THEWILL NEWSPAPER, SPECIAL EDITION January 08, 2024

VOL 4 NO. 01

PDP, LP Disagree Over Opposition Status

VOL 4 NO. 01 • JANUARY 07, 2024 • JANUARY 07, 2024

of Entertainment Highlights in the World Highlights in the World of Entertainment

PAGE 10 TH EWI LLNI GERIA

T HE W I L L N G

Imo Records Zero Foreign Investment in 4 Years PAGE 32

WEDDINGS THAT GOT PEOPLE TALKING IN 2023

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AS NIGERIA PROBES ALLEGED FOREIGN EXCHANGE MISUSE:

Panic in Business Community as State Investigators Target Dangote, BUA, Flour Mills, TGI, Others

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Onah Nwachukwu Editor, THEWILL DOWNTOWN

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he Nigerian entertainment industry has improved over the years, and 2023 was a year that proved it. Movies were produced at top-notch quality, and songs got international recognition and collaborations, such as Selena Gomez and Rema’s Calm Down.

Let’s not forget that Davido got his first Grammy nomination in three categories.

Asake had hit after hit, with his Amapiano and Yoga being the most popular.

There were also low times as we celebrated the highs, such as the untimely passing of rising star Mohbad.

On the movie–making front, we had hits such as Jagun Jagun, which tells the story of a warlord who begins to feel threatened by a young warrior. There was also A Sunday Affair, a romantic movie in which two best friends fall for the same man.

Even though it had highs and lows, if we sum up 2023 for the Nigerian entertainment industry, it was a good year. Read our 2023 review on pages 8 through 10.

This week’s fashion page shed some insight on how to detox your wardrobe for the New Year. Arranging your closet will give you a cleaner space and new insights into your style. See pages 4 to 5 for this.

VOL 4 NO. 01 • JANUARY 07, 2024

Our beauty page examines cutting-edge products that have demonstrated value through incredible results, innovative formulas, and state-of-the-art technologies.

They are game-changing products that are worth the hype. Read about them on page 12.

Our food page, Bon Appetit, shows you ways of incorporating beetroot into your diet.

You’ll find that on page 13.

Don’t forget our magazine is fully interactive; all you have to do is click on the page title on page 3 to take you to your desired article. And on page 16, click on the instructions below the QR code to listen to the playlist.

Until next week, enjoy your read.

OnahNwachukwu Highlights in the World of Entertainment

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COVER

AS NIGERIA PROBES ALLEGED FOREIGN EXCHANGE MISUSE:

Panic in Business Community as State Investigators Target Dangote, BUA, Flour Mills,TGI, Others

BY AMOS ESELE AND SAM DIALA

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ome notable national newspapers, television stations and news websites used words like "Raid" and "Gestapo" in their headlines to describe last Thursday's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operation at the Dangote Lagos headquarters in the ongoing probe of alleged misuse of foreign exchange sourced from the central bank.

Dozens of companies, including BUA, Flour Mills, Tropical General Investments Group, TGI and financial institutions are the targets of investigation being conducted by the EFCC and the Special Investigator, Jim Obazee, appointed by President Bola Tinubu to investigate and recover state monies stolen from government coffers.

According to the reports, EFCC personnel on Thursday visited the headquarters of the Dangote Group, one of Africa’s largest conglomerates in Lagos, and demanded documents relating to the allocation of foreign exchange to the Group by the Central Bank in the last 10 years. Same documents which anonymous sources close to the billionaire founder of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said had been sent to the anti-graft agencies weeks before their visit.

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After scrutinising the documents provided by officials of Dangote Group for some hours, the operatives of the agency carted away the documents and summoned some staff to its Abuja headquarters.

THEWILL gathered that BUA Group, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc and the other companies in focus as well as some banks have since submitted documents demanded from them by the state backed anti-graft investigators.

Explaining the development to THEWILL on Friday morning, a top level EFCC source, who craved anonymity, said that what looked like a sudden swoop on the companies was a follow-up to the reports presented to President Bola Tinubu by the special presidential investigator into the books of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. He told this newspaper, “We are not talking about records, otherwise we would have issued a statement. I know that the visit to Dangote Group on Thursday by our operatives was in relation with Mr Obazee’s investigation into the allocation of forex and the alleged abuse of multi-exchange rate under the leadership of Mr Godwin Emefiele and all the companies that benefited from the abuse.”

According to the official, the mission of the Commission is three-fold; “to determine the level of involvement, how much was taken, when it was taken and then to act on that. The investigation is ongoing and no categorical statement can be made on when it would end.”

Indeed, a fortnight ago, the Obazee-led committee unveiled alleged massive looting of monies from the nation's treasury during the administration of exPresident Muhammadu Buhari.

The report indicted a former Minister of Finance, Hajia Zainab Ahmed; the ex-Accountant General of the Federation, Idris Ahmed; the former board of the CBN, former Governor, Godwin Emefiele and the deputy governors.

Emefiele, who is presently facing trial over alleged breach of procurement procedure and the former board have however denied any wrongdoing with Emefiele releasing a statement describing the content of the report as “False, misleading and calculated to disparage my person, injure my character and serve the selfish interest of the private investigator.”

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COVER

...Investigators Target Dangote, BUA, Flour Mills, TGI, Others A call to presidential spokesperson, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, to clarify the status of the special investigator’s report and EFCC’s current investigations proved abortive. However, a presidential aide told THEWILL that there was nothing to say on the matter.

Tope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, simply said, “The EFCC is an independent organisation,” maintaining the Commission is acting independently from the presidency.

Efforts to get comments from the Head of Corporate Communications, Dangote Group, Mr Tony Chiejina, failed as his phone was unreachable and text messages sent to him were not replied.

RIPPLES IN BUSINESS COMMUNITY Nonetheless, the EFCC inquisition, the DSS as well as those being done by the Special Investigator on Nigeria's two major companies seen as rivals in the industrial sector, Dangote Group and BUA Group, sent shivers down the spines of other members of the business community in Nigeria. According to THEWILL checks, the common perception among those interviewed was the timing and procedure.

The Tinubu administration which inherited a weak and cash strapped federal government when it took over in May last year, promised to bolster revenue and revive the very frail economy.

Almost all the respondents, who wished to remain anonymous for obvious reasons, said they welcomed the government’s probe, recovery and even prosecution of those found guilty of corrupt practices, but then the method must be such that “the end of the goal is not counterproductive.”

Some said the sensitivity of the manufacturing and industrial sector meant that the investigations should be done discreetly so as not to send the wrong signal to investors “who are still adopting a waitand-see position,” despite official trips abroad by the President to woo investors.

“This kind of move sends the wrong message to potential investors, local or foreign. After all, this matter has to do with paperwork. It is a question of telling the CBN to submit the list of everyone involved in large forex exchange dealings, get the banks to give the information of the companies detailing what was sold and bought and then demand documents from the beneficiaries to prove how they used the forex and then continue investigations from there.”

According to one respondent, who understands the workings of the economy, the country is still “declining in all the indices of development, the economy is unattractive to investment because of the worsening insecurity, decayed infrastructure and weak dispute settlement structure of the judiciary.”

Tainting a major company like Dangote Group with a $19 billion refinery investment with fraud, the respondent added, is "just not good for the optics.

Makes no sense at all."

The general view among the respondents is that the development is a sad commentary on a government that is combing all the nooks and crannies of the globe for foreign investors. More so, when a number of reputable multinationals are delisting from the THEWILLNIGERIA

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Nigerian Exchange and closing shops after centuries and decades of operation in the country.

Over N220 billion was wiped out from the Nigerian Exchange, following the delisting of the companies as of the end of 2023. These companies are entities that have contributed significantly to the economic development of the country through job creation and tax revenue. Their activities helped in driving the backward integration policy of the government, which centered on boosting local sourcing of raw materials by manufacturing companies, especially the consumer goods firms. The small and medium enterprises (SMEs) which keyed into the scheme played active roles in the value chain process.

The scenario is compounded by the rapid decline in capital importation in Nigeria, which dipped by 89.6 percent in four years from $5.8 billion in Q1 2020 to $645 million in Q3 2023, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

These perceptions of the interviewed business elite match the reaction of the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources, Downstream, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere.

He said at the weekend that the raid carried out on Dangote Group was capable of worsening the economic situation in the country and scaring investors away.

He said, “I’m of the view that the timing of the raid on Dangote Group is not only very suspicious, but most importantly capable of worsening the economic situation in the country and scaring away investors. In the last few months, our nation has lost so many foreign investors.”

REAL SOURCE OF UNEASE IN THE

DSS, and the EFCC, as well as the Presidential Special Investigator. They are all conducting the same investigation independently, thereby causing unease and uncertainty among captains of industry and businesses in the country, THEWILL can report authoritatively.

On June 12, 2023, the DSS said it had arrested Emefiele “for some investigative reasons,” after accusing him of terrorism financing and economic crimes. However, on October 27, the DSS handed the former CBN governor to the EFCC after the Federal Government withdrew a two-count charge against him and the Federal High Court in Lagos granted him bail. The anti-graft agency started a fresh probe.

While these legal fireworks were going on and the DSS and EFCC tangoed over the statutory right to investigate Emefiele, President Tinubu on July 29, 2023 appointed Jim Obazee as Special Investigator to “investigate the CBN and related entities,” and report directly to him.

In fact, THEWILL checks confirmed why there is uncertainty in the business community. For instance, this newspaper learnt that when Obazee constituted his investigating committee, only the police and DSS joined the team. The EFCC declined to enlist its investigators. But a few weeks after Obazee’s initial report was leaked to the media, the EFCC made a U-turn and asked to join but their request was declined. The agency then decided to start its own investigation, raiding premises of companies.

So, while Obazee reports to the president, the EFCC is doing an open investigation, independent of what the Special Investigator is doing. "No one knows when these multiple investigations will end and where it leads to," a source with knowledge of development told THEWILL anonymously.

BUSINESS COMMUNITY

THE POOR ROAD TRAVELLED

Particularly alarming to the business community is the apparent lack of synergy between the government agencies investigating the same allegations, the Department of State Security,

The ongoing inquisition and raids have once again raised the question about the way private and publicly quoted businesses are treated in the country. A brief account of subsequent governments’ business growth plans, as one of THEWILL respondents pointed out, shows how the economy has undergone reforms that have left it poorer and a continued disincentive to many otherwise potential entrepreneurs and investors.

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Almost all the respondents, who wished to remain anonymous for obvious reasons, said they welcomed the government’s probe, recovery and even prosecution of those found guilty of corrupt practices, but then the method must be such that “the end of the goal is not counterproductive

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At a point in time, the Federal Government introduced the privatisation policy to liberalise and grow the economy, but many of the companies bought by Nigerians ended up being closed down.

Examples abound with public enterprises like Osogbo Rolling Mills, Daily Times Newspaper, Jebba Paper Mills, Bacita Sugar Factory and some commercial banks. But buyers ended up looting the assets of these companies instead of reviving them.

Even those that were completely liquidated without any legal justification, such as Nigeria Airways and Nigerian Shipping Lines, or put under receivership with creations like the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), which was set up to collect loans owed banks, have failed.

Airlines like Aero Contractors, Arik Airline, NITEL, 9Mobile or banks like Union Bank, Keystone Bank and Polaris Bank, are shadows of their once lucrative business selves.

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NEWS

Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, wife (Middle), his children, and siblings led by Prof. Wole Akeredolu (Right), with the body of the late governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, on arriveal in Nigeria from Germany, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos on January 5, 2024.

Don Charges Tertiary Institutions, Govt, on Complementary Role to End Hunger

LG Chairman Blames Police to Begin Screening High Profile Nigerians of Recruits on January 8 For Killings in – Spokesperson Plateau State

FROM JOSEPH AMEDU, LOKOJA

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rofessor Joseph Ita Omada, former Rector of the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, and Director, Research Administration at the National Open University of Nigeria, has called on tertiary institutions across the country to take the lead through technology, vocation, entrepreneurship and training strategies in tackling the nation's food security challenges.

Prof Omada also called on the Nigerian government to hastily attend to security challenges bedeviling the nation so that farmers could put in their best to produce enough food without fear of being attacked.

He made the call in a Convocation lecture, themed, ‘Providing National Food Security: The Role of Nigerian Tertiary Institutions,’ which he delivered to mark the 4th Combined Convocation ceremonies of the Kogi State Polytechnic held at the institution's main campus in Lokoja at the weekend.

He recommended that government at all levels should assist farmers with quality seeds and innovative tools like fertiliser as a way to end the prevailing hunger ravaging communities across the country.

"Dry season and irrigation farming should also be encouraged and supported by government to both small and largescale farmers, as well as the provision of good roads, water, schools and electricity in rural areas to reduce rural-urban migration."

Omada affirmed that a lot of gains are derivable from food security, saying that according to a report by USAID (2011) where food is available, accessible, stable and well utilised by all people, peaceful coexistence will be experienced and the nation will record steady development.

He enumerated the gains of food security to include; secured human dignity, real opportunity to explore available resources, ensure justice, security at highest level, unlock the vast resources of human innovation, experience less hunger, stronger and a healthier nation.

Other gains of food security, according to him, include a better future for children where their brains are developed tremendously, upliftment of the economy and improvement of household income

he embattled Chairman of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, Gideon Davou Dandereng, has said that the killings in Plateau State communities were sponsored by high profile Nigerians for land acquisition purposes.

Dandereng made this known in a meeting with journalists at his Rantya residence in Jos South LGA, Plateau State. He said that while many of the attackers were criminals, there was notable evidence that the mission was aimed at dominating the economic space of the state and displacing communities from their ancestral homes.

He said, “Apart from the criminal aspect, the spree of attacks and killings of innocent people of Plateau State has a long- term plan underground to overrun the state and take over the land.

“I want to say this without fear or favour that this is not about criminality but land grabbing and to take over the control of the economy of the people after displacing them from their ancestral homeland."

Dandereng maintained that the non-state actors involved in the killings were sponsored by high-profile Nigerians.

He emphasised that mining activities in the state and by extension, in Nigeria as awhole are being targeted and hijacked by foreigners, which is a clear indication that the Middle Belt region is technically under threats of attacks.

On whether he was collaborating with his counterparts in government in the state to tackle the problems head on, the Chairman of Jos South LGA, who is among his colleagues challenging their unlawful removal as democratically elected chairmen of their respective local government areas , answered that though ethnic diversity in the country may pose a major stumbling block to addressing the challenges, “we all have a duty to be patriotic and call a spade a spade so that we can move forward as a nation."

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he Rivers State Police Command has said it will begin screening of applicants who had indicated interest to join the force on January 8, 2024.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko made this known in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday.

She said that the programme would be held at the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre at Moscow Road in Port Harcourt between January 8 and 29.

“This is to inform the general public, especially all indigenes of Rivers who applied for ongoing recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) that screening will hold from Jan. 8 to Jan. 29.

“Applicants are expected to come with the required documents for the physical/credential screening exercise at the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, Moscow Road.

“The required documents are evidence of physical/mental fitness from a government recognised medical hospital and evidence of good character from each village/district head of applicants,” she stated.

Iringe-Koko said candidates should also come forward with the original and duplicate copies of their certificate of origin, duly signed by the chairman or secretary of their respective local government areas.

“Other documents include original and duplicate copies of national identity card/slip and original and duplicate copies of birth certificate or declaration of age.

“Applicants are also expected to come along with a printout of their application form, duly completed guarantor’s form and their invitation slip.

“Candidates should also present recent passport photographs and two white flat files, as well as expected to wear clean white T-shirts and shorts for the exercise,” she added.

The police image maker advised candidates to arrive at the venue of the screening exercise not later than 8 a.m. daily during the recruitment.

She said the Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, had assured that all statutory entry requirements as clearly stated in the Police Acts and Regulations would be followed accordingly.

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NEWS

President Bola Tinubu (sitting down), signing 2024 Appropriation Bill into law in his office at the Presidential Villa. With him are: Senate President Goodswill Akpabio (3rd Left); Speaker, House Representatives, Rt. Hon Tajudeen Abbas (3rd Left); Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun (4th Left); Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu (Right); Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila (Middle) and others in Abuja on January 1, 2024.

NIPR Begins Crackdown Minister of Steel Development Condoles on Quakery in April With Ata’Igala Over Sister’s Death

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he Nigerian Institute of Public Relations has vowed to weed out quacks in its ranks as from April 1, 2024.

The Director, Public Relations of the institute, Mr Stanley Ogadigo said in Abuja at the weekend that the Governing Council of the body took the decision at its 106th meeting.

He said the organisation would embark on an awareness campaign before the Council’s decision is enforced.

