WEDNESDAY 11TH JANUARY 2023

FG: Nigeria Has Enough External Reserves to Withstand Global Recession, Shocks Mulls gradual removal of petrol subsidy from April Says ‘quantitative easing' strategy impacting interest rates Senate gives minister three-day ultimatum to submit N23.7trn ways and means details Emmanuel Addeh and Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The Minister of Finance, Budget

and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, yesterday admitted that although the projected global economic recession for 2023 appeared

inevitable, with about $34 billion in the nation’s foreign reserves, the projected headwinds shouldn’t pose much threat to Nigeria.

The comment by the minister came on same day that the Senate directed her to liaise with the Governor of the Central Bank of

Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, and submit details of President Muhammadu Buhari's N23. 7 trillion Ways and Means request,

within three days, for scrutiny.

Speaking during an interview Continued on page 40

Cash Withdrawal Limit: Banks Suspend Transactions Via Naira Credit, Prepaid Cards... Page 5 Wednesday 18 January, 2023 Vol 27. No 10143. Price: N250

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MRA to APC PCC: Your Blatant Disregard for Journalists’ Rights Portends Grave Danger for Media Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has said the All Progressives Con-

gress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council's (PCC) blatant disregard for the rights of a journalist performing a constitutionally-protected function

at a time when the party was still seeking to persuade Nigerians to vote its candidate into the highest office in the land, portends grave

dangers for the media should that candidate prevail in the elections.

The MRA made the remarks in a statement following the manner

in which an ARISE NEWS Channel cameraman was prevented from covering a dialogue session between the APC’s presidential candidate,

Senator Bola Tinubu and members of the Nigerian Economic Summit Continued on page 40

ECWA President: Church Will Announce Presidential Choice Soon Northern Christians already settled for Atiku, says Dogara Muslim-Muslim ticket recipe for disaster, former vice president warns In Ekiti PDP candidate promises to prioritise human development INEC hails ECOWAS commission over dialogue with parties ahead of elections

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos, Udora Orizu in Abuja and Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti President of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Rev. Dr. Stephen Baba Panya, has said the church would soon announce its presidential preference ahead of the February 25 election based on its conviction.

Speaking in Jos at the 2023 extraordinary General Church Council (GCC) of ECWA, Panya said the church had been following closely the programmes and proclamations of the major presidential candidates and would soon take a position on the person to support.

But former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, who represented former vice president and presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, at the ECWA summit, said northern Christians had already declared Continued on page 40

BUHARI RECEIVES AWARD FOR STRENGTHENING PEACE IN AFRICA...

R-L: President of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Ghazouani; President Muhammadu Buhari; President of the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies, Shaykh Abdallah Bin Bayyah, and Secretary General of Abu Dhabi Forum for Promoting Peace H.E. Sheikh Al Mahfoudh Bin Bayyah, as Buhari received award for Strengthening Peace in Africa from the Abu Dhabi Peace Forum in Mauritania... yesterday

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Group News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 0803 350 6821, 0809 7777 322, 0807 401 0580

NEWS

APC RALLY IN KWARA...

L-R: Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; APC Presidential Candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello; APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and APC Vice Presidential Candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima, during the presidential campaign rally in Kwara State... yesterday

Insecurity: Nigeria Has Spent over $1bn on Purchase of Weapons in Eight Years, Buhari Reveals Accuses some politicians of using religion to advance political, economic interests Charges African leaders to find lasting solution to decade-old instability in Libya Lists condition for future harmony in continent Bags award for peace in Africa Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, revealed that his administration had invested over $1 billion in the acquisition of weapons from the United States and other countries in the fight against insurgency since he assumed office in 2015.

Buhari, who went down memory lane, narrated how two-thirds of Borno State, half of Yobe State, and some local government areas in Adamawa State were under the control of terrorists. He accused some Nigerians of using personal religious beliefs to champion their political and economic interests.

The president, according to a statement issued by his media adviser, Femi Adesina, explained, “When I assumed power in 2015, Boko Haram held about two-thirds of Borno State, half of Yobe State, and a couple of local government areas in Adamawa State, all in the North-east of Nigeria.

We have been able to retrieve these swathes of territories by investing over a billion dollars to acquire hard and soft ware weaponry from the US and other friendly countries to carry out sustained operations against insurgency since 2015.

“Our armed forces and those of our partners in the Multinational

Joint Task Force (consisting of Chad, Niger, Cameroon, Benin Republic and Nigeria) continue to demonstrate great bravery while paying the ultimate price in securing our collective freedom.

“Despite the difficult times we face, we continue to spend very scarce and lean resources to ensure that we have a well-resourced military force to take on this task.

“Ideally, these are resources could be spent on education, healthcare, infrastructure and other social services, but without peace, we have learnt the hard way that our children cannot go to school or seek good healthcare.”

Buhari charged African leaders to take immediate steps to find lasting solution to the over 10-year-old instability in Libya, which is having telling effect on neighbouring countries around it.

He stressed the need for the next Summit of the African Union to take a holistic review of the challenges that continued to fester in Libya with the hope of finding pragmatic African approach to resolving the instability in the country.

The president said the move was necessary to ensure that Libya no longer served as a safe-haven for all kinds of weapons and foreign

fighters, whose profound impacts stared all in the sub-regions and Africa.

Buhari noted that efforts must be concretised towards the curtailment and possible prevention of the circulation of small arms and light weapons, as well as the festering of the foreign fighters in the African continent.

According to him, "Global terrorism, banditry and other trans-national crimes continue to pose enormous challenges not only to Africa but to global peace and security. These phenomena have become perennial threats to sustained economic development and growth.

“Nigeria and other regional bodies in Africa and the rest of the world are working assiduously to deal with these existential threats to the very existence of humanity.

For us in Nigeria, we continue to engage bilaterally and multilaterally to comprehensively win the war against the Boko Haram insurgency and other related terror groups through kinetic and non-kinetic approaches.”

He told the assembly of African leaders that the shrinking of Lake Chad had resulted in dire consequences for the people of the region, including losing their

traditional source of living. He said the situation had culminated in the easy recruitment of the youth by the terrorist groups, as the young people sought means of livelihood under difficult economic conditions.

Buhari explained that the scenario created serious instability and served as a litmus test for member countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) in devising means to restore livelihoods within the region.

He stated, “As a corollary to containing this development, the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) has begun implementing programmes to safeguard the ecosystem of the basin, including seeking global support to return the lake to an economic hub it was known for in the past.

“Although, we are winning the war, however, as a country and sub-region, we continue to be negatively impacted by events in Libya, Central Africa Republic, The Sahel and the war in Ukraine. Our region, is awash with all sorts of small and light weapons that continue to be freely in circulation, orchestrated by the impact of foreign fighters.

“We must therefore, support peace initiatives to bring political stability in crisis ridden areas such as Libya, Central African Republic and other parts of the Sahel region

Cash Withdrawal Limit: Banks Suspend Transactions Via Naira Credit, Prepaid Cards James Emejo in Abuja In compliance with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) currency redesign and cash withdrawal policy that limited withdrawals across all channels to N500,000 weekly, banks have suspended further cash disbursement via customers’ Naira Credit and prepaid cards.

THISDAY learnt that as a result, the banks have informed customers through text messages that these channels can no longer be used to access cash for the time being.

For instance, Stanbic IBTC in a message to one of its customers stated: “Following the naira redesign policy limiting local cash withdrawals across all channels to N500,000 weekly, please be informed that cash withdrawal on your naira

credit and prepaid card will not be available for now.”

Following its currency redesign project, the CBN had announced an upward review of its cash withdrawal policy across all payment channels by individuals and corporate organisations.

Under the updated regime, the bank said effective January 9, 2023, individuals and corporate entities can withdraw a maximum of N500,000 and N5 million respectively compared to N100,000 and N500,000 which was previously announced on December 6, 2022.

However, the central bank, in an updated circular dated December 21, 2022, and addressed to all Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and Other Financial Institutions, Microfinance Banks, Mobile Money Operators, and

Agents, explained that the upward review was, as a result of the feedback it received from stakeholders.

The correspondence was signed by CBN Director, Banking Supervision Department, Mr. Haruna Mustafa.

The CBN stated that in compelling circumstances where cash withdrawal above the limit is required for legitimate purposes, such request shall be subject to a processing fee of 3 per cent and 5 per cent for individuals and corporate organisations respectively.

The central bank, in yielding to public pressure on the review, noted that it recognises the role that cash plays in supporting underserved and rural communities and would ensure an inclusive approach as it implements the transition to a more cashless society.

The apex bank had on December 6, introduced revised cash withdrawal limits in banks and other financial institutions following its recent currency redesign project.

The bank had restricted the maximum cash withdrawal over the counter (OTC) by individuals and corporate organisations per week to N100,000 and N500,000 respectively.

The CBN stated, however, that withdrawals above these thresholds will attract processing fees of 5 per cent and 10 respectively for individuals and corporate entities going forward.

In addition, third-party cheques above N50,000 shall not be eligible for OTC payment while extant limits of N10 million on clearing cheques still remain.

in order to discourage the spread of insurgency, other criminal groups, as well as arms and foreign fighters in these locations and continent-wide.”

Buhari noted that it was imperative for the African countries, through the African Union, to renew initiatives for finding African solutions to the challenges of Libya, which continued to remain very volatile and unstable, hoisting not only lack of peace and stability in that country, but also hindering development in the Sahel, Central and West Africa as well as the Lake Chad Regions.

He stated, “Too many external interests have pestered on the challenges of Libya for too long and regrettably compounded the search for sustainable resolution.

“This has left our sub-regions far more fragile and safe haven to all negative influences to regenerate which have ultimately remained threats to peace, stability, development and progress of our regions and the rest of Africa.

“It is my hope that the next African Union Summit next month, would revisit this matter, in a comprehensive and pragmatic manner, to free our regions and continent, the cycles of violence, instability, lack of development and progress in the sub-regions of Africa that are well-endowed with resources that can easily sustain not only the continent, but most of the world.

“It is my hope that President Macky Sall, as President of the African Union, would take up this challenge at the continent’s next Summit, to refocus our attention, to finding indigenous sustainable solutions to Libya as indeed the entire Peace and Stability Architecture of our continent.”

The president also urged leaders to put a premium on youth development, with more seriousness and actionable ideas in promoting skills acquisitions, while discouraging idleness.

According to the Nigerian leader, idleness of youths and their noninclusion in discussion of issues that shape their lives and the future portend danger for the continent, especially in the areas of religious fundamentalism and extremism.

Buhari, who was honoured by the Abu Dhabi Peace Forum with an “Award for Strengthening Peace in Africa”, said there was a need to inculcate values and principles of

tolerance and peace in educational institutions, and particularly, among the youth.

He said, “African leaders and decision makers should ensure that democratic principles and good governance form the basis for management of affairs in every country in Africa, noting that peace, security and good governance are inseparable.

“There is need also for African stakeholders, that is, the government, private sector and the Civil Society Organisations, to make concerted efforts to support existing mechanisms and initiatives to build strong and virile institutions that effectively support good governance which, inter alia, lead to the development and progress of our countries and continent.

“African leaders must reaffirm their commitment by demonstrating political will required for ownership of African Peace and Security Architecture and in the implementation of African Governance Architecture.

“We must also adjust the effectiveness of the early warning system and conflict prevention and adopt policies aimed at resolving the crisis of de-radicalisation through continuous dialogues and negotiations.”

Buhari thanked the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace, under the tutelage and leadership of Shaykh Abdallah Bin Bayyah, for the honour of nominating him as the recipient of the "African Award for Strengthening the Peace".

He said, “It is indeed a recognition that speaks volumes to the ultimate goal of collective efforts by African leaders to engender peace and stability as prerequisites for development in our continent.

“This event is taking place amidst growing armed conflicts, exacerbated by extremists’ ideology rooted in misinterpretation of religious precepts, and of course widespread deprivations of the citizens of Africa and other parts of the world.

“These sad developments have, for many decades, become worrisome that they preoccupy all governments and well-meaning organizations, as well as individuals in Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.

“Realising the danger posed by the growing insecurity to the progress African countries have achieved in Continued on page 42

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PROMOTING PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENTS...

Chairman, BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu (left), discussing with Regional Vice President for Africa, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Sérgio Pimenta, during a working visit to BUA Cement Headquarters in Lagos…yesterday

In New 5-Year Strategic Plan, Access Corporation Outlines Measures to Deepen Financial Services in Africa Obinna Chima Access Corporation has unveiled a new five-year strategic plan, in which it outlined plans to deepen financial services across Africa and extend its services to the continent’s large unbanked population.

The parent company of Access Bank Limited, in its five-year strategy document from 2023 to 2027, a copy of which was obtained

by THISDAY yesterday, pointed out that in the past two decades, Access Bank, its subsidiary, emerged as a leading tier one financial institution in Nigeria, in line with its disciplined execution of rolling 5-year corporate plans.

It noted that Access Bank also registered successes across its ambition and vision over the past five years.

“By 2027, we expect the Nigeria Bank to be contributing about 52 per cent of revenues compared to about 82 per cent (nine- month 2022). The new verticals will also be contributing about 12 per cent of total revenues, as revenues from African subsidiaries is expected to double over the next five years.

“Profit Before Tax contributions from Nigeria bank is expected to reduce from about 63 per cent (9M’22) to about 33 per cent, while the new verticals are expected to contribute about 19 per cent of the

profitability by 2027, while African Subsidiaries will contribute about 20 per cent as our footprint grows across the continent,” it stated.

According to Access Corporation, also known as Access Holdings Plc, by the end of 2027, it expects to have presence in at least 26 countries and in at least three organisations for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries supporting trade (United Kingdom, France & United States of America).

It projected that its customer acquisition drive would hit 100 million for the Retail Business by 2027 and would continue as it migrates majority of customers to digital platforms by 2027 across all touchpoints.

“Our primary focus on trade is to leverage established presence across trade and financial hubs across the world to continue driving trade outputs. Presence in London, Dubai, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Beijing, Mumbai etc. and extensive footprint across the continent,” it added.

It pointed out that Access Bank over the last 20 years built a strong financial institution through a disciplined approach to executing its strategy which it stated had produced market- beating results consistently and had been value accretive “The institution has transitioned

to a Holdco with five verticals to capture the opportunities the African market. Access has positioned itself to be at the centre of financial flows on the continent – trade, expanding and deepening financial services and serving corporates with excellence – creating a self- sustaining ecosystem.

“Access Corporation’s ambitions will be supported by seven key enablers. These enablers will ensure Access executes seamlessly, becoming a top five financial services institution in the continent by the end of the strategic cycle in terms

of revenues, asset base and on a balanced scorecard basis.

“Access will create a highperformance organisation with a strong bench of talent who are the best African leaders with capabilities to deliver the corporation’s future aspirations,” it projected.

According to the holdco, its expansion strategy would be deliberate and disciplined, focusing on five key principles “Access Corporation has consistently outperformed the market on the growth of key metrics. We have focused on generating sustainable

revenue across all income lines. We have maintained and continue to carry forward a residual dividend policy which ensures we keep our investors in mind as well as provide sufficient capital to fund investment and growth, maintaining a sustainable dividend policy,” it stated.

It pointed out that Access would be in the eye of the storm, having transformed to become a leading financial and ecosystem player, with its core business as the foundation It stated that its banking group would act as a nexus to drive

Natasha Campaign Organisation, Kogi Govt Differ Over Allegations of Stoppage of Payment of WAEC Fees Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja The Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Campaign Organisation has alleged that Kogi State government under the leadership of governor Yahaya Bello has stopped private individuals from paying WAEC fees of students in the state.

But the Executive Chairman of Kogi State Science, Technical Education and Teaching Service Commission, Mrs. Cecilia E. Cook has denied that the Commission

had stopped the payment of WAEC fees by private individuals wanting to assist secondary school students, The campaign organisation alleged that the directive came few days after the Kogi Central Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan promised to offset WAEC fees of students in Kogi Central senatorial district.

"In a letter by the Executive Chairman of Kogi State Science,

Technical Education and Teaching Service Commission, Hon. Cecilia E. Cook, the state government said it took the decision because of the insecurity situation in the country.

"The state government warned that any secondary school principal who fails to comply with the instruction will be shown the way out.

It quoted a letter from the government to have stated: "All principals of public and grant

Osinbajo to Youths: It's More Sensible for You to Learn from History Than Experience Receives awards from President Weah, Liberian groups Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has advised youths that it was more sensible for them to learn from history than experience.

According to him, young people needed to learn from history rather than repeat it or allow it to jeopardise a better future.

This was just as the Liberian President, his deputy and different Liberian groups welcomed and decorated him with traditional recognitions and awards at a youth forum held in Monrovia on Monday.

The vice president, who was the special guest of honour at a youth forum to mark the 60th birthday of his Liberian counterpart, Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor, spoke extensively about learning from past experiences.

According to a statement yesterday, by media aide to the

Vice President, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo spoke while fielding questions during the conversation with Liberian youths.

According to him, “every sensible person learns from history rather than from experience, because if you wait to learn from experience, you will suffer. What you are supposed to do with history and your past, is to learn from it and never let it repeat itself.

"One of the most important things for young people is that you must bear in mind all the time that your history is not your destiny, it is just part of your story.

“Your destiny is what you have decided, where you are going and you will get there as long as you don’t allow the tyrant and oppressor of history to hold you back.”

Encouraging the young people in the hall, the vice president urged them to leverage opportunities offered by emerging technologies to

transformation for the corporation, while its retail banking arm aims to evolve into a digital sales and service provider by 2027.

On the other hand, it stated that its wholesale bank unit would consolidate gains while transforming operating model, just as it business bank unit would be the preeminent SME financial services provider.

“The bank will evolve into a leader in international trade facilitation within Africa. Access Corporation will be supported by strong objectives across seven enablers,” it added.

improve themselves educationally and economically, noting that the benefits of technological innovations are numerous.

When asked about the impact and prevalence of Social Media, Osinbajo said: “I think that social media is a blessing for everyone, not just for politicians but the electorate and others. The platforms are so crucial in being able to communicate and it is also important to recognise that every generation has its own technology.

“It has its abuses and downsides, but you must make sure you maximise its real advantages. One of the main advantages is that for people like us born decades ago, to do simple research, you’d have to actually go to a library.

“Today, I can do all my research with just my iPad, while I am sitting down practically anywhere, as long as I have Internet connectivity,” he added.

The vice president added that, “young people are at the most advanced moment in human history. One of the interesting things is that your smartphones have more computing power than all the computing power that took the Apollo 11 spacecraft to the moon.

“In terms of advancement, this generation doesn’t compare to any before it. We, who are older than you, are enjoying your generation’s technology, and I hope and pray that you would take full advantage of it to expand your knowledge, and scope of activities, and for broadening enterprise and your communication with other people.”

At the youth forum with the theme: "Conversation with the Vice President and Young People," Howard-Taylor, in her welcome remarks, described her Nigerian counterpart as a humble and selfless leader who inspires hope for a

better Africa.

Howard-Taylor commended Osinbajo saying, "he is the most humble politician in Africa,” noting that emerging leaders across the continent have so much to learn from his humility and commitment to service.

Also at the event, the vice president was honoured with an award of Distinguished Service to Humanity - for his exemplary service to the development of Nigeria, Liberia, West Africa, and the rest of the continent - by Liberian youths, about 400 of whom were part of the event.

Presenting the award plaque to Osinbajo, the co-host of the event and youth activist, Mr. Benjamin Sanvee, said the award was in appreciation of, “all your service, everything that you have done and will continue to do.”

Continues online

aided schools must obtain permission from the commission for any internal or external programme.

"As a result of the security situation in our nation, all the STETSCOM Zonal directors are directed to inform all the principals in their respective zones, that students' participation in Zonal programme outside their schools and external programme outside the state is strictly on permission by the authority of STETSCOM. "The Zonal Directors should sternly warn the Principals in their zone, that should any Principal defaulted this instruction, he or she will certainly and surely be shown the way out. Strictly comply with this instruction, please."

Akpoti -Uduaghan had on December 11, 2022, decided to donate N5 million to offset WAEC fees of students in Kogi Central to help parents cushion the burden of paying the WAEC fees of their children in the five local government areas of Kogi Central senatorial distinct.

The Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Campaign Organisation noted that the decision of Kogi State government to stop the payment of WAEC fees because of security reason was baseless and an attempt to further punish the students whose parents have been denied of their salaries and could not pay their children's WAEC fees.

But in a swift reaction, Cook said the Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Campaign Organisation was misleading members of the public.

Cook disclosed this in a chat with journalists in Lokoja.

She explained that the decision was taken by the Commission to protect students from traveling outside the state for activities like debate and quiz competition without the knowledge of the Commission.

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TRAINING OF EDO VIGILANTE NETWORK...

L-R: Chief Osaro Ogida; representative of Edo State Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of Operations, DCP Dantawaye Miller; Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, and representative of the Edo State Chief Judge, S.A Ihenyen, during the graduation of Batch A of the Edo State Security Vigilante Network, at the Police Training School, Ogida, Benin City...yesterday

INEC Will Hold Elections Despite Attacks on Facilities, Yakubu Insists 50 properties attacked in four years Says commission satisfied with election preparations Declares 2023 elections belong to young people Electoral body to conduct ‘mock accreditation’ ahead polls Over 600,000 PVCs collected in one month in Lagos Agbakoba tasks INEC on clarification of Section 134 Alex Enumah and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has said the general election will be held in spite of the various attacks on the commission’s facilities across the nation.

Yakubu said INEC was satisfied with the preparations done so far ahead of the elections.

Addressing an audience at Chatham House, London, yesterday, Yakubu decried the increasing spate of attacks on INEC’s facilities in form of arson but reassured the audience that the commission would go ahead with the elections as scheduled.

The electoral umpire chairman, while noting that 50 facilities of the commission had been attacked in four years, said the implications of the attacks were that the commission would need to continue to rebuild the burnt facilities and replace materials.

He, however, assured Nigerians and the international community that INEC, in collaboration with security agencies, had increased security presence in some of the attack-prone locations.

He noted that the last attack on the commission’s facilities happened last Sunday, saying the commission was able to respond quickly with the help of the military, thereby minimising the extent of damage done to that attacked facility.

“In four years, 50 facilities (have been) attacked in various parts of the country. The implications of the attacks is that we have to rebuild facilities and replace materials. The commission and security agencies have increased their presence in some of these locations.

“The last attack happened on Sunday last week but because of the cooperation between the military and the electoral commission, we were able to respond and the damage was limited to just a section of the building in a local government office.

“The commission has repeatedly called for concerted efforts to control and check these attacks and in December last year the National Assembly held a public hearing on these attacks and we hope that

authorities have these attacks under control and the response by the security agencies is more coordinated.

“But in spite of these attacks we will rebuild facilities and replace damaged and lost items, the elections will hold,” Yakubu said.

Speaking further, he reiterated the promise to Nigerians and friends of Nigerians that the 2023 general election would be free, free and credible, “and we have left no stone unturned in preparing for it.”

“But like with all elections, especially those requiring the extensive national deployment like we do in Nigeria, it will naturally come with challenges.

“We have worked closely with stakeholders and development partners to confront these challenges and we are satisfied with our preparations so far,” he added.

According to the INEC boss: “Since 1999, Nigeria has been conducting regular general elections following the restoration of civilian-democratic rule governance after many years of military rule. The 2023 general election will be the seventh consecutive general election in Nigeria.

“This fact makes this the longest period of electoral democracy in the country’s history. Previous periods of electoral democracy were relatively short, repeatedly truncated by military interventions. However, the quantity of elections is one thing, but their quality is another. As Zavadskaya and Garnett aptly note, the question of integrity of elections is relevant for “all elections, whether in new democracies or jurisdictions that have held election for decades,” because they are all “vulnerable to malpractice.”

“However, good elections are not only about curbing malpractices, but also about ensuring inclusivity. Inclusive elections constitute an essential part of democracy. This is the reason why in our Commission we regularly speak of our commitment to free, fair, credible, transparent, verifiable and inclusive elections.

“To be sure, credible and inclusive elections in the final analysis depend on adequate preparations and my main preoccupation today is to share with you how we are preparing for a general election of high integrity

and inclusiveness in Nigeria in 2023,” he added.

Lamenting the continuous attacks on its facilities nationwide, the INEC Chairman said despite the attacks, elections would hold.

He said: “The commission has repeatedly called for concerted efforts to control and check these attacks and in December last year, the National Assembly held a public hearing on these attacks and we hope that authorities have these attacks under control and the response by the security agencies is more coordinated.

“But in spite of these attacks, we will rebuild facilities and replace damaged and lost items, the elections will hold.”

Giving a breakdown of voter registration and collection of Permanent Voter Cards in Nigeria, Yakubu said the general election would be an exercise for the young people in Nigeria.

He added that records on the ground showed that the election

would be dominated by the Nigerian youth.

Yakubu, who said he was encouraged by the turn-out of registered voters to collect their PVCs, said over 600,000 eligible voters collected their PVCs in Lagos alone within the last one month.

The INEC boss stated that there are currently 93.4 million registered voters in Nigeria, out of which 37 million, that is 39 per cent, are young people between the ages of 18 and 34.

“And then they’re closely followed by 33.4 million or 35.3 per cent middle-age voters between the ages of 35 and 49.

“Put together, these two categories constitute 75.39 per cent of registered voters in Nigeria. So, actually the 2023 election is the election of the young people, because they have the numbers. Even the majority of the PVCs collected are collected by young people.

“So, out of the 93.4 million, 70.4 million registered voters are between the ages of 18 and 49,” Yakubu stated.

He reminded the audience that the collection of the PVCs would end on January 29, 2023, adding that, “we have to end it because before the election we will publish number of PVCs collected on polling unit by polling unit basis nationwide.”

“Voting by millions of Nigerians living outside the country remains a recurrent issue for the Commission.

Nigeria is said to have one of the largest diaspora communities in the world. Our quest for a fully inclusive electoral process in Nigeria will not be complete as long as these Nigerians are unable to vote. “However, the Commission only acts in accordance with the electoral legal framework, which remains the main reason why we cannot implement diaspora voting for now. Both the 1999 Constitution and the 2022 Electoral Act provide that voters can only be registered and vote within the country.

“For instance, Section 77(2) of the Constitution provides that “every citizen of Nigeria, who has attained the age of eighteen years residing in

Nigeria at the time of the registration of voters for purposes of election to a legislative house, shall be entitled to be registered as a voter for that election,” he added.

The INEC boss revealed that the commission would conduct mock accreditation nationwide ahead of the 2023 general election. He said the mock accreditation would be carried out across selected polling units to ascertain the integrity of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), before the main elections begin in February.

Yakubu further revealed that every BVAS machine deployed across the 774 local government had been tested, adding that the functionality of the machines was impressive. He also stated that back up machines have been readily provided in case of system glitches.

He added that with all preparations on ground, the commission was really “comfortable and happy.”

Continued on page 43

Obi’s Campaign Attacks Tinubu, Atiku, Says APC Candidate Incapable of Governing Nigeria Maintains Atiku too tired, tainted to assume country’s leadership Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The presidential campaign council of the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, yesterday took a swipe at both the presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu and that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, saying they were unfit for the country’s top job.

A spokesperson to the LP candidate’s campaign, Kenneth Okonkwo, who made the comments on Arise News Channel, THISDAY’s broadcast arm, noted that both major opponents of the former Anambra governor in next month’s general election, lacked the character and competence to lift Nigeria from its current state.

In addition, he argued that both

Tinubu and Atiku were physically unfit to shoulder the enormous responsibility that the office of the president demands.

“Have you not seen the difference between a man who is responsible and responsive as a leader who is going to bring transformative and purposeful leadership in Nigeria with a man who shifts all the responsibilities to others?

“Because of course, like I said, Tinubu is incapable of granting any interview. He's incapable of national debate, he is incapable of being the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the LP spokesman said of the APC candidate.

Also taking on Atiku during the interview, Okonkwo pointed out that the former Nigerian vice president was too tainted to be saddled with

the task of revamping Nigeria.

He recalled the comments made

by Atiku’s ex-principal, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, pointing out that Obasanjo accurately captured the character of the PDP presidential candidate in his previous public statements.

“When he (Obi) climbs the staircase, he jumps it, telling you he is fit as fiddle, not just that he's going to be a leader, he's going to supervise the people that are working under him.

“That is why it is dangerous to elect a president who cannot even come for a national debate...It’s dangerous to bring such a person to the position of leadership and I am talking specifically about Bola Tinubu,” he stated.

On Atiku, he added: “I am

talking about an octogenarian who cannot climb the staircase and you can see the mess they are already doing. And that is why we are saying that Peter Obi is the only option not just an alternative,” Okonkwo stated.

Speaking on concerns that if Obi is elected president in 2023, his administration will be chaotic because he doesn’t have the structure to sustain leadership since he has no national and state lawmakers, Okonkwo said the assertion was baseless.

According to the Obi’s spokesman, the structures being bragged about by both Tinubu and Atiku are those of bad leadership which have brought the nation to its knees.

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MIDWEEKPOLITICS

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

08033025611 SMS ONLY

Worrisome Threat to CUPP’s Ugochinyere’s Life Udora Orizu writes that the recent attacks on Spokesman of Coalition of United Political Parties, and PDP House of Representatives candidate for Ideato North, South federal constituency of Imo state, Ikenga Ugochinyere, is becoming worrisome and needs to be properly investigated

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t was a sad day on January 14, 2023 in Akokwa, Imo State, as gunmen invaded the residence of the Spokesman of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, burnt his house, cars and killed his uncle and three others.

Ugochinyere who’s also the House of Representative candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Ideato North and Ideato South Federal Constituency, had raised the alarm about the attack by the gunmen at his residence, via an SOS message on WhatsApp, calling for help.

In the message he posted around 3:15pm, he wrote, “We need help to Akokwa. We are under attack. My house in Akokwa. They have surrounded it and opened fire. We are under attack. Help help.”

In another message, he called for help once again, notifying the public that his uncle has been killed.

His words: “This is to notify the general public that this may be my last act as a human as my house in Umukegwu Akokwa is under heavy attack currently. As I pen this, all the cars in my house have been sent ablaze and there is heavy shooting for the past 25mins. Painfully, as I speak to you, I saw them kill my father’s younger brother, Uncle Dan. I pray and call for urgent help from anybody who can help.

The attackers are shooting at everyone in the house and this is an urgent cry for help.”

The gory pictures and videos which emanated from the scene were dreadful, painful and unpalatable to watch. It’s really worrisome why anyone would want the lawyer, political activist and politician dead.

