SUNDAY 21TH JANUARY 2024

Marketers Await Commercial Terms for Lifting Products from 650,000bpd Dangote Refinery Say refinery will change business dynamics in downstream sector Peter Uzoho With production reportedly ongoing

at the 650,000 barrel- per- day capacity Dangote Refinery and marketable products expected any time from this

month, the marketers of petroleum products were eagerly awaiting the release its pricing template to enable

them negotiate the commercial terms for the lifting of products from the facility, THISDAY has learnt.

Some of the marketers, who spoke to THISDAY exclusively, said they were also eager to know the mode

of sale of the products to the offtakers Continued on page 5

Lokpobiri: Nigeria will Fund Its $1.9tn Energy Transition Plan with Proceeds from Fossil Fuels…Page 5 Sunday, January 21, 2024 Vol 28. No 10511

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Akpabio: It’ll Be Abnormal for Me Not to Have APC Produce Akwa Ibom Gov in 2027

Okon Bassey in Uyo

With the 2027 governorship election in Akwa Ibom State still three years ahead, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio at the

weekend put Governor Umo Eno on edge when he declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would produce a governor in the state in 2027.

This is coming as the Young

Progressives Party (YPP), which pulled a huge upset in Akwa Ibom State during the 2023 general election, took a rare step on Friday, January 19, by merging its structures across the state into the APC.

Speaking at a meeting of the APC leaders in Uyo, the state capital, Akpabio said it would be an aberration for him as the number three citizen of Nigeria not to have a governor from the same party at

the end of an election.

“It will be an aberration for the number three citizen not to have a governor from the same party at the end of an election,” Akpabio said.

“You know, wherever the Senate

president is, that is where the party is. Is it possible that Nigeria will give Akwa Ibom the number three citizen and at the end of the election, it will Continued on page 5

Amaechi Counsels Nigerians Not to Flee the Country, Says Enormous Opportunities Abound Insists it’s easy to become a minister or governor in Nigeria See story on page 5 Fashola: Nothing strange about people leaving the country in face of globalisation

ODU’A GOES TO THE MARKET… L-R: Independent Director, Mrs. Folusho Olaniyan; GMD/CEO, Mr. Adewale Raji; Acting Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exchange Limited, Mr. Jude Chiemeka; Group Chairman, Odu'a Investment Company Limited, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru; Divisional Head, Business Support Services and General Counsel, Nigerian Exchange Limited, Mrs. Irene Robinson-Ayanwale; Director, Odu'a Investment Company Limited, Chief Segun Ojo; and Executive Director/Group Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Abdulrahman Yinusa, at the closing bell ceremony at the Nigerian Exchange in Lagos…recently

FCT: Police Parade 29 Kidnappers, Other Criminals Arrested in Bwari… Page 8

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Lokpobiri: Nigeria will Fund Its $1.9tn Energy Transition Plan with Proceeds from Fossil Fuels Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has said that despite calls to jettison investment in fossil fuels, Nigeria will deploy the revenues from exploiting its hydrocarbons to fund its $1.9 trillion energy transition plan.

Speaking at the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Lokpobiri, according to a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor,

emphasised Africa's measured stance on the global transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

At COP26, then-President Muhammadu Buhari announced Nigeria’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2060.

The government said $1.9 trillion would be required to get to Net Zero by 2060, including $410 billion in projected usual spending.

The additional cost translates to about $10 billion annually, according to the energy transition office.

Lokpobiri highlighted that Africa's contributions to global emissions

stand at a modest three per cent, urging against precipitous actions that could impede the continent's economic growth.

"Africa, including Nigeria, cannot hastily transition with aid or grants. What we need is a strategic investment in our fossil fuels sector to bolster our economy and ensure energy security,” he stated.

Lokpobiri emphasised the importance of financial independence in the transition programme and called for investment and partnerships rather than deadlines.

"The conversation should be about

fostering strategic partnerships and attracting investment, not enforcing timelines that could undermine our economic stability," he added.

The statement pointed out that the minister's words echoed the sentiment that transitioning should not be a rushed process but a carefully orchestrated collaboration between nations and industries.

Acknowledging Nigeria's significant role in this global discourse, Lokpobiri shed light on the country's ambitious plans.

He added: "With a projected transition plan and renewable

energy investment of $1.9 trillion and $1.2 trillion by 2060, respectively, Nigeria recognises the need to rely on its fossil fuels to finance this transition."

However, he underscored the commitment to responsible exploration, assuring that Nigeria would balance economic growth with environmental responsibility.

Highlighting the urgency for international cooperation, the minister stressed: "We need to shift the focus from deadlines to meaningful investment and collaboration. This is not just about

Nigeria; it's about global partnerships that benefit everyone involved.”

The minister, according to the statement, made a compelling case for the symbiotic relationship between fossil fuels and renewable energy, emphasising the need for a balanced approach that fosters economic growth and ensures environmental sustainability.

“As the global community grapples with the transition dilemma, the Minister's call for investment and partnership resonates as a pragmatic pathway to a sustainable future,” the statement noted.

AKPABIO: IT’LL BE ABNORMAL FOR ME NOT TO HAVE APC PRODUCE AKWA IBOM GOV IN 2027 not produce an APC governor?” he asked.

Akpabio, who acknowledged the internal crisis in the APC in the state, said the party could not win the 2023 Senatorial election in Akwa

Ibom North-east and Akwa Ibom South districts because of “lack of coordination”.

He urged the party to set up a committee to reconcile the party leaders in the state ahead of the

2027 general election.

“I’ve mandated the chairman of the party to set up a reconciliation committee in the state; we have to bring our members together. If we are united, there is no barrier that

MARKETERS AWAIT COMMERCIAL TERMS FOR LIFTING PRODUCTS FROM 650,000BPD DANGOTE REFINERY – whether the marketers will pay in naira or dollar and whether the refinery will supply the marketers through its equity partner, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), or through direct delivery to the open market.

They, however, postulated that the entry of the products from the facility into the market would potentially trigger a change in the downstream business dynamics in the country.

They also predicted that with the refinery located in Nigeria where marketers can easily lift products with their trucks and within a short period of making orders, ownership of tank farms and storage facilities may no longer be a viable venture.

The downstream players further predicted that the refinery would further shape the petroleum products marketing business in the country this year and beyond, particularly in the area of pricing, if it consistently makes sufficient volumes available in the market with the right quality.

Dangote Refinery, according to the promoters, started operation penultimate Friday with production of diesel and aviation fuel, saying sellable products from the facility would hit the market this January.

Speaking to THISDAY, the Managing Director of 11Plc, Mr. Tunji Oyebanji; who said he was aware that some marketers were being registered with the Dangote Refinery as offtakers, added that discussion on commercial terms, including whether the refiner would sell to marketers in naira or dollar, has not happened yet.

He said marketers were currently waiting for the refinery to release its pricing template so that discussion around that could commence.

Oyebanji explained: "I'm not aware that the discussion has reached the stage of whether he will be selling products to marketers in naira or dollars. I think people are just taking the first step to register. Now that they said the product is being made, I guess the next stage will be for them to say ‘this is how we would like to sell - this is the terms’.

"So, it is when we see that that we will know and then we would then have further discussion. This transition too is a bit dicey because, don't forget, some people may have existing inventory of those products in their tanks. Maybe, you have bought a product in your tank at N500, then Dangote is going to sell it at N200, you know you will be in trouble with that product you have in your tank."

He said another thing to be considered by marketers would be whether Dangote would produce enough quantity to meet market demand or it would be producing small quantities that would necessitate secondary supply to augment, which

he said, will become a problem to the marketers and the market.

"So, all these things are market details that you have to work out to know how much quantity. For instance, if they tell me to come and register as a company and they tell me their terms and I say the terms are acceptable to me, but I want 50,000 metric tonnes and then, they said they can only supply me 3000 metric tonnes.

"If you are a customer and marketer that normally sells 15,000 metric tonnes in a month, you know you are in trouble because you will still need the difference to meet up.

So, a lot of that needs to be sorted out. But all we know for now is what we read in newspapers that production of AGO (diesel) and ATK has started. But what quantity, what price, nobody knows", he said.

He further argued that with the refinery located in Nigeria where marketers can easily go and pick products with their trucks and within a short period of making orders, ownership of tank farms and storage facilities may no longer be a viable venture.

Terminal operators in Nigeria whether companies under MOMAN or Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) charge extra cost known as storage fees, aside the actual cost of product, when selling to their business-to-business customers, and this extra cost is passed on to the last-mile customers at the filling stations.

However, with Dangote now set to start supplying products directly to every marketer through their trucks and vessels, the 11Plc boss contended that marketers whose only business is tank farm operation would soon shut down due to lack of patronage.

"But now that the product is made locally, there may be no need for keeping all that storage because if you don't have the product from the refinery this week, you can get it next week.

"So, why go and pay N5 extra to the tank farm owner? If you just order from Dangote and you get your order this week or next week. You don't need to pay any extra fee for storage. You will just go there with your 50 trucks and lift your product.

'So, it's going to change the dynamics in the industry a lot", Oyebanji added.

On his projection for the downstream sector for this year, the ex-MOMAN chairman said the Dangote Refinery would be a game changer.

Continuing, he said the aviation fuel being produced by the refinery must be produced consistently and in sufficient quantity, saying when that happens, it would significantly affect the market this year in terms

of product availability, pricing and requirement for large storage facilities.

Oyebanji noted that the artificial pricing arrangement which marketers have with NNPC may change and become more reflective of the dictates of the market.

"Since the product is now available locally and everybody can get it, then obviously, the competition may be tougher than what it used to be.

But a lot of things depend on if the refineries work consistently and with good quality and the right quantity that can meet the demand, then that will bring about a lot of changes in the market", he added.

Also speaking on the long-awaited commercial terms, the Executive Secretary of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Mr. Clement Isong, said the discussions were still ongoing, stressing that the current discussions were around logistics and administration.

He corroborated Oyebanji’s position that they "haven't arrived at commercial terms yet. We are still in the process of talking about logistics and administrative things like registration. It is only when they have the products that we can begin discussion on commercial terms."

He also said that the refinery would impact tankage and tank farms as it comes with its own storage and loading arms, positing that many of the storage tanks in the country may become redundant as optimisation and efficiencies set in.

According to him, "only those people who own 100; 200; 500 filling stations will be able to keep their own storage so that they can control their own supply lines to their stations.

But those other people can pick their products directly from the refinery, they do not need additional cost of secondary storage."

On his part, the immediate-past National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Mr. Chinedu Okoronkwo, said one of the things that was yet to be made public by Dangote Refinery was the mode of offtaking the products.

“Nobody knows whether the company will want to supply products to the market through its equity partner, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) that is supplying the crude or through an open market.

"For now, let us know the modus operandi - how Dangote wants to operate. If it will be for the open market or they will produce for NNPC. You know, the crude it's getting is from NNPC. We don't know what will happen. So, let us not pre-empt the situation. Whatever happens is going to be a win-win situation for everybody in the sector", Okoronkwo said.

we can’t break.

“We will make sure that (the) APC in Akwa Ibom is one; we will give people the option that either you belong to us or them.

“They should not be in-between.

We are going to resolve all the issues in APC, we are going to advise some people you can’t be here and there,” the Senate president said.

Earlier, the APC Chairperson in Akwa Ibom, Stephen Ntukekpo, lauded President Bola Tinubu for “ensuring inclusiveness” in his administration and pledged his loyalty to the party.

Meanwhile the YPP has merged its structures across the state into the APC, in solidarity with Akpabio, as confirmed by a statement from the Senate president’s media office in Abuja.

