FRIDAY 15TH AUGUST 2025

Okonjo-Iweala Visits Tinubu, Lauds President for Stabilising Economy Says reforms in right direction Urges FG to implement social safety nets to cushion effects of reforms on the poor At launch of $50m women exporters in digital economy fund, WTO DG rallies Nigeria to partake in $4.25trn global digital trade

Deji Elumoye and James Emejo in Abuja

The Director-General of the yesterday hailed President Bola Okonjo-Iweala, a former Minister of Economy, gave World Trade Organisation Tinubu efforts towards stabilising two-time Nigerian Minister the commendation during (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Nigerian economy. of Finance and Coordinating an interview with journalists,

after a closed-door meeting Continued on page 9

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Kaduna Govt: Nasir El-Rufai is Frustrated, Sinking, Wants to Drag Others Along John Shiklam in Kaduna Kaduna State Government, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman, Access Holdings Plc (left), and Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema during a courtesy visit by yesterday, described former Aig-Imoukhuede to the President at the State House in Lusaka, on Wednesday.

Continued on page 9

Mbah Inaugurates 5 Ultramodern Transport Terminals, 100 Mass Transit CNG Buses Targets 20,000 jobs, set to introduce 2,000 city taxis Planet Project MD: this is unprecedented Governor hosts Idris, says oil subsidy removal freed up resources for infrastructure

Story on page 9

ENUGU INFRASTRUCTURE REBIRTH: MBAH, DIGNITARIES RIDE IN NEWLY LAUNCHED CNG BUS...

L-R: Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah; Senate Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu; Founder, Trends Subzero-Wolf, Mr. Wale Ewumi; Commissioner for Transportation, Enugu, Dr. Obi Ozor; National Coordinator, Enugu State Patriots, Hon. Udeh Okoye; Traditional Ruler of Atakwu Akagbe-Ugwu Kingdom, HRH Greg Ugwu; and the Chairman, Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Samuel Asadu, riding in a CNG bus during the inauguration of five ultramodern transport terminals and rollout of 100 CNG Mass Transit Buses in Enugu, yesterday

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NEWS

Group News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 0803 350 6821, 0807 401 0580

WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION DG, NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA VISITS TINUBU...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (left), with the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, during her visit to the president at the Presidential Villa Abuja, yesterday

FG Admits Shortfall in Projected Oil Revenue, Despite Improved Performance in Gross Generation No pending obligation that’s not being addressed Increased allocations push fiscal balance of states, FCT from N2.8tn to N7.1tn Govt may introduce pay-as-you-go for electricity consumption to end government subsidies

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The federal government admitted yesterday that it posted a significant shortfall in oil revenue in the first half of the year, despite surpassing the gross receipts recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, made the disclosure in Abuja at a press briefing.

Edun stated that while oil price benchmark in the 2025 budget was $75 per barrel, average sales for the half year was $67 per barrel.

He also stated that average oil production per day was $1.67 million barrels against the budget projection of 2.06 million barrels per day.

Giving some updates on major sectors, the minister said, “In the oil and gas sector, average

production in the first half of 2025 was 1.67 million barrels per day.

“Significantly, that is below the 2.06 million barrels budgeted, and that is of note.

“The average crude price also in the budget was put at $75 per barrel; we’ve had an average price of $67 per barrel. We have maintained compliance with the OPEC quota, and as you can see from the figures I’ve given, there has been a revenue.”

He stated that in response to the shortfall, the federal government prioritised spending on sectors that directly impacted citizens and supported growth ambitions.

Edun disclosed that despite the shortfall in oil revenue, gross revenue stood at 37.4 per cent in the first half of 2025, surpassing the performance recorded in the same period of 2024.

This, according him, signalled improved fiscal discipline and

prudent resource management.

The minister explained that the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) now operated in a more robust fiscal space due to increased allocations from the Federation Account and other releases due to them.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, has held a project initiation and planning meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa on how the military can key into the new N100 billion National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative (NPSSI).

Specifically, the event which took place at the Defence Headquarters in

Abuja, a statement from the REA said, was to explore potential collaboration between the agency and the Nigerian Armed Forces in the deployment of solar power to military formations.

Speaking during the meeting, Aliyu explained that the NPSSI is a federal government–approved programme with an initial funding of N100 billion, designed to replace diesel generators in public institutions with sustainable solar power

what states had been receiving, he said, “I would call it a build-up of funds that were due that hadn’t been paid to them, and under the law, under the regulations, have been made available to the states. And this, as we have said, has increased

their surpluses such that the states in the first half of this year enjoyed budget surpluses of 3.1 per cent of GDP, which was way up, almost double previously the situation that they had with about 1.8 per cent of GDP surplus

FG Realigns 2024, 2025 Capital Budgets, Orders MDAs to Secure Warrants Before Entering into Contracts, Others Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The federal government has reintegrated the unspent 2024 capital funds into the 2025 budget through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) platform, streamlining disbursements and ensuring that every naira is deployed towards productive investments.

REA, Military Collaborate on N100bn Solar Initiative for Public Institutions Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Edun said the states and FCT combined fiscal balance grew from N2.8 trillion in 2023 to N7.1 trillion in 2025, helping them to support capital projects in education, health, and other infrastructure.

Giving further insight into

systems, including schools, hospitals, government offices, and other critical facilities.

“The NPSSI is a collaborative effort led by the REA in partnership with the Budget Office of the Federation (BOF), Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria (InfraCorp), and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI). Our goal is to cut energy costs, improve reliability, and advance Nigeria’s clean energy transition,” Aliyu said.

Under the revised framework, the federal government insisted that its Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) must secure warrants before entering into contracts, in a move designed to align public expenditure with cash availability and strict financial regulations.

GIFMIS is an IT-based system for budget management and accounting introduced in 2003 by the federal government.

With the passage of the 2025 budget in January,

the National Assembly had initially extended the implementation of the capital component of the 2024 budget to June 2025, and further extended it to December to run simultaneously with the current appropriation.

A statement issued by Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Manga, said the federal government had taken a significant step towards accelerating economic growth and development by refining the implementation of its

2025 capital budget.

According to Manga, “This strategic move is aimed at unlocking private sector confidence, driving infrastructure delivery, and sustaining economic growth and development.

“In line with this objective, the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, today (Wednesday) in Abuja, convened senior government officials to refine the implementation of Nigeria’s 2025 capital budget.

CBN Promises Sustenance of Financial Sector’s Consumers Protection Initiatives

James Sowole in Abeokuta

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has assured Nigerians that the apex financial institution would sustain various initiatives aimed at boosting the economy and protect consumers in the financial sector.

The Acting Director, Corporate Communications

Department of CBN, Mrs. Harkama Sidi Ali, gave the assurance in her remark, during CBN Fair, held in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital on Thursday.

The fair, with themed, “Driving Alternative Payment Channels as Tools for Economic Development,” drew stakeholders including operators of microfinance

institutions, fintechs, MSMEs, regulators, and academia.

She stressed the Fair is designed as a platform to interact with members of the public and critical stakeholders on the policies of the Central Bank of Nigeria for sustainable economic growth and development of Nigeria.

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PRESS BRIEFING ON STATE OF THE ECONOMY...

L-R: Permanent Secretary of Finance, Mrs. Lidia Shehu Jafiya; Publisher of BusinessDay newspaper, Mr. Frank Aigbogun; Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun; with Special Adviser to the President on Finance and the Economy, Sanyade Okoli, during the press briefing on the nation’s economy in Abuja, yesterday PHOTO: KINGSLEY ADEBOYE

Bagudu: Ward-based Development Plan Will Transcend Palliatives, Achieve Genuine Empowerment James Emejo in Abuja Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, yesterday, said the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, recently launched by President Bola Tinubu, was designed to ensure that citizens experienced the benefits of the ongoing economic reforms.

Bagudu spoke when the president of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Dr Haruna Yahaya, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

He stated that the plan, which would engage over 10 million economically active persons across the 8,809 wards nationwide, aimed at going beyond palliatives to achieve

genuine empowerment by directing development efforts at the grassroots level.

The minister said, “Each of our 8,809 wards is unique—with people fishing, farming, mining and food processing—but they are limited by access to capital and support. If we can unlock entrepreneurship at that level, the benefits of reform will be

more evenly shared.”

He said this would boost economic activities at the grassroots, catalyse the federal government’s drive to increase revenue and achieve the $1 trillion economy target by 2030.

Bagudu stated that the reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at addressing the country’s

Stakeholders Brainstorm on Nigeria’s Downstream Oil Sector, Seek Fair Competition Say liberalisation has opened space for private sector participation

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Stakeholders and experts in Nigeria’s oil industry, yesterday discussed Nigeria’s downstream sector, noting that there was the need for stability, especially on the back of the recent deregulation of the sector in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

In her opening remarks at a media roundtable on Nigeria’s downstream sector organised

by Extractive 360 in Abuja, the Executive Director of the organisation, Juliet Ukanwosu, stressed that the downstream

sector remains a vital pillar of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

Ukanwosu noted that this is because it directly influences the availability, pricing, and distribution of petroleum products, as well as impacting the daily lives of citizens and the broader economy.

“We have observed, in recent times, the Nigerian petroleum downstream sector is navigating a turbulent phase marked by a combination of opportunities and pressures.

“Since the removal of fuel subsidies, market forces have largely determined pump

prices, triggering intense competition — often described as a price war — among operators.

This has led to fluctuating product prices, sometimes creating uncertainty for both businesses and consumers.

“In addition, challenges such as high operating costs, irregular foreign exchange rates, import dependency for refined products, and infrastructural bottlenecks have added strain to the sector,” she added.

The executive director pointed out that on the positive side, the liberalisation

policy has opened space for more private sector participation, investment in storage and distribution infrastructure, and conversations around refining capacity expansion.

Overall, she stated that the sector was in a state of adjustment, seeking stability and competitiveness amid shifting regulations, volatile market dynamics, and evolving public expectations.

economic stagnation, which resulted from decades of underinvestment in vital sectors of the economy.

He said, “Our current reality is that we are not where we want to be, and Mr. President has made that clear. But instead of playing the blame game, we are making long-overdue choices—difficult decisions similar to what accountants make when restructuring troubled companies. It’s no different with a country.”

In a statement, the minister, called for private sector support for the reforms, stating that the country’s long-term plan – Nigeria Agenda 2050 – which involves all levels of government and the private sector, target to achieve $33,000 per capita income by 2050.

He said achieving that milestone required over $100 billion in annual investments, 86 per cent of which should come from private entities.

The minister emphasised that reaching this vision would require more than

just government effort.

He described ICAN’s support as vital, not only for technical contributions, but also for helping to communicate reforms to Nigerians and fostering broad-based trust in the reform process.

He said, “The ability to mobilise all stakeholders, especially those who understand complex issues through training, like your members, is what gives reforms their staying power.

“We need you to help us communicate these reforms to citizens. People want quick results, and it’s our collective duty to explain that some of the changes we’re making today are foundational for the prosperity we seek tomorrow.”

Bagudu appreciated ICAN’s consistent engagement with the ministry and welcomed the call for support and partnership from the Institute, while stating that Tinubu’s economic reforms could not have been achieved without the backing of institutions like ICAN.

VC Lauds FG for Halting Establishment of More Universities

opportunity of the stoppage of the country especially new Oyewale in Lokoja establishing new universities universities like our FUL that FG Approves N4.2 Billion Research Ibrahim The Vice-Chancellor, Federal to concentrate on funding the is still struggling to grow, Lokoja (FUL), Pro- existing ones especially some but the fund is not readily Grant for 158 Projects in One Year University fessor Olayemi Akinwumi, has universities that are new to available.

Linus Aleke in Abuja

no fewer than N22.7 billion as student loans to 215,514 The federal government students in universities and has approved a grant other higher institutions as of N4.2 billion for 158 at August 2025.

Speaking at the official research projects under the Tertiary Education Trust unveiling of the 21-year Fund (TETFund) National Groundbreaking Pioneer Research Fund 2024 grant Research in Psychology and Life Management by cycle.

The government further Prof. Vivian Kosoko Motrevealed that it has disbursed tohmigan, the Secretary

to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, said the approved research grant is part of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to supporting research development — such as Prof. Kosoko’s pioneering contributions to the body of knowledge in Africa and globally.

lauded the federal government decision to stop the establishment of new universities for the next seven years.

Akinwumi stated this Thursday at Adankolo campus of the University while interacting with journalists over the ongoing recruitment exercise in the institution.

He that the federal government can now sieze the

enable them grow.

“We commended the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, for the decision to stop establishment of new universities in the next seven years. This is the best thing to do.

“Within these seven years the federal government should concentrate on the funding of the existing universities in

“It is a fact that the university system is capital intensive. In some universities today in this country, students completed their studies and graduated without been taught by a professor. Such situation is not healthy for our educational system and we will be happy if the federal government can put an end to such situation.”

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Idris Pays Courtesy Visit to Governor Mbah...

Front Row L-R: Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement South East, Chioma Nweze; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Enugu State Governor, Mr. Peter Mbah; Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga: Second Row L-R: Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Chinasa Nnam Ogbodo; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement, Fredrick Nwabufo; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Print Media, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Press Council, Dr Dili Ezughah and the Director General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Dr. Mohammed Bulama during a courtesy call on the State Governor at the start of tour of projects and Citizens’ Engagement in Enugu... yesterday

At CSEA, NBS Forum on GDP Rebasing, Experts Proffer Solutions to Nigeria’s Ailing Economy Statistics office says new data critical for achieving $1tn GDP aspiration Economists want real impact of FG’s reforms on grassroots Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Various economic experts and government officials yesterday proffered solutions to Nigeria’s ailing economy, especially against the backdrop of the country’s recently rebased Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Consumer Price Index (CPI).

At a one-day sensitisation workshop on Nigeria’s rebased GDP and CPI organised by the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA) in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the participants agreed that the updated data was critical for policy formulation.

In his opening remarks at the event which took place in Abuja, the Statistician General of the Federation and Chief Executive of the NBS, Adeyemi Adeniran, reiterated the importance of data to the socio-economic growth and

development of any country, especially on the back of the $1 trillion economy by the Bola Tinubu administration.

Adeniran stressed that by updating the framework, it will ensure that all resources of the country, both natural and human resources, are exploited sustainably, efficiently, and effectively for the benefit of the whole citizenry.

He explained that such sessions on the GDP and CPI figures were necessary as Nigerians still complain that despite the economy enlarging, it has not permeated and its impact is still not felt at the grassroots.

He highlighted the importance of ensuring that adequate and reliable information is made available to all users, including government, policy makers, researchers, private sector operators, investors, and development partners, to

take the right decisions and track the effectiveness of their programmes. “ It is important that we understand the data well for appropriate application and use. This is why this event has been put together for us to discuss today.

“By fostering a culture of

The Network for the Actualisation of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD), a frontline public procurement advocacy group in Nigeria, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, for their relentless efforts at revolutionising public sector procurement in Nigeria.

NEFGAD made this known in a statement released to newsmen through its Country Head of Office, Omoniyi

Akingunola, in Abuja on Thursday.

This follows the directive by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday, instructing ministers to forward comprehensive lists of projects from agencies and parastatals under their supervision to the BPP for scrutiny and analysis, ahead of submission to the President.

FEC also directed mainstream government departments and agencies to give preference to made-in-Nigeria goods in their procurement processes.

The council’s decision came

he added.

Executive Director of CSEA, Dr Chukwuka Onyekwena, in his remarks, stressed that the workshop was a natural extension of the mission of the organisation founded by ex-Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to ensure that new data is

not only produced, but also disseminated.

According to him, the economic data updates are aimed at ensuring that national statistics reflect current realities of the economy and also meet global best practices as well as capture new and emerging sectors.

Access Holdings Commits $100 Million to Boost Zambia’s Economy Nume Ekeghe

The Holding in a statement noted that the engagement Access Holdings Plc has came against the backdrop reaffirmed its commitment of Zambia’s current shortfall by pledging $100 million to in power generation and bolstering Zambia’s energy and transmission.

During the meeting, President agriculture sectors, following a high-level meeting with Hichilema noted that Zambia President Hakainde Hichilema currently faces a shortage in at the State House in Lusaka. power generation and transmission, and emphasised the need for increased investment following the recent open access reforms. The President also

FEC’s Procurement Directive: NEFGAD Makes Case, Commends Tinubu, BPP Michael Olugbode in Abuja

data literacy, which this workshop and engagement like this are designed to promote, we can ensure that policy makers and all our esteemed users are aware of the results and use them as a powerful tool to decide and track effective policies and programmes to achieve desired objectives,”

after a presentation by the BPP Director-General, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, to President Tinubu at the FEC meeting.

By approving the BPP’s request to serve as the coordinating centre and clearing house for all federal procurement, President Tinubu, as the Chief Executive Officer of the “consortium” called Nigeria, has fulfilled his part of the national procurement development bargain by granting full regulatory authority to the BPP, in line with extant regulations and the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

highlighted the potential for banks to support other key sectors such as agriculture and digital transformation, which are central to Zambia’s growth strategy.

Chairman, Access Holdings, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, commended the Zambian government for its bold economic reforms, particularly in the energy sector. He noted that these measures had created a conducive environment for

strategic investments, unlocking new opportunities for growth.

He states: “Access Holdings stands ready to finance transformative projects that will strengthen Zambia’s power generation, transmission, and distribution capacity. Our financing arrangements of up to $100 million are designed to catalyse development in sectors that matter most to the economy,” said AigImoukhuede.

N-HYPPADEC: President Tinubu Drops Mrs Tomi Somefun, Re-appoints Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa

Laleye Dipo in Minna

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dropped Mrs. Tomi Somefun and reappointed Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa as the Managing Director of the NHydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission N-HYPPADEC. Mrs. Tomi Somefun’s appointment early last month had generated uproar particularly from stakeholders in the catchment areas of the Commission.

The opposition to the appointment of Mrs, Somefun was based on what the critics described as her not being an indigene of any of the states which the commission is designed to serve contrary to the law establishing the organisation.

A statement made available to newsmen in Minna on Thursday by Alhaji Nura Tanko Wakili, Head Press and Public Affairs of N-HYPPADEC, confirmed the reappointment

of Alhaji Sadiq Yelwa.

The statement with the caption “SADIQ YELWA REAPPOINTED AS MD NHYPPADEC” reads in part: “The management and staff of N- HYPPADEC, extend warmest congratulations to Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa fcna, FNIM, FniiS (Katukan Yauri) on his well-deserved reappointment as the Managing Director of the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC).

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NNPCL, IOCs, Local Producers Move to Cut Oil Production Cost, Save $3bn for Industry NUPRC targets 50 active rig count by year end Komolafe bags NAPE award

Peter Uzoho

Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and its partners, the International Oil Companies (IOCs) as well as independent producers, have put up a roadmap to drive down the cost of oil production in the country and save about $3 billion in the first instance.

The partners also said they aimed to increase the production cost savings to about $4.5

billion by December 2025.

Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari, made the disclosure in Lagos yesterday while delivering a keynote address at the 50th anniversary ceremony of Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE).

That was as Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, announced that

active rig count in the country’s oil and gas sector would rise further to 50 rigs by the end of this year.

Represented by NNPC’s Executive Vice President, Upstream, Udobong Ntia, Ojulari stressed the need for the operators to optimise both Unit Operating Costs (UOCs) and Unit Technical Costs (UTCs) by doing more with funds available to them.

In his paper, titled, “Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry: History,

Current Realities, Future Opportunities and Strategies for Sustainable Resource Development,” the GCEO stated, “We’re taking another look at optimising our costs, driving costs down. In the past three to six months, we have put up a roadmap to save about $3 billion, which I think by the end of December, we’re going to up that to about $4.5 billion, off our normal costs.

“We will drive down our cost per barrel. And I think

it’s possible. It’s something that’s gaining traction among the industry leaders as well, because if they take down their costs, it helps them, it helps us as well. So a big focus of our cost management is everybody in the industry.”

For decades, upstream operators in the Nigerian oil and gas industry have been complaining about the high cost of oil production, which some say is between $20 and $40 per barrel. They have at-

Ojulari tributed this to a lot of factors, including multiple taxes and levies, security issues, and the influence of middlemen.

Mbah Inaugurates 5 Ultramodern Transport Terminals, 100 Mass Transit CNG Buses

In a major move revolutionising transportation in Enugu State, Governor Peter Mbah, yesterday, inaugurated five ultramodern transport terminals in various parts of the state in line with his integrated blueprint for a modern and multimodal transport ecosystem.

Mbah also launched 100 out of the 200 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) mass transit buses acquired by the administration, the Enugu State Modern Transport System, as well as over 80 modern bus shelters constructed across the state.

The terminals the governor visited and personally commissioned were Holy Ghost

Terminal 1 (Enugu Central Station 1), designated for interstate transport; Holy Ghost Terminal 2 (Enugu Central Station 2) for intercity transport; Nsukka Terminal (Nsukka Central Station); Abakpa Nike Terminal (Abakpa Central Station), and Gariki Terminal (Gariki Central Station).

They feature food courts, banking halls, motels, shops, CNG refilling stations, cinemas, and expansive spaces capable of taking 500 buses, while the Holy Ghost Terminals 1 and 2 are connected by a 400m-long sky bridge, said to be the longest in Nigeria. The buses feature free wifi and security equipment.

Mbah said the launch of the projects, which drew huge crowds and elicited palpable joy among the residents, was a key part of the administration’s integrated five-terminal Transport Infrastructure Project, Phase 1, in line with his vision to grow the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion.

Addressing a mammoth crowd at the Holy Ghost Terminal 2, the governor recalled that until the commencement of the project in late 2023, the Holy Ghost area was “practically a synonym for chaotic traffic and general disorderliness.”

He elaborated, “Aside from the fact it constituted a major

Okonjo-Iweala Visits Tinubu, Lauds President for Stabilising Economy

with Tinubu.

Also yesterday, at a separate event that saw the launch of a $50 million Women Exporters in the Digital Economy Fund (WEIDE Fund) in Abuja, the WTO Director General tasked the West African country and Africa by extension, to tap into the $4.25 trillion global digital trade to enhance its fortunes.

During the interview with journalists after her meeting with Tinubu, Okonjo-Iweala emphasised that all hands must now be on deck to further grow the economy.

She also advised that government should create social safety nets to cushion the effects of the economic reforms on the citizenry.