This is not the first time Ugochinyere has been attacked. The 40 year old politician has become a force to reckon with, as he’s known for his confidence, fearless stance whenever he

Ugochinyere

speaks the truth to power. Ikenga has never shied away to speak on what he deemed ills and shortcomings of government both at state and federal level. Any national issue that concerns the well being of the youths, he’s on the front burner calling out the government.

He began brushes with the law right from 2015 when his outspoken voice as President of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) was noted and considered too strong to be ignored by the federal authorities.

Despite his travails in the hands of security agencies, Ugochinyere as the people’s spokesman never abandoned his cause and becomes more courageous after each release.

He’s also known for his many intelligent discoveries of plans by

unscrupulous politicians to rig elections. His most recent discovery was made public on September 14, 2022 when at a press conference he raised alarm over alleged plot to compromise the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) voters register.

Speaking on behalf of the opposition political parties, Ikenga said the plots had been perfected in 21 states by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in favour of the party for the forthcoming elections.

He said a court case has been initiated to force INEC to stop the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the coming general elections.

To back his claims, Ugochinyere, presented a copy of the suit filed at the Owerri Federal High Court on 24 August and copies of voters register with questionable names. He questioned the usage of passport photographs of long dead persons, names, gender and age of thousands of registered voters on copies of the register shown to camera.

Prior to this deadly attack, on December 23, 2022, there was an attack on his convoy by a chieftain of a rival political party.

About 24 hours earlier, Ikenga had reiterated to Nigerians the threats by some powerful politicians to attack and eliminate him if he dares come into Imo State.

He said some gunmen almost made good their threat by leading no fewer than 15 heavily armed and hooded operatives who attacked his convoy.

Ugochinyere, said youths in his community saved him from suspected assailants that night till the early hours of the next day.

He explained that various youths from Akokwa and across Ideato nation converged on his country home and kept vigil throughout the night when information about alleged plans

to assassinate him went viral in the state.

He said: “They came in three Sienna vehicles, two tinted Hilux trucks, an Armoured Personnel Carrier and another vehicle with the sticker of a political party in the state. They forcibly stopped the convoy with the Armoured Personnel Carrier around the lonely Obiohia stretch of road, while the team of hooded operatives and thugs rushed at the vehicles in the convoy and ordered all the occupants to disembark.

“The convoy had been going to drop off some supporters of mine who had attended my reception and campaign at Akokwa when they were forced out of the road by the gunmen.

They searched all the vehicles for me, threatening thunder and brimstone, but I was not in the vehicle. They made preparations to commandeer my SUV away, but decided against that after going back and forth to consult with another occupant in the tinted Hilux truck.

“In their frustration, they vandalized, burgled the vehicles and made away with all the valuable and campaign materials in the vehicle. One of them, a well known politician in the state, was spotted among them, recording on video with his phone the shamefully pathetic drama of desperation. Later on the youths started trooping into my home around 8:30pm following the attack and their numbers have continued to swell. While chanting solidarity songs for Ikenga and Ideato nation, the collective anger has been palpable.”

With these series of threats to Ugochinyere’s life, the question troubling the minds of many Nigerians and his loved ones, is who wants this activist and people’s spokesman dead.

Is it politically motivated or personal? This terrible incident shouldn’t be swept under the carpet asbit’s becoming quite worrisome.

Security agencies should ensure the culprits are arrested and prosecuted.

Associates Raise Funds as Bauchi APC Governorship Candidate Unfolds Manifesto Olawale Ajimotokan writes that friends and associates of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Bauchi State, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar, were on ground when he unfolded his campaign manifesto in Abuja recently

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he ambition of Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar (rtd) the candidate of the APC to emerge Governor of Bauchi State in the March 11, 2023 poll has gained a traction after political associates, friends and stakeholders raised over N1billion war chest for him at a fund-raising dinner and unveiling of manifesto organised by the State APC Gubernatorial Campaign Council.

Abubakar, who is Nigeria’s immediate past Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Chad, is on a joint-ticket for the election with Hon Shehu Aliyu Musa.

The APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu was presented on the occasion

by Deputy National Chairman (North) APC, Senator Abubakar Kyari and Bauchi State Chairman, Babayo Aliyu Misau at the event held recently in Asokoro, Abuja.

The ceremony was a gathering of top political heavy weights, businessmen and former senior military officers. They included the National Vice Chairman (North-east) APC, Comrade Mustapha Salihu and Deputy Chairman APC, Bauchi, Muhammed Hassan.

Others were former Minister of Transportation, Hon Rotimi Amaechi, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dame Pauline Tallen; former Chief of Army Staff and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd).

Those in attendance also included former Governor of Bauchi State, Malam Isa Yuguda; former Chief of Training and Operations, Nigerian Army Headquarters, Lt Gen Lamidi Adeosun (rtd); APC Governorship candidate in Akwa-Ibom state, Akanimo

Abubakar

Udofia; DG, NEMA, Mustapha Habib; Businessman Scott Tommey; Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Mrs Habiba Muda-Lawal; Dan Amana Dutse, Alhaji Nasir Danu, CEO of Blueprint Newspaper, Mohammed Idris and APC National Women Leader, Princess Betta Edu. Danu, who was one of the anchors of the fund raiser, announced a commitment of N84 million from 124 supporters and N50 million on behalf of himself and family while Idris and seven friends donated N70 million.

Speaker of Kaduna state House of Assembly, Hon Yusuf Ibarahim

Zailani on behalf of the Northern Speakers Forum donated N50 million.

The Bauchi Independent Traders and Artisans Association donated N50 million, the Class of 78 Government Secondary School, Bauchi, N10 million, Udofia N25million while Edu, who attended the launch in solidarity with the spouse of the candidate and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq Umar, donated $10,000. The Yuguda family donated N2million.

Amaechi, who was the Governor of River State when Abubakar was the head of the Air Force unit in Port Harcourt, led the flow of goodwill messages. The former minister, who said he once prophesised that Abubakar would become the Chief of Air Staff, said he should be held responsible if latter turned out to be a bad governor. He urged the people of Bauchi to vote someone who has the fear of God and who believes the position he occupies is in trust of the people.

In his remarks, Malami described Abukakar as the game changer in the battle against insurgency.

He noted that all the 17 local government areas of Borno State were effectively under the control of Boko Haram in 2015 when President Muhammadu Buhari was first elected, until the appointment of Abubakar led to decimation of the insurgents and recovery of more territories.

“What else do you need? The only justice the people of Bauchi will need to do is to vote massively for Sadique Abubakar,” Malami said.

Also speaking, General Buratai, who also spoke in support of the aspiration of Abubakar noted that Abubakar would have zero tolerance for bandits and oil thieves as Bauchi has now joined the league of oil producing states.

On his part, Udofia, who confessed admiration for Abubakar, declared him a selfless man who is very conscious about Nigerian politics. He said the glorious days of Bauchi state will return with his election.

Former Governor Yuguda, described Abukakar as someone who is transparent, sound in morals and excellent in his military career.

According to him: “Almighty God has finished our assignment for us as we have found the right person, a good leader who can manage or resources.

“Bauchi people, what else do you need?

He has fulfilled all the qualities of a leader as enshrined in the holy books. He is prepared to serve us. He is the person we are looking for. We should groom him as I believe that one day he will emerge as our president”.

Abubakar, who was born in Azare, Bauchi State in 1960, joined the Nigeria Air Force Cadet Military Training Course 5 in November 1979 and was commissioned Pilot Officer on May 15,1982 after emerging the best round cadet at Primary Flying Training wing in 1981.

He was appointed the 20th NAF Chief of Air Staff on July 13, 2015, and promoted to the rank of Air Marshal on August 13, 2015.

Under his watch, NAF was transformed into a highly professional and motivated force to tackle contemporary security challenges and national defence imperatives.

It was also during that period that NAF acquired 13 Super Tucano from the US and JF-17 from Pakistan. The Airforce trained and winged 123 pilots at the time out of which 13 were females.

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

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POLITICS

Will More Youth Voters Make Any Difference in 2023 Polls?

With over 93.5 million voters registered for the February/March, 2023 general election in the country, the question is will there be an increase in voter turnout especially with the youth constituting the largest voting population? Adedayo Akinwale reports

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he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last Wednesday revealed that a total number 93,522,272 voters will participate in the forthcoming elections.

Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, while presenting the national register of voters to political parties said of this cumulative figure, 49,054,162 (52.5%) are male while 44,414,846 (47.5%) are female.

While the distribution by age group shows that 37,060,399 (39.65%) are youth between the ages of 18 and 34; 33,413,591 (35.75%) are middle aged persons between the ages of 35 and 49; 17,700,270 (18.94%) are elderly voters between the ages of 50 and 69 while 5,294,748 (5.66%) are senior citizens aged 70 and above.

In terms of occupational distribution, students constitute the largest category with 26,027,481 (27.8%) of all voters, followed by 14,742,554 (15.8%) Farmers/Fishermen and 13,006,939 (13.9%) housewives.

Interestingly, voter distribution per state revealed that Lagos state leads with 7,060,195 registered voters; followed by Kano with 5,921,370; Kaduna 4,335,208; Rivers 3,537,190; Katsina, 3,516,719; Oyo 3,276,675; Delta 3,222,697, Plateau, 2.78 million; Benue, 2.77 million; Bauchi 2.74 million, among others.

The commission further revealed data on disability was not collected for previous registration. However, the cumulative figure of 85,362 persons from the recent CVR indicates that there are 21,150 (24.5%) persons with Albinism; 13,387 (15.7%) with physical impediment and 8,103 (9.5%) are blind.

However, this wasn’t the first time Nigeria has had a huge number of voters. Nigeria had a voter population of 84,004,084 in the 2019 general election. But following the cleaning up of the data from the last Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise held between June 2021 - July 2022, 9,518,188 new voters were added to the previous register resulting in the preliminary register of 93,522,272.

Yakubu

Nevertheless, the percentage of voter turnout in the 2019 election stood at 35.66 % with a total of 84 million registered voters and a turnout of 28.6 million.The Northwest had the highest voter turnout in the 2019 elections which was won by Muhammadu Buhari.

For instance, Kano, Kaduna and Katsina states came first, second and third with a voter turnout of 1.96million; 1.71 million and 1,62 million respectively. Lagos came fourth and was the only Southern state among the states with the highest voter turnout with 1.16 million votes. Jigawa, another Northwestern state comes fifth with a total vote of 1.15million.

As usual, the South had the least voter turnout in the 2019

presidential election. Bayelsa topped the list with a vote of 336,000 votes and Abia comes second with 334,000 votes. Ebonyi, Ekiti and Cross River followed.

According to the data from the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (I-IDEA), the rate of voter turnout in the 2019 elections in Nigeria was also the lowest of all recent elections held on the African continent.

The Data compiled by the I-IDEA revealed that Rwanda in its 2017 presidential election recorded the highest — 98.2 percent. Top 10 countries with the highest voter turnout in their most recent elections are Rwanda - 98.2 percent; Equatorial Guinea — 92.7 percent; Angola — 90.4 percent; Seychelles — 90.1 percent; Guinea Bissau — 89.3 percent; Zimbabwe — 86.8 percent; Sierra Leone — 84.2 percent; Kenya — 79.5 percent; Liberia — 75.2 percent and Burundi —73.4 percent.

The least 10 countries are Cote d’Ivoire

— 52.9 percent, Algeria — 49.4 percent, Mozambique — 48.6 percent, Sudan — 46.4 percent, Sao Tome and Principe — 46.1 percent, Democratic Republic of Congo — 45.4 percent, Mali — 42.7 percent, Egypt — 41.1 percent, Cape Verde — 35.5 percent and Nigeria — 34.8 percent as the last.

Some of the factors that are responsible for low voter turnout are: inadequate voter and civic education, ineffective voter mobilisation, the fear of violence during elections, unfulfilled promises by elected officials and low public trust in state institutions, electoral malpractice, electoral violence, dissatisfaction with the previous or current government and their candidates. elections.

Commenting on the national register of voters, the Editor, Security Digest, Mr Chidi Omeje, believed there would be an increase in the level of voter turnout in the forthcoming election compared to the previous elections due to the level of consciousness among the youths.

According to him, from the demography released by INEC, you could see that the youth demographic is the biggest chunk of would be voters in this coming election.

He said: “This is traceable to the #EndSARS revolution that actually brought out the fire in the youth. The fire here is that awareness, that consciousness, that understanding that they have to be part of nation building. The surest way to be part of nation building is to be part of the democratic process and that process includes exercising that franchise of voting”.

Omeje stressed that the youth are in their numbers, people who previously were not interested in voting are also fired up this time around, adding that a bit of that was seen during the Continuous Voter Registration.

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Wave of APC Defections, Endorsements Boost Umar’s Chances in Sokoto Onuminya Innocent reports that the increasing number of defections from the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party, and endorsements from key stakeholders in Sokoto state are boosting the chances of the PDP candidate in the upcoming gubernatorial election, Mallam Saidu Umar.

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here is no question Mallam Saidu Umar’s presence in the Sokoto State governorship race has reshaped the contest and sent shock waves through the camps of opponents.

His candidature delivered a crippling blow to those who thought it was business as usual, as his passion for change in whatever position he found himself was well known.

From a small stream of endorsement by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in Sokoto State in May, when he emerged the party’s governorship candidate, Umar’s followership has swelled to a raging river of support, demolishing everything in the way.

This has surely been the case since the last few weeks, as the state readies for the imminent general election, what with a wave of defections and high profile endorsements.

In a strategic New Year gift to the governing party in the state, the immediate past Nigerian Ambassador to Jordan and a chieftain of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) at the national level, Faruk Malami Yabo, defected to PDP in Sokoto State on January 4. Yabo did not come to PDP alone. He came with his huge crowd of supporters.

The former Nigerian Ambassador to Jordan and Iran was an APC governorship aspirant during the last primaries, and he was the deputy governorship candidate of the party in the 2019 general election.

Yabo described his defection to PDP as homecoming. He stressed, “I have always been a PDP family and my defection today is like someone returning back home. I thank everyone who is part of this movement and I promise to help the party emerge victorious in

Umar

the forthcoming general election.”

GovernorAminu Tambuwal commended the immense popularity of PDP in Sokoto State, describing Yabo’s coming as the icing on the cake.

Just before the good news from Yabo town, Umar met with Akwa Ibom and Cross River indigenes residing in Sokoto State in December.

He gave the groups of stakeholders from the two sister states, under the aegis of Akwa-Cross, assurances of a new lease of life in his new administration, if elected. Umar also promised a level playing field for everyone in the state – indigenes and non-indigenes of Sokoto State alike – to pursue and achieve their

legitimate dreams and potential.

In return, Umar got the endorsement of residents from Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, as well as the promise of their vote.

Last November, the PDP governorship candidate secured the recommendation of Sokoto State chapter of Association of Primary School Head Teachers. Alhaji Abubakar Moyi Gidadawa, who led the association on a visit to Umar on November 29, said Umar’s huge interest and investment in the education of many in the state qualified him for the endorsement.

“His educational background coupled with the background of his family triggered his increasing popularity in the state,” Gidadawa said of Umar.

He added, “In Sokoto, the 2023 contest is about a choice between a candidate with impeccable record and an encompassing resumè, and those with no records to show. It will be about a candidate with glaring qualities that are also tested and trusted with several high tasking responsibilities within and beyond the shores of Sokoto.”

Umar promised the visitors he would advance the legacies of the Tambuwal government, especially in the area of education. He promised to pay special attention to primary education, saying it is the bedrock of education.

Being a sociable person by nature, Umar was also a major voice during the Igbo Day Celebration in Sokoto last November. He promised to sustain a business-friendly environment created

by Tambuwal, if elected governor during the March 11 poll.

“Today is our day, and today is everybody’s day in Sokoto,” he said at the event well attended by officials of the Sokoto State government,

many tribal groups, and other stakeholders.

November was also a month to remember for PDP in Sokoto State in terms of defections.

A gale of defections saw many members of the opposition parties in the state, particularly APC, joining the governing party.

On November 20 last year, PDP received thousands of defectors from APC in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Umar assured the newcomers of fairness and inclusiveness. He promised to fix the security problem in the eastern parts of the state, especially Sabon Birni Local Government Area.

Just a few days before the Sabon Birni event, PDP welcomed into its fold thousands of new members from APC in Mainiyo area of Sokoto North Local Government Area of the state.

Umar received the defectors during the inauguration of the Ubandoma/Sagir Mainiyo Old Market Development Association and launch of an empowerment programme initiated by the association under the chairmanship of Sokoto-based businessman, Alhaji Abdulrashid Maccido. It was a particularly important event, as Mainiyo area is considered one of the metropolitan strongholds of APC in Sokoto State.

Early in January, as PDP took its campaign to Silame Local Government Area, it also received many former supporters of APC. Among the thousands, who joined PDP at the event on New Year’s Day, were then APC Youth Leader in the local government, his deputy, other executive members.

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FEATURES

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

Strategies for Scaling Africa’s Green Ventures Africa has reached a critical point in terms of sustainability. As the 54 countries on the continent struggle to contain the pandemic-induced recession of the past 30 months—the worst in the past five decades—as well as recent stagflation, which has sent fuel and food prices surging, they also find themselves confronted by a foundational and fast-growing challenge in the form of the climate crisis. Precious Ugwuzor reports that Africa’s green ventures must therefore develop management capabilities to sustain faster growth in the future and could well become role models for the continent and the world

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conomic development remains a priority for every African government, with the continent’s population growth amplifying the need for rapid economic growth and job creation.

The number of Africans on the continent is expected to double between 2020 and 2050.

At the same time, Africa must deal with the consequences of climatic disruption. Its impacts in the form of soaring temperatures, longer droughts, more frequent crop failures, more severe tropical storms, and increased coastal flooding, could plunge more Africans into poverty if something isn’t done quickly.

Indeed, Africa’s climate emergency has brought into sharp relief the paradox of prosperity that confronts the continent: as the next generation’s consumption—though still only a fraction of the developed world’s—increases, so do the environmental consequences.

Thankfully, African business can respond to this dilemma by developing and deploying green technologies and sustainable business models that create jobs and boost economic growth. In fact, there’s no dearth of green ventures—companies that minimize their impact on the environment and contribute to climate mitigation, climate adaptation, and environmental protection—on the continent.

Unfortunately, most of Africa’s green ventures face a crippling challenge in that they haven’t been able to scale—yet. They need to grow rapidly to drive economic development on the continent in a sustainable fashion.

That task requires fresh thinking and collaborative action by the key players in Africa’s business ecosystem, as this article will detail.

Investors must fund the continent’s green ventures adequately, with well-structured equity, debt, and concessional finance.

Governments must treat green ventures as a priority, designing subsidies and policies so they can get big quickly. And Africa’s green ventures must develop management capabilities to sustain faster growth in the future. If they learn to grow rapidly, Africa’s green ventures could well become role models for the continent and the world.

The Problems of Poverty and Plenty Of the inhabited continents, Africa has contributed the least to climate change, accounting for only 2.7% of global carbon emissions from 1751 to 2017. Even in 2020, while China generated 23% of the world’s greenhouse gases, the US 19%, and the EU 13%, Africa produced just 3.8%, and five nations—South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, and Morocco—accounted for 75% of those. Even so, a fast-warming planet will hurt Africa the most. The continent is expected to heat up 1.5 times faster than the rest of the world, with 35 of the 50 countries in the world that are most vulnerable to climate change located there.

"As countries globally prioritize conversations concerning climate change, there is a pressing need in Africa where the effects are projected to be more significant, due to its limited resources, to preempt the gloomy forecast. Corporate organizations in Nigeria need to re-think their business systems and models, they need to prioritise adaptation of green technologies and policies. CEOs and board members should be asking self-reflective questions that focus on their role in their efforts in supporting climate actions," says Olayinka Majekodunmi, Principal, BCG Nigeria.

Global warming has increased the risk of both floods and droughts in Africa, where most people depend on agriculture for food, employment, and incomes. Rising temperatures are reducing food production and sending prices soaring, but they’re also straining water resources and forcing Africans to migrate to cities. According to one estimate, a 40 C increase in global warming could halve wheat and maize (corn) yields in Africa, which would lead

Green revolution to political, social, and economic disarray.

As in any developing region, the industrialization, employment, and income growth necessary for Africans’ prosperity carries the risk of turning the continent into a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions in the future. Africa needs to be more strategic about driving growth, especially since the developed world could impose carbon taxes on its exports even as multilateral donors factor emissions into their lending. Such policies could weaken trade and investment inflows, and undermine Africa’s growth.

If Africa’s countries are to grow sustainably, they must develop and deploy novel strategies, not simply copy those adopted by other nations, even developing ones. The developed world should help fund Africa’s transition to a green future. Meeting African countries’ nationally determined contributions—which embody their stated efforts to reduce emissions according to the Paris Agreement—will require more than $2.4 trillion in additional climate financing by 2030. Much of this capital needs to come from overseas, but African nations have to develop in a sustainable way, so they can ensure economic growth and job creation even as they withstand the impacts of climate change.

The Green Scaling Challenge African business has a lucrative opportunity to create sustainable industries by leapfrogging technologies known to be harmful to the environment, and developing and using novel ones instead. Over the past 15 years, many hundreds of startups have sprung up to offer climate-smart products and solutions to African consumers.

This year, when BCG’s Green Ventures team analyzed the investment portfolios of 90 large investors in Africa, we identified over 500 companies operating in green industries such as agriculture, clean energy, sustainable materials, e-mobility and transportation, and nature-based solutions. That number has grown exponentially, with a 300% increase in the number

of green ventures across the continent in the past 15 years.

Africa’s green industries embody enormous growth potential. For instance, there are around 150 off-grid clean-energy companies at the startup or growth stage in sub-Saharan Africa’s power sector Over the past decade, these companies have provided 370 million Africans and businesses with access to energy, and often they represent the lowest-cost electrification solution, according to the World Bank. These clean-energy generation, distribution, and financing companies will continue to play a major role in the future, and their share is likely to rise from 30% of new energy connections in 2022 to over 50% by 2050.

Climate change has also catalyzed the birth of new industries on the continent such as carbon sequestration. In these businesses, thanks to their access to large forest and soil ecosystems for carbon sequestration, African ventures enjoy an edge over global rivals. Businesses such as NetZero, a biochar company that originated in Cameroon, are poised to lead this emergent industry. The venture removes carbon from the atmosphere by extracting and stabilizing the carbon that plants capture during photosynthesis by heating organic matter without oxygen, a process called pyrolysis. NetZero sells the resulting biochar, which is solid carbon, to farmers who use it to improve soil health and increase yields while keeping the carbon out of the atmosphere for centuries. According to experts, biochar has a sequestration potential of 2 billion to 5 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide per year by 2050, with a cumulative potential of 1 gigaton by the end of the century.

Yet the goal of transforming Africa into the epicenter of the world’s low-carbon industry has not been easy to achieve. That’s because the continent’s green ventures haven’t been able to scale successfully. Most have remained small, relative to the size of the opportunity, and have taken too long to grow. A 2022 BCG analysis of 300 green ventures in Africa found that over 75% of them were generating less than $20 million in annual revenues each, despite having been in business for at least a decade.

Africa’s green ventures face challenges above and beyond the barriers that all companies on the continent must contend with, such as low individual purchasing power, fragmented markets, and the scarcity of trained, highly specialized, and seasoned employees. In particular, three major barriers impede progress on the green ventures’ growth path: capital, policy, and industry structure.

First, because green ventures must deploy additional infrastructure and develop novel hardware, they need large sums of long-term financing and working capital, both of which are scarce and expensive in Africa. Second, green companies tend to be subject to special

regulations, require licenses to operate, and are more vulnerable to import duties than are traditional players. Moreover, many of these companies offer public goods that government agencies or contractors in industrialized countries would usually provide or fund, and they should be subsidized. Third, green ventures need to develop more sophisticated technological and management capabilities as well as skilled talent in order to successfully scale their operations across the continent.

If Africa’s green companies can scale to global levels, they will not only deliver sustainable products and solutions to enterprises and consumers, but also drive employment and incomes on the continent. The climate crisis demands fast action, and the quickest solutions are likely to come from scaling what's already working. Consequently, fostering green ventures offers opportunities for growth on a sustainable basis. The question is, who needs to do what to help Africa’s green ventures grow?

We’ve been studying Africa’s green ventures, as well as the global business ecosystem in which they operate, and believe that a shift in focus is essential. The three critical stakeholders in the effort—investors, governments, and companies—must work in a coordinated way to unlock the full potential of green ventures.

Moreover, the focus on scaling requires the actors to play different roles and tackle new priorities.

Scale—with Investments Private investors, foreign governments, multilateral development banks, and development finance institutions—such as the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the UK’s British International Investment (BII), and the Netherlands’ Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO)—invest in Africa’s startups. In 2021, global financial institutions invested as much as $7.4 billion in the equity of African companies, large and small.

As is evident from the inability of many of Africa’s green ventures to achieve vigorous growth, however, investors are missing something: they aren’t providing enough funding, and their funding isn’t structured to enable green ventures to scale easily and quickly. In 2021, only 11% of venture capital deals in Africa exceeded $10 million, and fewer than 5% were for later-round Series C and D financing, according to BCG analyses.

Startups in sectors such as nonconventional energy, water, logistics, agriculture and food, and waste management—only some of which were green—attracted just 22% of the money that Africa’s venture capitalists invested last year. By comparison, Africa’s fintech platforms drew as much as 54% of the investments.

The lack of debt compounds the challenge.

For various reasons, African startups use equity, rather than debt, to fund their infrastructure and working capital requirements. The paucity of debt capital creates working capital shortages, and green ventures can’t access capital to fund large expansions, diversifications, or M&A. Green ventures clearly require different funding structures, so institutional investors should rethink their evaluation criteria and refine the decision-making mechanisms they use.

Big Idea A massive influx of capital into Africa’s green companies is essential today, and it must be appropriately structured. Many investors say they’re keen to increase their green investments, but they need to go beyond the usual to do so. Investors, our calculations suggest, should create $200 billion in blended capital facilities by 2023 dedicated to financing Africa’s green ventures.

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͶ˜ 2023

ENTREPRENEUR

Bolanle Austen-Peters: Transforming the Creative Industry in Nigeria through Education, Empowerment In 2021, Terra Kulture established its premier creative academy – Terra Academy For The Arts to provide world-class creative education, career, and entrepreneurial opportunities. The soughtafter academy has trained over 1000 students on relevant skills across key sub-sectors in theatre and business. Recently, The Terra Academy for The Arts, TAFTA, announced the reopening of its admissions portal in anticipation of its second Cohort. Scheduled to resume in February 2023, in this chat with Bolanle Austen-Peters, the brain and force behind TAFTA, shared the inspiration for its establishment and the intended impact on Africa’s creative industry, economy, and society. Uzoma Mba brings excerpts:

I

devices. These centres are free to use by all students and also allow them to build stronger communities with themselves and with the centre managers. It was important for us to have these physical locations because it expands the accessibility of the program to the marginalized communities for which the academy was designed.

n 2003, you founded Terra Kulture with the mission to promote the richness and diversity of Nigerian languages, arts, and culture. Why was this an important initiative or mission to fulfill?

Prior to founding Terra Kulture, I had a thriving career as a lawyer and worked for the United Nations. Whilst doing so, I had the opportunity to travel a lot where I realized that every country had a cultural centre where tourists could learn more about their history and culture, deepening their appreciation of it. The sad thing was that we didn’t have that in Nigeria at the time. I believe that it is important that when people visit Nigeria, there is a place where they can be exposed to and explore the richness, beauty, and diversity of our cultures.

Terra Kulture recently established a creative academy called Terra Academy for the Arts (TAFTA). Please share more information about TAFTA. We established TAFTA as a creative academy with the vision of building and empowering a community of young Nigerians who will impact society and the economy by transforming the creative industry. Primarily an e-learning academy, TAFTA will impart requisite entrepreneurial and technical skills to young women and men across select areas of theatre and business. It will also work to connect them with employment opportunities and enterprise support needed after the program.

The essence is to create a domino effect that will result in socio-economic independence amongst Nigerian youth, especially females, whilst also increasing competency and overall productivity in the creative industry. We will achieve this by providing training, mentoring, support, internships, and career opportunities to participants. Currently, our program offers an innovative and comprehensive curriculum with specialized modules in sound design, stage lighting, animation, and scriptwriting. All modules have also been incorporated with business and entrepreneurship courses.

The academy urges interested parties to submit their application for the free program on their website www. terraacademyforthearts.com.

What was the inspiration behind the creation of TAFTA and how was the journey from conceptualisation to the establishment?

In the nineteen years since its opening, Terra Kulture has been home to and trained many creatives from Nigeria and West Africa. Our doors have been open to a multitude of creatives from every part of the industry including actors, costume designers, hair stylists, makeup artists, and dancers; a lot of whom were in the early stages of their careers at the time.

Whilst working with them, we saw that for many of them, their skills dramatically improve. A number of them have gone on to start their own businesses based on things they learned at Terra Kulture and the experience garnered. Experience is a great teacher but education is invaluable. TAFTA was created to formalise the structure of our already ongoing activities.

A legend in the industry, you have

The TAFTA program runs for six weeks, after which the students will be engaged in a hands-on workshop for two weeks. What other support programs does TAFTA have for the students following the eight-week program?

We are currently developing an app that will connect students with potential employers and internship opportunities available in the industry. This way once they have completed the program, they gain access to necessary employment opportunities. On the other hand, for our students who are on the entrepreneurial route, we also provide advantageous enterprise support. They are connected with organizations that provide the necessary corporate/business services needed to run one’s business. They are guided on the step-by-step process of business registration, legal, and accounting requirements.

Bolanle

had the opportunity to observe the growth of the creative industry. How has the industry evolved regarding talent and skills, and how can TAFTA contribute to this?

As Nigeria expanded its boundaries and we became part of a globalized market, it was clear that we had to level up to meet global standards. There is now a greater emphasis on the technical elements of the process and the need for a better understanding of creative elements as well. As we recognised this and worked towards it, the growth has been reflected

in the improved quality of our work.

Although, we still have a long way to go. TAFTA is contributing to this growth by building and empowering the talents who will revolutionize the industry and elevate the quality of the creative and technical aspects of our work.

The internet penetration rate in Nigeria is one of the challenges that may limit students from completing the program. What opportunities are available to support the students in the academy?

Currently, the program is active in three Nigerian states – Lagos, Ogun, and Kano. In each of these states, we have established two physical learning centres to support our students who lack access to the internet, electricity, and compatible

Through TAFTA, the richness and diversity of Nigeria’s culture will be preserved, transformed, and presented to the world for appreciation. The world should brace itself for richer and more enchanting stories and theatre performances that will come from Africa

The empowerment of Nigerian youth is a core concern of the nation. How can like-minded communities and organisations support TAFTA and its mission?