The governorship candidate of the YPP in the 2023 general election, Senator Bassey Albert, along with the deputy governorship candidate, retired AIG Asuquo Amba; the State Executive Committee led by State Chairman Mr. Nyeneime Andy; the Elders’ Council; chapter and ward

officers, and the entire executive council of the Akwa Ubok Abasi campaign organisation (totalling over 10,000 members) paid a solidarity visit to the Senate President at his residence in Ukana, Essien Udim Local Government Area of the state.

During this visit, they declared their support for President Tinubu.

The YPP formed just seven months after the 2023 general election, emerged as the fastestgrowing party in the state.

In the 2023 governorship election, the party secured the second-highest number of valid votes and won two seats in the House of Assembly and one in the House of Representatives, according to results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Expressing the party’s stance during the solidarity visit to the Senate President, Ephraim InyangEyen, the YPP candidate for the Eket Senatorial District in the 2023 election, conveyed that the party members reached a unanimous decision to merge with the APC. He said: “We have come to tell

you that the time has come for us to make necessary adjustments for the growth of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.

“We have come with a message of solidarity to you. The last time a person from the South-South zone occupied the position of the Senate President was about 44 years ago.

We are determined to stand by you and support you.

“We are satisfied with the economic policy of President Bola Tinubu. We are determined to stand by you and strengthen your hand so that you can achieve more.

“We have come wholeheartedly to pledge our solidarity. We have come to make a fundamental commitment. After the Supreme Court judgment, we came to a decision and the right decision was that we should support the APC. “We have come with the totality of the YPP family in solidarity. This solidarity is not word of mouth, it is total. Today, YPP in Akwa Ibom State has become APC. We have come to submit that you lead us,” he said.

AMAECHI COUNSELS NIGERIANS NOT TO FLEE THE COUNTRY, SAYS ENORMOUS OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND Wale Igbintade Former Minister of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has urged Nigerians not to flee the country in what has come to be known as ‘japa’ syndrome, stressing that there are abundant opportunities in the country.

This is as the former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), also declared that there was nothing strange about people leaving the country, pointing out that the world has changed radically with globalisation and with increasing penetration of the internet.

Speaking yesterday on the ARISE NEWS Channel programme, Perspective, which had earlier featured Fashola, the former governor of Rivers State, however, noted Nigerians have the kind of leaders they voted for.

Amaechi, who was a guest on the programme to answer questions on ‘Life After Office,’ said he had always discouraged people from fleeing the country, adding that there are a lot of opportunities in Nigeria.

"I have always discouraged those who want to leave the country. You can always get 9a.m. to 5p.m. jobs when you leave the country but you can never get the kind of opportunity you get in Nigeria. You can just wake up and you can become a governor or a minister in Nigeria," Amaechi explained.

Speaking on the quality of leadership in the country, Amaechi said: "Nigerians get what they want, what they deserve. You don't complain after. You don't. Nigerians at all times have had opportunities to vote. So, whatever you voted for is what you deserved. But, let's not go into politics."

On the legacies he left behind in the past 25 years of being in politics, Amaechi cited the construction of

the Lekki Deep Sea Port, and the Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja/Kaduna railway lines, among others.

“Another thing that is interesting to me is the railway and I'm happy that the Lagos-Ibadan and AbujaKaduna railways are still operating.

These and others are legacies that I would like to watch,” he added.

Amaechi said after leaving office he focused his energy on education and enrolled in several degree programmes in Law at the same time.

Asked to advise the Nigerian youths, he said: "I will ask young Nigerians to look at my situation.

I was born into a poor family. My father was a dispensing pharmacist; he found it difficult to train me and my siblings. I was lucky to be trained but my siblings were not able to go to university; anybody that went to university after me was trained by me. Some of them are working; some are not working. You just have to struggle. The elite would not want you to join the elite class. But you just have to push and continue to push until you push yourself to be part of the elite.”

Amaechi explained that the crime rate is high in Nigeria because the economy is too small and not able to absorb everybody.

On what he did after leaving office, he said: "I enrolled at the Nigerian Law School. At the same time, I got registered in King's College for my master’s degree in Law. “Again, I was doing a first degree course in Law at the University of London. I did my last exams last year in October and you will be shocked to know that I failed two courses.

"Out of five courses, I failed two because I was combining the Nigerian Law School; I was also doing a Master's Degree in Corporate and Company Law, and I was

doing an LL.D programme at the University of London. So, because of the multiplicity of academic work, I had to fail two courses in the LL.D programme.”

On life after office, he said: "I have a huge number of friends that if the politicians go, I have other friends at all times. I am not such a protocol person; so, while in office, I was like every other Nigerian.

"However, law school enabled me to have a lot of young friends in their 18s, and 20s; so, if some of my friends are not calling me again there is nothing to worry about, I will just focus on my achievements and the things I set out to do before becoming a minister and the legacies I left in Port Harcourt.

"I do rest, I have a lot of time to sleep and time for my poor wife who has not had the opportunity of seeing me as often as she should since when she got married to me.

Soon after we got married, by 1999 I had become the Speaker, and from then only God knows what has happened. From speaker to governor and from governor to minister and director general of campaign of the last government twice.

"These are huge responsibilities that got my family almost seeing me as an absentee husband. My wife is such a wonderful manager, managing me, managing my responsibilities, managing the children, and helping to keep my responsibilities to the children so that they wouldn’t see me as an uncle.

On whether he would run for political office again, he simply answered: "No comment".

He said the difference between him and most Nigerian elites is that he says things the way he sees them.

"I say it the way it is. I will tell you the truth even if you put a gun on my head. I wanted to go to Continued on page 8

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NEWEST UNIVERSITY DEBUTS IN OGUN… L-R: Pro-Chancellor, Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye, Dr. Onikepo Akande; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Chancellor and Chairman, Board ofTrustees, Major General Sansadeen Awosanya (rtd); Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Mr. TokunboTalabi; and wife of Chancellor, Mrs. Wosilat Awosanya, during the official opening ceremony of Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye…yesterday

Tinubu Seeks UN, NAM Synergy to Secure $1tn Climate Finance from Developed Countries Calls for ceasefire in Gaza

Ndubuisi Francis and James Emejo in Abuja President Bola Tinubu has urged Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) member states to collaborate with the United Nations (UN) to emphasise the need for developed countries to provide $1 trillion in climate finance to developing countries in order to fulfil their promise of $100 billion per year in climate finance.

He also lent Nigeria's voice to the NAM member-states’ common position in condemning the present destruction of lives and property in Gaza, which has assumed a critical dimension.

Speaking at NAM's 19th Summit of Heads of State and Government at the weekend in Kampala, Uganda, Tinubu who was represented by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu observed that the theme of the summit which is “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence,” bore relevance to the current trend of wars, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, threat of use of nuclear weapons and the dangerous polarisation between developed countries, similar to the era of cold war.

A statement issued by the Director of Information, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo quoted Tinubu as saying that, "in this regard, we must recommit to the foundational principles of Non-Aligned Movement to better assure of global peace and security."

On climate change, the Nigerian president pointed out that the developing countries were moving forward on the issue with courage and ambition.

He said: "Developing countries have striven in the last two decades under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process to make common but differentiated responsibilities a basic principle of global climate action."

To move forward decisively, access to affordable climate finance and technologies is critical."

He stated: "Nigeria supports and reiterates the call for an immediate durable and sustained humanitarian truce in that region. Many lives, including women and children, have been lost since the commencement of the crisis between the States of Israel and Palestine with so many displaced.

"The daily increase of displaced persons and shortage of humanitarian supplies due to impeded access have greatly impacted on the people, exacerbated the humanitarian catastrophe in the region and increased civilian casualties."

According to him, as a promoter and protector of human rights, Nigeria urged the parties in the conflict to uphold the fundamental values of international humanitarian law, which places high premium on ensuring civilians’ safety and wellbeing.

“This should go beyond mere politics and rhetorics. Destruction of lives and properties, including hospitals and religious and cultural sites is a violation of international law.

"Nigeria, therefore, calls for a ceasefire and reiterates its call once again for quick de-escalation of hostilities by both sides which should help us in getting to a two-state solution. This seeming permanent cycle of violence needs to be broken," he said.

President Tinubu told the NAM member- states that it was their responsibility to build bridges and take urgent practical actions to scale up success and lessons learned, adding: "We must work

together to tackle these challenges by touching the lives of the most vulnerable in society."

The president noted that the pursuit of shared prosperity for all must be at the centrestage of multilateralism.

"Shared prosperity is the ultimate guarantee for peace. Our countries are looking for equity, not sympathy.

It is justice and development that shall make freedom blossom," he said.

Tinubu called for equitable access to capital for developing countries, saying such would provide the muchneeded resources for development, and solve some of the most pressing challenges in the world today.

He listed the challenges facing the world currently to include climate change, conflict and wars, terrorism, and widening inequality.

He, however, pointed out that the developing world was not looking for sympathy or begging, but demanding fair and equal opportunity.

According to him, the combined population of the 120 countries that make up the Non-Aligned Movement was over 4.4 billion or about 55 per cent of the world's population, yet total financial resources available to all these

Amnesty International Urges US Secretary of State, Blinken to Address Human Rights Abuses in Nigeria Demands immediate release of #EndSARS protestors in custody Wale Igbintade Ahead of the visit of the United States Secretary of State, Mr. Antony Blinken to Nigeria, the Africa Advocacy Director of Amnesty International USA, Kate Hixon, has asked the diplomat to engage President Bola Tinubu on issues of human rights in the country.

A statement by Amnesty International Nigeria’s Executive Director, Isa Sanusi, said Hixon urged the US diplomat to prevail on the Tinubu's administration to honour the right to freedom of expression in the country.

She also reminded Blinken that the Nigerian military has repeatedly harmed civilians with little accountability, urging the US top diplomat to press for investigations and accountability for all civilian deaths

caused by the military.

Hixton equally called on Blinken to prevail on President Tinubu to do more than issue statements and actually ensure justice and accountability for civilians harmed by armed groups on Christmas Eve in Plateau State.

“Secretary Blinken’s trip to Nigeria is a great opportunity for US engagement with the new Tinubu’s administration, but will only be successful if human rights are front and center. The Nigerian military has repeatedly harmed civilians with little accountability, particularly during airstrikes while fighting armed militias. Secretary Blinken must press for investigations and accountability for all civilian deaths caused by the military.

“As we saw during the recent Christmas Eve attack in Plateau

State, the Tinubu government is failing on its promise to protect civilians. Secretary Blinken must urge President Tinubu to do more than issue statements and actually ensure justice and accountability for civilians harmed by armed groups.

The Nigerian government must do this without further harming civilians in its response.”

On his part, the Executive Director, Amnesty International Nigeria, Sanusi, asked Blinken to press for the release of Mubarak Bala, Yahaya Aminu-Sharif, and Ismaila Sani Isah, currently in jail for blasphemy accusations, adding that charges related to blasphemy against Rhoda Jatau must also be dropped unconditionally.

The statement added: “As we saw during the recent Christmas Eve attack in Plateau State, the Tinubu’s government is failing on its promise

to protect civilians. Secretary Blinken must urge President Tinubu to do more than issue statements and actually ensure justice and accountability for civilians harmed by armed groups.

The Nigerian government must do this without further harming civilians in its response.

“In Nigeria, it is imperative that Secretary Blinken raise the ongoing harassment of human rights defenders and journalists, such as Omoyele Sowore, who is facing flawed charges solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression.

