TUESDAY 27TH JULY 2021

FG Orders Activation of COVID-19 Isolation Centres Nationwide 10 persons test positive for Delta variant at Lagos, Abuja airports Government to prosecute breakers of quarantine rule

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The federal government has directed all COVID-19 Isolation Centres across the country to immediately activate their facilities in anticipation of a

possible spike in infection.

Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, gave the directive yesterday in Abuja at a media briefing on COVID-19 update.

The move came as the government said it had identified

10 positive cases of COVID-19 Delta variant in passengers who came in mostly from the Lagos and Abuja airports. It stressed that henceforth, stringent measures would be put in place to monitor incoming passengers

from countries where the virus had become more virulent, maintaining that anyone who breaks the isolation rule would be prosecuted.

The minster said the federal government had deployed

rapid testing kits at all official entry points to the country, including the Idioroko and Seme border posts, to ensure stricter monitoring and prevention of disease importation into Nigeria.

Ehanire disclosed that in

the past 24 hours, the world had witnessed an increase in reported cases of the virus across a significant number of countries, due to the high transmissibility of the Delta Variant. He said Continued on page 12

Alleged Treasonable Felony: Court Declines to Try Kanu in Absentia...Page 8 Tuesday 27 July, 2021 Vol 26. No 9605. Price: N250

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Buhari, Other World Leaders to Raise $5bn for Education Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun (centre) and all the 20 newly sworn-in local government council chairmen of the state, after their inauguration at the Arcade Ground, State Secretariat, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.. yesterday

President Muhammadu Buhari and other world leaders are to raise $5 billion to support the education sector in about 90 countries where 80 per cent of the world’s out-of-school children live. Buhari, presently in London with senior officials of his government to attend the Global Education Summit holding in the European country, will along with the Continued on page 12

PDP Govs: Free, Fair, Credible Elections Not Negotiable in 2023 Reject proposed direct primaries in electoral bill Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

Governors elected on the platform of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, declared a firm stand on the conduct of free, fair and transparent elections in 2023. The PDP Governors Forum said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be equipped to ensure a technology-driven election.

The forum stated this after a meeting in Bauchi. It

rejected the idea of choosing the candidates of their party for any election through a direct primary election, as being proposed in the draft electoral bill.

Chairman of the forum and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, said his colleagues, who were moving to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) did so to avoid prosecution for corrupt practices.

The governors warned Continued on page 12

Buhari Signs N982.7bn Supplementary Appropriation Bill into Law...Page 6

JUSTICE FOR OANDO...

President Muhammadu Buhari (left) and Group Managing Director of Oando Plc, Mr. Wale Tinubu, exchanging pleasantries during the latter's 'thank you' visit to the President...recently

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Group News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 0803 350 6821, 0809 7777 322

Buhari Signs N982.7bn Supplementary Appropriation Bill into Law Targets adequate provision of security, medical infrastructure Votes fund for construction of 10 molecular laboratories nationwide

Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday signed the 2021 Supplementary Appropriation Bill of N982, 729,695,343 into law.

The bill was sent to the National Assembly for approval last month after its approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). It was passed penultimate week by the

legislators before proceeding on their annual vacation.

Presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, in a release disclosed that the new Appropriation Act would largely focus on funding security and health sectors, especially the COVID-19 needs of the nation.

The president signed the Supplementary Appropriation

Bill 2021 in his office at the State House, Abuja, during a brief ceremony witnessed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari; Director General, Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze; and Senior Special Assistant

to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), Hon. Umar el-Yakub.

Of the amount, N123.3 billion is for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure while the sum of the N859.3 billion is for contribution to the Development Fund for capital expenditure for the year ending on December 31, 2021.

Buhari commended the National Assembly for the expeditious consideration and approval of the supplementary budget, assuring that the executive would ensure the timely delivery of capital projects to achieve the objectives of the budget.

Shedding more light on the Appropriation Act after the

BUHARI SIGNS SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET… L-R: Director General Budget, Mr. Ben Akabueze; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; President Muhammadu Buhari; Secretary, Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha and Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, during the President’s signing of the 2021 Supplementary Budget passed by the National Assembly at the State House, Abuja… yesterday

Osinbajo: Discos’ Revenue Collection Has Increased by 63% Says FG committed to $3bn investment in power transmission, distribution Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday disclosed that revenues collected by electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) in the country had increased by 63 per cent because of reforms carried out in the power sector, including the introduction of Service-Based Tariff (SBT). Osinbajo stated this while speaking on the theme, “Strategic Responses of the Energy Sector to COVID-19 Impacts on African Economies,” at the 14th annual conference of the Nigerian Association of Energy Economics (NAEE).

The vice president said with increasing funding, the power sector would soon be fully financed by the market, rather than government subsidies.

Although, it remains debatable if the rising revenues accruing to the Discos have reflected in the supply of electricity to Nigerians.

Osinbajo did not mention the new monthly collection, but the Discos posted a record N44.5 billion revenue collection in September 2020, the highest ever recorded by the power distributors, a month after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directed banks to take over the collection of revenues from the Discos.

He said in collaboration with the private sector, efforts to invest $3 billion in revamping the

distribution and transmission networks were on-going.

The vice president, who was represented by Special Adviser to the President on Infrastructure, Mr. Ahmad Zakari, stated, “Electricity tariff reforms with the service-based tariff have increased collections from the electricity sector by 63 per cent, increasing revenue assurance for gas producers and stabilising the value chain.

“It is anticipated that all electricity market revenues will be obtained from the market with limited subsidies as reforms in metering and efficiency with the Discos continue to improve.

“There is accelerated investment in transmission and distribution (over $3 billion) infrastructure that will put Nigeria on a path to 10GW+ and beyond through interventions with the CBN, the Siemens partnership, the World Bank, and African Development Bank and others.”

The vice president said in furtherance of efforts to extend electricity to the whole country, the current administration had continued to invest in expanding generation to cater for its current and future needs. He disclosed that the Okpai PH II plant, the Afam III fast power plant, the Zungeru hydro plant, and the Kashimbilla hydro plant would add more than 1000 MW in both gas and renewable segments to

the country’s generation capacity.

According to Osinbajo, the administration has transformed the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) into a renewable energydriven organisation with solar power at its heart, with the five million solar connections programme, the Solar Power Naija. This aims to supply power 25 million citizens through private and public private partnerships and is the largest off-grid connections programme in Africa.

He stated that the energy sector was one of the most critical sectors hit by COVID-19 due to the fact

that it relies on human input.

According to him, the lockdown in major cities and restrictions in movement across the globe caused a halt in the operations of many energy organisations, leading to huge revenue losses for both the public and private sectors.

Earlier, President of NAEE, Professor Yinka Omorogbe, explained that an estimated 689 million people, comprising roughly nine per cent of the global population, lived in extreme poverty in 2020, with 70 per cent of them in Africa and 100 million in Nigeria. Omorogbe

said Africa was blessed with abundant energy resources, including coal, bitumen, crude oil, natural gas, solar energy, wind, tidal and wave energy, as well as geothermal energy.

She regretted that these resources had not been optimally harnessed for the use of the people.

Last year, a circular signed

by CBN’s Director of Banking Supervision, Mr. Bello Hassan, stated that all electricity collections for services provided by Discos should henceforth be domiciled in deposit money banks to enhance full disclosure.

signing ceremony, El-Yakub said, “The president has assented the Supplementary Appropriation Bill, so now it’s Supplementary Appropriation Act, since it has been assented by Mr. President.

“Of course, you know, the Supplementary Appropriation Bill was submitted to the National Assembly and they made an expeditious consideration of the bill and it was passed and transmitted in record time and Mr. President has today assented to that bill. It will come into force from today.”

According to him, the bill is targeted only at infrastructure to improve security and healthcare, including the provision of infrastructure in all the military formations; Defense, Civil Defence, Police and the Department of State Services. He said all the security services in the country would benefit from the supplementary budget because of the president's commitment to combating crimes, insurgency, and all the security challenges facing the country.

El-Yakub said, “To that end, this bill is very important and it has been assented to. Another critical area of concern is the health sector, which, of course, we know with the pandemic, there is need to invest in that sector as well. Mr. President, having assented to the bill, you'll find that molecular laboratories, about 10 of them, will be established nationwide.

“Oxygen plants are also going to be established nationwide and some rehabilitated, especially the ones in Abuja, as well as procurement of vaccines, including the J&J vaccine, which is a one-shot vaccine that had been approved by NAFDAC earlier in the in the year.

“So, all these monies are targeted towards health and security issues.”

The presidential aide also disclosed that the president had earlier assented to the Orthopaedic Hospital Management Board Amendment Bill, which is an establishment bill.

Under the new Act, elYakub said there would be an Orthopaedic Hospital to be established in Jos, Plateau State, which will be affiliated to the University of Jos Teaching Hospital to provide specialised orthopaedic treatment and medical services, which will fall under the purview of the hospital management board.

Ghanaian Government Denies Alleged Addo’s Disparaging Comment on Nigeria Michael Olugbode in Abuja The Ghana government has denied a disparaging comment credited to its president, Akufo Addo on Nigeria and Nigerians.

The Ghanaian President in the report on the social media was alleged to have asked Nigerians to go back to their country and make it better.

The headline of the publication read: “Go Back to your Country and Make it Better- Nana Akufo tells Nigerians.”

The body of the report read: “The Nigerian government

sending special envoys to us will never change the way we will govern our nation.

“The same Ghanaians you chased away in 1983 during Buhari administration is the same Ghanaians Nigerians are running to for shelter. We fought for a better Ghana with our blood by carrying out a revolution. We killed corrupt politicians for Ghana to be a new nation.

“Nigerians are being chased in South Africa, Kenya, Senegal, UAE, all over the world because of failed government. The government of Nigeria is a

disgrace to democracy and justice in Africa. We expect Nigerian youths to wake up from their slumber for a better Nigeria.”

But reacting to the publication, the Ghanaian government, in a statement released to the Nigerian media by Ghana High Commission in Nigeria on Monday said: “The attention of Ghanaian officials has been drawn to another spurious publication by faceless individuals,who are hell bent on destroying the very cordial and brotherly relations existing between our leaders (President

Akufo Addo and President Buhari).

“President Akufo Addo has not and will not make any disparaging remarks about any country and her people, let alone a very strategic partner like the Federal Republic of Nigeria and her people.

“Clearly, this is the work of people, who hate the progress, the two leaders are making to forge more deepened and strategic relations. The said publication is false and should be seen as the work of detractors, who want to sow discord between our leaders and people.”

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Alleged Treasonable Felony: Court Declines to Try Kanu in Absentia Orders DSS to produce him on October 21 Igboho tried behind closed-doors in Cotonou Afenifere lauds Ooni, Olubadan over Yoruba agitator, accuses FG of harassing freedom fighters Alex Enumah in Abuja and Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday, declined to proceed with the trial of self-acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu until he was physically brought to court.

The judge, who ordered the Department of State Service (DSS) to produce him by October 21, declined to go ahead with the trial in absentia since Kanu has been re-arrested and in custody of the DSS. But Sunday Adeyemi, otherwise called Sunday Igboho, who was being tried in Benin Republic, was yesterday tried behind closed doors as journalists and his supporters were shut out.

Similarly, Afenifere, a Pan Yoruba socio-political organisation, yesterday, lauded the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II and the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, for sending a delegation to Benin Republic, where Chief Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho,was facing trial.

Kanu and three others were standing trial for alleged treasonable felony and five other charges.

They pleaded not guilty to the charges and the court in April 2017 granted bail to Kanu on health grounds.

However, Kanu jumped bail in September 2017 after soldiers invaded his family house in Afaruku, Abia State. His failure to attend his trial forced the court to revoked his bail and issued a warrant for his arrest in 2019.

The federal government working in collaboration with security agencies re-arrested Kanu in Kenya and brought him back to Nigeria, to continue his trial.

When he was brought to court on June 29, 2021, Justice Nyako ordered his remand in DSS custody pending the notification of his lawyer and fixed July 26 for continuation of trial.

At the resumed trial, however, counsel to the prosecution, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, informed the court that the case was for hearing and although defendant had not yet been produced by the DSS, due to logistic reasons, they were ready to proceed with the trial, adding that they had three witnesses in court.

But in a swift reaction, Kanu's lawyer, Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, informed the court that the DSS had denied him and relatives of Kanu the opportunity to see him.

"I was informed authoritatively, I am speaking from the bar, that Nnamdi Kanu has been taken out of jurisdiction of this court.

We have been denied access to Kanu in the last 10 days. We are worried about his safety and don't know why the federal government refused to bring him in court", he said.

Ejiofor said he had consequently has filed an application, seeking the transfer of Kanu from the DSS custody to the Correctional center.

Interjecting, Nyako said the court could not do anything without the presence of Kanu in court. She noted that Kanu was being tried in absentia, because

he was not in the country but, now that he has been arrested and in custody, the prosecution must produce him in court during trial in line with the law.

Similarly, when Abubakar raised the issue of whether the court would need a fiat to proceed with the trial during vacation, Nyako, stated that it was the duty of the prosecution to apply for the fiat if they wanted the trial during vacation and not the duty of her court.

While the annual vacation of the Federal High Court commenced Monday July 26, it was however noted that Nyako was not one of the vacation judges.

In a short ruling, Nyako, said the court observed that the defendant was not in court when the matter was called and accordingly ordered the prosecution to produce Kanu in court on the next adjourned date, October 21.

While indicating that Kanu would remain in the custody of the DSS for now, she ordered the DSS to allow his lawyers have access to him in line with the law.

Nyako stated that if the prosecution was able to get a fiat from the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, the court could reschedule the date for next hearing.

However, reacting, a former governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, who was in court on behalf of Ohaneze Ndigbo, told journalists shortly after the court's proceedings that,he was shocked that the federal government did not produce Kanu in court today (Monday) to face his trial.

While he described Kanu as a son, the former governor stressed that no matter what people feel or think about Kanu, he belonged to a people and they will stand by him in times like these.

Ezeife, stated that it was pertinent for Kanu to be "brought to court. We want to see him; we want to know whether he is still alive. I hope the government will produce him on the next adjourned date".

Before the day's proceedings, security personnel comprising DSS and Police completely took over the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

As early as 6.40am the security operatives had barricaded all roads to the court, ensuring only staff of the Court and accredited journalists had access into the premises.

Due to the security hurdles, it was difficult for lawyers and journalists to access the courtroom.

At a point, tempers were flared up, when lawyers to the secessionist agitator in their numbers insisted that they must be part of the court proceedings.

The lawyers claimed that the court was an open place and should not be shut especially to lawyers.

They also opposed screening by security operatives claiming that lawyers could not present ID cards before they would be given access into the court.

Court staff insisted that only a very limited number of persons would be allowed into the court due to the sensitive nature of the case and compliance with

the covid-19 guidelines.

On Sunday Igboho, his supporters, who had been in court as early as 7:30am yesterday anticipating his arrival were however disappointed as there was no sign of him. Many detainees were brought to court for hearing in minibuses, but none of those buses had Igboho in them.

His trial was scheduled for 10 am on Monday.

But a source within the courts, hinted that Igboho had been brought to court earlier than anyone thought to avoid the possibility of any drama or clash.

The source, a court staff, added that Igboho was now at the “phase of law enforcement” in the court, and was currently

indoors with the prosecutor in charge.

Idris Oladejo, Igboho’s cleric, also confirmed that his friend, whom he “had been fasting and praying for, is in court”.

A Beninese monarch, who came to court to support Igboho also sat outside the courtroom.

Police officers, Igboho’s supporters, other detainees and journalists were equally outside anticipating information from the prosecutor’s office.

However, around 4:30 p.m., security officials at the Benin Republic High Court in Cotonou were seen asking supporters of Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Igboho, to leave the court premises.

According to sources, the

hearing was no longer expected to take place in the courtroom due to the large turnout of people, who had besieged the court on Monday to witness the hearing.

As of the time of filing in this report, the hearing was said to be taking place in one of the offices inside the High Court as the main courtroom that was scheduled to be used for the hearing was deserted.

Meanwhile, Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, in a release issued on Monday by Comrade Jare Ajayi, National Publicity Secretary of the organisation, called for the stoppage of harassment of those it described as freedom agitators and innocent citizens.

The Olubadan had announced

the raising of a delegation to be at the court, where the Yoruba agitator was being tried in Cotonou.

The announcement was made public by Olubadan’s spokesman, Mr. Adeola Oloko, while the monarch was hosting the executive council members of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) led by its President, Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga Afenifere, which also lauded the Ooni for setting up the Ooni Caucus meant to work on various issues pertaining to Yoruba interests including the travails of Igboho, the situation ought not to have occurred at all, if there had been good governance Continued on page 10

BARKINDO VISITS SYLVA… L-R: Minister of State Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva; Secretary General, Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Dr. Mohammed Barkindo and Alternate (OPEC) Governor, Dr. Adedapo Odulaja, during a courtesy call on the minister by the OPEC boss, at NNPC Towers, Abuja... yesterday

Abiodun Swears in 20 LG Chairmen, Charges Them to Provide Good Governance Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, on Monday, inaugurated the 20 local government chairmen, who emerged victorious in the local government poll, held on Saturday.

The governor, while addressing the new chairmen at the swearing-in ceremony held at the Arcade Ground, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, charged them to ensure they provide good governance at the grassroots.

Abiodun, who noted that the local government was not just a tier of government as stated in the country’s 1999 constitution, as amended, but the closest to the people, further tasked the chairmen to usher in a new vista of development in their various councils.

Commending the chairmen for stepping out to make themselves available for service and most especially,

for the entrenchment of good governance at the grassroots level, the governor noted that, "Your victory at the poll is a combination of the confidence reposed in your individual abilities, the faith the people have in the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) to provide the needed development and ensure individual prosperity for our people at the grassroots.

"It is important that you appreciate the enormity of the responsibility your victory places on your shoulders. The Local Government is not just a tier of government stated in our country’s 1999 constitution, as amended; it is the closest to the people and so much is expected from you. Therefore, your assumption of office must bring a new vista of development to our people at the grassroots.

"In doing this, you must be inclusive; you must be

transparent; you must be accountable; you must be fair; you must be just; you must be equitable; you must obey the rule of law; you must provide good governance; you must be judicious. Above all, you cannot afford to turn yourselves to Mr. or Mrs. I know it all", Abiodun stated.

He urged the council bosses not to rely exclusively on allocations from the federal government, but be creative in generating funds internally, and incorporate the Public-PrivatePartnership (PPP) model, without over-burdening the people, who according to him, "are the essence and facilitators of your being in power".

The governor added: "You should take a cue from our approach at the state level by being cerebral; methodical; systemic and ensure strategic allocation of funds. Let me assure

you all that our Administration at the State level, will continue to support our LGAs with funds where and when necessary.

The governor, however, called on the people at the local government level to hold the council chairmen to account.

"You have voted them in.

You should also ensure that you continue to give them suggestions on how to improve the lots of the people in their areas. We must understand that the democratic process does not end at electing representatives but also in helping them to do what we have elected them to do. Democracy is not an event, it is a process", Abiodun submitted.

He reiterated that his administration would continue to respect the autonomy of the local governments and give them the necessary support to carry out their constitutional responsibilities.

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DECORATED WITH NEW RANK… L-R: Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi; Newly promoted Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Ahmed Abdurahman and Inspector General of Police (IGP), Alkali Usman, during the decoration ceremony of newly promoted senior police officers in Abuja... yesterday Photo: KINGSLEY ADEBOYE

Fayemi: N’Assembly Giving Impression of Hidden Agenda on e-Transfer of Results Warns against over-regulation of electoral body Commission begins physical registration of voters after recording over one million online

By Nseobong Okon-Ekong and Chuks Okocha in Abuja Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has said the way and manner the National Assembly handled the clause that dealt with electronic transfer of results in the draft Electoral Bill suggested there could be some hidden agenda.

The governor, who was however convinced that the lawmakers could not have had any ulterior motives, however, warned against overregulating the electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

This also came at a time INEC gave an update on the ongoing voter registration exercise, stating that over one million Nigerians have registered online as at yesterday, Monday July 26, even as it has commenced physical registration exercise.

Fayemi, who spoke during a television programme in Abuja, reiterated that there was the need for caution in the attempt to over-regulate the activities of INEC. He said the National Assembly acted as though it has a hidden agenda behind the amended electoral act by empowering the NCC to decide on electronic transmission of results.

According to him, the clause empowering the NCC and the National Assembly to be the final arbiter in determining usage of electronic transmission of results for elections amounted to compromising the INEC. He stressed that the issues around the electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill should have been better handled by the National Assembly.

“INEC should be allowed to independently determine how

election results are transmitted and not be overregulated while discharging its constitutional duties. I feel that the hullabaloo around this could have been avoided.

“If I have the opportunity to be asked, I would actually argue that we leave this matter for the electoral commission to handle, rather than micromanage the electoral commission or bring in the Nigerian Communications Commission or the National Assembly to be an arbiter on what happens to electronic transmission,” he said.

He held that the decision by the National Assembly was what provoked suspicion that there was a hidden agenda behind the amended Electoral Act. “I frankly think things could have been handled differently and it is unfortunate that it has been handled the way it has been handled. It is giving an impression that there is some

surreptitious or hidden agenda, which there isn’t" Meanwhile, with its new update, INEC said those that have registered so far consisted of over 73.5 per cent of the registrants between the age group of 18 to 34 years.

In a statement by INEC national commissioner and chairman of Voters Education, Festus Okoye, the commission said the exercise that commenced the online pre-registration of voters on 28th June 2021, now has over one million Nigerians registered.

"As of 7am today, Monday 26th July 2021, the number of new registrants has risen to 1,006,661," he said.

According to Okoye, the detailed distribution of the registrants by age, State/ FCT, gender, occupation and disability for week four of the exercise has been uploaded to the Commission's website and

Zulum Finalises Relocation of IDPs, Refugees to Abadam

Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum has concluded plans to finally relocatethe people of Abadam local government, in the fringes of the Lake Chad back to their homes.

The governor, in order to actualise this, on Monday, inaugurated a committee for the resettlement of internally displaced persons and refugees that were indigenes of Abadam Local Government to Malamfatori, the local government headquarters.

Abadam local government was one of the local governments overran and under the control of Boko Haram at the peak of the expansionist agenda of the terrorist group.

Many of its residents had to flee into the mainstream Nigeria and neighbouring West Africa countries bordering the country

in the North East.

Zulum while delivering a speech at the inauguration ceremony of the Resettlement Committee in Maiduguri, expressed concern over the plight of several persons still living across different IDP camps in the State.

The governor noted that Borno's people deserved decent and dignified living, which he said could only be achieved when people were resettled to their various communities.

Zulum recalled that internally displaced persons have recently been returned to Kukawa, Ajiri, Kawuri, Bama, Ngoshe, and Marte Local Government Areas, during which they were provided with livelihood materials and cash assistance to help them restart their lives and engage in meaningful economic activities.

The governor also promised to provide the needed infrastructure

development in all nooks and crannies of the state, in spite of the daunting challenges occasioned by the devastating Coronavirus pandemic The governor, who gave the committee's terms of reference, ordered them to start the relocation of persons that were willing to return on the 27th of November 2021.

He directed them to immediately commence the rehabilitation and reconstruction works that would pave the way for the IDPs and refugees’ return.

He asked the committee to put in place all requirements that would ensure safety of lives and property, facilitate the establishment of civil authorities on ground and ensure security and safety of returnees while on transit to Malamfatori.

The 24 member committee was chaired by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Bukar Talba, while

the State Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, Engr.

Mustapha Gubio was appointed co-chair.

Other members included the member representing Abadam at the State Assembly, Hon. Jamna Bong; Governor's Security Adviser, Brig. Gen. Abdullahi Ishaq (Rtd); Chairman, Abadam Local Government, District Head of Abadam and Abadam LGA's secretary.

Others were representatives of the Nigerian Army, DSS, NSCDC, CJTF, SEMA, NEMA, and NEDC amongst others.

Responding on behalf of the committee, Talba appreciated the governor for finding them worthy to serve the state in another capacity.

He assured the governor that the committee would do their work effectively and leave no stone unturned in discharging their duties.

social media platforms.

He explained that the distribution by age still showed that 740,063 (or 73.5%) were young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 34.

Okoye said as earlier announced by the Commission, physical or in-person registration began yesterday Monday 26th July 2021 at 811 State and Local Government Area offices nationwide.

He said the exact locations of the designated centres have already been uploaded on the INEC website and social media platforms.

For further details, he said Nigerians were encouraged to contact the INEC State offices through the dedicated telephone numbers provided in the uploaded publication.

He explained that Nigerians, who pre-registered online could now complete their registration at those centres based on scheduled appointments.

In addition, he stated that other Nigerians, who preferred to register physically/in-person

could now do so at those centres.

"Both online pre-registration and physical/in-person registration will continue simultaneously until the suspension of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise on 30th June 2022 to enable the Commission to clean up the data and compile the voters' register for the 2023 general election.

"The right to vote begins with the registration of voters. Thus, as we enter the next phase of the CVR exercise, we once again appeal to all citizens, who wish to register to approach any of the Commission's State or Local Government Area offices nationwide to do so," he said.

He reminded Nigerians that the ongoing registration did not include those already registered as voters, adding that the current exercise was only open to Nigerians who were 18 years and above and who had not registered before.

He, however, said it was an offence under the Electoral Act for any citizen to register more than once.

ALLEGED TREASONABLE FELONY: COURT DECLINES TO TRY KANU IN ABSENTIA in Nigeria and people were not needlessly harassed.

“It is so sad that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is concentrating on hunting and harassing those, who are seeking relief from the oppressive situation in Nigeria while shying away from tackling the menaces of kidnapping, terrorism and antics bordering on ethnic cleansing,” it said.

On the propriety of Sunday Igboho trying to escape abroad, Afenifere maintained that there was nothing strange or wrong with this, adding that history is replete with conveyors of a new order having to seek refuge outside their immediate environment at least for a time.

“We recall that Moses had to

be taken away from the prying eyes of Pharaoh and his agents in Egypt. Prophet Muhammed (s.a.w) too had to leave his hometown, Mecca for Medina in order to escape persecution.

Thus, there is nothing wrong in Igboho seeking a respite first to preserve his life and perhaps to re-strategize.”

Afenifere, however, accused the federal government of going after freedom agitators while neglecting those who were known to be behind terrorism in the country.

“By its conduct, government is giving people reasons to belief the allegation that it is pursuing a Fulanisation agenda. Harassment of freedom agitators and innocent citizens must stop forthwith” the release added.

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY JULY 27, 2021

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TUESDAY, ͺͿ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

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APC: We'll Continue to Support Constitutionally Backed Innovations to Make Elections Credible

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Few weeks after lawmakers elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in connivance with some of their colleagues from the

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) voted against the electronic transmission of results, the ruling party said it would continue to support constitutionally backed innovations by the Independent National Electoral Commission

(INEC) to make elections more credible.

The National Secretary of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Sen. John Akpanudoedehe in a statement issued yesterday

insisted that under President Muhammadu. Buhari, every election conducted in the country has been an improvement on the last.

He said, "Under President Buhari, every election conducted

F G O R D E R S ACT I VAT I O N O F C OV I D - 1 9 I S O L AT I O N C E N T R E S N AT I O N W I D E there was a rising incidence of COVID-19 in the country, adding that treatment bed occupancy is also recording an increase given the established emergence of a third wave.

"We have already asked our hospitals to reactivate all their isolation centres and prepare them for any possible surge," he said.

According to Ehanire: "As of July 25, 2021, we have confirmed a total of 170,895 COVID-19 cases, and 2,132 fatalities. There are 4,180 active cases across the country, including 216 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours from seven states; 108 cases from Lagos State, 96 cases from Akwa Ibom State, four from Oyo, three from Rivers, two from Edo, and one each from Ekiti and Kano states."

He regretted that despite the evidence of the emergence of a third wave of the pandemic, citizens continued to refuse adherence to public health advisories.

The minister said in

preparation for the anticipated rise in cases, the Federal Ministry of Health had taken steps to urgently scale-up and enhance local oxygen capacity before any increase in oxygen consumption.

He said government had invested directly and strategically in ensuring oxygen availability to avert incidence of oxygen insufficiency for COVID-19 patients in the country.

On the country's push for COVID-19 vaccine sufficiency, Ehanire said Nigeria was expecting, "over 29 million Johnson & Johnson vaccines purchased by the government of Nigeria through the African Union AVATT facility; and over four million Moderna and almost 700, 000 AstraZeneca vaccines through the COVAX facility from bilateral donations from the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom; as well as Pfizer and Sinopharm from both bilateral agreements and through the COVAX facility."

The minister allayed fears over the recent donation of

BUHARI, OTHER WORLD LEADERS TO RAISE $5BN FOR EDUCATION other leaders seek to raise the fund from donors across the globe.

The UK and Kenya are to jointly host the meeting, tagged Global Partnership for Education (GPE). The summit will be urging world leaders to invest in education and improve access for girls.

A statement by the British High Commission in Nigeria on Monday said, “At the summit, the Global Partnership for Education aims to raise at least $5 billion from donors to support education systems in up to 90 countries and territories, where 80 per cent of the world’s out-of-school children live.”

According to the statement, the UK has been a donor to the GPE since 2005.

The statement also said UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson had already secured a landmark commitment from G7 partners to pledge at least $2.7 billion to the Global Partnership for Education ahead of the summit.

This includes £430 million from the UK, its largest ever pledge to GPE. The statement further explained that the Global Education Summit also provided an opportunity for Nigeria to commit to progressively increase domestic education spending towards the global benchmark of 20 per cent of total government expenditure.

Nigeria receives substantial funding from the GPE. In June, the GPE announced the approval of a new grant of $125 million for Nigeria to fund an education programme that will be implemented by the World Bank in Oyo, Katsina and Adamawa states, the statement disclosed.

It added, “Over the past 10 years in Nigeria, bilateral UK support has improved education systems for 11 state governments, reaching over

eight million children.

“This support has helped to reach out-of-school children and ensure they can access school and receive quality learning, including basic literacy and numeracy.

“Educating girls is one of the best investments for reducing poverty and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and, therefore, is a priority for the UK, also in Nigeria.

“Since 2012, the UK has supported over one million girls to access schooling in six states through the Girls Education Project Phase 3, in partnership with UNICEF. “Since 2018, UK aid support through the Education in Emergencies programme, reached over 200,000 conflict affected children in the Northeast of Nigeria with formal and informal education.”

The statement further revealed, “As a part of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s global campaign to promote the aims and objectives of the Global Education Summit, and in another demonstration of Nigeria’s importance to the UK’s Global Education ambitions, Nigerian students from a Government Secondary School, in Abuja, joined children from around the world to record messages about what education means to them.”

The statement quoted the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, as saying, “I encourage Nigerian leaders to commit to protecting and increasing funding for a future where every Nigerian 10-year-old can read, and where every child can access 12 years of education. I hope there will be ambitious pledges and donors can come together to support the GPE financing to give 175 million children the opportunity to learn.”

Sinopharm COVID19 vaccine by the Chinese government, saying the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has been asked to subject the vaccine to regulatory test for the needed approval.

Ehanire also said the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which is a one-dose shot, would be advantageous in the Nigerian context, with weak Civil Registration Vital Statistics (CRVS) and a nomadic population.

According to Ehanire government expects to take delivery of the vaccines this quarter, with the Johnson & Johnson expected in August.

Earlier, the minister said the country had stop vaccination in July 10, because it ran out of vaccine doses.

When asked about efforts to commence manufacturing of vaccine in the country, he said Nigeria had put up a good case for citing a vaccine manufacturing company in the country.

Ehanire added that

government had also approached prominent Nigerians in the private sector to support the venture.

He explained, "We are talking to eminent Nigerians, we are waiting for the next step to put up a concept note and business plan. We are working with a company that the federal government owns 49 per cent equity and the company will be the only company we will present as the one to do the manufacturing and government will support them in many ways to get the technical transfer and to be the one supported to produce the vaccine."

While giving an update on COVID-19 testing and treatment around the country, the Director of Disease Surveillance and Epidemiology, Mrs. Elsie Ilori, said, "So far we have identified 10 Delta variants of COVID-19 in the country. The Delta variant is more virulent than the normal one and the symptoms it presents are not in consonance with what we are used to, that is why we need to be careful.”

in the country has been an improvement on the last.

The APC will continue to support constitutionally backed innovations by our election management bodies to make our elections more credible."

The APC said the Permanent Voters' Card remains the only legal instrument voters can use to elect progressive leaders who can sustain the ongoing efforts of APC governments at the Federal, State and Local Government Areas especially in its successes in renewing national infrastructure, transforming agriculture and diversifying the economy.

The party therefore urged well-meaning Nigerians to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise to register.

At party level, Akpanudoedehe noted that the party is resolved to entrench internal democracy in all decision making processes, particularly party nomination - direct and indirect primaries or consensus.

Reacting to the communique issued by the PDP governors forum reiterated that it was foolhardy for the PDP to expect its members to sink with the party in the face of its failed state

Akpanudoedehe stated: "Our attention has been drawn to yet another communiqué by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors' Forum which is laced with lies, idle conspiracy theories on the state of the nation and the PDP's pitiable attempt to explain its failed state as the supposed main opposition party in the country."

The secretary noted that It was indeed remarkable that the PDP has finally opened up to its fast depleting fortunes, but added that it was advisable that the PDP concentrates on redemption instead of blaming the APC or anyone else for its rudderless state.

He added: "We reiterate that it is foolhardy for the PDP to expect its members to sink with the party in the face of its failed state. The PDP should quickly address itself to the fact that its members and leaders who are joining the APC in droves are attracted and inspired by the progressive leadership of the President Muhammadu Buhari government and the internal democracy being entrenched by the leadership of the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led APC Caretaker/ Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee."

PDP GOVS: FREE, FAIR, CREDIBLE ELECTIONS NOT NEGOTIABLE IN 2023 President Muhammadu Buhariand the APC to desist from converting the Presidential Villa, which belongs to all Nigerians, into the headquarters of their party, where they parade PDP members as new intakes.

In a communiqué signed by Tambuwal, the PDP governors said, "On the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, the governors identified with the need for a free, fair and credible elections in the country and called on the National Assembly to entrench electronic transmission of results of elections in the nation’s electoral jurisprudence."

While requesting INEC to deploy appropriate technologies to ensure that the vote of every Nigerian was counted and made to count, the meeting called on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd (NIGCOMSAT), Telephone Companies (Telcos), and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that universal access and service of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are provided, especially, in rural, un-served and underserved areas of the country before the 2023 general election.

According to the governors, "The meeting condemned the attempt to foist on all political parties one method of conducting primaries, that is by direct method only, through the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

"The governors noted that the method is prone to massive rigging, as evidenced by a situation, where President Buhari scored about 15 million votes in the 2018 APC Direct Primaries only to score 15 million votes from the entire country in the 2019 general

election.

"The governors advised that political parties should be allowed to decide whether to use direct or indirect method of conducting primaries as part of internal democracy in political parties."

The governors reiterated the need for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other revenue generating agencies of government to strictly abide by the constitution by remitting all their revenue, less cost of production, into the Federation Account as provided for by Section 162 of the constitution.

"The meeting condemned, once again, the use of underhand tactics to arm-twist some PDP governors and other stakeholders to join the APC, a political party that has wrecked Nigeria's economy, turned Nigeria into a killing field and has nothing to offer Nigerians but misery and bad governance.

"The governors condemned Mr. President and APC for turning the Presidential Villa, that belongs to all Nigerians, into the new APC headquarters, where coerced PDP members are being paraded at intervals."

On the economy, the meeting cautioned the APC federal government to collaborate more with state governments to stem the unemployment scourge affecting the youth of Nigeria, through technology and increased production in all fields of endeavour.

The governors stated that government should stop paying lip service to the Ease of Doing Business, as foreign direct investment had continued to fall partly due to obstacles placed on foreign companies wishing to invest in Nigeria.

"A glaring example is that of Facebook, who insisted on investing in Nigeria rather than Ghana, and is being frustrated

by regulatory authorities,” the governors said.

On security of lives and property, in addition to its earlier recommendations, the PDP governors said, "It is time to bring the activities of bandits, kidnappers and terrorists to an end, through increased use of military equipment, traditional means of conflict resolution, and technology for surveillance and the development of the political will to flush them out.

“Kidnapping, banditry and terrorism are not business ventures, as claimed by APC, but heinous state crimes that are destroying the Nigerian economy, the educational and social future of our children, and causing significant social upheavals in society.”

They urged all Nigerians of goodwill to take advantage of the on-going registration of voters by INEC to register to vote, and arm themselves with the necessary tools in the struggle to rescue Nigeria from the APC maladministration.

Furthermore, the PDP governors urged the general public, especially, the youth and women, to use the opportunity of the PDP e-registration exercise, which will kick off soon, to register as PDP members, while PDP members should update their membership electronically.

Others governors, who attended the meeting, were vice chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, and governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu; Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom); Senator Douye Diri (Bayelsa); Samuel Ortom (Benue), and Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta).

Others were Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu); Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde (Oyo); Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa); Godwin Obaseki (Edo);Bala Mohammed (Bauchi); Darius Ishaku (Taraba); and Zamfara State Deputy Governor, Mahdi

Gusau.

Speaking earlier on why some PDP governors were joining APC, Tambuwal alleged that it was in a bid to avoid being prosecuted for their corrupt deeds. He said the remaining PDP governors would not be intimidated.

Tambuwal, who was represented by Ishaku, his Taraba State counterpart, spoke at a gala night at the Bauchi Government House banquet hall to welcome the PDP governors in the State.

Tambuwal said the only hope Nigerians had left was PDP, saying the party would regain power in 2023 and improve the living standard of Nigerians.

He stated, “As your governor earlier mentioned, we have no hope except in PDP. We will live in the PDP; we will salvage whatever the country is left of when we regain power in 2023. If you look around, only it is in the PDP states projects are on-going. I am sure I’m speaking the facts and the minds of many Nigerians.

“Those running and leaving the PDP to where their sins are forgiven… So if you are a bad and corrupt man, you go over to APC to where your sins will be forgiven but we do not agree and believe in intimidation. We will remain in the PDP; we will capture power and improve Nigeria.”

The governor also flayed the federal government for failing to defeat Boko Haram after promising to achieve the feat within six months of assuming power, adding the state of insecurity is getting worse.

