy titles, the Olotu Olowa and the Madasa of Ijebuland by the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona. She is now married to him and lives in Abuja where she runs Terrifik Fashion, one of the leading fashion brands in Abuja that caters for the rich.

Patricia Ojora Returns to Social Scene

P

Ojora

atricia Ojora cannot wait to let loose and get back into the mix of things after mourning her estranged husband, Dapo Ojora, for almost two years. The pretty grandmother was sighted out and about in London where she attended the Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield Polo Tournament. The high profile event would mark her first major outing since she lost the father of her children.

The lawyer and entrepreneur looked quite good. Her appearance betrayed no sign of mourning. Her estranged husband, who was Otunba Adekunle and Erelu Ojuolape Ojora’s son, had reportedly shot himself.

While nobody has come up with an explanation for his action, there is speculation that it may be due to depression arising from the breakup of his marriage to Patricia. The collapse of the marriage, THEWILL gathered, was a huge blow to him.

Dapo once cheated death when he survived a ghastly power bike accident, which forced him to beat a retreat from the public space. Besides his aged parents, he left behind two siblings, Toyin Saraki, wife of former Senate President Bukola Saraki and Yinka Ojora. His older brother, Gboyega, died of a heart attack when he was 50, nine years before his death.

PAGE 25

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

STORIES BY SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN

Why Solomon Osho Opposes Adebiyi Adeleye’s Candidacy

HAKEEM ODUMOSU ABSENT AS WIFE BAGS CHIEFTAINCY TITLE

Omotade

L

ast weekend, socialite and business woman, Princess Folashade Abiodun Omotade, was conferred with a chieftaincy title. She is now the Mojirade Egba of Egbaland. While members of her family and friends, such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Minister of Industry, Adenike Akande, rallied round her during the installation and the after-party, her husband and immediate past Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Hakeem

Odumosu, was conspicuously absent.

Despite the fact that two former top shots in the police force, retired Assistant InspectorGeneral of Police, Adisa Bolanta and the former Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Amusa Bello, were there to celebrate with her, Odumosu who is supposed to be by her side didn't make his appearance at the party. The programme of event and backdrop pictures also did not indicate that the wealthy businesswoman still bears her husband's name.

The name, Odumosu was boldly omitted everywhere. His absence may not be unconnected to the alleged trouble brewing in their once peaceful paradise.

Modupe Haastrup, a former partner of Justice Adesola Oguntade, the retired Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, is alleged to have caused

the trouble in the Odumosu's home. She is an alleged old flame of the retired commissioner who allegedly took a break from the relatioship after hooking another moneybag in the person of the retired Justice. After her relationship with the legal luminary crashed, she allegedly took off to allegedly enew her relationship with her old lover, Odumosu and allegedly caused a rift in Odumosu's marriage to Omotade.

Folashade, who is a big player in the oil and gas sector, was conferred with the title by his Royal Highness, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III, the Alake of Egbaland due to her contribution to the development of Egbaland as an indigene of Ogun State.

After the installation ceremony, the socialite cum businesswoman treated her guests to a wonderful party that was well attended by society bigwigs, politicians and business moguls. Juju maestro, Chief Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, also known as King Sunny Ade was on the band stand to thrill guests with music.

Princess Folashade Omotade was born in Ghana, though a native of Ogun State. She later relocated with her parents to Nigeria where she continued her education.

She attended Obafemi Awolowo University where she studied Sociology and later pitched her tent in the business world.

T

Lawal

ONIRU OF IRU GRADUATES FROM LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS Alake of Egbaland

Prof Saka Matemilola Becomes T New Olowu of Owu kingdom

D

r Saka Matemilola, has emerged as the new Olowu of Owu Kingdom in Ogun State. His emergence came after a keenly contested election which took place among the seven candidates of the ruling houses in Owu, Ogun State. One of the prominent members of the kingmakers who was part of the selection process was former President Olusegun Obasanjo who is the Balogun of Owu kingdom. Matemilola will replace Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu who died in December 2021 after a brief illness.

Oba Dosunmu was a veteran TV producer before he ascended the throne in 2005 and reigned till 2021. An Engineer and human capacity developer from the Matemilola ruling house of Soke compound, Owu, Abeokuta.

Matemilola bagged his Ph.D in Applied Mathematics from the University of Cambridge, UK. He is a Visiting Scholar at the Institute of Petroleum Studies, University of Port Harcourt. He sits on the board of various companies, such as Motus Technology Limited, City Roller Limited and Cypher Crescent Limited. He belongs to the Nigeria

PAGE 26

Society of Engineers and a Fellow of Cambridge Philosophical Society.

He is also a distinguished member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, Nigeria Council. As one of the influential sons of Owu kingdom, he has contributed immensely to the development of his community by providing water boreholes, monthly feeding allowance to the needy, dedicated financial support to healthcare, provision of school facilities and other philanthropic deeds.

However, his emergence did not come without controversy. After his selection, he was accused by two of the ruling house in Owu as not being an indigene of the community.