She said: “We think that the President and his team, and we just exchanged that with him, have worked hard to stabilise the economy, and you cannot really improve an economy unless it’s stable.

“So he has to be given the credit for the stability of the economy. So the reforms have been in the right direction.

“What is needed next is growth. We now need to grow the economy, and we need to put in social safety nets so that people who are feeling the pinch of the reforms can also have some support to be able to weather the hardship.

So that’s the next step.

“How do we build social safety net to help Nigerians cushion the hardship they

are feeling, and then, how do we grow the economy so we can create more jobs and put more money in people’s pockets? These are issues that we discussed with Mr. President.”

Asked the purpose of her visit to the President, Okonjo-Iweala said: “We came to brief him about something very joyful that we did today, with the help of the First Lady we launched a women exporters fund for the digital economy.

“This is a fund that is jointly managed by the WTO and the International Trade Center (ITC) in Geneva, and the idea is to help support the economy and support women, to be able to weather the storms of the economy and be able to create jobs for themselves for others, is part of thinking of what is a social safety net?

“How can we help support Nigerian women to contribute more to the economy and to themselves?”

The WTO DG stated that she had earlier in the day participated in the launch of a Women Exporters Fund for the digital economy, facilitated by the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

Nigeria, she said, was one of four countries selected globally for the scheme, with the effort coordinated locally by the Ministry of Trade and Investment and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council. Out of 67,000 Nigerian women who applied, 146 were selected to

benefit from the fund.

According to Okonjo-Iweala, 16 beneficiaries won the “booster track” category for established businesses and will receive 18 months of technical and business support, while another 100 will get direct grants of $5,000 each and 12 months of business support to start or scale their enterprises.

“This is just the beginning,” she said, noting that the goal was to enable more Nigerian women to weather economic challenges, create jobs, and contribute more to national growth.

Meanwhile, during the launch of the fund earlier, OkonjoIweala, tasked the country and Africa by extension, to tap into the $4.25 trillion global digital trade to enhance its fortunes.

She said total global trade was currently at $30.4 trillion about 27 per cent of global GDP of $114 trillion.

But, she said Africa’s share of the “most important part of digital trade is minuscule at about one percent”.

The former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy said digital trade had become the fastest growing segment of global commerce.

According to her, digitally delivered services trade, which is a segment of digital trade involving outsourcing - business process services, consulting and IT services, legal, medical, educational and other services Continued on page 42

municipal blight, we knew we could not attain our audacious economic goals if we lacked an efficient public transport system that offered both comfort and dignity.

“We knew that our goal to make Enugu the most livable city in Nigeria will be a futile bid, if we were unable to tackle problems such as persistent traffic gridlock.

“So, from the very first day of this administration, we made a promise: to build a world-class transport system that moves people, connects businesses and communities, and, crucially, that rightfully positions Enugu State as a model of modern governance, sustainable growth, and human dignity.

“Today’s commissioning of

the newly completed world-class terminals and the CNG Bus Mass Transit Scheme is indeed, beyond a ribbon-cutting exercise.

It ushers in a whole new experience; fundamentally connecting our vision to action, and our action to the daily lives of the over seven million residents of Enugu State.”

Mbah explained that alongside the CNG Rapid Bus Service (Mass Transit Scheme), the terminals were “central pillars of our transport agenda – a multimodal highway to the future – integrating road, rail, air, and waterways into one seamless, safe, and efficient ecosystem”.

He also described the terminals as catalysts for economic development and “engines of economic revival”.

The governor stated regarding the projects, “They represent our capacity to deliver projects that empower Ndi Enugu and set our state on a robust trajectory of growth.

“Already, this project is creating jobs, stimulating SMEs, and positioning Enugu to compete with Africa’s best. Through it, we’re creating over 20,000 jobs across BRT, 2,000 hybrid city taxis, airport operations, ridehailing and support services.”

He said Enugu Transport Management system would eliminate corruption that had been the bane of government enterprises, to ensure sustainability, counting on an e-ticketing system that eliminates leakages, guarantees transparency, and ensures every payment is Continued on page 43

Kaduna Govt: Nasir El-Rufai is Frustrated, Sinking, Wants to Drag Others Along

governor of the state, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, as a frustrated politician, who was sinking and determined to drag others along.

It also reminded El-Rufai that Kaduna State was alive and thriving, and that no amount of drama from his political leftovers in the. coalition-led African Democratic Congress (ADC) will change that.

The government, while noting that the sort of violence identifiable with the El-Rufai administration had no semblance with the Sani government, dismissed allegations that it was plotting to rig tomorrow’s bye-elections in Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency and Zaria, SabonGari state constituencies.

ADC and Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kaduna State had accused the state government of plotting to rig in tomorrow’s elections.

The coalition led by ADC National Vice Chairman (North-west), Jafaru Sani, had at a press conference, yesterday, alleged that the Kaduna State government was plotting to use thugs to disrupt the elections and buy votes.

The ADC vice chairman, who was accompanied by El-Rufai and the Kaduna State chairman of ADC, alleged that the state government was planning to

rig the elections through mass recruitment of thugs, bribery of electoral officials and vote buying.

But in his reaction, Kaduna State Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, described the allegations as baseless, mischievous, and a desperate attempt to discredit an election the coalition knew it could not win.

“Democracy in Kaduna is alive and thriving and no amount of theatre from ElRufai’s political leftovers in ADC will change that,” the commissioner stated.

He described El-Rufai as a “frustrated politician who is sinking and wants to drag others along”.

In addition, he dismissed allegation by the coalition that local government funds were illegally deducted for the bye-elections.

Speaking at a press briefing in his office, Maiyaki, who was flanked by his counterpart from the Ministry for Local Government, Sadiq Mamman-Lagos, said the ADC/SDP coalition’s “poorly attended rallies” in recent weeks had already exposed their rejection by the electorate.

He said allegations by the coalition that plots of land were being offered to senior INEC officials as inducement were

also false.

The information commissioner said the state government had no role in the conduct of elections, being the exclusive responsibility of INEC. “We will not sit idly by while political opportunists smear the name of our administration and malign innocent officials with wild, unsubstantiated claims,” he said.

Maiyaki said the government had directed its lawyers to study the allegations for possible legal action.

He reminded journalists of a past incident where “the former governor sent thugs to the NUJ Secretariat, injuring many colleagues,” saying such violence was alien to Sani’s leadership style.

“As we speak, the governor is in Chikun LGA flagging off the construction of Romi–Karatudu Township Road, a community abandoned and demolished under El-Rufai’s eight-year rule,” he said.

Maiyaki accused the coalition of being unsettled by Sani’s inclusive leadership, which, according to him, had united the state and delivered tangible development.

He urged voters to come out en masse tomorrow and disregard the “rantings of political jobbers” masquerading as defenders of democracy.

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Politics

Acting Group Politics Editor DEJI ELUMOYE Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com 08033025611 sms only

Tinubu Govt’s Numerous Social Investment Interventions in the North

Samuel Bature writes about the huge impact of the numerous Social Investment Programmes introduced over two years ago in the Northern part of the country by the Bola Tinubu-led government at the centre.

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child who feeds is a child who can learn.Apeople who are empowered and catered for will birth a society that will replenish the roots from which it emerged.

As Nigeria battles with poverty, community displacement, and youth unemployment, the Northern part of the country often seems to bear a disproportionate weight of these developmental challenges. But for President Bola Tinubu’s administration, addressing multidimensional poverty in the region requires not just funding but also structural reforms and inclusive community engagement.

Two years into the administration, the indelible impact of the Renewed Hope Agenda on social investment and humanitarian support across the North has become the subject of countless testimonials.

From the non-government and philanthropic perspective, the Renewed Hope Foundation, empathically and skillfully led by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has donated tens of billions of naira in all parts of Northern Nigeria in the form of proactive direct support for widows, orphans, and indigent elderly citizens, as well as structured support through skill-building programmes and entrepreneurship support for Nigerians in remote rural and urban communities at a time when the Renewed Hope Initiative is already providing hundreds of scholarships across the north.

From the government’s perspective, a key pillar of the Tinubu administration’s strategy has been the expansion and deployment of the National Social Register (NSR) as a tool for precisely identifying and targeting vulnerable households. As of mid-2025, over 13 million households and 48 million individuals from Northern Nigeria had been enrolled into the NSR, creating one of the most comprehensive databases on poverty in the region.

This data-backed approach has allowed the federal government to launch more effective Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programmes.

Out of the targeted 15 million households nationwide, over 60.4 percent are in the northern zone, a deliberate effort to close the region’s historic poverty gap.

So far, N297 billion, about 44 percent of all national disbursements, has been paid to 3.9 million northern households as part of the ongoing conditional cash transfer programme. These transfers are helping millions of families meet basic needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare, while incentivizing school attendance and healthcare access, among other numerous benefits.

However, the Tinubu administration has gone beyond cash transfers. Under the intentional leadership of President Bola Tinubu, the Nigeria for Women Programme (NFWP) has been significantly scaled up across Northern states. In Kebbi, Niger, and Taraba States alone, 241,880 women have received enterprise support and agro-processing equipment to enhance their productivity and business potential.

Sixteen Northern states have signed Subsidiary Loan Agreements, signalling their commitment to scaling up the initiative. This demonstrates strong alignment between federal and state governments, a collaboration essential for sustained growth and development in the region.

To grow an inclusive economy where women can contribute more significantly to the growth of household wealth, and by extension, national GDP growth, President Tinubu’s Women Agro Value Expansion Programme has ensured that modern agricultural tools have been distributed to women smallholder farmers, and over five million female farmers have been empowered with mechanisation support, access to farming inputs, and market linkage services. This is not only expanding their productivity; it is solidifying their place in the nation’s agricultural economy, long dominated by male stakeholders.

Across the north, where skills acquisition

remains essential in all efforts to unlock youth potential, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has trained 1,000 youths, 54 percent of whom are from Northern states. These beneficiaries received hands-on training in automobile mechanics, solar power installation, and agricultural practices to equip them for sustainable livelihoods.

The Tinubu administration has gone a step further. In order to deepen support for internally displaced populations, the National Agricultural

Land Development Authority (NALDA) and the humanitarian ministry cultivated 10,000 hectares of farmland, specifically for households displaced by conflict. These agricultural initiatives are tailored to promote both food security and income generation within affected communities.

Recognizing that shelter is fundamental to recovery, the federal government constructed 289 housing units for IDPs in Nasarawa, Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna, Borno, and Katsina States.

Additionally, seven Skills Acquisition Centres have been completed in Niger, Borno, Katsina, Kano, and Zamfara states, providing ongoing training hubs for community development and touching lives.

President Tinubu’s social investment strategy also hinges on partnerships. Beyond federal funding, the government has built strong alliances with Non-Governmental Organizations, state governments, and private sector actors to expand reach.

This synergy is structured in a manner to avoid duplication of efforts. The administration has developed a collaborative platform that enables state and local governments to align with national initiatives. Through this model, federal policies are better localized and federal resources reach those in need more efficiently.

For example, in Kwara State, the federal government inaugurated the Volunteers for Citizens Assembly on Community Engagement across all 16 local government areas. The platform encourages grassroots participation, monitors service delivery, and helps shape programme design based on community feedback. Close monitoring shows that this has been effective in achieving its aim.

The Renewed Hope Debit Card initiative was launched through a partnership between the federal government and the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA).

This initiative provides cash and service access in a dignified, transparent, and traceable manner eliminating the long queues and middlemen historically associated with welfare programs.

Despite these gains, the administration acknowledges that much remains to be done.

The North continues to face a significant multidimensional poverty gap, requiring deeper coordination between national and subnational actors.

-Bature writes from Jos, Plateau state capital.

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

Kogi Outlines Plans to Make State Farmers Richer

Kogi State Government is poised towards transforming the state’s agricultural sector and improving the livelihood of farmers through the recently signed Food for Lagos partnership, aimed at creating a robust food supply chain between Kogi and Lagos states.

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ogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo has highlighted strategic steps being taken to actualize the economic potential of the food chain initiative in the state Fanwo, in a statement issued in Lokoja, said that more than two weeks after signing the historic agreement with Lagos State, Governor Usman Ododo has begun implementing concrete measures to boost food production, improve infrastructure, and attract high-value investments into the state’s agricultural sector.

According to the Commissioner: “The governor didn’t just go there to sign papers. He has since returned home to roll up his sleeves and make the partnership a huge success. With the governor’s efforts, Kogi farmers will earn more from their agricultural produce”.

He revealed that the State Ministry of Agriculture has already mapped out key areas with comparative advantages for specific crops, ensuring that each region contributes meaningfully to the value chain. Kogi, he said, is already a leading producer of cassava in Nigeria and West Africa, and the administration is working hard to dominate other areas of food

production.

“We are not just talking about being the food basket of the nation, we are taking real steps to become one,” Fanwo said.

He described Governor Ododo as a visionary leader who, from the outset of his administration, placed agriculture at the center of his development agenda.

“During his campaigns and in his inaugural speech, he emphasized the need for Kogi to be self-sufficient in food production.

Today, he is fulfilling that promise”, he emphasised.

Fanwo also highlighted major government-backed programmes such as RAAMP (Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project), which is facilitating the rehabilitation of rural roads to improve access to markets, and ACReSAL (Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes), which is channeling investments into rural farming communities.

“Agriculture in Kogi is receiving the biggest attention it has ever received,” Fanwo affirmed, adding, “Our youth and women from Ibaji to Gegu and Egbe are now fully involved in the agricultural revival sweeping across the state.”

He noted that the state’s growing success in combating rural insecurity has contributed to increased farming activity and boosted confidence among local farmers.

The Information Commissioner said the Food for Lagos Project is a game-changer, not only for food supply in Nigeria’s largest city but also for wealth creation and economic empowerment in Kogi State.

“With sustained implementation, this partnership will make Kogi farmers richer and the state stronger economically,” Fanwo said.

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Akwa Ibom: Damagun’s Daydream About PDP’s Strength

Etim Etim writes that the People’s Democratic is almost dead in Akwa Ibom State since Amnesty International’s Red Party Governor Umo Eno and other relevant politicians and stakeholders in the state defected to the All Flag on Nigeria Chido Nwangwu writes about the latest report of Progressives Congress about two months ago. wo People’s Democratic Party Amnesty International which chronicles identified members from Akwa Ibom insecurity and human rights abuses in the South State – Onofiok Luke and Ini Ememobong - visited the party’s East geo-political zone in the last five years.

Acting National Chairman,

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mnesty International, the nongovernmental organization on human rights and the impacts of insecurity, released its latest report on August 13, 2025. It is critical of what it considered to be the Nigerian government’s “failure” to address the insecurity and human rights abuses in areas generally and historically identified as the South-East region of the country.

The organization stated that there were thousands of deaths and numerous human rights violations against citizens. A thumbnail .1,844 people killed between January 2021 and June 2023. .Gunmen killed more than 400 people in Imo state between 2019 and 2021. .Hundreds of people were arbitrarily detained and forcibly disappeared.

Amnesty stated that the “security crisis in the country’s South-East region has created a free-for-all reign of impunity in which numerous state and non-state actors have committed serious human rights violations.”

The report, A Decade of Impunity: Attacks and Unlawful Killings in Southeast Nigeria, documents unlawful killings, torture and other ill-treatment, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and displacement at the hands of rampaging gunmen, state-backed paramilitary outfits, vigilantes, criminal gangs and cults in the South-East region between January 2021 and December 2024.

“The Nigerian authorities’ brutal clampdown on pro-Biafra protests from August 2015 plunged the South-East region into an endless cycle of bloodshed, which has created a climate of fear and left many communities vulnerable. Assassinations of prominent personalities and attacks on highways, security personnel and facilities are chilling reminders of the region’s insecurity,” said Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.

The report stated that “The government must stop turning a blind eye to the unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests and detention, torture, enforced disappearances, and destruction of properties in the South-East region.

Authorities must live up to their constitutional and international human rights obligations, including ensuring all suspected perpetrators are brought to justice in fair trial, no matter who they are, and that victims and their families have access to justice and effective remedies.”

The report is based on interviews with 100 people, including survivors, victims’ relatives, civil society members, lawyers, traditional leaders, and religious leaders.

Amnesty International also conducted research missions to Owerri in Imo State, Asaba in Delta State, Obosi in Anambra State, and Enugu in Enugu State between April 2023 and November 2023.

Sanusi added that “The high number of killings and the persistent fear of potential attacks occurring at any time illustrate how severely the authorities are failing to protect lives and property and to maintain law and order.”

These issues of insecurity and violence have severely/negatively affect the demographic stability and development capabilities of the south East.

We have also read reports of some cases in other areas of the country where ethnic hostilities and religion-rooted bigotry have fueled violence.

The families and communities who have been asking questions about “vanished” or “missing” siblings are hoping for answers.

-Dr. Nwangwu is the Founder of the first African-owned, U.S-based newspaper on the internet, USAfricaonline.com, and established USAfrica in 1992 in Houston.

Umar Damagun, in his office in Abuja penultimate Tuesday and the event grabbed a few headlines in the politics pages of some publications.

Damagum told the visitors that PDP would win the governorship and other elections in Akwa Ibom State. He said many ‘’credible’’ PDP stalwarts who did not defect with Governor Umo Eno are still very active in the party. PDP Youth Leader, Muhammed Suleiman and National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba were also present during the visit.

But back in Akwa Ibom, the visit was hardly mentioned beyond the Facebook pages of Luke and Ememobong. This is because every important PDP member in the state has moved into APC with Governor Eno. These include all the 31 LGA chairmen and their councilors; 24 of the 26 House of Assembly members and the two Senators. In addition, all of the governor ’s commissioners and other political appointees, as well as other stalwarts who did not even hold political positions had also defected with the governor. The two gentlemen who visited Damagun penultimate Tuesday are probably the most lonesome politicians in the state.

So, what was the basis of Damagun’s optimism? It’s possible that both Luke and Ememobong might have given him a wrong impression of what happened in Akwa Ibom and what has become of the PDP. I can imagine them telling Damagun: ‘’PDP is still very strong; we are present in every ward…we shall capture the state in 2027, and blah; blah; blah’’. It’s all a hoax.

Hyperboles; exuberances and deceptions are important ingredients of Nigerian politics. About two months since the governor left, PDP is virtually dead in the state. There has been no activity in the PDP since Umo Eno left. Its secretariat, hitherto a busy arena, looks desolate and deserted. Worst of all, no visible arrowhead or a person of considerable political clout with adequate financial resources that can galvanize and lead the party has emerged. The party has not called a stakeholders’ meeting to take stock and plot the way forward. There is nobody to take charge! In Akwa Ibom, any political party that does not have at least one formidable financier is no better than the Boys Scout movement.

I have been involved in all the governorship elections in Akwa Ibom State since 2015. In late 2014, Obong Okon Umana defected from the PDP to APC to pick the governorship ticket. Conservative estimates have it that Umana spent around N10 billion from between when he defected till the conclusion of postelection litigations. Obong Nsima Ekere, the APC governorship candidate in the 2019 elections, spent well above that.

Mind you, these expenses are not limited to election matters alone. In Akwa Ibom State, the party leader is responsible for the welfare and wellbeing of his supporters. You pay house rents; children’s school fees; food bills and hospital bills of your supporters. In addition, you have to buy cars for, and pay salaries to your key supporters and in addition, provide buses for other party members.

As a party leader, you have to go around with police escorts to cut an image of a serious politician. In addition, you have to

provide food and assorted drinks in your home at all hours for visitors, hangerson and stragglers. There is nobody in Akwa Ibom PDP who has the capacity; willingness and courage to incur such expenditures in this season.

Now, let’s look at the statistics. In the 2023 elections, Umo Eno of PDP polled 354, 348 votes; Bassey Albert (YPP) scored 136, 262 and Akanimo Udofia (APC) got 129,60; John James Akpanudoedehe (NNPP) polled 12, 509 and Uduak Udoh of Labour Party got 4, 746. Umo Eno won in 29 of the 31 LGAs while Bassey Albert won in two.

In 2019, Udom Emmanuel (PDP) got 519, 712; Nsima Ekere (APC) got 171, 978. All other candidates got less than a thousand votes. While Udom Emmanuel won in 30 LGAs; Ekere won in only one LGA. There was no real election in the state in 2015. The results were written in Government House, Uyo under the supervision and direction of the then governor. This is why the governorship election of 2015 was cancelled by the Tribunal and the Court of Appeal.

In 2023, Eno scored 55% of the votes cast and in 2019, Udom Emmanuel got 75% of total votes cast.

Given that PDP and YPP have collapsed into APC, making it quite formidable, and considering the overwhelming popularity of the governor, I predict that he will take no less than 80% of the votes in 2027.

He would be aided by other tailwinds which could be summarized under the incumbency advantage. They include huge financial resources; redoubtable party henchmen in every nook and cranny of the state; enthusiasm of APC members to produce governor for the first time in history and the high job approval rating of the governor. There’s also the unbreakable zoning arrangement in the state. Akwa Ibom North West, the zone that will produce the next governor in 2031, will more likely vote for the incumbent than choose a new person who will likely stay for fresh eight years. This factor counted against Ekere in 2019.

So, Umar Damagun was essentially daydreaming when he spoke of a possible PDP victory in Akwa Ibom. He was likely misled by his visitors. But I reckon that somebody in the PDP will want to challenge Governor Eno in 2027. The person will not be looking to winning the election; rather, he would be more interested in the cash that the party typically sends to governorship candidates from Abuja to support their campaigns.

For such opportunistic contestant, a bird in hand is better than three in the bush.

-Etim writes from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Capital

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NO HOLDS BARRED

The two-day summit organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation is in sync with the democratic order, reckons ISMAIL AUWAL

See page 25

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF UNSKILLED PEOPLE

JOSHUA J. OMOJUWA argues the need for vocational education

See page 25

EDITORIAL

YET ANOTHER VIOLENT JAILBREAK

See page 26

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Politicians should realise that a clear conscience fears no accusations, writes BOLAJI ADEBIYI

CRYING WOLF OVER CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS

It was the turn of former power brokers to weep earlier this week. They claimed that the new power holders were targeting them for daring to challenge their authority and trying to unseat them from the pot of delicious soup. What happened?

