TUESDAY 20TH APRIL 2021

Mahmud Tukur: Worthy Academic, Forthright, Honest, True Patriot Mamman Daura Dr Mahmud Tukur who died recently in Abuja held many prominent offices of state but no post defined him like his spirit of nationalism and patriotism. In his adult life, he was Principal Secretary

Northern Nigeria Civil Service; Principal of the Institute of Administration, Kongo, Zaria; an affiliate College of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Principal and later Vice Chancellor of Bayero University Kano and although appointed Vice-Chancellor,

TRIBUTE University of Lagos, he refused to accept the post on account of impropriety and violation of the rules. He was also Minister of Commerce and Industry in General Buhari’s Government

of 1984-85.

Mahmud Muhammad Tukur was born in 1939 in Yola to Aishatu (Adda) and Muhammad Tukur, Wakilin Chamba, District Head of Jada, who played a prominent role in ensuring that the Northern Cameroons plebiscite went

Northern Nigeria’s way. His mother taught him to read and recite the Qur’an. His father taught him discipline.

By his elders account, he grew up as a brilliant and precocious young man. It was Continued on page 8

NNPC Averts Nationwide Petrol Scarcity, Intervenes in Tanker Drivers' Strike... Page 6

Tukur

Tuesday 20 April, 2021 Vol 26. No 9508. Price: N250

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Independence of Judiciary Non-negotiable, Say Senate, NBA Govs target May for financial autonomy for state judiciaries, legislatures Deji Elumoye, Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Alex Enumah in Abuja The battle for financial freedom for state judiciaries

and legislatures entered a fresh phase yesterday with the Senate and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), saying the independence of the judiciary is not negotiable.

Perhaps taking a queue from the stance of these bodies, state governors barked down yesterday accepting to implement the financial autonomy granted

their judicial and legislative arms by the 1999 Constitution as altered in May. Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) Chairman and Governor of Ekiti State,

Dr. Kayode Fayemi, told journalists yesterday at the State House, Abuja, after a meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof.

Ibrahim Gambari, that he

and his colleagues were in principle not opposed to financial autonomy for both the judiciaries and Continued on page 8

FG Turned Down Govs’ Request to Borrow N50bn from CBN, Says Ahmed States complain of 40% revenue loss to COVID-19 Chuks Okocha, Ndubuisi Francis and Alex Enumah in Abuja Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, yesterday narrated how the federal government rejected a request by governors to borrow N50 billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to augment the revenue shortfall in March for distribution by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

The minister, who featured on a National Television Authority (NTA) programme, monitored in Abuja, said that was why the federal

government found claims

by Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, that it printed N60 billion to augment funds shared to states in March as shocking.

She spoke just as governors lamented the precarious finances of states due to the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on revenue generation, resulting in a 40 per cent drop in their revenues.

The governors, under the umbrella of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), have also written Ahmed, asking her to halt the issuance Continued on page 8

DPR Rallies Stakeholders to Boost Gas Supply...

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NEW BROOM AT LOUIS EDET HOUSE… President Muhammadu Buhari (left) and Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Usman Baba, during the introduction of the IG to the president in Abuja…yesterday

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Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike Email Ejiofor.Alike@thisdaylive.com, 08066066268

Buhari Vows to Secure Nigeria, Niger from Boko Haram Attacks

Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday vowed to do everything possible to secure Nigeria and its neighbour, Niger Republic, from incessant terror attacks

by Boko Haram insurgents.

Buhari, while hosting the new President of Niger Republic, Mohamed Bazoum, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, stated that Niger also suffers high casualties from terror attacks, adding that “we will do all it takes to secure our two countries.”

The president assured his Nigerien colleague who was in Nigeria on his first international visit after his inauguration on April 2, that he will stabilise the

West African region for the benefit of the two countries.

Buhari described some Nigerians and Nigeriens as people with similar cultures, languages and ways of life, “and we also share about 1,500 kilometres of land border, so we cannot ignore each other.”

He congratulated Bazoum on winning the recent presidential election, and for his successful inauguration.

“You have been in the system for a long time. The only thing is that you had never been president. Now you are one,” the president said.

He assured him that Nigeria would assist its close neighbour in diverse ways as required.

Buhari thanked the immediate past President, Mahamadou Issoufou, for what he described as “his understanding and sacrifices” to help stabilise the region, urging his successor to maintain the institutions his predecessor had established.

Earlier, Bazoum had said he was delighted to make Nigeria his first port of call, noting that the two countries

have common interests “and, therefore, a good relationship is very important."

On security, he stated that the fact that some Nigerians flee to Niger during terrorist attacks “shows that we need to cooperate, and we will face our challenges together.”

Bazoum was accompanied to the State House by governors of some Northern states, which

share boundaries with the neighbouring country.

They include Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi; Babagana Zulum of Borno; Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano; Mai Mala Buni of Yobe; Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto; and Bello Matawalle of Zamfara state.

The Minister of Defence, Major-General Bashir Magashi (rtd); Minister

of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major-General Babagana Monguno (rtd); Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari; and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, joined Buhari to receive his guest.

Osinbajo Seeks Support for Zero Emissions, Access to COVID-19 Vaccine

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called on the United States to support the call for a just global transition to zero emissions and lead the effort to ensure easy access to COVID-19 vaccines by all countries.

He also urged the US to reset its foreign policy agenda on Africa in ways that bring about economic prosperity, increased security and improved governance.

Osinbajo expressed these views yesterday in a speech delivered virtually at the 2021 Johns Hopkins University’s African Studies Programme Conference on the theme: “Africa-US Re-engagement: A New Foreign Policy Agenda.”

He said: “The United States and Africa should work together to tackle climate change and moderate global warming, including through an energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies.

"African countries have made commitments in this regard towards implementing the Paris Climate Change Agreement targets.

“Given the long term commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050, there is a growing trend among development finance institutions to withdraw from fossil fuel investment, including the World Bank’s decision to cease funding for upstream oil and gas development and the new restrictions on financing downstream gas development currently being considered by the European Union, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States.

“While well-intentioned, this move does not take into account the principles of common but differentiated responsibility and leaving no

one behind, that are enshrined into global treaties around sustainable development and climate action. The United States must lend its weight to stopping this manifestly unfair trend that can undermine the sense of collective responsibility we all have towards mitigating climate change. What is required is a just transition to zero emissions.''

Osinbajo, commending the US for helping to improve healthcare outcomes in Africa, called for the same spirit of collaboration on making COVID-19 vaccines available to African countries'.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the need to coordinate actions to prevent and tackle pandemics while also building up public health infrastructure in developed and developing countries alike.

This is not a time for vaccine nationalism and export bans but rather of working together towards universal vaccination against the disease. The United States can lead in the effort to ensure that all countries and their peoples can access vaccines irrespective of the resources available to them," he stated.

While calling on the US to reset its foreign policy agenda with Africa, Osinbajo noted that the reviewed cooperation with the continent should promote a partnership that brings about economic prosperity, increases security, combats disease, improves governance and mitigates climate change.

On the implementation of African Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCFTA) , the vice president said the United States was well placed to lead trade and investment ties with Africa.

"And it has a good leg-in with the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA)," he added.

HEALTH IS WEALTH… L-R: Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; former President Goodluck Jonathan; and Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, during the opening of the three-day Bayelsa Health Summit in Yenagoa…yesterday

DPR Rallies Stakeholders to Boost Gas Supply Set to remove bottlenecks on network Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) yesterday rallied major stakeholders, including the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Limited (NBET) and power Generation Companies (Gencos), over its plans to ameliorate the current gasto-power shortage.

DPR told the Gencos that there was the need to take advantage of the Nigeria Gas Network Transportation Code (NGNTC) launched last year, stressing that it is ready to work with stakeholders on the removal of all bottlenecks on the use of the code.

The federal government had last week apologised for worsening power supply, blaming it on lack of gas supply.

Minister of Power, Mr. Saleh Mamman, had stated that seven of the key integrated power plants, comprising Geregu, Sapele, Omotosho, Gbarain, Omuku, Paras and

Alaoji, were experiencing gas constraints, leading to power outages.

But the Director of DPR, Mr Sarki Auwalu, told the Gencos that all their reservations concerning the gas supply code would be resolved so as to improve power supply.

He stated that as a country with over 203 trillion cubic feet of gas, Nigeria must take advantage of the availability of the commodity to resolve its energy challenges in line with the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari who has already declared the decade that of gas to fast-track the use of the fuel.

He added that the meeting was critical because up to 70 per cent of gas produced for the domestic market was consumed by the power generation companies, who use it to produce electricity.

He stated that the commercial sector, gas-based industries and the power companies will gain a lot by keying into the network code, a set of rules which was launched last year to expand

domestic gas-to-power, gas-toindustry, gas-to-manufacturing and mitigate the challenge associated with gas flaring in the country.

“We appreciate the challenges, which obviously, we expect to clear as we have these engagements. Interagency wise we are having a lot of engagements. The network code is not abstract.

We practicalise it by making it work and change in a way that will suit us to guarantee your business and opportunities provided by the gas value chain.

“We are expecting an outcome that will push things.

The business has to be right and any bottlenecks will be resolved because you can’t agree without disagreeing,” he added.

He said the government was interested in bringing together private investors in the gas sector, reiterating that the gas network code was introduced to ensure accessibility and affordability as well a level playing field for all operators.

According to him, all the

knotty issues surrounding the shortage of gas have been identified, including the ones expressed by the representatives of the Gencos, which he said would be dealt with in the next few weeks.

In his comments, the Vice Chairman, NERC, Dr Musiliu Oseni, stated that without stable electricity supply, the country cannot make progress.

He called for the collaboration of all stakeholders.

He noted that currently, Nigeria gets between 70 to 75 per cent of its power supply from thermal plants, which relies on gas to function.

Oseni described the DPR gas transportation document as important to the stability of gas supply, stressing that the meeting was to remove the challenges it will have with sections of the gas transportation code.

He stated that over the years, power output hovered between 3,500 and 3,900 megawatts, adding that there’s been a remarkable improvement in recent times.

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NNPC Averts Nationwide Petrol Scarcity, Intervenes in Tanker Drivers' Strike Corporation engages security agencies on cross-border smuggling

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Another major round of petrol scarcity nationwide was averted yesterday after the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) convinced the leadership of the Petrol Tanker Drivers (PTD) onto shelve its strike, which was already causing queues build-up in filling stations in Abuja.

The tanker drivers had withdrawn their services, following the failure of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) to negotiate the renewal of the Collective

Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for new working conditions for the drivers.

They also demanded the compulsory installation of safety valves in all petroleum trucks to protect the inflammable contents from spilling over in case of road mishaps.

Speaking after a meeting with the unions in Abuja, the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, assured them that their grouses would be resolved in about a week.

While urging Nigerians not to engage in panicbuying, he assured marketers that there will

PDP Constitutes North-west Caretaker Committee Chuks Okocha in Abuja The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday raised a caretaker committee to run the affairs of the party in the North-west.

It set up the committee following the inability of the zone to elect its leaders fortnight ago due to violence that marred its zonal congress.

The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said the NWC, acting on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and pursuant to Section 29(2)(b) of the party’s constitution (2017 as amended), constituted the North-west Zonal Caretaker Committee to pilot the affairs of the party in the zone.

The caretaker committee has Dr. Aminu Abdullahi as chairman, while Alhaji Sani Baba, Hon. Ali Madaki, Hon. Ibrahim Lawal Dankaba,

Hon. Umaru Maye, Alhaji Akibu Dalhatu are members.

Others members are A’isha Ibrahim Madina who will serve as member and Women Leader; Hamza Yunusa and Alhaji Baba Kasim Ibrahim who will serve as secretary.

The party said the caretaker committee would run the affairs of the party in the North-west zone, as stipulated in Section 21(2)(a-b) of the party’s constitution, until a new executive committee is elected.

According to the statement, the appointment is for a period not exceeding 40 days.

The NWC charged the members of the caretaker committee to show exemplary conduct and strict adherence to rules and regulations in the discharge of their assignment.

The NWC also urged all leaders, stakeholders and teeming members of the party in the North-west to continue to work together in the collective quest to reposition the party for the task ahead.

be no immediate increase in ex-depot price of petrol and urged Nigerians to stop panic buying of petrol as the corporation has over two billion litres in stock.

The corporation had said that until negotiations with organised labour were concluded, there would be no increase in the pump price of petrol.

“The strike was necessitated by the inability of their employers, NARTO, to increase their compensation leading to the industrial action. We were not able to resolve it last week.

“We have given commitments to both NARTO and PTD that we will resolve the underlying issues within a week and come back and have a total closure to the dispute, both in terms of government

responsibility, NARTO's and the PTD’s,” Kyari stated.

He added that the NNPC also had robust engagements with oil marketing companies in “respect to the increase in the volume that is being taken into the Nigerian market.”

He stated that all the stakeholders also agreed to work jointly with the security agencies to contain any possible infractions leading to some of the issues arising across the borders.

“We will allow the agencies to do their work and increase surveillance to make sure that fraudulent practices across our borders are contained and brought to the barest minimum and this involves the engagement of the police, DSS, Nigeria Customs

and other agencies of government, given the responsibility of ensuring that no cross-border smuggling takes place,” he added.

On the impasse between the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) and oil marketers, Kyari stated that engagements are ongoing to make sure that payment issues between PEF and oil marketing companies are resolved.

“All parties will engage to ensure all protocols are stable so that ultimately, oil marketing companies will not owe the PEF and PEF will not hold back dues that are due oil marketers,” he said.

Kyari said during the meeting, it was also agreed that the process of making products available to oil marketers would be

improved henceforth, while the NNPC would ensure its implementation soon as a way of reducing distribution cost.

“Let me also assure you that NNPC will not increase ex-depot price. That’s the assurance we are giving.

Petroleum products are very abundant. We have over two billion litres of petrol in our custody.

"Many of our fuel depots are stocked and there’s really no cause for alarm. With this understanding from tanker drivers and NUPENG, there’s no need to panic, no need to rush at the filling station,” he stated.

Some other attendees at the event were the National President, NARTO, Mr. Othman Yusuf; PTD National Chairman, Akanni Oladiti and Chairman, Ardova PLC, Abdulwasiu Sowami.

AMBASSADORIAL VISIT… L-R: Minister-Counsellor, Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Yi Yuan; Chinese Ambassador-Designate to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun; and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Chief Adeniyi Adebayo, during the ambassador-designate’s visit to the minister in Abuja…yesterday

INEC to Sanction Parties for Violent Congresses, Conventions Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday cautioned against the conduct of acrimonious party congresses and conventions, warning that it would move against any errant political party.

In a statement yesterday by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Festus Okoye, the commission said it had watched with utmost dismay and concern the recurrent acrimony, violence and destruction of property, including the commission’s property and equipment, which characterised some recent political party

congresses across the country.

The warning came against the backdrop of violence that marred the North-west zonal congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna, during which hoodlums attacked delegates with many of them sustaining injuries.

Okoye stated that the commission was mandated by law to monitor congresses because they constituted an important aspect of the electoral process and democracy in Nigeria.

"The level of violence in some of the congresses is making it extremely difficult for the commission to exercise its statutory oversight responsibility enshrined in Sections 85 and 87 of

the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended).

"In one such congress in Kaduna recently, violence broke out leading to the destruction of the commission’s ballot boxes," Okoye added.

He urged political parties to discharge their obligation to ensure that their congresses and conventions are orderly, democratic and in accordance with extant legal framework, their constitutions and guidelines, as well as INEC’s regulations and guidelines.

"This commission will not stand askance and watch party conventions and congresses degenerate into farcical rituals and violent fiascos that threaten lives and destroy property.

"For the avoidance of doubt, INEC will henceforth reconsider its involvement in these events, should they continue to put lives of members of the public and staff of the commission at risk. Henceforth, there will be far-reaching consequences in any situation where party congresses and conventions degenerate into violence and destruction of INEC property.

"Apart from replacing such destroyed materials, parties may be blacklisted from the receipt of INEC materials for their activities in the future. The commission may also withdraw its staff from monitoring such violent political party meetings, with the resultant non-recognition of their outcomes," Okoye said.

Meanwhile, three members of staff of INEC have been killed in an auto crash, while five others were injured.

A separate statement yesterday by Okoye said the accident occurred while the commission’s staff members were on their way to Maiduguri, Borno State for a training programme.

“On Sunday, April 18, 2021, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the state, Mr. Mohammed Magaji Ibrahim, informed the commission that an Electoral Officer (EO) and some Assistant Electoral Officers (AEOs) travelling from some local government areas to Maiduguri for a special training ahead of the conversion of voting

points into polling units were involved in the accident.

“Unfortunately, three staff: Adamu Mohammed (EO, Biu LGA), Abubakar Hamma Joda and Suleiman Umar (AEOs, Damboa LGA) lost their lives while five others sustained injuries. The deceased staff, who were indigenes of Adamawa State, will be buried today (yesterday), Monday, April 19, 2021, in Yola.

“The Supervising National Commissioner for Borno, Adamawa and Taraba States, AVM Ahmed Tijjani Mu’azu (rtd), will represent the commission at their funeral while the injured staff members are receiving treatment in a specialist hospital in Maiduguri,” Okoye said.

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PAGE EIGHT FG TURNED DOWN GOVS’ REQUEST TO BORROW N50BN FROM CBN, SAYS AHMED of a promissory note to one Dr Ted Edwards being payment for legal services rendered to the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in connection with the Paris Club refund.

The minister said rather than grant the governors' request, the federal government told them to manage the available funds.

She said: “It is a difficult time. I can explain to you how difficult it is not just for the federal government, but also for the states. We see increasing reduction in our FAAC revenue.

“In the month of March, we had a shortfall of FAAC that is almost about N50 billion and we did not have enough accrued in any of those accounts. The states, to be honest, wanted us to borrow from the central bank, but we resisted. We just told everybody to go back to live within what they had.

“So, it was very surprising for us when we heard a sitting governor saying that CBN has printed money for FAAC. That was very unfortunate because it is not true.”

The minister said whenever there was reduction in federal allocation, the federal government resorted to taking from some reserve accounts, adding that in the case of March allocation which fell

by N50 billion, all the state governments were asked to manage their resources.

Responding to a question

on how the economy was faring, she said the economy was stabilising from the recession that happened in the third quarter of 2020.

States Complain of Loss of 40% of Revenue to COVID-19 Governors yesterday lamented the precarious finances of states due to the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on revenue generation, resulting in a 40 per cent drop in their revenues.

They also identified weak environment and low technological integration in tax administration as factors militating against efforts to mobilise domestic revenues in the country.

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Director-General, Mr. Asishana Okauru, said in Abuja during the forum’s technology tax event, that these factors had undermined the capacity of tax authorities to collect taxes efficiently and the ability of taxpayers to meet their tax responsibilities conveniently.

"From our research last year, we already know that most contact-intensive taxes are at risk, given the lessons we learnt during the period of the lockdown where taxes collected from contact-intensive taxes fell by an average of 40 per cent across all states in Nigeria.

“For tax authorities, one big

lesson that we have learnt is the criticality of internet-based business support systems and payment platforms for the automation of all back-end operational processes and payments across all revenue streams.

"Historically, many governments have taken the path of least resistance, maintaining tax systems that allow them to maximise whatever limited options are available rather than expanding into digital and more efficient tax systems.

"Amidst this transformation, we also recognise risks of data ownership, data protection and cyber security. This each government must envisage.

It would require a strong in-house IT team and an experienced legal department that will help protect the interest of all parties, including taxpayers," he stated.

According to him, while the pathways to achieving tax digitalisation may vary from state to state, "the conditions remain the same, including providing broadband access and supporting the growth of digital skills in the wider economy."

He added that the value of web-based transactions in Nigeria rose from N31.6 billion (2.3 million transactions) in 2012 to N478 billion in 2019 (103.5 million transactions) while point of sale (PoS) transactions grew from N485 billion (2.6 million transactions) to N3.2 trillion (438.6 million

transactions) within the same period.

Mobile transactions, the NGF said, also grew to N828 billion (377.3 million transactions), from just N31.5 billion (2.3 million transactions) in 2012.

"Growth in these channels were in contrast to the value of cheques, which dropped from N7.5 trillion in 2012 (12.2 million transactions) to N4.5 trillion in 2019 (7.3 million transactions).

"The rise of digital payments does not only provide opportunities to advance financial intermediation and financial inclusion, but domestic revenue mobilisation, as it provides transaction efficiency and convenience for both tax authorities and taxpayers," the NGF said in one of the documents circulated at the tax conference.

Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mohammad Nami, stressed the need to look inwards on how to improve states' revenues to augment the shortfall of allocations from the

Federation Account He stated that taxation all over the world has always been the most reliable and sustainable source of government revenue if well harnessed and effectively administered.

He regretted that the reliance on oil revenue in previous years had exposed the country to huge revenue challenges and resulted in poor budget

implementation across the three tiers of government.

Nami said proffering solution for the nagging revenue challenges required a deliberate strategic action plan.

Governors Write Minister, Want Halt of Payment to Contractors The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) yesterday wrote the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, asking her to halt the issuance of a promissory note to one Dr Ted Edwards being payment for legal services rendered to the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in connection with the Paris Club refund.

The NGF, in a letter written on its behalf by its lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, said the request was predicated on a court action instituted to "challenge the decisions of the court relating to or connected with payments of legal and consultancy fees arising from London Club D00ebt, Buy Back and London Club Debt Exit Payment, which is the fulcrum of the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja in Suit Nos. FHC/ ABJ/CS/130/13 — LINAS International Ltd & ORS.V. The Federal Government of Nigeria & ORS. The letter, a copy of which was sighted by THISDAY

Newspaper, was dated April 19, 2021 and titled: Re: Issuance of Promissory Note to Dr Ted Iseghone Edwards.

It read in part: "Our attention has been drawn to a letter from the firm of Ikechukwu Ezechukwu, SAN & Co dated 8" April, 2021 urging you to issue promissory notes to Dr. Ted Iseghoni Edwards.

"We respectfully urge you not to accede to the request because these promissory notes are to be deducted from the accounts of the states for the next ten (10) years. It Is therefore expedient to await the outcome of legal steps being taken by the states as represented by the NGF. "Section 162(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) mandates any amount standing to the credit of local governments to be paid directly to the states for the benefit of their local government councils.

The states therefore have a responsibility to ensure that funds standing to the credit of the local government councils are protected as custodians of such funds."

Falana added that all court processes challenging the judgments of courts as well as those seeking for stay of execution and/or injunction pending appeal have been prepared and will be filed immediately the ongoing strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) is called off.

MAHMUD TUKUR: WORTHY ACADEMIC, FORTHRIGHT, HONEST, TRUE PATRIOT not a surprise, therefore, that he topped the class in Bauchi Secondary School coming out with a Grade 1 in the West African School Certificate in 1957.

I first set eyes on Mahmud Tukur in August 1958 when a group of us were assembled in Kano to be flown to the UK for further studies. The Sardauna, Premier of the North (may ALLAH rest his soul) personally selected six boys, all top of their class in their respective secondary schools: Mahmud Tukur, Tiamiyu Salami, Abubakar Alhaji, Augustine Yange (now Abdullahi Yange), Shehu Ibrahim and myself were told to drop whatever we were doing and prepare to go to England.

We were taken to London, thence to Bournemouth and placed in Bournemouth Municipal College. The Sardauna’s instruction was that we were to be given a “liberal education”. The subjects in the curricula were: History, Geography, English Literature, Latin, Logic and Mathematics. We enjoyed our studies although Mahmud complained that Logic was jolly uninteresting. He and I shared rooms in our digs and have been sharing

views, advocating causes and defending interests ever since.

In quick succession, Mahmud passed his O and A levels and was admitted to Aberystwyth campus, University of Wales, where Prince Charles, the eldest son of the Queen of England also studied. He came out top of the class there too being awarded the Elizabeth Morris memorial prize. He graduated with Honours Degree in International Relations. His tutor, the distinguished academician, Professor P. A. Reynolds held Mahmud in such high regard that on occasions he would ask Mahmud to review a new book and would present it for publication under his name. No higher praise from a teacher to a student.

His academic performances were outstanding, proceeding to the University of Pittsburgh, US and to North Western University to do a Masters Degree in International Relations. There he was with an old friend, Professor John Paden, author of books on Nigeria including biographies of Ahmadu Bello (1976) and Muhammadu Buhari (2015).

On returning home from America, he joined the Northern Nigeria Civil Service

with stints in the Premiers Office as District Officer (D.O.) in Niger Province and at the newly created Ministry of Water Resources. He learnt the rudiments of government under great civil servants like Ali Akilu, Liman Ciroma and Sunday Awoniyi.

In view of his academic leanings, the Northern Nigerian Government seconded him to ABU to head the Institute of Administration, Kongo, Zaria.

There he shaped the themes and curricula of the College to suit the developmental requirements of the North.

It was in fact at Kongo that he came into national prominence by organizing prestigious seminars on the state of the nation and future course of development and politics. The seminars kicked off with major contributions by Ahmadu Coomassie, Dr Ishaya Audu, then Vice Chancellor of ABU and Ali Akilu. From Lagos, Allison Ayida, Philip Asiodu and Ime Ebong, the celebrated and influential so-called super Permanent Secretaries in General Gowon’s government were regular participants over the years.

Mahmud Tukur undertook the task of systematiSing all the aggregates of viewpoints and proposals into workable

policy options and forwarded the conference consensus to federal and state governments.

After the war, the federal government appointed him Principal, later Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano.

Mahmud Tukur brought to bear his intellect and energy to fashion a university which will be in harmony with its environment. The idea of a University differs from society to society. Mahmud Tukur believed that a university in Northern Nigeria must adapt and conform to the overall theme and direction of the founders of the Sokoto Caliphate: Shehu Usman Danfodio, Abdullahi Gwandu and Sultan Muhammadu Bello.

He avidly read and taught books of these great masters.

Alas his tenure in BUK was cut short as a result of a bizarre decision by General Obasanjo who abruptly posted Mahmud Tukur as Vice-Chancellor of Lagos University and Professor Akinkugbe to ABU. Mahmud refused and resigned his offices.

This abrupt end did not result in complete distance from the Academia. Mahmud set to work and adapt his Doctoral thesis to write his stupendous “Leadership and Governance in Nigeria: the relevance of values.” It was a major work of scholarship and understanding.

During, in between and even at the end of his formal public service, he was called upon to assist the Government in different ways. He was a member of, first the Adebo and then the Udoji Salaries and Wages Commissions after the Civil War, he helped draft many of the recommendations in the two committees. Both Adebo and Udoji held him in high esteem.

We served together in the Constitution Drafting Committee set up by General Murtala Muhammed in 1975 under the Chairmanship of the veteran lawyer

INDEPENDENCE OF JUDICIARY NON-NEGOTIABLE, SAY SENATE, NBA legislatures in the 36 states of the federation.

The governors' commitment came against the backdrop of the ongoing indefinite strike by judicial workers pressing for financial autonomy for state judiciaries as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the Executive Order 10 signed by President Muhammadu Buhari to strengthen the enforcement of the constitutional provisions for financial autonomy for state judiciaries and legislatures.

As part of efforts at ending the judicial workers' strike, which began on April 6, the Minister for Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, will today meet with the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), which is also on strike over demands for better welfare.

The industrial dispute in the judiciary also worsened yesterday with lawyers marching on the National

Assembly in solidarity with JUSUN members.

The lawyers, under the aegis of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), also cautioned the federal government and the National Assembly against negotiating with the governors on the independence of the judiciary.

The Senate also supported the clamour for an financial autonomy for the judiciary, saying that the independence of the judiciary is not negotiable.

Fayemi, after the meeting with Gambari and others to discuss a proposal on how to end the logjam over financial autonomy for state judiciaries and legislatures, said: "But for us, we're here for legislative and judicial autonomy and the governors, the speakers and the judges are on the same page, as far as this issue is concerned.

“We just emerged from a meeting with the SolicitorGeneral of the Federation, the representatives of the

judiciary, the representatives of the Conference of Speakers and House of Representatives and we are on all fours. An agreement has been reached."

According to him, the implementation of financial autonomy has been finally resolved at yesterday’s meeting and is to begin latest by the end of May once the final copy of the implementation document is ready.

Continued on page 37

Rotimi Williams. Mahmud Tukur always argued during deliberations that a Constitution should not be just an abstract, not to say abstruse, legal document but a living document in tune with the social system of the polity.

That way, we were able to simplify and clarify many opaque chapters of the Draft Constitution. This 1976-77 draft is what is currently in use today with few major changes.

Throughout my 60 odd years of knowing Mahmud, I never knew him to shirk an assignment or duck a challenge.

He was forthright, honest, a stickler for doing things in the right way. A student of society he believed in the traditional institutions of Northern Nigeria and in the oneness of Nigeria.

He championed the cause of the North and Nigeria. He was a true patriot and a scholar for the ages.

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COMMENT

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

THE MARATHONER AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE Osaro Eghobamien uses the marathon as metaphor to press for changes in the administration of justice

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had run two previous marathons. The 10th of April was the date set for my third and I was as determined as ever, but perhaps also a little more apprehensive. This year, the race was exclusively for elite athletes due to COVID -19 restrictions. I was once again given the rare privilege to spend the night in the same hotel as the elite. This concession always made me feel rather special. We gathered at the lobby as usual, between 4.00 am and 4.30 am on the D-day, preparing to be conveyed to the National Stadium.

I occupied myself with analysis of these slim and impressive physical specimens. I wondered how many hours they practiced. When in their childhood did they start to practice? What propelled them to compete at this level, and what made them seem so close –almost like a family? Soon my thoughts were on the race itself and the grilling my body was about to endure. Had I practiced enough for a 42km journey, and why was I doing this anyway? Would my efforts ever make a difference, and would I ever achieve the objective of winning anyone over to appreciate that with some personal sacrifice, symbolized through the gruelling agony of a marathon, we can each make a difference?

Soon, the technical adviser called out to all the athletes to file into a waiting bus. He took one good look at me and with a knowing smirk on his face, I fancied I could just about read his mind: “you are not an elite runner, but still, I respect you and your courage”. In no time we drove though the peace and quiet of Lagos and arrived the National Stadium at about 5.30 am. Rather quickly it was time for “on your marks”. I am not sure how the professionals react to this call, but on my part, there was a nervous chill that rushed through my body in a split second. As always, everyone started with a burst of energy, almost at the pace of a 100 metre dash! The elite of the elite, the Kenyans and Ethiopians, quickly disappeared, it seemed, into thin air.

The rest of us were left in the company of sideline spectators running the type of humorous commentaries you would expect. I heard things like “Papa keep it up, the Lord is your strength”; “Daddy the Kenyans have finished the race”; “Daddy, it’s okay you are just making up the supporters’ club.” On the 3rd mainland bridge there were no spectators, no cheer leaders, and no children encouraging or jeering, just one very long stretch of road that seemed never ending. My thoughts voyaged again to the justice delivery system and remained there for the entire stretch. The questions seemed unending. Why could we not get simple things right and excel the way the Kenyans and Ethiopians did in this race? Why could we not adopt remote hearings for at least basic applications –given the implications of a global pandemic that has almost become somewhat stale, yet with little innovation to show on the part of our justice system, to make it more responsive

WHY COULD THE BRIGHTEST FROM THE PROFESSION NOT BE APPOINTED TO THE BENCH, THEREBY IMPORTING LEGITIMATE SCHOLARSHIP INTO COURT JUDGMENTS?

to the needs of those whom it serves? And what about informing counsel when a case will not hold to spare the collective resources of the litigant, the counsel, the court and indeed the economy? Why could the brightest from the profession not be appointed to the bench, thereby importing legitimate scholarship into court judgments? Why not get lawyers and non-lawyers of integrity to monitor the life style (for, say, three years) of those considered for elevation to the bench, to ensure they are of a fitting moral character? Why not get the registrar to sort out all processes before cases are called in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court? Why should a case be adjourned for two years simply on account that a process had not been served by the Registry?

So deep was I in thought, that in no time I observed I was walking at the end of the bridge. I had completed a large stretch of the task before me. At Bourdillon I was still going very strong when I noticed one of my colleagues after the 30km mark. Almost on cue, I began to feel the pain. Thereafter I did more walking and chatting than running or jogging. The more I walked the more I amassed cheer leaders and well-wishers. The more well-wishers, the greater the pain I felt, and yet the more I interrogated what it would take to see a justice system that exudes confidence and competence. I was offered rides by the designated buses to help many who may not be inclined to finish their task the way they had intended. It was tempting, but I quickly banished the thought and reprimanded myself for even considering it.

I said to myself, it is so easy to cut corners and in any event is that not an apt allegory for our state of affairs–many short cuts are available for those who would take the path of least resistance. After about five hours of the ordeal, I finally walked into my colleagues waiting at the finish line. They cracked a great many jokes including the fact that the banners at the finish line had all been brought down! Even with these jabs, they were supportive all the way. Another jolt of adrenaline inspired by the humour and camaraderie, and I laughed all the way across finish line –despite my pains.

In the final analysis, I have found no better metaphor for the changes needed in our justice system, than a marathon. Changes to the administration of justice will not come as a sprint, but a marathon.

What we do in pursuit of the administration of justice, and why we do it, must be subject to constant review and personal reflection for every stakeholder. The Justice Reform Project has its work cut out beautifully. Success in any task of reform requires discipline, mastery and self-control from all those who bear the primary responsibility of effecting the change. As the cliché goes, if you are not part of the solution, you just might be part of the problem.

Eghobamien is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria

OBASEKI, PRINTING AND‘SHARING’OF MONEY One of the duties of the central bank is to print money when necessary, argues Jackson Osagie

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he Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele, was all too charitable in responding to the medieval hypothesis of Mr. Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo State who recently said that the federal government printed naira notes for sharing. Emefiele should never have dignified Obaseki with any response except he did so to explain to Nigerians the true situation of the nation’s monetary system.

Equally charitable was the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, who also extrapolated the theory of printing money in global economic management and fiscal control.

At a recent programme in Benin, Obaseki had raised the alarm that oil revenue was shrinking and this made the government to print about N60 billion to augment allocation shared to states in March, this year. He also wondered at the increasing debt burden hanging over the nation.

First, let it be placed on record that Obaseki has not said anything new. National debt is growing uncomfortably. Naira notes were printed. Emefiele confirmed as much. The minister said no money was printed for sharing. This does not mean that money was not printed, for the benefit of those who claim Emefiele contradicted the minister. There’s no contradiction here. Money was printed but not for ‘sharing’ as claimed by Obaseki.

Every kobo shared among the 36 states and the federal government at the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) comes from receipts from crude oil, taxes, tariffs and sundry revenues raised internally from all the revenue-generating agencies and paid into the Consolidated Account. This is even public knowledge and it’s usually advertised and widely publicized. It started from Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala era as Minister of Finance.

It would have been suicidal if Nigeria did

not print money. Other countries have printed money and will continue to print money. It’s not an illegality. It becomes illegal if it was done outside the purview of the CBN. One of the duties of reserve banks (Central banks) all over the world is to print money when necessary.

Let’s consider other economies including developed economies. Last November, the Bank of England announced it will print £150 billion (N78.99 trillion) to boost the nation’s economy as outlook worsens under the weight of covid-19 pandemic. The printed money will be used to buy up government debt to keep borrowing costs low. The UK has had to contend with national lockdowns as did Nigeria and other countries around the world.

Again in 2020, China’s monetary authority, the People’s Bank of China, issued more than 8.98 trillion yuan ($1.36 trillion), the highest amount issued in one year so far. Over the past years, the value of printed money in China has increased steadily according to the dictates of the economy. In the midst of the pandemic, the United States, the European Central Bank, Japan, and emerging economies such as Turkey and Indonesia all printed (or are printing) money to revive their economies which had sagged under the strain of the pandemic. When these countries and indeed other nations print money, their politicians don’t mount the soapbox to parrot it in the manner Obaseki did before his transition committee.

Most capitalist market economies traditionally undergo a boom and bust cycle. It’s the duty of central banks to preempt these cyclic phases and roll out measures to cushion the impact of the bust on the economy and the people. In view of the trauma Nigerian economy had suffered these recent years – two recessions within four years plus the crippling pang of a pandemic, it would amount to dumb monetary economic management if

CBN does not print more money to boost economic activities.

For the first time in Nigeria, CBN, under Emefiele, has financed agriculture with substantial evidence of productivity in a critical sector once left in the hands of artisans. Courtesy of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, rice, cotton and other agricultural produce are now harnessed in commercial quantity with concomitant improvement in their value chains.

Emefiele would later explain the concept of printing of money this way: “The concept of printing of money is about lending money.

That is our job – print money. So there is no need to put controversy about the printing of money as if we are going into the factory, printing naira and distributing on the streets.

“In 2015/2016, we were in a similar (fiscal) situation, but it is far worse today. We provided a budget support facility to all the states of the country and that loan remains unpaid till now. We are going to insist on the states paying the loan back since they are effectively accusing us of giving them loans.

“Most countries of the world today are confronted by not just the health crisis from the COVID pandemic but also economic crisis.

I keep saying this: it would be irresponsible of the Central Bank of Nigeria or any central bank to stand idle and refuse to support its government at this time. Whatever we do in Nigeria is being done in any clime.”

And that says it all. Nobody prints money to distribute as Obaseki crudely paints the picture. Obaseki is an investment banker, a governor of a state. He ought to know better rather than his primitive presumption, even assertion, that money was printed and shared at FAAC. Rather than lament over the so-called printing of money and sharing of same at the end of every month, Obaseki should creatively make Edo State self-sufficient. With all the potential of Edo State, Obaseki has not made

it an oasis of roaring success. Edo is burdened by poverty, unemployment and profiled as the state with the highest number of female migrants to Europe in search of greener pasture.