TAFTA’s program goes beyond training our students on necessary skills but also provides access to a community-like support system of mentors who can guide our students in the early stages of their careers. As such, we have explored how we could expand our offerings to include access to relevant financial and corporate services for graduates of the programs that intend to start their own businesses.

We have already ventured into multiple partnerships with key organizations, associations, and businesses that can grow the capacities of our students including the Young Lawyers of Nigeria, a law firm in Kano, an accounting firm, and two business branding consultancies.

Also, we recently signed an MoU with the Screenwriters Guild of Nigeria that strengthens the support offered to students of the academy by easing the admission process into the professional guild.

Outstanding students will be eligible for eased and discounted admission into the guild at the end of the program.

Lastly, in what ways will TAFTA help in preserving Nigeria’s culture and improving the creative industry?

TAFTA aims to be the number one creative academy in Africa and ultimately the world. With our plans to expand our curriculum beyond its current scope, we will continue to empower African storytellers and support the industry by training future crews with the technical skills needed to actualise those stories.

Through TAFTA, the richness and diversity of Nigeria’s culture will be preserved, transformed, and presented to the world for appreciation. The world should brace itself for richer and more enchanting stories and theatre performances that will come from Africa!

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WEDNESDAY JANUARY 18, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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24 T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY JANUARY 18, 2023 TR

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& RE A S O

Wednesday January 18, 2023 Vol 27. No 10141

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

5G AND SUBSCRIBERS’ ENDLESS WAIT

SONNY ARAGBAAKPORE writes that connectivity to 5G is not yet in sight

See page 25 OBI-DATTI: NORTHERN NIGERIA REAL DEAL? The Labour Party ticket of Obi and Baba-Ahmed could yield far more dividends of democracy to Northern Nigeria, contends PAUL OBI

See page 25

EDITORIAL

SANITY IN THE GULF OF GUINEA

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About 25 per cent of people in the register are either dead or displaced, reckons CHIDI ANSELM ODINKALU

HOW MANY VOTERS ARE THERE IN NIGERIA? Numeracy is a Nigerian problem but electoral democracy is about counting numbers. Nigerians will vote to elect a president and national legislators on 25 February, 2023. On 11 March, they will return to elect state legislators in 36 states and governors in 28. The numbers that will frame all these contests are now settled. They deserve close attention. ,Q DOO SROLWLFDO SDUWLHV ZLOO ÀHOG D WRWDO of 15,307 candidates, including 1,553 women IRU R΀FHV LQFOXGLQJ WKH SUHVLGHQF\ JRYHUQRUVKLS R΀FHV 6HQDWRUV LQ WKH +RXVH RI 5HSUHVHQWDWLYHV DQG VHDWV LQ state houses of assembly.

Voting will take place in 176,846 polling units nationwide located in 8,809 Wards or Registration Areas in 774 Local Government Areas. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has acquired at least 194,464 Bimodal Voter Accreditation 6\VWHP %9$6 PDFKLQHV IRU WKH HOHFWLRQ WR EH PDQDJHG E\ RYHU PLOOLRQ DG KRF R΀FLDOV %\ IDU WKH PRVW LPSRUWDQW ÀJXUH KRZHYHU is the number of registered voters. When Nigeria last voted in a general election in 2019, there were 84,004,084 voters on the electoral register. Through its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), INEC says it captured another 12,298,944 since then. When it ran these entries through its Automatic %LRPHWULF ,GHQWLÀFDWLRQ 6\VWHP $%,6 INEC discovered that 2,780,756 (22.6%) were LQHOLJLEOH RU LQYDOLG 6R WKH UHJLVWHU RI YRWHUV in Nigeria has grown by 9,518,188 or 11.33% to 93,522,272 since 2019.

The names on the register notionally represent the people to ultimately decide who becomes Nigeria’s next president. This is why the register deserves attention. There is another reason the number of voters matters.

Complaints about “voter apathy” in Nigeria persist. The numbers and patterns seem to bear this out. In 1999, turnout was 52.3%.

2΀FLDOO\ LW JUHZ WR LQ DQG KDV IDOOHQ VLQFH WKHQ WR LQ LQ LQ DQG D KLVWRULF ORZ RI LQ 2019.

Nigeria has always had a problem with numbers, especially of people and of votes.

To be fair, voting numbers can be problematic everywhere because they are ambulatory.

People are not static: they die by the second, relocate, or migrate. The register of voters does not automatically change because a person ZKRVH QDPH LV RQ LW KDV GLHG RU PRYHG 6R every voters’ register, at best, represents a snapshot in time.

However, there are many curious things about voting numbers in Nigeria. One, they are an island entirely unto themselves, with no rational relationship to wider trends in the population. Nigeria’s pattern of supposedly precipitous collapse in voter turnout, for instance, is inversely proportional to the growth in Nigeria’s baseline population.

In 1999, Nigeria’s population was estimated to be 115,766,000. By the time the country

voted in 2019, it had risen to 199,039,000, a growth of 83,273,000 or 71%. When INEC announced the number of voters on the register for the 2023 election on 11 January 2022, the population of Nigeria was estimated to be over 219,864,000. In other words, since 1999, Nigeria’s population has grown by over 104,098,000 or 89.92%.

By contrast, in 1999, Nigeria had 57 million registered voters. This rose by 5.26% or three million to 60 million in 2003 and then by 1.67% or one million to 61 million in 2007. By 2011, the number of registered voters had climbed by over 12 million to 73.53 million or 20.5%, representing an average yearly growth rate of nearly 5.12%, where previously it had grown by 1.31% in 1999-2003 and 0.42% between 20032007. By 2015, the population of registered YRWHUV KDG IDOOHQ WR PLOOLRQ D GHÀFLW RI 4.7 million voters or 6.83%, representing an annualized rate of reversal of 1.71%. Yet, over the same period, Nigeria, a country with a median age of just under 18 years, had grown in population from an estimated 162.9 million to 181.2 million, an increase of 15.174 million or 11.23%, representing an annual growth rate of 2.8%.

These numbers and the patterns they reveal do not lend themselves to easy explanation.

However, as the Justice Uwais presidential committee on electoral reform pointed out in its 2008 report, much of what passed for electoral numbers in Nigeria before 2011 was voodoo. Just to illustrate this point, the INEC GRHV QRW KDYH D EUHDNGRZQ RI R΀FLDO UHVXOWV for the 2007 presidential elections but there are WXUQRXW ÀJXUHV IRU WKDW HOHFWLRQ In 20 years from 1999 to 2019, Nigeria’s population rose by 71% but the population of voters rose by only 50%. With the latest numbers announced by INEC, Nigeria’s register of voters has grown by 36,522,272 VLQFH RU D GHÀFLW RI ZKHQ compared with the increase in Nigeria’s population over the same period. It is possible to speculate about what may explain this VLJQLÀFDQW GHÀFLW LQ JURZWK SDWWHUQV EHWZHHQ the general population and register of voters.

5DWLRQDO IDFWRUV VXFK DV LQWHUQDO PLJUDWLRQ agency dysfunctions in INEC, civic inertia or failure to register, or high transaction costs may explain some of this. But there remain worrying patterns that are not easily accounted for by these factors.

This leads to a second issue: Nigeria’s register

of voters has always had invalid voters. The current register of voters in Nigeria dates back to November 2010 when the Attahiru Jega-led INEC set about establishing a credible register of voters for the country. The Commission had limited time to authenticate the raw data before the 2011 general election. When the $XWRPDWLF )LQJHUSULQW ,GHQWLÀFDWLRQ 6\VWHP $),6 ÀQLVKHG LWV ZRUN RQ WKH UHJLVWHU nearly four years later, INEC invalidated 4.7 million entries, which reduced the number of registered voters from 73.53 in 2011 to 68.83 in 2015 but not before these invalid 4.7 were eligible to vote in 2011.

Perhaps the biggest worry of all is with dead voters. At the beginning of 2022, the INEC explained that it cannot expunge dead voters from the register because “the country does not have reliable data of births and deaths and the commission cannot engage in arbitrary removal of the names of individuals it suspects are deceased.”

The third issue, therefore, is evidently that the number of voters on the register is grossly over-stated. In the explanation of the INEC, Nigeria’s register of voters is the classic Hotel California: it is “programmed to receive” and, for anyone with their name on it, the message is that “you can check out any time you like but you can never leave.” The implications of this for electoral integrity are staggering.

Nigerian law only allows adults to vote.

Over the decade between 2010 and 2020, Nigeria’s adult mortality rate has ranged EHWZHHQ DQG SHU IRU PHQ and 359.8 to 318 per 1,000 for women. In 2020, adult mortality rate in Nigeria was estimated at 34.25 per 100 of population yearly. Applied to the 2019 register and adjusted down to account for the fact that adult mortality rate is counted from 16 years, two less than the voting age, the number liable to be removed from the electoral roll would be well over six million in any election cycle.

Over three election cycles since 2011, the number liable to be expunged from Nigeria’s electoral roll could be somewhere in the region RI DERXW PLOOLRQ 6HSDUDWHO\ DW WKH HQG RI 2021, the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, (IDMC) reported that Nigeria had at least 3.2 million in internal displacement.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees adds that there are at least another 343,000 Nigerian refugees outside the country.

Admittedly not all of these are adults of voting age.

However, when you look at the numbers on Nigeria’s register of voters and account for the fact that the baseline data goes back to 2011, there is a high likelihood that up to about 25% of the register are dead, dud, or displaced.

When folks complain about “voter apathy” they miss one important point: Nigeria guarantees the dead a right to vote. That is antecedent to any talk of “voter apathy”.

A lawyer and a teacher, Odinkalu can be reached at chidi.odinkalu@tufts.edu

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WEDNESDAY JANUARY 18, 2023

SONNY ARAGBA-AKPORE writes that connectivity to 5G is not yet in sight

5G AND SUBSCRIBERS’ ENDLESS WAIT Despite the hype around the 5G Even as write today, it’s not clear where DXFWLRQV LQ 1LJHULD ÀUVW LQ 'HFHPEHU the services are being received especially 2021 and later in December 2022, with when as it appears, only MTN is trying three licenses issued so far by the Nigerian to run a race two licensees began. A third Communications Commission (NCC), potential operator, Airtel, was added in potential subscribers may wait longer than December 2022.

“MTN and a little- known portfolio necessary.

Although, the NCC had tacitly denied company or a Special Purpose Vehicle that its mission was informed by the desire (SPV) Mafab Communications Limited to raise funds for the federal government to won the two available lots in 2021. buoy a comatose economy and recurring The auction was done with so much EXGJHW GHÀFLWV LW ZDV UXPRUHG WKDW WKH fun fare that made Minister Isa Pantami initial money raised in December 2021 to giggle with thumbs up as if Nigeria had won major prizes in global contests.

It’s also very clear now that 5G is not for rookies despite the wobbling policies in Nigeria where investors are afraid to take investment decisions. Who will blame them anyway when “ways and means rule are more respected than any policy at all.

India started late simply because they wanted to get it right but not so in Nigeria. Both the government, regulator and bidders jumped into the fray without a very good understanding or even auction whereby MTN Nigeria and Mafab knowledge about it.

Communications paid $273.6m each, Now here we are and very soon, another encouraged the government to quickly blame game will start while the expectant push NCC to organize another auction in and enthusiastic subscribers wait if not 2022 to boost revenue for the government endlessly for the potential game changer even when the NCC had assured that for broadband connectivity, 5G.” it would tarry another two years before Let us take a look at the Indian example.

Indian government set in motion initiating another bidding rounds.

We are made to believe that the regulator workable policies for its auction hence the was stampeded if not bullied to carry out delay in carrying out its process.

It concluded this in August 2022 raising another immediately. $19billion paid by three companies And strangely, due to lack of enthusiasm of bidders, only a sole bidder emerged including Bharthi Airtel. as Airtel was the only company that The success of the Indian auction is not expressed interest and insisted on paying unconnected to the government putting in place rules for all that must be followed the reserved price of $273.6m.

The NCC was boxed to a corner and in and above all, bidders were comforted to a face-saving statement, announced Airtel have fate in the system especially a stable econom y unlike Nigeria where there are as winner.

All three licenses, MTN, Mafab and policy somersaults always hence the fear Airtel raised $820.8m for the government. of investors.

But that is just the beginning of the matter Take a critical look at aviation industry as none of these licensees has actualised for instance where many foreign operators are uncertain about continuing in business their licence mandate in this regard.

Although MTN has shown good fate here. in launching its services, we are aware of India concluded its long-delayed 5G certain bottlenecks militating against its auction, raising almost $19 billion in what desire to provide services. One of these is proved to be a much more competitive Right of Way issues in parts of the country process than anticipated. including Abuja where the Federal Capital Analysts said the seminal 5G auction Territory Administration is said to have made spectrum available in an array of imposed a huge bill on the operator to spectrum bands – 600MHz, 700MHz, settle before it could link base stations to 800MHz, 900MHz, 1.8GHz, 2.1GHz, 2.3GHz, 3.3GHz, and 26GHz – to the enable connectivity for 5G services.

Technically, if MTN could feel jolted RSHUDWRUV IRU WKH ÀUVW WLPH by such bills, other players may even be As a way to achieving workable results, intimidated thus creating a very long Indian operators began test runs of the wait for services. It stands to reason that new technology for nearly a year, with while MTN and Airtel which have already Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone established themselves in the country Idea (Vi) all suggesting they would look to could be so discouraged by government launch 5G services in 2022 as soon as the policies in terms of Right of Way issues auction was concluded. that were believed to have been settled For a long time, however, the extent to since 2013 by the National Economic which the Indian operators would want Council (NEC), the situation may even to compete in the 5G auction was unclear, by more frustrating for new comer, Mafab with the telcos complaining that the spectrum’s reserve prices were too high.

Communications.

All of these add up to while 5G is still At one point, Airtel had even threatened not to bid for spectrum at all if the price far away.

Like I wrote here a few weeks ago, “5G was not lowered. project in Nigeria has been laced with so Aragba-Akpore many speeches so much that it could be is a member of THISDAY Editorial likened to mere orchestra.”

The Labour Party ticket of Obi and Baba-Ahmed could yield far more dividends of democracy to Northern Nigeria, contends PAUL OBI

OBI-DATTI: NORTHERN NIGERIA REAL DEAL? “Democracy gives us citizens a measure of political power. That political power comes with a responsibility to foster a culture that makes it possible to work well and together, for the well-being of all.”

- Diane Kalen-Sukra

PDP with all my heart. The direction of the PDP at the moment is more rooted in state capture and insensitivity of its ruling elites than its capable of rescuing Nigeria from the precipice. The reckless ego-centric politics of its elites that sank the party in 2015, has not been vanquished yet. Rather, The 2023 presidential election is just around its prebendal politics is still on the prowl.

WKH FRUQHU DPLG SHUPXWDWLRQV RI GLͿHUHQW It is in the light of the above that shades. The presidential race is critical given President Buhari’s speech in Yola, the degradation brought upon Nigeria by the Adamawa State on Monday, 9th January, All Progressives Congress (APC). In the midst 2023 is very instructive on how Northern of this quagmire in governance in the last eight Nigeria respond to and appraise the years, Northern Nigeria that supported APC presidential candidates. President Buhari’s across board has faced more consequences concluding words require broader than Southern region. Under APC, insecurity in interrogation. In his concluding remarks, Northern Nigeria has quadrupled, raging like Buhari chose to forewarn Northern Nigeria ZLOGÀUH 0DWHUQDO PRUWDOLW\ KDV ZRUVHQHG 7KH about the consequences of their electoral number of out- of - school children in the North choices in the 2023 presidential election.

is astronomical. Agriculture, the mainstay of Northern Nigeria has been suspended ad LQÀQLWXP GXH WR IHDU UDJLQJ LQVHFXULW\ %RNR Haram insurgency and banditry. Under these precarious conditions, APC has turned Nigeria into a basket - case economy. Yet, APC has also failed woefully to provide solutions to these myriad of problems confronting the North, and Nigeria in general.

With these tainted governance credentials, it ZLOO EH VXLFLGDO VKRXOG $3& ÀQG LWV ZD\ EDFN to power in May, 2023. That will also depend on how the North responds to APC’s selfLQÁLFWHG FULVLV DQG QDWLRQDO TXDJPLUH :LWK LWV geopolitical strength - both in population and electoral value, the North also shares most of the consequences should power from the top falters. The faltering of presidential power from top to bottom, in Buhari’s own words, in the last eight years under APC has been monumental in terms of the burden and brunt. How did the North fare? How then does Northern Nigeria, and the rest of the country navigates her path away from the tortuous and nerve-racking experiences under APC? In interrogating the available electoral UHPHGLHV WKDW 1LJHULD FDQ SURͿHU DV HVFDSH route from the APC’s misrule, many have argued vehemently that tribe and religion may remain a determinant on how Northern votes would swing the pendulum to any of the major presidential candidates. Does sentiments matter in competitive electoral democracy? For instance, this writer beyond the similarity of my surname with the Labour Party’s Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, I do not share any tribal connection or linkages to him. The distance from Boki in Cross River State and Agulu in Anambra State is huge.

Even the legendary Oji Ukwu Eje Aba cannot contemplate trekking that distance. My unquenchable support for Peter Obi stemmed from the existential threats Nigeria faces at the PRPHQW 0\ QDWXUDO KXPDQ LQVWLQFW LV ÀUVW WR seek the best therapy and medication, but not to bow to primordial sentiments and tendencies.

In 2019, I supported Atiku Abubakar and

President Buhari urged voters “to go their constituencies and choose responsible people. Don’t allow fraudulent people to come and dominate you in your locality,” he said. The last time I checked, Peter Obi of Labour Party and Rabui Kwankwaso of New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) have not been tagged with any ‘fraudulent,’ corrupt and nefarious allegations. Peter Obi for instance saved millions of dollars for Anambra State, only to be wasted and pilfered by the administration of his predecessor.

So, who could President Buhari be referring to in this election season as “fraudulent people”? Thus, will the North heed the advice of Mai Dogo, Dan Daura?

Will they listen to President Buhari’s candid counselling to stay away from dealPDNHUV ZKR ZLOO WUDGH RͿ WKH 1RUWK EXW build estates in Dubai, Paris and London?

Overall, what the North needs is a sincere candidate with the requisite experience and expertise on how to build wealth, turn around moribund and basket-case economy. Warts and all, any presidential FDQGLGDWH ZRUWK KLV VDOW ZLOO GHÀQLWHO\ take Northern Nigeria as the focal point in addressing the collapse of the Nigerian state and governance that now permeates a broad spectrum of society. The Obi'DWWL SUHVLGHQWLDO WLFNHW LV WKH PRVW ÀWWLQJ deal breaker, and steep in moving the North from consumption and waste of its agricultural potential to production.

The LP presidential ticket will work assiduously for the uplift of the Talakawas - with industrialization and job creation as cardinal points.

It is in the light of the foregoing that Peter Obi and Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed recently gave Northern Nigeria their template on how to put the North in front and centre in governance if they are elected.

Obi is a journalist, researcher and media scholar interested in media, elections, politics and democracy based in Abuja

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T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 18, 2023

EDITORIAL

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

SANITY IN THE GULF OF GUINEA The Nigerian Navy and NIMASA deserve commendation for making our waters safe

R

maritime governance system, in particular, hampers eports that the Gulf of Guinea recorded freedom of movement in the region, disrupts trade only three acts of piracy against ships in and economic growth, and facilitates environmental 2022 while the number of kidnappings crimes,” according to the United Nations (UN) Security in the area dropped to two from 146 in Council which once disclosed that Nigeria was losing 2019 are gratifying. According to the about $1.5 billion a month due to piracy, armed robbery Maritime Information Cooperation and at sea, smuggling and fuel supply fraud in the Gulf of Awareness Center (MICA), a France-based branch of Guinea. the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), worldwide At the height of the menace, ship owners and crew acts of piracy fell to their lowest level last year since members often demanded for high insurance premium VWDWLVWLFV ZHUH ÀUVW HVWDEOLVKHG LQ ´,W·V QHYHU before embarking on any voyage to Nigeria. Apart from EHHQ ORZHU µ 0,&$·V FRPPDQGHU (ULF -DVOLQ VWDWHG EXW UHGXFLQJ WKH QXPEHU RI YHVVHOV FDOOLQJ DW WKH QDWLRQ·V ZDUQHG ´<RX QHYHU NQRZ ZKDW WRPRUURZ PD\ EULQJ seaports due to the fear of attack, it helped in no small in terms of piracy. We advise continued caution.” measure to increase the (VWDEOLVKHG LQ WKH cost of doing business in 0,&$ &HQWHU LGHQWLÀHV 1LJHULD 7KH KXJH FRVWV DUH and analyses situations While there is unanimity among shipping practitioners that sea piracy HYHQWXDOO\ SDVVHG RͿ LQ WKH DQG LQFLGHQWV DͿHFWLQJ FRVW RI IUHLJKW WR WKH ÀQDO maritime navigation cannot be totally eradicated, it is also a fact that with concerted efforts consumer. throughout the world It is against the foregoing by all relevant stakeholders, the menace can effectively be contained to warn crews and background that we shipowners of impending commend the Navy and dangers.

Meanwhile, NIMASA. We also enjoin ZKHQ LQ WKH ÀUVW TXDUWHU them to do more to make our waters safe and rid our T H I S D AY of 2019 Nigeria experienced a decrease in reported country of what has become another emblem of shame.

EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU piracy incidents, the IMB alluded the development to DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA 7KH URRW FDXVHV RI SLUDF\ LQ WKH UHJLRQ DFFRUGLQJ WR LQFUHDVHG HͿRUWV E\ 1LJHULDQ 1DY\ WR ´DFWLYHO\ UHVSRQG MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO H[SHUWV DUH LQHͿHFWLYH JRYHUQDQFH VWUXFWXUHV ZHDN UXOH to reported incidents by dispatching patrol boats”.

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU RI ODZ SUHFDULRXV OHJDO IUDPHZRUNV DQG LQDGHTXDWH Although the MICA report did not identify the reason CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI QDYDO FRDVW JXDUG DQG PDULWLPH ODZ HQIRUFHPHQW <HW for current development, we believe that the Navy, EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN piracy drives fear into shipping practitioners, especially MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI working in conjunction with the Nigerian Maritime THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE ship captains and master mariners.

Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), can While there is unanimity among shipping also take the credit. But it should compel them to work practitioners that sea piracy cannot be totally harder in tackling the challenge while heeding the HUDGLFDWHG LW LV DOVR D IDFW WKDW ZLWK FRQFHUWHG HͿRUWV E\ DGPRQLWLRQ IRU ´FRQWLQXHG FDXWLRQ µ T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D DOO UHOHYDQW VWDNHKROGHUV WKH PHQDFH FDQ HͿHFWLYHO\ EH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA )RU \HDUV WKH *XOI RI *XLQHD KDV DFTXLUHG D QRWRULRXV GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, contained in our country. In addressing the challenge, reputation with regular pirate attacks on merchant and ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI NIMASA authorities have consistently argued that ÀVKLQJ YHVVHOV )RU LQVWDQFH WKH UHSRUW E\ WKH DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, D OHJDO IUDPHZRUN WKDW SUHVFULEHV VWLͿHU VDQFWLRQV ,QWHUQDWLRQDO &KDPEHU RI &RPPHUFH·V ,0% UHYHDOHG ANTHONY OGEDENGBE a more vigorous and vigilant military-led patrol that over 95 per cent of the 135 shipping crew members DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI and better intelligence gathering network would be SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH kidnapped the previous year were recorded in the Gulf UHTXLUHG 1RZ WKDW WKHLU HͿRUWV DUH \LHOGLQJ GLYLGHQGV ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI RI *XLQHD DQG PRVWO\ RQ 1LJHULDQ ZDWHUV ´,QFLGHQWV the federal government must work to ensure that the in the Gulf of Guinea are particularly dangerous, as CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO Nigerian territorial waters do not continue to harbour RYHU SHU FHQW RI DWWDFNHUV ZHUH DUPHG ZLWK JXQV µ TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com dangerous criminals.

WKH ,0% KDG VWDWHG ´7KH DEVHQFH RI DQ HͿHFWLYH

Letters to the Editor Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-300 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 (750- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive. com along with photograph, email address and phone numbers of the writer.

LETTERS ATBUTH AND EASY ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE 7KH KHDOWK VHFWRU HQWLUHO\ KDV EHHQ GZLQGOLQJ DPLG FKDOOHQJHV that make it hard for citizens to get access to healthcare. Many have gone through immeasurable hardships whenever they or their relatives are sick. Some even lost their lives not only because of arriving WKH KRVSLWDO ODWH EXW EHFDXVH RI GL΀FXOWLHV LQ DFFHVVLQJ WKHLU ÀOHV Saving lives in emergency is one of the ethics all health workers.

However, people from far places especially those from remote vilODJHV RU ORFDO FOLQLFV XQGHUJR WHGLRXV SURFHVVHV EHIRUH WKH\ DUH ÀQDOO\ DWWHQGHG WR E\ GRFWRUV $EXEDNDU 7DIDZD %DOHZD 8QLYHUVLW\ 7HDFKLQJ +RVSLWDO $7%87+ DIWHU FULWLFDO REVHUYDWLRQ RI WKH SURlonged years of hardship in line with its vision and mission, came XS ZLWK GHYHORSPHQWDO LGHD SULPDULO\ IRU WKH EHQHÀW RI KHDOWKFDUH providers and patients as well as relatives or people that take their wards to the hospital.

For decades, people have been complaining about over congestion at card registration unit, hardship at banks when paying mediFDO ELOOV GHOD\HG ODERUDWRU\ UHVXOWV PLVVLQJ KDUG FRSLHV RI SDWLHQW·V medical records, uncertainties of getting doctors on ground during consultations, less data for those conducting researches and absence RI FHQWUDOL]HG LQIRUPDWLRQ RI DOO PHGLFDO DQG QRQ PHGLFDO VWDͿ RI WKH 7HDFKLQJ +RVSLWDO 7KHVH DPRQJ RWKHUV SUHGLFDPHQWV SURPSWHG

WKH PDQDJHPHQW WR VWDUW WKH H KHDOWK V\VWHP 7KRXJK WKH KRVSLWDO VWDUWHG GHSOR\LQJ (05 LQIUDVWUXFWXUH VLQFH VRPH FKDOOHQJHV hindered the progress of the process. Now, the management of the hospital with the support and encouragement from the Federal Ministry of Health and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has optimized the system to ensure that the set goals are achieved. ,QWHUHVWLQJO\ WKH (OHFWURQLF 0HGLFDO 5HFRUG (05 LV DLPHG DW FKDQJLQJ WKH QDUUDWLYH DQG SUREOHPV EHLQJ HQFRXQWHUHG E\ WKH VWDͿ patients and their relatives from the time they are admitted up till when they are discharged. People from villages that lost their cards have nothing to worry about as their details are stored in the hospiWDO·V GDWD EDQN 6LPLODUO\ ZLWK WKH GHYHORSPHQW RI (05 VWXGHQWV DQG OHFWXUHUV WKDW FDUU\ RXW ÀQDO \HDU SURMHFWV DV ZHOO DV WKRVH GRLQJ UHVHDUFKHV will get data necessary for smooth researches.

7KH V\VWHP ZLOO SDYH ZD\ IRU HYHU\RQH LUUHVSHFWLYH RI JHQGHU DJH RU JHRJUDSKLFDO ORFDWLRQ WR DFFHVV H΀FLHQW KHDOWKFDUH ZLWKLQ VKRUW span of time.

Usman Abdullahi Kol, mernoukoli@gmail.com

CONSIDER THE INDIVIDUAL Marie Presley has died at the too young age of 54. She was an accomplished musician with gold UHFRUGV WR KHU QDPH EXW HYHU\ QHZV UHSRUW RQ 79 and in the papers will mention her father when this should be about her.

People should be valued for what they do, not who their parents were or who they married, espeFLDOO\ LQ WKLV FDVH 7KLV QRWLRQ DSSOLHV WR HYHU\RQH although papers make too much of the family connections as has also happened recently with Harry and Meghan.

7KHUH LV WKH VD\LQJ WKDW ZH VKRXOG VSHDN ZHOO RI the dead and we should, but we should speak of them and them only.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2023

27

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

A T

REPO

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

08056356325

J A N U A R Y

S & P INDEX

1 7 , 2 0 2 3

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

10.25%

INDEX LEVEL

613.31%

1/4 TO DATE

-0.85%

N416.86/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

9.56%

1-DAY

0.16%

YEAR TO DATE

7.64%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

10.52%

MONTH-TO-DATE

0.44%

Despite Liquidity Squeeze, CBN Raised N4.74tn from Treasury Bills in 2022

Kayode Tokede Despite liquidity squeeze in the economy, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) raised a total of N4.74trillion via Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTB) in 2022, representing a decline of 21.64 per cent from N6.05 trillion raised in 2021.

The CBN raised fresh capital through the primary market (NTB) to mop up excess liquidity in the system and provide short-term bridging fund to support the federal government in its budget spending.

Data accessed by THISDAY from “government securities”

auction results of CBN revealed that total offered amount at the primary market was at N3.98 trillion and it witnessed N9.22 billion subscription by investors.

THISDAY checks revealed that the stop rate on the first 91-day primary market auction in 2022 was at 2.5per cent and it moved to 2.75 per cent in December 28, 2022.

However, the stop rate on 365-day primary mark let auction ended 2022 at 8.49 per cent from 5.5 per cent it commenced the year under review.

It is worth noting that, despite the rise in the interest rate, increased inflationary pressure to 21.34per

cent in 2022 still means that the NTBs printed a negative real yield of 12.85per cent.

Meanwhile, the uptrend in the 365-day NTBs interest rate is following the hawkish move by the CBN, raising the benchmark interest rate to 16.5 per cent in 2022.

A breakdown of trading activity revealed that at the two auctions in January 2022, a total of N206.95 billion, N588.70 billion and N281.30 billion were offered, subscribed and allotted, respectively.

“The stop rate for the 91-day bill was in the range of 2.49±0.01 per cent, compared with 2.50±0.01 per cent in the preceding month,

while the 182-day instrument was in the range of 3.37±0.07 per cent, compared with 3.45±0.0 per cent in December 2021.

“Of the total subscription in the review period, there was strong investor preference for the 364-day paper as it accounted for 94.7 per cent of total bids and 96.5 per cent of total allotment, ”said CBN in its economic report for January.

For February 2022, the bid and stop rates for the 91-day bill, 182day bill, and 364-day bill trended downward.

Despite this, a higher total subscription and allotted of N1.05trillion and N472.97billion

was recorded in February.