On Tuesday, the lead anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, invited Aminu Tambuwal, a two-term governor of Sokoto State and speaker of the House of Representatives, to discuss the suspicious withdrawal of a pricy N189 billion from the state’s treasury during his time in office at the seat of the Caliphate. He spent a night there resolving issues with the agency’s investigators.

While the former governor, now a senator, was clearing himself at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, his friends in the newly formed coalition of opposition elements, the African Democratic Congress, raised the alarm that the ruling All Progressives Congress was using the anti-graft body to hunt down leading opposition topshots. They alleged that many others had been requested to visit the commission’s office to answer queries about their tour of duty.

However, the EFCC responded that the opposition’s claim of harassment was false, contending that the antigraft fight was across political divides.

It stated that dozens of governors were under scrutiny for sundry malfeasance.

Based on the sequence of events, it is tempting to sympathise with the troubled politicians. As the opposition coalition has asked, why is the EFCC suddenly stepping up to its duties at the moment the suspects decided to join the alliance? Besides the fact that time does not limit the investigation and prosecution of crime, this route has been taken many times: corruption suspect politicians claiming victimisation and the anti-graft agency denying political motivation.

Except opposition elements are engaging in propaganda politics, they should realise that these supposedly targeted invitations and investigations do not signal any significant adversarial consequence, as they have been mainly noise rather than substance. The EFCC’s reputation for hot air is well-known from its inception.

Instituted by the President Olusegun

Obasanjo administration in 2001 to curb the growing menace of graft, the commission’s unusual methods and recourse to trial by the media quickly learnt it to the accusation of being a tool for the repression of dissent. Somehow, its abysmal record in terms of conviction of politically exposed persons relative to the mammoth publicity accorded alleged evidence of corruption tended to justify the claim that it was essentially a lousy agency.

For example, during Obasanjo's era, there was much fuss about widespread corruption among governors, more than a dozen of whom the then anti-graft chief claimed would face prosecution once they lost their immunity after leaving office. What actually happened when many of them left office in 2007? Not much, apart from a few convictions— perhaps two or three at most. In fact, two of them even became president.

They had been falsely accused and unfairly maligned without any evidence to back the charges, let alone secure a conviction.

So, nowadays opposition elements should take comfort in the commission’s unenviable history, knowing that nothing will happen in the end, as long as they are innocent. They should not doubt this, given the experience of Ayo Fayose, two-term governor of Ekiti State.

Harassed out of the office by the EFCC under Obasanjo's imperial rule in 2003, stormy petrel Fayose regained his position in 2014 with an unprecedented, overwhelming victory in a standalone governorship election conducted by his Peoples Democratic Party. By 2015, his party was defeated in the general election that brought Muhammadu Buhari's APC presidency, pushing him into the opposition fold. He immediately

came under intense hostility from the anti-graft body, which alleged massive corruption against him, threatening to arrest him after his tenure.

He did not wait to be arrested when he left office in 2022. Like Daniel in the Holy Bible, Fayose stepped into the lion’s den, reporting at the Abuja EFCC headquarters amidst media fanfare.

Questioned for about three days, he was granted administrative bail and charged in court a few months later. The commission that made so much fuss about mountains of evidence could not sustain its allegations in court for three years of criminal trial. Last month, the court asked Fayose to go home for want of evidence.

The point is that opposition politicians should spare the public their fuss; after all, a clear conscience fears no accusation. Anyone accused of a misdemeanour should confidently approach the commission to answer its queries and prepare for the impending legal battle. That was what President Bola Tinubu and Bukola Saraki, a former Senate president, did in 2011 and 2015, respectively.

Tinubu’s Action Congress of Nigeria had become a thorn in the side of President Goodluck Jonathan’s nascent government, organising a nationwide protest against the petrol subsidy removal that lasted seven days in January 2011. Coincidentally, the Code of Conduct Bureau, in March, queried his asset declaration, four years after he had left office. Six months later, he was in the dock at the Code of Conduct Tribunal answering to a three-count charge of operating 10 foreign accounts while in office between 1999 and 2007.

Rather than whine about an obvious political victimisation, he assembled a team of 10 silks, led by Wole Olanipekun, to prove his innocence.

Unlike many other politically exposed accused politicians who engage in legal gymnastics to delay trial, Tinubu was eager to contest the charge and confront the attempt to humiliate him. Once, while his defence team was arguing against his being docked, an effort to shame him, the former governor calmly walked into the dock and took his seat.

Adebiyi is the media assistant to the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu.

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The two-day summit organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation is in sync with the democratic order, reckons ISMAIL AUWAL

NO HOLDS BARRED For two full days in Kaduna, Northern Nigeria rewrote the playbook on democratic accountability. There was no stage. No scripts. No political rallying.

What unfolded instead was something rare in Nigeria’s political culture—a public, unscripted, and data-backed performance review of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Ministers and security chiefs did not merely attend ceremonial appearances. They stayed. They listened. They responded.

They answered tough questions, many of them unfiltered. And they came armed not with rhetoric—but with evidence. The summit, put together by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, was, by all accounts, unprecedented. It yielded the big stage for criticism and commendation alike.

Ministers had to earn their applause with substance, not slogans. For once, governance was not hiding behind podiums or siren-blaring convoys. It was face-to-face with the people. It would have been easy to mistake the gathering for another government jamboree.

But you only needed to sit in the crowd, to listen to the raw questions from the led, to hear the hard numbers ministers were made to justify, to know this was different. President Tinubu himself, we were told, wanted to attend but chose to respect the regional character of the event. Instead, he reportedly followed the proceedings live, postponing other scheduled meetings just to stay glued to the conversations in Kaduna. In a political system where leaders often govern from a distance, this gesture of attention spoke volumes. And his cabinet did not disappoint. From the SGF to the National Security Adviser, from the Minister of Defence to the Minister of Livestock and the Budget Minister, the government team sat in the same hall with citizens and critics and gave an account. What emerged was a picture not of perfection, but of real progress. Perhaps the most emotional moment came from the security team.

Nuhu Ribadu, the NSA, did not give a generic update. He presented photographic evidence, gruesome, perhaps, but necessary, showing the corpses of highprofile terrorists like Dogo Isah and Kachalla Shekau, neutralized in recent operations. He detailed the numbers: 12,100 hostages rescued. Over 30 high-level bandits and gunrunners now face prosecution. The Abuja–Kaduna expressway, once a corridor of fear, is now seeing traffic at night. No longer whispers of victory, now backed by names, places, photos, and prosecutions. And beyond the battlefield, logistics have changed. Through the Davon Bill, Nigeria has begun producing its own Armoured Personnel Carriers. No more years-long wait for foreign procurements. Nigeria is, at last,

arming itself with tools made by its own hands. Then came the Minister of State for Works, Mr Bello M. Goronyo. He was not vague. He stood before the summit and listed 135 road projects completed across the North—naming them, state by state. Journalists were invited to verify. The Kaduna–Kano rail project, once a frozen promise, is now visibly back on track. One project stood out: the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway. Originally designed in the Second Republic, it never made it into any modern administration’s manifesto—until now. Tinubu revived it not for votes, but for its strategic value in linking the North to economic ports. That’s not politics. That’s planning.

When Minister Atiku Bagudu took the microphone, he didn’t sugarcoat the reality. Tinubu, he reminded the audience, inherited an economy drained by debt, distorted by unsustainable fuel subsidies, and disoriented by multiple exchange rates. “It was like drawing water from a dry well,” he recalled the president telling ministers. Instead of patching the cracks, the administration restructured the economy from the root. Hard decisions were taken not to punish but to recalibrate.

New ministries were created, not for bloated bureaucracy, but for clear mandates. Livestock Development to address the age-old pastoral economy. Blue Economy to harness Nigeria’s maritime potential. Creative Economy to formalize an already-thriving industry. And perhaps most crucially, Regional Development, to ensure that every corner of the country is given the pencil to draw its own path to progress. The results? Debt dropped and revenue grew across all the sub-Nationals.

The minister revealed how Jigawa State’s debt dropped from ₦40 billion in 2023 to just ₦1 billion by early 2025. That’s not a miracle. That’s what happens when revenue rises and wasteful spending shrinks.

The most powerful image from Kaduna wasn’t in any official photograph. It was in the sight of federal ministers, men and women of high office, sitting quietly in the audience, taking notes, occasionally nodding to citizens’ complaints, and staying until the very end.

Auwal writes from Kaduna

JOSHUA J. OMOJUWA argues the need for vocational education

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF UNSKILLED LABOUR

I used to wonder about this prayer that also forms the lyrics to a song, “some have food, but cannot eat. Some can eat but have no food. We have food and we can eat, for this we thank thee O’ Lord”. Somehow, I’d try to imagine who had it worse, the one with food who couldn’t eat or the one without food who could eat? Do not assume the answer is straight forward. In a sense, when it comes to Nigeria, the ideal would be “some have skills but have no jobs, some have jobs but have no skills…” The reality is a tad different. There are not enough skills and there are not enough jobs. You have a population of largely unskilled people with one of the world’s most reproductive rates.

Except something gives, the future will be a lot of negotiating even more complicated forms of insecurity. Because skilled or not, people must survive.

Do not ask people on social media, especially the ones on X. They are hardly practical than they are emotional or given to playing to the gallery. Instead, ask anyone who has run a business for years in Nigeria and one challenge will always rank first, at worst second; there are not enough skilled people to fill available roles and where such roles have been filled, people don’t seem to know what they claimed to know before they were hired. We are one of the world’s youngest populations, and one of the most unskilled. That portends danger for the future.

The silver lining here is that it is never too late to advance a national or subnational skills development programme. The Federal Government appears to be aware of the skills gap, because in introducing a N45,000 monthly stipend for students of Technical Colleges, the government is looking to create an incentive for more Nigerians to see the value in technical education. This is a great start, but it will not be near enough.

Students may be excited to receive a monthly stipend from the government whilst in school, but what will make Technical Colleges popular is in the opportunities available to the students after school. If the skills will not earn them enough per hour or every month to sustain a respectable living, they will always be a sort of afterthought for most students. In Nigeria, the electrician, the driver, the nanny, the cleaner and other such so called “low skilled” workers never earn enough to take care of themselves and their families. That they are even referred to as low-skilled is an aberration. For this lot, you do not realise how they are such essential workers until they aren’t around to do the job. If they are so important to our daily lives, why do we pay them so little?

Enough for some people to conveniently keep multiple drivers and nannies, the same people who are unlikely to hire any of such abroad.

It is not unusual to see that in the diaspora, people have learnt to do house chores and even activities that would have required for them to call the carpenter or electrician, themselves. They will get the job done but you will pay well for their skills

and time. You want a plumber to fix your blocked toilet? In Nigeria, you are quick to call the plumber. They come cheap. Sometimes, if you are used to engaging them, you may not even pay a fee, you just give them “something” to take home. Elsewhere, you’d think twice about calling the plumber because you will have to part with enough sum that’d get you wondering whether it is better to learn to do things yourself. You’d eventually see that the popularity of DIY abroad isn’t for the love of DIY, it is for the love of saving money. Why do people abroad pay so much for the same services we pay next to nothing for?

We don’t play by the same rules.

Elsewhere, you cannot pay any worker below a certain amount per hour. To do that would be to commit a crime.

Here, the idea of minimum wage, though fought for as though it applies to the entire population, applies to government workers. Those who aren’t

working in government are doomed and damned to get paid whatever those who hire them please, or in rare cases, whatever they can negotiate. This will not always be this way.

A time will come in this country when you would think twice about hiring a carpenter, a chef, nanny and the likes. You will because to pay them less than a minimum amount determined by the state would be to commit a crime. That time will be heralded by the professionalization of these skills.

With that comes standardisation. Then, a bricklayer will move around with pride knowing that they went through a formal process of training and confident in the fact that if they are verified by the state as genuine professionals, they’d earn the respect and pay that’d ensure they are able to build a life with their family on their wages. We could stick to saying, “a day is coming” and that day may indeed come, or we could just get to the part of making it happen already.

Nigeria’s got little to no chance without a skilled population. Our system of education must center vocational skills and elevate them to a respectable status.

Omojuwa is chief strategist, Alpha Reach/ BGX Publishing

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T H I S D AY

EDITORIAL

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

T

FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2025

YET ANOTHER VIOLENT JAILBREAK There is need to overhaul the country’s criminal justice system

he attack on the personnel of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) which led to the escape of 16 inmates at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Keffi, Nasarawa State, on Tuesday is worrisome.

Although seven of the fleeing inmates have reportedly been recaptured, five personnel of the centre sustained varying degrees of injury.

While we commiserate with the injured personnel, the many jailbreaks of recent years reinforce the argument that the Nigerian prisons are in dire need of serious decongestion. Unfortunately, all the efforts aimed at ameliorating the plight of Awaiting Trial Inmates who populate most prisons would come to naught without a judicial reform to overhaul the country’s criminal justice system. If crime investigation continues to drag on endlessly, if suspects are detained indefinitely in custody or dumped in prisons on trumped-up charges, if court trials are stalled by endless adjournments at the instance of the prosecution for lack of vital evidence, the prisons will continue to experience widespread violence.

The horrific conditions prevailing in most of these ‘correctional’ facilities degrade humanity such that after spending long jail terms, inmates come out as hardened criminals. Finding themselves in the hell hole without speedy trials, many are so desperate to do anything to regain their freedom. That largely accounts for the jailbreaks. Perhaps no other prison facility in the country has witnessed the worrying trend than the Koton Karfe Custodial Centre in Kogi State that was built in 1934. Within the past decade alone, the medium security custodial centre has experienced four separate jailbreaks, with hundreds of inmates spilling into the streets, and endangering public safety. In March this year, 12 inmates of the centre strangulated

one of the officers on duty, overpowered others, and fled into the night via a collapsed portion of a window.

But the problem is not limited to Koton Karfe. Between 2015 and 2022, there were about 15 jailbreaks, resulting in over 7,000 escapes. Therefore, it is important to review the conditions in our prisons that encourage such morbid desperation. From Abakaliki to Bauchi, Sagamu to Owerri, none of the custodial centres seems secure. During the EndSARS protests in 2020, two prison facilities were attacked in Edo State and about 2000 inmates escaped. More than half the numbers are still at large. But perhaps the most embarrassing was the attack on Kuje Custodial Centre in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in 2022 by about 300 men, armed with rocket-propelled grenades and improvised explosive devices. They freed about 600 inmates, including many top Boko Haram commanders held in the facility.

Ordinarily, these facilities are supposed to be well fortified structures. But they are not.

Yet, what these frequent jailbreaks reflect is the lack of attention to the prison system in general and its infrastructure in particular. Most of them were built either during the colonial era or during the First Republic and were designed for smaller population of inmates and a different type of criminals. This may be the time to try innovative ideas to keep bad people out of circulation and perhaps make them better citizens when they return to the larger society.

Earlier this year, President Bola Tinubu approved the relocation of 29 correctional centres, including those in Suleja and Ikoyi, to address issues of security and infrastructural deficiencies. The Minister of the Interior, Tunji-Ojo, said the move would ensure modernised correctional systems that support both officers and inmates. The Keffi jailbreak has proved that nothing has changed.

What these frequent jailbreaks reflect is the lack of attention to the prison system in general and its infrastructure in particular T H I S D AY

EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITOR WALE OLALEYE MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

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LETTERS

WOMEN’S RIGHTS: NOT IMMUNITY TO ACCOUNTABILITY It is commendable and worth celebrating the global push for gender equality that, in recent decades, has brought about significant progress for women in politics, education, business, and leadership.

Women today enjoy the rights and freedoms that past generations could only dream of. However, alongside these gains, there has been a growing need to address a subtle but dangerous misconception that women’s rights grant immunity from accountability.

Women’s rights are about equal opportunities, respect, and protection under the law. They are not a free pass to act without decorum, to disrespect others, or to avoid the consequences of harmful behaviour. True empowerment is inseparable from responsibility.

Rights and responsibilities go hand in hand. Every right comes with a duty to self, to others, and to society. For example, freedom of speech must be exercised with truth and empathy, the right to

work must be matched with diligence and integrity, and the right to protest or demand justice must be pursued lawfully and respectfully.

When these principles are ignored, the noble cause of women’s empowerment risks being undermined by poor conduct.

Also, misconduct undermines the struggle.

When women use their platform, influence, or gender as a shield for bad behaviour, they inadvertently reinforce harmful stereotypes. Instead of challenging unfair labels, such conduct validates them in the eyes of critics.

Every act of unruly behaviour, whether in public spaces, workplaces, or online becomes ammunition for those who wish to roll back the progress women have made.

Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, Ag. Director, Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Department FCTA

REMEMBER THE RESULT

It is now 80 years from the two atomic bombings of Japan and we should remember the consequences.

On a recent trip through the Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum it was so easy to see how horrible it was for the civilians, the innocent and worse still, the children. It is an event that should never happen again and yet Putin has mentioned the possibility and the bombs are still ready to go.

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." and those that ignore it and make threats are evil.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

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T H I S D AY • FRIday, August 15, 2025

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S

MONEY MARKET

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Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Email oriarehu.eromosele@thisdaylive.com

08056356325, 07034471123

A u g u st

S & P INDEX

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Experts Advocate Regulation, Empowerment of Nigerian Airlines to Support Flag Carriers Chinedu Eze Experts in the aviation industry have agreed that for Nigeria’s aviation industry to develop and contribute significantly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), provide jobs and indigenous airlines compete effectively with their counterparts overseas, the federal government must evolve strong economic regulation to

build strong carriers with capacity.

The experts also said that although the Nigerian reality would make it difficult to have a successful national carrier, the federal government should continue to encourage Nigerian airlines to grow into flag carriers that can efficiently operate international, regional and domestic flight service.

A flag carrier is described as a transportation

company, usually an airline or shipping company that is locally registered in a particular country and enjoys preferential treatment or privileges from that country’s government, especially for international operations.

This is the kind of privilege, which governments give to their national carriers to protect them from competition, and provide them with adequate financing to

serve the interest of the country and also carry out special services for the country.

National carriers emerged as the second phase of air transport ownership after the invention and establishment of airborne vehicle as a means of transport, largely wholly owned by government but over the years, economic realities have tinkered with government ownership of

airlines, as the private sector, known to manage business more effectively than government, took over the hitherto national carriers from government ownership.

However, in some countries, national carriers are wholly owned by government like Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airways but independently managed without government interference.

But aviation stakeholders

are of the view that with political and economic reality in Nigeria, it will be difficult to establish a national carrier that is accountable, successful and meant for the long term; so, to bridge the gap, government should support existing Nigerian carriers and help them to provide the service, which national carriers provide for some countries.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

L-R: Director of Finance and Account, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Mr. Ayodele Olatiregun; MD/CEO, Medview Airline Plc, Muneer Bankole; Representative of Kebbi State Governor, Mr. Habibu Kamba; Chairman, Association of Aviation Training Organization of Nigeria (AATON), Mr. Bankole Benard; Chairman, Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema; Chairman, League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC), Mr. Suleiman Idris; CEO of CITA Energies Limited, Dr. Thomas Ogungbangbe; and Representative of Former President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, during the 29th Annual Summit of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) Theme: Financing Aviation in Nigeria: Risk, Opportunities, and Prospects, at GRA, Ikeja, Lagos… recently Photo: KOLAWOLE ALLI

AfDB Commits $40m to Catalyse Alliance for Green Infrastructure-Project Development Fund Arthur Eriye The African Development Bank Group has announced a commitment of $40 million in blended capital to the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa – Project Development Fund, facilitating the Fund’s initial closing of $118

million. This achievement signifies the beginning of a new phase in mobilising blended capital for project development, aimed at unlocking a substantial pipeline of investmentready green infrastructure projects throughout the continent.

The AGIA-PD has established a robust

coalition comprising development finance institutions, public agencies, philanthropic entities, and private investors. This alliance includes KfW, the German development bank, the West African Development Bank (BOAD), the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa, which the Bank administers— underscores the Bank’s leadership in de-risking early-stage projects and catalyzing private investment into infrastructure.

“Through this $40 million spanning grants, junior equity, and commercial equity, the

African Development Bank is pioneering a comprehensive approach that will unlock Africa’s vast green infrastructure potential,” said the Bank’s Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization, Solomon Quaynor.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

M a r k e t d ata A s at T h u r s d ay, A u g u s t 7 , 2 0 2 5

BONDS

Description Price Yield Change Updated Time (%) ^16.2884 17August 99.29 16.75 -0.24 14, 2025 MAR-2027 August ^19.94 200.00 14, 103.61 17.28 2025 MAR-2027 ^13.98 23August 95.01 16.41 -0.55 FEB-2028 14, 2025 ^21.00 20August 108.87 16.69 0.00 MAR-2028 14, 2025 ^14.55 26August 107.77 16.40 -0.29 14, APR-2029 2025

(FCDO) of the United Kingdom, the Three Cairns Group, and the Soros Economic Development Fund.

The African Development Bank’s strategic investment in the Fund — comprising $20 million in grants, $10 million in commercial equity, and $10 million in junior equity from the

BILLS Maturity NTB 7-Aug25 NTB 4-Sep25 NTB 9-Oct25 NTB 6-Nov25 NTB 4-Dec25

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16.47

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August -0.01 14, 2025 August 0.00 14, 2025 August -0.01 14, 2025 August -0.01 14, 2025 August -0.16 14, 2025

Contract Current Tenor Contract Rate ($/₦) (Month) NGUS JUL 13M – 29 2026 NGUS AUG 14M – 26 2026 NGUS SEP 15M – 30 2026 NGUS OCT 16M – 28 2026 NGUS NOV 17M – 25 2026

Updated Time

August 14, 2025 August 14, 2025 August 14, 2025 August 14, 2025 August 14, 2025

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FRIday, August 15, 2025 • T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

Air watch

FAAN Moves to Enforce Port Charge Compliance at MMIA Cargo Terminal

Stories by Chinedu Eze

In a strategic move aimed at strengthening transparency and boosting internally generated revenue (IGR), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), through its Directorate of Cargo Development & Services (DCDS), has secured critical stakeholder alignment to enforce compliance with the payment of FAAN’s statutory port charges at the Pilgrims & Cargo Terminal (PCT) of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The agency said the port charge is not new; however, for over 18 years, FAAN has faced challenges in ensuring that this mandatory fee is paid before cargo leaves the warehouses. This has resulted in significant revenue losses over the years.