"Secretary Blinken must also press for the release of Mubarak Bala, Yahaya Aminu-Sharif, and Ismaila Sani Isah, currently in jail for blasphemy accusations. Charges related to blasphemy against Rhoda Jatau must also be dropped unconditionally.

countries are much less than that of some countries.

Tinubu lamented that the total budgetary resources for the 120 countries was less than $3.5 trillion, which is less than the budget of the United States alone, whereas the aggregate public debt of less than $6.6 trillion, mostly at higher interest rates and shorter tenor, was about one-sixth of one or a few developed countries.

These startling statistics, according to the Nigerian leader, were clear evidence that the Non-Aligned countries suffer from a lack of access to capital and resources for development.

"More often than not, public debt available to developing countries is far more expensive and not substantial enough to make an impact. Therefore, we wish to

advocate a financing mechanism and equitable capital market access that can provide adequate financial resources to the Global South.

"All these are happening as we are battling to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is not possible for any one nation to tackle these multidimensional challenges," he said, stressing that this calls for greater collaboration between and among member-states as they struggle to achieve sustainable development goals," Tinubu said.

The Non-Aligned Movement is the largest gathering of countries, second only to the United Nations General Assembly.

This year’s summit was chaired by Ugandan President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and was attended by many presidents and heads of governments.

Soyinka: Barbarians Have Taken over Social Media Segun James

Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has lamented the sorry state the social media has fallen into in Nigeria, saying it has been dragged down to the lowest common denominator and taken over by people he described as “barbarians.”

Soyinka said that in other climes, the social media is still valid – as means of interactions because of the intellectual contents and reasoned engagements being deployed by users but noted that here in the country, the reverse is the case as those who dragged it down have swapped the intellectual quotient aspect of it.

The octogenarian who spoke yesterday at the 48th President’s party and his investiture as a honourary member of Abeokuta Club, Ogun State, said the situation has degenerated to a level where even a mere disagreement in an election could lead to one being labeled on social media as having a phobia about others.

At the investiture graced by the Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, and many prominent Egba sons and daughters, the Playwright urged the nation’s community of intellect of minds and creativity to rescue the country from the monstrosity of the social media.

Apparently referring to the last general elections, especially the presidential election aspect of it, Soyinka said he was both astonished and flabbergasted that people were so power besotted that they could not even accept the possibility that they did not win the election and rather than table their facts for thorough scrutiny, they resorted to demonization of others.

On his investiture as a honourary member of the Abeokuta Club where Dr. Adewale Adeola is the President, Soyinka said it was a recognition he personally cherished, saying the Club is a honourable social group, having interacted with a good number of members at personal level.

“In a situation where disagreement in an election can lead one being labeled something phobia or whatever. It is certainly amazing that in a community of intellect, genuine and authentic value and then we have a situation of something called the social media.

The social media is awash with accusations of one being a kind of ethnophobic. So strange to me but that is what we have been reduced to. And when that kind of accusation comes, there is no need or value in trying to say you are not. You just say, Thank you very much! The complement of ethnophobia is ethnophilia.

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CREATIVE ECONOMY… L-R: Ekiti State Commissioner for Budget, Planning and Performance Management, Mr. Niyi Adebayo; Founder Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Arts, Mr. Yemi Shyllon; Governor Biodun Oyebanji; member of Board of Trustees Olowe of Ise Art Foundation/Founder, Nike Arts Gallery, Mrs. Nike Okundaye; and Art enthusiast, Ms. Abiola Adelana; during the inauguration of the Board of Trustees of Olowe of Ise Art Foundation in Ado-Ekiti…recently

FCT: Police Parade 29 Kidnappers, Other Criminals Arrested in Bwari Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

In response to the rising cases of kidnapping in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Nigeria Police, yesterday, paraded 29 suspected kidnappers and other criminals arrested in Bwari Area Council, the latest hotbed of kidnapping in the nation's capital.

The arrest followed the recent launch of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) by the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun,

as part of the strategy to fortify the security landscape of Abuja.

Parading the suspects in Abuja, Force Public Relations Officer and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the arrest was the result of a joint operation of the SIS and the Department of Force Intelligence Intelligence Response Team (DFI-IRT), the FCT Command Anti-Violent Crimes Section, Anti-kidnapping Section and other state commands.

According to him, the police

WHO Launches $1.5bn Emergency Fund for Vulnerable Population Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The World Health Organisation (WHO) said it has launched an appeal for $1.5 billion to protect the health of the most vulnerable populations in 41 emergencies around the globe in 2024.

The appeal covers the emergencies that demand the highest level of response from WHO, with the aim to reach over 87 million people.

It is being issued in a context of complex emergencies cutting across crises of conflict, climate change and economic instability, which continue to fuel displacement, hunger, and inequality.

A statement by WHO’s DirectorGeneral, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the funding supports direct access to healthcare for communities in hard-to-reach areas.

“For those facing emergencies, disruptions to essential health services often mean the difference between life and death. From mothers giving birth during conflict, to aid to young children

in drought-affected regions, to those receiving cancer treatment or dialysis, healthcare saves lives.

Health-care services are also critical for breaking the cycle that too often leaves communities in a perilous state and reliant on yet more emergency assistance.”

According to WHO, the support in 2024 will enable life-saving healthcare, distribution of critical health supplies and equipment, along with maintenance of essential health services to ensure continuous care.

"The funding supports direct access to healthcare for communities in hard-to-reach areas, in partnerships with local organisations, and effective response to monitor, share information and document outbreaks and attacks on health workers. Other important actions are maintenance of existing health-care systems and building resilience against future threats.

"The appeal notes the positive value of funding to support people with humanitarian needs. Every $1 invested in WHO delivers a return on investment of at least $35.

operatives apprehended 29 notorious criminals and recovered a significant arsenal of arms and ammunition including a General-Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG).

The suspects paraded include three Bwari-based kidnappers, notably, Idris Ishaku, 27; Bala Umar, 27 and Dahiru Salisu, 27, who were masterminds of a series of armed robbery cases and kidnappings in the Bwari Local Government Area and other parts of the FCT. Adejobi further stated that the combined team of operatives arrested 13 suspects for various other crimes.

He said the foiling of another kidnap plot through technical

intelligence resulted in the arrest of the above-named Bwari-based kidnappers and weapons recovered from them.

"In a proactive move, following a report on the abduction of a victim from his house along with his Hilux Van with Reg. No. RBC 90 DL Gray colour by four armed men disguised in a white Mercedez Benz 230 car, police operatives in an intelligence-propelled investigation discovered that the victim was being taken to Kano State, but was dispossessed of his ATM cards at Kaduna, while the N500,000 was transferred from his account.

"The suspects, however, ran out of luck as they were intercepted by

police operatives at a filling station in Kaduna where three of them escaped, while one by the name Chinaza Okoye was arrested.

The victim was rescued unhurt, and the said Hilux Van recovered," he said.

It was discovered that Chinaza Okoye and his accomplices had earlier been arrested sometime in November 2023 and charged for similar offences, at the High Court, Kwali, Abuja, but went back to committing even worse crimes while on court bail.

Also, operatives of the DFI-IRT office intercepted one Everest Magaji, a gunrunner, during negotiation with some notorious bandits, who are

presently at large for the purchase and supply of illicit firearms and ammunition.

Eleven pistols and two pump action guns were recovered from the suspect.

"The achievements recorded through these relentless operations demonstrate the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police to ensure our country becomes a haven for us to inhabit.

"The IG urges all citizens to be very observant of their environment and the people in it and report any suspicious activity immediately to the police," he said.

Nigerians Groan Under New Passport Automation Processes Chuks Okocha in Abuja The newly introduced passport automation applicants’ processes may have created more problems for Nigerians willing to obtain fresh passports or even renew their expired international passports, THISDAY’s investigation has revealed.

THISDAY gathered that most affected are Nigerians in the Diaspora who returned for the Yuletide but cannot use the opportunity to renew their international passports.

Some of them who spoke to THISDAY at the weekend, cried out to President Bola Tinubu to wade into what they described as an an “ill-advised and ill-timed” passport automation process recently introduced by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. THISDAY further gathered that in some selected passport offices in different geopolitical zones, thousands of Nigerians were stranded as the new system foisted on the Nigeria Immigration

Service (NIS) by the minister, has made the process worse and indeed very unfriendly to the applicants.

It was gathered that in the three passport offices in Lagos, namely Ikoyi, Ikeja, and FESTAC, applicants were running from pillar to post, trying to make their payments online and upload their photos and documents by themselves as the new system made it impossible for applicants to be assisted by the immigration officers.

For instance, in the Abuja head office and Gwagwalada offices, THISDAY was informed by some officers that they welcomed any innovation to make the passport process less tedious and more seamless but added that some aspects of the technological development were counterproductive.

At the immigration office in Gwagwalada, one of the applicants told THISDAY that "someone should help us tell the minister that we don’t know the meaning of ICAO, let alone knowing its standard for passport applications. What exactly

is the meaning of an ICAO standard passport?" he asked.

An immigration officer also told THISDAY that "asking applicants to upload their photos based on ICAO standard without explaining what exactly it means to upload photos on ICAO standard, is a major challenge to those seeking new international passports or those seeking to renew their expired international passports.”

The officer lamented that such a good idea from the minister was only introduced to the officers for one week before it came on stream, adding that the officers are also helpless and can’t even guide the applicants who are equally frustrated as most of them lack access to scanners and devices to upload their birth certificates, state of origin certificates, NIN and ICAO-standard passport photos.

It was learnt that in the Enugu and Owerri passport offices, the officials only recorded two or three applicants per day as against 50 to 60 applicants per day before the new

automated system because applicants were not able to achieve the desired results in uploading all the required information, especially photos.

Some Diaspora applicants wondered if the government really considered them before introducing this new system, given the fact that most of them who returned during the Yuletide, usually had less than two weeks to return abroad.

They queried the reason for the rush to introduce a novel idea when half of the passport centres had less than four hours of steady power supply per day.

They also wondered if this new system will not take NIS back to 20 years ago when non-Nigerians had access to the old passports.

Due to the difficulties encountered

by Nigerians in this automated passport system, a woman who returned from the United States for Christmas was sighted at the headquarters of the passport office in Abuja, wailing because her flight was in two days and she could not renew her passport.

AMAECHI COUNSELS NIGERIANS NOT TO FLEE THE COUNTRY, SAYS ENORMOUS OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND heaven; so, I tried to tell the truth at all times. I choose to be honest all my life.

On his part, Fashola, while featuring earlier on the programme, argued that there was nothing strange about people leaving the country, adding that the world has changed radically with globalisation and with increasing penetration of the internet.

He stated that ‘Japa’ syndrome should not be used to measure how bad or how good Nigeria is, stressing that the world is imminently migrating and travelling at a pace perhaps never witnessed before in the history of human evolution.

“My dream about Nigeria is a place where every person’s dream can come true. It is the driving force

of my offering in that book about the fulfillment of the possibility of Nigeria of my dream and I think some of the suggestions that I offered there will provoke people to reflect on choices that we have made and choices that we may make going forward.

“I am an optimist, and when I look back and see where we are we are sailing against headwind now, but I think in the future we will have some winds behind our sails.

“One of the things that interest me is helping the process of leadership development and leadership recruitment, especially in public space. That is something I find really exciting and I hope that whatever experience I have acquired,

can be beneficial to another set of younger people.

“In terms of political choices, I don’t look too far ahead of myself.

What is uppermost for me now is to reintegrate myself back as a citizen into my community and get on with life at that level. So, I don’t look too far at myself politically.