Tajudeen Adelani and Aminat Adesina, both from different ruling houses in Owu separately petitioned the Ogun State government Matemilola against the

appointment of Matemilola. He was described as a non-indigene of Owu kingdom. He was accused of being an indigene of Ibadan in Ibadan North East Local Government of Oyo State. It was stated that he has an affidavit which was sworn at a High Court Registry in Port Harcourt, Rivers State in 2000. But he is still claiming to be a native of Owu in Ogun State.

he incumbent House represent Remo North. He also of Assembly member mentioned an allegation levelled representing Remo North against Adeleye by Remo Constituency on the platform Youths Association before the of the All Progressives Congress Commissioner of Police in Ogun (APC), Hon. Solomon Osho, is not State in 2015. Then, Adeleye had happy that an aide to Governor been elected as the House of Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Assembly member, representing Hon. Adebiyi Adeleye, won the Remo North Constituency in primary election of the party.

2015, but the youths of the Adeleye had contested against constituency accused him of the incumbent and some other falsifying some of his documents, candidates from the party and such as his date of birth and the won. A few weeks later, Osho schools he attended. made some allegations against Osho had to take Adeleye to the Adeleye, saying that he should Federal High Court in Abeokuta not be allowed to contest as to challenge his candidacy for the APC candidate in 2023. He breaching Electoral Acts and claimed that Adeleye did not other offences. resign his appointment as special adviser to Governor Abiodun for contesting for the position.

Osho stated that Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022 did not permit a political office holder to be eligible to participate in an election unless such a person resigned his appointment. Despite winning the election with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announcing his name as the winner of the primary, Osho said Adeleye was handpicked Osho by some party chieftains to

he traditional ruler of Iruland, Oba Gbolayan Lawal, has graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science. The royal father bagged an Executive Masters in Cities from the reputable institution. He finished the course two years ago but because of the global pandemic ravaging the world, an official graduation ceremony could not take place.

But last week, His Royal Majesty and his family jetted out for the graduation ceremony. Eulogizing his laudable feat, the royal father took to social media to congratulate himself and also thank his wife, his course mates and friends who stood by him during his studies.

Oba Gbolahan Lawal became the 15th Oniru of Iruland in 2020 after the death of Oba Idowu Oniru, Akiogun II in 2019. Before he became the king of Iruland, he was the Commissioner for Agriculture in Lagos State. He enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force 1996 and was commissioned as an Assistant Superintendent of Police, he later retired in 2008. He was appointed an aide de camp and Escort Commander to the then governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 1999.

He was later appointed as a Senior Special Assistant on Special Project to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola in 2008. He became the Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives in 2011 and in 2015 during the tenure of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, he was appointed the Commissioner of Housing in Lagos. When Governor Babatunde Sanwo-Olu took over the realms of power, he was appointed as the Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture.

Supports Taiwo Dorego's Political Ambition

H

is Royal Highness, Oba Gbadebo Aremu Adedotun, the Alake of Egbaland, has given his support to the APC candidate for Abeokuta South Constituency in the House of Assembly Election in Ogun State, Hon. Taiwo Dorego. The reason is not farfetched: Dorego’s father, Chief Segun Taiwo, who was a politician and the former Oluwo of Ake, in Ogun State played an unforgettable role in the emergence of Oba Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland in 2005.

There was a great royal tussle between Gbadebo Aremu Adedotun and his younger brother, Adeleke Gbadebo, for the throne, following the demise of the former king, Oba Mofolorunsho Oyebade Lipede,

Dorego

THEWILLNIGERIA

who ruled Egbaland between 1972 and 2005 and died after spending 33 years on the throne.

The then Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel was in support of the younger brother and wanted him to emerge as the king by all means. Adeleke was more popular and commanded more influence than his brother, who was a former Army Colonel.

The governor tried to impose his own choice as the Alake, but the timely intervention and influence of two people, the former Speaker of the Federal House of Representativeas, Hon. Dimeji Bankole and Chief Taiwo who prevailed over the will of the state governor and influenced the king makers to announce the winner of the election held to choose the next king.

When the governor traveled abroad, the result of the election was hurriedly announced within seven days as against 14 days stipulated by the law to announce the winner. Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo's name was announced before the state governor came back from his trip so he couldn't go against the will of the people of Egbaland again. Since then, the traditional ruler has always supported the Taiwo's family as he regards them as a family that is reliable, disciplined and faithful in serving humanity.

THEWILLNG

THEWILLNIGERIA

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

THEWILLNIGERIA

PAGE 27

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

INVESTIGATION

Inside Kano Community Where Illegal

BY 'TUNDE OMOLEHIN, KAURA-MATA - KANO ne Monday morning, a 76-year-old, Mallam Yahaya Ado, a community head of Kaura-mata, stood at the eroded bank of Challawa River with his subjects, gesturing as he spoke about the challenge of environmental degradation facing his community.

O

Kaura-mata is one of the riverine communities located in the Madobi Local Government Area of Kano State, northwestern Nigeria. Its residents have continued to suffer in the hands of illegal miners.

Each of them was armed with shovels and moving in canoes towards the bank. There appears to be a competition among the men and the winner takes it all.

Every day, young men, armed with shovels, go out on the river and return with their canoes filled with sand. The dredging is tedious, but it does not diminish the competition among the young men.