At a high-level stakeholder meeting convened by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), key representatives from FAAN, NCS, SAHCO (Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc), and NAHCO (Nigerian Aviation Handling

Company Plc), the two leading ground handling and import-export service providers in Nigeria, attended.

Speaking at the meeting, Director of Cargo Development and Services at FAAN, Mr. Lekan Thotgujmas, reiterated the Authority’s readiness to deploy robust access control systems and electronic platforms to ensure compliance without impeding cargo flow. He emphasised that the initiative is designed to enhance accountability while maintaining operational fluidity.

Tenece Boss Appointed to Advisory Board for Enugu Tech Festival The Enugu State Government has announced the appointment of the Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of Tenece Group, Kingsley Eze as Head of the Advisory Board of the Enugu Tech Festival (ETF) 2026.

In a statement, it

said the appointment underscores the state’s commitment to leveraging world-class expertise to guide the festival’s mission of transforming Enugu into a leading hub for technology and innovation.

It was also averred that the appointment, which

follows the inauguration of the Central Planning Committee for ETF 2026, recognizes Eze’s unparalleled influence and decades of leadership across a diverse range of industries, including Information Technology, Real Estate, Agribusiness, and Energy.

African Leaders to Chart Course on Trade at FT Africa Summit

Financial Times has announced that the 12th edition of its flagship FT Africa Summit will take place on 21–22 October 2025 at The Peninsula, London. The summit has, over the past decade, ingrained itself as a platform for African leaders, policymakers, business icons, and innovators to address the most pressing geopolitical, economic, and technological challenges facing the continent.

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Deputy Business Editor Chinedu Eze Comms/e-Business Editor Emma Okonji Asst. Editor, Energy Emmanuel Addeh Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe Correspondents KayodeTokede(CapitalMarkets) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Reporter Peter Uzoho (Energy)

This year’s theme, “Africa in a Changing World,” will frame a high-level dialogue on the continent’s evolving global role amid heightened economic uncertainty, rapid technological transformation, and

shifting geopolitical alliances.

With its innovative tech sectors, youthful population, and dynamic markets, Africa continues to capture global interest, making these conversations more urgent and relevant than ever.

Bitget Brings Tokenised Stocks, RWAs to Nigerian Traders Kayode Tokede

Bitget said it is expanding market access for Nigerian investors by introducing tokenized stocks on its Onchain platform through an integration with xStocks.

The world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, said the move is to enable Nigerian crypto users to gain exposure to leading MNCs via a blockchainnative interface, bypassing traditional channels.

Bitget has also joined the Global Markets Alliance by Ondo Finance, a coalition of industry leaders working to standardize and

promote interoperability for tokenized securities, driving the adoption of tokenized RWAs such as stocks, ETFs, and more.

The CEO of Bitget, Gracy Chen in a statement said, “This is matter for Nigerian investors because of it’s global access, local advantage of Investing with NGN using crypto-native methods with no forex hassles or brokerage mandates, 24/7 market availability, trade anytime, no more waiting for international market hours and lower entry barrier - Fractional access to top-tier equities with reduced transaction costs and full transparency onchain.

A i r Watch Onyema: Transit Facility Key to Developing Airport Hub

Chinedu Eze The Chairman and CEO, Air Peace Limited, Dr. Allen Onyema, has commended the plan of the federal government to build transit facility at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, which is part of the planned transformation of the airport infrastructure.

Onyema said that the transit facility remained critical to developing a hub at the airport, noting that one of the factors that retarded the growth of Nigerian airlines is the absence of such facility at any of its airports.

Speaking at the panel section during the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) conference held recently in Lagos, Onyema said Nigerian carriers could not compete with their foreign counterparts in operating international destinations because they do not have transit terminal where passengers can transit from arrival to departure without passing through immigration, which is the way it is done in other international airports.

He gave kudos to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for including the facility in the airport transformation project.

The Ministry recently secured approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval to rebuild and expand the Lagos international airport terminal with additional infrastructure to upgrade the facility to compete with other major airports in Africa and beyond.

Onyema said that transit terminal is a game changer which can give leverage for Nigerian airlines because it will enable them to bring passengers from different countries in Africa and take them to other African destinations and beyond.

“Air Peace flies to about nine countries in this Africa. You need the airport infrastructure to be able to have a hub. If you, like, have 200 aircraft, you cannot have a hub

except the airport infrastructure supports it. We made the request to the Minister who took our request to the President. And our President is a businessman, progressively minded; he approved it. So, we are going to have a hub in Lagos when the facility is completed.

“Let me tell you why the transit facility is important. We took passengers from Douala. We fly Douala. We fly Monrovia. We fly Freetown. We do Banjul (The Gambia). We do Dakar. We do Accra.

We do Abidjan.We took passengers from Douala, they were going to Dakar. When we got to Lagos, they were told to pay visa fees.

You know they are not ECOWAS member. So, you pay about $400 visa fees before you enter Nigeria.

Meanwhile, they were not going to Nigeria.

“They only wanted to transit through a Nigerian airport. But because Nigerian airport has no transit facility, they had to pay for visa. You pass through immigration.

You pass through quarantine. You pass through Customs. Then you come out from your arrival. Then you go upstairs again. You come and start checking in. Tell me if that person will fly your airline again to anywhere in the world? Let us call a spade a spade.But if you have transit facility, the passenger will not go through this process; he will stay in the facility and change flight to his final destination,” he said.

Onyema explained how the federal government wanted to help the airlines, and how FAAN quickly started the building of the transit facility.

“When it comes to aviation, the federal government is doing a lot.

They want to help the airlines, and they are really helping the airlines.

There are servicing us. Things have changed. And I believe that in the next 22 months, this country will have a good airport that we will be proud of.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

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T H I S D AY • FRIday, August 15, 2025

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Unruly Behaviour of Air Passengers Chinedu Eze gives more insight into the unruly behaviour of passengers in the air transport sector, where travellers vent their anger on airlines when things don’t go their way

T

here is something peculiar about unruly passenger phenomenon in Nigeria.

Most of the travellers who fight at the airports and with airlines in Nigeria do not do so outside Nigeria, given the same level of possible provocation.

The studies carried out by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has confirmed this and the question is why the penchant to fight at the airport when flights are rescheduled or cancelled and why fight in the aircraft during interface with cabin crew? But the same persons will abide by the directives while overseas.

Some industry stakeholders who spoke to THISDAY said at the Kotoka International Airport, Ghana Aviation Security officials are very strict with passengers; that any loud noise from passengers brings out AVSEC officials who monitor events and rein anyone that tries to foment trouble.

“When flight operations resumed after the COVID-19 interlude, we were at Accra airport and they just announced that our flight to Banjul, The Gambia, had been rescheduled. Many of us were from Nigeria. Immediately the rescheduling was announced, some of us grumbled loudly. A lady, wearing AVSEC uniform walked to us and said that we should not ‘make that our usual noise in their airport. This is not Nigeria.”

“She spoke so disdainfully and contemptuously to us, indicating a haboured prejudice and latent anger against us. I was very angry, but I told myself that we created this kind of opportunity for people who are not our match to be insulting us. But this brings home the fact that we complain at any little thing that happens at our airport,” one of the stakeholders recalled.

Industry insiders have also observed that Nigerians travelling overseas are not fastidious about the conduct of foreign airlines, noting that some international carriers can cancel flights and delay Nigerian passengers for three days and they would just brook it, but it is not the same if a Nigerian carrier is involved.

“I recall in late last year when a well-known European carrier delayed flight for four days because the aircraft operating that flight broke down and they wanted to repair it and use it to airlift passengers, instead of deploying another aircraft from its operational hub in Europe. It is good to know that why that particular flight was delayed for that number of days, the airline was still operating its subsequent flights without let or hindrance. The Nigerian passengers waited but when it couldn’t repair the aircraft, the airline used other airlines to move the passengers to Europe.

“But in Nigeria if a Nigerian airline does that the passengers will obstruct its subsequent flights and will continue to shout and destroy airline equipment at the airport until you are forced to carry them, disrupting your schedule. And the reason why they do not make trouble

with foreign airlines is because they know that if they fight with the airline, immediately they arrive at their destination they could be picked up and their visa could be cancelled. So, they know what they are doing,” the insider said.

Complaints at Nigerian Airports Former General Manager, Business Development, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and ex Head of Government Relations of the then Virgin Nigeria Airways, Nuhu Adams, told THISDAY that the psychology of “I am in my country” and the environment are some of the factors responsible for the unruly behavior of Nigerians air travelers, coupled with the fact that in Nigeria many people commit crime and get away with it, from who you know to browbeating oneself out of a scuffle.

“The major reason is that our environment breeds indiscipline.

When Nigerians go to apply for visa, they conduct themselves well, but they act differently at Nigerian airports. When they go to Balogun market in Lagos they can fight but the same people will behave differently at Shoprite. So, it is lack of discipline and our environment promotes that behavior,” Adam said.

Unruly Behaviour Adams said both airlines and passengers could be held responsible for some of the failures that gave rise to the unruly behaviour of air travellers. He said airlines should be steadfast with passengers in the sense that if they wish to reschedule or cancel flights they should make sure that the passengers are adequately informed and if they wish to cancel flights they should do it in time than to wait and be dribbling passengers until when they cannot secure alternative means to travel.

Recalling the Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, known as Kwam 1 incident involving ValueJet flight and that of Ms. Comfort Emmanson, involving Ibom Air, Adams observed that airlines should abide by their

Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), noting that it is anticipated that incidents could happen but it is the way such incidents are handled that matter.

“I am not particular about the passengers. I am talking about the process. The flask held by Kwam 1 shouldn’t have followed him to the foot of the aircraft; except he was made to tell what was in the flask. So, it is a failure of the ground staff that made Kwam 1 to have access to the door of the aircraft with the flask. And my advice is, from my experience of customer service, training is very key in this process. At the defunct Virgin Nigeria Airways, these kinds of incidents would not happen. So, on the Kwam 1 incident, I blame the ground staff of the airline, the ground handler, the airport security which ought to have been alerted by the scuffle.

Training enables airport officials to know how to handle issues during crisis. Crisis management is very important and in these two cases the crisis management was poorly executed. The terminal owners should also have standard operating procedures. So, it is simply systemic failure of a process,” he said.

Aviation Security On the incident involving Ibom Air flight, reports indicate that Ibom Air crew, ground staff, security of BiCourtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of MMA2 and FAAN Aviation Security were involved.

THISDAY learnt that the incident had escalated before FAAN AVSEC was called to the scene and that it was AVSEC that took Emmanson to the police. With hindsight, most of the videos that went viral on social media

had been taken.

FAAN, which released statement shortly after the incident, condemned the unruly behaviour of passengers and announced that the agency would henceforth strictly follow security protocols in dealing with unruly passenger incidents.

“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has noted with concern the increasing frequency of unruly behaviour by some passengers at our airports.

We wish to categorically state that such conduct is entirely unacceptable within the framework of civil aviation and will not be tolerated.Passengers are strongly advised to acquaint themselves with the Passengers’ Rights and Responsibilities, and Airlines’ Obligations as published by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Bye Laws.”

FAAN said moving forward, the authority would not hesitate to implement relevant sanctions as stipulated in ICAO Annex 17, Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations especially Part 17 and FAAN Bye Laws against any form of disruptive or threatening behaviour within airport premises.

“FAAN is also reviewing its protocols around restraining and prosecuting of passengers in line with the Airport Approved Security Programme and relevant laws,” the agency said.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

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FRIday, August 15, 2025 • T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

E-business

Journey from Etisalat, 9mobile to T2 Last week’s unveiling of a new colour, logo and name for 9mobile, marks another phase of a journey for the telecoms company, writes Emma Okonji

I

t was a moment of great change that marked the beginning of another phase of resilient journey into the Nigerian telecoms space for 9mobile, when the telecoms company, last week, suddenly metamorphosed from its former green colour to a ripe orange colour, in order to unveil its new logo and brand identity called T2.

It all happened at the Eko Hotel in Lagos, when guests were ushered into a reception hall with a bold description on the walls-‘Tech Meets Tenacity’, written in a manner that easily captured the attention of guests, before they were eventually ushered into the main hall of the event on a cool Friday evening.

Unknown to the guests, the new identity T2, was derived from the inscription-‘Tech meets Tenacity’, which was later unveiled on that cool evening of relaxation.

The Journey T2, which is the fourth entrant into the Nigerian telecoms space, entered the Nigerian telecoms market in 2008 with the brand name called Etisalat.

Its arrival was big and full of promises to its delighted subscribers

that believed so much in the brand, and more so because of its affiliation to Abu Dhabi, a United Arab Emirates (UAE)based telecoms’ company.

Within few years of its rollout, the telecoms company invested heavily in network expansion with sophisticated telecoms equipment, and in less than six years, the telecoms company won the hearts of Nigerian youths and recorded over 16 million subscribers on its network.

However, in 2016, eight years after its rollout, Eitsalat ran into troubled waters, a development that led to the exit of the Abu Dhabi-based Etisalat Group from the Nigerian telecoms market in 2017, a development that compelled the telecoms company to shop for new investors, which they eventually got.

At the inception of the new investors, there was a need to change the telecoms company’s identity to reflect the vision of its new owners, which led to a name change, known as 9mobile.

The telecoms company under the brand name of 9mobile, however struggled to compete with other competitors in the

Nigerian telecoms market, and was in need of fresh funds to boost network expansion, a development that compelled its management team to chart a new roadmap that would enable 9mobile address its multidimensional challenges, in order to reposition it to regain its lost market share.

The zeal to reposition 9mobile was sequel to the fresh investment capital that came in from its new investors.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the then 9mobile, Obafemi Banigbe, who gave insight into the repositioning plan and the strategies to regain lost market share during a media interaction in Lagos, assured Nigerians that the repositioning plan would help 9mobile reclaim its lost market share and change the narrative about its declining subscriber number.

“Since Etisalat exited the market, the performance of the business has been on the decline. So at the time the new shareholders and the new management took over the business, the business was really grappling with multidimensional challenges that we

had to take on headlong. We have the issue of infrastructure. The overall infrastructure of the business has really not been upgraded, and so we are dealing with a lot of obsolete infrastructure, and we are also dealing with declining revenue, declining subscriber number, and the high cost of doing telecoms business in Nigeria. So there were lots of challenges that we have had to deal with,” Banigbe said.

To address the multi-dimensional issues, Banigbe said the new management had to come up with four phased recovery plans, which included Stabilisation phase, Modernisation phase, Transformation phase and Growth phase.

The New T2 Having passed through the teething challenges and having overcome such challenges, the CEO of T2, Obafemi Banigbe, said the company was in its growth stage during its years of green colour, but has reached a ripe age with its new orange colour, full of vigour and resilience to reposition the brand, in order to serve its customers better.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

Firm, Partners AXA Mansard Health on Accessible Health Insurance

PalmPay has partnered Health Insurance Company, AXA Mansard Health, a member of the globally trusted AXA Group, to provide millions of Nigerians with

affordable, accessible digital health insurance.

The strategic partnership enables PalmPay users to seamlessly access a range of health insurance packages

from AXA Mansard directly within the PalmPay app.

Speaking about the partnership, Head of Wealth Product at PalmPay, Habib Kowontan, said:

“Insurance is a key pillar of financial security, yet millions of Nigerians remain underserved.

Our partnership with AXA Mansard Health breaks down long-standing

barriers by placing reliable and affordable insurance solutions right at our users’ fingertips.”

In her remarks, Chief Distribution Officer, AXA Mansard

Insurance, Jumoke Odunlami, said the partnership with Palmpay would present the AXA with another opportunity to improve health and productivity of Nigerians.

STEM Africa Fest Empowers 3,000 Children with STEAM Skills AAAN to Enhance 20th STEM Africa Fest, Africa’s largest STEAM-focused event for children, has further reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young Africans through hands-on education in in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) and future-ready skills

at its recently concluded 2025 edition.

Held at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, the festival welcomed over 3,000 attendees, highlighting its pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of innovators and importance of STEAM education in shaping Africa’s future.

Speaking on the

impact of the event, Cofounder of STEM Africa Fest and co-organiser, Mrs. Jadesola Adedeji, highlighted the festival’s mission to equip children with practical skills and inspire a passion for innovation.

She remarked: ‘’Each year, STEM Africa Fest reminds us of what is possible when children

are given the space to explore, question, and build. This isn’t just about STEM — it’s about unlocking potential and preparing a generation of young Africans to lead boldly in a tech-driven world.

We are proud to create an experience that is both joyful and deeply transformative.”

Interswitch Advocates Strong Corporate Governance for Businesses Stories by Agnes Ekebuike Interswitch Group, one of Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce companies, has emphasised the imperative for strategic regulatory engagement

and partnership for African technology players who desire to scale their operations effectively across the continent.

Speaking at an AFN Webinar to commemorate World Fintech Day, themed: ‘Mapping the

Path for Fintech License Passporting in Africa’, Interswitch Group CEO, Mitchell Elegbe, shared extensive insights and learnings from Interswitch’s journey from nascent player to pan-African fintech and payments champion

operating across multiple regions of the continent.

The core premise of the initiative by the AFN is that a mutually recognised licensing framework will accelerate innovation, streamline compliance, and enhance regional collaboration.

Edition of LAIF Awards with Creative Festival Raheem Akingbolu

The Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), the umbrella body for advertising professionals in Nigeria, has announced the kick-off of the 20th edition of the Lagos Advertising and Ideas Festival (LAIF) dubbed 2025 LAIF Creative Festival.

The Chairman, Lagos Ideas and Festival Management Board, Jay Chukwuemeka, disclosed this at a press conference in Lagos, while unveiling plans and activities for the 2025 LAIF Creative

Festival, scheduled to hold in Lagos.

Speaking during the press conference, Chukwuemeka explained that the 2025 LAIF Awards is dedicated to celebrating the elegance in creativity that are clearly evident in practitioners and non-practitioners alike.

Unveiling the theme for this year, “20 Years of Crazy,” he described the landmark edition as a truly momentous occasion that provides opportunity to celebrate two decades of recognizing and championing the very best in creativity.

This

Weekend

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com

07010510430

FRIday, August 15, 2025

Epic Show 2025:

TR

N

Weekly Magazine UTH

& R E ASO

Creativity, Consciousness, and Sustainability in Fashion

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T H I S D AY • FRIday, AUGUST 15, 2025

Cover

Epic Show 2025: Creativity, Consciousness, and Sustainability in Fashion

Africa’smostdaringnewvoicesinfashiontookcentrestageatTheEpicShow2025.OrganisedbyFashionsFinestAfrica,thisstylishspectacle not only showcased bold designs but also tackled the real challenges facing the industry. A highlight of the event was the Design for the Future (D4DF) competition, a pioneering initiative dedicated to spotlighting emerging fashion talents who are redefining the industry through sustainablefashionpractices.MARYNNAH takesacloserlookatthecreativity,innovation,andpassionthatdefinedthisyear’scompetition

Emmy Carter

T

he fashion industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by a growing awareness of the environmental and social impact of clothing production and consumption. As consumers increasingly demand more sustainable and responsible fashion practices, designers are responding with innovative and creative solutions that not only reduce waste and minimise harm but also promote a more conscious approach to fashion.

The Epic Show 2025, a premier fashion event, is at the forefront of this movement, showcasing the latest trends and designs in sustainable fashion that embody the perfect blend of creativity, consciousness, and sustainability.

The show held recently in Lagos was a landmark event that redefined the fashion industry’s approach to sustainability and creativity. One of the event’s most memorable moments was the Design for the Future (D4DF) competition, an initiative launched to spotlight visionary fashion talents at the start of their journey.

This event brought together some of the most talented and forward-thinking designers in the industry, who are pushing the boundaries of fashion while prioritising the well-being of the planet and its inhabitants. From upcycled materials to biodegradable fabrics, the designs showcased at the D4DF demonstrate a deep commitment to sustainability and a passion for creative expression.

The Design for the Future (D4DF) competition was introduced as a platform that celebrates innovation in sustainable fashion, where remarkable designers transformed waste into wearable magic.

The competition featured a diverse range of designers, each with their unique perspective and approach to sustainability. It showcases remarkable designers who transform waste materials into wearable, beautiful pieces, demonstrating that fashion can be bold, attractive, and environmentally conscious.

The competition’s focus on sustainability and creativity was

Crosssection of viewers

highlighted, and the panel of judges included Sola Oyebade, the Chief Executive Officer of Fashions Finest Africa, Gift Olohije, Founder of Lohije, and Style Infidel, Founder of The Style Indiel Studios. The judges engaged the competitors in a Q&A session, probing them on questions related to sustainability and their design processes.

Koldiezz, the first fashion brand to appear on the runway for the D4DF competition, showcased her afrocentric, streetwear, sustainable brand, which recycles off-cuts and damaged clothes into unique, creative pieces. “We tell stories through discarded clothes that people throw away. We just give them a new life.”

Her brand, Koldiezz, is currently undergoing a rebrand to focus more on sustainability, and this collection, titled “Ndudi” (meaning “life exists” in Igbo), was inspired by an old tree that continued to thrive despite adversity.

Koldiezz explained that the collection’s designs reflect the tree’s resilience and the idea of self-healing. The stitching on one piece symbolises the tree’s ability to mend itself, representing personal empowerment.

When asked about her target audience, Koldiezz identified individuals who appreciate art, craftsmanship, and unique storytelling through fashion, targeting Gen Zs and those who value exclusivity and newness.

The judges praised Koldiezz’s work, with one of the judges, Mr Mahogany, saying, “Your second look is chic... I can find your emotion in this garment.”

However, they advised her to define her target audience more specifically, considering her business model, cost of production, and desired scale.

Koldiezz refined her target audience to individuals aged 18-45 who appreciate limited-edition, storytelling-driven fashion pieces.

The judge’s feedback emphasised the importance of clarity in targeting a specific audience to ensure business success.

The next designer, Comfort Naija was questioned about her target audience and approach to sustainable fashion. She revealed that her fashion brand primarily caters to plus-size women, while sustainable fashion is a personal interest.

“First of all, sustainable fashion is just something that I like doing.

But for my fashion brand, my target audience are plus-size women.”

When asked if she plans to incorporate sustainable practices using fabric scraps for her clients, Comfort indicated that it’s something she considers, but hasn’t fully integrated into her brand.