“People seldom see the amount of work that is in public service. It is really unforgiving work. Before I came into public service, my other life was as a legal practitioner. Nobody could fairly accuse me of being lazy, but in the public service, I have never worked as hard as I have worked in public service. ‘’To the extent that Nigeria is our motherland, our home country, place

of refuge, the necessity for patriotism in my view, is not open to debate.

We just have to be patriots and continue building the best version of our country that we want. We must be original and authentic in our thoughts and our actions. ‘’For eight years, I never used a siren in Lagos, and worked throughout the traffic and we managed it. I was in traffic all through the period; people were in traffic, and we stayed there together. My parents always told me not to take what I cannot afford just because somebody else is paying for it,’’ Fashola explained.

The former Lagos State governor further revealed that he only receives a N577,000 monthly pension from

the Lagos State government.

He further clarified that he does not collect any pension from the federal government.

The former Lagos State governor stated that despite all the stories that they got several billions of naira, which he had denied repeatedly, he only receives N577,000 monthly pensions.

He said: “The benefit I get is N577,000 monthly pensions from Lagos State, which is all I get. And despite all the stories that we got several billions of naira, I have come out to deny that repeatedly.

I don’t know how long it will last, but I still get it every month, and nothing from the federal government, nothing at all.”

On life after office, Fashola said he is still a politician, but not in active politics.

He said: ‘’There is a politician in every one of us. I am still a politician. Politics for me is a noble undertaking in terms of a 9am- to -5pm job, getting up and going again.

My term in office has ended and happily so. It ended at the time I was going through some pain; so, it was just a good time to let it go.

“For me, over the 21 years, my hours were three to four hours sleep; so, I use Saturdays and Sundays to reboot and start again. That was why I literally seem to have disappeared from the social scene because the problems never end. So, I ran my race as hard as I thought I could.’’

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LEARNED COLLEAGUES… L-R: Mr. Emma Achukwu (SAN); Mr. Luke Chidi Ilogu (SAN); Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN): Mr. Louis Mbanefo (SAN); Prof. Fabian Ajogwu (SAN); and Mr. Chibuike Ihekweazu (SAN); at the requiem mass and night of tributes in honour of the former Chairman of Body of Benchers, Chief George Uwechue (SAN) at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus…weekend

NNPCL: Why We Intervened in Nigeria's FX Crisis with $3.3bn Crude Repayment Loan from Afrexim-bank Peter Uzoho The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has justified its involvement in the controversial $3.3 billion crude oil pre-payment loan it signed with the African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim-bank) last year.

In an interview with journalists, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer (CCCO) of NNPCL, Mr. Femi Soneye, explained that the deal christened 'Project Gazelle' - the forward sale of oil, which is the first of its kind to be facilitated by any government institution in Nigeria, was to ultimately provide dollar financing to the federal government.

Earlier in August, NNPCL had announced that it secured a $3 billion emergency loan from Afrexim-bank to stabilise the country’s volatile foreign exchange market.

The deal came over a year

after the national oil company had similarly secured a $5 billion corporate finance commitment from the same Afreximbank to fund major investments in Nigeria’s upstream sector.

In late December last year, the federal government had announced receipt of $2.25 billion out of the $3.3 billion facility from the multilateral financial institution.

Afreximbank is the lead arranger of the loan, while some other sublenders included VITOL; Guvnor, one of the world’s largest energy trading houses by turnover; Sahara Energy Group; Oando and the United Bank for Africa (UBA), which chipped in $100 million.

However, while the loan attracted mixed reactions from Nigerians, especially over concerns about the implication of the facility for Nigeria’s oil production, the NNPCL Spokesman argued that the loan was

needed as a short to mid-term solution to the foreign exchange shortage challenge currently being faced by the country.

Soneye added that Nigeria needed to urgently improve its foreign exchange position, pointing out that as of June 2023, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had over $6 billion of unmet obligations – forward contracts with third-party institutions that were past their expiry dates.

He explained, "NNPC Ltd entered into this arrangement to ultimately provide dollar financing to the federal government. It is a short to mid-term solution to the foreign exchange shortage challenge currently being faced by the country.

"Nigeria needs to urgently improve its foreign exchange position. As of June 2023, the Central Bank had over S$6 billion of unmet obligations – forward contracts with third-party institutions that were past their

expiry dates.

"These unmet obligations have pressured the nation’s external reserves and resulted in a significant devaluation of the naira. The prefinancing arrangement allows the federal government to receive foreign exchange, in advance, to enable it to resolve its unmet FX obligations.

These inflows of foreign exchange will ensure exchange rate stability and is an immediate quick-win available to the country."

He further explained that forward sale contracts help resource-producing companies such as the NNPCL to deliver significant upfront funding for new projects before eventual production and export.

The NNPCL spokesman maintained that the funding available is used as investments in existing and prospective resources, adding that this could result in more oil and gas production in the country as new

projects come onstream, and higher oil and gas exports, bringing in more dollars and foreign currencies.

He further argued that international banks have a track record of providing forward-sale financings, which brings new Foreign (FDIs) into the country.

With Nigeria having over 35 billion barrels of proven reserves that need to be exploited and produced, Soneye said a fraction of these prospective reserves could be used to raise the required funding.

With a forward sale financing, he noted that the country could securitise these proven oil reserves today, saying this improves foreign currency inflows immediately rather than having to wait for years.

"Also, by supporting more exports and bringing in overseas financing, forward-sale financing can significantly boost the availability of foreign currency for an oil/gasdependent country. This improves the

country's ability to pay for imports and manage its overall economy.

"When exports finally start, the forward-sale investments are repaid using the money earned from those same exports. This improves the country's balance of payments.

"The financing gives the government more stable and predictable oil earnings. This helps in planning budgets and managing foreign exchange reserves," he noted.

On repayment of the Project Gazelle, he said up to 90,000 barrels had been earmarked for the purpose.

According to him, "the quantity of crude earmarked is sized to ensure that there is sufficient cash available for the repayment of the facility as and when due and ensure that the Borrower can also meet the other cashflow obligations, taking into consideration the expected future price of crude oil globally."

2024: Ize-Iyamu Dismisses Unilever Nigeria Stops Production, Sale of Omo, Others Edo Ihonvbere’s Report, Says He’s Kayode Tokede

Unilever Nigeria Plc has said it has stopped the production and sale of home care and skin-cleansing products.

This is coming about 10 months after it announced plans to exit both markets.

The company disclosed this in its unaudited interim financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, sent to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) at the weekend.

In another statement, the

company disclosed that it has appointed an interim Board Chairman for Unilever Nigeria Plc. This was contained in a letter sent to the NGX by Senior Counsel and Company Secretary, Unilever Nigeria, Mrs. Afolasade Olowe.

It stated: “Mr. Michael Ikpoki has been appointed as interim chairman of the Board of Unilever Nigeria Plc, pending the appointment of the substantive chairman of the Board.

“Ikpoki replaces His Majesty, Nnaemeka A. Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, who retired from the

Board effective 31st December 2023.”

Meanwhile, recall that on March 17, 2023, Unilever Nigeria revealed its intention to discontinue production of its homecare and skin-cleansing brands. These include Omo, Sunlight, and Lux. In a statement in the company’s earnings report released weekend, Unilever Nigeria said production and sales “ceased in December 2023”.

Unilever said: “The factory used to produce the home care and skin cleansing products has been leased out to a third party.

“Subsequent to the company’s exit from the Home Care and Skin Cleansing categories, the factory buildings have been leased to a third party. This is for 10 years, with annual rental payments.

“Unilever Nigeria’s exit from the homecare and skin-cleansing markets leaves the company with just the foods, beauty and wellbeing, as well as personal care products.”

Before Unilever Nigeria’s exit from both markets, the company reported a decline in revenue and an increase in losses.

Explosion Rocks Agip’s Facility, Destroys Farmlands in Rivers Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt The Obagi community in Egi land, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State has witnessed an explosion, which erupted from Agip Oil Company's facility in the area.

A visit by THISDAY to the scene of the incident yesterday revealed that the fire from the explosion destroyed farmlands, economic trees, and other sources of livelihood in the area.

It was gathered that the fire, which started on Wednesday night, caused residents and indigenes of Obagi to desert the community for fear of being killed by the fire that erupted from the leaking point of the gas in Udeta farmland.

This incident happened in Obagi barely 30 days after the Obrikom Obiafu community in the same LGA experienced an explosion on Agip

pipelines, which claimed lives.

A community member who gave his name as Morgan Destiny, spoke on the incident, saying the indigenes of Obagi have deserted their community.

Destiny lamented: "Agip is virtually killing the community. On several occasions, we have reported issues of havoc that Agip is committing on the people of Obagi: Gas flaring, explosion, and others. It has become a norm of Agip to destroy our environment without remorse.

"Obagi is really in a pitiable condition. The issue of the gas eruption and explosion that happened two days ago started eight months ago. I have reported this issue to many authorities but none of them listened to us until the issue escalated.

"That night we didn't sleep; there was thick smoke, and fire gushing

out of our farmland from the Agip gas facility, but to God be the glory, we are all alive today to tell the story".

Also speaking to THISDAY on the incident, the ONELGA Chairman, Vincent Job, said the incident was caused by equipment failure in the Agip’s facility.

He said: "Maybe because of equipment failure from the company.

Although experts have more things to say about it. For us who are novices in the oil field, we found out that it is equipment failure because some of the equipment has lasted more than 30-40 years, and this calls for the removal, repair, or replacement of those pipelines.

"So far, we have not had any casualty from the gas incident at Obagi, but the degradation was enormous, even the noise coming from that place, I went there myself

and saw it on a spot; I couldn't even get closer because if there is any spark, so many lives will be lost."

Speaking further, Job said: "The federal government in as much as they are collecting their crude oil, it is a natural economy, they should also ensure that they put every other thing in place that will keep the livelihood of the locals.

“If you go to that Obagi, one will not believe that such economic resources are being collected from such a community. Their lives were so bad; that the locals were crying. I went there because it is an emergency, I didn't go with anything", the chairman added.

Meanwhile, THISDAY gathered that there is a fresh crude oil spill on a pipeline belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Ogoniland.

in Governorship Race

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-City A governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has dismissed the report of an internal committee headed by the House of Representatives’ Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, which excluded him from the list of aspirants cleared to contest the governorship primary of the party, saying the purported report was a mere rumour.

The report purportedly pruned the number of aspirants to two from each senatorial zone, totalling six.

Addressing a mammoth crowd of supporters and some party leaders on arrival at the Benin Airport yesterday, Ize-Iyamu dismissed the report just as he said that the National Working Committee (NWC) had given clear directives that all aspirants for the governorship race are free to purchase nomination forms.

Ize-Iyamu was APC’s governorship candidate during the September 19, 2020 election, and the standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2016.

The governorship aspirant, who hails from Benin Kingdom in Edo South senatorial district, also stated that he would not take Edo people’s support for granted.

He also described his relationship with Senator Adams Oshiomhole as cordial, saying the former governor is his senior brother whom he holds

in high esteem.

“He (Oshiomhole) is my older brother and I respect age. We have worked together for many years.

He is the leader of our party and a distinguished senator,” he said.

He said: “I want to assure you that I am in the race and by next week, by the grace of God, I will collect the form. Any Edo person is worthy of the ticket and I’m not a stranger. I want to assure you that your support will not be in vain and there is nothing to worry about.