Iliyasu Usman, a 25-year-old sand dredger, told THEWILL that he earned a “fortune” daily from dredging sand.

"On a good day, I make between N2, 500 to N3, 000 from digging sand from the river to where trucks unload it to the final destination.

“At times, it could be a joint effort with some friends and that could earn us bigger money. It is a lucrative menial job someone introduced me to a few years ago.

Madobi and Kauran mata map.

"Our farmlands have been taken over by these illegal sand miners. Their illicit activities have continued to expand gully erosion and affect our source of drinking.

"During the rainfall, the flood will push more sand to them to evacuate and this continues till dry season when most of the sand must have been dug and caused erosion," Ado said.

The problem of the community started sometime in 2011, when some young men discovered the river was enriched with 'river sand'. The sand is usually found near river banks and streams and used in the construction of buildings.

Ado recounts that until now, the section of Challawa River that passes through his community was just narrow in nature.

"This river that they (illegal miners) now encroached was narrow in nature but you can see that it has been expanded and caused many erosion channels,” he said.

"Before, we used this river shore to cultivate our vegetation crops for both wet and dry seasons. We have enough food to feed our family and also sell for personal income generation.

"But these sand miners have destroyed the wetlands since they discovered our community as a suitable area to encroach sand and this is affecting our farming," said Habib Suleiman, a farmer who has since abandoned farming to work as a security guard.

MINING FOR CASH Several young men were seen near the bank of the river.

"We have more than 100 people mining in this location. Each day, we make such amount of money, depending on how fast you can sail your canoe deep in the middle of the river,” Usman said.

Asked if the quest to make money is not impacting on the livelihood of the host community, he added, "This water belongs to God, it is a natural gift. We have no explanation.

We are only looking for our daily bread."

Usman and his cohorts are unaware of the harm that indiscriminate mining activities were causing poor communities like Kaura-Mata.

Many states, including Kano, are hard hit by the menace of illegal mining activities. An estimated 80 per cent of mining in the state is conducted illegally by youths who depend on it for their survival.

"These wetlands are a source of water and vegetation production for many rural people in Kano State. Some also use such rivers for fishing,” said Dauda Aliyu, a commercial driver that conveyed this reporter around the localities.

PAGE 28

worsened, someone suggested she visit the only healthcare facility in the community for proper medical treatment.

An auxiliary nurse, Muhammad Aliyu, who attended to Hajara at the Primary Health Centre at Kaura-Mata village confirmed that she took ill and was admitted to a hospital, treated and discharged.

"I was told the illness was as a result of contaminated substance intake; either food or water I took. They said it might be the stream water that we drink from." Hajara had suspects.

Aliyu also informed THEWILL that frequent cases of cholera, hepatitis, and typhoid are high among out-patients who visit the health centre.

Musa Ado, the community's youth leader, said Hajara's experience was one of the many health challenges facing residents of the community. "This is what is left for us to drink. They have contaminated our source of water in the community. We have suffered a lot. Our children and women are now vulnerable to all kinds of water borne diseases," 30-years-old Musa said, while taking THEWILL round a pond he claimed was left for residents to use for drinking purposes.

Dauda believes that illegal miners are everywhere in the rural areas committing all forms of environmental offences, while government officials are in their luxurious offices without taking proactive measures to curtail the illegal acts.

FEELING THE PAIN In 2018, Kano was one of 12 states in the country struck by an outbreak of cholera. The state recorded no fewer than 28 out of 400 confirmed patients, according to a report.

Hajara Ali, a physically challenged person in her early 20s, was one of the survivors of the outbreak.

Hajara said that she fell unconscious one day while helping her mother with the household chores at sunset. "It came suddenly when I started running a temperature and vomiting at the same time. I thought it was just a feverish condition that could be handled easily," she said.

A resident standing beside a non functioning borehole.

Nigerian states with the highest cholera cases 2021.

At first, she began taking medicines prepared by traditional healers.

But when the condition

A typical eroded site within he Challawa River where ilegal miners are using to encroache sand.

Ado further emphasized indiscriminate encroaching of the river by sand dredgers is affecting the people livelihood, income growth and health wellbeing.

He said, "We are really suffering in this community. Our drinking water has been contaminated and we are not happy that we are at the receiving end. Government should do something.

"We have made frantic efforts in informing the local government authority but nobody listens to us. We have left everything to God for divine intervention.

“Since you are here for the purpose of helping us in the community, we want you to tell the government concerned THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

THEWILLNIGERIA

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

INVESTIGATION

Miners Cash-in on Residents' Pains to as a matter of urgency put a stop to the activity of these miners.

"We also want the government to care for our welfare priorities by assisting both our farmers and youths with livelihoods. We have been neglected for so long." Musa further laments.”

GOVT MUTE ABOUT RESIDENTS' PLIGHTS Rabiu Ibrahim Kaura-Mata, a resident, said that the Kano State Government was not unaware of the illegal mining activities going on within the community.

The 60 year-old farmer insisted that the residents’ ordeals in the hands of illegal dredgers started during the second tenure of former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in 2011.

He said, "They can't stop those illegal miners because of the reason best known to them. We have been experiencing this for so long. As true Muslim, we have left everything to the hands of God. That is what we can say."