“We want to enforce strict compliance of professionalism and excellence in Public Relations practice in Nigeria. All concerned are by this communication strongly encouraged to take advantage of this new window to conclude their membership process to avoid prosecution of individual culprits and their employers in accordance with the provisions of the NIPR Act,” Ogadigo said, adding that the organisation had set up an Enforcement Committee headed by General Chris Olukoyode (retd.) and state chapter Chairmen to enforce compliance.

Group to Host International Lenin Centenary Confab in Nigeria

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group of Nigerian writers, unionists and academics has concluded plans to host the International Lenin Centenary Conference in Abuja, Nigeria between January 22 and 23, 2024.

The Conference is to commemorate the centenary of the passing of Vladimir Lenin, the man who led the first Socialist Revolution in 1917, leading to the establishment of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, USSR and the transformation of Central and Eastern Europe into the Eastern Bloc, in contrast to the Western Bloc.

The conference, according to the Chairman of Lenin Centenary Coordinating Committee, Owei Lakemfa, will feature exhibitions and examine Marxism-Leninism as a tool for analysing neo-liberalism, multilateralism, the rise of bodies like the BRICS, globalism and the contemporary world.

It will also examine the collapse of the socialist bloc and determine if Marxism-Leninism can be used to analyse, understand and tackle the current challenges of democracy and underdevelopment, as well as find out whether it is still emancipatory and relevant today.

The conference will also highlight the contributions of radical African leaders, such as Kwame Nkrumah, Sekou Toure, Nelson Mandela, Patrice Lumumba, Samora Machel and Agostinho Neto.

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he Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, has extended his heartfelt condolences to the paramount ruler of Igala kingdom, His Royal Highness, Alaji Mathew Opaluwa, over the death of his sister, Mallama Meimunat Opaluwa-Sani and her granddaughter.

Prince Audu, in his condolence message made available to Journalists by his Special Assistant on Media, Lizzy Okoji, described the deaths of the late Mallama Opaluwa-Sani and her five-year-old granddaughter as tragic and sacrilegious.

The minister said that the death of Mallama Opaluwa-sani, the Akwuma Attah Igala, was a loss to the entire Igala Kingdom, urging everyone to remain strong.

Audu also called on security agencies to investigate the alleged arson and bring to book the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

“It is with a heavy heart that I condole with our father, HRM, Alaji Mathew Opaluwa and the royal family over the deaths of his sister and her granddaughter, whose lives were taken in the most painful manner.

“I also commiserate with the entire people of Igala Kingdom at this time because this is a loss to every one of us.

“I call on security agencies to investigate the alleged arson and bring the perpetrators of this act to book so that it would serve as a deterrent to others. Such acts of sacrilege must be discouraged in our land.

“I pray that Almighty Allah grant the souls of the late Mallama Meimunat Opaluwa, and her granddaughter, Onechojo Aljanah Firdaus. I also pray Almighty Allah grants the family the heart to bear the loss,” Audu stated.

Late Mallama Opaluwa-sani, Akwuma Attah Igala, died on Thursday, January 4, at the age of 75, alongside her five-year-old granddaughter, Onechojo, when her home in Idah, Kogi State, was allegedly set ablaze by unknown assailants.

Police Arrest 85 Suspects For Various Crimes, Secure 27 Convictions in Borno

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he Nigeria Police Command in Borno State has revealed the successful arrest of 85 suspects involved in various criminal activities, including rape, homicide, and armed robbery between October 1 and December 31, 2023.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Daso Nahum, disclosed that out of the 49 recorded cases, 27 suspects have been convicted, 14 cases are under investigation, and 31 individuals have been charged to court.

He said that on December 31, 2023, the Joint Anti-vice Unit arrested four suspects for criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, possession of dangerous weapons and alleged involvement with Indian Hemp. Recovered exhibits include dried leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp, a sword, two pots used for inhaling shisha, one stick, and five mobile phones.

Nahum highlighted a case involving Fatima Abatcha, wanted for serial theft of mobile phones, who revealed her accomplice, Mohammed Isa. The syndicate operated by posing as house helps and stealing mobile phones from residential houses. Another incident involved a Keke Napep driver, Abubakar Modu, who reported picking up suspicious items. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the items, including power generators and an air conditioner, were potentially stolen.

The case is under investigation to apprehend the fleeing suspect. Furthermore, the police operatives, in collaboration with Biu Division and local hunters, arrested one Shuaibu Saleh with a locally made pistol. Saleh confessed to acquiring the weapon from Abubakar of Kalimbo village, Yobe.

During the Christmas and New Year festivities, the command arrested eight suspected Malian gang members in raids on criminal hideouts in Mairi, Fori, Tashan Bama and Gwange. The case is currently under investigation and the suspects will face prosecution.

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POLITICS

PDP, LP Disagree Over Opposition Status

BY AYO ESAN

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he Labour Party (LP) and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last week disagreed over which one of them deserved the status of the main opposition party.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi, stirred the hornet’s nest when in his New Year message he rated the LP ahead of PDP. The former governor of Anambra State said the LP would continue to adjust to its new role as the main opposition party.

But, objecting to LP’s claim to a superior opposition status, PDP leaders said LP was day dreaming and evading reality.

There were reports that the PDP National Vice Chairman (South-West), Kamoru Ajisafe berated the LP for a shortfall in objectivity, while its former governorship candidate in Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) said LP’s claim lacked substance.

Former PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Diran Odeyemi reportedly said LP’s claim was absurd and laughable.

Ordinarily, the PDP is the main opposition political party because it has more state governors and more members at the National Assembly, but the Labour Party has shown its interest to step in because the PDP was becoming docile.

Political opposition to the ruling All Progressives’ Congress (APC), over the past eight years has been ultra-lacklustre, if not non-existent.

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Ordinarily, the PDP is the main opposition political party because it has more state governors and more members at the National Assembly, but the Labour Party has shown its interest to step in because the PDP was becoming docile

as opposition parties and hitherto vituperative civil society groups went into an incestuous hibernation that allowed the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari to foist their unimpactful agenda on Nigerians.

The feebleness of the PDP as the lead opposition meant that the ruling party continued to define the narrative, shaping the country without alternative voices gaining hold amongst the masses.

The PDP only became visible again just before the 2019 presidential elections and yet again went on a long sleep after its electoral and judicial loss, ceding the political and policy space to the ruling party.

The Labour Party (LP), a previously peripheral party rode on the back of its popular presidential candidate, Obi to win 25 per cent of votes in the last election in 12 states. Its candidate came third with 6,101,533 votes.

Obi has assured that his party would fully adjust to fit its new role as Nigeria’s main opposition party in the New Year.

Obi however, said the onerous responsibility is to have LP remain firmly in opposition and keep the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on its toes to protect the country and the interest of Nigerians.

After the loss of the then ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in the 2015 political tidal wave that brought the latter to power, political opposition to the ruling APC essentially were non-existent or put differently, went to sleep.

THEWILL recalls that former Vice President and presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2023 presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, called for a coalition of opposition parties against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) last November.

Disapproval of the ruling party’s rich failings and incapability was left to a section of the media and the twittering class,

Atiku made the call when he hosted the national executive committee of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) led by THEWILLNIGERIA

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POLITICS

...Over Opposition Status its national president, Yabagi Sani.

Using the opportunity to appreciate all Nigerians for supporting his campaign during the 2023 elections and voting for the LP because of their belief in the quest for a New Nigeria, Obi said the outcome of the 2023 presidential elections was contested and remained so, on record, “but the Courts of law have spoken; so be it.

IPAC is a platform of all Nigerian political parties, but the ruling parties at every given time have excluded themselves from the group.

Atiku, who decried what he described as a gradual slide into a one-party state, said the opposition parties needed to come together to challenge the ruling APC to save Nigeria’s democracy.

“I wish to thank members of the Labour Party, the Obidient Family, friends, and well-wishers of Nigeria for their loyalty, resilience, tenacity, and commitment to true democracy.

We will continue ongoing discussions and efforts for the Labour Party to adjust to our new role as Nigeria’s main opposition party.

“We have all seen how the APC is increasingly turning Nigeria into a dictatorship of one party. If we don’t come together to challenge what the ruling party is trying to create, our democracy will suffer for it, and the consequences of it will affect the generations yet unborn,” Atiku was quoted as saying in a statement by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, on Tuesday.

“We will continue to constructively engage all Nigerians and our friends, who have now realized the vast implications of the road not taken; and the folly of national interest decisions predicated on sentiments and primordial interests,” he further stated.

The coalition that Atiku seeks should have members of the opposition parties in the National Assembly jointly sponsor legislation “that will advance the course of the constitutional and electoral reforms”.

Describing Nigeria as a God-given country whose business was far too important to be left in the hands of those involved in transactional politics, the former Anambra Chief Executive said, “I am involved in the struggle for a New Nigeria that is possible and works for all and will remain passionately committed to the crusade.

Many watchers of political development believe Atiku’s calling for coalition of opposition is a failure of the PDP to perform the official functions of the main opposition party, being the second largest party after the ruling APC. Political analysts, commentators and watchers of political developments in the country believe the PDP has not adjusted to its role as the main opposition party since it lost power in 2015 to the APC. However Obi, while addressing the nation in his New Year Message said there was no backing down on the task of having a new Nigeria going forward.

“As Nigeria is the only country we have, deeply endowed but lacking good leadership over the years, we will continue to seek a new Nigeria that we know is possible,” he said.

Obi who hammered on what has now become the party and ‘Obidient Movement’ insisted that a new Nigeria was possible in spite of the numerous yet-to-be-fulfilled aspirations of citizens.

His said: “The events of the past year are now part of our national history. As we trudge on, we remain mindful of the state of our nation and that our best hopes and aspirations remain largely unfulfilled.

“Peace and security continue to elude us with the rising level of bloodletting deeply troubling and sometimes beyond a war situation. A situation where hundreds of Nigerians are violently killed in December alone is deeply sad and unacceptable.

“While we pray for the repose of the souls departed, we demand that the federal government must do whatever is required to bring the perpetrators to justice and permanently stop a reoccurrence in any part of Nigeria.”

Obi noted that Nigeria’s economy needed an urgent turnaround, considering the rising unemployment, inflation, poverty, inequality, and other key socioeconomic variables.

He said, “Nigerians are now very aware and convinced that good governance, inclusive development, and accountable leadership expected in a functional democracy continue to elude us.

“But we must be consistent and resolute in our demand for the rule of law, regulatory quality, and government effectiveness for transformative solutions to a litany of our social problems.

“If there is one fundamental threat to our democracy, it is the undermining and weakening of our national institutions and the capture of state affairs and resources by a few individuals and private interests.

“This must stop for Nigeria to move forward and function as an inclusive and sustainable society and nation,” he said.

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We in the Labour Party have undertaken in the national interest and in our undying commitment to a New Nigeria that is possible, to remain firmly in opposition and, as such, must remain focused going forward. Our collective role in nation-building remains fundamental and obligatory,” he said

Insisting that there must be full respect for the separation of powers between the three independent arms of government, as well as between the federating units in a democratic and secular country like Nigeria, Obi tasked the National Assembly (NASS) to devote time and energy in committing itself to the diligent performance of its functions, like the 2024 budget, which required its prudent examination and subsequent patriotic-oriented approval or rejection.

“It is imperative for Nigeria to work for Nigerians in order to avoid a possible drift into a one-party state or a situation where the federal government will be intervening unduly in the internal affairs of the states, particularly in circumstances where national security is not threatened.

“We in the Labour Party have undertaken in the national interest and in our undying commitment to a New Nigeria that is possible, to remain firmly in opposition and, as such, must remain focused going forward. Our collective role in nation-building remains fundamental and obligatory,” he said.

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“I, therefore, implore you all who strive for a New Nigeria to remain fully engaged, committed and resilient as it is and will be possible.”

In his statement, Obi said the nation must work assiduously to avoid drifting to a one-party state.

Taking exception to Obi’s claim to number one position for LP in the opposition, Ajisafe said the claim lacked basis.

He said: “I don’t know what basis they will claim to be the main opposition party when PDP has more spread than Labour Party in terms of governors, senators, and House of Representatives members. What basis?

“Labour Party has not even been criticising the government as a group or as a party, except what Obi and his running mate are doing individually.”

The Southwest PDP leader said the LP claim lacked justification at a time the party is seriously battling with intra-party crisis arising from disputation over its national chairmanship.

Ajisafe stressed: “The activities of the PDP are not hidden.

You can see the activities of our party and individuals in PDP. They are playing their opposition roles well. By March, it will become clearer.

“There is a limit to how you can manipulate the system.

Labour Party does not have the strength to claim the number one position in the opposition. Where is their evidence?

“Labour Party does not enjoy the same spread that PDP enjoys. Labour Party is having leadership problem. Who is their national chairman? It is a contentious issue. There is no division in the PDP. But Labour Party is in court with its national leadership.”

Jegede, who is a top stalwart from Ondo State, said Obi’s claim amounted to wishful thinking.

He said: “You said they are claiming to be the main opposition party. Anybody can claim. Everybody knows who the main opposition party is. It is us the PDP and not the Labour Party.”

Odeyemi chided Obi for regression into absurdity, saying that he made a false claim.

He said: “It is very absurd for the Labour Party that is just finding its way on the political scene to call itself the main opposition party in Nigeria. It is even laughable for Labour Party, which hardly controls a state, unlike the PDP which has many senators, House of Representatives members and governors, to call itself the main opposition party.”

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POLITICS

Edo PDP Unites Ahead Governorship Election

BY AYO ESAN

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s preparation towards the September 2024 Governorship Election in Edo State hits top gear, the ruling party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is close in ranking. The hitherto bitter camps in the party are coming together to give other political parties in the state a run for their money.

Governor Godwin Obaseki kick-started the peace move as he used the occasion of the Yuletide to visit the leaders and stakeholders of the PDP in Edo North Senatorial District to celebrate Christmas with them.

The visit, which took him to the leaders in Eperi, Fugar and Ogbona communities, respectively, came against the backdrop of divisions in the party which pitted one group against another.

The leaders visited in the senatorial district included National Vice Chairman, PDP South-South, Chief Dan Orbih in Ogbona; former senatorial candidate, Barr.

Paschal Ogbome, in Ugbekpe-Eperi and former deputy governor of the state, Chief Mike Ogiadomhe in Fugar, all in Etsako Central Local Government Area of the state.

THEWILL recalls that Obaseki and Dan Orbih have not been in speaking terms for some time now as they factionalised the party in Edo State.

Orbih had derided Obaseki at a Christmas party he held in his homestead and which had six governorship aspirants in attendance.

Remarkably, however, a day or two after the celebrated Christmas party, Obaseki, who had championed the move two years earlier to suspend Orbih from the PDP, visited the National Vice-Chairman, bringing to a climax the move towards unity.

In a surprise move by Governor Obaseki, who was accompanied on the visit by his Chief of Staff, Dr Osaigbovo Iyoha; the Deputy National Youth Leader of the PDP, Timothy Osadolor; members of the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA); state commissioners and top government functionaries, the governor said the objective of the meeting was to reach out to stakeholders and other citizens of the state in the spirit of Christmas.

Obaseki said: “Edo is one united indivisible entity with groups that need to look out for each other’s good and take actions to forestall and strengthen our unity. ”We are one group and we share strong values. Our values should keep us together. As the governor of Edo State, it is important for me to reach out to our citizens to continue to contribute to the progress and development of Edo State. ”Clearly you can’t talk about the politics of Nigeria and PDP without talking about the role played by the PDP National Vice Chairman, South-South, Chief Dan Orbih.

“This is the time for peace and love as we are going round to meet our people because this year has been a very difficult time for us. Before politics, let us talk to our people as politics will come at the back of it all.”

Decrying the poor state of Benin-Auchi Road and the continued failure of the Federal Government to fix the roads in the state, Obaseki said: “I have travelled on the Benin-Auchi Road. Seeing the state of the road, I just felt like crying. I am just imagining what will happen in the next rainy season.”

Two days before Obaseki’s visit, Orbih had held a Christmas party, with all six PDP aspirants for the Edo State governorship ticket in attendance. It was an unprecedented show of unity The show of factionalism which had dominated the previous ones was totally put away as all shades of opinion in the PDP converged on Orbih’s country home for the festivity. To reinforce unity on this occasion were traditional

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This is the time for peace and love as we are going round to meet our people because this year has been a very difficult time for us. Before politics, let us talk to our people as politics will come at the back of it all

dance troupes from the three senatorial districts. That was perhaps symbolic of the unifying role Orbih has come to play in the Edo chapter of the PDP. The festivity had, in the past, been an opportunity for Orbih to show his gratitude to God and appreciate his political base with gifts and festivity, given his position as a businessman and political leader.