“When you are contesting for an election, there are bound to be intrigues and all kinds of rumours and stories. The highest organ of our party issued a statement by the publicity secretary and particularly to Edo governorship election and specifically said that all those who have aspirations to run for governorship should go and collect the forms.

“And that they are the only ones to set up a screening committee, which they will do at the appropriate time and if you look at the earlier time table released, you will find the schedule there. Let me announce that by next week I will collect the form.

“I know there were rumours that some people have been excluded but by that NWC release, that is not possible anymore. The only people that can exclude aspirants is the committee set up by the NWC. I want to assure you that I will contest and win the election.”

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EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME… L-R: Former CEO of Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Mr. Babatunde Irukera; General Manager, Marketing, Seven-Up Bottling Company, Segun Ogunleye; founder,Thrive HR Nigeria, Adeshola Aliogo; Managing Director, Seven-Up Bottling Company, Ziad Maalouf; and National Programme Coordinator, Environment and Energy, UNIDO, Mr. Oluyomi Banjo, at the SMEs Scale-Up 1.0 Bootcamp in Lagos…yesterday

Relief as Five Abducted Abuja Sisters Regain Freedom Kingsley Nweze in Abuja Five of the six sisters of the Al-Kadriyar family who were kidnapped by bandits in the Bwari area of Abuja recently have regained their freedom last night.

It could not however be ascertained whether the girls were rescued by security operatives or were released after their family paid ransom.

An uncle to the girls, identified as Kabiru Aminu, who disclosed the news of their release, posted a video on his X handle, @kabiru_aminu, showing the sisters and their relatives jubilating. “#Najeebahandhersisters are home right now, someone please wake me up!” he tweeted. “#Najeebahandhersisters.

These girls are strong,” he added in a follow up tweet.

The six sisters, aged from the early teens to 23, were taken hostage in the

Abuja suburb of Bwari along with their father, Mansoor Al-Kadriyar, who was later released to raise the ransom.

The gunmen released their father, asking him to go get N60 million as ransom for the release of her daughters before Friday, January 12.

His 21-year-old daughter, Nabeeha, a final year university student, was later killed as a warning that the huge ransom be paid.

A former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, had revealed that his friend had volunteered to pay the remaining N50 million out of the initial N60 million the bandits demanded.

The former minister added that as much as he does not support paying ransom to criminals, he had resorted to soliciting for the ransom after the kidnappers killed one of the sisters.

Pantami also blamed

Tinubu Rejoices With Festus Keyamo on 54th Birthday President Bola Tinubu has rejoiced with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, as he marks his 54th birthday on January 21, 2024.

The president, in a statement issued yesterday by his Media Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, congratulated the foremost lawyer and one of Nigeria’s leading advocates of good governance and citizens’ rights on this anniversary of his birth, and commended him for being an irrepressible proponent of justice, truth, and national unity.

President Tinubu also commended the minister for his devotion to duty and passion for service demonstrated by his efforts to strengthen the aviation sector to consistently

deliver world-class service, safety, and performance.

The President wished Keyamo good health, wisdom, and strength in the service of the nation.

Keyamo, a protégée of the late human rights advocate, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and holder of the National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration in the United Kingdom.

On account of his advocacy for democratic ideals and human rights over the years, in 2017, he was awarded the Global Human Rights Award by the United States Global Leadership Council in Washington.

security agencies for failing to track calls and other digital imprints of kidnappers

after the completion of the synchronisation of Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs)

with National Identification Numbers (NINs), which was done in 2022 to help to shore

up the nation’s security structure and identify the criminals terrorising Nigeria.

FAAN to Re-open International Runway at Lagos Airport to Curb Delays, Airlines’ High Cost of Operation Chinedu Eze After almost one year of its closure for rehabilitation, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced that it will reopen Runway 18R, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, known as the international runway, to curb flight delays and financial losses incurred by airlines.

This was disclosed at the weekend by the Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs. Olubumi Kuku when she inspected activities at the two international terminals at the airport during the peak hours of flight operations.

Airlines incur losses due to delays caused by flight traffic, as all flights take off and land on the only operational runway, Runway 18L, which is meant

for domestic flight service.

Foreign airlines said they consume much fuel taxiing to the domestic runway to take off and also from there to the international terminal after landing, which takes longer time and also adds to the delays.

Kuku said rehabilitation work at the runway was interrupted, adding that it resumed after she took over the management of the agency and assured that in a few weeks, the facility would resume to provide service to airlines.

“Concerning the 18 Right runway, we did have some delays initially. Coming on board, we have asked that the contractor return to the site immediately. We also engaged the AON (Airline Operators of Nigeria) on our plans for reopening the runway, because we will be opening through

an entering method. We’ve coordinated with NAMA (the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency), being our air traffic controllers, as well as with the NCAA (the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority) in terms of our plan to open that runway.

So, we should expect it to be reopened relatively soon as we are working closely with the contractor. We have all the support from the Honorable Minister and the Permanent Secretary.

“The reopening is planned for the next few weeks. We are keeping our fingers crossed. I know that our stakeholders have been waiting. We are working very closely to get it reopened.

I am certain that it will not be as long as you waited. I do understand that the initial plan for that runway is six weeks.

We will do our best. We did

have some delays,” she said.

Kuku said that a solution must be found to the chaos that happens at the international terminals of the Lagos airport during peak hours; when passengers rush to meet their flights and there is high vehicular movement in front of the terminals, saying that the chaos caused by the mix of travellers and non- travellers who throng the airport every day must be checked.

According to Kuku, “There has to be a solution, but because we cannot afford to keep this going.

We owe it to our passengers.

We owe it to ourselves. We have said that our core responsibility at FAAN is to provide a good passenger experience with good infrastructure, safety, and comfort. So, we will make sure that it’s done and that’s why I’m here.

Ijaw Youths to Reject Alleged Plot to Appoint Non-indigene as Amnesty Coordinator Sylvester Idowu in Warri

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide has threatened to resist moves to replace the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Major General Barry Ndiomu (rtd) with a non-Ijaw, noting that such an appointment will be rejected.

Spokesman of IYC, Binebai Yerin Princewill, at a press conference in Warri, yesterday, said the council, representing Ijaw youths across the world, “will fight with everything” to resist the plot by a cabal in Aso

Rock to replace Ndiomu with a retired general from another ethnic group in the region.

He said it was solely the Ijaw tribe that consolidated and sustained the struggle for resource control and self-determination while other tribes were scared not to be labelled as infidels.

According to him, the Ijaw’s struggle led to the creation of the Amnesty Programme by the federal government.

“While the ninth leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide will continue to consolidate and sustain the Ijaw

struggle for self-determination and resource control, we have it from credible sources that some individuals close to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, are hatching dangerous plots to install an Urhobo retired military general as the Coordinator of PAP to succeed Ndiomu.

“It is our assurance that the Ijaw Youth Council, representing all the Ijaw Youths in this world, will fight with everything that we have to resist this plot that the cabal in Aso Rock is plotting and hatching. It is our warning to those who are surreptitiously

making such a plan to urgently retrace their steps as we are going to use every available means to resist this from coming to the limelight,” he said.

While expressing reservations over the federal government’s appointments with regards to Ijaw sons and daughters not being included in political appointments across the Niger Delta states under President Tinubu, Binebai said the Ijaw youths would not sit and watch when people were trying to further undermine and undo the Ijaw people.

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he traditional wedding of the daughter of the Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, Temitope and her heartthrob Olayiwola was held at the10 Degrees Events Center, Billings Way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos last week Friday, 12th January, 2024.

Among the personalities that graced the occasion are: a former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Major General Ike Nwachukwu (retired), some members of the House of Representatives, a former NBA President, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, his amiable wife, Justice Folashade Bayo Ojo, and Chairman/CEO, PHOTOS: KOLAWOLE ALLI Nigerians In Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

L-R: Mother of the bride, Olori, Adekunbi Runsewe; the groom, Olayiwola; and the Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC)/father of the bride, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe

L-R: Parents of the groom

Unveiling of the bride to the groom and guests

Guest at the event

Mrs. Bimpe Ajayi and a guest

L-R: Prof. Taiwo Osipiton (SAN), Dr. Femi Runsewe and Chief Adewole Osipiton

Groom’s Mother Christiana Gbadebo and a guest

The Couple, Olayiwola and Temitope Gbadebo

Groom’s Parents and guest

L-R: Mr. Ola Labupa and other

L-R: Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi; Mother of the bride, Olori Adekunbi Runsewe; father of the bride, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe; and a former Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf

L-R: Chief Kemi Runsewe, Mr Niyi Runsew, Mrs Buki Osilaja Toyin Runsewe and Prof. Taiwo Osipiton

L-R: Prince Adegoke Idowu; and Mrs. Morade Osobate

L-R: Nollywood Actors, Mr. Adebayo Salami a.k.a Oga Bello and Mr. Jide Kosoko

˜ ˾ JANUARY 21, 2024

15

IMAGES

Engr. R. Agbaje,Dr Okey Abisoye, Arc. Steve Adamu, Marcus Oboh

Adamu Sam Ekpelle, Bro. O. Arioh, and Bro. Kunle Arioh Araoye

L-R: Former Managing Director, Nigeria Airways, Alhaji Jani Ibrahim; Justice Folashade Bayo Ojo; a former NBA President, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN; and Air Commodore Dave Asfefu

L-R: Yeni Kuti; the groom, Olayiwola Gbadebo; and Prince Ade Gbadebo

L-R: Rt. Hon. Ogbeide-Ihama; Hon. Okonedo Osahon; Hon. Ndidi Akhimien; and Hon. Ebose Augustine

L-R: Afro Juju Star, Sir Shina Peters; Mr. Olusegun Awolowo; father of the bride, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe; and mother of the bride, Olori Adekunbi Runsewe

Goge Africa Presenters, Amb. Isaac and Nneka Moses

L-R: Engr. Kayode Odusanya; and Air Vice Marshal Ladi Smith

L-R: Gbemi Ogun and Bimpe Adekunbi

L-R: Mr and Mrs. Goke Idowu

L-R: Mr. Keke Adams; Mr. Ayo Agbesanwa; and Engr. Deji Doherty

Mrs. Oyenuga and friends

L-R: Major General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd); and Otunba Bosun Olowu

L-R: Kehinde Eletu; Kudirat Kasumu; and Yetunde Kasumu

L-R: Mrs. Bimpe Ashafa; Alhaja Bolaji Adams; the bride Temitope; the groom, Olayiwola; and the mother of the bride Olori Adekunbi Runsewe

16

SUNDAY JANUARY 21, 2024 • T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 21, 2024

BUSINESS

17

Editor: Festus Akanbi 08038588469 Email:festus.akanbi@thisdaylive.com

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18

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JANAURY 21, 2024

PERSPECTIVE

Imperatives of Climate Change Dan D Kunle

I

n the contemporary landscape, the specter of climate change looms large, compellingmetodelveintoamultifaceted exploration of perspectives and urgent imperatives.

As the world grapples with the farreachingconsequencesofenvironmental shifts,itisworthyofnotethatourcollectivechoices carry a profound weight, echoing through the tangible consequences of the shift.

The concept of climate change revolves around long-term alterations in Earth’s climate patterns, primarily attributed to human activities. It encompasses global warming, shifts in weather patterns, and the increasing frequency of extreme events. (disasters such as flood, drought, earthquake, and fire outbreaks) The idea underscores the impact of greenhouse gas emissions from activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation, leading to an all-time high warming planet experienced in human history.

Addressing climate change involves mitigating these human-induced factors, adapting to the changes already underway, and fostering sustainable practices to ensure the health and resilience of our planet and accessing emergency fundingforlossanddamagesufferedfromclimate change effects.