Ibrahim Umar, the head of Geremi village, a sub-domain within the Kaura-Mata community, also accused government officials of illegally mining the area. "We have tried our best to put a stop to this menace but were in vain. Have you seen what we are going through as citizens of this country?

The present government is aware of our plight, but may be those that should take action have been compromised.

Even the Kano State Water Board is aware that the mining is contaminating the source of potable water and boreholes in this community. They want us to die, but everyone will all taste death at an appointed time," he says.

An unnamed official of the Kano State Environmental Planning and Protection Agency (KASEPPA) office, an agency responsible for issues of environment, said its mandate included planning of urban centres and the control of development in urban centres. He directed THEWILL to redirect any official enquiry to the Kano State Ministry of Environment.

Several efforts made by THEWILL to get an official statement from the ministry were unsuccessful, as calls and messages put through the verified phone number of the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Kabiru Getso, were not replied.

Madobi Dawaki and Gezawa.

is that we don't intervene in any mining issues within the community."

MINING AGAINST THE LAW In 2007, the Federal Government announced its plan to revise the crucial mining law, the Nigeria Minerals and Mining Act (NMMA).

This was in response to the nation’s underdeveloped mining sector where it currently generates just 0.3 per cent of the GDP and leaves the country scrambling to import minerals that could be produced domestically.

In 2018, the law was passed on the condition that power and revenues would shift from the regulating body, the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), an arm of the Federal Government, to the local level.

It also availed both the local and state governments some incentives to abide by the law and enforce it in the sector.

He noted that inefficient development control in the environmental sector was impacting negatively on other human endeavours. "It is a fact that government at all levels must put mechanisms in place to reverse this ugly trend.

"The case of Kaura-Mata is just one of the many communities troubled by these miners. If you go to southern states, it is also the same lamentation from these innocent citizens that ought to be protected by the authorities concerned." Mr. Aliyu submitted during a telephone interview with this correspondent.

WHY RURAL COMMUNITIES BEAR THE BRUNT The Executive Director, Friends of the Community Organisation, a nonprofit outfit in the state, Hassan Ibrahim, noted that over the years, rural communities had continued to bear the brunt of environmental impacts caused by unscrupulous actors who exploited their natural resources to their detriment.

When contacted for his comment, the Executive Chairman, Madobi Local Government Council, Muhammad Lawan Yahaya, said the issue of mining was the exclusive responsibility of both the state and Federal Government.

According to Section 44 (3) of the Mining Act as amended, any operator without a licence is, therefore, considered to engage in criminal activities and may be arrested and tried in a court while chapter (4) dwells on the environmental considerations and rights of the host communities.

"So these criminals are always taking advantage of their ignorance to exploit their environment thereby causing degradation and other ecological problems,” he said.

Hassan confirmed that Madobi Dawaki Tofa and Gezawa were top local government areas prone to environmental degradation in the state.

Yahaya said, "We at the council level have no say on the issue of mining, whether it is legal or illegal. Go to the state ministry of environment or federal mining to ask your questions please."

The Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Uchechukwu Ogah, warned that anybody involved in such illegitimate activities risks being jailed for a minimum of two years without any option of fine.

Reminded that the recently amended Mining Law in Nigeria empowered both the local community and the state government incentives to abide by and enforce the rule of law in the sector, he merely responded: "I don't know what you are talking about. Besides, I have no answer to this. Go to the authority concerned and get your answers. What I know

Aminu Sada, an environmental analyst, however, attributed the environmental deterioration caused by unlawful sand dredgers to lack of enforcement of the existing laws in the country.

"We have researched and discovered that illegal mining activities are prevalent in Madobi, Dawaki Tofa and Gezawa.

We know the negative effects this mining is causing to our communities. Is it to talk about the health or economic effects on the vulnerable people?

"We must rise to the task and help to defend these communities through empowering them with necessary information that could build their capacity,'' he emphasised.

Hassan, who focuses on issues of water sanitation hygiene and environmental impact on communities, said his team would build on the citizens' capacity of the affected communities.

He said, "We need to focus on how these communities can take ownership of their environment and not allow these criminals to take advantage of them in the name of mining for selfish gains.

"We are setting up committees across these affected communities who are facing environmental degradation. The members of this committee will comprise traditional rulers and religious leaders, youths and women.

"We want to engage them on how to get feedback on issues going on within their domains. We will also take their plight to the appropriate authority for accountability. As for the residents of Kaura-Mata community, we are going to support them and present their concerns before the Ministry of Environment."

A sand encroacher seeing mining sand from Challawa River near Kaura-Mata community.

THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

THEWILLNIGERIA

•This story was supported by the Africa Data Hub Community Journalism Fellowship.

PAGE 29

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

ARTS Benin Artefacts: Rumble in The Ancient City

“

They were stolen in time of war. They were returned in time of peace. But 125 years after the British looted hundreds of Benin artefacts in 1897, finding an ideal home for them from whence they were purloined is pitting some traditional institutions in Benin against the state government.

THEWILL looks at the unfolding drama between locals laying claim to what ought to be a common treasure.