The presence of all six governorship aspirants, including Dr Asue Ighodalo, the man that has generally been touted as Obaseki’s protégée, was well noted.

Other governorship aspirants at the occasion were Edo State deputy governor, Rt Hon Philip Shaibu; Hon Omoregie Ogbiede-Ihama; a former state Chairman of APC, Mr Anselm Ojezua; a former president of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Dr Felix Akhabue and Prophet Balogun.

They joined other party officials and PDP bigwigs that included the majority of party executives in the state who have sided with Orbih against Obaseki.

Others in attendance include one-time Chief of Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Mike Oghiadhome, who served as deputy governor between 1999 and 2007.

He paid compliments to Orbih.

Speaking at the event, Orbih said: “My joy knows no bounds seeing all our aspirants for the governorship ticket present here.”

Orbih then took the opportunity to express the party’s displeasure with what he described as the harsh policies of Governor Godwin Obaseki and with it, the decision to banish punitive music during the ensuing campaign.

“Let me use this opportunity of this Christmas party to pronounce as the chairman of the PDP south-south and I hereby pronounce that in our campaigns either before the ticket or after you have been given the ticket, I hereby ban all punitive music in Edo State.

“In the last election, there was one song that crossed my heart. Edo must move forward, but the governor was in love with one particular song, ‘Pepper them o. Pepper them o.’

“Today, I have banned all such music in the PDP campaign because that kind of music is punitive. Little did we know that we were going to be peppered. Have you not been pepper sprayed?”

“Do you want to continue to be peppered?”

The response to Orbih’s speech was a resounding “No” that left Ighodalo quite uncomfortable.

Political analysts and watchers of political developments in Edo State believe the new found love between Governor Obaseki and Orbih will favour the candidature of Ighodalo in the forthcoming party’s primary and governorship election proper.

Obaseki has been openly supportive of Ighodalo’s aspiration to become the next governor of the state and with Orbih on their side, many believe that the former banking chief will easily pick the PDP governorship ticket.

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JANUARY 8, 2024 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnews.com

POLITICS NEWS

Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Sen. Sharafadeen Alli (4th Right), during the presentation of West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees to 54 best Secondary School Students in Oyo State in Ibadan on January 4, 2024.

We Moved Edo from 14th Lagos Assembly Passes Release, Share Tinubu’s to One of Nigeria’s Top Five N2.267tn 2024 Budget Rice Now, MURIC Appeals to Lawmakers Economies in Nigeria – Obaseki

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he Lagos State House of Assembly on Friday passed a total of N2, 267, 976,120,869 as the 2024 budget for the State at a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.

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he Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the ease of doing reforms and other economic policies and programmes implemented by his administration over the past seven years, has repositioned the State as one of the top five economies in the country.

Speaking to journalists in Benin City, the governor said his government will sustain efforts to promote economic expansion, through sustained investments across various sectors of the State’s economy, necessary to drive growth and development.

The governor said, “Seven years ago, Edo ranked between 13th and 14th in terms of GDP in the country. Today, we are a clear 5th. We're top ten in the country in terms of the size of our economy and growth. But what is important is the growth that has occurred since we took over.

“We were able to achieve this by encouraging investment inflow that has contributed to the economy of the State.

It’s the people as well as the activities of government that drive the economy. We have moved Edo State from the era where the government was doing things themselves to one in which the government is creating the enabling environment for people to come and invest and do business in the State.”

On plans to sustain the gains recorded in the growth of the State’s economy in the New Year, Obaseki said the government will continue to pursue reforms to facilitate economic expansion and other enablers.

He said: “We have made an allocation in the 2024 budget to drive economic and employment enablers. These will enhance the ease of doing business and also facilitate the injection of private capital into the economy to create more opportunities for our teeming youth population.”

“Some of these include investment in our legacy projects including the Benin Enterprise Park, the Benin Port Project, and the Trailer Park projects, among others, which will spur economic expansion and growth,” Obaseki added.

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The budget representing 58 percent Capital Expenditure and 42 percent Recurrent Expenditure was approved following a unanimous voice vote by all the lawmakers present at the sitting.

“A bill for a law to authorise the issuance and appropriation of N952,430,566,998 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for Recurrent Expenditure and N1,315,545,553,871 from Development Fund for Capital Expenditure thereby totaling a budget size of N2,267,976,120,869 for the year ending 31st December, 2024 be passed into law,” the Speaker had raised on the floor as the budget report was read a third time.

Obasa, thereafter, commended the lawmakers for their dedication and cooperation at ensuring a quick passage of the Appropriation Bill while directing the Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to forward a copy of the approved budget to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for assent.

Prior to its passage, Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh, Chairman of the joint-committee on Budget and Finance, had presented a report containing some recommendations to the House.

Among the recommendations is that the Public Works Corporation, the Water Corporation and the state-owned tertiary institutions be placed on first-line charge to enable them perform optimally.

Governor Sanwo-Olu had on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, presented the 2024 budget proposal of N2.246 trillion to the House of Assembly saying that the state anticipated internally generated revenue of N1.251 trillion and federal government allocations of N596.629 billion.

Obasa, during the presentation of the budget by the governor, had urged the government to ensure a functional budget.

“It is highly important for us to apply the right indices towards ensuring a performing and functioning budget that would lift our people out of poverty and reposition the state towards infrastructural growth and renewal.

“Palliatives should move from just giving people garri, rice, beans or even money. We should have a direction that is focused, impactful and deeply backed up by effective policy implementations.

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he Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on members of the National Assembly (NASS) to ensure proper distribution of the thousands of bags of rice and other foodstuff recently given to them for sharing by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

MURIC made the call Friday in Abuja in a statement by its executive director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola.

The statement read, “Each of Nigeria’s 109 senators allegedly received N200 million worth of foodstuff while their 360 counterparts in the House of Representatives were given N100 million worth each.

“Although an honourable member of the House from Edo state was seen in a video gone viral displaying a warehouse filled with thousands of bags of rice, some senators and Reps are still denying that they collected palliatives from the president.

“We see this as an attempt to mull or trivialise the federal government’s efforts at ameliorating the sufferings of the hoi polloi. Some of our lawmakers are causing confusion.

“How can only one lawmaker openly show his constituents thousands of bags of rice while the rest keep mum? How can the reps admit collecting massive palliatives while senators deny receiving anything? Is the Senate filled with saboteurs and confusionists?”

It read further, “MURIC demands urgent and immediate clarification from the leaderships of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Where are their spokespersons?

They must speak up before it is too late. Nigerians are hungry.

This is the kind of thing that provokes the people.”

“We appeal to the remaining members of the House who have received the palliatives to quickly begin the sharing among their constituents. We also remind them to add publicity to the exercise. This release of a humongous number of bags of foodstuffs deserves an equally aggressive information outflow.

“Meanwhile we appeal to the good Nigerian people to exercise a little patience while the logistics are being sorted out by the lawmakers. This is definitely not the fault of the government. Tinubu and Shettima have done what they should do by rolling out palliatives. The rest is in the hands of our lawmakers.”

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EDITORIAL

JANUARY 8, 2024 WWW.THEWILLNEWS.COM

Nigerian Education And Issue of Fake Degrees

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he story of an undercover reporter of the Daily Nigerian, an online newspaper, who obtained a degree certificate in Mass Communication from a university in the Republic of Benin went viral on social media a few days ago.

There is a need for the ministry to overhaul the process of admitting graduates for the scheme.

Although the Federal Ministry of Education has banned some of these universities identified to be involved in certificate racketeering, we feel that there is a need to carry out a thorough investigation into the matter and those found culpable should be punished through the instruments of the law

Reactions from members of the public to the story indicate that this has been going on in tertiary institutions located in neighbouring West African countries for a long time.

for a second time with the fake degree.

In his report, Audu had detailed how the portal had flagged his initial attempt to register with his previous details and how the registration went through after he used a different email and phone number.

He said that NYSC seemingly lacked a digital tool to flag attempts to participate in the scheme twice or more.

In its defence, the NYSC through its Director, Press and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, explained that an investigative reporter who registered twice for the scheme was able to do so by using alternate details.

foster unity in the country and the scheme has been on for many years.

Failure on the part of those saddled with the task of running the scheme to detect somebody serving two times has exposed the rot in the entire set-up.

The Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, which supervises the NYSC, must probe this reckless attitude.

The promise that it will not happen again cannot be taken lightly.

Megwa said the undercover reporter succeeded because he was “out for a particular purpose”, adding that the NYSC was working to ensure it does not happen again.

There is a need for the ministry to overhaul the process of admitting graduates for the scheme. Although the Federal Ministry of Education has banned some of these universities identified to be involved in certificate racketeering, we feel that there is a need to carry out a thorough investigation into the matter and those found culpable should be punished through the instruments of the law.

He said it was not that the NYSC did not have checks and balances in place to detect possible breaches of the system, but that when the undercover reporter first put in his data, the system rejected him because he had served in the scheme before.

We know there are syndicates that are involved in certificate racketeering in Nigeria and neighbouring countries. The preponderance of fake certificates will make most employers to become wary of hiring Nigerian university graduates within and outside the country.

More shocking is the confession of the reporter, Umar Audu, that he used the certificate in Mass Communication which he obtained from Ecole Superieure de Gestion et de Technologies, ESGT in Cotonou, Benin Republic within six months to participate in the National Youth Service Scheme.

Megwa said Audu was able to beat the system because he changed his email address and his phone number. And he was initially posted to Osun State.

We sincerely appreciate the Daily Nigerian Newspaper for the breakthrough in the investigative story.

He said that though he had previously completed national service, he successfully participated in the scheme

We find the NYSC’s defence unacceptable. The National Youth Service Scheme was introduced to

Many people have said that they were aware that one could obtain a degree from universities in Benin and Togo between six weeks and a year, depending on the ability of the candidates to pay.

What baffles many Nigerians is that most of these fake graduates were successfully registered for the National Youth Service without being detected.

After getting these fake certificates, it was gathered, participating in the NYSC Scheme allowed most of the beneficiaries to get appointments into the state and federal civil service.

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

He maintained that he did that because he was out for a particular purpose and that the NYSC is looking at the situation and will ensure that it does not happen again.

The newspaper should be rewarded by the Federal Government for its efforts in helping the country to detect a ring of certificate racketeers.

Efforts should also be made to fish out those who have used those fake certificates to secure employment in the civil service and adequate punishment should be meted out to them.

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

JANUARY 8, 2024 WWW.THEWILLNEWS.COM

As Tinubu Moves to Rev Up Economic Recovery With Consumer Credit

BY TEMITOPE AJAYI

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s the New Year begins with a positive outlook, Nigerians can look forward to a great and economically rewarding year as the Federal Government is set to launch a massive consumer credit system in the country.

While seeking the mandate of Nigerians during the last electioneering season, President Bola Tinubu was big and loud on the catalytic effect of consumer credit in driving economic recovery, growth and development, boosting industrial production and as a strong weapon against corruption.

AN EFFICIENT CONSUMER CREDIT SYSTEM IS A HIGHLY ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF SUCCESSFUL ECONOMIES, AS IT WORKS TO IMPROVE MARKET EFFICIENCIES AND FILL IN GAPS IN CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTIVITY BY PROVIDING CONSUMERS IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO CREDIT

Long before he declared for the Presidency of Nigeria, President Tinubu had been a big advocate of consumer credit. He made it a key highlight of his remarks at the 2016 edition of the Bola Tinubu Colloquium in Lagos where he called on the Chairman of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia; his UBA counterpart, Tony Elumelu, and other bankers in attendance to begin to rethink consumer credit in Nigeria and charged them to develop good banking products in this regard.

In ‘Financialism: Water from Empty Well’, a book he coauthored with Brian Browne, several pages were devoted to how consumer credit can propel unprecedented growth and shared prosperity. To demonstrate his absolute commitment to achieving this objective and a major campaign promise clearly enunciated in his Renewed Hope Agenda for a better Nigeria, President Tinubu has set in motion the process to entrench consumer credit as one of the building blocks of a virile and productive economy.

Against this backdrop, the Presidential Council on Industrial Revitalisation, on December 20, 2023, just before the Christmas holiday, established a Technical Working Group to develop the needed framework to enhance consumer credit in Nigeria.

The Tinubu-led administration, in the words of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, recognises the importance of consumer credit and its linkage to market efficiencies.

“An efficient consumer credit system is a highly essential component of successful economies, as it works to improve market efficiencies and fill in gaps in consumption and productivity by providing

consumers immediate access to credit, allowing them to purchase ahead of ability,” the Minister said.

At the inaugural meeting of the Technical Working Group on Consumer credit system that had other members, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, Uzoka-Anite lamented how the absence of consumer credit had shrunk the productive capacity of the economy and hampered financial inclusion.

“The absence of a well-structured consumer credit system has been a significant impediment to financial inclusion and economic prosperity,” the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment declared.

Given the current state of the economy and the strong push by the government to revamp it, the setting up of the Technical Working Group by the Presidential Council on Industrial Revitalization can be said to be timely and strategic. The Technical Working Group, among other things, will draw up a working proposal and implementation method on how the country can achieve a viable institutional and regulatory framework that will significantly open up the consumer credit landscape.

According to Uzoka-Anite, Nigeria has numerous financial institutions and credit schemes, but many Nigerians still face substantial hurdles in accessing credit due to stringent eligibility criteria, highinterest rates, identity-related challenges, fragmented data sources for proof of livelihood and financial worth, lack of awareness or understanding of credit processes, and inadequate credit available for lending. To make sure the agenda of President Tinubu is established on solid ground and for seamless take-off of the credit scheme, the government has brought together various Ministries and agencies of government that have roles to play to work collaboratively for a successful execution.

The Technical Working Group draws its members from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), the National Institute of Credit Administration (NICA), the Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the Bank of Industry (BOI) amongst others. It must be said that because of the importance attached to the scheme by President Tinubu, the TWG set for itself a five-month timeline to achieve its objectives. This means by May 2024, a comprehensive, life-changing and all-encompassing consumer credit system will be launched.

Uzoka-Anite, who is the Vice Chairman of the Presidential Council on Industrial Revitalisation, spoke on the specific objectives and the tasks before her Committee including “increasing consumer credit uptake in Nigeria, enabling a sustainable credit system for the country in line with global best practices, and enhancing the supporting infrastructure (technology, data, financial institutions, global partners) to boost credit operations and equip players in the industry.”

In delivering on its core mandate, the TWG has adopted, according to the Vice Chairman, a holistic consultative approach that will draw on the experience, knowledge, and expertise of the credit ecosystem to understand the issues within the industry and define workable solutions to addressing them.

•Ajayi is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity

*Continues online at www. thewillnews.com

How Phenomenal Mike Adenuga Ended 2023

BY MAGNUS ONYIBE

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n the midst of December 2023, the streets of Banana Island, housing some of Nigeria's most distinguished and affluent individuals, experienced a sudden transformation. This exclusive neighbourhood is notably home to the generous and esteemed figure, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr, GCON, CSG, CdrLH, affectionately known as "The Bull" in reference to the charging bull insignia of his organisation.

Dr Adenuga Jnr has made a significant impact not only in the telecoms sector through his GLO network, which offers GSM services and submarine cables to other operators but also in the banking and oil/gas industries. This is evident through his substantial stake in Firstbank of Nigeria, one of the nation’s leading banks and his ownership of ConOil.

The entire area got lit up with vibrant energy, signalling the presence of prosperity and influence that resonates in this community. Dr Adenuga's residence, home to a man often considered the epitome of generosity, stands out as a prominent symbol amid the opulence of Banana Island.

Conoil holds the distinction of being the first indigenous exploration company to be licensed and the first to strike oil in the shallow waters of Ondo State. Additionally, Dr. Adenuga's influence extends to a nationwide network of petrol retail stations.

The dazzling galaxy of lights adorning the streets of Banana Island, which was made possible by Adenuga’s love for spreading joy, reflects the festive season. And the upscale enclave on the island, often referred to as the most expensive real estate in Africa, thus became a marvellous sight to behold.

In reality, the typically tranquil estate, adorned with grand homes nestled behind expansive foliage and carefully manicured bushes, underwent a remarkable festive season lighting transformation.

It became aglow with dazzling lights to the extent that it could easily be confused with the iconic Times Square in New York.

Times Square, renowned as one of the world's busiest pedestrian areas, serves as the focal point of the Broadway Theater District and stands as a major hub in the global entertainment industry, brightly illuminated by digital displays.