Is it not a thing to be ashamed of that a governor who has reduced his state to a laughing stock would leave weighty domestic challenges staring down at him in his domain to make wild and medieval allegation about ‘printing and sharing’ money. The CBN says loans (budget support facilities) were advanced to states to cushion the harsh economic climate. Has Obaseki paid Edo loan? What is the current internally generated revenue (IGR) of the state? Edo is one of the states ranked as being incapable of surviving without federal allocation. Obaseki should worry about such things. Accusing the CBN of printing money is a subterfuge, an excuse to escape the censure from Edo people who are obviously tired of his tonnes of excuses for non-performance.

Edo does not have a cabinet five months after Obaseki was sworn in on Thursday, November 12, 2020 for the second term. The governor is merely sleeping and waking in Government House. Edo needs purposeful leadership and good governance. That is what they elected Obaseki to do, not playing senseless politics with ‘printing of money for sharing’, a very primitive hypothesis coming from a man who has seen the four walls of a university both in Nigeria and in the United States. Governor Obaseki ought to understand the basic concept of printing money by a reserve bank (central bank) of any country.

They do not physically print banknotes and mint coins and start sharing among states or provinces. That’s voodoo economics. But first, let him pay up the loan advanced to his state

by CBN, so it can ‘print more money and share’ to him and his ilk.

Osagie, a Development Economist, wrote from Benin

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EDITORIAL THE STRIKE OF JUDICIAL WORKERS Financial autonomy will aid judicial independence

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or the past two weeks, judicial workers across the country have been on strike to protest the lack of financial autonomy for the critical arm of government.

At a period when anarchy is almost set upon the land by the activities of criminal gangs, it bodes ill that the court system is also out of reach for the common man.

The issues in this controversy are clear. The 1999 constitution (as amended) grants financial autonomy to the federal and state judiciaries. To compel compliance by governors, a former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president, Olisa Agbakoba, SAN and the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) filed separate actions in courts. The refusal by the governors to comply with the various judgments affirming financial autonomy to state judiciaries has further proved that even if a country has the best constitution in the world, its efficacy will still depend largely on those whose duty is it to implement its provisions.

Last year, President Muhammadu Buhari - who is not a model when it comes to obeying court judgements--affirmed IF JUDGES HAVE NO the decisions of the REASON TO DRAW THEIR courts by issuing FUNDS FROM THE STATE Executive Order 10 of GOVERNMENTS, THEY CAN 2020, in exercise of his powers under Section UPHOLD THE DICTATES 5 of the Constitution.

OF THEIR CONSCIENCE But apparently irked

BY DISPENSING JUSTICE by this presidential WITHOUT FEAR OR intervention, the FAVOUR governors have largely ignored the executive order which they consider non-binding. That is what has led to the strike by judicial workers.

In Nigeria, the principle of separation of powers has to an extent been effective at the federal level. But the reverse has been the case in the 36 states. Hadly does any state government lose a case they institute or instituted against them in the various high courts. It is

Letters to the Editor

believed that a major cause of this is lack of financial autonomy. If judges have no reason to draw their funds from the state governments, they can then begin to uphold the dictates of their conscience by dispensing justice without fear or favour.

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T H I S DAY EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI AJAYI, DAVIDSON IRIEKPEN, MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE

T H I S DAY 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, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PATRICK EIMIUHI, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT PATRICIA UBAKA-ADEKOYA TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

owever, judges themselves are partly to blame for the manner in which they are treated by the governors. In September 2020, Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu presented 51 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) and eight houses to judges in Lagos State. At about the same period, Governor Nyesom Wike also bought SUVs for judges in Rivers State. Recently, Governor Aminu Tambuwal bought SUVs for judges in Sokoto State.

Both Wike and Tambuwal are lawyers. It is the same in practically all the states where governors treat the judicial arm almost the same way they treat their legislature.

Rather than allow judges to decide for themselves and budget for the vehicles, governors now buy vehicles for them. Yet by accepting ‘gifts’ from governors, even when these vehicles were purchased with public money, the judges have unwittingly compromised their offices and made themselves very vulnerable.

It will be difficult for a judge to rule against a major benefactor.

Addressing the issue when he was Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed said: “It is now clear that, in the interests of the administration of justice, our learned colleagues, the Attorneys-General, should have impartially counselled their principals on the need to adhere strictly to the judgment of the Court.” The then CJN went further to highlight options for the governors and we share his position: “Indeed there were two choices left to the Attorneys General - either to file an appeal against the judgment, or to render an opinion to the state governors requesting that they obey the order of the court as stipulated by the constitution. The Law is not a pick and mix bag.”

Enough said!

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (9501000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

KILLING OF MILITARY PERSONNEL MUST STOP

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fortnight ago, Nigerians woke up to hear about the brutal killing of an Army Captain and some soldiers who were on a routine patrol operation in Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State.

The 11 fallen heroes were killed by alleged gunmen who ambushed their military convoy. Unconfirmed reports also claimed that the slain troops met their ‘tragic end’ after intervening in a ‘bloody’ communal clash between Konshisha and Oju local governments. Days earlier, they were first declared missing. But in a statement, issued penultimate Thursday, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Yerima, Director, Army Public Relations, said the missing soldiers were later found dead. This was after a search and rescue operation was conducted. Though, this is not the first time personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have fallen victim of unscrupulous elements, it is heart breaking that service to fatherland is being turned into source of sorrow.

With the killings come new widows and children who have no father to look up to. Dying in the war front is not a new thing, but when it happens when on a mission to restore peace, it becomes unacceptable. The attacks by gunmen on security personnel cut across the country.

Like many spirited and concerned Nigerians, Hajia Salamatu Adebayo, the Publicity Secretary, Mothers for United Nigeria (MUN), laments the frequent attack on members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. Haj. Adebayo, like several other Nigerians, is of the opinion that the wanton attack on troops is capable of ‘killing’ their morale, while affecting ongoing military operations across the country.

Families of our military personnel are already in pain, missing their loved one’s engaged in several operations. Some families have not seen their loved ones who are engaged in military operations for months. The last any of the families want to hear is death of their loved ones. Therefore, deliberately killing people who have mortgaged their lives for the country is adding salt to the

injury. Like Hajia Adebayo said, we must ensure the morale of our military personnel is not dampened. We must support them at this very crucial point in the history of our great nation.

We must support the new service chiefs led by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Leo Irabor, and give them the benefit of doubt as they seek solutions to the security challenges ravaging the land. Thankfully, the killings have been condemned by Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, who vowed to collaborate with security agencies to bring peace to Konshisha. Ortom, while describing the incident as unfortunate, apologised to the families of the fallen heroes. He vowed that the state government would collaborate with security agencies to ensure that all those who perpetrated the act are fished out and brought to book.

He regretted the manner in which the soldiers died in the hands of the militias, while trying to ensure peace in troubled areas of the state. Ortom appealed to the families of the deceased soldiers to forgive him for uncomplimentary comments he may have made in the course of the situation, saying he made them based on the information available to him at that time. “If I said anything that was offensive to the families, I ask for their forgiveness,” he said. The governor pledged his administration’s support for the bereaved families.

Political, community, religious and traditional rulers must educate their people on need to support the Armed Forces to bring peace to their domain.

But beyond the condolences of Governor Ortom, there is need for a proactive measure to arrest the spate of wanton attacks on military personnel. It should dawn on the federal government, most especially, to find a way to curb anything that will ‘shatter’ the morale of troops in various operations. It is fundamental to ensure that effective military strategies evolved to fight terrorists, bandits, militia gangs, and other criminals, are not weakened.

That is why every necessary machinery must be put in place to avoid a repeat of the Konshisha event.

Ifeanyi Aigbedion, Abuja

GODZILLA WILL RETURN

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he Japanese government is going to release radioactive water used to cool the damaged Fukushima reactors into the ocean. The water will be “cleaned” of the most dangerous radioactive materials. No, this is not the plot of the latest Godzilla movie, this is real life.

The powerful filter system is of course safe, although so was the reactor. Things can go wrong, and a polluted, radioactive ocean would be another disaster.

The other issue is that if the filter works perfectly where will the Japanese government store the highly reactive material for the next few million years?

There are so many worries about this and the possible damage to our planet. A better solution must be found. Godzilla will not be happy.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

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POLITICS

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG Email nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com (08114495324 SMS ONLY)

Despite Criticisms, Governor Masari Trudges On Francis Sardauna writes that despite criticisms from disparagers apparently aimed at turning Katsina State into an amphitheater of political skirmishes, Governor Aminu Bello Masari is executing developmental projects in the state

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s the battle for who become the next governor of Katsina State commences, Governor Aminu Bello Masari is getting flaks from those who would want to ride on populist but erroneous opinion to get into Aso Rock Villa to see President Muhammadu Buhari.

Some aspiring politicians in the state who contested for elective position in 2015 but failed because they were rejected have joined forces in their bid to discredit the modest work of Governor Masari with the sole aim of grabbing power in the forthcoming elections.

As in most states of the federation, these “desperate politicians” continue to wage a campaign of calumny against the former Speaker of the House of Representatives but he continues to break the boundaries set by the critics who have failed to acknowledge his immense contributions and good work in the state.

The governor who is not a nonnative to high wired politics of Nigeria and his vast political experience at the House of Representatives is using his people-oriented projects cut across the nocks and crannies of the state to make a mockery of the disparagers whose main concern is the state treasury.

Masari, who believes that actions speak louder than the words, has not reneged on his promise since assumption of office in 2015 as some incurable skeptics would want people to believe. Despite the unflinching criticisms and insecurity orchestrated by bandits that continue to disrupt the flow of activities, the governor has been able to make laudable interventions.

Not cowed by paucity of funds and the criticims, the Masari-led administration’s interventions in critical sectors of the state—education, security, health, agriculture, environment, water supply, roads and infrastructures have surpassed the expectations of those (critics) crucifying him under the guise of “not doing anything” for the state.

For instance, in the education sector, the governor has so far constructed over 1,026 new classrooms and rehabilitated 1,268 classrooms. Also, 135 new offices were constructed and 532 rehabilitated while 135 new stores were built and 532 were rehabilitated across the 34 local governmnet areas of the state.

To avert open defecation, the administration built 930 toilets in primary schools across the state and constructed seven new secondary schools across the three senatorial zones of the state. The administration also rehabilitated 25 secondary schools in the zones. Also, 13 out of 18 Science and Technical Vocational Schools in the state were completely rehabilitated and upgraded to a state-of-art facilities.

Similarly, all girls’ secondary schools in the state were converted to boarding. With over 2,000 teachers recruited for primary and secondary schools, additional 5,000 have been recruited under the state youths empowerment and social intervention programme, known as S-Power for effective and efficient teaching.

For tertiary education, the sum of N7.32billion has so far been expended on scholarship for indigenes of the state since 2015, as well as the provision of infrastructure and services at the four state owned tertiary institutions, namely, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU), Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic (HUKP), Isa Kaita College of Education (IKCOED) and Dr. Yusuf Bala Usman College (YBUC).

Despite the limited resources, Governor Masari was able to complete all the unfinished road projects inherited from the immediate past administration, most of which were hastily awarded but barely started on the eve of the preceding administration’s departure

Masari

in May, 2015.

Aside other ongoing road projects, the Masari administration has constructed 515 kilometres of roads in the three senatorial districts as well as 39 rural feeder roads with a total length of 461 kilometres across the 34 local government areas of the state.

The governor on assumption of office, initiated a joint security action by North-west states of Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi, as well as far way North-central state of Niger to bring an end to the issue of banditry and other nefarious activities afflicting the states.

This workable security action, prompted the former Inspector-general of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to convened a Peace Summit in Katsina that facilitated discussions with representatives of the bandits’ leaders and forest commanders from the affected states.

However, even in the face of the recent onslaught by these mercenaries, Governor Masari was able to engineer the hurt-free rescue of the abducted 344 students of Government Science Secondary School Kankara and hundreds of other kidnapped victims across the frontline local government areas of the state.

In spite of repeated explanation by the governor that the state government did not pay a dime to secure the release of

the schoolboys, the governor’s disparagers continue to spread a counter narrative that millions of naira exchanged hands before the boys were released. Interestingly, it was a fantastic story at the end of an awful week.

The present administration also embarked on several projects and programmes to revamp the healthcare system in the state.

Notable among the projects, is the rehabilitation, upgrading and remodelling of General Hospitals Daura, Katsina, Funtua, Musawa, Kankia, Malumfashi, Baure and Dutsin-man and the construction of a Special Eye Centre at General Amadi Rimi Specialist Hospital.

Agriculture being the mainstay of the state economy has been adequately given the desired attention by the Masari-administration.

Also, its efforts in the water sector that involves the renovation and expension of Ajiwa Dam and numerable others across the state, had drastically tackled water-borne diseases such as diarrhea, dyscentery, typhiod and polio which hitherto bedeviled citizens of the state due to negligence by successful past administrations.

Similarly, the revolving and proactive steps being explored by Masari had drastically stemmed the effects of flooding and other environmental challenges on residents, property and businesses in the state. He constructed flood and erosion control

All girls’ secondary schools in the state were converted to boarding. With over 2,000 teachers recruited for primary and secondary schools, additional 5,000 have been recruited under the state youths empowerment and social intervention programme, known as S-Power for effective and efficient teaching. For tertiary education, the sum of N7.32billion has so far been expended on scholarship for indigenes of the state since 2015, as well as the provision of infrastructure and services at the four state owned tertiary institutions, namely, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU), Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic (HUKP), Isa Kaita College of Education (IKCOED) and Dr. Yusuf Bala Usman College (YBUC).

Despite the limited resources, Governor Masari was able to complete all the unfinished road projects inherited from the immediate past administration

structures in 122 sites, covering over 150 communities across the state.

These projects includes 88,537m of combined reinforced concrete line, block line and masonry line drainages; 1,910m of retaining wall; 360m length of drift; 104 culverts and 1,550m of embankment.

In the state capital, 21,139m of combined concrete line, block line and masonry line drainages, as well as 24 box culverts were also provided. These interventions in the metropolis enabled residents of Kofar Kaura, Sabuwar Unguwa and Kofar Kwaya to ply their roads during the rainy season.

Another milestone achievement by the Masari-led government in the metropolis is the construction of pedestrian crossing and expansion of water channel between Nayalli Bridge and Adeleke Bridge. It also recruited additional 231 casual staff and increased the monthly stipends of the over 2,000 casual staff of the State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) from the usual N4,500 to N7,000 to boost their productivity.

On pension and gratuities, the governor on assumption of office in 2015, inherited backlog of pension and gratuities, including death benefits of state, local governments and local education authorities retirees, amounting to billions of naira but is frantically taming the conundrum.

Miffed by the gory condition of the senior citizens, the governor immediately ordered the payment of their entitlements and death benefits to the families of the slain retired public servants to assuage their predicaments.

Accordingly, between June 2015 to August 2020, the administration paid a whooping sum of N18,953,705,212.39 as pension and N10,667,824,773.80 as gratuity to the retirees under the state payroll, amounting to N29,621,529,983.19.

He equally cleared the local governments N24,002,208,098.00 pension between June to August 2020 and gratuity of N17,368,300,524.26 to enable the beneficiaries successfully tackle their perennial challenges. Between June 2015 and August 2020, the administration expended the sum of N70,992,038,405.45 on state, local government and local government education authorities retirees.

The administration also expended the sum of N7.1 billion on the completion of road projects it inherited from the previous administrations. The roads include Dandume-Kadisau-Daudawa road, Marabar Sayaya-Sayaya-Mazoji road, Eka-Kadandani-Kuraye-Yargamji road and Dankaba-Abdallawa-Jifatu road.

Others are Tsanni-Tsauri road, BatagarawaTashar Bala-Lambar Rim-Tsegoro road, Unguwar Lalle-Unguwar Waziri road, Funtua BCGA Dry Port dual carriageway, Funtua township roads, Nagogo-Yahaya Madaki road and Sandamu-Baure-Babban Mutum road.

As if that was not enough, the present administration has awarded 17 other new road projects and 10 of the awarded projects have been completed and commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari, while seven others are at different levels of completion.

To ease housing challenges in the state, 450 units of houses are currently under construction and in various stages of completion. The administration expanded and upgraded Funtua central market and motor park. This is in addition to expanding the state transport authority by adding over 30 Toyota Costa and Hiace buses to the company’s fleet.

With these tremendous achievements of Governor Aminu Bello Masari in the state, there is need for his detractors or disparagers to join forces with him in order to bring more democratic dividends to the citizens’ doorsteps instead of unnecessary criticims that may turn the state to an amphitheater of political skirmishes.

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY APRIL 20, 2021

POLITICS

Discordant Tunes Trail Appointment of Local Government Caretaker Committee in Kwara Hammed Shittu uses the recent inauguration of caretaker committees to replace elected local government administration in Kwara State to show how Nigerian governors continue to disregard a Supreme Court ruling on tenure of elected local government officials

AbdulRazaq

Bolarinwa

Salihu

Shittu

I

Apart from this, the elected council chairmen which he met on ground upon assumption of office were suspended from the office and he appointed the Director of Personnel Management (DPM) to see to the affairs of the local government councils.

It would be noted that, the suspended council chairmen and councillors were democractically elected into office on November 17, 2018 during the immediate past administration of former governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.

The affected council officials were supposed to end their tenure on November 27, 2020 but they were suspended from.office before the expiration of their tenure.

Although, the governor cited the alleged financial recklessness on the part of the suspended elected local government councils officlas but up till date the governor has not established a prima facie case against the suspended elected council officials in the state.

The state house of assembly, however, through its committee set up to look into the allegation jointly indicted the suspended Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmen and councillors of allegedly embezzling the local government funds and directed the governor to suspend them from office.

Though, the PDP elected council chairmen who were suspended from office then kicked against their dissolution and vowed that, their dissolution was against the constitution of the country adding that, their tenure ought to have been concluded before the governor dissolved them.

Following this ugly situation, the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state swung into action with the hope that the governor will conduct the local government polls in the state. Their billboards are erected at strategic locations in their various local government councils areas of the state. They also embarked on a door-to-door campaign to the voters in their various wards in the state.

The members of the state Independent electoral commission that was set up by the immediate past administration was dissolved but the latter

challenged their dissolution at the court so as to ensure that their tenure is not terminated prematurely and this stopped the government from holding council poll in the state.

But, recently, the state governor, Alhaji AbdulRazaq announced the appointment and composition of members of transition implementation committee for the 16 local government councils in the state.

These officlas were handpicked by the governor, but stakeholders in the state have vehemently kicked against it as they claim it has violated the Supreme Court ruling that voided the handpicking of local government administrators.

Politocal pundits in the state also argue that, this new development was condemned and resisted by the opposition in 2016, when Governor AbdulRazaq was an opponent of the government in power at that time. He claimed then that dissolution of an elected local administration was an aberration that should be resisted, but instead the governor went ahead to appoint caretaker committee chairmen for the 16 local government councils in the state. Today, it is shocking to see Governor AbdulRazaq doing the same thing he condemned five years ago.

The pundits claimed.further that, since the current administration rode into power throught the “O Tò Ge” (Enough is Enough) platform, it has not done the needful to put the record straight by holding local government councils polls instead of appointing transition committee in the councils.

Though, some supporters of the appointment of the new TIC in the local government councils in the state submitted that, the refusal to condut council polls in the state was due to the fact that the state independent electoral commission is still under litigation in the court of law and therefore the governor needs to take urgent steps to put up the TIC members on ground pending the determination of the case in court.

“This excuse of lack of funds was also put forward in year 2016 by the former governor Ahmed for not conducting the local government

councils poll in the state,” the pundits added However, following the inauguration of the TIC in the 16 local government councils in the state, various stakeholders in the state have expressed their divergent opinions and even rejected the move by the governor.

The opposition political parties in the state under the agies of Inter- party Advisory Council (IPAC) has faulted the composition and inauguration of members of the transition implementation Committees (TlC) in the 16 local government areas of the state.

In a statement issued in Ilorin signed by the chairman of IPAC, Mr.Adebayo Akadi and Secretary, Mr. Oyedeji Oyekunle alleged that, the TlC members in the 16 local government areas were ilegally constituted by the state government According to the statement, the lPAC which is an umbrella body of all other registered apolitical parties in the state, the group claimed that it was not carry along in the appointment of the TlC members in all the 16 local government areas of the state.

The statement said that, “The setting up of caretaker committee under whatever guise to replace the constitutionally elected officers for the local government administration as contained in the 1999 constitution as amended was illegal.

“We kick against any such plot because of the danger inherent in taking an extra - constitutional step of this nature under a democratic dispensation.”

The opposition parties said the IPAC in the state will not support illegality that does not conform with the constitution.

The lPAC called on the state government to constitute Kwara State Electoral Independent Commission ( KWASIEC) to conduct local government election.

The statement noted that this was the only way all the political parties can be carried along in conformity with the constitution of the Federal Fepublic of Nigeria Also, a group called Kwara Emerging Leaders (KEL) in the state has kicked against the recent composition of Transition Implementation Committee to run the affairs of 16 local government councils in the state by Governor AbdulRazaq.

The group therefore demanded immediate rejection of the TIC members and commence immediate process of conducting local government councils poll in the state.

In a statement issued in Ilorin recently signed by the convener of the group, Comrade Seun Awogbenle, stated that, the composition of the TIC was a gross abuse of executive power and a flgrant violation of a matter that had long been settled by the Supreme Court.

He pointed out that Governor Abdulrasaq cannot continue to pick or select which part of the law to obey, noting that there is nobody that is above the law.

n Nigeria’s statute book, the local government council is the third level of government that is close to the people at the grassroots. It is the level of government that the people really participate in order to see that the dividends of democracy are delivered to the doorsteps of rural populace so as to move the grassroots forward.

The 1999 Constitution supports the establishment of local government administration to promote development at the grassroots and this can be seen in Section 7(1) that the local government councils are to be administered by democratically elected officials.

This constitutional provision also directs the state governments across the 36 states of the federation to ensure their existence which provides for their establishment, structure, composition, finance and functions.

These constitutional provisions were also reaffirmed in 2016 by the Supreme Court when it put a seal on the question of whether state governments can terminate the tenure of elected local government administrations.

The apex court which ruled that it was illegal for any governor to terminate the tenure of elected local government officials also shut down the idea of appointing caretaker administration to run them.

It will be further noted that, in a judgment delivered on 9th December 2016, the Supreme Court had voided laws enacted by states’ Houses of Assembly which empower governors to sack elected local government chairmen and councillors and replace them with handpicked administrators.

In the unanimous judgment of five justices, the apex court described the sacking of elected local government administrators as “executive recklessness” that should stop immediately.

But the judgement has been largely ignored.

State governors in the country have refused to follow the apex ruling in the day-to-day governance of the grassroots and decided to be appointing their handpicked legislative officials without recourse to conducting of local government councils elections where the people at the grassroots would have the chance to elect the people of their choice to govern them.

The ugly situation is also compounded by the constant interfering in the financial duties of the grassroots by these governors . The funds accrued to the local government councils are being allegedly undermined and thereby denying many of the local government councils from performing their statutory functions to the less privileged at the grassroots in the country.

However, in Kwara state popularly called State of Harmony, the ugly situation is not different. Since the present administration came into office in May 29, 2019, the state governor Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has been allegedly interfering in the management of the financial services of the local government councils under the pretext of joint local government account law which he inherited from the past administrations in the state.

Politocal pundits in the state also argue that, this new development was condemned and resisted by the opposition in 2016, when Governor AbdulRazaq was an opponent of the government in power at that time. He claimed then that dissolution of an elected local administration was an aberration that should be resisted, but instead the governor went ahead to appoint caretaker committee chairmen for the 16 local government councils in the state. Today, it is shocking to see Governor AbdulRazaq doing the same thing he condemned five years ago

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

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TUESDAY APRIL 20, 2021 •T H I S D AY

TUESDAY APRIL 20, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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TUESDAY APRIL 20, 2021 •T H I S D AY

LAWYER

A

WEEKLY PULLOUT

20.04.2021

SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA, ABUJA

‘SCAB’: A STEP IN THE RIGHT OR WRONG DIRECTION?

2/DASHBOARD

20.04.2021

LAWYER

A

WEEKLY PULLOUT

20.04.2021

SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA, ABUJA

P C A S C S C O PAGE 4

‘SCAB’: A STEP IN THE RIGHT OR WRONG DIRECTION?

JUSUN S NBA D L S S P PAGE 5

QUOTABLES ‘......Shell is pulling out of Nigeria. In another one year or so, where will we find the money that we go to Abuja to share every month?.....

Last month, we got FACC for March. The Federal Government printed an additional N50 to 60 billion to top up for us to share.....

Next week, we will go to Abuja again, we'll share!’ - Godwin Obaseki, Governor, Edo State, Federal Republic of Nigeria

‘The issue that has been raised by the Edo State Governor is very very sad, because it is not a fact. What we distribute at FACC, is revenue that is generated by the FIRS, Customs, NNPC. It is not true to say, we printed money to distribute at FACC......The Nigerian debt is still within sustainable limits.....’ - Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Federal Republic of Nigeria

JUSUN S111111 L1111 S1111 J11111111 E11111 100% F11111111 A111111 11CJ PAGE 5

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20.04.2021

Here, There and All Cushion of Comfort Wednesday, April 14, 2021 marked seven whole years that the Chibok Girls were abducted, and out of a total of 276 girls, 112 remain unaccounted for.

It is more than heart wrenching, not to know the whereabouts of your child for one day, let alone seven years. My heart goes out to the Parents of the girls who are still missing. Our prayers are with you, as calling fervently on God may be the only way to rescue the remaining girls, since Government failed to do so, in spite of the fact that they undertook to return all of them within a couple of weeks of their assuming office in May 2015. May God keep the Chibok Girls, Leah Sharibu, and all those who remain in the hands of abductors too, safe, and may He free them Himself. Amen.

Gbatuèyò At the 7th Bola Ahmed Tinubu Colloquium, then Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, SAN (Learned Silk) referred to some of the people in President Jonathan's administration as "Gbatuèyò", which in Yoruba means an Amateur, possibly one whose impact is not felt. Today, ironically, some of Learned Silk's colleagues in this Government, are worse than Gbatuèyò(s) - even to compare them with Amateurs, is giving them too much credit.

Apart from the fact that their own impact is felt rather negatively by majority of Nigerians, they are "A la i mò nkan e, a la i ni nkan e", that is, those who don't know how to do things, those who don’t know what they are doing, those who don't want to do anything.

Minister of ‘Dis-Information’: Insecurity and Inter-Marriage Last week, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when I saw the television clip of the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, declaring at the Federal Executive Council Meeting (I think), that Government is taking the matter of security in the country very seriously, by encouraging ethnic and religious inter-marriage! Again, I must borrow from the Yoruba language - “Aa n wi rù, ohun wi rú” - we are talking about melon seed (irù), he’s talking about the tail of an animal (irú). Meaning his utterance was “OP” (Off-Point), unrelated.

Peace-time talk, during this war time insurgency period - inappropriate and irrelevant. Pray tell, how will ethnic or religious inter-marriage bring back the Chibok girls? I had to rewind the news clip to listen to Alhaji Mohammed again, because I thought that I had heard wrong the first time.

By now, even a baby knows that the primary purpose of Government is the security and welfare of the people (Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution); and it is therefore, discouraging, to say the least, when someone who is one of the decision-makers in the country, shows such a blatant lack of understanding of the issue of insecurity that has pervaded our nation, or trivialises what presently seems like an insurmountable problem to such an extent.

It makes one wonder where we are headed as a nation, when those who are ruling us do not even know or understand where we are currently.

One cannot help but feel enveloped by a sense of helplessness and hopelessness.

While fighting insecurity is certainly not limited to military or law enforcement strategies alone, at the stage we are in, it is about concentrating on the root causes of the violence - like poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, lack of infrastructure, the depth of societal inequality etc, and tackling them head-on. General Yakubu Gowon established the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) after the Nigerian civil war to promote national integration and cohesion, after the strife and division the country had experienced during the war; he didn’t establish NYSC during the actual war itself. It would have been pointless to do so, while the war was ongoing. Meanwhile, inter-marriage in our children’s generation is not much of an issue; many of the weddings we attend these days, the couples are usually from different ethnic groups (see Section 15(3)(c) of the Constitution identifying ethnic and religious inter-marriage as a political objective, not a security objective to fight criminality like kidnapping). Even though from their actions it is obvious that Boko Haram are godless people, they claim to be Muslims; are they not killing their own people the most?

The Minister of Information is the official mouth-piece of Government, and so, we read the Government’s body language from his utterances. Is his recent statement on inter-marriage as a solution to insecurity, an indication that Government may be out of its depth when it comes to fighting it? Or is it that Government is just choosing to pretend that these root causes of insecurity in our country do not really exist, or that the root

causes are not as serious as people believe they are? Either way, it seems as if Government may be taking many steps which aggravate an already bad situation - the whole scenario is downright disheartening, and dampens one’s expectation that there's light at the end of the tunnel.

Minister of ‘Dis-Information’: Twitter As for Alhaji Lai Mohammed's mindless statement that the reason that Twitter did not locate its offices in Nigeria, is due to Nigerians de-marketing the country - it is beyond laughable, and can only be treated with the derision it deserves. This Government is unrivalled, when it comes to de-marketing Nigeria - (“Kosorogun" - no rival!).

Why would Twitter, a global, public, news, social networking company, come to a country where the Government has no regard for Section 39 of the Constitution, that is, freedom of expression and the press, and other fundamental rights? A country which attempts to cow the media into submission? A country where the media is vilified for de-marketing the country, when their news reports are an accurate account of whatever has transpired. Is the role of the media to report accurate news, or suppress the misdeeds of Government that the latter doesn’t want to come to light? A country where the Government has no respect for the rule of law, and does not obey court orders? A country where a court of competent jurisdiction grants bail, and Government refuses to release the detainees, despite meeting their bail conditions? A country where the DSS (a law enforcement agency which has no establishing statute, whose remit is at large) raids Media Houses with gusto and aplomb, on its whims and caprices? A country where the National Assembly is trying to reintroduce inter alia, the Military’s Decree No. 4 of 1984, by pushing the absurd Hate Speech Bill, filled with draconian provisions and punishments?

A country whose Government agencies wake up regularly on the wrong side of their beds, and impose huge fines on organisations for no justifiable reason? A country that is fining its citizens for featuring advertisements of their products on foreign media, why should Twitter not take the hint? A country that has declared non-governmental organisations like Amnesty International and Transparency International as Public Enemy No. 1 & 2 respectively, because their submissions on Nigeria are not favourable to this administration? A country that condemned CNN because it revealed the truth - that the bullets used by the Army during the Lekki Tollgate #EndSARS protest incident last October were real live bullets, thereby constraining the Military to retract its earlier statement and confess that not all the bullets used at the scene were blanks, as initially maintained?

A country where the security of the Twitter staff, or any other person for that matter, cannot be guaranteed? A country where Twitter staff can be arrested on a flimsy excuse, and the keys thrown away? The same Twitter that suspended the account of one of the strongest Presidents in the world, the President of the United States of America, former President, Donald Trump, for his extremely undesirable utterances and behaviour, and they suffered no sanctions for their action because of the freedoms they enjoy over there?

It beats me, how Alhaji Mohammed can ignore these glaring facts, and seek to lay the blame on Nigerians for de-marketing their country! The President of Nigeria travels to the UK for medical tourism; is that not enough to de-market the

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki

medical and healthcare facilities in the country as obviously lacking and inadequate? The bitter truth is that, as things stand today, the Government of Nigeria is not ready for a Twitter Office to be located here.

Zainab Ahmed v Governor Godwin Obaseki Did the Federal Government print N50-60 billion to make FACC disbursements to the Governors in March 2021 as declared by Governor Obaseki, and denied by Zainab Ahmed, the Finance Minister?

Who is telling the truth? The Governor of Edo State or the Minister? For the sake of Nigeria, with all due respect to the Governor, I hope that the Minister is the one speaking the truth.

It is a known fact that when a crime is being investigated, especially if there are no obvious suspects, the first thing the Police does (at least, in places like USA and UK) is to start from those closest to the crime, to try to establish a motive for committing the crime, and hopefully, try to trace the culprit from there. For example, a person is murdered by an unknown assailant. The first question is, who stands to gain from the death?

Did the deceased have a will, life insurance policy etc? Who is the beneficiary upon death? Was the deceased into shady business? Was the deceased quarrelling with anyone?

Likewise, in this ZA v GO imbroglio, in getting at the truth, maybe we should start with establishing who has a better motive for lying?

The Governor, because he is trying to discredit his erstwhile political party that treated him so badly, by denying him the ticket to contest for his second term? Or the Minister, considering the fact that this administration has not revamped the economy, having made that one of its main campaign promises during its initial election campaign, and is trying to cover up its mess?

My dear colleagues, it’s up to you to decide which of these two motives you think is stronger!

Well, maybe we shouldn’t bother our pretty heads about motives, though I do agree that it’s rather embarrassing for a high ranking member of this administration, to label a colleague as a liar!

More importantly, we should be bothered about the reason behind Government printing such huge sums of money, if indeed, it did. Governments do print money from time to time, to stimulate economic growth. But, when money is printed simply to fund Government spending for things which are not income generating and contribute nothing to GDP, like 'Sharing' money to Governors, using it to pay off debts, it will simply cause hyperinflation (inflation at a much faster rate) and depreciation in the value of our currency - with the increase in money supply, demand will also increase, driving up prices - even the basics will become scarce and costly commodities. Economic activity - increase in real output, that is increase in the production of goods and services should be commensurate to the money being created.

Again, when money is printed without just cause, it may mean that the Central Bank may have run out of monetary policy ideas - another sad state of affairs.

JUSUN Strike The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) went on strike on April 6, 2021, to constrain the Governors to give their State Judiciaries their financial autonomy, by implementing the provisions of Section 121(3)(b) of the Constitution. If the Governors are unwilling to do so, that is, to pay to the heads of

Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed

“AS FOR ALHAJI LAI MOHAMMED'S MINDLESS STATEMENT THAT THE REASON THAT TWITTER DID NOT LOCATE ITS OFFICES IN NIGERIA, IS DUE TO NIGERIANS DE-MARKETING THE COUNTRY - IT IS BEYOND LAUGHABLE, AND CAN ONLY BE TREATED WITH THE DERISION IT DESERVES. THIS GOVERNMENT IS UNRIVALLED, WHEN IT COMES TO DE-MARKETING NIGERIA - (“KOSOROGUN" - NO RIVAL!)”

courts any amount standing to their credit in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of their various States, the Accountant-General should simply implement Paragraph 1(b) of President Buhari’s Executive Order No.10 (EO 10) and “authorise the deduction from source, in the course of Federation Accounts Allocation from the money allocated to any State that fails to release allocation meant for......the State Judiciary.....” - starting from the next FACC Allocation which should come sometime in April, until the Governors comply. Shi ke nan!

At the time the President issued EO 10, some believed it was unnecessary, seeing as the Constitution had already been altered to include Section 121(3)(b) which is unequivocal. But, today, it is obvious that President Buhari’s well-intentioned EO 10, which provides an alternative way of implementing the provision of Section 121(3)(b), has become vital.

The failure of the State Governors to adhere to the dictates of Section 121(3)(b), is yet another show of the blatant disregard for the rule of law/the Constitution, which is binding all persons and authorities in Nigeria, including the Governors (Section 1(1) of the Constitution). A country where the Government is lawless - whether Federal or State. Yet another reason for Twitter, not to consider situating its offices in Nigeria!

4/LAW REPORT

Propriety of Commencing Another Suit to Challenge a Subsisting Court Order Facts A certain Musa Adamu obtained an overdraft facility of N250,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) from the defunct United Arab Bank. One of the facilities he used to secure the facility was a property situate at No. 93, Ibrahim Umar Street, adjacent BUK Staff Quarters, Kano State and he executed a Deed of Legal Mortgage in favour of the Bank. Owing to his default in servicing the debt, the Bank filed an action against him at the High Court of Kano State in Suit No. K/347/92.

On 27th November 1992, the court delivered judgement in Suit No. K/347/92 in favour of the Bank. Thereafter, pursuant to the Order of court, the Bank sold the said property to the Respondent.

However, during the subsistence of the suit/judgement therein and unbeknownst to the Bank and the court, the said Musa Adamu sold the same property to the 1st Appellant, who in turn instituted a parallel action in Suit No. K/258/1993 and put the 2nd Appellant in possession. Judgement in Suit No. K/258/1993 was delivered in the year 2000 and in the judgement, the sale of the property to the 1st Appellant was upheld.

Upon discovering these facts, the Respondent instituted an action against the Appellants at the High Court of Kano State, vide an Originating Summons, in which he claimed, inter alia, a declaration that the judgement of the High Court of Kano State in Suit No. K/258/1993 delivered on 31st January, 2000 is a nullity, in view of the existence of the court’s earlier judgement on the same property in Suit No. K/347/92 which was valid and subsisting at the time the judgement in Suit No. K/258/1993 was delivered. He also sought an order setting aside the said judgement and confirming the Respondent’s title to the property, as well as an order directing the Appellants to deliver possession of the property to the Respondent. After hearing arguments on the Originating Summons, the trial court dismissed the Respondent’s claim.

Dissatisfied, the Respondent appealed to the Court of Appeal which upheld the appeal, and granted the orders sought by the Respondent at the trial court. Further to this, the Appellants lodged an appeal at the Supreme Court.

Issue for Determination In its determination of the appeal, the Supreme Court considered the following sole issue: Whether the Appellants could challenge the validity of the sale of the property to the Respondent pursuant to the judgement of court in Suit No. K/347/92 and ex-parte order of attachment and sale of the immovable property, by instituting a fresh action in Suit No. K/258/1993.

Arguments Counsel for the Appellants argued that the exparte application upon which the Court granted order of attachment of the property in favour of the Bank was invalid, and the consequent sale of the property to the Respondent based on the ex-parte order ought to be set aside.