Michael Jimoh reports…

Ewuare II

I

n the afternoon of Thursday July 28, 2022, under a relentless tropical downpour, the road from Holy Aruosa Catholic Cathedral on Akpakpava Street Benin City had some unusual gathering of young men and women in a protest march. Apparently, the unceasing rainfall didn’t seem to deter them from their mission that day. The procession moved to the palace of Oba Ewuare 11 and then ended a few metres away directly opposite the royal grounds, the proposed site for Benin Royal Museum.

Aruosa Cathedral Church itself is one of the oldest Christian religious institutions in Nigeria built circa 1515 or 1517. Generations of Benin kings have worshipped there, including the current monarch. For the protesters, starting the great trek from the ancient church to the palace is symbolic because the reason for the march itself concerned the monarch and the recently returned Benin artefacts from Germany

Also speaking on his principal’s behalf on July 13, Osarodion Ogie, SSG to the state, drove home Obaseki’s point about the supposed conflict of interest with the palace.

It was not for nothing.

Aruosa Cathedral Church itself is one of the oldest Christian religious institutions in Nigeria built circa 1515 or 1517. Generations of Benin kings have worshipped there, including the current monarch. For the protesters, starting the great trek from the ancient church to the palace is symbolic because the reason for the march itself concerned the monarch and the recently returned Benin artefacts from Germany.

The Edo State government has said there was no conflict of interest between it and the Oba of Benin over the artefacts, adding that the seeming negative perception was unfortunate…

"The publicity being given the issues creates a wrong impression of conflict between the government and the Oba of Benin, His Majesty, Oba Ewuare II.

The protesters had mapped out their route from the church straight to Oba’s palace just across Ring Road on the other side of Airport Road. It was a protest against the Edo State Government over some artworks belonging to all sons and daughters of Edo state.

“The Edo State government and the governor have always acted transparently and in consonance with existing federal and state laws in all matters relating to the proposed return of the artefacts and monuments.

Under the aegis of Coalition of Benin Socio Cultural Organisation, the marchers insisted that the planned Edo Museum of West African Arts (EMOWAA) be stopped by Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration. In place of EMOWAA, they rooted for Benin Royal Museum not far from Oba Ewuare’s palace. Their reason is less because of the proximity and more for cultural factors.

Also speaking on behalf of CBSCO, Osaro Iyamu who is Secretary declared thusly: “Today, we are here to inform our great Oba, the Oba of Benin Kingdom, to appeal to him not to be deterred, not to be disturbed. We are here to appeal to him to commence work on the proposed Benin Royal Museum. We are appealing that work should commence next week.

“We have great sons and daughters who have the wherewithal and we are also using this medium to advise them and appeal to them to join the palace to commence the construction of Benin Royal Museum. It is only the Benin Royal Museum that we the Edo people know.

“We are at the permanent site for the museum to show to the world that Omo N’Oba already has a place for the construction of the Benin Royal Museum, which is just opposite the palace. We don’t know any other museum for our artefacts apart from this.”

At about this time last year, rumours made the round that the state government was planning to build a museum for the repatriated artefacts from Europe, specifically Germany. The state government, it was said, had liaised with a company, Legacy Trust Company to manage EMOWAA where the artworks would be housed. It seemed

PAGE 30

“The actions of the state government thus far on this issue have been driven by selfless, patriotic considerations and in the best interest of Edo state and Edo people…Governor Godwin Obaseki has displayed and will continue to display immense respect for our traditional institutions and, therefore, will continue to make effort to secure a private audience with His Royal Majesty to discuss his concern

Obaseki

Many of the artefacts were looted from the palace of Oba Ovoramwen during whose reign the British attacked Benin with a detachment of Hausa and Rhodesian soldiers. Speaking for CBSCO, Osaze AmosEdobor, Coordinator General of the group led the procession from the ancient church to the seat of traditional authority in the ancient city and then to the site of the BRM, insisting that construction should begin at the proposed site. Obaseki’s planned EMOWAA, the group claimed, was “alien to them.”

us from Europe. Nobody is going to do it for us. That is why we must insist that when these works come, we host them here in Edo state, their home, so that it’s available for everybody to see. There is no quarrel with the palace.”

at the time a direct counter command to the Benin monarch’s wish to have the works in the palace grounds.

Though work is yet to begin on either site, the controversy over who has the right to build a museum for the repatriated works has lingered up till last week, which was the reason for the march in the rain by a number of Benin youths.

The week before, perhaps following security reports of the imminent march and support for Oba Ewuare11, and possibly not wanting any run-in with the monarch, Governor Obaseki himself made it plainly clear that his government was not in any conflict with the palace over the repatriated works of art – mostly bronze works, sculptural pieces and figurines.

At a stakeholders meeting of the first phase of EMOWAA, Obaseki asked rhetorically: “What is our plan for culture? As a people, we have a lot of assets from our past and it’s our responsibility to recreate them. So, it is beyond just several pieces of artwork; no, it’s beyond that. It is about using that as the contact point to bring out the best of who we are".

Continuing, he let on that “there is a whole lot of research that still needs to be done. We can’t have things about us being explained to

“The governor has, consequently, ordered that on no account should anyone, whether in government or acting independently, engage in disrespectful exchanges and/or altercation with our revered Royal Majesty and the Benin Royal Palace.”