The NTB market in March show a N295.33 billion, N1,095.16 billion and N538.33 billion offered, subscribed to, and allotted compared with a total of N262.23 billion, N509.90 billion and N289.09 billion worth of NTBs were offered, subscribed to, and allotted, respectively in April.

For May 2022, the auctions conducted on behalf of the Debt Management Office (DMO), show a sums of N280.50 billion, N614.09 billion, and N311.35 billion offered, subscribed, and allotted, respectively.

In addition, the CBN NTBs

for a 1-year tenor worth N158.04 billion, which was auctioned on June 27, 2022, accumulated a total subscription of N297.96 billion, representing 88.5 per cent oversubscription, albeit a 12.53 per cent real negative yield when it stop rate was at 6.07 per cent.

Further breakdown of the report for the month of June 2022 showed that the 91-day NTB recorded an under-subscription rate of 5.4 per cent, while the 182-day bill was oversubscribed at 702.12 per cent.

At the auctions in July , NTBs of 91-, 182- and 364- day tenors Continued on page 28

Report: Addressing Food Crisis Will Boost Jobs, Health, Climate Goals James Emejo in Abuja A new report has established that early mover countries could accelerate the food systems transformation, boost job opportunities as well as meet targets on health and climate.

The report, Food, Nature and Health Transitions – Repeatable

Country Models - offers insights into the actions and investments that can accelerate a country’s transition towards food systems that deliver a stronger economy, better livelihoods for a more inclusive set of people, greater nutritional security and improved health, while causing a lower impact on the climate and

nature.

The report was unveiled at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023, held in Switzerland.

Managing Director of the World Economic Forum’s Centre for Nature and Climate, Gim Huay Neo, said, “Transforming food systems provide healthy and nutritious

diets and dignified jobs for farmers and producers. This report shows how economic development with environment protection supports communities in climate adaption and mitigation efforts.”

The report, written in collaboration with Bain & Company, presents “repeatable models” from seven

“early mover” countries in Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe whose performance has been comparatively strong and whose examples and lessons are widely relevant.

Their stories of transformation identify common, repeatable elements, including the most critical

actions and investments for driving change and how they should be coordinated.

Chief Economist at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Maximo Torero Cullen, said, “Depending on the country context, Continued on page 28

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT T U E S D AY, J A N U A R Y 1 7 , 2 0 2 3 BONDS DESCRIPTION Price ^14.20 14MAR-2024 ^13.53 23MAR-2025 ^12.50 22JAN-2026 ^16.2884 17MAR-2027 ^13.98 23FEB-2028

10.362, 00 10.459, 00 10.287, 00 11.168, 00 10.386, 00

Yield 10.82 11.11 11.35 12.60 12.92

Change Updated Time (%) -0.01 January 6, 2023 -0.71 January 6, 2023 0.00 January 6, 2023 0.00 January 6, 2023 0.00 January 6, 2023

BILLS MATURITY

Discount

Yield

NTB 26-Jan23 NTB 9-Feb23 NTB 9-Mar23 NTB 27-Apr23

3.01

3.01

3.01

3.02

2.21

2.22

3.20

3.23

NTB 11May-23

3.23

3.27

OTC F X F U T U R E S

CPS

Change Updated Time (%) 6, -0.01 January 2023 6, 0.00 January 2023 6, -1.71 January 2023 6, 0.00 January 2023 6, 0.00 January 2023

MATURITY FDHP CP III 17-MAR-23 VHPL CP III 1-APR-23 MREP CP VI 11-APR-23

Change Updated Time (%) 6, 9.26 9.43 0.00 January 2023 6, 14.15 14.64 0.00 January 2023 6, 10.52 10.81 -0.01 January 2023

Discount Yield

.

.

.

. .

.

.

.

. .

CONTRACT TENOR Contract (MONTH) NGUS JAN 25 1 2023 NGUS FEB 22 2 2023 NGUS MAR 29 3 2023 NGUS APR 26 4 2023 NGUS MAY 31 5 2023

Current Rate Updated Time ($/₦) January 6, 469.87 2023 January 6, 472.05 2023 January 6, 474.23 2023 January 6, 476.42 2023 January 6, 478.60 2023

28

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

ECONOMY

Expectations from First MPC in 2023 Ahead of the Monetary Policy Committee meeting scheduled to hold next week, Nume Ekeghe writes on the considerations that the committee will have to look at before reaching a decision.

T

he Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is expected to meet next week, its first meeting for the year. And with inflation easing for the first time in over 12 months, there is likelihood that the committee would consider maintaining a status quo at the statutory meeting.

The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) who chairs the committee had arrived the country ahead of the meeting after being on leave since December last year. At the two-day meeting, one of the main considerations would be the inflation rate.

The MPC had raised benchmark interest rate to record high of 16.5 per cent last year in an effort to curb the fast-running inflation rate in the country. Inflation in Nigeria, like its peers across the world had spiked rising to 21.47 as at November last year.

This had spurred the MPC to adopt a very hawkish stance with a promise of further increasing benchmark interest rate if the rising tide of inflation does not abate.

However, the latest inflation figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Monday showed that inflation for the first time in over 12 months abated, declining unexpectedly by 0.13 per cent month on month to 21.34 per cent in December 2022 from 21.47 per cent in November 2022.

According to analysts at Financial Derivatives Company (FDC), inflation is expected to ease further in January, although it is projected to average 16.3 per cent in 2023.

Whilst noting that they expect the MPC

to become less hawkish at its meeting holding next week, the analysts said, “As long as the CBN remains committed to tackling inflation, the high interest rate environment will persist in 2023.”

FDC analysts had prior to the release of the December inflation figure noted that the MPC at its January meeting “could likely increase the MPR by a 50 basis points as inflation remains elevated. Whilst this could be a less aggressive move, it is likely to push up short-term rates in the near term.

“The CBN’s hawkish stance is expected to tighten liquidity in the system and keep the general interest rate elevated. This will lead to a high cost of borrowing and limited access to finance for individuals, corporations and the government.

It also raises the risk of default on loans for financial institutions which can push up impairment costs,” the analysts said.

For analysts at Cowry Assets Limited, “the policy committee may be tempted to pedal softly on its tightening stance by a token hike of 25 basis points. We believe that a moderate reversal in the headline numbers will skew the voting pattern of the committee members in favour of maintaining a tightening stance.

Regardless, the lag-effect from the policy tightening may take longer in reality as Nigeria has a weak policy transmission system.”

To the Chief Executive Officer, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr Muda Yusuf, there is need for the apex bank to ease up on its

tightening stance as he said there is need to cut some slack on some of its liquidity mopping measures.

“The current Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) of 32.5 per cent and Monetary Policy Rate [MPR] of 16.5 per cent imposed on the Nigerian banks are among the highest globally. High CRR in particular has become a key impediment to financial intermediation by the banks.

“Even more disturbing is the fact that effective CRR is as high as 50 per cent or more for some banks. Financial intermediation is a fundamental function and essence of the banking system in an economy. The high CRR has made it difficult for the banks to play their primary role of financial intermediation.

“Their profitability is also adversely impacted because of limited room for credit creation activities. Ways and Means finances of the apex bank pose greater liquidity and inflation risk to the economy than bank deposits.

We seek a reduction in CRR so that the banks can be better placed to play their primary role of financial intermediation in the economy.” he stated.

Meanwhile, analysts at Cordros Capital say they do not see the current CBN management devaluing the currency, barring a new marketoriented fiscal administration.

However, for credible policy framework and reform, we lean towards devaluing the currency at the official FX markets and improving flexibility and communication in the FX framework.

“Without flexibility, it is only a matter of time before the FX misalignments build back up, leading to more pressures to implement another outsized currency devaluation.

“Accordingly, we believe a currency devaluation followed by periodic communications allowing the local currency to depreciate in line with fundamentals will be tenable as power changes hands in 2023.

“On the fundamentals, the CBN can enable the currency to depreciate yearly based on the external balance assessment after considering inflation, net foreign assets, current account gap, and growth.

Clear communication and commitment to this framework will be crucial to bringing back credibility and significantly reducing FX volatility, “they said.

Muda Yusuf had noted that FX challenge had been a major predicament that investors grappled with in 2022. According to him, the dilemma investors had to cope with included sharp currency depreciation, forex market illiquidity, especially at the official window and volatility of the exchange rate, creating considerable uncertainty and unpredictability for investors as well as transparency issues in the forex allocation ecosystem.

He noted that the official exchange rate had depreciated by 5.2 per cent in 2022, as at November, while the parallel market rate depreciated by 40 per cent.

Parallel market premium widened from 37 per cent in January to 71 per cent in November 2022.

All eyes will be on the MPC next week to know which direction the committee will face as the leadership of the country changes baton.

REPORT: ADDRESSING FOOD CRISIS WILL BOOST JOBS, HEALTH, CLIMATE GOALS different pathways could be adopted to transform our agrifood systems for improved food security and nutrition and assuring sustainability.

Scaling up climate resilience and strengthening our food environment to promote healthy diets are two

key interventions with positive impacts on food security, nature, and health.”

On his part, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Royal DSM, Geraldine Matchett, said, “When food fails, everything

fails. We must work to transform our food systems to be resilient, sustainable, and healthy.”

The report noted that a number of countries, including Ghana, India, and Viet Nam, have been able to evolve their food systems to

improve a broader set of outcomes by unlocking the potential of small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly those that are farmerallied and operating in local food chains.

Countries can also use

innovation to improve productivity, sustainability, and nutritional outcomes, as demonstrated in Algeria, which has improved food security in the face of significant constraints on water availability, while Viet Nam has sustainably

intensified its rice production.

The publication stated that farmers were more likely to adopt new practices if the economics work in their favour, but making this happen requires action from many stakeholders, it noted.

DESPITE LIQUIDITY SQUEEZE, CBN RAISED N4.74TN FROM TREASURY BILLS IN 2022 worth N407.55 billion, N231.80 billion and N133.68 billion were offered, subscribed and allotted, respectively and in August, NTBs of 91-, 182-, and 364- day tenors worth N446.15 billion, N395.37 billion and N342.86 billion were offered, subscribed to and allotted,

respectively.

The economic report of CBN stated that, “NTBs of 91-, 182-, and 364- day tenors worth N431.16 billion, N248.90 billion, and N144.00 billion were offered, subscribed, and allotted relative in October to N515.68 billion, N867.17 billion,

and N553.66 billion in September, respectively.

“The stop rates across all maturities increased to 10.5(±4.0) per cent, from 8.8(±3.3) per cent in September.”

The report added that, “A breakdown of activities shows

that total subscriptions for 91-day auction was N3.77 billion, 182-day auction, N13.23 billion and 364-day auction, N231.90 billion, compared with N14.83 billion, N18.52 billion and N833.82 billion in the preceding month, respectively.

“Total allotments for the

91-,182-, and 364- day auctions were N3.28 billion, N12.63 billion and N128.09billion, compared with N11.69 billion, N14.82 billion and N527.15 billion in September, respectively. The low demand could be due largely, to low level of liquidity in the banking system.

“With respect to demand for different maturities, investors maintained their preference for longer-term securities (364-day), as it accounted for 93.2 per cent of total subscriptions and 89.0 per cent of total allotments, ”the CBN said.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

29

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

L-R: Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe; birthday celebrant and Chairman of Access Bank Plc, Dr. (Mrs) Ajoritsedere Josephine Awosika; former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; husband of the celebrant, Pst. (Dr) Olubayode Awosika and Chairman, Coronation Capital, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, during the 70th birthday celebration of Dr. ‘Dere Awosika in Lagos, on Sunday, January 15, 2022.

Total Direct Remittances for 2022 Pegged at $2.16bn Allianz Tops List Nume Ekeghe The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has pegged total direct remittances for 2022 at $2.16 billion, a decline of 11.18 per cent from the previous year.

The apex bank in its “International payment” data disclosed that the country recorded $2.43billion in total direct remittances in 2021, amounting to 11.18 per cent decline when compared to 2022 remittances.

A breakdown showed that Nigeria recorded $130,115,888.7 remittances in January 2022, February was slightly elevated at $132,110,312.6, March was again elevated at $203,794,664.3 with a total for the first quarter pegged at $466,020,865.5.

Also, the month of April saw inflows of $165,771,432.3, May at $184,644,196.8 and the month of June, which saw the highest inflow for 2022 pegged at $394,546,934.47 totally the second quarter inflows to $744,962,563.6.

The third quarter started with $ 196,664,820.4 for the month of July while August saw $309,834,560.8 and September saw the lowest inflow in the year at with $100,083,873.1 in direct remittances.

Furthermore, October recorded $110,778,558.7, November $124,668,760.4 and December with a decline to $102,577,897.5.

However, being that total direct remittance is a fraction of all inflows into Nigeria which excludes the heightened activities resulting from RT200, the World Bank had last month forecasted that foreign remittance into Nigeria is estimated to hit $20.9 billion by the end of 2022, compared to $19.5 billion in remittances inflow recorded in 2021.

The report released in the fourth quarter of 2022 titled, “Remittances Brave Global Headwinds Special Focus: Climate Migration,” stated that it represents a 7.5 per cent rise from the prior year of 2021.

The report stated: “Nigeria, the largest recipient of remittances in

the region, which witnessed a sharp recovery in flows during 2021 a 13.2 per cent, maintained the improved momentum of 2021 into to the first quarter of 2022. However, growth fell in Q2 data to 0.5 percent vis-à-vis the same period of 2021. Moreover, the country is reaping little benefit from the surge in crude oil prices, while the expatriate community faces real income losses in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Euro Area. A falloff in remittance flows to growth of 7.5 percent is likely for 2022.”

Furthermore, the report noted that the remittance outlook cites that the risk of further adverse developments in the external environment will persist through 2023, “and act to lower the pace of remittance flows to Africa to 3.9 per cent. Price pressures for wheat, oil, and fertilizers are likely to continue into 2023, although ebbing from peaks of the previous year.

“Food affordability and deterioration of real incomes

across African states will place a damper on economic growth, while government spending on subsidies and support for farmers will widen fiscal gaps. Little easing of current account deficits is seen given continuing adjustment to the large terms of trade changes of 2022. And depreciating currencies against the US dollar will magnify the rise in import prices measured in local currency.”

“Remittance outturns will depend on the balancing of increasing needs for support from the African overseas labor force, and the availability of incomes in host countries to be remitted. Real wages are now declining in the United States and the euro area, indicating the likelihood of softening remittance flows. For larger countries, Nigeria is anticipated to see continued moderation in flows to a 4.5 per cent pace in 2023. Kenya should experience a modest slowing to gains of 5.5 per cent,” the report stated.

Sterling One Foundation Partners Lagos State to Support the Vulnerable Nume Ekeghe Sterling One Foundation has partnered with Lagos State Government to launch the Eko Social Health Alliance (EKOSHA), an initiative created to mobilise funds towards helping identified vulnerable groups in Lagos access health insurance leveraging ILERA EKO social health plan.

The foundation in a statement noted that it is an offshoot of the state government’s plan to achieve universal health coverage.

The Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) Akin Abayomi, took the initiative to commence the implementation of its resource mobilisation function as provided in Section 20 of the LSHS Law 2015 by

establishing the Eko Social Health Alliance (EKOSHA) to complement the government’s efforts.

Abayomi, who was represented by Director, Medical Administration, and Training, Funmi Shokunbi, stated that the governor approved one percent of the state’s consolidated revenue fund (CRF) as an equity fund for vulnerable coverage. Over 230,000 residents, who fall under this group, currently enjoy free health care on the scheme at no cost to them.

“Since the commencement of access to care for the vulnerable on the ILERA EKO Social Health Plan in 2020, a total of N750 million has been disbursed as equity fund in addition to the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), and sponsorships from a few

individuals/organizations; to provide health insurance for the vulnerable residents of the state.

“These groups of people are spread across the 57 LGA/ LCDAs of the state, including members of elderly and orphanage homes; vulnerable persons living with HIV/ AIDS, Tuberculosis, Sickle cell Anaemia, also victims of domestic and sexual violence,” said Abayomi.

General Manager, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Emmanuella Zambia, highlighted that the agency leverages its Rapid Poverty Assessment Tool, in determining the vulnerability of beneficiaries.

“To ensure that equal opportunity is given to those who cannot afford to pay ILERA EKO premium and

in line with Section 20 of the LSHS Law, which indicates that the agency should ensure the availability of alternative sources of funding to the health sector for improved services.”

Chief Executive Officer, of Sterling One Foundation Olapeju Ibekwe, commended the Lagos State government on the partnership to create a crowd funding solution that will enable people to donate globally to the initiative, including Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.

“Health is one of the thematic areas of Sterling One Foundation and we are proud to partner with Lagos State government to support the vulnerable and ensure that every resident of the state irrespective of their socio-economic status has access to quality and affordable healthcare,” she said.

More Customers Benefit from IBTC Reward4Saving Promo Nume Ekeghe Stanbic IBTC Bank, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, has rewarded 77 customers with cash prizes in the ongoing Reward4Saving Promo 2.0 during the quarterly draws, which held recently.

Ten winners walked away with N100, 000 each, and seven winners

claimed N1 million each, from the seven regions where winners were selected.

The winners of this quarterly draw emerged across seven geopolitical zones of Nigeria namely the South-South, South-West, SouthEast, North-West, North-Central as well as the Mainland and Island areas of Lagos State.

Country Head, People and

Culture, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Funke Amobi, expressed delight over the willingness and commitment of customers to save for their financial freedom. She assured that the organisation would continue to push for improved living standards for its current and prospective customers through the Reward4Saving promo.

She said, “It gives us great joy to leave positive marks in the lives of our customers, and we are keeping our promise of making the promo bigger and better. The promo is still ongoing, and I advise Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunity by keeping a balance of N10, 000 in their accounts for 30 days to qualify for the promo before it ends in March.”

o f Wo r l d ’s 2 5 Largest Insurers In a recently released list of 25 world’s largest Insurance companies by net written premiums and non-bank assets in 2021, AM Best adjudged Allianz the top in the list with $1.2billion.

The ranking by non-banking assets makes Allianz the world’s first insurance company ($1.2 billion). Berkshire Hathaway and Prudential Financial complete the podium.

United Health Group has kept the lead in the top 25 insurers by net written premium for the eighth consecutive year. In 2021, United Health Group’s net premium volume totaled 226.2 billion USD. Ranked second and third are Centene Corporation and Elevance Health.

AM Best released the rankings of the world’s largest global

insurance companies, by NPW and nonbanking assets, in the Jan. 6, 2023, issue of Best’s News. The two rankings are based on BestLink data and additional research.

Overall, the two rankings saw some reshuffling in the top spots, with US-based health insurers further strengthening their leading positions. Centene Corp. and Elevance Health Inc. (formerly Anthem Inc.) advanced two places in the NPW ranking to come in at second and third.

These gains came at the expense of two Chinese insurers — China Life Insurance (Group) Co. Ltd. and Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. of China Ltd. Both Chinese insurers remained in the top five but China Life fell one slot to number 4 and Ping An fell to number 5 from No. 2.

Heirs Life Assurance Opens New Offices Heirs Life Assurance (HLA) said it recently opened eleven additional retail offices nationwide to give better services to its growing number of customers across the country.

A statement by the firm’s Communications Manager, Timilehin Adebiyi, stated that the company attributes this rapid expansion to fulfilling its promise of accessibility by combining an expansive physical footprint with a robust digital presence aimed at democratising access to insurance.

The statement said an excellent customer experience drives the company’s dogged focus on accessibility, adding that beyond its physical offices, Heirs Life currently offers a 5-minute purchase experience via its website where customers can speak with a life insurance advisor and conclude purchase endto-end all online, as part of its hybrid distribution channels.

The additional retail offices are in the following cities:

Warri, Delta State; Benin, Edo State; Ilorin, Kwara State; Owerri, Imo State; Aba, Abia State; Enugu, Enugu State; Onitsha, Anambra State; Ibadan Oyo State; Port Harcourt, Rivers State; Yaba and Ikeja, Lagos State.

Commenting on the new retail outlets, the Managing Director/CEO, Heirs Life Assurance, Niyi Onifade, highlighted that this is a deliberate move to take insurance closer to the uninsured and contribute to moving the scale on the percentage of insured individuals in the country.

He said, “The decision to expand our physical presence across Nigeria was driven by the company’s strategic goal to make insurance available and accessible to all and sundry.

“These cities present a vast economic opportunity for our intended customers and Heirs Life Assurance Limited wants to be there for them to provide the necessary financial security they need as they live and work.”

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WEDNESDAY JANUARY 18, 2023 •T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2023

31

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

‘Prioritise Agricultural Devt for Inclusive Economic Growth’ The Former Executive Director, Lake Chad Research Institute, Maiduguri and Borno States, Dr. Oluwasina Olabanji, in this interview shares his thoughts on the need for Nigeria to prioritise investments into Nigeria’s agricultural sector in the nation’s quest to diversify its economy. Gilbert Ekugbe brings the excerpts Overview of Nigeria’s agricultural sector and its prospects for economic growth and development griculture is the bedrock of transformational growth and development of any nation. In Nigeria agriculture is characterised by fragmented landholding, small scale/subsistence farming, use of labour intensive, inefficient cultivation methods and most of all, lack of information on access to funds and markets.

The rural areas where land for agricultural enterprise is available in abundance are bedevilled by lack of electricity, roads and other basic social amenities, therefore resulting in low food production and rural-urban migration. Nigeria has large available lands, good climate, fresh water resource body, irrigation infrastructure among others. These are potentials for greatness and many nations that are self-sufficient in food production do not have these potentials.

The Government of Nigeria having realised the need to diversify its economy after years of benign neglect, began to transform the agricultural sector through several interventions, such as Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) which focused on rebuilding a sector whose relevance had shrunk dramatically, the Agricultural Promotion Policy, (APP) which purpose was to provide a discipline approach to building agribusiness ecosystem. These interventions had remarkable impact in the country economy as massive wealth was created for farmers and job opportunities for women and youth particularly in the rural areas.

The Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is one of such programmes that has boosted the production of some crop commodities in Nigeria. Today, Nigeria is the largest producer of rice and maize

Nigeria economy through the promotion of local food production and import substitution.

A

Olabanji in Africa. The programme has also boosted the production of wheat and cotton. The ABP should be sustained by instituting a functional structure for its continued implementation. Agriculture can eradicate Nigeria’s economic downturns if given its critical support and attention. Recently, Federal Government of Nigeria collaborates with International Institutions like the African Development Bank (AfDB), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the likes on food and nutrition security. The interventions and collaboration have significant impact in the

According to FAO, agri food system failure across the world. What areas should Nigeria focus to develop its food system?

Bridging the demand and supply gap in food in Nigeria would be a mirage if investment in agriculture is not taken seriously. Agriculture driven growth and food security in the country are being hindered by inadequate financing and poor use of technology amongst others, resulting in high food prices, increasing poverty, hunger and malnutrition. To mitigate these challenges, the Federal Government must focus on boosting its investment in Nigeria’s agricultural sector through some presidential initiatives.

The government must promote mechanised farming to attract young people into the sector, create an enabling environment for private sector (agribusiness) to embrace and support agriculture, it is also imperative to adequately fund research and development for improved agricultural technology generation and extension service delivery. The economic managers must also invest in strong government sustainable policy that will improve Nigeria competitiveness in the global market. The interplay of all these alongside ensuring security of life and property are panacea to food and nutrition security.

Cost of farm inputs are increasing on a daily basis making farmers unproductive and uncompetitive. How can this challenge be addressed in the short to long term?

High cost of farm inputs has discouraged a lot of farmers, thereby making them unproductive and uncompetitive. Government intervention in the short and long terms should be to invest in agriculture because it is the best weapon against

hunger, poverty and joblessness. The government must continue to invest in agriculture through subsidy of the farm inputs in the short term.

The government must also provide access to agric loans at a single digit that are time bound.

Government should place more emphasis on medium to large scale farmers who should be given improved access to mechanisation and all other required inputs through single digit loans. Loans should be structured in such a way that is suitable for utilisation and repayment.

As a wheat consultant to many organizations and institutions like Flour Millers Association Nigeria (FMAN), CBN and AfDB, take us through the current state of Nigeria’s wheat production In Nigeria, bread is the second most widely consumed non indigenous food product after rice. Food items made from wheat have gained popularity over traditional staples made from commodities such as Maize and cassava. Nigeria is the second largest consumer of wheat in sub-Sahara Africa behind South Africa. The current annual wheat demand is 5.78million metric tonnes with a total local production of 71,000 tonnes (NBS 2018) with a deficit of about 5.0million metric tonnes to be imported at a cost of more than $2.0billion to satisfy domestic consumption. This clearly indicates a huge gap between demand and supply in Nigeria.

An effort by the Nigeria Government to raise the level of wheat production locally would engender more job creation opportunities in the local wheat value chain and other sectors as well as strengthen the national food security. Successive governments in Nigeria have attempted several strategies in the promotion and development of wheat in Nigeria.

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY JANUARY 18, 2023

EDUCATION Agony of UNIZIK Staff Employed for Two Years Without Pay Two years after securing employment at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, over 1,000 of such employees have yet to receive a dime as an emolument, despite consistently rendering services to the institution. David-Chyddy Eleke reports

G

etting federal employment is the dream of many young and middle-aged persons in Nigeria.

For many, it is a thing to go to church and offer thanksgiving to God. Of course, many actually do. The importance of gaining federal employment can be seen in cases where some already employed persons dump their employment in private establishments or state to move over to one in federal establishments when they see the opening.

They cannot be blamed for their choices because the benefits of working in a federal establishment are numerous, unlike private establishments, where the owners run as they deem fit, or state government-owned establishments, where the governors determine the pay.

Even when the federal government agrees to a stipulated wage, the governors complain of a shortage of funds. They refuse to implement the federal government’s agreement yet live large without recourse to the shortage of funds they complained of.

There are also cases where people who run private businesses have dumped them upon securing federal jobs. This is where Mama Somtoo, a former trader at the popular Eke Awka Market in the Anambra State capital, Awka falls. Mrs Agnes Eze (not her real name) was a trader at Eke Awka market and traded on provisions. In her line in the market, she was popularly known as Mama Somtoo, her first daughter’s name.

She was a wholesaler of provisions and sundry goods. In 2020 when she learnt of the opening at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, she pressured her husband to help her gain employment in the institution.

Her husband pressed the right button, and Mama Somtoo got a job at the university.

There are many unverified stories about how many people paid huge amounts of money to get employment. Upon securing employment, she immediately discontinued her business at Eke Awka market, sold off her goods, rented out her shop and resumed work as a federal civil servant in an ivory tower. Close to two years after she gained employment, Mama Somtoo is yet to receive any payment as remuneration for her new job.

She is one of over 1,000 staff of the institution, teaching and non-teaching staff, involved in the problem. This results from the non-capturing into the IPPIS (Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System) data bank. IPPIS is the platform under which university staff are paid their monthly pay.

Plight of affected staff THISDAY spoke with a wide range of staff of UNIZIK, who are involved in the problem, and it was all lamentation. Though Mama Somtoo refused to speak to THISDAY on her plight, her friend who was with her during the interview jokingly told her: “Go and thank your God for your husband.

By now, you would have been so broke that you won’t even find money to buy an eye pencil. You can imagine the plight of people who are the breadwinners of their family, and they found themselves in this condition.”

THISDAY learnt that Mrs Eze’s husband is a top politician and owns the building they live in, Awka, which has made her case easier. Other affected staff are not so lucky.

“I left my interior decoration business to join the university in 2020, but because of the problem, I had to activate my contact and move into the field again,” stated another affected staff. “This Christmas, at least, I was able to put rice on my family’s table through decorations at events and other small jobs. I have been through hell these two years, but thank God for his mercies.”

Reason for non-capturing There is a level of secrecy surrounding the non-capturing of the staff, to the extent that

UNIZIK

no one has admitted knowing why they have not been captured

by IPPIS. There has yet to be an official statement from the federal government and the institution over why they have not captured the new staff. Not even the new staff know what is holding them back from being captured.

One of the staff said: “When we were employed in 2020, we were assured that the employment was genuine. Before some of us applied, we made extensive enquiries and found that the employment was approved by the federal government before the governing council of the institution decided to announce the vacancies. We have also been given staff number, which is usually generated from Abuja, and this showed that the employment is authentic. So, why we have not been captured for payment is what we do not know.”

A source within the institution, a senior staff, told THISDAY in confidence that it is suspected that the reason for the non-payment was because of shady deals by people feeding fat on emoluments that were not theirs because of the infiltration of universities’ payroll with fake names. The source said the insistence on using IPPIS as a payment module was able to wipe out fraudulent practices within the institutions in Nigeria, and persons who have been benefiting from the salaries of ghost workers were shut out immediately after IPPIS was activated.

“Since such people have lost that avenue of making illegal

revenues, they had to quickly make arrangements for the employment of new staff, to fill in the names of the ghost names they were using previously to make money.

I cannot tell you for sure that this was the case, but the tight-lip approach following this non-capturing of the new staff by IPPIS is just too much. There have been no official reasons why they have not been captured,” the source explained.

The source added, “I can also tell you that the vice-chancellor has been working hard to resolve the problem. He once attended ASUU meeting and declared some of the efforts he has been making to resolve this, but up till today, the matter has not been resolved. The problem predates the VC, but he is a man who likes to see everyone happy, and his level of sincerity is the reason ASUU in UNIZIK has not used this as a reason to commence another strike. According to him (VC), he recently involved a prominent figure in Anambra State to see how the federal government can resolve this, and people are happy with him.”

What is UNIZIK management saying?

Efforts to reach the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University for a comment on what the institution is doing about the matter yielded no result. THISDAY reached the spokesperson for the university, Mrs Gladys Chika Ene, for an interview appointment, but she declined. She insisted that she had no information on the matter and would not like to comment on it. She added that the VC was not also ready to speak on the matter.

When THISDAY reached out to the ViceChancellor, Prof Charles Esimone, calls to his phone line did not go through. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof Joe Ikechebelu, who was also reached, insisted that he was not authorised to speak on the matter.

There is a level of secrecy surrounding the noncapturing of the staff, to the extent that no one has admitted knowing why they have not been captured

by IPPIS. There has yet to be an official statement from the federal government and the institution over why they have not captured the new staff

He told THISDAY that he would only speak if the vice-chancellor mandated him to do so. He advised THISDAY to write to the vice-chancellor, requesting information on the matter. As of the time of filing this report, an e-mail sent to the vice-chancellor had not been responded to.

Senate wades in Meanwhile, the Senate has waded into the matter, promising to resolve it once and for all. Senator Uche Ekwunife was said to have brought the plight of the workers to the floor of the Senate in December 2022. Ekwunife, who spoke in an interview on the matter, explained the reasons for weighing into the challenges faced by the staff, describing it as the height of insensitivity.