Conversely, counsel for the Respondent argued that the Respondent acquired good title in the property. He relied on Section 15 of the Sheriff

and Civil Process Law of Kano State, among other authorities.

Honourable Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 18th day of December, 2020 Before Their Lordships

Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta Olukayode Ariwoola Musa Dattijo Muhammad Chima Centus Nweze Uwani Musa Abba Aji Justices, Supreme Court SC.276/2013 Between 1.

2.

ALHAJI AMEEN SULEIMAN MOHAMMED SURAJ GARBA KARAYE APPELLANTS

And ALHAJA ABUBAKAR MOHAMMED GWARZO

RESPONDENT

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta, JSC)

“IF THE APPELLANTS FELT THAT THE ORDER OF SALE OUGHT NOT TO HAVE BEEN MADE IN AN EX-PARTE APPLICATION, THE PROPER THING TO DO IS TO APPROACH THE COURT AND URGE IT TO SET ASIDE THE ORDER. IT IS IMPROPER TO INSTITUTE ANOTHER ACTION, TO CHALLENGE THE ORDER”

Court’s Judgement and Rationale In its consideration of the propriety of the new suit instituted by the Appellants to challenge previous decision of court and order of attachment of the property, the Supreme Court held that where matters involving the same parties and the same claims are raised contemporaneously in two or more courts, it is desirable and clearly in the interest of peace, that these matters should be heard in only one of these courts. The basis of this rule is so as to avoid multiplicity of actions, and the possibility of two conflicting decisions in respect of one and the same subject-matter.

Once the action is between the same parties, on the same subject-matter, even if differently worded, the suit filed later in time is an abuse of court process and is liable to be struck out. The Court referred to its decision, per Honourable Justice Rhodes-Vivour, in PDP v SHERRIF & ORS. (2017) LPELR-42736 (SC) (PP. 33-34, PARAS. A-E).

On the basis of this principle of law, the filing of Suit No. K/258/1993 during the subsistence of the judgement of the High Court of Kano State in Suit No. K/347/92 which was on the same subject-matter and parties, was an abuse of court process. If the Appellants felt that the order of sale ought not to have been made in an ex-parte application, the proper thing to do is to approach the court and urge it to set aside the order. It is improper to institute another action, to challenge the order.

More importantly, by Section 47 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Law of Kano State, a remedy is available to the Appellants in the circumstance.

By the said provision, the Appellants had 21 (twenty-one) days from the date of the sale complained about, to apply to the court which ordered the auction sale to have it set aside or vacated. However, the Appellants failed to explore the remedy available to them under Section 47 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Law of Kano State, but went against the normal norms and procedure to institute a fresh action in Suit No. K/258/2993. By the operation of the said Section 47, the Appellants had lost their rights to challenge the sale. They had, by their conduct, waived their right to challenge the order of sale and the said right had also been time barred by the same provision, the period of twenty-one days provided for having lapsed.

Given the foregoing reasons, the Apex Court did not find merit in the appeal.

Appeal Dismissed.

Representation Dr. G.O.A. Ogunyomi with Ifeanyi Ndimego, Esq. for the Appellants.

Kenneth Einmewe Esq. for the Respondent.

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

20.04.2021

NEWS/5

JUSUN Strike: NBA Directs Lawyers to Start Street Protest The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) directed its members to embark on mass action yesterday, to press home the demand IRU ÀQDQFLDO DXWRQRP\ IRU WKH -XGLFLDU\ 7KH PRYH LV LQ DSSDUHQW VROLGDULW\ ZLWK WKH -XGLFLDU\ 6WDͿ 8QLRQ RI 1LJHULD -8681 ZKLFK HPEDUNHG RQ D QDWLRQZLGH strike to press home its GHPDQG IRU ÀQDQFLDO DXWRQRP\ RI WKH 1LJHULDQ -XGLFLDU\ In a press statement signed by the NBA 3UHVLGHQW 0U 2OXPLGH Akpata, the Association DVNHG DOO 1%$ %UDQFKHV ´WR HͿHFWLYHO\ PRELOLVH their members and pay YLVLWV WR WKHLU UHVSHFWLYH 6WDWH *RYHUQRUV DW WKH *RYHUQPHQW +RXVHV RQ

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PHOTO NEWS

Professor Ayo Atsenuwa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos Folashade Alli (left) and Jean Chiazor, SAN at the Book Presentation held in honour of Hon. Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour on April 8, 2021 at the Civic Centre Waterside View, Victoria Island, Lagos

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6/

20.04.2021

I Am A Human Being I am often enamoured by inspirational easy to remember axioms, like Richard Carlson’s, "don't sweat the small stuff," or "be gentle first with yourself," credited to Lama Yeshe. These dicta are usually truths staring you right in the eye and yet you can easily ignore or be oblivious of them. When you hear them, you tend to wonder, “that is stating the obvious, but why didn’t I think of it?” Take for instance Gerard Eakedale’s "recognition is the greatest motivator," or Wole Soyinka’s "A tiger does not shout its tigritude, it acts”, and "the man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny”.

On the importance of taking action, I have a few - Jonathan Huie’s, "powerful dreams inspire powerful action”, Diana Hunt’s, "goals are dreams with deadlines”, and Sophocles, "success is dependent on effort”. I could go on and on, but this piece is not about famous quotes. It is about an obscure quote - “I am a human being.” A five word phrase I picked up recently, in a conversation. Long after the conversation ended, the words kept playing back in my head – “I am a human being”.

What is the import of this phrase? Was he looking for a validation of his worth, or the affirmation of his personhood? Did I give him that?

In our dealing with people, do we sometimes forget that they are “human beings?” In our fast paced, success crazy, competitive, pressured world, we do need to be reminded of this from time to time – “I am a human being”.

Yes, we call them Managing Partners, Partners, Associates, Lawyers, employers, oga-at-the-top, employees, staff, support staff, clerks, drivers, etc. Nonetheless, they are just human beings.

We expect them to have all the answers, be on top of their game, pick up the phone every time you call, and always say the right things, be proactive – anticipate problems and solve them, put in the 1,400 billable hours p.a, think outside of the box, do the heavy lifting, etc. It is okay to have all these expectations, but also expect them to be humans. It does not matter whether you are the employer with the side office overlooking the skyline with Herman Miller’s Equa chair, Noguchi table, Marshmallow sofa, or you are the employee hemmed in a corner of the office with no view and surrounded with the ragged furnishings – we are all humans travelling the same weary road, each flawed, each learning and growing, and unequivocally worthy of being respected and valued. The five word phrase, “I am a human being”, haunted me for a couple of days. It is a reminder of our vulnerabilities. Being vulnerable is acknowledging you are not faultless, you make mistakes, and you don't have all the answers. In other words, it is admitting that you are human.

As much as we try to hide it, our weaknesses always manage to show up from time to time. The fact that I own a business and employ people, or that I work for someone as an employee, does not make me super or sub human. I am a human being – I do not have to continually live for others and their causes, placing my own needs and existence as an appendage. I have personal expectations, whether as an employee or an employer, and I am entitled to them. So, give your staff and yourself the gift of approval and acceptance.

Employment is not martyrdom. Rein in that look and tone of disappointment or disgust when you fall below expectations, or at the failings of your team. If you absolutely cannot give your staff approval or acceptance, at least let them leave with dignity.

Practicing Being Human in the Workplace Dr. Brené Brown, a leading researcher on authenticity, advised that one of the critical components for great leadership, is the willingness to be vulnerable with others.

In essence, to be a good leader, you do not have to have all the answers or pretend to.

In fact, research suggests that great leaders do exactly the opposite. Instead of doing all you can to hide mistakes, or look for

excuses to cover up errors, and try always to present a stoic and perfect front (which is, by the way, a perfect recipe for mental unwellness) - try some vulnerability and be real. While it takes a lot of courage, and it may feel like shame and weakness, it may also make us more empathetic, approachable, human and trustworthy in the workplace.

Being vulnerable means rather than needing

“IT IS TYPICAL TO BE CONSTANTLY AWARE AND REMIND YOURSELF OF WHAT YOU DO WRONG, AND HOW YOU ARE NOT MEASURING UP. HOWEVER, PLEASE, BE ADVISED THAT IT IS ALSO OKAY TO KEEP A BRAG BOOK OF YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS, AND TO BRAZENLY HANG UP YOUR AWARDS ON YOUR WALL”

to always be the expert, we can ask questions when we don’t know something. Instead of trying to do it all, that we can ask for help when we are struggling. When things go wrong, we are willing to take responsibility, ask for feedback and learn from it. Vulnerability requires us to own how we feel, and to be honest about what gets in the way of being our true selves at work. As Polonius says in Shakespeare's Hamlet, “This above all: to thine own self be true. And it must follow, as the night the day. Thou canst not then be false to any man”.

Research shows that bringing our whole self to work, is particularly difficult in the workplace where we are expected to keep a friendly but casual professional distance, and to project only confidence and infallibility (particularly to those we report to). However, there are several benefits to being vulnerable i.e. to being able to reveal some of our human experiences e.g. struggling as a single parent, experiencing overwhelm with a task or a new role, having a mental health issue etc. The literature reveals that willingness to be vulnerable leads to enhanced feelings of self-worth, improved productivity, and innovation, and deeper relationships in the workplace. All of these are advantageous to us both professionally and personally.

What is the fear that makes us wear masks at work? Why do we want to keep a brave front all the time? Even the Lord Jesus Christ wept amidst His associates. I am not saying employers should weep in front of employees puh-lease. That said, revealing your pain, fear or weaknesses once in a while does have huge payoffs. Good is more likely to come from appropriately revealing, rather than vehemently concealing struggles. The caveat is that, sharing thoughts and feelings with others in the workplace must be done prudently, and for the purpose of meeting clear group objectives. To sloppily offer unfiltered thoughts and views is not vulnerability; rather, it is reckless, inappropriate and can be offensive. As in all things, moderation, restraint, balance and good judgement are key. It is poor judgement to think that being vulnerable is about letting it all out and broadcasting confidences. This can indeed, create an unhealthy environment.

Six Ways to Inspire Confidence and Wellbeing in a Human Being Many employees find it hard to appreciate their own worth, and articulate the value they bring into the workplace. They usually are lost for words, when asked what they have achieved in the workplace. I am glad the millennials are changing that narrative. It is typical to be constantly aware and remind

yourself of what you do wrong, and how you are not measuring up. However, please, be advised that It is also okay to keep a brag book of your achievements, and to brazenly hang up your awards on your wall. Do not be afraid you may be accused of narcissism, and of being self-consumed. The other divide which is equally unwholesome, is extreme asceticism and the self-denial of your worth.

So, what can we do or stop doing to inspire confidence and well-being in the people we work with? This is essential because how confident and safe a person feels, has a huge impact on wellbeing and output.

Affirmation. Appreciate your people out of the blue – whether verbal or non-verbal; unplanned, unexpected praise works wonders.

Lavish acceptance and approvals – “what I like about you is…” Providing positive feedback loops builds confidence.

Offer public vote of confidence – graciously offer it. Look for the good in your people, and share it. A shaming, blaming or silencing culture where people are ridiculed, ignored or ostracised if they don’t cut it, closes the door to genuine openness and to the creativity needed to drive innovation.

Don’t sneer or laugh at their mistakes, or roll your eyes when they are struggling to get a point across. Some organisational cultures, make it very difficult for their people to express vulnerability. Be advised to listen well to their gibberish, and resist the temptation to interrupt. Show genuine interest when they share their ideas, even if you are not buying what they are selling. Feel free to refine the ideas, after they have shared them.

Use nicknames or sobriquets. There has been a long debate, whether it is professional to use nicknames in the workplace. After some study, I align myself with using aliases in the workplace, as I have seen it creates a fun and friendly atmosphere. Frank Nuessel, a names specialist, stated such abbreviated names were often used to "denote a sense of friendliness and openness”. Nicknames sound less formal, and makes people more approachable. So long as it is acceptable to the person, it is professional and not derogatory.

Experts say that not only can nicknames be used at work, they should, and that doing so could boost your career. According to a study conducted by The Ladders, a job search site, people who go by shorter names tend to earn more money. Another fun fact is that, in 2011, a LinkedIn study revealed a parallel between short names and success.

The site's analysts studied the top CEO names around the world, and found that the most popular names like Peter, Jack, Fred, Sam, Bill, Doug, OJ,— were either already short names or shortened versions of common first names.

Use touch appropriately. Note the emphasis on “appropriate”. The power of a friendly pat on the upper back, a gentle touch on the shoulder or arm, a warm handshake or a high five is undeniable. Psychologically, touch has been proven to be reassuring and confidence boosting. However, puh-lease don’t go beyond the shoulder or arm. As a result of abuse and other unfortunate developments in the workplace, the rules around touching are circumstantial. When in doubt, stick to a handshake. Daniel Senning, author of “The Etiquette Advantage in Business” described handshakes as “a universally accepted and globally understood gesture of goodwill and friendship.” So, we may encourage a lot of warm handshakes that says, “ I see you”, and that signifies a job well done.

Give them tasks and turn your back sometimes – Do not hover all the time.

Hovering and micromanaging is the nonverbal cue for, “I don’t trust you yet” or “you are not competent enough.”

In conclusion, try some of these on your people, and watch their heart rates and breathing go down while their wellbeing meter goes up – after all we are human beings.

20.04.2021

/7

Why the Courts Are Locked For the past two weeks, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has been on strike, demanding the financial autonomy of the Judiciary. This article by Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN explains in detail, the reasons for the strike, and concludes that the independence of the Judiciary goes beyond funding; that to better achieve the integrity of the Judiciary, all court orders must be obeyed and abided by Introduction The past two weeks have been very challenging for Judges, Lawyers and litigants alike, as the court system became paralysed all over the nation, due to the ongoing industrial action by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), over its demand for financial autonomy for the Judiciary. It’s been a very delicate rope for Lawyers to navigate through, being a matter of choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea. If Lawyers support JUSUN for the strike to continue, they lose revenue and slow down the progress of their cases; and if they oppose the strike, then their ‘sufferings’ will continue, and the Executive arm of Government will keep trampling upon the independence of the Judiciary. Whichever option they choose, the courts are locked for now, until further notice.

So, why are the courts locked?

JUSUN’s Grouse Though JUSUN had given notice of its proposed strike action since March 13, 2021, nothing was done by the Government to address the notice, leading to the closure of the courts from Tuesday, April 6, 2021. The JUSUN Task Force was all over the courts to enforce the strike, by closing all the entrance gates of the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court, the National Industrial Court, the High Court and indeed, the Magistrates’ Courts, in Lagos State. Reports monitored from other parts of the country indicate a successful implementation of the strike action by other State branches of JUSUN. What really is the grouse of JUSUN? Financial autonomy for the Judiciary, total independence for the third arm of Government, and commitment by the Executive arm to obey the tenets of the Constitution as it concerns the Judiciary. This is not rocket science, is it?

Expectedly, there are divided views on the JUSUN strike. While some Lawyers feel it is counter-productive to punish litigants and Lawyers for the sins of the Executive arm, some others have expressed the view that strike action being a recognised tool in industrial relations, JUSUN is perfectly in order to deploy it as a veritable tool, to get the attention of all concerned. It is noteworthy that virtually all segments of Nigeria are, or have been on strike; from Doctors to electricity workers, university and polytechnic teachers, the non-academic staff, aides of Legislators, and even security men. The general view in this regard is that, strike is the only language that can arrest the attention of those in power, even though this is very unfortunate. As it has played out in the JUSUN and other strike actions, Government officials, through their utterances and actions, all seem to confirm the potency of strike actions as the only means of bringing Government to the negotiation table. What really is the case for financial autonomy for the Judiciary?

Case for Financial Autonomy of the Judiciary Section 80(1) of the 1999 Constitution established the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the Federation, from which funds can only be withdrawn either to meet expenditure that is charged upon the fund by the Constitution, or through appropriation. By virtue of Section 81(3) of the Constitution, the amount standing to the credit of INEC, National Assembly (NASS) and the Judiciary in the Consolidated Revenue Fund shall be paid directly to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for disbursement to the heads of Courts established for the Federation and the States. Section 84(2) specifically states that remuneration, salaries and allowances payable to judicial officers shall be a charge upon the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation. INEC and the National Assembly have, pursuant to these foregoing provisions, freed themselves from the stranglehold of the Executive, through direct control of their budget estimates, leaving the Judiciary behind and under Executive captivity, as it were. The struggle has then been to bring the Judiciary at par with the other arms of Government, resulting in several court actions and judgements, all of

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad which have not been obeyed by the Executive arm. This is what has led to the current strike action by JUSUN. Stakeholders’ Concerns I verily believe that the JUSUN strike action is for the benefit of Lawyers, Judges, litigants and indeed, the legal profession at large, as a way of addressing the real issues, once and for all.

However, the other concern of all stakeholders is the dimension and timing of the strike action.

With Covid-19 ravaging the effectiveness of justice administration, coupled with the wanton looting of and arson upon the courts in some parts of the country during the #EndSARS protests, a strike action in the midst of Easter holiday, is seen as an overkill, especially for the masses, whose hope is the court, as the last bus-stop for redress. The ready answer to this is that nothing good comes easy, if we compare the pains of childbirth and the joy of delivery, then the appeal would be for all stakeholders to endure the pains, in order to enjoy the gains.

The other argument is whether JUSUN should compartmentalise the strike between the Federal and State Judiciaries, since the Federal Government has substantially complied with the main constitutional requirements in respect of financial autonomy for the Federal courts. This argument resonates with me, for the reasons stated hereunder.

Like a lone ranger on a mission, the President started a seemingly silent ‘revolution’ to grant autonomy to the Legislature and Judiciary of the States. It is a commendable development by the Muhammadu Buhari Government, coming in the midst of its many challenges.

It started with the 4th Alteration to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which was initiated by the Saraki-led NASS. As a way of overcoming this monumental constitutional challenge, a Bill was passed

by NASS, granting financial autonomy to the Judiciary and the Houses of Assembly of the States, in 2017. In June 2018, the President assented to the said Bill, and it became part of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Even after that, the State Executives would not budge. The President then decided to set up a 22-man Committee known as The Presidential Implementation Committee on the Autonomy of State Legislature and Judiciary, with the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation as the Chairman. The mandate of the Committee was to ensure the full implementation of the 4th Alteration to the Constitution, and thus, free these important sectors of our democratic experiment from the stranglehold of the execu-

tive arm. As a follow up to this, the President signed an Executive Order, to give effect to the 4th Alteration. Many hold the view that it is ultra vires the President to seek to tinker with the revenue of the States, or dictate how they are to be disbursed. In view of the clear provisions of Section 80-84 of the Constitution, I humbly, beg to disagree with this view. Even though Executive Order 10 may be superfluous to the extent that the 4th Alteration is already in place, the President is nonetheless, empowered to enforce the Constitution as directed under Section 121(3) thereof.

The Judiciary is empowered by the Constitution to entertain and determine disputes between persons and persons, persons and Government and between Government and Government. The conflict margin is more on the Executive-Judiciary angle, because of the obvious and excessive impunity of the Executive arm, especially the law enforcement agencies.

The general thinking of most Governors, is to cage the courts and starve the Judiciary of funds, as a means of rendering it ineffective, so that lawlessness can thrive unchallenged or where challenged, unchecked. Most Governors are therefore, not comfortable with a viable and independent Judiciary, which they dread as a veritable tool in the hands of the people, to challenge and overturn all manner of excesses.

Through the office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of the various States, the Governors have perfected the style of holding the Judiciary captive, starving it of needed funds and infrastructure. So, in most cases, the Judiciary is forced to go begging cap in hand, for funding. And, assuredly, as we all know it, he who pays the piper calls the tune. This was the very ugly scenario before the ‘revolution’ of the 4th Alteration to the Constitution, seeking to free the Legislature and the Judiciary from the very firm grip of the Executive.

Fourth Alteration to the Constitution By the bold and innovative provisions of the Financial Autonomy of State Legislatures and State Judiciaries (Fourth Alteration, No.4) Act of 2018, the road was cleared for the funding of the Houses of Assembly and Judiciary of the States, directly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the States. The Act then amended the existing Section 121(3) of the Constitution by stating that “any amount standing to the credit of the House of Assembly of the State and the Judiciary, in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State shall be paid directly to the said bodies respectively; in the case of the Judiciary, such amount shall be paid directly to the heads

“THE GENERAL THINKING OF MOST GOVERNORS, IS TO CAGE THE COURTS AND STARVE THE JUDICIARY OF FUNDS, AS A MEANS OF RENDERING IT INEFFECTIVE, SO THAT LAWLESSNESS CAN THRIVE UNCHALLENGED OR WHERE CHALLENGED, UNCHECKED”

of the courts concerned”. In order to actualise the letters of the 4th Alteration, the President thereafter, issued Executive Order 10, authorising the Accountant-General of the Federation to make direct transfers from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to the bank account of the Judiciary of the States. Some States like Bayelsa and Delta have since passed their own municipal legislations, granting financial autonomy to the Judiciary.

The Executive Order signed by the President is critical, because it goes to the very root of the many problems associated with justice administration and the seeming docility and ineffectiveness of State legislatures. No matter the quantum of the amount of money released, the Judiciary should have the power to determine its budget and spending, to prioritise its commitment level, all targeted at delivering justice to the people. The appeal then is to the Governors of the States, to work together with JUSUN, NBA and the Federal Government to empower the Judiciary financially, once and for all. This should be the focus of the various meetings being convened, to resolve this imbroglio.

Conclusion It is my belief however, that judicial independence cannot be measured by funding alone, but also in the willingness to obey and abide by all decisions and orders of the courts. The integrity of the Judiciary is better achieved, through wilful obedience to the orders and directives of the courts. In this regard, so long as Judges are living under some mortal trepidation of persecution on account of their decisions, as long as we still require persuasion to get the Executive to obey court orders, then the Judiciary cannot be said to be independent, no matter the amount of billions of Naira thrown at the courts. My charge to the President, is to extend the Executive Order to include compulsory obedience to all lawful orders issued by the courts and to prohibit any form of harassment or intimidation of judicial officers, however subtly it may come. When this is achieved, then can we truly say that the Judiciary is autonomous and independent.

Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN

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‘SCAB’: A Step in the

A Bill, known as the Supreme Court Alteration Bill 2020 (SCAB), to alter Section 6(5) and Chapter VII of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), is in the offing. The major purport of this crucial amendment, is to regulate the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and to create the Federal and State Courts of Appeal, thereby changing our Judicature as we presently know it to be. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN and Sola Akanni x-ray the Bill and what it seeks to do, and how it will affect justice delivery at the Appellate Courts, and other related issues. The question is, is it a good innovation or not?

Review of the Proposed Amendments to Section 6(5) and Chapter VII of the Constitution Kemi Pinheiro, SAN

M Introduction

y attention has been drawn to the draft of a Proposed Bill for the amendment of Section 6(5), and some salient sections of Chapter VII (The Judicature) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended). The provisions sought to be amended relate to the judiciary, hence my careful consideration of the provisions of the proposed Bill, because as it is often said “the judiciary is the last hope of the common man”. My immediate expectation was therefore, that major amendments as would promote a more effective and efficient judiciary and address the teething problems facing the judiciary would have been addressed, but is that the position? Are the proposed amendments likely to make the country’s judiciary more efficient?

It is pertinent to also state that, the United States Constitution of 1787 has been in existence for 230 years, with only 27 alterations. Similarly, the Canadian Constitution of 1867 and 1982 (both in operation in Canada), have been altered only nine times. Those countries have only been faced with little, or no constitutional crisis. The Nigerian Constitution on the other hand, is 21 years old, and has been altered five times within its short life span. It appears that the Nigerian Constitution, is fast becoming an encyclopaedia of volume and convoluted amendments.

My task here however, is to review the salient features of the proposed Bill, with a view to assessing its likely impact on justice delivery in Nigeria.

I will consider each of the vital points I have observed from the provisions of the proposed Bill, under distinct heads. Let us first glance through the provisions of the proposed Bill, for a better understanding.

Overview of the Proposed Bill A calm reading of the explanatory memorandum of the proposed Bill,

Supreme Court of Nigeria, Abuja

immediately reveals that it seeks only to address and/or regulate the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. It therefore, does not make provisions bordering on the operations of other courts within the hierarchy of courts in Nigeria, but only affects those other courts as it relates to the appellate process. Consequently, the amendments proposed begins with the alteration of the enumeration of the superior courts of records as stated in Section 6(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as Amended).

Section 6(5) of the 1999 Constitution was altered in the proposed Bill to rechristen what was formerly known as the Court of Appeal as “Federal Court of Appeal”, and then introduces two new superior courts of record to be known as “the Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja” and “a Court of Appeal of a State”. This alteration sets the tone for the other alterations which are proposed in the draft Bill.

Section 230 (2) of the 1999 Constitution was altered in the Bill to make it mandatory that at least two of the Justices of the Supreme Court shall be Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and a third, a Professor of Law with proficiency in Constitutional law. Immediately following that alteration, is the alteration of Section 233 (1) to reflect the Federal Court of Appeal, as being the only court from which appeals will lie to the Supreme Court.

In the proposed Section 233(2) of the

Constitution, the scope of the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court is stated, and limited basically to constitutional matters, fundamental rights enforcement, criminal matters involving death sentence and cases bordering on election into the office of the President or Vice President.

All appeals to the Supreme Court as proposed in Section 233(3) are not of right, but by leave of the Supreme Court.

Whilst this is commendable, it is my hope that all manner of appeals will not go to the Supreme Court under the guise of being a fundamental right matter, or involves some allegation of breach of fundamental right. The quorum of Justices of the Supreme Court to preside over a matter is now increased to nine, but when an application for leave is to be considered, only five Justices may preside over same.

Similarly, Section 237 of the proposed Bill provides for the Federal Court of Appeal consisting of Ninety-Nine Justices, out of which minimum of five shall be Senior Advocates of Nigeria and another minimum of five Professors of law. Notably, by the proposed Section 241 (1) & (2) of the Bill, the jurisdiction of the Federal Court of Appeal as distinct from the extant Court of Appeal is circumscribed and limited to constitutional matters, enforcement of fundamental rights, criminal matters with a sentence of death, matters relating to the seat of the Governor of a State and pre-election appeals. The Court of Appeal will by the proposed Section

“WHY MUST APPEALS LIE FROM THE COURT OF APPEAL OF A STATE TO THE FEDERAL COURT OF APPEAL? WHY SHOULD CASES WHICH DO NOT BOTHER ON CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES, NOT BE TERMINATED AT THE STATE LEVEL? WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN EXPECTED IS THAT, APPEALS, EVEN ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS SHOULD GO DIRECTLY FROM THE COURT OF APPEAL OF A STATE TO THE SUPREME COURT, AND NOT TO THE FEDERAL COURT OF APPEAL......”

242(3) be a final court in relation to an election petition in respect of the office of the Governor of the State, and

by Section 242(4) be a final court in

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Right or Wrong Direction? relation to appeals against any judgement and ruling of the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory and the Court of Appeal of a State. Thus, except for those matters for which an appeal may by leave be lodged at the Supreme Court, the Federal Court of Appeal has been accorded the status of a final Court.

Sections 245 and 249 as proposed in the draft Bill established the Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory and of the different States, they have jurisdiction to hear all appeals form the High Court of the FCT and the respective States. They have jurisdiction just like the extant Court of Appeal, but appeals however, lie directly from the State Court of Appeal to the Federal Court of Appeal and not the Supreme Court.

Remarkably despite that the qualification to be a Justice of the State Court of Appeal is same as the Federal Court of Appeal and higher than the qualification to be a Judge of the Federal High Court, appeals from the State Court of Appeal go to the Federal Court of Appeal in same way as appeals from the Federal High Court. The Court of Appeal of a State and of the Federal Capital Territory, are also to hear appeals within 180 days of the appeal been entered in the Court.

Having examined the provisions of the proposed Bill, let us proceed to consider vital issues regarding the proposed amendments.

Legal Assessment of the Proposed Bill for the Amendment of the Constitution (1) The Object of the amendments sought, is too restrictive and limited My first major concern with the provisions of the proposed Bill, is that laudable as it seems, its scope is too narrow and restrictive. It only seeks to address the appellate process as though that is only what needs to be reconsidered, and makes no real structural changes.

In fact, the amendments proposed seem to suggest that it seeks only to protect the Supreme Court from litany of cases, whilst the other courts can look for a way to sort out their own problems. No doubt, one would have expected better, particularly when many are beginning to cast doubt on the process of justice delivery in the country.

(2) It attacks the concept of Federalism Another major failing of the proposed amendments, is its attack on the concept of Federalism. This becomes apparent in the first instance by the fact that the appointment of the Justices of the State Court of Appeal is to be made by the Governor of a State on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council. See proposed Section 249(3). The question that immediately agitates the mind is, why create a State Court of Appeal, is

Supreme Court of Nigeria in Session

it to cede some judicial powers to the State courts to determine their issues, or for the Federal Government to intrude into the affairs of a State?

Why must appeals lie from the Court of Appeal of a State to the Federal Court of Appeal? Why should cases which do not bother on constitutional issues, not be terminated at the State level?

What would have been expected is that, appeals even on constitutional matters should go directly from the Court of Appeal of a State to the Supreme Court, and not to the Federal Court of Appeal as proposed by the amendment.

I am of the view that within a federating system, the State Courts should have its own internal control mechanism as distinct from the Federal Courts, but all courts may have a united structure as its relates to constitutional issues, and that is where the National Judicial Council may come in. This is the type

“...... THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION AS CONTAINED IN THE DRAFT BILL, LEAVE MUCH TO BE DESIRED”

of practice in other countries operating a Federal System of Government such as the United States, where you have the State Courts and the Federal Courts.

(3) Delay in determination of Cases will be prolonged by the amendment Another important observation from the proposed amendments is that, it has increased the Appellate process for constitutional matters and criminal cases involving death sentence. This is obvious in the fact that for such matters, an appeal may now pass through a triple appellate process, rather than the extant two appellate process.

Granted that a period of 180 days is prescribed for the hearing of appeals, but if a case will normally take a period of 10 years to be determined through the appellate process, is it not safer to say that the amendments proposed has added an additional four years, having regard to the unprecedented workload which the Federal Court of Appeal is now saddled with? Let me further demonstrate this point. (a) Congestion of the Federal Court of Appeal The Federal Court of Appeal under the proposed amendments will now take appeals from the following courts; (i) the Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory (ii) the Court of Appeal of the States (36 States) (iii) Customary Court of Appeal (iv) The Federal High Court (v) National Industrial Courts (vi) the High Court of the different States in enforcement of fundamental rights actions and Constitutional matters (vii) the Court Martial and other professional bodies such as the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee.

The implication therefore, is that the Federal Court of Appeal will be so congested with appeals that the prescription of 180 days for hearing appeals, will be observed more in breach than in compliance. This would have been avoided if appeals do not lie from

the State Court of Appeal to the Federal Court of Appeal, but nay, the proposed amendments say otherwise. (b) Likely Constitutional Interpretative Crisis may be occasioned In the proposed amendment of Section 241(1) of the Constitution, it would be observed that the matters for which an appeal will lie to the Federal Court of Appeal include; “such other cases as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly”. This would ordinarily cover such cases as appeals from the Court Martial under Section 183 of the Armed Forces Act and Section 16(6) of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act. However, those other laws as they stand today, make reference to the Court of Appeal and not the Federal Court of Appeal. Will all those laws now have to be equally amended, or will they simply be deemed to be referring to the Court of Appeal of a State? The proposed amendments are silent on this point, and will certainly occasion a crisis if not expressly addressed.

Also, in relation to the Supreme Court, the amendment sought is to limit the jurisdiction of the Court to constitutional matters, enforcement of fundamental rights and criminal actions involving death sentence, which shall all be with leave and not as of right. What the happens to the provision of Section 12(5) of the Legal Practitioners Act which provides that appeals against the direction given by the Appeals Committee of the Body of Benchers should be lodged at the Supreme Court? Again, the proposed amendments ignored the provision in other statutes like this.

(4) Procedural Issues infused into the Constitution It has also been observed that in the proposed alteration to Section 286 (5) of the Constitution that a procedural issue as to what a Judge should do cont'd on page 10

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the Supreme Court before the retirement of Honourable Justice Olabode RhodesVivour, JSC and the death of Honourable Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, JSC.

when a matter has been wrongly filed in his court has been infused into the Constitution, by directing that the Judge of the court in question should transfer the suit to the appropriate Court as allowed under the rules of that court. Firstly, as at today, not all courtsw allow for transfer of cases wrongly filed to another court, so it is not practicable.

Furthermore, the Constitution is the organic law of the country from which other laws derives their validity; it is therefore, in the realm of substantive law and not procedural law. See the cases of FRN v Osahon (2006) 5 NWLR (Pt. 973) 361 and F.C.D.A. v Ezinkwo (2007) ALL FWLR (Pt. 393) 95 at 115, paras. C – D. Therefore, infusing procedural issues into the Constitution is not necessary, as it makes the Constitution too clumsy and bulky to comprehend.

8. The Proposed Bill smacks of creating jobs for the ‘boys’, as a result of the recent outcry of the calibre of Judges being ‘fed’ into the appellate courts - aka ‘man know man’, over merit. But, at the end of the day, the ‘policy and decision making’ courts - the Federal Courts - are still under the control of the Executive and the Politicians (the Legislature)! And, these Federal Appellate Courts courts are likely to be ‘fed’ by the lower Federal Courts! This is quite worrisome, since the Judiciary is meant to be the third arm of Government in the elementary doctrine of Baron de Montesquieu’s Separation of Powers, a check and balance on the two other arms of Government, not an offshoot of the Executive.

(5) Issues causing delay in justice delivery such as interlocutory appeals have not been addressed The proposed amendments did not address the issue of unnecessary interlocutory appeals, which stall the progress of a case at the trial court. This usually happens when, at the slightest unfavourable interlocutory ruling, a party exercises a right of appeal and causes the appeal to be entered at the Appellate Court, with the attendant effect that the case before the trial court is adjourned indefinitely to abide the outcome of the appeal. This leads to the rather disturbing trend that a case may end up staying in the courts for ten years, only to be returned to the trial court for determination as lamented by per Uwais, CJN (as he then was) in the case of Amadi v N.N.P.C. (2000) 10 NWLR (Pt. 674) 76 to the effect that: “With the success of the Plaintiff’s appeal before us, the case is to be sent back to the High Court to be determined, hopefully, on its merits after a delay of 13 years. Surely, this could have been avoided had it been that the point was taken in the course of proceedings in the substantive claim to enable any aggrieved party to appeal on both the issue of jurisdiction and the judgement on merit in the proceedings, as the case might be”.

Although it is observed that by the amendments proposed, appeals will be heard within 180 days of it being entered at the Court of Appeal of a State, but the opportunity for such appeals to be lodged can itself be a hindrance to the possibility of a hearing within 180 days, as the filing of many of such appeals will further burden the courts, with the attendant effect that it may not be able to surmount the pressure of the workload within the specified period.

It is therefore, safer to prescribe that such appeals be made to abide the final determination of the suit and determined together with any appeal arising therefrom, but again the amendments only focuses on the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, whilst other Courts are left to their fate.

Senate President, Ahmed Lawan

Conclusion It is my view that a Constitution should not be an unduly wieldy document which is difficult to comprehend, or another encyclopaedia of amendments. In this

INTO THE APPELLATE

regard, the proposed amendments to the Constitution as contained in the draft Bill, leave much to be desired. Amendments which will address all issues affecting the effectiveness of the Judiciary and be precise, as opposed to those which merely address the appellate process and will soon require further amendments, is preferred.

Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, FCIArb., Founding Partner, Pinheiro LP

A Dispassionate Review of the Supreme Court Alteration Bill 2020 Sola Akanni Having reviewed the Supreme Court Alteration Bill 2020 (SCAB), here are some of my observations: 1.

The proposed creation of a Federal

“THE PROPOSED BILL SMACKS OF CREATING JOBS FOR THE ‘BOYS’, AS A RESULT OF THE RECENT OUTCRY OF THE CALIBRE OF JUDGES BEING ‘FED’ COURTS - AKA ‘MAN KNOW MAN’, OVER MERIT”

Court of Appeal, is to introduce another tier into the hierarchy of Courts which will allow non-judicial officers to enter the pyramid of Courts at the highest level, even the Supreme Court, without any judicial experience.

2. The proposed State Courts of Appeal, even if more are created, will be inferior to and lesser than the Federal Court of Appeal, even though the latter only deals with matters exclusive to it, as enumerated in SCAB or coming from Federal courts.

3. The State Court of Appeal will likely then be where most judicial officers from the State High Courts, end their careers.

4. By virtue of SCAB, the State High Courts will also be rendered ‘low enough’ in the hierarchy, to be virtually like ‘Magistrates’ Courts’ in the hierarchy of courts.

9. The power to dispose of applications for leave to appeal without oral hearing, is a good development of the SCAB. This would weed out frivolous appeals, and prevent the wastage of judicial time.

However, discretion is still to be exercised, making the innovation uncertain.

10. The aim of any amendment should not just be to reduce appeals to the Supreme Court, but to the Appellate Courts in general. It would go a long way to reduce the number of appeals, if those applying to be elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria do not have to depend so much on appeals.

The requirements for elevation should be a mixed bag of judgements, showing prowess at every level.

11. SCAB should have provided for each State to have its own Supreme Court as well, with appeals lying therefrom to the Federal Supreme Court, while appeals from the Federal Courts should go to the Federal Court of Appeal, and from there, to the Supreme Court.

5. Most of the matters to be dealt with by the Federal Court of Appeal are ‘Federal matters’ of which State High Courts do not have jurisdiction, thus, elevating High Court of the Federal Capital Territory and the Federal High Court, and even more ridiculous, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, the baby of yesterday that was recently elevated to the status of a Superior Court of Record, higher than State High Courts. This is in addition of endowing the Federal Court of Appeal with jurisdiction to determine the question as to the appointment of President and Vice President, to the exclusion of the State Court of Appeal.