Man as the Driver Human activities have significantly contributed to climate change and solutions.

From the Stone Age to the Bronze, to the Iron Age to the Classical Era that led to the Industrial Revolution of the last 300 years.

The quest for progress, fueled by mankind’s insatiable appetite for resources—water, woods, sands, gravel, stones, granite, limestones, coals, oil, gas, and iron ores—has led to a profound transformation from our evolutionary ape-man to modern civilization.

One can applaud humanity’s achievements in fossil-fuel-driven automobiles, aviation, and maritimevoyages.Allthesehavegreatlybenefited modernity and productivity.

Nevertheless, the widespread use of airplanes and ships, while boosting prosperity, comes with incalculable climate change costs in the form of emissions and rising temperatures.This is why the recent ESG policy framework for any investment and financing has become mandatory globally.

Inthepursuitofresourcemobilizationacrossthe planet,man-madecanalssuchasSuezandPanama interconnectedseasandoceans.Therepercussions oftheseendeavors,coupledwithoilandgasdrilling, quarrying, and mining, have resulted in significant distortions to our planet Earth.

As a layperson, it appears that the profound impacts on geography are unfolding in an unprecedented manner and this is why climate finance has become imperative.

A typical success story of climate financing is what is going on in modern-day China where renewable energy, solar, and wind are becoming very dominant in their energy mix.

The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, industrial processes, and agricultural practices release greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, leading to phenomenal global warming.

The argument that Africa’s emission footprint is lessthanfourpercentThiswarminghadnoboundary as the argument that Nigeria and Africa do not do up to 4 percent of the global warming, that does not insulate us from the effect and consequences of climate change and that is the more reason why Nigeriamustquicklyhavewell-coordinatedclimate change and energy transition policies.

These effects include general increases in temperature; variations in rainfall, the rise in sea levels, resulting shoreline erosion and flooding (the UN recently estimated that at least 27 states are now increasinglyatriskofseriouscontinuousflooding); drought and desertification (which is causing the depletion of Lake Chad and consequent southern migration of Fulani herdsmen and insecurity); land degradation(whichismakingfarmingmoredifficult and affecting our food security); and significant damage to the ecologically-sensitive Niger Delta.

Also, improper waste disposal, industrial emissions, and reliance on non-renewable resources contribute to pollution, impacting air, water, and soil quality. Methane is a serious issue in climate change management.

Environment Minister, Abdullahi All these elements gave man its food, clothing, and shelter- that is life sustenance.

Fromthesenaturalelementsthattheevolutionary ape man transforms to this era of modernity which we can attribute to the special natural gift of Brain Power which is higher than the other lower animals.

Now the BIG Questions How rational has man been extracting all these materials?

How rational have all these materials been processed?

How rational has man been appropriating all thesematerialsamonghisvariousmultidimensional uses and applications across the large spectrum of needs- demands and supply?

From the primal use of wood for survival to the currentrelianceonhydrocarbonslikecoal,bitumen, andpetroleum,theevolutionofresourceutilization isatestamenttotheintricaciesofhumaningenuity.

AccordingtotheEU’sCopernicusClimateChange Service, December 2023 set a historic milestone as the warmest December globally, capping off a year marked by record-breaking temperatures.

Each month from June to December in 2023 surpassedprevioustemperaturerecords,solidifying the year as the warmest ever recorded since the beginning of climate records.

In 2023, the global average air surface temperature reached 14.98°C, surpassing the previous 2016 record by a significant margin of 0.17°C. According to Copernicus, 2023 exhibited an average temperature of 1.48°C higher than pre-industrial levels, marking the period before widespread human use of fossil fuels.

Thishighlightstheconcerningtrendofescalating global temperatures and underscores the imperative for concerted efforts to address and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

The induced production of carbon and methane impacts air quality, and the rise in surface temperatures crystalizes the narrative of intense resource exploitation from our activities on the planet Earth.

The Elements Water: Potable water, essential for survival, intertwines with activities like fishing, irrigation, river roads, and seas.

Water is a lifeline for the global populations, regardless of their size.

As the global population hovers between 7 and 8 billion, the demand for potable water intensifies.

The River Nile water conflicts are escalating, and boreholes proliferate worldwide for water extraction and agricultural irrigation. The impending consequences prompt us to question the rationale

and optimization of water resources across the spectrum-Musteveryhouseholdhaveaborehole?

Can’tneighborhoodsandcommunitieshaveone giantboreholefortheirusethroughreticulations?

Many related issues such as the power generationsystemmustberationalizedandoptimization employed to save our environment. The ecosystems of our national lives must be rationalized and holistically reviewed to comply with the new normal of green lifestyles.

These are serious fundamental issues that will require the National Council on Climate Change with the approval of Mr President to revisit the energy transition policy and all the critical stakeholdersforeffectiveclimatefinancinggovernance.

Land:Afoundationalsupportcarryingallorganic and inorganic elements, land plays a pivotal role in agriculture, housing, and mining activities—both on the surface and subsurface.

To what extent does mankind abuse the use of land and Nigeria in particular either in agricultural practice, urbanization, and mining?The NCCC as may be approved by Mr President must revisit our land use and mining activities.

Hydrocarbons: From the early use of coal to the pervasive application of bitumen and petroleum, hydrocarbons have taken center stage in modernity, permeating various aspects of human life.

As we reflect on the journey from evolutionary dependence on nature to the current anthropogenic era, the overarching question persists: To what extent have we exercised rationality in managing, extracting, processing, and appropriating these resources, recognizing our responsibility as stewards of the Earth?

This inquiry is not merely a contemplation of the past but a call to action for a sustainable and conscientious future. Nigeria’s energy transition must be articulated and must accommodate our peculiardevelopmentalneedsforthenexttwentyfive years because fossil fuels are transiting away butNigerianeedsfossilresourcestoearnrevenue for the urgent developmental requirement.

It is a delicate policy that Mr President and the NCCC must deliberately pursue.

Solar In the 19th century, the pillars of industry relied oncoal,limestone,steel,andcement,aswellasthe advent of oil and gas. However, the 21st century has witnessed a transformative shift towards renewable energy sources, particularly solar and wind power.

Solar energy, in particular, has emerged as a sustainable alternative, prompting humanity to reconsiderandreducedependenceontraditional,

environmentally impactful sources.

This transition reflects a growing awareness of the need to harness cleaner energy options and minimize the exploitation of non-renewable resources.

Even farming and agricultural practices are fast transforming to hardener and smart agriculture with minimal use of fossil-driven apparatus.

The urgent call to action for Nigeria and the government of President Bola Tinubu Fortunately,Nigeriaiswellplacedtodriveforward adynamicandhome-grownclimateactionagenda.

ThepassageoftheClimateChangeAct2021paved the way for the creation of the National Council on Climate Change, (NCCC), which reports directly to Mr.President, with the mandate to act as a clearing house and convening platform for climate action initiatives within and across government. It is important to distinguish NCCC’s convening role from the still critically important operational role of the Ministry of Environment, which sits as a key member of the Council.

Withthecurrentreality,thereisanurgentneedfor theMrPresidenttorevisitandrealigntheactivities of the NCCC, particularly with the requirements for Nigeria to access climate finance.

To access climate finance for adaptation to and mitigation of climate effects, as well as to benefit from the rapidly developing voluntary and to participate in carbon trading markets.

A big lesson from CoP28 was that we need to accelerate action and take more deliberate steps to ensuregreater coordination of activities, both in andbetweenthepublicandprivatesectors.trading, there are certain steps and coordination that will require your deliberate interventions.

Also,flowingfromCOP28sessions,MrPresident will need to reconstitute the NCCC and infuse new agility into the Council. It is important that all the critical stakeholders are co-ordinated and appropriate working groups are created around and within the Council.

His Excellency has already taken bold steps to accelerate the potential to access greater flows of climate finance through the recent creation of the Carbon Market Committee, ably led by Zach Adediji, the Executive Chairman of the Federal InlandRevenueService(FIRS).TheNCCCprovides aplatformtoensurecoordinationwiththeMinistry of Finance.

For example, the National Energy Commission is expected to play a significant role in the energy transmission policy. Given the new Ministerial portfolios, the Ministers sitting as members of the Council need to be re-designated.The Council already has provision for representatives from the The organized private sector representatives, civil societyies, and all the state and local governments, and these representatives need to be appointed immediately. Also provided for is a rolefortheNationalSecurityAdviser,underscoring the potential role of climate change in worsening conditions that could increase such conflict risks, as poverty and food insecurity. are expected to be part of the NCCC. The past missed opportunities by Nigeria to access the lloss and ddamages funds can still be regained. Our position forability to access climate financingcanbestrengthened,andtechnicalcapacity building for the NCCCc is urgently required if we are to catch up with countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The establishment of the Climate Fund, as the repository of such funding, as well as other flows of climate finance, is a critical function of the NCCC under the Climate Change Act, and we must move quickly, working closely with the MinistryofFinance,toaccelerateprogresswiththis.

To expedite decarbonization and achieve swift carbon credit progress, it is crucial for Mr. President to actively request monthly updates.

This approach ensures proper coordination and effective monitoring of the activities surrounding climate change issues in Nigeria.

In navigating Nigeria’s eEnergy tTransition, a criticalreassessmentofexistingpoliciesisimperative, including a revision of the Energy Transition Plan promoted by the former Vice president, especially given the given the complex interplay of forces advocating for and against fossil fuel phase-outsthinking of the new administration.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

Kunle writes from Abuja

SUNDAY JANUARY 21, 2024 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY SUNDAY JANUARY 21, 2024

Peace in the transcontinental region could mitigate IsraelHamas economic spillover in Nigeria, argues GARBA SHEHU

PEACE IN THE CAUCASUS

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(XURSH But its full potential as a conduit for global trade has been hindered by WKH FRQÁLFW EHWZHHQ $]HUEDLMDQ DQG $UPHQLD RYHU WKH SURYLQFH RI .DUDEDNK – a region internationally recognised DV $]HUEDLMDQ EXW ZKLFK KDG EHHQ RFFXSLHG E\ $UPHQLD IRU WKH SDVW \HDUV +RZHYHU DIWHU D ZDU LQ ZKLFK VDZ $]HUEDLMDQ UHJDLQ LWV ODQGV WKH WZR DUH RQ WKH EULQN RI VLJQLQJ D peace deal. ,W KDV WDNHQ WKH WZR FRXQWULHV D ORQJ time to get to this point. But an election LQ $]HUEDLMDQ FRXOG SRWHQWLDOO\ GHUDLO WDONV LI WKH HOHFWRUDWH GR QRW YRWH IRU another term for current President ,OKDP $OL\HY <HW WKLV VHHPV XQOLNHO\ 5HJDLQLQJ .DUDEDNK IURP $UPHQLDQ occupation has been a national cause VLQFH LWV ORVV LQ WKH V +DYLQJ GHOLYHUHG LW WKH 3UHVLGHQW LV ULGLQJ D wave of popular support going into the election. But he has also put the peace deal at the centre of his campaign. The vote is essentially a referendum on it.

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This would be a disaster for Armenia.

