THEWILL NEWSPAPER, October 15, 2023

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2024 Edo Gov Election: The Top Six Aspirants

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... FBN Limited Dethrones Key Players, Emerges Top Investment Channel in Q2’23

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PRINCESS KELECHI OGHENE Reaching For The Stars

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OCTOBER 15, 2023 • VOL . 3 NO. 47

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PREVAILING ECONOMIC HARDSHIP:

More Nigerians Becoming Mentally Unstable ● Skyrocketing Cost of Living Tipping People Over the Edge ● Strange, Weird Behaviours, Tendencies on the Rise ● Over 40m Nigerians Depressed, Mentally Ill – WHO ● Implement National Mental Health Act Now – Experts

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Onah Nwachukwu Editor, THEWILL DOWNTOWN

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hey say too much of a good thing is bad for you. The same is true for those using retinol. While this is regarded as a miraculous beauty treatment, too much of it can thin out the skin, which could then make your skin susceptible to ageing.

This is just one of the many disadvantages of using too much retinol. Read more reasons why you shouldn’t overuse this beauty treatment on page 5.

Expectant mothers often worry about not looking fashionable, especially when it comes to work attire. But you need not worry if you fall into this category. Pages 6-7 review some stylish and comfortable options just for you.

Banke Meshida Lawal is a name to be reckoned with in the beauty industry. Her makeup line, BMPRO, caters to different skin types, including people with vitiligo and albinism, and her artistry is top-notch. She has had clients such as the former First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan, and works with Olori Sekinat Elegushi and many other high-profile clients.

Banke Meshisda Lawal learnt a trick to running her business long ago, and it’s helped with her success story. Read the details on pages 8-10.

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Have you ever wondered what to do with your leftover rice? We have just the right recipes for you on page 11.

Breaking bad habits can prove to be difficult. However, there are ways to go about it, and we list them on page 15.

Have you been scanning the QR codes on page 16? Don’t miss out on great music.

Also, on page 16, we review The Nun II and Lupin Season 3.

BANKE MESHIDA LAWAL’S Beauty Odyssey

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PREVAILING ECONOMIC HARDSHIP:

More Nigerians Becoming Mentally Unstable ● Skyrocketing Cost of Living Tipping People Over the Edge ● Strange, Weird Behaviours, Tendencies on the Rise ● Over 40m Nigerians Depressed, Mentally Ill – WHO ● Implement National Mental Health Act Now – Experts

BY AMOS ESELE

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he data is staggering. Of 200 million plus Nigerians, 22 per cent are chronically depressed, according to the World Health Organisation in January 2022. That means 40,000,000 plus Nigerians as at the beginning of last year were mentally ill. By October of the same year, that figure stood at 60 million, according to the President of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN), Taiwo Obindo.

Obindo, who is also the chairman of the Faculty of Psychiatry at West African College of Physicians, Nigeria Chapter, said, “Mental healthcare is in a sorry state given that we have more than 60 million Nigerians suffering from various mental illnesses and the fact that only about 10 percent of them were able to access appropriate care.”

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The figures for 2023 by relevant institutions are yet to be made public, but given that “economic crisis and a high level of insecurity can be regarded as the major triggers for the recent surge in the number of depression in the country,” it is safe to say that the numbers would be uncomforting.

On October 10, 2023, the world marked World Mental Health Day. On that day, WHO said, among others; "Good mental health is vital to our overall health and well-being. Yet one in eight people globally are living with mental health conditions, which can impact their physical health, their well-being, how they connect with others, and their livelihoods.

Mental health conditions are also affecting an increasing number of adolescents and young people."

The WHO could have spoken with Nigeria in mind where the situation is dire.

In 2022, when the above mentioned figures were released, the main drivers of the economy, first, petrol was priced at N148 to N178 per litre and second, the Naira and the dollar exchange rate was N426 and N720.

In 2023, both items had hit the roof. With President Bola Tinubu's announcement of fuel subsidy removal, petrol now sells for between N632.17 and N700 per litre, while the Naira/dollar rate stands at N764 and N1,050 at the parallel market.

Correspondingly, the cost of living has skyrocketed as virtually every sector, from education to goods and services, have increased costs amid government’s patchy THEWILLNIEWS

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...More Nigerians Becoming Mentally Unstable palliative programmes.

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, captured the economic mood of the country following the removal of fuel subsidy and unification of exchange rates recently. It said the removal of subsidy on petrol and forex unification negatively impacted the growth of businesses in the first half of 2023.

President of the LCCI, Michael Olawale-Cole, said the first half-year economic review of the country by the LCCI showed the economy was plagued by many factors.

Olawale-Cole, who was represented by his deputy, Gabriel Idahosa, said, “Business conditions and the operating environment in the first half of the year were largely difficult due to rising interest rates, inflationary pressures, foreign exchange volatility and the liberalisation of the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry.”

Depression or mental health is a medical condition that predisposes people to be sad, anxious, hopeless and helpless, which often stops them from living a normal life.

A university don who handles issues of depression, Professor Charles Ogbulogo, said, “The challenge of mental health has become a major challenge in Nigeria, particularly among the Gen Z (members of the generation of people born between the mid-1990s and mid-2010s who are seen as confident users of new technology.).

Professor Ogbulogo, who is the Vice Chancellor of Maduka University in Enugu, told THEWILL on Friday that the psychosocial condition in the country has made “delayed gratification among the gen z impossible. They want everything now so that they will be considered successful and that is also part of societal orientation. We are in a crisis.”

SYMPTOMS Alarmingly, 75 percent of Nigeria’s population is under age 25, which is 151 million out of 217, 079, 601, according to “Worldometer,” meaning that unless remedial actions are taken to create an enabling environment that supports even development, the youth may continue to exhibit symptoms of depression as it is currently happening in the country.

A leadership and stress management consultant, Adekunle Olusanya, told THEWILL in an interview that depression has overtaken cancer, with children being more prone to depression than adults.

According to him, nutritional deficiency is one of the predisposing factors of mental illness.

“When people do not eat well, have a deficiency of nutrients that will affect the secretion of good hormones in the body, this can make them unhappy. It can lead THEWILLNEWS

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to depression. Hence, psycho-social and biological factors can lead to depression.

“Social Status also can be a factor. Inability to pay your bills, get money to buy what you want may lead to cognitive distortion and then negative thinking, which would affect the way you feel, which in turn affects the way you act and your performance,” he said.

Explaining further, Olusayan said teenagers are more prone to depression because of the prevalence of a sense of immediate gratification among them and the high incidence of substance abuse.

Propelled by the demand of societal pressures to succeed anyhow, “the quest for immediate gratification can lead to feelings of hopelessness, fear, anger, anxiety and helplessness because of unrealistic expectations.”

“When these negative emotions set in, the gut brain barrier is affected," said Olusanya, “emotions are also linked to the brain.”

Although Olusanya, author of a bestseller titled God’s Answer to Depression, stated that genetic and seasonal factors, among others, also play a role in depression, he submitted that abusive relationships induced by lack and want can cause depression for adults and children growing up under such relationships.

He said, “Mother and father fighting in the home where swear words and negative affirmations are repeatedly used, they affect the neural pathway of the brain leading to loss of concentration. That is a recipe for depression.”

Both Ogbulogo and Olusanya agree that the high incidence of substance abuse among Nigerian youths, craze for “money ritual,” even the ugly prevalence of male organ disappearance, and increasing suicide bids are related cases of mental health.

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Mental healthcare is in a sorry state given that we have more than 60 million Nigerians suffering from various mental illnesses and the fact that only about 10 percent of them were able to access appropriate care

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THE LARGER PICTURE Research supports Olusanya’s statement that immediate gratification among youths accounts for cognitive distortion, which accounts for bad behavior.

The 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index Survey, co-sponsored by the Federal Government and the World Bank but released by the National Bureau of Statistics, showed that 63 percent of Nigerians, which account for 133 million citizens, are multidimensionally poor due to a lack of access to health, education, living standards, employment, and security.

Many online fraudsters, known as Yahoo Boys, and other deviant youths belong in the category of mentally ill who believe the performance of money ritual, rather than work or being creative, can make them become rich. In the pursuit of their quest, they often get involved in murder as it happened with a fraudster from Edo State, simply identified only as Osas, who allegedly killed his girlfriend, Elohor Oniorosa, for ritual purposes or a 36-year-old herbalist, Taiwo Ajalorun, who reportedly confessed to the shocking killing of a 26-year-old mother of two and two others in the Ijebu Ode area of Ogun State. The state alone recorded at least 15 cases of ritual killings between January 2022 and 2023, the highest number of reported cases of murder for “money ritual purposes."

Lamenting the development, Police Public Relations officer in Ogun State, Superintendent of Police, Omolola Odutola, stated that, “what could make 17, 18 and 19 year-old boys to get involved in such despicable acts involving the killing of an innocent girl for money ritual purpose? The problem must be from the home.”

Investigation showed that the trio who murdered one girl, Suliat, for the money making ritual, were from poor homes and lacked formal education.

What is true of engaging in ritual for money purposes is also true of substance abuse.

According to the Chairman of the National Drug Law Agency, NDLEA, Gen Buba Marwa (retd), “Substance abuse is common among youths between the ages of 18 and 35 years, and it cuts across those who dwell in both the urban and rural areas.”

Speaking at the 2023 Press Week Lecture/ Symposium, organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Lagos Chapel, recently, the drug czar, who was represented by Mrs Rita Okeke, NDLEA Deputy Director, said, some youths engage in drug abuse as a result of low self-esteem, ignorance, imaginary pressure and anxiety.

Also, in their desperation to make money by all means, mentally ill Nigerians, mostly youth, have resurrected an old practice that PAGE 7

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...More Nigerians Becoming Mentally Unstable disappeared in the 1980s: allegedly making the male organ disappear. Although many cases that have been reported across the country show that claims of organ disappearance are basically superstitious, thereby forcing the police to issue statements denouncing the practice, which has led to mob killings of alleged magicians, the practice is still ongoing, leading to fatal consequences and more stress and depression in society.

Last week in Kogi State, a motorcyclist suspected to have caused the disappearance of his victim’s male sex organ was mobbed to death, despite repeated statements and warning by the Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Onuoha, dispelling the belief.

In fact, the Nigerian Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja revealed on Friday that about 62 cases of alleged disappearance of the male sex organ have been reported across the territory.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, Haruna Garba, made the development known while addressing journalists at the command’s headquarters on Friday.

Garba further revealed that of the 62 cases reported to the command, 51 suspects have been arrested and charged to court for misinformation and causing breach of peace in the FCT. According to the police, the 51 suspects wrongly accused others of causing their organs to disappear, leading to mob actions against the victims (the accused).

The CP, however, called on residents of Abuja to always cooperate with security operatives in a bid to ensure that the city is free of crimes.

He said, “Fifty-one suspects were charged to court for giving false information and inciting public disturbance. To this end, I want to reiterate my commitment and willingness to always work with you (residents of FCT) to defeat crime in all its forms in the Federal Capital Territory.”

A pastor of ELAG-Ministry, Julius Usigbe, told THEWILL that the many Nigerians who believe that they can make money, which is a means of exchange without work, which is energy spent constructively, are merely imitating their leaders in many spheres of life whose sources of wealth are questionable.

"It is sad but that is the reality. Until we begin to pose the question of character, competence and capacity, we may have to live with the ugly incidence of so-called money ritual. But believe when I say it, there is nothing like that. It is all superstition fuelled by ignorance that you can become rich without work," he said.

The increasing number of suicide cases in the country has been traced to depression, too.

For the incidence of suicide, WHO in 2019 PAGE 8

listed Nigeria among the low and middleincome countries that accounted for over 77 percent of suicide incidents across the globe.

According to WHO, Nigeria has the highest rate of suicide in Africa and it is the sixth in the world with over 17, 000 lives lost to suicide.

The Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative (SURPIN) in Nigeria revealed that one in every five suicide cases in the country is aged between 13 and 19 years. It said that over 50 percent of crisis calls received via its hotlines are from those aged between 13 and 29 years, and 27.8 percent of them were students.

NATIONWIDE DANGER Because of mental ill-health, inducing psychosocial factors like poverty, ethnic and political division and acrimony, social cohesion in the country has taken a bad hit.

A National Social Cohesion Survey, NSCS, for 2022, African Polling Institute with support from Ford Foundation, computed the National Social Cohesion Index, NSCI, at 39.6 per cent, a score that remains below the average of 50 per cent. Indeed, the score was a 4.6 per cent decline from the 2021 index of 44.2 per cent.

What this means is that the state of cohesion in the country weakened over the past year and given the acrimony that preceded and followed the 2023 general election, the score may take time to improve.

According to the Institute, the concept of social cohesion refers to the willingness of the citizens of a country to cooperate and work together towards ensuring the survival and prosperity of the country. Attitudes and perceptions of citizens are captured, using some indicators to measure social cohesion in Nigeria. These indicators are trust, social justice, participation and patriotism, impunity, corruption, coping strategies, selfworth and future expectations.

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Overall, the results of the National Social

The high incidence of substance abuse among Nigerian youths, craze for “money ritual,” even the ugly prevalence of male organ disappearance, and increasing suicide bids are related cases of mental health

Cohesion Survey 2022 and National Social Cohesion Index, computed with a score of 36 per cent, demonstrates a weakening of the state of social cohesion in the country because of the increasing polarisation along economic, political and religious fault lines.

WAY FORWARD Professor Ogbolugo called for a general overhaul of the society. The leaders and elders have to work for a reorientation of society where money is not a major challenge for people or else they are likely to get it by all means. Family support has to be there for people. Improper planning with the coming of urbanisation has affected the sense of community that used to keep people together.

Something must be done about that.

Olusanya suggests a long term and a short term solution. For the long term, the school curriculum from primary to tertiary level has to be reviewed in such a way that the dignity of the person rather than the certification must be the focus.

“Why label children who failed, for instance, to mean they have failed in life when, in fact, failure at a point in time should be viewed as a challenge and opportunity to discover new ways to do things right,” he said, "In the short term, proper diagnosis must be key in nursing the patient back to life.”

He called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, implement to the letter the contents of the Mental Health Bill signed into law by ex-President Muhammadu Buhari on 5 January 2023. The Mental Health Bill 2021 replaces the Lunacy Act of 1958.

WHAT IS IN THE ACT? The Act sets out not only to ensure a better quality of mental healthcare services and promote recovery in Nigeria, but to protect the rights of persons who have mental health conditions. The establishment of a department of mental health within the Federal Ministry of Health is to see that mental health policies are proposed and implemented.

On a positive note, the Act defines and protects the rights of Nigerians with mental health conditions. Section 12 of the Act states that any person needing mental health services should not be subjected to any form of discrimination based on their condition.

They have the right to access all healthcare services, the right to protection from physical and mental abuse or exploitation, the right to humane and dignified treatment, the right to expression and opinion, and the right to receive reasonable care from their family, legal representatives, care-givers and the government. It also provides for the right to a quality standard of treatment, the right to appoint legal representatives, the right to participate in treatment planning, the right to privacy and dignity, the right to access information, and the right to confidentiality.

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NEWS

L-R: Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Vice President Kashim Shettima; Gov Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Managing Director/CEO, Niger Delta Power holding Company (NDPHC), Mr Chiedu Ugbo, during Agbara Business Roundtable in Abeokuta, Ogun State on October 12, 2023.

Southern Ijaw Air Peace CEO, US-based Physician Olubadan, Others Bag Urges Nigerians in Headquarters Road Will Prestigious Afro Awards Diaspora to Return Home be Ready Next Year – Diri

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he Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Air Peace, Dr Allen Onyema, and the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Dr Moshood Olalekan-Balogun, are among 26 Africans and Americans honoured with the prestigious Afro Awards 2023 for their humanitarian services.

The AFRO awards is an annual and non-profit event being powered by Oduala Foundation that honours outstanding individuals and organisations for their significant contributions to humanity in various fields.

In a statement, the Executive Director and Founder of AFRO awards, Chief Taiwo Oduala, said that the annual event was also aimed at establishing a unique Afro-centric excellence award on individuals and organisations that had touched lives in their various communities.

“While Onyema has made significant impact in the lives of many with his free evacuation philosophy, the Olubadan, distinguished himself as a caring and wise Royal Father.

“Air peace airline painstakingly evacuated Nigerians from South Africa during the Xenophobia in Sudan and China, besides Indians and Chinese evacuated from Nigeria back to their countries,” he said.

Oduala, who is a US-based famous movie director, explained that the 2nd Annual AFRO Awards, held at the prestigious Directors Guild of America in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California proved to be an unforgettable celebration of humanitarian excellence and cultural significance.

“With a star-studded guest list and a remarkable lineup of honorees, this event exceeded all expectations, leaving a lasting impression on attendees and the global community.

“The highlight of the evening was the recognition of accomplished individuals, who have made indelible contributions to society and culture.

“This spectacular event is a testament to the AFRO Awards mission of celebrating excellence and humanitarian contributions on a global scale.

“The red carpet was graced by an array of celebrities, dignitaries, and community leaders, setting the stage for a night of unity, inspiration, and cultural appreciation,” he said.

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S-based Physician, Dr Terrance Baker, has charged Nigerians in the Diaspora to return home to build a more resilient healthcare system in the country.

Baker made the call at the 5th Annual International Conference of the Nigeria Association of Foreign Trained Pharmacists (NAFTraPh) on Thursday in Lagos.

Baker is a Johns Hopkins Community Physician, Department of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. and the Producer of Doctors in the House, a TV show in the U.S. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for the three-day conference is: “Social Determinants of Health and Populations Health Outcomes in a Developing Economy- Nigeria’s Perspective”.