She said: “It is inhuman that someone will work for one month and won’t get paid let alone two years yet the person is transporting himself to work on daily basis.

Even more painful is the fact that many of these staff have children and families to feed. I’m confident that with the backing of the National Assembly, the affected staff will soon have cause to smile. Once I return to Abuja, we will continue from where we stopped and ensure that the affected staff are remunerated in line with the terms of their employment.”

While speaking on the floor of the Senate on December 20, 2022, Ekwunife was quoted to have sued for the resolving of the non-capturing of the staff.

“In 2019, the vice-chancellor after getting approval from the university governing council to recruit academic and non-academic staff graciously embarked on a recruitment exercise for the positions in the university,” Ekwunife told the senate. “However, at the end of the recruitment exercise, the recruited staff were directed to register and enroll into the IPPIS platform for staff monthly emoluments, but they have not been captured at the time of moving this motion.”

She expressed concern that the noncapturing of the recruited UNIZIK staff

by IPPIS since 2020 has made life very difficult for the staff, their families, and their dependents. Ekwunife prayed the senate to direct the Accountant General of the Federation to immediately capture the recruited staff of UNIZIK by IPPIS for onward payment of their salaries and also to consider other recruited staff of universities across the country with similar situations. All senators unanimously adopted the motion.

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY JANUARY 18, 2023

33

EDUCATION

ABUAD, John Hopkins Partner to Boost ICPC Scores FCET Umunze High on Medical Training Integrity Compliance Gbenga Sodeinde ÓØ ÎÙ ÕÓÞÓ

The Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) College of Medicine, is arguably the best training ground with world-class medical equipment for quality health care delivery for intending medical doctors in the country.

The university has six colleges (College of Medicine and Health Sciences; College of Law; College of Engineering; College of Social and Management Sciences; College of Sciences; and the College of Postgraduate Studies).

With the recent partnership with the oldest and leading United States-based health institution, John Hopkins Hospital, the medical students of the prestigious university will soon have their training improved

with vibrant international exposure and touch.

The agreement was brokered by the Little by Little Foundation, which would enable the institution’s final year students in the Medical and Health Sciences to undergo one-year intensive training at John Hopkins Hospital in the US. The move is expected to enable ABUAD to rank favourably as one of the leading private universities in Africa and beyond.

Speaking at the signing of the agreement in Ado-Ekiti, the founder of ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola, commended the grand patron of the foundation, Chief Adegoke Ajayi, for his efforts in ensuring the success of the agreement with the John

Hopkins Hospital, the step which he said would further expose the students to the international space.

Babalola explained that ABUAD, in the last 13 years of its existence, has contributed to the development of the nation’s educational and health sectors with quality research, teachings and community service.

He advised the prospective students -beneficiaries of the agreement to remain committed to their careers and be ready to give back to the university and society.

“Through this foundation and the agreement today, ABUAD medical students will be able to acquire additional medical education from the oldest and most respected hospital in the

United States,” said Babalola.

On his part, a representative of Johns Hopkins, Dr Tokunbo Ajayi, commended the ABUAD management for the partnership. He said the sole aim of the agreement with John Hopkins Hospital is to put the institution’s students in a vantage position to become total medical students in the health sector in Nigeria.

“We want the students to be proud of this noble institution and we believe that through the program we are creating, we will achieve the expected results. The certification we are giving them will open doors for them in the medical space and as well as enable Ekiti people to get the world best medical attention through ABUAD,” said Ajayi.

Members of the Afe Babalola University community with representatives of John Hopkins Hospital during the signing of an agreement to boost medical training at the university

Lagos SUBEB Boss Calls for Schools’ Infrastructural Development Funmi Ogundare

The Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB), Wahab Alawiye-King, has called for intervention from public-spirited individuals and inclined educational organisations to support the government on school infrastructure to enhance teaching and learning.

Alawiye-King, who stated this during a scheduled visit to some primary schools within Maryland to ascertain their level

of preparedness for resumption, described investment in education and infrastructure as a continuum, saying that they need to be renewed.

According to him, education is about facilitating knowledge and acquiring the necessary skills to contribute to national development.

The chairman, who expressed delight about the enthusiasm shown by the pupils during the visit, said “the reason is not far-fetched.”

Alawiye-King added, “In order to make your education to be collaborative and productive, you must take into consideration the environment and that is why the governor is investing so much in the infrastructural renewal of all our schools.”

Asked what the board has been doing to ensure that out-of-school children are back to school, Alawiye-King said, “It is compulsory you come to school. It is backed by various laws that people of a certain

age must be in school. Equity is for everybody and quality has so many aspects. Part of it is to continue to train your teachers.”

He explained that the Lagos government “is doing so much in terms of capacity development for all the teachers. That is why the governor introduced EKO Excel with technology to teach and improve the learning outcome of pupils. In terms of quality, the environment matters.”

Provost: ASCETA Upgrade to University Will Save Institution from Collapse Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo ÓØ ×ßËÒÓ The Provost of Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu (ASCETA), Dr Phillip Nto, says the ongoing moves to upgrade the institution to a university of education were the only way to save it from total collapse as the beleaguered institution battles with low student intake.

He said this in a chat with journalists after leading them on a facility tour of the projects completed by his administration in the face of the many challenges, including non-payment of salaries, weighing down the state-owned institution.

But the provost identified the low student population as the most debilitating problem affecting the institution, insisting that the problem would be

resolved when ASCETA becomes a university.

“ASCETA is to be upgraded to university since NCE (National Certificate of Education) is being scrapped,” he said, adding that the institution has stopped awarding degrees (with affiliation) as directed by the federal government, pending when it would become a full-fledged university.

The provost, who has served seven out of his eight years of two tenures in office, added that he was determined to work hard to ensure that the upgrading of ASCETA to university was realised, adding that he would count it as his biggest achievement.

He said the bill, which, when passed into law, would make ASCETA a University of Education, is already before the House of Assembly, and a public hearing has been conducted as

part of the process leading to the enactment of the enabling law.

Nto explained that the envisaged enabling law provides for the University of Education to be operated under a public, private partnership (PPP) to give room for the smooth running of the university.

He stated that ASCETA has largely overcome its infrastructural deficit under his administration through prudent use of the funding facilities provided by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

“There was no office for the provost when I assumed office,” Nto said, adding that with the 2019 TETFund high-impact intervention, he has succeeded in giving ASCETA a befitting administrative block.

On the sacking of the chairman of the ASCETA chapter of the College of Education Academic

Staff Union (COEASU), Dr Kelvin Egesi, the provost said that he was “disciplined for being redundant.”

He noted that the process of weeding out redundant staff started two years ago, and “those that challenged it in court lost.”

The ASCETA chief executive further explained that Egesi could have been given a soft landing despite his redundancy, but the union leader overstepped his bounds by participating in partisan politics and organising town hall meetings with governorship candidates.

“For a staff under me to engage in partisan politics? No way,” Nto asserted, adding that since it is against the rules and regulations of ASCETA for its staff to be involved in politics, “we have to free them (sacked persons) from being ASCETA staff in order to face politics.”

Uchechukwu Nnaike

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has rated the Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze, Anambra, high in its evaluation exercise of Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for 2022.

The commission scored the college 77.38 per cent and commended the institution for the structures and processes put in place to promote efficiency.

In a letter signed by the Director of System Study and Review Department, Abbia Udofia, on behalf of the ICPC chairman, the commission expressed satisfaction with the performance of the college.

The letter, titled ‘Deployment of Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS) and ACTU Effectiveness Index (AEI) in Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies 2022’, was dated December 12, 2022.

The commission encouraged the college to maintain the standard to ensure consistency in its ratings on the EICS and service delivery while improving on other identified areas. It also charged the institution to implement an effective disciplinary, sanction and reward system for its staff.

The ICPC further tasked the college to improve fraud prevention strategies such as constant internal and external auditing and periodic system review. The college was also charged to continue to support the Anti-corruption and Transparency Unit, chaired

by Mrs Bridget Okpalike, to deliver efficiently on its mandate.

Meanwhile, the college was rated the best in the SERVICOM Compliance Evaluation (SCE) out of the 21 federal colleges of education and FCT College of Education, Zuba, in 2019.

In the letter of commendation, signed by the National Coordinator/ CEO SERVICOM, Nnenna Akajemeli, the agency lauded the institution for providing quality service delivery.

Responding to the latest scorecard by the ICPC, the Provost, Dr Theresa Okoli, said her administration set up structures that encouraged due process and transparency in the day-to-day running of the college.

She said her administration inaugurated and empowered the Anti-corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) as an effective monitoring mechanism in the college.

“This monitoring mechanism provides an effective check for financial leakages, encourages transparency, improves service delivery and reprimand or sanction for erring staff. It is on record that our college has zero tolerance for corruption. I am glad that these efforts are yielding the desires results,” she said.

Okoli said her administration introduced a reward system, where outstanding staff were identified and rewarded for their honesty and special service rendered to the college.

The provost further commended the ICPC for the dispassionate evaluation exercise while promising that the college would leverage on its present position to consolidate a transparent and efficient service delivery system.

OOU Don Urges Teaching of Reading in Schools James Sowole ÓØ ÌÏÙÕßÞË

Worried about the poor reading culture among Nigerians, a professor of Language Education at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye (OOUA), Ogun State, Busurat Adekola, has called on academic institutions to place a greater premium on the teaching of reading.

Adekola said this as part of her recommendations to stem the declining reading culture while delivering the 104th OOUA inaugural lecture.

The lecture, held at the Otunba Gbenga Daniel Multipurpose Hall, was chaired by the OOU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ayodeji Agboola and attended by principal officers of the institution, members of the senate and other stakeholders.

The 104th inaugural lecture was titled ‘The World Cheats Those Who Cannot Read’.

Adekola said emphasis should be given to both

cognitive and meta-cognitive aspects of reading, saying “reading and study skills should be cultivated to learners to stem the tide of examination malpractices.”

The lecturer also called on the government to intensify the adult literacy campaign to affect family literacy, which is the veritable foundation of the reading culture.

Adekola lamented that in Nigeria, unlike in advanced countries like the US, the UK and other countries, reading still attracts thirdclass attention since society has a positive attitude towards paper qualification.

Adekola said, “Teachers’ training institutions must constantly evaluate their language education programmes as they relate to reading pedagogy so that pre-service teachers can be well grounded in the right knowledge, attitudes and skills that can foster the reading development of various categories of learners.”

34

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͶ˜ 2023

CITYSTRINGS

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Garlands for Salawudeen, Int'l Business Icon Obi Onyeaso

encounters several years later.

A stickler for excellence, his insistence on doing the right thing, the right way and at the right time is a trademark that those around him have all imbibed.

He is also known for reading every single word and line of reports sent to him. Often making comments in the margins, the precision of his thought process is unmistakable to those who have had dealings with him.

Salawudeen is a Melvin Jones Fellow of the Lions Club, a global volunteer organisation. He is a full member of the Global Club of Leaders, and an Honourable Member of the European Business Assembly (EBA) under the auspices of The Socrates Committee in Oxford, United Kingdom.

For four consecutive years (2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020), he has received the prestigious “World Leader Businessperson’ award from the World Confederation of Businesses (WORLDCOB).

In 2021, the UAE Africa Networking Group, a Dubai-based networking business platform that promotes collaboration between top business leaders in the United Arab Emirates and their peers in the African continent, bestowed on Salawudeen the “Titan of Africa” Award. This recognition was for his immense contributions to the development of closer commercial and cultural ties among countries in the Middle East and Africa.

In the same year, Foreign Investment Network (FIN) in partnership with Forbes, a global media company with a focus on reporting the accomplishments and impact of the world’s most successful individuals, honoured him with a Lifetime Achievement Award of Excellence at the FIN-FORBES Africa-UAE Trade and Investment Forum held at the Burj Al Arab, Dubai.

T

he label ‘silent billionaire’ is widely considered as a contradiction. To rise to the pinnacle of wealth in stealth, without attracting onerous public attention, is extremely rare. Few successful people manage to do so without purposely courting the admiration of large swarths of society.

Rarer still are those who have stayed under the radar building up wealth, and also managed to remain invisible as they give out huge chunks of it in support of causes dear to their hearts.

One such individual is Professor Ahmed Olaniyi bin Salawudeen, President of Standard Group Holdings, and doyen of Nigerian business leaders in the United Arab Emirates.

Those who know the pious Iseyin-born insurance mogul attest to the fact that he lives his life in accordance with the Quranic injunction to ‘Worship none but Allah; treat with kindness your parents and kindred, and orphans and those in need; speak fair to the people; be steadfast in prayer; and practice regular charity.’

Meeting him for the first time, people are quickly disarmed by his beaming smile, and sense of humour peppered with life lessons. Although he is a strict adherent of the tenets of Islam, he accords full respect to practitioners of other faiths. He is also blind to tribe, and gender.

Avoiding the limelight as a matter of principle for many years, he only grudgingly begun to accept recognition for his vast contributions to the propagation of Islam, provision of educational opportunities, and community development in the last few years.

Born on January 16, seven decades ago to the family of a prominent Islamic scholar in Iseyin, then one of the few towns with electricity, the young Salawudeen was fortunate that his parents understood the pivotal role of Western education.

As all good Muslim children, he learned to read, and write basic Arabic verses from the Quran before turning 10. By the age of seven, he had joined daily fasts during the holy month of Ramadan.

At the appropriate age, he was enrolled at Ansarudeen Primary School, Igbo-Ora from where he later proceeded to Ayete Modern Secondary School.

Naturally ambitious, he found his way to Lagos, after completing his studies in Ayete, to seek greater opportunities.

Without the economic backing of wealthy relatives to pursue tertiary studies right away, Salawudeen recognised early that he would need to claw his way up the ladder of life, relying only on his faith in Allah, and the wits bestowed on him.

He soon found work with an insurance company. Here he came in contact with expatriate managers, who were impressed by his work ethic. The positive feedback he received served as encouragement to make him choose insurance, not as a stop-gap employment but as a lifetime career choice.

Toeing a path common to so many other young men of that era, Salawudeen begun a correspondence course with a college in England.

Never shy of hard work, he combined his studies with the familiar 9-to-5 schedule.

His passion for work has not diminished over the years.

“It will surprise you to know that I still put in over 15 hours daily, 365 days of the year. I have never run away from hardwork. These are the same values I have instilled in my children, and employees.

Public holidays and weekends make no difference to me because my competition never sleeps. I am my greatest competition.

Someone said that if you work in your passion, you will never have to work a day in your life. I could not agree more.”

In time, he passed his papers, and left for England by sea. There he studied at the College of Insurance Surbiton, Surrey.

By 1976, he had qualified as a chartered insurance practitioner, a rare feat in those days.

Professor Ahmed O. Salawudeen, President, Standard Group Holdings Done with academic pursuits for the time being, he started his career at the Royal Insurance Group, which had offices at Chancery Lane, London. He also did stints at British Engine in Manchester and the Royal Marine Insurance Department in Liverpool. While at these respected institutions, Salawudeen soaked up everything he could from the British managers. He knew it would be put to good use when he returned to Nigeria.

At the end of his sojourn abroad, he was clear in his mind that he wanted to start his own company. He chose the name Standard Insurance Consultants Limited (SICL) with a vision to provide insurance and reinsurance broking services across all classes of risk.

He was confident that the venture would succeed.

From humble beginnings, the little seed he planted in 1980 has grown to become first-tier leader in insurance broking across West Africa with registered offices in Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Port Harcourt, London and Dubai.

Today the firm, which celebrated its 42nd anniversary in 2022, helps its clients to place and manage risk across Oil & Gas, Aviation & Space, Marine Hull & Cargo, Medical Malpractice / Professional Indemnity, Personal Accident Insurance, Life Insurance, Automobile Insurance, Fire/ Special Perils, Construction & Engineering, Special Risks (Kidnapping & Ransom), Protection

and Indemnity, Construction, Agricultural, Engineering, Mining, Operational Risks and others.

SICL is duly licensed by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to operate as an Oil Industry Service Company (Special Category) as well as the Nigerian Petroleum Exchange (NIPEX) including National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS).

Boasting a roster of A-list companies among its clients, Salawudeen is most proud of SICL’s client retention rate.

“Our 95 per cent client retention is heartwarming. This is due to the trust, credibility, and fiduciary responsibility that we have built up over the years. We are extremely rigorous in how we select risk carriers, to ensure that we pick only financially secure institutions that have the capacity to settle claims as and when due.”

His insatiable desire for learning has led him to garner memberships of several prestigious professional and academic bodies. He is an Associate Member of the Chartered Insurance Institute of London.

He holds Fellowships of Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), and Commonwealth Academy of Leadership and Management. He is also an alumnus of Commonwealth University, Belize from which he bagged a Doctorate of Management (Specializing in Insurance).

He also received an honorary Professorship from Oxford Academic Union, an international academic association of over 150 University Chancellors, Scientists and Researchers Among employees and business associates, Salawudeen is known for his photographic memory. Rarely taking notes at meetings, he has an uncanny ability to remember the most minute details of

-Onyeaso writes from Lagos.

Closer to home, SICL under his leadership has received the Insurance Broker of the Year award at the prestigious Banks and Other Financial Institutions’ (BAFI) Awards for two consecutive years (2021 and 2022). This award was bestowed for the company’s track record in client retention, customer service proposition, financial results, human capital development, knowledge of the market, professionalism and transparency in dealing with clients, use of digital technology, and contributions to boosting the image of the insurance broking profession in Nigeria.

In business, Salawudeen’s tentacles have extended to international real estate. He is the founder of Signature Global Real Estate (SGRE), a luxury property company, with its head office in Dubai.

Holding a multi-million-dollar portfolio of prime properties in choice locations, SGRE has earned a reputation as the choice broker for discerning clients seeking exclusive purchase opportunities for investment-quality assets.

In June 2022, he was honoured with a National Merit Award by the national Chief Missioner of the Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria at its 10th Triennial National Conference for his contribution to the growth of the Muslim organisation, and spread of Islam in Nigeria.

A roving ambassador for foreign investment into Nigeria, Salawudeen is a tireless advocate of economic opportunities in Africa’s largest economy.

Over the course of last year, he was invited in his personal capacity to share insights at top-level fora with leading business executives and government officials in Angola and Indonesia.

Being a philanthropist and good Muslim, Salawudeen is a generous donor to numerous Islamic and social causes, especially in the fields of education, and health, across Nigeria.

As he marks his birthday, on January 16, 2022, one joins other persons of goodwill around the world to wish the towering Titan of Insurance in Nigeria long life, and prosperity.

-Onyeaso writes from Lagos.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 18, 2023 • T H I S D AY

35

T H I S D AY ˾ AY, JANUARY 18, 2023

36

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

AfCFTA: FG Calls for Trade Liberalisation, Inter-Regional Synergy to Reap Benefits Esther Oluku President Muhammadu Buhari, has called for trade liberalization and deepening in inter-regional synergy to reap the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

Speaking at the 9th edition of the African Shippers’ Day held in Lagos, the president stated that as African trade moves to a single market window, nations who are party to the agreement must ensure better inter-regional synergy hence stemming the fallbacks in trade as was experience during the Covid19 pandemic.

Represented by the Minister of State for Transportation, Mr. Ademola Adegoroye, stated that

as the continent looks to reap the benefits of trading in the trillion-dollar African market, trade liberalization in the form of relaxation of tarrif and introducing favourable trade processes and policies would encourage free flow of goods from one African region to the other.

He said: “The imposition of export bans at the height of the pandemic showed just how exposed and vulnerable Africa countries are. Deepening regional integration to scale up supply capacity and build regional value chains is important to the continent’s economic transformation.

“In Nigeria, AfCFTA would be a game changer when it comes to stimulating intra-

African trade because the more ambitious the trade liberalization, the greater the expansion of Nigerian exports to it’s African partners.

“The Nigerian Government have intensified efforts aimed at identifying new opportunities for diversification and value chains development under the AfCFTA and complementary actions considered necessary to overcome the existing constraints of intra-Africa trade” Banking on Africa’s teeming population, he stated that following the adoption of these reforms, trade would increase significantly among African nations with Nigeria among leading African nations to benefit from the increase in intra-African export.

‘Payment of New Rate on Motor Vehicle Insurance Would Guarantee Indemnity” Michael Olugbode ÓØ ÌßÔË A non-governmental organisation, Transparent Protection Limited/Gte (TPL) has called on the public to support the recent hike in Motor Vehicle Third Party Insurance cover for motorists from N5,000 to N15,000, insisting that it remains the only criteria for insurance companies to pay indemnity to accident victims in the country.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the Director, Transparent Protection Limited/ Gte, Dr. Sam Onyeka said the recent decision by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) was in the best interest of all stakeholders, insisting that there was no way insurer would pay the

required indemnity when the cost of insurance was as low as N5,000.

He said: “TPL is aware that in December 2022, The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) released a circular where it announced a raise in the premium of compulsory Motor Vehicle Third Party Insurance cover for motorists from N5,000 to N15,000 with effect from January 2023.

Consequently, from January 1st 2023, the Third-Party Property Damage (TPPD) which is the limit of claims an insured can enjoy on a policy for private vehicle has now been increased to N3 million for the new premium of N15,000.

While the limit for own goods has been increased to N5 million, with a new premium of

N20,000. Insurance premium rate payable on staff buses is now N20,000 and its TPPD would be N3 million.

He said, “Commercial vehicles, trucks and general cartage now has a TPPD limit of N5 million with N100,000 premium rate; “special types’’ now has a TPPD limit of N3 million and premium of N20,000.

Tricycles now have a TPPD limit of N2 million and premium of N5000 while motorcycles now have a TPPD limit of N1 million and premium of N3000.

“At the same time, we have also observed calls from members of the public against the increment and demands that the increment be reversed due to the current dire state of the Nigerian economy and inflation.”

Access Bank Restates Commitment to Deepen Presence in Kenya Access Bank Plc has cited the failure to fulfil some requisite conditions as the reason for calling off the proposed acquisition of Sidian Bank. A statement from the bank explained that the discontinuation ended Access Bank Plc’s binding agreement with Centum to acquire the entire 83.4 per cent shareholding held by the investment company in Sidian Bank Ltd. According to the statement issued by the bank’s parent company Access Corporation to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd, “The completion of the proposed transaction was subject to fulfilment or waiver of certain conditions before the

Long Stop date as defined in the transaction agreement.

“Although regulators have all been supportive in engagements around the transaction, certain conditions precedent including those required of Sidian Bank which were needed to prudently complete the transaction have not been met and the parties were unable to reach an agreement on the variation of these conditions in a manner to deliver the desired outcome for the parties “Consequently, we hereby notify the Nigerian Exchange Ltd and the investing public that the Sidian acquisition will no longer

be completed by the Bank.”

This development, however, would not affect Access Bank’s drive to promote regional trade finance and other cross-border banking services in the East African Community (EAC) and broader COMESA region as it works towards its vision to be Africa’s gateway to the world, the statement added.

To this end, Access Bank reassured stakeholders of its commitment to pursue responsible opportunities to expand its footprint in Kenya – which represents the largest market and trade corridor in East Africa.

Terra Seasoning Cube Emerges Outstanding Seasoning Cube Brand of the Year Terra Seasoning Cube, from the stable of TGI Group, is well known for the value it adds to cooking, which includes pleasant aroma, exciting taste and flavour. This fact was brought to the fore recently, when the seasoning was adjudged the Outstanding Seasoning Cube Brand of the Year, at the National Quality Conference, Exhibition and Award held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

Deepanjan Roy, Group Executive Director - TGI while expressing his gratitude for the award and recognition stated that it is a testimony to the high quality of products associated with the company, a major factor that

has endeared it to the Nigerian consumers. He also noted that the award validates the company’s resolve to ensure that Terra Seasoning Cube continues to be admired for its unique taste, exciting aroma and flavour.

“We are truly humbled by this award”, Roy said. “For us at TGI Group, it is a privilege not just to maintain the quality that has made Terra Seasoning Cube the number one choice of consumers in 2022, but to work harder to ensure we maintain the quality and standard that would continually make the brand the first choice of consumers.”

Probal Bhattacharya, Chief Marketing Officer-TGI Group,

said the award of Outstanding Seasoning Cube Brand of the Year given to Terra Seasoning Cube would further motivate the organisation to strive for excellence in the foreseeable future. He expressed delight at consumers’ ever growing preference for the brand, a development that is indicative of the fact that Terra Seasoning Cube packs in that special magic that makes food cooked with it so very special.

“We do not take this award for granted”, said Bhattacharya. “The award is just an assurance to us that we are on the right track to achieve the objective of providing consumers a seasoning that adds quality and value to their lives.”

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

AUGUST 2022 Money Supply (M3)

49,356,443.6

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

50,601.36

Money Supply (M2)

49,305,842.3

-- Quasi Money

27,869,678.3

-- Narrow Money (M1)

21,436,164

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,680,236.81

---- Demand Deposits

18,755,927.2

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

5,074,909.92

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

27,869,678.3

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

61,195,142.4

---- Credit to Government (Net)

21,001,401.5

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

40,193,740.9

--Other Assets Net

6,785,979.22

Reserve Money (Base Money

14,040,351.9

--Currency in Circulation

3,210,664.98

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,829,686.9 390,557.8

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

July 2022

Inter-Bank Call Rate

13.00

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

2.76

Savings Deposit Rate

1.42

1 Month Deposit Rate

3.64

3 Months Deposit Rate

4.96

6 Months Deposit Rate

5.87

12 Months Deposit Rate

5.76

Prime Lending rate

12.10

Maximum Lending Rate

27.61

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 24 OCTOBER, 2022

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $92.17 a barrel on Monday, compared with $92.09 the previous Friday, 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), Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

37

T H I S D AY ˾ AY, ͯͶ˜ 2023

Analyst Projects 16.1% Stock Market Decline in 2023

Kayode Tokede

The Managing Director/Chief Economist at Analysts Data Service and Resources Limited, Dr. Afolabi Olowookere, yesterday projected that the domestic stock market is likely to close at 41,703.4 basis points or 16.1 per cent decline in 2023, citing uncertainties surrounding the election outcome, among others.

Speaking during a oneday forum organized by the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) in Lagos , Olowookere explained that the stock market’s best case can be the return of 10per cent gain or worse case can be around 20per cent.

Other factors he mentioned that can influence 2023 stock

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

DEALS

F O R MARKET PRICE

market performance include: high inflation and the monetary tightening stance of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), high borrowing debt vs equities and crowding out effect and low capital inflows He noted that recent evidence suggested the market performance during pre and post-elections comes out negative, stating that in 2019, the market closed

S E C U R I T I E S QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

at 26,842.1 basis points, a 14.6per cent decline from the previous year.

According to him, “The past may not necessarily be the one we might see in future. In the last three years of election, the market had closed in the negative and so looking at it, stock market returns might likely close at -16.1 per cent at the end of the year and this will

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

be centered on factors like uncertainties around the outcome of the elections, low capital inflows and rising inflation.”

He expressed that the stock market may rise following a successful 2023 election, adding that any delay in announcing a winner can have a negative impact.

He said for Nigeria to tame hike in inflation, the

A S O F

federal government needs to revive and concentrate on production, review its trade- industrial policy and borrow innovatively.

Olowookere, while reviewing the activities of 2022, said that the Russia-Ukraine crisis, widening disparity in the foreign exchange market coupled with unsustainable debts and financing led to the soaring inflation.

1 7 / 0 1 / 2 3 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

38

˜ ͹΀˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

7

േ

േ

േ

3

7 R S 7 U D G H V E \ 9 R O X P H

7 R S * D LQ H U V T ic k er

P ric e C hg %

ST ER LN B A N K

76.7

-0.6%

CHA M S

17.6

3.6%

9.9%

GT C O

16.8

0.4%

11.3

0.0%

P ric e C hg %

UP D C R EIT

3.30

10.0%

M RS

15.50

9.9%

C H ELLA R A M

&RUSRUDWH 'LVFORVXUH

Vo lum e

P ric e

1.33

T ic k er

SUN UA SSUR

0.37

8.8%

Z EN IT H B A N K

M C N IC H OLS

0.61

7.0%

R OYA LEX

10.7

-5.3%

3.6%

F ID ELIT YB K

8.0

-0.8%

3.3%

A C C ESSC OR P

7.7

0.0%

UB A

6.6

0.6%

T R A N SC OR P

4.8

0.0%

UP D C

4.3

-6.9%

CHA M S VIT A F OA M A IR T ELA F R I H ON YF LOUR F LOUR M ILL

0.29 21.90 1600.00

3.2%

2.33

3.1%

30.90

3.0%

7 R S 7 U D G H V E \ 9 D O X H

7 R S / R V H U V T ic k er UP D C LIN KA SSUR E

P ric e 0.94 0.44

P ric e C hg % -6.9% -6.4%

R OYA LEX

0.90

-5.3%

PZ

10.00

-5.2%

UN IT YB N K

0.55

-5.2%

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

A IR T ELA F R I

1142.8

3.2%

GT C O

402.0

0.4%

Z EN IT H B A N K

276.0

0.0%

M TNN

163.9

0.0%

N EST LE

163.0

1.9%

ST ER LN B A N K

118.9

-0.6%

T H OM A SWY

1.45

-2.7%

WA P IC

0.45

-2.2%

WA P C O

99.0

1.6%

A C C ESSC OR P

69.7

0.0%

OA N D O

3.99

-1.5%

C UT IX

2.07

-1.4%

D A N GSUGA R

69.4

0.0%

-1.2%

UC A P

55.3

0.0%

FCM B

4.02

39

WEDNESDAY, ͹΀˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

FOCUS

OKOLIEABOH: The Quiet Reformer At Treasury House

By Bola Kay Ajayi

I

t is well-known that in 2022, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, OAGF, experienced some controversial shake-ups, and was the subject of negative press because of related unpleasant events.

But there have been many positive signs, following those rocky few months at the Treasury. As the institution grapples with the repercussions of the negative developments, there is a sense that a measure of stability and professionalism has returned. This is in spite of the fact that the issues that have shaken public trust in the institution will take some time to dissipate.

One reason for this is that the nation’s Treasury has some of the most qualified professionals in the public sector, with tested capacity for doing justice to their jobs. The OAGF is far from a one-man institution. It has solid structures, processes and procedures that have kept it in solid shape over many decades. And with the oversight provided by the Federal Ministry of Finance within the context of the overall policy direction of the Buhari administration which has prioritized transparency and accountability in the management of the nation’s finances, the institution is certain to move past its previous challenges.