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Shehu is a journalist and former presidential spokesperson

WHAT LIES BENEATH THE BANKING DRAMA

Awaal Gata urges the CBN to uphold fairness, transparency, and due process in the banking sector

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he recent decision by the Central %DQN RI 1LJHULD &%1 WR GLVVROYH the Boards and Management of 8QLRQ %DQN .H\VWRQH %DQN DQG 3RODULV %DQN KDV LJQLWHG ZLGHVSUHDG discussions across the nation. This move has not only attracted attention but has DOVR GLYLGHG SXEOLF RSLQLRQ ZLWK WKH SXEOLF interpreting the decision in different ways and speculating about the political and clandestine PDQHXYHUV WKDW PD\ KDYH LQÁXHQFHG LW ,Q YDULRXV FLUFOHV WKHUH LV JURZLQJ XQHDVH regarding the integrity and transparency of this UHJXODWRU\ LQWHUYHQWLRQ DV LW IDFHV DOOHJDWLRQV of being a witch-hunt or serving the interests of VSHFLÀF SDUWLHV 7KLV VLWXDWLRQ UDLVHV OHJLWLPDWH concerns about the accountability and openness RI VXFK DFWLRQV SURPSWLQJ D FORVHU H[DPLQDWLRQ RI WKH PRWLYHV EHKLQG WKH &%1·V GHFLVLRQ 7KH &%1 MXVWLÀHG LWV LQWHUYHQWLRQ E\ FLWLQJ corporate governance lapses and regulatory QRQ FRPSOLDQFH DV UHDVRQV +RZHYHU WKHVH allegations stand largely unsubstantiated due to the hurried nature and absence of a fair hearing XQGHUO\LQJ WKHLU DFWLRQV WR SHQDOL]H WKH EDQNV This swift and seemingly arbitrary approach FUHDWHV D YDFXXP RI XQFHUWDLQW\ IRVWHULQJ GRXEW and speculation. The inadequacy of proper MXVWLÀFDWLRQ SURPSWV TXHVWLRQLQJ RI WKH IDLUQHVV and adherence to due process by the CBN in reaching this consequential decision.

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and principles of fairness in regulatory interventions.

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7KH PLGZHHN UHJXODWRU\ DFWLRQ WULJJHUHG D UXQ RQ WKH EDQNV HURGLQJ SXEOLF FRQÀGHQFH and impacting communities where these EDQNV VHUYH DV SULPDU\ VHUYLFH SURYLGHUV ,I VXFK DFWLRQV DUH GHHPHG QHFHVVDU\ KLVWRULFDO SUDFWLFHV RIWHQ H[HFXWHG RQ D )ULGD\ FRXOG be more prudent. This timing allows for PRUH FRQWUROOHG UHVSRQVHV PLQLPL]LQJ GLVUXSWLRQV WR ERWK WKH EDQNLQJ VHFWRU DQG the communities reliant on these institutions for essential services.

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Gata, a public affairs analyst, writes from Abuja

45

T H I S D AY SUNDAY JANUARY 21, 2024

EDITORIAL

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

TACKLING THE RISING WAVE OF KIDNAPPING

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Security agencies must do more to stem the scourge

support staff. You now hear of medical doctors and idnapping for ransom has assumed other professionals being part of the kidnapping anarchic proportions in Nigeria. Hardly ring. a day passes without chilling reports There may be a historical context to this malaise. of abductions, sometimes of a whole Long before colonial rule in Nigeria, kidnapping family. But no recent case has drawn as was a means of sourcing for slaves to be sold to much national attention to the malaise as that of the six daughters of Alhaji Mansoor Alforeigners. After the abolition of slave trade, Kadriyar. They were abducted from their residence kidnapping for rituals continued. While we within the precincts of the Federal Capital Territory believe that crime cannot be rationalised, it is also (FCT) on 26 December 2023, alongside their father a fact that the increasing desperation by a growing whose younger brother, Abdulfatai, was gunned young population that is not productively engaged down on the spot. After the kidnappers had killed is a serious issue we must deal with. Meanwhile, one of the daughters, an undergraduate of Ahmadu there is a subsisting law in many states that Bello University (ABU) Zaria due to the inability of prescribes death penalty for the crime. But that has their father to meet the N60 million ransom demand, not deterred kidnappers from carrying out their WKH IDWH RI WKH UHPDLQLQJ ÀYH QRZ KDQJV LQ WKH nefarious activities. balance.

Unfortunately, the security agencies do not While we commiserate with Al-Kadriyar over appear to have any solution to this increasing and the loss of Nabeeha and ever-present menace. hope for the immediate That families of victims While we believe that crime cannot be rationalised, it is also a fact release of his remaining and other ingenious daughters, it is a sad irony internet predators that the increasing desperation by a growing young population that that Nigerians can no now initiate online longer move around freely crowdfunding is why is not productively engaged is a serious issue we must deal with or even spend quality time the authorities should with their family without be concerned. With that, the psychological apprehension of kidnappers it is now easy for these criminals to monitor the lurking around the corner. The effect of all this is that progress of the crowdfunding and adjust their S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R while citizens live in perpetual fear, investors take ransom demands accordingly. In the process, they EDITOR DAVIDSON IRIEKPEN DEPUTY EDITORS FESTUS AKANBI, EJIOFOR ALIKE their businesses elsewhere. Either way, the country is can also summarily execute some captives for MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO the loser. When the security of citizens is at the mercy terror effect to speed up ransom payment.

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU of kidnappers and sundry other criminal cartels, a Defence Minister, Abubakar Badaru, warned CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI government not only loses legitimacy but also the against crowdfunding to pay ransom. “We all EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN peoples’ support. The federal government must know that there is an existing law against the THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE therefore demonstrate the capacity to deal with payment of ransom. So, it is very sad for people to this menace. go over the internet and radio asking for donations When this whole madness started more than to pay ransom,” said Badaru. He argued that such T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D a decade ago, the targets were rich businessmen, would only worsen the situation while referencing EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA politicians, and other well-heeled professionals. the case of the six Al-Kadriyar daughters and GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, But kidnappers have since come to the lower the online intervention by former Minister of ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI bracket. In some cases, these criminals randomly Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, stop vehicles on the road in the hope of finding which led to a raise in the ransom by the criminals.

ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI someone worth kidnapping. So prevalent is the We subscribe to the argument that crowdfunding SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH crime that the African Insurance Organisation to pay kidnappers is counterproductive. But we ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI (AIO) as far back as 2012 designated Nigeria as also understand the desperation pushing people CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI the global capital for kidnap for ransom, having into such direction. We therefore enjoin the federal DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO overtaken countries like Colombia and Mexico government as well as all authorities in the 36 states TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com that were hitherto front-runners. The crime has WR ÀQG D ODVWLQJ VROXWLRQ WR WKH PHQDFH RI NLGQDSSLQJ also become a thriving industry with network of for ransom in Nigeria.

Letters to the Editor

Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief(150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (950- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive. com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer

LETTERS

NIGERIA AND PERVASIVE INSECURITY

When was the last time you slept with both eyes closed? I guess it has been a while. It has become so difficult to sleep in Nigeria. A country that was once an oasis of peace has morphed into a hotbed of sleeplessness.

If you stay in Abuja, especially on the outskirts – Apo, Bwari, Lokogoma, Kubwa, Lugbe – basically satellite towns, you must now be getting used to what has long been a tradition in other parts of the country.

You must have stayed up a few nights already this year, straining for strange sounds, your heart pounding wildly as you prepare for the coming of the true owners of Abuja, its latest landlords.

How many times have you lamented the security situation in Nigeria? If you never have, how have you been processing things recently?

When in 2022, terrorists tore down the medium security correctional facility in Kuje and sprung some of Nigeria’s most dangerous criminals, didn’t the government spit fire, vowing that ‘Never again’? Today, ‘never ’ has slackened into

every now and then. If gold rusts, what will iron do? If the seat of the Nigerian government is being overrun by kidnappers, what is the date of other parts of the country?

That fate is not far-fetched. It is a notorious fact that terrorists control entire villages in some Nigerian states. If you are in Barkin-Ladi or Bokkos in Plateau State, you may have an inkling of what could happen. Maybe, you knew one or two of the 200 people slaughtered just before Christmas last year. A country where men, women, and children-some as young as three months – are slaughtered for Christmas instead of rams and chickens surely and precipitously sits on a time-bomb.

Depending on where you sit in the Nigerian food chain, there is a good chance that you no longer eat what you crave or spend your money on what you want. Austerity has become your new anxiety. As inflation has stripped your plates of all protein, your pockets of cash, and your bank account of all savings, Nigeria has also

unfortunately stripped your eyes of all sleep.

A new year has set off a string of slaughter and abductions. There is every chance that you have been affected one way or the other by the unbridled profiteering of Nigeria’s new multi-million Naira business. A business that Is making improbable millionaires out of otherwise venomous vagrants has become Nigeria’s new reality.

While it would be easier to saddle out blame to the Tinubu administration, there is a caveat.

He may have travelled to Aso Rock through contentious elections and controversial judicial decisions, but there is just something about him that seems to number the days of Nigeria’s worst enemies.

Taking the reins from the disaster that was Muhammadu Buhari was always going to an impossible task. But you are entitled to your frustrations. In fact, your frustrations are valid.

You’re anger at the failure of the government to curb insecurity is valid. Your irritation at the

irrational and ultimately empty government lines when another kidnapping happens is fair.

Nigeria’s nebulous constitution is at least clear enough that the security and welfare of the people will be the primary aim of government.

But what is happening here?

Insecurity has reduced the welfare of people to dust and there are many smiling to the banks because others are in pain. If the uncertainty, anxiety and insecurity in Nigeria are stoking your efforts to leave Nigeria, your feelings are perfectly rational. Even rats scamper off a sinking ship.

There may be little sense in asking the government to do its job because hardness of hearing is rife in Nigeria’s halls of power.

But for whatever it is worth, I am asking the government to secure lives and property in Nigeria. To secure the lives of three-year olds and five-year olds and prevent their slaughter Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com

46

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R JANUARY 21, 2024

GLITZ FEATURE

Menace of Workplace Harassment

The recent viral video featuring a female soldier, who allegedly accused her superiors of various forms of maltreatment, sheds light on the pervasive issue of workplace harassment against women, Vanessa Obioha reports

W

orkplace harassment is not uncommon in this part of the world. It remains prevalent; an enduring challenge that refuses to go away, largely due to not only the snail pace of the justice system in holding perpetrators accountable but the lack of severe consequences for the culprits or suspects.

This recently played out in the Nigerian Army, following the viral video of a female soldier, accusing her superiors of sexually harassing her and threatening her life. The soldier, identified as Ruth Ogunleye, uploaded a video on Tiktok dated January 10, 2024, where she accused three senior officers in the army, Col. IB Abdulkareem, Col. GS Ogor, and Brig. Gen. IB Solebo of maltreating and harassing her.

These include defaming and humiliating her by spreading falsehoods that she was mentally challenged, unlawfully administering injections to her against her will, hindering her career advancement, ejecting her from her apartment as well as withholding her salary among others.

Ogunleye disclosed that her ordeal began upon her assignment to the Cantonment Medical Centre in Ojo, Lagos, where she encountered the colonel.

The Nigerian Army in its response to the soldier’s allegations promised to look into the matter but claimed that she did not seek redress, according to the laid-down procedure.

Ogunleye’s case mirrors the gender-based violence meted out to women even within the work environment.

According to an article by UN Women, more than one in five people have experienced violence in the form of physical, psychological, or sexual harassment at work. It further reported that women are disproportionately affected by workplace sexual violence and harassment, with more than eight per cent experiencing some form of harassment or violence compared to five per cent of men.

According to a 2023 report from Lloyd’s Register Foundation’s World Risk Poll, conducted in collaboration with Gallup, 29.5 per cent of Nigerians have faced workplace violence and harassment during their professional tenure.