12. SCAB is silent on who will run the Judiciary’s administration in the State.

Will it be the President of the newly created State Court of Appeal or the Chief Judge of the State High Court, considering that the President of the State Court of Appeal will be senior in hierarchy?

6. SCAB will succeed in prolonging the process of appeal. There will be multiplicity of Federal and State Courts of Appeal, considering the fact that each State will have a State Court of Appeal and still have divisions of the Federal Court of Appeal.

14. Restructuring is the answer. Each region should manage its own affairs up to its own Supreme Court like in the US, and only really epoch making important policy or constitutional matters will go to Federal Supreme Court.

7. Whilst the proposed SCAB will reduce the types of matters that need to be appealed generally (as leave is to be sought), especially to the Supreme Court, why is it that the Supreme Court is not/cannot be at its full constitutional complement of 21 Justices? At the last appointment, there were 20 Justices of

13. Since the State High Court Judges may no longer be able to rise to Federal Court of Appeal, the existing State High Court Judges will contest for the few seats on their State Court of Appeal, therefore, essentially killing the ascension of Magistrates.

15. There is a hidden agenda which must be thoroughly investigated as the whole SCAB seems to be geared towards benefiting certain groups in the country, predominantly the political class. We must guard against a ‘fait accompli’ being foisted on us.

Sola Akanni

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“ListenEveryHow: How Negotiations Work” Book Review Title:

“ListenEveryHow: How Negotiations Work”

Author:

Ayuli Jemide

Publisher:

Narrative Landscapes

Hardcover:

ISSN: 978-9785746341

Number of Pages: 150 Name of Reviewer: Demola Akinrele, SAN Ayuli Jemide’s book titled, ListenEveryHow - How Negotiations Work, is the first home-grown (Nigerian) book written by a Lawyer in the art of business negotiation, that I have read. He writes from the perspective of a solicitor, but the principles expounded apply equally to the Barrister in the art of persuasion in the court room, thus, compelling the attention of the legal Profession.

When Ayuli invited me to review his book, naturally I was hesitant. My instinct as an adversarial Barrister naturally subordinates negotiation to contention, and therefore, my bias against a colleague who is the founder and lead partner at Detail Commercial Solicitors, a firm that engages exclusively in non-court room practice, is understandable.

After all, like Fela said so succinctly, “Man must Chop!” By the time I concluded reading the book, it resonated soundly with principles that govern the operations of the Barrister, Solicitor, in-house Legal Adviser, or Business Mogul.

About the Book The author, in a book spanning 150 pages of 15 short chapters, characterised by clear, fluent prose, anchored on principles borne out of -as he puts it- “real stories of my first-hand experiences—learning from people, from situations, and from leading negotiations myself”, contends that the essence of successful negotiation is understanding the art of listening.

A negotiation between two opposing parties, is a civil war of the psyche. A duel between the desire of one offering goods or a service, and the price the other is prepared to pay to satisfy that desire. The party who emerges with the better deal, is invariably one who can ListenEveryHow. The content of How Negotiations Work is as simple as it is profound.

Necessary Principles A solicitor acting on behalf of a client must be cognisant of the following principles according to Jemide: Firstly, be an expert in the subject of negotiation. He uses the metaphor of an attack dog and a shepherd dog

to illustrate his position.

“An attack dog fights when there is danger, and shepherd dogs steer you away from danger. A commercial advisor is a shepherd, trained to ensure that the sheep stay proactive and out of court.”

He emphasises that the skill required for a pragmatic negotiator, is different from that of a courtroom Lawyer.

Secondly, he advocates knowledge of the personalities on the other side of a negotiation through advance inquires and research, given the humanity of negotiation with all its quirks and twists.

Thirdly, mastery of the industry either directly as a Lawyer, or through the procurement of experts. I found instructive the vivid example he afforded of a real estate negotiation where the assignor of a Certificate of Occupancy of 99 years assigned the remaining 90 years on his Certificate of Occupancy having been in possession for 9 years but insisted on his right to renewal of the Certificate of Occupancy with the State Government after the expiry of the 90 years, and was therefore, unwilling to surrender the Certificate of Occupancy. He was able to protect his client, the purchaser by the insertion of a protective clause in the deed of assignment to the effect - “The purchase includes all rights to renewals on expiry of the unexpired residue”. The benefit of expertise in this field was evident.

Fourthly and most importantly, is the psychology of the negotiation room. r 5IF BCJMJUZ UP SFBE CPEZ MBOHVBHF with clarity: the facial expressions, the audible, the inaudible whispers of the adversary, and the silence that speaks louder than words. r 5IF EFGFSFODF UP HPPE BSHVNFOUT and exhibiting good manners and fair treatment without compromising your position. r 5IF BCJMJUZ UP DPODFEF PO JTTVFT that are not critical to one’s client, to promote an atmosphere of trust and goodwill that is necessary in difficult negotiations.

He concludes by extolling the virtues of listening hard and talking sparingly; such persons are proficient ponder-

ers, people profilers and they digest dialogue with intentional inquiries.

They walk out of the room with the best deals.

The art of successful business negotiation, is not just the preserve of the meeting room. It is as relevant to the art of persuasion in the court room. In a classic example of counsel listening carefully and securing the attention of opposing parties by identifying with their concerns, thus, changing a hostile atmosphere to a receptive and successful one, I recall an appearance of F.O. Akinrele SAN of blessed memory, in a criminal appeal before the Supreme Court in 1984. Chief Akinrele raised a novel point of law before the court, in his Brief of Argument. The panel, led by late Justice Kayode Eso, indicated in his characteristic assertive manner before argument commenced that he did not see the merit in the appeal, nor did other members of the panel.

Chief Akinrele was very patient and watchful, and did not utter a word until the panel had fully expressed itself. He then responded that he shared the same view with them as to the absence of merit in the appeal when he first perused the record, but on reflection, he perceived the merit and if they paused to listen to him, they would equally be persuaded.

Whereupon an attentive silence

descended upon the court, they heard the appeal patiently and subsequently allowed the appeal. Chief Akinrele had clearly imbibed the lessons from the admonition of Jemide that “the strongest of all warriors are these two—Time and Patience”- Leo Tolstoy.

The wisdom of the principles enunciated by the author, is fundamental and applicable to dealings in human endeavour. Shakespeare portrays this in the Merchant of Venice. Shylock is presented a negotiating opportunity by the shrewd advocacy of Portia after her famous “Quality of Mercy” speech to forgive Antonio, but he was so inflexible on account of his obsessive desire to exact his pound of flesh, that he underestimated Portia and did not think through the consequences of his own reality. He lost his wealth and identity, on account of not striving to ListenEveryHow. In ListenEveryHow - How Negotiations Work, Ayuli Jemide successfully provokes our minds to a course of conduct which we may have dimly apprehended, unconsciously and sporadically practiced by translating it to a practical article of faith that should be mandatory in business meeting rooms, court room exchanges, and in human endeavours.

I recommend this delightful and insightful book.

Demola Akinrele, SAN

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EFCC and Other Regulatory Agencies’ Powers to Enforce Declaration of Assets (Part 4) Introduction

or votes in Parliament, or actions taken in the capacity of a Member of Parliament". The register is not intended to be an indicator of a member of Parliament’s personal wealth, nor is registration an indication that a member is at fault.

Transparency is also promoted by the obligation on members to declare in parliamentary debates or proceedings and dealings with other members, ministers or public servants, all interests, whether registrable or not, and including indirect, past and future interests which are relevant to the business in hand.

While the obligation to register outside employment, sponsorship, property and shareholdings is absolute, in respect of other gifts and benefits, the requirement is only to register those interests which in any way arise out of membership of the House of Commons. In line with this principle, the interests of spouses, partners and dependent children are registrable only if they arise out of their relative's position as a Member, or if they are held jointly with, or by, the member.

The interests which are to be registered are set out in the "Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members", first agreed in July 1996 and revised in May 2002 and July 2005.

The financial thresholds over which an interest must be registered are mainly based, for convenience, on percentages of an MP's salary: one per cent, or currently GBP 590, for employment, gifts and hospitality; ten per cent, or GBP 5,900, for rental income; and a hundred per cent, or GBP 59,000, for property and shares. The exception is sponsorship, where the threshold has been set at GBP 1,000 to match that set for registration with the Electoral Commission.

Last week, we started our discourse into the legal organogram and regime of Asset Declaration. Whilst declaration of assets by public officials is mandatory (see Section 140; 142(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Paragraph 11, Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria), it is contended by many that public declaration is voluntary, and is not a legal requirement for public officials. Today, we shall further explore the legal organogram and regime of Asset declaration in other countries.

Country by Country Examples Transparency International, gives us some global analysis of asset declaration.

Albania In April 2003, the Albanian Coalition Against Corruption (ACAC) succeeded in having the Law on the Declaration of Assets by Public Officials completely revised, and approved by Parliament. It took over one and a half years, to convince the government that drafting a new law was a necessary element to the reduction of corruption in public finance. Parliamentary members were resistant to this change. Statements defending their ground such as, “We do not need an expensive body to monitor us, we can do it ourselves”, and “We cannot make public our assets because we risk having our children kidnapped and even being murdered ourselves”, were common. However, reason prevailed.

Ukraine In Ukraine, for example, approximately one million civil servants and their family members must each year declare the value of their income from all sources, including financial assets such as cash in the bank, securities, such as stocks and bonds, non-movable property such as real estate, movable property such as cars and boats, the beneficial ownership of companies, gifts received and loans granted. They must also declare the sale or purchase of any type of assets, details of any additional jogs or positions held, and their participation in civic or professional bodies. The collated information is published on a central digital portal.

The Ukrainian law on asset disclosure is comparable with other countries in the region, both in terms of the scope of the information declared and its approach towards public access.

While public access can raise valid concerns, the benefits outweigh the costs, and any interference with privacy rights in the declaration is proportionate to the public interest. Online disclosure of public declarations has been introduced in many countries, and is essential if public servants are to be held to account.

Papua New Guinea and Taiwan: The Role of Ombudsmen in Monitoring Asset Declarations Papua New Guinea and Taiwan are two countries where the Ombudsman can review and monitor declarations of income and assets, made by senior public officials. As an office independent of government, with the investigative capacities to examine the contents of financial declarations, the Ombudsman’s office can avoid the necessity for establishing other independent mechanisms specifically for monitoring financial assets. Alternatively, when a large number of applications for information are likely to be disputed, a local government Ombudsman’s office can be created to handle these requests. The Papua New Guinea model, is widely seen as having had a positive impact. However, in Taiwan, in order to cope with the implementation of the asset disclosure law, the Control Yuan, an agency that monitors government, set up the Department of Asset Disclosure for Public Functionaries in August 1993.

EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa

political finance system in Liberia followed by the provision of regulatory support, including the drafting of necessary forms.

This work was undertaken with the support of the National Elections Commission (NEC), and in coordination with major political parties and civil society organisations. As a result, political parties and candidates contesting elections publicly declared their assets. These declarations were made available for public scrutiny via the NEC website, and written about widely in the press. The electorate thus, had an opportunity to make more informed decisions at the polls, and to hold the winning candidate accountable in the future.

Having completed MAP pilot projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lithuania, Georgia, Hungary, Romania, and South Africa, IFES continues to conduct MAP project activities in Bolivia, Indonesia, Liberia, Nigeria, Peru, and Kosovo. IFES has also developed a set of lessons-learned and best practices, for developing disclosure-oriented programs. The program claims to offer some relatively simple technical solutions that can, if well targeted and timed, effectively address weaknesses in a country's system of disclosure. For more information about the project contact Jamie Crowley (jcrowley@ifes.org) at the IFES Centre for Transitional and Post-Conflict Governance.

The UK Example The register was set up in May 1974 and is maintained by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, as laid out in the House of Commons Standing Order No. 150. The purpose of the register, is to encourage transparency and accountability. It is "to provide information of any pecuniary interest or other material benefit which a Member receives, which might reasonably be thought by others to influence his or her actions, speeches

Tanzania Governance Noticeboard The Tanzania Governance Noticeboard (TGN) collates and presents information that is useful for the strengthening of accountability, transparency and integrity in Tanzania. Key statistics, including budget data, audits and other governance related indicators, have been gathered in the TGN database.

Though the TGN doesn’t explicitly collect information resulting from asset/wealth disclosures, it is interesting as an example of an IT platform sharing a range of financial information to enhance transparency and accountability.

“WHILST DECLARATION

Liberia: Combating Political Corruption through Asset Disclosure The case of a once war-ravaged Liberia, demonstrates how effective asset disclosure can lead to greater public accountability. In late 2004, IFES launched its Money and Politics (MAP) project designed to encourage credibility in Liberia’s fragile political process, through the promotion of greater transparency and accountability in political finance. Following a similar approach to that previously employed in Nigeria, the MAP Project began with a comprehensive assessment of the

THAT PUBLIC DECLARATION IS

OF ASSETS BY PUBLIC OFFICIALS IS MANDATORY.....

IT IS CONTENDED BY MANY VOLUNTARY, AND IS NOT A LEGAL REQUIREMENT FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS”

Tajikistan In Tajikistan, requirements to disclose assets cover Heads of State, civil servants as well as members of the Parliament.

Also, according to the Anti-Corruption Law (2005), assets of family members should be included in their declarations (World Bank, 2008b).

Asset declarations must be submitted by members of the Parliament and civil servants upon taking office/on their first appointment, and annually (by 30 September and 31 December respectively) (World Bank 2008a). Similarly, requirements are in place for heads of government, ministers, parliamentarians and civil servants (World Bank 2008b).

All members of the government and civil servants declare their assets to the Tax Committee, but there are no legal requirements for the independent auditing of these declarations (Global Integrity Report 2011a).

Kyrgyzstan In Kyrgyzstan, according to the 2005 Law on Asset Declaration and the 2003 Anti-Corruption Law, the President, ministers, members of the Parliament and civil servants, are obliged to declare their assets and the assets of spouses and children.

In addition, the Law on Civil Service also ascertains rules for civil servants to declare their income.

India In India, ministers, candidates for election, members of the Parliament, and civil servants are required to disclose their assets. Legally, the President is not obliged to disclose any information, but the current President has done it voluntarily (Global Integrity Report 2011b).

Members of the Parliament have to submit their asset declaration upon taking office, and upon change in assets. Civil servants are also required to declare information upon taking office, but information on immovable properties should be filled annually.

In addition, according to the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, civil servants have to request permission before acquiring any immovable property, and are expected to report transactions that excess Rs. 15,000 (approx. US$ 250) (World Bank 2008d).

Nepal In Nepal, all government officials, including the Prime Minister, ministers, members of the Parliament and civil servants, are required to declare their income and assets (Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority Act of 1991 and Prevention of Corruption Act of 2002). These officials are also required, to disclose the assets and liabilities of their spouses and children.

Government officials are only required to declare the properties owned by them, and by their spouses and children. There are no provisions with regard to sources of income, interests, moveable assets or liabilities (World Bank 2008f; Global Integrity Report 2009).

According to the law, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority is responsible for ensuring that members of the government and civil servants submit their asset declarations. The National Vigilance Centre (NVC) is, according to the Prevention of Corruption Act, responsible for monitoring the declarations (World Bank 2008f). (To be continued).

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK “The best defence against mafia business, is full declaration of assets and incomes.” (Milos Zeman).

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T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͮ˜ 2021

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Access Bank Set to Acquire BancABC Botswana Obinna Chima Access Bank Plc yesterday disclosed that it has entered into a definitive and binding agreement with ABC Holdings Limited to acquire 78.15 per cent shareholding in African Banking Corporation of Botswana Limited (BancABC Botswana).

The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions precedent, is expected to close before the end of this quarter.

ABC Holdings is a subsidiary of London Stock Exchange listed group – Atlas Mara Limited.

Access Bank disclosed this in a statement signed by its Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi.

Bostwana is renowned for its quality sovereign credit rating and stability. Access Bank’s

market entry is expected to further solidify its strategy as, “a strong banking partner in key verticals across retail and corporate banking, including especially supporting trade in payments across southern Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa more broadly.”

Commenting on the deal, the GMD/CEO, Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe said: “We remain committed to a disciplined and thoughtful expansion strategy in Africa, which we believe will create strong, sustainable returns for our shareholders and stakeholders at large, over the medium and long-term.

“The establishment of Access Bank through this acquisition in the Republic of Botswana will position the bank to deliver a more complete set of banking solutions to its clients active

in and across the SADC and COMESA regions.

“This transaction complements our recent strategic growth acquisitions in South Africa, Zambia and Mozambique. We are building a bank of the future that Africans across Africa and the world would be proud of and look forward to welcoming the employees, customers and other stakeholders of BancABC Bostawana to Access Bank.”

BancABC Botswana is the fifth largest bank in Botswana and is a very well-capitalised banking institution poised for growth and success in its local market.

The bank has been perennially profitable, given an existing high-quality retail loan book with opportunities and scope for diversification and further expansion into corporate and SME lending.

Wigwe

ABCON Seeks Measures to Boost Diaspora Remittances The Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to introduce measures that will counter the advantages of cryptocurrencies exchanges as a channel for diaspora remittances.

The association stated this in its Quarterly Economic Review for the first quarter of 2021.

According to ABCON, such measures are necessary to redirect diaspora remittance inflow away from crypto currency exchanges to official channels. Though the association commended the CBN for the N5/$ rebate scheme introduced to encourage diaspora Nigerians to use official channels for remittance transfer, it however

noted that the apex bank needs to address other issues driving the patronage of cryptocurrency exchanges for remittance transfer.

It stated: “It is noteworthy that public acceptability for cryptocurrency exchanges are rising which could be quite accountable for the wide drop in diaspora inflows to Nigeria.

“Insecurity in the country is giving it greater prominence as investors and citizens are finding Cryptocurrency a safe haven for their wealth in case of any eventuality. “In most Emerging Markets Bitcoin transfers surged last year, as the pandemic exposed the cheaper and more efficient digital remittance services.

“Migrants sending money

across borders to their families prefer the minimal transaction costs of cryptocurrency exchanges against the exorbitant costs of traditional money transfer companies like Western Union.” According to ABCON, “Cryptocurrency transactions are faster than the conventional transfers, which require passing through banks reliant SWIFT, the sluggish, half-century-old interbank messaging system that handles cross-border payments.

“These exchanges override the political complications of official channels. The global reach of cryptocurrencies avoids the inflation risk inherent to official currencies, especially in politically unstable countries reliant on fickle foreign investors.

Union Bank Unveils ‘UnionPro’to Strengthen Retail Trade Dike Onwuamaeze Union Bank of Nigeria Plc has unveiled ‘UnionPro’ which it stated was designed to provide tailored financial services and solutions to supermarkets and large retail chain stores in Nigeria.

It said UnionPro would enable large retailers to access a single platform that offers wide bouquet of solutions to enrich their businesses and optimise their offerings.

These solutions include agency banking, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, in-store ATM deployments, web payment gateways and access to Union360,

which is a secured web-based solution that offers end-to-end single point for payments and collections.

The UnionPro would also enable retailers to benefit from overdrafts, short-term finance, distributor finance and invoice discounting finance.

The Union Bank’s Divisional Executive for Commercial Banking, Ms. Gloria Omereonye, highlighted the key role of large retail stores and supermarkets in boosting the economy, stating that UnionPro is one of the bank’s strategic approaches to developing innovative services that would support its customers’ businesses.

She said: “We are proud to support local businesses through tailored products and services that ease the challenges of doing business in Nigeria. With UnionPro, we are making a commitment to work closely with large retailers, providing the necessary support they require to grow and expand their businesses.”

Union Bank is noted for offering wide range of products and services for both Small and Medium Enterprises and larger businesses as it remains focused on enabling the success of its customers through innovative finance solutions and platforms.

CRC Credit Bureau Organises Forum on Open Banking Nume Ekeghe CRC Credit Bureau Limited recently hosted a webinar to educate individuals and businesses on open banking.

The Managing Director/CEO of CRC Credit Bureau Limited, Dr. ’Tunde Popoola, in a statement said the webinar with the theme: ‘Open Banking: Implications for Payments System and Access to Credit,’ was an important discuss to understand its connection to data management and financial inclusion.

Popoola stated: “For us at CRC, we identified the direction of information dissemination and availability among players in the economy and our products and services are driven by data.

“We represent one side of the

financial intermediation equation by holding and disseminating data on credit activities. It is complete when access to information on the deposit mobilisation and payments system is also democratised.

“It is therefore not strange that today, we are discussing Open Banking and as a player in the data management sector of the Nigerian economy, we were encouraged to organize this webinar to discuss this.”

“CRC Credit Bureau is the largest Credit Bureau in Nigeria and provides a nationwide repository on credit profiles of corporate entities as well as consumers, thus improving the ability of credit providers and borrowers to make informed lending and borrowing decisions.”

The keynote speaker, Mr. Musa I. Jimoh, who is the Director Payments System Management Department, was represented by Mr. Olubukola Akinwunmi, an Assistant Director, Payment Systems Management Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He provided an overview of the regulatory framework of the policy.

He further listed benefits of open banking.

At the event, an interactive session was moderated by the Managing Director/CEO of CRC Credit Bureau Limited, Dr. ’Tunde Popoola, enabled participants ask questions about the role credit bureaus play in making access to data provided by open banking available to both consumers and the business community.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE ˜ ͯʹ ͰͮͰͯ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $65.21 a barrel on Friday, compared with $64.48 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

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

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

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FEATURES

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, 07010510430

Consolidating Capacity Towards Protection of Gulf of Guinea Waters In a bid to consolidate capacity in protecting the Gulf of Guinea waters, the Nigerian Navy recently partnered its Spanish counterparts in a two-day sea exercise, Chiemelie Ezeobi reports

L-R: CO Spanish Navy War Ship, MV FUROR, Lt Cdr Diego Mendoza; FOC WEST, Rear Admiral Jason Gbassa and Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb Joan Antonio Otero

NNS PROSPERITY

Spanish Vessel, MV FUROR

NN vessels at sea during the exercise

T

he Gulf of Guinea (GoG) waters covers 2.3 million square kilometers (888,000 sq m) and borders more than a dozen countries. Lying across 19 coastal and island states, the GoG coastline, which stretches from the waters off Senegal to the south of Angola, is a treasure trove of rich resources.

Comprising 26 countries grouped into two Regional Economic Communities (RECs) namely -Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS, 11 states with the return of Rwanda) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS; 15 states), the GoG countries’ total population is about 472 million, with 160 and 310 million inhabitants for ECCAS and ECOWAS, respectively.

Covering a surface area of 11,755,258 square kilometers, including a coastline of over 6000 kilometres from Senegal to Angola, the GoG countries have an estimated 24 billion barrels of crude oil reserves, that is five per cent of global reserves; five million barrels of crude oil per day; 40 per cent of Europe’s petroleum consumption, and 29 per cent of US petroleum consumption.

Also, the GoG is also the primary conduit of international trade and is central to the economy of the associated regions. It is increasingly looked upon today as resource provider and

critical contributor to national growth and prosperity of the several nations lining its coasts and even those landward and with no shared boundaries.

But despite its rich throve of resources, the GoG waters face diverse maritime threats. It's more alarming given that the maritime environment is one of the mainstays of the Nigerian economy.

It is a given that these diverse threats of insecurity has over the years been a considerable source of concern as the nation’s network of oil and gas installations as well as associated shipping have been threatened by maritime crimes such as piracy, sea robbery, Crude Oil Theft (COT), illegal oil bunkering, smuggling, Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, militancy and kidnapping for ransom.

Thus, the dedication by the Nigerian Navy (NN) to ensure a safe and secure maritime domain is not in itself surprising given that Nigeria, as one of the countries in the GoG has a coastline of about 420nautical miles (nm) and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 200nm covering about 84,000 square nm of the National Maritime Environment (NME).

Also, the nation’s maritime area of interest which includes the entire GoG and is about 574,800 square nautical miles spanning a total coastline of 2,874nm from Senegal to Angola is a huge maritime space rich in numerous

hydrocarbon and mineral resources and also serves as a strategic route for maritime trade.

Asides protecting Nigeria's territorial integrity, the NN also contributes its quota at the regional level, by patrolling the waters of the GoG. Thus, to consolidate on such capacity established over a long time, the NN recently partnered their Spanish counterpart on a two-day sea exercise in the GoG waters.

For the exercise, a total of four Nigerian Navy Ships, a helicopter and elements of the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (SBS) participated. The ships involved were NNS NNS PROSPERITY, NNS NGURU, NNS EKULU and NNS OSUN including the NN helicopter, which carried out medical evacuation at sea. The exercise was done with Spanish Navy Ship (SNS) FUROR. At sea, the fleet conducted several exercises including anti-piracy operations, fleet maneuvers, communication, Vessel Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), Search and Rescue, among others.

According to the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Jason Gbassa, the visit further consolidated the relationship between the two countries which went a long way to improve capacity on the side of the NN, adding that "as part of our naval responsibilities, navies all over the world as a universal service, always

collaborate and cooperate in areas of maritime operations. Their port visit to Lagos is inline with that function of the navy and it is our pleasure to have them around".

The FOC also noted that the exercise will go a long way to improve capacity of monitoring the maritime environment while further cementing their relationship, especially as both navies have had relationship that dates back for a while.

“Over the last two years, this is the fourth SNS that is visiting Nigeria and at each of their visit, we conduct exercise together as regards the protection of the Gulf of Guinea. Their experience must have informed and encouraged your port call, so we intend to build on your visit to go further into other areas of training. Areas where we will have to do joint training exchange programmes at the higher level that will contribute to all our efforts to secure not just our waters but indeed the Gulf of Guinea".

Also speaking, Commanding Officer, SNS Furor, Lieutenant Commander Diego Mendoza said collaborating with the NN, which is the biggest navy at the GoG would yield profitable results interms of improving security, adding that spanish vessels usually don’t sail at the Gulf therefore the collaboration provided a wonderful opportunity for such experience and opportunity to work with the NN as well.

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FEATURES

Titi Ogufere's Diary as First IFI African President At the helm of affairs of the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers is Ms. Titi Ogufere, who is the first African and 21st president of the federation. Rebecca Ejifoma reports that with her appointment, the design advocate and interior designer has championed local content and education policy, while propagating standard of competence and knowledge in interior design, research and development of local raw materials, furniture design, health and safety and professional practice and ethic

T

iti Ogufere is not your regular designer.

She is the perfect reflection of a design advocate and interior designer, who has published over 25 works. Among them are: This is Africa: Traditional Design, Modern and Contemporary (2017); In Conversation with Demas Nwoko (2019); and Vernacular Design: Redefining the Narrative (2019).

She took to practice Essential Interiors Consultancy in 2002 and has carved an international identity for herself with a wide variety of contextspecific, innovative, experimental, critical and theoretical projects.

Ogufere can boast of high-end residential, commercial, and hospitality projects for an exclusive list of highly selected clientele worldwide through her design practice. Lately, her consultancy started developing a design language using African influences.

She recounted that it all began “in 2007, we desperately needed a voice for the profession, so I approached a few industry pioneers and established the Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN). With IDAN well established, I became the first Interior Design Magazine publisher in West Africa.

“I organised an annual awards programme (IDEA Awards), an interior design exhibition called ‘Made by Design' and a design festival called ‘Design Week Lagos'.

“In 2017, we launched the African Culture and Design Festival, an exhibition geared towards showcasing African Art and Design, hosted by IDAN in partnership with the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI), bringing to Nigeria over 100 nations.”

Appointment as IFI President Interestingly, Ogufere’s portfolio took a significant leap last year when she was appointed the president of IFI, making her the first president of African descent.

As the United Nations of the profession, IFI – founded in Denmark in 1963 – represents close to a quarter-million designers, educators and industry stakeholders in the international design community in all continents, collectively meaning practising interior architects/designers worldwide.

Part of its aim is to expand internationally the interior architecture/interior design profession's contribution to society through the exchange and development of knowledge and experience in education, research and practice, through fellowship and community.

This is because the federation believes in the power of design as a vehicle for human betterment and productivity improvement.

Ogufere chipped in: “IFI has faced the challenge of elevating the profession in regions like Africa,” adding that the profession is not regulated for the safety and in the best interest of the public.

Her words: “Over the past year, we have seen the importance of the interior architecture and design profession in the built environments where the public's health, safety, and welfare were hit. The world, even the developed nations, was not prepared for what happened last year.”

Challenges With the rapid growth in Africa's economy in recent years, the president conceded that interior design has become a lucrative profession. She however emphasised that it has attracted a large number of unqualified individuals who do not have the necessary educational background or experience in the field, causing a real risk to society.

Other problems she listed that plague the industry in Nigeria include the erection of illegal structures and unprofessional conduct by “quacks that leads to poor execution, cost overruns and loss of lives”.

For the designer, there is need to weed out such people who act or misrepresent themselves as interior designers. “Even in developed nations, the industry realises that our profession requires specialist knowledge and training".

doors, which Alexander Miles developed; and Marie Van Brittan Brown created the first home security system.

“They knew that as a nation, for them to succeed, they needed designers and innovators.

They needed to use the tool of design for wealth creation,” she expressed.

Ms. Titi Ogufere She, however, bemoaned that interior design is not regulated in Nigeria. “It has become even more apparent as the knowledge base, skills, and regulations applicable to interior design continue to grow in complexity.

“It is important to note that professional bodies of lawyers, accountants, doctors, even those in our built environment like architects and engineers have regulatory authorities established by parliament acts. Still, interior design is not yet regulated in Nigeria.”

Education, she hinted, is a critical driver in this reformation and should be taken seriously, while stressing that in Nigeria, the only institution of higher learning offering a postgraduate degree programme is the University of Ife. In the words of Ogufere, most of the qualified interior designers like herself had to get international degrees to practice. “I urge more universities in Africa to integrate Interior designs into their curriculum.”

Championing Local Content Lamenting the influx of banned products into the country, the IFI boss said most foreign interior designers come into Nigeria and import all items products into the country, despite the ban.

Sadly, she cautioned that the local industry cannot grow if we continue this practice; “We need to set up a standard of competence and knowledge in these five key areas: interior design, research and development of local raw materials, furniture design, health and safety and professional practice and ethics.

“In 2019 alone, $9.8 billion was imported into Africa, with Nigeria as one of the region's highest furniture consumers.”

Agenda As president of IFI, Ogufere's agenda, according to her, is to continue to push for the furtherance of good governance with three strategic goals. She listed education, policymaking, and improving professional practice with the developed and developing nations.

Africa as Inspiration On how designs can solve problems globally, the designer enthused that Africa was the inspiration for Europe's early modern art movement, with classical African sculpture influencing history's

most celebrated artists such as Pablo Picasso, Amadeo Modigliani and Henri Matisse.

"Africa has continued to be a source of inspiration for the creative community. We have seen fashion designers from Valentino and Jean Paul Gaultier to Louis Vuitton referencing Africa in their designs.

"In the furniture design industry, there is a lack of diversity; black designers have been underrepresented. In 2019/20, Jomo Tariku researched the number of black designers working with global furniture brands; when he completed his research, the data presented a stark picture.

"Of 4,417 branded collections, 14 were with black designers. That is roughly one-third of 1 per cent. This study steered up a lot of criticism on racial inequity in the global furniture design industry. This is a significant problem that needs to be fixed.

"African design is becoming increasingly popular; however, demand is outstripping supply. As more eyes turn to the continent with perceptions of what constitutes modern and contemporary African product design, it has become critical for developing the interior and product design industry."

She described Africa as rich in creativity inherited from previous generations and is unique, unlike anything found anywhere else.

In her words, “We are rich with raw materials from bamboo, thatch, stones, grass, brass, bronze, leather, copper, wool, cotton, clay to dyes. We have an inexhaustible source of inspiration but are yet to industrialise these techniques into mass production.”

It is estimated that 80 per cent of Africa's raw materials are exported outside the continent. At least 50 per cent of goods produced from the same raw materials return to Africa as packaged or processed products. It has become necessary to grow our local industry; raise funding and support technological advancements.

She expounded: “I believe design is the new oil. We need to learn from nations like America. America is known for being a place where innovation is encouraged."

Her list included Thomas Edison's inventing electricity; Garret Morgan, who designed the traffic signal; the Wright brothers invented the first successful aeroplane; Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone; automatic elevator

Policy Making With this, the president plans to bring development through design, empowering emerging design communities through the influence of policy making and professional practice.

“During my tenure, I aimed to update the global interior design education policy to be comprehensive, future-focused, inclusive, flexible and relevant to developing and developed nations.

It was last updated in 1981; I am excited to say that we delivered the updated Education Policy in September 2020. I also look forward to establishing an accreditation project for the region using the resources IFI has acquired throughout the years to support the profession.”

With a passion to move the federation forward, Ogufere shared that she led a team of professors of Interior Architecture/ Design with co-chairs Professor Joanne Cys and Professor Suzie Attiwill in developing the IFI Education Policy.

“Recent years have seen transformative change affecting all aspects of society and culture,” continuing that technological advancements have increasingly reshaped architectural design thinking, education and practice alike.

“In this context, IFI initiated a revision of the existing IFI Interior Architecture/Design Education Policy (IFI IA/D EP) for its preparedness to embrace and support the next decade now upon us.”

Indeed, Ogufere is pleased about the revision of the policy five months into office. The policy is based on the profession’s essential needs, future ambitions, global concerns and collective influence.

It underlines global objectives for interiors while supporting integration within local markets and considerations.

It empowers and informs discipline stakeholders (both internal and external), including students, graduates, educators, practitioners, academic institutions, professional associations, policymakers and governments.

An expert leadership task force panel with the diverse interiors’ world community was engaged in articulating this global benchmark for interior architecture/design education.

The Education Policy is a working policy – a living document – that actively engages the IFI and world interior community to foster and support the critical nexus between professional practice and education.

African Regional Roundtable Also, IFI creates and opens opportunities for its members. One of the important work IFI is doing this year is conducting an African Regional Roundtable in Lagos.

She believes that this event will bring together participants from the globe representing practitioners, academic institutions, educators, professional associations, policymakers, governments and students.

The roundtable will be held to discuss the implementation of the new IFI Educational Policy within the region.

Giving Back In giving back, in February 2011 in New York City, IFI powered a global symposium co-sponsored

by Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution, and supported by the Museum of Arts and Design.

Over 100 delegates from 30 countries graced the event. Among them some of the world's leading design authorities, innovators, business leaders and strategic thinkers. It was at this event that the IFI Interiors Declaration was launched.

With all these aforementioned, one thing is certain, Ogufere's sleeves are rolled up to make IFI a commendable force with a remarkable footprint for other federations to emulate.

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UBA Grows First Quarter Profit by 27% to N40bn Goddy Egene The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has reported double-digit growth across most of its major income lines in the first quarter of 2021.

The unaudited results showed a growth of 5.5 per cent in gross earnings to close at N155.4 billion as at the end of March, 2021, up from N147.2 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2020.

The bank leveraged on modest growth in both interest and non-interest income as well as increased efficiency to deliver a 24 per cent in profit before tax (PBT), which printed at N40.6 billion, compared with N32.7 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax also grew faster by 26.8 per cent from N30.1 billion to N38.2 billion.

The bank recorded an annualised 20.5 per cent return on average equity (RoAE) compared

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to 19.9 per cent in the same period of 2020.

UBA’s total assets rose by 2.5 per cent to N7.9 trillion compared to N7.7 trillion recorded at the end of the 2020 financial year whilst shareholders’ funds grew to N762.4 billion up by 5.3 per cent from N724.1 billion as at the end of 2020.

Commenting, the Group Managing Director/CEO of the UBA Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka,

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said the results reflected bank’s capacity to sustainably grow earnings even in a highly uncertain macroeconomic environment.

According to him, the robust capital and liquidity positions have boosted the bank’s capacity as it continues to support its customers across diverse sectors and markets, guided by prudent risk management practices.

He said: “This impressive 2021 Q1 results reflect the capacity

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of our business to sustainably grow earnings even in a highly uncertain macroeconomic environment. We remain upbeat on the macroeconomic outlook of the countries in which we operate, especially as the COVID-19 vaccine distribution gains traction globally, whilst commodity prices and currencies continue to stabilise. Our robust capital and liquidity positions have positioned us to continue to support our

O F

customers across diverse sectors and markets, guided by prudent risk management practices.”

Uzoka explained bank’s effort towards diligently executing its priorities for the year 2021, as it leverages people, process, and technology to deliver the best customer experience across all its channels and touchpoints, achieving industry leadership and dominance.

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OVERNIGHT OBB

A S

REPO 28.33 25

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

21.75 17 18

A T

Group Business Editor Obinna Chima

Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08152447875

A P R I L

S & P INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

522.34% -0.83% - 6.52%

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S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE YEAR TO DATE

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- 6.52% - 22.07%

EXCHANGE RATE N379/1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes UPSL Receives ISO Certification

PRODUCT LAUNCH

L-R: MD/CEO, Sterling Bank Plc, Abubakar Suleiman; Executive Director, Commercial Banking, Tunde Adeola; General Manager, Corporate Client Coverage and Sales, Mojisola Bakare; Group Head, Digital Banking, Oladipo Alabede, and Chief Marketing Officer, Dapo Martins, during the launch of OnePay for businesses in Lagos…recently

Report:NigeriatoAccountfor23% ofOil,GasProjectsinAfricaby2025 Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Nigeria is expected to have about 100 oil and gas projects commencing operations across the value chain between 2021 and 2025, accounting for 23 per cent of all total fresh projects in Africa, a new report has disclosed.

According to the report by GlobalData, a data and analytics company, new-build projects would dominate the industry and account for around 90 per cent of the total projects commencing operations across the value chain in Nigeria.