He urged the Federal government to welcome Diasporans who want to return home to help make the country better by creating an enabling environment that would make them comfortable.

According to him, sending money back to the country is not enough to fix the country.

Baker noted that many Nigerians in America and Europe were tremendously very influential, adding that they included men and women who were successful, financially.

“Many of them send money home, but I believe that the Diasporan should be encouraged to actually return home.

“For example, Nigerian pharmacists are going to get training and experience and are returning home to change the healthcare system.

“I believe the diaspora must come home. I believe they can’t improve Nigeria from afar, they can’t rule, they can’t manage it from a distance.

“You cannot manage your country from a thousand miles away, it is very hard.

“They need to come and be part of it. The Diasporans need to invest in farming and farm equipment. They need to come and put their money to improve the food emergency.”

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BY DAVID OWEI

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overnor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has said that by next year when the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie Road is completed, Southern Ijaw people will drive cars to their local government headquartersin Oporoma for the first time.

Governor Diri stated this on Thursday at Ekowe community when he paid a courtesy visit to the Ibenanawei of Bomo clan, King Joshua Igbugburu, and other paramount rulers of the kingdom who gathered at the palace.

He also said his administration would award the contract for construction of the next phase of the project from Aguobiri to Eniwari community.

He said: "For us, Bomo clan is our home because this is not the first time we are coming for your royal blessings.

You have been very kind to us. We came to receive your blessings as usual. You are one king who has held on to God firmly and we want to continue to wish you a successful reign.

“In almost four years of our administration, we have embarked on projects that touch lives, particularly the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie Road, which everyone is happy about. We needed to fast-track development of the state.

"When you give me your mandate for a second term, by next year we will drive to Oporoma because that is the target given to us. Thereafter, we will also award the next phase of the project from Aguobiri to Eniwari community."

The governor said his passion for providing road infrastructure was borne out of the need to accelerate the pace of development in the state, particularly in the rural areas, and improve the living standards of the people.

At the palace, Diri offered scholarship to Princess Diseye Tombie up to university level after the young girl did a beautiful presentation on the Yenagoa-Oporoma Road and other projects of the Prosperity Administration.

In his remarks, the spokesman of the Bomo Council of Chiefs, Dr Sample Koko, commended the governor’s developmental strides and assured him and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, of victory in the November 11, 2023 poll.

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POLITICS

2024 Edo Gov Election: The Top Six Aspirants

BY AYO ESAN

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he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last month announced that the Edo State Governorship election would take place on September 21, 2024.

The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, in a statement explained that the release of the time table and schedule of activities became imperative considering the fact that the tenure of the current Governor of Edo State would end on November 11, 2024.

The commission said that as provided in Section 178 (2) of the Constitution, election into the said office will hold not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the tenure of the last holder of the office.

It added, “The latest date for election to the Office of Governor, Edo State, is 12th October, 2024. Similarly, Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 requires the Commission to publish Notice for the Election not later than 360 days before the date of the election.”

To this end, the commission said the Edo governorship election will hold on Saturday, September 21, 2024.”

The commission revealed that party primaries would hold between February 1 and 24, 2024, while the submission of the list of nominated candidates via the online portal will start at 9.00am on March 4, 2024 and close at 6.00pm on March 24, 2024.

The commission noted that the final list of candidates would be published on April 23, 2024, while campaigning

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The commission said the Edo governorship election will hold on Saturday, September 21, 2024

in public by the political parties would commence on 24th April 2024 and end 24 hours prior to Election Day on September 19, 2024.

The commission revealed that a detailed timetable and schedule of Activities for the Edo and Ondo Governorship elections have been uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms.

It, therefore, urged the political parties and candidates to note the activities in the timetable for strict compliance.

Following this development, political parties and aspirants have started coming out to express their intention to contest the governorship election.

Although there are many aspirants presently consulting,

a bunch of them are from Edo Central Senatorial District, which could benefit from the political zoning arrangement in the state, if upheld by party leaders.

The senatorial district has not produced a governor in the state.

Three parties are also in the forefront to produce Governor Godwin Obaseki’s successor and they are his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP); the All Progressives Congress, (APC) and the Labour Party, (LP).

Obaseki is currently rounding up his second term in office and so he is constitutionally ineligible to contest the next year’s election.

So far, those consulting according to THEWILL checks are - Mr. Asue Ighodalo ( Edo Central), Mr. Anselm Ojezua (Edo Central), Deputy Governor Phillip Shaibu (Edo North) and Mr. John Yakubu (Edo Central), who are all from the PDP. The aspirants in the APC are - Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu (Edo South), Major General Charles Airhiavbere. Rtd., (Edo South), former Governor Oserheimen Osunbor (Edo Central), Prince Clem Agba (Edo North), Mike Onolememen (Edo Central), Chris Ogiemwonyi (Edo South), Colonel David Imuse Rtd., (Edo Central) and senator representing Edo Central senatorial district, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

In the LP, Mr. Olu Akpata (Edo South), a former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr. Ehizojie Ohiowele (Edo Central), Mr. Kenneth Imansuangbon (Edo Central) and Dr. Dorry Okojie (Edo Central) have declared their intentions for the top job.

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POLITICS

...The Top Six Aspirants Despite the preponderance of aspirants across the party lines, THEWILL has been able to narrow the race to six aspirants based on our reading of the political field at this time and how party leaders are thinking. We are not however unaware of the fact that 24 hours is a long time in politics.

The Top Aspirants Asue Ighodalo (PDP) Asue Ighodalo, a lawyer is from Okaigben, Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.

He is Godwin Obaseki's preferred candidate to fly the party's flag in the governorship election.

Ighodalo is a founding partner of the law firm of Banwoand-Ighodalo, a corporate and commercial law practice in Nigeria specialising in advising major corporations on Corporate Finance, Capital Markets, Energy and Natural Resources, Mergers and Acquisitions, Banking and Securitisation and Project Finance. He is the Chairman, Sterling Bank, Dangote Flour Mills Plc, Levene Energy Group, Director, NSIA - Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and former Chairman NESG - Nigerian Economic Summit Group.

He is a product of Kings College, Lagos. He obtained a B.Sc degree in Economics from the University of Ibadan in 1981, an LL.B from the London School of Economics and Political Science (1984) and a B.L from the Nigerian Law School, Lagos (1985).

Upon graduation from the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, Ighodalo worked as an Associate in the law firm of Chris Ogunbanjo & Co between 1985 and 1991, and in 1991 he set up Banwo and Ighodalo in partnership with Femi Olubanwo.

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Asue Ighodalo is married to Ifeyinwa, a prominent interior designer and founder of DO.II Designs, formerly known as Design Options.

As a member of the Labour Party, Akpata brings his unique perspective and ideas to the forefront, poised to play a role in shaping policy decisions and advocating for issues that align with the party's values

With a degree from the University of Education, Winneba and a Ph.D. from The University of Bradford, his credentials are impressive.

Olumide Akpata (LP) Olumide Akpata was born on October 7, 1972. A legal practitioner and populist politician, he was a senior partner and the Head of Corporate and Commercial Practice Group at Templars law firm in Nigeria until his resignation on August 31, 2023 to enable him to pursue partisan politics.

He became the first non-Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 28 years to be elected president of the Nigerian Bar Association in July 2020 and is known as the maverick.

of Science in Architecture, and a Master of Science in Construction Management from the then Bendel State University (now Ambrose Alli University), the University of Nigeria and the University of Lagos, respectively.

Akpata began his legal practice in Delta State under the tutelage of Dr Mudiaga Odie, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, OFR, who was one of the most seasoned litigators of his time.

He is a scholar-practitioner who holds a Ph.D in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the United States of America.

He also holds a degree from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government in Massachusetts, the United States.

In 1996, Akpata relocated to Lagos and teamed up with his cousin, Oghogho Akpata, who had just set up the law firm, Templars, the previous year.

He joined in the formation of Templars at the age of 23 and has grown the firm into what it is today, as one of the largest law firms in Nigeria with a workforce of about 100 lawyers, including two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, both of whom practice proficiently in diverse areas of Nigerian law.

He has participated in some of the major groundbreaking transactions that have shaped commercial law practice in Nigeria and indeed, the Nigerian economy.

August 1, 2023 marked a pivotal moment for Akpata as he formally entered the political arena, solidifying his commitment to public service by joining the ranks of the Labour Party. This move not only underscores his dedication to civic engagement but also signals a new chapter in his journey towards contributing to the betterment of society.

As a member of the Labour Party, Akpata brings his unique perspective and ideas to the forefront, poised to THEWILLNEWS

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play a role in shaping policy decisions and advocating for issues that align with the party's values. His entrance into the political landscape highlights the growing diversity of voices within the party, fostering a broader and more inclusive dialogue on matters of national importance. He has indicated his interest in contesting the September 2024 governorship election in Edo State.

Mike Onolememen (APC) Onolememen was born in Uromi, Edo State, in 1965. He began his education at Saint Anthony’s Primary School before moving on to Annunciation Catholic College in Irrua and finally the prestigious Kings College in Lagos.

Mike is a chartered architect and professional manager with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, a Master

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He is a fellows of prestigious institutes, including the Nigerian Institute of Architects [FNIA] and the Nigerian Institute of Management [FNIM], as well as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (FNIS), the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (FNMGS), the Academy of Entrepreneurial Studies (FAES), the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (FNIQS), and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE).

Dr Onolememen was appointed Minister of State for Defence in January 2007 and he held the position until the end of the Olusegun Obasanjo Administration in May 2007.

Onolememen served as the Minister of Works between July 2011 and May 2015, during which time he implemented a number of strategic reforms in line with the then President Goodluck Jonathan administration’s transformation agenda.

•Continues online at www. thewillnews.com

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OCTOBER 15, 2023 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnews.com

POLITICS

Off-Cycle Governorship Elections And Fear of Insecurity

BY AYO ESAN

A

head of the three off-cycle governorship elections in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa States schedule for November 11, 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has raised the alarm that the growing level of violence and insecurity in Imo and Kogi States is not only “unacceptable, unnecessary and worrisome” but also capable of scaring potential voters.

The INEC made its position known through the National Commissioner and Member, Information and Voter Education Committee, (IVEC), Mallam Mohammed Kudu Haruna who raised the alarm during a one-day workshop organised for media executives in Owerri by the Commission.

THEWILL recalls that electioneering campaigns in the two states of Kogi and Imo have witnessed violence and this has made many to be scared of the situation as we approach the election.

Haruna said: “We have gone so far with our preparedness for the off-cycle elections in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa States.

“The Commission is truly worried about the growing level of insecurity and violence in Kogi and Imo States. This is unacceptable, unnecessary and most worrisome.

“Campaigns in Kogi State have been violent and this is most unfortunate. Our political gladiators and indeed, all citizens, must work towards ensuring free, fair and credible elections.

“It stands to reason that if this situation is allowed to continue, there is the likelihood that people will be afraid to come out to vote on the Election Day. “Already, INEC is having a shortfall in the number of adhoc staff needed to superintend over the forthcoming elections.”

Also an election observer, Yiaga Africa, recently released a report titled ‘Emerging Political and Security Trends in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo States’, which showed insecurity topping other challenges before, during and after the elections The report stated, “The upcoming off-cycle elections are likely to be influenced by the issue of security, which is a major concern in the country.

“The South-East geopolitical zone has experienced several security crises, with militia groups posing a significant threat to the socio-economic well-being of the area.

The enforcement of the Monday seat-at-home by The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and unknown gunmen has further hampered economic activities.

“Reports have indicated that five LGAs (Ehime/Mbano, Okigwe, Oru West, Oru East, and Orlu LGAs) in Imo State are hotspots for violence leading up to the 2023 general elections.

“The secessionist group has also heightened the vulnerability of the state to armed violence, causing deaths and property damage, including attacks on State facilities, such as the Independent National Electoral Commission

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assets.

“In Imo State, there have been 12 reported cases of attacks and destruction of INEC’s assets and facilities, the highest in the country between 2019 and 2023. Other areas in the state, such as Orlu, Orsu, Ideato North and South, Okigwe, Oguta-Izombe, Njaba, Oru East and Oru West, have also been identified as security hotspots.

“Professor Sylvia Agu, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Imo State, recently announced that 2,300 soldiers would be deployed for the election.

“While the security situation in Bayelsa State seems to be relatively calm ahead of the election, there are still concerns that it may be premature to predict what will happen during the election.

“Recently, there was a report of an attack on Saturday, August 13th, where armed men in multiple vehicles invaded Opu Nembe (Basambri) in Nembe Local Council, resulting in one fatality and several injuries.

“

The Commission is truly worried about the growing level of insecurity and violence in Kogi and Imo States. This is unacceptable, unnecessary and most worrisome

“The heightened security situation in Kogi State has been exacerbated by the rhetoric and activities of politicians in the State. In June 2023, the Kogi State Government alleged that suspected thugs loyal to the SDP candidate attacked Governor Yahaya Bello’s convoy while on his way from Abuja to Lokoja, the State capital.

“Mr Bello and Mr Ajaka traded blame over the incident, accusing each other of being responsible for the attack.

While the Governor alleged that his convoy was attacked by the SDP’s team, Mr Ajaka claimed that it was an assassination attempt on his life by the Governor and his men.

“There was a report of unrest in Ayingba in Dekina LGA of Kogi East, on Sunday 28 August 2023, when the SDP candidate went to commission his campaign office. The office was allegedly vandalized on 2 separate occasions, with one person reported dead from the incident.

“Yiaga Africa also received reports that the SDP candidate’s office in Lokoja was also burnt down. The incident was said to have occurred on Sunday 28, August 2023. There also have been several reports of kidnappings in Kogi State, one of which was the kidnapping of Oba of Idofin and his wife in Yagba East Local Government Area by gunmen on Monday, 19 June 2023. There was also the kidnapping of Passengers who were travelling on the Peace Mass Transit Bus. This incident occurred on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

“Also, a report of the kidnap of 3 family members in the Greenland community, Ganaja Ajaokuta, Kogi state was received by Yiaga Africa. This incident happened on Monday, June 5th, 2023.”

Political analysts also believed that though Nigeria is still battling with the fallout of the 2023 general elections, but they expressed the opinion that President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Independent National Electoral Commission face a fresh test with the imminent off-cycle governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States.

President Tinubu, they believe, must use the elections, the first under his administration, to prove his full control of the situation in the country.

He also needs to bring his experience to bear in the political arena and justify his widely acclaimed democratic credentials by deploying ample security cover to safeguard lives and property during the coming elections.

The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Egbetokun, should deliver on his promise to destroy insecurity, as he must mobilise enough men and material towards ensuring successful elections in the three affected states.

To ensure free and fair elections, the police must perform optimally and ensure that voters freely chose who will lead them in the three states during the coming elections.

A country cannot be truly democratic until its citizens have the opportunity to choose their representatives through elections under a free and fair atmosphere.

Nigeria’s experiment with democracy has been fraught with elections marred by manipulation, violence, votes falsification and poor management.

All Nigerians are expecting from the electoral umpire, the INEC and the security agencies is for them to facilitate a free, fair and credible elections under a peaceful atmosphere on November 11.

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OCTOBER 15, 2023 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnews.com

POLITICS NEWS

L-R: Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, swearing in Mr. Okafor Izuchukwu Moses, the newly appointed Commissioner for Finance in Anambra State on October 11, 2023.

Imo Governorship Race: Sen. Ubah Defects to APC CACOL Backs Establishment of International Anti-Corruption Court Obidients Throw Weight S Behind Achonu, LP

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he Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, (CACOL), has thrown its weight behind the move by the government to establish an International Anti-Corruption Court.

In a release issued by CACOL and signed by Tola Oresanwo, the anticorruption organization’s Director, Administration and Programmes on behalf of its Chairman, Mr. Debo Adeniran, he stated, “It should be noted that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), represented by a Deputy Director (Public Prosecution), Yusuf Abdullahi Abdulkadir, stated this in his speech delivered in Abuja during the 33rd Anti-Corruption Situation Room organised by Human and Environmental Development Agenda also known as HEDA Resource Centre, in collaboration with Integrity Initiatives International.

The Minister was quoted as saying,“Nigeria, as a country that has been deeply affected by corruption, could benefit significantly from the establishment of an International Anti-Corruption Court. Such a court could provide a platform to address cases that involve individuals and assets located abroad, often tied to grand corruption schemes that have a devastating impact on Nigeria’s development efforts. It could serve as an additional tool to complement and strengthen the nation’s domestic anticorruption efforts.”

Reacting to this, the Chairman of CACOL said “We received the news that the government is considering the establishment of an International AntiCorruption Court with great delight, it is indeed a step in the right direction considering the pervasiveness of corruption in the country.

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“However, we believe that Nigeria needs more than just legal frameworks to win the war against corruption.

The present administration should coordinate and strengthen agencies whose purview includes corruption.

Nigeria has no less than five commissions, bureaus, and tribunals that have the power to investigate and prosecute corrupt practices. But the current administrative set-up— including questions about the role of the attorney general in cases brought by other agencies—makes coordination extremely difficult. It is important to provide clear administrative protocols that make for more effective and cordial relationships among these institutions”.

The anti-corruption Czar opined that “There is need to establish strong synergy and partnerships among the anti-corruption agencies and the present administration should also come out with its anti-corruption stance as this is vital to the success of its anti-corruption crusade. The president must counter the narrative that the anti-corruption war is only being waged at the executive level.

The CACOL Boss further enthused, “With the advancement in technology today, most of the looting or financial manipulations would be effectively prevented and detected ab-initio if we focused more on prevention and greater accountability and independence of organs saddled with oversight and embrace e-governance as a matter of urgency. Moreover, every Nigerian must see the fight against corruption as one that must be won hence the government must enlist the help of all and sundry and impress upon them the urgency of the cause.