Similarly, those acquainted with Dundas Square in Toronto, Canada might easily mistake the stunning transformation of Banana Island in Ikoyi, Lagos for the end-of-year festivities. It now exudes a glamour reminiscent of the prominent landmark in Toronto, known as one of the city's premier tourist attractions, akin to those found in Times Square, New York, USA. All these remarkable changes occurred because Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr, the unassuming Chairman of GLO, Nigeria's premier telecommunications service provider, decided to celebrate the end-ofyear season with aplomb.

It may be recalled that he is the one who revolutionised the GSM billing system in Nigeria, transitioning it from per-minute billing, which was previously imposed on Nigerian consumers by pioneer mobile telephone service providers like Airtel and MTN, to a more consumer-friendly persecond billing.

So, it is not surprising that Dr Adenuga Jnr made the decision to enhance the atmosphere in Banana Island, infusing it with a festive spirit to elevate the sense of conviviality typically associated with Christmas and year-end celebrations.

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WHAT TRULY MAKES ADENUGA EXTRAORDINARY IS HIS DEEP AFFECTION FOR THE MASSES AND THE REMARKABLE WAY IN WHICH HE GENEROUSLY EXTENDS HIS SUPPORT TO THE LESS PRIVILEGED, HIS EMPLOYEES, FRIENDS AND SOCIETY AT LARGE

In the waning days of 2023, he, once again, showcased his ingenuity in the telecom industry with a remarkable move that left his competitors astonished with their mouths agape, and arms akimbo.

As widely recognised, the Executive Offices of the telecommunications, oil/gas, and banking tycoon, which is appropriately named “The Bellisima On The Waterfront”, is located on Banana Island.

This expansive real estate encompasses an entire cul-de-sac, equivalent to approximately two dozen plots of land, making it spacious enough to accommodate an entire village.

Those acquainted with Bellisima At The Waterfront are aware that, in addition to the Executive Office and residences, it boasts a state-of-the-art auditorium for entertainment, along with a chapel and a small mosque.

Owing to the vastness of the estate, movement around it from point A to B is by golf course-like carts. And that reminds me of Mar-a-Lago Resort in Palm Beach Florida, USA where similar carts are used to facilitate mobility.

•Onyibe is a former commissioner in Delta State

*Continues online at www. thewillnews.com

JANUARY 8, 2024 • VOL . 4 NO. 1 WWW.THEWILLNEWS.COM

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$1 billion

Exclusive: FG Set to Sack Boards of Union Bank, Titan Trust Bank this Week

Nigerian and Chinese Energy Firms Seal $1bn Deal on Gas Flaring / PAGE 34

N1 billion

Oyo Govt Signs N1bn MoU With MFBs / PAGE 35

EDITOR Sam Diala

Imo Records Zero Foreign Investment in 4 Years T

NIGERIA CAPITAL IMPORTATION: Q1 2020 - Q3 2023 ($'bn)

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Q2

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1,069

2021

.654

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espite housing the largest natural A gas reserves and significant 2020 crude oil deposits in Nigeria, Imo Source; NBS state, in South-east region, attracted zero foreign investment in four years, between 2020 and 2023, according to data by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The NBS in its quarterly Capital Importation reports showed that, after recording the sum of $3 million in 2019, Imo had no dime to its name by way of investment inflow to the state during the reference period.

The reports further revealed that Imo was the only oil-producing state in the South-east region that attracted no foreign investment for the four years under review, unlike its two counterparts – Anambra and Abia states which achieved a total of $51.48 million and $210.12 million, respectively.

The reports did not offer details of the investments to the states by sectors and products. However, Abia recorded the highest bulk of $150.09 million investment inflow in the third quarter of 2023, after the inauguration of Mr Alex Otti as the elected 4th governor of the state in May 2023.

Imo’s unimpressive situation is more worrying on the ground that the state is known for its largest natural gas reserves in the country and in West Africa, which is the source of commercial supplies to Lagos and other upcountry locations. Imo gas is the major source for the Lagos Gas Company that feeds many companies, households and large establishments up to the Agbara industrial zone in Ogun State.

Also, The widely celebrated NNPC’s 615 km AKK Gas pipeline project from Abuja to Katsina through Kano and beyond, via the gathering facilities all through Kogi state,.will be fed largely with gas sourced from OhajiEgbema Local Government Area of Imo State, known for its abundant gas deposit, “Imo’s huge oil and gas deposits constitute an unprecedented economic asset that no other South-east state can boast of. So, for Imo to be lacking in foreign investment in oil, gas and other natural resources is a huge disappointment,” said Engr. Gregg Amadi, an oil and gas operator.

Amadi’s position re-echoes in the statement by the former Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva. According to Sylva, Nigeria has nearly 300 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, ranking 9th in the world, with Imo holding the largest reserve amongst all Nigerian states.

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BY SAM DIALA

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he Federal Government is set to sack the boards of Union Bank Limited and Titan Trust Bank Limited this week in a move to effectively take over the two financial service institutions, A source with the knowledge of the move told THEWILL on Saturday.

The action follows the recommendation of the Special Investigator, Jim Obazee, appointed by President Bola Tinubu in July 2023, to probe the activities of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other relevant establishments.

Obazee in his report revealed that the acquisition of Union Bank by Titan Bank lacked transparency and recommended that the two financial institutions be forfeited by the Federal government.

“We were able to secure some documents, and the investigation reports will lead to the forfeiture of the two banks to the Federal Government. We have completed our investigation on this acquisition and have also held meetings with the relevant parties except for Mr. Cornelis Vink, (who is currently hospitalised in Switzerland).

“Otherwise, we are on the verge of recovering these two banks for the Federal Government.”

However, Babatunde Lemo, chairman and Cornelius Vink, Chief Executive of Titan Trust Bank had issued statements insisting that the acquisition of Union Bank followed due process.

The shares of Union Bank were delisted from the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) in November, 2023 following acquisition of the financial service institution in 2021.

The delisting of Union Bank led to the loss of N132 billion from the market capitalisation of the local bourse.

Amidst these developments, it remains uncertain if the Investigator’s recommendation provides legal grounds to enforce share forfeiture without a court ruling, leaving questions regarding the investigation’s legal scope on the matter unanswered.

Following their position that the acquisition of Union Bank was transparent, the Investigator invited the Titan Trust Bank chairman and chief executive to make an appearance before him.

Lemo, a former CBN deputy governor, had received the directive, dated December 24, 2023, to appear at the Department of Force Intelligence in Abuja on Thursday December 21. The summons specifically requests his presence alongside Cornelius Vink and Rahul Savara, key figures linked to Titan Trust Bank.

–Amid Huge Oil, Gas Deposits

2022

D

2023

“Imo state with 200 trillion cubic feet of gas deposits should be set for economic boom,” Sylva said during a visit to the Imo Governor, Hope Uzodinma, in April 2021. Although, major oil and gas companies have presence in Imo, the NBS reports indicate that the state does not serve as the operators’ investment destination. The companies include Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, Ashland Oil Nigeria Limited and Seplat Energy Plc..

Amadi said the oil and gas firms use Imo as their outpost while their operational bases are in Port Harcourt or Lagos. “That is why Imo records zero foreign investment,” he opined. But the fact that states like Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Ogun, Oyo, Adamawa and many other non-oil producing states record investment inflow contradicts Amadi’s claim.

Among the major gas facilities in Imo is the ANOH Gas Processing Plant development at OML 53 (and adjacent OML 21) operated by Seplat Energy, which the firm said would drive the next phase of its growth in expanding the gas business. The project which comprises a Phase One 300MMscfd midstream gas processing plant has been concluded and is awaiting commissioning.

The gas plant located in OML 53, Niger Delta, is expected to deliver dry gas, condensate, and Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and otherwise known as cooking gas, to customers locally and internationally.

Chioma Afe, Director, External Affairs and Social Performance, in a statement on NGX, said the ANOH gas plant installation works reached mechanical completion on December 29, 2023, in line with its revised timetable.

ANOH is one of Nigeria’s most strategic gas projects. Experts say it will help the country to accelerate its transition away from small-scale diesel generators to cleaner, less expensive fuels such as natural gas for power generation. With such a significant project, stakeholders are concerned that Imo would be shunned by strategic investors, especially in the oil and gas sector.

The dearth of investment inflow impacts on the employment status of the state. For most of 2020, available data by the NBS showed that Imo was THEWILLNIGERIA

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BUSINESS WEEKLY ... Zero Foreign Investment in 4 Years No sensible investor will make Imo a preference in choice of destination because of the high level of insecurity in the place.

Imo is terribly insecure

plagued with high unemployment rate among the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FTC).

“Under State disaggregation, Imo State reported the highest rate of unemployment with 48.7 per cent, followed by Akwa-Ibom State and Rivers State with 45.2 per cent and 43.7 per cent, respectively. The State with the lowest rate was Anambra in the SouthEast with 13.1 per cent”, the NBS stated in its Q2 2020 Labour Statistics Data of Employment and Unemployment report.

Like the curiosity that underlines the dearth of foreign investment in a state of abundant oil and gas deposits, the high unemployment rate in Imo does not align with the numerous presence of

hotels that flood Owerri, the capital.

Experts confirm that Owerri has the highest density of hotels among Nigerian cities with the exception of Lagos and the FCT; these hotels are highly patronized and fully booked, especially during weekends.

A Professor of Economics at the Imo State University, Owerri, who would not want his name disclosed, told THEWILL in a telephone chat in December 2023, that the flood of hotels do not impact on the economy of Imo because, according to him, “they are run remotely’ from other parts of the country, especially Port Harcourt.

“The people interacting with the hotels are strangers, mainly from the Niger Delta cities of Port Harcourt and Warri, and also Lagos and Abuja. They do not live in Owerri, so their patronage is relatively ephemeral. The facility owners do not invest their profits in Imo, they use it to expand their businesses in other parts of the country because of the toxic operating environment.

He added that hotels in Owerri attract large clientele owing to the amoral culture for which the place is widely known. “Owerri has the highest concentration of educational institutions among Nigerian cities, making it a huge provider of sensual escapades which also attracts other sensual practitioners from other parts of the country.

“Here you have the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Imo State University (IMSU), Alvan Ikoku University of Education (AIUE), Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Schools of Nursing and various secondary schools supplying beautiful women to a mass of fun-seekers.”

Engr Amadi argued that even if the hotel operators and their customers are mainly strangers, the state would benefit from the booming hospitality business through direct and indirect employment and tax revenue to the government. In his view, Imo suffers from dearth of investment inflow because of its notoriety as the epicentre of insecurity in the South-east.

Insecurity has escalated in Imo since 2020, scaring genuine investors, including Imo indigenes who are eager to relocate home from other parts of the country. “No sensible investor will make Imo a preferred destination because of the high level of insecurity in the place. Imo is terribly insecure,” Amadi said.

During his election campaigns last year, Governor Uzodinma who will be inaugurated this month (January) for a second term, publicly promised to send 4,000 Imo youths abroad (Europe and Canada) to earn a living under an arrangement he claimed he had concluded with “some foreign companies”.

“That shows you the quality of leadership in a state that thirsts for foreign investment. Does that speak of Imo as a place that serious foreign investors would patronise?” Amadi queried.

While the Deputy Speaker of the Imo House of Assembly, Amarachi Iwuanyanwu lauded Governor Uzodinma over his promise to facilitate the employment of 4,000 Imo youths abroad, the candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in the November 11 governorship election in Imo State, Dr. Kemdi Opara described the promise as a deceitful gimmick.

Refineries Repair: Senate Fails to Unveil Overdue Report

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he Senate is yet to publish the report of its special committee constituted on October 24, 2023 to investigate all the contracts awarded for the rehabilitation of all state-owned refineries said to have gulped N11.35 trillion in 13 years.

The Senate action followed a motion by Senator Sunday Karimi during plenary, raising concern that the state-owned refineries had been a drain pipe of public finance, depriving the citizens of the benefits of being an oil-producing nation.

He said from 2010 to date, Nigeria had spent about N11.35 trillion, excluding other costs in foreign currencies, such as $592, 976, 050.00; £4, 877, 068.47 and N3, 455, 656.93, on the renovation of refineries, yet the facilities remained unproductive.

According to the Kogi Senator, despite the moribund state of the four refineries, their operating costs between 2010 and 2020 was estimated at N4.8 trillion.

Senator Isah Jibrin (Kogi East), was appointed the committee chairman while the chairmen of the Senate committees on petroleum resources downstream; upstream; gas; finance; appropriation, and public accounts are members.

Other members of the committee included Abdullahi Yahaya (PDP, Kebbi), Adamu Alero (PDP, Kebbi), Ifeanyi Ubah (APC, Anambra) and Mr Karimi (APC, Kogi).

The Senate also mandated the panel to interrogate the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited and the Bureau of Public Enterprises on the best approach to commercialise state-owned refineries.

The committee was directed to submit their findings to the Senate within four weeks (November 24, 2923). Ten weeks after it was inaugurated, the outcome of the committee’s assignment is yet to be announced by the Senate.

“The Senate’s action would amount to nothing. Nigerian lawmakers are funny characters.

Probe and investigation has become their pass-time when they want to attract the public's attention. We all know the lawmakers as a bunch of jokers concerning critical national issues like they are currently toying with”, said Engr. Gregg Ikhehide, an oil and gas operator.

While the public awaited the outcome of the Senate committee set up to investigate the naira-gulping, perennial refineries repairs, the government announced that it was set to audit the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

This was disclosed by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for Economy, Wale Edun, following criticism of the national oil company by the World Bank which referred to NNPCL activities as lacking in transparency.

Some oil and gas as well as investment experts have reacted to the Federal government’s plan to audit the operations of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) amid Senate’s on-going probe , describing it as an elaborate hoax that will yield no useful results.

An investment expert and Managing Director/CEO, Taurus Oil & Gas Limited. Dr Nnaemeka Obiaraeri, said the government is not telling Nigerians the truth as NNPCL cannot be audited by the same government that has full control over it, without restructuring the organisation, more so when the same man at the helm of affairs during the bazaar is still in charge.

According to him, the government would pretend to be eager to please the World Bank but, in reality, nothing will come out of the exercise because it is difficult for the government to indict itself over the deep-rooted corruption that the NNPC is notorious for over the years.

While the decision to probe the humongous investments on the repair of the refineries appear commendable, we know it is hard to trigger much enthusiasm among Nigerians, considering the National Assembly’s record of fruitless investigations that failed to hold the guilty accountable.

FirstBank Remains Committed to Gold Standard of Excellence in Banking – Adeduntan

T

he Group Managing Director of FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, Dr Sola Adeduntan has reiterated the bank’s commitment to the highest standard of excellence in banking and to sustain its leadership status as Nigeria’s premier financial services institution.

He also urged the small and medium enterprise clients to continue to count on the bank’s support, especially at this time of economic challenges plaguing every sector of business activities, noting that the bank will not play down on its goal of excellent quality service delivery.

Dr Adeduntan made these disclosures in a recent interview with a national newspaper in Lagos during which he spoke on a range of issues, including proffering solutions to the lingering foreign exchange crisis plaguing the economy, as well as how to insulate the Nigerian economy from the fallouts of the current hostilities at the international scene.

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According to him, it is natural for banks to understand their role as catalysts of economic development and that FirstBank is ready to collaborate with the government in achieving this objective.

He said, “FirstBank’s SME clients can continue to count on us to listen to them through this rough economic patch and offer necessary cushions that are within our control as a Bank. As a Bank that is woven into the fabric of society, we have no other option than this.”

On the role of the banks to boost economic activities through lending to the real sector, Adeduntan noted that FirstBank remains on the forefront.

He said, “Over the years, Nigerian banks have sufficiently demonstrated their commitment to supporting the real sector of the economy. For example, as of H1 2023, the value of loans disbursed to customers by just seven Nigerian banks stood at almost NGN23 trillion.

" As of September 2023, FirstBank alone has grown its loan book to customers by over N1 trillion over the December 2022 closing position. This is a clear testament to FirstBank’s ongoing commitment to the growth of the Nigerian economy.

As bankers, we fully understand and have embraced our catalytic role as agents of economic transformation. In addition, banks deliberately pursue a diversified earning asset portfolio strategy. As such, lending to the real sector will continue to offer muchneeded diversification for banks’ overall portfolio health.”

On addressing the prevailing foreign exchange challenges, the MD said, “I would also like to note that the Nigerian authorities should enhance the ability of the non-oil sector of the economy to generate sizeable revenues to support the government’s expenditure. This will help to reduce the perennial over-reliance on crude oil revenues.”