Another reason for the steady progress of the institution, after the recent controversies, is the calm and measured style of the man who was appointed to head the institution following the unfortunate events that kept the Treasury in the news. Sylva Okolieaboh, the Acting Accountant-General has not said much since he was appointed. He has granted no interviews or accepted any invitations from the media to speak on the high-profile developments of the recent past. To those familiar with Okolieaboh, this is no surprise. He has always preferred to let his work speak for him.

An accomplished Public Financial Management expert with an intimidating curriculum vitae which includes over three decades of experience in finance and accounting, at international and local levels; Okolieaboh is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. He holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Accountancy and Public Financial Management from (the old) Imo State University and University of London, respectively.

He has also attended several executive courses in diverse subjects at the University of Oxford, Harvard Kennedy School, London School of Economics, IMF Institute Washington DC, ILI-South African Centre for Excellence and other respected institutions.

Since 2005, Mr. Okolieaboh has been a core member of the Federal Government of Nigeria PFM reform team. He is the pioneer PFM Team Leader for the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) and author of the GIFMIS Chart of Account which has now been adopted as the National Chart of Accounts. The TSA under the leadership of Mr. Okolieaboh is celebrated around the world as one the most successful PFM reforms in Africa and has attracted the attention of other African countries including The Gambia and Ethiopia.

Okolieaboh Also, Mr. Okolieaboh played a key role in negotiations to end the recent eight-monthlong strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU. His first involvement with the negotiating team led by the leadership of the House of Representatives on 29th September 2022 provided the clarity needed to dismiss the strong objection of ASUU to IPPIS, one of the reasons for the strike. At the last meeting between ASUU and OAGF brokered by the Speaker of the House of Representatives on 24th October 2022, it was agreed that ASUU and OAGF should work together to incorporate the legitimate peculiarities of the University community into IPPIS. This effectively put paid to ASUU’s insistence on UTAS, its own payment platform.

Okolieaboh has a reputation as an inclusive leader who always shares credit for any success with his bosses at the Federal Ministry of Finance and his colleagues at the Treasury. A hard-working, highly professional and rigorous accountant, he prefers to take the backseat, providing the necessary leadership and ensuring that defined objectives and deliverables are accomplished. Since his appointment to the position, the Treasury has focused on doing justice to its mandate and relevant institutional priorities as defined by the policies of the administration.

One key asset that Okolieaboh brings to the table is that he has played a key role in the conceptualization and execution of key reforms within the last two decades. As the pioneer director, Treasury Single Account (TSA) and e-Collection, he helped to conceptualize and operationalize the pioneer TSA/e-Collection department in the OAGF. One of the major positive consequences of this is that over 35 trillion naira has been realized in the TSA, which has had a revolutionary effect in the government’s IGR collection rate. The work of the department also led to the reduction in ways and means charges, and the saving or more than N45billion monthly. Overall, there has been a 75 percent increase in federal government IGR, and over N100billion from TSA mop-up, among other benefits.

These landmark achievements in which Okolieaboh played a key role in the teams that made them possible, have not only saved the country significant funds that would otherwise have been lost, and introduced greater efficiencies in public finance management, but have also attracted positive attention to the institution and the nation at large. It was therefore no surprise that in April this year, Okolieaboh was invited by the World Bank Committee on Practice, to make a presentation to the global public finance management community on the use of TSA to

manage Bank-funded projects. It is on record that he was the only African and non-World Bank staff that participated in the event.

It is regrettable that the Treasury and the nation will not benefit from the experience and expertise of Mr. Okolieaboh beyond May 28th, 2023 when he will be retiring from service.

Notwithstanding, it will be a fitting parting gift and reward for diligence and competence if he is confirmed as substantive AccountantGeneral of the Federation ahead of his exit from service. That was the precedent set with Mr. A. B. Ogunsanya who acted and was confirmed before retirement in July 2011. This becomes even more imperative given that in the history of the country, no South-Easterner has ever risen to the position of Accountant-General of the Federation.

The stability that currently prevails in the Treasury and greater focus on achieving institutional mandates in an atmosphere of enhanced professionalism is a positive development. The emergence of Okolieaboh at the helm of this critical institution, based on what has transpired over the past several months demonstrates what is possible when a focused, humble leader working with a re-energized team breathes new life into a critical institution. *Kay Ajayi is a Lagos-based public affairs commentator

40

WEDNESDAY, ͹΀˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

FORTY

At WEF, New Initiative to Help Unlock $3trn Needed Yearly for Climate Change Launched Obinna Chima The World Economic Forum (WEF) supported by more than 45 partners yesterday launched the Giving to Amplify Earth Action (GAEA), a global initiative to fund and grow new and existing public, private and philanthropic partnerships (PPPPs) to help unlock the $3 trillion of financing needed each year to reach net zero, reverse nature loss and restore biodiversity by 2050.

A statement from the ongoing WEF in Davos, noted that with the energy and cost of living crises, the ambition of steering the planet towards a 1.5-degree Celsius warming pathway

hangs in the balance.

Meanwhile, the recent agreement at the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP15) in Montreal to conserve 30 per cent of all earth and sea looks bold, but fragile in the face of a rising biodiversity crisis.

Current funding is slow and inadequate, and a new approach is needed to get capital flowing.

Philanthropic giving can address this, with unique qualities not found in other financing: it is nimble, more tolerant of risks and is driven by values and long-term outcomes rather than quarterly returns.

“We are at a tipping point in our efforts to put the planet back on track

to meet our climate ambitions. To reach the speed and scale required to heal the Earth’s systems, we need to unlock not only private capital and government funds, but also the philanthropy sector as a truly catalytic force to achieve the necessary acceleration,” Founder and Executive Chairman, WEF, Klaus Schwab said at the forum.

It revealed GAEA’s growing body of philanthropic partners to include: Active Philanthropy, the African Climate Foundation, André Hoffmann Family Office, the Arab Foundations Forum, Bezos Earth Fund, BMW Foundation, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, the

Clean Air Fund, Climate Leadership Initiative, ClimateWorks Foundation, Eleven Eleven Foundation, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Growald Climate Fund, IKEA Foundation, Laudes Foundation, Noa’s Ark Foundation, Open Society Foundations, the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, Pearl Initiative, Philanthropy Asia Alliance (by Temasek Trust), Philea, The Rockefeller Foundation, Trottier Family Foundation, United Nations Foundation, the Wellcome Trust, WINGS, Workday Foundation.

Individuals, academic institutions, companies and public sector organisations supporting the initiative include: Cambridge Institute for Sustainability

Leadership, Capital for Climate, Carbon Direct, Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University, Centre for Strategic Philanthropy at the University of Cambridge, Climate-KIC, Crescent Enterprises, Government of Egypt, HCLTech through their chairperson Roshni Nadar Malhotra, McKinsey Sustainability, Ocean14, Prince Maximilian von und zu Liechtenstein - Chairman of the Board LGT Group, Salesforce, Singapore University for Social Sciences, Stanford University Center for Ocean Solutions, Strategic Philanthropy Initiative at NYU Abu Dhabi, UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, We Mean Business

Coalition, World Association of PPP Units & PPP Professionals.

“Philanthropic financing for climate mitigation has risen in recent years, but still represents less than two per cent of total philanthropic giving, estimated at $810 billion in 2021.

Greater philanthropic funding for climate and nature will support, not detract from, existing social priorities.

“As recently noted by Rajiv Shah, President, The Rockefeller Foundation: “Climate change poses a singular threat to humanity … we must directly confront climate change, even as we redouble efforts in our traditional program areas: health, power, food, and equity.”

of his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, the PDP national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, as well as other party leaders.

He criticised PDP members who he alleged were working against the party in the state.

Atiku, who was quite emotional at the rally, said, "What I saw today almost made me to shed tears. Before we came to Ekiti, they said we won't see anybody to receive or identify with us today, but you surprised us. To stop you from coming to this event, they created artificial scarcity of fuel and made transporters to withdraw their services from the road, but you

broke the challenges to be here en masse.

"I can assure you that if you vote PDP to power on February 25, we will continue to always make you happy everyday as you have made us happy. We will fix the dilapidated Ado-Akure road and others that linked the state to other states."

In an apparent attack on former governor of the state, Ayo Fayose, and his supporters in the Ekiti State PDP, Ayu said, "We heard that some enemies within had conspired against our outing today.

We learnt that they even blocked the ways to stop our people from

ECWA PRESIDENT: CHURCH WILL ANNOUNCE PRESIDENTIAL CHOICE SOON support for Atiku. Dogara said the process leading to their decision was scientific.

Atiku, in his speech, warned that a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, which the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had settled for, was a recipe for disaster.

In another development, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) hailed the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) commission over its dialogue with leaders of political parties towards a peaceful 2023 general election.

Panya appreciated Atiku for paying attention to what the church was doing and sending eminent political leaders to grace the GCC meeting. He said the church had been "watching, monitoring and listening to all the candidates and would take decision according to its conviction soon."

Atiku encouraged Nigerians of different religious backgrounds to live in peace and harmony. He said, in the speech read by Dogara, "A divided Nigeria cannot achieve the purpose of God for us as a people. A divided country will only keep us in darkness and disunity.

All through my life, I have lived and worked harmoniously with people of other faiths and ethnic affiliations with ease, because of mutual understanding and respect.

"My business and political partners come from different backgrounds with zero expressions of religious or ethnic sentiments.

I have never contemplated same faith ticket throughout my political career.

“The Muslim-Muslim ticket

adopted by some people is a recipe for disaster. It is an indication that not everyone will be carried along in government. As governor- elect of Adamawa in 1999, I gave my full backing to Boni Haruna to take over when I was nominated vice president against all odds.

"Boni governed Adamawa for eight uninterrupted years. In Taraba, Rev Jolly Nyame was encouraged to contest the governorship in 1999 just after losing the local government primary elections. We have and are working together with many Christians across the nation and the Church should have confidence in my capacity, experience and ability to deliver."

The PDP presidential hopeful also expressed his appreciation to Christians all over the nation for their prayers and commitment to the nation. He assured them that he would not relent in cementing the cordial relationship between Christians and Muslims all the time.

According to Atiku, "The Church stands to get a lot under my watch as President of this nation, if elected.

Knowing the significance and importance of unity in peace and development, I will do everything possible to sustain and consolidate it. Any society that is not united will suffer. We have no reason to divide ourselves for whatever reason. A divided Nigeria cannot take us anywhere. If Nigeria is divided, both Christians and Muslims will suffer. Together with Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as Vice President, we will take Nigeria to greater heights."

Atiku commended ECWA for sustaining the annual extraordinary GCC council meeting, where

progress and developments were reviewed and new working strategies adopted.

Speaking in his personal capacity, Dogara admonished Christians to take stock of what each presidential candidate had done for northern Christians and meditate on it.

Quoting extensively from the Bible, Dogara likened Atiku to the centurion, whose faith was acknowledged by Jesus because of his determination to help across divides. He said northern Christians settled for Atiku after a scientific analysis of the various candidates carried out openly, where Atiku emerged as the leading candidate.

Dogara apologised for the absence of Atiku and his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, who were in Ekiti State for the PDP nationwide presidential rally. He told the gathering, "Do not waste your votes by casting them elsewhere.

We believe very strongly in coming together and living together. The Muslim- Muslim ticket is not an option at all. It does not give room for mutual understanding, unity, peace and stability.

"Atiku has great respect for northern Christians, hence, his choice of a Christian to deputise for him. We know him as a good man, who has contributed in building the brethren and the church, even as a Muslim. He does not segregate and his experience and abilities speak for him all the time.

"This period of gross darkness hovering over the nation must be overcome. We keep surviving one catastrophe and jumping to the other. Darkness is an evidence of the absence of light. We must lighten

MRA TO APC PCC: YOUR BLATANT DISREGARD FOR JOURNALISTS’ RIGHTS PORTENDS GRAVE DANGER FOR MEDIA Group (NESG).

In a statement issued in Lagos, MRA’s Programme Director, Mr. Ayode Longe, stressed that the action of the party’s APC-PCC that was made public by its Director of Media Publicity, Bayo Onanuga, was bizarre, highhanded and a violation of the rights of the media.

Onanuga had claimed on Twitter that the ARISE cameraman was caught, allegedly clandestinely live-streaming Tinubu’s campaign event without authorisation and had accused him of being “on espionage mission.”

But Longe expressed outrage at the allegation and the justification for the unconstitutional action, describing it as ridiculous and baffling.

He expressed concern that, “the APC-PCC’s blatant disregard for the rights of a journalist performing a constitutionally-protected function even at a time when the party is seeking to persuade Nigerians to vote its candidate into the highest office in the land, portends grave dangers for the media should that candidate prevail in the elections.”

He added: “What authorisation does the journalist require to perform his professional duty of covering a political campaign event? How can a purely journalistic act by a cameraman from a television station filming a public political campaign event and beaming it live to a public audience be characterised

as espionage?

“Should the cameraman have first made a public announcement that he is covering the event so as not to be accused of doing so clandestinely?”

Longe said he found it, “particularly bewildering because Mr. Onanuga, who issued the justification and made the accusation of espionage, spent a significant portion of his career as a professional journalist engaged in what came to be known as guerrilla journalism, for which he and the two media outlets, TheNews and Tempo magazines, where he served as an editor, were widely applauded, including by people like Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

“It is the worst form of irony that he is now attempting to condemn a journalist engaged in his professional pursuit as having committed a capital offence.”

According to Longe, “If this attitude is indicative of the vision of the party or its presidential candidate on the role of the media in the democratic process, then we shudder to think of what the future holds for journalists and the media community should this attitude and mentality be brought into the highest political office in Nigeria.”

He noted that it was the duty of the media to scrutinise and hold accountable public office holders and institutions as well as public figures, including political parties

and candidates seeking public office, and to ensure that members of the public have as much information as possible about them, their programmes and their track records in and out of office, adding that the media cannot properly play their role in the electoral process if they are prevented from having access to public events which form part of the process.

Saying that anyone unwilling to be subjected to scrutiny by the media has no business seeking public office, Longe stressed that it was contrary to the code of journalism practice in Nigeria and everywhere else in the world that institutions or individuals who were being held accountable should be the ones to determine the media organisations or journalists that are allowed to hold them to account.

He said journalists are entitled to and should be given the fullest access to all electoral events, and that such access should be nondiscriminatory.

He, therefore, urged, “the entire media community, regardless of the political sympathies that individual media professionals may have, to rise in unison to condemn the APC-PCC’s undemocratic action.”

Longe also called on the APCPCC to publicly apologise to the cameraman and his media organisation and make a public commitment not to repeat such action in future.

our lights and let them shine.

“Atiku remains the pan-Nigerian candidate that has what it takes to move this nation forward by uniting us across the various divides we have found ourselves. Based on the scientific analysis inclusive of CAN leadership, we arrived at the choice of this man as a candidate to beat in the coming elections."

Atiku Promises to Prioritise Human Development in Ekiti

Atiku said while campaigning in Ekiti State that he would put a premium on human capital development, if elected President.

The former vice president arrived the Ado Ekiti Pavilion, venue of the PDP rally, about 2:35pm in company

Continued on page 44

FG: NIGERIA HAS ENOUGH EXTERNAL RESERVES TO WITHSTAND GLOBAL RECESSION, SHOCKS with Arise News Channel at the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Ahmed, also stated that the government was considering a gradual phasing out of petrol subsidy payments from April, instead of removing it in one fell swoop in June.

Ahmed further posited that she wasn’t feeling ‘betrayed' by the refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to remove subsidy payments, having stuck out her neck on the issue for years without much success.

“It is quite likely that there will be a global recession. From the reports we've seen from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other forecasts, there will be a global recession. How it will affect the globe, of course will be different from sub-region to sub-region.

But clearly there's going to be a decline in growth on a general basis,” she projected.

She explained that even China was predicted to see a reduction in growth, partly because of the sustained economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have seen the resurgence of COVID-19 in some developed economies, especially China, but also the effect of the Russia Ukraine war that is having a global impact.

“The quantitative easing that is implemented by central banks across the world also contributes to high cost of interest, resulting in high inflation rate, which means people’s spending power is weakened as a result. So there are all indications that there will be a global recession,” she noted.

On the question of how Nigeria intends to weather the coming headwinds and whether Nigeria has enough foreign reserves like it did around 2008, when it had reserves of over $60 billion, Ahmed noted that at $34 billion, it was enough to sustain imports for six months.

“It is true we had higher reserves during the first global recession.

Our reserves are now at $34 billion.

So that is still a healthy level. It means we're able to meet at least six months of imports and other expenses into the country.

“It means we can withstand another global shock if we're able to carry through a coordinated response between the monetary, fiscal as well as trade authorities.

We have learned a lot from the

experience that we went through during the COVID. And it showed that when we plan as one, we can actually withstand the shocks,” she explained.

According to her, the last recession in Nigeria was short-lived because of the coordinated response, which had not just government, but also private sector contributing to the efforts, including scaling back on some categories of government spending.

She maintained that Buhari has done well in terms of infrastructural growth even as the non-oil sector outperformed the cash cow, crude oil by a wide margin, a testimony to the efforts of the current administration to diversify the economy.

“Well, I will say that if you look at the numbers, the performance of the 2022 budget, you will see that oil and gas sector contribution was about 35 per cent, while the non oil sector had the largest contribution, but not only that, the non-oil sector contribution outperformed the budget by a very large proportion. “ For example, company income tax outperformed the budget by 158 per cent. So there's some foundational measures that have been taken that have enabled nonoil sector revenue to grow on a consistent basis and not just by a little bit but quite significantly.

“And secondly, the oil sector’s contribution that was minimal in 2022 is looking good to pick up in 2023. The measures that the government has taken, a combined effort of security and intelligence agencies work have resulted in improved production from the oil and gas sector.

“And it looks like it will continue as well. Most of the fields that were previously not producing at the levels that they were supposed to produce can now produce at maximum capacity. And also, the oil price of the international market is still at a very reasonably high level.

“And we're doing a lot to encourage investments in gas so there'll be new and additional incremental streams that will come also from the gas sector, so we should be able to meet this.

“Then, also we introduced some new excise duties as some taxes, the full effect of which we will see in in 2023,” she said.

But Ahmed admitted that

Nigeria must rev up its revenue collection efforts in relation to debt, saying the government had embarked on borrowing to pay petrol subsidy.

“We have to improve on our revenue so that that revenue-to-debt service ratio improves. Again, we have had to borrow to be able to invest in our infrastructure. When this administration started, we had an infrastructure stock of about 22 per cent. We've been able to move that to 35 per cent.

“These are investments that are required to grow the economy on a sustainable basis. Also, we've been faced with two recessions. And we took expansionary stand to spend our way out of recession, because you cannot just contemplate what will happen,” she posited.

On fuel subsidy removal, the minister said this year, it would be advisable to remove fuel subsidy, rather than waiting for June to withdraw payments which would hurt Nigerians.

“Where there is not enough revenue for government to buy the refined petroleum products, we have had to borrow to buy the petroleum products. So, if we take that out, that's about N3.25 trillion. That is a significant relief, that we don't incur any more than that number that we projected for in 2023.

She also pushed back on the question of whether she felt disappointed by the non-removal of subsidy despite all her efforts, stressing that it was a collective decision to retain the payments.

“Betrayed? No, It was a decision that was taken as a collective, recognising the fact that due to the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and also heightened inflation, that removal of the first subsidy at that time will have increased more burden on the citizen.

“The president does not want to contemplate a situation where measures are taken that are further going to burden the citizens. So, the decision was to extend the period from June 2022 to 18 months, beginning from January 2022.

“So in June 2023, we should be able to exit. The good thing is, we hear a consistent message that everybody is saying this thing needs to go. It is not serving the Continued on page 42

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CEREMONY FOR MULTICHOICE TALENT FACTORY CLASS OF 2023...

L-R: Executive Head, Human Resources, MultiChoice Nigeria, Dayo Ogedengbe; Executive Head, Corporate Affairs, Caroline Oghuma; Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe; Academy Director, MultiChoice Talent Factory West Africa, Atinuke Babatunde, and Executive Head, Content and Channels West Africa, Dr. Busola Tejumola, at the welcoming ceremony for MultiChoice Talent Factory Class of 2023, held at Lagos ...yesterday

Nigerians Must Not Submit to Tinubu's Slavery, Atiku Campaign Council Warns Says former Lagos governor now rejected in South-west Omo-Julius Onabu in Asaba The Atiku Campaign Organisation has cautioned Nigerians to be wary of the antics of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Senator Bola Tinubu, and not submit to his “overlordship as he is currently doing in Lagos.”

The spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council, Charles Aniagwu, yesterday, gave the advice at a news conference in Asaba, where he warned that Nigerians would be subjecting themselves to internal slavery if they allowed Tinubu to become Nigerian president.

He alleged that Tinubu who had already captured Lagos, was looking for an avenue to extend his control on the other 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Owing to this, he urged Nigerians to avoid repeating the mistake Lagosians made by allowing Tinubu control everything that happens in the entire state.

According to him, "As a campaign council we are urging Nigerians not to make the mistake of submitting themselves to internal slavery by the APC whose presidential candidate had since captured Lagos and what he is looking for is to expand his territorial control beyond Lagos to control the entire country in form of slavery.

"For those of you who may not know, a number of the major projects and programmes in Lagos are controlled by this same individual.

"When you get to Lagos and ask them about BRT, you will discover that it is handled by this man's family.

The signages in Lagos which is a very big business is handled by his son, the collection of taxes in

Lagos which is the biggest in terms of tax collection is handled by a company that is said to belong to this same man.

"Needn't I mention other sources of revenue that Lagos should have benefited from and you also know how he handpicks those who will govern Lagos to the extent that Ambode, a man that was doing well was taken out because he disagreed with them on how to share the funds of the people of Lagos," he alleged.

He said for such a person to aspire to govern our country, it will be very detrimental to all of us.

"If we don't want to submit ourselves to slavery, Nigerians must stop Tinubu from crossing Lagos into the other 35 states and the FCT because that will amount to internal slavery for all of us where he alone will determine the next president, and who gets what and not forces of democratic governance.

"As part of that unbridled quest to expand his grip and capture the states, they have cooked up stories because they have seen that Nigerians are convinced that Atiku Abubakar is a man that has what it takes to recover this country and place it on the path of growth and development.

"They have gone to wake up a blackmailer and they call him a whistle blower. Am sure that as journalists you know who a whistle blower is and who a blackmailer is?

"Michael Achimugu was not a staff of Atiku Abubakar, he was a staff of one of the support groups with the daughter, he was not employed to work for Atiku Abubakar.

"If all he does is to record his boss and his friend and you call that whistle blowing, all of you know

that is not whistle blowing, but blackmail and anybody who is a blackmailer cannot be taken seriously and we are not perturbed because it was not done with the intention to help our country.”

Aniagwu, who is Commissioner for Information in Delta, said the campaign council was concerned about the challenges bedeviling the nation and how to solve them and not engage in mundane issues.

"As a campaign council we know what the issues are that our youths are losing their jobs and more than 133million Nigerians are now suffering from what they call multi-dimensional poverty, our economy is not in the best of shape while our unity is terribly challenged.

"There also the need for our children to have the best of education to curb the 'Jappa' syndrome and of course to progress the country from a consumption atmosphere to a much more productive environment.

"Any attempt to raise issues that don't add up so that they can have their way to enslave the rest of us, we are asking Nigerians to be weary of him and ask Lagosians what they are going through in his hands.

"Our forefathers fought the slave masters and colonial masters and chased them away to where they came from so we cannot afford to enthrone internal slave masters who will decide how the country would be governed.

"Our desire is to get our economy

and Security implications of naira redesign and withdrawal policy’.

A statement by the NGF Head of Media and Public Affairs, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, stated that the discussions promise to foster participation and dialogue between various stakeholders including governments and civil society organisations to come out with a solution to the lingering issue.

The redesigned N200, N500 and N1,000 notes were launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 23, 2022.

The deadline to retire the old banknotes has been fixed for January 31, 2023.

campaign council, over claims by Achimugu, that the ex-vice president helped himself to public funds while in office from 1999-2007.

The campaign council chided the Tinubu Media team for attacking the duo of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Atiku in a bid to promote Tinubu’s aspiration.

A statement signed by the spokesman for the PDP Campaign Council, Dino Melaye, urged Tinubu’s handlers to remember that Lagos where the APC flag bearer holds sway was only a part of the larger Nigerian nation, that he was seeking the support of millions of citizens to preside over.

Continues online

Tinubu Attacks Atiku, Says Ex-VP Plans to Sell Nigeria to Shady Partners Charges supporters to vote APC candidates in all elections Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, yesterday, attacked his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rival, Atiku Abubakar, warning Nigerians never to be deceived into voting him. Tinubu said a vote for PDP would be an error that would be hard to correct.

The APC presidential candidate spoke in Ilorin during his party’s presidential campaign rally. He said several factors pointed to the fact that Atiku was only interested in the presidential race to enrich himself and his friends.

Tinubu said, just like he did in the past, if given the opportunity again, Atiku would only sell Nigeria to his shady friends in the name of privatisation.

He said, “You earned a favourable and great place in the history of our progressive party and of the nation when you voted for the APC to chase the PDP out of this beautiful and historic town. You kicked them out and now they want to come back.

Do not let them back in. They only want to devour what they could not take the first time. If you give them

Governors Invite Emefiele over Deadline for Return of Old Banknotes

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has invited the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele to a meeting over the apex bank’s timeline to retire old N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes.

The invitation sent out by the Director-General of the Forum, Asishana Okauru noted that the agenda of the meeting would dwell majorly on the recent redesigning of the N200, N500 and N1,000 notes, as well as the withdrawal policy of the CBN. According to him, the agenda of the meeting that is expected to hold virtual, was titled, ‘The Economic

working again, unite Nigerians against divisive tendencies, fix infrastructure, address insecurity which has stiffled productivity and weakened our fabrics as a nation.

"In doing so we will amend the constitution and give way for state police and other matters. The APC has not given the country any hope in the past let alone renewing it so we cannot afford to allow them enslave the rest of the country," he said.

Meanwhile, the PDP also described Tinubu, as a rejected figure in the South-west, a geopolitical zone believed by many as his stronghold.

The PDP PCC stated this in reaction to calls for the arrest and interrogation of Atiku by the APC

Following its currency redesign project, the CBN had announced an upward review of its cash withdrawal policy across all payment channels by individuals and corporate organisations.

Under the updated regime, the bank said effective January 9, 2023, individuals and corporate entities can withdraw a maximum of N500,000 and N5 million respectively compared to N100,000 and N500,000 which was previously announced on December 6, 2022.

However, the central bank, in an updated circular dated December 21, 2022, and addressed to all Deposit Money Banks (DMBs)

and Other Financial Institutions, Microfinance Banks, Mobile Money Operators, and Agents, explained that the upward review was, as a result of the feedback it received from stakeholders.

The correspondence was signed

by CBN Director, Banking Supervision Department, Mr. Haruna Mustafa.

The CBN stated that in compelling circumstances where cash withdrawal above the limit is required for legitimate purposes, such request shall be subject to a processing fee of three per cent and five per cent for individuals and corporate organisations respectively.

the chance, they will strip Kwara and Nigeria bare to the bone.

“The PDP candidate in the race is well known for selling everything that has the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s name on it. If it is part of the public treasure or national patrimony, he is looking to pawn it to one of his shady partners. He wants to sell off your chance at a decent job, good schools, a nice home and a happy life. His aim is to sell and turn our public assets into his private profit.

He wants you to go hungry so that he can feast off the abundance of the land.”

Tinubu also spoke on the recent revelation by one of Atiku’s former aides, Michael Achimugu, where the former vice president himself admitted to setting up Special Purpose Vehicle companies to siphon the country’s funds.

Tinubu alleged, “Before today, we used to call him Mr. Privatise. But today, we must give him a new name.

One that comes from his own mouth.

He is now Mr. SPV. From his own mouth, we have heard him admit that he and his old boss conspired to rob from the Nigerian treasury millions upon millions of dollars. They did this by using a fancy business device called an SPV, Special purpose vehicle, to hide the money.

“By his antics, Atiku has changed the meaning of SPV. It is no longer

a business unit. With him, it is a money-eating monster. From henceforth, Atiku shall be known as MR. SPV. S for Stealing, P for Plunder and V for Vicious. For this is a vicious assault on the public funds, public welfare and on the public conscience.

"How can he so brazenly steal and plunder yet ask you to return him to the scene of the crime. He wants to return to the crime scene not to repent but to repeat the ‘Stealing Plundering and Viciousness’. You must stop him before he stops your dreams and aspirations for a better Nigeria.”

Tinubu said APC, just like it had done in the about eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, had shown that it meant well for the country and its citizens.

He said, “Instead, the APC has a much better way for you. We have good and positive plans for this country. If you give us the mandate with your vote, we will carry Kwara and the rest of the country to a more prosperous and secure future.”

He promised to take advantage of the agricultural resources in abundance in Kwara to transform the state for the creation of jobs and welfare of the citizens.

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SOUTH EAST APC ZONAL RALLY...

L-R: APC National Women Leader, Dr. Betta Edu; Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State; Imo State First Lady/ South East Zonal Coordinator of the Tinubu/ Shettima Women Presidential Campaign Team, Chioma Uzodimma; Chairman of the Tinubu/Shettima Women Presidential Campaign Team and wife of the APC Presidential Candidate, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and wife of the APC Vice Presidential Candidate, Hajia Nana Shettima, acknowledging cheers from women supporters at the South-east APC zonal rally in Owerri... yesterday

Akeredolu Breaks Silence on His Health Status, Says No Cause for Alarm Fidelis David in Akure Ondo State Governor Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu yesterday broke his silence on the state of his health, saying there was no cause for alarm.

The governor in a statement

signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, also said he was recuperating speedily.

Akeredolu said he had some health challenges just like every other mortal, but he had received treatment and recovering speedily.

The governor stated that he was not

a superhuman and the immunity his office enjoyed does not extend to physical wellness or otherwise.

He said his health issue was not an unusual one.

The Ondo governor insisted that he was still discharging his official functions despite his ill health.

According to the statement, “Mr. Governor is not faced with any life-threatening illness that would have encouraged any alleged conspiracy in his administration.

“He, in fact, held Executive Council meeting with the Exco members till 4pm on Wednesday,

Declare Public Holiday for PVC Collection, Ohanaeze Tells South-east Governors The apex socio-political Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has called on governors of the South-east states to declare public holidays to enable residents collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in a statement made available to journalists by its Secretary-General, Worldwide, Mr. Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said stringent strategies should be put in place to compel Igbos to collect their PVCs within the stipulated time ahead of the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

It added: “The South-east governors should arrange mobilisation strategies and awareness campaigns through party leaders at the ward levels and elected or appointed

councillors before the expiration date of 29th January, 2023.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo urges the South-east governors to put up strict regulations in place to ensure that all Igbo parents must present their PVCs before registering their children in schools and all workers should not earn their salaries without showing their PVCs. “We call on state governors to declare work-free days and public holidays for civil and public servants to go and collect their PVCs.” The group added that traders must also be made to show their PVCs before gaining access to markets.