Without their support, a more open and accountable Nigeria will remain a fantasy”.

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azi Obi Okoli, the Coordinator, Obidient Movement, Europe, has urged their supporters in lmo to be focused in their resolve to bring a change in the state in the Nov. 11 governorship election.

Okoli said in a statement from UK, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Sen. Athan Achonu, the Labour Party (LP) candidate stands tallest amongst other contestants in the Imo governorship race.

“Achonu has developed a programme designed to end hunger, insecurity and unemployment which is very prevalent in the state under the current leadership,” he said.

According to Okoli, Obidients in Imo have resolved to support Achonu and that no amount of deceit from any quarter will sway them to back any other individual.

“We hereby place a disclaimer to any individual or individuals claiming to be supporting any other candidate in Imo State elections under the deceit and claim to represent the Obidient Movement.

“We, the Obidient Movement, hereby state clearly that the only candidate Obidients support in Imo State for governorship 2023 is Senator Athan Achonu.

“We call on all Igbo; indeed, Imo citizens and our friends living in Imo state to stand behind the Labour Party Candidate, Senator Achonu, and help free Imo State from misery and pain.”

Okoli urged residents to remain resolute and resolved to bring change to the people of Imo State.

“We believe that a new Imo is Possible; a state where peace and security shall be paramount. A better Imo is ‘Athanable’, and Sen. Athan Achonu will emerge victorious.

“A state where the youths will be assured of their future and no fake political promises; a state where the resources of the state will be used purely for the development of the state and not for the personal use of a few.”

en.Ifeanyi Ubah (YPP Anambra) has defected from the Young Progressive Party (YPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ubah said this in a letter read by President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio at plenary.

He said that he decided to join the APC because of some irreconcilable differences in the YPP. “I am writing to formally notify and inform you that due to irreconcilable differences, I have resolved to move from the Young Progressives Party (YPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“As a dedicated politician and a representative of the people, I believe that this move has become exigent owing to the growing need and call from my constituents to align myself with a political party that best reflects my values and aspirations.

“After careful consideration and due consultations with my family, constituents, political associates and critical stakeholders and after a thorough evaluation of the political landscape in Nigeria.

“I have come to the realisation and conclusion that the All Progressives Congress is better suited to champion the ideals and principles that I hold dear,” he said.

Ubah said that the APC’s commitment to good governance, economic development and social progress were part of reasons for his defection.

“I have been the national leader of the YPP for several years and I am grateful for the opportunities and experiences it availed me.

“However, as our nation faces numerous challenges which have trickled down to my constituency, it is crucial for me to align myself with a party that has the capacity to address these issues effectively for the betterment of my constituents and constituency.

“I am particularly impressed by the “Renewed Hope” initiative of President Bola Tinubu and I found it needful to join the train so as to initiate my Senatorial District into the laudable vision,’’ he said.

Ubah said he looked forward to working collaboratively with colleagues in the APC to bring about positive change in Nigeria.

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EDITORIAL

OCTOBER 15, 2023 WWW.THEWILLNEWS.COM

Before we All Lose Our Sanity

We are therefore not surprised at the weird behaviours and actions of many Nigerians in recent times as many appear to be losing their sanity at a very fast rate, doing the unthinkable and committing the most wicked crimes even against their close family members.

Apparently the situation in Nigeria is further compounded by the economic hardships prevailing in the country

N

igeria joined the rest of the world last Tuesday to mark the World Mental Health Day, which is observed globally on October 10 every year. The theme for this year’s event, “Mental health is a universal human right”, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), is to improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive actions which protect mental health as a human right.

In a message titled “Our minds, our rights" to mark the day, WHO stated, “World Mental Health Day 2023 is an opportunity for people and communities to unite behind the theme ‘Mental health is a universal human right” to improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a universal human right.''

The global health body maintained that ''mental health is a basic human right for all people,'' adding, ''Everyone, whoever and wherever they are, has a right to the highest attainable standard of mental health.

This includes the right to be protected from mental health risks, the right to available, accessible, acceptable, and good quality care, and the right to liberty, independence and inclusion in the community.''

According to WHO, good mental health is vital to overall health and well-being. Yet, one in eight people

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@thewillnews.com

globally are living with mental health conditions, which can “impact their physical health, their well-being, how they connect with others and their livelihoods. Mental health conditions are also affecting an increasing number of adolescents and young people.''

Depressive symptoms are said to be growing from a base of about 193 million people worldwide to 246 million in 2023, and this translates to about 28 percent, while anxiety disorders are believed to be growing from about 298 million people affected to 374 million, which is about a 25 percent increase. The number of Nigerians living with mental challenges is about 60 million, according to the President of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN), Taiwo Obindo, who is also the Chairman, Faculty of Psychiatry, West African College of Physicians, Nigeria Chapter.

According to Obindo, “Mental healthcare is in a sorry state given that we have more than 60 million Nigerians suffering from various mental illnesses and the fact that only about 10 percent of them were able to access appropriate care. We are left with more than 90 per cent who are unable to access care and this group is called the treatment gap for mental illnesses.’’

We are therefore not surprised at the weird behaviours and actions of many Nigerians in recent times as many appear to be losing their sanity at a very fast rate, doing the unthinkable and committing the most wicked

crimes even against their close family members. Apparently the situation in Nigeria is further compounded by the economic hardships prevailing in the country as the majority of the people now find it difficult to put food on their tables, a situation that is fast affecting their thinking ability and sound mind.

Sadly, the government seems not to be realising the grave danger this development portends for the country and its people, especially the younger generation, which is the most affected as legislations to address the mental challenges are not really enforced where applicable.

THEWILL recalls that in January 2023, a little over 60 years after the Lunacy Act of 1958 was established, giving medical practitioners the power to detain people suffering from mental illnesses, the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari , finally signed into law the National Mental Health Act, 2021.

We therefore call for the full implementation of the law, which is also aimed at making mental health a human right rather than a case for stigmatisation and neglect.

We also call on governments at all levels to take mental health seriously now than before given the prevailing depression and anxiety as well as the resort to the use of illicit and hard drugs among Nigerians. Failure to do the needful now is like sitting on a keg of gunpowder that is just waiting to explode.

THEWILL NEWSPAPER TEAM Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Business Editor – Sam Diala

Photo Editor – Peace Udugba

Austyn Ogannah

Copy Editor – Chux Ohai

Head, Graphics – Tosin Yusuph

Editor – Olaolu Olusina

Cartoon Editor – Victor Asowata

Deputy Editor – Amos Esele

Entertainment/Society Editor – Ivory Ukonu

Circulation Manager – Victor Nwokoh

Politics Editor – Ayo Esan

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Guest Art Director – Sunny Hughes

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OPINION

OCTOBER 15, 2023 WWW.THEWILLNEWS.COM

How Failed Government Policies Fuel Food Inflation

BY ADEFOLARIN A. OLAMILEKAN

F

ood, food and food remain the most constant nutritional and vitamin value humans cannot do without. Our existence depends on it, or else humanity will go to extinction.

We cannot dare joke about the lack of food. Nobody has made food its enemy.

These are the reasons why serious nations make deliberate efforts toward not just having food security, but making it strategically abundant, available, and affordable for the people.

In other words, there is greater attention to government policy direction that defines food, essentially, as the number one priority on the scale of preference. In this regard, the policy to make food available all year round and affordable is not toiled with no matter what the economic technical conundrum calls it inflation or food inflation.

FOOD INFLATION, IF LET LOOSE,

WILL AFFECT MOSTLY THE POOR WHO ARE GREATLY VULNERABLE. NIGERIANS ARE ASKING WHAT IS FUELLING FOOD INFLATION IN THE COUNTRY. SPECIFICALLY, THEY WANT TO KNOW HOW THE GOVERNMENT POLICIES FAILED TO TAME FOOD INFLATION

Food must be on the table for every household. Recently, there were soaring energy and food prices, with inflation of over 7.5 per cent in the USA and above five per cent in Europe and the UK. Their government is not sleeping over the situation. Taming food inflation headlong through pragmatic efforts has been deployed, because they grasp deeply the social cost of food inflation beyond just the economic technicality of it.

What then is Inflation?

With hindsight, a simplistic definition of inflation is the general rise in the prices of goods and services in a particular country, at a particular period, which results in a fall in the value of money.

In this way, inflation simply devalues and weakens a country’s currency, as well as erodes the purchasing power of income and wages available for workers to spend on food and other desired needs.

Significantly, food inflation if let loose, will affect mostly the poor who are greatly vulnerable.

Nigerians are asking what is fuelling food inflation in the country. Specifically, they want to know how the government policies failed to tame food inflation. Because the Governments

present or passed we acknowledge always have one or more projects in this direction.

Space would not permit us to begin a narrative around failed government policies, formulated and partially or fully implemented before 1999. However, Nigerians will never forget how the military government truncated the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and Rolling Development Plans. A sizeable segment of these development plans focuses on food selfsufficiency and economic self-reliance through local resource development. Moreso, that they are laudable economic frameworks with multi-sectoral approaches, they were jettisoned due to a lack of government policy continuity.

Meanwhile, a modest history of how our nation's policy economics has been formulated and implemented since 1999 when the civil democratic government returned, showed nothing significant has been achieved to address the economic challenges. And, for us, one of such troubling issues is the rising food inflation.

Noticeably, the aftermath of successive governments in Nigeria's failure on policy economics always gets every concerned citizen thinking and one would wonder how we got so deep in the mess we found ourselves in, even though we are a resources-blessed nation.

Surprisingly we are not lacking in policies or policy formulation and development ideas as a point of departure in our clime. This, in fact, demonstrates why a lot is expected from us as African most populous people with brilliant minds and skills.

Sadly, Nigerians are looked down upon as our green passport on any immigration desk outside our shore is scrutinised and interrogated under heavy suspicion. Why? Because we by ourselves are careless about dignity. What the outside has come to know about us is the 'corruption' and 'looting' of public funds that permeated our government structures as exhibited by people who are lucky to have been elected or appointed.

Some of us as political economists or economists are ashamed and disappointed because the government over time would always create the impression of walking the talk of many of its policy economics. Alas! To the greatest surprise of Nigerians, it is always media hype and shows that have never translated the economy better to lift citizens out of poverty.

Nevertheless, for the period under review, many Nigerians can never forget in a hurry the following policies; National Economic Empowerment Development Strategy (NEEDs), State Economic Empowerment Development Strategy (SEEDs), Local Government Economic Empowerment Development Strategy (LEEDs), were jealously guarded policies of the Olusegun Obasanjo administration (1999-2007).

•Adefolarin A. Olamilekan is a Political Economist •Continues online at www.www.thewillnews.com

Re: Obaseki’s Controversial Legacy

BY CRUSOE OSAGIE

I

t is curious to see that a piece in a newspaper attempting to describe the legacies of the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, will almost entirely base their judgement on the failure of the Federal Government to fix their roads that transverse Edo State.

It is even more disturbing that the author never took the rigour and time to investigate the underbelly of the issue. The Federal Government has failed to allow anyone to fix these roads and is unable to do it themselves, leaving the roads in deplorable condition, forcing heavy-duty vehicles that traditionally used these federal roads for interstate transportation to now resort to state roads, which were not initially designed to handle such tonnage, placing an immense burden on the State roads.

Instead of thoroughly analysing and addressing these facts so that the responsible parties can adjust adequately and deal with the issues, the author chose to scapegoat His Excellency, Mr Godwin Obaseki, denigrating all infrastructural development efforts by the Governor over the past seven years that have continued to positively impact on the lives of the people.

Although the author, in the 10-paragraph piece, agreed that the roads were owned by the Federal Government, he somehow believes that it is Governor Obaseki’s lot if the roads are not fixed. This is quite unfortunate.

There’s no gainsaying that the governor is sustaining efforts to overhaul the State’s road infrastructure, open up new towns and enhance access to rural areas, in line with his government’s urban renewal vision.

Obaseki, as an investment banker, understands the primacy of road infrastructure to economic development, which is why he has prioritised road construction and has continuously called on the Federal Government to undertake the repairs of their roads, part of the reason why they are entitled to over 52 percent of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) receipts.

It is unfortunate that the Federal Government has neither heeded the numerous calls to fix these roads nor allowed the state government to intervene, making them nearly impassable. The governor has continued to move against the odds and has now begun efforts to carry out palliative work on a few of the federal roads like the Benin-Sapele Road, Benin-Agbor Road, among others.

As for the so-called challenge by the opposition party in the state to name roads that have been constructed since the governor came to power in 2016, which we have only come to know, ‘mysteriously,’ from this piece, let me provide a useful insight. It is on record that the state government under the leadership of Governor Obaseki has built over 1,500 roads, which stretch for about 2500km across the State’s three Senatorial Districts. Some of these roads include construction of Irhirhi-Aruogba-Obazagbon-Obagienevbosa-Ogheghe Road which spurs to Enogie Palace and Ogbekpen Community (Rubber Research); construction THEWILLNEWS

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of Lucky Way, Benin City; Mission Road, Anegbette; Iyegbepue - Iyeremhe Road, Jattu; Irhue-Oke Uhiere Road off Benin-Ekpoma Road, Uhunmwode (Phase 1-4); Uwessan -Ujagbhole-Irrua, (Phase 1-6); Ugboshi- Afe Road, Off Igarra Ibillo Express Way; BeninAbraka Expressway (Phase I), among others.

IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS NEITHER HEEDED THE NUMEROUS CALLS TO FIX THESE ROADS NOR ALLOWED THE STATE GOVERNMENT TO INTERVENE, MAKING THEM NEARLY IMPASSABLE

It is also necessary to state that the governor’s legacy extends beyond road infrastructure. His administration has in the past seven years embarked on bold and transformative reforms and projects, achieving milestones in various sectors of the State’s economy including education, healthcare, job creation, industrialisation and economic development, among others. These reforms and programmes have continued to translate to better livelihoods for the people and economic prosperity for the state, attracting national and global recognition.

From retooling the civil service to become more responsive and private-sector facing; to creating a new vista of economic opportunities with the Benin Port Project after breaking a 75-year-old jinx; to seeing to the development of two refinery projects in the State; to reforming the basic education sector; to providing electricity to power industries and government establishments; to unlocking the potentials of Edo youths in technology, building and cultivating the largest oil palm development in Africa, among others, Obaseki has written his name in gold in the annals of Edo’s history and his legacies cannot be erased.

In the terse write-up, the author also attempted to disparage the governor’s ingenious efforts at achieving a cleaner and greener state and ensuring environmental sustainability by encouraging parents to plant trees to mark their children's birth anniversaries.

One would wonder why someone will perceive such a noble effort as a distraction when in the real sense it is a proactive move towards securing a sustainable future for the State.

•Osagie is the Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media Projects •Continues online at www. thewillnews.com

OCTOBER 15, 2023 VOL.3 NO.47 WWW.THEWILLNEWS.COM

NAIRA DEPRECIATES TO N764.86/$ IN I&EW AS FOREX REFORM CLOCKS 4 MONTHS

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70,000

FG Plans 50% Subsidy For Wheat Farmers – Minister / PAGE 34

N634.22b

MAN Worried Over Challenges to GDP Contribution

EDITOR Sam Diala

/ PAGE 34

Capital Importation: FBN Limited Dethrones Key Players, Emerges Top Investment Channel in Q2’23 F

($'m)

100M

50M 323.13

10M

88.93 69.36

1M

27.55

7.10

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FBN CAPITAL IMPORTATION Q1 '22 - Q2 '23 500M

1.55

our months after the foreign exchange (FX) reform of June 14, 2023 that abolished the much-criticised multiple exchange segments and set the naira tumbling, the local currency depreciated to N764.86/$ on Friday, October 13 – the last trading day for the week, on the Investors’ and Exporters’ (I&E) window.

The currency, which had exchanged for N759.29/$ just a day before, suffered a marginal dip of 0.7 percent, settling at N764.86/$ at I&E window.

While the open indicative rate announced its presence at N770.16/$, what marked the game changer was the spot exchange rate of N799.90 during the day’s trading. This is a striking dip in the currency’s tumbling value before it ultimately found its equilibrium at N764.86.

Amidst this continued volatile rate scenario, the investors and exporters window recorded a substantially low turnover with a total of $52.02 million changing hands. This represents an 87 percent decline compared with the peak of $407.66 million turnover recorded on the previous day – the highest in the four months of the forex reform.

The unprecedented turnover peak coincided with the readmission of 43 items to the FX window announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The CBN on Thursday, October 12, 2023 announced the lifting of FX restrictions on the importation of 43 items which was introduced eight years ago as a measure to curb the pressure on the local currency.

In a statement signed by Dr. Isa AbdulMumin, Director of Corporate Communications at the CBN, the apex bank said importers of all the 43 items previously restricted by the 2015 Circular referenced TED/FEM/FPC/ GEN/01/010 and its addendums

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BY SAM DIALA

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n a dynamic twist of events, First Bank Source; NBS of Nigeria (FBN) Limited received the highest investment inflow into the economy in Q2 2023 with $323.13 million.

This represents 18.23 percent of $1.03 billion total capital importation for the period.

By this historic performance, the 128-year-old financial services behemoth has displaced the league of top players in capital importation over the years. These include Citibank Nigeria Limited, Standard Chartered Bank and Stanbic IBTC Plc in that order.

In the latest report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) a week ago, FBN Limited, which had not featured among the major players, pushed Citibank with its US$187.77 million (12.23 percent of total value) to the second position. While relatively obscure Rand Merchant Bank Limited with US$126.03 (6.47 percent) came third.