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JANUARY 8, 2024 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnews.com

BUSINESS NEWS L-R: Divisional Head, Business Support Services, Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), Dr. Irene Robinson-Ayanwale; Chief Executive Officer, NGX, Temi Popoola; Nichole Yembra; CEO RMD Productions, Mr Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD); Tega Mofe-Damijo; Executive Director, Capital Markets, NGX, Mr. Jude Chiemeka; Executive Director, CSCS Plc, Mr. Adeyinka Shonekan and Head, Market Surveillance and Investigation, NGX Regulation Limited, Mr. Abimbola Babalola, during the Closing Gong Ceremony to commemorate the final trading day of 2023 at the Exchange in Lagos on December 29, 2023.

NGX, PenCom to Deepen PFAs Equity Participation with Pension Broad Index

N

igerian Exchange Limited (NGX) has said that the NGX Pension Broad Index (NGXPENBRD) launched on 15 June 2023, in collaboration with the National Pension Commission (PenCom), provides a broader benchmark for equities investment by the pension industry.

The NGX Pension Broad Index is designed to track the performance of equity securities that adhere strictly to the profitability and dividend payment criteria, along with other parameters specifically tailored to the pension industry.

With an all-encompassing approach, the index imposes no limits or caps on the number of stocks it can include as constituents. Currently featuring 84 equities, the NGX Pension Broad Index aligns seamlessly with the provisions of the Pension Reform Act of 2014 and the Amended Regulation on the Investment of Pension Fund Assets proposed by PenCom. The NGX Pension Broad Index has exhibited robust performance since its launch last year. The index stands out for its well-diversified composition, encompassing high-quality stocks across key sectors, including Banking, Insurance, Oil & Gas, Consumer Goods, and Industrial Goods.

Mr. Jude Chiemeka, Acting CEO of Nigerian Exchange Limited, expressed gratitude for PenCom's insightful partnership, stating, "The collaboration between NGX and PenCom underscores a shared commitment to fostering transparency, compliance, and growth within the Nigerian capital market.

“I am pleased with the approval granted by the National Pension Commission for the NGX Pension Broad Index (NGXPENBRD) to serve as the benchmark index for Nigeria's Pension industry equity investment portfolios. This further solidifies the credibility of the index as a reliable yardstick for evaluating the equity performance of pension industry investments." The NGX Pension Broad Index is poised to play a pivotal role in guiding investment decisions and enhancing the overall stability of Nigeria's pension industry.

Seplat Announces Mechanical Completion of ANOH Gas Plant

S

eplat Energy has said that installation works at the ANOH gas plant, a joint venture between the energy company energy company and NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company Limited, have attained mechanical completion.

The feat, achieved on 29 December, will allow Nigeria’s biggest energy company by market value to ramp up gas production by roughly twofold once operations start.

“Once completed, ANOH will provide two income streams for Seplat: wet gas sales from OML 53 to the gas plant and dividends from the joint venture ANOH Gas Processing Company, which will operate the plant,” CEO Roger Brown said in a statement.

The first phase has a processing capacity of 300 million standard cubic feet per day, with the facility expected to deliver dry gas, condensate and LPG to customers. It is targeting the domestic market for the gas and LPG and the international market for the condensates.

Seplat Energy had expected the project to be delivered in the third quarter of 2023 but third-party delays meant it would be delayed some three months behind schedule.

“The other key steps to first gas, as outlined in the Company’s Interim Results announcement, were the drilling and hook-up of the Upstream wells and completion of essential third-party infrastructure: the OB3 pipeline river crossing and Spur Line connecting OB3 to the gas plant,” Seplat Energy said in a statement.

*Continues online at www. thewillnews.com

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Nigerian and Chinese Energy Firms Seal $1bn Deal on Gas Flaring

A

Nigerian energy company NIGUS International, have entered into a $1 billion agreement with Beijing Zhogmin Xinjunlong New Energy Technology Company Ltd., a Chinese firm, to finance and advance solutions for gas flaring in Nigeria.

The signing of this pact took place on Friday in Abuja by the national directive from President Bola Tinubu, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

During the agreement signing, HRH Malik Ado Ibrahim, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of NIGUS emphasized that the collaboration with the Chinese company is focused on integrating its cutting-edge technology to convert flared gas for commercial use.

This innovative technology is poised to generate Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) products such as synthetic diesel to enhance the energy mix, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) for export, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (cooking gas), among other advancements.

He said, “The joint venture is about NIGUS, as a renewable energy company, joining forces with the technology that allows us to bring a clean climate economy to Nigeria and create value from what we are wasting at the moment to generate pricing energy.”

“We seem not to be contributing to the carbon footprint, we flare a lot of our gas, and 90% of what we produce in Nigeria is being flared, not utilizing the gas.”

“We are bringing to play a very modern, state-of-the-art technology by joining forces with China to create wealth and carbon neutrality and then generate lower-price energy.

“The project is to demonstrate the president’s wish to utilize flared gas, this technology will put his wishes into action.”

“The GTL will allow us to turn the gas into a liquid, to create LNG, the paradigm shift is that we will be able to imbed the technology where it is needed rather than adding infrastructural cost,” The Chief Executive Officer of Beijing Zhogmin Xinjunlong New Energy Technology Company Ltd., Yung Ruming, stated the company’s preparedness for the partnership, saying that their technical team and equipment would be mobilized to bring the project to fruition.

Expressing gratitude to the Federal Government for entrusting the company with this opportunity, Ruming highlighted the longstanding positive relationship between Nigeria and China over the years. He emphasized that the project would bring significant benefits to the Nigerian populace.

In the first half of 2023, oil and gas companies in the country flared 138.7 million metric standard cubic feet of gas.

This represents approximately a 10% increase from the 126.1 million standard cubic feet (SCF) of gas flared in the first half of 2022.

This led to the emission of 7.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2), valued at a rate of US$485.3 million. When converted, this amounts to a loss equivalent to N373 billion using the August 2023 rate.

In comparison, during the first half of 2022, 6.7 million tonnes of CO2 were emitted, incurring a cost of US$441.2 million, resulting in a loss equivalent to N338 billion THEWILLNIGERIA

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BUSINESS NEWS RETURNS ON UTILIZATION OF FUNDS SOLD TO CUSTOMERS FOR THE WEEK ENDED FRIDAY 05th-JANUARY 2024 This publication: Mandated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

BANK: ECOBANK NIgERIA LIMITED

His Royal Highness, Igwe Samuel Asadu of Edem-Ani Ogwugwu Community, other dignitaries during the financial empowerment of 63 youths in Nsukka on January 3, 2024.

Nigerian Banks, Fintechs Set to Launch cNGN Stablecoin

A

consortium of Nigerian financial institutions, fintechs, and blockchain experts, the Africa Stablecoin Consortium (ASC) is set to launch a compliant Nigeria Naira (cNGN) stablecoin in February 2024.

THEWILL recalls that Nigerian banks and FinTechs were collaborating to develop and manage the cNGN. Similar to well-known stablecoins like USDT and USDC, the cNGN will be compatible with multiple public blockchains, enabling straightforward international transfers and expanding its use globally.

The consortium disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday. The launch of the cNGN is riding on the back of the Regulatory Sandbox recently released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

According to the consortium, the cNGN stablecoin would revolutionize financial transactions. Through the project, the consortium said it is committed to enhancing secure and compliant financial interactions, revolutionizing the way people transact and engage with their money securely and seamlessly.

While noting that the stablecoin will transform the Nigerian Naira into a currency for global settlements, the ASC said: “This (the cNGN) ushers in a new era of financial fluidity, bridging the Nigerian Naira with the global market through blockchain technology.

Backed 1:1 by Naira reserves held in designated commercial banks, the cNGN Stablecoin transforms the Naira into a dynamic tool for worldwide remittances, commerce, trade and investment.

“More than just a currency, cNGN shortens settlement times, enabling payments that traverse the globe swiftly, mirroring the speed of a text message and at a fraction of the cost.

Foreign Airline Resume Ticket Sales in Dollar

F

oreign airlines operating in Nigeria have concluded arrangements to resort to ticket sales in dollar, thereby ending the roller-coaster experience of naira transactions.

THEWILL authoritatively gathered that the airlines have vowed to resort to dollar ticket sales to address the backlog of their trapped funds trappria in Nigeria.

The sources confirmed to THEWILL that Nigerian authorities have acquiesced to the arrangement in a win-win strategy to pacify the foreign airlines who have threatened to exit Nigeria’s airspace over the $792 million trapped funds.

THEWILL learnt that Qatar Airlines has commenced the implementation of dollar ticket sales while others foreign airlines will follow suit soonest as activities resume fully in the new year.

Turkish Airlines, Emirate Airlines, British Airways, and a host of foreign airlines recently warned of their imminent exit from Nigeria if funds trapped in the country were not released soon.

In its media briefing held on December 8, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) raised an alarm over the total amount owed by countries in Africa and the Middle East, apportioning over 70 percent of the total debt owed by Africa to Nigeria.

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CUSTOMER

ITEM OF IMPORT

DATE OF USD FUND EXCHANgE SALE RATE

AMOUNT

1

ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED

DIVIDEND AND CAPITAL REPATRIATION

03-Jan-24

745.00

324,948.71

2

SHAKTI INDUSTRIES LIMITED

LLDPE FILM RESIN GRADE JF19010

03-Jan-24

791.00

62,232.00

3

OLYMPIC INKS LIMITED

ISO PROPYLOL (IPEA)

03-Jan-24

791.00

87,768.00

4

ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED

DIVIDEND AND CAPITAL REPATRIATION

04-Jan-24

745.00

324,113.32

5

MULTI-CHEM INDUSTRIES LTD

AGRICULTURAL INSECTICIDES - MULTIPHOS (ALUMINIUM PHOSPHIDE 560g/kg

04-Jan-24

896.00

25,100.00

6

MULTI-CHEM INDUSTRIES LTD

AGRICULTURAL INSECTICIDES - MULTIPHOS (ALUMINIUM PHOSPHIDE 560g/kg

04-Jan-24

745.00

1,115.59

7

NIGERIA PIPES LIMITED

NAFTOMIX LPF 97233 GINDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIAL FOR UPVC PIPES INDUSTRY.

05-Jan-24

826.00

6,679.78

8

SALIENT INDUSTRIES KRAFT BOARD - NATURAL LIMITED SHADE, KRAFT - TOP LINER -NATURAL SHADE AND KRAFT TOP LINER - GOLDEN SHADE

05-Jan-24

903.42

12,354.17

9

TOMBO INDUSTRIES LIMITED

RAW MATERIAL CHEMICALS

05-Jan-24

826.00

53,914.15

10

ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED

DIVIDEND AND CAPITAL REPATRIATION

05-Jan-24

895.00

13,474,525.32

RETURNS ON SOURCES OF FUNDS PURCHASED FROM CUSTOMERS FOR THE WEEK ENDED FRIDAY 05th JANUARY, 2024 SN

SOURCE

DATE OF FUND PURCHASE

USD EXCHANgE RATE

AMOUNT

1

OTHERS

3-Jan-24

744.00

63,776.70

2

OTHERS

3-Jan-24

744.00

775.33

3

OTHERS

3-Jan-24

744.00

344.85

4

OTHERS

3-Jan-24

744.00

162.33

5

OTHERS

3-Jan-24

744.00

235,060.05

6

EXPORT PROCEEDS

3-Jan-24

790.00

150,000.00

7

OTHERS

4-Jan-24

744.00

1,115.59

8

OTHERS

4-Jan-24

744.00

49,673.92

9

OTHERS

4-Jan-24

744.00

3,101.38

10

OTHERS

4-Jan-24

744.00

233.11

11

OTHERS

4-Jan-24

744.00

320,573.72

12

DOMICILIARY ACCOUNTS

4-Jan-24

895.00

25,100.00

13

EXPORT PROCEEDS

5-Jan-24

902.42

12,354.17

14

DOMICILIARY ACCOUNTS

5-Jan-24

825.00

32,545.45

15

DOMICILIARY ACCOUNTS

5-Jan-24

825.00

28,048.48

16

CAPITAL IMPRT/FDI

5-Jan-24

894.00

13,474,525.32

TOTAL AMOUNT AVERAgE AMOUNT

14,397,390.40 899,836.90

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BUSINESS WEEKLY

Is Nigeria Ready For Artificial Intelligence?

BY TIMI OLUBIYI

lives of millions of people across Africa. Yet, the implementation of AI in Africa is still in its infant phase, as most of its applications are pilot or experimental.

In Africa, financial services, agriculture and healthcare are all sectors that could utilise AI. AI is currently being implemented sparingly for instance in the financial services sector to facilitate financial inclusion, and customer service improvements.

One tendency that AI possesses is the ability to increase unemployment due to its adoption in routine and predictable daily operations. But the potential of AI in Africa, particularly in solving social and environmental problems, such as poverty, hunger, healthcare, education, language technologies, water supply, clean energy forecasting, climate change predictions and security are unlimited.

In fact, Africa could be transformed with the power of AI applications to change how businesses operate, facilitate more innovation, and improve the lives of millions across the continent. This could lead to improved well-being, quality of life and business resilience, which could be addressed by some AI business solutions. But the big question is, are Africans and African leaders ready?

With artificial intelligence, small businesses can help foster innovation and social entrepreneurship that

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rtificial Intelligence (AI) projects and adoptions are sweeping the world like wildfire and AI is one of the most disruptive technologies to watch out for in 2024 and beyond. This technology usually empowers machines to demonstrate cognitive abilities similar to that of humans, including problem-solving, reasoning, predictions and learning.

Simply put, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the imitation of human acumen in machines. This technology is gaining more prominence in many parts of the world and will intensify more in 2024.

In my view, and considering the impact AI has had on living and livelihoods, it is believed that it has enormous potential to transform various sectors in Africa, be it in business, consumer experience, education, agriculture, health, governance, or finance.

AI has the potential to change the way companies operate fundamentally and it will continue to drive innovation.

If applied reasonably, it has the potential to improve the

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In the banking and financial sectors, AI could help automate and predict more customer transactions in the commercial banking and capital market space and so on

could help curb some of the agelong challenges in Africa and improve job creation in another realm. With a growing population of over 1.4 billion people and with 70 percent under the age of 30, the continent is ripe for these AI investments.

According to records, the African population is expected to grow by 1.76 per cent by 2050, reaching approximately 2.5 billion from 1.36 billion in 2020. This means that adequate attention must be given to the young and growing population because the young folk on the continent are a crucial resource that presents opportunities for economic growth and competitive, but innovative ideas.

Young should be the workforce ready to take on the technological revolution and drive AI progress in Africa.

Still, they need to be incentivized and prepared for a forefront role in the technological revolution if Africa is proactive. But the current bane to this is the insufficient investment in research and development, the general lack of institutional capacity and huge skill gaps amongst these youths.

So, African leaders must show unwavering commitment to the Artificial Intelligence agenda by focusing on research, funding, building capacity and skills, and engaging in long-term partnerships world over.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to impact almost every industry on the continent, and for example, with agriculture and production, AI models could be used to optimize yields and production value chain. In the area of food insecurity, the use of AI applications can help identify or predict crop and animal diseases and forestall disasters. Therefore, agriculture is a strategic sector that needs improvement across Africa, and AI should be a critical part of the solution to achieve sustainability.

In the banking and financial sectors, AI could help automate and predict more customer transactions in the commercial banking and capital market space and so on.

Though records show that Africa missed the first, second and third industrial revolutions' significant participation, the continent should be determined not to miss the fourth and fifth.

So Africa cannot sit back and wait. The time to be proactive is now. Because the adoption of AI and associated technologies in Africa may have the capacity to influence the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) significantly, AI can have a vital impact on tackling Africa's most urgent issues.

So from Kenya to Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, and South Africa, the governments and business leaders need to set up think tank team in providing actionable recommendations, evidence-based insights on the AI education, collaborations, and practical solutions for robost AI development in Africa. This should include high -quality data availability which is key for the successful AI adoption.

Improving the innovation ecosystems, and setting up policy frameworks that can enable AI development adoption and quick implementation in many sectors and industry are some of the deliverables of the think-tank team.

In conclusion, due to the paucity of comprehensive AI regulations and policies across Africa, cyber security challenges are central concerns. Therefore, since the existing laws and legislations cannot regulate AI operations adequately, and the regulatory framework to set the rules of engagement is still limited then to protect the social fabric, norms and safety of people and avoid unintended consequences, African governments should think ahead and formulate regulations and legal frameworks to guide the usage of AI. The role of governments in nurturing a conducive environment for AI technological adoption is key and non-governmental organizations with other stakeholders need to assist as well by considering investments in AI infrastructure.

•Olubiyi is an Entrepreneurship and Business Management expert.