In the report titled: ‘Africa Oil and Gas Projects Outlook to 2025 – Development Stage, Capacity, Capex and Contractor Details of All New Build and Expansion Projects,’ the company revealed that of the 100 projects expected

ENERGY to commence operations during the period, petrochemicals will have the highest count with 28 projects, followed by upstream (25), refinery (24) and midstream (23).

“Nigeria is betting on several refinery and petrochemicals projects to meet its growing domestic demand and reduce its reliance on imports.

“The projects also have potential to transform Nigeria as an exporter of refined products to neighbouring countries,” the report said.

On refineries, it stated that the 650,000 barrel per day Dangote refinery in Lagos was a key project expected to start operations in 2022, noting that once the project begins operation,

it could become the largest oil refinery in Africa.

“Among the upcoming petrochemical projects in Nigeria by 2025, Brass Fertiliser & Petrochemical Company, Brass Methanol Plant are a key projects with a capacity of 1.70 million tonnes per annum (mtpa).

“The new build plant has already received approval and is expected to start operations by 2025,” it stated.

In the upstream (fields) segment, GlobalData stated that it expects 25 projects to start operations in Nigeria during 2021 to 2025.

Some of the notable projects, it said, include Bonga North and Okpokunou Cluster Development, with Bonga North being a deepwater conventional oilfield presently in FEED stage and is expected to commence operations

by 2025, while Cluster Development is an onshore conventional gas field presently at the feasibility stage and is expected to start operations by 2024.

According to the report, midstream projects will account for around 23 per cent of all oil and gas projects in Nigeria by 2025.

“Gas processing projects account for around 39 per cent of all upcoming midstream projects.

ANOH-Seplat is one of the key projects with a capacity of 300 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd).

The project is in currently in the construction stage and is expected to start operations in 2022.

“In LNG, Nigeria expansion is a key liquefaction project with a capacity of 7.60 mtpa and a project cost of US$7bn. The liquefaction project has been approved and Continued on page 24

MAN, NACCIMA Urge FG to Develop Industrial Clinic Dike Onwuamaeze Members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Nigerian Association Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) have urged the federal government to set up industrial clinic that would enhance increased productivity by facilitating the reactivation of moribund industries in Nigeria.

They also harped on the importance of providing more support to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the agribusiness in order to tame food price inflation.

Both associations in separate statement stated that a deliberate support for the manufacturing sector was needed to guarantee improved productivity and tame the upward inflationary trend in

INDUSTRY the economy, which is propelled by too much money chasing few goods.

The Director General of the MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, stressed that, “there are quite a number of moribund industries in the country. There should be an industrial clinic to engender their resuscitation in order to boost output and ultimately achieve price reduction.

“It is evident that there is a strong relationship between manufacturing sector growth and inflation rate, just like exchange and interest rates.

“Therefore, in the immediate government should assist manufacturing productivity with credit at competitive price. This could be in the form of enhancing existing special credit windows

or creating additional ones for this important sector of Nigerian economy.”

He added that government, in partnership with the manufacturers, should select strategic products for support, particularly those with high interindustry linkage for backward, and intensify the drive for the resource-based industrialisation agenda.

The MAN described the news of rising inflation in a country that recently exited recession as worrisome, especially for the manufacturing sector that has remained in recession even after the country’s economy technically exited recession in the Q4 of 2020.

It said: “The current inflationary condition in Nigeria adversely affects the profitability of the manufacturing sector and is partly responsible for its weak competitiveness. The latter be-

ing a major contributor to the low-export penetration of goods manufactured in the country into the international market.

Speaking in the same vein, the Nigerian Association Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), said urgent steps should be taken to arrest the current inflationary trend in the country’s economy if the federal government’s aspiration to achieve 2.5 per cent economic growth this year would be realised.

The Director General of the NACCIMA, Ambassador Ayo Olukanni, said: “Steps must be taken by government to arrest the trend. In all of these, perhaps most important is the issue of insecurity. Business and productive activities only thrive in a safe and secured environment.

Continued on page 24

TheInternationalOrganisationforStandardisation(ISO)hasawarded its ISO 9001:2015 certification for Quality Management Systems to Uraga Power Solutions Limited (UPSL), a member of the Honeywell Group and one of Nigeria’s most reputable off-grid power generation companies.

Thiswasinrecognitionofthecompany’squalitymanagementsystem’s conformity with global best practices.

With this certification, the company has demonstrated its ability to consistentlydeliverhigh-qualityworldclassservicestoitscustomers,a statementexplained.TheISO9001:2015QualityManagementSystems certification is centred on strong customer satisfaction, providing a framework that ensures that organisations can meet customers’ and other stakeholders’ requirements consistently.

InhiscongratulatorymessagetoUPSL,Mr.NickHundozi,theOperationsManageratthecertificationagency,PECBManagementSystems (PECB MS), said, “I am pleased to announce that UPSL has met all the requirementsforthePECBMScertificate.“Yourorganisationhasworked to develop and implement internal quality management systems that meetglobalstandardsandwillensurethatUPSLdeliversonitsproducts and services at a consistent level of excellence.”

Speaking on receiving the certification, UPSL Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Seun Faluyi confirmed that: “The unwavering commitment ofUPSLensuresthatourprocessesarefocusedonuncompromisingly satisfying customers’ needs.

“Thishasledtotheupgradeofourqualitymanagementsystems,and ensures that we will continue to design competitive solutions that are responsive to client needs and strive to meet the highest standards.”

EnvoyEngagesCapitalMarketStakeholders

TheDeputyBritishHighCommissioner,Lagos,Mr.Mr.BenLlewellynJones,recentlyleveragedtheNigerianExchange(NGX)Limited’svirtual closing gong ceremony to engage capital market stakeholders.

Llewellyn-Jones was given the privilege to sound the virtual gong to bring the day’s trading activities to a close.

Speakingattheceremony,theChiefExecutiveOfficer,NGXLimited, Mr. Temi Popoola, stated, “I am particularly pleased to be hosting the British Deputy High Commissioner, Lagos, Mr Ben Llewellyn-Jones OBE, as my first closing gong ceremony in this NGX era.

“Since the birth of the Lagos Stock Exchange, the British High Commission has remained a partner and supporting institution throughout our journey.

“One of the recent shows of support was in our 2020 International Women’sDaycelebrationwhichwasgracedbyHarrietThompson,British Deputy High Commissioner as the special guest of honour.

“Inthespiritofcontinuedpartnership,IwelcomeMr.Llewellyn-Jones to the NGX as I look forward to deepening the partnerships between bothorganisationstofurtherdrivesustainableeconomicdevelopment for Nigeria and Africa as a whole.”

Inhisremarks,Mr.Llewellyn-Jonessaid:“Itgivesmegreatpleasureto be here today especially given the shared history between the United Kingdom (UK) and the Exchange.

“History is always with us in the sense that the UK is still very active in the Nigerian market, with Nigeria being the second largest destination for investments and UK business in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Enyo Unveils 95th Filling Station

TheEnyoRetailandSupplyLimitedhasunveiledits95thretailstation to provide more access to customers for fuel purchase.

ThenewstationlocatedinBadore,Ajah,LagosState,isthecompany’s 40th retail station in the state and the 95th in the country.

Theautomatedfacilityhasanin-builtEnyoVehiconwithwell-trained engineersandtechnicianstofixcustomers’carstothehighestpossible standards. It also sells fibre-made gas cylinders for home cooking and other domestic uses.

“At Enyo, we understand the importance of being responsive to the needofourcustomersandtheunveilingofournewoutletisaproofofthat.

“Being consistent is key to what we stand for and we continue to show this through our selfless customer service.

“The beauty of clusters is that you have economies of scale by having shared infrastructure and common facility and will attract spill offs for other enterprises” DG, SMEDAN, Dikko Umaru Radda

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BUSINESSWORLD REPORT: NIGERIA TO ACCOUNT FOR 23% OF OIL, GAS PROJECTS IN AFRICA BY 2025 is expected to start operations in 2025,” it stated.

Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, recently stated that Africa’s largest crude oil producer and exporter, expects to end its crude-for-fuel swap deals by 2023 when its refining capacity is set to increase with state refineries revamped and a new refinery built.

Nigerian refineries, which are in need of refurbishment, will be fully revamped and running by 2023, even as the contract for the Port Harcourt refinery has been awarded for $1.5 billion.

“The outlook for Nigeria’s downstream sector looks bright with attractive market conditions, large market, significant crude distillation capacity additions from various refinery projects, improvements of the distribution network & the use of natural gas,” Kyari recently assured.

MAN, NACCIMA URGE FG TO DEVELOP INDUSTRIAL CLINIC “An enduring solution must, therefore, be found to the problems of banditry and other sources of insecurity across the country.

“To address food inflation there must be significant improvement in the area of road infrastructure to facilitate movement of farm produce and goods across the country.

“This is to strengthen the food supply chain and reduce cost of transportation from the farm to the market. More support should also be given to the SMEs in the agribusiness sector as they are important in the quest to ensure food security and combat food inflation.”

The Director General and Chief Executive, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda, recently said Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country would henceforth be recognised by their turnover rather than asset base.

Furthermore, he had pointed out that under the reviewed National Policy on MSMEs, recently approved by the federal government, micro enterprises have been split into Nano/Homestead and Micro Enterprises.

NEWS

TCN Completes, Energises 130km Sokoto-Kebbi Transmission Line Stories by Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has completed the ‘reconductoring’ of its new 130 kilometres 132kV double circuit Sokoto - Birnin Kebbi Transmission Line, which has also been energised.

The new high capacity 132kV transmission line which affects and transverses 405 towers along the Birnin Kebbi - Sokoto line route, the company said, now transmits about 170MW, which is more than double the 70MW capacity previously transmitted by the decommissioned old 132kV transmission line.

The TCN noted that the new 132kV transmission line has solved the low voltage and attendant poor power situation that was prevalent in the Sokoto axis, saying it is now enabled to substantially transmit increased bulk power electricity to Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company’s (KEDC) distribution load centres in Sokoto State and environs.

A statement from the company’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Tina Mbah, noted that this also means that Kaduna Disco would equally be able to deliver more stable and quality power to its customers in that axis.

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe Senior Correspondent

ËÒÏÏ× ÕÓØÑÌÙÖß (Advertising) Correspondents

Chinedu Eze (Aviation) ÜÙ×ÙÝÏÖÏ ÌÓÙÎßØ (Maritime) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafor (Energy) Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) Reporters

ÙÝË ÖÏÕÒßÙÑÓÏ (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy)

added.

It stated that the new line has solved the problem of overloading/ suppressed load and has ample capacity for anticipated load increase.

The project which commenced last November, was carried out

in phases, in order to ameliorate the effect of scheduled outages on electricity consumers during the period.

“Some areas did not experience outage through the period as they were back-fed through another line.

“We are sincerely grateful to the government and good people of Sokoto State and Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, for their patience and cooperation during the period of the transmission line reconductoring,” the TCN noted.

FELLOWSHIP INVESTITURE

Fellow and Past President, Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), Prof. Francis Fajemirokun (left), and Surveyor General of the Federation, Mr. Taiwo Adeniran, during a fellowship investiture ceremony held in Abuja...recently

Fashola: No Payment for Controversial Osun Road Under Buhari The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has responded to a petition sent to the Senate by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), alleging a fraudulent payment of N151 million by the ministry for a project the church did as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Osun State.

Pastor Enoch Adeboye’s RCCG had raised the alarm over the alleged reimbursement to the construction firm, Cartil Construction Nigeria Limited, insisting that the company claimed the sum of N151,508,901.22 as payment for the rehabilitation

of the Ife-Ifewara road, which the church constructed. The church urged the senate to compel the firm to refund the money it collected to the coffers of the federal government, saying it was shocked when it found out that somebody was trying to defraud the Nigerian state by claiming money for a project he never executed. But appearing before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, in Abuja, Fashola maintained that no payment had been made by the current administration with respect to the rehabilitation of the road.

A statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Boade Akinola, quoted the minister as telling the lawmakers that the contract was awarded to Cartill Construction five years before the Muhammadu Buhari administration and six years before he was appointed as minister of works and housing.

The statement added that Fashola countered the allegation by the RCCG that monies were paid to the contractor, saying that the then minister of works only approved the mandatory 15 per cent mobilisation fee on 31st March, 2011.

He explained another payment was made after the work had reached about 26.21 per cent on December 29, 2011, stressing that the payments were made four years before the Buhari’s administration.

Fashola said the ministry did not make any refund or certify any work done between 2016 and 2019, adding that the road in question was not a federal road but was initiated as a parliamentary constituency project which was domiciled in the budget of the ministry. Fashola maintained that there was no basis for the petition by way of facts or

evidence, explaining that there are procedures to be followed in intervening when it relates to federal and state roads.

The statement further quoted Pastor Niyi Adebanjo, who sent in the petition on behalf of the general overseer, as apologising to the minister saying that the petition was not targeted at him.

It stated that Adebanjo said the petition was only meant to expose some perceived sharp practices, stressing that the church was of the opinion that the federal government approved another payment for the road which was indeed rehabilitated free of charge.

NEITI Wants Media in Forefront of Extractive Sector’s Reforms Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Group Business Editor

Prior to the reconductoring of the line, the Sokoto – Birnin Kebbi 132kV transmission line, was overloaded due to increased demand, arising from massive increase in human population and attendant socio-economic activities in the area, the TCN

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has highlighted the role of the media in ensuring transparency and openness in the extractive industry, especially given the ongoing reforms in the sector.

In his speech at a training it organised for editors and correspondents on natural resource governance, which took place in Nasarawa, the Executive Secretary,

NEITI, Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji called on the media to strive to understand the issues bedeviling Nigeria’s extractive industries to make insightful and investigative reports that will drive reforms in the sector.

“The media must understand the issues, the context surrounding Nigeria’s extractive industries, its peculiarities and global best practices so as to effectively and efficiently carry out the roles of informing, educating and enlightening the public

on Nigeria’s extractive sector reforms,” he stated.

Orji advised journalists to uphold the professional reputation of being jack of all trades and master of all, opining that a less informed journalist is an accident waiting to happen.

The executive secretary urged media professionals to constantly improve and build their capacity in order to engage in their primary task of information and knowledge sharing.

According to him, journalists

must lead in steering the country towards the global conversation on energy transition as well as other emerging issues in the EITI, notably beneficial ownership disclosures, contract transparency, commodity trading, gender, environment and project reporting.

“The capacity of the media to understand these emerging issues and their wider implications and application within the context of the ongoing reforms in the extractive sector will be

required.

“This will enable Nigeria and NEITI specifically to deepen transparency and accountability as part of the global requirements in business transaction models in the extractive industries”, the executive secretary added.

He explained that the workshop was put together to expose journalists covering the extractive sector to EITI’s emerging issues and dialogue on what better roles to play in the implementation of the issues.

Egypt Seizes Suez Ship Pending $900m Compensation Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja with agency report Egypt has seized the giant container vessel that blocked the Suez Canal last month as part of efforts to get more than $900 million in compensation.

A court in the city of Ismailia

granted a seizure request regarding the Ever Given vessel at the behest of the Suez Canal Authority, Bloomberg reported.

Egypt’s move underscores the legal complications following the container vessel’s grounding on March 23, which closed the canal for six days and roiled shipping

markets. Logjams are expected to continue in the coming weeks at major ports such as Singapore and Rotterdam because of disruptions to schedules, according to supplychain data provider, project44.

The 25 Indian crew members remain on board the ship, which is in the Great Bitter Lake, about

halfway along the canal.

The SCA’s chief executive officer, Osama Rabie, told an Egyptian TV channel that negotiations with the ship’s owner -- Japan-based Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd. -- and insurers were taking longer than expected.

The ship’s insurer for third-

party losses, the U.K. P&I Club, said in a statement that the owner received a claim for $916 million.

“Despite the magnitude of the claim, which was largely unsupported, the owners and their insurers have been negotiating in good faith with the SCA,” the statement added.

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Resolving Litigations in Oil Industry The introduction of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism into the Nigeria oil and gas industry will held address conflicts amongst industry players, writes Peter Uzoho

L

ast Thursday, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in collaboration with stakeholders across the upstream, midstream and downstream value chains of the Nigeria oil and gas industry formerly activated the Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre (ADRC) in Lagos.

The ADRC is one of the five flagship centres of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Excellence Centre (NOGEC) flagged off in January by President Muhammadu Buhari.

ADRC is a veritable settlement platform in which oil and gas players in Nigeria can voluntarily approach to resolve their disputes in a more amicable, cost efficient and time saving manner, instead of going to courts.

The centre which has modern facilities and resources, was flagged off with the inauguration of its six-man Advisory Council and the 20-man Body of Neutrals. Members of the two committees comprised competent professionals and practitioners with vast experience in dispute resolution, who possess very reach knowledge of the oil and gas industry.

Conflict and ADR Conflict has been understood to be a natural phenomenon that is always present and expected in every human relation especially when interests and ‘who gets what’ are in the picture.

Oil and gas industry all over the world is always faced with conflicts ranging from commercial, contractual, technical and even host community related issues that often lead to court actions, with attendant disruption of industry activities and loss of value in various forms.

To this end, the Nigeria oil and gas industry has faced and continues to face its own conflicts and disputes as can be seen by the large number of cases that had gone through the murky waters of the judicial process and those that are currently undergoing the process both locally and internationally.

In each of the court cases, the judgment rarely brings perfect closure as the winning party goes home rejoicing for having decimated its opponent while the looser leaves the courtroom disgruntled and disappointed, and plans for a comeback.

In such situation, the usual friendship and conviviality existing between the two parties is lost and an eternal enmity is established.

The parties lose so much in monetary value, and cost of operation skyrockets, Nigeria’s revenue is negatively affected, jobs are either lost or kept in abeyance, with enormous negative social impacts.

The situation no doubt compounds the industry’s funding risks, and heightens uncertainties and fear in investment.

However, when the ADR channel is deployed or explored, it saves so much for the industry -the parties, the government and those that directly or indirectly depend on the industry operation for their daily survival and sustenance.

According to experts, ADR offers a resolution process that has a human face; that is not only concerned about the verdict but also pays greater attention to the feelings of both parties at the end of resolution.

The DPR and the industry stakeholders believe that the advent of ADR in the industry will put an end most of the animosity that exist in the industry as a result of previous legal wrangling.

Litigations Over While flagging off the centre and inaugurating the Advisory Council and the Body of Neutrals, the Director of DPR, Mr. Sarki Auwalu, who was described by the industry stakeholders as the coach and chief enabler of business, declared that the era of unnecessary litigation in the Nigeria oil and gas industry arising from conflicts was completely over with the institutionalisation and application of the ADR mechanism.

Auwalu stated that unnecessary litigations in the industry was uncalled-for as it retards the growth of the oil and gas industry and creates a lot of conflicts amongst the parties.

“It is completely over; unnecessary litigation is uncalled for, it really retards the growth of the industry. It creates a lot of issues within the parties, whether it is contractual parties, technical parties, commercial parties.

“All these, the centre is there to address and make sure that it mediates, it arbitrates, it reconciles so that the industry will grow,” he said.

of the objectives of the federal government in a sustainable manner and to operate in compliance with regulatory guidelines.

Auwalu He said the ADRC was established with the principal aim of providing a platform where disputes in the oil and gas industry could be settled in a timely, cost-effective, and mutually agreeable manner.

He added that the department had noted the several oil and gas related disputes that were currently pending before the Nigerian and international courts and tribunals.

These disputes, according to him, usually take a considerable amount of time and cost to resolve.

Auwalu noted that a typical dispute in court runs for a significant period prior to the rendering of a final judgement which might not be to the satisfaction of any of the parties.

He stated that in certain instances, court judgments and even arbitral awards did not adequately resolve disputes in a manner consistent with the regulatory and commercial interests of the industry.

“There was therefore an increasing awareness of the need to establish an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre specifically designed for use by the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.

“The setting up of the ADRC is in consonance with the provisions of the Petroleum Act Cap P10 Laws of the Federation 2004, which emphasises the settlement of disputes through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms without recourse to litigation,” he said.

Auwalu said the oil and gas industry expects the ADRC to ensure that all the disputes in the industry are resolved amicably to increase sustainability and investment and reduce risks and uncertainties in the sector.

He affirmed that the oil sector was always faced with lots of litigation across the value chain and that this litigation reduces profitability and increases reduction in investor confidence in the industry.

“But today, with the establishment of the Advisory Council and the Body of Neutrals for the Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre, with the calibre of people that are in this Advisory Council and the Body of Neutrals, it shows that the industry is lucky to tap from the wealth of experience of these learned individuals and experienced industry professionals.

“At least we know now that the litigation is going to be totally reduced or even eliminated, and we are happy with the gracious acceptance of this particular initiative by the industry as you can see from all the people present.”

The director revealed that 43 cases had already been received for settlement through the ADRC since the launch of NOGEC in January and that many more cases would be referred to the ADRC for resolution, mediation and arbitration.

Auwalu, however, stated that in accordance with its establishment principles and as part of the commitment towards building trust and transparency, the ADRC shall not entertain any dispute in which the DPR or any other ministry, agency or department of the federal government was a party.

He explained that the participation of parties or referral of a case to ADRC was voluntary and that parties reserved the right to seek settlement of conflicts through any legal means available to them.

He said there was no consequences attached to the refusal of parties or party to refer cases to the ADRC since it is voluntary and for the best interest of the business.

Auwalu assured that with the resources and facilities available at the ADRC, referring cases to the centre would be very beneficial to the parties.

He believed that the ADR process would enhance investment as investor’s confidence depends on how quick and how best cases could be resolved without going into any litigation.

According to him, “Because it is in your best interest to do so, so that you make profit, reward on the business, return on investment as well as capacity development that is the key.”

Auwalu also hinted about the consideration by the federal government for ADR to be embedded in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) currently at the National Assembly, pointing out that such move showed that government was keen about repositioning the industry through the PIB. He listed the functions of the ADRC Advisory Council as approval of membership into the Body of Neutrals, setting administrative direction, operational scope, standards and procedures for case management, data submission and other matters incidental thereto.

He said the Advisory Council will also be responsible for the approval of the ADRC budget, approval of operational, business, and financial models for the purposes of managing and generating revenue, as well as undertake periodic review and approval of fees charged by the ADRC. On the other hand, the director said the Body of Neutrals were well-trained in dispute resolution and will therefore ensure that parties were assisted to arrive at mutually agreeable outcomes.

OPTS Backs Initiative At the occasion, the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), an association of major local and international upstream companies and an arm of the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), saw the adoption and institutionalisation of the ADR in the Nigeria oil and gas industry as a welcome development.

The Chairman of OPTS and Managing Director of Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, Mr. Mike Sangster, who gave an audio goodwill message at the event through the Vice Chairman of OPTS and Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Richard Kennedy, pledged the association’s support to the initiative.

“OPTS congratulates the Director of DPR and the staff of the agency on the flag-off of the ADRC. “As the cornerstone of exploration, development and production of Nigeria’s petroleum resources, our objective is to strengthen the long term health of the industry and the growth of the Nigerian economy.

“OPTS wishes to acknowledge and commend the continued efforts by the DPR and the various initiatives the department is deploying to secure value in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.

“This initiative which DPR has clarified is providing Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism to which parties may voluntarily subscribe without prejudice to their right to explore other forms of dispute resolution available to them”, Sangster said.

According to him, the initiative was commendable as it seemed to address the industry’s need for more robust dispute resolution mechanism that would strengthen investor confidence.

He added that the OPTS remained committed to continuously supporting the DPR in the achievement

Operators Support Initiative The Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), represented at the ADRC flag-off by its Chairman, Mr. Nicholas Odinuwe, also commended the DPR for achieving such significant milestone and declared commitment to ensuring the success of the centre for the greater good of the industry and the nation.

He described ADR as a method and procedure to resolve commercial disputes, civil, without resort to the tardy judicial process of litigation.

He noted that in the past, governments over the years had been looking for ways to push contractual wrangling with the inherent cost to expert stakeholders for time-bound resolutions.

This, according to him, would surely help to shore up production at a lower cost in line with the aspiration of President Buhari and the federal government for a lowered cost of operation in the industry.

Odinuwe stated that with an overwhelming dispute choking investment in the country, including potential Final Investment Decisions (FIDs), the centre would assist government and the industry to reduce cost, conflict in the oil and gas industry, save time and eliminate the cumbersome nature of litigations, inherent costs and conflict of interests that usually lead to frauds.

“The PETAN, like we always say, is fully committed to supporting the DPR to actualise this aspiration and to put into action, the ADRC immediately, as it will greatly help the local service industry, for which the DPR has graciously asked PETAN to represent, move forward,” he noted.

Also represented by its Chairman, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG), pledged its support to the DPR and to the five centres in NOGEC which ADRC is a part of.

“We have given DPR the commitment that IPPG will participate in all the five sectors of the NOGEC and not just participate as members, but participate actively.

“What is asked for us is not just to be members of each of the centres but actually to be actively involved. I know for a fact that the director does not think it’s a DPR activity alone but activity of the entire industry, that’s what he constantly tells us.

“And it behooves on us to play that role in participating actively. But I must congratulate DPR again on the establishment of NOGEC,” Ademola-Bero said.

According to him, NOGEC and ADRC could not had come at a better time, considering the passage of the PIB, which was imminent and which aimed to attract investments into the industry.

He affirmed that funding remained the major challenge for the industry and that it was becoming more difficult to attract investors due to growing regional and global competition for funds in recent years.

He noted that issues between contractors and clients, amongst contractors, amongst clients would always come up which they always took to DPR as the first port of call.

On its part, the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) expressed optimism in the potential of ADR to significantly transform dispute resolution methods and therefore pledged to support the ADRC for the industry’s overall benefit.

The Chairman of MOMAN and Managing Director of 11Plc, Mr. Tunji Oyebanji, who delivered a goodwill message at the occasion through the Company Secretary/Head of Legal, 11Plc, Mr. Chris Meseko, described ADR as an appropriate dispute resolution rather than alternative dispute resolution.

He expressed his dislike for litigation as a dispute resolution mechanism, describing its processes as adversarial and capable of destroying relationship between parties.

Oyebanji said: “In the past, the system had relied heavily upon adversarial processes to resolve disputes and involving the public. Experience teaches us, however that there are many cause to this approach.

“Even when the government wins a case, it can find that victory has come at too high a price.

Litigation can destroy the underlying relationship between the parties and this can be far more harmful in the long run.

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NIS: Still Pulling Weight at 87 Last week, the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors brought together stakeholders in the industry. Emmanuel Addeh writes that though an ageing organisation, the institute remains at the forefront of enhancing professionalism in the all-important sector

T

he Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) is perhaps one of the oldest organised bodies in Nigeria, starting in 1934 as the Licensed Surveyors Association under the leadership of the late nationalist, Herbert Macaulay.

In 1960, the name was changed to the Land Surveyors Association of Nigeria and in 1966, was rechristened the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, serving as the umbrella professional organisation for all surveyors in Nigeria, whether in private practice, government or academia.

Floated to represent the views of the surveying profession in the country, preserve and maintain its integrity and status and deal with matters affecting professional interest of members of the institution, the NIS has some of its members scattered everywhere, even holding their own in the political space.

It also seeks to, among others, maintain the highest standards of professional conduct, ethics and discipline among its members, protect their welfare and interest and foster good relationship among members of the institution and members of other professional organisations in the country and abroad.

So, last Wednesday, as part of efforts to recognise those who have distinguished themselves, the organisation pulled together some of Nigeria’s leaders in Abuja at the fellows’ investiture ceremony .

At the event, the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, former Minister of Defence, Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd) and the Emir of Nasarawa, Alhaji Ibrahim Jibril, were presented with the honourary fellowship awards.

In addition, 24 members of the NIS, including the Surveyor-General of the Federation (SGoF) Taiwo Adeniran who has, among others, various degrees in Surveying and Geoinformatics; Geodesy and a Post Graduate Diploma in Geographic Information System (GIS) as well as the Registrar/CEO of the Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON), Kabir Mamman, were confirmed fellows of the institution.

Also honoured was Damilola Olokeogun, said to be the first female practicing surveyor in the FCT and the north and presently the Head of Department, Commercial and Business Develop-

Lawan ment in the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation and the General Manager, OSGOF Consultancy Services Ltd. Speaking during the event, Lawan said though he is currently in the political sphere, he felt drawn back to his professional root by the award, assuring of every support needed to change the narrative of the sector, especially in the area of legislation.

Lawan graduated from the University of Maiduguri in 1984 in Geography before heading to the University of Cranfield (UK) and obtaining a a PhD in 1996) in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System.

“Maybe this award has brought me back to track. From now on, I will be there for our noble profession more and more. I assure you I will represent the institution and do my best for the institution to be repositioned. We have to change the narrative,” he said.

He promised to push for any legislation that would further enhance the practice of surveying in the country, stressing that the honour was a strong reminder that the profession should be supported by all Nigerians.

On his part, the Lagos state governor, who attended the University of Lagos for a Bachelor’s degree in Surveying & Geo-Informatics and has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Management from the same University, highlighted the important role surveying played in his life, saying he received the award “with all sense of

responsibility to continue to uphold the ethics of the profession.”

He explained that Lagos would have been more chaotic if not for the attention and priority given to surveying in the state.

Delivering his speech earlier, NIS President, Alabo Charles, who maintained that surveying was critical to nation-building in all ramifications, charged surveyors to endeavour to comply with the laws and ethics to the letter in order to build a sustainable environment for future generations.

He noted that surveyors have always played important roles in national development and an integral role in land development, from the planning and design of land through to the final construction of infrastructure including roads, railways, and utilities and even landscaping.

“We are the first professional on any construction site, measuring and mapping the land and the last to leave. Surveyors also work with other professionals in the built industry including, but not limited to, civil engineers, landscape architects, and urban and regional planners to develop comprehensive design documents,” he said.

According to him, without surveyors, land ownership and land development would be in absolute chaos, adding that the surveyors of today are in a unique position to influence the societies of the future and they need to establish their role as the lead professionals in the area of sustainable land development.

He posited that without proper planning by any government, any attempt towards national development is determinedly planning to fail, stressing that this planning involves an adequate knowledge of engineering, the legal systems and significant local facts.

According to him, the award was given to those with exceptional work and expert contributions to the NIS and the society, while the fellowship is by merit and a charge to continue to de something exceptional.

He urged the beneficiaries to to see the honour of being invested as a fellow of the NIS to distinguish themselves as role models and mentors and to provide qualitative leadership.

The NIS helmsman noted that as experts and custodians of accurate land information and administration, members must be more determined through strict compliance with the

laws to build an environment that is sustainable for future generations In his remarks, the Surveyor General, Adeniran, stated that the ceremony was not only timely, but a bold and patriotic call to surveyors in the country to redouble efforts in the Nigerian project.

Describing the duties and responsibilities of surveyors as sacred , Adeniran said surveyors owe the country and humanity in general the onerous task of combining efforts to build an enviable society of sustainable development.

“The essence of the fellowship award is to promote excellence, and we must continue to support the board towards encouraging quality.

There can be no better time than now for the Nigeria society to appreciate the place of surveying and mapping in our national and strategic planning.

“It will not be wrong to state that for many years, due attention has not been given to the critical role of the surveyors,” he stated.

He emphasised the need for heads of various MDAs, policy makers and those in strategic organisations to appreciate the fact that no country can genuinely achieve sustainable development without surveying and mapping.

“This is why I have continually emphasised the relevance of geospatial information in decision making for national planning and implementation especially public policies and programmes of action in our undertakings,” he added.

He commended the vision of the leadership of NIS and its Board of Fellows for the Honorary Fellowship Award of the Institution invested on key functionaries in the country.

He expressed the belief that the recognition of their contributions would encourage the fast track of all the supports needed to deeply entrench surveying and mapping activities in national planning and implementation.

“Hence, the use of geospatial data is fundamental to national planning and every physical development, OSGoF has since taken the frontline in clamouring for the use of data in our national development planning and implementation.

“As I speak, our data centre is almost ready for commissioning. We intend to provide easy access to geospatial data for various stakeholders across the country,” he enthused.

FORTEM MFI: Empowering MSMEs, Women Oluchi Chibuzor One of the microfinance houses that is doing well right now is Fortem MFI. It is professionally run and it has been helping its customers achieve their dreams since it was set up.

FORTEM MFI is a membership-based institution licenced to operate as a non-governmental Microfinance Institution.

FORTEM MFI is focused on small and medium scale enterprises, salary earners, traders, farmers, the underserved, and those at the rock bottom of the economic pyramid.

In addition, FORTEM MFI is endowed with an active management made up of men and women with over 27 years of experience who have distinguished themselves in banking, insurance, public service and entrepreneurship, and who bring strong competencies to the management of the institution.

“We are strategically positioned to provide excellent services to our customers and exceed their service expectations,” the company’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Ann UsiaguMuraina said.

“Our vision is to promote social and economic development of individuals and SMEs, helping them to improve their lives and businesses. Our mission is to empower individuals, small and medium size businesses for growth by facilitating financial capacity building and leveraging technology to provide access to financial services.

“Our objectives is to carry out the business of microfinance by providing services to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), businesses, salary earners, individuals, cooperatives,

Usiagu-Muraina associations and low-income groups in Nigeria irrespective of status.

“We also provide credit to customers, especially salary earners, small and medium enterprises, low-income earners and ensure effective loans usage among beneficiaries.

“We render business advisory, managerial, marketing, technical and administrative support and non-bank financial services to our customers; encourage the savings culture to ensure sustainability in businesses as a tool to poverty alleviation in Nigeria and to establish and carry out businesses as proprietor and promoters of microfinance services in Nigeria,” Usiagu-Muraina explained.

She further explained that Fortem Microfinance is offering its services to the underprivileged and low income earners in the society, who may not

have access to financial services from mainstream banks.

“Fortem MFI was created out of my passion to help the financially underserved, she says. ‘’I am playing my own part in nation building by establishing Fortem to assist in alleviating poverty in the society. I say assist because it is not a one man or woman job.

“There is always room for more to be done. In doing this, I have created a system where women take up 60 per cent of our loan portfolio. The brief and concentration is on women empowerment, because I am a firm believer in the saying that “when you empower a woman, you empower a nation”.

In the words of Kofi Annan, “the empowerment of women is the most effective tool for development.”

Owing to this, Usiagu-Muraina said: “We cannot overemphasis the role of women in nation building, starting from the family unit.

There is that woman who needs as little as N50, 000 to start that corn roasting business, that corner shop business, that Bukka business, and with that is able to cater for her family and even educate her children past university level.

“That is where Fortem comes in. I tell you, a little amount of money in the hands of a strong, focused, and determined woman goes a long way in moving the family above and beyond the poverty line. I have brought together a team of young brilliant professionals who share same passion.

“At Fortem MFI, we do not enforce compulsory savings as a prerequisite for clients to access our

loans. We offer highly competitive rates. Upon execution of offer letters, loans are disbursed within 24hrs.”.

Speaking on what makes Fortem unique, she said Fortem offers salary advance loans, SME loans, business loans.

Usiagu-Muraina is a Certified Microfinance Practitioner & a Chartered Banker, a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.

She is a professional human resource manager, skilled on training and learning development for human capital improvement, capability and competence building. She is very keen on maintaining professional work ethics that promotes an amiable business operational atmosphere for productivity, corporate prosperity and general team effectiveness.

Her passion is to continually contribute to National Development as a professional and an entrepreneur. Her involvement in Fortem MR is an expression of entrepreneurship and a means to support individuals, businesses, including small and medium scale enterprises.

She is a Master of Human Resource Management & Training (MSc) from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Ambrose Alli University, Nigeria. Ann brings on board her vast wealth of experience in banking from Zenith Bank Plc to ensure professionalism.

She has obtained certifications in Global Business from the Havard Business School, the Polished Professional Certificate from the British School of Etiquette and also Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, Germany Certification in view.

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French Trade Advisors Endorse Lagos Free Zone Hamid Ayodeji The Conseillers du Commerce Exterieur (French Foreign Trade Advisors) has expressed readiness to invest in the Lagos Free Zone (LFZ) being developed by the Tolaram Group.

Owing to this, the foreign trade advisors has endorsed the zone as the ideal industrial destination for French businesses in Nigeria.

The Conseillers du Commerce Exterieur, was quoted in a statement to have made this known during a recent visit to the Lagos Free Zone.

The delegation led by the Ambassador of France to Nigeria, His Excellency Jerome Pasquier accompanied by his Economic Advisor, the Consulate General of France in Lagos and the Conseillers du Commerce Exterieur comprising of CEOs of several French businesses in Nigeria. Speaking during the visit, Pasquier explained that the aim of the visit of the Conseillers du Commerce Exterieur to LFZ was to discover the opportunities in the free trade zone and the Lekki Port project, which is expected to have a huge positive impact on businesses in Nigeria.

Pasquier commended the Tolaram Group, the promoter of the zone, for the foresight of integration of Lekki Port into the master plan of the LFZ, which

would serve as the gateway for import and export from the zone thereby giving businesses in the zone a competitive edge.

The Ambassador also commended the LFZ for its master plan for the zone which includes world-class infrastructure that is in line with its vision to be the preferred industrial hub and investment destination in West Africa.

“I am impressed by the huge size of the Lagos Free Zone project. We are very happy that the French companies will be deeply involved in this Lagos Free Zone project.

“It is really impressive to see how ambitious this project is. The French Minister was in Nigeria yesterday and I explained to him that Nigeria is a country where we can have big projects.

For us, this project means big opportunities and that explains why we need to be here. We are happy to be here and work with Tolaram Group”, he added.

It is noteworthy to mention that the first French company to be established in the Lagos Free Zone is the terminal operations arm of CMA – CGM which has established a subsidiary within the Lagos Free Zone and is the appointed operator for the container terminal operations scheduled to commence at Lekki Port next year.