On a major surprise note, Standard Chartered Bank, a known top player, shared the bottom place with Wema Bank Plc – posting $1.33 million and $1.08 million respectively – among the mainstream deposit money banks.

When contacted for comment on FBN’s historic performance in Q2 2023 capital importation, Global Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications at FBNHoldings, Mrs Folake AniMumuney, did not respond. Text, WhatsApp messages and calls to her mobile telephone were not answered.

However, an investment expert, Dr Paul Uzum, attributed the development to possible increase in remittances made through the bank. Uzum, a top stockbroker and head of securities trading at Planet Capital, said given FBN’s relatively smaller balance sheet than the likes of Zenith, Access, GTCo and UBA, increased customer patronage in remittances must have given FBN an edge over its peers. .

The parent institution, FBN Holdings, recorded impressive performance in the first six months of the year ended June 30,

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2023, according to its interim financial statements filed with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.

The group’s profit after tax rose to N187.17 billion from N56.53 billion year-on-year, representing a 232 percent increase – amid a challenging operating environment. During the period, the foremost financial services establishment also recorded a significant increase in interest income which jumped by 70 percent to N383.28 billion against N226.35 billion in the 2022 half year.

Like its peers, it harvested bountifully from the forex reclassification windfall of the second quarter which earned it a N301 billion in forex gains against a loss of N2 billion suffered in H1 2022. The cashless policy revenue boom of the period pushed the group’s electronic banking fees to N34 billion compared with N25.53 billion in the equivalent period of last year – a revenue boost of 36 percent.

Also, during the period, the balance sheet expanded by 33.57 percent to N12.79 trillion from N9.58 trillion as of December 31, 2022, suggesting a possible 66 percent growth by year-end.

FBNH grew its loan book to N5.26 trillion against N3.78 trillion as of December 31, 2022 – a rise of 39.1 percent, while customer deposits also followed the growth trajectory – rising to N9.04 trillion from N7.12 trillion representing a 27 percent jump.

The stock has remained investors’ toast. FBNH closed its last trading day (Friday, October 13, 2023) at N16.10 per share on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), recording a 0.6% drop from its previous closing price of N16.20. FBN began the year with a share price of N10.90 and has since gained 47.7% on that price valuation, ranking it 57th on the NGX in terms of year-to-date performance.

FBN Holdings is the seventh most traded stock on the Nigerian Stock Exchange over the past three months (Jul 17 - Oct 13, 2023).

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BUSINESS WEEKLY

...FBN Limited Dethrones Key Players, Emerges Top Investment Channel in Q2’23 The stock has traded a total volume of 1.38 billion shares—in 13,907 deals—valued at N26.5 billion over the period, with an average of 22 million traded shares per session.

A volume high of 347 million was achieved on July 24th, and a low of 1.38 million on October 13th, for the same period.

The group’s impressive performance in its 2023 H1 operations, including the historic capital importation record, was a plus to the establishment which is currently embroiled in a legal battle with its major stakeholder, Oba Otudeko over certain decisions of the board.

Notwithstanding the impact of the legal tussle on the corporate image, the Doyen of Nigerian Stockbrokers, Sam, Ndata believes that good management and impressive performance of the bank triggered the unseen forces of demand and supply to manifest in the dramatic change in favour of First Bank. This is at the backdrop of steep decline in capital importation into the economy which fell by 32.9 percent in one year – from $1.53 billion in Q2 2022 to $1.03 billion in the reference period.

An investment banker, Kayode Komolafe, explained that Citibank and Standard Chartered Bank attract more capital because they are outposts and subsidiaries of major international financial establishments. They are not widespread in Nigeria.

“The banks that attract the highest foreign investment are subsidiaries of major international financial services institutions who have the money. They are able to build huge capital within their base where rates are significantly low to invest offshore with prospects of favourable returns”, Komolafe said. He added that the foreign investors have more confidence in the subsidiaries of their own banks than in the Nigerian wholly-owned financial services institutions. .

According to Komolafe, the decline in investment inflow through the foreign banks reflects the unhealthy economy and challenging operating environment. Officials of the Nigerian government have engaged in aggressive globe-trotting for foreign investment amid domestic crises that have prompted the divestment of major companies and relocating outside Nigeria.

Indeed, some consumer goods firms have opted to exit the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) and close shop in Nigeria. These include GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Plc and PZ Cusson Plc with combined market capitalisation of N143 billion which will be wiped from the NGX equities capitalisation following the firms’ delisting from the stock market.

GSK, had in August, 2023 announced plans to cease operations in Nigeria without stating reasons for its decision. Economy experts have, however, link the company’s divestment decision to scarcity of forex and the huge losses incurred by most companies following the devaluation of the naira.

A study by this newspaper showed that 10 consumer goods firms recorded a total of N517 billion in forex revaluation losses during the first half of the year. Nestle Nigeria and Dangote Cement suffered the most with N123.7 billion and N113.66 billion forex losses respectively.

The group’s profit after tax rose to N187.17 billion from N56.53 billion yearon-year, representing a 232 percent increase – amid a challenging operating environment

*Continues online at www. thewillnews.com

...N764.86/$ In I&EW As Forex Reform Clocks 4 Months are now allowed to purchase foreign exchange in the Nigerian FX market.

The removal of FX restriction on the 43 items introduced in 2015 has been a matter of interest to international financial institutions, as well as the multilateral agencies – the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

In a note by Citigroup Global Markets, after a recent assessment trip to Nigeria, the international rating agency frowned against forex restrictions that encumber smooth market operations, especially the contentious 43 forex-barred items. It urged the CBN to dismantle the policy framework that prohibits the sourcing of forex for the importation of the prescribed 43 items from the official FX market.

“There are all kinds of regulations that need to be removed to get rid of the tiered FX system: the glaring one is the restriction of FX provision for 43 items. An elegant system may persuade more transactions to move from the parallel to the formal rate (where we hear US$1-200mn/day is transacting).” the agency stated in its note to clients.

“Ten years of seriously heterodox policy has created deep distortions in the economy - no small feat to turn-over.

“Luckily, Nigeria is a country that can run a current-account surplus, an enviable position relative to many in the sub-region.

“If the administration can unwind the policy mistakes of the past over the next 6-12 months, Nigeria could-just-about-balance itself without market access. That makes it a good curve to consider on beta led dip,.” the Citigroup stated.

Some analysts believe that the forex policy reversal on the 43 items is good for a unified FX market and for a reversal of growth in inflation. They are optimistic that local production will benefit from cheaper imported inputs, and consumers will benefit from cheaper retail-product imports.

But where is the domestic productive capacity? Under what operating environment will that happen? The Nigerian economy has not been productive for decades and the readmission of the 43 items to the foreign exchange window may not do the magic of enhancing forex supply.

Professor of Economics, Ken Ife, urged the government to intensify non-oil and export-oriented activities to boost FX supply, stressing that lifting the restrictions is just a step to the destination.

“Lifting the restriction on 41 items is the first real step at forex rate convergence, and unification but we need to increase USD supply and Asset based financing and more non-oil export revenue and others, to decelerate the fall of Naira and use other instruments such as currency swap with China, other major trading partners and AfCFTA - PAPSS to shift demand for USD. “We also need to invoke the ECOWAS levy instrument to augment ECOWAS CET and raise effective duties and tariff wall on the 41 items to protect local infant industries particularly those that are established in the 43 restricted items.

“We need to fight speculation as it is pushing forward rates of forex which makes USD a primary store of value thereby heightening the demand for USD, beyond importers that alone need over USD4billion a month. All measures need to kick-in now as banks may well be re-pricing their assets," he said in a note to this newspaper.”

Investors’ Scramble For Access Corp, UBA, Others’ Stocks Lifts Market to 1.12% Gain

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igerian equities ended the week on a positive note, as the All-Share index closed 0.10% higher to settle at 67,200.69 points.

Gains in Access Corp (+0.63% on N15.75 share price), UBA (+0.29% of N12 per share) and Dangote Sugar (+4.66% against N58 share price) pushed the broader index into the positive terrain. Having gained in four (4) of five (5) trading sessions this week, the ASI closed 1.12% higher w/w, its second consecutive weekly growth.

Generally, during the week, positive performances across Bua Cement (+12.55% w/w), Nigerian Breweries (+9.09% w/w) and UBA (+2.03% w/w) outweighed the declines in GTCO (-3.74% w/w), Access Corp (-1.25% w/w) and FBNH (-0.62% w/w). Accordingly, the year-to-date (YTD) return rose to 31.12%, while

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the market capitalization gained N409.91bn w/w to close at N36.92trn.

Analysis of Friday's market activities showed trade turnover settled lower relative to the previous session, with the value of transactions down by 8.37%. A total of 224.07m shares valued at N4.16bn were exchanged in 5,049 deals. UBA (+0.29%) led the volume chart with 48.23m units traded while GTCO (+0.00%) led the value chart in deals worth N1.14bn.

Market breadth closed positive at a 1.10-to-1 ratio with advancing issues outnumbering declining ones. UPL (+9.77%) led ten (10) others on the leader's log while FTN Cocoa (-4.65%) topped nine (9) others on the laggard's table.

Access Corporation closed its last trading day (Friday, October 13, 2023) at N15.85 per share on the

Nigerian Exchange (NGX), recording a 0.6% gain over its previous closing price of N15.75. Access began the year with a share price of N8.50 and has since gained 86.5% on that price valuation, ranking it 41st on the NGX in terms of year-to-date performance.

Access Holdings is the fourth most traded stock on the Nigerian Stock Exchange over the past three months (Jul 17 - Oct 13, 2023). The stock has traded a total volume of 1.99 billion shares—in 27,816 deals—valued at N33.3 billion over the period, with an average of 31.6 million traded shares per session. A volume high of 113 million was achieved on September 25th, and a low of 6.02 million on August 9th, for the same period. The table below details the last 10 trading days of activity of Access on the Nigerian Exchange.

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BUSINESS NEWS

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Chapel Hill Denham, Bolaji Balogun; Communications Advisor, USAID INVEST, Natalie Alm; Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), Temi Popoola; Group Chairman, Nigerian Exchange Group, Alhaji (Dr.) Umaru Kwairanga; Senior Investment Advisor, Prosper Africa, Cameron Khosrowshashi; Chief of Party, USAID INVEST, Nora Brown; Partner, Chapel Hill Denham, Phil Southwell and Executive Director, Capital Markets, NGX, Jude Chiemeka, during a US Investor Delegation to Nigeria Closing Gong Ceremony in Lagos on October 11, 2023.

FG Plans 50% Subsidy For Wheat Farmers – Minister

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he Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, says the federal government is granting 50 per cent subsidy to wheat farmers in the upcoming dry season farming to ensure massive production of the grain in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Kyari spoke to journalists shortly after inspecting assorted seed wheat productions in Kano, the Kano State capital, on Friday. ”We are fully committed towards massive wheat production in the upcoming dry seasons farming for local and foreign export actions,” he said.

He explained that President Tinubu’s renewed agenda was aimed at making sure that Nigeria secured food production, starting from next month, with wheat farming taking toll in the dry season farming.

The minister, who was in Kano and Jigawa State to supervise the seeds production, expressed satisfaction that the local production was the vital component of the farming.

“Jigawa State has shown a lot of interest in wheat farming by providing 40,000 hectares of land for wheat farming, closing on the 70,000 hectares set aside by the Federal Government to achieve this year,” he said.

The minister explained that the federal government was making efforts to have enough seeds that would cover the 70,000 hectares provided for wheat farming.

“The breeder and foundation seeds were checked before it became satisfied to phase out wheat importation before next year’s irrigation farming.

“This is because importation of the wheat is taking a lot of Nigeria’s foreign reserve.

Mr Kyari noted that the Federal Government planned to secure the nation’s food production and be self-sufficient, adding that local production was one way that importation of seeds would completely be stopped.

“In the next 4 to 5 years with the programmes set out, Nigeria would completely stop importations of wheat seeds and be self-sufficient with the local production that would enhance food production and security.”

The minister was at the National Wheat Council Warehouses at Sharada, AA Albasu Grains Company and Alyumna Seeds Production Company..

Reps Seek Creation of Price Control Board to Stabilise Commodity Prices

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he House of Representatives has tasked the Tinubu administration to consider the reintroduction of a price control board in Nigeria, to ensure that goods are sold at the government approved prices to stabilise the general price of commodities.

This followed the adoption of a motion on a matter of urgent public importance by Hussaini Jallo at Thursday’s plenary in Abuja.

The motion, titled: “Need to enforce the price control act to regulate and monitor price of essential goods and services in the country,” is aimed at preventing the hoarding of goods and protecting customers from exorbitant prices.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that he said the general rising of prices in Nigeria had an attendant effect on goods and services.

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MAN Worried Over Challenges to GDP Contribution

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he Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has noted that the best way to attend to all monetary needs of the manufacturing sector is by creating manufacturers bank whose responsibility will focus on the manufacturing sector. MAN therefore called on the Federal Government to create manufacturers bank.

Otunba Francis Meshioye, President, MAN who stated this during the press conference also announced the Association’s 51st Annual General Meeting in Lagos, noted that there is nothing wrong in creating manufacturers bank as long as there is Bank of Agriculture.

He pointed out that the the bank will help in accurate dispensation of any amount of money allocated to the sector by the federal government whenever there is government intervention.

The 51st AGM which is scheduled for October 17 to 19, 2023 in Lagos has the theme: “Setting the Agenda for Competitive Manufacturing under the AFCFTA: What Nigeria Needs to do.”

The President stated that the theme was couched with a deep reflection over the growth trajectory of the manufacturing sector in Nigeria and Africa.

“In general, we are focused on the role of the manufacturing sector in the actualisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) and the integration of the African economy as envisioned in the Agenda 2063: ‘The Africa we want’.”

Meshioye said the goal of the AGM is to dwell on the theme, review the performance, reflect on major issues affecting the sector, engage government and chart a part for government.

Evaluating the performance of the sector, Meshioye explained that currently, the cost of manufacturing is daily rising, owing to scarce and unavailable manufacturing inputs that continue to shrink profitability and threaten the existence of the critical sector of the economy.

“More worrisome is the fact that the sector that should propel job creation, productivity and economic growth is enmeshed with series of challenges that constantly limit its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product.”

Giving a rundown of the event, which will hold at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, he said; The opening ceremony of the 3-day Made-in-Nigeria Products Exhibition is scheduled for 10 am on Tuesday, October 17, 2023.

The 51st AGM, which is strictly for MAN members holds on Wednesday, October 18, 2023; while the third edition of the Adeola Odutola Lecture/Presidential Luncheon is scheduled for Thursday, October 19, 2023.

He explained that the exhibition will be a convergence of industry players, marketers, as well as consumers to experience a new world of quality products that are made in Nigeria and ultimately attract patronage of locally manufactured goods.

He noted that the exhibition of Made in Nigeria Products was very important as there is no other way manufacturers will remain in business if their goods are not well patronised by the target consumers. *Continues online at www. thewillnews.com

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OCTOBER 15, 2023 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnews.com

BUSINESS WEEKLY

Nigeria’s Forex Crises: Export Drive Strategy as Panacea

BY MARCEL OKEKE

strategies aimed at earning more stable and sustainable inflows of FX, in order to insulate the Nigerian economy from shocks and FX shortage.

Some of the specific objectives of the scheme include: enhancing foreign exchange inflow; diversifying the sources of FX inflow; increasing the level of contribution of non-oil exports.

Others are: ensuring stability and sustainability of FX inflows as well as supporting export-oriented companies to expand their export operations and capabilities. Features of the scheme include payment of N65 for every US$1 repatriated and sold at the Investor and Exporter (I & E) window to Authorised Dealer Banks (ADBs) for other thirdparty use; and N35 for every US$1 repatriated and sold into I & E for own use on eligible transactions only.

Unsurprisingly, the RT200 scheme became an instant success, such that, by the end of 2022, it had generated US$6 billion, according to the CBN.

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Indeed, partly owing to the initiative, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) during the first quarter 2023 (that is one year of RT200), reported that over 167 nonoil products worth US$1.345 billion were exported from Nigeria. Giving a quarterly update on NEPC, its Executive Director, Dr Ezra Yakusak said “these products range from manufactured, semi-processed, solid minerals and raw agricultural commodities.

Over time, the country became a mere consumption economy—where taste for foreign goods got entrenched.

Local products/producers were rather disdained, with very low patronage. The consequence of this is that not a few businesses that were set up in those days floundered and folded up; and today, the industrial landscape of Nigeria is littered with the ‘carcasses’ of those failed businesses.

“The first quarter 2023 also shows that Nigerian products are gradually shifting from its traditional export of raw agricultural commodities to the export of semi-processed and manufactured goods.”

ertainly if Nigeria has not made much progress in its economic growth and development strides, it is essentially because of its very high importdependence. The petrodollar inflow since 1973 or thereabout, has impacted the lifestyles of Nigerians of all strata, weaning most people off agriculture and other vocations.

Further breakdown of the products showed that of the topten products exported in the first quarter of 2023, Urea, Cocoa Beans, Sesame Seed, Soya Beans/meal and Cashew nuts/kernels were top five.”

The ‘petrodollar lifestyle’ has implied perpetual balance of payments disequilibrium—which leaves Nigeria with trade deficits—year-in-year out. It was in this milieu that the floatation of the Naira, effective June 14, 2023, commence bringing the national currency into the ‘global boxing ring’ against the dollar and other notable currencies. In no time, the Naira was pushed into tailspin; its exchange rate vis-àvis the dollar is now reaching a hopeless level.

Further details show that ninety-seven (97) countries, spread among five (5) continents of the world, imported Nigerian products during the period under review; the top 5 (five) countries being Brazil, China, Japan, India and the Netherlands.