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

L-R: Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, with the celebrant and the daughter of Late Head of L-R: Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr (Mrs) Olayemi Oyebanji; Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye State, Gen. Murtala Muhammed, Dr Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode, during their visit to the Treasure of Love and Secretary to the State Government, Dr (Mrs) Habibat Adubiaro at the December edition of Monthly Missionaries Motherless Home as part of activities marking her 60th Birthday in Lagos on December 31, 2023. Evening of Praise and Worship, at the Ikogosi-Ekiti residence of the Governor on December 29, 2023.

L-R: Chairman, Oyo State Road Traffic Management Agency, Maj. Adesagba Adekoya; Mr Ahmed Adekunle, L-R: Chairman, Surulere Local Government Area, Mr. Bamidele Yusuf; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Ifedapo Motorcycle Riders; Repr. of Oyo State Governor and Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and Minister of State for Prof. Musibau Babatunde and Chairman, Oyo State Motorcycle Riders, Mr Olugbode Solomon, during the Education, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, during the inauguration of the dualised Babs Animashaun road and presentation of free reflective jackets to commercial motorcycle riders in Ibadan on January 4, 2024.

Census bridge, Surulere, on January 2, 2024.

L-R: Wife of former Governor of Ondo State, Kemi Mimiko; Dr Olusegun Mimiko; and widow of late Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria, Malam Ali Mohammed (Right), presenting a souvenir to Governor of Ondo State, Betty Akeredolu, during their condolence visit to the Akeredolus in Ibadan on the Director-General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr Jibrhim Ndachi, during the visit of VON DG to NAN December 31, 2023. headquarters in Abuja on January 4, 2024.

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Kate Isa Bags Honorary Doctorate Degree

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ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY EDITOR Ivory Ukonu

K

ate Ikechi Isa is not only the founder of Katchey Group of Companies but also one of the people that made it possible for late Dora Akunyili to achieve the great successes she recorded in her fight against fake drugs and substandard products as the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).This much the late amazon Continues on page 42

MEET THE FIRST NIGERIAN TO PERFORM TRANSORAL ROBOTIC SURGERY

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r Oladejo Olaleye, an alumnus of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, recently made history in the field of medicine when he led the Head and Neck Robotic Surgery Programme at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust in the United Kingdom in the first-ever transoral robotic surgery in Leicester. Robotic surgery, known for its minimally invasive nature, highdefinition visualisation and improved completeness

Continues on page 42

Weddings That Got People Talking in 2023 THEWILLNIGERIA

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ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY

Celebrity Weddings That Lit up 2023 For many celebrities and socialites who found love and walked down the aisle with their partners last year, 2023 was replete with colourful memories. Some of the weddings trended because the persons involved had waited for a long time before cupid smiled upon them, while others trended because of the controversies surrounding them.

IVORY UKONU writes on 20 weddings that got people talking in 2023:

Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu and Mitchel Ihezue years after the death of his first Tandhree wife, Nnenna, wealthy businessman politician, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, got married again last week. He tied the knot with a former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, Mitchel Ihezue.

Ukachukwu’s five sons and members of his extended family love and adore 32-year-old Mitchel so much that they welcomed her to their family with open arms.To show how much he was smitten with Mitchel, Ukachukwu presented a brand-new Range Rover to her on their wedding day.

Fondly called ‘Ikukuoma’, Ukachukwu contested in the 2023 National Assembly election on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, but he lost to Capital Oil boss, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah. Ukachukwu is the Chairman/CEO of SNECOU Group Limited.

Chioma Ndubueze and Henry Chinonso Big Brother Naija Season 7 housemate, Esther Chioma Fmanyormer Ndubueze, better known as Chomzy tied the knot with her lover of years, Henry Chinonso, aka Rich Figo. The traditional marriage took place a week before the end of 2023. While the groom is a real estate consultant, a developer, owner of a car dealership, Chomzy on her part has gone on to become a businesswoman herself with the launch of her makeup line business.

Dwight Uma-Ukpai and Aniekeme Eyo

Daniel Ademinokan and Tope Oshin gainst all odds, Daniel Ademinokan gave A love a third chance when he quietly married fellow filmmaker and director, Tope Oshin,

in Houston, Texas, USA. Daniel’s was initially married to actress Doris Simeon.When the marriage failed, he took their only child with him to the United States to live with another actress, Stella Damasus, who he later married.While it was his second marriage, it was Stella's third as she was earlier married to Jaiye Aboderin, son to the founder of Punch Newspaper, Olu Aboderin.

Jaiye had slumped and died while playing basketball. Stella's second marriage was to Emeka Nzeribe, but it was short lived.

Daniel’s marriage to Stella fell apart in 2020 due to irreconcilable differences. He allegedly walked out of their marriage and relocated to another state in the US.A few months after their separation, Daniel, also known as Da Bishop, threw shade at Stella, saying that people should not be quick to listen to motivational speakers because the motivator might be the one who needs it more.

On her part, Stella said that she thought the man she married was her soulmate who could do everything with her.Tope, a mother of four, was previously married to screenwriter Yinka Ogun in 2002, but the marriage ended in 2014.

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wight Olugu, the son of famous Reverend Dr Uma Ukpai walked D down the aisle with the love of his life, Aniekeme Godwin Eyo in a two-day ceremony that had quite a handful of dignitaries in attendance in mid-2023.

Although Rev Ukpai and his wife are from Abia State, they have lived most of their lives in Akwa Ibom State where they also run their ministry, Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association.The traditional and white wedding ceremonies both held in the state with many clerics in attendance, including Ghanaian born Apostle Zilly Aggrey, who officiated at the wedding, and Pastor Ntia Ntia of Full Life Christian Centre, among others.

Not much is known about Aniekeme, but Olugu is the second son of Rev Ukpai and he is being touted as the one who will likely take over the running of the ministry from his father when he retires, being a pastor himself.

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ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY Amaechi Okobi and Lolade Fadoju

Omashola Oburoh and Britnee Malin n a beautiful Iformer ceremony, Big Brother

t 53, the Group Head, Communications and External Affairs A at Access Bank Plc, Amaechi Okobi wedded the love of his life, Lolade Fadoju, who works in the E-Commerce Development

and Marketing Department of Guaranty Trust Bank, in 2023. The wedding ceremony was a classy one that had only the couple’s close friends and family in attendance. Although married before, Amaechi does have a 16-year-old son from a previous relationship.

Naija housemate, Omashola Kola Oburoh, popularly known as Sholzy, married his long-time girlfriend, Britnee Malin, a South African.

The wedding, which held in the last week of December 2023, was a joyous occasion that brought together family, friends, and celebrities from the entertainment industry.

Omashola, known for his charismatic presence in the BBNaija 'Pepper Dem' season and the 'All-Stars' edition, had welcomed a son a few months before the wedding. The couple chose to celebrate their special day with a traditional wedding and church ceremony on the same day.

Made Kuti and Inedoye Adanne n November 1, O 2023, Omorinmade Anikulapo-Kuti, son of

afrobeat musician, Femi Kuti and grandson of late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti got married to Inedoye Adanne at a very private civil wedding ceremony and a very unique reception party that is still being talked about. While Made took after his father and his famous grandfather as an afrobeat singer and saxophonist, his wife is a fashion entrepreneur.

The couple met in school where Made was Inedoye's school father. After parting ways post-secondary school, they rekindled their relationship through Facebook seven years later.

In 2018, upon Made's return to Nigeria, their romantic journey officially began, emphasising the significance of their shared history.

Celebrating three years of love, the couple chose to get married on their relationship's anniversary in a symbolic gesture of commitment, showcasing growth, resilience and enduring love. Made, renowned for his music talent, found a harmonious melody in his relationship with Inedoye, marking the commencement of a new chapter in their shared journey.

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Patrick and Funmi Doyle n December O 14, 2023, veteran Nollywood

actor and broadcaster, Patrick Rupherford Doyle, former husband of actress Ireti Doyle embraced the end of the year on a joyous note by uniting in matrimony with the love of his life, Funmilayo.

Patrick expressed his newfound love and shared his excitement about the upcoming chapter with Funmilayo on social media.

Expressing his gratitude for this divine gift, the ace broadcaster and actor conveyed his feelings of blessing to be engaged to Funmilayo, eagerly anticipating a shared future with her.

He poetically described Funmilayo as the commander of his heart, and their love was hailed as a testament to resilience. His marriage to Funmi is his third as he had previously tied the knot with his first wife, Rosamund Ndidi, who passed away after battling sickle cell anaemia in 1999. His second marriage to Ireti produced a child as Ireti already had a child from a previous relationship.

David Adeleke and Chioma Rowland igerian music sensation, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, and his wife, Chioma Rowland, exchanged N vows in a secret wedding that caught the public by surprise. The whirlwind marriage was influenced by the urgency to adhere to Igbo custom and tradition. The Igbo tradition, which is deeply rooted in cultural norms, presented a unique

challenge. The couple recognised that Ifeanyi, their late child, couldn't be buried as an Adeleke unless the bride price was paid in accordance with Igbo customs.

Davido's father, Adedeji Adeleke, played a pivotal role in the swift nuptials, driven by his desire to see the lovebirds officially united. The influential music star's father took it upon himself to persuade Chioma and her family, navigating the delicate situation.

Reports suggest that Chioma initially harbored reservations about committing to the singer. However, Davido, fueled by a restless determination to keep their love intact, was unwavering in his desire to marry Chioma. After heartfelt pleas and negotiations, Chioma's family eventually agreed to formalise the union by accepting the bride price. The culmination of this cultural journey marked not only a union of two hearts but also a commitment to honour and preserve the rich traditions that define their heritage.

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ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY Chukwuemeka Okoye and Chioma

Tosin Ajibade and Temi Otedola

Kehinde Otolorin and Stephanie

ollywood actress, Temiloluwa Elizabeth Otedola, the third child N of billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, secretly tied the knot with Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade, a singer, songwriter and record

executive, popularly known as Mr Eazi.

Despite coming from an affluent background, the couple surprised everyone by choosing a unique and creative approach. Rather than opting for a traditional form of celebration,Temi and Eazi documented the wedding through a music video titled 'Legalise.'

This unconventional choice provided an intimate and artistic glimpse into their special day, showcasing their love story in a manner that resonated with individual styles and personalities.

ig Brother Naija's former housemate, Chukwuemeka Okoye, B popularly known as Frodd, embarked on a new chapter in his life when he tied the knot with his fiancée, Chioma, in a private

tandup comedian, Otolorin Kehinde Peter, popularly known as Sheartwarming Kenny Blaq, entered the blissful realm of marriage, sharing a snapshot that captured the joyous moment with his

wedding ceremony held in February 2023. Frodd, who gained fame during the All Stars season of Big Brother Naija, shared the extravagant nature of his wedding, disclosing that the celebration came with a hefty price tag of N30 million. The revelation offered a glimpse into the scale and significance of the event, marking a momentous occasion in Frodd's personal journey beyond the reality show.

elegant bride, Stephanie, on September 2, 2023.

In contrast to the trend of extravagant and headline-grabbing celebrity weddings, Kenny Blaq chose a more discreet approach to celebrate his union with Stephanie.The comedian opted for an intimate revelation and in his own way, chose to showcase the beauty of their special day with a touch of refined simplicity.

Umenwa Ekene and Ifeanyi Alex

Leo DaSilva and Maryam Laushi

ollywood N actress, Ekene Umenwa, officially

wedded filmmaker Alex Kleanson in a breathtaking ceremony on Saturday, November 4, 2023.

The union was the culmination of their love story, following a joyous traditional wedding in Anambra State where the couple was embraced by the warmth and support of their loved ones. The stunning white wedding ceremony showcased the elegance and beauty of their commitment, adding another chapter to their journey as partners in life.

Big Brother Naija housemate Leo Dasilva tied the knot with his beloved Maryam Laushi. The F2023,ormer couple sealed their union in a traditional wedding ceremony held in Kaduna State on November 11 marking a significant milestone in their journey together. Leo and Maryam's engagement earlier

this year set the stage for this joyous occasion and their love story continues to evolve since Leo rose to fame on season three of the reality show in 2018.

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ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY Temilade Remi Adeoye and Olawale

Adeleye Adeshile Kuti and Atinuke Yusuf

Alula Okposo and Time Idiaghe

ollywood actor and United Kingdom-based nurse, Adeleye N Adeshile Kuti, embarked on a new chapter of his life by tying the knot with his friend and lover, Atinuke Yusuf, two weeks ago. The civil

wedding ceremony took place in Lagos, with plans for their traditional and engagement ceremony scheduled for a later date in the UK. Calm and popular,Adeleye found love with Atinuke, an entrepreneur, fitness enthusiast and wellness coach. Before relocating to the United States,Atinuke was the founder of Danzefx, a fitness house in Lagos, where she organised various celebrity workout and fitness events.Their journey from being friends for a long time, dating back to their youth, culminated in a beautiful union that spans continents and celebrates their shared history and enduring connection.

Temilade Remi Adeoye bade farewell to the spinster's Syetocialite club as she tied the knot with her lover, Olawale, in a private vibrant ceremony in October 2023. A clothier and fabric vendor under her business brand name, Temiladyofkwamuhle, she combined both her introduction and engagement ceremonies on the same day, followed by her civil wedding the next day.

Radiant on her wedding day, Temi, a single mother to a preteenager, added another layer of joy as she is already expecting a child. The celebration marked not only the union of two hearts but also the joy of expanding their family in the near future.

Jack Neko and Favour Obieze

lula Okposo, the daughter of the late gospel singer, Sammie A Okposo and Gloria Ibru of the Ibru dynasty, recently celebrated her wedding to Time Patrick Idiaghe in a heartwarming ceremony.

The joyous event unfolded on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at the picturesque Ibru Garden in Victoria Island, Lagos.Amidst the scenic backdrop,Alula and Time exchanged vows, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.The celebration of love and commitment echoed the essence of family and unity, bringing together friends and loved ones to witness the union of these two hearts.

Mustapha Abacha and Safa Saleh Geidam was a confluence of tradition and power about two weeks ago when Mustapha, one of the sons of late Head of State, IOldtGeneral Sani Abacha, wedded his bride, Safa Tijjani Saleh Geidam. The ceremony held at the Mohammed Ali Mosque, GRA, Maiduguri, Borno State. The wedding, observed under the auspices of Islamic rites, was a ceremony that

exemplified the intricate tapestry of Nigerian social hierarchy and political camaraderie. Distinguished figures in Nigeria's political space honoured the Abacha family with their presence. The guests include Vice President Kashim Shettima; Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State; Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State and other prominent Nigerians.

ollywood actor, Chukwunekwu Okweye, fondly known as Jack Neko, N embarked on a new chapter in his life by marrying his beloved, Miss Favour Obieze, in Agulu, Anaocha Local Government of Anambra State. The love story unfolded when Okweye encountered his future wife while attending a friend’s church at Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Over the course of about a year, their love blossomed, leading them to the joyous occasion of marriage. Favour, the bride, expressed her happiness as the culmination of their journey of love reached its climax. She offered prayers for a successful and fruitful marriage journey, marking the beginning of a shared life filled with love and companionship.

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ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY STORIES BY IVORY UKONU

MYKE IKOKU AND HOPE UZODINMA'S FRIENDSHIP GOES SOUR

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rstwhile socialite, Myke Ikoku, is back, years after he disappeared from the social scene.

Unfortunately, his return has been marked with pain, sorrow and bitterness.

The businessman's prized possession, All Seasons Hotel, which has existed for 20 years, has been demolished by the Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma.

Ikoku claimed that his hotel was demolished because he decided to switch sides to the opposing camp after seeing that his vision for Imo State did not align with that of Uzodinma.

According to him, all the successive governments in the state had always supported his business because he changed the face of tourism in the South-East and people Ikoku started coming back home to invest in the region.

The parcel of land on which Ikoku’s hotel extension was built on, was initially allocated to the Bank of Commerce and Industry in 1982 and 2007, but it was not developed. Emeka Ihedioha, who was governor at that time, asked him to apply for the land. It was eventually allocated to him with an offer letter.

After fulfilling all the necessary conditions, the government issued Ikoku a Certificate of Occupancy and he erected a structure worth N1.2 billion there. But after he fell out with Uzodinma, he got into the governor's bad books, he was told that the parcel of land no longer belonged to him.The hotel was demolished and his staff were harassed.

Ikoku also claims that government revenue agencies came to two of his other business outlets, the Havana

Cinema and Mimi Entertainment Centre and asked him to pay N130 million as consumption tax.

He was given an additional bill of N35 million. Before he could act, the business outlets were shut down. He decided to head to court to sue the state government for trampling on his and his staff's fundamental human rights and to also challenge them for double taxation - VAT and consumption tax. Despite the court case, the government came to his business premises without a court bailiff to arrest his staff and seal off the business.