He stated, “Those who said they were going to conquer Boko Haram in six month, six years now, they cannot do it; It is getting worse. We now have several Boko Harams terrorising the country. We will come and make Nigeria what it should be – the pride of Africa.”

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COMMENT

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

REDEFINING FLOOD RESILIENCE GOVERNANCE IN LAGOS Government should intensify flood awareness through enlightenment campaigns, writes Olasunkanmi H. Okunola

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or the past couple of weeks, heavy rains and thunderstorms have caused widespread damage and flooding in many flood-prone communities of Lagos. Streets are getting flooded, property, including cars and other valuables are being submerged on a consistent basis while many residents are forced to flee their houses. With heavy and lengthy downpours being experienced daily, the only question that came to my mind is if Lagos residents are in for another year of persistent flooding.

This is bearing in mind the number of lives that have been lost and thousands of families displaced over the years.

It is noteworthy that flood is a global phenomenon that causes widespread devastation, economic damage, loss of lives and properties in many cities around the world. Typical example of such occurrence is the recent flood in Germany and other neighbouring European countries that has resulted into more than 120 lives lost with more than 1,300 people reportedly missing within the last few days. This could be attributed to climate change, extreme precipitation, sea level rise and increased flood risks.

While some of the aforementioned factors are also applicable to flood occurrence in Lagos, however, the main cause of persistent flood occurrence in Lagos is basically man-made than natural occurrence.

The reason for this is not far-fetched as the city is characterized with inadequate drainage system, settlement of new migrants on wetlands, haphazard physical developments, blockage of drainage channels by trash and solid waste, population growth as well as illegal erection of buildings and other structures. Furthermore, the advent of building developers in the construction industry who are expected to engage the services of certified professionals as consultants but failed to do so, largely due to an unhealthy profit motivation further compounded the impacts of flood in the city. Many of the buildings constructed by the so-called developers over the years could not stand the test of time as some of them have reportedly collapsed during and after construction due to heavy downpours.

Lagos State government in its effort to lessen the adverse impacts of flood has also explored removing people from dangerous, flood-prone lands, but issues of possible eviction and relocation are highly controversial, with a high potential for conflict. Also, the recent effort by the state government to make Lagos sustainable, resilient through implementation of master plans and model city plans, seems to be theoretical and unrealistic with the majority of its population living in informal settlements and making their daily livelihoods through informality. Another major problem inhibiting flood prevention and management in the state is the lack of synergy among the stakeholders involved. Despite the fact that there are many stakeholders involved (including private sectors and NGOs) in flood prevention in the state, the lack of synergy among the stakeholders made it difficult to operate in a coordinated manner for meaningful impact. Consequently, the only meaningful flood preparedness plan in the state is limited to the forecasting, planning and awareness of flood occurrence through exclusive media channels which are not necessarily reaching the poor people that are vulnerable to flood.

On the other hand, distribution of relief materials such as food items,

IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR GOVERNMENT, NON-GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND RESIDENTS TO JOIN FORCES TOWARDS FLOOD PREPAREDNESS AND MITIGATIONS ACTIVITIES IN THE AREAS OF FUNDING, STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

blankets, mats and kitchen sets to flood victims dominates disaster response plans in the state. This process over the years has also been characterised by series of allegations of relief materials being diverted by the officials in charge for their personal use. It is against this background that the writer seeks to draw the attention of the Lagos State government and other relevant stakeholders to radical ideas that require urgent incubation with a view to implementing sustainable and effective policies for flood resilience in the state and propelling Lagos into the enviable status of a 21st century megacity in intent, character and functionality. These ideas include: One, community-driven flood resilience action. It is essential for government, non-governmental agencies, community-based organizations and residents to join forces towards flood preparedness and mitigations activities in the areas of funding, staff development and technical assistance. This will enable and encourage community participation towards effective flood adaptation and reduction practices. Community participation will also strengthen social cohesion and cooperation within the community and society and provide opportunities for the integration of disaster management into the local development planning processes and systems.

Two, use of modern technology for effective flood preparedness.

Simple techniques based on appropriate flood risk management concepts can save lives and reduce losses. This includes the use of modern technology, which utilizes geospatial infrastructure to identify and map out areas prone to flooding and to inform appropriate action toward disaster preparedness, rescue, and recovery. This is more of a United Nations International Strategy on Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) concept of living with floods rather than fighting them.

Three, intensify level of flood awareness. Public information and enlightenment campaigns in print, electronic media and through community-based organisations (e.g. women and youth associations, neighbourhood organizations, market/trade and religious organizations) should be vigorously pursued. This will inculcate the culture of flood preparedness, prevention, mitigation, response and recovery. In other words, both proactive and reactive approaches to advocated education are advocated for the realization of smart and resilient megacity.

Four, investment in critical infrastructure. As a result of continuous increase in the built-up surface and growing settlements in low-lying areas, the existing infrastructure in Lagos cannot cope with the run-off and water volumes it faces leading to frequent, localized flooding. This is evident in the recent flood occurrence that submerged many areas of Lagos like Lekki, Lagos Island, Ikorodu, among others. This necessitates the need for the state government to invest in critical infrastructure such as roads and drainage systems for effective flood risk reduction in the state. Lagos presents a potential prototype to demonstrate how a smart, resilient and sustainable city can cope in the wake of persistent flood occurrence, but can the present administration led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu take the lead in redefining flood resilience governance in Nigeria?

Okunola is a DAAD ClimapAfrica postdoctoral fellow at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

MAKING EDUCATION ACCESSIBLE TO THE POOR

The Kano State government is committed to transforming the educational sector in the state, writes Mohammed Isa Bilal

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takeholders in the education sector across Nigeria would readily attest to the fact that Governor Abdullahi Ganduje is determined more than anyone else in the history of Kano State to ensure that education is taken to the door steps of all bonafide children, especially those of the poor. It is interesting to note that the sector had not been as busy in the past 45 years as it was in the last six years.

This is thanks to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s unflinching passion for education and his desire to redress the negative attitude and perception of an average Kano indigene towards western education. The administration of Ganduje had been initiating programmes and policies designed to increase access to western education and improve the quality of education content which are being executed at all levels of education across the 44 LGAs of Kano State.

Governor Ganduje, a Ph.D holder, whose wife is also an academic, had said: “Honestly, it has been six years of hard work, resilience and determination towards changing the negative narrative and to ingrain the love of Western education in our rural population.”

Ganduje had predicted that with the level of investment in the education sector, since the launch of free and compulsory basic and secondary education in Kano State, coupled with other complementary interventions, education looks attractive to rural communities. He said by the time his second tenure would end, there would be no Almajiri of Kano origin that can be found in any street of Nigeria due to the current pace of making education a priority. To achieve this envisaged goal, the Ganduje administration has been approaching education from different dimensions.

Incipiently, was the need to create necessary consciousness that would spur astronomical increase of school enrolment at basic education level.

Especially due to obvious certain cultural and religious beliefs, which had for decades mitigated and ensured a good number of children of school age are kept out of school system. It was in view of this that the Ganduje administration adopted a novel approach. Although expensive but highly imperative, the administration shouldered the responsibility of providing uniforms, exercise and text books as well as financially complimented the school feeding scheme of the Buhari administration. Gladly, this had paid off as school enrolment has been rising from 750,000 in 2014 to 3.3 million as of January 2021. Other intervention in this regard, was the monetary grant of N40,000 each to the parents of the girl-child as motivation towards preparing the girls for school. Also, the Ganduje’s administration has ensured the building of a total of 5641 classroom blocks, while some were rehabilitated to accommodate the carrying capacity of envisaged astronomical enrolment.

These classrooms are targeted at the children of the rural folks and the less-privileged in the state.

Also, the administration had ensured the establishing of 44 Almajiri integrated model schools across the 44 LGAs of the state, to accommodate the evacuated Almajiri’s that were hitherto roaming the streets of urban centres. These model schools seek to integrate western education into the traditional Islamic education. Furthermore, despite the recruitment of over 7,000 Islamic and conventional teachers in the state to fill in the gap and the manpower needs of existing schools, it is remarkable to note that very recently, the Ganduje administration announced its willingness to convert over 5,000 civil servants in the state, to

be drawn from the various MDAs, that is: those possessing education-related qualification, to be deployed to the various primary, secondary and tertiary institutions across the state. Furthermore, to address the problem of falling standards and improve quality at the secondary and tertiary level, the administration has also embarked on massive infrastructure rehabilitation of existing secondary and tertiary institutions across the 44 LGAs of the state. New structures have been erected while others are ongoing to expand their carrying capacities and improve learning environment.

Furthermore, the Ganduje administration has emphasized teachers education and development being the key towards improving the quality of education to be impacted to pupils and students alike, in the state. Thus, through the accessed counterpart fund intervention of the Universal Basic Education Fund, the administration has trained and retrained over 7,000 academic staff as well as sufficiently equipped the schools with modern teaching aids. The aim is to leverage on the training and exposure of teachers in transforming the state’s education sector. This was also replicated at the secondary and tertiary levels where the state government is partnering with France and other embassies to train the lecturers abroad.

Also, the state government has initiated and signed an MoU with family homes LTD for construction of 5,000 house for teachers in the state. He has extended the retiring age of teachers from 60 to 65 years, all in the bid to get the best out of the teachers acquired experience. Similarly, the Ganduje’s administration had instituted a variety of soft loans for teachers, which could avail them the opportunity to own personal

houses and cars before their retirement dates.

Similarly, about 5,000 motorcycles were procured and distributed to education officers and supervisors to simplify and assist them in touring around all the primary schools in the state to assess and ensured compliance to stipulated teaching methods and regulations.

As a way of addressing youth unemployment in Kano State, the Ganduje administration also introduced entrepreneurship studies at the tertiary, secondary and basic education levels.

This was designed in collaboration with the ultra-modern state- of- the- art skill acquisition centre, established by the Ganduje’s administration to specifically encourage self-employment, among graduates and those who might for unavoidable reasons, decide not to continue with their education. At the basic and secondary levels every child is expected to take a subject in one of the 25 different skills and trade within the general studies subject. It is also, gratifying to note that to support the aggressive drive and sustain the tempo in which the administration is taking the education sector in the state, Governor Ganduje had ensured a progressive increase in the state education budget, which was evident as the sectors budget since 2015 to date has been 26 percent of the state annual budget. All these achievements would not have been possible if not for the commitment and determination of the governor to transform the educational sector in the state.

Out of excitement, the present commissioner for education in the state, Mallam Mohammed Sanusi Kiru, remarked: “in all the states of the federation, there is no state that is investing in education like Kano State, under Governor Ganduje”.

Bilal is MD, Royal Publicity Publishing Company, Jos

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EDITORIAL

THE SIEGE ON KADUNA STATE Kaduna needs more attention from the authorities

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individuals have also fallen victims of the general lawlessness that now pervades the state. Recently, the Emir of Kajuru, Alhaji Alhassan Adamu, was abducted alongside 13 members of his family. Although the emir was released about 30 hours later, his family members are still in custody of their captors. Meanwhile, the family compound of the paramount ruler of Atyab, Sir Dominic Yahaya in Zangon-Kataf local government area of the state was reportedly razed by some militia in addition to other revered places of worship during recent attacks on several villages. Hundreds of people were reportedly killed while many homes were burnt.

ast Sunday, 28 students kidnapped by armed gunman from Bethel Baptist School on the outskirts of Kaduna were reunited with their families. But the joy of parents and relatives was suppressed because 87 other students, abducted since July 5, are still in captivity. Schools in many of the northern states have become regular targets for kidnappings by armed groups seeking ransom. The abduction at Bethel Baptist was the fourth mass kidnapping in an educational institution within the state in the past five months.

While presenting the state security incidents report for the second quarter of 2021, Governor Nasir El-Rufai had expressed concern over the escalating insecurity in Kaduna State. “The data on security incidents in the state during the second quarter of 2021 reflects the real agony of our citizens and communities, their pains and losses, and the fears and anxiety that have created considerable distress,” he said. In the first three months of this year, some 323 WHILE THE ENTIRE people were killed NORTHWEST IS WITNESSING while 949 persons were kidnapped FRIGHTENING VIOLENCE, KADUNA IS INCREASINGLY by bandits in the BECOMING THE VORTEX OF state. The second INSECURITY IN THE REGION quarter security report presented by the government last week, covering April to June 2021, showed a slight decline in violence as some 222 persons were killed and 774 people kidnapped by bandits. But recent weeks have been characterised by mass abduction of school children, an action that triggered the closure of schools in rural communities by the state government.

There are also reports that the bandits now collect levies from farmers in many of the communities before they could cultivate their fields.

Across the state, banditry has become a daily occurrence as homes and places of work in rural communities are regularly attacked. No one is safe and victims could be abducted in broad daylight. Some high profile-

Letters to the Editor

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T H I S DAY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITOR WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

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 SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGED ENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

hile the entire northwest is witnessing frightening violence, Kaduna is increasingly becoming the vortex of insecurity in the region, particularly in the last one year. Some attribute the pressure and convergence of criminal activities on the state as a test of the state government courageous stance on the payment of ransom. El-Rufai has stated repeatedly that he would not pay ransom to anybody. But the security crisis in Kaduna is also traced to other overlapping factors, chiefly the farmer-herder conflict over access to land use between communities as well as criminal gangs engaged in general banditry, cattle stealing and kidnapping for ransom. The situation of course has been exacerbated by the socio-economic conditions in the country. With the highest rate of unemployment, the capital of the north has become the recruiting ground for criminal gangs.

Against the background that many of the hitherto engaged youths have been thrown into unemployment in the wake of the economic crisis aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic, the security challenge is expected.

But the response by the government to curtail the social malaise has been largely ineffectual. The Joint Military Task (JTF) under the mandate of Operation Accord has also not performed optimally due largely to the overwhelming and escalating violence. There is therefore an urgent need for the authorities to deal with the situation before the state descends into anarchy.

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.

THE DIGNITY OF LABOUR “There is benefit in every kind of hard work . . . “ -Proverbs 14:23. talented Nigerian musician, Adekunle Gold, in one of his popular songs titled ‘WORK,’ encouraged people to work hard. This is in harmony with what God’s Word.

The Bible, recommends at Ecclesiastes Chapter 9, Verse 10: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do with all your might . . . . “ Work - whether paid or unpaid, is good for our health and well-being. It contributes to our happiness, helps us to build confidence and self-esteem, and can reward us financially. Work is an essential tool through which individuals can achieve their goals, flourish, and live happy, meaningful lives.

Work has different dimensions, such as work for making a living and work for developing one’s talent and potential. For example, a little girl in one of the corners of the world who goes to the kindergarten and learns how to count, draw or write, is working. Likewise, an adult, who goes to his/her job every day, and gets paid for that, is also working. Thus based on the age, circumstances, needs and desires of individuals, work, or labour, takes different shapes.

Work is a virtue and necessity, which requires the utilization of time and energy. Man is in control of his time and energy when he voluntarily and constructively works. The Bible emphasizes the importance of work when it says at 2 Thessalonians, Chapter 3, Verses 10 to 12 that: “ . . . if anyone does not want to work, neither let him eat. . . . “ This scripture condemns laziness. We need to work to make a living and provide for our families. Work provides the individual with the ability to be independent, to flourish, to develop, and most

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importantly, to find a meaning to life.

However, there are many issues seriously affecting work and workers in Nigeria today. These include: unemployment, poor remuneration/wages, poor working environment and conditions, casualisation of workers, among others. Many people experience poverty and unemployment through no fault of their own. Many who are able to work, willing to work hard, and even actively searching for work, are still unable to find work - they are unemployed!

Unemployment and poverty are two of the major issues currently plaguing Nigeria’s economy and its society. According to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the population of the unemployed in Nigeria during Q4 2020 rose to 33.3 percent from the 27.1 percent of Q2 2020. This placed Nigeria in the number three position among countries with the highest number of unemployed people in the world! Also, according to data from the World Poverty Clock (a Web tool produced by World Data Lab), the number of people living in extreme poverty in Nigeria rose from 86.9 million in 2018, to 93.7 million in 2019, thus Nigeria stands as the nation with the highest number of people living in extreme poverty across the world!

Nevertheless, despite the high rate of unemployment and poverty, the situation is not necessarily hopeless. People can still find some meaningful work to engage in, even though it may be small. If you are unemployed, or cannot find a job in your area of particular interest, it is wise to consider looking for a job in other areas, even if the job is considered ‘menial’ by the standards of some people. Do not allow false pride to let you look down on a job - as beneath your dignity.

Any legitimate service that can benefit others, and that people are willing to pay for, can be considered as an alternative job opportunity

when jobs are scarce.

People differ in terms of many characteristics such as intelligence, talents, academic levels, etc. Therefore depending on human potential and the specific working environment, work can be equally beneficial to the person or demeaning. For example, prostitution, gambling, and drug dealing constitute work, as you get a kind of remuneration for the service you provide. But the money you get out of these kinds of work becomes useless, as it neither contributes to human flourishing, nor is the basis of a meaningful life. Work should be the key to human survival and flourishing, and not to degradation of the individual and his moral values.

On the other hand, no matter how honest, working from dawn to sunset does not make your life flourish either. “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” goes the popular saying. Workaholics, the people whose only purpose in life is work, impinge themselves from other activities. Productive work is not an end-in-itself, but a means of flourishing. If one pursues productive work to the exclusion of everything else in one’s life, so that it becomes one’s only purpose in life, this will undermine one’s flourishing. On the other hand, those who keep their life balanced are likely to enjoy their work even more.

So, whether your work is mostly mental, mostly physical, or somewhere in between, recognize that there is dignity in labour. Hard work helps us to care for our material needs. Moreover, it contributes to our self-respect, after all, hard work is just that - hard. When we discipline ourselves to stick with our work - even if it seems boring or difficult - we can have the satisfaction of knowing that we held ourselves to a high standard.

Daniel Ighakpe, FESTAC Town, Lagos

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Osinbajo: FG, States, UNICEF Partner to Provide 20m Jobs for Nigerians Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has said that federal and state governments are collaborating with Generation Unlimited Nigeria, a private sector

driven initiative, with the aim of providing 20 million Nigerians with digital skills.

He said the project will link beneficiaries with entrepreneurial

Buhari: Nigeria Will Sustain Relationship with Spain, Qatar Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that the cordial relationship Nigeria has with Spain and Qatar would be sustained.

Buhari stressed that Nigeria values ties with her longtime allies and would continue to lubricate the relationships.

Buhari gave the assurance while receiving the outgoing Ambassadors of Spain, His Excellency, Mr. Marcelino Cabanas Ansorena, and that of The State of Qatar, His Excellency, Mr. Abdulaziz Mubarak Al Muhanadi, at the State House, Abuja.

According to him, Spain would ever remain relevant in the developed world, noting that Nigeria was glad to be in relationship with such country

in the areas of trade, technology, education and other spheres of life.

He said: “Generation after generation, we have been together, and we will continue to build on the relationship”.

Buhari’s assurance was contained in a press release issued that was issued yesterday by his Media Adviser, Mr. Femi Adesina, which stated that relations between Nigeria and Qatar have been strong and credible, particularly as oil producing nations.

He noted that the two countries were closely related, and the ties would be maintained.

In his remarks, Ansorena disclosed that his four years in Nigeria were pleasurable ones, adding that relations between the countries woud “continue to be excellent.”

and other job opportunities and assist them in realizing their potentials.

Generation Unlimited (GenU) is an initiative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) launched in September 2018 in collaboration with over 200 partners.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the formal launching of the initiative in the country, Osinbajo said the project includes three key components – digital skills development, and youth engagement and Youth employment. “It is going to provide 20 million Nigerians with digital skills, link them with entrepreneurial and other job opportunities and assist them in realizing their potentials.

“It was designed to link over one billion young people with

innovations and programmes in 40 countries across six continents,” he said.

Osinbajo said Nigeria has one of the world’s largest young populations, adding that they are the nation’s present and its future. He said the cost of failing to invest in the young population is unimaginable.

“It is part of the ambitious goal of reaching young Nigerians with those opportunities, can’t achieve the objectives without strong partnerships, the presidency, the federal ministries and the state governments will be collaborating with Generation Unlimited Nigeria, the private sector, the international community and the young people themselves to make this a reality.

“After extensive consultation with critical stakeholders, it was

agreed that GenU Nigeria will have three key components, digital skills development, and youth engagement. Youth employment especially the empowerment of female entrepreneurs is a major aspect of GenU Nigeria.

“In the next couple of years, we will provide digital training, employment, entrepreneurship and engagement with 20 million Nigerians. This process is not only significant for the socio-economic development of the country in the coming years but also provides a learning landscape for developing future job growth-enabling programmes,” he said.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Tony Elumelu Foundation and the Co-Chair of GenU Nigerian Steering Committee, Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu, explained that the initiative is about connectivity and

bringing together government, private sector, international development partners and the youth to create a Nigeria where the youths are engaged as productive members of the society leveraging on digital technology.

“The aim is to ensure that young Nigerians have access to training and skills acquisition that will make them employable and also connect them to jobs.

“Nigeria has 65 million youth population, adding that to UNICEF working with partners has put in place an incisive digital protocol and landscape to ensure that GenU Nigeria reaches 20 million Nigerian youths with skills training, education, employment, Entrepreneurship and empowerment by 2030,” she said.

Again, Fashola Calls for Stoppage of Yearly Rent Payment Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has again, called on Nigerian landlords to halt the practice of collecting payments for rents in advance of one year or more.

The minister, who spoke during the 15th Abuja International Housing Show (AIHS), convened by the President, Housing Development Advocacy Network in Nigeria, Mr. Festus Adebayo, called on state legislatures to put legislations in place to stop the development, which has worsened Nigeria’s housing crisis.

He further argued that it remains a matter of morality, stressing that it is evident that most houses available for sale or rent belong mostly to individuals and private companies compared to those owned by the states or the federal government.

Fashola explained that many of the tenants who owe rent, face eviction or who seek to rent or buy property due to the pandemic are dealing with private citizens or companies and less so with government agencies, which makes the authorities helpless at times.

Consequently, he recommended that to improve access and affordability in the Covid-19 era and beyond, private companies and individuals should give back some of what they control to citizens in the way that the federal government has given back to citizens some of what it controls.

While admitting that these should be largely voluntary actions by property owners as a matter of conscience, beyond state intervention, he, however,

called on state legislatures to take up the challenge to protect the average Nigerian resident, noting that it is not a federal matter.

“This is a fertile , yet largely untapped ground for state legislators to connect with their constituents by making legislation that regulates the demand for prohibitive advance rent in areas of high density where the bulk of the people live. This is because rent is not a federal matter,” he maintained.

He argued that in cases where rent of businesses or individuals are due for renewal, the private landlords can give back by accepting monthly, quarterly, or half-yearly rent instead of one, two or three years rent in advance.

“The risk of defaults can be secured by bank guarantee insurance bonds provided by the tenant or the employer in exchange for mandate from the employee for the deduction of his rent from his salary to pay the landlord.

“When rent has fallen into arrears, it is possible to emulate what federal government did through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to reschedule payment on loans by rescheduling the payment for the tenant to more affordable terms instead of adopting eviction,” he maintained.

Fashola, who was represented by the Minister of State, Works and Housing, Mr. Abubakar Aliyu, explained that as part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s developmental agenda of addressing housing needs in Nigeria, the federal government has inaugurated a pragmatic National Housing Programme (NHP) for the construction of acceptable and affordable houses nationwide.

SECURITY PARTNERSHIP …

Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Nikolai Yevmeno (left); and Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, during the Russian Navy Day Celebration at Saint Petersburg, Russian...recently

FG Launches Strategy Document to Tackle Deforestation, Forest Degradation Michael Olugbode in Abuja The Federal Government has launched the Nigeria’s National Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) Strategy document that would tackle the challenges of deforestation and forest degradation.

The development of the REDD+ Strategy document was done with the support of the UN-REDD Programme, the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility of the World Bank, and the technical guidance of other development partners like the United Nations Development (UNDP), the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Environment

Programme (UNEP).

Speaking at the launch of the strategy document in Abuja, the Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar, said the launch was a strong indication of the commitment and effort of the Nigerian government in reducing the rate of deforestation and forest degradation and contributing to the objective of the Paris agreement in addressing climate change.

Abubakar said: “The importance of a National REDD+ Strategy hinges on the premise that it stands tall as one of the pillars of REDD+ Readiness components for those seeking results-based payment for REDD+. The strategy identified drivers of deforestation and

forest degradation, analysed existing (measures) and proposed policies and measures, with commensurate options for addressing the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation.

“It also integrates various systems to establish baselines, monitor and report performance, and enables validation of claims of emissions reduction attributed to the REDD+ programmes or activities within the country.”

He disclosed that Nigeria’s vision for implementing REDD+ is “to establish a climate resilient economy through sustainable management of forests to enhance carbon sinks and reduce GHG emissions by at least 20 per cent by year 2050.”

He said that in recognisation of the significance of the forest and land sector as a source of Nigeria’s GHG emissions, and the need for international support to help develop and implement nature-based solutions identified in the strategy, Nigeria would implement its REDD+ Strategy in phases over a thirty-year period from 2021 to 2050 to achieve the short, medium, and long-term goals.”

Mohammad revealed that over the next decade Nigeria would propose to reduce projected total forest sector emissions by 20 per cent, or approximately 150 MtCO2e through the implementation of REDD+ strategies and programmes and other initiatives.

NECO Set to Get New Face, As Wushishi Assumes Office Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi, has promised to reposition NECO to become a credible and internationally acclaimed examination body.

Wushishi made the promise yesterday when he officially took over the affairs of the council from the former acting Registrar, Mr. Ebikibina John Ogborodi.

According to him, “My desire is to make NECO surpass international standard, which other international examination bodies will look onto, that is my mission to NECO. “I am not here to be bias in anyway, rather, I am here as a Nigerian, and I will work with everyone to take NECO to the desired height.”

The registrar, who acknowledged that there are challenges that needs to be tackled, assured the body that

with the support of all staff, the challenges are surmountable.

Wushishi assured the staff that their rewards and privileges would be given to them as at when due, stressing however that the management under his leadership would not hesitate to punish any staff found wanting in the discharge of his or her duties.

He solicited for the support of the management and staff members to enable him actualise his vision for the Council.

The Registrar, who thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for deeming him fit to be appointed the NECO registrar, pledged to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Education and the NECO Governing Board.

Earlier, the former acting Registrar, Mr. Ebikibina John Ogborodi, had briefed Wushishi on the progress report on the on-going 2021 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) as well as other mandates of the Council.

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Atiku Abubakar: Profile of a Perennial Presidential Candidate Will He Give It Another Shot?

Olawale Olaleye Alhaji Atiku Abubakar isn’t just a household name in the nation’s socio-political spectrum, his physiognomy is also fast becoming synonymous with perennial presidential runs as those watching political events now see it. Curiously, it’s a submission evidenced by the facts of history.

The incumbent president, Muhammadu Buhari once shared a history synonymous with Atiku’s in his political trajectory as he ran for president several times before eventually realising his long-desired ambition in his fourth attempt, Atiku, however, has had a much longer run for the presidency, making him a veteran presidential hopeful in the country’s political record.

So barring any unforeseen developments, there are strong indications that the Adamawa State-born politician has yet to give up on his presidential bid as the nation gears up for another round of elections in 2023.

However, the majority of opinions are of the position that Atiku’s best shot and chance at the presidency was his 2019 showing. These people are largely of the view that more obstacles seem to stand in his way as 2023 election draws near, including but not limited to zoning (southern agitation), age (Atiku will be 76 in 2023) and health challenges (sullied with insinuations), amongst several other considerations.

But all that may not deter Atiku who has a knack for throwing his hat into the ring in every presidential election cycle and has unsuccessfully contested five times for the office of the president (and still counting?). He did so in 1993, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019.

In 1993, he contested the now-defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential primaries. After the first ballot in the primaries held in Jos, Plateau State, the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola won with 3,617 votes. His closest rival, Baba Gana Kingibe had 3,255 votes, while Atiku with 2,066 votes came third. Atiku and Kingibe would later mull the idea of joining forces, with their 5,321 combined votes, to challenge Abiola’s 3,617.

But Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua(rtd) had to intervene and in an intense horse trading, asked Atiku to withdraw from the race on the condition that Abiola had agreed to make him his running mate. Unfortunately, too, Abiola was later pressured by the SDP governors to select Kinigbe as his presidential running mate, in the June 12 presidential election.

Abiola was to later settle for Kingible.

And the rest is history.

After the June 12 debacle had ushered in the late General Sani Abacha transition, Atiku showed interest in Adamawa State’s governorship under the defunct United Nigeria Congress Party. But, again, that transition programme ended abruptly with the death of Abacha on June 8, 1998.

However, later in 1998, Abubakar joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the General Abdusalam Abubakar(rtd) transition programme and subsequently secured nomination for the governor of Adamawa State. He went on to win the December 1998 governorship elections. But before he was sworn in, he was offered and he accepted to be running mate to the PDP presidential candidate, a former military head of state, General Olusegun Obasanjo, who went on to win the 1999 presidential election, and thus birthed the Fourth Republic.

In the twilight of a stormy second term with Obasanjo, and surviving several impeachment attempts including battling corruption allegations, which

Atiku

have remained an albatross for him till date, Atiku defected to the defunct Action Congress (AC), where he contested the 2007 presidential election against the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua of the PDP. He lost the election to the deceased. He later returned to the PDP before the 2011 election.

In 2011, he contested the presidential primaries of the PDP and lost that too to then incumbent president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who went on to win the presidential election. However, in 2014, he joined forces with other like-minded politicians to form the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of his 2015 presidential bid, contested the presidential primaries of the party, but lost to Buhari.

Not unexpectedly, in 2017, Atiku returned to the PDP and emerged the party’s presidential standard-bearer for the 2019 election, and again, lost to Buhari in a keen contest.

Of course, the journey to 2023 began almost immediately after the 2019 elections and although the situation is very fluid with all manner of postulations still being thrown up, the Atiku factor has remained a constant. It is not clear yet how his rumoured ambition will ultimately pan out

in the PDP but there are strong indications that the man, 74, is determined to wriggle through to contest for the highest office in the land.

Needless to say, however, that Atiku came into the nation’s political consciousness in the early 1980s, when he allegedly worked behind the scenes for the Gongola governorship bid of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, then managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). Atiku was said to have massively funded his campaign.

Prior to this, he had cross paths with the late General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, who was then the second-in-command, Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters between 1976 and 1979.

Of course, Atiku was initiated by the late officer-turned-politician into some political meetings that would later become a regular in Yar'Adua's Lagos home, and ultimately, gave rise to the Peoples Front of Nigeria (PFN).

Happening after Atiku had just called in time on his career at the customs service, the PFN had in its fold such politicians like the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Baba Gana Kingibe, Bola Tinubu, Sabo Bakin Zuwo, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Abdullahi Aliyu Sumaila and Abubakar Koko.

In 1989, Atiku was elected the National

Vice-Chairman of the PFN in the build-up to the Third Republic, and went on to win a seat to represent his constituency at the 1989 Constituent Assembly, constituted to decide a new constitution for Nigeria.

The PFN was eventually denied registration by the military junta (none of the groups that applied was registered though), but it merged with the SDP that was created by the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida(rtd) for a new political future.

On September 1, 1990, Atiku announced his Gongola State gubernatorial bid. But a year before the elections, Gongola was severed into Adamawa and Taraba States by the federal government. He however fell into the new Adamawa State. After the contest, he won the SDP Primaries in November 1991, but was disqualified by the government from contesting the election.

Born on November 25, 1946, Atiku, a politician and businessman, is believed to still have an eye on the nation’s number one seat. But, like a cursed ambition, some questions are inevitable: will he run again in 2023? Will he make it this time if he runs? And if he runs and fails, will he bid his ambition a final goodbye?

On all these, the jury is still out.

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

Will APC Settle for a National Chairman from the North?

Emameh Gabriel writes on the dynamics and intricacies as the All Progressives Congress is set to hold its congresses which would set in motion a series of activities and events culminating in the party’s national convention, though no specific date has yet been set for the highest organ of the party, the national convention to converge, political actors have no doubt been warming up to replace the caretaker national chairman, Mai Mala Buni

Buhari

T

he ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) recently announced the postponement of the date of its congresses initially scheduled for July 24, August 14 and September 18 respectively for the election of party executives from the ward to the state levels, with the ward congress now holding on July 31th which will ultimately culminate in its much awaited national convention where the national officers of the party who will direct its day to day affairs would be elected.

Despite the high level intrigues and obvious contradictions the congresses cannot be wished away as it is mandated in the party’s constitution for such a time as this and the most coveted position up for grabs is that of the National Chairman. If all goes well, he will be in charge of overseeing most crucially the party’s presidential convention where the party’s candidate for the 2023 general election would be decided. But as analysts have avered, it would be one of the biggest tests for the ruling party in its quest to remain dominant and relevant beyond 2023.

As the ruling party edges closer to its national convention, the controversial zoning principle and formula has re-emerged to dominate the political discourse in its ranks. However, zoning has always been central to political party conventions in Nigeria given the nature of our society, for the APC to thrive and maintain its stability and cohesion it must walk the same path ensuring that a fine and delicate equilibrium among geo - political forces is achieved.

Thus, without second guessing, the pathway to the national convention which is widely expected to be slated for December, with the latest extension of the CECPC mandate, is filled with hurdles which the APC must try to jump and jump well if it is to remain the ruling party for the foreseeable future, which may not be unconnected with the recent initial postponement of the congresses.

A chieftain of the party and member of the 2018 APC National Convention Committee, also member of the Screening Sub Committee of the ruling party, Mr Elton Onwu told THISDAY that there is cause for alerm as leadership of the party at the national level has been able calm the seemingly storm in the party.

“So far, the APC Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee chaired by the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, has done an “A Class Job” of steering the affairs of the party leading up to the congresses. Fences have been mended and still work in progress, more powerful blocks have joined the party and President Muhammadu Buhari has shown uncommon leadership by being father of all.

The forthcoming National Convention will

Buni

Al-Makura

not be devoid of political controversies but we shall overcome and come out stronger together as a political family more ready to continue in government post 2023.”

The party has not always had it easy in times of major decision making as factions and tendencies jostle for pre dominance throwing up fresh rancour and rubbing old injuries. The imperative of having a new elected national executive members of the party cannot be overstated as the Buni-led Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) that took charge of the party’s affairs after the eventual removal of the Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC) seems to have overstayed having being initially appointed for a six-month tenure to conclude reconciliation in the party’s ranks and files and organise yet another convention where a new substantive party chairman shall be elected. For now, the committee’s mandate has been extended for the third time, much to the chagrin and suspicion of some stakeholders in the party.

However, it is widely believed that the current arrangement, which some consider ‘illegal’ will not continue beyond the end of the year, so that the party’s next national officers have ample time to prepare for the next presidential election, which they will be going into without the much touted persona of President

Buhari.

Without the formal announcement of the date for the national convention, stakeholders and gladiators have already set their machineries in full swing knowing that 2023 is just around the corner and the Buni CECPC would eventually give way to an elected leadership as prescribed in the party’s constitution. Though there have also not been a formal final decision by the party on zoning and micro - zoning formula, maybe out of deeply entrenched sense of the necessity for power rotation coupled with the clamour for Southern presidency, most of those who have indicated interest for the plum job of the chairman of the party so far are all northerners and mostly former governors.

They include two erstwhile overnors of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff and Kashim Shettima, as well as former Governor of Gombe state, who is currently a senator representing Gombe central, Danjuma Goje, former Governor of Zamfara state, Abdul - Aziz Yari, former Governor of Bauchi state, Isa Yuguda, and two former governors of Nassarawa state, who are also currently Senators, Tanko Al - Makura and Abdullahi Adamu respectively.

Intrigues in the party in the lead up to the convention are expected to rise especially as ward, local government and state congresses are expected to take place successively over the next one month. Political watchers aver that the non announcement yet of a definite

Senator Musa, the serving senator representing Niger East Senatorial District parades excellent professional and educational credentials. He believes he is the right man for the job. Exhibiting an unblemished record in his distinguished career both in the public and private service, since 1986, Senator Musa is a passionate ICT oriented person. To his credit, he developed and promoted Electronic Voting for the first time in Nigeria.

This manifested in the introduction of Card Reader and Permanent Voters Card (PVC), the revolutionary steps is the instrumental to the transformation of political party election in Nigeria by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2015 and 2019

Musa

date for the ultimate convention may be a deft move to manage the potential fall - out from the congresses. While the APC despite its procrastination like its successors would eventually adopt a zoning or micro - zoning formula much would have to do with the balance of intrigues within the party which will be especially engendered by the recent re - registration exercise and the outcome of the congresses.

But from the look of things, if the President’s words and body language is anything to go by, the macro and micro zoning formula for the national convention would be determined by the National Executive Committee of the party after intense negotiation and horse trading by power blocs.

While APC congresses have always been a tumultuous affair, they have always managed to go to the eventual convention as one united house, as we saw in the emergence of John Odigie Oyegun and Adams Oshiomhole as party chairmen. Even Bisi Akande as interim national chairman from the Southwest stepped down for John Oyegun who was from the South - South, after the Vice Presidential ticket was zoned to the Southwest. So in both the 2014 and 2018 conventions, consensus candidacy were their hallmark. At no time is it more imperative to replicate such system as now when the fate of the party in the post - Buhari era is gradually and tortuously being drafted.

As it stands today, President Muhammadu Buhari is from the North-west, while Vice President, Yemi Osinbanjo is from the Southwest and Yobe state governor, Mai Mala Buni is currently completing the tenure of the South - South. But since it is the tradition that the President and party chairmanship should oscillate in opposing manner, that is if the presidency is expected to swing to the South, the chairmanship automatically jolts to the north. And the two regions which have contributed enormously to the successes of the APC, since the party’s political ascendancy, have been the North-east and the North-central, who have not shied away from trumpeting their interests. It is this tune that Shettima, Modu Sheriff, Yuguda, Al - Makura, and Senators Abdullahi and Goje have thrown their hats into the ring.

Abdul- aziz Yari who is from the same zone with the president is also interested and has been making wide consultations.

Abdul-aziz Yari is arguably one of the most controversial politicians in the ruling party because of the Supreme Court judgement stripping the party of all elected political offices in the state at the 2019 general election in a suit ignited by his quest to impose his hand-picked successor.