However, a crucial concern about Nigeria’s non-oil export drive remains export products quality and standardization— two areas that have caused not a few Nigerian non-oil export items to be rejected/abandoned at their (countries of) destinations.

The dollar, the currency for massive importation into Nigeria, has kept drying up: demand for it far outstrips its supply. Nigeria, as a mono-product economy, depends almost wholly on crude oil exports for its dollar (supply) earnings. The apex bank—the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which, before June 14, could supply the forex market with hundreds of millions of dollars daily, has since practically run out of stock.

In May this year, for instance, the Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof Moji Adeyeye, had lamented that “over 70 per cent of food exports from Nigeria are rejected abroad, with huge financial losses to exporters and the country.”

It is therefore imperative at this time that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must change style and strategy; come up with the bold initiative to pursue tenaciously an export-driven economic growth and development for Nigeria. This agenda must be coupled with a wholesome import substitution drive and true commitment to re-orientating Nigerians to patronise ‘Made in Nigeria’ goods and services.

The NAFDAC boss however said “the rejection (of the export items) in some European countries and the United States of America may soon become a thing of the past, if collaboration between the agency and other government agencies at the ports is strengthened.”

In pursuit of this overarching plan, it would be auspicious, even if as an interim measure, to adopt and adapt some of the existing non-oil export initiatives of the CBN and other agencies. This is because the task to turn around the Nigerian economy for meaningful progress requires the “urgency of now.”

Specifically, in February 2018, the apex bank came up with what it termed “Non-oil Export Stimulation Facility (NESF)” guidelines “to diversify the revenue base of the economy and to expedite the growth and development of the nonoil export sector.” According to the CBN, “the facility will help redress the declining export financing and reposition the sector to increase its contribution to economic development.”

Core objectives of the Facility include: improving access of exporters to concessionary finance to expand and diversify the non-oil export baskets; attracting new investments and encouraging re-investments in value-added non-oil exports as well as shoring up non-oil export sector productivity and creating more jobs.

Other objectives include: supporting non-oil exportoriented companies to upscale and expand their export operations and capabilities; and broadening the scope of export financing instruments.

According to the CBN, eligible transactions that qualify for funding under the NESF include export of goods processed or manufactured in Nigeria; export of commodities and services, which are allowed under the laws of Nigeria; imports of plant and machinery, spare parts and packaging materials required for export-oriented production that cannot be sourced locally.

NESF is also accessible for resuscitation, expansion, modernisation and technology upgrade of non-oil export industries. CBN’s reports show that some hundreds of billions of Naira had been taken up under this Facility by February 2022 when it came up with yet a more robust THEWILLNEWS

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In the spirit of export drive, focus should turn to the export of numerous derivatives of the refining process of crude oil initiative for non-oil export drive in the country.

Specifically, the apex bank in 2022 came up with an allembracing policy to address inadequate foreign exchange (FX) supply in the economy. Tagged ‘Race to US$200 billion in FX Repatriation (RT200FX) Programme’, to stimulate non-oil exports, the target was to achieve a US$200 billion FX income in the next three to five years.

The CBN said: “We have all been witnesses to the everchanging fortunes of oil-exporting countries. Even those that have been reputed to manage their oil proceeds well also suffer from major shocks once oil prices plummet. In order to avoid these sudden adjustments to our economic life, we need to focus on strategies that can help us earn more stable and sustainable inflows of foreign exchange.

“The RT200 FX Programme is therefore a set of policies, plans and programs for non-oil exports that will enable us attain our lofty yet attainable goal of US$200 billion in FX repatriation, exclusively from non-oil exports, over the next 3-5 years.”

A major anchor of the program is the non-oil export proceeds repatriation rebate scheme. The rebate scheme is designed to incentivize exporters in the non-oil sector to encourage repatriation and sale of export proceeds into the FX market. It is borne out of the need to develop new

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The point however remains valid that meeting international quality and standards requirements is critical for successful participation in the global (exports) market. Thus, more than ever before, the relevant agencies must begin to ensure that Nigerian exporters adhere to global standards, to minimize limiting their access to lucrative markets.

No doubt, building capacity and providing support for quality control mechanisms, certifications, and compliance with international standards will boost the competitiveness of Nigerian non-oil exports.

This is also why the synergy and cooperation advocated by the NAFDAC boss is very crucial at this time. In this regard, the new partnership between the NEPC and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to create awareness for “Export4Survival” throughout Nigeria is most auspicious.

This initiative which began in September 2022 is part of the strategic collaboration to promote the export of ‘Madein-Nigeria’ products and to increase foreign exchange earnings for the country.

All said however, export-led economic growth and development for Nigeria does not (and should not) in any way imply the abandonment of the oil and gas sector. Rather, in its application of the comparative advantage and factor endowment, Nigeria should emphasize value addition to its crude oil and gas. The current scenario of importing refined products from elsewhere must be quickly reversed.

In the spirit of export drive, focus should turn to the export of numerous derivatives of the refining process of crude oil.

The same goes for the organised exploration and mining of numerous solid minerals that abound in commercial deposits across Nigeria. Now is the time to effectively diversify the country’s forex earnings.

•Okeke is a practising Economist, Business Strategist, Sustainability expert and ex-Chief Economist of Zenith Bank Plc

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OCTOBER 15, 2023 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnews.com

SHOTS OF THE WEEK Photo Editor: Peace Udugba [08033050729]

L-R: Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; wife of the newly appointed Head of Service, Mrs. Oyinlola Agoro; her husband, Mr. Olabode Agoro; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, during the swearing in ceremony of Mr Agoro as the new Head of Service at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Alausa-Ikeja, on October 10, 2023.

L-R: Special Assistant to Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Idris Mohammed; Director General of NEMA, Mustapha Ahmed; Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim and Director, General Service, NEMA, Mr James Akujobi, during the visits of the Deputy Governor to NEMA Headquarters in Abuja on October 12, 2023.

L-R: Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu; representative of the Minister, L-R: Member, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon Ayo Adegbite; Commissioner for Information, Rt. Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mrs Sugra Mahmood and the Board Chairperson, Sahel Hon, Taiwo Olatunbosun; Commissioner for Finance/ Chairman, Anniversary Committee, Mr Akintunde Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition Ltd., Ms Ndidi Nwuneli, during the 2023 Sahel Food System Oyebode and Secretary to the State Government, Dr (Mrs) Habibat Adubiaro at the press briefing on the Changemakers Conference in Abuja on October 12, 2023. first anniversary of the Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s administration in Ado-Ekiti on October 12, 2023.

L-R: Group Executive Director, International Business & Corporate Service, NAHCO Plc, Dr. Sola Obabori; Group Executive Director, Commercial & Business Devt., Prince Saheed Lasisi; Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Adeoye Emiloju and Chairman, Board of Directors, Dr. Seinde O. Fadeni, during the Company’s Maintenance Yard, in Lagos on October 11, 2023.

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L-R: Managing Director, Afridezt Global Services Limited, Mazi Emmanuel Olugbuo; Controller General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Jaji Abdulganiyu; Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade, during the inauguration of FFS Fire Engine and Rapid Intervention Vehicles in Abuja on October 11, 2023.

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Controversy Trails Appointment of RCCG Pastor, Ola Olukoyede as EFCC Chairman

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EDITOR Ivory Ukonu

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frica’s second richest woman, Folorunsho Alakija, is allegedly having some health challenges, especially with her eyes, and this has been going on for quite a while. THEWILL gathered that Alakija, her family and friends have tried as much as they could to put a lid on it. Little wonder, when one of her sons tied the knot earlier in the year, there was little or no noise about the nuptial which was very uncharacteristic of the wealthy woman. During the wedding, the media was tactfully controlled, photographers were not

PRINCESS KELECHI OGHENE

Reaching For The Stars

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ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY

ast week, President Bola Tinubu approved the appointment of Ola Olukoyede as the executive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). His appointment comes nearly four months after he suspended the erstwhile anti-graft agency chief, Abdulrasheed Bawa. At the time former EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu was removed from

FOLORUNSHO ALAKIJA BATTLES HEALTH CHALLENGE

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ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY

I’m Passionate About Nurturing Talents And Empowering Individuals to Reach Their Full Potential – Princess Kelechi Oghene A vibrant entrepreneur who has successfully positioned herself as a force to reckon with within Nigeria’s fashion terrain, via GYMT Fashion Academy, Princess Kelechi Ogehene tells IVORY UKONU why she is committed to nurturing young talents to achieve their ultimate dreams.

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ou were a beauty queen and model. Now you are a fashion icon. How did your journey into the fashion industry begin.

My journey to the fashion industry has been marked by an unwavering commitment to excellence. Fashion has always been my passion. I cultivated it through education at prestigious institutions like Lagos Business School, London College of Fashion, Harvard Business School, Massachusetts and Modus Fashion Academy, Dubai. These experiences provided me with invaluable knowledge and skills.

Initially I ran a successful fashion boutique known as Fromin5. I founded and managed my fashion bespoke business for five years alongside a minisalon (GMYT Couture LTD). However, my true calling emerged with the birth of the House of GMYT, which later evolved into GMYT Fashion Academy.

This institution has become a hallmark in fashion education, empowering countless aspiring designers.

My quest for knowledge extends to my current enrollment in an Executive Masters in Business Administration program with Business School Netherlands (BSN) to enhance my business acumen. I've also had the privilege of participating in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), sponsored by the U.S. State Department, visiting multiple states in the U.S., including Chicago, Atlanta, New York, and Washington, D.C. These experiences provide a global perspective that enriches my work.

Did you always aspire to be part of the fashion industry, or was it something that developed over time?

Fashion has been a lifelong passion for me. From a young age, inspired by my late mum who was a seamstress and a serial entrepreneur, I knew that I wanted to contribute positively to the fashion industry. My journey in the industry has been guided by a deep-seated aspiration to make a meaningful impact and inspire others.

What does GYMT mean?

GYMT is the short form of God’s Might. And if I must say, it is by far the leading fashion academy in the whole of West Africa. This is especially perceived through the category of Alumni we have graduated over the years. GMYT Fashion Academy is focused on creating the next generation of entrepreneurs through skill acquisition in Fashion and its business knowledge. Our aim is to create solutions by creating job opportunities for millions of women/youths around the world What inspired you to establish a fashion school?

The decision to establish GMYT Fashion Academy was driven by my passion for nurturing talent and helping others to succeed in the fashion industry.

While I had the opportunity to run a fashion design business, I realized that my true calling was in education. I wanted to create a platform where aspiring designers could receive comprehensive training, mentorship, and exposure to succeed in the industry. It was about making a more profound impact and empowering others to achieve their dreams. My choice to prioritise education and mentoring over a solo career in fashion design stems from my belief in the transformative power of education. I've always been passionate about nurturing talent and empowering individuals to reach their full potential. Education has the potential to touch countless lives and create a ripple effect in the industry. I find immense fulfilment in witnessing the growth and success of our students, knowing that I've played a role in shaping their journeys.

How long did you run your fashion design business before you founded the fashion school?

My journey has witnessed a significant transition. I initiated my venture in the fashion world by running a successful fashion boutique business in 2005. Afterward, I ventured into the world of bespoke fashion design, which I pursued for five years. However, my passion for fashion and my

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desire to contribute to African fashion led me to establish GMYT Fashion Academy. This transition marked a pivotal moment in my career, as it allowed me to channel my energy and expertise into shaping the future of fashion through education.

What has been your experience and the factors that have significantly shaped your career in the fashion industry?

My career has been profoundly influenced by various factors that have shaped my journey. My unwavering commitment to continuous learning and self-improvement through education has been a driving force. Additionally, my strong belief in professionalism, empowerment and entrepreneurship has played a significant role in defining my path. Moreover, my dedication to humanitarian efforts and my passion for research have further enriched my experiences. Notably, I am the founder of GAH – AWARDS, an annual event that celebrates social impact, features fashion runways, and showcases entertainment. This event has been a hallmark of the last decade, and we are gearing up for the 11th edition scheduled for December 10th, 2023.

Beyond your role in fashion education, what do you find most fulfilling about your involvement in the industry?

The most fulfilling aspect of being in the fashion industry is witnessing the transformation and success of individuals. It's about knowing that through education, mentorship, and empowerment, we're enabling aspiring designers to realise their dreams. It is incredibly rewarding to see our students thrive and make a significant impact in the industry.

Oghene

Oghene

Where did you earn certification to teach fashion?

My educational journey has been a diverse one, combining formal education with practical experience. While my initial exposure to fashion began at a young age, learning from a local store and my mother, I later pursued formal education to refine my skills. I've been fortunate to study at some of the world's most esteemed institutions. I earned certifications from institutions such as Lagos Business School, London College of Fashion, Harvard Business School, and Modus Fashion Academy Dubai, to name a few. However, what truly sets me apart is my extensive hands-on experience of nearly two decades, during which I founded and managed several fashion businesses. This practical knowledge, combined with my academic background, has equipped me to lead effectively. GMYT Fashion.

How old is GMYT Fashion Academy and what sets it apart from other fashion schools?

GMYT Fashion Academy recently marked its 10th anniversary in December 2022. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to offering a holistic educational experience. We prioritise hands-on learning, global perspectives, and industry networking. Our mission extends beyond traditional education; we aim to mentor, expose and empower our students, equipping them for all-encompassing success in the fashion industry. This dedication to comprehensive education is a hallmark of GMYT Fashion Academy.

What is the most challenging aspect of running GMYT Fashion Academy?

Maintaining high standards and keeping up with the constantly evolving fashion landscape is one of the most challenging aspects. The industry is dynamic, and we must ensure that our curriculum and training remain relevant and impactful for our students.

Given the economic climate, how do you navigate the challenges that affect businesses? What strategies have helped you to thrive?

Like all businesses, we are affected by economic fluctuations. However, our adaptability, commitment to excellence, and a focus on delivering value to our students have allowed us to navigate challenges successfully.

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ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY Additionally, diversifying our offerings and staying connected to industry trends have been key strategies.

our commitment to promoting excellence and positive change within the fashion industry and beyond.

Looking back at your journey, what would you consider to be your greatest achievement since you ventured into the fashion business?

My greatest achievement has been the impact we've made on countless lives through education. Witnessing our students succeed, start their fashion businesses and make their mark in the industry is immensely fulfilling. It's about empowering the next generation of designers and entrepreneurs.

Balancing creativity with running a successful business can be challenging. How do you manage this balance in your career?

Balancing creativity and business requires structure, time management and a passionate team that shares the vision. It is essential to have a clear strategy and prioritise tasks effectively.

As a successful businesswoman, what strategies and principles have helped you achieve success in your various ventures?

Continuous learning, adaptability, a commitment to providing value to customers, and a relentless pursuit of excellence have been key factors in achieving success in my ventures.

Beyond imparting fashion knowledge, how do you make an impact in the industry and in society?

We make an impact in the industry and society by not only educating but also nurturing creativity, professionalism, and entrepreneurship among our students. Additionally, I’m involved in some humanitarian efforts through initiatives like the GMYT Foundation, where we support education and empowerment projects, provide opportunities for underprivileged individuals. Education and women's empowerment are causes particularly close to my heart.

In your view, what constitutes a fashion statement?

A fashion statement is an outfit or accessory that reflects one's unique style, personality, and the confidence to carry it off with flair.

How do you unwind?

When I am not working, I find relaxation and balance through the various activities. I'm passionate about research, which allows me to explore new ideas and stay informed about industry trends. I enjoy playing golf and spending time in nature. These pursuits help me unwind and recharge, ensuring I'm ready to tackle new challenges with a refreshed perspective.

Fashion designers in Nigeria often struggle to receive support from the government. If you were in a government position, what steps would you take to support the fashion industry?

If I were in government, I would prioritise policies that support local designers, provide funding opportunities and promote the growth of the fashion industry on a global scale. Collaboration between the government and industry stakeholders is crucial for sustainable development.

What is your take on the proliferation of fashion shows?

Fashion shows can be a great platform for designers to showcase their creativity and collections. However, it is important that these events are purposeful and strategic, contributing to the industry's advancement rather than just being for the sake of it.

Are you a member of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN)?

I am currently a member How has your membership benefited your career?

I believe in unity and collaboration within the fashion community.

Membership can provide valuable networking opportunities and support for industry professionals.

You are a recipient of several awards. Which would you say is most meaningful to you?

With over 120 awards, including recognition as the fastest-growing Small Medium Enterprise in the fashion education sector, I've received accolades such as the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS) Designer of the Year and the Nigerian Entrepreneurs Award for Most Enterprise Personality of The Year. I would say all of them mean so much to me in different ways. These honours contribute to my reputation as a fashion icon.

What are the three qualities that you believe makes a fashion designer stand out in the industry?

Three qualities that make a fashion designer stand out are creativity, attention to detail, a strong and unique brand identity.

Before creating a fashion piece, what are the three most important factors that a fashion designer must consider?

A fashion designer must consider the target audience, functionality of the piece, and current fashion trends before creating a fashion piece.

You were once a model. Do you still find time to model these days?

While I occasionally engage in modelling for special projects, my primary focus is on my studies and running GMYT GROUP Ltd. GMYT Fashion Academy, GMYT Apartment, GMYT Fashion Store, GABA AWARDS, and GMYT Foundation.

How would you describe your stint as a model? How did modelling influence your perspective on the fashion industry?

My modelling days were a valuable learning experience. They provided me with insights into various aspects of the industry, from the creative process to the demands of the runway. This first-hand experience has enriched my perspective on fashion.

Can you compare and contrast your days as a model with what exists in the fashion industry today?

Today's fashion industry is more diverse, inclusive and accepting of various body types and backgrounds. While modelling standards have evolved, the core principles of creativity and self-expression remain constant.