Risk Management Experts Urged to Uphold Due Diligence

Nume Ekeghe and Oluchi Chibuzor

The Risk Management Association of Nigeria (RIMAN) has urged its newly inducted members to carry out their corporate activities in their respective organisations with due diligence.

This according to RIMAN would allow them to discharge their professional duties in line with relevant standards guiding the profession.

The call was made during a virtually held membership induction programme where 47 new members were inducted and a lecture centered on, ‘Operational Risk Management and Organisational Excellence,’ was held.

In his opening remarks, the First Vice President, RIMAN, Mr. Kola Ajimoko, advised the inductees to carry out their corporate activities in

their various organisations with due diligence, whilst also upholding the rules and regulations of the association to the best of their capacity.

In her keynote presentation, Deputy Group Chief Risk Officer and Group Head of Operational Risk Management, Dangote Industries Limited, Ms. Eneni Oduwole, pointed out that in order for any organisation to have a successful operational risk management and organisational excellence, it would require they put in place continuous processes which have the engagement of all stakeholders in the organisation.

She noted that such process must have been defined based on the DNA and culture of the organisation to ensure there is a continuous process to continue delivering top notch products and services to customers.

She added: “By doing so you do not remain on the same level, rather you increase operational capacity and deliverables, which would also help boost customers’ satisfaction, whilst also delivering the company’s corporate objective.

“It is important to note that organisational excellence cannot be achieved in one day as it involves a continuous process of efficiency and effective management techniques guided by frame work, standard, procedures and policies.

“The focus for it comprises having an excellent foundation which is determined by the strategy of the organisation, and from that you put in place scale-able processes that can be built on to ensure that comparative advantage is achieved in a sustainable manner.

“Organisational excellence also ensures that you have an integrated and corporate way to drive achievement of excellent results. In addition, it ensures an easy way of identifying the organisation’s dependence and interrelationships in order to know what to leverage on and to know the impact of decisions across your value chain. Organisational excellence also provides that platform for innovative and creative thinking.”

Oduwole added: “The pillars of organisational excellence are, process management, project management, change management, knowledge management, resource management.

“All these factors cannot be taken away from the organisational excellence of any firm as they are very crucial towards it sustainability and development.”

OMEGA Launches Latest Watches Renowned for designing revolutionary timepieces, the OMEGA brand is once again setting the pace with the launch of its newest collection of timepieces for the year.

The launch, which was held virtually recently, was an opportunity for the brand to showcase the latest advancement of its timepiece series and designs.

According to a statement, the high point of the event was the unveiling of the brand’s new Seamaster 300 series, offered in bronze gold as well as stainless steel.

“The exclusive bronze gold was specifically developed to produce a pleasing aesthetic and hue, while also offering a bronze alloy that could be worn with direct contact on the skin due to its distinctive composition.

“The watch represents the very first OMEGA to be created in this patent-pending alloy.

The classic stainless steel is designed with thinner bezels crafted from an oxalic anodised treated aluminum for increased hardness.

“The bracelet is also in stainless steel and now comes with improved fit and finishing. For the leather strap design, a new buckle has been included,” the statement added.

Also introduced during the event were the newly enhanced Constellation Small Seconds Pieces, De Ville Trésor Power Reserve, Seamaster Aqua Terra, Seamaster Diver 300m Black Black And Speedmaster Moonwatch Velcro Straps.

It explained that each new collection followed the spirit of its original models with unique features, enhanced outfits and upgraded designs tailored to suit its exclusive audience.

In his remarks, President and CEO, OMEGA, Raynald

Aeschlimann, expressed his pleasure presenting the newest OMEGA timepieces which have been specially upgraded and created exclusively for its customers.

He stated that, “Recently, time has never felt more important.

We’ve all learned to cherish and appreciate the hours we have, and really make each one count.

“That’s why the values of quality, authenticity and craftsmanship really matter. Increasingly, people are embracing the idea of well-made products that not only feel meaningful, but also have a genuine human touch and this is exactly what an OMEGA watch offers.”

“We are continuing to tell the story of our rich heritage, yet updated through the lens of modern innovation and pioneering technology. Our watchmakers are truly pushing the standards of excellence to give customers the most inspiring timepieces possible,” he added.

Also speaking about the launch, the Executive Director, Polo Luxury Group, Jennifer Obayuwana, stated that the watches are incredibly appealing – a finely defined masterpiece of art and craftsmanship.

“We are most excited about the launch of these magnificent timepieces by OMEGA. They have continued to affirm their prowess in crafting excellent masterpieces that are a spectacle,” she noted.

She further added that the new collection by OMEGA will soon be available in Polo Luxury stores in Nigeria.

Polo Luxury Group is the leading luxury goods company in Nigeria and is the authorized retailer for brands such as Rolex, Cartier, Chopard, Piaget, Breguet, Omega, and Montblanc, among others.

COURTESYVISIT

L-R:FrenchAmbassadortoNigeriaandECOWAS,JérômePasquier;Co-founder,WazobiaMedia,TatianaMoussalliNouri;FrenchMinisterDelegatefor ForeignTradeandEconomicAttractiveness,FranckRiester;HeadofStrategicPartnership,NigeriaInfoFM,SandraEzekwesili,andHeadofBusiness Operations,JewelbyLisa,SikeSaro,duringthevisitoftheFrenchMinisterDelegateforForeignTradetotheAIMGroupinLagos...recently

FGBacks Brains &Hammers’BristolTerracesProject Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The federal government has thrown its weight behind the newly-launched Bristol Terraces Project in Abuja, which is expects to deliver 350 units of 4-bedroom terraces, within the 117-hectare Brains and Hammers City.

When completed, the construction, the company said, would reaffirm its commitment to the vision of developing a community of over 3,000 housing units within the federal capital territory.

Speaking during the formal launch of the project, Managing Director of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Mr. Ahmed Dangiwa, pledged the support of the government to ensure that it comes to fruition soon.

Dangiwa, who was guest of honour at the event, said the federal government-owned bank was proud to be associated with

the company, which he said has carved a niche for itself in the real estate sector in the country.

He expressed optimism that the project would be delivered according to the timelines and with the highest level of quality.

The FMBN boss stated that on its own, it is committed to ensuring that Nigerians have access to decent and secure accommodation through affordable mortgage financing, especially for Nigerians with limited access to resources.

He commended the management team of Brains and Hammers for its steadfastness and leading role in the quest to develop quality houses for Nigerians despite the daunting economic and Covid-19 realities.

“The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria is proud to be associated with Brains and Hammers. The company has

carved a niche for itself in the real estate sector in Nigeria.

“We do not doubt that this new project will play a significant role in reducing the housing deficit in the country upon completion,” he stated.

Earlier, Chairman of Brains and Hammers, Mr. Adebola Sheidu, noted that the company was forging ahead relentlessly in its bid to actualise the Brains and Hammers City vision, stressing that it has withstood arbitrarily high exchange rates, 200 per cent increase in the cost of building materials and the resultant effect of Covid-19.

“This ground-breaking event is a watershed moment for us and our partners like the Federal Mortgage Bank, Jaiz Bank, ARM investments, and Fidelity Bank.

Bristol Terraces is coming on the heels of over 1,864 completed and semi-completed units of 1, 2, 3, and 4-bedrooms in Brains and Hammers City. It also represents

a significant push into phase 2 of the Brains and Hammers City project in Abuja.

“We are a truly Nigerian company providing local solutions to our housing needs at an affordable cost for the citizens of our country. “We are on a mission to develop housing projects that the country has not witnessed since the late Gen. Sani Abacha developed Gwarinpa in the mid-90,” he said.

He noted that the company envisaged the challenges that come with the bold move and was determined to weather the storm as it marches towards realising its vision of developing over 3,000 housing units in Brains and Hammers City, Abuja.

Brains and Hammers’ hospitality, residential, commercial, and infrastructural portfolio covers thousands of acres of land in urban, suburban, and satellite communities in Abuja, Kano, and Lagos in Nigeria.

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HowPINDisAddressingConflict inNiger Delta Sunday Okobi Since crude oil was discovered in Nigeria in 1956, which led the subsequent exploration and production of petroleum products, including gas, the region has been regarded as the mainstay of the country’s economy, accounting for more than 70 percent of Nigeria’s revenue.

While crude oil should be a blessing to the people of the region, it has become a source of conflict. The people constantly complain of environmental pollution as a result of the oil operations by oil companies and seeming economic neglect by the federal government.

Despite the huge economic benefits of crude oil, a large percentage of the population in the oil-bearing region still live in poverty, triggering armed violence that lasted for years until the federal government granted amnesty to the militants in 2009. This singularly seemed to have reduced the conflict.

However, other conflicts such as communal clashes, cultism, electoral and communal violence, armed robbery, kidnapping, human trafficking, mob violence, and land disputes have persistently wrecked the region.

These security challenges have proven difficult to address, affecting peace and development in the Niger Delta region.

Therefore, the need to reduce the conflicts in the region for economic growth and development, has prompted the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), an organisation committed to economic development and restoring peace in the Niger Delta region in 2013, to establish the Partners for Peace (P4P), a network of individuals known as peace actors mobilised for conflict prevention, mitigation, and peace-building in the region.

The network, P4P, has further recruited over 10, 000 peace actors from various communities across the region to champion activities that would prevent and address conflict in their communities. The plan was for the peace actors to keep the level of violence as low as possible, particularly in key communities of interest while also building the social infrastructure and social capital for long-term sustainable peace.

In the case study of 2020 report, which was released by PIND, P4P was established with the aim of “catalyzing a dense network of peace actors with skills, knowledge, and lines of communication, to enable an environment for rapid dissemination of early warning signals and scaling and replication of conflict management efforts in the region.”

Recently, the P4P Programme Manager, Nkasi Wodu, said there was the need for sustainable peace-building infrastructure to be domiciled in each state in the region in order to facilitate access to more local actors and ensure networked peacebuilders are operating across the region.

“That same year, chapters of P4P were created in each of the nine states of the Niger Delta area,” he disclosed.

According to Wodu, “The peace actors were provided with the technical capacity building and small grants to support their activities in addressing conflicts in various communities in the region.

“They receive early warning signs and go into the communities and broker peace with the people involved in the conflicts. A combination of conflict prevention, resolution, and management,

mediation, arbitration was adopted to restore peace in the region.”

He said there was an increase in the network membership and direct recipients of the training were encouraged to train others, and through this, more peace actors are reached with knowledge for more effective peace delivery.

A P4P member in Rivers State, Tamunomie Wariboko, recently also said: “I have attended about three training sessions organised by P4P, and when I returned, I carried out step down training for my team members, and it has really helped my organisation.”

According to the report, “P4P members were able to take actions that addressed potential sources of conflict before it reached a point where the parties involved see violence as their only option.

In other instances, where conflict is already existent, the P4P actors helped conflicting parties to find a peaceful solution to their disagreement using informal alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as negotiation, arbitration, mediation, and diplomacy.” For instance, in a nine-year-old land conflict between two families in Urue Offong/ Oruko Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State which had escalated beyond solution, the peace actors conducted a full situational analysis of the crisis, including identifying key stakeholders and persons who were in a position to exert a positive influence on the dispute.

“Following the analysis, mediation efforts were undertaken, involving both the aggrieved families and the key stakeholders identified in the analysis. Eventually, the families agreed to resolve their dispute through peaceful means, and withdrew their case from the police authorities,” the report stated.

The Edo State chapter of the P4P network helped to reduce election-related violence during the 2016 state gubernatorial elections. The members designed and executed an intervention with two key components of advocacy and sensitisation campaigns and election conflict early warning

and response training.

The advocacy and sensitisation campaigns targeted relevant stakeholders through peace messaging and advocacy visits before, during, and after the elections, while the early warning and response component focused on the training of 60 peace monitors in four identified hotspot LGAs in the state on early-warning reporting.

They established a situation monitoring room in Benin-city, the state capital, to collect, analyze reports, coordinate and contact key stakeholders, including Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the police, through dedicated phone lines for timely responses. Between 2015 and 2019, the P4P network has handled 713 conflicts in the Niger Delta region alone.

During a recent group discussion among the peace actors in various states, they shared the various methods they have adopted to preach peace in their communities. In Ondo State, the members disclosed that drama in churches was used as tools to preach peace and restore sanity in volatile areas.

Also a peace volunteer in Asaba, the Delta State capital, explained that: “As a lecturer in my school, Federal College of Technical, Asaba, we have a lot of students there. So I started inculcating the habit and essence of peace for development in them in the school because there are many students from the region in the school.

I meet a lot of them and I keep preaching on why sustaining peace in our community is vital to our coexistence.”

In Edo State, the P4P members told journalists that: “We go to secondary schools, universities to organise seminars and workshops. When you say you are a peace actor, they will try to listen to you, then we present to them why peace is better for economic growth and development than conflict.”

A P4P member in Akwa Ibom State explained that: “Within my home, I inculcate a disciplined peace attitude in my children. It is said that peace

is not for a single person, it is for everybody.

So I try to train people I know in homes, in communities, and in the larger society.”

PIND supported P4P members with grants to conduct peace-building interventions.

The P4P Network Coordinator, Africas Lawal, said: “When they (P4P members) come up with an intervention plan that has a budget of N1, 000,000, we give them like N300, 000 to N400, 000, so they will have something to put on board as members.”

He said those grants played a vital role in jumpstarting the quick conflict response objective of the network.

In 2015, P4P started to focus on encouraging the integration of economic development activities towards the goal of sustaining the network. This began with the sensitisation efforts surrounding the opportunities for economic livelihood in various agricultural value chains. The goal was to see P4P state chapters becoming more involved in economic activities to enhance peaceful and equitable livelihoods.

In 2017, while a Peace Thrift project was established by the Abia State peace actors to assist chapter members in accessing resources for small businesses, a soap and bleach-making cooperative society was also established in Bayelsa State.

The P4P actors grew from 100 to over 9,000 members in 2019. To successfully use the network of peace volunteers to address conflicts in the region, peace actors have been encouraged to avoid being partisan. Poor conflict analysis before interventions and delayed access to funds for rapid response have also been identified as pitfalls of utilising peace actors to address conflicts.

P4P Network Coordinator, Lawal, revealed that between 2015 and 2019, the P4P network has handled 713 conflicts in the Niger Delta region, adding that: “The P4P network model is accepted because it is indigenous to the people.”

ITF Partners Air Force, Others on Capacity Building James Emejo in Abuja The Industrial Training Fund has entered into a tripartite partnership with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and Equipment and Protective Application International Limited, to boost research and development, skills acquisition as well as productivity of personnel.

Speaking during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the parties in Abuja, the Director General of ITF, Mr. Joseph Ari, said the fund had over the years, redirected its focus on technical, vocational training and education in line with global trend.

He said ITF will pursue the collaboration with vigour and all seriousness it deserves to achieve greater success.

Ari, said the fund had embarked upon an aggressive skills development programme in recent times to among other things, bridge existing skills gap labour force as well as boost the country’s productivity through effective partnerships.

He added that it is well positioned to work hand-inhand with NAF in realising its objectives for the country.

He said: “I must say that the Chief of Air Staff has a lot of foresight with his men to think about this MoU because indeed, ITF is where you should be”.

“The ITF came into contact with the Nigerian Air Force even though a lot of the officers of the air force might have participated in its programmes in the past and since that I have noticed that NAF has not relented in its efforts to equipped its workforce and also upgrade and retrain its people “ He, also commended the officers and men for their sacrifices in keeping the nation safe.

Ari said: “Even here in Abuja, we have a model skills training centre and the model was brought in from the Singaporean experience of the institute for technical education and services of Singapore”.

“We brought a semblance of it here to experiment with five trade areas including mechatronics and autotronics, computer networking, ICT, facility technology as well as culinary in both African and Western cuisine - right here in the heart of Abuja in the ITF house, it is like a university”.

However, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal, Oladayo Amao, said NAF is a highly technical service with technology as its bedrock for all its operations.

Represented by the Chief of Standards and Evaluation, Air Vice Marshal, Olusegun Philip, the CAS noted that in line with the focus of the

federal government in promoting indigenous technology, the Nigerian Air Force had been looking inwards to gradually wean itself of overdependence on foreign technology and to become more innovative and resourceful.

He said: “Therefore, in order to advance the Nigerian Air Force’s Research and Development efforts, we have deemed it necessary to formally collaborate with indigenous organisations through the signing of Memorandum of Understanding.

“These collaborative efforts provide pedestals to leapfrog capability as well as a repertoire of capabilities that can be harnessed”.

He stressed that the collaborative efforts also provided

platforms to synergise ideas for innovations that are key to achieving meaningful results to solving the technological challenges it currently faces in a cost effective manner.

On his part, the Managing Director, Equipment and Protective Application International Limited, Mr. Kola Balogun, however, assured that the MoU entered would be for the overall economic benefit and development of the nation.

Essentially, the agreement seeks to establish a framework by which the parties will work together to nurture a cooperative relationship for optimal performance as well as enhanced productivity.

29

TUESDAY, ͺ͸˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Investors Trade 508 Million Shares as All-Share Index Rises 0.10% Goddy Egene

a positive note yesterday as while market capitalisation traded 508.63 million shares, appreciated compared with 12 the NSE All-Share Index rose added N20.9 billion to close valued at N32.10 billion in 4,324 that depreciated. FCMB Group The stock market opened on ).10 per cent to 38,848.02, at N20.3 trillion. Investors deals. A total of 12 stocks Plc led the price gainers with A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an ETF are bought by investors.

Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. investment vehicle that allows both small and Bid Price: The price at which Investors Investors with similar objectives buy units of the large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total that willl generate their desired return. investments. The assets are divided into shares that return an investor would have earned on An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. his investment. Money Market Funds report of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, Yield while others report Year- to-date Total bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, GUIDE TO DATA: Return. etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 16- NAV: Is value per share of the real estate shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the Apr-2021, unless otherwise stated. assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

9.7 per cent. Conversely, FTN Cocoa Processors Plc led the price losers.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 152.00 153.48 -6.05% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 3.82% Nigeria International Debt Fund 306.61 306.61 -16.62% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 110.63 110.63 -1.30% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.11% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.32 3.48 -6.44% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 0.30% Anchoria Equity Fund 126.16 127.63 -5.15% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.07 1.07 -19.55% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Eurobond Fund ($) N/A N/A N/A ARM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 103.62 103.62 1.88% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 1.99 1.99 -27.45% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.16 2.20 -11.43% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.26% Paramount Equity Fund 15.26 15.55 -4.55% Women's Investment Fund 129.65 131.00 -2.63% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 N/A N/A Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) N/A N/A CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.29% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.13 1.15 -5.46% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.34 1.34 -15.62% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 2.39% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 2.29% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,169.64 1,174.84 -2.44% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Balanced Fund 182.88 184.11 -2.56% FBN Halal Fund 110.69 110.69 4.26% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.72% N/A N/A N/A FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 0.00 0.00 0.00% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 146.60 148.55 -3.03% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy USD Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,793.84 3,844.19 1.21% Coral Income Fund 3,354.73 3,354.73 2.39% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 2.31%

GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria Entertainment Fund N/A N/A N/A GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.98% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.70 2.76 17.69% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 148.01 148.46 -4.76% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.08 1.08 5.71% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 10.25 10.32 Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 3.61% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.57 1.60 7.57% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.16 12.30 -0.56% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 2.30% PACAM Equity Fund 1.55 1.57 -1.84% PACAM EuroBond Fund 110.22 113.07 0.80% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 128.28 130.28 6.07% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 2.10% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,081.47 3,105.06 -4.20% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 228.25 228.25 1.51% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.14 1.15 -2.97% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 299.09 299.09 1.50% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 210.55 213.11 -3.66% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.61% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,814.42 9,937.26 -6.56% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.25 1.25 1.66% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 113.15 113.15 1.86% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.30 1.33 -4.61% United Capital Bond Fund 1.93 1.93 1.79% United Capital Equity Fund 0.87 0.89 0.60% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.02% United Capital Eurobond Fund 119.48 119.48 2.05% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.06 1.07 -2.62% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.03 1.03 2.86% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 11.95 12.05 0.66% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.27 13.35 8.48% Zenith Income Fund 24.28 24.28 1.25% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.83%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

122.37 53.06

1.35% 1.26%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

12.37 118.63 93.26

12.47 118.63 95.00

-6.39% -2.55% -6.15%

Fund Name SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Money Market Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.55 5.49 16.61 1.00 18.83 163.87

3.59 5.57 16.71 1.00 19.03 165.87

-5.83% -3.55% 1.68% 2.45% -8.18% -25.25%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.30

13.11%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

30

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY APRIL 20, 2021

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT Firm Alleges Lagos is Selling Abraham Adesanya Estate Land against Court Ruling Bennett Oghifo

A

firm, Corporate Finance Group, has advised members of the public and particularly banks and mortgage providers to avoid land sale being promoted by the Lagos State Ministry of Housing and some companies at Abraham Adesanya Estate, Ajah Lagos, because there is a pending law suit on the land at the Court of Appeal, Lagos.

According to Corporate Finance Group, the Lagos State Government engaged them to build Millennium Homes in two sites; Gbagada and Abraham Adesanya Estate and that these sites were covered by a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).

They said the contract was later terminated, wrongfully, and they challenged it in court and won.

Dissatisfied, the Lagos State Government went to the Appeal Court where the case is pending.

But, according to CFG, despite the judgement they got and subsequent appeal, the Lagos government had gone ahead to re-award the contract and is selling the land, prompting

them to release a scam alert to warn the public, financial institutions and mortgage providers not to deal in that land.

The Lagos State Ministry of Housing told THISDAY, at the weekend, they were aware of CFG’s statement and had referred the matter to the Lagos State Ministry of Justice for further action. “I may not be able to comment on it because the matter has been taken to the Ministry of Justice,” said a senior official of the housing ministry.

Meanwhile, CFG Developers said in its statement titled, ‘SCAM ALERT SCAM ALERT ’, that “The attention of the general public, in particular, Banks and Mortgage Providers, is drawn to a Real Estate Scam inside Abraham Adesanya Estate Ogombo-Ajah,” where it alleged that the Lagos State Ministry of Housing and some companies “are building illegally and fraudulently, specifically trying to sell land in the same location.”

The statement said, “Members of the public and Financial Institutions, are hereby advised and warned to refrain from purchasing and financing property

from Abraham Adesanya Estate with the listed companies, as there is a High Court Judgment against Lagos State Ministry of Housing, case No; LD/566/06.

The matter is currently active in the Court of Appeal under case No; CA/L/20/2015. The Certificate of Occupancy of Abraham Adesanya Estate is under a lien and pledged as collateral in this case. Any occupation of the land will be seen as trespassing. Financiers and buyers are hereby warned to beware of official 419 and authority stealing.”

The Group presented an Order granting injunction in favour of CFG, stating that “Despite case been in court with injunction and the C of O in custody trust with collateral; the impunity of Lagos state going ahead to illegally and fraudulently rearward the contracts.”

On 16th March 2021, solicitor to Corporate Finance Group Limited, Professor Babatunde Kasunmu, Esq., wrote about the matter in court to Urban Shelter Nigeria Limited, El Salem Nigeria Limited, Lega Nigeria Limited, and Dot Dot Nigeria Limited, titled, RE:CA/L/20/2015- Lagos

State Government & 3 Others Vs Corporate Finance Group Limited & Another.

“We act as solicitor to Corporate Finance Group Limited, herein referred to as our client and write to inform you of the ongoing dispute between them and the Lagos State Government over the land at Abraham Adesanya, Ajah, Lagos covered by Certificate of Occupancy dated 16th July

2002 and registered as No: 46 at page 46 in Volume 2002E. “Our client on the 11th of July 2014 obtained judgment against the Lagos State Government in suit No: LD/566/2006 wherein it was declared that the termination of the contract between our client and the Lagos State Government during the pendency of the action in Court was null and void.

“The contract terminated

during the pendency of suit No: LD/566/2006 instituted by our client against the Lagos State Government was the contract for the development of the Millennium Housing Scheme in Gbagada and Abraham Adesanya Ajah, Lagos.

The Lagos State Government dissatisfied with the judgment of the trial Court filed appeal CA/L/20/2015 referred to above.

Abraham Adesanya Estate, Ajah, Lagos

Alaro City Presents Catalyst for Consumer Standards Bennett Oghifo Alaro City has become a choice environment for the establishment of high-profile industries that are expected to provide and sustain global standards in their products.

The latest facility in the growing city is a company that manufactures gas cylinders for homes to prevent the use of substandard cylinders, which are increasingly causing domestic accidents, some fatal, through explosions.

There is growing statistics of victims of domestic gas incidents in the country. Most of these accidents result in multiple casualties. As Nigeria races to increase penetration of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the country, a combination of ignorance and substandard gas cylinders have contributed to an increasing number of domestic gas-related accidents with majority recording fatalities.

In 2020 alone, media reports

put the number of domestic gas explosions at over 200 nationwide.

“The statistics are even grimmer when you consider the fact that not all domestic gas incidents are reported or, in some bizarre cases, even acknowledged for what they are,” said Anthony Chika, a Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) professional in the oil and gas industry. “We have been, in our own little way, as stakeholders in the industry, engaging with regulators like the DPR (Department of Petroleum Resources) and SON (Standards Organisation of Nigeria) to improve public enlightenment on proper usage of gas cylinders in homes and what cylinders are considered safe. Too many people still do not know how to properly handle and store cylinders, not to talk of how to identify substandard cylinders or expired cylinders.

“For instance, I constantly

Gas cylinders manufactured at Alaro City

educate people on almost a weekly basis on basic cylinder safety approach. Last Sunday, I had to stop and cross over the road to admonish a young couple who were putting two cylinders into their car boot after refilling them at a gas plant.

Cylinders must be stored upright; two cylinders cannot be put in the same confined space; expired cylinders must be discarded even if their outward appearance looks okay; and so much more. But the education must come with the availability of safe and affordable cylinders that conform with new safety standards.”

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has routinely identified and destroyed substandard cylinders in markets, both crude locally fabricated ones and imported defective cylinders. In 2019, the agency destroyed 5,000 substandard cylinders in Lagos alone. “Safety is important to SON and the agency is working towards

ensuring that any cylinder in circulation meets the required standards,” said Nwaoma Olujie, SON’s Group Head of LPG at the time. “Nigerians also need to know that the average lifespan of a cylinder is 15 years with requalification every five years.”

Critics, however, say these enlightenment and standards enforcement initiatives, while laudable, are insufficient in addressing the problem.

Blessed Okonkwo, an investment banker, believes that the combination of poverty and lack of sufficient modern cylinders are bigger impediments to the improvement of safety in domestic gas usage in the country. “I have seen where a container of imported used cylinders was offloaded before and all I can say is that from the way they were handled, most of them would be dented before going down the chain to end users; and that alone is a problem,” he said. “However, because there are not many options in terms of affordable new modern cylinders and with the inflation rate and its attendant effects, people will be left with no choice than to make do with that is available and affordable.”

Enter Rungas and the NCDMB Recently, Rungas, a Nigerian gas infrastructure company pioneering the deeper penetration of LPG across Africa, broke ground on a new facility in Alaro City, Lagos, where it will produce Type-3 LPG composite cylinders. The new manufacturing facility, one of three nationwide being executed by Rungas in partnership with the Nigerian Content Development

Monitoring Board (NCDMB), will raise local manufacturing of LPG cylinders to significant levels and position Nigeria as a continental hub for the supply of composite cylinders.

Lanre Runsewe, the Chief Executive Officer of Rungas, has always been an advocate for cleaner energy and deeper LPG penetration in the country and in Africa. He, however, acknowledges that safety concerns have been a major obstacle.

“This is why we have worked at ensuring that safe and compliant cylinders that are being produced in Nigeria and for Nigerians meet all safety standards and are accessible and available to all. Our cylinders are unique: they do not explode in fire; they have a shelf life of 30 years, they are 40% lighter than conventional steel cylinders and also have a gauge that enables users know how much gas is left in the cylinder. We are pleased with the partnership with NCDMB which shows government’s commitment to this; as well as that with Alaro City, the new city that hosts our facility in Lagos, which not only is located in the Lekki Free Zone and offers business-friendly policies but has a unique masterplan and is rolling out infrastructure fast.”

Launched in 2019, Alaro City is planned as a 2,000-hectare mixed-income, city-scale development with industrial and logistics locations, complemented by offices, homes, schools, healthcare facilities, hotels, entertainment and 150 hectares of parks and open spaces. Alaro City is a partnership between Rendeavour, Africa’s largest new city builder and Lagos State, the economic and financial nerve centre of

Nigeria. In the two years since launch and the commencement of infrastructural rollout in the city, recognition of it’s uniqueness has come from several quarters: from its masterplan winning the international 2019 Architizer A+ Popular Choice Award, besting those of the Amazon HQ2 supersite in Dallas and the 5M project in San Francisco; to it being awarded ‘Highly Commended in Africa’, in the SME Winners Category and ‘One to Watch’ among free zones globally in the fDi Global Free Zones of the Year Awards 2020.

City of Standards The standards that the city has set are having a multiplier effect as not only has it attracted Nigerian and multinational businesses at a fast rate – over 35 of them are currently operational, designing or building their facilities – but has witnessed a growing trend of manufacturers like Rungas who are heavily invested in consumer standards. One of the first companies in Alaro City, Ariel Foods FZE, which completed its facility within a year, is the largest and most technically advanced ready-toeat therapeutic foods producer in Africa. Its facility in Alaro City has an annual production facility of 18,000 metric tonnes and will produce standard nutritional therapeutic foods which are provided for malnourished people. The company’s foods are a high calorie combination of peanut paste, sugar, oil and milk powder which is fortified with 23 vitamins and minerals and designed for people who may not be able to digest solid food or receive supplements intravenously.

31

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY APRIL 20, 2021

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT

Ajayi Warns Inductees to Beware of Architects Investigating Panel Fadekemi Ajakaiye

T

he President of Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Arc. (Sir) Gabriel Oladipupo Ajayi, has advised fresh architects inducted into the profession recently to be mindful of the Architects Investigating Panel, a disciplinary arm of the Council that could truncate their career if they became untrustworthy.

Ajayi gave the advice at the 10th Edition of the induction of newly registered Architects, technologists and architectural firms held at the National University Commission (NUC) Maitama, Abuja on Thursday, April 15, 2021, with the theme: “The Roles of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON).” The inductees were over 200, including architects, technologists and firms.

He said, “In order to continuously raise the standards of the Training and Practice

of the Architectural Profession in Nigeria, the Council works through various Committees, Panels and the Architects Disciplinary Tribunal.

“The above listed Council Committees help the ARCON to achieve its set goals and objectives. So right from today you must be weary of the Architects Investigating Panel (AIP) and Architects Disciplinary Tribunal. You should as a matter of principle be above board at all times and ensure that you comply sufficiently with the content of the Act establishing the Council, the Architects Code of Conduct and Ethics, the Professional Scale of Fees etc. These and others are the tools you would now require in your day-to-day delivery of services to your clients. The very moment you run foul of these extant rules and regulations, the Council would wield the big stick by first sending your name to the Architects Investigating Panel(AIP), who as the name

connotes is to investigate the extent of misdemeanour. Once the infraction is considered heavy enough, the offence would be escalated to the Architects Disciplinary Tribunal.”

He said the Council is not only there to deal with the issue of infractions alone in the lives of its registered members. The Council, working in concert with the relevant associations is coming up with a concise blue print for the continuous development of its members both as a student, sitting for the Architects Professional Competency Evaluation (APCE) and post registration with the Council. Going forward and in due time, your registration with the Council would only be sustained through the Continuous Professional Development. One of such programme is principally the annual Architects Colloquium.

Ajayi said the story of ARCON in Nigeria began

five decades ago. The commencement of ARCON was on the 3rd of July 1969. ARCON derives the Power to Register

and Control the Practice of Architecture in Nigeria from Decree No 10 of 1969 further amended by Decree No 34 of

1990 and now ARCHITECTS (REGISTRATION, ETC) ACT CAP A19, the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

L-R: The 30th President NMGS Engr. Obadiah Simon Nkom; and Alhaji Bamanga Tukur at the opening ceremony of the 56th annual international conference and exhibition of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), at the University of Ibadan International Conference Center, Ibadan, Oyo State… recently

Geocycle: LAWMA Lauds Lafarge Africa’s Sustainable Waste Management Efforts Bennett Oghifo The Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) has applauded the environmental sustainability efforts of Geocycle, Nigeria’s first full-fledged professional waste management service provider and one of the businesses of Lafarge Africa Plc. Geocycle handles waste from a variety of waste-generation sectors, including production, FMCG, and manufacturing in a safe, sustainable, and environmentally friendly manner.

Through this Geocycle is working towards attaining ‘A Zero-Waste Future’ and the global goal of “Zero Waste to Landfill” and Waste-to-Energy (WtE) as the company collects waste and converts it to the energy required to fire the kiln for cement production.

The Management team of LAWMA led by the AGM Admin, Mr. Taoreed Dosunmu, during a tour of the Geocycle plant in Ewekoro to explore areas of collaboration, commended Lafarge Africa for its contribution in combating waste management challenges facing Nigeria and called for cooperation between the

private and public sectors towards environmental sustainability. “Safe waste disposal practices are a necessity to preserve the environment and there is a need for the public and private sector operators to collaborate and tackle the menace of landfills scattered across the country,” Dosunmu said.

Mr. Daniel Adedokun, Head of Geocycle, Lafarge Africa stated that Lafarge as a member of LafargeHolcim, the global leader in building solutions is committed to building for people and the planet with a focus on a circular economy which is a key part of its sustainability strategy. ‘Lafarge Africa is working at the highest level to reduce industrial waste across the country and currently offers industrial waste management services for several multinationals and manufacturing companies in Nigeria for co-processing at the Ewekoro plant,” he said.

Speaking further, Mr. Adedokun revealed that Lafarge will be introducing additional Geocycle waste disposal plants at its Ashaka and Mfamosing plants as the company looks

to harness the benefits of coprocessing, which eliminates waste materials through high temperature while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

EHS Coordinator/CIM, GSK Nigeria Plc., Mr. Peter Albert, explaining how the Geocycle plant has contributed to the attainment of the zero to landfill strategy through safe disposal of their non-biodegradable waste said GSK is particular about the safety of people, machines, and materials and therefore is committed to the monitoring of their products from inception to disposal. Mr. Albert expressed satisfaction at seeing shreds of their waste generated which forms part of the energy needed in the production of cement. He also added that the partnership with Lafarge Africa’s Geocycle is adding value as waste is being disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.

Country Safety, Health & Environmental Sustainability Manager, Nestle Nigeria Plc., Mr. Raphael Fischer, stated that their partnership with Geocycle is part of their commitment to align with

Julius Berger, Toyota to bag 8th Nigeria Transport Awards Fadekemi Ajakaiye Foremost engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and the popular Japanese auto brand, Toyota, have both been nominated for the prestigious Nigeria Transport Awards for their enormous contributions to the growth of the Nigerian economy in the last 10 years.

The Nigeria Transport Awards which is part of the Nigeria Annual Transport Lecture, features lectures, exhibitions and awards and is scheduled to hold on Friday, May 21 at the Ikeja Sheraton Hotel, Lagos.

According to a Press State-

ment signed by Mr. Frank Kintum, Editor of Transport Day newspaper (organizers of the event), the Editorial Board of the newspaper agreed to honour these two brands because of the positive impacts they have made in Nigeria.

“Julius Berger was selected because of its pedigree in delivering quality roads/rail projects across the country, while Toyota (represented in Nigeria by Toyota Nigeria Limited) was also nominated because of the reliability and popularity of the brand in Nigeria”, the statement added.

Julius Berger and Toyota

are two of some other brands and personalities that have also been nominated for the event which has in the past and is currently being supported by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) among others.

The Chief Executive Officers of NADDC, Jelani Aliyu and FRSC, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, as well as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Mr. John Onojeharho, are all billed to deliver papers during the event.

the global target to reduce emissions by 2030 and ultimately attain net-zero by 2050. He noted that Nestle Nigeria Plc is committed to the implementation of the highest level of practices to preserve the environment for future generations.

Geocycle was launched in the first quarter of 2018 with a mandate of tackling the environmental challenges facing Nigeria. Approximately 58 million tonnes of waste are generated annually, 90% of which are dumped, resulting in serious environmental impact. The activities of Geocycle reinforce Lafarge Africa’s com-

mitment to building a circular economy that reaches beyond the building materials sector.

Through Geocycle, Lafarge collects waste directly from municipalities and industries, pre-processes it in platforms, and co-processes (or reuse) it in its cement plants. Through co-processing (the destruction of waste in the cement kilns) the company recovers energy and recycles materials from different types of waste, ranging from household plastics to industrial chemicals.

Lafarge Africa Plc., a leading Sub-Saharan Africa building materials company is a subsidiary of LafargeHolcim, a world

leader in building materials.

Listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Lafarge Africa is actively participating in the urbanization and economic growth of Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa.

Lafarge Africa has the widest footprint in Nigeria with cement operations in the South West (Ewekoro and Sagamu in Ogun State), North East (Ashaka, in Gombe State), South East (Mfamosing, Cross Rivers State) with Ready-Mix operations in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. Lafarge Africa has a current installed cement production capacity of 10.5Mtpa.

CACTO Becomes First Carbon Negative Fashion Company in Americas CACTO, a Mexican-American company, has announced that it has become the first Carbon Negative fashion company in the Americas.

Through a partnership with Swiss nonprofit organisation On A Mission, they have measured and offset 150% of the company’s CO2 emissions through sustainable reforestation worldwide, according to a statement it issued recently.

The measurement and offsetting process will take place every six months for the next 10 years. And this is only the beginning. Through several emergent partnerships, the company aims to offset at least 1000% of the emissions it generates by the end of 2021.

The fashion industry emits about the same quantity of GHGs per year as the entire economies of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom combined. CACTO produces sustainable accessories made of award winning cactus leather, which is free of toxic chemicals, organic, vegan, partially biodegradable, and zero waste.