She mentioned previous projects where she used unconventional materials like Indomie nylon and cotton paper to create sustainable pieces.

“The first one I did with Indomie nylon. And the second I used cotton paper to make a masterpiece.”

Comfort’s response highlighted her exploration of sustainable fashion, but also raised questions about her long-term commitment to incorporating eco-friendly practices into her brand’s core business.

Tomi Ifebogun, another designer, showcased her brand, emphasising its significance and reflection of her identity.

“Tomi Ifebogun is a very important brand, because it is not just a brand, it is also a reflection of who I am as a person.”

She highlighted her brand’s focus on upcycling old clothes into new, sustainable pieces, specifically working with denim.

Ifebogun’s collection was inspired by the human body, particularly the evolution and changes of a woman’s body.

This particular dress was inspired by how the human body changes and how it’s not just a vessel, but it keeps evolving, keeps changing, specifically a woman’s body.”

When asked about her brand aesthetics, she described it as evolving, with a leaning towards alternative fashion and a philosophy of thinking outside the box. “My brand aesthetics are still evolving. But I realise that

it has been moving more towards the alternative fashion aspect... My brand aesthetics have always been based on thinking outside the box.

Not just forms and standards of how clothes are meant to look. But just always thinking outside. How things can be more than what we know already.”

Ifebogun’s approach to fashion emphasises creativity and challenging traditional standards, with a focus on innovation and sustainability.

Designer Aurai The Label showcased her sustainable fashion collection, emphasising the importance of garments telling a story. She explained that her collection combines old and new elements, using biodegradable fabrics and upcycled materials.

The female model’s tweed blazer and the male model’s patchwork design were highlighted as examples of sustainable fashion. Aurai also incorporated an old sweater into a piece with sticky notes containing sustainability messages.

When asked about marketing her sustainable garments, Aurai emphasised that her designs don’t necessarily scream “upcycled” and are meant to be stylish and appealing.

However, when questioned by one of the judges, Gift Olohije, Founder of Lohije, about her claim of using biodegradable fabrics, Aurai was asked to provide proof of the components of each fabric. Olohije pointed out that tweed itself is not biodegradable, but the material used to make it could be. Aurai was advised to verify the materials used in her fabrics to support her claims of biodegradability.

Aurai’s approach to sustainability in fashion highlights the importance of conscious choices in material selection and production processes.

Her designs aim to promote sustainability through both upcycling and the use of biodegradable fabrics, with a focus on creating garments that are both stylish and environmentally friendly.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

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news

A Flurry of Felicitations for Peter Odili at 77 Christopher Unuigbe

D

r. Peter Odili is a visionary physician, politician, statesman, and nation-builder whose life embodies selfless service, transformative leadership, and enduring commitment to humanity. His patriotism, religious tolerance and fear of God distinguish him as a great man for all times.

Today, we are glad to celebrate not just a birthday, but a remarkable journey of service, leadership, and humanity highlighted by his new occupation of producing medical doctors and medical personnel at a time when he should be resting.

Devotion to God and unwavering commitment to nation building typify the life of Odili - a towering figure in the history of Rivers State and Nigeria and a man whose life has been a gift to his people.

Born with healing hands and a golden heart, he began his journey Odili as a medical doctor, tending to the become a star, beacon of hope and proceeded to the University of sick with compassion and skill. But and a reference point, not only Nigeria where he studied medicine his ultimate calling is greater still in Rivers State but in Nigeria and embarked on a medical — producing medical doctors and as a whole. He achieved this career that would later become allied health professionals in order by a mixture of sheer grit and a platform for his remarkable to heal society itself. As Governor hard work, as well as love for impact. The institution was more of Rivers State (1999-2007), he humankind. than a learning ground for the brought empathy, vision, stability, Odili is seen as the godfather academician, as he encountered a and transformation, touching every of Rivers, having taken over the pivotal connection - the love of his sector with purposeful leadership. reins just as the country birthed a life, retired Justice of the Supreme Nicknamed “Donatus,” Odili believes new democratic rule. Irrespective Court, Justice Mary Odili. that giving comes from the heart of the obstacles thrown his way, Upon the completion of his and not from the size of the pocket. he emerged from his tenure in one-year National Youth Service As one of the remarkable leaders glowing terms, owing largely Corps (NYSC), Odili was hired Nigeria has ever produced, the pages to the principles and values he as a Resident Staff Physician at of Odili’s life narratives are laden lives by.

Medical Consultation Centre, with the countless lives he has He literally gives to the Jew as Port Harcourt. Though it was a impacted, as well as his indelible much as he does to the Gentile, short stint, his passion for service imprints in the church, politics, hence, the deluge of prayers and was excellently displayed. It’s a education and health sectors. Muslims well wishes from all and sundry no-brainer that he’d set up his in Nigeria remember him as a friend he enjoys today. private medical practice, PAMO in times of need.

In the past years, Odili, who is Clinics, where he served as the The elder statesman will surely the founder of PAMO University Resident Clinician-in-Charge for enjoy an avalanche of tributes and of Medical Sciences (PUMS), has two years. Of course, it was an goodwill from friends and political evolved as a statesman whose act of Providence, inching him allies. This is indeed the indisputable utterances at public engagements closer to his true calling. His evidence of his success in the nation’s tug at the heartstrings of those establishment of the hospital to political climate. currently holding elective offices to date stands as a shining example Odili is a statesman of rare courage, keep the sanctity of their promises of his commitment to providing a unifier of people, and a voice of to the people. accessible healthcare to all, a wisdom in turbulent times. He Born in 1948 in Ogba/Egbema/ testament to his belief that every has been a compass for many. His Ndoni Local Government Area life is precious and deserving of the founding role in the establishment of Rivers, his parents, Chief best possible care. He would later of PAMO University of Medical Philip Celestine and Princess pursue a specialist programme at Sciences for the quality training Janet Okwei Odili, despite their the University of Liverpool, United of medical professionals stands as limited resources, ensured he lived Kingdom. a lasting monument to his passion a comfortable life under colonial Almost immediately after, for education, healthcare, and the rule.

Providence smiled at him when future of our youth.

This prepared him for life’s he was nominated, courtesy of a Beyond titles and offices, he has challenges and he tackled former United States President, been a mentor, a father figure, and them with a spirit of resilience Bill Clinton, into the 10-member a beacon of hope to countless men that foreshadowed his future roundtable committee charged and women. His life teaches us that endeavours. From the halls of with the responsibility of shaping greatness is not measured in years academia to the corridors of power, Africa’s response to the HIV/AIDS lived, but in the lives touched and his unwavering commitment to crisis in the workplace. futures shaped. excellence and service became the Dr. Odili’s influence extended He is being celebrated for his bedrock of his character. far beyond the confines of his visionary leadership and unwavering Setting out on a path of scholarly medical practice. Heeding the commitment to excellence. His pursuits, young Odili embarked on call of public service, he stepped transformative impact in the a journey that began at St. Michael’s onto the political stage, his vision state’s politics and philanthropic School, Oguta II, and Sacred Heart and leadership quickly becoming endeavours has uplifted individuals School, Onitsha. His academic evident. In 1988, he was elected and communities locally and across journey continued at the renowned a member and leader of Rivers Nigeria.

Christ the King College in Onitsha State Delegates to the Constituent The respected political figure has

Assembly and was later elected to the National Constitutional Conference, where he served as the Chairman of the Conference Committee on State Creation.

In 1992, he was elected as the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, where he laid the groundwork for a transformative era in the state’s history.

And at the peak of the struggle for the laying of the foundation for the Fourth Republic, Odili first served as National Vice Chairman (South-south) Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN), and later as National Secretary.

He was the Founder and Leader of Rivers Platform in 1998; Founder and Leader of the Restoration Team as well as the State Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); elected Executive Governor of Rivers State in 1999 and served two terms.

It was in that capacity that he took the country by storm and became a reference point in the nation’s political calculations. He not only embarked on a visionary quest to uplift his people, but his commitment to their well-being guided his every decision.

Odili was at various times the National Chairman, PDP Fund Raising Committee (2000); and Chairman, Presidential Committee on Housing and Urban Renewal (2001).

Under his astute leadership, Rivers State experienced a renaissance, with infrastructure projects that propelled the state to new heights of prosperity.

Roads were paved, bridges were built, and schools and hospitals were established, transforming the lives of countless individuals. The National Independent Power Project (NIPP), one of his beautiful brainchildren, illuminated homes and businesses, fuelling economic growth and improving the quality of life for all.

Moreover, the Government House, once a modest abode at best, underwent a remarkable metamorphosis. Odili’s visionary approach resulted in the creation of a grand and distinguished edifice that stands today as an architectural masterpiece, leaving an indelible mark on the cityscape.

Emerging from the hallowed halls of academia, Dr. Odili embarked on a medical career that was nothing short of extraordinary. With the kind of dedication that would make marathon runners blush in shame, he served his community with distinction.

His deep-seated compassion for his fellow human beings endures in the success of Pamo Clinics from inception.

In academia, Odili’s imprint is equally bold. He founded the first wholly private medical university in Nigeria, PAMO University of Medical Sciences supported by the 250-bed integrated PAMO Teaching Hospital.

•Unuigbe writes from the United Kingdom The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

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business/MOnEYGUIDE

FG, De-Sadel to Construct 4,000km High Speed Rail Across Six States Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

The federal government and De-Sadel Consortium, have announced the planned construction of a high-speed rail project spanning 4,000 kilometres across six states.

The first phase of the project, the parties said, is expected to take 36 months to complete, a development they stressed aims to revolutionise Nigeria’s transportation system and boost economic growth.

The President/Chief Executive Officer, De-Sadel Consortium, Mr. Samuel

Uko, speaking shortly after the event in Abuja, stated that the rail line will connect major cities, including Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt.

According to him, the project will be implemented in phases, with the first phase covering 1,600 kilometres and taking 36 months to complete.

He said: “The consortium has submitted proof of funds for the project, which will be reviewed and validated by the government. The high-speed rail bullet train project that we started

10 years ago, it is this administration that has given us almost 90 per cent of approvals.

“Today, with our partners, China’s Liancai Petroleum Investment Holdings, I have just presented the official proof of funds for the project.

The fund is coming from the Asian Development Investment Bank.”

The project, he said, is expected to generate employment opportunities for Nigerian youths and will enhance commercial activities, increase business transactions, and stimulate economic growth.

L-R Founder Esther Matthew Tonlagha Foundation, Mary Ekpemupolo; Mrs Esther Tonlagha and Miss Prede Tonlagha during the graduation ceremony of the EMT Niger Delta Youth Empowerment programme in Warri, Delta State... recently

MARKET INDICATORS

Stransact, NRS Enlighten Businesses on New Tax Landscape

Stransact Chartered Accountants in collaboration with Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) on Wednesday enlightened corporate taxpayers and business owners on how to navigate Nigeria’s new tax landscape.

At a one-day seminar/ workshop for corporate taxpayers and business owners held in Lagos with the theme, “Navigating Nigeria’s New Tax Landscape: Understanding the 2025 Tax Reform Acts and Mandatory E-Invoicing for Taxpayers”, speakers also deep dived into the 2025 Tax Reform Act, looking at key changes and implications.

The event which has over 250 physical and virtual participants offered opportunity for networking.

Stransact Chartered Accountants is one of Nigeria’s leading audit, tax, and consulting services firms.

Its strong affiliation with RSM International, one of the largest global networks of accounting firms, gives Stransact access to the resources of a network of 64,000 employees in 120 countries.

“The event opened my eyes to reliefs that come with the new tax laws, as HR manager, I have learnt of the rent relief, some on mortgages and I

can sensitise my colleagues on them and they can earn more when the law comes into effect,” said Ifeanyi Ndukwe, HR specialist at Lekoil.

Also at the event, the three-session panellists discussed: Mandatory E-Invoicing: Understanding the FIRS Electronic Fiscal System (EFS) and Merchant Buyer Solution (FIRSMBS); 2025 Tax Reform Act: Navigating Compliance Challenges and Future Outlook; and Practical Aspects of E-Invoicing Compliance: Integration, Data, Requirements, and Transaction Models.

Nigeria Partner Israel to Boost MSME Opportunities Across Sectors Arthur Eriye

The federal government of Nigeria is strengthening its ties with Israel in a bid to open fresh opportunities for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across multiple sectors.

The bilateral agreement was reached in Abuja recently during a meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and her Israeli counterpart.

Both nations pledged

stronger collaboration in trade, agriculture, health, education, technology, and entertainment, with a joint commission to be established as a formal channel for sustained cooperation.

Israel, whose current trade volume with Nigeria stands at $250 million, expressed readiness to expand economic engagement, offering Nigerian entrepreneurs access to new markets, investment opportunities, and capacity-building

programmes. The deal also includes intelligence sharing and counterterrorism measures to strengthen security for businesses.

Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister of State, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the partnership supports the country’s broader goal of using global alliances to drive innovation and inclusive growth, particularly for SMEs in high-growth industries.

With the joint commission set to begin work soon.

Glovo Partners GITEX Nigeria 2025 Startup Festival Glovo, a leading technological platform connecting customers, businesses, and riders and offering multicategory on-demand services, has entered into a strategic partnership arrangement with the organisers of GITEX Nigeria Tech Expo & Future Economy Summit to select a Tech Startup founder during the summit to attend the 2025

Glovo Startup Campus programme scheduled to hold in October in Barcelona, Spain.

The Glovo Startup Campus is an annual programme by Glovo that brings tech startups from key markets to its headquarters in Barcelona for intensive mentoring, networking, and knowledge-sharing sessions focused on

scaling their solutions for greater impact. Every year, participants are usually selected through a local startup competition, and the winner gets to represent their country at the Glovo Startup Campus in Spain.

For the first time, Glovo is extending the programme to Nigeria to enable a Startup Owner from Nigeria to participate.

MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS (MILLION NAIRA) NOVEMBER

Month

Money Supply (M3)

108,966,480.44

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

19,796.18

Money Supply (M2)

108,946,684.26

Quasi Money

72,672,756.90

-- Narrow Money (M1)

36,273,927.36

---- Currency Outside Banks

4,652,527.74

---- Demand Deposits

31,621,399.62

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

17,347,112.78

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

91,619,367.66

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

115,576,757.67

---- Credit to Government (Net)

39,616,629.91

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

75,960,127.77

--Other Assets Net

12,147,461.96

Reserve Money (Base Money)

30,871,571.25

--Currency in Circulation

4,878,125.22

--Banks Reserves

25,993,446.02

--Special Intervention Reserves

278,860.37 • Source - CBN

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

November

Inter-Bank Call Rate

28.88

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

27.50

Treasury Bill Rate

18.00

Savings Deposit Rate

6.56

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.48

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.53

6 Months Deposit Rate

12.13

12 Months Deposit Rate

14.22

Prime Lending rate

18.39

Maximum Lending Rate

31.06

NSE

NSE MARKET INDEX % Change

CAP

0.75%(52%YoY)

Index

0.9% (29%Y/D) • Monetary Policy Rate - 27.50%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE As At 6TH JANUARY , 2025

The price of OPEC basket of twelve crudes stood at $76.18 a barrel on Monday, compared with $75.89 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

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mARKET NEWS

Kurfi: NGX Market Capitalisation to Cross N100trn Mark by Year-end DikeOnwuamaezeandKayode Tokede

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, APT Securities and Funds Limited, Kasimu Garba Kurfi, yesterday projected that the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) market capitalisation

will surpass the N100 trillion by the end of 2025, buoyed by foreign exchange stability, strong corporate fundamentals, and increased primary market activities.

As of August 14, 2025, the market capitalisation of the NGX stood at N91.93 trillion.

P R I C E S MaiN Board

Speaking at the MidYear 2025 Capital Market Review and Outlook organised by the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN), Kurfi said the second half of the year will witness improved market performance, with inflation expected

F O R

S E C U R I T I E S

DEALS

Market Price

quantity traded

to slow, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) likely to cut the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), and treasury bill yields projected to fall.

He added that the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) should rise, while the exchange rate will remain relatively

T R A D E D

value traded ( N )

MaiN Board

A S O F

stable, creating a favourable environment for equities.

According to him, the NGX will end the year stronger than 2024, with a market correction in the short term paving the way for sustained gains.

He noted that more financial institutions are

expected to recapitalise, while primary market activities will remain active in the months ahead.

Kurfi identified key drivers of the 2025 market rally, including the elimination of foreign exchange-related losses by companies.

AU G U ST / 1 4 / 2 5 DEALS

Market Price

quantity traded

value traded ( N)

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polity

NIIRA 2025: An Insurance Masterstroke In Financial Cosolidation Tola Ogunnubi

T

he financial arrangement that makes provisions against potential losses or risks is called Insurance. Insurance is a means of managing uncertainties and all forms of inherent risks in everyday activities through financial compensation.

In Nigeria, individuals, organisations and many business owners go through financial ruins from events that are beyond their control, but with insurance, there is stability and continuity of their business when the unexpected event happens. In essence, Insurance is the protection, the cover, the shield from total loss which enables an insured or policyholder to bounce back after a loss.

Insurance is an everyday requirement for all activities, and the importance of President Bola Tinubu insurance cannot be over emphasized important role of insurance in the country. and must be deepened. With the growing The low level of insurance penetration Nigerian population estimated to be over and appreciation at just 1% is alarmingly 200M, one will expect that the country has embarrassing for a country like Nigeria a very big and active insurance industry with the potential for growth necessitated contributing significantly to the GDP. But the signing into law of the Nigerian alas that is not the case. Nigerians have Insurance Industry Reform Act, 2025 aka not fully embraced and appreciated the

NIIRA 2025 marks a fresh beginning in the practice and administration of insurance in Nigeria. The act which was signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR is a turning point in the risk sector of the Nigerian economy. The new bill will rebuild public trust and attract investment, while also making insurance a key pillar in national development.

This new act repeals and consolidates the 2023 insurance law, with the NIIRA 2025 act; the present administration’s drive in achieving a $1 trillion economy has further been reassured. The act provides for a comprehensive regulation and supervision of all insurance and reinsurance activities in Nigeria.

Expectedly, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) will be administering and enforcing the provisions of the new act by ensuring the following: • A strong capital base for all insurance operators so as to boost the financial strength of insurance practitioners.

• Ensure prompt settlement of claims and impose fines/sanctions on defaulting underwriters.

• Introduction of modern technological and innovative digital access to enhance

insurance penetration.

• Enforcement of all statutory insurance policies to protect consumers.

• A strong presence in regional insurance operations which will also include the ECOWAS Brown Card System.

• Provision of a dedicated fund for the protection of policyholders in instances of insolvency by operators.

In taking this bold move, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must be commended and the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) led by the Commissioner for Insurance (CfI), Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, a seasoned industry professional deserves some accolades. Indeed it is a new dawn for everybody and a the beginning of better things to come.

This is going to be a major boost in revenue generation for the government, provisions of more jobs and a huge guarantee for businesses to thrive in the economy. Government spending on social safety net programs will reduce significantly. It is now time for the various underwriters to role-up their sleeves and start educating the populace through insurance education dissemination.

•Tola Ogunnubi wrote in from Abuja.

PERSPECTIVE

How TEXEM’s Youth Workshop Embodied Normative CSR in Action

I

n a world too often defined by transactional giving and optics-driven interventions, something extraordinary happened at Greensprings School, Lagos. Over a hundred senior secondary students gathered not for entertainment, nor for tokenistic exposure, but for something deeper—a genuine invitation to lead. What made this event exceptional was not the calibre of the speakers or the prestige of the organisers, though both were impressive.

What set it apart was the moral clarity underpinning its existence. It was a masterclass in normative corporate social responsibility—a manifestation of giving as duty, not as a tactic.

TEXEM, a UK-based leadership development organisation, convened this L – R; Commissioner for Basic Education, Jamiu Ali, , Chairman, Channels TV, John Momoh, Deputy youth leadership workshop to mark its Govenor, Lagos state, Dr Obafemi Hamza, Founder, TEXEM, UK, Dr Alim Abubakre, Food and fifteenth anniversary. But unlike many Beverage Manager, Wheatbaker, Salome Danjume, CEO, Cakasa, Barnabas Oliseh. commemorative events that serve as vanity milestones, this was a profoundly human Obafemi Hamzat’s poignant plea for values- initiative in her neighbourhood. These were not declaration: that leadership development driven public service, each contributor affirmed exercises in branding or PR—they were acts should not be reserved for boardrooms and a shared moral belief: that society has a sacred of conviction, sparked by a sincere encounter ministries. It must start where the future responsibility to equip its youngest members with responsibility. lives—in our schools, in our youth, in the not only with skills but with vision, empathy, The difference lies in intention. Normative raw courage of untapped potential. and agency. This was not about developing CSR does not measure success by future Dr Alim Abubakre, the founder of human capital for future corporate gain. It ROI or long-term market positioning. It TEXEM, framed the day with one simple was about honouring the intrinsic worth of asks instead: What is right? What is just? but urgent truth: leadership does not begin every young person and reinforcing that their What contribution do we owe to those who with a job title. It begins with awareness, dreams are not naive—they are necessary. have no platform, no privilege, and yet every with action, and with the courage to serve.

The workshop’s design echoed this ethos. right to flourish? In choosing to invest time, This sentiment was not rhetorical. It was a Students were not passive recipients of wisdom; talent, and resources in young Nigerians who call to conscience that wove through every they were co-creators of dialogue. They posed hold no purchasing power, TEXEM made panel, every breakout session, and every hard questions to public leaders, shared their a statement of values—not strategy. And in question asked by the students who had perspectives on national issues, and committed doing so, it reclaimed the moral centre of never before seen themselves as stakeholders to specific actions they would take in their leadership development. in national transformation. communities. One student pledged to advocate This initiative reminds us that CSR need From John Momoh’s passionate reflections for mental health awareness among her peers. not be tethered to metrics of brand equity or on media integrity to Deputy Governor Another set out to build a small recycling talent pipelines. Sometimes, the purest form

Winners of the Quiz Competition (L -R): 2nd Runner Up, Marcus Ofure – Gbagada Senior Grammar School; Winner, Daudu Abdul – Anthony Village High School; 1st Runner Up, Bakare Titilope – Immaculate Heart Senior High School

of impact is that which expects nothing in return but the possibility of a more just world.