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Oghene

My career has been profoundly influenced by various factors that have shaped my journey. My unwavering commitment to continuous learning and self-improvement through education has been a driving force.

Additionally, my strong belief in professionalism, empowerment and entrepreneurship has played a significant role in defining my path. Moreover, my dedication to humanitarian efforts and my passion for research have further enriched my experiences

You established the annual GAHAWARDS. Could you share what these awards are about and their significance in the industry?

GAHAWARDS LTD is a prestigious humanitarian awards platform designed to recognise exceptional individuals and brands that are making significant positive contributions to society. These awards encompass various categories, including social impact, entertainment, scholarships, runway, and more. They are a celebration of the remarkable achievements of fashion professionals and serve as a catalyst for the growth of the industry.

GAHAWARDS LTD is an initiative by GMYT Group Ltd, further reinforcing

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Looking back, what would you say were the significant influences or experiences that have shaped you into the influential leader you are today?

My upbringing, a strong sense of purpose and a lifelong passion for fashion have significantly shaped my journey. Additionally, my commitment to continuous growth and empowerment has been pivotal in my development as a leader.

Could you share some fond childhood memories or experiences that have stayed with you throughout your life?

Childhood memories of family gatherings and my early fascination with fashion have stayed with me. They remind me of the importance of family, creativity, and following one's passions.

How do you envision the future of the fashion industry in Nigeria and what role do you see yourself playing in it?

I envision a bright future for the fashion industry in Nigeria, with global recognition and opportunities for local designers. I see myself continuing to empower and mentor aspiring designers, contributing to the industry's growth and development on a global scale.

Oghene

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OCTOBER 15, 2023 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnews.com

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY STORIES BY IVORY UKONU

ABIMBOLA OKOYA BERTHS AT CCA AS ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

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bout two years after THEWILL exclusively reported that Abimbola Okoya, one of the daughters of business mogul, Chief Akanni Razaq Okoya had been named president, Nigeria-Britain Association, making her the youngest and first female Nigerian President of the NigeriaBritain Association in the 52 years of its existence, the very cerebral lady has again made another major move. This time, she is an Advisory Board Member, Centre for Commonwealth Affairs, a pan-Commonwealth think tank based in Westminster working Okoya with partners and members across the Commonwealth.

She works directly with the Centre's Director, Sam Bidwell, and his team on research and engagement activities that make a real positive impact on global issues related to trade and investment, technology, education, amongst others, as they detail the

challenges of the modern world. To this end, she developed a blog on potential opportunities of strengthening Nigeria's collaboration with the Commonwealth in order to enhance existing partnerships.

The blog spotlights possible opportunities for greater engagements, mutual prosperity and sustainable development in different areas, including but not limited to: Economic Collaboration, Knowledge and Cultural Exchange, Democracy and Governance. Infrastructure Development, Agriculture and Food Security, Healthcare and Public Health. That Abimbola, a product of Okoya and his estranged wife, Ajoke's short lived marriage, has done quite well for herself without needing to live off her father’s wealth would be simply stating the obvious.

Abimbola abhors the limelight and is a sharp contrast to her siblings who like to hug the limelight. Abimbola was previously married to a successful Liberian man.

Unfortunately, the marriage was short lived.

Continued from page 37

Controversy Trails Appointment of RCCG Pastor, Ola Olukoyede as EFCC Chairman office on allegations of corruption, Olukoyede was the most senior official and was touted to replace him.

Unfortunately, former President Muhammadu Buhari chose to replace him with the now embattled Bawa.

Many claim the reason he did not replace Magu was because he is not an operative officer. From Ekiti State, he is the first south westerner to occupy the position since the creation of the agency. He is also a lawyer with over 22 years of experience as a regulatory compliance consultant and specialist in fraud management and corporate intelligence. In 2008, he established his law firm, Ola Olukoyede & Co, from where he joined the EFCC. He was a member of the Fraud Advisory Panel, in the United Kingdom, and is a member of the federal government technical committee on the repositioning of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

A man of a few firsts, Olukoyede's appointment makes him not only the first Christian to occupy the position, but also the first clergyman too, being an ordained pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG). All other chairmen have been Muslims. His appointment brings to four, the number of RCCG pastors who are actively involved in secular/political affairs on a national level. Besides the immediate past vice president, Professor/Pastor Yemi Osinbajo, there is the first lady, Remi Tinubu who was ordained pastor in 2018 and the National Youth leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Pastor Dayo Israel. Other full-time RCCG pastors who abandoned their sheep to take up secular appointments on a regional/state level are - Pastor Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle who in 2012 emerged the new Olu of Ilaro and paramount ruler of the Yewa-Awori axis of Ogun state; Pastor Gabriel Ayodele Adejuwon who was crowned king

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of Isan-Ekiti in Ekiti State and Pastor Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye now the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oyo State. One wonders if Olukoyede will truly bring to bear the fruits of the spirit, which every true Christian must manifest at all times, as he navigates the murky waters of the deep seethed corruption in Nigeria, while discharging his duties in the anti-graft agency. Besides his test of faith, many allude that he is not qualified to lead the anti-corruption agency. These set of people point to his 2021 suspension alongside 21 other directors of the commission during Magu’s probe. They claim the suspension automatically disqualifies him to head the agency. But his lawyer has been quick to shut down the claims, saying that the suspension was part of administrative protocol and not because of any wrongdoing. Again, they allude to the fact that his working experience doesn't qualify him to head the commission as he is not an operative officer. They point to Section 2(3) of the EFCC Act which demands that the chairman of the commission must be a serving or retired member of any government security or law enforcement agency not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police or equivalent; possess not less than 15 years' experience. Olukoyede is not an operative officer. Again, his lawyer claims that his credentials surpass the 15 years cognate experience needed to qualify for the commission’s chairmanship position. In the same vain, the presidency added that his extensive experience in the operations of the EFCC, having previously served as chief of staff to the executive chairman (2016-2018) and secretary to the commission (2018-2023) makes him fully qualified to fulfill the statutory requirement for appointment as chairman of the EFCC.

Continued from page 37

Folorunsho Alakija Battles Health Challenge allowed to take photos and anyone found doing so was asked to delete them. The planning was on a need-to-know basis and guests who got the invitations were allegedly

screened and perhaps, schooled on what was expected of them. Sources close to THEWILL claim the challenge allegedly runs in the family. Hopefully, this too shall pass.

Abdullahi Sule’s Grouse With Election Petition Tribunal Judges In Nasarawa

Iyiegbu

OBI CUBANA SELLS NIGHT CLUB, FLOATS E-HAILING CAB BUSINESS

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ing of night life, Obinna Iyiegbu has sold off a branch of his popular night club, Cubana Club located on Adeola Odeku, Victoria Island. Obi Cubana as he is fondly called decided to cut his losses by selling off that one branch to a new owner. Patronage dwindled to an all-time low with former loyal patrons deserting the club for newer clubs that sprung up on the island. Ironically, the patronage at the much newer branch located in Ikeja GRA, has been on an upward swing with many residing on the mainland preferring it to their choice of night club experience despite the presence of many other clubs and an even much newer one just a stone throw away.

The new nightclub called Vaniti is now operational and hopefully, the lost glory of the old Cubana club will be reignited as the club's opening spans four weeks.

Coinciding with the new club opening is the e-hailing cab service the businessman has birthed. Aptly named Enviable Transport Service, Obi Cubana hopes to deliver better transport services than what is currently available and is to come, what with its deep-rooted innovations and technology. The service is only available in Port Harcourt, Enugu, Asaba, Abuja, Lagos, Umuahia etc.

Sule

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lmost two weeks after he was sacked by the state's election tribunal, Abdullahi Sule, the Governor of Nasarawa State has blamed two Christian judges for his removal.

The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal headed by Justice Ezekiel Ajayi nullified the election and declared David Ombugadu, the Peoples Democratic Party flag candidate, as the lawfully elected governor of the State.

One of the members of the three-man panel, Justice Chiemelie Onaga, agreed with the judgement after himself and Ajayi went through results of the various polling units and forms EC 8A provided by Ombugadu, which proved to the tribunal that the results were manipulated in favour of the All Progressives Congress. They admitted that based on the proof from the various polling units before the tribunal, Ombugadu had the majority of valid votes at the election.

They therefore ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to withdraw the Certificate of Return previously issued to Sule and issue a new one to Ombugadu.

However, the third member of the panel, Justice Ibrahim

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Mashi, dismissed the petition filed by the PDP candidate for lacking in merit. He said the petitioner failed to prove his case and upheld INEC’s declaration of Sule as winner.

But Sule accused Ajayi and Onaga of manipulating the tribunal judgement in favour of Ombugadu and sacking him after he fraudulently got declared by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya.

Sule said that the only Muslim among the judges upheld his elections while the other two Christian judges conspired to remove him from office due to religious sentiments. In other words, he meant that judgement shouldn't be given to deserving people but only based on religious sentiments. In a bid to buttress his point, he told the story of how he refused to be swayed by religion when it was in his power to do the bidding of his fellow Muslim faithfuls.

He recalled that during the 2023 general election in the state, he was advised to shut down Goshen City, the mission headquarters of the Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel in Masaka, Nasarawa State because its pastor and the first vice president of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Olatunji Abioye, had asked Christians to vote for faith.

“Why can’t a Christian be a governor in Nasarawa State.

If anybody tells you now that there is no religion in politics, they are deceiving you. Don’t hide it, vote for your faith.

Till tomorrow, I will vote for my faith. I won’t vote for someone who will slaughter me,” he claimed Abioye said.

Sule maintained that contrary to people’s advice, he refused to order the arrest of the Abioye or to check whether the church pays its tax.

THEWILLNEWS

OCTOBER 15, 2023 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnews.com

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY STORIES BY IVORY UKONU

KSA Celebrates His Birthday, 2nd Anniversary of Wife’s Death

LAGOS GOVERNMENT PLANS $100M AFRICAN FILM CITY

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he Lagos State government has resolved to build an African Film City worth $100 million African Film City before the end of this month. The project, which will be sited in Epe, is intended to enhance originality in content creation in Nollywood – Nigeria’s film industry. Recall that the state government in October last year, announced that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Del-York Group for the construction of the project. Del-York Group is being promoted by Linus Idahosa, husband to Nollywood actress, Stephanie Idahosa.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the state government Sanwo-Olu would be doubling the capacity-building support for talented young industry players to enhance their skills in modern filmmaking.

He said, “We will be doing the groundbreaking for the African Film City before the end of this month.

It is a $100 million project to be sited on 100 hectares of land in Epe. Lagos is taking the lead in promoting sustainable growth in the creative industry. The first set of studios will be up on the site in the next 24 months after the groundbreaking.

“We are also going to be doubling the State

Government’s support for the training of young industry players.

We will also double the grants being given to creative young talents for the production of short stories. We have supported over 5,000 people in the creative sector with different kinds of capacity-building opportunities and film production grants to scale up the numbers in the sector.

The governor urged practitioners to use their ingenuity to create Africanised content that would change the continent’s socio-cultural narrative, adding that through this, the world would know Nigeria is ready.

“Lagos State Government, by itself, bears all the hallmarks of excellence in all aspects. Excellence starts from everything we can imagine; the creative community sits right in the middle of that. As a government, we have committed to anything that puts Nigeria on the global map and supports our creative citizens on the world stage.”

Temilade Adeoye Ties The Knot

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ocialite, Temilade Remi Adeoye, last weekend, said goodbye to the spinster's club when she tied the knot with her lover, simply known as Olawale, at a very private but colourful ceremony.

A clothier and fabric vendor and popularly known by her business brand name, Temiladyofkwamuhle held both her introduction and engagement ceremony the same day and a day after, her civil wedding. Some of the prominent faces that honoured her with their presence include cocktail mogul, Lara Rawa; Nollywood producer cum actress Ego boyo; celebrity floral designer, Aralia

By Nature's Oghogho Asemota.

A single mother of a preteenager, Temi looked radiant on her wedding day as she is already heavy with child.

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Irabor

BETTY IRABOR RESTS 'GENEVIEVE' MAGAZINE

unday Adegeye, aka King Sunny Ade, recently clocked 77. Rather than fully rejoice at reaching the milestone, the juju maestro celebrated his birthday with mixed feelings. The birthday coincided with the second anniversary of the death of Princess Ajoke Risikat Adeniyi-Adegeye, one of his wives. It was also about the time he was planning to officially open his mega lounge Adeniyi and clubhouse, The Royal Majesty Place in The late Princess Ajoke died Lagos. The opening had to at the age of 62 on the eve be postponed until weeks of the music icon’s 75th later. birthday on September 21, Joined by family and 2021. She was a former friends, he held a prayer member of the Lagos session in his residence House of Assembly and to mark the second notable socialite. At the anniversary of his late wife, time of her death, KSA Princess Ajoke’s passing. described the deceased as It was also an occasion his angel and her death as to reflect on their lives a big loss for him and his together as a couple. family.

Chimezirim Thomas Unveils New Social Media Application

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t the height of its fame, 'Genevieve' Magazine, founded by Betty Irabor, was considered one of Nigeria's leading lifestyle magazines circulating across Africa, America and Europe. The lifestyle magazine set the pace for other lifestyle magazines catering to both male and female readers in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.

After a 20-year run, the magazine has finally been rested. The magazine no longer has a social media presence. Its last post on Instagram was about a year ago, while its last post on Facebook was in 2019. The magazine's website no longer exists. A google search shows that the domain name is up for grabs.

The drought in advertisement and the coming of social media which hit traditional media hard must have taken its toll on the magazine, no doubt.

Recalling how she kept the magazine afloat for years, even when others folded up, Betty who recently celebrated her 40th wedding anniversary to broadcaster, Sonnie Irabor, attributed it to consistency, years of quality and years of doing the work. She did admit that running the magazine wasn't an easy task.

In 2017, Betty took a back seat and appointed her daughter, Sonia, editor of the magazine. Today, Sonia is towing her path as a classically trained stage actor and is making remarkable strides in the make belief world.

Thomas

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n the quest for Africa to be at par with the international community, Chimezirim Thomas, a young Nigerian entrepreneur has launched a social media application, which he aptly named Macanacki. Launched last month, the app is the second of its kind in Africa.

The launch highlights Chimezirim's commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.

The online application creates a room where users can meet people of their interests with an intention to develop a relationship with them in future. With the launch of the app, on iOS and Google platform, users can now easily

meet and connect with people from different locations.

Macanacki is coming a few years after Shapclick, the first ever Nigerian social media app made its debut. Shapclick facilitates the sharing of news, photos, videos as well as market goods and services to users around the globe. Developed by Mohammed Aliu, he boasted that ShapClick would surpass other social media apps , with the installation of more authentication to protect end to end encryption of private chat between users , that would guarantee safety. That remains to be seen however.

ShapClick as an indigenous messaging application, enables users to chat, make audio and video calls, including an unrestricted number of group chats as well as shop for affordable and genuine products. Aside from being a social media application that enables people to connect to each other in communities, share stickers and files as well as blogging and grow business, the app also has other features that could be used by bloggers.

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OCTOBER 15, 2023 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnews.com

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY STORIES BY IVORY UKONU

ADELEYE ADESHILE TIES THE KNOT N

ollywood actor and United Kingdom based nurse, Adeleye Adeshile Kuti, has tied the knot with his friend and lover, Atinuke Yusuf. The wedding took place about two weeks ago. While they held their civic wedding in Lagos, their traditional/ engagement ceremony will be held in the UK at a later date. While Kuti is one of the popular faces in the Yoruba movie industry who is blessed with a calm personality, his wife Atinuke is an entrepreneur, a fitness lover and wellness coach. She was the founder of Danzefx, a fitness house in Lagos before she relocated to the United States. While in Nigeria, she organised several celebrity workout and fitness events.

Atinuke and Kuti were first friends for a very long time, dating back to their days as young adults.

The Adeshiles

Dotun Kayode Resumes Custody Battle With Wife

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MUSON to Explore Music-Tech Synergy at 40th Anniversary Festival T he Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) is set to explore music-tech synergy at its upcoming 40th anniversary festival.

The 27th MUSON festival, themed 'Resilience', will take place from October 20 to 29, 2023.

Louis Mbanefo, Chairman of MUSON, said the organisation has showcased resilience amid Nigerian challenges and thrived as a symbol of national achievement.

He said the upcoming festival will feature various traditional events along with an innovative aspect titled 'Collabo – Music Meets Technology'. He added that this innovation aims to create awareness of hidden potentials at the intersection of music and technology.

“We have amply demonstrated the spirit of resilience, for despite all the vicissitudes of life in Nigeria, MUSON continues to thrive and to progress from strength to strength – a shining example of what can be achieved by Nigerians.

“This year’s festival, which promises to be as exciting as ever, contains some innovations.

It will follow the usual pattern – drama presentation – operatic performance – art exhibition – musical brunch – my Kind of Music – MUSON Day celebration concert – gala classical and contemporary concert and closing gala concert.

“The main innovation in the festival will be Collabo – Music Meets Technology. At the end of the event, we hope Mbanefo to have created the requisite awareness of hidden gems in the confluence of music and technology," he added.

The two-day event festival will kick off on Friday, October 20, with the Chevron Festival Drama at the Agip Recital Hall. October 22 will witness the MUSON Brunch/Art Exhibition in La Scala Restaurant and Terrace. The exhibition will be anchored by the Bruce Onobrakpaye Foundation and Folio Development Limited. The art exhibition is expected to run from October 22 till the end of the festival — October 29.

otun Kayode, claim that he broke into Omotayo’s otherwise known as home in Abuja. He also called Do2dtun, has issued out some of the singer’s former a 24-hour ultimatum to his associates for their roles during his brother-inlaw and singer marriage crisis.