Cactuses, the most abundant plants in Mexico, are extraordinary carbon sinks, as they capture CO2 from

the atmosphere and then trap it underground as calcium carbonate. Furthermore, the process of creating the leather is regenerative and the plant is never damaged. Only mature leaves are cut and they grow back in 6-8 months.

CACTO was founded by an experienced climate communicator and was designed to have sustainability as a guiding principle and at the core of its business operation.

The entire production cycle is closely monitored by staff; from the sourcing of materials to production, packaging, distribution, and shipping.

Jesus Chavez, Founder said “If we want to succeed in reaching net zero carbon emissions well before 2050 and avoid the worst consequences of climate change, we must all work in concert in whatever capacity we are able to. Two words are key here: collaboration and ambition.

We all need to do more, climate neutrality is no longer enough. Industries across the board need to benefit from existing technology and offsetting programs to become carbon negative and invest in new research and innovation to reach that goal

faster. The decisions we make this decade will determine the fate of humanity for centuries to come. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. It is up to us now.”

Customers around the world are demanding alternatives to materials that increase pollution and unethical manufacturing processes. CACTO provides this alternative to customers across 190 countries and hopes to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs to break paradigms and make clear once and for all, what has been evident to specialists for decades, that decoupling emission from economic growth is not only feasible, but the smartest, fastest, and most responsible way to grow.

CACTO is the first Carbon Negative fashion company in the Americas. Founded in California by a Latinx entrepreneur and climate activist, CACTO offers sustainable accessories made of organic cactus leather.

All products are handcrafted by experienced artisans in the state of Jalisco, Mexico.

And products are distributed across 190 countries and territories in five continents.

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NEWSXTRA

IG Seeks More Manpower, Equipment to Tackle Insecurity Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Acting Inspector-General of Police (IG), Usman Alkali Baba, yesterday canvassed for more logistics support from the federal government to enable him excel in the onerous security task ahead of him.

Baba, who was named IG while President Muhammadu Buhari was on medical vacation in London, the United Kingdom,

was formally introduced to the President yesterday by the Minister of Police Affairs, Mr. Maigari Dingyadi.

Speaking with journalists after meeting with Buhari, the IG emphasised that he would need more logistics support, manpower and equipment to deal with the current level of insecurity in the country.

Baba who used the opportunity to thank the President for giving

him the opportunity to serve in acting capacity, stressed that he would do his best to change the narrative as far as the issue of internal security is concerned.

“As far as internal security is

concerned in this country, I’m coming back for a full brief as to how I would go about it,” noting however that he realised the expectations of Nigerians from him.

“I have taken over this very crucial time and I am fully aware of the situation in the country, and introducing what I feel will mitigate these security challenges in the country. And I’ve started

implementing them.

“And I’m ready to come on board with the President so that we can get all the support that is necessary to go about it.”

Army, Air Force in Fierce Confrontation with Boko Haram, ISWAP in Borno Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Military authorities said yesterday that ground troops and the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole engaged insurgents in 12 gun trucks in a fire-fight killing scores of fighters from Boko Haram and the Islamic State for West African Province (ISWAP).

A war update issued by the Nigerian Army last night said troops supported by air strikes from the Nigerian Air Force inflicted heavy casualty on the insurgents, who attacked Dikwa, the headquarters of Dikwa Local Government of Borno State.

The fight was still raging as at the time of filling this report.

The update signed by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Mohammed Yerima, said “troops of Operation Lafiya Dole are currently carrying out Operation Tura Takaibango stationed at Dikwa and Gulumba Gana”.

It said “the terrorists in their numbers mounted on 12 gun trucks attacked the town on the Sunday, April 18, 2021, just as the locals prepared to break their Ramadan fast for the day.

“The troops having

contained the initial wave of the attack had to occupy their alternative headquarters at Gulumba Gana to enable the air component engage any gun trucks and other arms in the vicinity of the attack”.

It said the troops launched a counter attack in the early hours of Monday, April 19, 2021 and successfully reoccupied their main headquarters in Dikwa.

“The retreating terrorists suffered heavy losses in both equipment and personnel, including some of their key leaders from the superior fire power of own troops both from the air and ground forces.

“The troops are currently patrolling Dikwa town and environs to assess the level of damage inflicted on the terrorists”.

The update said the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, commended the troops for their doggedness and directed them to restrategise in order to prevent any further attacks in the area.

“The Nigerian Army remains committed towards ensuring a safe and secure environment through out the North-east theatre”, it said.

Three Killed as Cultists Clash in Anambra There was a mass shooting in various areas in Awka, the Anambra State capital, last Sunday night, which resulted in the death of three young people.

The shooting happened at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) temporary junction and Ifite area, close to the university.

THISDAY gathered that three youths, all male, were killed at the end of simultaneous shooting in both locations.

Eyewitnesses told THISDAY that at the UNIZIK junction, “one guy, who is from Abakaliki, was killed by some youths who carried guns.

“Some people said he had travelled to his village and returned on Saturday, not knowing that he was being trailed by the cultists who

eventually killed him.

“Immediately he was killed, some people suspected to be his gang members came out immediately and took away his dead body to an unknown location.”

At Ifite, two persons were said to have been killed in a massive shooting. While one was identified as a gym instructor at Wintess Hotel, a Phd student of UNIZIK, the other was unknown.

Attempts to get the spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, to react to the shooting failed as he did not respond to his phone calls.

Cult killings have remained persistent in the state capital for some time now, defying the governor’s claims of achievements in security in the state.

REWARD FOR EXCELLENCE…

L-R: Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu; Police officer assaulted by traffic offender, ASP Sunday Erhabor; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; and Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, during a ceremony to honour Erhabor at Lagos House, Ikeja…yesterday

Katsina Police Kill Three Bandits, Recover AK-47 Rifle Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Katsina State Police Command, yesterday said its operatives engaged armed bandits in gun duel and killed three of them in Mararaba Gurbi village in Kankara Local Government Area of the state.

The Command’s spokesman, Gambo Isah, who paraded the lifeless bodies of the hoodlums at the command headquarters, said

they were killed by operatives attached to Kankara Divisional Office after a firefight.

He said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Kankara, led a team of policemen based on the credible intelligence gathering and confronted the hoodlums who were passing through the village with sophisticated weapons and domestic animals.

He said the marauders were

intercepted in the village and on sighting the police operatives, engaged them into a gun duel as a result of which three of them were neutralised while others fled into the forest with possible gunshot injuries.

Isah, a Superintendent of Police, said: “Today (Monday) at about 4am , based on credible intelligence, DPO Kankara division led a team of policemen to Mararaba Gurbi, a notorious cattle

route used by bandits, based on a report that the bandits, armed with sophisticated weapons, were passing through that route with rustled domestic animals”.

According to him, “in the course of investigation, one Ak-47 assault rifle was recovered with seven rounds of 7.2mm ammunition; 160 cows; 174 sheep and two motorcyles were also recovered during the operations”

Kidnappers of Ekiti Monarch Demand N20m Ransom Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The abductors of the Obadu of Ilemeso Ekiti, Ekiti State, Oba David Oyewumi, have demanded N20 million ransom from the family for his freedom.

Suspected gunmen, numbering about six, last Thursday besieged the Oba palace and abducted the monarch around 9p.m.

The abductors, who fired gunshots sporadically into the

air, were said to have scaled the fence to the palace and moved straight into the monarch’s apartment and whisked him away.

Ilemeso, a town in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State, is a neighboring town to Isan Ekiti, the home town of the state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

A family source confided in some journalists in Ado Ekiti yesterday that the gunmen contacted the family last

Saturday evening and made the financial demand.

The source said: “We have been contacted. They called us around 7.03p.m. last Saturday and demanded that we pay the sum of N20 million for the king to be released.

“We are really worried by this demand. The family is taking further steps to ensure that Kabiyesi is released as soon as possible.”

The state Police Public Relations

Officer (PPRO), ASP Sunday Abutu, said the police and other security agencies are making frantic efforts to rescue the monarch from captivity.

Abutu said: “We are taking all security measures to ensure that we rescue the Oba. We are not resting on our oars.

“We are working with other sister agencies in this regard as well as working on intelligence gathering at our disposal.”

Navy Tasks Commanders on Prudent Management of Resources Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, yesterday urged naval commanders to embrace prudent management of resources as a key focus of his administration.

Speaking at the opening of the Nigerian Navy retreat at the Naval headquarters in Abuja, Gambo said his administration would not condone wastages, as he was determined to ensure effective management and operational efficiency in the

Nigerian navy.

The CNS said the retreat with the theme: ‘Effective Management for Nigerian Navy Operational Efficiency’, was intended to remind the participants of the critical role played by campaign planning in developing the ability of commanders to understand the task at hand; plan effectively, employ systemic framework to make smarter operational decisions and minimise operations risks at all levels of command in the service.

Acknowledging the need to emplace a robust feedback

mechanism, especially one that promotes accountability, Gambo recalled several attempt at stimulating an effective management regime through the emplacement of a robust feedback mechanism that requires commanders at all levels to sign a performance bond.

The naval chief reminded the participants that the retreat was being held at a critical period when the country is facing the COVID-19 pandemic challenges with tightened budget restrictions and multifaceted security

challenges across the country.

This situation, he emphasised, called for “prudent resource management, innovation, accountability and deep reflection that would engender patriotic rededication to service.”

He stated that financial management was a key topic for discussion during the retreat, and expected that the retreat would bring “all commanders up to speed on the need for prudent utilisation of resources as the Nigerian navy under my watch will have zero tolerance for wastages”

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NEWSXTRA

Paris Club Refund: Govs Ask Minister to Halt Payment to Contractors Alex Enumah in Abuja The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has written the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, asking her to halt the issuance of a Promissory Note to one Dr. Ted

Edwards, being payment for legal services rendered to the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).

The NGF in the letter written on its behalf by its lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), said the request was predicated on a court

Nigerians Begin Fund Raising for Lagos Policeman Assaulted

by Civilian Nigerians on social media have started to raise fund to compensate an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Sunday Erhator for his professional conduct and restrain when assaulted by a traffic offender, Mr. Victor Ebhomenyen, in the Oniru area of Lagos State.

The donation is to encourage the officer for maintaining calm in the face of assault.

The donation was started on Sunday by a Facebook user, Ugo Egbujo, who said the idea was to support ethical policing and responsible policing.

The donation is expected to end today while the money is expected to be given to Erhator by tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon.

Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, had said in a statement that Ebhomenyen had on Saturday assaulted the policeman at Four Point Hotel in Oniru and inflicted severe body injuries on him.

In viral videos, Ebhomenyen and an accomplice, Etinosa Obaywana, who is now at large, were seen assaulting Erhator after the policeman and his colleagues attached to the Rapid Response Squad of the state

command stopped a white Hyundai SUV,MUS 251 EH facing their convoy on one-way.

“When the police stopped the vehicle, the occupants, one Victor Ebhomenye and Etinosa Obaywana, angrily came down, confronted and violently assaulted ASP Erhator Sunday, inflicting severe bodily injuries on him.

“The Officer, who was armed with his official Ak- 47 riffle, displayed a high level of professionalism amidst fierce provocations by resisting the temptation of using his rifle on the suspect.

“The prime suspect, Victor, is in the police custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department Panti, for investigation and prosecution as and when due, while effort is on to arrest his fleeing accomplice, Etinosa, who has been identified,” Adejobi said in a statement.

The PPRO also added that the vehicle has been impounded and taken to the Lagos State Taskforce Office, Oshodi, according to the provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.

Beep Call Service By Glo Continues to Delight Nigerians A customer-oriented offering, Beep Call Service by national telecommunications company, Globacom, has continued to delight subscribers on the Glo network.

The package, which enables Glo subscribers with low or zero airtime balance to reach out to any other number, both Glo and others, has brought relief to many customers who use it as a last resort to pass messages to their friends, family and loved ones.

The company said the Beep Call Service has been adding value to the lives of millions of its subscribers, adding that Globacom will continue to provide wide variety of innovative packages and plans designed to meet the needs and expectations of its numerous customers.

According to Globacom, the new offer is an “intelligent solution through which Glo subscribers can call loved ones, friends and associates anytime they run out of airtime. The network will then leave a “missed call” on the called number, prompting him or her to call back.

It stated that Beep Call Service is stop-gap solution conceived to keep its subscribers talking on the Glo network, especially at critical periods of emergency and urgent needs.

Two Glo subscribers who have

used the service attested to its effectiveness. Moyosola Ladipo is a Lagos -based Property Manager whose car packed up one evening in Lagos. According to him “It was the Glo Beep Call Service that saved the situation. I had exhausted my credit, hoping to recharge in the neighborhood when I get home. I used the beep service call and lo and behold my wife called back and later sent me credit, which I used to contact my Mechanic, who came in later to fix the car”.

Also, Amisu Usman, who lost his purse, and was stranded in Nyanya, an Abuja suburb, without credit on his phone, used the Glo Beep Call Service. He said, “ My brother called me after seeing the missed call on his phone and I explained my situation after which he transferred money to me, which I collected at a nearby bank for my transport fare back home, It was not funny that day, I was saved by the Glo beep service”.

Explaining how the service works, Globacom said that “subscribers will simply call their contacts with low or zero balance, the network will leave a “missed call” on the called number, requesting them to call back and the called party will see a missed call and be prompted to return the call.”

action instituted to “challenge the decisions of the court relating to or connected with payments of legal and consultancy fees arising from London Club Debt, Buy Back and London Club Debt Exit Payment, which is the fulcrum of the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja in Suit Nos FHC/ABJ/CS/130/13 — LINAS International Ltd & ORS. Vs The Federal Government of

Nigeria & ORS. The letter, dated April 19, 2021 and titled: Re: Issuance of Promissory Note to Dr. Ted Iseghone Edwards.

“Our attention has been drawn to a letter from the firm of Ikechukwu Ezechukwu (SAN) & Co dated April 8, 2021 urging you to issue promissory notes to Dr. Ted Iseghoni Edwards.

“We respectfully urge you not to accede to the request because these promissory notes are to be deducted from the accounts of the states for the next 10 years.

It is therefore expedient to await the outcome of legal steps being taken by the states as represented by the NGF. “Section 162(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic

of Nigeria (as amended) mandates any amount standing to the credit of local governments to be paid directly to the states for the benefit of their local government councils. The states therefore have a responsibility to ensure that funds standing to the credit of the local government councils are protected as custodians of such funds”, Falana wrote.

WE SHARE YOUR GRIEFS...

L-R: Nationai Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus; widow of the late Afenifere Spokesman, Mrs. Josephine Okei-Odumakin; and PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, during their condolence visit to Odumakin’s family in Lagos... yesterday KOLAWOLE ALLI

Inadequate Polling Units Responsible for Electoral Violence, Says INEC Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has attributed the prevailing electoral violence bedevilling the country to inadequate polling units and increasing population.

The Katsina State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Jibril Ibrahim Zarewa, who disclosed this at a two-day capacity building workshop for field officers yesterday, said the electoral umpire has

been facing the aforementioned predicament over the years.

THISDAY gathered that the capacity building workshop for the field officers-electoral officers (EOs) and assistant electoral officers (AEOs)-which drew participants from the 34 local government areas of the state, is on proposed conversion of voting points to polling units.

He explained that the challenge of inadequate polling units confronting the electoral body was orchestrated

by population growth, demographic shifts, new settlements and expansion of towns and villages across the country.

According to him, “Over the years, several challenges have confronted INEC with regards to polling units.

And as a result of population growth, demographic shifts and growth of new settlements and expansion of towns and villages, existing polling units have become inadequate.

“Many of the polling units were overcrowded during

elections, which brought delays, disruptions, violence and apathy.

The locations of some polling units also make access very difficult, particularly for persons living with disabilities.”

Zarewa, however, said INEC has created additional 1,750 voting centres in Katsina State, bringing the total number of voting centres in the state to 6,652 in order to tackle the problem of congestion at polling units in the state.

Anambra: Our International Airport Project on Course Says first flight to land on April 30 David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Anambra State government yesterday disclosed that its international airport project was on course, describing as false, a report that the federal government had refused to grant it a licence for international operations for its new airport.

The state government disclosed that the federal government

through the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has been very supportive of the project, and was also impressed with the quality of work on the project.

A statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C. Don Adinuba stated that the first flight would land at the airport on April 30.

He said: “The first commercial

plane is scheduled to land at Anambra International Cargo/ Passenger Airport on April 30, 2021, to test-run the facilities at the airport.

“The first plane to land on April 30 belongs to a worthy son of Anambra State, Chief Allen Onyema, who operates the only indigenous international air carrier in the country.

“A faceless group of hired

propaganda guns have crafted and posted on the internet a so-called news report alleging that the federal government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Aviation, has refused to give the Anambra State Government a licence to operate an international airport but has rather offered the state government a licence to run a domestic airport.

UNIJOS Staff, Students Protest, Demand Transparency in VC Selection Process Professor Sebastian Maimako, controversy in shopping for of suitable candidates for the post Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Staff members and students of the University of Jos, Plateau State, have staged a peaceful protest to urge the federal government to ensure transparency in the selection process of the vice chancellor of the institution.

Thirteen candidates, all from the university, are vying for the position of the vice chancellor of the institution, as the tenure of the current Vice Chancellor,

ends in few weeks’ time.

An inside source had disclosed that there was yet to be a substantive replacement for the university’s Governing Council Chairman, Prince Tony Momoh, who passed on in February, while the University Act stipulates that the screening of the new vice chancellor will be done by the chairman of the council.

The source added that the lacuna is the basis for the

Maimako’s successor.

He revealed that section 4(2), (3), & (4) of the University Act clearly states that where vacancy occurs in the post of a vice chancellor, the Governing Council shall advertise the vacancy in a reputable journal or widely read newspaper in Nigeria, specifying the qualities of who may apply for the post, the terms and conditions of service application to the post, and thereafter, draw up a shortlist

for consideration.

He said: “The council shall then constitute a search team consisting of a member of the council, who is not a member of the Senate as chairman. The council shall constitute two members of the Senate, who are not members of the council, one of whom shall be a professor; two members of the congregation, who are not members of councils; one of whom shall be a professor.

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NEWSXTRA

Falana Rejects NHRC’s Governing Council’s List, Alleges Lopsided Appointments Alex Enumah in Abuja A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, has called for the withdrawal of the list of

appointees into the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commision (NHRC) for failing to meet constitutional requirements and provisions of the Federal Character Commission

Senate Moves to Strengthen Laws against Illegal Arms, Says Nigeria under Siege Deji ElumoyeinAbuja The Senate yesterday painted a gloomy picture of the security situation in the country, saying the nation was under serious siege from non-state actors whose activities were threatening the continued existence of Nigeria.

This is just as the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa ( UNREC) disclosed that out of 500 million Illegal weapons circulating in West Africa, 350 million which represents 70 per cent, were domiciled in Nigeria for nefarious activities of criminally minded people.

Speaking at the public hearing on Firearms Act 2004 (Amendment) Bill 2021 and Exclusive Economic Zones Act 2010 (Repeal and Re Enactment) Bill 2021, Senator Uba Sani said the current worrisome

security situation in the country needed to be urgently addressed.

Sani who is the sponsor of the Firearms (Amendment) Bill expressed concern that proliferation of illegal arms and ammunition in the country with little or no control by relevant authorities has profound implications for collective survival of Nigerians and Nigeria.

He said: “We are gathered here to deal with a matter that has profound implications for our collective survival. We are under siege from murderous non - state actors. They have been acquiring arms illegally, maiming our people and threatening the continued existence of our dear nation. We either take measures to deny them of the oxygen that sustains their nefarious activities or we watch helplessly as they overrun us and our country”.

(FCC).

Falana, in a letter to the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, argued that the appointment if allowed to stay would have an adverse effect on the issue of human rights in the country.

Falana in the letter dated April 19 noted that while the appointment was commendable for coming nearly six years after the dissolution of the last

Governing Council in 2015, he expressed disappointment that the list of the members however violated constitutional requirements.

“The Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission was dissolved by President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2015. Since then the infringement of human rights of the Nigerian people has been on the ascendancy. Hence, we

have consistently campaigned for the reconstitution of the said Governing Council.

“However, we have confirmed that President Buhari has nominated 16 persons and requested the Senate to confirm them in accordance with the provisions of section 2(2) of the National Human Rights Commission Amendment Act, 2010. Having studied the list we have found, to our utter dismay, that three out of the four nominees

representing the North West Zone are from Kebbi State, including the chairperson of the Governing Council, Mrs. Salamotu Hussaini Suleiman,” the letter stated.

Falana further recalled that the Senate had sometimes last year confirmed the appointment of the members of the Board of the Legal Aid Council including the Director-General, Mr. Aliyu Bagudu Abubakar, who also hails from Kebbi State.

WITH THE FORMER BOSS…

L-R: Former Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sullivan Chime; Enugu State Governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, during the funeral rites of the former Chairman of the Enugu State Board of Internal Revenue, Mr. Felix Onyejiuwa Chime, at Okunino Udi, in Udi Local Government Area… weekend

Buhari Consoles Presidents Gbajabiamila Wants Review of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy to Address Security Threats Deby, Sisi over Tragic Nigeria’s foreign policy organised by some of the new challenges altering the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Udora Orizu in Abuja the House Committees on Foreign the way the world functioned in to look outward. It is not an easy Incidents in Chad, Egypt task though.

The Speaker of the House of Affairs and Diaspora in conjunction the past.

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with his Chadian counterpart, Idriss Deby Itno of Chad and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt over recent tragic incidents in their respective countries.

The President, in a statement yesterday by his Media Assistant, Malam Garba Shehu, extended his heartfelt condolences to President Itno of Chad in the wake of the ethnic clashes in the South Eastern Region of Salamat that claimed several lives.

“I am shocked and saddened by the incident that shattered decades

of relative peace and stability in Chad,” Buhari said, adding that “ethnic and tribal clashes is a threat to African unity and stability and Nigeria joins the rest of Africa to deplore the latest eruption of violence in Chad.”

Underscoring the need for African leaders and people to manage their diversity with tolerance and understanding, the President noted that “a threat to stability in one part of Africa is a threat to the rest of us.”

According to him, “given Africa’s economic and social challenges, we cannot afford mutual destruction that makes our challenges more complicated.”

Ekiti Cult Clash: Senator Condemns Killings as Police Arrest 45 Suspects Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Ekiti State police have arrested no fewer than 45 suspects in connection with last Sunday’s bloody cult clash in Ikere Ekiti, which led to the death of six persons.

It was gathered that the bloody clash was as a result of rivalry between two warring cult groups.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Sunday Abutu, who confirmed the arrests to journalists in Ado Ekiti yesterday, said 35 persons were nabbed yesterday coupled with 10 that had earlier been apprehended last Sunday, thereby raising the number of suspects to 45.

Meanwhile, the Senator representing Ekiti South, Mrs.

Biodun Olujimi, has condemned the killings of the six persons, describing it as extremely senseless.

Speaking further, Abutu stated that a combined team of security forces drafted when the news of the attacks got to the command had been able to restore peace in the town, while street patrol still continues.

The police spokesperson, however, maintained that only six dead bodies were recovered from the scene of the incident.

Senator Olujimi, who expressed worries over the untimely death of the people by the rival cult groups, said hooliganism and cultism should not be a way of life, and must be discouraged.

Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, yesterday said Nigeria’s foreign policy should be tailored towards addressing funding of terrorism, other security threats, as well as the huge unemployment it’s currently facing.

Gbajabiamila stated this in Abuja at the opening of a threeday conference on the review of

with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Speaker also said the country should define the terms of its foreign policy by engaging other nations in finding solutions to new challenges and threats so that collectively, they can address them.

He made reference to climate change, easy flow of capital and the rapid growth of technology as

According to Gbajabiamila, ‘’Today in Nigeria, we face two existential threats of insecurity and unemployment, which have caused a deep loss of faith in our people.

All our governing efforts must be geared towards finding solutions to these problems. Whereas the rest of the government looks inwards, it is the mandate of

‘’To do this, we must establish the values that underpin and motivate our foreign policy as this is necessary to determine everything else, including how we protect our country from the downside of globalisation while ensuring our people benefit from the opportunities that abound.”

Yoruba Group Calls for Increased Security on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway The Yoruba Leadership and Peace Initiative (TYLPI) has hailed the recent arrest by the police, of three kidnapping suspects along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and stressed the need for more work by the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to free that strategic corridor of miscreants and violent criminals.

The group in a statement issued yesterday by its Director of Publicity, Mr. Tunde Ipinmisho, said it was noteworthy that the arrests were made few days after the assumption of office by the Acting Inspector-General of Police

(IG), Usman Alkali Baba.

The suspects were arrested at the Fidiwo axis of the road by men of the Ogun State Command of the Police on Thursday, April 8.

TYLPI said the police had before the arrest been in denial of the activities of kidnappers along the highway, adding that the arrests were pointers to the high level of insecurity on the critical road.

TYLPI said serious cases of armed robbery, car-jacking and other violent crimes were being recorded along the highway almost on a weekly basis.

It expressed dismay that the criminals operating on the road had been emboldened to continue their nefarious activities, creating the inevitable impression by the citizenry that the government, which swore an oath to defend and protect them had abandoned them to their fate.

The group warned that if gangsters, robbers and kidnappers were allowed to continue to hold sway on the expressway, road users would lose faith in the ability of the government to protect them and guarantee the right atmosphere for

them to live decent lives.

It added, the citizenry would succumb to the temptation to engage in self-help, which, it warned, would signal the commencement of country’s rapid descent into anarchy.

TYLPI said that because of its strategic role in the movement of goods and commuters from Lagos to other parts of the country, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway should not be allowed to become another theatre in the undeclared war against the nation by the men of the underworld.

Northerners in Abia Cattle Market Deny Harbouring Criminal Herdsmen Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia Leaders and stakeholders of the northern community at Umuchieze cattle market in Abia State yesterday raised the alarm over plots by “disgruntled elements” to incite their host communities to attack them “based on rumoured presence of criminals at the cattle market.”

The northern community raised the alarm at a press

conference held at the office of the cattle market in Lokpaukwu, Umunneochi Local Government Area of the state. They expressed worry over “rumours flying around” that bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers and criminal herdsmen were living in the market, adding that such rumours could incite host communities to attack northerners in the state.

Spokesperson of the northern community in the area, Buba Kedemure, who read the

statement signed by the leaders and stakeholders, noted that the northern community has lived in peace and harmony with their host communities for over 16 years.

According to him, the cattle market has continued to serve as “a unifying factor between the North and the South,” as people from both regions of Nigeria intermingle and do business together.

He said it was unfortunate that some people were not happy at

the peaceful co-existence between the host communities and the northern community hence the allegations aimed at undermining the peace in the cattle market.

However, he admitted that criminal elements could have passed through the cattle market on their way, as there has been exodus of northerners, including herdsmen, some of who come to the cattle market with their families to board vehicles home.

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Igbo Wants Peaceful Coexistence, Not Secession, Says Ohanaeze Ndigbo Mary Nnah The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Professor George Obiozor, has stated that Ndigbo were not at war with Nigeria but wanted a stable peaceful coexistence to prevail in the country while pursuing the emergence of an Igbo as the president of the country.

Obiozor, who spoke yesterday on ARISE NEWS Channel, a broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspaper, clarified that the Igbo was not planning to have a separate existence from Nigeria.

He said: “Like I have stated in my very first statement, Igbo are not at war with Nigeria nor have any instrument of any kind

...United for 2023 Presidency Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo, yesterday declared that contrary to some erroneous beliefs in some quarters about the Igbo people, the Igbo nation remained more united in the quest for an Igbo presidency than at any other time in the history of Nigeria.

The group said an Igbo presidency would turn obstacles to opportunities, ensure equity and justice in the distribution of resources as well as present the nation with a sense of belonging in Nigeria.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, the President-General of the organisation, Prof. George Obiozor, affirmed that the Southeast region is united in the quest for the 2023 presidency.

He was responding to questions on how the region would speak with one voice to avoid plurality of interests and aspirants in the election.

According to Obiozor, “Other tribes are more divided than us.

Igbo is more united, but because there is a sudden possibility of

Igbo presidency, some people want to label the Igbo nation a terrorist zone.

“I advise us and media to avoid certain things that are not necessary. Nobody can divide us this time around. We can get the presidency from Igbo land.

Probability of Igbo presidency in 2023 has become a possibility.”

He took a swipe at critics, who claimed ndigbo could not speak with one voice.

“One voice is not democratic.

One voice is dictatorial. Igbo will bring equity and justice to the system. We will not speak with one voice; we are not ‘mumu’.

“We will speak with different voices and articulate leadership.

Look at what one voice has done to us-now we have no voice,” the Igbo leader said.

Obiozor maintained that “Igbo people want peace, but not peace of the grave yard.

Whatever every other citizen of Nigeria is enjoying is what the Igbo needs too.”

He said with the support of other tribes, the Igbo presidency would become a reality.

Sanwo-Olu Lauds Lagos Policeman for Exhibiting Professionalism Segun James Lagos State Governor, Mr. Bababjide Sanwo-Olu, has lauded an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Sunday Erhabor, for exhibiting calmness, composure and exercising self-restraint in the face of provocation in the line of duty.

The governor stated that it takes a very highly professional to do what Erhabor did despite holding an AK-47 rifle.

Sanwo-Olu showered praises on the cop when the state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, presented Erhabor to the governor at the State House in Ikeja.

Erhabor is attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the state police command.

In a video that went viral at the weekend, Erhabor was seen being assaulted by a motorist, Victor Ebhomenyen, 33, who contravened traffic laws by driving against the traffic. Erhabor was, however, calm and composed, and exercised self-restraint despite holding an AK-47 rifle.

The incident happened at Four Point Hotel, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos.

A statement issued by the state police spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said Ebhomenyen

drove against traffic, assaulting and causing bodily injuries to a police officer attached to the RRS. Sanwo-Olu, however, praised Erhabor for displaying utmost professionalism in the face of outright provocation, and urged other police officers to emulate him.

According to him, “We are quick to condemn policemen, especially when they are found wanting. We are very quick to admonish them as well, but officer Erhabor’s demeanor shows there are still commendable police officers in Nigeria.

“In the heat of the provocation ASP Erhabor displayed restraint and calmness. He restrained himself from taking law into his own hands. I think the gesture is enough to bring him out so he can be used as a testimonial and encouragement for others that they can be civil and law-abiding as exemplified by Erhabor.

“We thank him for showing patience and decorum, and we urge others to emulate him.”

Ebhomenyen’s vehicle has since been impounded and taken to the Lagos State Taskforce Office in Oshodi for appropriate penalty in tandem with provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law (2018).

anywhere seeking a separate existence from Nigeria.

“We support Igbo president with open arms. In fact it is the most important thing that would happen to the Igbos. It is our turn by the grace of God and we are going to work for it so hard. We would talk to other parts of Nigeria to give us a chance because it is our right, it is reasonable and deserving. In fact, it is wonderful to consider

it done by this time. So, Igbo president is our agenda.”

Obiozor also expressed shock and disappointment over the recent waves of unrest in the Southeast and noted that the South-east has been the most peaceful section of Nigeria’s six political zones.

“So, one is completely shocked and surprised that all of a sudden some elements want to turn the Southeast into an unsecured

environment for both the people and the country.

“I sincerely believe that under normal circumstances when a crime is committed, the first thing to do is to find out the nature of the crime, which will lead you to the kind of suspect you may have and you will begin to eliminate those suspects based on the strategic capacity to commit such crimes. I think that is the way we should go in tackling

the present issue on ground in the Southeast,” he said.

He regretted that the over politicisation of every matter in Nigeria has confused the perception of who the criminal is.

Obiozor, however, advised that the time is ripe for the country to reflect and begin a national healing process because grievances are growing across the country.

CONGRATULATIONS...

L-R: Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed; representative of the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Sonny Echono; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Tetfund), Mr. Kashim Ibrahim-Imam; and Chairman, Governing Council, University of Lagos, Senator Lanre Tejuoso, during the inauguration of Governing Councils of five federal universities earlier announced by the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja...yesterday

Contractors Protest over Non-payment for COVID-19 Equipment, Shut down FCTA Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Over 300 angry contractors yesterday barricaded the major entrances to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in protest against the non-payment of the COVID-19 equipment they supplied to the FCT agencies between March 2020 and April 2021.

The aggrieved suppliers also accused the FCT Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, of allegedly demanding bribery.

The payment was in respect

of the various medical items and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) among others, which they supplied toward containing the pandemic.

They lamented that they were at the mercy of their creditors, as some of them took loans to be able to meet the supply obligation.

The aggrieved contractors said they were assured that the money would be paid within two weeks or a maximum of one month after supply upon presenting the contract invoices.

One of the aggrieved suppliers, Emmanuel Nwachendu, reinforced the allegation against the permanent secretary.

“This is one year running and nothing has happened. What we hear everyday is that each of the contractors has to pay N1 million bribes to the permanent secretary before we can be paid our money,” Nwachendu alleged.

In his reaction, Adesade fiercely denied ever demanding N1 million bribe from anybody.

He also stated that the delay

in paying the contractors was due to their failure to meet all the administrative requirements.

According to him, “I am not aware of any payment of N1 million.

The only instruction I gave was that all documents should be in the file before any payment can be made. The payment is in batches; we have paid others.

“Contractors owed below N10 million have been paid. If there are issues, the contractors are the cause because they are yet to meet up with the requirements.”

AGF to Assist NEITI in Tracking Oil Revenues James Emejo in Abuja The Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Ahmed Idris, yesterday vowed to support the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) in tracking oil and gas revenues due to the federal government.

Idris said the objective was to ensure that appropriate remittances are affected.

He told the Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive of NEITI, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, and other leaders

of the NEITI that his office “will partner and give the necessary support to NEITI to achieve efficient monitoring of oil and gas revenue accruals to the government.”

The AGF also commended the agency for its successes, adding that the NEITI’s effort to entrench probity, transparency and accountability in the management of the country’s oil and gas revenues is in line with the government’s financial management reforms initiatives.

He specifically advocated for the integration of the NEITI as an institutional partner in the federal government’s strategic revenue growth initiative because it would be a big leap forward in government’s vision of improving revenue collection, mobilisation and identifying additional sources of revenue.

A statement issued by the Director Information, Press and Public Relations, Mr. Henshaw Ogubike, said that Idris observed that operating under obsolete

laws had greatly hampered the activities of the NEITI and called for periodic review of its establishment Act and other laws that regulate the operations of the oil and gas sector to reflect current realities.

However, Orji, in his remarks said the NEITI was established to track revenues accruing to the government from oil and gas transactions, especially by ensuring accountability in the remittances of such revenues.

Two Nurses Die, 10 Others Sustain Injuries in Ogun Auto Crash Two nurses were confirmed dead, while 10 others sustained injuries in an auto crash that occurred on Sunday on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

The lone accident, which involved a white Toyota Hiace marked OG49A07 happened at Akinale Village in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The ill-fated bus was conveying 18 persons at the time of the incident – one male and 17 females.

Spokesperson for Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, Babatunde Akinbiyi, in a statement said one of the survivors of the road crash accused the driver of speeding and using a mobile phone while driving at a sharp bend.

Akinbiyi added that the driver lost control as the bus somersaulted several times.

He said no fewer than 10 persons sustained varying degrees of

injuries aside from the two women that lost their lives.

He said, “According to one of the survivors, the driver was speeding and was as well using his cellphone while driving at a bend. He lost control and the bus somersaulted several times.

“The injured victims were rescued to Hope Hospital, Adigbe, before our arrival. The dead bodies have been deposited at the Ijaye morgue.

“The occupants in the bus were

nurses who were all heading to a party to honour the matron in one of the hospitals in Abeokuta.

“The two dead victims are also nurses in One Ademola Hospital and General Hospital, Ijaiye.

“While TRACE Corps commiserates with the family of the victims, motorists are again enjoined to avoid over speeding, especially during the rain, as well as the use of mobile phone, due to its distraction and attendant consequences”.

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Pharmacists Call for Drastic Action to Save Nigeria’s Health Sector The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has called for a concerted effort by stakeholders to save the country’s health sector from an imminent collapse.

In a document jointly signed by ACPM National Chairman and

Secretary, Dr. Samuel Adekola and Mr. Ambrose Ezeh, respectively, the body lamented the intractable challenges in the country’s health sector due to ‘’shoddy and irresponsible administrative patterns in the health system. ‘’ACPN have continued to

BUA Cement Donates Medical Facilities to Host Communities in Sokoto As part of its corporate social responsibilities (CSR), one of the Africa’s leading cement giant, BUA Cement, recently donated drugs worth N10 million to the host communities in Wamakko Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Presenting the drugs to the representative of the beneficiary communities, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BUA Cement, Yusuf Binji, said the gesture was to make sure clinics and hospitals in the host communities have adequate drugs.

Binji, who was represented by the Director of Market and Sale of the company, Abdul Ganiyu Yusuf, noted that the gesture was an annual event, stressing that the company donated same last year despite the COVID-19 challenges.

He further disclosed that the

company also carried out some empowerment programmes in the communities through scholarship, provision of portable water and mosques for the host communities.

According to him, “What you are witnessing today is that we are giving back what the communities had given us.”

On his part, the Special Adviser to the state Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, on Corporate Social Responsibility, Alhaji Bello Dan Sarki, thanked BUA cement for the gesture, urging other companies in the state to emulate it.

In his remark, the Executive Secretary of the Sokoto State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA), Abdullahi Adamu, assured the company that the drugs would be delivered to the benefiting communities

critically evaluate the Nigerian health space and we are driven by a strong conviction that greed and avarice have encouraged an inequitable spread of privileges and resources of players in the health system to the detriment of consumers of health who are short-changed by the government and providers.’’