For the students who walked into that room uncertain and walked out emboldened, no KPI could capture what was awakened in them. They were seen, they were heard, and they were trusted with responsibility.

As nations wrestle with uncertainty and institutions search for legitimacy, this kind of intervention is no longer optional—it is essential. TEXEM’s workshop serves as a powerful example that when organisations lead from a place of conscience, they do more than fulfil a mandate. They honour a legacy of shared humanity. And in doing so, they remind us all that leadership—true, inclusive, compassionate leadership—must begin not at the top, but with the next generation.

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THISDAY • FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2025

NEWS

ONE DAY SEMINAR FOR CORPORATE TAXPAYERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS...

L-R: Tax Partner, Stransact Chartered Accountants, Victor Athe; Project Manager, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) E-Invoicing Solution, Mohammed Bawa; General Manager, Finance, Platform Petroleum Limited, Martin Alabson; Tax Controller, Large Taxpayers Oil and Gas, Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Ehigiegba Abiona; Director, FIRS/Member, Presidential Tax Reform Committee, Gabriel Ogunjemilusi (rtd.); Managing Partner, Stransact Chartered Accountants, Eben Joels; and Deputy Director, Tax Policy Unit, NRS, Kehinde Kajesomo, during a one-day seminar workshop for corporate taxpayers and business owners organised by Stransact Chartered Accountants in collaboration with NRS, held in Lagos, yesterday

NILDS DG: 23 Senators, Reps to Undergo Fresh Overseas Training

Sulaiman canvasses local capacity building, says foreign programmes lack Nigerian context

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja Director-General of National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, has revealed that 23 members of the National Assembly will, in the coming weeks, travel abroad for another round of capacity-building training. Sulaiman disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday at the opening

of a two-week workshop for personnel of ECOWAS Parliament on Parliamentary Oversight Functions, Votes and Proceedings.

He lamented that while Nigeria spent huge sums on foreign training for lawmakers, such programmes often “lack local content” and offered little practical relevance to the country’s legislative realities.

He said, “In two weeks’ time, we are going to be taking 23 senators and House of Representatives members for training outside the country.

“You can’t imagine how much it’s going to cost this government to do that. I cannot even disclose it.

“We have been to Oxford and other places, but all they taught us there lacked local content and had no relevance

to our context.

“In NILDS, we have the resources, the expertise with almost 30 professors and consultants, to deliver world-class training right here in Nigeria.”

The political science professor, who was named Public Servant of the Year 2024 by President Bola Tinubu, argued that NILDS should be the first port of call for parliamentary

FRC SeeksValidation of Fiscal Responsibility Code of Conduct Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

The Executive Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), Victor Muruako, has called for urgent validation of the newly developed Fiscal Responsibility Code of Conduct, describing it as an indispensable tool for enforcing the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007.

A statement issued by the Deputy Director, Strategic Communications Directorate, FRC, Bede Ogueri Anyanwu, said Muruako made the call at a high-level stakeholders’

meeting in Abuja, attended by participants from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as development partners, civil society organizations, and virtual attendees.

He stressed that the Code of Conduct would serve as a “vital toolkit” to close existing enforcement gaps in fiscal governance, especially where the Act prescribes no clear sanctions for violations.

“We regard this document as a very vital and indispensable toolkit for the effective enforcement of the spirit and letters of

the Fiscal Responsibility Act,” Muruako said, acknowledging the support of partners including the European Union, the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, International IDEA, and the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ). He commended CSJ Lead Director Eze Onyekpere, Esq., for his “zealous commitment” to strengthening fiscal discipline at both national and sub-national levels.

Highlighting the Commission’s four core mandates—prudent resource management, macroeconomic

stability, accountability, and transparency—Muruako noted that the FRC also functions as Nigeria’s fiscal council, in line with international best practices recognized by the World Bank, OECD, and IMF. The proposed Fiscal Responsibility Code of Conduct aims to: *Reduce risks in public financial management, including budget fraud and corruption.

capacity building, not just for Nigeria but for the entire West African sub-region.

Sulaiman stressed that Nigeria’s legislature had a continental responsibility to lead capacity-building efforts.

He stated that recent visitors to NILDS included the Malawian parliament, with Uganda expected next week, and a three-year training agreement recently signed with Republic of Benin.

He said, “Delegations from Somalia and Namibia have also previously undertaken training at the institute.

“We do not need to look up to the Western world when it comes to capacity enhancement of our parliamentarians.

“If what inspires people to go to Harvard or Oxford is the dollar, we can charge in dollars too. If it is the faces of white people that attract them, we can collaborate with them to do the training here in Abuja.”

He added that NILDS

had partnered Harvard, Cambridge, and other leading institutions to develop an Advanced Executive Education Programme commencing in October.

According to him, the initiative will combine best practices from Western democracies with the realities of African governance, delivered in state-of-the-art facilities in Abuja, both physically and virtually.

Highlighting NILDS’ broader mandate, the director-general stated that the institute’s responsibility extended to strengthening democratic institutions across ECOWAS. Sulaiman said, “Our mandate is not just about nurturing the skills of the Nigerian parliament but also those of the ECOWAS Parliament. Democracy in Africa cannot be nurtured if we leave out the key personnel that support law-making across the sub-region.”

Mrs Soludo: Violence in Homes Fuelled By Hardship, Advises Couples on Mutual Respect

Oyetola Receives World Bank Group, Says Nigeria Harps on need for exclusive breastfeeding, immunization of children Eleke in Awka Women’s Health Summit wives, but some women beat to commemorate this year’s men too. It could be through Set to Lead Africa in Blue Economy Development David-Chyddy Wife of the governor of women’s August meeting the way you talk to your Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

visiting World Bank delegation led by Mrs. Gladys Fajomu The Minister of Marine and at the Ministry’s headquarters Blue Economy, Adegboyega in Abuja, the minister said Oyetola, has reaffirmed Nige- Nigeria is “on the right path ria’s readiness to fully harness to unlocking the immense the vast potential of its marine economic opportunities of and blue economy, describing its oceans, seas, rivers, and the sector as a catalyst for coastal resources,” following sustainable national economic the recent approval of the National Policy on Marine growth.

Speaking when he received a and Blue Economy by the

Federal Executive Council.

Oyetola, in a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Bolaji Akinola, stated the historical policy is the first of its kind, and provides a comprehensive framework for sustainable exploitation, conservation, and governance of Nigeria marine and coastal assets.

Anambra State, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, has said the high level of violence in most homes is fueled by hardship, noting however that families can overcome such traumatic experiences by having mutual respect for each other and also training their children on the need to imbibe such.

Mrs. Soludo who was speaking at the Anambra

also spoke on the need for exclusive breastfeeding among women and the need to present their children for immunization against various diseases.

Speaking to participants, Mrs. Soludo said: “I think the level of violence in homes today is fueled by hardship.

Gender based violence is not just about men beating their

husband.

“There is hardship in the land we all know, men and women are feeling it equally, but I want to advise you to talk less, respect your husbands and carry yourself well before them. The way you talk carelessly can lead a hot tempered man to hit you. So you must know when to talk.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2025 • THISDAY

NEWS

12TH ANNUAL SUMMIT OF LAGOS ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED HEADS OF SERVICE...

L-R: Keynote Speaker, Department of Sociology LASU, Prof. Onipede Wusu; former Head of Service, Lagos State, Mrs. Shade Jaji; Permanent Secretary, Teaching Service Commission, Princess Adebopo Oyekan-Ismailia; President, Association of Lagos State Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries (ALARHOSPS), Otunba Nurudeen Adeyinka; Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governor’s Office, Mrs. Mojisola Gaba; and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Prince Adesegun Olusola Ogunlewe, at the Association’s 12th Annual Summit, held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja Lagos, yesterday

NLC Mobilises Action Against Alleged Malfunctioning of NSITF, PENCOM Accuses FG of diverting 40% of NSITF money

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Central Working Committee (CWC) of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said it will mobilise workers across the country to defend their contributions in the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and Pension Commission (PENCOM) from government expropriation.

NLC said part of the motive was to demand the immediate constitution of the PENCOM Governing Board in line with the law.

In a communique issued at the end of a meeting of the CWC in Abuja on Thursday, NLC expressed outrage at what it described as ongoing assault on workers’ social protection rights through the federal government’s diversion of 40 per cent of workers’ contributions to the national coffers as “revenue”.

The communique signed

by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said the CWC met on Wednesday to deliberate on urgent issues affecting Nigerian workers, the trade union movement, and the Nigerian people at large.

The statement said, “NLC will mobilise workers across the country to defend workers’ contributions in the NSITF and pension funds from government expropriation.

“Demand the immediate constitution of the PENCOM Governing Board in line with the law.

“To this end, the CWCin-session hereby directs that NSITF must account for and return all diverted funds within seven working days from today.

“That the PENCOM Board must be properly constituted in full compliance with the law within seven (7) working days from today.”.

NLC also said PENCOM

should submit to the congress full status report of the funds within the same period, adding, “If at the end of this seven working days, nothing is done, NLC will no longer guarantee industrial peace in the sector.”

NLC said, “Equally

The Military High Command yesterday responded to Amnesty International over its latest report alleging extrajudicial killings by troops in the Southeast, insisting that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are not involved in extrajudicial killings of citizens in any part of the country.

The military also distanced itself from a circulating report that a notorious bandit kingpin in North-west, Bello Turji surrendered part of the arms

in his armoury and released some hostages as part of negotiated terms brokered by a group of Islamic clerics, aimed at enabling farming communities in Zamfara State to return to their farms.

Fielding questions from reporters during his biweekly briefing on troops’ activities across all theatres of operation, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, said troops are still on the trail of the bandit leader.

According to him, “Bello

to amend the NSITF Act in a manner that would disenfranchise workers and give government full control over the funds.

“The CWC warns that these actions represent a direct attack on workers’ rights, hard-earned resources,

and the principle of tripartite governance enshrined in international labour standards.

“The congress affirms that the NSITF belongs to the Nigerian working class and will mobilise all legitimate means,to ensure workers’ interests are protected.

ASUU’s Absence Rings Loud, as FG Launches N10m Support Fund for Tertiary Institutions’ Staff Records 2,474 applicants from 105 institutions

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The federal government has opened a portal for N10 million staff support for academic and non-academic staff of tertiary institutions under the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF).

While staff unions of the institutions were present to give goodwill messages, the

Military Not Involved in Alleged Extrajudicial Killings in Southeast, Says General Kangye Linus Aleke in Abuja

condemnable is the new administration’s false claim of ownership of the NLC National Headquarters, a property owned by Nigerian workers, resort to cyber and media-bullying of the trade unions and leadership coupled with covert moves

Turji has not surrendered.

We are still on the trail of the bandit leader.”

Meanwhile, Amnesty International, in its latest report titled “A Decade of Impunity: Attacks and Unlawful Killings in Southeast Nigeria”, stated that during military operations in the South-East, Nigerian security agencies — including the military and police — committed unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests and detention, torture, enforced disappearances, and destruction of property.

absence of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was conspicuous, even as, already, 2,474 applicants from 105 institutions have applied for the five-year loan.

Speaking at the launch of the programme on Thursday in Abuja, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said it was in line with the progressive investment in the development of education in Nigeria.

Alausa said staff beneficiaries of the fund were expected to use it to meet their needs

in the areas of transportation, small scale agro business initiatives, medical expenses, family support, accommodation, and academic advancement.

He stated, “TISSF comes in as a timely and much needed support intervention for University, Polytechnic and Colleges of Education Staff, academic and non-academic.

“The TISSF is a strategic welfare initiative designed to enhance tertiary institution staff, support professional development and promote financial independence.

“In this manner it will support, interest free loan of 10million naira max made available with a maximum repayment period of five years and a one-year moratorium.

“Just like the student oriented NELFUND, an initiative which is already a runaway success by the Tinubu-led administration, the TISSF comes in as a timely and much needed support intervention for university, polytechnic and colleges of education staff, academic and non-academic personnel.

FG Recommits to Completion of Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

when he led a strong federal government delegation to the The federal government has site of the road project as part recommitted to expeditiously of a wider Citizens’ Engagecomplete Section Three of the ment tour of the South East.

He said that modern road 61–kilometer Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway in infrastructure was vital to economic growth, improved Enugu State.

Minister of Information safety, and citizens’ welfare.

“This project is a visible and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the testament to government’s assurance yesterday in Enugu resolve to complete strategic

highways nationwide for the benefit of Nigerians,” Idris said.

The 61-km dual carriageway constructed by the CGC Nigeria Limited is valued to cost ₦100.8 billion.

The Director of Highways, Southeast, Engineer Tony Mbiko, stated the Enugu-bound section had been completed, while work on the remaining stretch was ongoing.

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THISDAY • FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2025

NEWS

Prize presentation ceremony...

L-R: Regional Bank Head, Lagos Central, Fidelity Bank Plc, Chioma Nwankwo; Divisional Head, Product Development, Fidelity Bank Plc, Osita Ede; Principal Legal Officer, Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority, Oyinkan Kusamotu; Winners of the 4th, 5th and 6th monthly draws of the Get Alert in Millions (GAIM) 6 Promo - Stephanie Onome Gere, Itua Michael Ehinomen, Maduabuchi Kalu Anya, and Chioma Grace Nnodim; South-West Zonal Coordinator, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC), Aboluwade Margaret; and Group Head, Savings and Retail Sales, Fidelity Bank Plc, Oladimeji Saka; during the prize presentation ceremony for the winners of the 4th, 5th and 6th monthly draws of the Fidelity Bank GAIM 6 promo held in Lagos…Tuesday

FG Targets 60% Female Participation in New National Skills Programme

Scheme to connect 20m Nigerian youth to jobs, training opportunities by 2030 Shettima emerges GenU Board chair, urges inclusive, demand-driven approach to youth unemployment

Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Federal Government has announced a new national skills programme aimed at connecting 20 million young Nigerians to jobs, training, and entrepreneurship opportunities by 2030, with at least 60 per cent of beneficiaries expected to be women.

This is just as Vice President Kashim Shettima has assumed the chairmanship position of the reactivated Board of Generation Unlimited (GenU) Nigeria, with a mandate to connect 20 million

young Nigerians to employment opportunities by 2030.

Speaking during the inaugural board meeting of Generation Unlimited Nigeria in Abuja, Shettima described Nigeria’s youthful population as the nation’s superpower and comparative advantage in a rapidly ageing world.

The GenU board meeting coincided with International Youth Day 2025, themed “Youth Innovation for a Sustainable Future.”

According to the Vice President: “With over 60 per

cent of our population below the age of 25, we cannot afford to squander this asset.

An advantage unrealised is merely potential wasted. We must refine it, we must invest in it, and we must channel it towards productive destinies”.

Shettima warned that Nigeria’s “national skills ecosystem faces a trilemma” with too many young people excluded from the start, training disconnected from livelihoods, and inadequate infrastructure for large-scale hands-on learning.

“Another isolated training

scheme will not deliver us from these constraints. What we need is systemic change—a new architecture built to last,” he added.

The centrepiece of this push is the Digital Access and Livelihoods Initiative (DALI), described as a demand-driven national talent pipeline that will link foundational and workreadiness training directly to guaranteed jobs or enterprise pathways. “We need a platform to unify government, private sector leaders, development partners, and the boundless energy

Polytechnic Lecturers Give 21-Day Ultimatum to FG to Address Demands Say polytechnic institutions may go extinct

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Lecturers in the public-owned polytechnics across the country has given the federal government a 21-day ultimatum to satisfactorily address their demands or risk total withdrawal of service.

They said that the delay in granting a dual mandate structure for polytechnics aimed at eliminating the age-long discrimination against HND holders is affecting the survival of polytechnics education in the country.

Also, the lecturers expressed concern over the delay in the passage of the Bill to enable polytechnic institutions award Bachelor of Technology degrees.

The teachers operating under the auspices of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) lamented that the polytechnic education has

suffered long years of neglect and setbacks resulting from poor attention by the government.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday in Abuja after its National Executive Council meeting, President of ASUP, Shammah S. Kpanja, said that several issues relating to the welfare of staff and effective operations of the polytechnics in the country have remained unaddressed for years.

He listed 14 outstanding issues to be addressed by government, including the reconstitution a committee on the renegotiation of ASUP/FGN 2010 Agreement Kpanja also accused states of refusal to domesticate of relevant portions of the Federal Polytechnics Act for state owned Polytechnics.

He said the Federal Ministry of Education has refused to reconvene the Special Rapid

Response Committee to effectively address industrial relations challenges in the sector Kpanja said: “In view of the items listed above and the non-committal disposition of the Federal Ministry of Education in committing to genuine dialogue and lack of will to execute previous resolutions on some of the items, our Union’s NEC has resolved to issue a 21 days ultimatum to the government to address the issues satisfactorily.

“Failure to utilize this window may lead to the declaration of a trade dispute and withdrawal of services of our members across public Polytechnics and Monotechnics nationwide,” he said.

Among the 14 grievances

by ASUP are the non-release of Circular by the he National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to cover the Peculiar Academic Allow-

ance paid to academic staff across Polytechnics which is a component of the ASUP/ FGN 2010 agreement.

of our youth under a single banner. This is a proposition to attract coordinated investment and replace fragmented efforts with a common front,” the Vice President said.

He pledged that all training under the initiative will align with the National Skills Qualification Framework to ensure that “our young people possess not only the skills to work but the credentials to compete globally.”

Charging the new board, in collaboration with UNICEF and other partners, to proceed with full development and implementation of DALI, Shettima said, “Let this be the turning point. Let this be the day history remembers as the moment we stopped managing youth unemployment as an inevitable crisis and started unlocking the creative, entrepreneurial, and intellectual capital of our people.

“We owe young Nigerians jobs. We owe them hope. We owe them the future, not just

promises, but proof that their country believes in them enough to invest in their success”.

Earlier in his remarks, Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, said the administration’s vision is “clear — create jobs, bridge the skills gap, and empower young people through human capital development, not just token gestures.”

“Nigerian youths are not limited. We have the talent, creativity, and courage to thrive.

What we need is a meaningful and enabling environment, and we must work together as one team to create and deliver real impact,” he said.

Also speaking, Special Assistant to the President on Strategy and Policy (Workforce Development), Rimamskeb Nuhu, explained that the government had identified three major challenges facing young Nigerians — foundational skills gap, livelihood disconnect, and infrastructure deficit.

FG’s Cancer Treatment Centre in Enugu is World Class, Says Information Minister

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has described the Oncology Centre in Enugu as world class and proof of the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to delivering life-changing health infrastructure to Nigerians.

He stated this yesterday while leading a highpowered delegation to

inspect the newly established Oncology Centre in Enugu as part of the wider Citizens’ Engagement tour of the South East.

The facility commissioned recently houses one of the most advanced cancer treatment machines in the world — previously only accessible abroad or in Lagos.

He said President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda was making world-class healthcare a reality across the country, with six such

centres planned nationwide, with three already operational.

“This is democracy delivering tangible dividends.

Our visit allows us to hear directly from citizens, see the impact for ourselves, and ensure these facilities are maintained for public benefit,” Idris said.

The minister also reassured on the speedy completion of Section Three of the 61–kilometer Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway in Enugu State.

42

FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2025 • THISDAY

NEWS

67TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF CORONATION INSURANCE...

L-R: Company Secretary, Coronation Insurance Plc, Mary Agha; Independent Non-Executive Director, Coronation Insurance Plc, Abubakar Jimoh; and MD/CEO, Coronation Insurance Plc, Olamide Olajolo, at the 67th Annual General Meeting 2024 of Coronation Insurance Plc, held in Lagos, yesterday

Peter Obi Smacks Tinubu, Says He’s Not a Tourist but President of a Troubled Nation Declares Nigeria now one of the most insecure nations, most fragile economies, and hungriest countries of the world Chuks Okocha in Abuja The presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in 2023, Peter Obi, has accused President Bola Tinubu of apparent indifference and insensitivity to the myriad challenges facing the country owing to his continuous foreign trips.

Obi said Tinubu left the country yesterday morning on a two-nation tour and a stopover in another city. He reminded Tinubu that he was not a tourist but the president of a troubled country.

In a statement by his media aide, Ibrahim Umar, Obi said, “As the president jets out, making it over 200 days out of 806 days in office, the indifference to our problem is worrisome.”

Writing on X in a treatise titled, “Again our President moves as the Nation bleeds,” Obi said, “Amid the deplorable state of our nation in all ramifications, we have a virtually indifferent president, who has continued to display insensitivity to our situation.

“How can anyone explain that a president who came from Brazil recently and met with the President is returning to the same country, leaving the various degrees of challenges at home unresolved?

“The latest itinerary of the president shows he will depart Abuja on Thursday, August 14, for a two-nation trip to Japan and Brazil. The president will stop over in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, before proceeding to Japan.

“In Japan, President Tinubu will attend the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in the City of Yokohama from August 20 to 22. The itinerary is silent on the president’s return date to his visibly troubled nation.”

According to Obi, “The

situation we find ourselves in is deeply worrisome. Our President, who has not found it worthy to visit any of our troubled states, takes joy in travelling to foreign countries at the slightest invitation or excuse. Often departing several days even before the events he’s invited to.

“In his last trip, for instance, he had a one-week state visit to St Lucia before attending the BRICS Summit, where Nigeria was merely invited as an observer, though the role was dressed up as ‘partner’ to the invitation, which was more significant. The leaders of actual member countries who attended only arrived a day or two at most for the event.”

Obi said, “Nigeria’s insecurity situation, economic hardship, and human suffering have reached their peak. We are now counted among the most insecure nations, the most fragile economies, and the hungriest countries in the world.

“This dire reality demands the full attention of Mr. President, and his travels should be more within our troubled states and communities, spending time on the ground, and taking decisive action to alleviate the people’s suffering rather than these overseas conferences that contribute little or no tangible value to our nation’s woes.

“And where the trip is necessary at all, it could be attended in just a few days rather than indulging in prolonged, unnecessary absences from a country that requires 24/7 attention.

What our nation needs now is security of lives and properties, economic stability and ensuring that our people have food on their table.”

Obi added, “Our president’s planned trip of 12 days, departing today (Thursday), if necessary, should have been at most a five-day trip, as the

event he was invited to in Japan commences on the 20th.