Dapo Oyebanji, aka Dbanj, “Taiwo you and your family played and Omotayo, his estranged God. You have always played God wife, over their alleged and ruined lives and dreams but refusal to grant him access it’s cos likes of Don Jazzy, Bankuli, to his children.

Spice Aliu, Frank; Aare; Dr Sid; STORY BY ABUOSE USIFOH Omotayo and Do2dtun WAnde, Jimmie, even Kayswitch (a tied the knot in 2013. The super talent lost his talent; dignity; marriage is blessed with two reduced to nothingness) Kayswitch exploring options for a sale or investment has sent ripples children.

I have said to you many times then; through the music community. Fans and industry insiders Last December, Omotayo leave that space and you will find alike are eager to understand the motivations behind this filed for a divorce based yourself but you no Dey hear word,” decision and the potential impact it could have on the label's artistic direction and the careers of its artists. on allegations of forced he wrote.

The Nigerian music scene has seen increased global abortion. The High Court in Earlier this year, on Father’s day recognition in recent years, and this move could position Abuja adjudicated a divided precisely, he had emphasised that Ajereh Mavin Records for even greater success on the international custody of their children it had been 10 months since he last stage. While specifics about potential buyers or investors which Omotayo did not saw his kids adding that he missed remain undisclosed, the prospect of Mavin Records joining usic entrepreneur and producer, oppose, pending the final them. He took to his social media forces with a major player or attracting external investment Michael Collins Ajereh, aka Don determination of the suit. and wrote, “Today marks a whole raises questions about how this could shape the label's Jazzy, is reportedly contemplating On Thursday, the media year since they snuck that video to creative direction and business operations. the sale of Mavin Records. He is also believed personality resumed his me and 10 months since I set my Don Jazzy, a respected figure in the music industry, is yet to to be seeking external investment in it, thus child custody battle with eyes on you. I miss you so much. officially announce this, but many are hopeful that whatever bringing to the fore discussions about the Omotayo, claiming he is No amount of lies, games, deceit path Mavin Records takes, it will continue to champion future trajectory of the label considered to be being denied access to his or slowed legal process can break artistic excellence and contribute to the vibrant landscape one of Nigeria's most influential music labels. children. me. Fife and Fiore, Daddy just wants of African music. As the story unfolds, the Nigerian music Founded in 2012, Mavin Records quickly rose The radio presenter alleged his time with you like he deserves community remains on the edge of their seats, eagerly to prominence as a powerhouse on the African that after bearing Omotayo but they deny it; disobey the law awaiting further details about the future of Mavin Records. music scene.

The label has been instrumental and her “family’s evil” for a cos they are scared, cowards and The potential sale or investment could mark a pivotal in shaping the careers of several notable year, he had grown weary. immature. moment in the label's history, opening up new possibilities artists, including Tiwa Savage, Divine Okubor Do2tdun said he was ready “No one should use kids as bait and ventures for one of Africa's most influential music aka Rema, and Korede Bello, among others.

Kayode to defend his name and or weapons in a fight. Again, they entities.

The news of Mavin Records management fight for his right to be picked the wrong one this time. involved in his daughters’ upbringing. He also threatened to share the contacts of each member of Dbanj’s family to the public who would then contact the singer on his behalf if they failed to comply STORY BY ABUOSE USIFOH with his request.

“Hello @iamdbanj I give u & your ose Ogulu, the esteemed mother and diversity. narrative surrounding African culture and creativity. sister 24 hours to tell me how manager of Grammy-winning artist, Damini The History Maker award, known for honoring Upon receiving the award, Bose Ogulu expressed u intend to grant me access to Ogulu aka Burna Boy, has been bestowed individuals who have left an indelible mark on gratitude and emphasized the importance of my kids. If you don’t I’ll put the with the prestigious History Maker Award for 2023. their respective fields, finds a fitting recipient in acknowledging the rich history and potential of numbers of every of your family The award recognises her outstanding contributions Ogulu. Her strategic guidance and unwavering African music. She highlighted the collective efforts members out. They will call you on to the music industry and her role in shaping the support have not only propelled Burna Boy to of artists, producers, and industry professionals my behalf. Shey o ni pe o ya werey narrative of African music on the global stage. unprecedented heights but have also contributed who have played a crucial role in elevating African Abi… Ole oshi.. atole! alatenuje!

Ogulu, often referred to as Mama Burna, has been to the global recognition of Afro-fusion music. voices globally. Her success story stands as a Onidoti!” he wrote on X. a pivotal force behind BurnaBoy's meteoric rise Ogulu's journey in the music industry has been testament to the transformative power of passion, He also shared a video he said he to international acclaim. However, her impact marked by a commitment to authenticity and dedication, and a vision for positive change. As the shot during a visit to Omotayo’s extends beyond the realms of artist management. a determination to challenge stereotypes. Her music industry continues to evolve, she remains a She has been a trailblazer in promoting African advocacy for African artists and the representation of formidable figure, shaping the trajectory of African home last December. Dot2dun Ogulu music, fostering a narrative of cultural richness and their stories has been instrumental in reshaping the music's future. said he shared the video to refute a

DON JAZZY CONTEMPLATES SELLING MAVIN RECORDS

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Bose Ogulu Honored With History Maker Award

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ENTERTAINMENT EXTRA

I'm in Love With Burna Boy, Asake’s Songs – Cameroonian Super Star, Sabrina Sabrina Ruth, popularly known by her stage name, Sabrina, is an exceptional music artist and songwriter who manifested her attraction to the world of music at a very tender age. She speaks with TUNDE OMOLEHIN about her musical journey, her unique way of producing good lyrics for her teeming fans and what her fans should expect in her upcoming album. Excerpts:

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hat got you into music?

I come from a family whose members are mostly into music. So, I can say that I grew up in a very beautiful musical environment.

When I was in high school people really enjoyed listening to me sing. That is when I realised I had something in me. Then I started going to a music studio to record some songs' covers and people really appreciated it. After passing my advanced level, I had the opportunity to meet Afrobit Productions, which is a record label with whom I have been working for four years now. That is how everything started.

If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?

If I could open a show for any artist, it would be Burna Boy. I would love to share the same stage with him. I admired him so much and I love his energy on stage What is one message you would give to your fans?

One candid message for my fans is that as long as we

Who inspired you to make music?

Growing up then, I used to admire one of my aunties a lot.

She has an amazing voice and she used to perform in the choir. So, she was a mother and every time I watched her performing, I just wished to be like her. I also got used to listening to the artists she has in her playlists like Charlotte Dipanda, Fally Ipupa, Celine Dion and Beyoncé. After signing with Afrobit Productions, I just said to myself that my dreams are about to come true. All these actually influenced me to make good music.

performed in one of our beautiful night clubs here in Cameroon. I will be performing at the Trace Award ceremony in Kigali. This December, I will be performing on Christmas Day with my fans to end the beauty.

How would you describe the music that you create?

First, I am a versatile artist. I have the capacity to adapt to any genre of music, but I also identify myself more to Afro-fusion which is a genre of music that blends African rhythms and melodies with other genres, such as Pop, Hip Pop, Reggae, Jazz and R&B. There is this genre of music that everybody likes and it is trending right now. I am talking of Amapiano.

I'm in love with it and I'm actually working on it in my second album. These two genres of music are definitely going to be represented in my album.

What is your creative process like?

The way I create music actually depends on my mood. Sometimes I take part in everything from the scratch with my sound engineer. We both find melody together and exchange our ideas. When we have a good base of the beat, we just send a loop and that is what I use to write. It continues with some modifications and adjustments on the beat.

What inspires your music productivity?

I'm more productive in a very quiet environment. When my sound engineer sends the beat to me, I just go to somewhere very peaceful and quiet and think of what I want to talk about in the song. whatever comes first, whether chorus or a verse, I go back to the studio, record it and everything continues from there. Sometimes the song engineer would just send me a full and complete beat. I would just sit quietly in my room, write everything and then go back to the studio and we record it. That's it.

Who would you like to collaborate with?

Actually, there are many great artists in different parts of the world. To me, music is the strongest form of magic and I strongly believe that a mixture of genres from different parts of the world will sound so amazing and beautiful.

I will collaborate with Angelique Kidjo from Benin Republic. I have already had a collabo with Koffi Olamide from Congo and that means a lot to me.

I would also love to collaborate with few great artists like Yemi Alade from Nigeria, Charlotte Dipanda from my country - Cameroon, Beyoncé from US and Diamond Platnumz from Tanzania. The list is very long, but I really wish this turns to reality because it will really mean a lot to me.

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Oghene Sabrina

What's your sad moment?

My sad moment is when I have an idea of what I want to do in the studio and when I finally do it, it doesn't sound the way I want it. It makes me sad.

Generally, it makes me feel like I'm not good at anything. When it happens, what I do is, I leave the project for one or two days and start working on it again.

What is your favourite song to perform?

My favourite song to perform right now is 'No Time' because while I'm performing this song, I'm passing information and at the same time talking to myself like eh girl! you must succeed and you don't have room for distraction. It is an Amapiano song. When I'm doing all this, I’m also dancing and having fun.

Sabrina breathe, and as long as we live, there is hope and we can achieve everything we wish to. We just have to be disciplined, focused, put in more effort and then pray to God to bless our efforts and the magic will happen.

What is the most useless talent you have?

Twinkle in a funny way. I can even do better by moving my nose and rolling my eyes.

Do you sing in the shower? What songs?

Of course, I do. Most of the time when I'm recording a new song, I will just be super excited and I keep on singing it every time and everywhere, including when I’m having my shower or when I remember a song I love so much like 2Face Idibia’s ‘Love is Crme’, Brandy’s ‘Long Distance’ or one of my songs titled, ‘Frenemies’ that you will find in my upcoming album.

What would you be doing right now, apart from your music career?

Honestly, I don't imagine myself doing any other thing than music. That is just the truth. But I guess I would be in school studying human resource management because that's what I was doing before I got into music and activities have just been following one after the other.

Where have you performed? What are your favourite and least favourite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?

Last December, I had a concert with my fans. It was amazing. I opened a show for Charlotte Dipanda, one of our artists here in Cameroon. I recently

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Which famous musicians do you admire?

I admire Yemi Alade, her energy and personality. I also admire Tiwa Savage for her swag and for her personality. I admire Burna Boy for his uniqueness and I admire Asake for his originality.

What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?

I'm not a troublesome person and I always try as much as I can to run away from trouble. I remember in high school, my friends got into trouble and they planned to fight after school hours. Immediately I heard that and they rang the bell, I just quietly carried my bag and went back home because I cannot fight to save my life.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

The best advice I have been given is to practise discipline and to put love and determination in everything I do. Honestly, this advice is gradually taking me to where I wanted to be.

If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?

Well, if I were given the opportunity to make a change in the industry, I would focus on enhancing the promotion and discovery of lesser known artists, maybe by providing increased access to music so that it should be gaining visibility.

What’s next for you?

I will be releasing my second album soon. I'm currently working on it. I am also preparing the performance I'm going to give in Kigali at the Trace Award ceremony. I will be doing a concert this December with my fans to end the year and I will keep on working on how to propose good melodies to my fans.

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Former Governorsturned-Senators/ Ministers on a Roll Now senators or ministers, former governors are clearly in clover. In control of resources (security vote inclusive) of their respective states for the four or eight years in power, they are also entitled to humongous retirement benefits covering everything from accommodation to cars, medicals, entertainment and domestic staff for life. Simultaneously, they receive salaries and other perks of office in their current designation. For most Nigerians, it is a waste of resources especially now that the country is under challenging economic circumstances. Last week, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) went to court to compel the politicians to stop collecting both salaries and pensions.

THEWILL wonders what the possible outcome may be.

Michael Jimoh reports…

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n 2014, Godswill Akpabio signed into law a bill approving the pensions and gratuity of former governors and deputies of Akwa Ibom state he was governor of. The bill stipulated that, in retirement, the two principal officers and their spouses would be entitled to several millions of money covering everything from accommodation to vehicles, medicals, entertainment and domestic staff.

By approving it, Akpabio himself would automatically benefit from the largesse. The ink had hardly dried on the document when his predecessor Obong Victor Attah took the governor head-on. He challenged his successor to come out with the exact figures he’d paid as pensions to the former governor and deputy.

Quaking with fury, Attah blamed journalists who he said indulged Akpabio by not asking probing questions concerning the retirement dues.

The N200m Akpabio approved for himself was somewhat on the high side, critics said at the time. But he defended it, insisting that the criticism was laughable because the law had been in existence since 2006. “I know what I am talking about and because I wear the shoe, I know where it pinches. All the former elected governors and their deputies have been enjoying the pension. The pension was first established in 2000 and was further amended with certain provisions added in 2006.”

But Akpabio’s predecessor promptly challenged him: “Publish what you pay me,” Attah thundered in response to his successor. But more tellingly, the architect blamed journalists for cuddling Akpabio, because “you journalists are afraid of Godswill Akpabio and that is why you have always shied away from asking some pertinent questions.”

While that was on, a representative of Nigeria Labour Congress in Uyo called Akpabio “greedy” over the obscene package for governors and deputies in the state.

It is the same expression Nigerians and concerned organisations are now using to describe former governors who have transited from their State Houses to either the Upper House of the National Assembly or have become ministers in Abuja in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Their action is that of unconcerned politicians behaving true to type, of caring for themselves at the expense of those they are meant to serve.

Akpabio himself is now senate president a position allowing him legally to collect his salaries and also receive his entitlements as governor. Nearly a dozen of his colleagues are in the 10th Senate: Adamu Aliero, Abubakar Sani Bello, Gbenga Daniel, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Seriake Dickson, Ibrahim Gaidam, Danjuma Goje, Orji Uzor Kalu, Adams Oshiomole, Theodore Orji, Aminu Tambuwal, Aliyu Wammako and Abdulaziz Yari.

In one recent report, it is estimated that all of them would be paid pensions and benefits from their states worth N5.6 billion. From an investigation by The Guardian, each of the former governors now lawmakers will be paid “N100 million yearly, including 100 per cent of the basic salary of incumbent governors, which the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) puts at N11.54 million.

Their allowances include furniture, 300 per cent of the annual basic; two brand new vehicles every four years, accommodation anywhere in

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Against the backdrop of crippling economic situation in Nigeria and also with the removal of fuel subsidy, it is unconscionable that the senators are just concerned with “looking after themselves while over 137 million Nigerians are living in extreme poverty

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FEATURES

...Governors-turned-Senators/Ministers on a Roll the country, free medication for the ex-governor and his immediate family, cooks, stewards, utility, drivers and security.

commendable effort but “urged him to refund every kobo he has received as pension since he left office in 2011 and work with other members of the National Assembly to enact a law to repeal pension legislations for former governors.”

“With what is accruable to each of the 14 Senators every year, they will be receiving N1.4b per annum, making it N5.6 billion for four years apart from their salaries and sundry allowances in the senate.”

Commenting on the pensions for former governors who are also receiving pay as senators or ministers, a pensioner described it as “the peak of injustice and that’s what we are fighting for. Many of us have died and some are managing small businesses to survive. The government is very heartless.”

Only Daniel has so far exempted himself from the largesse.

With this mind-boggling sums, it was no surprise that, last week, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project went to court to stop the lawmakers from simultaneously collecting their pensions and salaries. Speaking for SERAP, deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare told reporters the organisation is currently seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr. Akpabio, nine other senators and Mr. Umahi to stop collecting both salaries and pensions and to return any pensions collected to their respective state treasuries.”

Despite the obvious heartlessness on the part of the former governors, some still say payment of such monies is guaranty against corruption “by ensuring ex-leaders have enough to fall back on after leaving office.”

Against the backdrop of crippling economic situation in Nigeria and also with the removal of fuel subsidy, it is unconscionable that the senators are just concerned with “looking after themselves while over 137 million Nigerians are living in extreme poverty.”

“

In a country that has N30, 000 as its minimum wage, it would take 82 years for a minimum wage earner to earn a senator’s one month’s salary. Yet, political functionaries are said to be our servants

To SERAP, “collecting pensions as former governors and salaries while serving as public officers is a flagrant violation of the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution and the public trust.” Therefore, the organisation is also seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr. Akpabio, nine other senators and Mr. Umahi to clarify and disclose if they have collected and/or currently collecting both salaries and pensions as former governors.”

Citing the Seventh Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), SERAP insists that “it requires the former governors to stop collecting both salaries and pensions and to return any pensions collected.” In the absence of that, “the former governors would continue to both enjoy life pension packages, and collect salaries as serving public officers, and the travesty and private self-interest would continue. It is a fundamental breach of their fiduciary duties for former governors to collect both salaries and pensions. The alleged collection by former governors of double emoluments is detrimental to the public interest,” adding that “it is a travesty for former governors to be looking after themselves while over 137 million Nigerians are living in extreme poverty exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidy.”

According to SERAP’s findings, Akwa Ibom, Lagos and Rivers states top the list in the amount paid as “lifelong largesse” to governors and their deputies in retirement. In a bid to reduce the cost of governance Governor Babajide SanwoOlu of Lagos state three years ago sent a bill to the Lagos State House of Assembly to “repeal the Public Office Holder (Payment of Pension Law 2007), which provided jumbo payment of pension and other entitlements to former THEWILLNEWS

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governors and their deputies.” The governor’s gesture was also to show “selflessness in public service.”

The members of LSHA under the leadership of Speaker Mudashiru Obasa did not comply with the governor to remove the entitlements completely: they slashed it by 50 percent and also removed the provision of houses in Lagos and the FCT. Similarly, former Governor Daniel of Ogun state now representing Ogun East Constituency in the senate asked incumbent Governor Dapo Abiodun to suspend his monthly pension. His request was written and dated June 14 2023.