Ironically, prior to the demolition, Ikoku and Uzodinma were very good friends.

He supported the governor during his first tenure and even set up an organisation called Hopism. The goal was to create a forum where governance meets the people. He singlehandedly funded it to ease up the rejection of the people towards him when he was battling with his legitimacy issues.

Unfortunately when the governor’s style of government was becoming foreign to the indigenes and they started complaining, Ikoku approached Uzodinma and asked him to look into the complaints. It was obvious that the people of the state were not getting the desired infrastructure and good governance. When it became obvious that the government had derailed, he walked away and started advocating good governance and peace in the state. He joined the people and started searching for good governance. And thus began his problems with Uzodinma,

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Kate Isa Bags Honorary Doctorate Degree revealed in one of her public speeches.

At that time,Akunyili knew that the NAFDAC laboratory network was critical to ensure that no result could be successfully contested. Her search for a Crown Agent in Nigeria led her to Katchey Laboratories and with an exclusive supply agreement that was approved by the then President Obasanjo, Katchey Laboratories proceeded to re-equip and modernise NAFDAC’s laboratory network across the country.

Katchey Laboratories, with an offshoot in Los Angeles and another in London, is Nigeria’s first internationally accredited independent analytical laboratory.This independent analytical lab has satisfied the required ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) audit.ANAB, based in the USA, is one of the top two accreditation bodies in the world that ensures the quality of analytical laboratory tests.

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The laboratory, which remarkably is also the only currently active ANAB accredited laboratory in subSaharan Africa, offers testing services to support different sectors of the economy, including pharmaceutical, food and beverage, agribusiness, environmental, oil and gas, forensics and human genomics, research and evelopment, among others. For this and other reasons, she was conferred with a Doctor of Science degree by Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo. A graduate of Computer Science from the University of Lagos and an MBA from Harvard Business School, Kate started out by selling computer accessories before expanding her frontiers.The first female President of the Scientific Products Association of Nigeria (SPAN) is happily married to Abdulrazaq Isa, the Chairman of Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited and two-time governorship aspirant in Kogi State.

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Meet The First Nigerian to Perform Transoral Robotic Surgery

Obasanjo

IYABO OBASANJO RETURNS, BAGS UNITY BANK APPOINTMENT

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yabo, the first daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, resurfaced recently after a long hiatus.

The former senator found it expedient to come out of her shell to attend the 60th birthday party of Lekan Ogunbanwo, the Managing Director/CEO of PLUS TV, an Afropolitan 24-hour TV Channel owned by General News & Entertainment Company (GNEC) Media Group. The event, which took place at Whitestone Event Centre, Lagos, had quite a number of socialites in attendance and for Iyabo to have graced the occasion with her presence meant that Lekan mattered much to her.

Iyabo cut a dazzling figure as she let down her hair for a good time, a stark contrast from when she made shocking headlines by writing scathing public letters to her father, picking at his inadequacies and excesses. Not many people know that apart from being appointed a non-executive director at Unity Bank, she is also an assistant professor at the College of William and Mary Department of Health Sciences in the United States of America.

of resections, promises to revolutionise the treatment of head and neck cancers.

Olaleye's pioneering efforts ensure that patients will benefit from enhanced survival rates and a reduction in the toxicity of chemoradiation. Olaleye's academic journey began in Nigeria where his excellence shone at Federal Government College, Ogbomoso.

After completing his Housemanship at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Olaleye embarked on a remarkable trajectory of growth and learning by pursuing a postgraduate training in the UK, navigating through Core training in Kent, Surrey and Sussex Deanery, and Higher Specialty training in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery on the West Midlands training programme. His journey culminated in obtaining the prestigious fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

During his specialty training at the University of Birmingham, Dr. Olaleye worked on human papillomavirus epidemiology and epigenetics in

Oropharyngeal cancers, earning a PhD in 2018. His quest for excellence led him to two advanced Head and Neck Surgery Fellowships at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital in the UK and the Royal Adelaide Hospital in Australia.

Armed with a wealth of experience and knowledge, Dr Olaleye returned to the UK and by the grace of God, performed the first transoral robotic surgery in Leicester.

This groundbreaking achievement marked the initiation of the Head and Neck Robotic Surgery Programme, a significant contribution to medical science.

The story of Olaleye serves as an inspiration to both the present and future generations of medical students in Nigeria which highlights the remarkable impact they can have on the global stage through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to advancing medical science.

He has been able to establish strong collaboration links between the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgery Department at CoMUI/ UCH Ibadan, Nigeria, and the University Hospitals of Leicester UK.

Joko Oni Throws Lavish Party For 70th Birthday

Oni

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ike old wine, so has businesswoman and socialite, Jokotade Oni, who recently clocked 70, aged gracefully.The society matriarch, who has been consistent on the social radar since her days at Nigerian Technical Company Limited NITECO, rolled out the drums

to celebrate her landmark age.

The day began with opening prayers by Prophet Israel Oladele Ogundipe, the founder of Genesis Global church.

This was followed by another prayer session by Pastor Ituah Ighodalo for the celebrant, her children and grandchildren. The cutting of the all-white and gold seven step cake was supervised by former Minister of Industry, Nike Akande. Thereafter, it was partying all the way. Some of the prominent Nigerians who honoured her with their presence were Chief Samuel Adedoyin and his wife; Razaq Okoya and wife, Shade; Wosilat Okoya; Mabel Makun; Jumoke Oyeneyen; Olori Bolanle Ogunsanwo etc.

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FEATURES

Plateau State is Burning

to creating an atmosphere of fear among inhabitants of Plateau state by testifying to the atrocities they had left behind, some of which were still continuing. The increase in the population in Jos, in particular, also created an increase in economic pressures leading, in turn, to the scarcity of some goods and increase in prices. Resources became stretched, and tensions began to rise.”

It was against this background that OBJ appointed Mukhtar as Coordinator of NAPEP. It was simply too much for the indigenous people of Plateau state. As if willed by fate, a Christian woman tried to breach a cordoned street during Jumaat service in Jos. The worshippers prevailed on her to find an alternative route or wait after prayers.

She refused. This incident would become the match sparking the simmering discontent and rivalry between the indigenes and Hausa-Fulani into a raging conflict from the first through the second week of September.

An argument, it was said, developed between the worshippers and Christians who soon joined in at the mosque, resulting in “a violent battle between groups of Christians who appeared at the scene and Muslims who had been praying at the mosque or who happened to be in the neighborhood.”

The ensuing confrontation spread to other parts of the state, provoking more and more atrocities from both sides. At the end of the bloody confrontation, about a thousand people were killed, many more displaced adding to the internally displaced persons from Bauchi, Kaduna, Nasarawa and Taraba. Homes and farmlands lay wasted in the aftermath.

Until 2001, Plateau state lived up to its inspiring and comforting motto “Home of Peace and Tourism.” From September 7 to 13 that year, a major inter-communal violence exploded the peaceful ambience resulting in needless death of a thousand people in just six days, displaced thousands more, destroyed households and farmlands. Since then, the state has been pretty much in the news not for the potato fields it was once famous for but the killing fields it has become. THEWILL considers a crisis threatening the very existence of a state home to dozens of ethnicities who once co-existed in harmony but are now torn apart by mutual hatred.

Michael Jimoh reports…

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hose with a calendric turn of mind say with confidence the first recorded major intercommunal crisis in Plateau state began with an appointment in 2001. It was the appointment by Olusegun Obasanjo who was president of Nigeria then of Alhaji Mukhtar Muhammed a Hausa/ Fulani Muslim as Coordinator of National Agency for Poverty Eradication Programme.

Plateau state had been on a low boil years before starting from 1994 when the indigenes (Birom, the Afizere and the Anaguta) versus settlers (Hausa-Fulani) struggle for political posts aroused ancient animosities. It continued in 1996 and then 1998 after Mukhtar was appointed chairman of Jos North Local Government Area to the dismay of the indigenes. With a predominance of Christian indigenes in the Middle Belt state, the appointment of a Hausa Fulani Muslim settler was provocative enough.

Hate speech and even threatening mail soon followed the job offer to Muhammed accused of falsifying his credentials. “Trace your roots before it is too late,” one such mail purportedly written by a Christian was posted right on Mukhtar’s office door at JNLGA. Another urged the appointee to "Run for your life," while yet another said: “You are warned once again not to step in.” The messages were unambiguous: “This office is not meant for Hausa-Fulani or any non-indigene,” and “Mukhtar Muhammed is a wanderer. If you want to stay alive don't step in.”

Mukhtar got the hint and so stepped down as chairman.

But a group called Hausa-Fulani Youths did not take the threat lightly. They took up the bait by the indigenes and responded in kind, leaving behind banners and leaflets threatening reprisal actions. "Yes, the loss of a few families wouldn't bother us,” one proclaimed. “After all for every single Anaguta's [indigene] life and their allies; there are thousands of other Hausa-Fulanis. Let's see who blinks first.” Another was even more menacing: "Death is the best friend of Hamas. Be rest assured that we will do it even better." "The seat is dearer to us than our lives.

In that case, do you have the monopoly of violence?" As for the imminent violence by the indigenes, the group proclaimed their readiness, vowing “Blood for blood. We are ready.”

While this iciness hung over Plateau state like ominous clouds, ethno-religious crisis in neighbouring states like Bauchi, Kaduna, Nasarawa and Taraba brought an influx of refugees to Jos, the capital, thus straining an already tense situation.

According to a report by Human Rights Watch in 2001, “many people fleeing conflicts in their own areas had sought protection and safety in Jos; some had even settled there. Some observers believe that this regular influx of populations from neighboring states may have ended up destabilizing the tranquility of Jos. People fleeing in 2000 and 2001 from clashes in Kaduna, Bauchi, Taraba, and Nasarawa states may have inadvertently contributed

At about the same time as the Jos killings, another attack was taking place thousands of miles away in the heart of New York by Al Qaeda terrorists on September 11. While the World Trade Center attacks by Osama bin Laden’s terror squad captured much of the world’s attention, the killings in Plateau state was more of a local affair. But it has continued through successive administrations in Nigeria, from OBJ’s up to now thus bringing the tragic consequences of the grab for land and territory to world attention.

In a Features article for Al Jazeera headlined “Horrors on the Plateau: Inside Nigeria’s farmer-herder conflict” published on 28 November 2021, Alfred Olufemi detailed how another tragic conflict broke out months before.

“The violence in central Nigeria is now one of the country’s deadliest security threats after Boko Haram in the north east and banditry in the northwest,” Olufemi wrote presciently. One of the survivors of the attack at the time 29-year-old Mary Hommes recounted to the journalist how they “heard about an attack around 5am (on August 21.) Before we knew what was happening,

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pastoral land scarcity compounded by increasing urbanisation has forced herders onto farmlands and restricted areas, such as national parks and conserved forests. This often results in the destruction of crops and ends up snowballing into a conflict between the herders and local farmers

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FEATURES

...State is Burning everywhere was in disarray.”

director for Nigeria, Isa Sanusi called for investigation. “It is really sad and unfortunate that these kinds of things continue to happen, and the authorities cannot do anything apart from sympathizing with the victims, which shows helplessness on their side. Rural communities have been allowed to live in the last 10 years or so at the mercy of gunmen," Sanusi lamented.

By the time the attackers who claimed they were herders were done, more than four dozen residents had been killed, some more on the run for their lives from Maiyanga village in Bassa Local Government Area of the state. The surprise dawn raid was, as usual, a farmer-herder clash which Olufemi put in its right perspective contrary to the religious colouration many thought it was.

Equally critical of the authorities is Chukwudi Victor Odoeme, a security analyst. “I think the government is not doing enough. There's still the absence of political will. It's an indictment on our government and security forces.”

“The clashes, mostly between Muslim Fulani herders and Christian farmers from the Berom and Irigwe ethnic groups, is often painted as ethno-religious,” Olufemi wrote. “But analysts have said climate change and scarcity of pastoral land is pitting the farmers and herders against each other, irrespective of faith. The Fulani, meanwhile, are nomadic pastoralists, often of northern extraction, who have travelled to central and southern parts of the country in search of greener pastures for their livestock. In some cases, the pastoralists permanently settle in their host communities.

But speaking on behalf of Governor Caleb Muftwang of the state, Gyang Bere his spokesperson promised that “proactive measures will be taken by the government to curb ongoing attacks against innocent civilians.”

“However, across the years, pastoral land scarcity compounded by increasing urbanisation has forced herders onto farmlands and restricted areas, such as national parks and conserved forests. This often results in the destruction of crops and ends up snowballing into a conflict between the herders and local farmers.”

Speaking with both sides in the raging conflict, Olufemi was told how, in retaliation for the attacks, “aggrieved farmers and members of farming communities sometimes attack the herders and their livestock.”

A Fulani pastoralist, 39-year-old Abdullahi Abubakar, told the reporter how his son was killed while grazing cattle. His forebears have been in Plateau for more than a century, Abubakar told Olufemi, asking rhetorically: “If someone destroys your farm, is it justice to kill the cow and the owner?” Continuing, he disclosed that “they (the farmers) kill our cows one after the other. When they kill our boys, they cut their heads. They shoot them to death or slaughter them,” insisting that “the killing of herders and their livestock is not proportional to the destruction of farmers’ crops.”

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It is really sad and unfortunate that these kinds of things continue to happen, and the authorities cannot do anything apart from sympathizing with the victims, which shows helplessness on their side

From what respondents told Olufemi, both the herders and farmers are to blame for the crisis in Plateau state, stating in the report that “while suspected Muslim herders have attacked Christian farming communities, gangs of armed Christian youth have also attacked Muslims.”

That much was confirmed by Plateau state secretary of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria Abdullahi Ardo. In his words, “both sides are at fault” and are “to blame for not abiding by past peace deals,” insisting that the media had not been fair to the herders.

“When the Fulani are killed, they will be buried but no media will broadcast.”

Despite the little or no report by the media of burial of Muslim Fulani herders killed in reprisal attacks, the earth mounds are proliferating in Plateau state nonetheless. Unlike the physical structures (mighty rocks and boulders) carved by nature into breathtaking scenic vistas and lying in their immense indifference, the latest ones are manmade, ugly reminders of the killing fields the state has gradually become.

More than 150 were added to those mini mounds after the Christmas eve attack by nighttime bandits in their motorbikes. Reports say they were mostly strangers, guided into several communities by locals. They were also said not to bear arms in their convoy but had them stashed somewhere near or in the affected communities. So, like THEWILLNIGERIA

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in a never-ending horror show, the world watched in helpless disbelief once again as those communities were set upon by the nighttime bandits, killed in their slumber, chased from their homes which were subsequently razed.

The reports this time were as grim as in previous surprise raids. No fewer than 20 communities were targeted in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi LGA. Early casualties was estimated at 113, according to Monday Kassah, head of Bokkos LGA. “Military gangs, locally called bandits launched well-coordinated attacks in not fewer than 20 different communities and torched houses,” Kassah said of the surprise raid. “We found more than 300 wounded people who were transferred to hospitals in Bokkos, Jos and Barkin Ladi.”

By 27 December, the number of the dead in the attack had risen to 150. So far, no group has claimed responsibility.

On that same day, Vice President Kashim Shettima visited the affected parts of the state where he donated relief materials to victims at IDP camps. Members of the Upper House of the Legislative arm of government also pledged their salaries to the victims of the attack.

Of the attack itself, Amnesty International's country

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Following the Christmas eve attack, the Senate summoned the defence chiefs over what it said was intelligence failure of the security agencies.

Under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the senate grumbled that “the massacre of scores of Nigerians in Plateau on the eve of Christmas was due to failure of intelligence.”

Two senators representing Plateau state Diiket Plang (APC, Plateau Central) Abdul Ningi (PDP, Plateau State) were particularly miffed that the security agencies could not prevent an attack that was “strategically planned with collaboration from locals.”

Ningi said inter alia: “I was in Bauchi for the Christmas holiday when the news broke out and instantly in behalf of the Northern Senators Forum I moved into Plateau, had two sessions with the Governor of Plateau state before paying a courtesy call on some members of the forum as to the gravity of what happened in Bokkos. What happened in Bokkos is unprecedented, when you have a catchment of bandits over 400 of them moving at a go and when I sat with the governor the stories I heard were mind-boggling.

“First there was a rumor of this attack, secondly the governor tried to make this information available but they did not take him seriously.” The attack, Ningi said, “is unprecedented. Until we see the importance of security in this country we will never move forward. We need to urgently call the security agents because there is no synergy among them. The entire security architecture of the state failed. What we have discovered is that these marauding bandits did not come with weapons, those weapons were actually domiciled in certain locations, all they do is to come and pick them.