Though the one time chairman of the Nigerian governors forum still enjoys the respect of his

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Yari

former colleagues, it is clear that his quest is an uphill battle especially with the recent defection of Governor Bello Matawalle to the APC. Political watchers opine that if it is not a mission impossible then it is extraordinary, because as a rule of thumb that no Nigerian governor wants to struggle with a party chairman over the structure of the party in the state, and definitely not with Yari, whose fanatical zeal ruined the APC in Zamfara. Yari has insisted that no one can scheme him out of the race.

According to him, he was not perturbed that some political bigwigs in the North-west including serving and former governors were allegedly trying to edge him out in order to actualise their presidential or vice presidential ambitions in 2023.

Yari said with the political experience he has garnered over the years, he has the capacity to lead the APC to victory in the 2023 general polls.

“If God decides that it should be, it is going to be. People can manoeuvre and do all sorts of calculations but they will not prevail. All I know is this, I have the capacity to lead this party and they know what I can do.

“Some persons can fabricate lies but at the end of the day, the truth will prevail. There are so many other things they have said that are mere tissue of lies meant to try to get a good man down but they will never succeed,” Yari said.

Yari said despite his inability to accomplish all the objectives it set for itself in its progressive manifesto, the APC has abundant chances of winning the 2023 elections in a very remarkable way, if the “right things” are done between now and next year.

Another gladiator who has declared his intention for the plum job is the former governor of Bauchi state, Isa Yuguda. Though he is a shrewd politician, even becoming a one time Minister of Aviation, he seems to have been invisible in the scheming of things under the APC administration. Though he can still pull a string or two, is home state of Bauchi is in the grip of the opposition, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and not being a governor on the platform of the party, it will be difficult for him to secure the goodwill of the Progressives Governors, a major deciding bloc in the party.

Former governor of Borno state, Ali Modu Sheriff is another controversial figure who has declared interest for the highly coveted office.

Sheriff was one of the founding members of the APC having led his erstwhile party, the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) through the merger process before subsequently decamping to the PDP on the eve of the 2015 election and rising to become a factional chairman of the PDP before the supreme court decided in favour of Senator Makarfi led caretaker Committee. His defection to the PDP in 2024 and his almost sudden ascendancy to the party chairmanship is a clear prove to the deftness and doggedness of this former Senator from Borno state. He returned to the party he helped founded in 2018.

Though Ali Modu Sheriff has not been visible in the media spaces of lately, he is not a man to be easily written off. He has the intellectual dexterity and financial war chest to facilitate his ambition. But it will be a difficult task to get the support of the governor’s forum who are expected to exercise enormous influence as they always have over the convention outcome particularly since his estranged political godson, former governor Kashim Shettima is reportedly also in the race and enjoying the staunch backing of Governor Babaganda Zulum who is in control of the state’s party structure.

Former Governor Kashim Shettima has enjoyed a seamless political journey and good

Adamu

Sheriff

reputation. As governor he was lauded for his extraordinary disposition, which was even enhanced as Senator because of the excellent job his hand picked successor is doing which has gained traction round the country, revealing him as a man of good judgement. Mr Shettima is largely seen as a congenital fellow, that posseses the wit and administrative acumen to lead the APC if given the opportunity. Mr Shettima comes for this position without the baggages of his fellow contenders.

If push comes to shove, Shettima could rally the support of both the Progressives Governors and the Senate caucus for his ambition, bearing in mind that he is yet to formally make a declaration.

Tanko Al - Makura is another less controversial figure in the race for the chairmanship of the APC. Mr Al - Makura who is from the CPC legacy party bloc of the APC, is also seen as not a divisive fellow and has the tendency to run a balance party administration if the opportunity arises. He is well known to both the ACN and CPC tendencies of the party. Like Kashim Shettima, he was a former governor and current Senator, and has successfully foisted an hand picked successor on his home state of Nassarawa.

Also like Shettima, he enjoys the support of the progressives governors being one of its earliest members, having ascended to power in 2011 on the platform of the CPC. It is also believed that his candidacy may enjoy the backing of the president owing to his CPC roots. Until a formal announcement on a macro or micro zoning formula both Al - Makura and Shettima are top contenders for the position.

Danjuma Goje is another heavy weight who is interested in leading the APC into the 2023 electoral battlefield. The former governor on the platform of the PDP and current Senator representing Gombe central was a leading contender for the Senate Presidency at the inception of the 9th Senate before dropping out at the eleventh hour after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari for the party’s annointed candidate, Ahmed Lawan. Though after the election he was reported to have said it was the last time he was putting himself up for election and that after 2023 he would quit politics. Though Mr Goje his yet to openly declare his intention as was his

style, party sources have revealed that the graduate of Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University iis interest and may even be testing the waters. Goje who is a third term Senator and current the chairman of the Senate appropriation Committee is a highly respected politician on the national political landscape since making his debut as a member of the Bauchi state house of Assembly during the second republic. He was instrumental in the APC dislodging the PDP in Gombe state after 16 years in control.

Analysts opine that that given his experience, the former minister of mines, would be the man to beat if he eventually make public his intention.

Former Governor of Nassarawa Abdullahi Adamu, like one of his successors, Tanko Al-Makura is also eyeing the coveted seat. The third term Senator and veteran politician made his entry into the political scene in 1977 when he was elected to the Constituent Assembly that drafted the constitution of the short- lived Second Republic and was subsequently the first Secretary General of the NPN in Plateau State, later becoming it’s chairman in 1982. At the inception of the Fourth Republic he was founding member of the PDP and later two term governor. The politician who was one time chairman of the governors forum still enjoys respect on the political scene but is also viewed by some as divisive and controversial, more obviously aligned with northern interest. While he enjoys the respect of both former governor Tanko Al-Makura and current Governor Sule, it unlikely that both would support his candidacy particularly with Al - Makura is also in the race. He is a chip of the old block and may not appeal to the progressive governor who would not want a personality that would seem distant and more likely to assert his independence. Moreover, the man has not in anyway ingratiated himself with the important Southwest tendency of the party.

There is a school of thought who posit that the APC chairmanship should not be made an exclusive to former state governors. Therefore, they are pushing the candidature of Mallam Saliu Mustapha from Kwara State and Senator Sani Musa who represents Niger East in the Senate.

Mustapha has paid his dues in political

Though there have also not been a formal final decision by the party on zoning and micro - zoning formula, maybe out of deeply entrenched sense of the necessity for power rotation coupled with the clamour for Southern presidency, most of those who have indicated interest for the plum job of the chairman of the party so far are all northerners and mostly former governors. They include two erstwhile overnors of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff and Kashim Shettima, as well as former Governor of Gombe state, who is currently a senator representing Gombe central, Danjuma Goje, former Governor of Zamfara state, Abdul - Aziz Yari, former Governor of Bauchi state, Isa Yuguda, and two former governors of Nassarawa state, who are also currently Senators, Tanko Al - Makura and Abdullahi Adamu respectively

Mustapha

party administration, starting the All Peoples Party (APP) in 1999 to the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in 2003.

He was among those that followed President Muhammadu Buhari when they formed the Congress for Progressive Change ((CPC) and to the legacy party, the APC. In all his sojourn in the political terrain, he held various position getting to position of the deputy national chairman of the APC But apart from all his sojourn in the executive cadre of political party administration in Nigeria, spanning more than 20 years. From the Buhari Organisation (TBO) to the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Mustapha who was the deputy national chairman of the CPC has crossed the administrative party organs with his gentle mein. To his credit, the CPC has a foothold in Nasarawa state before merging with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to become the APC. Currently, the CPC bloc in APC is angling to produce the next national chairman.

They argue that after both All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) have had their slots, it was their lot to produce the next national chairman. The CPC bloc has to decide who it will support between Mustapha and Al-Makura.

Senator Mohammed Sani Musa has come out boldly to stake his claim for the office of National Chairman of the party, a move he hitherto kept within his circle of close friends and political associates. Now, that it has become clear that the Caretaker committee is close to the end of its assignment, there should be no tip-toeing about his political aspiration.

Senator Musa, the serving senator representing Niger East Senatorial District parades excellent professional and educational credentials. He believes he is the right man for the job. Exhibiting an unblemished record in his distinguished career both in the public and private service, since 1986, Senator Musa is a passionate ICT oriented person. To his credit, he developed and promoted Electronic Voting for the first time in Nigeria. This manifested in the introduction of Card Reader and Permanent Voters Card (PVC), the revolutionary steps is the instrumental to the transformation of political party election in Nigeria by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2015 and 2019.

“I am a person with proven integrity,” said the Senator basking in the glory of the game changing experience that his innovative electronic devices brought to election in Nigeria. “My experience in private and public sectors, the capacity required to manage diverse people and interests irrespective of tribe, religion and region is already imbibed by me. I am a mobilizer, a bridge builder and a strategist that is passionate about wholesome development of the nation. I possess a strong interpersonal skill by demonstrating the utmost discretion and integrity in all of my dealings.”

In 2015, Musa went through a trying period for which he believes he will yet be recommended for National Honour. He narrated the incident.

“My integrity was brought to test in 2015 when I was arrested and detained and later induced with financial and material gift to compromise the 2015 general election by revealing the confidential information on the Card Reader, but for my believe and stand for the nation, I refused to compromise and the success of the 2015 general election was celebrated across the globe. My zeal and determination is always to get the best for Nigeria and Nigerians.”

With the congresses now shifted to begin on July 31, it is apparent that the current leadership is holding its cards close to its chest in order to maintain the party’s fragile unity.

20

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY JULY 27, 2021

POLITICS

FOR THE RECORD

Selfless Leadership and Good Governance in Nigeria Attahiru M. Jega, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission dissects the concept of selfless leadership at the memorial workshop in honour of the late Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, first civilian Governor of Lagos State, organised by Federal Social Democrats

I

preoccupied with the search for measures and mechanisms of reforming public institutions and making the delivery of public sector services to the public more transparent, accountable, efficient and cost-effective through reform processes. As Rothstein has noted, “since the late 1990s, economists and political scientists alike have started to argue that dysfunctional government institutions play a central part in many of the world’s most pressing economic and social problems” (2014b: 5). Hence, panacea was seen as “good governance”, which can remove distortions in the public sector and SFTUPSF GVODUJPOBMJUZ PG JOTUJUVUJPOT 5IVT iHPPE governance” became the framework within which to introduce market mechanisms into the public sector governance processes. Many conceptions of “good governance” abound, as summarized

by Rothstein: from good governance as small government, to good governance as the absence of corruption, to good governance as the rule of law, good governance as democracy, to good governance as government efficiency, etc. (ibid.

2014a: 146-152).

In advancing the case of good governance, many other concepts are also bandied about; such notions as “devolved governance” related to organization of public administration; “delegated Jakande governance”, in regulatory policy; and new issues were introduced to “fiscal governance” (Hardiman fundamental needs and aspirations of and coordinate the traditional government 2014:236). In particular, under the framework citizens, amongst which human security organization, the bureaucracy, through of “good governance”, African countries were guided to “bring managerialism into the public is paramount. Human security, broadly ‘top-down’ authority systems (ibid. 85). defined, is essentially about wellbeing, peace Governance in the context of a modern bureaucracy” and introduce “public management of mind and happiness of the entire citizens, nation-state is first and foremost about reforms” which have the objectives “of increasing without which, no nation can ever be at providing for the fundamental needs and efficiency, cutting costs, and helping the public peace. Governance is therefore intricately aspirations of citizens, through governmental sector to deliver high-quality service” (Pierre linked to human security. Good democratic institutions and processes, steered, driven 2014: 188 &190).

In any case, good governance came to mean governance is the panacea for national and guided by chosen representatives of the socioeconomic growth and development people through competitive elections, which the absence of bad governance. Characteristics and human security in countries that are free, fair and credible. Amongst what of “bad governance” are identified as: lack of are democracies or aspire to be so. Bad can be termed as the fundamental needs accountability and transparency, interference governance and mis-governance, on the and aspirations of citizens in any country with the rule of law and corruption. Indeed, contrary, obstruct democratic development, are: food, shelter, health, education, rights, bad governance is perceived as the inability of undermines economic growth and nurtures, wellbeing and human security, which is public institutions to manage public affairs and public resources; and the failure of a government as well as entrenches human insecurity. indeed paramount.

Governance is often confused with In the crisis and adjustment period of to meet the needs of society while making the government. But, as Heywood has noted, the mid 1980s, the Washington Consensus best use of all the resources at their disposal.

Ironically the World Bank’s conception of “good “’Governance’ is a broader term than govern- served as the framework for the intervention ment”, in the sense that it “… refers, in its activities of the World Bank and other inter- governance” is applicable within the contexts of widest sense, to the various ways through national economic development institutions both democratic governments and authoritarian which social life is coordinated [in a given in the “economic development” of African regimes, with profound contradictions being polity]. Government can therefore be seen countries, such as Nigeria (World Bank evident. Cutting costs, “rolling back” the state, as one of the organizations involved in 2000). It pushed for “massive deregulation efficiency, institutional capacity building, were governance…” (2015: 84). In this sense, of markets, tightening of public spending, pursued vigorously at the expense of inclusivity, government is the organizational platform of guarantees for property rights and large scale participatory processes, bottom up approaches governance in the public sector, as “market” privatizations” as the requisite conditions and to some extent, even transparency and acis the organizational platform of governance for economic growth and development DPVOUBCJMJUZ 5IVT HPPE HPWFSOBODF JT TUSJQQFE in the private/economic sphere, and “net- (Rothstein 2014a: 144). off its normative democratic content.

5IF OPUJPO PG iHPPE HPWFSOBODFu FWPMWFE Perhaps a more useful concept would be that works” are the organizational frameworks for governance in the civil society sector. with the failure of structural adjustment which qualifies governance, such as a notion of In the public sector, governance is a form programmes (SAPs) to catalyze economic “good democratic governance”. In a transitional of public management, which involves “row- growth and development in the so-called democracy, such as Nigeria’s, whatever else ing” (administration or service delivery), developing countries, and seem to have governance could be, it must include a democratic or more recently, “steering” (setting targets replaced the Washington Consensus in content: it must be participatory, with bottom-up and strategic objectives) in addressing the the 1990s. Since the 1990s, scholars have processes and it must have inclusivity.

What does good, democratic governance entail? welfare and wellbeing of citizens. In this attributed the failure of the Washington context, to ‘govern’, “is to rule or exercise Consensus strategy to the lack of functional, Its framework is necessarily democratic, it is control [over] others” and to preside over or weakness of, institutions and have been governance within a constitutional framework and based on the rule of law, as well as circumscribed by universal rights and freedoms. Governance Although a necessary condition, selfless leadership is not in an undemocratic context and framework, no matter how good, may not necessarily be a sufficient condition for good, democratic governance. TVTUBJOBCMF 5IBU JT XIZ JU JT CFUUFS UP GPDVT PO For Nigeria’s progress and development, which address the good democratic governance, rather than just good governance.

ntroduction I appreciate the honour of being asked to make this presentation at this event and I am glad to do so. Late Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande was indeed a selfless leader in governance. He was among the very few selfless leaders Nigeria has had, in his time, since then and indeed in our country’s entire history.

He was not only selfless but also a visionary leader, focused on initiating and executing policies, programmes and projects to address the fundamental needs and aspirations of citizens. By so doing, whether as Governor of Lagos State October 1979 – December 1983, or as Minister of the Federal Republic September 1993 – June 1998 (?), in the discharge of his assigned responsibilities, he was impactful and he touched lives, consequently his legacy and memory live forever.

Nigeria has been afflicted by or with the misfortune of having characters in governance, who are neither selfless, nor visionary; who are rather essentially greedy (for power and/ or money), clueless, reckless and therefore perpetrators and consolidators of poor / bad democratic governance.

One of the major challenges of good democratic governance in Nigeria, therefore, is that of getting Jega selfless, visionary, patriotic, pro-people, inclusive, focused and effective leadership, to drive/ pilot Nigeria’s national affairs and the political economy towards good, democratic governance.

We have muddled through national problems, with epileptically energy superficially, essentially due to the absence of such requisite leadership, as a result of which the challenges have magnified and become complexified, appearing daunting and insurmountable, and pushing the country towards the precipice and potentially off the cliff.

In the current situation, getting things right and reverting to the appropriate trajectory of good democratic governance would require selfless, visionary leadership committed to, and focused on, people-oriented policies for socioeconomic growth and development.

In what follows in this presentation, I elaborate upon the following points: r 5IFSF JT UIF OFFE GPS QSPQFS VOEFSTUBOEing and appreciation of the concepts of “Good Governance” and “Good Democratic Governance”.

What Nigeria needs and requires is not merely good governance but good democratic governance r 5IFSF JT B DPSSFMBUJPO CFUXFFO TFMáFTT leadership and good governance, especially good democratic governance in Nigeria r "MUIPVHI B OFDFTTBSZ DPOEJUJPO TFMáFTT leadership is not a sufficient condition for good, democratic governance r 'PS /JHFSJB T QSPHSFTT BOE EFWFMPQNFOU XIJDI address the fundamental needs and aspirations of the citizens, Nigeria would require people in leadership positions who are not merely selfless, but also visionary, patriotic and people-oriented; who have the capacity, competence and ability to appreciate and manage the complexity of our diversity, on the basis of equity, equality of opportunity, fair-play and the rule of law. Leaders who can protect, defend and advance citizenship rights against discrimination, marginalization, predation and exclusion.

Conceptualizing Governance, Good Governance and Good Democratic Governance In the context of the public sector in modern states, governance is about “steering” the course amidst “the changing boundaries between the public, private and voluntary actors, [which] may include a range of themes [such as] “the process of engagement (politics), the substantive issues (policy), and the institutional structures through which state and other actors relate to one another (polity)” (Hardiman, 2014: 228). Even in stable democracies, the complex interactions and associated outcomes, which governance represents, are in constant need of refinement and replenishment through reform measures. In unstable and transitional democracies, such as in Nigeria, governance requires constant attention and requisite reforms for it to deliver on the

fundamental needs and aspirations of the citizens, Nigeria would require people in leadership positions who are not merely selfless, but also visionary, patriotic and peopleoriented; who have the capacity, competence and ability to appreciate and manage the complexity of our diversity, on the basis of equity, equality of opportunity, fair-play and the rule of law. Leaders who can protect, defend and advance citizenship rights against discrimination, marginalization, predation and exclusion

Characteristics and Attributes of Selfless Leadership Selfless leadership is desirable for societal progress and development as it is focused on satisfying collective needs and aspirations, in contrast to leadership characterized by selfishness, which is preoccupied with personal gain and the advancement of particularistic objectives.

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

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY JULY 27, 2021

21

LAWYER

A

WEEKLY PULLOUT Nnamdi Kanu

27.07.2021

Sunday Adeyemo

Kanu and Igboho: Hard Choices Before Nigeria

2/DASHBOARD

27.07.2021

Effect of Inconsistent Composition of Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee Panel PAGE 4

Ife 87’ Law Class Celebrates Four ‘Outstanding’ Members PAGE 5

QUOTABLES ‘…..It’s going to be a constitutional amendment like never before…..We are going to make fundamental changes that will be good for….the whole of Nigeria. All Nigerians, will be able to identify with these particular electoral amendments.’ Hon. Hakeem Olufemi Gbajabiamila, Lawyer, Speaker, House of Representatives, 9th National Assembly, Federal Republic of Nigeria ‘We must not encourage people who are given powers to work on behalf of the State, to abuse the powers. The Applicants were arrested in a ‘Gestapo-style’ manner, and they have been kept incommunicado for almost 20 days. They’ve denied the Applicants the opportunity to meet their Lawyers…..their families…..’ - Pelumi Olajenbasi, Counsel to Sunday Igboho’s aides arrested during the DSS raid on his residence

Visits to CJs Unethical, Says SAN and NBA Ikeja Chairman PAGE 5

Effect of Power of Attorney Not Executed Before a Notary Public PAGE 6

Why We Must Sustain Electronic Transmission of Results PAGE 7

/3

27.07.2021

Kanu, Igboho and Unresolved Issues What can I say? That General Tukur Buratai (Rtd) has found his real calling as an Ambassador and Detective, more so than a soldier?! Within a few weeks of his posting to the Republic of Benin, he was able to trace and orchestrate the arrest of Yoruba secessionist, Mr Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho in Cotonou, having failed to capture Abubakar Shekau and his group of terrorist insurgent criminals, Boko Haram (responsible for the kidnap, killing and displacement of thousands in the North), in almost six years as the Nigerian Chief of Army Staff! Similarly, Mr Nnamdi Kanu was picked up in Kenya, after running for dear life when the authorities invaded his home in 2017, and he too, very successfully evaded being captured in Nigeria.

Questions and Answers Is it that the foreign security agencies are more efficient than ours in Nigeria? I don’t think so.

Or, is it that the Nigerian authorities are more interested in secessionists than criminals? The answer to this question, is Yes. Or, still, is it that there is simply a lack of will on the part of Government to bring the insurgents/bandits/herdsmen to book? It seems so.

Deployment of Technology I will deal with the reason for my somewhat affirmative response to my last question, first. Some months ago, I watched a television interview in which Dr Doyin Okupe recalled how, when he was President Obasanjo's Media Adviser, he had sat with an Intelligence Officer who showcased a surveillance equipment to him. Dr Okupe recounted how they had watched and followed a gentleman from when he closed the door of his room at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja, until he boarded his flight at Abuja Airport. So, when they say criminals are inhabiting the Sambisa forest etc, I wonder why special equipment which Nigeria may already have, cannot be deployed to the Nigerian forests in a bid to locate criminals. I remember previously discussing the unsuccessful rescue of two foreigners in 2012, where the location of where they had been kept in Sokoto had been ascertained by their Governments through the deployment of surveillance/satellite technology. Granted, the equipment required to view dense forests may be different from that of those used to view open areas, but such equipment exists. So, why has Government failed to do the needful, so that six years into this administration, instead of quelling insecurity in Nigeria as promised, the situation has deteriorated to an all-time low?

With people like Sheikh Gumi, who actually even know the hideouts of some of these criminals having met with them, why is Government not following such leads and plucking these low hanging fruits? Why has Government not clamped down on Sheikh Gumi, the way it has done on Sunday Igboho? What crime did Sunday Igboho commit, apart from being a separatist agitator?

For this reason, many Nigerians (at least in the South) are not only accusing Sheikh Gumi (rightly or wrongly) of being an accessory to criminality instead of being the negotiator and peacemaker he purports to be, but condemn Government for also turning a blind eye to the known atrocities being committed by the Northern criminals like Dogo Gide and Dan Karami, while dealing with the South with an iron fist, based on what may be unproven allegations.

Has Government forgotten that, its primary purpose is the security and welfare of the people (Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution), and that every Nigerian life is precious? Are the lives of the Chibok girls, Leah Sharibu, and the people of Benue and Zamfara State not valuable? Has the issue of tribalism now been extended to the capture of criminals/ those Government may be looking for? Is this not the type of attitude that is fuelling the cries for secession? That the provisions in the Constitution regarding equity, equality, fairness, and justice for all Nigerians carry little or no meaning for this administration, and are nothing more than a mere farce to it? Can Government really continue to actively ignore the cries and complaints of its people, and dismiss them all as hate speech, conspiracy with Twitter to paint the Government in a bad light, treasonable felony and attempts to destabilise this administration, instead of facing reality and addressing them before things spiral totally out of control? Why is Government reluctant to use all the means available to it and recruit more if need be, to crush insecurity in Nigeria? Why the lack of will in some areas, while concentrating on others?

Fugitives and Extradition Now, to the second question. Undoubtedly, Government is certainly more concerned about stamping out secessionist movements. While I’m firmly for ‘One Nigeria’ on the basis of equity, fairness, equal opportunity and justice, we just hope that at the rate we are going, there will still

be a One Nigeria left, let alone one to secede from.

Black's Law Dictionary defines the word "Fugitive" to mean ".....evasion or escape from arrest, prosecution or imprisonment". As far as this definition is concerned, Nnamdi Kanu was a fugitive escaping from prosecution, since he had already been charged for offences and jumped bail. As for Sunday Igboho, we are not aware of him having been charged for any offence, at least not before the DSS (Department of State Services) raided his home with venom, causing him to flee; so he cannot be described as a fugitive.

Again, at the risk of sounding like a broken record or Cacofonix, even in the event that Mr Igboho was invited by the DSS, in a constitutional democracy, what is the legality of being invited to appear before an illegal law enforcement agency that has no establishment statute or identified mandate in law? Section 1 of the National Security Agencies Act 1986 (NSA Act) only recognises the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and State Security Service (SSS) for the effective conduct of national security in Nigeria. Specifically, Section 2(3)(a) of the NSA Act gives the SSS the mandate to prevent and detect any crime against the internal security of Nigeria. The DSS is unknown to law, and even if it is a successor-in-title to the SSS (for the sake of argument), for it to operate lawfully, the NSA Act would have had to be amended so to provide.

In Section 21(1) of the Extradition Act 1967 (EA) (which governs extradition in Nigeria), the definition of the term ‘Fugitive’ is somewhat different from that of Black’s Law Dictionary, as it limits its meaning only to those who have committed offences outside Nigeria and have fled from justice to Nigeria, as in the case of late Senator Buruji Kashamu aka Esho Jinadu aka Alhaji, who was wanted by the American Government for drug charges allegedly committed in USA. So, as far as the EA is concerned, neither Nnamdi Kanu nor Sunday Igboho qualify to be referred to as fugitives.

See the case of Orhiunu v FRN 1 N.W.L.R. Part 906 Page 39 at 58 per Galadima JCA. “Extradition is the process of returning somebody upon request, accused of a crime by a different legal authority for trial or punishment - Page 170 Dictionary Law by L.B. Curzon, 6th Edition, 2002.” - per Dongban-Mensem JCA (now PCA) in Udeozor v FRN 2007 15 N.W.L.R. Part 1058 Page 499 at 522.

Nnamdi Kanu who was facing charges before he jumped bail, was abducted/repatriated from Kenya. On the other hand, Sunday Igboho was not facing any charges. Going by the definition of extradition in Udeozor v FRN (Supra), how then does Mr Igboho fit in? At the time he fled, he was neither accused of a crime for trial, nor did he flee from prosecution. He fled in the interest of his own safety. In fact, in a civilised jurisdiction, the arms and ammunition which were allegedly discovered in Mr Igboho’s residence when it was raided on July 1 would be inadmissible in a court of law, as even if there was a search warrant (which we cannot ascertain), not only was it improperly executed by an unlawful agency, the exhibits could have been planted there to incriminate him.

I use the word abduct for Mr Kanu, because the proper process for extradition was not followed in bringing him back to Nigeria. Section 2(1) of the EA makes the EA applicable to every separate country within the Commonwealth - which includes UK, Kenya and Nigeria. The three countries are also members of Interpol. And even where there is no extradition treaty between two countries, their Governments may agree upon terms and conditions to extradite a fugitive. In either case, that is, where there’s an extradition treaty or there isn’t, the Governments of both countries must be involved in the process. In this case, the British and Kenyan Governments should have been involved, because Nnamdi Kanu is a British citizen who was travelling on a British passport in Kenya.

Strangely, however, the British Government had no knowledge of the extradition events, while the Government of Kenya has distanced itself from Mr Kanu’s arrest, claiming they were not involved in it. This is an indication that there is something wrong with how Mr Kanu was captured and brought back, which is why Government has kept the details of his arrest secret. Has Nigeria taken its lack of respect for the rule of law, across our borders into other countries? This reflects badly Nigeria, portraying us to be lawless. Be that as it may, I do not buy the Kenyan Government’s feigning of ignorance. While I maintain (as I did a few weeks ago) that being British certainly does not confer diplomatic immunity or immunity from suit and legal process on Mr Kanu, certainly due process must/should have been followed in his arrest. See the principle of Extraordinary Rendition.

Additionally, extradition treaty or not, crimes which fugitives are usually extradited for are murder, sexual assault, drug charges, kidnapping, financial crimes and terrorism; Governments are reluctant to extradite those who are going back to face charges for political crimes like treason and treasonable felony, in their countries. I am not sure whether all the charges against Mr Kanu bordering on terrorism were struck out by the court in 2017, but some were; and even if they were not, we all know that his travails with the State were more of a political nature. And even if the Nigerian Government has filed fresh terrorist charges against him, for crimes that he may stand accused of orchestrating while he was on the run, which qualify as extradition crimes, there is a legal process which should have compulsorily been followed to extradite him, which was not.

Section 3 of the EA provides that a fugitive (as defined in Section 21(1) of the EA) shall not be surrendered if his offence is political in nature, that is to say, Nigeria will not surrender a secessionist if such fugitive fled to Nigeria from where the alleged crime was committed. If this administration was able to extend political crimes to an extradition crime of drug charges, and not only refused to surrender Senator Kashamu to the American Government, but proudly swore him in as a Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic, why should the Government of the Republic of Benin surrender Mr Igboho for being a secessionist, contrary to Section 3 of the EA which prohibits our Government from doing same if the tables were turned? According to the principle of Reciprocity in International Relations and Diplomacy, “a State grants benefits and rights to another State, only if the other State grants the same treatment” - Republic of Benin has no reason to surrender Mr Igboho; and so far, they have refused to surrender him inter alia, on the ground that the Nigerian Government has failed to provide cogent reasons as to why they should accede to any request for his extradition. See the 1994 ECOWAS Convention on Extradition, on the conditions to be fulfilled (which Government has not), in making an application for extradition. It is also trite that the right to self-determination is well recognised, and is enshrined in the UN Charter. It is not a crime.

As for the issue of whether Mr Igboho was in possession of fake travel documents, even if it is true, the Republic of Benin and Nigeria are both ECOWAS countries and signatories to the 1951 Geneva Convention without reservation, it’s 1967 Protocol and the African Refugee Convention.

Under the 1951 Convention, asylum seekers who are fleeing for their dear lives and have no other means of travelling to safety but by the use of fake travel documents, have a good defence. See the 2016 British case of Syrian refugee, Roudi Chikho who had his conviction for using false travel documents to claim asylum overturned on appeal, on the basis of the 1951 Convention. See also the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the Principle of Non-Refoulement. The way the DSS descended on Mr Igboho’s residence,

“IF THIS ADMINISTRATION WAS ABLE TO EXTEND POLITICAL CRIMES TO AN EXTRADITION CRIME OF DRUG CHARGES, AND NOT ONLY REFUSED TO SURRENDER SENATOR KASHAMU TO THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT…..

WHY SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BENIN SURRENDER MR IGBOHO FOR BEING A SECESSIONIST, CONTRARY TO SECTION 3 OF THE EA WHICH PROHIBITS OUR GOVERNMENT FROM DOING SAME IF THE TABLES WERE TURNED?”

killing two people and destroying his property with gusto and aplomb (and relish), it would have been foolhardy of him to have waited to be arrested and then the keys would be thrown away, or maybe even killed.

Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho

Nnamdi Kanu

Conclusion Going forward, the world is watching how the Nigerian Government will handle the issue of Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho - call it a litmus test if you like. I can only advice Government to tread carefully, as the further mishandling of these two situations will most definitely lead to further agitations for secession and unrest. The other sensible thing to do, would be for Government to attend to the valid causes of some of these separatist agitations. They can no longer be ignored, swept under the carpet, or dismissed as the ramblings of troublemakers. They are real. I firmly believe that it is not too late for Government to right some of these wrongs, and douse the mounting tension in the country. I urge them to.

4/LAW REPORT

Effect of Inconsistent Composition of Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee Panel no valid evidence to prove that the Appellant committed professional misconduct, and the non-appearance of the Petitioners was tantamount to an abandonment of the petition.

He cited DICKSON v SYLVIA (2017) 8 NWLR (Pt. 1567) 167 at 234, paras. F-G. In reaction, both counsel for the Respondents argued that the nominal complainants, need not give evidence to prove the complaints. They contended that it was too late in the day for the Appellant to object to the admission of the documents admitted by the 1st Respondent through PW1, and the Appellant’s failure to object to the said documents during trial amounts to a waiver of his right to oppose them. Counsel cited NASIR v CSC KANO & ORS (2010) LPELR-1943 (SC).

Facts A certain Mrs. Olatimbo Ayinde, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Tubbs Marine and Energy (“Petitioner”) wrote a petition against the Appellant to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), alleging professional misconduct. She alleged that she engaged the legal services of the Appellant to undertake the perfection of the Company’s Deed of Assignment over a certain property and after the Appellant received the sum of N7,500,000.00 she paid him for the purposes of carrying out the instruction, the Appellant abandoned the instruction and failed to account for the money or refund it.

The 2nd Respondent forwarded the petition to the Appellant for his reaction, and the Appellant responded to the petition. Thereafter, the 2nd Respondent concluded that a prima facie case had been made against the Appellant, and referred him to the 1st Respondent for trial. The Appellant was charged before the 1st Respondent on a three-count complaint by the 2nd Respondent, for engaging in conduct unbecoming of a legal practitioner.

There were variations in the composition of the members of the 1st Respondent during the proceedings. At the close of the trial, the 1st Respondent found the Appellant liable for professional misconduct, and directed that his name be struck off from the Roll of Legal Practitioners in Nigeria.

Dissatisfied, the Appellant appealed to the Supreme Court.

Issues for Determination In its resolution of the appeal, the Supreme Court considered the following issues.

1. Whether there was investigation by the 2nd Respondent to find out if a prima facie case was made out, before the matter was referred to the 1st Respondent for trial.

2. Having regard to the variation in the composition of the 1st Respondent at various times during the proceedings, whether its directions was not totally in breach of the Appellant’s right to fair hearing, and all together, null and void.

Whether the findings of the 1st Respondent were supported by credible and admissible evidence.

Arguments On the first issue, counsel for the Appellant argued that it is when the NBA had previously investigated the case against a legal practitioner, that it will refer its findings by way of a report to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (“LPDC”) indicating that a prima facie case has been made out against the legal practitioner. He submitted that the 2nd Respondent did not set up any panel to investigate the petition against the Appellant before forwarding the case to the 1st Respondent for trial, and this was a clear violation of the laid down procedure which rendered the proceedings of the Committee null and void. In response, counsel for the 2nd Respondent submitted that there is no specific mode of investigating a petition; so long as it was investigated, it need not follow a particular format. He argued that the Appellant was served by the 2nd Respondent with a copy of the petition, and he responded to it. He argued further that the 2nd Respondent duly investigated and considered the petition against the Appellant and his response thereof and was satisfied that a prima facie case of professional misconduct had been made against him, before the case was referred to the 1st Respondent for trial.

On the second issue, it was argued on behalf of the Appellant that the composition of members of the 1st Respondent that sat on the petition against the Appellant varied throughout the proceedings, particularly on important dates in the proceedings, such as the dates of the taking of the plea, objections, evidence and rendering of Directions.

He submitted that a court/tribunal/administrative body is incompetent if the composition of its members is irregular from the beginning of hearing to judgement, and it was erroneous in law for the members of the 1st Respondent who did not participate fully in the proceedings and trial leading to the Directions to be called upon to determine the fate of the Appellant, without hearing him and other witnesses in the matter. Conversely, respective counsel for the 1st and the 2nd Respondent argued that a mere variation in the composition of the Committee at various sittings did not affect the legality of the proceedings of the 1st Respondent, and cannot render the judgement a nullity.

They submitted that at each hearing, there was always full quorum of persons belonging to the class of persons who are required to be members of the Committee present for the sitting in accordance with the Legal Practitioners Act, and the Appellant failed to demonstrate any miscarriage of justice he suffered as a result of the variation in the composition of the panel.

Arguing the third issue, counsel for the Appellant contended that the two letters consisting of the Petition of Mrs. Olatimbo Ayinde and another letter of petition of a certain

Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 5th day of February, 2021 Before Their Lordships

Olabode Rhodes-Vivour Musa Dattijo Muhammad Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju Abdu Aboki Emmanuel A. Agim Justices, Supreme Court SC.536/2015 Between Gabriel Gbenoba Esq.

Appellants

And

1. Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee 2. Nigerian Bar Association Respondents

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, JSC)

Victoria Folakemi Akinlabi were tendered by PW1, an Assistant Secretary of the 1st Respondent who admitted that he had no knowledge of the details of the transaction between the parties, and he was not a party to same.

Counsel argued that the

evidence of PW1 amounted to documentary hearsay and was inadmissible, as the relevant persons who made the statements and documents he tendered, ought to have been called to speak to the documents.

He submitted that there was

“……WHERE THERE IS VARIATION IN THE CONSTITUTION OF A PANEL THAT SAT ON A MATTER AT DIFFERENT TIMES, IT ADVERSELY AFFECTS JURISDICTION, AND THE TRIAL WILL BE A NULLITY”

Court’s Judgement and Rationale In its determination of the first issue, the court relied on its decision in CHARLES OKIKE v LPDC (2005) 7 SC (Pt. 111) 75 where it held that there is no provision in the Rules that the NBA must inform a legal practitioner against whom a petition was made how it went about its investigation, so long as he was given an opportunity to defend the accusations made against him.

The court held that it was clear from the record that the 2nd Respondent forwarded the Petitioner’s complaint to the Appellant, and he responded to the complaint, and it was after the 2nd Respondent had carried out its investigation on the petition and found that a prima facie case had been made out against the Appellant, it forwarded a formal complaint to the LPDC for the trial of the Appellant for professional misconduct.

Deciding the second issue, the court held that where there is variation in the constitution of a panel that sat on a matter at different times, it adversely affects jurisdiction, and the trial will be a nullity. The court relied on EGBA N.A. v ADEYANJU (1936) 13 NLR 77. A person or authority cannot be substituted or appear in addition to deliver a ruling, direction, or judgement, if that person or authority did not participate in hearing the facts and arguments that led to the conclusion. This will breed injustice, and gross miscarriage of justice will be the consequence - OBIAJULU NWALUTU v NBA & ANOR (2019) LPELR-46916 SC. Guided by the authorities above, the Supreme Court held that the LPDC is a quasi-judicial body and not merely an administrative body, hence, it must conduct its proceedings in accordance with the rules of natural justice and fair hearing. The LPDC is not a Star Chamber or Kangaroo court, doing wishy washy justice. There must be certainty, in the composition and consistency of its panel. The moral force of its Directions rests on the calibre of the people who took the final decision, to deprive a legal practitioner of his means of livelihood. The court held that the Directions agreed to by several members of the 1st Respondent who were not present during and throughout the proceedings, did not meet the basic requirement of fair hearing as entrenched in the Constitution.