Oluwadare of SERAP thanked Daniel for his

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Such arguments have been punctured with some citing the case of former Plateau state governor Joshua Dariye who went to the slammer for corruptly embezzling N1.162 billion ecological funds. Several more governors have been quizzed by the EFCC on corruption charges. From Lucky Igbinedion of Edo state to James Ibori of Delta, Kalu of Abia and Jonah Jang of Plateau, all of them have, at one time or the other, been the subject of investigation for fraudulently enriching themselves at the state’s expense. Some returned purloined monies, some served time.

In his column Viewpoint in Vanguard of 2021 headlined “Political office holders pay and current economic realities,” Michael Okuwobi spoke the minds of many Nigerians regarding the unequal pay of elected public officials vis a vis the average Nigerian worker. “Nigerians couldn’t hide their displeasure and angst at the 2021 national budget which has its highest allocation to be a whopping N128 billion allocated to Nigerian Legislators at the federal level, a body of 465 people, as against the N46 billion allocated to the healthcare sector, which expectedly should cater for 200 million people.”

Worse still is that “Nigerian legislators are amongst the highest-paid political public holders in the world with a salary structure of about N29 million, including allowances. In a country that has N30, 000 as its minimum wage, it would take 82 years for a minimum wage earner to earn a senator’s one month’s salary.

Yet, political functionaries are said to be our servants.”

Continuing, Okuwobi lamented that “it is a fact that the gross earnings of Nigerian legislators are obscenely disproportionate compared to other public sector workers and officials in the country. The biggest source of the opacity in the salary structure of Nigerian legislators is in their allowances. One that is often ridiculed is the “hardship” allowance. Why would a choice to serve your country underwrite “hardship?”

For Adewale Adeoye, a political analyst, it is not even a question of hardship allowance. Paying governors such huge amounts of money is not only wasteful but also not justified. “I don’t think a poor nation like Nigeria should have that kind of law to enrich people who are already rich.”

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Revolutionary Technology, Early Upsets Mark Start of 2023/2024 NPFL

BY JUDE OBAFEMI

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However, arguably the biggest talking point has been the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) cameras and livestreaming equipment

George

he 2023/2024 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season has kicked off in dramatic fashion, with surprises, upsets and revolutionary technology setting the tone in the opening two matchdays. Defending champions Enyimba fell to a shock defeat in their first game as Gombe United emerged as the early upsetters with a famous 2-0 defeat of last year's victors. Multiple title contenders dropped points unexpectedly, as the league table took on a very unfamiliar look just 180 minutes into the new campaign. It is still early days but Enyimba find themselves rock bottom in their title defence campaign, although with a match in hand.

The pick of the early matches, on Saturday September 30, saw four first half goals and eight goals overall shared between Bayelsa United and Akwa United in a hugely entertaining 5-3 encounter on Matchday 1. However, arguably the biggest talking point has been the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) cameras and livestreaming equipment by technology firm Propel Sports Africa, in partnership with the NPFL. Despite some teething problems, this groundbreaking innovation promises to bring Nigeria's domestic league to a global digital audience like never before.

The NPFL season kicked off matchday 2 fixtures on October 8 with an upset

result that sent shockwaves across Nigeria. At the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi, defending champions Enyimba fell to a surprising 2-0 loss against newly promoted Gombe United. The home side handed the eight-time NPFL winners a humbling and unexpected defeat to further dent the flagging display of Finidi George's charges, who had endured an early and unceremonious exit from the elite continental football competition, the CAF Champions League.

In a tentative opening half hour, Enyimba just about shaded possession and chances. Still, it was Gombe who drew first blood on 43 minutes through Alakwe Chijioke. To draw level, the People's Elephant laid siege on the Gombe goal after the interval, but the home side's defence held firm. Then on 96 minutes, Gombe struck the killer blow with Ahmed Jimoh, who calmly slotted the ball in behind to make it 2-0.

Despite their depth of talent and quality on paper, Enyimba failed to breach the Gombe backline again and slumped to an opening match defeat, with the postponement of their matchday 1 fixture against Bendel Insurance due to continental commitments.

For Gombe, this was a glorious return to winning ways after an initial opening day 2-0 loss to newly promoted side Sporting Lagos. Enyimba manager Finidi George was left to pick up the pieces after seeing his champions stunned on the road.

Enyimba's loss was not the only upset result from the opening round of fixtures. Plateau United, NPFL champions in 2017, also began their campaign with a 2-1 defeat away to Shooting Stars. Ayobami Mutiu gave the home side a 1-0 half time lead before Anayor Emmanuel Ogbonna doubled their lead in the 76th minute. Two minutes later, Plateau cut the deficit THEWILLNIEWS

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SPORTSLIVE

...Early Upsets Mark Start of 2023/2024 NPFL through Uche Onwuansanya. However, 3SC held on to complete a famous victory.

engagement, increase league revenue, and create employment opportunities for young Nigerians.

Propel also conducted training for 40 locals to operate the cuttingedge equipment.

Overall, the rollout during the opening weeks has been a success, with Propel streaming several games live from kickoff. However, issues like unreliable internet connectivity and power supply at some stadiums have interrupted the coverage at times. These notwithstanding, Propel say they are working diligently with clubs and stadium owners to strengthen the infrastructure and fortify any weaknesses.

As mentioned earlier, there was also disappointment for Akwa United. Taking on Bayelsa United away in Yenagoa, Akwa found themselves on the wrong end of a 5-3 goalfest. The hosts came from behind twice in the first half, which finished 2-2. Seyi Oguntayo hit Akwa ahead in the 75th minute before Robert Mizo completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute to give Bayelsa a 4-3 lead. Eyong Ofem finished the rout in the dying minutes of the match to wrap up an astonishing 8-goal thriller. For opponents Akwa United, losing three goals so quickly was a concern. Yet, they at least showed spirit to keep leading before Mizo took charge of the goal-scoring.

Other matchday 1 results saw newcomers Niger Tornadoes lose 1-0 away from home to Abia Warriors, while Enugu Rangers beat Doma United 2-1 and Sunshine United went away 1-0 winners at home over Kano Pillars.

Heartland Owerri and Lobi Stars played out a 1-1 draw.

If the opening round of games set the tone for the season ahead, Matchday 2 dialled up the drama several notches higher. Taking centre stage was the hugely entertaining two-goal shootout between Bendel Insurance and Shooting Stars. Last season's entertaining sides went head-to-head in a match that swung wildly and had fans gripped throughout with the Benin Arsenal taking the 2-0 win.

Elsewhere on Matchday 2, Plateau United also picked up their first points with a 1-0 win at home to Heartland. The hero for the hosts was Bernard Mundi, who found the winner with an 11-minute goal. After two matches, surprise package Sporting Lagos top the fledgling league table with four points and two goals scored without conceding. Joint top side, with four points as well but less on goal difference with Sporting Lagos are Lobi Stars. Bendel Insurance, Doma United, Rivers United and Bayelsa United, Enugu Rangers, Sunshine Stars, Gombe United and Plateau United are all on three points each and make up the top 10 of the early table.

While the on-pitch action has provided plenty of talking points, an added aspect of interest this NPFL season is the implementation of new technology by innovation company Propel Sports Africa. Before the season's kick-off, Propel signed a five-year contract with the NPFL to provide artificial intelligence (AI) cameras and live streaming equipment across league venues.

The high-tech, multi-purpose cameras have already been installed in ten selected stadiums nationwide.

The AI-enabled units can capture broadcast quality video, detect key on-pitch events, track players, and measure relevant data points. This content is then streamed live during matches to the NPFL24 digital platform and app, where fans can enjoy games via web and mobile app both within Nigeria and around the world.

According to Propel Sports Africa founder Ed Simmons, these groundbreaking cameras reduce production costs compared to traditional broadcasting, making it viable to show multiple NPFL matches to a wider audience. The overall aims are to grow fan

Continued from Back Page

Reviewing Nigeria's Constant Policy Reversals, Poor Implementation And Delays

sals undermine policy credibility and accountability.

When they occur too often, these reversals erode the government's credibility and accountability, raising questions about the motives and interests behind the policies.

The most obvious of all is that this bad practice causes waste in public resources and creates opportunities for corruption, leading to the misallocation and misuse of public resources, creating opportunities for rentseeking, corruption and rent-sharing.

To prevent these consequences in the future, policymakers should consider implementing the following measures: Provide buffer periods before policy implementations – Instead of implementing policies with immediate effect, policymakers should provide reasonable transition periods (2-3years) that allow all stakeholders, including businesses, consumers and regulatory agencies enough time to adjust to the new policies.

This would reduce the shock and disruption caused by abrupt policy changes.

Ensure evidence-based policy formulation – Policymakers should base their decisions on thorough research, analysis and consultation with experts, stakeholders and the public. Policies should be designed to address the root causes of economic challenges and not just the symptoms.

Maintain policy consistency and predictability – Policymakers should strive for policy consistency and predictability to build trust and confidence among THEWILLNEWS

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investors and the public. Clear and transparent communication about policy objectives, strategies and outcomes is essential.

Consider the broader economic context – Policymakers should be mindful of the broader economic context and the interconnectedness of policies. Policies in one sector can have ripple effects on others.

Coordinated and integrated policies that consider the economic ecosystem as a whole can lead to better outcomes.

Engage in regular policy evaluation and adjustment – Policies should be subject to continuous evaluation and adjustment based on feedback, data and changing circumstances. Policymakers should be willing to make data-driven adjustments to policies to ensure they remain effective and responsive to evolving economic conditions. The identification of some policies as "temporal" might also go a long way in shaping reactions to these policies.

When government policy formulators adopt these recommendations, the nation's policy somersaults and frequent changes in direction that have created an environment of uncertainty and instability, affecting investor confidence and economic growth, will be halted.

By implementing policies that are evidence-based, predictable and supportive of long-term growth and development, Nigeria can pave the way for a more prosperous and stable economic future for its citizens, investors and residents.

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Propel plans to expand the camera deployment across more matches and venues in the coming weeks.

They also aim to enhance the live production quality and incorporate more interactive features for viewers.

With further fine-tuning, the revolutionary broadcast technology is set to open up the NPFL like never before.

Both in Nigeria and beyond, fans can look forward to an immersive digital experience and 24/7 connection with Nigerian club football.

Speaking with the League media, Simmons revealed: "It’s been a mammoth undertaking for us at Propel Sports. We are working on multi-cam productions.

There is an issue incorporating it and that will be resolved in due course. In this instance we had to start from scratch. It’s not the stadia, we are enhancing the stadia with such infrastructure as Starlink Internet but not the stadia itself.

“The barrier to showing multiple games on Nigerian television up on till now has been the cost of broadcast.

To use a traditional OB unit with multi-cam will cost anything up to $25,000 or $35,000 (per game). So, to do eight games will cost up to $240,000 each week (matchday) and that’s impossible and no one can make a commercial return from that. What we did was to sign an exclusive licence for these new AI cameras, and in using these cameras we can substantially reduce the cost of production. Therefore, we have the ability to film multiple games.

“This revolution is not just happening in Nigeria.

LaLiga has just signed for AI cameras. Bundesliga has signed for AI cameras. The Portugal premier division has signed for AI cameras. It happens in the case of Nigeria that it is the first in Africa to deploy AI cameras to league games. It (AI camera) will be the future of broadcasting. What we will have to do is to make sure we can add a multi-cam which increases the cost not significantly,” After just two matchdays, the 2023/2024 NPFL season has already showcased plenty of thrilling action and dramatic storylines. Several big clubs have stuttered, allowing sides like Bayelsa United, Gombe United, Remo Stars and Lobi Stars to claim some early headlines. With defending champions Enyimba looking strangely vulnerable, the title race appears wide open.

Fans can expect many more twists and turns as the story unfolds over the coming months. The electric atmosphere inside Nigeria's stadiums will continue to generate an endless supply of entertainment, surprises and unmissable moments. Now with the added technological innovation from Propel Sports Africa, the NPFL can look forward to greater exposure than ever before. For the players themselves, the opening weeks have set the tone. With over 30 gruelling matchdays still ahead, they know sustained quality, endeavour and consistency will be required to climb the table.

Any team treating the NPFL lightly this season is likely to receive a rude awakening. But if the first 180 minutes are anything to go by, Nigerian football fans are set for an unforgettable rollercoaster ride over the coming months.

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www.thewillnews.com • October 15, 2023

Reviewing Nigeria's Constant Policy Reversals, Poor Implementation And Delays I n the ever-evolving landscape of economic and fiscal policy-making, Nigeria has been characterised by abrupt policy reversals, delays and sharp about-faces. These sudden shifts in government policies have often left a trail of confusion, economic instability and cast a shadow over the country's credibility on the global stage. The recent policy reversal initiated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is just the latest in a long list of policy somersaults the country has witnessed and these do not bode well for a country aiming for a stable and investor-friendly policy environment.

As those following economic developments in the country are aware of, on October 12, 2023, the CBN announced a significant policy reversal. It decided to lift the foreign exchange (forex) restriction on the importation of 43 items that were previously blocked from accessing dollars at the official market. In addition, the CBN pledged to enhance liquidity in the forex market through regular interventions and to allow market forces to determine exchange rates on a willing-buyer and willing-seller basis.

The origins of this reversal trace back to 2015 when the CBN introduced the forex restriction policy with the goal of conserving foreign reserves, supporting local production and stabilising the forex market.

Under this policy, a list of 43 items, including rice, vegetables, textiles, and cosmetics, became ineligible for forex allocation at the official exchange rate. The CBN justified these restrictions on the grounds that these items were either locally producible or nonessential for the Nigerian economy.

The policy was implemented against the backdrop of a sharp decline in oil prices, which had significantly reduced Nigeria's export earnings and foreign reserves. The CBN was under immense pressure to devalue the naira, which was pegged at 197 per dollar at the time. However, the devaluation was resisted to prevent inflation and to protect the purchasing power of Nigerians. The CBN believed that by restricting forex supply for non-essential imports, it could reduce the demand for dollars, defend the naira and encourage domestic production and diversification of the economy.

All of these have changed with the October 12 policy reversal, which sparked a debate regarding the gains and losses experienced under the initial policy. On the positive side, local producers benefited from reduced competition and increased demand for their products.

Notably, there was an increase in rice and cement production. Moreover, some local manufacturers invested in capacity expansion and backward integration to meet the growing demand.

However, the policy had its downsides. It led to distortions in the forex market as importers shifted their demand to the parallel market where the naira traded at a much weaker rate than the official one. This discrepancy encouraged speculation, arbitrage and rentseeking activities. Moreover, the policy escalated the

cost of production and inflation for many businesses that relied on imported inputs or finished goods. For example, poultry farmers faced elevated expenses for importing maize and soybeans for feed production.

The policy also curtailed consumer access to more affordable and higher-quality foreign goods.

The policy encountered criticism from various quarters, including importers, manufacturers, economists and international organisations. They viewed the policy as ineffective and unsustainable, arguing that it did not address the root causes of forex scarcity, such as low productivity, poor infrastructure and fiscal indiscipline. Now, it has been reversed and these 43 items are now unbanned in the latest of Nigeria's policy reversals. With the CBN, there were also a couple of policy reversals limiting deposits, transfers and withdrawals of the naira and foreign exchange in bank accounts.

In truth, policy reversals are not unique to the forex market. Nigeria has witnessed a series of abrupt changes in other sectors. For example, the government's decision to reintroduce the fuel subsidy regime recently after attempting to remove it at the inaugura-

tion of this new administration, INEC's brazen decision to jettison the electronic transmission of results of the 2023 presidential election in real time to curb rigging, overtly delayed, reversed or abandoned infrastructural projects spread across the country, non-functional state owned crude oil refineries despite several botched policies to have them functional, incoherent automotive policy, the delayed or abandoned implementation of the 800-page Steve Oronsaye Panel White Paper Committee Report and many other policy reversals and delays which is why people now view government policy decision with a pinch of salt.

Policy reversals in Nigeria can be attributed to various factors. One major reason is the failure of existing policies to achieve their set objectives.

When policies fall short of delivering the desired outcomes, governments are often compelled to make changes or abandon them to rectify the situation. These failures to reach objectives trace to a defect in effective decision-making when it comes to the nitty-gritty of policy making and the buck falls squarely on the desks of shoddy policy makers.

Additionally, changes in leadership can also trigger policy reversals, as new governments or leaders may bring different policy preferences and seek to undo or revise the policies of their predecessors.

This can also be blamed on policy makers not doing enough at the point of formulation of relevant policies that can engender progress. There is also the potential of pressure from interest groups or external actors, including domestic and foreign businesses, civil society organisations, trade unions and international organisations, which can also exert influence on policy changes.

Yet, these frequent policy reversals and somersaults portray the government as unstable and inconsistent.

These policy shifts erode trust, both among domestic and foreign investors, and raise questions about the motivations behind these changes.

Policy reversals in Nigeria have a range of negative consequences, including reduced investor confidence.

This is because frequent policy changes create uncertainty and this discourages investors from committing their resources and capital to long-term projects. It also leads to increased uncertainty as businesses and consumers find it difficult to plan ahead and make rational decisions based on reliable information and expectations.

There is also the fact of discouragement of innovation and entrepreneurship. The truth is that frequent policy reversals undermine the incentive for businesses to invest in research and development, technology adoption, and market expansion. Furthermore, these rever-

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Policy reversals in Nigeria have a range of negative consequences, including reduced investor confidence. This is because frequent policy changes create uncertainty and this discourages investors from committing their resources and capital to long-term projects PAGE 48

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