“The ACPN puts on record

that all the goals and objectives of both the National Health Policy and National Drug Policy, which centres on accessibility, affordability, safe and efficacious health care services and credible drugs supply system have never been and may never be met because of the shoddy and irresponsible manner we have adopted in running our health system.”

2023: Moghalu Urges Young People to Join Politics Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, has asked young people in Nigeria to actively participate in politics and help reshape the future of the country.

In his opening remarks at the first “Elevating Youth Voices Virtual Summit”, hosted by the Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation (IGET), Moghalu argued that the youths should no longer be indifferent while the nation continues to deteriorate.

He stated that all the indices indicated that the future was looking bleak, with unemployment rate at 33 per cent and 40 million young Nigerians still unemployed

or underemployed.

Quoting from recent national statistics, Moghalu stated that currently about 100 million Nigerians live in extreme poverty, while the United Nations demographics recently projected a population of 400 million by 2050.

“What does the future hold for our young people who make up nearly 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population? That future is now, and you must colonise it and shape it for the better,” he said.

Moghalu reminded the summit participants that while peaceful protest remained an essential right in a democracy, it cannot replace the importance of voting in elections as a way to create lasting change by electing more competent leaders.

It criticised appointments in the health sector, saying it was against international best practices that hinges on the philosophy of meritocracy, which allowed for selection based on merit and competencies.

The document further said: “It is unfortunate that Nigerian physicians and their umbrella body have blackmailed and as

well as intimidated successive administrations in Nigeria at the federal and many states levels to continue to insist that appointments as Minister of Health and Commissioners for Health as well as those of Permanent Secretaries remain the birthright of physicians without any trace of backing in the relevant statute books.

Harriet Nwachuku for Burial April 23 Ezinne Harriet Nwachuku (Nee Nwabueze), mother of the Chief Press Secretary/Special Adviser (Media) to Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Mr. Oguwike Nwachuku, who died on January 27, 2021 will be buried April 23, 2021.

According to a statement issued by the family, she will be laid to rest in her late husband’s compound – Nwachuku’s compound in Umueze Ogwuama, Ahiara in Ahaizu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State after a Church service at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Ahiara.

Ezinne Harriet was a trader, farmer, politician and social crusader who devoted her time and resources to the service of

God and humanity while she was alive.

She is survived by eight children, 24 grand-children, seven great grand-children, four daughters-in-law, one sister and many other relations.

Harriet Nwachuku

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Lagos to Establish Anti-corruption Agency Ejiofor Alike Lagos State has moved to deepen the culture of accountability and transparency in the expenditure of appropriated public funds, with the signing of a bill by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday establishing an anti-corruption commission in the state.

The governor assented to Public Complaints and AntiCorruption Commission Bill of 2021 at a brief ceremony held in Alausa.

The legislation, sponsored by the executive arm of the government, was signed into law days after it was passed by the House of Assembly.

With the legislation coming into force, the anti-corruption commission, which will be formally set up in the coming days by the governor, is backed by the instrument of law to investigate and prosecute officials of the state government and registered contractors indicted for economic crimes and financial misappropriation.

Also, Sanwo-Olu assented

to the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority Bill of 2021, initiated by the executive arm to coordinate activities of lotteries agencies operating within the state.

After the signing of the two bills into law, Sanwo-Olu said the action was a testimony to the state government’s effort towards entrenching accountability in governance and checking malfeasance among officers entrusted with public resources.

He said: “The bill establishing Public Complaints and AntiCorruption Commission is an important legislation critical to the delivery of quality services to the citizens. When we came in, we had said we would be accountable and responsible in the appropriation of the State’s resources. We want to stand in front of the citizens to give account on how public funds are being spent.

“To give credence to this promise, the executive arm initiated the bill and sent to the Assembly for approval. We believe that this law would not

Osinbajo Briefs Buhari after UK Trip President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday received briefing from Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

The briefing, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, was meant to update the President of developments while he was away.

Buhari had proceeded to London, United Kingdom on March 30 for what the Presidency described as a routine medical check-up.

He returned to the country last Thursday after spending 16 days in London.

Ramadan: Detained IMN Leader, Zakzaky Donates Foodstuff to the Needy John Shiklam in Kaduna The detained leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, has distributed foodstuffs worth millions of naira to the needy for the Ramadan fasting.

In a statement issued yesterday, his spokesman, Abdullahi Usman, said the distribution of the food stuff was flagged of yesterday in Kaduna and Zaria.

He said the food items, which included bags of sugar, rice, maize and millet, were distributed on behalf of Zakzaky, by his son, Muhammad Zakzaky.

According to Usman, the Islamic cleric instructed the distribution of the items to assist the needy during

the Ramadan fasting.

He added that “the cleric sends his best wishes to Muslims all over the world and assured them of his prayers throughout the Islamic fasting season.”

Usman said internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Katsina and Zamfara States are also to benefit from the distribution of the food items.

“Over 13 northern states benefited from the distribution. Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Plateau, Nasarawa and Bauchi States are among the beneficiaries of this kind gesture,” he said.

Over 300 members of the IMN were killed during the incident that led to his incarceration.

PDP Chieftain Berates Buhari over Worsening Insecurity Sylvester IdowuinWarri A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Delta State governorship aspirant, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has taking a swipe at President Muhammadu Buhari over the heightening insecurity, unemployment in Nigeria as well as the disregard for Nigerian Constitution, lamenting that Nigeria is hanging on a thread.

Onuesoke in a statement issued yesterday in Warri, Delta State, said Nigeria was at a crossroad gasping for breath from all indications of its national life.

According to him, “From all indications, it is obvious to the blind that Nigeria is at a crossroad, and it is hanging on a thread.

“The worsening security situation, hyper-geometric inflation rate, free-falling naira, capital flight, quadruple-rising unemployment rate, FDI shortfall, flagrant disregard for the constitution and brazen corruption by the Buhari-led government have become the new normal in our national life.

“Lack of focus and policy flip-flops have put our economy in jeopardy and in a state of comatose. Failure by the Buhari-led government to curb and tackle the security situation in the country has led to desolation, despair and fear among citizens who can no longer sleep with their two eyes closed since the government has become helpless in securing their lives and property.”

only ensure accountability of public funds, responsibility of public office, but also promote dialogue among public officers to keep the trust of the people in the discharge of their duties in line with transparency. The anti-corruption commission will ensure that all approved activities are implemented in accordance with budgetary allocation.”

Sanwo-Olu said the anticorruption commission would

be independent in its operations and functions, pointing out that the agency would complement efforts of similar agencies in the police and federal establishment.

The Lotteries and Gaming Authority Bill of 2021, the Governor disclosed, is to simplify and incorporate technological innovations in the gaming sector.

The law sought to harmonise five gaming and lottery formats, such as casino, jackpot, pool,

lotto and sports betting, thereby regulating the sector and checking fraudulent activities of unregistered game centres within the State.

Sanwo-Olu said the former lottery law of the State did not meet the contemporary needs in the industry, which was why the executive initiated the bill to accommodate technology in regulating the business.

“As a forward-looking Government, we are doing the needful to ensure fair play, regulation and monitoring is brought back into the gaming industry. The law is not in any form to stifle investment, but to offer better platform for lottery companies to enhance equity, transparency and make their investment more rewarding,” the governor said.

FIFTY-NINE HEARTY CHEERS…

L-R: Synod Secretary, Diocese of Lagos, Methodist Church Nigeria,Very Rev. John Olanrewaju Solubi; Archbishop of Lagos, Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Rev. Isaac Ayobami Olawuyi; and the 59th Annual Synod Diocese of Lagos’ Guest Preacher, Very Rev. Ayo Olu Oyadotun, at the 59th Annual 2021 Diocese of Lagos Diocese, at the Olorunda Circuit, Aguda, Surulere Lagos…weekend

GOVS SET MAY TARGET FOR FINANCIAL AUTONOMY OF STATE JUDICIARIES, LEGISLATURES Asked why the NGF has not commented on the controversy generated by a claim by Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, accusing the federal government of printing N60 billion to augment allocation to states, Fayemi said it did not require the governors’ response.

He said: “It’s because for us, this is not an issue that requires a statement from the governors.

The Minister of Finance has dealt with it and the issue is out there for you to deal with.”

FG to Meet Judiciary, Parliamentary Workers Today The Minister for Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, will today meet with the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN).

A notice of the meeting issued by the Deputy Director in charge of Press at the ministry, Mr. Charles Akpan said the reconciliatory meeting was aimed at resolving the grievances of the two unions.

Both JUSUN and PASAN are currently agitating for the federal government to to enforce the constitutional provisions granting financial autonomy to the judiciary and legislature.

Ngige had earlier met with the judiciary workers last week at the onset of their strike and appealed to them to suspend their action to allow for peaceful resolution of the dispute.

NBA Cautions FG, N’Assembly against Negotiating with Govs Meanwhile, the NBA has cautioned the federal government and the National Assembly against negotiating with state governors on the independence of the judiciary.

It said it was aware of plans by the governors to meet with the federal government and the leadership of the National Assembly, adding that both the executive and legislature lacked the rights to negotiate on constitutional

provisions.

Speaking during a protest march in solidarity with JUSUN, the NBA First Vice President, Mr. John Aikpokpo-Martins, said it would be in the best interest of the nation for the governors to obey the laws.

He said all over the country, NBA branches were meeting with governors to urge them to comply with the constitutional provisions on the financial autonomy for the judiciary.

He added that they were at the National Assembly to also urge lawmakers to speak with the executive to prevail on the governors to comply just like the federal government.

“We are aware that governors are seeking to negotiate; we are against it. We want to pass a message across that you have no right to negotiate provisions of the constitution,” he stated.

Aikpokpo-Martins said the governors should obey the constitution and judgments of the courts which were not appealed against or vacated.

He said Executive Order 10 was a product of an all-inclusive meeting of all stakeholders in the judiciary, including the governors, before Buhari signed it into law last year.

According to him, the parties at the meeting then agreed that the Accountant General of the Federation should pay directly to the heads of court without recourse to the governors.

Aikpokpo-Martins urged the federal government to garnishee accounts of state governments and pay directly to respective state judiciaries allocations due to them from funds due to states from the Federation Account.

He said failure to do so would not only amount to betrayal of the people but would portray them as accomplice with the governors.

Aikpokpo-Martins also criticised the leadership of the National Assembly for failing to receive them in spite of their

earlier letter informing them of their visit.

He described as shocking the conduct of the National Assembly, saying he was unable to understand why they should be shut out.

Earlier, the protesting lawyers had blocked the entrance of the National Assembly owing to the refusal of security operatives at the gate to grant them access.

Meanwhile, the judicial workers yesterday embarked on a nationwide protest, adding that they will not call off their strike and protest until their demands are met.

National Treasurer of the Union, Jimoh Alonge, said in Abuja at the commencement of their nationwide protest against the refusal of states to implement financial autonomy for state judiciaries that they resorted to protest in addition to their ongoing strike due to a botched meeting with the governors.

Alonge told reporters that although the judiciary is confronted with many problems, once the issue of financial autonomy is addressed, others would be taken care of.

He warned the National Assembly against passing a bill on etate judicial councils because it is not in the interest of justice and the judiciary.

He added that passing the could leave the state judiciaries at the mercy of the governors.

Independence of Judiciary Not Negotiable, Senate Tells Govs The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has said that the independence of the judiciary is not negotiable.

Bamidele spoke yesterday against the background of a rally at the National Assembly by members of the NBA. He stated that the federal parliament had made a law that would guarantee full autonomy

to the judiciary at the federal level and therefore called on state Houses of Assembly to pass a similar law to give full autonomy to the state judiciaries.

He said: “The National Assembly does not make laws for the states; such power resides in the state Houses of Assembly.

Judiciary at the Federal Capital Territory is independent because we have done what we are supposed to do. What is next is for the state Houses of Assembly to do what they are supposed to do.

“As a principle, as a policy, members of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, have tried not to call on those who are protesting to stop such protests. We do not want protests but definitely, we would rather talk more to state governors, Houses of Assembly and other stakeholders to do the needful in the overriding public interest.

“We cannot continue to call on the judiciary to give peace a chance when we know the conditions under which they work cannot guarantee a passionate and enhanced delivery of justice.

We are talking about judicial reform, we are talking about the need for justice sector reforms.

This is central and crucial to the independence of the judiciary in this country.

“We must be left behind by the rest of the civilised world. Nobody stands to lose anything by granting independence to judiciary at the state level since it has been done at the national level. The fact that workers and staff of federal judiciary are joining the protest is only in solidarity with their colleagues at the state levels.

It is a union matter and we do not have a control over it.

“We are hereby calling on the state governors to do the needful because the independence of the judiciary is non-negotiable. No democracy can survive without being founded on the rule of law and independent judiciary.”

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TUESDAY APRIL 20, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

24 HOURS...

24 HOURS...

Manhunt Launched for Attackers of Anambra Zonal Police Headquarters FG orders police to step up operations to stop South-east attacks David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka and Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia The federal government has ordered the police to step up operations to stop attacks on their formations in the South-east and other parts of the country.

The Minister of Police Affairs, Mr. Mohammad Dingyadi, who gave the order, also commended police personnel for repelling an attack on the Zonal Police Headquarters, Zone 13, in Ukpo, Anambra State.

The Anambra State Commissioner for Police, Mr. Kuryas Monday, is to lead a special operation aimed at tracing, identifying and arresting the attackers of the zonal command headquarters.

Besides the attack on the zonal command, the Divisional Police Headquarters, Uzuakoli in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, was in the early hours of yesterday razed down by yet-to-be identified hoodlums.

Dingyadi said he had directed an intelligence-led kinetic operation to neutralise perpetrators of violence in the South-east.

“I commend last night repel of attack on Zone 13, zonal headquarters Anambra State, leading to recovery of one GMP gun used by the hoodlums.

I’ve directed an intelligence-led kinetic operational to neutralise perpetrators of violence in the South-east and elsewhere in

Nigeria,” the minister tweeted.

Manhunt Launched for Attackers of Anambra Zonal Headquarters Gunmen in the wee hours of yesterday attacked the Zonal Police Headquarters, Zone 13, Ukpo in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State.

A video circulated on social media and made by a police officer on duty at the zonal headquarters, showed that a building in the compound was set ablaze, while vehicles on the premises were also burnt.

THISDAY gathered that two policemen, an inspector and a constable, were killed in the attack.

The zonal police headquarters has also confirmed that its facility was attacked by gunmen.

The Zonal Public Relations Officer, Nkeiruka Nwode, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said in a statement yesterday that the attackers were repelled and some of their arms seized.

She said: “Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to Zone 13 Headquarters, Ukpo, Anambra State, have successfully repelled an attack on the zonal headquarters by criminal elements in the early hours of today, April 19, 2021.

“The attackers, who came in their numbers shooting sporadically in order to gain access to the facility, were repelled by

police personnel on duty who showed profound gallantry in the face of the seemingly overwhelming attack.

“Following the inability of the attackers to access the facility, they threw petrol bombs and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on vehicles within the periphery of the headquarters.”

She, could not confirm if policemen were killed during the attack, but said one of the criminals was neutralised during the exchange of gunfire between the police and the attackers while many of the gang members escaped with gunshots injuries.

“One L7A2 General-Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), 92 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, one

locally-made smoke pistol and an axe were recovered by the police.

Regrettably, two police operatives sustained gunshot injuries and are presently receiving treatment,” she added.

She also quoted yesterday, who was also standing in for the Zonal Assistant Inspector General of Police as commending the police personnel for repelling the attackers.

“The CP, supported by other senior officers from Zone 13 headquarters and the state command, is personally leading a special operation aimed at tracing, identifying and arresting the perpetrators to bring them to book.

“He also called on proprietors of private and public (including

unorthodox) medical facilities in and around Anambra State to admit, but report anyone found seeking medical attention for bullet wounds and related injuries to the nearest police station,” she stated.

Monday urged the people of the state to be steadfast and go about their lawful duties, saying that the police will continually provide them with security.

Again, Hoodlums Raze Police Station in Abia Meanwhile, the Divisional Police Headquarters, Uzuakoli in Bende LGA of Abia State, was in the early hours of yesterday razed down by hoodlums.

The spokesman of the state police command, Geoffrey Ogbonna, a Superintendent of

Police, confirmed the attack to journalists in Umuahia, saying that the hoodlums struck at about 2.00am yesterday.

He said the hoodlums used rocket launchers and dynamite to burn down the police station, adding that the policemen on duty had resisted the attackers but were overpowered.

According to Ogbonna, two detainees in police cell were set free by the attackers while some vehicles were burnt. But no life was lost and no arms looted.

He said that the police had launched investigation into the incident and would get at those behind it.

PDP Chieftain Berates Buhari LET THERE BE LIGHT...

L-R: World Bank’s Country Director, Mr. Shubhan Chaudhuri; Actis, Principal, Mr. Tolu Sokenu; Minister of State for Power, Mr. Goddy Jeddy over Worsening Insecurity Agba; Deputy High Commissioner, United Kingdom, Mr. Ben Llewellyn-Jones; and Managing Director, Rural Electrification Agency, Mr. Sylvester Idowu in Warri A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Delta State governorship aspirant, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has taking a swipe at President Muhammadu Buhari over the heightening insecurity, unemployment in Nigeria as well as the disregard for Nigerian Constitution, lamenting that Nigeria is hanging on a thread.

Onuesoke in a statement issued yesterday in Warri, Delta State, said Nigeria was at a crossroad gasping for breath from all indications of its national life.

According to him, “From all indications, it is obvious to the blind that Nigeria is at a crossroad, and it is hanging on a thread.

“The worsening security situation, hyper-geometric inflation rate, free-falling naira, capital flight, quadruple-rising unemployment rate, FDI shortfall, flagrant disregard for the constitution and brazen corruption by the Buhari-led government have become the new normal in our national life.

“Lack of focus and policy flip-flops have put our economy in jeopardy and in a state of comatose. Failure by the Buhariled government to curb and tackle the security situation in

the country has led to desolation, despair and fear among citizens who can no longer sleep with their two eyes closed since the government has become helpless in securing their lives and property.”

The PDP chieftain noted that the federal government has polarised Nigeria along ethnic and religious line, stressing that never has the country been divided across ethnic and religious line “like we have today under this government, whose hallmark is built on the basis of nepotism and ethnicity, not forgetting that we currently have a known terrorist apologist as a member of the federal cabinet as the head of a very sensitive government office.

“It is not surprising that Nigeria has become the world headquarters for extreme poverty and country with the highest unemployment population within a space of five years of this government, whose only aspiration and agenda is to pursue and encourage policies and programmes that tend to divide us as a people.

“The economy has been so bastardised to the point that we have resorted to the printing of naira notes to augment government expense.”

Ahmad Saihijo Ahmad, during the minister’s visit to Jabi Lake Mall Solar Hybrid Project, powered by Actis UK in Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja.... yesterday JULIUS ATOI

Parents, Students Face More Challenges as JAMB Insists on NIN Kuni Tyessi in Abuja Following the insistence of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to make use of the National Identity Number (NIN) as prerequisite for the 2021 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), parents and students have continued to lament that more hardship has been added to their registration predicament.

Speaking to THISDAY in

exclusive interviews, they (parents and students) said JAMB has forced them to go through difficulties like extortion from NIMC officials, long queues in scorching weather, non-adherence to COVID-19 protocols, thereby exposing them to danger, and other unwholesome practices devoid of ethics just to qualify for registration.

Earlier, the Board had on April 5, 2021, extended its registration date, and had in a statement

signed by its Head of Information and Public Affairs, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, apologised for its inability to complete the process of a smooth pin vending and candidate access to the registration app for the 2021 UTME/DE examinations.

JAMB had said: “This delay is caused by some unforeseen circumstances occasioned by our determined effort to have NIN integration. This challenge is being resolved, and once that is done, all processes shall commence.

Candidates are therefore requested to exercise some patience.”

However, two days later, the Board, through its spokesperson, announced that registration had commenced as: “It was only put on hold to resolve the technical hitches. Registration is now in full swing.”

Despite the JAMB’s claim that it had solved all pending NIN hitches, parents and candidates are of the opinion that enough has not been done by the Board.

Ramadan: Detained IMN Leader, Zakzaky Donates Foodstuff to the Needy John Shiklam in Kaduna The detained leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, has distributed foodstuffs worth millions of naira to the needy for the Ramadan fasting.

In a statement issued yesterday, his spokesman, Abdullahi Usman, said the distribution of the food stuff

was flagged of yesterday in Kaduna and Zaria.

He said the food items, which included bags of sugar, rice, maize and millet, were distributed on behalf of Zakzaky, by his son, Muhammad Zakzaky.

According to Usman, the Islamic cleric instructed the distribution of the items to assist the needy during the Ramadan fasting.

He added that “the cleric sends his best wishes to Muslims all over the world and assured them of his prayers throughout the Islamic fasting season.”

Usman said internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Katsina and Zamfara States are also to benefit from the distribution of the food items.

“Over 13 northern states benefited from the distribution.

Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Plateau, Nasarawa and Bauchi States are among the beneficiaries of this kind gesture,” he said.

Over 300 members of the IMN were killed during the incident that led to his incarceration.

Zakzaky and his wife are currently being prosecuted by the Kaduna State Government for alleged culpable homicide and unlawful assembly among others.

39

˜ ͺ͸˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

TUESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

ENGLISH FA CUP FINAL

Ikpeba Tasks Iheanacho to Take His Chances against Chelsea Duro Ikhazuagbe Former African Footballer of the Year, Victor Ikpeba, has tasked Super Eagles forward, Kelechi Iheanacho, to take his chances when Leicester City play Chelsea in the final of the English FA Cup on Saturday, May 15 at the Wembley

Stadium.

Iheanacho powered the Foxes into their final since 1969 with his lone goal against Southampton on Sunday night.

Speaking during Monday Night Football programme on SuperSport, the former Super Eagles forward who was crowned king of African football

LA LIGA

Villarreal Boss Wants More Goals from Chukwueze Villarreal CF Manager, Unai Emery, has asked Samuel Chukwueze to score more goals after the Super Eagles winger fired a brace against UD Levante in the Spanish topflight.

On Sunday night, Chukwueze scored a brace to help Villarreal defeated hosts Levante 5-1 in a La Liga clash.

The 21-year-old player has now scored three goals in 25 league games this season.

He has only matched the tally he achieved last season.

The former Nigerian Golden Eaglet netted five times in his debut La Liga season.

“He’s a very young player who has to find consistency,” Emery told the Villarreal website yesterday.

“We need to take steps forward with him and be demanding. He’s a footballer with great quality. He has a lot of talent, but he needs to improve in front of goal.

“Today (Sunday night) he put in a great performance

defence under manager, Thomas Tuchel,” warned the former Monaco FC star.

Earlier, in the euphoria of the final ticket in the bag with his 10th goal in the last seven matches for Leicester, Iheanacho declared his love for the FA Cup. Since the start of the 2015-16 season, no player has scored more in this competition than Iheanacho, who also struck twice to knock out Manchester United in the last eight.

“The FA Cup loves me and I love the FA Cup,” said Iheanacho. “I was in the right place at the right time. I’ve been unlucky in the past few years but it’s working out well

now and I need to go to the next level,” Iheanacho opened up to UK’s Daily Mail.

Jamie Vardy’s brilliant burst and cross created Iheanacho’s strike and the Nigerian added: “The partnership is outstanding. He has pace, he has everything. He set up the goal and I was in the right place at the right time.”

Leicester Boss Brendan Rodgers has also reached his first FA Cup Final after losing to Aston Villa six years ago when in charge of Liverpool.

Rodgers also has Leicester in contention for a top-four finish this term.

He said: “The club have been waiting a long time to get to an

FA Cup Final. It’s something I’ve been made well aware of and something that means a lot to the supporters.

“We deserved it. We didn’t concede any efforts on goal, and as the game wore on we looked really bright.

“The two of them (Vardy and Iheanacho) are a real threat.

Jamie may not be scoring but he gives us so much and Kelechi is such a great guy who is at the top of his game in terms of confidence.”

Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “I think we left everything on the pitch today, but we had no shots on target. It was a bit unlucky how we conceded the goal.”

and managed to score.”

Chukwueze’s brace partly helped Villarreal CF to climb to fifth on La Liga table.

The Nigerian international scored in the 63rd minute, before he completed his brace on 75 minutes.

Chukwueze’s club are also in the semifinal of this season’s Europa League, where they are pitched against Arsenal, who incidentally were the team who first wanted to sign their 21-year-old Nigeria star.

Kelechi Iheanacho ( in front) getting a pat on the back from Leicester City Manager, Brendan Rodgers on Sunday night

Samuel Chukwueze...scored brace for Villarreal on Sunday night

NWFL Super Six Begins with Fanfare in Ijebu Ode The much awaited NWFL Premiership Super Six challenge to determine the 2020/2021 champion and the country’s representative to the WAFU B qualifiers for the CAF Women Champions League 2021 started at the Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode with fanfare.

Expectedly, Nigeria’s top soccer buffs were led to the venue by NFF President and FIFA Council member, Amaju Pinnick, who virtually moved the Federation’s office to Ijebu Ode. The six top clubs showed the class they were made off as only one victory was recorded between Delta Queens and Edo Queens, which ended 2-1 earning the Delta girls the only three points of the night.

The remaining games ended in score draws, as Bayelsa Queens forced Sunshine Queens to a 1-1 draw, while FC Robo forced Rivers Angels to yet another 1-1 draw.

The Rivers Angels versus FC Robo game was watched by the NFF President, Pinnick, the Super Falcons Chief coach, Randy Waldrum, NFF Technical Director, , Augustine Eguavoen, Shehu Gusau, Ahlan and

in 1997, insisted that having come this far, Iheanacho must take his chances against the Blues if he’s to join the elite class of Nigerian internationals like Kanu Nwankwo and Daniel Amokachi who have won the foremost football trophy in the world.

“Iheanacho has shown that he can be relied on anytime Jamie Vardy fails to get the back of the net.

“In his last few games for Leicester City, he has displayed a good sense of goal-scoring and helped the team push for glory in the FA Cup. “But he must have to take his chances against a Chelsea side that seem to have a tight

the Chairman Delta Sports Commission, Tonobok Okowa, Chief Solomon Ogba, Dr. Kweku Tandoh and Warri Wolves Chairman, Moses Etu. The first match between Edo Queens and Delta Queens attracted huge interest from the government of the two states. The Delta State Sports Commission chairman, Tonobok Okowa, was listed as the Delta Queens Technical Adviser. And he actually functioned well, as he frequented the team’s bench where he shouted out instructions to the players.

These instructions propelled the team to record a valuable victory against Edo Queens, the only victory of the Day One of the Super Six. It was a roll call of Nigeria’s football technocrats coming to Ijebu-Ode to give morale support to the board of the NWFL and a board member of the NFF, Aisha Falode.

The Super Six challenge continues tomorrow at the Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode with a revised fixtures that would see changes in the kick off time for first game from 2pm to 10 am, second game at 12 noonand third game at 4pm.

Omo-Agege Hails Team Delta for Emerging Overall Champion at NSF Deji Elumoye in Abuja Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has congratulated Team Delta for clinching first position at the just concluded 20th National Sports Festival held in Benin City, Edo State.

Team Delta emerged tops with a total of 384 medals made up of 158 gold, 116 silver and 110 bronze.

In a congratulatory message on Monday, OmoAgege expressed profound appreciation to the athletes

that represented the state, stressing that grassroots sports development, catching them young and encouraging young people to be more active in sports have made the difference.

He also congratulated the host and second placed Edo State for being outstanding in hosting all the delegates throughout the tournament.

The Delta Central ranking Senator also commended the contribution of the South-south states for paving the way in sports development in

Nigeria as he called on other geo-political zones to emulate and replicate the secrets of the success story of the area.

Omo-Agege encouraged athletes not to settle for less and go the extra mile in improving on themselves, adding that this is the only way they will be at the world stage to fly the country’s flag.

The DSP congratulated his constituent, Efetobor Wesley Apochi, for knocking out Dean Nicholson to win the WBA Title Eliminator.

Apochi, captain of the

Nigeria Boxing Team, has represented Nigeria in several international tournament as a heavyweight boxer.

He said: “We are proud to associate with our son of the soil as we celebrate yet again victory for the whole of the Urhobo Nation and Nigeria at large.

“Our doors are always open to support our teeming youth in terms of sports and encourage them to take advantage of the numerous opportunities in the world of sports,” he concluded.

Mourinho: Where Next After Spurs?

There will always be a market for managers like Jose Mourinho, who can put his winning record on the table, but he is now involved in the law of diminishing returns when it comes to the stature of clubs who will want him.

The Portuguese was sacked as Spurs manager on Monday after 17 fruitless run in charge of Spurs.

However, Mourinho is still headline news and wherever he arrives will ignite hopes that the return of the charismatic “Special One” will lead to former successes being revived.

Even when he left Manchester

United, where he stayed at a city centre hotel rather than establish a permanent home in the area, he could answer his critics to some extent by pointing at two trophies then a second-placed finish in the Premier League which he described as “one of his best achievements” because “people don’t know what is going on behind the scenes”.

He cannot do that after this unfulfilling, failed spell at Spurs and it is hard to see any return to the Premier League for a man who, for all the questions, has a magnificent record and has been one of the towering managerial figures of the modern era.

There are not too many truly elite clubs around Europe who would consider turning to Mourinho at present, although he could yet prove a lure for someone, so it may be that his next role could be one he has spoken about taking in the latter stages of his career, specifically coach of Portugal.

The Mourinho era in the Premier League looks to be over - and for good or bad it will be a less lively place without him.

The sudden nature of Mourinho’s sacking suggests Tottenham have a clear vision of his successor, although how

swiftly the appointment is made is still under question as Ryan Mason, who has been working with the academy, took training on Monday.

The very obvious candidate is RB Leipzig’s Julian Nagelsmann, the 33-year-old who is regarded as one of Europe’s brightest young coaches, but the complication now may well be interest from Bayern Munich after coach Hansi Flick announced his intention to leave. Bayern may well prove a far more attractive proposition to Spurs for the German should they pursue a serious interest.

Tuesday April 20, 2021

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

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Price: N250

MISSILE Senate to Govs

“Nobody stands to lose anything by granting independence to judiciary at the state level since it has been done at the national level. No democracy can survive without being founded on the rule of law and independent judiciary” – The Senate asking governors of the 36 states to implement full autonomy for the judiciary.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI abati1990@gmail.com

The South West Presidential Hopefuls

M

ost of the politicians whose names have been mentioned in connection with Nigeria’s 2023 Presidential election, either as a hopeful or an aspirant would readily tell you it is too early to talk about the next election. Don’t buy that. They are lying. The race for the next Nigerian elections began immediately the last general elections ended. The politicians are at best hedging their bets. Perhaps for this reason: The two major political parties – the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are busy watching and spying on each other. They have so far refused to announce their zoning formula, but even with all that talk about merit and competence, both parties will still adopt a zoning principle at all levels.

The way I see it, the questions to consider are as follows: Will the Presidency be zoned to the North, the East or the South? The people of the South East have already stated clearly, and they are not joking about this, that the only way to ensure equity, fairness and justice is to allow the Presidency go around the six geo-political zones before anyone begins to reject zoning.

Meanwhile, what we have seen across the country’s six geo-political zones, are persons who have been testing the waters, flying kites, engaging in whispering campaigns, auto-suggesting the future of Nigeria. I intend to devote some time to a deconstruction of the emerging trends, particularly in the South West where members of the APC have made it clear that there is an outstanding Memorandum of Understanding within the party dating back to 2014/2015. The understanding is that after President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, the Presidency will be zoned to the South West. Key political figures in the South West wing of the APC are relying on this promise and agreement. Who are they? What is the state of play? Will the APC keep the promise? My preliminary reading is as follows: The most dominant name, figure and player in South West politics, at the moment is Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Jagaban of Borgu, former two-term Governor of Lagos State, the man who led the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) into the alliance with Buhari’s Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the new PDP, a faction of APGA and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to form the APC, the Special Purpose Acquisition Company, that grabbed power by hook or crook from the PDP in 2015. Tinubu is a national leader of the APC. The big elephant in the APC room is that he, the well-known Godfather, wants to be President in 2023. His posters are all over the country. Yesterday, I saw one of those posters proclaiming his 2023 Presidential ambition around the

Fayemi

Ikoyi-Lekki link bridge in Lagos. And I was like: really, so this thing is true? A few days earlier, social media was awash with images of small bags of rice with Tinubu’s image being distributed in parts of the North. His spokesperson says he has nothing to do with that. Just the handiwork of benevolent volunteers who are distributing rice, in the godfather’s name, in the spirit of Ramadan.

Before that particular monkey business, Tinubu was also shown cosying up to the North; his 69th birthday colloquium was held in Kano, and he has been seen, lately, trying to be more Northern than the average Northerner. Tinubu’s alleged Presidential ambition has driven up hypertension levels across regions. But his ambition if it exists, is unpopular.

Not even his own Yoruba people have bought into it despite the pretensions of a vocal minority. I really don’t think Asiwaju Tinubu wants to be President, nor will he be. In the course of his political career, he has made more than enough enemies and acquired more than enough baggage, stepping on toes, and playing the role of a Grand Architect.

If he steps forward to grab the Crown, he faces the prospect of being told ugly and unpleasant stories. My view is that Asiwaju Tinubu is savouring the talks about his possible Presidency just to reestablish and reinforce his own relevance.

In case some people have forgotten, he more or less single-handedly handed over the South West to President Buhari in 2015 and 2019. He is today the only person in the South West who can stand up to the same North to remind other elements in the APC of the MOU that was signed when he decided to lead the South West to support Buhari and keep him in office. He wants to remain relevant

and have a voice in determining who becomes President in 2023. His greatest strength is in identifying and building talent. He is exceptional in that regard in contemporary Yoruba politics.

The only problem is that other Nigerians would not want to hand over Nigeria to him so he can run it with the same kind of totalitarian grip that he has over Lagos.

His Presidential ambition, for that reason alone is dead on arrival. His strength is his hubris. But once he achieves his goal of remaining relevant and being the go-to-person in the South West, he will be fine, and that is all I believe he can get. Tinubu’s so-called Presidential ambition is all about tactics, so finely honed that anybody who wants to be President from the South West cannot side-line him. With the noise made so far about his imagined Presidency, Tinubu appears to have already checkmated every other likely aspirant from the South West. But that may not be the true picture of things.

There is Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. He has been facing his assignment as Vice President dutifully, doing only what they allow him to do and keeping his head slightly above water. In six years of being Vice President in a cabal-dominated environment, he is beginning to look like he has learnt his lessons. However, there are persons who think that he is President Buhari’s safest bet as a successor. He is not likely to probe the Buhari administration for sure.

That would amount to self-immolation.

The way the Buhari government has played its game so far, if power gets into the hands of an adversary, every member of that government would have to leave town or prepare to go to jail.

There are forces and elements waiting to expose and humiliate President Buhari the moment he leaves office and they are wielding all kinds of weapons: their pens, laptops, tongues and smart phones.

An Osinbajo Presidency will naturally serve as a bulwark against that, to the extent that a President Osinbajo is not likely to betray his bos w s. There is also the view that Pastor Adeboye once predicted that a member of his church would one day rule Nigeria. Could he have been referring to Osinbajo?

But there are problems: Osinbajo is a teacher of letters, the law and the word of God. He doesn’t have a political base of his own. It is too late for him to create one. He is therefore, completely, a creation of Tinubu’s political machinery.

If Tinubu is genuinely interested in becoming Nigeria’s President, I don’t see Professor Osinbajo challenging his former boss and benefactor. He can try but he won’t succeed. If Tinubu backs him however, he will be a main player.

If Buhari supports him also, then he would have received divine anointing.

His Redeemed Church politics may however count against him.

There is also Senator Ibikunle Amosun, former Governor of Ogun State. His name has been mentioned as a potential President of Nigeria from the South West. Amosun has been Senator twice representing Ogun Central. He has also been a two-term Governor of Ogun State.

He has both bureaucratic and legislative experience. He also spent his initial years as a key player in the private sector, so it can be said of him that he has quality and broad-range experience. He, Tinubu, and Osinbajo are not likely to be tongue-tied at an international conversation forum whether on radio, television or in person.

But Amosun’s biggest obstacle is that his fortunes depend almost entirely on President Buhari. He is Buhari’s man and friend. Can President Buhari make him President? I am not sure. There are forces in Amosun’s immediate constituency that will fight tooth and nail to stop him.

Tinubu. Osoba. Gbenga Daniel. Dapo Abiodun. And others. Besides, Amosun’s main constituency is Abeokuta where he has proven to be a loyal son of the Realm. A Nigerian President of whatever regional extraction will need a lot more than village support. He is also a Muslim like Tinubu and Buhari. That could be a problem.

There is also Kayode Fayemi, the current Governor of Ekiti State. Some people tell me he is the man to look at if the APC zones the Presidency to the South West. Like Amosun, he has been Governor twice in his state of birth.

Like Vice President Osinbajo, he is well educated. He has also been a Minister of the Federal Republic in charge of Mines and Steel Development. He can write, talk, and hold his own in international circles. He has a Ph.D in War Studies.

And Nigeria just happens to be at war.

He is also the only one who does not have the kind of baggage that the others carry on their backs like the curse of Atlas. Fayemi has not said he wants to be President, but there are persons pointing in his direction. I tell them he is my friend and brother and that he has one of the best wives anyone can get who will make an excellent First Lady for Nigeria. In Ekiti State, he has put up a great performance. He is also unencumbered compared to the others from his zone. But people don’t become President because they have everything in place, from “the other room” to the public sphere. Will Fayemi no longer be part of the conversation when he ceases to be Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum? Is his Chairmanship an advantage? My take is that the biggest challenge to anybody’s Presidential ambition in the South West today is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He won’t be President. But will he also be allowed to determine Nigeria’s future?

And unfortunately. we are all bound to revisit that perennial controversy about religion and ethnicity.

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