On the third issue, the court relied on its decision in LPDC v GANI FAWEHINMI (1985) 2 NWLR (Pt. 7) 300 at 383-384 and held that the LPDC which exercises the important function of considering and determining cases of misconduct alleged against legal practitioners, must only consider valid and credible evidence adduced before it upon which to base its decision to disbar the legal practitioner. By Rule 10(2) of the LPDC Rules, it is clear that the Evidence Act shall apply in civil proceedings.

By the rules of evidence, without a witness adopting and speaking to a petition to prove the truth of its contents, it is documentary hearsay and inadmissible as credible evidence of its contents. The petition tendered

by PW1 and admitted by the 1st Respondent had absolutely no probative value, in the absence of the Petitioner who could speak to it. The documents were inadmissible in the absence of an opportunity for the Appellant to cross-examine the Petitioner, and no probative value could be attached to them because there was no opportunity to judge its cogency, consistency with other evidence, or the credibility of an absent witness whose demeanour, personality had not been subjected under the fire of cross-examination to the court’s scrutiny.

Appeal Allowed.

Representation Adamson Adeoro with Teslim Dauda for the Appellant.

Adedayo Adedeji with Abdulkareem Audu and M.C. Ezeobidi for the 1st Respondent.

Anozie Obi with Enwezor Nonye for the 2nd Respondent.

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

NEWS/5

27.07.2021

Ife 87’ Law Class Celebrates Four ‘Outstanding’ Members The University of Ife (Obafemi Awolowo University) Law Class of 1987 has honoured four members of its set who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession and positively impacted the society.

The honourees – Justice of the Court of Appeal (JCA) Olabode Adegbehingbe, Prof Olanrewaju Fagbohun, SAN; Mr Robert Emukperuo, SAN; and Prof Gbadebo Olagunju – were feted at an award ceremony in Ikeja, Lagos last Friday.

Fagbohun is the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University, (LASU), while Olagunju, Dean of the Faculty of Law at LASU, is the latest Professor produced by the class.

President Unife Law Class of 1987 Association Mr Caleb Arogundade said the third honouree, Emukperuo “is the latest addition to our ‘harvest’ of Senior Advocates of 1LJHULDµ He noted that Justice Adegbehingbe JCA was WKH ÀUVW WR EH DSSRLQWHG a Judge among the class members, having been appointed as a Judge of the Ondo State High Court in the year 2002.

was well attended by members of the class from across the world, was chaired by Justice Habeeb Abiru (JCA), while Prof Ishaq Oloyede was the guest speaker.

Oloyede, in his keynote speech, urged Nigerians to insist on credible leadership, adding that the impact of poor OHDGHUVKLS UHÁHFWV LQ WKH lingering dysfunctional L-R: Awardee, Robert Emukpoeruo; SAN; Awardee, Prof. Gbadebo Olagunju; Chairman of the day, Hon. Justice Habeeb Adewale Abiru, JCA; Special Guest, Wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun; Hon. Justice Olajumoke educational system, as Aiki; Awardees, Hon. Justice Olabode Adegbehingbe, immediate past Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University, Prof. well as the food insecuOlanrewaju Fagbohun, SAN, during Class of 1987 Association’s celebration and honouring of four of its members rity and other concerns at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on July 10, 2021 in Nigeria.

He is also one of the Deans at the Faculties at home and abroad.

“The day Prof Oloyede The event which Judges recently elevated of Law at Obafemi to the Court of Appeal. Awolowo University, The Ife Law Class of Ile-Ife (OAU) and Lagos 1987 prides itself as the State University, (LASU) “the Class of Distinc- respectively.

WLRQ µ $URJXQGDGH “One of us? has served explained why. He said: as the Vice Chancellor ´7KLV EHÀWWLQJ DSSHOOD- of a frontline University. A coalition of over 60 Presentations on the fundation stemmed from the Beyond the giant strides civil society organisations mental provisions of the Act converged last Thursday, were made by the Programs record of achievements of our members in the to address some of the Manager of HURILAWS, of our members, since Judiciary, Legal Practice crucial aspects of the seem- Mr Collins Okeke, National our graduation from the and Academia, mem- ingly moribund Police Trust Coordinator of NOPRIN, University of Ife in July bers of this Class have Fund Act which had been Mr. Ikule Emmanuel, and 1987. With all sense of distinguished them- inoperative since its passage former Managing Director of Lagos State Security Trust humility, our class has selves as industrialists, in 2017.

In a media parley or- Fund. eight Justices of the private entrepreneurs, High Court nationwide, banking and insurance ganised by the Human In a statement at the end and a Justice of the executives, reputable Rights Law Service (HU- of the programme the Cotax consultants, top RILAWS) and Network on alition said: “An effective &RXUW RI $SSHDOµ “This class has pro- civil servants, spiritual Police Reforms of Nigeria criminal justice system is (NOPRIN), the Coalition one of the key pillars upon politicians, queried the challenges in which the rule of law is duced eight Senior leaders, Advocates of Nigeria, legislators and top law the implementation of the built, because it serves as and seven Professors, practitioners. These Police Trust Fund Act and a functional mechanism with two of them achievers are all pull- some of its provisions which to redress grievances and serving as current ing their weight, both need urgent review. bring violators of social

returned billions to the coffers of the Federal Government, some Nigerians we’re saying who asked him to return the money? Who asked him? Money they’re going to steal at the end of the day? Why did he have to return the money to the National Assembly for the money to be appropriated or UH DSSURSULDWHG"µ The honourees expressed joy and gratitude to their colleagues, for the awards. They also UHÁHFWHG RQ QDWLRQDO issues.

Civil Society Coalition Brainstorm on Police Trust Fund

Visits to CJs Unethical, Says SAN and NBA Ikeja Chairman Steve Aya A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Layi Babatunde, has bemoaned the way some Federal Government agencies visit Chief Judges to solicit for assistance on the disposal of their cases pending before the courts, saying it smacks of corruption.

He said such visits could be compared to a situation where bank debtors form an L-R: Chairman NBA Ikeja Branch, Bartholomew Aguegbodo, Adesina Adegbite, Dr Muiz Banire, association, and pay similar visits to heads of courts to SAN, Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, Adeyemi Abijo, seek assistance on disposal Agencies is their penchant eats at the root of Justice particularly AMCON, who of their cases. to visit heads of Federal Administration in Nigeria, has on several occasions Babatunde, who is also the Courts, soliciting for as- having regard to Section ÁDXQWHG LQ QDWLRQDO GDLOLHV Publisher of Supreme Court sistance on the disposal of 36 (1) of 1999 Constitution, the pictures of its Chief Reports, made these remarks their cases pending before Mr Babatunde particuExecutive visiting Heads in a paper he delivered at WKH FRXUWV RU WR EH ÀOHGµ larly mentioned the Assets of Courts soliciting such the just concluded Law “With all due respect, this Management Company of assistance, capable of Week of the Nigerian Bar is a prototype of systemic Nigeria (AMCON) who he compromising and polluting Association (NBA) Ikeja corruption which should claimed has severally visited the streams of Justice.

Branch, titled “Our Role in not be encouraged, no heads of courts. “I therefore Chairman of NBA Ikeja the Effective Implementation matter the level of self- ask the Independent CorBranch, Mr. Barth Aguegof Nigeria’s Anti-Corruption righteousness of the cause rupt Practices Commission bodo on his part said: “The Laws”. of the practitioners of such (ICPC) to invoke its powers ÀJKW DJDLQVW FRUUXSWLRQ “One major area of concern a despicable model of road under Section 6(c) of its esis a two-way thing. The concerning the activities of WR VHHNLQJ MXVWLFHµ KH VDLG tablishment Act; to redirect anticorruption agencies, the some Federal Government Adding that the practice the efforts of such agencies, one who offers and the one

who accepts. There have been trials in this country by anticorruption agencies which didn’t end well, as the Defendants seemed to have walked away easily, only to be convicted in RWKHU MXULVGLFWLRQVµ “Our moral codes have been debased to such a level, that people don’t see anything wrong with ostentatious lifestyle of their children or wards. Wealth has been elevated to such a level, that the society doesn’t really care how such wealth is got. Well, the Lawyers who defend such persons charged for corrupt practices can only bend the law, but not break LW µ We should also examine the mode of appointment RI MXGLFLDO RIÀFHUV ´$ politician who appoints a -XGJH ZKLOH LQ RIÀFH ZLOO GHÀQLWHO\ KDYH D VRIW ODQGing if brought before the Judge on corruption charges DIWHU RIÀFHµ $JXHJERGR said.

norms to justice; and how well a country manages its criminal justice system affects its overall performance on the governance index.

“Unfortunately, the Nigerian criminal justice system LV IXQGDPHQWDOO\ ÁDZHG and the defects manifest at different stages of the criminal justice process, which is why HURILAWS alongside other civil society groups have been involved in advocacy for the passage of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law. “Having achieved substantial passage of the laws (ACJA/ACJL has been passed in the FCT and more than 25 States in Nigeria), we have taken the next logical task of working with our partners to increase awareness on provisions of the ACJA/ACJL including other legislation like the Anti-Torture Act 2017, the Nigerian Correctional Services Act 2019, and Police Force Order 237, amongst others. We are also advocating adequate funding for criminal justice agencies like the courts, the Police, and the Correctional Service.

“We are especially excited about the Police Trust Fund Act 2019. The Trust Fund as you know is designed to, among other things, provide funds for the training and retraining of personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), provide them with state-of-the-art security equipment, to improve the general welfare of the personnel of the NPF, and enhance their preparedness.

“The National Assembly has approved a budget of N74 billion, for the Trust Fund. We will monitor to ensure monies appropriated, DUH GLVEXUVHG DQG HIÀFLHQWO\ deployed.

6/

27.07.2021

Effect of Power of Attorney Not Executed Before a Notary Public This article written by Onyekachi Umah discusses the functions of a Notary Public of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which though not clearly stated in the Notaries Public Act, includes the certification of documents and administration of oaths, accentuating the fact that there’s a presumption of validity when a power of attorney is executed before, and authenticated by a Notary Public Introduction Any person in Nigeria can make an agreement for himself, or for another person for free. Agreement can be made in almost any place, apart from a place that may suggest that a party made an agreement under force or fraud. However, according to the Nigerian law of evidence, there is a special position for a power of attorney executed before and authenticated by a Notary Public for Nigeria.

Notaries Public and their Functions The Notary Public for Nigeria, is an office reserved only for fit and proper senior legal practitioners. Such legal practitioners are appointed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, and sworn-in by Chief Judges of the States where the legal practitioners practice. A Notary Public in Nigeria performs all the duties of a Notary Public in England, and is an officer of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The duties here, include; certification of documents and administration of oaths.

Unfortunately, the Notaries Public Act in Nigeria, failed to specifically list the functions of Notary Public, but merely states that a Notary Public in Nigeria will perform the work that a Notary Public in England performs.

Justice Niki Tobi, captures this gap in his judgement at the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the case BUHARI v INEC & ORS (2008) LPELR-814(SC), where he held; “Although the Notaries Public Act does not specifically state the duties or functions of a Notary, as Section 2(2) of the Act vaguely and lazily provides that a Notary appointed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria shall perform the same duties and exercise the same functions as a Notary in England, a Notary in England performs the function of administering oaths and attest and certify by his hand and official seal, some categories or classes of documents. As a matter of practice, Notaries in Nigeria perform such functions”.

Power of Attorney and a Notary Public Generally, an agreement can be oral or written, and there is no special paper or font size for agreements in Nigeria. Also, there is no need for an agreement to be registered in a court, for the agreement to be valid.

A power of attorney is an authority/consent given by any person to anyone, to do or not to do anything on behalf of the giver of such consent. However, a Federal law in Nigeria (the Evidence Act 2011), has a special interest on an agreement that is a Power of Attorney.

The Evidence Act assumes that a power of attorney that is executed (signed) before a Notary Public and authenticated by the Notary Public, is truly a power of attorney made by the donor (maker) or parties that their names and signatures appear as the makers of the power of attorney. This is one of the few circumstances where the courts in Nigeria allow presumptions. The presumption is valid and conclusive, unless and until there is a rebuttal (contrary) evidence to dislodge such presumption.

The courts in Nigeria presume that a power of attorney executed before a Notary Public and authenticated by the Notary Public, is truly made by the person or persons who signed as the makers of the power of attorney.

This is understandable, since a Notary Public is licensed to administer oath to persons in Nigeria, and as such, where persons come to Notary Public to sign a power of

attorney, the court is safe to presume that the persons truly signed the power of attorney. After all, a Notary Public is expected to be centuries away from lies, deceit and fraud.

As a matter of fact, in authentication of documents, a Notary Public is placed on the same position with a Court Judge, Magistrate, Consul, Representative of Nigeria or the President of Nigeria.

Well, since there is a saying that “assumption/presumption is the mother of all mistakes”, the courts in Nigeria are also given powers to reject and refuse the presumption that a power of attorney made before a Notary Public was genuinely made by the parties. So, by this, a court will allow disputants to prove that a power of attorney was genuinely executed (signed) by the purported makers.

In a judgement of the Court of Appeal, in the case of CHIEF G.N. OKOYE v MR NONSO DUMEBI (2014) LPELR-24155(CA), Agim JCA stated that; “The Supreme Court in MELWANI v FIVE STAR

“AS A MATTER OF FACT, IN AUTHENTICATION OF DOCUMENTS, A NOTARY PUBLIC IS PLACED ON THE SAME POSITION WITH A COURT JUDGE, MAGISTRATE, CONSUL, REPRESENTATIVE OF NIGERIA OR THE PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA”

INDUSTRIES LTD (2002) 1 SC 120 held that a Power of Attorney that is not executed before the Notary Public and authenticated by him, will not be presumed to have been made by the donor, and the donor’s signature will then have to be proved if it is alleged that the document was not made by the donor”.

Conclusion A power of attorney, can be written or oral. Where a power of attorney is written and executed before a Notary Public for Nigeria and authenticated by the Notary Public, the power of attorney will be presumed by all courts in Nigeria to have been genuinely signed and made by its makers. The presence and authentication by a Notary Public, adds this presumption to a power of attorney. Also, note that the same presumption is enjoyed, where a power of attorney is executed (signed) before and authenticated by any Court Judge, Magistrate, Consul, Representative of Nigeria or the President of Nigeria. So, the effect of a power of attorney not executed before and authenticated by a Notary Public, is that no court in Nigeria will presume that the power of attorney was genuinely made by the maker, and as such, the signature of the maker has to be proved, where the makers claim that power of attorney was not made by him/her.

Authorities Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

Sections 1, 2, 6 of the Notaries Public Act, 1936.

Sections 150 and 259 of the Evidence Act, 2011.

Judgement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (on the functions of Notary Public for Nigeria) in the case of Buhari v INEC & ORS (2008) LPELR-814(SC).

Judgement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (on the effect of Power of Attorney not Executed before a Notary Public) in the case of MELWANI v FIVE STAR INDUSTRIES LTD (2002) 1 SC 120.

Judgement of the Court of Appeal (on the effect of Power of Attorney not Executed before a Notary Public) in the case of CHIEF G.N. OKOYE v MR. NONSO DUMEBI (2014) LPELR-24155(CA).

Judgment of the Court of Appeal (that agreements need no court or Notary Public stamping to be valid) in the case of Okafor vTitilope & Ors (2018) LPELR-44385 (CA).

Onyekachi Umah, LL.M, ACIArb(UK)

27.07.2021

/7

Why We Must Sustain Electronic Transmission of Results This article by learned Senior Advocate, Dr Muiz Banire, highlights the advantages of electronic transmission of election results, and condemns Nigerian legislators for being retrogressive and anti-democratic, by attempting to frustrate the deployment of electronic transmission of results on account of seemingly lame excuses, and in so doing, discountenancing the will of the people they represent, because of their own selfish interests Introduction When, a few weeks ago, the National Assembly embarked on public hearing across the nation in the process of amending the grundnorm of the country, the Nigerian Constitution, I had cause to analyse the purport of the journey and ended up dubbing it as a legislative scam. This time around, it is the Electoral Act that is in the process of being amended.

The Electoral Act is made pursuant to the Constitution of Nigeria, and meant to regulate the way and manner elections are conducted in Nigeria. All processes connected with the conduct of elections in Nigeria are guided by the Electoral Act, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Regulations and Guidelines.

History of Amendments to the Electoral Act The first relevant Electoral Act in this regard was enacted in 2006, and was substantially amended in 2010. Between that period and now, except for some snippets of amendments, like the 2015 amendment, no major overhaul of the Electoral Act has been done.

The last attempt at such substantial review was in 2018, but the President vetoed same by refusing to append his assent on several grounds, among which were the re-ordering of election schedule, which he felt tampered with the discretion of the INEC, and the expansion of the grounds of questioning election.

Since that time, and arising from our experiences in the operation of the Electoral Act 2010, with its amendments, Nigerians have been yearning for a new Electoral Act that will address all the identifiable defects in the Act. The current experiment by way of the Electoral Bill being considered, is, therefore, a welcome development.

Advantages of Electronic Transmission of Results While the content of the proposals as contained in the draft bill is yet to be unveiled, information filtering to the public with regard to the electronic transmission of the polling booth results, is unpalatable. If what is in the public space is anything to go by, particularly inferences capable of being drawn from the interview of some key figures in the Committee responsible for the packaging of the amendment process at the National Assembly, then Nigerians might be in for the worst, in terms of the credibility of our elections.

Under the Electoral Act, INEC is empowered to transmit results from the polling units electronically. This much INEC has done, in the deployment of electronic transmission of results in Edo and Ondo States gubernatorial elections. It is a step already hailed by the electorate, and equally embraced. With the deployment of the electronic transmission of results in those States, manipulation of election results in the process of collation was eliminated.

In fact, election petitions that arose from the elections avoided any contest in that regard, as the Petitioners knew that the server is well and alive to testify. In addition, the use of political thugs to torpedo and manipulate election results, greatly reduced. The electronic transmission further served as a booster of confidence in the electorate who trooped out to perform their civic duty by voting, believing and convinced that their votes would count.

Prior to the introduction of electronic transmission of results by INEC, alteration of results, defacement of result sheets, outright vanishing of result sheets, as well as manipulation of outcomes of elections, were the order of the day.

The good news is that the manual transmission of the results is still allowed to run concurrently with this electronic transmission under the new procedure, thereby acting as

Senate President, Ahmed Lawan

Dr Muiz Banire, SAN

a backup. Any discrepancy in the results between that electronically transmitted and that contained in the manual result sheets automatically raises red flags for interrogation.

The use of manual transmission has, in the past, led greatly to the thwarting of the will of the electorate. It is a major debacle in the conduct of free and fair elections in Nigeria. Manual transmission singularly, is a potent tool for rigging elections by politicians in Nigeria. Thus, with electronic transmission, voters’ apathy is gradually becoming extinguished. Due to these capacities of the electronic transmission, our elections are gradually becoming credible.

This innovation was immediately embraced by all lovers of democracy in the country, and constitutes one of the credits that INEC earned in recent times.

However, as Nigerians are beginning to heave a sigh of relief in this regard, looking forward to further upgrades in terms

of electronic voting, shock is creeping in now with the story of stoppage of the use of electronic transmission. It is distressing for Nigerians to learn that this progressive step, is on the verge of being reversed by the anti-democratic forces in the National Assembly. As if that was not enough badge of anti-democracy to demonise a legislator, it has always been said, and it is beginning to manifest, that the members of the National Assembly are not true democrats, or else, how does one describe the attempt to muzzle protesters? Protest is ingrained in democracy, and it is not only a civil right, it is also a fundamental component of right to freedom of expression as a fundamental right that cannot be impaired. We have listened to all manner of excuses, to give sense to the nonsense of stifling democracy by our elected representatives.

“…..IT IS PERTINENT FOR US ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS, CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS AND ALL DEMOCRATS, TO WAGE WAR AGAINST THE THREAT TO STOP ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF RESULTS. WE MUST NOT ALLOW THESE RETROGRESSIVE FORCES, TO OVERREACH OUR COLLECTIVE WILL….”

Lame Excuses Now, in the attempt to rationalise the removal of the power of the INEC to deploy electronic transmission of results, several lame excuses have been put forth, prominent of which is the challenge of telecommunications network in some parts of Northern Nigeria. Is this enough excuse to halt the progressive step? I do not think so. In the first instance, the truism in all situations is that, once the diagnosis of a problem is made, the prognosis is in sight.

The most recent example is the Coronavirus.

As soon as the nature of the problem was identified, solutions began to emerge. The point being made, therefore, is that, having identified the challenge of network unreliability in some parts of the country, the expectation would be to address the challenge by the National Communications Commission, in conjunction with the various telecommunication companies in the country. Solving any form of network challenge, is not rocket science in any part of the globe. In fact, to the best of my knowledge, there is nothing technical about the problem other than security issues.

The bane is simply vandalism of the facilities, and deliberate impairment of the efficient operation of telecommunication service by the security agencies for monitoring purposes, and to frustrate potential criminals. These are mere issues capable of being resolved, with the huge resources continuously appropriated to the security agencies. Hence, between now and the next election, the problem can be put behind us. Assuming, without conceding, that it is even impossible to solve, the hitch in the negligible areas affected should not and

must not constitute a bar to the adoption of the electronic transmission system across the larger part of the nation. The worst scenario is that, in that little enclave, INEC can deploy manual transmission where it is convinced that the electronic transmission system is impracticable.

Beyond this, I am aware that most of the electronic innovations being canvassed or introduced by INEC, are capable of being actuated through the use of satellite communication systems. In the alleged areas, the card reader still functions. What, therefore, will prevent electronic transmission from functioning?

Furthermore, all the people in those areas operate electronic banking and enjoy other electronic services, including application for employment. What now makes electronic transmission of results impossible, except for the selfish reason of manipulating election results?

If the truth must be told, most members of the National Assembly are already unpopular in their various constituencies, and they rely on manipulation of the electoral process to emerge in future elections. This thought negates the stance of the President and the ruling party, as the duo have, at various times, stated that part of the legacy they are leaving behind is free and fair elections in Nigeria. To this extent, I expect the ruling party to wade in by matching word with action, and demonstrating sincerity of purpose in this regard. It is against this threat by the legislators to sabotage the free electoral will of the electorate, that I call on all stakeholders to rise up and defend the electronic transmission of results already deployed.

As the Bill containing the clause disabling the use of electronic transmission has slipped through, we urge Mr President, in line with his pronouncement and posture, to deny assent to the Bill which contradicts his stance on credible elections. Furthermore, it is our view that, by now, the country is ripe for electronic voting. So many professional associations are already adopting the system, in the conduct of their elections.

The system need not be perfect from inception, as in other ventures. With time and usage, continuous improvement will dwarf whatever challenges that might be noticed in the application. “Practice makes perfect” is the proverbial saying. Electronic voting is no more rocket science globally. The guilt lies in not commencing it at all. In the light of all the above, it is pertinent for us all the stakeholders, civil society organisations and all democrats, to wage war against the threat to stop electronic transmission of results. We must not allow these retrogressive forces to overreach our collective will, and draw us back any longer.

Conclusion I must register my delight, at seeing some groups who raised their voices in this regard.

We need more to sink the anti-democrats. On this issue, we cannot afford to be nonchalant and lackadaisical. Election is the bedrock of our democracy, and as democrats, we cannot afford to be passive on this fundamental issue.

Without ensuring that our votes count, we cannot have credible elections, the implication of which is that good governance will remain a mirage to us. By way of conclusion, should the President assent to the Bill, we must be proactive by preparing to challenge it in the court, not necessarily to win the case, but at least, to expose the dubious intention of our politicians in this regard, by denying us the right to choose how we are governed.

We can also start mobilising against such retrogressive Bills now.

Dr Muiz Banire, SAN, former APC National Legal Adviser

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Kanu and Igboho: Hard

In the face of crippling economic and security challenges, the Federal Government of Nigeria under President Buhari, has had the additional challenge of dealing with dissent, and very worrisome and unrelenting agitations for regional autonomy and outright secession. One of the arrowheads of these agitations, is the leader of the proscribed Igbo nationalist organisation, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who was abducted in Kenya and whisked back to Nigeria, ‘Gestapo-style’ to continue his trial in court.

However, his arrest did not deter his counterpart in the South West, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, who after the invasion of his residence by men of the DSS on July 1, 2021, fled the country to neighbouring Republic of Benin where he was arrested by the authorities last week, while attempting to board a flight to Germany along with his wife, Ropo. Now the concerted efforts by the Nigerian Government to extradite Igboho, are the subject-matter of the present diplomatic row between Nigeria and Benin Republic. In this Special Edition, Femi Falana, SAN, Dr Ayodele Akenroye, Kede Aihie and Jefferson Uwoghiren examine the complex legal issues arising from the convoluted international conundrum in this Discourse Why Sunday Adeyemo Cannot be Extradited to Nigeria Without Due Process Femi Falana, SAN Hammoni Tidjani Sometime in 2003, a detachment of the Nigeria Police Force invaded Benin Republic and forcefully arrested Hammoni Tidjani, who was alleged to have been involved in several cases of transborder crimes including armed robbery, car snatching and money laundering.

The suspect was brought to Nigeria and charged before the High Courts of Ogun and Lagos States. But, while he was standing trial at the Lagos High Court, he was reported to have died of stroke in a crowded cell at the Kirikiri Maximum Correctional Centre. The brutal treatment meted out to the suspect and the breach of the sovereignty of Benin Republic, attracted the condemnation of the human rights community.

Cameroonian Refugees In January 2019, 53 refugees and asylum seekers from Cameroon were arrested and detained at the request of President Paul Biya. In spite of the intervention of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Federal Government deported them to Cameroon in utter breach of the law.

On the instructions of the refugees and asylum seekers, we approached the Federal High Court for legal redress.

As the Federal Government could not justify the brazen violations of the fundamental rights of the Plaintiffsthe trial Judge, Chinyere J. declared their deportation illegal, awarded damages of N5 million to each Applicant, and ordered the Federal Government to bring them back to Nigeria. Not satisfied with the decision, the Federal Government has taken the matter to the Court of Appeal.

Nnamdi Kanu A few weeks ago, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu was allegedly abducted in Nairobi, Kenya, and forcefully brought to Nigeria by security forces. Even though Kanu was liable to be arrested and brought back to Nigeria to face trial having jumped bail, the refusal of the Federal Government to follow due process in the case has exposed Nigeria

Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho

to international opprobrium. Even though the Guardian Newspaper of London has revealed that the British passport of Mr. Kanu has been traced to Kenya, the Kenyatta administration has denied involvement in the illegal abduction.

Sunday Igboho’s Extradition

“IT IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO STATE THAT IGBOHO IS WANTED FOR TERRORISM AND MURDER. THE REQUEST MUST BE SUPPORTED

BY A STATEMENT OF THE OFFENCES FOR WHICH EXTRADITION IS REQUESTED, THE TIME AND PLACE OF THEIR COMMISSION; THEIR LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS…..”

Nnamdi Kanu

But, unlike Kenya, the Republic of Benin has rejected the demand to deport Chief Adeyemo (a.k.a. Sunday Igboho) outside the ambit of the law. Hence, the Federal Government has submitted a request for the extradition of Igboho in accordance with the provisions of the ECOWAS Convention on Extradition, and the Extradition Law of Benin Republic On July 1, 2021, the residence of Chief Sunday Adeyemo (a.k.a Igboho) at Ibadan, Oyo State, was raided by armed operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS). Even though Igboho escaped arrest, two of his guards were killed while 13 other people were forcefully arrested in the compound and taken to Abuja where they have since been held incommunicado.

Thereafter, Igboho was declared wanted and put on International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) watch-list by the DSS. We have however, confirmed that Igboho and his wife were arrested

by Interpol in Cotonou, Benin Republic on Monday, July 19, 2021 on their way to Germany.

According to media reports, Igboho and his wife were detained by the Police authorities in a criminal Police station in Cotonou (his wife has subsequently been released). If they are indicted for breaching the Criminal Code of Benin Republic, they are liable to be arraigned before a criminal court in Cotonou. Contrary to speculations in the media, it is submitted that Igboho cannot be expelled from Benin and deported to Nigeria on the basis of his arrest by Interpol without due process as prescribed by Article 12(4) of the African Charter on Human

and Peoples Rights, which provides that “A non-national legally admitted in a territory of a State Party to the present Charter, may only be expelled from it by virtue of a decision taken in accordance with the law.”

Thus, the Federal Government cannot bring back Igboho to the country without first making a request for his extradition and prosecution in Nigeria, pursuant to the provisions of the ECOWAS Convention A/P.1/8/94 on Extradition, which is applicable in the 15 member States of the ECOWAS. It is pertinent to note that, the 1994 ECOWAS Convention has superseded the 1984 Extradition Treaty between Nigeria, Togo, Benin and Ghana pursuant to Article 32 of the ECOWAS Convention on Extradition.

Accordingly, upon the receipt of a request for the extradition of Igboho, the Government of Benin Republic will be under a legal obligation to commence extradition proceedings in one of its domestic courts. It is pertinent to point out that by virtue of Article 28 (2) of the ECOWAS Convention on Extradition, the procedure with regard to extradition and provisional arrest are governed solely by the law of the requested State, which in this case is that of the Benin Republic.

Apart from providing for a speedy extradition procedure, the Government of Benin Republic shall ensure that Igboho, whose extradition is requested, has the right to be heard by a judicial authority and to be assisted by the Lawyer of his own choice. Nigeria is specifically requested

by Article 4 of the ECOWAS Convention on Extradition, to convince the Court in

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Choices Before Nigeria Cotonou that the offence in respect of which Igboho is wanted is not political, or for the purpose of prosecuting him on account of his ethnic group or political opinion. Various provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Nigeria is also a party, apply as well. As noted, if the person is lawfully within the territory of the rendering State, extradition requires due process.

Furthermore, an extraordinary (extra-legal) rendition frustrates the requirements of the African Charter, and the Covenant that anyone who is arrested or detained should have a right to challenge the validity of his or her detention. The seizure and rendition of suspects may be characterised as a “forced disappearance” under international human rights law, by which an individual is abducted by persons acting on behalf of or with the acquiescence of the State, followed by a denial (or obfuscation) of information or other forms of accountability by State authorities.

From the information at our disposal, the new Ambassador of Nigeria to Benin Republic, General Yusuf Buratai (Rtd), has hurriedly submitted an application for the deportation of Igboho to Nigeria. With respect, the request cannot be granted as it has to comply with Article 18 of the Extradition Convention. It is not sufficient to state that Igboho is wanted for terrorism and murder. The request must be supported by a statement of the offences for which extradition is requested, the time and place of their commission; their legal descriptions; and a reference to the relevant legal provision shall be set out as accurately as possible; and an authenticated copy of the relevant law indicating the sentence which may be or has been imposed for the offence. To that extent, the Republic of Benin has not received a proper request from the Federal Government, for the extradition of Igboho.

Meanwhile, the Government of Benin Republic is detaining Igboho provisionally, to await the request of the Federal Government for his extradition. It should be noted that the provisional arrest may be terminated if, within a period of 20 days after the arrest, the requested State has not received a request for extradition from the requesting State, in accordance with Article 15 of the ECOWAS Extradition Convention. If there is no strong evidence that Igboho has committed criminal offences, the Federal Government should not embarrass the country by requesting for his extradition.

Femi Falana, SAN, Human Rights Lawyer and Activist

The Kanu and Igboho Saga: International Law and Extradition to Nigeria Dr Ayodele Akenroye Background

On June 27, 2021, news emerged that Nnamdi Kanu the separatist leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had

“HAVING ESTABLISHED THAT THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT DID NOT HAVE THE LEGAL STANDING TO EXTRADITE NNAMDI KANU TO NIGERIA, IT APPEARS THAT THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT RESORTED TO EXTRAORDINARY RENDITION WHICH IS A GOVERNMENTSPONSORED ARREST, KIDNAP AND ABDUCTION,

Femi Falana, SAN

been arrested by the Kenyan Government, while in Kenya, at the behest of the Nigerian Government and repatriated to Nigeria to face his outstanding criminal charges of terrorism, treasonable felony, unlawful possession of firearms, and management of an unlawful society, among others. This generated quite an inferno in the Nigerian public space cutting across ethnic lines, and most commentators condemned the Nigerian Government for engaging in illegal acts to get Nnamdi Kalu back to the country.

However, the Kenyan Government has denied being involved in the abduction of Nnamdi Kanu.

While the inferno was still raging and IPOB members largely located in the Eastern part of Nigeria are blowing hot and spitting fire for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, news emerged again that Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, who has been vigorously agitating for the breakaway of the Yoruba ethnic group from Nigeria, was arrested by the Government of the Republic of Benin, while hiding in Cotonou, based on an extradition request from the Nigerian Government. This recent development further inflamed the already heated polity, with a cross-section of the Nigerian populace accusing the Nigerian Government of not respecting international law principles and employing illegal tactics to quell the agitation for separation from Nigeria by the Igbos and the Yorubas, by illegally arresting and detaining the two arrowheads for the separatist movements. While the facts in the case of Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho are not completely similar and analogous, however, certain salient issues in extradition laws are engaged in both cases, I will be analysing those salient issues and make linkages in both cases.

What is Extradition?

Extradition is the process where a country such as Nigeria can request another country such as Kenya or the Republic of Benin, to have an “extradited person” returned to the requesting country, in

this case Nigeria, to face prosecution for a crime punishable by Nigerian laws.

For Nigeria to make this request to the Governments of Kenya and the Republic of Benin, certain legal criteria must be fulfilled.

First, the “extradited person” must either be charged before a court of law with a crime but yet to be tried or have been tried and convicted; however, the “extradited person” escaped custody, or the “extradited person” was tried and convicted in absentia.

Nnamdi Kanu Applying the general legal principle above to the case of Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho, in the case of Nnamdi Kanu, there is an outstanding criminal case in Nigeria against him dating back to October 2015 when he was arrested and charged to court on an 11 count charge relating to terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms and improper importation of goods among others. Some of the charges against him, were struck out by the court. He was released on bail in April 2017, after spending 18 months in detention. After his release, he jumped bail and fled Nigeria, and a warrant of arrest was issued against him.

On the face of it, Nnamdi Kanu can be tagged an “extradited person”.

Sunday Igboho However, the tag of “extradited person” cannot be placed on Sunday Igboho.

Sunday Igboho is not facing any criminal charge in Nigeria, at the time of writing this article. Simply put, Sunday Igboho is not a fugitive from justice.

It must also be pointed out that any request from the Nigerian Government to the Government of the Republic of Benin for the extradition of Sunday Igboho, must comply with Article 18 of the Economic Community of West African States Convention on Extradition of 1994, which lists all the compulsory information and supporting documenta-

AND IT IS A VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW…..”

tion that must accompany an extradition request. This includes “(a) the original or an authenticated copy of the conviction and sentence immediately enforceable or the warrant of arrest or other order having the same effect and issued in accordance with the procedure laid down in the law of the requesting State; (b) a statement of the offences for which extradition is requested. The time and place of their commission; their legal descriptions; and a reference to the relevant legal provision shall be set out as accurately as possible; and (c) an authenticated copy of the relevant law indicating the sentence which may be or has been imposed for the offence and as accurate a description as possible of the person claimed together with any other information which will help to establish his identity, nationality and whereabouts”.

As it stands, the Republic of Benin can only detain and prosecute Sunday Igboho based on a breach of the criminal laws of the Republic of Benin, and not based on an “extradition request” from Nigeria or in anticipation of an extradition request from Nigeria. Also, based on the basic principle of territoriality in criminal law, the Republic of Benin cannot apply their criminal laws to any alleged criminal acts Sunday Igboho might have committed in Nigeria, in the current court proceedings against Sunday Igboho in the Republic of Benin. Even if a criminal charge is filed in Nigeria against Sunday Igboho, cont'd on page 10

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it might not have retroactive application, unless the Nigeria Government backdates the date and time the criminal charge was initiated in Nigerian Courts to days before Sunday Igboho was arrested by the security of the Republic of Benin.

Sunday Igboho also enjoys the protection of Article 12(4) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights which provides that “A non-national legally admitted in a territory of a State Party to the present Charter, may only be expelled from it by virtue of a decision taken in accordance with the law.” Also, the Nigerian Government must demonstrate based on Article 4 of the Economic Community of West African States Convention on Extradition of 1994 that the offence which Sunday Igboho is wanted in Nigeria, is not a political offence or an offence connected with a political offence, and that the request for his extradition is not a proxy for prosecuting or punishing him on account of his race, tribe, political opinion, sex, or status, religion and national. This could be a tough hurdle for the Nigerian Government to cross, as the targeting of Sunday Igboho by the Department of State Service is based largely on his political opinion – agitating for the creation of the Yoruba Nation and his race – being a Yoruba man.

Second, even if Nnamdi Kanu is an “extradited person”, the Kenyan Government can only extradite him to Nigeria, if both Nigeria and Kenya have entered into a bilateral extradition treaty governing the process and procedures for extraditing citizens of both countries. The Court of Appeal in George Udeozor v Federal Republic of Nigeria (CA/L/376/05) stated that “the right of one State to request of another the extradition of a fugitive accused of a crime, and the duty of the country in which the fugitive finds asylum to surrender the said fugitive, exist only when created by a treaty.” It appears that there is no existing bilateral extradition treaty between Nigeria and Kenya, and therefore, the procedural safeguards usually embedded in extradition treaties were not engaged and not available to Nnamdi Kanu. Importantly, Nnamdi Kanu was deprived of the protections embedded in Kenya’s 1968 Extradition Act, which include the requirements to issue an arrest warrant and bring Nnamdi Kanu to a court of law before extraditing him to Nigeria based on Kenya’s Extradition (Commonwealth Countries) Act of 1968, which applies to both countries.

Extraordinary Rendition Having established that the Nigerian Government did not have the legal standing to extradite Nnamdi Kanu to Nigeria, it appears that the Nigerian Government resorted to extraordinary rendition which is a government-sponsored arrest, kidnap and abduction, and it is a violation of international law as it completely denied Nnamdi Kanu the right to challenge his removal to Nigeria and put him in a position where he can be tortured.