In the meantime, like CBSCO, many prominent Benin sons and daughters, have rooted for the palace as the custodian of returned works from Europe. Benjamin Onyenwense is one, and also a social activist. The looted works should be “kept in the custody of the Oba of Benin.”

On the lingering controversy between state and traditional institution, Onyenwense enjoins Obaseki “to have sincere dialogue with the Benin monarch with a view to reaching mutual understanding on the best way the artefacts would be of utmost benefit to the royal palace and the Edo people.”

Onetime deputy governor of Edo state, Lucky Imasuen, also spoke his mind on the lingering controversy. In one interview on Arise TV, Imasuen stated clearly that the works should be housed in a museum in the palace. “The fight to return this artefacts back to Benin started several years ago during the reign of Oba Akenzua and Oba Erediauw,” Imasuen said. “The current Oba who was Crown Prince and an ambassador to several European countries was mandated by his father to ensure that these artefacts are returned back to Nigeria.

The palace of the Oba of Benin belong to Benin people. The artefacts belong to the Benin people. The Oba of Benin is the authorized custodian of our heritage…You cannot possibly take things out of the palace of the Oba of Benin.”

THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

THEWILLNIGERIA

JULY 31 - AUGUST 06, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

Photo: Getty Images

SportsLive

Tobi Amusan: From Humble Beginnings to Enviable Heights

BY JUDE OBAFEMI

I

n the annals of Nigeria's participation in sporting events, both continental and international, July 2022 will go down in history as one of the most truly unforgettable months. In the unmistakably best ever performance by a Nigerian in an individual competition, Oluwatobiloba Ayomide Amusan, put previous massive disappointments aside to engrave her name in gold and bathe her country in glory when she to a semi-final World Record of 12.12 seconds in the 100 metres hurdle event at the just concluded World Athletics Championships in Oregon, United States. As an icing on her record-breaking feat, she topped get proud accomplishment with an eye-watering 12.06s, wind-assisted final to leave the rest of the field in her taillights as she claimed an unprecedented gold milestone for Nigeria. It was a moment of pride that was best encapsulated in the tears of joy she shed as she stood on the top podium while the Nigerian national anthem played.

“

Amusan took advantage of every opportunity that came and with her positive attitude and determined focus on her goal, realised her set objectives

It was also immensely consolatory for the majority of the country's sporting fans in general and football fans in particular, who had been unfortunate to witness, in the same month of July, one of the worst ever performances of a Super Falcons side at the most prestigious football competition in the continent.

two injury cycles she sustained last season. In her absence the Super Falcons recovered from the loss to South Africa in their subsequent matches but the decline in quality was evident as the most decorated female team on the continent could not finish with any accolade worth celebrating.

At the 14th edition of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, the biennial African international women's football tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and hosted by Morocco from the 2nd to the 23rd, the collection of stars in the Nigerian team made the Super Falcons top favourites to lift another African trophy, their 10th out of 12, further cementing their dominance of the competition.

The answer to the query of why there exists a sharp and distinct contrast in terms of sporting accomplishments for the country, wherein, in the period of a month, has traversed the space between the unexpectedly average outing of the Super Falcons to the incredible record-setting hurdle-jumping feat of Amusan, comes down to certain factors top of which is consistency and preparation. These two factors had huge significances in the outcome of the Super Falcons performances at the Cup of Nations, which were a letdown for a team of their calibre, and the singularly sensational semi-final and final sprints of the new world record holder in the 100m hurdles women's event, Amusan. The outcomes were not the result of only how they performed in July but a summation of everything that had come before as part of the regimen of preparation and training all targeted at emerging as the one above every other competitor. And, that is where every cadre of Nigerian sportsmen and women can take a page out of the Amusan manual for success.

With the highest goal-scorer in the Spanish Primera Ibedrola and Champions League finalist with Barcelona Femini Asisat Oshoala returning to the frontline and ably assisted by fellow Spanish League forward Rasheedat Ajibade of Atlético de Madrid, they were considered a formidable challenge for any defence.

Yet, the contrasting notions of Nigeria's sporting fortunes this month could not have been any clearer when the Nigerian ladies opened the defense of their title shakily with a disappointing loss to eventual winners, Banyana Banyana of South Africa. The Super Falcons' performance left more to be desired and ardent followers of the female game on the continent chorused the same complaint about the apparent lack of technical input to afford the team a tactical edge over their South African rivals. There were also issues raised about the wisdom of continuing to keep Oshoala in action after she had received an early knock and whose performance appeared to have subsequently dipped until what turned out to be a Grade 2 Medial Collateral Ligament Strain, which could sideline her for another lengthy spell after the THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

Long before her exploits of July 25 at the World Athletics Championships at Hayward Field in Oregon, the lady, who was to put Nigeria's flag at the top of the podium and have the world sit and listen while the Nigerian anthem played to millions watching and streaming the competition, she had to scale what was her first hurdle. She had to go against her father's wish to prevent her from taking to her dreams of becoming an athlete. It goes to show that her gifts of overcoming hurdles is innate and required the steadfastness of dedicated grooming and disciplined determination to carry her to the glory of the present.