“That means there is something behind what is happening in Plateau. Who are these people and where are they doing it because if you go there from the outside you will think it is a religious war, no. There is something behind it that this Senate must need to unravel. What I have also discovered after spending 72hours, the little information about those bandits, they are not living around the communities. Somebody imported them.

Somebody escorted them. They don’t even know the terrain, they were led by some people who knows the terrain.”

The inference is that those who know the terrain are right there in those communities to guide the bandits like scouts in future sneak attacks, the quislings of the Middle Belt, if you like. For now, military check points are within a respectable radius of one another in Jos hoping to bring peace and sanity to a much troubled land. Now, also, there is a lull, a calm characteristic of the home of peace the state once was – until the fire next time.

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Super Eagles

AFCON 2024: A Preview of African Football's Grand Stage

BY JUDE OBAFEMI

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s the countdown to the kickoff of the 2024 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast approaches, fervent anticipation is sweeping across Nigeria and the football-passionate continent. This prestigious continental tournament holds a special place in African sporting folklore since its inception in 1957.

What began as a modest competition with only three participating countries, Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia, has blossomed into the flagship football event in Africa featuring 24 national teams vying for supreme glory in this edition.

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Over the past six decades, AFCON has showcased legendary talents, with the likes of Rashidi Yekini, Kanu Nwankwo, Abedi Pele, Didier Drogba and Jay-Jay Okocha supplying teaming fans with exciting displays, while creating unforgettable moments like the late Stephen Keshi lifting the trophy as coach in 2013 after previously winning it as a player in 1994 and Benni McCarthy’s fairy tale late winner for South Africa against DR Congo in the semifinals in 1998.

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To raise the stakes, CAF has announced a lucrative 40% increase in prize money for the 2024 tournament

Beyond just a sporting event, the African Cup of Nations holds deep cultural and socio-political importance as a festival that bolsters national identity and social cohesion. Etched in public memory are heartwarming scenes of victorious Senegal Lions getting a hero’s reception on their return after breaking their decadeslong title hoodoo in 2021. The outpouring of national pride and unity bore testament to

AFCON’s status as an event that transcends football.

Internationally too, European scouts eagerly tune in to AFCON games to discover raw talents like Nigerian prodigy Victor Osimhen who illuminated the Super Eagles’ campaign in 2019 before subsequently exploding onto the scene and moving from Belgian side Sporting Charleroi to Lille before the sensational scenes that have marked his presence in Napoli. His eye-catching performances at AFCON fast-tracked his journey into one of the hottest striking properties in world football today.

For the 2024 edition, Côte d'Ivoire will play the gracious host to Africa’s footballing elite. The two-time champions, who defeated Ghana twice to lift the trophy in 1992 and 2015, are registered with FIFA under the nickname The Elephants. The Ivorians will bank on a partisan and fervent crowd and stars like Saudi Pro League's Al-Ahli midfielder Franck Kessié, Nottingham Forest’s defenders Serge Aurier and Willy Boly to mount a strong title bid in their home turf, with strikers Borussia Dortmund’s Sébastien Haller and Brighton and Hove Albion’s Simon Adingra leading the charge. They have invested substantively in upgrading stadium infrastructure and transport connectivity ahead of hosting their second AFCON. The tournament commencing on January 13 features a group stage of six Groups, with the top two teams advancing to a knockout round leading up to the glittering final on February 11. Matches promise pulsating drama fuelled by high stakes, national pride and skillful play. Based on recent form and squad quality, five-time winners Cameroon, defending champions Senegal, Algeria and AFCON perennials Egypt along with Nigeria's Super Eagles are strong contenders to lift the trophy, to reach their fourth title.

Cameroon are spearheaded by Besiktas goal runner Vincent Aboubakar while defensively marshalled by Manchester United's Andre Onana. However, the dip in form for Onana THEWILLNIGERIA

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...A Preview of African Football's Grand Stage monetary incentive is bound to trigger even greater intensity on the pitch. As Africa’s football fans count down days filled with buoyant hopes and soaring expectations, AFCON 2024 promises to deliver spectacle and drama in spades.

Right from the group stage, the competition promises some mouthwatering clashes between African heavyweights itching for continental glory.

In Group A, for instance, fans are looking forward to the clash between Ivory Coast and Nigeria on Thursday, January 18. This high-octane clash pits the West African arch-rivals against each other and promises fireworks. The Super Eagles will bank on the mercurial talents of Osimhen, Iwobi and Boniface to pierce the Ivorian defense likely marshalled by captain Serge Aurier

with his highly publicised move to Old Trafford especially after a disastrous group stage display of the Red Devils in the UEFA Champions League leaves much to be desired.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s young brigade is prepared to dazzle with the likes of Victor Osimhen and refreshingly blooming Wilfred Ndidi catching the eye. There are the likes of Ola Aina and Calvin Bassey, who have been impressive for Nottingham Forest and Fulham in defense, and Alhassan Yusuf, who came into the squad to replace the injured Wilfred Ndidi. In the final third, the attacking accompaniment of Osimhen is packed with talents. The inclusions of Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman and Umar Sadiq mean Nigeria have what it takes and the ability of the technical crew to make these talents work as a unit is going to be the determining factor.

To raise the stakes, CAF has announced a lucrative 40% increase in prize money for the 2024 tournament. The worthy eventual champions will now pocket a cool $7 million while the losing finalists get $2.75 million. This

Another interesting group game is the Group C matchup between Senegal and Cameroon on Friday, January 19. Arguably the marquee tie of AFCON 2024 with two tournament favourites poised for an early

Continued from Back Page

What is The Value of a Nigerian Life?

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Beyond the pulsating group stage clashes, the knockout rounds promise even more dramatic high-stakes action with clear favourites yet vulnerability to upsets. Moments of individual brilliance, contentious refereeing decisions or strokes of luck could determine eventual passage to the next rounds.

while Kessie’s powerful midfield presence combined with Jean Thierry’s skills, could pose problems for Nigeria. With regional pride and crucial points at stake, fans can expect a thriller.

In Group B, when Egypt takes on Ghana on Thursday, January 18 fireworks are again expected.

It is primed to be a classic clash between two AFCON aristocrats that boast of eight titles between them. This promises to be a tactical chess match rather than a free-flowing goal-fest. While Ghana’s Arsenal man Thomas Partey is absent due to injury problems, the West African side is still loaded with talents enough to face the test against Egypt’s marksman Salah and the slick attack of the north African squad. With the Pharaohs aiming to assert dominance early, the Ghanaians must neutralise Salah’s threat to harbour ambitions of qualifying from this formidable group.

unable to guarantee the most basic human needs - life and safety. While complex dynamics that vary across regions drive conflict and bloodshed, a common theme is the willful negligence of political leadership.

Whether due to incapacity, incompetence or intentional orchestration of violence, the state has failed woefully to fulfil its covenant with citizens, regarding protection of life and property. This broken covenant is at the root of normalised violence and communal fragmentation tearing at Nigeria's social fabric.

With a new administration in place, citizens must interrogate political leaders and appointees vigorously regarding their commitments to addressing insecurity, while standing up for the value of every Nigerian life.

In Group D, Algeria will lock horns with Burkina Faso on Saturday, January 20. The 2019 champions face a tricky early test against Burkina Faso’s tenacious Stallions, potentially tricky opponents boasting the considerable talents of Aston Villa’s Bertrand Traore and Bournemouth’s goal poacher Dango Ouattara. All eyes will be on Al-Ahli’s Algerian wizard Mahrez as he pulls the strings and aims to stake Algeria's authority early in their attempt to reclaim the summit of African football.

With the tournament now just days away, fervent anticipation continues mounting steadily across Nigeria and the African continent. There was cause for apprehension last week when Africa's biggest pay-TV broadcaster DStv revealed that they failed to get broadcast rights to show live AFCON matches. Fortunately, StarTimes, a digital terrestrial and satellite TV service provider across 30 African countries, announced that it had acquired the broadcast rights. They will reportedly broadcast all the matches live on their sports channels. This announcement comes as a relief to football fans across Africa who were concerned about not being able to watch the tournament.

The 2019 AFCON champions Algeria boast a game-winner in Riyad Mahrez flanked by an organised squad, but may perhaps lack of squad depth to pose sustained risks to competing teams in the competition. Yet, against other Group D opponents, Angola, Burkina Faso and Mauritania, their chances of progress beyond the group stage are high.

Mohamed Salah’s Egypt are forever seeking glory with the Liverpool marksman as their definitive trump card.

Yet, over-dependence on him has stymied past campaigns.

Nantes’ Mostafa Mohamed, Arsenal's Mohamed Elneny, and Trabzonspor’s Trézéguet all have their work cut out for them in linking up with Salah to boost the chances of Africa’s most successful men's national team at the continental tournament. Sadio Mane's Senegal also boasts a star-studded squad on paper with goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gueye, Cheikhou Kouyaté, Nampalys Mendy, Pape Gueye, Pape Matar Sarr and Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson all of the highest players. Yet, recent defensive fragility may make their title defense arduous.

showdown. The Lions of Teranga led by the mercurial Mane take on the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and the venerable Aboubakar. This heavyweight bout oozing with skill, power and speed promises to dazzle fans with a taste of quintessential African flair. With shaky rear guards on both sides, fans may be in for a goals galore in this epic clash.

Symbolism and emotive rhetoric will no longer suffice with lives at stake daily. Nigerians must demand honesty, regarding the true state of affairs and support leaders willing to get to the heart of the matter. There just has to be consequences for these dastard acts.

If we remain trapped in denial about the expendability of Nigerian lives to the governing elite, the butcher's bill will continue climbing ever higher. The souls lost in countless attacks across Nigeria call for redemptive justice from beyond. Will we honour their suffering by facing harsh truths and making difficult choices? Or will the rivers of blood keep swelling while the nation looks away in paralysis? The answers lie within each Nigerian heart and conscience.

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The implication is that StarTimes’ coverage is expected to lead to a surge in new subscribers signing up with StarTimes, especially in nations whose teams have qualified for the tournament and who are invested in seeing African football shine on the most elite platform of the sport on the continent.

Some TV rights for AFCON 2023 are also held by a Togobased broadcaster called New World TV. MultiChoice, the parent company of DStv, also mentioned that certain subSaharan Free-to-Air channels may have access to the games, subject to negotiations. Additionally, Qatar's beIN Sports holds some of the broadcast rights.

The impending football carnival promises all the drama, emotions and richness which make the beautiful game Africa’s beating heart. Beyond the dazzling skills, stunning strikes, tactical battles and improbable upsets on the pitch, it symbolises a unifying social and cultural festival. From Cairo to Cape Town, AFCON intensifies bonds of friendship and continental solidarity among Africans.

As the continent’s billion-strong community tunes in for the football spectacle, the kaleidoscope of alluring sights and sounds will highlight Africa’s vibrant sporting spirit - the infectious joy of celebrating goals and the riot of colour in packed stadiums.

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www.thewillnews.com SPECIAL EDITION • JANUARY 8, 2024

What is The Value of a Nigerian Life?

I t is with a heavy heart and a profound sense of despair that I write this. In a tragic series of events that occurred on the eve of Christmas and continued through Christmas and Boxing Day, over 150 people were killed in attacks across more than a dozen communities in Plateau State.

The violence in Bokkos, Barkin-Ladi and Mangu LGAs led to the destruction of numerous homes, displacing many residents from their communities. This is the latest in a series of mindless and unjustifiable killings that greet the average Nigerian daily.

In the North-West, bandit groups have been conducting killings, kidnappings and looting. The South-East has experienced killings of residents and government officials amidst separatist agitations. The North-East faces attacks from Boko Haram and its splinter factions, including ISWAP. And the North-Central has seen violence due to clashes between herders and farmers, notably in Plateau State.

It saddens me that wanton killings have become so commonplace in Nigeria that most of its citizens are no longer moved by the rising death toll. The implication is clear: Nigerian lives are treated as expendable, mere statistics in a violent cocktail of ethnic tension, religious polarisation and economic frustration. We have normalised the abnormal in our very dear country which we founded decades ago with so much hope and patriotism.

As a Nigerian, I understand the complex dynamics that have given rise to violence and crime across the country. Endemic government corruption has eaten deep into the moral fabric of society, eroding cultural values and making life meaningless for many who have known nothing but poverty and hardship since birth. However, understanding why things have degenerated to these despicable levels does not make the situation any less heartbreaking.

No life anywhere in the world is without significance, talk less of Nigeria where every individual existence represents an entire lineage of ancestors past and communities present. So, when did we get to the point where killers and murderers could so freely extinguish the lives of fathers, mothers, sons and daughters without consequences from the authorities sworn to protect them? I find this quite appalling.

The bitter truth is that the Nigerian Government - past and present - does not believe Nigerian lives are worth much. How else can one explain the lackadaisical attitude towards apprehending and prosecuting terrorists and criminals who have put entire communities to the sword? Or the indifference to victims' families left destitute and traumatised after losing their loved ones to senseless violence? Until the actions of the country’s leaders accurately reflect the realities faced by common Nigerians, the rhetoric about securing Nigerian lives remains empty sloganeering.

Frankly, I fear numbness has enveloped Nigerians so much that we may never be able to hold our political leaders accountable for this. The legendary patience and resilience of Nigerians now borders on cowardly acceptance of fate in the face of unimaginable atrocities. Perhaps there are no easy fixes to stabilise the

chaotic decline into disorder. Even so, excusing leadership failure by throwing up one's hands in despair is unacceptable. Where there is a will, there must be a way.

Moving forward requires a collective resolution from all Nigerians that enough is enough. Government officials and our political leaders need to be held accountable through any democratic means possible – protest, dissent and ballot box sanction. Simultaneously, citizens must support grassroot movements that enhance security in local communities.

Most importantly, we must regain our ability to be outraged by the needless loss of life rather than adjusting to fate. The paths ahead will be painful and messy, but the alternative of doing nothing amidst raging rivers of blood is unconscionable.

The enemies of the Nigerian state seek to beat the nation into fragmented submission through the politics of fear. Whether these merchants of death are bandits, insurgents or even so-called politicians, Nigerians must stand defiant, insisting that every Nigerian life matters.

The stakes are high, but reclaiming Nigeria from the jaws of catastrophe depends on a collective pivot towards a culture of human dignity that values each and every life. We will all become casualties if we remain docile and do nothing.

As the latest tragic news headlines of attacks by armed groups fade from public attention, an unsettling sense of deja vu descends. How many times have we been at this same juncture as a nation – reeling from deadly violence while helpless to prevent the next imminent bloodbath? Like a recurring nightmare, the body count continues rising as the government twiddles its thumbs.

Perhaps even more damning is the realisation that the state exaggerates its efforts to provide security and administration. On paper, resources allocated to security agencies and military deployment to hotspots seem reasonable. Yet, the situation on the ground paints a picture of paralysis – almost as if the machinery of government has been specially configured for underperformance due to hyper corruption.

Escaping this vicious cycle requires confronting some uncomfortable truths which enable the persistence of carnage and chaos. Despite outward projections of strength, the Nigerian state lacks capacity and perhaps, the will to restore stability and order. And despite outward frustrations, Nigerians have generally accepted insecurity with a resigned tolerance rather than rising up.

These twin failures reinforce each other, creating an equilibrium of bloodshed that satisfies the nefarious objectives of bandits and insurgents. Breaking this gridlock demands radical self-examination both from the political leadership and ordinary Nigerians alike. Difficult as it may be, pretending that Nigeria possesses strength and cohesion, which are nonexistent, is national denial that costs innocent lives.

Most analyses of violence and loss of life in Nigeria omit an uncomfortable but necessary conversation around the role of state security agencies. It is an open secret that actors in different arms of the government actively enable attacks when it aligns with political or economic interests. This is an obvious fact.

The result is competing factions in the political elite who sponsor chaos and bloodshed to score points against one another.

Outrageously, these puppet masters retire to their secure mansions in luxury, while fellow Nigerians are slaughtered in villages barely kept afloat amidst economic misery.

Thus, a substantial portion of violence results from elite sabotage of peace and stability for selfish ends. I have heard plausible talks about the insecurity and violence in some northern states, such as Zamfara and Niger, attributed to the control of solid minerals in those areas by powerful and influential persons.

Until the truth about state-sponsored terror becomes part of mainstream discourse on insecurity, all interventions will be fruitless band-aids on a malignant political cancer. Nigerian lives will remain cheap commodities easily sacrificed as bargaining chips in the game of thrones amongst the ruling class and criminal gangs.

Ultimately, Nigeria finds itself at yet another bleak inflection point, several decades after independence, still Continues on Page 47

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