Extraordinary renditions typically involve several human rights violations, including abduction, arbitrary arrest and detention and unlawful transfer without due process of law. It also violates several other human rights safeguards, for instance, the victims of extraordinary rendition have no possibility of challenging their detention, or the arbitrary decision to transfer them to another country.

The United States of America is notorious for having used extraordinary rendition acts to transfer “war on terror” detainees into the custody of other States, assuming custody of individuals from foreign governments and abducting suspects on foreign soil.

The “Dikko Affair” Nigeria has also been involved in extraordinary renditions, in the past. The “Dikko Affair” of 1984 easily comes to mind, when

Dr Ayodele Akenroye after the 1983 coup d’état the Federal Military Government of Nigeria led by Major-General Muhammadu Buhari requested the British Government to surrender Umaru Dikko, who was a former influential Federal Minister of Transportation and was living in the United Kingdom, and became a vocal critic of the military Government. Umaru Dikko was accused of embezzling several billion US dollars in oil profits, from the national treasury. Nigerian intelligence officers in collaboration with some Israeli nationals, attempted to kidnap Umaru Dikko and cargo him to Nigeria in a crate. However, the kidnap attempt was thwarted by the British security outfits, leading to a strained

“IF NNAMDI KANU WAS FORCIBLY BROUGHT TO NIGERIA, THAT WILL AMOUNT TO EXTRAORDINARY RENDITION…..ALSO CALLED IRREGULAR RENDITION OR FORCED RENDITION…..A GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED ABDUCTION AND EXTRAJUDICIAL TRANSFER OF A PERSON FROM ONE COUNTRY TO ANOTHER, WITH THE PURPOSE OF CIRCUMVENTING THE COUNTRY'S LAWS….”

relationship between Nigeria and Britain.

The British Government arrested seventeen individuals involved with the abduction attempts, and four were convicted and sentenced to prison terms of 10 to 14 years.

Breach of International Law Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer, Mr. Ejiofor, has alleged, during a television interview, that after Nnamdi Kanu was abducted by security forces from Kenya’s airport, he was tortured for eight days in a private residence, before being repatriated to Nigeria. If that allegation is true and if the security agents who tortured him were Nigerians or were acting on behalf of the Nigerian Government or were agents of Kenya, then Nigeria and Kenya would have breached international law.

It further appears that the abduction of Nnamdi Kanu meant, if Kenya is involved in the abduction, breached her treaty obligations including those under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT). Also, under international law, it is illegal for Nnamdi Kanu to be involuntarily removed from Kenya to Nigeria, without any kind of judicial or administrative process.

Furthermore, it is not known if Nnamdi Kanu was afforded access to Lawyers, his relatives, or doctors while in detention at a private residence in Kenya for the eight-day duration. International human rights bodies have held that secret detention and enforced disappearances, constitute ill-treatment or torture.

Existing international law principles, do not sanction the use of extraordinary rendition to have brought Nnamdi Kanu to Nigeria to face his outstanding criminal charges. Indeed, Nnamdi Kanu was a fugitive from justice in Nigeria who breached his bail conditions, fled from Nigeria, and holed himself between the United Kingdom and Kenya.

However, there are robust international law frameworks, including extradition processes, that could have been used to bring him back to Nigeria. It is illegal for Nigeria to resort to extraordinary rendition, and this tinted an otherwise legal requirement with illegality. It also has the potential of causing a diplomatic row between Nigeria and Britain, since Nnamdi Kanu is equally a British citizen.

The UNCAT has a robust extradition framework that Nigeria could have utilised

to enlist the support and cooperation of Kenya and the United Kingdom, to secure the lawful surrender and transfer of Nnamdi Kanu. Indeed, this was a missed opportunity, for Nigeria to demonstrate her deep commitment to international law principles on extradition. For instance, Articles 9.1 and 15 of UNCAT mandates that States parties such as Nigeria, United Kingdom and Kenya shall afford one another the greatest measure of assistance in connection with criminal proceedings, including the supply of all relevant evidence at their disposal necessary for such proceedings, and they are to respect any treaties on mutual judicial assistance existing between them.

In the case of Sunday Igboho: it is imperative for Nigeria to respect international law principles, including the Economic Community of West African States Convention on Extradition of 1994, in her attempts to extradite him to Nigeria. If Sunday Igboho is not charged to court for a crime known to the law and a warrant of arrest issued against him, it will be difficult for Nigeria to successfully make an extradition case against him, before the courts in the Republic of Benin. Caution must be exercised to ensure that Nigeria does not miss another opportunity to repair her badly dented image - due to the abduction of Nnamdi Kanu - and recommit herself to international law principles particularly on extradition, and work genuinely with the Government of the Republic of Benin to lawfully have Sunday Igboho transferred into Nigerian’s custody, the emphasis being on “lawfully”.

Dr Akenroye, Adjunct Professor and Teaching Fellow, Centre for Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies, The University of Toronto, Canada

Kanu, Igboho Testing Nigeria’s Federacy Kede Aihie Introduction Two separatist agitators are currently facing legal exposure. Nnamdi Kanu, the self styled "supreme leader" of IPOB (Indigenous People of Biafra), was recently brought back to Nigeria to continue his court trial. Sunday Adeyemo aka "Igboho" is currently detained in Benin Republic. What both individuals have in common, aside from their separatist cont'd on page 11

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agitation, is their legal exposure.

It is not clear how Nnamdi Kanu was brought to Nigeria. So, was Kanu repatriated, extradited or brought to Nigeria against his will? If he was, what are the legal implications.

There's currently some diplomatic stalemate in Benin Republic, over Igboho's detention and possibly extradition.

Nnamdi Kanu Let me put Kanu's case in context. He was facing trial in Nigeria, was given bail, he fled the country contrary to his bail conditions.

According to lead counsel for IPOB, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Nnamdi Kanu was "arrested by the Kenyan Government before he was handed over to the Department of State Services".

Assuming this statement is correct, the issue of return to Nigeria poses the question of its legality. If Nnamdi Kanu was forcibly brought to Nigeria, that will amount to extraordinary rendition.

Extraordinary rendition, also called irregular rendition or forced rendition, is a governmentsponsored abduction and extrajudicial transfer of a person from one country to another, with the purpose of circumventing the country's laws on interrogation, detention, extradition and/or torture.

Rendition becomes unlawful when a suspect is handed over without the permission of a judicial authority, or, after the transfer, that person is tortured or held in breach of their human rights.

Nigeria is silent on how Nnamdi Kanu got to Nigeria, Kenya has denied having a hand in his alleged abduction. His Lawyer says, he was abducted in Kenya.

Sunday Igboho Sunday Igboho's case is slightly different from Nnamdi Kanu. "Igboho" was declared wanted by Nigeria's Department of State Services (DSS), after his house was attacked.

The news of Igboho and his wife's arrest and detention in Benin Republic, has raised a couple of legal issues. Mrs Ropo Adeyemo Igboho is a German citizen, while "Igboho" holds a German residency.

While Nigeria is seeking his extradition, Igboho's Lawyers are seeking his release relying on the Extradition Treaty of 1984 between Nigeria, Togo, Ghana and Benin Republic, which prevents extradition, "where a fugitive will not get justice or be discriminated against in his native country".

The question remains, whether Kanu's rights were violated after jumping bail. This to my mind, can only be answered by the courts. The challenge really, is whether a court will take into account the reason why Kanu jumped bail. Secondly, the Government will have to show how he was brought back to Nigeria, and whether the due process was followed.

The U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Binyam Mohamed case, seems to have favoured extraordinary rendition in the cases before them. My suspicion is that Kanu's trial will continue, and additional charges will be added.

Kede Aihie, Publisher of the London based Nigerian Magazine

Rule of Law on Trial Jefferson Uwoghiren Every Government retains the right to sanction alleged criminal infractions of its law and regulations. This right extends to suspected criminals evading justice.

Extradition The legal processes of bringing suspected criminals to justice are expressly provided for, through a legal and administrative mechanism, known as Extradition. This is a formal legal request to another country,

Kede Aihie seeking the apprehension and return of a person of interest, to face justice in the requesting State. This process is a culmination of prior treaty, initiated and cemented between the countries involved. It is not executed upon the arrest of a particular person, but is futuristic with specific requirements for cooperation in the arrest of either political fugitives or criminal elements.

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to enact and enter into this type of agreement with every country. The result is a desperate extra-judicial resort to illegal, embarrassing State sponsored terrorist actions to snatch

“ONE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL RESTRICTIONS AGAINST THE EXPRESS GRANTS OF EXTRACTION REQUESTS, IS THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF LEGITIMATE GROUNDS TO BELIEVE THAT IN THE REQUESTING STATE, THE LIFE AND SAFETY OF THE PERSON REQUESTED WILL BE ENDANGERED”

Jefferson Uwoghiren and haul wanted persons, sometimes with tacit collusion of the weak forum harbouring the wanted person.

Nnamdi Kanu The resultant violent human rights violation, and abusive efforts, reminds one of the Umaru Dikko saga, euphemistically called irregular rendition, as noticed in the Nnamdi Kanu case in Kenya. This process is an arrogant breach of international human rights laws, to which this country is a signatory, as the rights to liberty is a universal right, inviolable and unextinguished by territory, save in execution of a judicial order of a properly constituted judicial authority. Even in a formal request for arrest and transfer of persons under an extradition request where a treaty exists, the fugitive be allowed his rights to a legal defence and representation, before a court with the appropriate jurisdictional nexus.

Where a person, as in the Kanu Case, is denied the rights to legal advises, assistance and representation, any action purportedly carried out by all the parties, are actionable, because a denial of procedural due process in the deprivation of liberty, is as villainous as the original offence.

In the absence of a formal extradition treaty between Nigeria and Kenya, it's reprehensibly opprobrious for the Kenyan authorities to wilfully desiccate its sovereignty, to act in the manner of Kanu's snatch and hide. The arrest, alleged torture and surrender of Kanu to Nigeria without a judicial hearing, will remain a morbid stain on the tattered fabrics of that weak African nation.

In Kenya, Kanu broke no law as he was legally admitted there. Arresting him and handing him over to a seemingly hostile country without a formal announcement of its policing roles, international law enforcement requests, Kenyan authorities failed the most elementary sovereign test in surrendering its sovereignty cheaply. The United States Government long notorious for international clean and jerk has since abandoned this route, fuelled under Kerr- Frisbie - Alvarez Doctrine, which obliged agents of the CIA, to mount clandestine snatches of wanted persons in other countries. In abandoning this illegal process to common sense, the US Government realised the abuses attendant in these processes, as a slap on good conscience

and civil relations.

Sunday Igboho Similarly, the ongoing case of Yoruba nationalist flight from Nigeria, allegedly using a forged international passport is seemingly criminal but permissible under international law, as noticed in the recent case of Rondi Chihko, a Syrian refugee, arrested by the UK police and charged to court, for using a forged Canadian passport to travel to the UK from Spain.

Travelling to the UK with forged documents is a criminal offence, but Appeal Court held that asylum seekers who are fleeing for their lives and have no other way of travelling to safety, have a solid and valid defence in using fake or forged documents to make good their escapes, under the provisions of the 1951 Refugee Convention. Thus, extra-judicial attempts to snatch Sunday Igboho in Cotonou, Benin Republic, is State sponsored terrorism without border.

Any legal effort, to rein in and bring Igboho to Nigeria, will likely flounder, under the weight of convenience, because where extradition treaties exist, it's not all requests that are granted. Most States take into account the factual circumstances of each application, and determine the zealous or overzealous applications of rule of law before authorising extraction requests. One of the fundamental restrictions against the express grants of extraction requests, is the presence or absence of legitimate grounds to believe that in the requesting State, the life and safety of the person requested will be endangered. This limitation known in law as the principle of of non refoulement or non- return, was originally included in the Geneva Convention on Refugees of 1951, which was relied upon by the UK court.

With the well documented serial raids on Sunday Igboho and his properties, it will be difficult to convince any judicial authority proud of its reputation, that the Nigerian authority will act responsibly and judiciously. For now, it's Nigeria that is on trial, both in Kenya and Benin Republic.

Fidelity to rule of law is sacrosanct, in getting approvals for legal snatch and hide.

Jefferson Uwoghiren, Constitutional Lawyer and Human Rights Activist

27.07.2021

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The Legality or Otherwise of Public Parade of Suspects by Security Agencies (Part 1) Introduction There is currently a face-off between the Lagos State Police Command and the Lagos State Government, on the illegal and unconstitutional act of public parading of suspects before the media. While the Police believes it is within its power under the Nigeria Police Act 2020, to parade suspects before the media with a view to protecting lives and property, prevent, detect, and prosecute crimes, the newly enacted Lagos State Criminal Justice Law, 2021, which adopted the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 (ACJA), specifically outlaws parading of suspects before the media. Aside the laudable provisions of this law that bar the Police or other security agencies from arresting a person “in lieu of any other person”, and that “a suspect should be accorded humane treatment with the right to dignity of person; not to be subjected to any form of torture, cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment; be brought before the court as prescribed by this law or any other written law; or be released conditionally or unconditionally”, it is section 9(a) of the Lagos State Criminal Justice Law, 2021, that stirs up the hornet’s nest and the present ruckus. It provides that “[a]s from the commencement of this law, the police shall refrain from parading any suspect before the media.”

In the case of IGP & ANOR v. UBAH & ORS (2014) LPELR-23968 (CA), Justice Chinwe Eugenia Iyizoba, J.C.A., held at page 26 that: “… A criminal investigation remains what it is, just an investigation. If a Police investigator concludes that a suspect is guilty of the alleged crime even before conclusion of his investigation, and takes the case to Court without proof, all the accused needs to do after the prosecution has presented its case is to raise a no case submission, and if upheld by the Court that would be the end of the prosecution. Our Criminal Procedure Laws have put in place rules and regulations for the protection of the suspect, during investigations. There are also relevant provisions under Chapter IV of the Constitution…”

What is Parade?

The word ‘parade’ means to display (someone or something) while marching or moving around a place. Synonyms include, procession, march, display, spectacle, escort, etc. The word “suspect” in legal parlance means a person thought to be guilty of a crime or offence, but who has not yet been proven to be so.

What is Media Parade?

Media consists of means of mass communication (broadcasting, publishing, and the internet) regarded collectively. The term “parade” is a noun and a verb. As a noun, it means a public procession. When used as a verb, it means to display. Regardless of the form in which it is used, a parade is an overt act.

Media parade is therefore, a practice of displaying or communicating to the public about an incident or development. In the case of people arrested for certain crimes, it is a means of informing the public, usually through publishing on the internet, the identities of these suspects.

The practice has become notorious in Nigeria, that once security agencies arrest anyone suspected to have committed an offence, such suspects are immediately paraded before the public, in the full glare of cameras.

It is more worrisome that these parades and media trials by the Police, of people who are at best suspects, usually take place even before investigations begin, or are concluded. This act is patently unconstitutional and unlawful. It is curious that such practice has since been accepted as normal, by individuals and the society. For the avoidance of doubt, every suspect enjoys the constitutional protection of ‘presumption of innocence’ until proven guilty under Section 36(5) CFRN 1999. The suspect is also entitled to dignity of his human person, by virtue of Section 34(1)(a) of the CFRN 1999.

The Government and its security agencies have always anchored on the political rationale, on the proposition that such parading may be to demonstrate that the Government is succeeding with its crime-fighting. But, this is not sufficient to permit such ancient practice, because it does not add any value or efficiency whatsoever in the criminal investigation and conviction processes. If anything, such crude practice undermines the investigation process. Worse still, it defames the suspect’s reputation in an irreversible manner, where such a suspect is eventually proven innocent.

In any event, even where the suspect is proven guilty by the courts at the end of the trial, then, it would seem the suspect would have suffered double punishment and sentence (double jeopardy) – first, for being paraded; and second, now serving the actual sentence. Public parade thus breaches a suspect’s fundamental right.

The courts have consistently cautioned the law enforcement agencies, to desist from parading criminal suspects before the media. The ruling class will not give up. After all, parade of suspects is only designed to humiliate the lowly placed citizens;

Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba never the top shots of the society. While it is fashionable to parade poor lowly criminal suspects who are accused of stealing even petty items of little value, such as goats, fowls and tubers of yam, it is infra dignitatem and unheard of to ever behold the parade of rich and powerful criminal suspects, who daily loot our common treasury in primitive acquisition of ungodly wealth.

Right of Suspects to Presumption of Innocence The presumption of innocence inures in favour of criminal suspects by virtue of Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights Act. Even the ACJA makes ample provisions for dignity of human treatment of suspects, in addition to Section 34 CFRN1999, which provides for the right to dignity of the human person.

The Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies in Nigeria have, however, continued to expose accused persons to media trial before arraigning them in courts. Thus, the practice of

“WHILE THE POLICE BELIEVES IT IS WITHIN ITS POWER UNDER THE NIGERIA POLICE ACT 2020, TO PARADE SUSPECTS……THE NEWLY ENACTED LAGOS STATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE LAW, 2021, WHICH ADOPTED THE PROVISIONS OF….ACJA, SPECIFICALLY OUTLAWS PARADING OF SUSPECTS BEFORE THE MEDIA”

subjecting suspects to media trial and parade before arraignment in a criminal court, is an infringement of their fundamental rights to fair hearing and dignity. To compound these human rights abuse inclination, such suspects are subjected to gruelling sessions of interviews and what appears to be “cross-examination” by law enforcement officials and the media crew at crowded press conferences, without being accorded human dignity and the services of a Lawyer as required by law.

In this flawed process, the suspects are forced to make selfincriminating and prejudicial statements (sometimes innocently so).

Because ours is a class society of the haves and haves not, such humiliating treatment of criminal suspects is only usually limited to the hoi polloi, the flotsam and the jetsam of the society alone.

You will never see top Civil Servants, ex-Governors, Ministers, top Politicians, top Military Officers and other Very Important Personalities (VIPs) who are arrested, being subjected to such degrading media parade or indignities. It is trite that such extracted confessions through ordeal, are not admissible during their trials in court. But, even at that, such law enforcement agencies insist on unleashing such media lynching mob on suspects.

With trial and conviction already firmly secured in the public domain, many Judges (not the exceptionally bold, courageous and conscientious ones) are forced (at times, blackmailed), to dance to the public tune, play to the gallery and find reasons to convict such suspects at all cost. They must adorn the toga of political correctness – “fighting corruption”. Such impunity!

Such ungodliness!!

Citizens’ fundamental human rights, it must be emphasised, are rights which by their very nature predated human existence.

They are not just mere rights. The Supreme Court expounded on them in the case of SAUDE v ABUDULLAH (1989) 4 NWLR Pt. 116 page 387 @419, as: “Fundamental rights are important, and they are not just mere rights. They are fundamental. They belong to the citizen. These rights have always existed, even before orderliness prescribed rules for the manner they are to be sought….”

It is a right which stands above the ordinary laws of the land, and which in fact is antecedent to the political society itself. As Kayode Eso, J.S.C of blessed memory succinctly stated, “[i]t is a primary condition to a civilised existence”. (RANSOME KUTI & ORS v A.G. OF FEDERATION & ORS (1985) 2 NWLR P. 211 at 230). He further pronounced that “[i]t is a right which stands above the ordinary laws of the land and which in fact, is antecedent to the political society itself.”

Some Judicial Decisions on Media Parade of Criminal Suspects The Judiciary has always risen to the occasion, castigating suspects’ parade. It has, in a plethora of cases, serially condemned the illegal practice of parading mere criminal suspects before the media.

The “jungle justice” inherent in it, is that it adjudges them already as guilty convicts even without any trial. In NDUKWEM CHIZIRI NICE v AGF & ANOR (2007) CHR 218 at 232, Banjoko J. (as she then was) (then of Federal High Court, Abuja), tongue-lashed the Police, holding that: “The act of parading him (the suspect) before the press as evidenced by the Exhibits annexed to the affidavit was uncalled for, and a callous disregard for his person. He was shown up to the public the next day of his arrest, even without any investigation conducted in the matter. He was already prejudged by the Police who are incompetent, so to have such function, it is the duty of the court to pass a verdict of guilt, and this constitutes a clear breach of Section 36(4) and (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 on the doctrine of fair hearing.”

(To be continued).

Serious and Trivial There are two sides to every coin. Life itself contains not only the good, but also the bad and the ugly. Let us now explore these.

We dismally failed to prove P.W Botha wrong, who once famously predicted “Black people cannot rule themselves, because they don’t have the brain and mental capacity to govern a society. Give them guns, they will kill themselves.

Gives them power, they will steal all the Government money.

Give them independence and democracy, they will use it to promote Tribalism, Ethnicity, Bigotry, Hatred, Killings and Wars” – Peter Willem Botha (South Africa) 1988.

“In the Court of Justice, both the parties know the truth, it’s the Judge who is on trial”. – Justice JR Midha.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK “We have seen over time that countries that have the best economic growth are those that have good governance, and good governance comes from freedom of communication. It comes from ending corruption. It comes from a populace that can go online and say, 'This Politician is corrupt, this administrator, or this public official is corrupt.” (Ramez Naam)

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IMAGES

15 Photo Editor Abiodun Ajala Email abiodun.ajala@thisdaylive.com

L-R: Ekiti State First Lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; his wife, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun; and the National President of Abeokuta Girls Grammar School Old Girls Association (AGGSOGA), Yeye Otunba Adetola Hassan; during a courtesy visit to the governor by the old students, as part of activities to mark their first global conference and 65th anniversary of the school in Abeokuta...recently

L-R: Music Minister, Glowreeyah Braimah; another Music Minister, Nathaniel Bassey; Pastor In-charge of RCCG Jesus House, Abuja, Pastor Pat Akem-Vingir, his wife, Mrs. Mary Akem-Vingir; and Director-General of Budget Office of the Federation, Dr. Ben Akabueze, during the birthday anniversary celebration of Pastor Pat Akem-Vingir in Abuja...recently

L-R: Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government Area, Mr. Wasiu Ayodeji Adesina, being accredited to vote by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Officer, Mr. Bakare Taoheek, at Ward CA2, Unit 001 at Ikorodu...recently PHOTO: KOLAWOLE ALLI

L-R: Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Rev. Yakubu Pam; Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong; and National President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Samson Ayokunle, during the inaugural departure ceremony for 2021 Nigerian National Intending Christian Pilgrims to Abuja before their final departure to Jordan...recently

L-R: Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Wnamonso Ekamem; the Okabiore of Benin Kingdom, Chief Oseni Elamah; celebrant, Osione Oseni-Elamah; and media personality, Louis Odion, during a toast to Oseni-Elamah for bagging First Class (Hons) from the Birmingham University, United Kingdom…recently

One of the freed students of the Bethel Baptist High School abducted by bandits recently, being carried by her father, as she reunites with her family at the school premises in Kaduna...recently

L-R: Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; former SolicitorGeneral of the Federation (SGF) and Permanent Secretary, Federation Ministry of Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata; and his successor, Umat Mohammed, during a send-forth party for Apata in Abuja...recently

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY JULY 2 7, 2021

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY JULY 27, 2021

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A S

REPO 27.50% 28.75 %

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

A T

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

4% 6% 10%

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

08056356325

J U L Y

2 6 , 2 0 2 1

S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE

535.12% 0.13% 0.40%

YEAR TO DATE

0.40% -20.10%

EXCHANGE RATE N411.50/1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

SUPPORT FOR CREATIVE INDUSTRY…

L- R: Anchor of The Voice Nigeria, Season 3, Nancy Isime; CEO, UN1TY Media, Producers of The Voice Nigeria, Season 3, Akin Salami; Coaches, Folarin “Falz” Falana and Yemi Alade; winner of The Voice Nigeria, Season 3, Esther Benyeogo; Coach Aituaje “Waje” Iruobe; Chief Executive Officer, FirstBank, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan; Dare “Darey” Art Alade (coach of Esther) and Stephanie Coker, co-anchor of the competition, during the presentation of the sum of N10 million – one of the grand prizes – to Esther Benyeogo at the grand finale of the globally acclaimed music talent hunt competition, sponsored by FirstBank, which held in Lagos...recently

OPEC: Nigeria’s Debt Servicing Costs Astronomical Inflation weighing heavily on economic recovery Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

ECONOMY

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), has said that Nigeria’s debts servicing costs remain unsustainably high, coupled with the rising inflation in the country, which it maintained has continued to weigh heavily on the growth of the Nigerian economy.

In its overview of economies of member countries, shown in the just-released OPEC Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) for July 2021, the international oil-producers’ cartel stressed that although the 22 per cent debt servicing costs are still moderate, going

by international standards, it is however, impacting the country’s economy negatively.

According to the OPEC, while Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 0.5 per cent year-on-year in 2021, driven by growth of 2.3 per cent in the agriculture sector, industrial activities registered growth of 0.9 per cent year-on-year (YoY) following a contraction of 5.6

per cent y-o-y on average in 2020.

It added that the services sector activities stayed in contraction territory, although at a softer rate, as the sector contracted by only 0.4 per cent YoY in the first quarter of 2021.

OPEC, quoting statistics from the country’s data generating agencies, stated that inflation

Saipem: Civil Works on $10bn NLNG Train7 Project Begins August Peter Uzoho Italian oil and gas engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company, Saipem Nigeria Limited, has said that it will commence work on the $10 billion Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited’s Train 7 project next month.

The Local Content Manager of the company, Mr. Uzoma Akalagu who disclosed this in an interview with THISDAY, said the company and its consortium partners were committed to deliver the project in a manner that would exceed the expectation of NLNG and its shareholders.

The project was awarded to a Joint Venture Consortium comprising Nigerian affiliates

of Italian Saipem, Japanese Chiyoda, and South Korean Daewoo otherwise called the (SCD-JV).

The groundbreaking ceremony was conducted at the project site in Bonny Island, Rivers State last June with President Muhammadu Buhari presiding virtually from Abuja.

NLNG Train 7 is aimed at raising the gas supply capacity of the liquefaction company from the current 22 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 30MTPA, representing 35 per cent increase.

The Final Investment Decision (FID) of the Train 7 project was taken in December 2019 by the shareholders of the NLNG comprising the

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its partner, Shell, Total and Eni. Among the economic values expected to come from the project are the attraction of $10billion Foreign Direct Investments (FID) inflow, $20 billion revenue to the federation, and about 12,000 direct jobs and 40,000 indirect jobs.

The project is also expected to see 55 per cent of the engineering work carried out in Nigeria while 55 per cent of all procurements for the execution of the project will be done

by Nigerian vendors, among other numerous benefits to the Nigerian economy.

Akalagu, explained that the civil works normally precedes the actual construc-

tion and that the company and its consortium partners were currently studying the project schedule for onward mobilisation to site.

He added that part of what the consortium was doing now was to engage with the host communities, have good understanding of them and sign off the necessary agreements for a hitch-free project delivery.

The local content manager also told THISDAY that the consortium was equally at the moment evaluating their contractors to know those that would work with them, saying once all these were done, the civil works would kick-start

edged down to 17.9 per cent YoY in May 2021 from 18.1 per cent YoY in April and 18.2 per cent YoY in March, amid slower price increases for domestically produced food goods and services.

“Nevertheless, the structurally high inflation represents a serious impediment for the ongoing economic recovery as well as exchange rate stability.

According to the Debt Management Office (DMO), by the end of March 2021, Nigeria’s public debt went up to about $87.2 billion, a 15.6 per cent YoY increase.

“Domestic debt rose 10.7 per cent y-o-y, and external debt jumped 18.8 per cent with obligations of $32.9 billion “By international standards, the 22 per cent debt-to-GDP ratio is moderate; however,

the debt servicing costs are astronomical. In the near term, the high inflation and unemployment rate probably would weigh on the economic recovery,” it predicted.

On production figures among its members, according to secondary sources, it noted that total OPEC-13 crude oil production averaged 26.03 mb/d in June 2021, higher by 0.59 mb/d m o-m.

OPEC added that crude oil output increased mainly in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Angola, Iran and Kuwait, while production decreased primarily in Iraq, Nigeria and Gabon.

Demand for OPEC crude in 2021 remained unchanged from the previous month at Continued on page 24

“The decision taken by Nigeria in 1971 to become a member of OPEC was a thoughtful one that has greatly enhanced the development of the oil industry in Nigeria.”

Minister of State, Petroleum, Mr Timipre Sylva

Continued on page 24

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT M O N D AY J U LY 2 6 , 2 0 2 1 FGN BONDS DESCRIPTION 11.668 FGNSB 15-AUG-2021 10.301 FGNSB 16-AUG-2021 11.150 FGNSB 11-SEP-2021

Price

Yield

BILLS Change (%)

MATURITY

OTC F X F U T U R E S

Discount Yield

Change (%)

100.36

4.85

0.00

NTB 26-Aug-21

4.88

4.90

0.00

100.30

4.85

0.00

NTB 9-Sep-21

5.05

5.08

0.00

100.76

5.09

0.00

NTB 16-Sep-21

5.14

5.18

0.00

CONTRACT TENOR (MONTH) 1

Contract

Current Rate ($/₦)

NGUS JUL 28 2021

420.68

2

NGUS AUG 25 2021 422.12

3

NGUS SEP 29 2021 423.55

C Ps MATURITY

Discount Yield

MREP CP XXXIII 8.64 29-JUL-21 CMBL CP XI 5.71 2-AUG-21 MREP CP XXXI 10.63 13-AUG-21

Change (%)

8.65

0.01

5.72

0.01

10.68 0.00

24

TUESDAY JULY 27, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD OPEC: NIGERIA’S DEBT SERVICING COSTS ASTRONOMICAL 27.7 mb/d, around 5.0 mb/d higher than in 2020 and 3Q21 was revised down by 0.1 mb/d, while 4Q21 was revised up by 0.2 mb/d, compared to the previous assessment. In all, 2Q21 remained unchanged.

When compared with the same quarters in 2020, demand for OPEC crude in 1Q21 and 2Q21 is estimated to be 3.8 mb/d and 10.1 mb/d higher, respectively, those of 3Q21 and 4Q21 are expected to see a rise of 3.6 mb/d and 2.5 mb/d, respectively, compared with the same quarters a year earlier.

The OPEC data further showed that in 2019, while the average crude production for Nigeria, based on direct communication with OPEC, was 1.737 million barrels per day, it dipped to 1.493 million barrels per day in 2020.

The OPEC figures indicated that in terms of quarterly production, the country pumped 1.301 million bpd in the first quarter of 2020, 1.404 million bpd in the first quarter of 2021 and 1.343 million barrels per day in quarter 2 of this year.

In terms of monthly production, April saw Nigeria produce 1.372 million bpd; in May it was 1.344 million bpd, while it was 1.313 million barrels per day in June.

The June figure, however contradicts the one given by the Minister of State, Petroleum, Mr Timipre Sylva, who recently put the quantity drilled by Nigeria in June at 1.544 million, while OPEC secondary sources pegged it at 1.399 million barrels per day. All figures exclude

Credit to Private Sector Rises to N32.64trn in June Darasimi Adebisi The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disclosed that credit to private sector rose by 1.63 per cent to N32.64trillion in June from N32.12trillion reported in May 2021.

The apex bank in its money and credit statistics disclosed that credit to private sector in June rose to highest peak on the heels of banks lending to real sector.

The reported N32.64trillion credit to private represents an increase of 6.49 per cent in its Year-till-date performance when N30.65trillion was reported in January this year.

The data by CBN showed that credit to private sector in January 2021 was N30.65trillion but dropped by 0.47 per cent to N30.50trillion in February. Between March and April, credit to private sector moved from N31.4trillion to N31.82trillion respectively.

According to the CBN credit statistics, N30.15trillion was reported as credit to private sector in December 2020, an increase of 13.12per cent from N26.55 trillion reported in January 2020.

Nigerian banks maintained drive to improve access to credit to the private sector, while exploring other initiatives with the fiscal authorities to improve funding to critical sectors of the economy.

Analysts expressed that the apex bank 65 per cent Loan-to-Deposit (LDR) impacted positively on credit to private sector and drive

SAIPEM: CIVIL WORKS ON $10BN NLNG TRAIN7 PROJECT BEGINS AUGUST in August.

He said: “Like you said, on June 15, the groundbreaking was done. Usually, groundbreaking is to provide you with the direction on managing project schedule. We need to also prepare the site, we need to do basic civil works to ensure that we start strong.

When you move to site, you need to do those basic things before you now go into construction proper.

“We also need to ensure that we have good understanding with our host communities and also ensure that whatever understanding we have is signed off with the likes of Global MoU and any other agreement that would subsist.

“So, these are the things

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Comms/e-Business Editor Emma Okonji Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe Senior Correspondent Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents Chinedu Eze (Aviation) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafo (Energy) Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) Reporters Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy)

NEWS

that are ongoing now and I’m sure before the end of August (2021) we should be able to kick-start some of those civil works. Saipem will also take time to evaluate our subcontractors. So, you can also be rest assured that the local people that will be rendering services on this project are tested and proven subcontractors.”

Akalagu, however expressed delight with the kind of transparency and competition that characterised the Train 7 award process, noting that high level meritocracy played out in the whole bidding and award process.

He added: “I can say that this is one of the project that the process of award make me feel proud as a Nigerian, because of its competitive nature. For the first time I could feel that meritocracy could be on the front burner and that’s why Saipem is where it is today. This is purely based on merit.

“And one thing with oil and gas, especially in the upstream and midstream sectors is that shortcuts are dangerous and you cannot find shortcuts in the upstream sector. You must go through processes.

Processes are important in the upstream. So, it was quite competitive. And running it with NCDMB, running it with NLNG, the client, running it with all the regulatory bodies that were involved, everything went on smoothly and at the end of the day, based on evaluation by the evaluating and regulatory bodies, Saipem is the contractor for the project. It was very transparent, extremely transparent.”

Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Responding also, analyst at PAC Holdings, Mr. Wole Adeyeye said, “The improved banks credit to private sector has positive impacts on the performance of SMEs as many of them have access to credit to support their businesses.

“This might be one of the factors that contributed to GDP growth rate of 0.51per cent in the first quarter of 2021, when Banks Credit to Nigeria’s private sector increased by N1.29 trillion.

“In our own opinion, the improved credit to private sector is expected to have positive

impact on jobs creation in many sectors of the economy.”

The CBN governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele in his personal statement at the end of second Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of 2021 said the members observed growth in private sector credits over various interventions amid at spurring aggregate demand, stimulating output, and de-risking the productive activities.

According to him, “Regardless of the increase in credit, the banking system remained relatively resilient with industry averages of the CAR at 15.2 per cent, NPLs ratio at 6.3 per

cent, and liquidity ratio at 40.5 per cent.

“The Bank will sustain its regulatory measures to foster banking system stability. We will also continue to use all means available to us to engage and encourage banks to increase credit to the productive private sector.”

Also, a member of the MPC, the Deputy Governor, Operations, CBN, Folashodun Shonubi, in a statement said, “Growth in credit to the Government and credit to private sector reflected impact of various measures by the Bank to promote flow of credit to

drive economic activities.”

Shonubi added that “I believe the Bank’s interventions through aggressive provision of credit should continue as a complement to ongoing effort by the fiscal authority to boost economic activities. As the Government act, more decisively to discourage bad behaviour and restore orderliness, we must collectively work to overcome the insecurity challenges. At the same time, we must begin to tighten to deal with the subtle monetary component of inflationary pressure and curb spiraling inflation, without suffocating economic growth.”

SUPPLY CHAIN TRANSFORMATION

L–R: Dr. Henri Onyemachi of Zipline International Nigeria Limited; Group Head, Health Sector, Sterling Bank, Mrs. Ibironke Akinmade; Divisional Head, Health & Education, Sterling Bank), Mr. Obinna Ukachukwu; Commissioner for Health, Cross River State, Dr. Betta Edu; CEO DrugStoc, Mr. Chibuzo Opara; Co-Founder DrugStoc, Adham Yehia and CEO Horts Medikals Limited, Mr. Charles Olatoye during the signing of an MoU among Sterling Bank, Cross River State Government, consortium of suppliers on Cross River State Government’s Health Supply Chain Transformation Project in Lagos... recently

NBET Disclaims Obligation to Gencos in Contract with Gas Suppliers Peter Uzoho The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Plc has said it cannot provide securitisation or be an obligor to power generation companies (Gencos) in the gas supply contracts existing between them and their gas suppliers.

The company added that the recent claim by the Gencos that NBET as their obligor had not fulfilled its securitisation obligation to them in the last seven years was not a true reflection of the realty in the Nigerian electricity market.

NBET also stated that the federal government was aggressively bringing liquidity and stability back to the comatose power sector through various initiatives and interventions as

contained in the Power Sector Reform Programme (PSRP) currently under implementation.

THISDAY had reported last week that that the Executive Secretary of the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), Mrs Joy Ogaji, had claimed that one of the challenges facing the Gencos was the request by gas suppliers that Gencos provide “securitisation” before they could supply them gas.

Speaking at a session recently in Abuja, Ogaji had explained that NBET was expected to provide the securitisation in the form of a bankable commercial letter of credit from a commercial bank to the Gencos but that NBET had not given them such since privatisation in 2013.

She said the situation had contributed to the low gas supply to the thermal power plants in the country which is still around 13 percent more than seven years after the privatisation of the distribution and generation arms of the nation’s power sector.

Twenty-eight megawatts (MW) of gas equivalent is required by the thermal power plants in the country to function optimally, according to the National Control Centre, the data house of the nation’s power sector, and only 13 per cent has been supplied to the thermal plants since the last seven years.

But when contacted over the weekend, the Head of Corporate Communication, NBET, Henrietta Ighomrore,

told THISDAY that the agency cannot be an obligor to Gencos’ in a contract it is not a party to.

Ighomrore added that the picture painted by the Gencos was not a reflection of the reality of the issue in the electricity market.

She explained that according to the power sector’s value chain, the distribution companies (Discos) were expected to provide NBET with a bank guarantee, which guarantees that they (the Discos) make payments through NBET. Ighomrore maintained that it was what NBET receives from the Discos that it could pay out to the Gencos, insisting that it was out of place for the agency to be expected to take liability or otherwise in a contract it was not part of.

FG to Deploy Nanotechnology in Energy Sector Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The federal government will soon receive the draft national nanotechnology policy document that will guide the application of the scientific phenomenon in the country, Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has disclosed.

Speaking at the 4th African International Nano Conference/ Workshop with the theme “Nanotechnology: A Springboard for National Development,” sponsored by Oilserv Limited, which took place at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the minister stressed that President Muhammad Buhari, has shown strong political will to support the role of science, technology and innovation in

the development of the country.