“Ndigbo should not allow this opportunity to pass by without

FG: NIGERIA HAS ENOUGH EXTERNAL RESERVES TO WITHSTAND GLOBAL RECESSION, SHOCKS majority of Nigeria's.

“What will be safer is for the current administration to maybe at the beginning of the second quarter to start removing the fuel subsidy, because it's more expedient if you remove it gradually, than to wait and move it all in one big swoop.

“So the idea for us in the budget, is that the subsidy costs should not exceed that N3.23 trillion. So whether it's done completely 100 per cent by June or by July, or whatever, it's a process,” she said.

Senate Gives Finance Minister, Three Days Ultimatum to Submit N23.7trn Ways and Means Details Meanwhile, the Senate has directed Ahmed to liaise with Emefiele and submit details of Buhari's N23. 7 trillion Ways and Means request, within three days, for scrutiny.

Buhari had in December last year's urged the Senate to approve the Ways and Means restructuring.

The red chamber, upon receiving the Presidential request, had set up an adhoc Committee chaired by the Senate Leader, Ibrahim Gobir,

to carry out necessary legislative actions on it.

The panel then sent out invitations to the Finance Minister, the CBN Governor and other heads of federal ministries, departments and agencies that had direct connection with the fiscal document.

However, at the resumption of plenary after the New Year recess on Tuesday, Gobir informed his colleagues that the adhoc panel had not been able to sit because details of the Ways and Means Advances had not been provided by the executive arm of government.

The Chamber therefore ordered the Minister of Finance and the CBN Governor, to within three days, supply required information on the request to the ad hoc panel.

The red chamber warned that in view of presidential and National Assembly elections coming up next month, it would adjourn plenary this week or latest by Tuesday next week for practical participation in campaigns.

Continues online

doing the needful.

“This is a wake-up call to all eligible Igbo voters across the country to rise and pick up their PVCs wherever they are.

“We are collaborating with the governors to make sure that

uncollected PVCs get to the owners before the elections and we are ready to take extra measures through special arrangements to ensure that PVCs are shared to all eligible voters across the 95 LGAs of the South-east,” it added.

11th January, 2023, after the Security Council meeting where far-reaching decisions were taken on the escalated clashes in Ikare-Akoko.

“On January 7, 2023, Governor Akeredolu led his brother governors in the South-west and other party bigwigs to receive the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akure for the State Presidential Campaign Rally.

“On January 8, 2023, he was at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Jesus House Cathedral, Region 22 Headquarters, Oke-Ijebu, Akure for the Holy Service commemorating the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration.

“For emphasis, the governor, who participated in rigorous campaign activities on 7th of January, couldn’t have been bedridden as widely speculated. Moreso, last

Friday, Governor Akeredolu still inaugurated a new Refrigerated Van for the use of Meat Dealers in the state. He also received the Melvin Jones Award of the Lions Club International same day.”

The statement added: “While we appreciate the growing concerns about his wellbeing and indeed, appreciate the outpour of prayers even beyond partisan lines, we urge all persons of goodwill to ignore unfounded insinuations capable of creating any false sense of needless anxiety.

“The governor will continue to discharge his official duties to the good people of Ondo State in line with the Redeemed Agenda of his administration while he finds quality time to rest for renewed vigour and strength just like any man in his situation.”

INSECURITY: NIGERIA HAS SPENT OVER $1BN ON PURCHASE OF WEAPONS IN EIGHT YEARS, BUHARI REVEALS their political and socio-economic advancement since gaining independence from their colonial masters, it is commendable that the Government of Mauritania, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace, launched the First edition of the Conference in 2020, where the inaugural Conference deliberated on: “The Role of Islam in Africa: Tolerance and Moderation Against Extremism and Sectarianism.”

He added, “The theme of the Third edition of Peace Conference, ‘Enter all in Peace’ still corroborates the lingering scourge of insecurity, with linkages within and outside of the region, thereby necessitating the imperative for continued concerted engagements with governments and international partners towards its amelioration, if not outright eradication.”

Buhari paid tribute to the relentless drive and courage of His Excellency Sheikh Abdallah Bin Bayyah, for his initiative to promote peace through the process of combating extremists’ ideas that incubate violence in societies.

“Your scholarly teachings should be given due dissemination to counter the terrorists’ narrative misrepresenting Islamic thoughts,” he said.

The president stated that it was his strong belief that if leaders were able to re-commit themselves in the right directions with strong political will, Africa would be the better for it.

In his remarks, President of the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies, Shaykh Abdallah Bin Bayyah, said the 2023 conference theme was based on the recommendations of the “Nouakchott

Declaration” that emerged from the inaugural conference.

The declaration, which aims to deconstruct the religious basis of extremist speeches and to limit violence based on religious arguments, was enshrined as a reference document in the African Vision for Peace at the 33rd Summit of Heads of State of the African Union.

Bin Bayyah said the 2023 conference aims to strengthen the implementation of the Nouakchott Declaration and grow its popularisation.

Bin Bayyah said, “We want to raise awareness among African elites, spiritual elites and the youth, of the absolute priority that must be given to peace, and the need to implement concrete actions to promote and entrench it.”

He said, “The promotion of peace is the only possible way to guarantee access to prosperity and economic and social development.”

According to him, women would be specifically included during the three days of reflection, debate and development of concrete peace building initiatives.

Welcoming African leaders and scholars to the peace conference, the President of Mauritania congratulated Buhari for the award. He said the award was given to Buhari for providing good leadership and promoting peace in a multi-ethnic, multicultural and multi-linguistic country, like Nigeria, and extending his experience and wisdom to other African countries.

Buhari accused some Nigerians of using personal religious beliefs to champion their political and

economic interests.

The president, who spoke yesterday, at Nouakchott, Mauritania, while meeting with United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Rashad Hussain, said some people hide under the canopy of religion to advance their economic and political agenda.

Buhari stressed that continuous education was needed so that the larger Nigerian populace would not be hoodwinked.

Recounting his private meeting at the White House with former President Donald Trump, the Nigerian leader recalled Trump asking him, “why are you killing Christians in Nigeria,” and how he proceeded to tell him that the issue in the country was not religious, but rather criminal, and a usage of religion by some elements to further their economic, and sometimes, political interests.

He said, “It’s a problem Nigeria has been struggling with for a long time, and it is completely unnecessary.

"Some people use religion as sentiment, but with adequate education, people are seeing through it now.

Majority of the people just want to practice their religion without problem, but some people cash in on religious misunderstanding for their own ends.

“When people are educated, they are able to discern when others want to use religion for certain ends. They do it mostly for material reasons.

"Also, when some people are incompetent, they bring in all sorts of excuses, including religion.”

Ambassador Hussain said the United States of America was interested in partnering with Nigeria in the areas of formal and non-formal education, towards religious harmony.

He said, “There’s so much we can do together to promote peace, promote communal harmony. We love what you are doing, and we would be glad to assist as appropriate."

Buhari also met with President of the Abu Dhabi Peace Forum, Shaykh Abdullah Bin Bayyah, on the sidelines of the African Conference for Peace, held in Nouakchott, Mauritanian capital.

Buhari, who had earlier been invested with the African Award for Strengthening the Peace, was described by the Shaykh as “a symbol and icon of leadership and integrity,” who would remain an inspiration even after leaving office as President.

Bayyah lauded the efforts of the Nigerian president to eradicate religious extremism, stressing that it was something the world must collaborate to do.

“You are doing a great job in that regard, and it is something we need to do wherever such rears its head round the world,” the respected cleric said.

Inviting the Nigerian leader to visit Abu Dhabi within the short time left for him in office, the Shaykh stated, “You have had varied experiences, as a military leader, a democratically elected leader for two terms, and your input will be appreciated in any society. We will be glad to receive you.”

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NEWS

MBAH GETS CUSTOMISED JERSEY...

Enugu State governorship candidate of the PDP, Dr Peter Mbah (M) being presented with customized No. 10 jersey conferring on him the honorary captainship of the 5-Aside football section of the Enugu Sports Club by Mr Chukwuemelie Agu (L) member, and Barr. Henry Nwosu, Executive Chairman (R), during a town hall meeting with members of the club, on Sunday.

Northern Elders’ Group to FG: No Section Should Be Disenfranchised on Account of Insecurity in Elections John Shiklam in Kaduna The Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) has called on the federal and state governments to ensure that no section of the country was disenfranchised on grounds of insecurity during the general election.

In a statement yesterday, in Kaduna, Chairman of the forum, Mr. Ejoga Inalegu, urged the government to give security forces more support to sustain the push against insurgents and other criminal elements terrorising the country.

The statement also condemned the recent killing of a Catholic priest in Niger State, Reverend Father Isaac Achi; the invasion and massacre of communities in Southern Kaduna and the abduction of worshipers in a church in Katsina state.

Inalegu lamented that communities in Southern Kaduna and Niger States were the most affected by the deadly activities of terrorists.

He said, “With the improved surveillance and deterrent measures being taken by the security forces in tackling insecurity, we are surprised at the deteriorating situation arising in these areas.

“We call on the governments at the state and federal levels to give the security forces the needed support to sustain the push against

the insurgency plaguing the nation, especially as we approach the 2023 elections, so that no section of the country is disenfranchised on grounds of insecurity.

“We were excited when politicians were able to make night visits to areas of hitherto high insecurity only to at the same time be greeted with sustained attacks against communities in Southern Kaduna at about the same time.”

The statement also called on parents to counsel their wards against being used as thugs by politicians to cause violence during the elections.

The statement further called urged Nigerians not to support politicians, “who in their desperate bid to win elections at all costs, have resorted to divisive politics of exclusion in-spite of the pleas of patriotic Nigerians.”

The statement pleaded with Nigerians to, “reject those who believe that winning an election is more important than the harmonious existence of the nation.

“Remember that the massive money they are using to buy and make people compromise their conscience is our money. “Whether you collect or don’t collect their ill-gotten money, be prepared to vote out those propagating politics

of exclusion and make it unattractive for the future.”

Ejoga called on registered voters to collect their PVCs to be able to exercise their voting rights during the elections.

The statement expressed condolences to the families of Rev. Fr. Achi, the catholic priest who was burnt alive in Niger state, his assistant who was shot, those killed in the Kagoro attacks and the 25

people kidnapped during church service on Sunday Katsina state “We pray for comfort for the families of those killed, the Church, God’s intervention for those in kidnappers’ dens and quick recovery for those injured.

“We wish you a prosperous New Year and wish Nigeria, a turning point to peace, harmony and prosperity in the year 2023”, the statement added.

Edo Graduates 574 Community Security Operatives Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The Edo government has charged operatives of the Edo State Security Vigilante Network to ensure the protection of life and property, eschew violence and discharge their duties within the ambit of the laws.

Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu gave the charge at the graduation of batch 'A' trainees of the network, comprising 574 operatives drawn from the six local government areas of Edo North, who completed a two-week intensive training session, held at the Police Training School, Ogida, Benin City.

The training focused on weapon handling, intelligence gathering, human rights protection and other modules to better equip the operatives in the discharge of their duties.

“You have not been trained to go and terrorize your community but to complement the efforts of the state security council. Your duty is also to provide information and monitor all government properties. You are to work in line with the procedures, rules and regulations laid down for you," Shaibu said. “You must also work in harmony with your community leaders and village heads, defend the land and shun all negativity."

The deputy governor added, "Remember, none of you is above the law. We have a security network that is all encompassing.

The police cannot be everywhere but be in strategic areas watching over lives and property and can be effective only to the extent that all of us can give necessary information to them."

According to him, the security outfit has started "recording successes," admitting that "we are not there yet until we have a state where everybody can move freely without hitches, sleep with their eyes closed and where private investment flourishes."

Shaibu pointed out that Edo "is

currently one of the most secure states in Nigeria."

"We have a governor that has been able to coordinate all of us to the extent that we now take security as a priority. Without security, no investment can come," Shaibu stressed.

The Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Dankwara, represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Operations, in Edo, Dantawaye Miller, urged the graduands to ensure they synergise their operations with the police divisions.

“We have enjoyed synergy with the security network and I want to tell you that with this training,

we hope we will synergize more.

I urge you to work closely with your Divisional Police Offices," said Dankwara. "When there are arrests, contact your DPOs for guidance on what to do so that you don't break the law. Also, avoid being used for land grabbing activities.”

The PTS Commandant, ACP Bamidele Awoniyi, urged the new local security outfit operatives to carry everyone in their community along to excel in their duty.

Also, the Coordinator of the ESN, Col. Oshoriamhe Omomia (retd) expressed optimism and charged the graduands to deliver in protecting their communities.

at least two-thirds of all the States in the Federation which means 24 states and in addition to meeting the one-quarter requirement in 24 states, a candidate must also win one-quarter of the votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja".

From the above he said one could deduce that a presidential candidate must have one-quarter of the votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, in addition to scoring not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in 24 states of the federation, to be duly elected.

"The above possible interpretations raise three major questions: (1) is the requirement that a presidential candidate must score not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of the 36 States of the Federation; does this mean that the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja is incorporated in the 24 States? Or (2) is the requirement that a presidential candidate must score not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds

of the 36 States of the Federation; does it mean that the presidential candidate must also score not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja?

(3) can a candidate that scored not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in 36 States of the Federation but fails to score one-quarter of the votes cast at the election at the Federal Capital Territory, be duly elected as President of Nigeria?”

Agbakoba further observed that while Section 134(1)(a) provides that a candidate for an election to the office of president shall be deemed to have been duly elected, where, there being only two candidates for the election, the candidate has the majority of votes cast at the election, Section 134(2) provides that a candidate for an election to the office of President shall be deemed to have been duly elected where, there being more than two candidates for the election, the candidate has the highest number of votes cast at the election.

INEC WILL HOLD ELECTIONS DESPITE ATTACKS ON FACILITIES, YAKUBU INSISTS He said: “We have the machines for the 2023 elections but we didn’t want to take chances. Each and every machine has been tested and confirmed functional. For the last two weeks our officials were in the 36 states of the federation testing these machines, and the functionality is simply encouraging.

“The second thing we’re going to do, and pretty soon, is to conduct mock accreditation exercise nationwide ahead of the elections.

We won’t wait until the main elections come, we will test the integrity of these machines with real life voters in selected polling units across the country.

“We did so in Ekiti and Osun, it was fantastic and we’re going to do so nationwide. Increasingly our people are becoming more excited about the deployment of this technology and we’re really happy.

“Also in terms of the numbers of these BVAS machines, we always make provision in case of malfunction or glitches. There is always a backup.

We have IReV technical support that

will fix the machines in the unlikely event of any glitches.

“However, where it fails to function completely in a polling unit, from previous experience there were isolated polling units, the law has a remedy that the commission should re-mobilise and re-conduct elections in the affected polling units within 24 hours, so we are really, really comfortable where we are.”

Agbakoba Tasks INEC on Clarification of Section 134

Meanwhile, with less than 40 days to the presidential election, foremost lawyer, Chief Olisa Agbakoba, has raised concern about provisions of Section 134 of the 1999 Constitution.

In a letter to Yakubu, the senior lawyer who raised concern about the confusing nature of the law, wants the electoral umpire to make clarification before the elections.

Section 134 of the 1999 Constitution provides specific requirements a presidential candidate must meet

before he or she would be declared winner of an election.

It reads: "A candidate for an election to the office of President shall be deemed to have been duly elected, where, there being only two candidates for the election: he has the majority of votes cast at the election; and he has not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of all the States in the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

"A candidate for an election to the office of President shall be deemed to have been duly elected where, there being more than two candidates for the election- (a) he has the highest number of votes cast at the election; and (b) he has not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of all the States in the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”

However, in the letter dated January 17, 2023 and titled: ‘Re: Clarification on Section 134 of the 1999 Constitution,’ Agbakoba stated

that he and, “many concerned Nigerians are worried about the correct interpretation of the said section.”

According to Agbakoba, while the section in one breath says a candidate could only be declared winner of a presidential election by scoring majority of votes cast in the election; in another it says a candidate could only be declared winner after scoring the highest number of votes cast in the poll.

"I reviewed section 134 carefully, specifically, subsections 134 (1) (b) and (2) (b), and wondered if “two-thirds of all the States in the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja" means either of the following: a) that a presidential candidate must score not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of all the states in the federation which means 24 states, the 24 States will include the Federal Capital Territory Abuja as a “State”, or (b) that a presidential candidate must score not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of

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NEWS

TONYE COLE ON CAMPAIGN TRAIL...

APC Governorship candidate in Rivers State, Tonye Cole addressing the people of Etche during his state campaign tour at Etche Local Government in Rivers State ... yesterday.

Imo PDP Suspends Campaign for One Week, Plans Protest over Attack on Ugochinyere We're worried no arrest has been made by Police, DSS, says party Ohanaeze Youths Condemn Uzodinma's Comments Sunday Aborisade, Adedayo Akinwale and Udora Orizu in Abuja The People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has declared one-week suspension of its political campaigns, to mourn the four persons gruesomely murdered by gunmen last week, during the invasion of the residence of the party's House of Representatives candidate for Ideato North/South Ikenga Ugochinyere.

Last Saturday, motorcades conveying gunmen, arsonists had stormed the residence of Ugochinyere, who is also the spokesman of Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), at his hometown in Akokwa, where four persons were killed including his Uncle.

In separate internal memos, issued by the party's state secretary Hon.

(Nze) Ray Emeana, titled: ''Suspension of Campaigns for One Week and Visit to Security Agencies,” the party resolved to stage a protest at the police station and office of the Director, State Security.

Emeana explained that for the one-week mourning, the party’s flags shall fly at half-mast and all party faithful were enjoined to wear black arm bands.

For the protest which it stated would take place today, at 10 am, he said the candidates were mandated to come with 10 leaders from each local government areas.

The memos dated January 16th, and addressed to all party candidates, members and campaign council chairmen, read in part: "Recall the resolution the SWC and Candidates of the Party to with: To

walk from the State Secretariat of the Party to the offices of the State Commissioner of Police and the Director, State Security to submit letters of protest.

“Note that all SWC members, all candidates, all LGA Chairmen and 10 leaders from each LGA will proceed to the above offices as follows.

“Attendance by all SWC Members, LGA Party Chairmen, candidates and selected leaders are mandatory and on time.”

The other memo read: "Suspension of campaigns for one-week. In view of the attack on the candidate of the Party in Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency and the gruesome murder of three members of the party, the party hereby declares one-week of mourning

Irate Residents Burn Police Divisional Office in Niger over Catholic Priest’s Murder Dipo Laleye in Minna Aggrieved women and youths in Kafin-koro in Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State yesterday razed the Kafin-koro Police Divisional office.

The incident took place three days after the parish priest of St Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Kafin-koro, Reverend Father Isaac Achi, was burnt to death by terrorists who invaded the parish’s residence.

It was gathered that trouble began when some Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) and Catholic women groups converged on the premises of the burnt parish as early as 7 am yesterday to pray against those who gruesomely murdered Achi.

But a police detachment from the Kafin-koro Police Division was drafted to the church, stating it was directed to provide protection for the praying congregation. Still distraught over the inability of the police to respond on time to prevent the death of the priest, the women refused and resisted the protection provided by the police.

The women were said to have accused the police of not doing anything to rescue the late Reverend Father and asked the operatives to leave.

Achi was on Sunday burnt to death by suspected terrorists.

The state police command that

confirmed the dastardly attack, had said Achi was killed at his residence at about 3a.m.

It would be recalled that the deceased Father was the Parish Priest as of the time of the Christmas Day bombing at the St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State on December 25, 2011. He narrowly escaped death then.

The police spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, had said the bandits razed

the building after failing to gain entrance into the priest’s residence.

Abiodun had also said another priest was also shot while trying to escape from the attackers.

“On 15/01/2023 at about 0300hrs, armed bandits invaded the Parish residence of one Rev. Father Isaac Achi of St. Peters and Paul Catholic Church, along Daza road, Kafin-Koro, Paikoro LGA,” the statement read.

and suspends all campaigns for one week.

“During the week, all party’s flags shall fly at half mast, all party faithful are enjoined to wear black arm bands. The party during the period will protest in the strongest possible ways to all security agencies in the state. All party faithful are further directed to maintain peace."

Meanwhile, the Ohanaeze Youths Movement has frowned at the comments made by the Governor of Imo State, Mr. Hope Uzodinma, following the bloody attacks on the country home of the CUPP spokesperson.

Ugochinyere's uncle and three other people were killed while many vehicles parked in his compound were set ablaze.

Reacting to the development, Uzodinma had claimed that he was aware of some meetings between Ugochinyere and the unknown gunmen who attacked his residence.

Uzodinma in an interview with journalists after the incident, had accused Ugochinyere of violating an agreement which he (the PDP candidate) allegedly reached with unknown gunmen and that it was Ikenga’s breach of the agreement that led to the attack.

However, the Ohanaeze Youth group in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Nwada Amaka described the governor’s comment on the attack as shameful.

The statement noted that Uzodinma had exposed the depth of his knowledge of the attack prior

to its execution.

The group alleged that the attempt to divert attention by making wild allegations had shown that he was behind attack.

The group therefore urged the Nigeria Police to ensure that all the perpetrators of the heinous crime were arrested for immediate prosecution and necessary punishment as stipulated by law.

The statement read, "It's actually disappointing that after seeing the horrific pictorial and video evidences showing the extent of the damage and murderous escapades of those gunmen, that was the only thing the governor could say on the matter.

"An indigene's house, cars were burnt down, his uncle's and other people were brutally murdered, the governor who is supposed to be in charge of ensuring the protection of lives and properties of the citizens he governs is busy making baseless accusations.

"This is not the first time Ikenga is being attacked, He was openly threatened by an appointee of a sitting governor just last month and last week, an attempt was made on his life.

"We urge security agencies to do the needful, no one is above the law, the perpetrators must be brought to book."

In a related development, the PDP has expressed worry that the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) were yet to make arrest since the attack.

The State Publicity Secretary

of Imo state Chapter of the party, Collins Opurozor in a statement issued yesterday, decried the statement credited to Uzodinma that Ugochinyere was working with anti-democratic forces to cancel the forthcoming elections.

The opposition party contended that the comment credited to the state government on the matter has not just betrayed his sympathy for the attackers, but has also exposed the depth of his knowledge of the attack prior to its execution.

"However, what this selfconfession has established is that, even before the attack on Ikenga Ugochinyere was carried out, Uzodinma had full knowledge of it. He knew how it was conceived, planned and executed.

"By his admission, Uzodinma knows who the so-called unknown gunmen are. He knows where and how they meet. He is privy to their agreements, documents and action plan. So, what is unknown about the gunmen if the Governor could boast of knowing everything about them, including their meetings and their resolutions?" Opurozor alleged.

He added: "What is really worrisome is that, in all of these, no arrest has been effected by the Nigeria Police and/or the Department of State Services. " It is noteworthy that protection of lives and property is the sacred responsibility of the government. The security agencies are supposed to be non-partisan and act without fear or favour. We are deeply worried."

ECWA PRESIDENT: CHURCH WILL ANNOUNCE PRESIDENTIAL CHOICE SOON attending the rally.

"There were also speculations that they even collaborated with some people to influence drivers not to work so that many Ekiti people, who love PDP, would not attend today's rally. But the mammoth crowd we have seen today have demonstrated a great love for us.

We can confidently say, shame on our enemies."

Meanwhile, INEC hailed the ECOWAS commission for its dialogue with leaders of political parties towards a peaceful general election this year.

Speaking during the ECOWAS commission engagement with the leadership of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and other stakeholders on “Non-violence 2023 general election” in Jos, the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Oliver Agundu, said the ECOWAS commission had

taken a rather unique and commendable step. Agundu said the move would help to strengthen channels of information, deepen relations among stakeholders, and promote widespread collaborations on common issues faced during elections.

The leaders, drawn from the North-east and North-central states, were taken on training and interactive engagements on dialogue and mediation for national peace.

The four-day training and interactive workshop was geared towards violence-free 2023 general election in Nigeria with the enhancement of participants’ dialogue and mediation tools and platforms for addressing contentious issues. The goal was to prevent and mitigate election-related conflicts and violence before, during, and after the polls.

Represented by the commission’s Head of Voters’ Education, Mr.

Otokpa Egwurube, the REC said, “We also urge stakeholders to act and behave responsibly even in the face of defeat or when victorious because in an electoral contest, there must be a loser and there must be a winner.

ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, who was represented by ECOWAS Commission Programme Officer on Mediation, Directorate of Political Affairs, Dr. Brown Odigie, noted that interactive engagements by political actors and stakeholders were critical in electoral processes. Odigie said the ECOWAS commission prioritised creating opportunities for such interactions to be held as well as equipping stakeholders with the necessary skills and competences for dialogue and mediation.

The representative of the United

Nations Office in West Africa and Sahel (UNOWAS) Liaison Office in Nigeria, Mrs Sa'adatu Shuaibu, noted that the training fell within the framework of UNOWAS joint efforts with ECOWAS to support member states in their efforts to conduct peaceful, inclusive, and credible elections and entrench democracy.

Plateau State Commissioner of Police (CP) Bartholomew Onyeka, said the country's recent history of pre and post electoral violence was the reason many Nigerians were very apprehensive.

Allaying the fears of the citizens, Onyeka, who was represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ejike Ochiabotor, said, “Plateau State Police Command under my watch as the prime law enforcement agency in the state has involved various workable strategic measures to ensure that

the forthcoming general election is conducted peacefully without any hitch all over the state." Onyeka added that the command had carried out effective sensitisation of its officers and critical stakeholders in the state to virtually all rules guiding the conduct of the elections.

National Secretary of IPAC, Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, said free, fair, credible, transparent, inclusive, peaceful and acceptable election was the beauty and bedrock of democracy, noting that the forthcoming general election was critical to sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.

Dantalle stated, “The success of the elections will be a defining moment for our fellow compatriots, who desire and yearn for transformational, visionary, progressive, purposeful and resourceful leaders, who will restore Nigeria as the great arsenal of democracy in Africa."

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 18, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS

TOWARDS NON-VIOLENT ELECTIONS…

L-R: Representative of Plateau State Commissioner of Police, ACP Ejike Ochiabuto; ECOWAS Commission Programme Officer on Mediation, Directorate of Political Affairs, Dr. Brown Odigie; National Secretary, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Alh. Yusuf Dantalle, and Political Affairs Officer, UNOWAS, Ms. Sa’adatu Shuaibu, at the ECOWAS mediation and dialogue training on non-violent 2023 elections in Jos…yesterday

Osinbajo: Nigeria’s Survival Lies in Ethical Revolution James Sowole inAbeokuta

Vice President (VP) Prof. Yemi Osinbajo yesterday raised the alarm that Nigeria will “fail completely” if the leaders do not accept and implement what he described as ethical and values revolution, saying solution to problems bedeviling the country

lies in the two.

Osinbajo also said that all Nigerians, particularly leaders in various levels of society including religious organisations, must deal with corruption.

The VP stated this while delivering a lecture titled: “Values: The Difference Between Success and Failure” at the Centennial

Anniversary of Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta, Ogun State, organised by the old students of the school, founded on July 23, 1923.

Osinbajo insisted that the government must lead the ethical revolution by rewarding good ethical behaviours and

ensuring speedy punishment for misconduct.

He noted that Nigerians must change their view that corruption is not only in Nigeria and that there are many countries that are more corrupt than Nigeria, saying no modern society is free of corruption.

He said the elites and leaders of other modern societies, sat down and deal with the scourge, which must happen in Nigeria.

He said:”There is a need for a national consensus or at least an elite consensus. The political elites, the religious elites and the business elites must agree that our

country will fail completely if we do not accept and implement an ethical revolution.

“One where we establish a national work ethics of honesty and hard work. It is what is taught and learned that shape the character of individuals and nations.”

Makinde Inaugurates Implementation Committee for University of Education

Private Sector Operators Urge Incoming Govt to Make Industrialisation Flagship of its Economic Agenda

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Dike Onwuamaeze

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, yesterday, inaugurated the Implementation Committee for the Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, tasking the committee to make the university the number one education degree-awarding institution in Nigeria.

Makinde, who stated this while inaugurating the committee members at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, said

his administration would leave a legacy of quality education in Oyo State.

While charging members of the committee to work out the policy and process by which the institution will be run, he said the new university of education will soon become a topmost institution in Nigeria for the acquisition of degrees in the field of education.

The governor also charged the members of the committee to bring their experience to bear in the discharge of the duty given to them.

Slain Lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, Laid to Rest in Lagos

Rebecca Ejifoma

Amidst tears, the slain lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, was yesterday buried at the Vaults and Gardens (Mayfair) cemetery in the Lekki Epe area of Lagos.

This was after the funeral procession at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Olive Tree Parish, Banana Island in Ikoyi, Lagos state.

In his sermon, the former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah said Raheem’s

“relatively short life” was filled with great impact.

He, however, conceded that the circumstances that led to her death elicited widespread reactions that would bring about reforms in society.

Raheem, who was pregnant, was shot dead by a police officer, ASP Drambi Vandi on Christmas day in the Ajah area of the state.

The officer, who has since stripped of his duty in the force, pleaded not guilty to the murder charges preferred against him on Monday at the High Court sitting in the Tafawa Balewa Square.

Masari Directs Security Agencies to Rescue Abducted Worshippers Francis Sardauna in Katsina

Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, has directed security agencies in the state to rescue worshippers who were abducted by terrorists last Sunday in Kankara Local Government Area of the state.

Masari, who gave the directive, when he met with heads of security agencies at the Government House, urged them to do everything humanly possible to ensure that the victims were rescued and reunited with

their families.

THISDAY had reported that some group of terrorists stormed the New Life for All Church in Mai-Tsauni community of Kankara and abducted 25 worshippers, leaving the pastor of the church, Daniel Danbai with varying degrees of injuries during service.

But the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Gambo Isah, had in a statement, said only eight worshippers were abducted while preparing to go to church last.

Members of the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) have tasked the incoming government to make the development of the Nigerian industrial sector the flagship of its economic agenda from May 29, 2023.

They also advised the federal government to commission the Chiyoda Groups of Japan that

build the national refineries originally to carry out a Turn Around Maintenance of the four refineries.

The OPSN gave these tasks yesterday when it unveiled its economic policy document titled the, “OPSN Policy Priorities for Political Parties in Nigeria,” that would guide political parties and the incoming government to accelerate the pace of Nigeria’s

industrialisation and economic development.