THEWILLNIGERIA

Her father's refusal to allow her waste time running around the stadium had to potential to derail her ambitions from the onset but for her supportive mother that abetted her in escaping to practice as long as it did not impede get academic work. From that strict upbringing, she began to learn the value of time management and the priority of a good education alongside the progress of her talents and gifts.

Although these talents first turned to football, it was when she began to sprint faster than well-coached contemporaries that she turned her full attention to the tracks.

Glimpses of her pace continued to flash with every appearance she made on the tracks at local competitions but it was her silver medal outing at the 2013 African Youth Championships in Warri that she began to garner attention all the more. However, she immediately faced a check on her progress and ambitions at the 8th IAAF World Youth Championships World Athletics Under-18 competition in Donetsk, Ukraine that same year. As she raced towards the finish line, she inadvertently infringed onto the lane of a competitor in the 200 metres sprint semi-final race and was forthrightly disqualified.

That letdown was painful and hurt the hard-working athlete, who had invested so much into reaching that stage of the competition. She was one of the country's medal hopefuls and was putting in a proper showing before being penalised with disqualification. What may have broken the spirits of others at her age and bearing only served to buoy Amusan's determination to succeed. It was grists to her mill.

Having been in contention for medals in the sprints so far, Amusan's switch to the hurdles also came circumstances that forced the decision.

She was not included in the Nigerian selection to race the 4x100m relay at the trials for the African Youth Games the following year and not wanting to be completely removed from the trials, she entered the competition for representing the country in the Hurdles event. The events of July 25 prove how inspired a decision this turned out to be.

There were signs from the start as she breasted the tape ahead of the field at the trials and finished second on the podium for Nigeria at the African Youth Games in Botswana. The diminutive girl from IjebuOde, Ogun State, was going places. She continued to do exploits with an African Under-20 gold in Ethiopia in 2015, and what truly was a significant accomplishment followed when she breezed to victory at the All-African Games in Brazzaville, Congo.

In 2016, the Ijebu-Ode athlete qualified for the Rio Olympics in Brazil, which was a fulfillment of another personal dream of becoming an Olympian and representing the country at the Games. She went as far as the 100m Hurdles semi-final but missed the cut for the final.

Amusan shook off that disappointment at Rio and returned to training with her eyes on improving her results ahead of the 17th World Athletics Championships scheduled for Doha, Qatar, at the renovated multi-purpose Khalifa International Stadium.

•Continues online at www.thewillnigeria.com

PAGE 31

www.thewillnigeria.com • July 31 - August 06, 2022

Is President Buhari Living in This Same Country?

O

n this very page, in the July 10 edition of THEWILL newspaper, I questioned the absence of accountability after the attacks on Kuje Correctional Centre and St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State and warned about the multiple security threats facing the country.

I wrote that Kuje was neither that far from the National Assembly nor a long distance from the seat of power in Aso Rock. These two hallowed locations were within striking distance of a now much-emboldened group of dare-devil terrorists that perceive President Muhammadu Buhari as weak and indecisive, especially on very serious issues that require shift and timely responses.

This same weakness, which characterised the worst parts of the Goodluck Jonathan government and made him come across as clueless, is once again rearing its head in the incumbent. We are again in the hands of a President, a retired Army General for that matter, who appears aloof, nonchalant, unconcerned, overwhelmed and weak and seems to not exist in the same space as the rest of us. And, it leads me to ask if truly our President, Head of State and Commanderin-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, is really living in this same country.

My question gets even more worrying when it is taken alongside the fact that on Wednesday, July 27, last week, the country read that the typical aloofness of the President had reached new dizzying levels as it took the intervention of Governor Nasir El-rufai of Kaduna State, according to the evidence suggested by the governor himself, to alert Buhari of the threat to his life from terrorists operating cells within and around the nation's capital city.

The governor's warning to the allegedly uninformed President came after the latest episode of brazen confidence from the terrorists who seized people from a train travelling between Kaduna and Abuja on March 28, 2022. They threatened to kidnap the President and El-rufai if their demands were not met.

The terrorists, believed to be of the Ansaru Islamic radical sect, also threatened to kidnap other well-known Nigerians and wreak havoc across the country.

A video released from the terrorists' den, which quickly went viral, showed some of them beating the last few male kidnap victims of the tragic train attack and ordering the women to line up in front of the men.

In the video, which lasted over three minutes, a bearded captive was forced to speak on their behalf. He claimed that the terrorists had assured them that they did not intend to hold them hostage for more than a week, but they were still in captivity because of the Federal Government's lax attitude. He therefore pleaded with the international community and the United Nations to intervene on their behalf because the government had failed to guarantee their freedom.

In the background, an elderly woman, who was well advanced in age, could be heard denouncing the Federal Government in Hausa, while repeating, "Allah ya isa" (loosely translated in English as "We leave you with God").

The woman bemoaned the fact that they had chosen the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Buhari in the futile belief that the North and the entire nation would be secure only to be victims of the terrorism he was supposed to tackle head-long upon assumption of office in May, 2015.

The terrorists wanted to deliver a message for the world to see, but they directed it at the Buhari administration: “This is our message to the government of Nigeria and just as you have seen these people here, by God’s grace, you will see your leaders; your senators and state governors will come before us.