He explained that for the first time in the history of national planning, science and technology are now receiving the right attention, pointing out that the ministry will endeavour to harness what the new technology offers to fast-track national development.

Nanotechnology allows scientists to work at smaller dimensions and enables them utilise the unique physical, chemical, mechanical, and optical properties of materials that naturally occur at that scale for industrial purposes.

Onu added that by controlled manipulation of size and shape at the nanometer scale, the energy, agriculture and other sectors will be the better for it.

While commending Oilserv for consistently supporting the programme over the years, the minister described nanotechnology as an emerging technology that is revolutionising manufacturing technology by making most products lighter, smaller, stronger, cleaner, cost effective and very precise.

He stated that the technology was beginning to take shape in Africa and Nigeria in particular as it presents opportunities to solve the continent’s myriads of problems, ranging from food production and storage, to disease control and environmental remediation.

“However, many challenges, including funding, power and political commitment are expected surmountable obstacles

along the path of breaking into the world of miniaturisation,” he stated.

Consequently, Onu said that the federal government has identified nanotechnology as a viable tool in the roadmap of technologies which the country must embrace to boost information and communication technology, security, medicine, transportation, food safety, and many others.

“Let me commend, in a special way, the Chief Executive officer of Oilserv Limited, Dr Emeka Okwuosa for his devoted cooperation with this research group for a long time, and by extension, his contributions to the development of our great country in several other ways,” he said.

25

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY JULY 27, 2021

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Sylva: Why Nigeria Delayed Compliance With OPEC Cuts Recently, Nigeria celebrated its 50-year membership of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

In this interview, Minister of State, Petroleum, Mr Timipre Sylva, who spoke with the OPEC team, reflects on Nigeria’s membership of the oil-producers’ cartel in the last five decades. Emmanuel Addeh presents the excerpts The NGEP is designed to reinforce and expand domestic gas supply and stimulate demand in the country through the effective and efficient mobilisation and utilisation of all available assets, resources, and infrastructure. It will further stimulate the multiplier effect of gas in the domestic economy through the National Gas Transportation Code by building a significant network of additional gas pipelines and implementing strategies geared towards harnessing Nigeria’s vast gas resources by removing barriers to investment and development in the gas sector. Driving the institutional reforms and regulatory changes necessary to evolve into a gas-based industrialised nation; developing industrial and transport gas markets, in juxtaposition with gas-to-power initiatives; implementing carefully conceived initiatives to foster productivity and attract investments along the gas value chain; and promoting natural gas usage in Nigeria, thereby creating alterative fuel choices for Nigerians. We believe gas will become the dominant fuel for generating power, and this is not only in Nigeria, but in the whole of Africa too. Our proven gas reserves, the largest in sub-Saharan Africa, fits well with our push for industrial growth and the need for reliable electricity.

What impact has Nigeria’s membership of OPEC had on the country’s oil development over the past 50 years? he decision taken by Nigeria in 1971 to become a member of OPEC was a thoughtful one that has greatly enhanced the development of the oil industry in Nigeria, enabled the country to contribute to the survival of the industry globally, and placed the country among the comity of nations engaged in the noble duty of stabilising the oil market for the benefit of all producers, consumers and investors alike. In essence, Nigeria has also benefited greatly taking into consideration that the economy of the country highly depends on revenue from oil. The growth of the industry in Nigeria has also been greatly supported through the adoption and appropriate coordination of relevant parties among OPEC member countries, sharing of knowledge through bilateral and multilateral fora, as well as technical meetings and workshops. To expatiate further on this, the oil industry has gone through a number of turbulent cycles that have caused price collapses and instability. The grave effects of this instability on the economy of the country and investment in the oil industry are unforetold, and would have been unbearable, but for the timely and decisive interventions by OPEC.

T

You have been Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources since August 2019.

In this period, how significant has OPEC, and the broader declaration of cooperation (DoC), been to oil market stability and the rebalancing process, particularly on the back of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Yes, I took office just a few months before the devastating COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. I believe the oil industry is lucky that the DoC was already in place before the pandemic. Otherwise, it would have taken some time for a coordinated approach to be put in place to tackle the devastating effect of the pandemic on the oil industry. More grave damage would have been done to the industry, which would have seriously affected the economy of producing countries, in particular. There is no denying the fact that COVID-19 has had a negative impact on the global economy. The oil industry has experienced hard times in the past and has learned to adapt, to survive, and to thrive under extreme conditions. The COVID-19 period is no exception, thanks to the prompt, bold and decisive actions taken by OPEC+, which were widely supported, embraced and appreciated by all stakeholders in the industry.

Nigeria has really stepped up on delivering its production adjustments over the past year or so. How important has this been?

Nigeria was one of the exempted participating countries when the production adjustments were agreed upon under the DoC in late 2016. This exemption, which lasted the years 2017 and 2018, was in recognition of the chronic unrest in the country’s oil-producing region that saw Nigeria’s crude oil production plunge from over 2.4 million barrels a day (m b/d) in 2005 to less than 1.2m b/d in 2016. Efforts were still ongoing to restore and stabilise Nigeria’s crude oil production to its potential when Nigeria joined the production adjustments in 2019, with a reference level of just 1.829m b/d, from which downward adjustments were to be made. This explains why it took some time and concerted effort for Nigeria to deliver the required production adjustments. I am however pleased that with the full backing of President Muhammadu Buhari, as well as cooperation between all stakeholders, Nigeria, as you rightly noted, has been able to fully conform to the required production adjustment and also compensate for past overproduction. This achievement is important to Nigeria, not only as the highest oil producing African member of OPEC, but also as the most populous member of the organisation.

In March, you took the role of special envoy of the JMMC in shuttle diplomacy to Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and South Sudan to discuss matters pertaining to conformity levels with the voluntary DoC production adjustments and compensation of overproduced volumes. How vital is the unity and commitment of each and every

Human capacity and local content will be vital for Nigeria going forward, how do you see the proposed Local Content Development and Enforcement Bill supporting this?

Nigeria realised a long time ago that the sustainability of growth in its oil and gas industry largely depends on the development of local capacity. The Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB) was established to ensure the adequate participation of local players across the oil and gas value chain, as well as to deepen indigenous capabilities through targeted human capital development.

The high level of local participation at all levels in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria is testimony to the success of the NCDMB.

Sylva

participant in the DoC? This was really due to Nigeria’s stellar performance in conforming to the agreed production adjustment, as well as compensating for past overproduction.

As I reiterated in my messages during the shuttle diplomacy, my mission was a moral one, in line with the principles of fairness that underline the DoC decisions.

The timely, bold and decisive actions by the DoC nations saved the oil industry from total collapse due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in higher revenues for producing countries, despite the production adjustments. It is therefore, only morally fair for all participating countries to conform to the required production adjustments and compensate for any over-production as agreed. This is vital to maintain the unity and spur the commitment of each country participating in the DoC, which will send a strong message to the market about our determination to stabilise the oil market for the benefit of all.

The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) that seeks to comprehensively reform Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is currently moving through the National Assembly.

What role will this play in the future development of the country’s oil and gas sector?

The objectives of the PIB are to improve the fiscal, operational, environmental and regulatory efficiency in the operations of the Nigerian petroleum industry. The aim is to enhance effectiveness and transparency. It is important to note that the capital intensive oil and gas industry has been struggling to attract adequate investment in recent years.

The enactment of this bill will definitely play a major rate in the future development and survival of the industry in Nigeria, through generating increased foreign interest and much needed investment, for the economic benefits of the country. This is very critical in view of the much touted energy transition that could strand some fossil energy reserves worldwide in the not too distant future. The new law will also refocus the

industry in Nigeria from a predominantly oil-based industry to gas.

How do you see Nigeria’s oil production developing in the coming years and decades?

When talking of the energy transition, it is vital to appreciate that oil and gas will continue to be needed and remain important components of the energy mix in the decades to come. Gas will be our new focus especially considering our gas endowments (between 203 trillion cubic feet and 600tcf of potential reserves. This, of course, is for a developing country in Africa, and where energy poverty is still prevalent.

Nigeria therefore, does not intend to relent on rigorously pursuing the development of its oil and gas industry and increasing production to meet our increasing need in order to improve access to regular energy for our economic advancement. This actually informs our renewed efforts to push the PIB to improve investment and increase production.

Under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, government has underscored that 2021 to 2030 will be the ‘Decade of Gas’. Could you provide more details on how this is expected to be achieved?

The goal of Nigeria’s gas policy is to ensure that gas development is undertaken in accordance with Nigeria’s socio-economic development priorities. The aim is to position Nigeria competitively in high value export markets, guarantee long-term energy security in the country, and boost the domestic gas market in order to obtain maximum revenue from this resource across the value chain, hence the declaration of 2021 to 2030 as the ‘Decade of Gas’ by Mr President.

The actualisation of this declaration will be vigorously pursued on many fronts.

These include: Converting the massive amount of gas being flared now to energy for Nigerians at affordable rates with the commencement of the Nigeria Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP).

With all the talk of the energy transition and the need to reduce emissions, what strategies are in place to strengthen Nigeria’s position as a global energy player in a low carbon world?

Nigeria is aligned with the global effort to reduce carbon emissions, while also pursuing the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goal that seeks to achieve access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modem energy for all. The socio-economic advantages of energy especially to energy poor countries, is a double-edged challenge.

Nigeria, notwithstanding its enormous energy deficit, is revolutionising its energy system to tackle both these challenges head-on. The usage of solar energy is being vigorously promoted across the country, and as noted, we are expanding the use of natural gas, a lower carbon emission source to replace coal or diesel, in order to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality. It should, however, be emphasised that oil also has a place in the energy transition in the sense that oil can be made cleaner through the development and use of appropriate technologies. The carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology readily comes to mind here. Strong political will across all countries is required to further develop and deploy this technology, in order to ensure continuous supplies and help eradicate energy poverty worldwide.

How do you see Nigeria’s role in OPEC evolving in the coming years and decades?

Oil will continue to be an important component of the energy mix for the foreseeable future.

It will continue to be needed to power the global economic growth, and to help eradicate poverty, which is still prevalent worldwide.

OPEC’s role of stabilising the oil market for the benefit of all stakeholders fits squarely into this premise, and will continue to be important in the years ahead. Nigeria, as a key player in the industry will continue to lend its full support to the efforts of the organization to balance the oil market. Nigeria is also fully committed to the objectives of the DoC between OPEC and participating non-OPEC oil producing countries.

26

TUESDAY JULY 27, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

‘Passion and Self-belief Needed for SMEs to Succeed’ Various reports indicate that most family-owned SMEs in Nigeria do not survive to the second generation. Instant Cleaners Limited is different. Characterised by passion and self-belief, it has been rewriting dynamics of familyowned business for more than 40 years with Yewande Ojengbede at the helm of affairs, writes Bayo Akinloye

I

ncorporated in 1981, Instant Cleaners Limited is one of Nigeria’s laundry and dry cleaning business pioneers and pacesetters. It is also the exclusive sole distributor of Renzacci machines in West Africa. It operates a well-equipped dry cleaning and laundry outfit, sales, installation, and servicing of Renzacci dry cleaning, laundry, and finishing equipment (suitable for hospitals, hotels, institutions, housing estate, manufacturing industries, textiles, and garment industries).

As a female entrepreneur, Ojengbede is a quiet achiever as the brains behind Instant Cleaners in the last 35 years. Armed with a political science degree in Nigeria and a master’s in International Law and Diplomacy in the U.S., she has always looked forward in a nation that has become a cemetery for moribund SMEs. In 2013, the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) said at least 65 per cent died within the first three years. With increasing poverty and dire circumstances, SMEs have remained in the vice grip of a short lifespan. In 2017, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation’s Investment and Technology Promotion Office said only 20 per cent of SMEs managed to survive in Nigeria.

At Instant Cleaners’ 34d Awolowo Road, Ikoyi showroom and collection point, Ojengbede exudes confidence and expertise. She knows the dry-cleaning business like the back of her hand.

“At Instant Cleaners, perfection and satisfaction are what we strive for and thrive on. We have customers who have been with us for more than 20 years. Individuals like that value the customer satisfaction they experience. We treat them and their materials as part of our history, not objects of commerce.

“Instant Cleaners is like a family, and that familial relationship is extended to our customers. We have employees who have been with us for 15 years. Major organisations in Nigeria, including big hotels, use our machines.

For me, humility and professionalism have always won the race, “said the CEO. Founded by her father, Babasola ShobowaleBenson, Ojengbede hopes the business will become a legacy for other generations.

“In addition, the firm is also the sole distributor of Renzacci chain, the number one renowned manufacturer of industrial, washing, dry cleaning equipment, dry equipment, and finishing equipment (ironing equipment). They also manufacture sanitising equipment for hygienic purposes. We have been the sole distributor of the equipment for over 30 years. We hope to pass this company from one generation to the other. We believe it’s a fortune that we’re building, “she added.

Being Nigeria’s sole agent of Renzacci Spa Italy, the renowned world manufacturers of

HS model washing machine (9kg-120kg); dryer (R Plus model, 10kg-120kg, other models are available); dry cleaning machine (progress model with different capacity available); and finishing table and ironing equipment, among others.

Desire to Standing out

Ojengbede dry cleaning, laundry, and finishing equipment since 1983, Instant Cleaners’ major undertakings are sales, installation, servicing of dry cleaning, laundry, and finishing equipment. It also offers high-quality dry-cleaning and laundry services to organisations, including hotels and sundry companies.

Staying Power When Instant Cleaners began, it was on a small scale, said Ojengbede, and “we had to work through the process.”

She added, “We’ve always had the belief that Rome wasn’t built in a day. When my father started, he had a passion for excelling; he didn’t have all the equipment that we have today. That passion for excelling he passed on to me, to us, and with that, we’re forging ahead. With that passion, we’ve had to beat many odds.

“The foundation on which the organisation was built is another reason we’ve remained in business for several decades, and that’s integrity, honesty, and reliability.”

Passion is the key “While my dad was alive and in charge of this business, it was impossible to miss his exuded passion,” explained the Instant Cleaners boss. As a young child, she accompanied her father to the dry-cleaning factory. Those memories have not left her. Among the firm’s clientele base are Southern Sun, Four

Point, Radisson Blu, Airport Hotel, and dry cleaning outfits “using our machines.”

Regarding having competitive drycleaning firms as customers, she noted that “these dry-cleaning firms buy our machines, and we do provide them with aftersales services.”

One of Instant Cleaners’ stand-out equipment is the I-Genius cabinet, providing needed hygienic safety as a wardrobe during the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic. “The machine can be used in hospitals, schools, hotels, etc. It sanitises clothes and exhumes smell. Especially in the city where even high-rise apartments are vulnerable to grit and dirt from smoggy streets – draperies act as a filter, trapping dust and particulate, Ojengbede said Instant Cleaners is the right firm to consider.

“It’s essential to clean your drapes, even when you might not notice how dirty they are,” a statement on its website noted. “We have the process down to an art. Our pros map and measure each piece. Then, we clean curtains, draperies, and other home fabric with our custom processes, choosing a curtain cleaning method that will remove blemishes without harming the textile.”

Its often one-of-a-kind machines, Ojengbede explained, perform wonders.

The firm offers “heavy-duty laundry” for hotels and hospitals “committed to bringing out the best in all fabrics.” Detail-oriented and customer-centric, Ojengbede strives to provide customers with the best service.

Among Instant Cleaners’ machines are

“As an entrepreneur, I have always been as hungry as a lion,” she told THISDAY. A male-dominated society is not bad business for her either.

“Society’s gender limitations never limit me,” she affirmed. “With God on my side, I’m always eager to explore opportunities and excel with every given opportunity. With humility and honesty, I’ve always stood out in my business sector.”

Not a few persons in the industry describes her expertise in the dry-cleaning business as second to none. “I offer consultancy services even to competitors in the industry. Then, my knowledge of the products has been invaluable and comes in handy when dealing with clients and customers. Clients and customers have easy access to me. Though not an engineer, I can diagnose a machine’s problem,” Ojengbede revealed. “I’m always with my engineer, in my overalls, going to help clients fix their machines.

That gives clients additional confidence in our organisation; they can put a face to the firm.”

With 17.4 million, SMEs like Instant Cleaners account for about 50 per cent of industrial jobs and nearly 90 per cent of the manufacturing sector in terms of the number of enterprises.

The 2010 Survey report on SMEs conducted by the NBS in collaboration with SMEDAN, the SME sector in Nigeria is positioned to absorb up to 80 per cent of jobs, improve per capita income, increase value addition to raw materials supply, improve export earnings, enhance capacity utilisation in key industries and unlock economic expansion and GDP growth.

But Ojengbede acknowledged that Instant Cleaners has had its fair share of challenges over the years. “We’ve had challenges ranging from staffing, electricity supply, rising costs of consumables to rising dollar rate,” she stated. “Power outages have been extremely challenging in our sector of business. But I think the power supply is getting better now.” Amid the challenges, her focus remains on the bright opportunities ahead. For an entrepreneur who does not “take no for an answer” and “small but mighty,” there is no killing the SME. SMEs are said to contribute 48 per cent of national GDP, account for 96 per cent of businesses and 84 per cent of employment. According to the World Bank, MSMEs represent about 90 per cent of businesses and more than 50 per cent of employment worldwide. Formal SMEs contribute up to 40 per cent of national income (GDP) in emerging economies.

Buhari Vows to Enforce Transparency in Oil, Mining Sectors Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has reaffirmed his commitment to implementing laws that will ensure transparency in the oil and gas sector as well as support universal best practices in the mining industry in the country.

Speaking during the inauguration of the new board of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) in Abuja, the president stated that the country would continue to adhere to the principles, objectives and standards of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), of which Nigeria is a signatory.

Buhari, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, further noted that his commitment to Beneficial Ownership

Disclosure (BOD), the policy of publicly revealing the actual owners of Nigeria’s oil assets, remains unwavering.

Members of the newlyconstituted 15-member National Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG) also known as the governing board of the Nigeria NEITI include its Chairman, Mr. Olusegun Adekunle, a public administrator and immediate past Permanent Secretary, General Services in the Office of the SGF and a representative of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Mr. Peter Egbule.

There are also six zonal representatives on the board, comprising Dr. Bashir Bature Gafai for the north-west, Dr. Iliya Gashinbaki, representing the north-east, Dr. Godwin Ogwuche, north-central, Mr. Nze Ibeh, south east, while the south-south and south-west are represented by Awowo

Christian and Prof. Damilola Olawuyi respectively.

Buhari explained that the appointment and inauguration of the NEITI board was another practical demonstration of his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of Nigeria’s economic resources, especially given the mandate and objectives of the NEITI. The president noted that Nigeria has witnessed phenomenal revenue growth from the oil, gas and solid minerals sector as a result of the implementation of the principles of the EITI by the transparency initiative, which he said has driven most of the reforms witnessed in Nigeria’s extractive sector in the past 17 years.

He charged the new board to preserve the virtues for which NEITI is known and remain non-partisan as well as

maintain dignified neutrality , which it has done in its almost two decades of its existence.

Buhari told the board that its mandate includes giving policy direction to the organisation, guidance, monitoring and oversight to ensure effective implementation of the EITI standard.

He said: “The present administration is passionate about the EITI process because it serves two key agendas of this administration. As you are aware, the extractive industry is very strategic to Nigeria’s economy and hence central to the administration’s economic agenda.

“Secondly, transparency and accountability in the management of our national resources is equally central to the anti-corruption agenda of this government. Nigeria is therefore irrevocably committed to the implementation of EITI

in the oil, gas, and mining industries” Chairman of the board, Adekunle, in his remarks, assured the president that the new board under his watch will push the boundaries of transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s extractive industries.

He committed to implementing fully the principles of the global EITI and strengthening the ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s extractive sector.

“We will strive hard to provide policy direction, guidance, monitoring and oversight to the NEITI secretariat, so that we can sustain the notable achievements that the institution has been doing over the past 17 years, ”he assured.

Executive Secretary, NEITI, Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji, who is also a member and secretary to the board, noted that the board is central to the work of

the organisation, stressing that the constitution of the board will enable NEITI resume its leading position among the global implementing countries.

Other members of the board are: permanent secretary, ministry of mines and steel development, representing government extractive industries and executive chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), while the Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will be representing the national oil company.

Also represented on the board which has a four-year part-time tenure, are the presidents of the Nigeria Mining & Geosciences Society (NMGS) as well as that of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), standing in for the unions.

27

TUESDAY JULY 27, 2021 • T H I S DAY

MARKET NEWS A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 23Jul-2021, unless otherwise stated.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

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 N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 7.32% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.28 3.44 -3.60% info@anchoriaam.com 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 4.20% Anchoria Equity Fund 135.65 137.21 1.98% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.10 1.10 -17.46% 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 19.89 20.49 9.66% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 429.94 442.91 7.39% ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.09 1.09 -0.95% ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.97 0.97 -7.82% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 7.75% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 105.3 105.3 3.53% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,011.08 1,011.08 1.11% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 1.98 1.98 -14.18% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.09 2.13 -11.11% CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund N/A N/A N/A CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.05% Paramount Equity Fund 16.63 16.94 4.00% Women's Investment Fund 137.32 139.92 3.56% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.94% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 118.66 119.42 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 107.20 107.20 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 6.65% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.19 1.20 -1.08% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.37 1.37 -13.70% 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 N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 191.68 193.03 2.13% FBN Halal Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.45% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Legacy Money Market Fund Legacy Debt Fund Legacy Equity Fund Legacy USD Bond Fund FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

126.29 158.13

126.29 3.50% 160.31 4.59% fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com

Bid Price 1.00 3.96 1.58 1.18

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 4.95% 3.96 2.27% 1.62 4.02% 1.18 3.87% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price 3,708.15 3,358.16 100.00

Offer Price 3,760.36 3,358.16 100.00

Yield / T-Rtn -1.00% 2.50% 5.57%

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 7.63% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.93 3.00 2.63% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 151.60 151.88 -2.50% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.29 1.34 2.64% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.09 1.09 0.41% 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 1.42 1.44 4.17% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,137.29 1,137.29 4.79% 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 11.62 11.68 11.01% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 8.17% 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 N/A N/A N/A PACAM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM EuroBond Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 133.13 135.42 9.71% 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 1.01 1.01 10.07% 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 N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.29 1.31 1.33% United Capital Bond Fund 1.90 1.90 3.68% United Capital Equity Fund 0.87 0.89 9.36% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.33% United Capital Eurobond Fund 119.12 119.12 4.09% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.05 1.07 3.36% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.06 1.06 5.71% 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 12.97 13.08 9.27% Zenith Ethical Fund 14.25 14.38 16.64% Zenith Income Fund 24.22 24.22 1.01% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.32%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

124.53 51.79

10.25% 2.65%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

13.48

13.58

1.97%

127.19 100.85 18.01 18.34

130.26 102.99 18.11 18.44

5.74% 1.62%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund MERGROWTH ETF MERVALUE ETF

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

3.97 5.93 17.69 1.00 19.92 151.05

4.01 6.01 17.79 1.00 20.12 153.05

5.07% 4.24% 8.95% 4.98% -2.92% -31.03%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.40

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.

28

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱ͵˜ 2021

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Oroh: Insecurity, Lack of Storage Facilities Responsible for Rising Food Prices Gilbert Ekugbe Expressing concerns over the rising cost of food prices, the former Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Edo State, Abdul Oroh has urged economic managers to as a matter of urgency address the high level of insecurity in the northern part of the country.

Indeed, the incessant attacks by herdsmen on farmlands in the North and other parts of the country have continued to make farmers insecure and reluctant to take advantage of the planting season to boost food production in the nation. Oroh during a telephone interview with THISDAY also stated that Nigeria lacks storage facilities to save for the rainy days, maintaining that past governments have failed in that regard.

He said the storage facilities could have been helpful at a time when food prices are increasing astronomically even as he called on the federal government to

review its Anchor Borrowers Scheme (ABP).

He said the positive effects of the ABP has not been felt by farmers, adding that the scheme should be based on success stories rather than disbursing funds to farmers without rippling effects on the economy.

He further explained that during planting seasons, it is expected that food prices would rise with hopes that prices would drop after harvesting.

According to him, “The insecurity in the north between the Fulanis and farmers including the general state of insecurity in the country has driven many farmers off their lands. It has also affected the cost of transportation and even the risk of transporting these goods from one place to another. The costs of diesel and petrol to transport farm produce have also increased tremendously and the persistent devaluation of the naira and inflation has also contributed to the rising cost of food prices.”

Proffering solutions to combat rising food prices, Oroh said in the short term, the federal government must assist farmers to cushion the effects of not been able to produce while also considering relaxing some restrictions on importation of rice and beans to augment local production.

“For the long term, the government must address the high level of insecurity in the nation and find a lasting solution to the Fulani herdsmen and farmers’ clashes.

The financial institutions must restate commitment to supporting farmers to achieve mechanized farming that would replace the traditional method of farming so that we can increase our capacity to produce to address food scarcity,” he added.

He also recommended that research institutions must develop researches to preserve some of the nation’s perishable crops, reduce the price of fertilizers and make the agricultural sector attractive for young agripreneurs in the country.

Sterling Bank, Consortium Sign MoU to Boost Healthcare Nume Ekeghe Sterling Bank Plc, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Cross River State Government and a consortium of healthcare providers to provide services for the Cross River Health Supply Chain Transformation Project.

The Divisional Head, Health and Education Sectors, Sterling Bank, Mr. Obinna Ukachukwu in a statemen said, “I am excited that this is happening. It is the beginning of good things to come and I hope other states in the country would replicate the strategy that has been put in place by the Cross River State Government to address the challenges in its health supply chain.”

He noted that Sterling Bank would de-risk any sector of the Nigerian economy that is willing to adopt a similar strategy through re-imagining finance.

“This is about putting in place the structure to render service before introducing formal banking transactions in a bid to ensure a win-win situation for the parties involved in the arrangement, “he said.

The MoU is sequel to the bank’s partnership with the Cross River State Government on the implementation of a Health Insurance Scheme tagged: Ayade Care. The scheme was launched recently in Calabar, the state capital, as part of an effort to achieve health insurance cover for vulnerable citizens in Cross River.

Ukachukwu explained that health is one of the five sectors where Sterling Bank is concentrating investments under its HEART’s of Sterling programme in a bid to make impact in the Nigerian economy.

The other sectors are Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy and Transportation.

In his comments, Commissioner for Health, Cross River State Betta Edu, expressed happiness at state’s readiness to finally implement the Health Supply Chain Transformation Project.

She explained that the state’s healthcare policy revolves around providing quality healthcare services through universal health coverage, adding that there is absolutely no way the state could achieve its objective without functional pharmaceutical

services.

She said, “We are ready to drive this innovative arrangement to get results and what is very important to us is to ensure that people get universal access to quality medicines. We will ensure that people in rural areas, general hospitals, secondary facilities and private facilities, primary healthcare centres and even dispensaries have access to drugs.

“We will open the entire horizon to those who are coming in from primary institutions. We hope to run it with the speed of light because we have lost some time already and we hope in the next two to three months, we will be ready with facilities and drugs so that we can be up and running.”

Edu said the state government would like to shift emphasis from being directly involved in the healthcare sector and restrict itself to regulatory and supportive roles while adopting a private sector driven approach like India.

According to her, health services in India jumped from zero level to about 90 percent with the adoption of private sector involvement in its health care sector.

Norrenberger Launches Money Market Fund for Wealth Creation Norrenberger, a leading financial services group in Nigeria, has launched its Money Market Fund(MMF) as part of its strategic efforts towards deepening financial inclusion in Nigeria by providing cutting edge investment solutions.

The Norrenberger MMF is a collective investment scheme, registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and it invests in Nigerian short-term money market instruments such as Federal Government Treasury Bills, Bankers’ Acceptance, Commercial Papers, Certificate of Deposit, and other instruments introduced and approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from time to time.

According to the firm, the fund

provides significant value to investors as they enjoy competitive returns on their investment, professional expertise from our fund managers, and an online access to monitor and manage their investment which puts them in total control of their portfolio.

Commenting on the launch of the product, Norrenberger’s Head of Asset Management, Mrs. Abigail Utomi, said: “The Norrenberger MMF will give investors the exposure to a diversified portfolio of money market instruments, while also providing capital preservation, competitive returns, liquidity, safety of funds and quarterly dividend payments.”

She said the fund was launched to meet the changing needs of

their clients.

“In line with our vision to simplify wealth creation, our strategic focus is to continue to provide a wide range of financial solutions targeting the need of every single household in Nigeria. This further solidifies Norrenberger’s position as masters in wealth creation in the investment space in Nigeria. The fund is affordable as investors can subscribe with as low as N5,000 and subsequently, multiples of N1,000, “ Utomi said.

She explained that investment in money market fund, which became unattractive in 2020, has improved because yields on Treasury bills have increased from below 1.0 per cent to above 9.0 per cent as of 15th July 2021 auction.

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 ˜ ͯͳ ͰͮͰͯ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $73.15 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $75.29 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).

29

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱ͵˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Stock Market Up 0.47% Driven by Oando, Others Darasimi Adebisi Transactions on the Nigerian stock market on yesterday closed on a positive note, as bulls extended the winning streak to five consecutive trading sessions on the positive performance of Airtel Africa and 28 others.

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) All-Share Index (ASI) grew by 181.18 basis points or 0.47 per cent to close at 38,849.08

basis points from 38,667.90 basis points the equities market opened for trading.

Similarly, the overall market capitalisation value gained N94 billion to close at N20.241 trillion compared to the opening value of N20.15 trillion The market upturn was driven by price appreciation in large and medium capitalised stocks amongst which are; Airtel Africa, Julius Berger, Ardova, Lafarge Africa and UAC of Nigeria

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

(UACN).

For this week, analysts at Afrinvest Limited expected the positive momentum to be sustained, as more impressive first half (H1), 2021 earnings results are churned out.”

As measured by market breadth, market sentiment was positive, as 29 stocks gained, relative to 16 losers. Oando recorded the highest price gain of 9.82 per cent to close at N4.36, per share. FTN Cocoa Processors

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

followed with a gain 9.76 per cent to close at 45 kobo, while Ardova went up by 9.75 per cent to close at N17.45, per share.

BOC Gases rose by 9.74 per cent to close at N8.45, while Livestock Feeds gained 9.64 per cent to close at N2.16, per share.

On the other hand, Universal Insurance led the losers’ chart by 9.09 per cent to close at 20 kobo, per share. Linkage Assurance followed with a decline of 7.14 per cent to close at 65 kobo,

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

while Sovereign Trust Insurance lost 6.90 per cent to close at 27 kobo, per share.

Africa Prudential lost 6.52 per cent to close at N6.45, while Regency Alliance Insurance shed 6.25 per cent to close at 45 kobo, per share.

The total volume of trades rose by 7.08 per cent to 246.556 billion units, valued at N2.243 billion, and exchanged in 4,676 deals. Transactions in the shares of Fidelity Bank topped the

O F

activity chart with 30.544 million shares valued at N73.766 million. Access Bank followed with 14.714 million shares worth N136.722 million, while United Bank for Africa (UBA) traded 13.844 million shares valued at N108.646 million.

Guaranty Trust Bank Holding Company (GTCO) traded 12.761 million shares valued at N378.319 million, while Wema Bank transacted 11.265 million shares worth N9.806 million.

2 6 / 0 7 / 2 0 2 1 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

30

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY JULY 27, 2021

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT Renewable Energy, Off-grid Tech Solutions, Suitable for Green Economy Bennett Oghifo

A

s humanity moves towards a more carbon neutral world, investors are looking at producing green interventions, including renewable energy sources that would help achieve the goal.

According to scientists, energy amassed from off-grid renewable resources will assist in raising the productivity of farmers, as well as that of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and significantly reduce the exorbitant cost of electricity required for agricultural processing.

This was disclosed by the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Off Grid Tech Solutions Ltd, Stephen Ogboko at the formal introduction of the firm at a virtual press briefing at the weekend, which harped on the

theme ‘Analysing the Benefits of Technological Innovation’.

Off Grid Tech Solutions Ltd is a hybrid, off the grid, technology product distribution and marketing company which has partnered with global innovators to bring renewable energy solutions to the fore in Africa.

According to Ogboko, processing and preservation of all aspects of the agricultural products value chain need clean and renewable energy, which the national power supply grid could not meet.

The Executive Director described off-grid energy solutions as one of the key drivers of the nation’s push for industrialisation, adding that the firm was set up to promote unique, technology innovative solutions in the off-grid energy space.

Nigeria is among countries with a very high

need of electricity. A significant amount of the economy is powered largely by small–scale generators and almost 50 percent of the population have limited or no access to the grid.

Ogboko noted that Nigerians, and by extension their businesses, expend about N7 trillion annually on inefficient generation of power that is expensive, noisy, polluting and of poor quality.

This, he said, could be effectively tackled with the deployment of off-grid renewable energy solutions by making electricity more cost effective and environmentally friendly.

“At Off Grid Tech Solutions, we partner with global innovators of off-grid solutions to provide reliable, cost effective and lasting solutions to societal problems across all sectors, and do our best possible to improve the lives

of people in developing nations.

“Our team of experts has worked all over Africa, and continues to work to provide solutions to a variety of sectors. We have marketed and delivered smart off grid solutions for many years, providing permanent, efficient, safe and affordable solutions,” Ogboko added.

Off Grid Tech Solutions Ltd specializes in the marketing of Heat Lamps and Incubators, Gas Powered Air Conditioners and Cooling fridge, Mobile Power Solution-Solar Energy Box, Pressure Cookers, among others.

Notable among its partners is the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), United Kingdom Department for International Trade (UK-DIT), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Buckler Group, and Tywit.

We Make Affordable Luxury Homes Possible, Says Ifeanunike Ikechukwu Osita Ifeanunike, founder/CEO of Elite Castle Ltd; a Pan-African luxury real estate firm, and visionary establishment which core space is functional smart architecture, discusses his luxury housing solution Tell us about your background and the passion that brought your career to life I am a developer, keen on providing digital state of the art solutions, in architectural advancements, from blueprint to completion. We positively impact purpose-built, revenue-generating real estate market, making affordable luxury a possibility, with a vast knowledge of mortgage investments. I was born in Awka, Anambra State, but was raised in Lagos where I had my primary and secondary education. I enrolled for my first degree at the University of Benin where I studied Anatomy. In alignment with my natural aptitude, and desire for wealth creation, I proceeded to study Business Management at the University of Sunderland, and subsequently obtained a Masters Degree in International Business. I returned home with an excellent blueprint for the Nigerian Real Estate Market, and now I am a pivotal player in the luxury real estate sector in Nigeria.

How were you able to reposition your company to the path of significant strength?

The inspiration to re-position came from the technological enlightenment I got from my foray abroad. I identified a gap, a need for better standards of real estate and luxury development, so I designed a solution and literally worked from ground up. Now, we boast of optimum efficiency and satisfaction in our delivery.

Tell us about your experience in this sector, in the management of your company and the industry in

general, especially in view of the two disruptive events of COVID-19 and recent civil unrest in the country?

We had a transcending experience.

I say that because, in spite of all the challenges, we grew exponentially in the year 2020. We recorded outstanding increase in revenue, we unravelled digital media as a tool for marketing and this ushered us into a phase of broader and more interactive connectivity, and business conversations that quickly translated to profit. We developed architectural marvels and made sales via virtual negotiations.

We doubled staff strength and performance in corporate social responsibility.

Can you share with us what you consider as the most trying moment in your journey to success?

Good things are not cheap and often times, cheap things aren’t good but a lot of developers do not share the same sentiments. I found it difficult to justify why my luxury homes had a price tag of authenticity and the inauthentic developers seemed to be winning, but we stuck to our values and without compromise. We have made a name for ourselves and consequently we have the attention of the perfect target, and now we are winning.

In your own opinion what other qualities do you think are required or needed for a young entrepreneur to make it to the top in Nigeria?

Consistency is key, and a clear vision is also important to make it to the top.

The quality of your work must never be compromised. Cutting corners will never secure competitive advantage for you.

Ifeanunike

To gain competitive advantage, give it your all, and all good things will come to you.

What other things can the government do to encourage the success of the local content policy, protect indigenous companies and champion the ease of doing business in Nigeria?

I would opine that the government

should learn to support small to large scale enterprise, government should offer loans and grants to citizens who need financing. We need reasonable credit facilities with reasonable interest rates. For instance, 24% interest rates on bank loans are a bit too steep, with the going profit margins in Nigeria.

However, we all have a part to play and overall patriotism is key.

Haven Homes General Manager Wins Young Entrepreneurs Award

Ufoma

The General Manager/Chief Operating Officer of the nation’s lifestyle developers, Haven Homes, Ufuoma Ilesanmi has won the Young Entrepreneurs International recognition for business leaders in Nigeria who are under 40 years of age.

The award was presented at the annual summit of young persons who have contributed meaningfully to the economic growth and development of the soceity in their various fields.

Other Notable young business leaders and entertainment practitioners who were honoured include Mr. Marcaroni, Brother Shaggi, Toke Makinwa, managing director of Haute Fashion Africa, Tolu Baily, Timi Bello of Media Panache. Others are Uche Pedro of BellaNaija, Nancy Isime of NIP Studios and Nikky Ufondu of Gemini

Luxury Homes.

Speaking at the event upon receiving the award, Ufuoma Ilesanmi disclosed that the recognition came as a result of the opportunity afforded her through relevant support which she got from her company and her relentless pursuit of success in her career.

Ilesanmi admonished the gathering of young persons that leadership comes with a lot of challenges and that every young person who desired to be successful in business and other spheres of life must be ready to face them squarely and overcome.

She applauded the initiators of Young Entrepreneurs International Summit for propelling Africans to be the best in whatever circle they are irrespective of their age.

Haven Homes has been in the fore front of empowering young Nigerians including

notable music stars to be landlords in its Richmond Gate Estate which presents a package of luxury and affordability plans for over twenty years.

Richmond Gate Estate, Lekki was built by Haven Homes, the real estate subsidiary of Haven Global Resources Ltd, a firm registered as a limited liability company in Nigeria.