The document, which was unveiled during the, “High Level Meeting of the OPSN with National Endowment for Democracy,” would enable government to reshape economic policies and implementation in order to address and redress the challenges in the country’s business environment.

The Chairman of the OPSN, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi, who presented the document’s policy brief, said the government should take deliberate and urgent steps to improve conducive and enabling business environment for businesses.

Adeniyi said: “In the light of this, we succinctly present fieldbased observations of the core challenges of industries in the country at the moment.”

Lawmakers Step Down Bill to Exempt Foreign Nigerian Students from NYSC Scheme corp members allowances.

1945 &1674) was sponsored Act should be amended, to Udora Orizu in Abuja Members of the House of Representatives at the plenary, yesterday opposed and eventually stepped down a Bill seeking to amend the NYSC Act, to make provision for issuance of exemption certificate to Nigerians schooling abroad and for upward review of

The proposed legislation tilted, “Bill for an Act to Amend the National Youth Service Corps Act, Cap. N84 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Review Upward the Accommodation and Transport Allowances of Corps Members in line with Current realities; and for Related Matters (HBs.716, 1305, 1657, 1922,

by Hon. Ben Igbakpa, Hon. Eta Mbora, Hon. Abass Adigun, and three other lawmakers.

Leading the debate on the general principles of the Bill which was presented for second reading, Igbakpa was of the view that with the changing times, NYSC scheme should no longer be compulsory, hence the Principal

make provision for issuance of exemption certificate to Nigerians schooling abroad.

The lawmaker made reference to the case of former Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun who was made to resign over allegations she used a forged certificate to avoid the country’s mandatory one-year youth service scheme.

PDP ‘ll Begin the Process of Recreating A New Nigeria, Says Okowa Adedayo Akinwale inAbuja

The vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has assured Nigerians that the party would begin the process of recreating a new Nigeria where everyone is happy.

Okowa stated this yesterday in Ekiti state during the presidential rally of the party, where he also declared that it was time to bring

back the government that cares for the people.

He said: “It is time to bring back a government that cares for the people. The high level of insecurity is not for the Nigeria we are talking about, the disunity in the country today, that is not the Nigeria of our dreams.”

The Delta State governor said the way the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has destroyed education in the country was not

what Nigerians hoped for.

He added: “Now our people are hungry, they can’t have employment. Everything is going bad, industries are packing, everything is getting expensive, that is not the Nigeria of our dream.

“We want as a party to begin the process to recreate a new Nigeria, where everybody will be happy, where people will get employed, where our youths can have hope

for their future and when they are leaving the school, they know that there is something in stock for them to do. This is what Atiku Abubakar has promised us.”

Okowa noted that the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar, who was the vice president and Chairman of National Economic Council between 1999 and 2007 is coming back, strengthened for the great task ahead.

Accord Party Presidential Candidate Promises to Run All-inclusive Govt “if not even worse than the that the party on which he is value and mindset to change Sunday Okobi Ahead of next month general election, the presidential candidate of Accord Party (AP), Prof Christopher Imumolen, has declared that the Labour Party (LP) is the same as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC),

two others put together.”

Imumolen made the assertion during a Twitter Spaces session hosted by Japheth Omojuwa recently.

Imumolen, who described the presidential candidate of the LP, Peter Obi, a fine man who has done well for himself, regretted

contesting has done even worse than APC and PDP. The AP presidential candidate, rather, promised to run an all-inclusive government, adding that he’s the one man “to change the country and make Nigeria the giant of the world. I possess the desire,

the Nigerian narrative.”

On the Labour Party, he urged the party to review its philosophy, saying LP is a more corrupt, rudderless, and problematic political party than the duo of APC and PDP–which have shared federal power for 24 years.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 18, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWSXTRA

INSTITUTE OF STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT ‘S INAUGURATION...

L-R: Public Relations Officer, Institute of Strategic Management, (ISMN) Lagos Chapter, Mr. Adewale Abdul; Treasurer, Mr. Atanda Abimbola; Chairman, Mrs. Ajibike Onigbanjo; General Secretary, Mr. Rasheed Oyolola; Financial Secretary, Mrs. Tari Ogidi, and Social Secretary, Mr. Tella Rahaman, during the inauguration of ISMN Lagos chapter’s executives...recently ETOP UKUTT

Lawmakers Condemn Rising Kidnapping Cases, Want Victims Released Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives has condemned in strong terms the kidnapping and disappearance of Treasurer, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Enobong Williamson and other

incidences of kidnapping across the country, leaving the citizens at the mercy of the kidnappers.

The lawmakers while mandating the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba and other security agencies to intensify efforts in securing his release as well as many others

Uproar as Court Sentences Vulcaniser to Death for Robbing Nurse of N57,000 Rebecca Ejifoma

There has been uproar on social media after an Ikeja Special Offences Court presided over by Justice Mojisola Dada, yesterday sentenced 32-year-old vulcaniser Chidozie Onyinchiz to death by hanging for robbing a nurse of N57,000.

Dada held that the prosecution had proved the three-count charge of conspiracy, armed robbery and membership of an unlawful society against Onyinchiz.

She said the convict’s attempt to wriggle out of the charges was futile.

This, she said, was because he had earlier confirmed to the police at Igando, Lagos, that his victim, Veronica Uwayzor sighted him and they both recognised each other at the time of the offence.

The defendant had stated that the complainant pointed at him as one of the boys armed with a pair of scissors and forcefully snatched her bag containing N57,000 at Akesan Bus Stop.

Gombe Gov Appoints LG Caretaker Chairmen

Segun Awofadeji in Gombe

Gombe State Governor, Mr. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has approved the appointment of caretaker chairmen for the 11 local government councils in the state.

This was announced by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi.

According to a press release that was issued by DirectorGeneral (Press Affairs), Government House, Mr. Ismaila Uba Misilli, which was made available to journalists yesterday,

the new appointees included Mr. Abubakar Usman Barambu, Akko LGA; Mr. Garba Umar Garus, Balanga LGA and Ms. Margret Bitrus for Billiri LGA. Others are Jamilu Ahmed Shabewa, Dukku LGA; Mr. Ibrahim Adamu Cheldu, Funakaye LGA; Mr. Aliyu Usman Haruna, Gombe LGA, and Mr. Faruk Aliyu Umar for Kaltungo LGA. They also include Mr. Ibrahim Buba, Kwami LGA; Salisu Shu’aibu Dendele, Nafada LGA; Mr. Yohanna Nahari, Shongom LGA and Mr. Garba Usman for Y/Deba LGA.

Uzodimma’s Skill Up Imo Project Receives Private Sector Support

Emma Okonji

The Imo State Youths Digital Skills Empowerment Programme, known as SkillupImo Project, has received cash and technical support from the private sector that would boost the project.

The digital skills project is being implemented by the state government, under the watch of the State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma.

According to a statement that was released by the state’s

Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government, and signed by its Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Sandra Obiefule, two individuals, the Founder of Zinox Technologies, Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh, and the President/ Chief Executive Officer of Inno & Bisco Groups, Mr. Innocent Chibuzor Unoha, have demonstrated their support to the state government’s vision to transform Imo State citizens into global citizens with relevant digital skills in the 21st century.

from the den of kidnappers, urged the federal government to curb the incessant kidnappings in the country.

The resolutions of the lawmakers were sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent

national importance sponsored

by Hon. Idem Unyime.

Moving the motion, Unyime noted with concern and sadness the reoccurring incidences of incessant abduction, disappearance and kidnapping going on

across the country and most recently in Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency of AkwaIbom State.

He recalled that the whole community was greeted with the sad news of the kidnapping

and disappearance of Mr. Enobong Williamson,who until his disappearance was the Treasurer, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ward 3, Oruk Anam LGA, Akwa Ibom State.

We’ll not Play Second Fiddle in 2023 General Election, Says Wike Atiku to campaign in Rivers February 11

BlessingIbungeinPortHarcourt and AdedayoAkinwaleinAbuja Governor Nyesom Wike said the people of Rivers State will not play second fiddle concerning the general election slated for February 25, and March 11, 2023 The Rivers State governor

hinted that he and his political allies will soon disclose the presidential candidate to support in the February 25 election. This is just as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, would visit Rivers State to campaign by the second week of February in

what has been described as the “mother of all rallies.”

However, Wike maintained that the people of the state know their political bearings, and have been duly sensitised to vote the candidates of the PDP for governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly. .

Governor Wike spoke yesterday, while flagging off the State PDP campaign in Omagwa Town, Ikwerre Local Government Area.

The governor informed that the forthcoming election will leave no room for any form of electoral manipulation and intimidation from security personnel.

Army Must be Apolitical, Outgoing GOC Insists at the handing over ceremony, terrorising the region. and officers of the command

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

The outgoing General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division Major General Uwem Bassey, said as Nigerians are preparing for 2023 polls soldiers and officers of Nigerian Army should remain apolitical.

Bassey stated this yesterday

which took place at 26 battalion Giginya Barrack parade ground Sokoto.

Maj Gen Bassey, who is the former commander joint taskforce operation Hadarin Daji in the North-west enumerated his achievements to include the containment of terrorists

He also said the command under him took over the bandits’ enclave in Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina State.

He noted that during some major operations they were able to recovered many weapons from the terrorists.

He enjoined the soldiers

to be law-abiding and loyal to federal republic of Nigeria and constitution of federal republic of Nigeria.

He further stressed that they should observe code of conduct and rule of engagement given to them by the Chief of Army Staff.

Election: Police Warn Politicians, Thugs to Shun Violence Gov Adeleke urges Police to be neutral

Rebecca Ejifoma and Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The Lagos State Police Command has warned all political parties in the state to shun violence during and after the election.

The Commissioner of Police, CP. Alabi Abiodun, gave this

warning at the Stakeholders Meeting on Election Security.

However, the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has enjoined Nigerian Police Force to allow Nigerians choose their leaders in the forthcoming elections without any interference.

Abiodun further cautioned

political thugs, cultists and other agitators to steer clear of the pooling booth.

He said: “I want to advise political leaders here to go back home and warn their supporters that the police are ready to deal with anyone caught fomenting trouble in the state.

“I also want to warn that

anybody who has no business at the pooling units should remain indoors or risk the wrath of the police.”

The commissioner of police, however, implored politicians to play by the rules of the game, as anybody caught on the contrary, no matter how highly placed, would be visited by the law.

New Defence Spokesman, Gusau, Seeks Media Support for 2023 Polls

Kingsley Nwezeh inAbuja

The new Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.Gen. Tukur Gusau, yesterday, assumed duties as the head of the Directorate of Defence Information (DDI) and called for the support of the media establishment for the armed forces as the nation prepares for the 2023

general elections.

He took over from the erstwhile Director, Maj.Gen. Jimmy Akpor.

Akpor was moved to Army Headquarters as Director Personnel Services, Nigerian Army.

In his remarks, Gusau commended his predecessor for forging better relationship with the media which helped to positively

project the operations of the armed forces.

He also thanked the media for the continuous support for the armed forces and called for stronger relationship between the military and the media on matters of national security.

“I urge you to provide the enabling environment for members

of the armed forces of Nigeria to perform their constitutional roles without distractions.

“As the nation gradually approach the coming general elections starting from next month, I urge you to avoid reports capable of affecting the morale of our gallant troops and the credibility of our armed forces,” he said.

Edo APC Chieftain Decries Illegal Appointment of Liaison Officers to Run Councils AdibeEmenyonuinBeninCity A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Dr. Washington Osifo, has said the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Edo State and members of the State House ofAssembly risked contempt

of court for backing the recent appointment of liaison officers by the state governor, Godwin Obaseki to run the 18 local government areas instead of conducting election into the third tier of government.

He said the action of the governor was contrary to the provisions of Nigeria’s constitution and rulings

of the Supreme Court, adding that since the governor enjoys immunity, the Commissioner and the lawmakers could be held liable to the infractions of the governor.

Addressing a press conference in Benin City, Osifo who is a former Commissioner for Education in Edo, said the Obaseki’s administration did

not continue the projects initiated by his predecessor and that his actions have been more of theories than practical.

Osifo who was flanked by party leaders, human rights activists and others said the action of the governor contravened Sections 1 (20(3) and 7 (1) of the 1999 constitution.

47

WEDNESDAY, ͹΀˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

CHAN: Pinnick Expresses Concern over Algeria, Morocco Rift Insists football promotes world unity and peace

Duro Ikhazuagbe FIFA Council Member, Amaju Pinnick, has expressed his concern over the rift between host Algeria and Morocco, the defending champions of the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The former president of the Nigeria Football Federation who also is an Executive Committee Member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said in a statement he issued from Atlanta, USA last night that the decision of Algeria to stop Morocco from flying into Constantine to begin the defence of the trophy falls short of expectations.

“As a member of the world football family and stakeholder in African football, I am concerned that

Morocco, the defending champion of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), was hindered from participating in the 2023 edition of the tournament holding in Algeria,” began the FIFA member in the statement.

He also feels sad over the xenophobic chants at the opening ceremony where the grandson of late South African President, Nelson Mandela made disparaging comments about Morocco.

“Even more disturbing were the political remarks at the opening ceremony and xenophobic chants

by Algerian fans.

“While not interfering in any political issues that may exist between both countries, we must be reminded that football promotes world unity and peace

Argentina Coach, Scaloni, Rates Messi Above Maradona Lionel Messi has surpassed Diego Maradona as the greatest player of all time, Argentina’s World Cup winning coach Lionel Scaloni has said.

“If I have to choose one, I choose Leo, I have something special with him. He is the best of all time although Maradona was also great,” Scaloni told Spanish radio station Cope yesterday.

Argentina fans have long preferred Maradona over Messi but attitudes appear to be shifting after the Paris St Germain forward led the team to lift the World Cup last month for the first time since Maradona inspired them to win it in 1986.

Scaloni also said that he prioritised speaking to Messi when he was named Argentina coach in 2018, while the forward was taking a break from international duty following the disastrous World Cup in Russia.

“The first thing we did was have a video call with Messi. He said he

was honoured and the first thing we said to him was ‘Come back.

We’ll wait for you’. That’s what we did and eight months later he came and found an incredible group,” Scaloni added.

“Coaching Messi is not difficult.

You cannot correct him on a technical level but sometimes you can instruct him to press or to attack in a certain way. When he smells blood, he is the number one.”

Scaloni also defended his goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after he was criticised for his overzealous celebrations following Argentina’s triumph, such as making an obscene gesture when collecting the Golden Glove award and carrying a toy baby with Kylian Mbappe’s face on it during the open-top bus parade.

“There are attitudes which he will not be happy with, but he is a spectacular guy. He is like a child. He is an incredible guy, his personality has given so much to the group,” Scaloni added.

and all member countries of FIFA and indeed nations which bid to host events should accordingly be willing and ready to act with the same understanding,” stressed the FIFA Council member.

While urging the leadership of both CAF and FIFA to handle the matter in line with the statutes of both football governing bodies, Pinnick said only then will future hosts not resort to the kind of antics that Algeria adopted to stop Morocco from attending the tournament.

“I am therefore saddened by these occurrences at the African Nations Championship, a very important tournament in the calendar of African football for the development of home-based players.

“I believe that the leadership of CAF and FIFA would apply necessary measures as captured in the relevant articles in the FIFA Statutes to serve as deterrence against future occurrence and to preserve the beautiful game.”

He recalled the statement made

by FIFA President, Gianni Infantino

in the wake of criticism of Qatar over its stance on alcohol and LGBT at the 2022 World Cup. “As has been repeatedly admonished by FIFA and most recently

by President Gianni Infantino and Secretary Fatma Samoura at the just concluded FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, we must focus on football and not drag the game into every ideological or political differences that may exist between nations.”

According to the Moroccan Football Federation, it was compelled to withdraw from the tournament when the Algerian authorities failed to grant clearance to Air Maroc, the official airline of the Moroccan team to access the Constantine Airport in Algeria, 24 hours to its kick off.

Algerian authorities had assured CAF that it would allow Morocco fly into Constantine which in turn made the continental body to convey same assurance to the Moroccan Football Federation but it turned out to be a ruse. The Moroccans had no choice but to pull out of the tournament.

FIFA Council Member, Amaju Pinnick (left) and Mayor of Atlanta, Andre Dickens shortly after the courtesy call of the FIFA chief at Dickens'office on Monday

Super Falcons...tipped to emulate the class of 1999 at the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand

...Ronaldo, Messi Rivalry Set Waldrum: Super Falcons Can Emulate Class of 1999 Down Under F I FA W O M E N ’S W O R L D C U P for New Chapter in Riyadh A new chapter in the celebrated rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will unfurl tomorrow when they meet in an exhibition match as the Portugal forward gears up for his first game in Saudi Arabia since joining Al Nassr.

After a glittering career in Europe that saw him win four Champions League titles with Real Madrid and two Scudettos at Juventus, Ronaldo signed for Al Nassr, describing it as the "right moment" to share his experience in Asia.

The Saudi club is the latest stop in Ronaldo's career that began in 2002 at Sporting CP before the forward spent two spells at Manchester United, the last of which ended on a bitter note as he exited following his acrimonious split with the club.

Ronaldo and Messi, who have dominated football's debate about the greatest of all time (GOAT) for the best part of 10 years, will face off on the pitch on Thursday for the first time since December 2020 when Juventus beat Barcelona 3-0.

Ronaldo will lead Riyadh ST XI, a team made up of players from Al Hilal and Al Nassr, against Messi's Paris St Germain in the exhibition contest where nothing is at stake, but fans are still excited by the prospect of watching the

two stars clash.

The highly anticipated showdown, which will take place at the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, reportedly had more than two million online ticket requests.

The bidding for a VIP "Beyond Imagination" ticket to the match has already topped 10 million riyals ($2.66 million) in an auction that is set to end later on Tuesday.

The game has also captivated fans as it comes just over a month after Messi helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup, the missing piece in his vast trophy collection.

Ronaldo also made headlines during the tournament, becoming the first player to score in five World Cups, but he ended up in tears after Portugal were knocked out in the quarter-finals

by Morocco.

While Thursday's friendly will be Ronaldo's first in Saudi Arabia, the 37-year-old's first competitive appearance will come in the Saudi Pro League on Sunday when Al Nassr host Al Ettifaq.

Last month, he signed a twoand-a-half-year contract with Al Nassr, estimated by media to be worth more than 200 million euros, but has had to wait to play because of a two-match ban by England's FA for knocking a phone out of a fan's hand in April.

Super Falcons Head Coach, Randy Waldrum, has reiterated the confidence he has in the present Super Falcons as they gear up for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The Super Falcons got a spot in the mundial after defeating Cameroon's Lionesses in the quarter finals of the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco last summer, with Rasheedat Ajibade scoring the crucial goal to earn a semi-final spot and the ticket to Australia/New Zealand.

It meant the Falcons have made through to all editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup – a record shared with only six other teams globally.

Speaking on NFF website yesterday, Waldrum said he believes that the present crop of Super Falcons are capable of emulating the 1999 set, and match their predecessors’ feat of a quarter-final place at the global finals.

The Class of 1999 led by Florence Omagbemi defeated North Korea 2-1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena with goals from Mercy Akide and Rita Nwadike, before losing 1-7 to the USA despite taking a second-minute lead through Nkiru Okosieme.

Defeat to the Americans in Chicago stirred something in Africa’s lone flag-bearer at the first FIFA Women’s World Cup to feature 16 teams.

In their next match, the Super Falcons flew past Denmark 2-0

at the Jack Kent Cooke Stadium near Washington DC, the goals coming from Mercy Akide and Nkiru Okosieme.

In the quarter finals, at the same venue, the Nigerian girls stormed back from three goals down to Brazil in the first half to tie the game 3-3, with Prisca Emeafu, Nkiru Okosieme and Nkechi Egbe the scorers, before Brazil won in extra-time, in what was the very first time a women’s

competitive game was decided by the golden goal. This was after 104 minutes.

"I am confident and realistic about this. We have an abundance of talents in the squad and I am convinced they can go that far. This particular team is very talented and has the same ability to go far in the tournament, just like the Class of 1999.

"To be able to achieve this and even more, we need to have all

players in fit condition, healthy and most importantly have enough time together. If we have enough time together, we have the ability to be successful at the World Cup," Waldrum said.

The Super Falcons have been drawn alongside Olympic champions Canada, co-hosts Australia and Republic of Ireland in Group B of the 9th FIFA Women's World Cup finals, and will play all their group phase matches in Australia – one in Melbourne and two in Brisbane.

Sportsville Unveils Diri, Sanwo-Olu, Betsy Obaseki, Ekeji, Others as Winners Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs Betsy Obaseki and former Director General (DG) of the defunct National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Patrick Ekeji, are among 14 sports personalities and corporate organisations to receive this year's Sportsville Special Recognition Award.

The ceremony is scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at the Prestigious Lagos Country Club, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.

The Chief Executive Officer of Sportsville, Frank Ilaboya, who made this known yesterday shortly after receiving the report

from the Award Committee said the ceremony would continue to headline the best in Nigeria.

The Committee, made up of senior sports Editors, is headed

by New Telegraph Group Sports Editor, Adekunle Salami.

Other winners of the individual awards include the sports-loving General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries (MFM), Dr D.K Olukoya, Basketball guru, Col Sam Ahmedu (retd), Proprietor of Naija Ratels, Barrister Paul Edeh, and President of HS Group, Mr Taiye Ige. Others are Chairman of high flying Remo Stars Football Club, Kunle Soname, Initiator of Lagos

WomenRun, Mrs Tayo Popoola, foremost golf sponsor, Otunba Olusola Adekanola and Nigeria's new sensation in sports commentary, Emmanuel Etim.

Wrestling Coach to the last Commonwealth Games in Tokyo, Purity Aku and top indigenous kits manufacturer, Tunji Brown, popularly known as Owu Sports also made the list.

Late Brown Ebewele (Jujuman), who passed on last year will receive posthumous Award.

In the corporate worId, the duo of Zenith Bank and Supersports would be honored for their role in sports development and sponsorship in Nigeria.

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

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MISSILE PDP to the APC

“We are calling on the President, the INEC Chairman and the Inspector General of Police, to the voter’s manipulation anomalies currently going on in Lagos State. We got a report that some unscrupulous INEC staff are colluding with members of the ruling party in the state to deny some groups of people access to collect their PVCs...” --Lagos State PDP Publicity Secretary, Hakeem Amode, accusing the APC of frustrating some people’s collection of PVCs.

KINGSLEYMOGHALU GUEST COLUMNIST

Emeka Anyaoku @90: Tribute To A World Statesman

B

ack in the days and decades when Nigeria and Africa had a stronger presence and influence in world politics, a 57-old Nigerian made global history in 1990 when he was elected Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, the 56-member-state international organization of mostly former British colonies with member countries in all the world’s continents – Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Oceania (Australia, New Zealand etc). The Nigerian-born diplomat, Eleazar Chukwuemeka Anyaoku CFR, by then already a 34-year veteran of the London-headquartered Commonwealth Secretariat where he rose through senior ranks to be elected Deputy Secretary-General in 1977, had just defeated Malcolm Fraser, former Prime Minister of Australia, to clinch the the ultimate leadership of the organization of which the Queen or King of England is its ceremonial head. He thus became the first-ever African to head a universal (as opposed to regional) international organization. Kofi Annan of Ghana, Anyaoku’s close friend of many decades, was to be elected Secretary-General of the United Nations seven years later in 1997.

It was the ultimate leadership triumph for a man who was not just an accomplished diplomat, but one of impressive personal character, values and interpersonal skills. As well deserved as his historic elevation was, however, it wasn’t just Anyaoku’s fight alone.

Competing with a former Head of Government of a rich, advanced and influential Western country such as Australia was bound to put Nigeria’s robust diplomatic machine of that era to the test, for Anyaoku was Nigeria’s official candidate for the post. General Ibrahim Babangida, Nigeria’s Military President, and his Foreign Minister Maj. Gen. Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu deployed all appropriate weapons in what was to become a bitter contest because Prime Minister Fraser felt entitled to the role.

Nigeria won. Anyaoku won.

I had never met Anyaoku at the time, but followed the global drama through television and the newspapers. But he was already a big inspiration for me as I, as a 27-year old young man, plotted my path into the future.

Anyaoku and my now-late father, Isaac Moghalu, had been colleagues in the Foreign Service of Nigeria in the 1960s. Anyaoku had served at the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations in New York, while my father was at Nigeria’s Embassy in Washington DC. Unbeknownst to me, I would, more than a decade later while I was a senior official in the UN system based in Geneva, Switzerland, make his personal acquaintance in my own right. Thus began a mentoring relationship and friendship in which this great man’s wisdom and experience has added so much value to my life.

Emeka Anyaoku is a man of the world in its widest physical and symbolic sense. But he also is a man of his roots. He hails from Obosi in Anambra State, where he was born on January 18, 1933, and has for more than 40 years held the traditional title of Ichie Adazie

Anyaoku of Obosi and member of the Ndi-Ichie (Royal cabinet) of Obosi Kingdom, as well as the Ugwumba Idemili. Indeed, when he ultimately retired from the Commonwealth in 2000 after two terms as Secretary-General, he declined an offer from the late Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom to live in the UK and receive a knighthood, and returned straight to Nigeria, where he has lived in Lagos ever since. But, given the level of confidence and respect the British royal family had for him, Anyaoku was not only conferred with the high British national honor of Grand Commander of the Victorian Cross (GCVO), he has also since held uniquely prestigious roles to which he was personally appointed by the Queen, including his membership of the Board of Trustees of the nearly 300 year-old British Museum. He served as President of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) from 2001-2011, and was succeeded in this role by Prince (now King) Charles of the UK. Anyaoku studied Classics at the University College Ibadan, graduating in 1959. He joined the Commonwealth Development Corporation in Lagos immediately upon graduation. Anyaoku made a good impression on Tafawa Balewa when he accompanied his British boss at the CDC to a meeting with the Prime Minister.

On Balewa’s advice, Anyaoku joined Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in 1962. He got married the same year to the love of his life, Bunmi Anyaoku (née Solanke) , who comes from a leading Yoruba family in Abeokuta. The late banker and corporate board guru Gamaliel Onosode was Anyaoku’s

best man at the wedding, and they remained life-long friends until Onosede’s death some years ago. Mrs. Anyaoku has for many years held the traditional title of Ugoma Obosi and Idemili.

At the Foreign Ministry, young Emeka was first appointed Personal Assistant to the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Francis Chuka Nwokedi, the Nnewi-born mandarin who, in 1956, had become the first indigenous Nigerian to be appointed a Federal Permanent Secretary by the colonial government. Anyaoku worked hard, including assisting Nwokedi in the historical task of the establishment of the Organization of African Unity. Impressed by the young man’s competence, Nwokedi posted him in 1963 to Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, where Chief Simeon Adebo was Nigeria’s Permanent Representative. Anyaoku joined the Commonwealth Secretariat in 1966 as Assistant Director of its International Affairs Division. It was onward and upward from there. International organizations are extremely competitive workforces. Merit is respected.

Mediocrity rarely survives. For an African to succeed to senior ranks, let alone become the ultimate boss, signals not just good fortune, but also character, performance and track record.

As Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Anyaoku led the organization’s work and had a great impact in the global fight against Apartheid and the release of Nelson Mandela from prison. He intervened successfully in constitutional, political and security crises in several Commonwealth countries including Bangladesh, Kenya, Pakistan, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and many others. Anyaoku initiated the practice of appointing Commonwealth Election Observers in member countries. He was instrumental to the norm-setting Harare Declaration in 1991, which set out clearly and reinforced the core values of the Commonwealth of Nations, including a strong commitment to human rights, and the organization’s responsibility to be concerned with the internal affairs of its member countries in appropriate situations. These principles ultimately led to the suspension of Zimbabwe, and later on Nigeria under the Sani Abacha dictatorship, from the Commonwealth.

In the case of Nigeria, the country was suspended following the execution of Ken Saro Wiwa by the Sani Abacha dictatorship.

That he was a Nigerian national who was the CEO of the organization made this an undoubtedly difficult time for Anyaoku. And yet, he was in no doubt that he had to uphold his oath of office and the principles of the entity he had been elected to serve all its member countries. The ice thawed after Abacha’s death, as his successor Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar committed to a return to democracy, paving the way for a readmission of Nigeria as a member of the Commonwealth.

As a Commonwealth diplomat, Anyaoku also mediated in the Nigerian civil war in the late 1960’s, visiting the war zone in Biafra at great risk to his personal safety and meeting with the Biafran leader Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu to sue for peace. He later

facilitated then Secretary-General Arnold Smith of Canada’s establishment and appointment of a Commonwealth International Court-Martial Tribunal in Trinidad and Tobago in 1970, with then Colonel Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma of Nigeria as the Tribunal’s President. The Tribunal tried military officers who had attempted to overthrow Trinidad’s democratic government.

In October 1983, after he was reelected to a second term in office, President Shehu Shagari invited and appointed Emeka Anyaoku as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. A patriotic response to a call to national duty turned out a close shave. A military coup terminated Nigeria’s democracy on December 31, 1983 and installed Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as Head of State. Anyaoku had been Foreign Minister for all of three months. The replacement process for his successor as Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General had already gone far. It was a reflection of Anyaoku’s reputation that the Buhari military government itself re-nominated him back to his former position, and he was unanimously reelected as the organization’s Number 2 with the strong support of his former boss, then-Secretary-General Sir Shridath Ramphal of Guyana.

Since his retirement as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, this global statesman has served Nigeria in part-time voluntary roles.

He has declined every invitation to engage in partisan politics when many consider him as someone who could have been an ideal President of Nigeria. In between numerous international engagements, Anyaoku has served as Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Council on Foreign Relations from 2000-2015, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Orient Petroleum, Chairman of the Anambra State Elders Council, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation.

The legacy of Anyaoku’s outstanding leadership of the Commonwealth redounds at the University of London’s Institute of Commonwealth Studies, where the university established the Emeka Anyaoku Professorial Chair, and similar recognitions in various countries. Few leaders have received 34 honorary doctorate degrees from top universities around the world. He holds the highest national honors of Cameroon, Lesotho, Madagascar, Namibia.

Trinidad and Tobago, and South Africa. He has also written several books including The Inside Story of the Modern Commonwealth.

Regarding Nigeria’s future, the elder statesman believes firmly that a fundamental constitutional restructuring of our country is essential and inevitable.

As Chief Anyaoku’s life elevator opens on the 9th floor, I salute a great man who has been an inspiration to me and many others.

Nigeria is left with too few of his kind. Ninety cheers to Ichie Adazie Obosi. May you tarry longer in the land of the living as your “flight” is much-delayed at the “departure lounge”.

Moghalu, a former senior United Nations official and ex-deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, is the president of the Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation (IGET), a public policy think tank.

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