“Nigeria, today, demands competent leadership with capacity and compassion to start dealing with the problems

besetting it with the presence and sacrifice required.”

The former governor said, “Mr. President must, as a matter of urgency, commence tours of our states with the

same enthusiasm he shows for jetting out of the country every month. These visits will enable him to see, listen and learn more about what Nigerians are going through.

“Though Nigerians know that our huge problems cannot be solved overnight, they want to see hundred per cent effort and tireless commitment to solving them.

Okonjo-Iweala Visits Tinubu, Lauds President for Stabilising Economy

- constitute the fastest growing segment of trade.

She said, “Given our entrepreneurial talent, it is an aspect of digital trade that we hope many of our women can see as an opportunity to also grow their businesses in this area.”

However, she said, “When it comes to digitisation and the infrastructure needed, globally 67 per cent of the population, about 5.4 billion people are now online. “In Nigeria, the figure is much lower - about 45 per cent. That means that more than half of Nigerians are still not connected.”

She said there’s still a huge gap in internet penetration in the country, adding that internet access, especially in terms of accessibility, reliability, and affordability of power, remained worrisome.

She said, “No nation can truly digitise without a steady supply of electricity.

“We are still struggling with this in Nigeria and I hope there can be strong collaboration on solutions between the power and digital communication sectors on solutions so that Nigeria can seize the emerging opportunities in the digital arena.”

Nonetheless, the WTO boss said the launch of the fund came at a time when global trade is going through extremely challenging times of unilateralism and increased protectionism.

She said the goal of the fund was “simple, but ambitious: to give women the tools, the knowledge, the networks,

and the resources they need to access global value chains, so their businesses are not just surviving, but thriving, on the world stage.”

Okonjo-Iweala also said the WEIDE Fund was rolling out in four countries—Jordan, Mongolia, the Dominican Republic, and Nigeria.

She said, “And Nigeria’s participation is special. Out of more than 600 business support organisations from around the developing world that competed to work with us, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, led by the Executive Director Nonye Ayeni, stood out.”

She said, “In Nigeria, 67,000 women entrepreneurs applied to be part of WEIDE. “The competition was fierce.

Initially, we planned to support 100 women. But the quality of the applications was so high and the innovation was so inspiring, that we increased this to 146 awardees.

“Today, we are awarding the 146 Nigerian women entrepreneurs who have been selected and will be starting the process as the first cohort of the WEIDE fund.

“The monetary awards will be disbursed directly into the accounts of the women, based on certification by NEPC that they are delivering in the business the way they are supposed to.

She said 16 of the businesses selected have been “selected for what we call the Booster Track—they will each receive up

to $30,000 in grant funding, plus an intensive 18-month technical assistance programme...”

Okonjo-Iweala said, “In this regard, we applaud the proposed ambitious $2 billion, 90,000 kilometre national fibre optic network aimed at expanding internet access especially in our secondary towns and rural areas.

“Yet, we know a great deal of the gap in internet access has to do with accessibility, reliability and affordability of power.

“No nation can truly digitise without a steady supply of electricity. We are still struggling with this in Nigeria and I hope there can be strong collaboration on solutions between the Power and Digital Communication Sectors on solutions so that Nigeria can seize the emerging opportunities in the digital arena.”

She added, “To help ensure our women continue to be a strong part of the digital era we also need the inter-ministerial support of the Ministry of Trade, Investment ant Industry as well as Minister of Women Affairs all working together.

“I referred just now to the opportunities that await Nigeria in the Technology and Digital arena. The potential is enormous.

“According to the World Economic Forum, the ICT Sector contributed 18 per cent to Nigeria’s GDP in 2022, a leap from less than one per cent in 2001.

“But despite the advances we celebrate today, we know that women have not played as big a role in the sector as

they could.

“A joint study by the Washington DC based Center for Global Development and the One Campaign found that of almost 100 Nigerian tech companies surveyed, only 30 per cent were owned by women. Up to one third of these companies did not even have women working in them.”

Okonjo-Iweala said, “We also know that Nigeria’s ranking in the latest Global Gender Gap report by the WEF, released in June 2025, is not encouraging.

“Nigeria ranked 128th out of 148 countries, putting us in the bottom tier of countries with large gender gaps.

“Even though much of Nigeria’s poor performance is due to widening gaps in polictical empowerment, educational attainment and health and survival, pushing further on economic participation and empowerment where we are doing better can further enhance and lift Nigeria’s standing globally.

“That is why at the WTO and ITC we have worked hard with the support of our donors, the United Arab Emirates, the State of Qatar and the FIFA-Qatar World Cup Legacy Fund, to prioritise the empowerment of women in digital trade.

“The WEIDE Fund will provide us with an opportunity to help women entrepreneurs improve their economic, social and hopefully political standing thereby narrowing some of the gender gaps.”

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THISDAY • FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2025

NEWS

INVESTITURE OF ADELAJA ADELEYE AS THE DISTRICT GOVERNOR...

L-R: Past District Governor/Past Council Chairman, Multiple Districts 404, Lions International Nigeria, Asiwaju Ayobola Samuel; Wife of the Celebrant, Mrs. Mojisola Adeleye; District Governor, Lions International 404B3 Nigeria, Adelaja Adeleye; and Immediate Past District Governor, Dr. Ibrahim Jide Bello, at the investiture of Adelaja Ademuyiwa Adeleye as the District Governor and fundraising luncheon for community service projects held in Ikeja, Lagos… recently

David Mark to INEC: Conduct Free, Fair, Credible Polls in Tomorrow’s Bye-Elections

Commission to move polling units in five wards in Niger to safer grounds Distributes sensitive materials in Edo Says CVR locator goes live August 17, voter registration resumes NSCDC deploys 20,850 men for elections

Chuks Okocha, Michael Olugbode, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja, Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City and Laleye Dipo in Minna

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to uphold the principles of impartiality and transparency in the bye-elections scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, August 16, 2025, across the country.

This was as INEC in Niger State has resolved to relocate polling units in five Electoral Wards in Munya local government area to safer grouuds for the bye-election. The affected Wards are Kuchi, Beni, Dangunu, Kabila and Kazai.

At the same time, INEC has commenced the distribution of sensitive materials to local government areas where by-

elections were expected to hold tomorrow in Edo State.

Similarly, the INEC has disclosed that the active Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) Locator would go live on Sunday, August 17.

Nevertheless, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has deployed 20,850 officers and men to ensure a hitch-free by-election across 16 constituencies in 12 states on Saturday.

However, in a goodwill message to ADC Senatorial, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly candidates, Mark urged INEC to conduct a process that would restore public trust in the electoral system.

The ADC will field candidates in Senatorial, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly bye-elections in Anambra, Edo, Oyo, Taraba, Adamawa, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kano, Niger, and Ogun States.

Describing the ADC as a “child of necessity” born out of the genuine desire to offer Nigerians an alternative and better governance, Mark appealed to the electorate to give the party an opportunity to prove its worth.

He reminded INEC that, “All eyes are on the Commission” to correct past errors that have tarnished its public image, stressing that a truly free, fair, and credible election on Saturday could help redeem its reputation.

Acting National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has said the decision of the zoning committee of the party will be pivotal to the party’s future, ahead of its national elective convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan.

In a preliminary meeting at the Legacy Office, the alternate office of the party, a source told THISDAY that in line with the mood of the nation, the committee was considering zoning the office of national chairman to the north and the presidential office to the south.

The outcome of the committee’s meeting would be

State is considering plans to relocate polling units in five wards in Munya Local Government Area to safer grounds for Saturdays by election. The affected wards are Kuchi, Beni, Dangunu, Kabila and Kazai.

The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Ahmed Yushau Garki, who disclosed this in Minna after receiving sensitive materials for the election at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the state capital said the commission had

taken the step in the interest of voters and electoral officials safety.

Garki said though it was said that peace had returned to the affected areas, “We don’t want to take chances.”

He disclosed that all materials needed for the election “are already on ground”, adding that the BVAS machines were now fully charged and ready for deployment, adding that not less than 500 officials would be deployed for the exercise.

Mbah Inaugurates 5 Ultramodern Transport Terminals, 100 Mass Transit CNG Buses

accounted for.

He stated, “Commuters simply need to purchase a ticket and top-up as they find suitable. Remarkably, a single valid ticket grants the holder access to other buses.

Importantly, our comprehensive insurance coverage protects both the assets and the people who use them.”

Mbah thanked President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to the state’s development.

He said, “Through words and deeds, the president has demonstrated a sincere love and support towards Enugu – and indeed the South East’s progress.

An example is the concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, which would clearly re-position Enugu as an aviation and economic hub.

‘So, we commend the president because no administration has given as much support to the sub-nationals as this submitted for consideration win elections, and defend the President has done.”

In his goodwill message, to the National Executive democratic values we represent.

Director/CEO of the Committee (NEC) meeting “Our zoning process must Programme Presidential on CNG, scheduled for August 25. reflect fairness, equity, and Engr. MichaelInitiative Oluwagbemi, Speaking during the inaugu- strategic thinking, as well as was represented by Engr.who Tari ration of the committee at the strengthen our unity, reward Mayor-Bright, commended PDP national headquarters in loyalty, and position us for Mbah for the ultramodern Abuja, yesterday, Damagum electoral victory. I trust that the terminals and massive deployexpressed confidence that the zoning committee will approach ment of CNG buses. panel, chaired by Bayelsa State its task with wisdom, foresight, “This is not just infrastructure, Governor Douye Diri, would and a full understanding of the but a bold step in setting up a ensure fairness to all party bigger picture: PDP over anyone, modern transportation system members in the allocation of and PDP above any personal geared towards a cleaner, safer the National Working Committee interest. and more affordable transport positions.

“We operate in a dynamic for the people of Enugu State,” He declared, “This committee political terrain, sometimes Oluwagbemi stated. is the engine room, where we turbulent, always demanding Managing Director of Planet lay the political foundation the very best from us. In recent Project Construction Company, for the leadership of the PDP times, we have faced changes the contractors, Biodun Otunola, over the next four years. The in leadership and the departure said building five terminals decisions you take will shape of some members who chose simultaneously was unprecour ability to serve Nigerians, a different path. edented.

PDP Zoning C’ttee’s Decision Key to Party’s Future, National Chair, Damagum, Declares Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The former Senate President commended the ADC candidates for their courage and dedication, urging them and their supporters to comply with electoral laws while remaining vigilant against manipulation or intimidation.

He also called on security agencies to guarantee a level playing field for all participants, ensuring that the will of the people is allowed to prevail without interference.

Meanwhile, INEC in Niger

Otunola “No administration has ever done this before since the history of Nigeria. We are in this industry and we have the records.”

He described the terminals as products of a good research and political will of the governor to get things done.

Present at the various locations included Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Obi Ozor; council chairman of Enugu North LGA, Dr. Ibenaku Onoh; Chairman of Nsukka LGA, Engr. Jude Asogwa; and Chairman, Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Samuel Asadu.

Others were Chairman, Ogige Market Traders Association, Hon. Onyema Idoko; President, Nsukka General Assembly, Clinton Ogbonna; Chairman, Enugu East LGA, Beloved Dan-Anike; Traditional Ruler of Nike, Igwe Julius Nnaji; Chairman, Enugu South LGA, Hon. Caleb Ani; and Chairman, Enugu South Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Mike Nna Ukwu.

They expressed the people’s joy over the projects and buses, describing them as economic catalysts.

It would be recalled that Mbah had in July launched Enugu Air, a state-owned airline, with fleet of three aircraft.

Governor hosts Idris, says Oil subsidy removal freed up resources for infrastructure

Meanwhile, Governor Mbah, has attributed the financing of numerous infrastructure projects embarked by the state government to the oil subsidy removal policy of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.

He made this declaration at the Government House, Enugu, during a courtesy visit by a delegation of federal government led by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, as part of activities lined up for the 2-day Citizens’ Engagement Series in the South East geo-political zone.

“For us in Enugu, we are able to accomplish all we promised our people during the campaign, thanks to the bold decision taken

by President Bola Tinubu, which has freed up resources needed to execute humongous capital projects,” Mbah said, while listing ongoing projects in the state, which include the construction of 7,000 classrooms, 3,300 hospital beds and 2,000-hectare of 260 farm estates across the 260 wards of the state.

Governor Mbah also pledged more support for the policies of the federal government, saying they are in the best interest of the people of the state.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2025 • THISDAY

NEWS

BEHOLD THE WORLD SCHOOL DEBATE CHAMPIONS...

Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, and the Delta State contingent that represented Nigeria at the 2025 World Schools Debate in Doha, Qatar, with their trophies and medals when the governor received them in Asaba, yesterday

Emmanson: Public Interest Lawyer Files N500bn Lawsuit against FG, NCAA, Ibom Air, Others As airline operators lift flight ban

Chinedu Eze and Esther Oluku

A public interest lawyer, Ayodele Ademiluyi, has filed a N500 billion lawsuit against the Federal Government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, and others over what he described as a breach of the rule of law in addressing two cases of aviation infractions involving King Wasiu Ayinde and Ms. Comfort Emmanson.

The suit, Ayodele Ademiluyi v. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria & Ors (FHC/L/CS/1632/25), seeks N500 billion in damages against the respondents, jointly and severally, including the Federal Minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus Keyamo SAN; the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority; the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria; Ibom

Air; King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal; ValueJet; and the Nigerian Correctional Service, which allegedly broke up Mr. Ademiluyi’s interview with Comfort Emmanson.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos yesterday, Ademiluyi, who is also the convener of the Movement for Justice and secretary of the Radical Gender Movement in the Nigerian Bar Association, said the suit aims to hold accountable those responsible for the incident and ensure justice is served.

According to him, the incident highlights the need for a complete overhaul of Nigeria’s aviation system. “Our aviation system needs a complete overhauling,” he said. “We cannot allow impunity to reign, and we cannot degenerate into a banana republic where someone

can stop a plane with their bare hands and go scot-free.”

The suit lists as respondents the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Federal Minister of Aviation, and King Wasiu Ayinde, and seeks an order of mandamus to compel the authorities to take action against King Wasiu and others allegedly involved.

Ademiluyi also criticised the appointment of King Wasiu as a brand ambassador for the aviation industry, saying it sends the wrong signal.

“If someone can stop a plane with their bare hands and be appointed a brand ambassador, what message does it send to others?” he asked.

He stressed that the case is not just about King Wasiu but about the broader issue of impunity

and lack of accountability in the aviation sector.

“The issues now go beyond the two national actors, or let’s say the two national recipients in this entire episode,” he said.

“The collective interest of the polity is at stake.”

Ademiluyi further stated:“Our perspective is that there is a gross imbalance in the treatment of Comfort Emmanson and

Dialogues & Deal Rooms: Regularly convened, professionally facilitated sessions that bring together investors, government officials, and local entrepreneurs to solve specific problems, build trust, and originate bankable deals.

Governance and a Call to Action

The success of this framework hinges on a multi-stakeholder governance structure.

This requires a Steering Committee of high-level public and private sector leaders for strategic oversight and a lean, professional Framework Management Unit Pillar 3: Build Market Confidence (FMU), housed within a credible institution (Bridging the Information Gap) like the Nigerian Investment Promotion This pillar focuses on changing the Commission (NIPC), to handle day-to-day narrative and providing the tools for coordination. informed, data-driven decision-making.

Instrument 5: Digital Investment & Op- Recommendations for Implementaportunity Platform: An online portal serving tion: as a central, credible source of information, Secure Political Buy-In: The first step featuring interactive opportunity maps, is to gain formal endorsement of the a database of vetted SMEs, and a risk framework from key federal and state analytics dashboard. government stakeholders, ensuring top-level Instrument 6: Structured Stakeholder commitment.

very horrible miasma and drama that we are passing through.

“I have since filed a 500 billion naira suit in public interest against, number one, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who is, more or less, the Chief Executive Officer of the country, and who has refused, failed, and abandoned any attempts to arrest and prosecute Kwam 1.

Lokpobiri: FG Committed to Sustaining Incentives for Oil Sector Operators Says things changing under Tinubu

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The federal government has reiterated its commitment to

Unlocking Capital in Nigeria’s Conflict-affected Regions: A De-risking Framework for Private Investment

Instrument 3: Blended Finance Vehicles: The creation of region- and sector-specific investment funds that blend concessional public or philanthropic capital (which absorbs initial losses) with commercial capital from private investors seeking market-rate returns.

Instrument 4: Coordinated Policy & Fiscal Incentives: Advocating for clear, legallybacked incentives such as extended tax holidays (“Pioneer Status”), investment tax credits, and a “one-stop shop” to fast-track land acquisition and permitting.

King Wasiu, popularly called Kwam 1. There was no arrest of Mr. Kwam 1, there was no arraignment of Mr. Kwam 1, there was no prosecution of Mr. Kwam 1. In fact, you are giving a brand ambassadorship of the aviation ideology.

“What I have done, which is to answer your question, is to join issues with both the state and non-state actors in this entire

Establish a “Coalition of the Willing”: Form a core group of anchor development partners and private sector champions to commit initial funding and expertise for capitalizing the Investment Guarantee Facility and the Technical Assistance Facility.

Launch a Multi-Track Pilot Program: Pilot the integrated framework by selecting one state from each conflict archetype (e.g., Adamawa for insurgency, Katsina for banditry, and Plateau for communal clashes). This will test the framework’s adaptability and allow for rapid, comparative learning before a wider rollout.

By taking these deliberate steps, Nigeria’s public and private stakeholders, with support from international partners, can move this framework from concept to reality.

The moment to act is now—catalyzing the investment needed to build a more peaceful and prosperous future for millions.

•Eugene Itua, Executive Director, Africa Green Economy and Sustainability Institute (AGESI) •Emmanuel Essien, Director, Africa Green Economy and Sustainability Institute (AGESI)

sustaining policies and incentives that will ensure Nigeria remains an attractive destination for energy investments in the country.

This assurance was given by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, during an inspection of the NNPC/Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) Joint Venture EGTL facility in Escravos, Delta State.

A statement in Abuja by the Special Adviser on Media and Communication to the minister, Nneamaka Okafor, stressed that Lokpobiri told officials of the oil company to expand their investment in Nigeria.

“Since we assumed office, things have changed. Our obligation as a government is to provide an environment that is globally competitive to allow you to expand what you are already doing.

“My duty is to encourage you to expand your investment in the country. We can only grow sustainable production if we have investments. “ As a government, ours is to give you the best incentives that

will enable sustainable growth.

The time has come for us to develop all available blocks.

Where you are not ready to develop, it’s better to farm out to partners rather than wait 20 or 30 years,” the minister advised.

The minister stressed that the government’s objective remains to increase production and ensure Nigeria remains attractive for capital expenditure distribution in the global oil and gas market.

Lokpobiri commended the NNPC/CNL JV for its operational excellence and urged other operators to consider farming out idle assets to investors with access to capital, noting that the government is reviewing the activation of the “drill or drop” provision in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

According to the statement, the visit underscored the strong partnership between the federal government and Chevron, aimed at unlocking Nigeria’s oil and gas potential, driving sustainable production, and boosting economic growth through collaborative investments.

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PRESENTATION OF LIONS CLUB DISTRICT GOVERNOR…

L-R: President, Isheri Host Lions Club, Mr. Horatius Egua; Multiple Council Chair(MCC), District 404 Nigeria, Dr. Jide Bello; past MCC, Air Vice Marshal Anthony Okpere (rtd), and past President, Isheri Host Lions Club, Mr. Kayode Ojo, at the presentation of Mr. Adelaja Adeleye as Lions Club District Governor 404-B3 in Ikeja, Lagos…recently

EFCC Arraigns 23 Alleged Internet Fraudsters Arrested at Obasanjo’s Facility

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC), will today (Friday), arraign 23 alleged internet fraudsters before Justice D. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The 23 defendants are among 93 persons the commission arrested at a

hotel within the precincts of impersonation, identity former President Olusegun and internet fraud.

Obasanjo Presidential “The arraignment of Library (OOPL), in the suspects, scheduled Abeokuta, Ogun State, during a sting operation recently.

The commission Seriki Adinoyi in Jos disclosed that upon Plateau State House of profiling, almost all the Assembly, at a plenary suspects arrested were session yesterday, opposed indicted for alleged the proposed relocation offences bordering on of the headquarters of Industrial Training Fund (ITF) from Jos. Presided over by

The Director of the maiden Ekiti International Theatre Festival and former Ekiti State Commissioner Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Professor Rasaki Ojo Bakare, has said the event, which would be held at the Obafemi Awolowo Civic Centre in Ado-Ekiti, will attract tourists, artists, and stakeholders, which will further foster economic growth and cultural exchange in the state.

Speaking with journalists in Ado-Ekiti, Bakare said Ekiti State would host the maiden edition of the festival through a private-public partnership between the Duke of Shomolu Foundation and the Ekiti State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy.

According to him, the Duke of Shomolu

ostensibly to escape possible arrest by operatives of the EFCC,” a statement from the anti-graft agency said.

Plateau Assembly Rejects Proposed Relocation of ITF Headquarters from Jos

‘Ekiti Theatre Festival ‘ll Foster Economic Growth’

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

The party was initially in batches, is coming on the heels of their arrest at a planned to hold in two pool party where they were locations but was shifted celebrating their exploits.” to the hotel in OOPL

Foundation, which is a prominent Lagos-based organisation, will bring its renowned International Theatre Festival to the state, scheduled for August 20 to 25 and feature competitive performances by all the 16 local government areas in Ekiti State.

The director said the LGAs would showcase their theatrical talents with the top four earning prizes and awards, adding that the competition is part of a broader initiative by the Duke of Shomolu Foundation to identify and nurture young talents for future opportunities in the creative arts industry.

Speaking further, Bakare stated that the 2025 International Theatre Festival would feature three commanding performances to celebrate Nigeria’s historical figures such as Ladi Kwali, Sir Ahmadu Bello, and Chief Moshood Abiola.

Speaker, Naanlong Daniel, the House, in a unanimous resolution, stated that relocating the ITF headquarters would severely impact the state’s economy and heritage.

The House resolution followed a matter of urgent public importance

raised by Hon. Theodore Bala Maiyaki, representing Quaan-Pan South constituency.

“I rise this morning under a matter of urgent public importance to draw the attention of this honourable House, the Plateau State Government,

and the Federal Government of Nigeria to a matter that threatens the socio-economic stability, institutional heritage, and pride of our dear state, the proposed relocation of the headquarters of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) from Jos,” he said.