Since its first residential development in 2006, the firm has been building beautifully crafted, unique and luxurious homes that present the occupiers with very comfortable lifestyle. The growing list of those who have bought into the ideal unique comfort provided by Haven Homes include top business executives and popular celebrities who appreciate style and class with the added beauty of returning to a home befitting their international status.

31

T H I S D AY ˾TUESDAY JULY 27, 2021

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT

NCF, Anambra, Unizik Partner to Stop Forest Degradation David-Chyddy Eleke in Abuja

T

he Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has partnered with the Anambra State government and the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University on ways to curb forest degradation in the state.

Officials of the three institutions met at Nnamdi Azikiwe University at the weekend to chart a way forward on how to conserve forests and also avoid practices that deplete forests in the state.

The stakeholders, during the two-day event on ForestLandscape Restoration Action Plan organised by the NCF, in collaboration with Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka Anambra State called on various communities and individuals to collaborate with them to curb deforestation and

forest degradation in the state and Nigeria in general.

Participants at the workshop were drawn from representatives of the agricultural and environment sectors, civil society organisations, community leaders, students and the media.

Director-General of NCF, Mr. Muktari Aminu-Kano, in his address told participants that the event was organised to foster collaborations with various stakeholders to help stop the ‘ugly consequences’ of climate change.

Aminu-Kano, who was represented by the Director, Business Development and Communication, Mr. Uchenna Achunine, said that the foundation had also been influencing policies on environmental, nature, forest and ecosystem preservation, to persuade the government into action.

He said, “With increasing population, the effects of climate change are manifested through

gully erosions in the South East, especially with the fragile nature of Anambra landscape.

“There is a lot of work to do to preserve our environment, hence the partnership with NAU to hold this workshop and develop a

master plan on forest landscape restoration and commit to its full implementation in the state.”

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Charles Esimone who also participated

in the workshop said the partnership with NCF would yield massive afforestation of 10 hectares of highly degraded zones as well as train over 40 forest patrol guards from the University.

L-R: SSA Media to Anambra State governor, Mr Tony Nezianya; Director of Technical Programme, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Dr. Joseph Onoja; Vice Chancellor Unizik, Prof Charles Esimone; and SA on land matters to the VC, Prof Peter Nnabude, at a forum with NCF in Awka… recently

Wealthy Nigerians, Organisations Urged to Fund Research The President of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Builder Kunle Awobodu has urged wealthy Nigerians to invest in research for societal development.

Awobodu, who affirmed his firm belief in the potentials of the black man for excellence, made the call for investment in research at the second edition of lecture series of the Association of Builders in Academia.

Awobodu equally challenged participants to also explore local sources of funding for their

research endeavours. Bringing research outputs to a finished level for society’s adoption is a crucial part of the research ecosystem, he averred.

Awobodu elucidated on the NIOB’s commitment to research manifested in its ongoing efforts at realising the development of a world class research centre in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Part of the key objectives of the Centre is to research into alternative building materials and promotion of skills for the

nation’s development.

The Chairman of the Association of Builders in Academia, Professor Martin Dada had earlier set the tone for the lecture welcoming participants and reminding them that men of ideas rule the world. He urged participants to continue in the search for workable ideas to advance society.

Two resource persons addressed the topic of ‘Exploring Opportunities for Research Grants, Conferences and Publications.’ The resource

persons were: Sani Kunya, a Professor of Building and a former SubDean of Students Affairs of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; and James Rotimi, an Associate Professor of Construction Management at the Massey University, New Zealand.

Kunya explained the concept of research grant and related it to the mandate and history of the Nigerian Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND). Kunya also challenged participants to source research grants for

advancing scientific knowledge, career development, increased visibility and supplementing provisions for the development of new programmes in their respective institutions. He referred to what was termed the global local context and took participants through the processes of writing research proposals for grant support. He then explained some potentials of grant support available at university levels and also TETFUND. Associate Professor Rotimi

acknowledged the need for research but emphasised that researches should aim at closing the gap between the industry and the academia.

According to Rotimi, the researcher should engage the industry to identify industry’s concerns and what Rotimi termed ‘wicked problems’ of the organisation or society.

Beyond scoring points in publications, the researcher must demonstrate the impact of his research on society or sectors thereof.

IFMA Nigeria Partners LSDPC to train Artisans The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Nigeria Chapter has partnered with the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) to train artisans within the built industry tagged “A Day with the Artisan” which took place at the LSDPC complex, Ilupeju, Lagos.

In his address, the President IFMA Nigeria, Mr. Segun Adebayo noted that this training session is a part of the capacity building strategy of the association aimed at ensuring that the built environment in

Nigeria can be updated with leading standards.

According to him, “this training is part of our purpose as a forward-thinking association and in line with our strategic plans to continually provide capacity building, learning and knowledge development for operators and industry players in the built environment, we are happy to offer a complimentary interactive session with the artisans of the Lagos State Development And Property Corporation.”

“The interactive session tagged “A Day with the Artisan” is part of our Corporate Social Responsibility initiative aimed at exposing artisans to capacity building, knowledge development, soft skills enhancement, and the re-orientation of job responsibilities,” he added.

The session aimed at educating the artisans on how to improve the quality of job delivery and its attendant impact on the service delivery of the Corporation.

We will also be deploying

our experienced faculty to transfer knowledge to them in specialist and generalist areas of the ecosystem of the built environment.

In his opening remarks, Arc. Dhikrullah Har-Yusuph the Managing Director, LSDPC, appreciated IFMA Nigeria Chapter for the initiative.

He expressed the need for excellence in the profession of property development and management. He charged his staff and the participants to pay close attention to what they will be learning because their

role is critical to the success of facility management in the state.

The experts who spoke on the varying topics on Facility Management include ESV Stephen Ola Jagun, CFM, FNIVS, FRICS (First IFMA Fellow in Africa) and Past President, IFMA Nigeria; Miss Iyabo Aboaba, Doyen of Facility Management and Past President IFMA Nigeria Chapter; Engr. Sheriff Daramola, ED/ COO, Specific Tools Techniques Ltd and General Secretary, IFMA Nigeria Chapter; Engr.

Silas Ofoegbu, CEO Spicon Consult and Mr. Adeniyi Ifaturoti, Treasurer, IFMA Nigeria Chapter.

Some modules for the training are- Elements of Facility Management; Understanding the Importance of an Artisan in the Built Environment; The role of Artisans in Operations & Maintenance of a Serviced apartment and Facility Management soft skills. There was also an Experience & Inspiration Session. A total of 50 participants were trained during the two-day workshop.

London Property Market Update in COVID-19 Era Yemi Edun It’s been a roller coaster few months since the December 2019 outbreak of the coronavirus. The world has gone through a once in a generation systemic shock that has upended and confounded what our sense of normality is. However, after almost 20 months due to the miracle of Vaccination, the end seems to be roughly in sight.

As your trusted property advisors, it is our duty to show you how the property world

has emerged from this long night. The property market is currently on course for its busiest year since 2007, which comes on the back of data showing that the sector as a whole has defied expectations to generate double-digit price growth over the past year.

This has been fuelled by a number of factors, but chiefly a supply squeeze across most regions, with London being the least squeezed region.

This is chiefly a creation of the pandemic as buyers and sellers alike reassessed where

and how they lived during the three national lockdowns.

This has inadvertently raised the demand for properties with outdoor spaces and proximity to greenery. The stamp duty holiday also came to an end on June the 30th leading to a rush to complete purchases by the deadline.

Now that you have a picture of the market, we have received a lot of questions on what to do now the pandemic is over, and we feel that advice is best categorised based on where you are in your investment cycle.

For seasoned property owners, before acquiring any further investments, this may be the best time to review what and how you’re holding your investments. How short are the leases on your properties?, are your properties still fit for purpose or do you need to downsize and for those with enveloped dwellings, have you had a review into whether your structures are in good standing?

These are all important things to consider and In the case of an enveloped dwelling could de-enveloping or

liquidating the structure to a more tax-efficient vehicle be a better solution for you?

For those selling, they have to be realistic with prices.

Whilst we’ve seen record sales volumes, it does not cut across the board. The numbers seen may not be a true reflection of the overall market as new builds come tops due to government help to buy and in some cases, particular price points that were achieved were a fallout from the stamp duty holiday.

For those people buying.

Keep a keen eye out for the EWS1 because of cladding, according to Barry Kyte of Hadley Kyte Solicitors. The winds of a historical low interest rate fly in your favour with a current rate of 0.1%. A great positive for Nigerian buyers is the fact that there are a record number of banks available to provide mortgage options with an equity contribution of 30%.

These banks are both Nigerian and international banks.

-Edun is CEO, Daniel Ford Int’l, London

Ooni, Others to Attend Onalaja’s Installation as Rotary Club President The Ooni of Ile Ife, His Imperial Majesty Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, will lead dignitaries from all walks of life including the business class and society big wigs to the installation of Rtn. Bamidele Onalaja (CEO of RevolutionPlus real estate

company) as the 20th President of Rotary Club of Maryland, Ikeja, Lagos.

The installation programme is slated for high octane event centre; the Glitz Event Centre, Lekki, Lagos and will be chaired by acclaimed ICT

entrepreneur, Mr. Nnamdi Ezeigbo MD/CEO, Slots System with frontline philanthropist and God’s handmaiden, Reverend Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi (Iya Adura) Founder, Love of Christ Church

Generation Church C&S as Chief Launcher.

Other dignitaries include Dr. Larry Izamoje of Brilla Group as co-launcher and top-flight celebrity journalist, Bashorun Dele Momodu as Keynote Speaker while the

District Governor, Rotary International District 9110, Rtn. Remi Bello will be the Chief Host.

An array of society big wigs and celebrities including ex Super Eagles Captains; Peter Rufai, Yobo Joseph and his

pretty wife Adaeze, as well as Nollywood stars and top class musicians; Odunlade Adekola, Adekunle Gold, AY Makun, Toyin Abrahams and others have pledged to honour Rtn. Bamidele Onalaja on his day of glory.

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

Addressing Humanitarian Crises in North-east Concerned by the scale of crises in the North-east Nigeria, members states of the G7 recently converged to address the humanitarian challenge by launching the Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Crises Compact in partnership with the federal government and state governments of Borno and Adamawa, Chiemelie Ezeobi reports

T

he armed conflict in Nigeria has forced an estimated two million people to flee from their homes.

Many of them are now internally displaced while others have sought refuge in neighbouring countries.

According to humanitarianoutcomes.org, humanitarian access in the conflict-affected areas of North-east Nigeria has been highly constrained since the start of the crisis as an estimated 1.24 million Nigerians outside the government-controlled areas are completely cut off from humanitarian assistance, while the several million more are obstructed to varying degrees in their ability to reach—and be reached by—critical aid.

They further posted that a combination of insecurity, the actions of the parties to the conflict, and the lack of strong and concerted advocacy across international diplomatic and humanitarian actors has made the North-east one of the most challenging operational environments for aid organisations as a number of people remain inaccessible to humanitarian aid.

In fact, they postulated that of 2019, an estimated 7.1 million people in NE Nigeria were in need of assistance, including 2 million displaced by the conflict, a large proportion of whom are living in IDP camps within garrison towns established by the Nigerian military. Humanitarian assistance provided by international aid agencies has largely been confined to these garrison towns.

As of late 2019, they added that an estimated further 1.24 million people are in need of aid outside the Nigerian military zones, and by all accounts unreached by and unable to access humanitarian assistance.

The UN reports that many of those who have made it out of the insurgent-controlled areas are malnourished and ‘report being held for years in hostage-like situations by NSAGs with no access to basic services and suffering abuse.’

G7 Intervention Concerned over the worsening crises, the Group of Seven, otherwise known as the G7, an intergovernmental organisation comprising Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the United States, recently met with the Federal Government of Nigeria, state governments of Borno and Adamawa, and multilateral partners to launch the G7 Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Compact.

This is the first ever G7 action plan to help save millions of lives from famine and humanitarian crises, including $382million for North-east Nigeria. This is because the G7 is concerned by the scale of crisis in North-east Nigeria and numbers of people inaccessible to humanitarian aid.

Action Plan According to the G7, with millions in North-east Nigeria requiring humanitarian assistance, it was vital they act early to avert further crisis. Thus, the launch was a welcome opportunity to take forward collaboration with Nigerian partners, the UN, and the international community.

To achieve this, G7 members recently met with Federal Government of Nigeria, state governments of Borno and Adamawa, and multilateral partners to launch the G7 Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Compact.

Noting that they were concerned by the scale of crisis in North East Nigeria and numbers of people inaccessible to humanitarian aid, the G7 members also called on the international community to act now, with no regrets, to prevent further decline.

On July 8, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, welcomed

Some of those internally displaced by crises in the North-east partners from the Nigerian Government, United Nations, and other diplomatic missions in Nigeria to launch the G7 Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Compact. This was a welcome opportunity to discuss the Compact and ways to foster collaboration with Nigerian partners, the UN, and members of the international community.

Representatives from the Nigerian Government, including the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs, attended along with representatives from Borno, Adamawa and Yobe State Governments. The diplomatic missions of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the USA as G7 member states took part, as well as attendees from the diplomatic mission of the European Union. Delegates from UN agencies, the World Bank, and other non-governmental organisations also attended.

The landmark commitment agreed by the G7 in May this year is critical to tackle the root causes of famine and address the sharply rising numbers of people in need of lifesaving aid.

The Compact commits G7 members to urgently provide an initial $7 billion in humanitarian assistance to 42 countries one step from catastrophe or famine, with further funding to follow over the course of this year.

The initial funding includes $382 million for North East Nigeria.

According to Policy and Communications Manager, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Nigeria, Elva LynchBathgate, this is not only about

money. It is also about diplomatic action, smarter financing, and more effective responses to crises. As well as addressing critical funding gaps, the G7 committed to act early to avert crises.

Commitment In 2016 to 2017, international engagement responded to food security alerts and averted a famine in North-east Nigeria. With conditions returning to similar levels today, G7 representatives agreed they must act early and with no regrets to save lives and tackle the drivers of acute food insecurity.

The Compact also commits the G7 to working with the World Bank Group to help fragile and conflict-affected countries build their capacity to prepare for, and respond to, crises, including through shock-responsive and social protection systems. Delegates at the launch noted that together they have the capability to strengthen early warning and real-time analysis through data collection and coordination to ensure more timely and informed decision making.

At the launch event, attendees stressed that humanitarian access must be improved to ensure lifesaving aid reaches all conflict-affected communities. They also committed to work collectively to promote respect for, and abidance to, International Humanitarian Law and the protection of civilians. In North East Nigeria an estimated one million people are inaccessible to humanitarian actors due to insecurity; despite international law obligating all parties to a conflict to enable safe, sustained, and unhindered access to all civilians in need of assistance.

The Compact also commits the G7 to working with the World Bank Group to help fragile and conflict-affected countries build their capacity to prepare for, and respond to, crises, including through shock-responsive and social protection systems

Photo: Google The launch demonstrated the international community’s commitment to supporting Nigeria to address the crisis and reduce the impact it is having on millions of people.

This can be achieved in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria, the state governors of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, and multilateral partners like the United Nations and World Bank.

In 2020, G7 countries provided almost 80 per cent of the humanitarian funding to the 42 countries with populations one step from catastrophe or famine targeted by the Compact. Today G7 representatives called on the wider international community to significantly increase their humanitarian support to the North-east crisis.

Facts and Figures Giving further insight on what spurred the aid, Lynch-Bathgate revealed that the in North-east Nigeria, 8.7 million people need assistance and 1.9 million people have been displaced because of the decade-long conflict, with another 300,000 having fled to neighbouring countries. An estimated one million people are in areas inaccessible to humanitarian actors. People are increasing hungry, with 4.4 million people projected to be in crisis and emergency levels of food security this lean season.

"Some 774,416 people will face emergency levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 4) during this 2021 lean season. This is an 84 per cent and 16 per cent increase compared 2019 and 2020 peaks respectively.

Global acute malnutrition (GAM) rates have increased in the states of Borno (32 per cent) Adamawa (four per cent) and Yobe (18 per cent) compared to the same period in 2019.

"The G7 agreement on famine commits G7 nations to urgently provide an initial $7 billion in aid to 42 countries one step from famine or catastrophe. $1.5 billion of this will be prioritised to the three countries at greatest risk – $800 million to Yemen, $341 million to South Sudan and $382 million to Nigeria. Tigray in Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Burkina Faso and the Central Sahel, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Sudan and Syria are also of particular concern. G7 financial commitments are for the calendar year 2021", Lynch-Bathgate added.

Essentially, the support will ensure people have access to food, clean water and sanitation, that children have access to lifesaving malnutrition treatment and promote the protection of civilians from violence.

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How Fake News Hurts the Reporter/Editor Relationship Ephraims Sheyin

I

t used to be so easy. A reporter brings a story and the excited editor goes through it and simply publish it, confident that the claims are correct.

Very often, impressed editors offered some morale boosting rewards – a bottle of wine. Lunch. Dinner. Cash. And even more. Trust was mutual.

Not anymore. With the prevalence of fake news, most editors, also known as gatekeepers, no longer trust the frontline soldiers and would use every available binocular to search for the truth.

Analysts have said that it is difficult to blame the editors for being more careful, considering the many cases of gaffes, brazen lies, fake news and wrong information the conventional media embarrass themselves with, on daily basis.

Few weeks ago, an influential media house published a story quoting the World Health Organisation (WHO) as saying that 146 million Africans die of tobacco-related diseases every year. The editor so trusted the reporter and did not ask how many Africans would have been left after just two or three years of such harvest. The reporter had, on her own, added three zeroes to her copy.

Not long ago, a media house published a story quoting a state governor as pouring encomiums on his estranged predecessor at a birthday ceremony. Very harmless story. Easy pick for every editor.

But trouble started immediately the story went out. It was fake. No such ceremony took place. The reporter just imagined it.

Last year, a report announced the opening of airports after the COVID-19 lockdown. Eager prospective passengers rushed to book tickets only to be turned back. What they read was false. Fake. The reporter just deceived everyone.

The craze for fake news has indeed taken over today’s media space, with both the social and traditional media struggling to outdo each other in the spread of hoaxes.

The instances are just everywhere.

Aside from the fake news, photos or videos are purposefully created and spread to confuse and misinform. Photos or videos are also manipulated to deceive, while old pictures are often shared as new.

In some cases, photos from other shores are shared in the Nigerian space, ostensibly to create the impression that they are local scenes.

Umaru Pate, a Professor of Mass Communication and Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Kashere, says the trend is “dangerous, unethical, provocative and subversive to peace and societal serenity’’.

“Fake news misinforms and misdirects society with severe consequences on individual and national systems. It heightens tension, builds fear and mistrust among people.’’

Information minister Lai Mohammed has equally deplored the trend, declaring recently that fake news could “threaten and destroy’’ the country. He has also launched a campaign against it.

The minister recently observed that every news manager was faced with the challenge of managing fake news, and expressed the fear that the purveyors could push the country into crises.

Dr Sylvester Usman, a university teacher, has echoed similar worry.

“Fake news will make media practice lose its appeal; it will challenge the credibility which is the base of journalism practice,” he said.

He challenged editors to rise up against the bastardisation of journalism by the new media, and emphasised the resuscitation of investigative journalism to tackle national challenges and help government plan better.

But as the scourge rages on, analysts have continued to wonder why the tendency to lie appears more common in the information age.

Mr Emeka Madunagu, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Metrostar, an online

publication, says fake news prevail because journalists pursue traffic, rather than accuracy.

Madunagu, former Editor, Saturday Punch, advised media managers to equip newsrooms with gadgets and technologies that could detect and remove fake news and images.

Prof. Pate believes that fake news is partly caused by the absence, or late arrival, of official information, which creates a vacuum filled by rumours and imaginations.

According to him, desperate politicians, ethnic jingoists, foreign interests and mischief makers have also taken advantage of the explosion in social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Google, Nairaline and WhatsApp – to spew fake news and hate messages which inflict confusion into the society.

While urging media houses to focus more on investigative reporting, he cautioned against selective reporting and the promotion of prejudicial stereotypes about groups and individuals based on incomplete facts, mischief and ignorance.

Analysts have also called for more training to boost research capacities among media professionals so as to minimise shallow reporting and episodic attitudes in news coverage and programme production.

They have also cautioned the media against promoting statements of politicians, ethnic champions, religious zealots and other interested parties without critical inquiry about specific social conflicts.

“Such groups are usually prone to spreading fake news against perceived rivals,” Alhaji Aminu Mohammed, one such analyst, says.

While urging media gatekeepers and news content managers to be

more critical, the analysts have pointed out that publishing fake news could confer legitimacy, credibility and massive reach to such fakery and confuse the audience about truth and falsehood.

Worried by the effects of such misinformation, many Nigerians have always wondered if it is possible to quickly spot fake news to avoid being misled.

Mr Dapo Olorunyomi, publisher of Premiums Times, believes that the best way out is to establish a fact-check unit in every Newsroom.

Olorunyomi, whose outfit has established a channel “Dubawa”, through which it trains media practitioners on fact-checking, emphasises the need to build wide contacts and use the internet to carry out a fact-check on every story to determine its integrity before publishing or airing same.

He also suggests the need for readers, listeners or viewers to check multiple sources, and try to establish trusted brands over time.

Madunagu has a more proactive approach to the menace.

“When a reporter comes with a sensitive story, I will calm him down and ask him to relax.

“When he relaxes, I will debrief him. In the course of doing that, I will try to see whether he brought himself into the story. There are times I did that and the reporter told me to kill the story. It means he was not so sure of the exciting claims he penned down,” he said.

He said that the situation is serious and warned editors against rushing to publish any “beautiful scoop” filed by reporters who are out there on the field.

“Editors should not totally trust

The craze for fake news has indeed taken over today’s media space, with both the social and traditional media struggling to outdo each other in the spread of hoaxes. The instances are just everywhere. Aside from the fake news, photos or videos are purposefully created and spread to confuse and misinform

reporters. These days, I don’t.

“Editors must have phone numbers of other Editors. These days, hunger is pervasive; for little money, people can tell lies. They can write anything. So, one must be very careful. When editors are handling sensitive stories, they must be very careful,” he said.

Most editors agree with Madunagu and believe that Nigeria will be the better for it if editors in traditional mediums, who determine information the public is served, strive for reliable information which is crucial to her growth.

But even as the editors strive for accurate information, some have noted the challenges of ownership influence, social malpractices and corruption, media professionals acting as judges or advocates for hidden interests, and cases of senior editorial staff acting as consultants to politicians and religious groups.

The existence of cartels among reporters covering specific beats has also been noted as another factor responsible for the adulteration of what is reported.

Very often, the cartels form “gangs’’ that decide what information to publish with pecuniary interests threading through the discussions.

Analysts say that such “unholy fraternity’’ has often led to the “burial’’ of some hard truths that would have been useful in the nation’s search for greatness.

Another challenge is the “copy-me’’ syndrome, a practice where reporters receive reports of events they did not cover, from colleagues, and publish same, not minding if what they had been “copied’’ is fake news.

Not a few reporters have lost their jobs to this scary practice, yet it still persists.

Unfortunately for editors in most media houses, the heat is usually extended to them with no one concerned about their pleas or claims to innocence.

Such sweeping sanctions, analysts say, have forced editors to suspect every story with some “dodging” sensitive reports they believe have the potential to create trouble.

Madunagu captured it more succinctly.

“These days, I use every binocular to check the veracity of every story. I won’t want to take medicine for what should not be my headache.”

Unfortunately for the reporters, most editors today have similar fears over their copies. Such fears rule most Newsrooms today. ... Sheyin writes for News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

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TUESDAY JULY 27, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS XTRA

Rice Farmers Attribute High Cost of Food to Exchange Rate Funmi Ogundare The President of Rice Farmers Association in Nigeria, Aminu Mohammed Goronyo, yesterday attributed the high cost of food in the market, especially rice,

to an increase in the exchange rate of naira to dollar, saying most of the inputs used for cultivation are imported.

Goronyo, who was a guest on the Morning Show programme of ARISE NEWS Channel, the

Kanu: Onitsha, Nnewi Residents Close Markets in Solidarity David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Residents of the commercial city of Onitsha and industrial town of Nnewi yesterday abandoned their businesses to stay at home in solidarity with the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, who was billed to appear for trial in a Federal High Court in Abuja.

As early as 7a.m. yesterday, roads leading in and out of Onitsha and Nnewi were blocked while motorists, motorcyclists and even pedestrians were stopped from accessing the cities.

Sources in Onitsha said youths suspected to be members of the IPOB made bonfire in most streets in the city, while also forcing vehicles entering the city to return.

The popular Onitsha Main Market and other adjourning markets were closed, just

as schools, banks and other commercial activities in the towns were grounded.

Videos circulating on the social media also showed that shops, markets and offices were locked in Onitsha and the streets deserted.

In Nnewi, THISDAY gathered that youths suspected to be IPOB members also smashed cars belonging to motorists who attempted to enter into the city.

A source in Onitsha Main Market, Mr. Lizinus Eze, said: “We heard it yesterday as a rumour that there will not be market today, but this morning we found out that people were making bonfire everywhere in the city. Nobody has spoken to us about what is happening, but we learnt that members of the IPOB were trying to force people to stay at home in solidarity with Nnamdi Kanu who is appearing in court today.”

FG Distributes 300,000 Hybrid Cocoa Seedlings to Farmers James Sowole in Akure Determined to reverse the downward trend in the Nigeria’s cocoa production, the federal government yesterday stated that it had distributed 300,000 hybrid cocoa seedlings to farmers in four geopolitical zones, where cocoa is being produced, through the Federal Ministry for Agriculture and Rural Development.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Mohammed Nanono, stated this at the inauguration of the National Secretariat of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Nanono also stated that some other agricultural inputs were also distributed to the farmers, saying specifically that the seedlings were distributed to

the farmers in the Southwest, South-south, North Central and South-east geopolitical regions of the country.

According to the minister, the gesture of the federal government was part of the efforts to develop the agriculture sector, increase production, and encourage cocoa farmers.

He said: “The ministry has so far distributed over 300,000 improved hybrid cocoa seedlings to Southwest, South-south, North Central and South-east regions. Also, about 350 cartons of Ultimax-plus were distributed last year to the South-south and South-east regions’ roll-out.

“The 500units of Solo pumps were also distributed to cocoa farmers aimed at increasing cocoa production from the present 250,000 metric tons to 350,000 metric tons.”

Suspected Criminal Abducts Groundnut Hawker James Sowole in Akure A 12-year-old girl, Abibat Saani, has been abducted by suspected kidnappers in Ofosu, Ore, in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

It was gathered that the criminal lured his victim, who was hawking groundnuts, when he told the girl that some people needed groundnuts at a party in the neighbourhood.

Narrating the incident, Abibat’s mother, Aisha Saani, said on the fateful day, her daughter went out to hawk groundnut as usual, but could not return home.

According to her, “My daughter was hawking groundnut when a man riding

a motorcycle stopped her very close to our house. He told her there was a ceremony at the next street called Olobesere, where they needed groundnuts.

“The man told her to send somebody home to tell me to prepare more groundnuts and my daughter innocently followed him.

“It was the person who my daughter sent home that informed us that a man riding a motorcycle took her away, and since then, we have been looking for her.”

Aisha said they reported the matter to the Amotekun Corps in Ofosu, where the girl’s father works, and also reported it at the Ore police station.

broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspaper, explained that farmers had to exchange their naira to dollars to be able to buy the components to cultivate their farms, adding that there has been an increase in the area of production compared with 2015, because of the support the association is getting from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

According to him, “For instance, the herbicide, sprayer, water pump and the fertilizer component that we use are being imported. You have to change the naira to dollar to buy those components that would give

the farmers enough inputs to cultivate their farms. That is the resent situation. You have to sell it to the farmers at a price that you exchange your naira, to make profit.

“Buying this input in 2015, it is still the same farmer but the difference is the exchange of naira to dollar. But there has been an increase in the area of production.

“Before 2015, what we obtained from our hectares were not more than 21.5 metric tons to maximum 2.5 tons, but today, the same farmers in the same hectare, are getting between 5

to 9.5 metric tons because of the support we are getting from the CBN. If not for the support, considering the exchange rate, I don’t know how much you will buy a bag of rice. It is the exchange rate of naira to dollar, otherwise, we would have been buying a 50kg bag of rice for N5,000.”

He emphasised on the CBN Anchors Borrowers programme for farmers, saying it has been able to put even small scale farmers back on track to cultivate their farmlands.

Goronyo said those saying that the programme is only

focused on political farmers, are enemies of the state, adding that since its establishment in 2015, it has supported Nigerian farmers morally, as well as in the area of funds and training.

The president of the association described the anchors borrowers programme as a blessing to the country, saying during the COVID-19 pandemic, no other country supported Nigeria in the area of food supply, and added that the country was able to produce enough food for Nigerians to consume locally.

CLIMATE CHANGE IN FOCUS …

L-R: Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Pauline Tallen; Minister of Environment, Mr. Mohammed Mahmoud-Abubakar; Head of Climate Change and Energy West Africa, Mr. Sean Melbourne; representative of the Governor of Ogun State, Mr. Ola Oresanya; and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa-Enitan, during the high-level launch of the National REDD+ Strategy Document in Abuja...recently

Gunmen Abduct another Traditional Ruler in Kaduna John Shiklam in Kaduna A first-class traditional ruler in Kaduna State, the Chief of Jaba and the Kpop Ham, Danladi Maude, has been abducted by bandits.

A family source confirmed the incident, saying the traditional ruler, who is above 80 years, was abducted yesterday in his farm.

The farm is said to be located in Gitata, a neighbouring community in Nasarawa State bordering Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The kidnappers were said to have stormed the farm at about 2 p.m. and abducted the traditional ruler, leaving his aides behind.

Spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command,

Mohammad Jalige, did not respond to telephone calls and a text message sent to his phone when contacted.

On July 11, 2021, bandits invaded the palace of the Emir of Kajuru, Alhaji Alhassan Adamu, at about midnight and abducted him alongside 13 others.

The 85-year-old emir was, however, released the following day by the

bandits, while the 13 others were still held in captivity.

The bandits were reported to have apologised to the emir, and asked him for forgiveness.

The increasing rate of banditry in Kaduna State has continued unabated as bandits continued to terrorised residents at home, in schools, on their farms and on the highways.

Lagos LG Poll Winners to Get Certificate of Return Today The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) yesterday said that it would present Certificate of Return to winners in last Saturday’s local government election today.

Spokesperson of LASIEC, Mr.Tope Ojo, disclosed this in chat with jounalists in Lagos.

Ojo said: “Our next responsibility now is to issue the Certificate of Returns based on what they (Operation and Logistics) Committee)

sent to us from each local government.”

Speaking on pending results, he said: “That is the responsibility of the Returning Officers(ROs). The chairman has said that she didn’t want to be involved in the declaration of results because it is not her responsibility. We have ROs in each of those local governments who announced results. We don’t have anything with results.

“We don’t have much responsibility when it comes to the declaration of election results. The law is so clear.

“After those results have been declared, they (returning officers) forward it to O and L committee.

“The department that is in charge of operation will collate statistics of winners to write certificates of results. They have sent all results here which are being tabulated.”

According to him, the comprehensive list of winners was being worked on.

“Those with statistics have to be put together, the number of candidates, the number of seats won by each of the political party and everything.

“I am still awaiting the results. The ROs have been sending results to the committee. I don’t have any dealings with them,” Ojo added.

APC Women Leader Assures Market Women of Inclusiveness The National Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Representative, Hon Stella Okotete, yesterday interacted with market women from the six geo-political zones and assured them of the party’s plan to further include them in the stream of things aimed at improving their wellbeing.

The traders who numbered over 300, where quoted in a statement to be elated at the opportunity given to them by

the women leader as they took turns to express their challenges and the way forward for them and their businesses.

Okotete reminded them that the meeting was an expression of love for Nigeria’s unity, expression of love for their fellow women and for themselves and especially for those who were not physically present.

While reminding them that women are most affected by insecurity and insurgency in

the land she urged them to pray for a united Nigeria for the sake of their children and the unborn ones.

“Our gathering here today is because of all of you and those market women who are not here today. I am here to listen to you and whatever you tell me here will form part of APC manifestoes in 2023. Let no one decieve you.

APC is here to stay. Now is the time to plant so that in 2023, we will harvest. I will

ensure that your needs are captured. APC Government ensured feeding program for our children, Tradermoni for market women, social works and other skill acquisition programmes. We will continue to lobby and negotiate for more seats and Empowerment for all of you so you can have a secured future,” she said.

She hinted that there would be a market women financial training going forward.

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TUESDAY JULY 27, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS XTRA

85m Nigerians May Lose Jobs, Says Minister Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mr. Mohammed Abdullahi, has disclosed that 85 million Nigerians are on the verge to lose their jobs due to lack of digital knowledge and skills.

The Minister stated this yesterday as the special guest of honour at the launch of the Generation Unlimited Nigeria, a global platform bringing together government, multisectorial institutions, private sector and young people with the aim to support 20 million young Nigerians within the ages of 10 to 24, and 35 years to get jobs by 2030.

Abdullahi said the ministry is leveraging on existing structures at its disposal with a mission to incubate young people and get them ready for the labour market.

According to him, “85 million people are about to

lose their jobs due to lack of digital knowledge and skills.

As a ministry, we’re leveraging on TVET as a means of getting the youths employed, and we are ready for to partner the UNICEF.” In the vein, Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, who was also a special guest of honor at the occasion, lamented that one key issue affecting Nigerian youths in skills acquisition is the Nigerian university curriculum, which he said was no longer relevant to present realities, and has continued to graduate unemployable youths without skills.

Ganduje stated that in embracing the digital future through skills acquisition, the sum of N7 billion has been spent in building skills acquisition centre in the state, ‘which was based on research that can make youths selfemployed’.

He said moving forward, the state government has been able to identify 20 different skills, and “we are graduating thousands of youths who are being employed and are entrepreneurs too.”

The governors added that as the most populous state in the country based on the last

census, the state government has invested so much in education and has benefitted not less than N3 billion as counterpart funding from the federal government through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

In his remark, the Chief Executive Officer of Generation

Unlimited, Mr. Kevin Frey, said if young people have the right skills, 1.8 billion people around the globe would be positively affected.

He said already, 100 million people have been employed globally in 47 countries in the three years of the existence of Generation Unlimited which

started in 2018.

The initiative, which runs in different countries around the world, has partners and supporters which include the Office of the Nigerian vice-president; UNICEF, Tony Elumelu Foundation, World Bank, USAID, Airtel, Jobberman, ILO and many others.

Yoruba Nation Protest: Lagos Police Arraign Alleged Killer of Lady Police Prosecutor, Mr. Adejoke Adebesin, yesterday told a Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos that Miss Jumoke Oyeleke was allegedly shot

by Tajudeen Bakare during the Yoruba Nation rally held on July 3, 2021, at Ojota area of Lagos State.

Bakare is one of the 48 persons, including two women, being arraigned for alleged unlawful protest and killing of a woman.

It was initially alleged that the police killed Oyeleke during shooting at Ojota during the protest. However, the Police denied killing the girl, saying she was killed far away from the scene of the protest.

According to the prosecutor, Bakare drove a Jeep with Registration No. LSR 322 FK and killed the deceased from the window of the car.

The defendants, who

allegedly committed the offences at 10 a.m. on July 3, 2021 at Ojota area of Lagos, are jointly facing three counts of conspiracy, unlawful assembly and breach of peace.

However, Bakare faces two extra counts of murder and unlawful possession of arms.

The defendants all pleaded not guilty.

The offences contravened sections 411, 168(d), 223, 330, 44 (1)(2)(3)(4) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015. (Revised) Section 330 stipulates sevenyear imprisonment for the offence of unlawful possession of arms, while Section 223 stipulates the death penalty for the offence of murder.

The prosecutor said that the defendants gathered for a protest that was not permitted to hold and began to disturb the peace of the neighbourhood.

HAPPY RETIREMENT…

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Insurance Association, Alhaji Ganiyu Musa; celebrant and former Managing Director/CEO, LASACO Assurance Plc, Mr. Segun Balogun; his wife, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Balogun; Alumni Member, Ansar-Ud-Deen Old Boys’ Association (AHOSA), Alhaji Rafiu Adisa Ebiti; and President, AHOSA, Mr. Rafiu Williams, when the alumni hosted Segun Balogun to a retirement lunch in Lagos ...recently ETOP UKUTT

IG: Installation of CCTV will Reduce Crime

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Alkali Baba, has said that the articulation of human rights infrastructure such as the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) and recording of statement will reduce crime in the country.

Speaking at the official unveiling of the Human Rights Africa International Pageant in Abuja, the IGP who was represented SP. Chijioke Kalu, asked the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to articulate the concept of

human rights infrastructure such as Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV), recording of statements and many others to make the job of the police force easier in the protection of human rights in the country.

He explained that the introduction of the CCTV would protect policemen and reduce inhuman treatment meted you that some members of the public on them.

He said though many are looking at the angle that the CCTV will prevent police brutality but have not thought

that it could also add to curb the numerous attacks on the police.

He noted that when the members of the public know that their actions are recorded, they would check their behaviours in public especially attacks on law enforcement agents.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, said the National Human Rights Commission in its bid to fulfill its mandate of promoting and protecting human rights in the country has always looked at progressive measures, new and innovative

ways of getting the gospel of human rights into every nook and cranny of the country and Africa as a whole.

He said in this regard, the commission in strategising on its promotion activities is focusing at what catches the interest and attention of the youths, noting that before now, it has collaborated with Nollywood stars to produce TV serial movie series and film to promote human rights and attract the attention of the endemic population, the youth.

Glo Mega Data Changes the Kano Assembly Ignores Court Order, Asks Police Paradigm with 1TB Plan to Arrest Chairman of Anti-Corruption Agency To give heavy data users an unmatched experience on its network, Globacom is availing them a whopping 1TB of data under the Glo Mega Data Plan.

The Mega Data Plan, which has been delighting heavy data users on Glo network with different value-adding packages, has the irresistible N100,000 plan which gives a total of 1TB of data valid for 12 months.

The company, which is renowned for innovation and competitive pricing, disclosed in a statement in Lagos that the plan would be particularly useful for home broadband users, such as Small Office Home Office (SOHO) and Small and Medium Enterprises customers who have the need for higher data consumption.

“The Glo Mega Data Plan, particularly the N100,000 plan, is packaged to address the needs of heavy data subscribers for reliable and affordable internet service. It will help millions of people who rely on the internet to work or study from home, carry out most business and

social transactions as well as hold meetings, seminars, religious worship, among other activities”, the statement added.