“These ones you are seeing here, we will keep some as our slaves and sell them off just as our Imam told you in the past. Just like the Chibok girls that were sold off, we will

equally sell these ones as slaves. If you don’t adhere to our demands, we will kill the ones we need to kill and sell the remaining. By God’s grace, El-rufai, Buhari, we will bring you here.”

Nothing demonstrated the daredevilry that these terrorists currently boast of more than their confidence in bringing up one of them that they freed from the Kuje prison break and he had the effrontery to issue his own threats. He said: “Let the government know I am one of the Kuje prison escapees. I am here, God has rescued me. I am now once again bearing arms. We are going to destroy this country. Come and follow us, we will not change our stand. (sic) We are going to bring (kidnap) Governor El-rufai into this forest and belittle him the way we do to these people (victims of the train attack). You people know me, you declared me wanted to the world. I have declared you (government officials) wanted, too. I will kill you."

It was this message that El-rufai brought to Buhari and which he later revealed came as news to the President.

Speaking on a radio programme, El-rufai said: “I told him and the following day, Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle also confirmed to him that he saw the video too, to take action,” before adding that he hoped that the Federal Government would “do the right thing.”

The shocking revelation that the President was unaware of the viral video that contained an unveiled threat to his life flies at the face of the fact that he is supposed to be the Chief Security Officer of the country with the highest level of security apparatus and he is supposed to have daily security briefings on every aspect of the country's welfare, most especially his own safety, which ranks highest in the concerns of the security agencies. This should leave every Nigerian worried, the same way it keeps me up at night and disturbs my day.

The fact that the July 5 attack on President Buhari’s advance convoy in Katsina nor the ambush and killing of at least eight soldiers of the Presidential Guard Brigade did not merit enough to jolt him into transforming the threats that Nigerians face daily across the country in the hands of armed bandits and marauding terrorists into an aggressive nationwide manhunt for these terrifying groups is unnerving.

It is shocking that such a clear and present danger came knocking on the President’s front door and a national emergency on insecurity was not declared to drive the fear of the nation's military might straight in the heart of every individual that self-identifies as a terrorist across the length and breadth of the country.

There was no immediate deployment of every possible mechanism at the behest of Africa's most populous black nation to fight this monstrosity to a standstill. How is it that the angry reactions of every concerned Nigerian to the frequency of these attacks is not matched by the Office of the President, constitutionally charged, as it is, with the welfare of the citizens and the security of every Nigerian, if it is possible that President Buhari exists in the same space as the rest of us?

The issue of security threats is competing for honours against the downturn of the economy and continuous decline in the value of the naira mainly due to the loss of more than USD$2 billion to unchecked crude oil theft and a wasteful fraudulent fuel subsidy programme that will gulp about N6.7 trillion this year.

In my column last week, I highlighted that due to the inseverable relationship between a country's productivity output and the value of the country's currency, the continued lack of capacity to be a productive country has stymied any chance for the naira to appreciate against other major currencies and the vexatious nose-dive in value of the naira currently cannot be avoided only for it to plunge further downward.

At some point last week, the USD$1 dollar exchanged for a record N715, a mind boggling development. As we have not grown the capacity to be a manufacturing country for the most mundane and easy-to to-manufacture daily use items like toothpicks and matches, this will only worsen. Our overreliance on imports for almost everything that we consume, implies that we cannot have a strong economy and by implication, a strong currency.

Yet, there is no urgency on the part of the fiscal side of the government to arrest this slide. There is no aggressive push to make the situation better, if for nothing else, but to keep industries and companies currently in operation alive.

When this is juxtaposed with the disturbing waste of billions of dollars that have been buried into previous and current subsidies on petroleum products, the fraud that is the country's bane is clear. No fewer than 500 thousand barrels of crude oil are lost on a daily basis in the Niger Delta, with crude trading above $100pd. This is putting a knife at the country's jugular and threatening to hold the country to ransom and we are yet to see a fire brigade push to bring this under control. There is nothing aggressive to show it is a most serious crisis deserving the most serious response.

There is no hope for solutions to the myriad of problems facing the Nigerian State as the President appears as unconcerned and unbothered as the social media meme of him picking his tooth while the country burns. He has not paid a visit to the oil-rich Niger Delta region for an on-the spot assessment of the problem and to engage the stakeholders of the area to put an end to this indiscriminate sabotage of the nation’s largest source of revenue.

Now, Nigerians live in fear of terrorists and bandit attacks with another Owo incident last week and incidents in Abuja that forced the closure of schools and compelled members of the National Assembly to begin calls for the impeachment of the president.

This is a clarion call to the urgency of the moment. It will be beneficial for everyone and President Muhammadu Buhari to wake up, be both proactive and reactive to the existential threats facing the Nigerian state and take very bold and decisive actions that is required of the elected leader of the biggest economy in Africa and the most populous black nation in the world.

We are again in the hands of a President, a retired Army General for that matter, who appears aloof, nonchalant, unconcerned, overwhelmed and weak and seem to not exist in the same space as the rest of us PAGE 32

THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG

THEWILLNIGERIA