Udeme Ufot Harps on Inclusive Financing to Unlock Creative Economy

Kayode Tokede

The Group Managing Director of SO&U, Udeme Ufot, has called for intentional, well-structured, and responsive financing as the critical catalyst for unlocking Nigeria’s

creative economy.

Speaking as Chairman at the opening of the QEDNG Powerhouse Summit themed “Financing as Catalyst for a Thriving Creative Economy”, Ufot urged stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric to

concrete action.

Organised by Mighty Media Plus Network Limited and QEDNG, the summit brought together policymakers, financiers, creators, and media leaders to address persistent funding challenges in the sector.

“The creative industry in Nigeria is one of our most vibrant and resilient sectors,” Ufot said. “Yet, despite our abundance of talent and the undeniable economic value of creativity, financing remains the single biggest roadblock.”

Oborevwori Rewards World Debate Champions with N20m Each Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, yesterday rewarded each member of the five-man Delta contingent that won the 2025 World Basic Schools Debate Championship in Doha,

Qatar, with a cash prize of N20 million.

The governor also extended the same N20 million reward to the team’s handlers, describing their victory as a proud moment for the state and a testament

to his administration’s commitment to educational excellence.

Receiving the champions, their parents, and officials at Government House, Asaba, Governor Oborevwori praised the students for bringing

global honour to Delta State and Nigeria.

He decorated them with their medals and received the championship trophy from the National Coordinator and President, Schools Debate Nigeria, Elder Dare Oritu.

Group Raises the Alarm over Alleged Rights Violations at AMCOW

Emmanuel UgwuNwogo in Umuahia

has raised the alarm over the happenings at the African Youth groups under Ministers Council on the umbrella of the Water(AMCOW), saying Coalition of Nigerian that the organisation is Youth Leaders(CONYL) bereft of governance

and transparency.

The group expressed its “deep concern over the alarming developments” in a statement signed by the quartet of President-

General, Comrades Goodluck Ibe, Publicity Secretary, Adeyemo Adewale, Secretary, Junaid Abubakar, and Public Relations Officer, Iniobong Sampson.

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Police Arrest Seven Suspects for Ondo Varsity Lecturer’s Abduction

Fidelis David in Akure

The Ondo State Police Command yesterday said it had arrested seven suspects linked to the kidnapping of Mr. Omoniyi Samuel, a lecturer at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko.

The suspects were apprehended following a discreet, intelligencedriven operation that uncovered their coordinated roles in the crime, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olushola Ayanlade, stated this in statement made available to journalists in Akure yesterday.

He noted that Benson Alaba, 45, a commercial motorcyclist, regularly conveyed the victim to his workplace and used his familiarity to spy on the victim’s movements, stressing that he visited the victim’s residence under the pretext of requesting a handset, which was a calculated ploy to study the victim’s activities and create an opening for the syndicate.

“On August 4, 2025, he visited the victim’s

residence without prior arrangement, under the pretence of requesting a handset. This was later confirmed to be a

calculated ploy to study the victim’s activities and create an opening for the syndicate. Shortly after his departure, other gang

members moved in and abducted the lecturer.

“Further inquiry revealed that Ogungbemi Wasiu, 42, of Okeruwa,

Ikare, provided the Itel phone used to contact the victim’s family to demand a ransom of N5 million.”

Army Confirms Explosion at Ilese Barracks, Ijebu-Ode, Insists No Lives Lost

Linus Aleke in Abuja

The Nigerian Army yesterday confirmed a minor explosion and subsequent fire outbreak that occurred at Ilese Barracks, Ijebu-Ode. Confirming the incident in a statement last night, the Acting Director, Army Public Relations,

Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, stated that a localised explosion occurred in the early hours of 14 August 2025 within one of the storage buildings of the 42 Engineers Brigade Counter Improvised Explosive Device Squadron, leading to a limited fire outbreak.

She stated that swift intervention by troops of the 12 Field Engineer Regiment, in collaboration with the Ijebu-Ode Fire Service, ensured that the fire was quickly contained.

According to her, “No lives were lost, and no injuries were sustained.

The structural damage

was confined to the affected building and some stored materials.

A detailed assessment is currently underway to determine the extent of material loss.

“We urge residents of Ilese and adjoining communities to remain calm and go about their normal activities.”

Uniport Elects Prof. Rosemary Ogu, Others Deputy Vice-Chancellors

Sunday Okobi

The Senate of the University of Port Harcourt (Uniport) has elected Prof. Rosemary Ogu as the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics).

Among other academics also elected were Prof.

Chukwudi Onyeasor as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) and Prof. Angela FrankBriggs as Deputy ViceChancellor (Research and Development).

The election of the three new deputy vicechancellors took place on August 6, 2025, during the university’s recent 488th Extraordinary

Senate Meeting.

Congratulating the new appointees, the university Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Owunari Abraham Georgewill, expressed confidence in their ability

to contribute meaningfully to the growth and advancement of the institution.

According to him, “The Senate has made excellent choices, and I

am confident that these distinguished academics will bring fresh ideas, strong leadership, and renewed commitment to advancing our vision for the University of Port

Harcourt.”

Meanwhile, in her response, Prof. Ogu expressed her gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Georgewill, for the nomination.

Sokoto Launches Formal Sector Programme for Contributory Healthcare Scheme

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

The Sokoto State Contributory Health Care Management Agency (SOCHEMA) has announced the launch of the formal sector programme for the Sokoto State Contributory Healthcare Scheme. This programme is designed

to provide public servants and their families with access to quality healthcare services through a contributory health insurance model.

According to the Director-General of SOCHEMA, Mal Yusuf Abdulkarim, the agency is committed to providing easy access to healthcare services to all residents of

Sokoto State, regardless of their economic or social status.

“We are dedicated to ensuring that every individual in Sokoto State has access to quality healthcare services,” Abdulkarim said.

The formal sector programme is a key component of the Sokoto State Contributory

Healthcare Scheme, which aims to provide healthcare coverage to all residents of the state.

Under this programme, public servants will contribute 4 percent of their basic salary towards the healthcare scheme, while the state government will contribute an additional amount to ensure comprehensive coverage.

CIBN to Set Agenda for Tech-Driven Reset of Nigeria’s Banking Nume Ekeghe

The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) is positioning the financial services industry for a techdriven reset as artificial intelligence(AI), digital currencies, embedded finance, shifting consumer expectations, and global economic shocks redefine traditional banking models.

This will be the key discourse at the Institute’s 18th Annual Banking and Finance Conference, where stakeholders will outline strategies to reshape Nigeria’s banking future.

The conference will be held from September 9 to 10, 2025, in Abuja, with virtual participation from across the globe. Themed “The New Economic Playbook: The Intersection

of Banking, Policy, and Technology”, it is expected to attract over 10,000 participants, making it the largest gathering of banking and finance professionals in Africa.

Speaking at the press briefing to announce the conference, in Lagos recently, Managing Director/CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank Limited and Chairman of the Conference

Consultative Committee, Mrs. Miriam Olusanya, said the timing of this year’s edition could not be more critical.

She said: “The CIBN, being the umbrella body for banking professionals in Nigeria, through this flagship event, continues to strengthen dialogue among policymakers, regulators, private sector leaders, and bankers on issues of industry and

economic relevance.

“This year’s conference could not be more timely. With the advent of digital currencies, embedded finance, AIdriven systems, evolving consumer expectations, and shifts in geopolitics, the economic assumptions of the past are being challenged, so there’s a need to continuously create a new operational framework.

Ibani Kingdom Remembers Cultural Matriarch, Rosetta Cookey-Gam

The Ibani Kingdom has marked the first anniversary of the passing of Amanimibo Rosetta Ilanye Ogboaya George Cookey-Gam (1940–2024), a revered matriarch, devout Anglican, and cultural custodian celebrated for her lifelong dedication to preserving the traditions of her people.

In a statement signed

by Mrs. Pat Asabe Iyalla Dodd Peterside on behalf of the Amanimibo Rosetta Ilanye Ogboaya George Cookey-Gam Foundation for the Culture of Ibani Kingdom, the group pledged to continue advancing the causes she held dear.

Fondly remembered as “Mama Rosetta,” she championed the preservation of Ibani

folk traditions through storytelling, folk songs, and the mentoring of younger generations.

Her commitment to safeguarding the Ibani language and heritage of the Opobo Kingdom earned her widespread respect across the community.

One of her greatest passions was the documentation and

promotion of Ngunume songs, a project she pursued until her passing.

In fulfillment of her dream, the songs were later launched posthumously in her honour, described by the foundation as “a timeless gift to future generations and a testament to her enduring legacy.”

“As we mark her oneyear remembrance, the

Foundation renews its commitment to preserving our heritage, nurturing talent, and upholding the values of dignity, unity, and cultural pride,” the statement read.

Friends, well-wishers, and members of the larger Ibani community have been invited to join in prayer, reflection, and thanksgiving for her life and legacy.

47

THISDAY • FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2025

FRIdaysports

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

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Kida Counsels D’Tigers as Tunisia Next on Firing Line in Angola Today Duro Ikhazuagbe Despite D’Tigers opening their 2025 FIBA Men’s Afrobasket Championship campaign with a convincing 77-59 win against Madagascar, President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Engr. Musa Ahmadu Kida, has called on the country’s senior men’s team to stay

He stressed further: “Every game is a new challenge, and and a renewed opportunity to every challenge is an opportuuphold the values of Nigerian nity to show the world what Nigeria stands for—resilience, basketball.

“As you prepare to face excellence, and pride.”

D’Tigers began their camTunisia on Friday (today), I urge you to remain focused, paign with a strong secondstay humble, and play with the half performance against same intensity and teamwork Madagascar, overturning a that brought us this first win.” narrow 38–37 halftime lead with defensive discipline and fluid ball movement. Caleb Agada led the charge with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals, while Stan Okoye and Ike Nwamu added 13 and 12 points respectively, helping Nigeria dominate development and social the final quarters to end the responsibility programming. fixture 77-59.

2 0 2 5 A F R O B AS K E T focused and humble as they take on Tunisia in their second Group B fixture in Luanda, Angola today.

The NBBF chief who is a former national basketball player insisted yesterday that D’Tigers must realise that each game presents a fresh challenge

NBA, FIBA to Host First Basketball Without Borders Camp in East Africa The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) yesterday announced that the 21st Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa camp will be held at Petit Stade in Kigali, Rwanda, from Saturday, August 23 – Tuesday, August 26, marking the first time that the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach programme will be held in East Africa after previous editions in

Angola, Egypt, Senegal and South Africa.

BWB Africa 2025 will bring together 60 of the top male and female players ages 18 and under from across Africa to learn directly from current and former NBA, WNBA and FIBA players, legends and coaches and compete alongside their peers from across the continent. The campers and coaches, who will be announced prior to the camp, will also take part in life-skills, leadership

However, the Tunisians are no Madagascans. They play the game with zest and the fluidity hardly seen in African teams. Tunisians are two-time AfroBasket champions and last defeated Nigeria in the 2017 final, winning 77–65. Nigeria on the other hand has had the upper hand in recent meetings, including a group-stage win in the 2021 edition.

According to FIBA’s headto-head records, Nigeria and Tunisia have met six times in AfroBasket history, with Nigeria winning four of those encounters.

Tunisia’s hopes of a third consecutive title have been dented by the retirement of

Makram Romdhane and the absence of veteran Radhouane Slimane. They also suffered a setback in their opening game, falling to Cameroon, which adds pressure ahead of today’s clash.

Statistically, D’Tigers hold the edge heading into the matchup. These Nigerians average 77 points per game compared to Tunisia’s 65, with superior numbers in rebounds (43 to 41), assists (16 to 12), and two-point shooting percentage (61.9% to 41.3%).

Both teams are tied at 50% from the free-throw line, while Nigeria holds a slight edge in three-point shooting at 25% versus Tunisia’s 24.1%.

Abia to Host 224 Athletes in Two Para-Badminton Championships Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Abia State has said that arrangements have peaked as it prepares to host two landmark para-badminton tournaments with participating athletes drawn from 20 countries.

The sporting events scheduled to hold from September 30 to October 12, 2025 in Umuahia, the capital city, are the Maiden Abia Para

Badminton International and the All-Africa Para Badminton Championships.

Speaking at the official Media and Marketing Reveal held at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Abia State Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, who chairs the Main Organising Committee, described the tournament as a “historic turning point” for sports in the region.

Though the coast is not yet clear on his wish to join Serie A giants, Inter Milan, a former Super Eagles Head Coach, José Peseiro, has thrown his weight behind Nerazzurri’s interest in Ademola Lookman, describing the Atalanta winger as a player capable of making an immediate impact in San Siro.

Speaking from his base in Lisbon, Peseiro, who coached Lookman between 2022 and 2024, highlighted both the player’s talent and his determination to succeed at the highest level.

“Ademola was destined for

Pinnick: Eagles Do Not Need Distractions Now Ahead World Cup Qualifiers

Amidst pessimism in the land orchestrated by inabilities of the Home-based Eagles to successfully navigate their way through the group stage of the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) in East Africa to the knockout round, a past president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has urged Nigerians to stay positive that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“Our players do not need any distraction at the moment. They need the support and prayers Ademola Lookman...gets of all Nigerians,” began the Jose Peseiro backing to former FIFA Council Member to THISDAY. succeed a team Inter Milan Pinnick stressed that in the top from his early years in football and other sports, England,” Peseiro said to La “Nigerians must learn to be Gazzetta dello Sport. true sportsmen and women by “He grew up hearing people accepting defeat with equanimsay he’d become a Premier ity and celebrate victory with League star and even became eyes on the bigger picture.”

He further emphasised that an Under-20 World Cup winner.

Peseiro Backs Lookman to Succeed at Inter Milan Kunle Adewale

Nigeria’s D’Tigers will get stern test when they take on Tunisia in their second game of the ongoing 2025 FIBA Men’s Afrobasket in Luanda, Angola...this afternoon

the country’s football space does not need negative vibes for now as Super Eagles are preparing to fight for the ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by USA, Mexico and Canada.

Eagles are currently trailing in fourth position in Group C of the African qualifiers on seven points from six matches.

South Africa with threat of three

points deduction for fielding an ineligible player are leaders on 13 points with Rwanda and Benin Republic both tied on eight points.

However, with the World Cup qualifiers resuming next month with Eagles having dates to keep with Rwanda and South Africa, Pinnick, insisted that what the team needs most now is prayers of all Nigerians

for the country to succeed in winning the two games to stand any chance with the other two remaining matches later in the year.

“We need positive vibes around the team, not negative aura from the poor outing of the Super Eagles B team in CHAN. This is necessary to ensure that we qualify for the next World Cup.”

Man Utd v Arsenal Premier League Showdown Live on DStv/GOtv The 2025/26 Premier League face Bournemouth at Anfield castle United at Villa Park season will kick off this weekend, with Manchester United hosting Arsenal in the standout fixture on Sunday at 4:30 pm, and all matches airing live on DStv & GOtv. The season will begin this Friday (today) as Liverpool

at 8:00 pm.

The champions will be eager to put their Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace behind them and begin their title defence with purpose.

Saturday will open with Aston Villa against New-

at 12:30 pm, a meeting of two sides with European ambitions.

Later in the day, Wolves will welcome Manchester City at 5:30 pm, where the champions in four of the last five seasons will look to make an emphatic start.

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2025

Price: N400

back page lead photograph

Commissioning of NASENI-Portland CNG Centre in Kubwa...

L-R: The Director-General, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr. Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin; representative of the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh; Managing Director, Portland Gas Ltd, Hon. Folajimi Mohammed; EVC/CEO, NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu; Programme Director, Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi); Michael Oluwagbemi; representative of Managing Director, NNPC Gas Marketing, Declan Nwokoro, Suleiman Kachallah, during the commissioning of NASENI-Portland CNG Centre in Kubwa, Abuja on Wednesday

EugeneItUa &EmmanuelEssien guest columnist

Unlocking Capital in Nigeria’s Conflict-affected Regions: A De-risking Framework for Private Investment The Investment Paradox in Nigeria’s Fragile Regions Large swathes of Nigeria—particularly in the North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions—present a stark paradox. They possess significant, untapped economic potential in agriculture, solid minerals, and trade, yet are beset by complex and overlapping security crises. Insurgency, large-scale banditry, and protracted farmer-herder conflicts create a high-risk environment that deters the private investment essential for sustainable recovery, job creation, and long-term peace.

This article addresses this core challenge. It moves beyond traditional aid-based models to propose a market-driven, multi-layered Derisking Framework designed to systematically dismantle barriers to investment. By fostering a clear, predictable, and secure environment, this framework provides a viable pathway to unlock private capital, drive inclusive economic growth, and contribute directly to stability across Nigeria’s most vulnerable regions. This is a call to action for a new, collaborative approach to development, moving from risk aversion to risk management.

Table 1: Conflict Typologies and Economic Potential Across Northern Nigeria Region and States

Conflict Typology

Conflict Driver(s)

North-East (Borno, Insurgency Adamawa, Yobe

Historic hub for livestock, leather, fishing, Protracted insurgency by Boko Haram/ISWAP, driven by and Sahelian trade. Strong potential for sorghum, millet, and cowpea cultivation Ideological goals

North-West & Parts Banditry & Kidnapping of North-Central (Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto, Niger)

Organized criminal networks focused on kidnapping for ransom, cattle rustling and control of illegal mining.

Major grain-producing zone (maize, rice, sorghum). Rich in gold, lead, and zinc (mostly informal mining). Kaduna is a key industrial and logistics hub.

FarmerNorth-Central Herder & (Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba) Communal Clashes

Land and water disputes between sedentary farmers and pastoralist herders, exacerbeted by climate change, demographic pressures,and ethnic tensions

Nigeria’s “food basket”: a top producer of yams, soybeans,rice, sesame, and citrus.

Strong prospects in food processing and agro-allied industries.

conflict-sensitive economic policies that support resilient sectors instead of inadvertently fueling tensions. Ultimately, the matrix allows for the precise targeting of de-risking instruments where they can have the greatest impact, ensuring that capital flows not only seek returns but also contribute to building lasting peace.

Understanding the Core Investment Barriers

Analysis reveals four distinct categories of risk that deter private investment across these Mapping the Landscape: Conflict Typolo- regions.

gies and Economic Potential

To navigate Nigeria’s complex investment terrain, it is essential to adopt a structured lens that captures both risks and opportunities. The matrix below (Table 1) offers a strategic overview of the three most conflict-impacted geopolitical zones. Each zone is characterized by a unique security challenge, yet each also holds significant promise for economic development.

Economic Potential

1. Structural & Security Risks (The Hard Barriers) Physical Insecurity: The primary deterrent is the direct threat to personnel and assets from insurgents, bandits, and communal violence.

This reality inflates security costs, delays projects, and disrupts operational continuity.

Infrastructure Deficit: Conflict has destroyed or stalled the development of critical infrastructure, Strategic Implication including roads, power grids, broadband/mobile This matrix is more than an academic exercise; communication, and storage facilities. This leads it is a practical tool for strategic decision-making. to severe logistical bottlenecks, longer project By juxtaposing specific risks with concrete delivery times, high operational expenses, and opportunities, it allows stakeholders to move reduced competitiveness compared to more beyond generalized perceptions of ‘no-go zones’. stable regions.

For an investor, it helps identify which ventures are most viable in a given context—for example, 2. Governance and Regulatory Risks focusing on drought-resistant value chains in Legal Risk: Weak rule of law, inconsistent the North-East versus logistics and processing institutional capacity, and corruption create an hubs in the North-Central. unpredictable legal and regulatory environment.

For policymakers, it enables the design of

Investors fear contracts will not be honored and that dispute resolution is unreliable.

Corruption and Rent-Seeking: Bribery and rent-seeking behavior create reputational risk for investors and raise project procurement and compliance costs.

Political Risks: Sudden policy changes affecting investment terms and overlapping regulations at federal, state, and local levels raise uncertainty around the return on investment.

3. Market & Financial Risks (The Commercial Barriers) Information Asymmetry: A significant data gap prevents informed decision-making. Investors lack reliable, granular data on market size, value chain opportunities, and creditworthy local enterprises.

Limited Access to Capital Finance: Local Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), the bedrock of a resilient economy, are often deemed “un-bankable” by traditional financial institutions due to high perceived risks, a lack of collateral, and formal credit histories.

Currency Instability & Forex Volatility: Naira volatility and forex restrictions challenge investor confidence. Broader macroeconomic instability in Nigeria adds a significant layer of currency exchange risk for international investors.

4. Perception & Contextual Risks (The Soft Barriers) Negative Perception: These states are often painted with a single brushstroke of “conflict,” obscuring pockets of stability and genuine

investment opportunities.

Low Social Cohesion: Conflict has eroded trust between communities, ethnic groups, and the state. Investors are wary of inadvertently exacerbating local tensions.

Limited Local Capacity: A deficit in local business development services and technical skills means many local enterprises are not yet “investment-ready.”

The De-risking Framework: A ThreePillar Solution

To be effective, a de-risking strategy must address these barriers through an integrated, multi-pillar approach that protects capital, sweetens the deal, and builds market confidence.

Crucially, this framework is not a substitute for the fundamental responsibilities of the state in providing security and public infrastructure.

Rather, it is designed to operate in parallel, creating viable investment pathways even while these larger ‘hard barriers’ are being addressed.

Pillar 1: Mitigate Core Risks (Protecting Capital) This pillar focuses on creating direct safeguards against the most acute security and financial risks. By financially insulating investors from the worst outcomes of the hard barriers, it turns an unmanageable risk into a calculable one.

Instrument 1: Investment Guarantee Facility for Fragile Regions (IGF-FR): A dedicated, professionally managed national facility offering risk-sharing products like Political Risk Insurance (PRI), first-loss guarantees for commercial lenders, and asset-damage guarantees to cover conflict-related losses.

Instrument 2: Technical Assistance Facility (TAF): A grant-funded facility providing hands-on support (business planning, financial management, corporate governance) to prepare local businesses for investment.

Pillar 2: Align Incentives (Sweetening the Deal) This pillar uses financial and policy incentives to make the risk-reward calculation more attractive for investors.

Continued on page 44

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