Globacom which stated that the 1TB for N100,000 plan offers the best value in the market urged heavy data users to make utmost use of the opportunity to enjoy endless online experience.

Other plans available on the Glo Mega Data Plan include N30,000 which gives subscribers 225GB, with a validity of 30 days, N36,000 which offers 300 GB and also comes with 30 days’ validity, N50,000 plan which offers 425GB and 90 days’ validity, N60,000 which offers 525GB of data valid for 120 days and N75,000 which gives 675GB and has 120 days’ validity.

Globacom said that the Mega Data packs could be used on any compatible device such as handsets, modems and laptops, adding that the offer is available for both existing and new Glo subscribers. It is also auto-renewable and can be shared with other subscribers on the Glo network.

Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The Kano State House of Assembly, yesterday, recommended immediate arrest of the suspended Chairman of Kano Public Complaints and AntiCorruption Commission, Mr. Muhuyi Magaji Rimin-Gada.

Besides, the assembly asked Governor of Kano State, Mr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to sack Rimin-Gada as Chairman of the commission as provided in Section 6 of the commission’s Act which empowered the assembly to recommend the removal of the head of the agency.

The lawmakers’ action came few days after Justice Sanusi Ado Ma’aji granted RiminGado exparte order, which restrained the assembly and three other defendants from investigating him.

But contrary to the court injunction, the Chairman of the House of Assembly’s ad

hoc committee instituted to investigate the embattled Rimin-Gada.

The committee recommended the prosecution of Rimin-Gada’s prosecution and investigation of financial activities of the Anti-Corruption Commission since 2015.

Edo Ex-commissioner to Protest Detention of 300 Nigerians in Italy Former Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Osaze Osemwengie-Ero, has disclosed plans to lead a protest to the Italian Embassy within the next four weeks to demand the release of over 300 Nigerian youths illegally detained in Italian prisons for trumpedup charges on mafia-related offences.

Osemwengie-Ero, who returned to Benin City on Monday after over a year of wrongful detention in Italy,

said he was a victim of racial discrimination and manipulation of a very corrupt prosecutor of the Italian Justice system as he was on an official trip to Germany, in 2019, to have a meeting on the Benin artifact restitution campaign when he was arrested in Amsterdam and illegally detained by the Italian government.

According to him, “We have over 300 Nigerian youths in Italian prisons illegally arrested and incarcerated for false allegations of mafia-related

crimes.

“I have a list of all of them and I am making contact with their families; I made a promise to them that they will not be forgotten.

“We will campaign against the corrupt Italian Justice system and I am going to lead a protest to the Italian Embassy within the next four weeks.”

“The justice system in Italy is complex and corrupt and they manipulate the justice system because they know nobody cares about Nigerians,”

he noted.

The ex-commissioner, who commended Governor Godwin Obaseki for his support and show of concern during his ordeal in Italy, said his arrest and incarceration had nothing to do with the state government or the governor.

He said: “My arrest and detention had nothing to do with the governor or Government of Edo State, though I was on an official trip to Germany for the return of the stolen artifacts.

TUESDAY JULY 27, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

37

NEWS XTRA

FG to Boost Benue’s Agric Sector, Says Minister The federal government has expressed its desire to transform the agriculture sector of Benue State in order to boost food production and encourage exportation.

This was disclosed yesterday by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mariam Katagum, in Makurdi at the official inauguration of the state office for the implementation of the Nigeria Agribusiness and Agro-Industry Development Initiative (NAADI).

Katagum said during the event that “this initiative is strategic within the context of the economic diversification drive of the present administration’s efforts anchored on the Economic Recovery and Growth plan (ERGP), and by extension, the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) being implemented by my ministry.

“The plan seeks to, among other things, develop the nonoil sector to boost production,

encourage value addition and export for increased foreign exchange, wealth and job creation.

The NAADI initiative represent a paradigm shift for agro-industrial revolution in Nigeria conceived within the context of the Nigeria industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) of the ministry.

Represented by the ministry’s Director of Commodity and Export Department, Suleman Audu, the minister added that the overall objective of NAADI is to develop an industrialised and commercialised agriculture sector comprised of highly productive and profitable commodity value chains, with a view to accelerating the growth and diversification of the economy into differentiated high-value products.

She noted that the targeted groups included small producer and marketing organisations; small and medium agro-industry and agribusiness enterprises, among others.

According to her, “This

UCTH Mgt Alleges Threat to CMD’s Life

Bassey Inyang inCalabar

The management of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) has raised the alarm over what it described as a threat to the life of its Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Ikpeme A. Ikpeme, and the peace and security of the federal medical institution.

A statement issued and signed yesterday by the Director of Administration of the hospital, Ededet Eyoma, and made available to all staff members, including head of departments and the coordinator of schools/ internship training, disclosed that a small misguided group among the interns in the hospital has “continued to act in a way that threatens the peace and security of the hospital, patients and lawabiding staff.”

In the statement sighted

by THISDAY, the hospital management stated that “these actions which are unbecoming of any group of professionals have now been expanded to include open threats and openly canvassing, discussing and planning the kidnap of the CMD on the interns general social media blog,” and that “a deadline of July ending has been set by these interns to wreak havoc on our hospital with a ‘sever hit’.”

The management of the

hospital further warned that “no responsible management will watch idly as a group of misguided individuals openly plans criminality for a non-local problem which every effort at resolution is being made.”

The statement further stressed that: “For the avoidance of doubt, the management has duly informed the security agencies to act decisively to maintain peace and security of lives and property in our hospital.”

It explained that in the last seven months, the management of UCTH has made concerted efforts to resolve the problem of the shortfall in non-regular allowances for tertiary health institutions nationwide in 2021, and has striven to ensure that interns and other affected staff salaries are paid.

The statement further disclosed that several meetings have been held with the interns with the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) as witnesses to demonstrate empathy, explain management efforts to the interns, called for patience and offer reassurance that every owed salary will be paid once the government releases funds for this purpose.

initiative from conception in 2010 by the ministry was wholly driven by the leadership of the state Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, who was then the minister of state for Industry, Trade and Investment. The

overall expected benefits, which include among others, stimulate the flow of equity investment to meet sectoral equity investments gap.

“Particularly in sectors critical to driving the country’s trade

and exports competitiveness with propensity to improve the flow of foreign capital into the country; enhance the country’s agribusiness performance; reduced the country’s dependence on imports

of agro-industry products; support human capacity building of MSMEs, most especially the youths and women operating in export supply chains, and increased value-added goods and services.”

EMPOWERMENT…

L-R: Chairman, Vintange Press Limited, Chief Wale Edun; Senator representing Lagos Central senatorial district, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu; Provost/ CEO, Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Lagos, Dr. Chuks Onuoha Paul; and one of the beneficiaries of an empowerment training, Mr. Muyiwa Adeniji, during the Aquaculture Value Chain Empowerment training organised for youths and women of Lagos Central senatorial district by Tinubu at Etiosa LCDA, Lagos…recently

Osinbajo: Judiciary Needs to Embrace Technology, Innovation Deji Elumoye in Abuja Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has stressed the need for the nation’s judiciary to embrace technology and innovation for the evolution of the profession and national development.

This, he said, is necessary to ensure that the country’s justice delivery mechanism is run on a system of enforceable, discernible laws and efficient institutions.

Osinbajo stated this yesterday in a pre-recorded speech as guest speaker at the 2021 Annual

Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch, with the theme: ‘Disruption, Innovation and The Bar’.

Speaking on how the country’s justice delivery system can support critical investments in today’s very dynamic economy, the VP noted that “questions also need be asked about the readiness of our profession to engage in new markets as presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area(AfCTA).

“Already Nigerian banks and financial services are crossing

borders in Africa, acquiring banks in several African countries. So, the AfCTA will open new transborder commercial opportunities, and our profession should pay attention to the rules of engagement for legal services and how they may propel our business.”

According to him, innovation in Nigeria’s legal profession requires urgency in both thought and action, especially in a world which currently thrives on knowledge economy, and where some jobs, including

legal jobs, are being threatened by digitisation and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Citing the example of how continuous improvement in the quality of smartphone cameras disrupted global sales of digital camera, the VP observed that now AI is commonly used to perform tasks such as legal research and due diligence, document and contract review, and the prediction of legal outcomes which are tasks that would have been performed by lawyers.

N3bn Loan: Ex-Bayelsa Radio GM Drags Justice Commissioner Before NBA Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa Former General Manager of Bayelsa State Broadcasting Corporation, Mr. John Idumange, has filed a petitioned against the State’s Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr. Biriyai Dambo (SAN) before the Disciplinary Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

Idumange, in the petition, alleged that the attorney-general perverted justice and influenced

the outcome of his case with the state government over alleged misappropriation of N3 billion agricultural loan.

He alleged that Dambo sent a letter to the Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, instructing her to move the case out of the court presided over by Justice E.J Omukoro and send it to a court presided over by his friend, Justice E. Uzakah.

He recalled his arrest on charge of sedition in March this year by

the Bayelsa State Government after he revealed how the state government allegedly shared N3 billion agric loan to top politicians in the state.

The embattled former Bayelsa Radio’s GM, in the petition submitted before the NBA, claimed that the case was moved despite knowing the fact that Justice Uzakah would do the bidding of his friend by remanding him in prison illegally.

The petition reads: “As a

highly esteemed professional body, I am aware that one of the institutional core objectives of the NBA is the maintenance of the integrity and independence of the bar and the judiciary.

“As a senior lawyer, the attorney-general is aware that the NBA holds tenaciously to this bastion of the rule of law.

Sadly, he is carried away by his exalted office and could flagrantly violate the rule of law with impunity.

How Nigeria Can Achieve Sustainable Growth, Devt, Says Don Laleye Dipo in Minna A university Don, Professor Mohammed Kuta Yahaya, has opined that for Nigeria to achieve sustainable growth and development, young Nigerians should be given their rightful position in leadership of the country.

Yahaya also warned that the youths should no longer be used “as agents of chaos” but as “potential drivers of political, economic and social

development of the country.”

Delivering a keynote address at a ‘Youth Leaders’ Summit’ organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for its youth leaders and representatives of various youth groups in the Niger South senatorial zone of Niger State last Sunday the professor of Agricultural and Development Communication at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, regretted that: “Young people have over the years been

neglected; they have been used during elections and dumped afterwards.

“It is not the future, but the youths should belong to the present, and they must begin to take responsibility.”

In the keynote address with the theme: ‘Nurturing and Mentoring Youths for Leadership and Governance’, the university lecturer, however, observed that the older generation are afraid of not conceding power to the young

people because of “the fear of the unknown, particularly about issues of understanding the intricacies of what it takes to be in leadership.”

In addition, he submitted that the older generation is skeptical about handing over leadership to the youths because of the belief that the youths did not understand “what it takes to provide good governance in terms of administrative acumen and in terms of understanding the etiquettes of leadership.”

INEC Registers One Million Voters Online Nseobong Okon-Ekong Over one million Nigerians have so far availed themselves of the online pre-registration of voters which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) commenced four weeks ago on June 28.

A statement by Mr. Festus

Okoye, INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voters Education revealed that as at Monday, July 26, the number of new registrants has risen to 1,006,661.

The detailed distribution of the registrants by age, state/ FCT, gender, occupation and disability for week four of the

exercise has been uploaded to the commission’s website and social media platforms. However, the distribution by age still shows that 740,063 (or 73.5%) are young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 34.

Okoye said:”Physical or inperson registration began yesterday Monday 26 at our 811 state and

local government area offices nationwide. The exact locations of the designated centres have already been uploaded to our website and social media platforms.

For further details, citizens are encouraged to contact our state offices through the dedicated telephone numbers provided in the uploaded publication.”

38

TUESDAY, ͺͿ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ THISDAY

BACK PAGE CONTINUATION O N E DAY, F O U R C O U RT CAS E S “I told you there were four major court cases yesterday that were of historic and significant interest, and I wanted to know whether you attended any one of them?”

“Why should I? I told you I was at home.

Which cases are these?”

“You don’t mean it? Don’t go and say this in public please. People will think you have a problem.”

“I don’t get it” “Okay let me help you out because you are too young to have dementia. Yesterday, in Abuja, Nnamdi Kanu’s case came up again at the court of Justice Binta Nyako.

He was not produced in court. The security agents did not allow his supporters to even approach the court premises. At a point the Court was even closed. Lawyers were shut out of court. Imagine! His lawyers were not even notified according to due process.

There were security men all over the place, harassing journalists and every one. People were arrested.”

“Hen Hen.” “I thought you would have been there to observe and analyze the situation” “To get involved in a matter before the court? How? That would be sub judice” “That is not the issue here. This is a political trial. The issue is self-determination which is recognized under Article 1 of the UN Charter.”

“I am sorry, I can’t discuss this matter with you. Whatever I say will be misinterpreted by an illiterate, rampaging, insecure mob. We have lost the culture of reason and debate in this country. Every one is in their own ethnic capsule. A country that has destroyed its intellectual class is in real danger. This is what has happened to Nigeria. You were looking at Nigeria from the perspective of human libido, I am sorry, the bigger tragedy is the apparent death of ideas and the failure of capacity to think even among the most educated.”

“Who needs education anymore in this country? Just make money. Take aphrodisiacs.

Dominate women and men and recruit idiots with all sorts of fake certificates and titles to worship you. That is the new Nigeria.

What do you think of self-determination?” “Ï have nothing against self-determination.

It is a universal right recognized under Article 1 of the 1949 UN Charter. Many countries have broken up: India in 1947, Pakistan broke up in 1971 to produce Bangladesh,

in 1776, the United States emerged out of the UK, in 1965, Singapore rose out of Malaysia, in 1993, the old Czechoslovakia became two countries: Czech Republic and Slovakia. Sudan and South Sudan used to be one country.”

“So what are you saying?” “Ï am not saying anything. Read my lips. It is in a neutral mode. The way this country is today, you won’t know what you’d say it will be misinterpreted. That is what I was telling you earlier: the bigger tragedy in Nigeria today is the triumph of intolerance and abnormality. There is a supremacy of the lunatic fringe at work, playing all kinds of games: ethnic, political, cultural and opportunistic. When you say something, they twist it. When you don’t say anything, they put words in your mouth and use that to blackmail you. They are so energetic, the only conclusion you can reach is that this is now a country in the grips of mass psychosis. We need help.”

“So, is that why you didn’t go to Abuja?” “Ï cannot answer that question. Did you go there yourself? Too many of you want other people to act and speak on your behalf in the public space but you are all busy acting like cowards and paid hacks. Many don’t even have the courage to bear their own father’s names. I am all in support of justice, fairness and due process, but nothing beyond that.”

“But what of Cotonou? Did you follow the court trial of Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho?”

“Yes, I did, as an observer” “You mean you were there, physically?”

“No” “Why not?” “Ï don’t have to be anywhere physically to know what is going on. Every revolution is on television.”

“But you know, I think it is a shame that Nigeria that used to be described as the giant of Africa is now having such domestic issues that every body is now talking about how Kenya got involved in Nigeria’s affairs, and how Republic of Benin, the same Benin that is generally regarded as the 37th State of Nigeria is now a major factor in Nigerian matters. How are the mighty fallen?”

“Kenya and Benin are sovereign states.

They are independent jurisdictions. I know there are many rich Nigerians who go about boasting that the President of some

African countries are their boys and Personal Assistants but it is important to know that at critical moments those same countries will assert themselves as sovereign states.”

“You mean the Republic of Benin next door will disobey the Nigerian government?” ”The last time I checked Kenya and Benin Republic are sovereign states. Nigeria is not in a position to dictate to them. Benin even has a different justice system. Its leaders would rather listen to France, their former colonial masters, certainly not Nigeria.”

“If they misbehave in Benin, common Benin, we can shut down our borders against them.”

“The last time you did, what happened?

Did Benin disappear as a country?”

“You are supporting Benin Republic against Nigeria? You are one of the hidden secessionists?”

“I am not going nowhere. I am here. Na inside Nigeria I go live and die. You push me, I push am, na inside Nigeria I go live and die.”

“The more reason you should take a stand.” “Äre you deaf? This country is becoming very tough. We all have to be very careful” “The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny.”

“You try. Too many Nigerians quoting statements they know nothing about.”

“You are professing cowardice. We must take our country back.”

“Why not? Go ahead. Just let me be.”

“With the way you are talking, I am sure you did not even bother to show interest in Baba Ijesha’s case on Monday? The rape case involving the Nollywood actor who was accused of raping an under-aged girl and who is now facing trial?”

“The case is now in court. It is before the judicial system. I don’t support rape or violence of any sort. But why should my going to court be an issue?”

“As a concerned citizen” “Me?” “Yes” “No. Were you there yourself? Marketer of Surutu and Suruka? Is that not the same case where one Babalawo predicted the death of one actress and he, the Babalawo died before the trial began and the actress whose death he predicted was all over the court yesterday?”

“What has that got to do with you?”

“Everything. I am a Christian. I don’t walk

near the valley of the shadow of Death.

Those Nollywood people, their own matter na aye mo juba.”

“You are just a coward. But how about the fourth case? Yesterday Uduak Akpan, the killer of Iniobong Umoren was arraigned before a State High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. He pleaded guilty.”

“Am I a spirit? You want me to be in Abuja, Cotonou, Lagos, and Uyo in one day.

Look at this way: Inside Buhari’s Nigeria, everything don spoil” “I hear say him don travel sef. He don go London.”

“Can you see now that you are a bad person? With all the things you have been saying, the man that Nigerians elected as President decided to leave town the same day, and you are asking me to put my head.”

“He went to London for medical check-up and a virtual conference about how these matters can be addressed.”

“Wh-a-at nonsense is that? How can a President go to London for a virtual conference? Don’t we have internet in Nigeria?”

“He is not alone. The President of Malawi also travelled to London with a 10-person delegation for the same virtual conference because the internet in his country is bad...”

“You are not making sense. Okay, me I dey here for Nigeria.”

“Doing what?”

“Keeping safe. Chopping isi ewu. And watching the Olympics” “Olympics? You think Nigeria can win anything?”

“The Olympics is not about winning. It is about participating and the spirit of being part of it. Team Nigeria does not need to win anything” “Don’t write them off. It is too early to do so.”

“But the country is not in a winning mode.

That is why the other thing I do these days is to watch Big Brother Nigeria Season 6.”

“I thought you used to criticize the programme.”

“Yes. But the kind of girls that are on that programme this time around, e be like say dem get special craze. I need some therapy.

Watching them alone calms down my nerves.”

“You see you are also a sinner like the rest of us. You dey watch Abeg and Patricia.”

“I confess, bros. Go see those girls first.

Something dey there, no be small.”

O B I C U B A N A’S L AV I S H B U R I A L O F H I S M OT H E R is a testimony of what hard work and a charitable heart can do, they say. Recall that the President of Nigeria, the father of the nation, President Mohammadu Buhari had recently and derisively referred to the people of the Southeast as a dot in a circle, who have no means of escaping what was coming to them, being treated in the manner they are accustomed to.

The arguments of Obi Cubana’s supporters make sense on some level but I disagree on one major point. The incredibly lavish and outrageously expensive burial of the century sent all the wrong signals to the world, including the young people of Nigeria.

For me, it did nothing in it’s garish display but besmirch the essence of a dignified burial for a woman well deserving of it.

Throwing bundles of freshly minted money at people on the streets, and inside the Church is not my idea of showing respect for the dead. Neither is the report that young ladies from schools far and near left their academic pursuits to present themselves to the rich friends of Obi Cubana and their entourage a palatable one to hear.

As a performing artiste, I am familiar with ‘Spraying’, the practice of pasting money on or around a singer, to show appreciation for their performance. I also know that when singing in church we ask anyone who is moved by the performance to give money to the Lord for ministry. When things are done in moderation they are more acceptable and their meaning understood.

The reverse is true when excessive displays are made and a good gesture is obscured by garishness and thoughtless exhibitionism.

There are however, a few takeaways from this obscene exercise that played itself out in Oba. Let us give some credit to Obinna Iyiegbu for some of the positive things about his success story that have now come to light. We hardly knew him before his

Obi Cubana

mother’s burial. It turns out that he has raised and continued to raise up so many others, even as he himself made it up the rungs of success. Such reckless generosity is rare but I can draw comparisons with people like MKO Abiola of blessed memory.

We need more philanthropy in every part of Nigeria. Let those who can afford it, go round and lift others up from poverty and lack. Nigeria is blessed, her people have no business with hunger and depravity.

To Nigerians for whom Igbo hating has become a sport, I say this. Stop wasting

your time tagging and castigating Ndigbo for whatever reasons. The dislike and hatred of Ndigbo seems to be a uniting factor for the rest of the country, we know. But let us be fair to one another. As we see the bad, let us also see the good. They both reside side by side in any group of people in Nigeria.

Recently, Harvard University and others around the world have begun the study and teaching of the Apprenticeship programme of Ndigbo, describing it as the largest business incubation program in the

world. A successful trader, dealer, importer, distributor or manufacturer takes on young people who serve, work for them, learning the trade as they go along. At the end of their training, the ‘master’ settles the ex-trainee by helping to finance their new business venture. This way they guided to independence and hopefully prosperity.

Did Nigeria take note of this recognition?

Mba nu! It took the outside world to spot and highlight this very positive quality in the Igbo culture which has benefitted the economy of Nigeria to no end.

Ndigbo are found mainly in the Southeast of Nigeria, comprising Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia State. Also in the South South, and Middlebelt - in Kogi, Benue, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Delta State. They are also found in counties such as Haiti, Zambia and Equitorial Guinea. They are known for their industry and resilience, demonstrated by their ability to recover and thrive in the midst of evident marginalization and discrimination. Igbos survived a brutal genocidal war in 1967 which lasted for three bloody years. They withstood the onslaught with the recognition of a handful of other developing countries, against a combination of superpowers like the UK, US, Soviet Union and China on the other hand. Over three million people were piped out in the process. The Nigerian civil war or Biafran war as some choose to call it has been described as the worse since the Jewish Holocaust. Ndigbo remind me of the beetle which cannot be destroyed.

Onyeka Onwenu is a Singer/Songwriter, Actor, Politician and Public Administrator.

She is a Social Critic and the Author of the highly acclaimed Memoir, My Father’s Daughter. Her Book can be found in major Bookstores and on Amazon.

39

TUESDAY, ͺͿ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

TUESDAYSPORTS Anyanacho, Offiong End their Olympic Dreams in Tears

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

TOKYO 2020...TOKYO 2020...TOKYO 2020...

Taekwondo player, Elizabeth Anyanacho and table tennis star, Edem Offiong were the latest Team Nigeria athletes to exit the ongoing Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Anyanacho in particular

suffered a blow in her quest for an Olympic medal in the early hours of Monday against a much matured and experienced double Olympic medallist, Nur Tartar of Turkey.

Tartar showed class and

applied experience winning 12 - 7 against the Nigerian debutant who proved that the future belongs to her with a performance that stunned many who could not believe she was fighting in her first

Olympics.

The defeat left the 22-yearold Anyanacho gutted and she could not help but to succumb to crying.

Sports Minister, Sunday Dare and Chika Chukwumerije were

on hand to console her.

A flicker of hope rose for the Nigerian from the rule books to get a chance to fight again if her conqueror gets to the final.

That hope however failed to come true as the Turk was

L-R: Belgium’s Jean-Michel Saive; Nigeria’s Segun Toriola; ITTF President, Thomas Weikert; Nigeria’s Olufunke Oshonaike, Croatia’s Zoran Primorac and Sweden’s Jörgen Persson at the event in Tokyo...yesterday

Oshonaike Inducted into ITTF’s ‘Club 7’

Former African champion Olufunke Oshonaike has been inducted by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) into the exclusive club of seven time Olympian known as the 'Club 7'.

Oshonaike who is the first table tennis player in the world and the first female athlete in Africa to attend seven Olympic Games becomes the first female to be inducted into the 7th Club.

At a brief ceremony held in Tokyo on Monday and attended by the President of ITTF, Thomas Weikert as well as former inductees - Jörgen Persson of Sweden (1988 to 2012), Zoran Primorac of Croatia and the former Yugoslavia (1988 to 2012), Belgium’s Jean-Michel Saive (1988 to 2012) and Segun Toriola (1992 – 2016).

Across the globe, only four male table tennis players in the world have been inducted since table tennis became an Olympic sport at Seoul ‘88 Olympic Games in South Korea and Oshonaike increased the

number to five being the first female player in the world.

Toriola made his Olympic debut at the Barcelona ‘92 Olympic Games, while Oshonaike made her Olympic Games debut at the Atlanta ‘96 Games in the United States.

An excited Oshonaike hoped the honour would give hope to

young Nigerians that dreams can come through.

“I hope this award for me and my country, as the only female in the seventh club in the world, and the only woman in Africa to have achieved the dream of representing her country at the Olympics seven times, will brighten the

hearts of Nigerians especially for young girls that dreams can come through regardless of the challenges in life,” she said.

She added: “Though I might not have won gold, silver or bronze, I have won what no woman in the world of table tennis has ever won. Thank God for the award – the 7 Club

Eight Nigerian Athletes Undergo Out Football Chieftains Rush to of Competition Tests (OCT) in Japan Identify with Aisha Buhari Cup The eight Nigerian track and field athletes with outstanding out of competition tests (OCT) took the tests yesterday and are now awaiting the results today before returning to the Olympic Village in Tokyo in time for the start of the athletics event on Friday According to World Athletics anti-doping rules, athletes are expected to have three OCTs before they can compete at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics which got underway last Friday.

Mostly affected in the Team Nigerian camp are alternate athletes who missed either one

or two of the tests for unavoidable reasons.

Others are student athletes in USA colleges who didn't undergo the required number of tests while in school.

Some of the athletes did not fill their whereabouts form which is a requirement for such testing.

The whereabouts are information provided by a limited number of top elite athletes about their location to either World Athletics or National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) that included them in their respective registered testing pool as part of these top elite athletes’ anti-doping

responsibilities.

The crisis within the Athletics Federation of Nigerian (AFN) which created two parallel leaderships also contributed to the situation.

The leadership which hijacked the password of the Federation’s email concealed every information sent by the Athletics Integrity Unit.

Many of Team Nigeria's top athletes like Blessing Okagbare, Divine Oduduru, Ese Brume, Tobi Amusan, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and a few others who are among the 782 athletes in the elite Registered Testing Pool have been cleared to compete.

More Medals for Host Japan Softens Mood Around Games Another flurry of home medals on day three of the Olympic Games in Tokyo has further eased the scepticism from the Japanese public into the hosting of the event.

Before the start of the Games, a strong percentage of the population were against the Games going ahead due to rising numbers of coronavirus cases.

But with eight gold, two silver and three bronze medals won by the home nation so far, opinions appear to be starting to change.

The International Olympic Committee said 69.4 million people in Japan had watched

award. I’m a proud Nigerian and I hope more women will join me,” she concluded.

Oshonaike bowed out in the preliminary round of the women’s singles after losing to Liu Juan of the United States, while she, however, ruled herself out from Paris 2024 in France.

kicked out by an American who was menacing all through the clash. It was a bitter defeat for the Turkey athlete as failed to record a point.

Chukwumerije, a 2008 Olympic Games bronze medallist in taekwondo, who has been at the driving seat of Anyanacho’s meteoric rise in the sport, was not totally disappointed with her loss.

"She's been crying. That shows she badly needed victory,” he said. “In all, her target is now focused for Paris. Between now and three years, she would matured. She has gotten an Olympic experience,” added Chukwumerije, referring to the 2024 Olympics in the French capital.

Chukwumerije himself lost his first Olympics outing in Athens in 2004 but came back smoking in Beijing four years later, kicking his way to a bronze medal.

"Same thing happened to me.

I fell into depression after my first loss but luckily for Elizabeth (Anyanacho), she has people guiding her. It's a big stage and she has all it takes to now put this defeat behind and show what she has," Chukwumerije said.

Also yesterday, Nigeria’s Edem Offiong crashed out of the ladies’ singles of the table tennis event.

After taking the first set at 15-13, Offiong miserably lost the succeeding four sets to USA’s Zhang Lily to crash out with a 4-1 loss.

The Chinese-American won both the second and third set at 11-2, while the fourth set ended at 11-8 and the fifth at 11-6.

at least some of the preliminary competition events last Wednesday and Thursday.

Japan added to their medal tally as street skateboarding gold went to 13-year-old Momiji Nishiya, who impressed during the "best tricks" portion of the event.

"I'm so happy to win the Olympics in Japan. I want to be the famous one who everyone in the world knows. I want to win at Paris 2024, too," said the teenager from Osaka.

She earned her victory by landing all three of her final tricks while most of her competitors took painful-looking

slams.

Later on Monday, Japan's gymnasts clinched a silver medal in the men's team final.

The Russian Olympic Committee took the gold with just a 0.103-point advantage over the Japanese.

They became the Olympic team champions for the first time since 1996, winning on the final rotation of apparatus.

The Chinese, who were challenging the Russians for the gold until the final moments, took the bronze.

Japan’s Momiji Nishiya won the firstever Olympic gold medal in women's street skateboarding... yesterday

Members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) charged with the responsibility to organise the Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Football Tournament have reiterated their unflinching commitment towards organising a high profile competition befitting the nation’s First Lady.

The committee led by Seyi Akinwunmi, who doubles as the 1st Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is buoyed up to put in place a flawless football showpiece.

Already key actors in the round leather games have weighed into the football fiesta namely the FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, Secretary General, Fatma Samoura, CAF President, Patrice Motsepe, and the programme initiator, NFF President, CAF Executive and FIFA Council Member, Amaju Pinnick, among other top ranked football dignitaries across the globe.

The top grade six-nation tournament being put together by the NFF in honour of the country’s First Lady will see the hosts, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, South Africa, Mali and Morocco try to outdo each other in celebratory and convivial duels.

The First Lady’s Non Governmental Organisation

Aisha Buhari...honoured with sixnation invitational tournament (NGO) ‘the Aisha Buhari Foundation’ with its catchword ‘Future Assured’ is an advocacy outfit pushing to the front banner the wellbeing of women, children and adolescents.

The NGO tries to optimize the potentials of women youth and children through interventions in health, education and economic empowerment.

Aside football, the event will try to sensitise Africans on the benefits of sports to global development.

It will address issues affecting women in developing countries with direct reference to the place of the girl-child in the society.

These are core values being promoted by the country’s First Lady in her pet project ‘Future Assured’.

Tuesday July 27, 2021

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Price: N250

MISSILE Buhari To Contractors

“I don’t want your cheques. Go and assist our communities instead of trying to return kickbacks to public officers, including my office.

Let them remember their Corporate Social Responsibilities” ----President Muhammadu Buhari, warning contractors and businessmen against bribing him and other top government officials.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI One Day, Four Court Cases abati1990@gmail.com

“O

re, I looked for you yesterday? Where were you?”

“I dey for house now? Where I for dey?”

“I actually thought you had gone to a court somewhere to do amebo. You know you like to poke-nose into other people’s matters? And yesterday was a special, historic day, with four court cases that generations yet unborn will read about” “You have started again. You are actually the real Mr. Amebo of Nigeria. Every little thing you are ever-ready like Ever Ready Battery to do chor chor chor. Don’t you ever get tired?”

“Ever Ready Battery. Ha. You don’t forget things. Do they still make such batteries?

That was when Nigeria was Nigeria and the manufacturing sector produced so much locally, and people had jobs and the country was prosperous. My uncle used to go to London almost every weekend. Money was not a problem. Nigeria itself was ever ready.

But now see see…the country is a shadow of its former self. That is why you have so many angry youths all over the place.

They have no sense of values. They have no memory of Nigeria’s greatness. They have been brought up on a diet of Satanic negativity.” “Ï know. I know. I still hear some people talk about Ever Ready though. But do you know when I tried to look for Ever Ready Batteries the other day, it turned out what

Kanu they now call ever ready was some sort of aphrosidiac, some kind of herbal concoction that is supposed to increase your libido, result in instant enlargement and give you unimaginable joy of celestial proportions. It

was actually a woman that recommended it to me.”

“Ha. A woman. Your battery failed, and they recommended Ever Ready. I know. I know. Nigeria has become a house of sin.

You are talking about a multi-billion-dollar business, by the way. From Suruka to Surutu, Kolagbo, Osomo, Koboko, Techno, Monkey Tail. Pasa-Bitters, Erujeje,..” “Ëx-cu-se me?”

“Wafekulaleyi, Ali Baba, Wasalaye, Baby Oku, Kick and Start, Oga Nla, Jeko mo, Agbara, Dorobucchi, Opa Eyin, Dadubule, Pakurumo, Bajinotu, 301, Stone, Jabra, Japata, Jakomu….”

“Can you stop? I don’t want to talk about aphrodisiacs and the obsession of Nigerians with sin.”

“That is your problem. It is not every thing that is about big grammar. I am giving you an idea of how Nigeria has failed. How a country that used to produce scientists and intellectuals is now producing a generation of celebrities and heroes who are making billions from selling sex or beer and pleasure.

We have become a nation of consumers of all sorts of depravity. We are no longer a nation of producers of ideas or executors of grand schemes. Old money in Nigeria was represented by the productive class.

New money is dominated by a generation of consumers, exhibitionists and their mad, bad agents.”

“Look, this man, leave me alone. Whoever

wants to drink whatever with their mouths should go ahead and do so. Our only point of agreement is that something terrible has happened to this country, and things could get worse, morally, politically and socially if we do not exercise caution and care. We need to remind ourselves of basic normative values and have a conversation around that.

You see all this your beer parlour, street talk, won’t help.”

“Dey there. Dey there dey form. We are all human beings at the end of the day, I beg. You mean you don’t know that it is the entire world that has gone mad? Humanity has crossed the point of no return. That is why some wealthy men are already planning to relocate to outer space. Elon Musk. Jeff Bezos. When the human planet fails, they will enter their space jets and escape. Na you and me and people like us go remain for this Earth. Our only problem is that we will be stuck in this place called Nigeria, in the midst of rapists, kidnappers, bandits, terrorists, corporate thieves, drug barons, yahoo masters, and vote-riggers.”

“Not even Alvin Toffler was this pessimistic in The Future Wave.”

“Toffee what? Who is that?”

“Never mind. Never mind. You are not likely to know someone like that. You were talking about court cases before you digressed in your usual manner. You need to see a therapist. What about the courts?”

Continued on page 38

Obi Cubana’s Lavish Burial of His Mother

By Onyeka Onwenu

I

told a friend just days before the most outrageous burial of Innyom Ezinne Uche Iyiegbu in Oba, Anambra State in July that I had given my family instructions as to how to bury me when my time comes. Do it quickly, quietly and privately. Celebrate me with prayers, lunch or dinner afterwards. Share some jokes about me and laugh. Mourn, yes but not excessively. Make merriment and then go about your business. If my friends want to celebrate me, they should do so while I am alive so that I can enjoy it with them, not when I am gone and have no idea. That is me Onyeka Onwenu.

My mother on the other hand wanted a different burial and I promised to give her want she wanted. On her hospital bed, just three days before she passed away, I reinforced that promise - it was important to her and she died knowing that I would keep my word. Hope Onwenu’s burial was nothing like what took place in Oba recently but it was elaborate and pretty expensive. Still I had the satisfaction that I kept my promise.

The point I make here is that there are different strokes for different folks, even within a family. I do not condemn

anyone for how they mourn, with their own hard-earned money but I am very uncomfortable with the lavish display of wealth on any occasion, especially in a time of hardship and lack for most others. The burial of Obi Cubana’s mother was not only lavish, it was obscene and insensitive. It sent all the wrong signals at a time when Nigeria is wracked with widespread poverty and lack.

But so long as he and his supportive friends stole nobody’s money to do what they did my outrage has abated. I will not call for them to be hanged on the stake as some have done. These reactions have been extreme and just as mindless as the conspicuous display of wealth we witnessed at the burial ceremony. Obi Cubana and his friends did not invent the art of spraying, neither are they the first to show off stupendous wealth in a wild celebration of any kind. But in an age of invasive social media, our senses are instantly bombarded with images of sheer madness where caution is thrown to the wind and we are regaled with images of sheer debauchery. We ask: is this all necessary?

I condemn it all. It does not reflect the Igbo culture that I grew up in. Ndigbo would not condone the conspicuous display of wealth. If you were found doing that,

your close and extended family, your community would send a delegation to you, to ask about your source of the wealth you are throwing about. You would be ostracized if you had no convincing evidence of legitimate work. All that changed at the end of the Nigeria/Biafra conflict.

Ndigbo were deprived of their money, their oil wells and towns exercised from Imo and Abia State, their property termed abandoned and taken from them. They were forced to rebuild with no help and no compensation. It therefore became every person to themselves. Having money meant that you could get things done and like every other Nigeria society, our priorities were turned upside down. People no longer asked how and where you got your money.

The point was that you had it. Our values may have been eroded but we have to fight back to regain them, to ensure our survival as the decent and hardworking people that we truly are.

However, what I find equally deplorable in this whole debate, is the strenuous effort to tag the people of the Southeast, Ndigbo, with all manner of negative attributes because Obi Cubana is Igbo. This is not surprising. It has always been the case.

When there is unexplainable hatred, some people are bound to give a dog a bad name so that they can justify hanging it.

Take IPOB for another example. If you are Igbo you are automatically one of them. It is worse if you dare believe that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB have a right to ask for a referendum as given in the constitution, that they have a right to protest or complain about the violation of their rights as equal stakeholders in Nigeria.

We say in Igbo: a naghi e ti nwata ihe ma napu ya i bee akwa’. You do not beat a child and then prevent him from crying.

It is inhuman, an extremely cruel and unusual punishment.

Ndigbo are therefore accused of not being good citizen of Nigeria, of seeking to dismember it. But others are allowed to openly advocate for bandits, killers, kidnappers, terrorists and rampaging herdsmen from neighbouring countries.

We even pay them huge sums of our money to be a little nicer while destroying our country.

It may be a defensive reflex but some people see nothing wrong with the opulent burial in the Oba Kingdom of Anambra State, the famed land of Igbo Billionaires.

In fact, Obinna Iyiegbu did them proud by showing what a young man from the ‘Dot’ nation could do, himself and his crop of young Igbo billionaires. Obi CUBANA

Continued on page 38

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