This statistic surpasses the global average of 20.9 per cent.

Notably, the report also highlights that a significant 69.1 per cent of Nigerians experiencing workplace violence and harassment report it occurring on three or more occasions.

Workplace harassment is commonly characterised by belittling or threatening behaviour directed at an individual worker or a group, often stemming from factors such as age, sex, colour, race, religion, or disability. This form of behaviour is universally recognized as unwelcome within an organisation, constituting a discriminatory practice.

“Harassment is an unwanted or unsolicited action or word done to anyone in a way that upsets or threatens their well-being or existence,” explained Dupe Akinsiun, a global HR Leader and Executive Coach, highlighting the prevalence of workplace harassment in the country.

“As long as we continually see people who have an exaggerated opinion of themselves with access to power and have not been trained or disciplined to manage their emotions, we will see abuse or harassment.”

These harassments can come in different forms as explained by Zuriel Olowe, an Emotional Healing Educator.

“The most common form is words being said to women by their male counterparts in the office. Sometimes it’s the boss that is saying this to them, or their colleagues.”

These words can be sexually explicit, she added.

“One of the things I have heard the women say about what their male counterparts tell them is ‘Your breasts look fuller today, are you on your period?’ ‘Oh, your lips look very sexy today,’ or your bum is really getting bigger, what are you doing to it?’”

Workplace harassment can also come in the form of inappropriate touch. Olowe said that most times these actions are often termed accidental to mask the real intent of the perpetrator. “Sometimes, they tend to act as if it was a mistake but it is not, or how do you explain when a man stylishly brushes your backside and rather than saying sorry, he turns back and winks at you.”

Akinsiun emphasised that inappropriate requests or gestures can indeed qualify as harassment, noting that the repercussions for rejecting such unsolicited requests from harassers can be severe.

“Women have been denied jobs or promotions or pay raises for not giving in to these unsolicited and upsetting behaviours in the workplace,” she said. “You see, getting ahead at work takes more work from a woman than a man.

Women are underrepresented in the layers of leadership across major organisations in Nigeria and despite all the good work they put in, they still have to deal with harassment to get what is due them. This is unacceptable. Some have had to give in to these incessant requests from leaders who wield their positional power negatively.”

Individuals who have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace frequently grapple with heightened levels of

anxiety, succumb to panic attacks, and harbour a persistent fear of potential job loss, as highlighted by Olowe. The emotional toll endured by victims, she said, extends beyond the immediate incident, impacting their overall well-being and professional stability.

Since the #MeToo campaign gained momentum in the United States in 2017, exposing powerful sexual predators, there has been a resonating call for a similar reckoning in Nigeria. However, the outcomes have been slow to materialise, resembling a mere drop in an ocean. Akinsiun asserted that Nigeria is long overdue for a #MeToo moment. “#MeToo is long overdue but until we have a justice system that will fight for the rights of people, I will say we tread with caution. The goal is not to do #MeToo because we want to do #MeToo. The question is, will justice be served? In other climes, people are named, shamed, and nailed for harassment. In this part of the world, I am not too sure we can get the full reward of a #MeToo moment.”

Due to the prevalent disregard for women in Nigerian society, Olowe pointed out that victims often choose silence over speaking out, primarily driven by the pervasive stigma and shame associated with such incidents.

She also noted that men can be victims of sexual harassment, especially by women in prominent positions within the workplace. However, Olowe acknowledged that social media has offered an avenue for some victims to share their experiences.

Despite this, she advised caution.

“Social media has helped people to get the right help from channels they never knew existed,” she said. “Some organisations who work with victims have also taken up cases online. However, there is also this aspect of social media where the individual suffers damage, particularly when the victim is not emotionally strong enough. You have people who will criticise you, people who will not believe you, and people who will accuse you of tempting or initiating the action. So you are asking yourself how this will enhance your mental state, help your emotional wellbeing and how it would help your healing.”

She advised that the individual opting to pursue this avenue should possess the emotional strength to withstand potential criticisms or take their case to law enforcement agencies or NGOs. In Ogunleye’s case, the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye is advocating that the Nigerian Army investigate the allegations while noting that she is working to eliminate gender disparity and all forms of violence against women. “The contents of the video are so disturbing and should not be allowed to be swept under the carpet as women remain weaker vessels and should not be subjected to any form of maltreatment, dehumanisation or harassment, especially in an egalitarian society where gender balance and fairness should be upheld by all and sundry,” she said.

“I need to reiterate my ministry’s displeasure over situations where Nigerian women hold the short end of the stick even as the present administration is working assiduously to stamp out all forms of gender inequality and harmful treatments against the female gender.”

She recently paid a visit to the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, who updated her on the efforts of the army towards resolving the matter. The army also verified that Ogunleye’s salary was not withheld as she claimed; that she was paid up to December 2023. Kennedy-Ohanenye also stated that the COAS detailed some senior officers to accompany her to visit Ogunleye.

Her visit came on the heels of the viral reports indicating Ogunleye’s arrest and transfer to Abuja. In her audacious video, the female soldier acknowledged potential consequences, including dismissal or further harassment, for sharing her ordeal on social media. However, she said she could not bear the maltreatment any longer.

To effectively avoid workplace harassment, Akinsiun offered practical strategies for women to safeguard themselves. These measures encompass firmly declining and resisting advances, meticulous documentation of incidents, steering clear of enclosed spaces that may pose risks, being accountable to a trusted person for support, gathering evidence, and formally reporting the harassment to Human Resources. In extreme cases, she suggested considering an exit from the company if the workplace becomes untenable and unsafe.

Both Akinsiun and Olowe believe that organisations should have zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

“First thing is to report and it should be escalated,” emphasised Olowe. “Build the right culture and a psychologically safe place,” said Akinsiun. “Hire leaders, set expectations, and hold them accountable Have an independent system that is a check and balance. There are reliable organisations that can help provide whistleblowing services and engage them. Have, implement, and enforce policies that address harassment.When a situation is reported, handle it promptly and with care. Protect the vulnerable, protect your women.”

“If the female victim decides to further prosecute the offender, the company should provide support,” added Olowe.

The society too, Akinsiun said, can help in economically empowering women to start businesses if they need to walk away from a toxic environment. “A lot of women have had to endure abuse because they were at the mercy of their abusers. Let us make walking away from toxic workplaces easier by having funds or schemes that support female-owned businesses. Help

Ogunleye

Lagbaja

Kennedy-Ohanenye

women have the right mindset about themselves - no one is doing you a favour by hiring you or promoting you.

“We need to help women build confidence: do not take the blame for an abuser. Women should stop justifying or making excuses for abuse. Women need to learn how to have difficult conversations because we tend to be sentimental.”

SUNDAY JANUARY 21, 2024 • T H I S D AY

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A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

21.1.2024

Amu

Aburime-Asom

Igbinedion

Ogboro-Okor

Women Daring to Change Politics in Edo What do an occupational therapist, a medical doctor, a lawmaker, a philanthropist and a gynaecologist have in common? They are all confronting male predominance in Edo politics. As the parties primaries kick off in February, these women, vying to succeed Governor Godwin Obaseki in the upcoming governorship election later in the year, are hopeful that their journey to occupy the most prominent seat in the state will not be truncated at the primaries.

How far they go remains to be seen. Vanessa Obioha writes a series of profile on these women EDITED BY: VANESSA OBIOHA/vanessa.obioha@thisdaylive.com.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R JANUARY 21, 2024

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COVER

How Far these Women go Remains to be Seen

T

he prospect of electing a female governor in Nigeria remains elusive. Despite the relentless pursuit of leadership by many determined and eminently qualified women in politics, it’s still an illusion that moves farther from reach with

each attempt.

Only one woman, Virginia Etiaba, has occupied the governorship seat by proxy.

Otherwise, Nigerians have predominantly witnessed women assuming roles as deputy governors. Etiaba took the reins of power in Anambra State in 2007 when her principal Peter Obi was impeached by the state legislature. Three months later, an appeal court nullified the impeachment and Etiaba returned to her post as the deputy governor of the state.

Senator Aishat Dahiru Binani attempted to break the jinx at the 2023 general elections when the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Adamawa, Barrister Hudu Yunusa, initially declared her the winner of the state governorship election. However, it was later voided by the electoral umpire.

Before her, the former Minister for Women Affairs Minister and Social Development, Pauline Tallen took a bold shot at the governorship seat in Plateau in 2011, after serving as the first deputy governor in northern Nigeria. She emerged unsuccessful, losing to Jonah Jang.

Another woman who was very close to becoming a governor was the late Aisha Alhassan. In 2015, she was the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State. She was defeated in the election re-run held on April 25, 2015, but on November 7, 2015, the tribunal removed Governor Darius Ishaku, and declared Alhassan winner of the April 11, 2015 poll. This was later reversed by the Appeal and Supreme Courts.

Since then, any female governorship aspirants have been finding their journey cut short in the primaries, often overshadowed by male counterparts who emerge as the preferred candidates for prominent parties.

Interestingly, those securing governorship tickets tend to hail from lesser-known parties.

In Edo, the optics are no less different.

In the last election in 2020, only two women made it to the ballot: Mabel Oboh of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Tracy Agol of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

As the political parties gear up for primaries starting in February, five formidable women are stepping into the political arena, ready to redefine the narrative dominated by men in the state. Hailing from diverse backgrounds and affiliations with the three major parties - the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and the Labour Party (LP) - these women aim to disrupt the status quo and increase female representation on the ballot come September.

As the race heats up, it remains to be seen if one of these women will emerge as the next governor of Edo State. Regardless of the outcome, their candidacies represent a significant step forward for women in Nigerian politics and a challenge to the longstanding male dominance in the gubernatorial arena.

They are Dr Victoria Amu, a U.S.-trained occupational therapist; Loretta OgboroOkor, a UK-trained consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist; Omosede Igbinedion, a former lawmaker; Princess Asha Okojie, a humanitarian and philanthropist; and Angela Aburime-Asom, a medical doctor.

Dr Victoria Amu-Edo is Ready for A Female Governor Dr. Victoria Amu stands out as the sole female among over 11 APC members

Igbinedion.

Igbinedion, who is also a barrister, is very confident that she will win the party primary.

The former lawmaker, popularly known as ‘Lady Governor’ revealed that she was approached by elders of the PDP and other stakeholders to join the race because they believed in what she could do. Moreso, her desire to succeed Obaseki is to improve the socio-economic indices of the state.

“I want to make a difference in the lives of the people of Edo State. They have tried the men before, the men have done their best. I’m sure that a woman can certainly do better,” she said after picking up her nomination and expression of interest forms of the party in Abuja.

“I’m in this race for the women, I’m in this race for the youths. I’m in the race to basically give our gender a chance and the youths a chance. Like I said, it’s woman o’clock, it’s youth o’clock,” she added.

Princess Asha Okojie-A Transformative Future for Edo

Okojie

aspiring for the governorship seat in Edo. A dedicated party member for over 18 years, Amu played vital roles in the campaign council for former governor Adams Oshiomhole during his two terms, including service in the strategy and research committee. With a history of contributing to various campaign councils for senators and representatives, Amu, challenging the traditional role of women, aims for the main stage. Confident in Edo’s readiness for a female governor, she expressed her aspirations during a TV interview on TVC. “Women have been playing several roles in Edo politics. When you take a look at the male contenders, they always have a woman beside them and the woman is strong. Do you want to say that the strong woman cannot be a party chairman in Edo?” She continued: “We are gravitating towards where women now understand their role in politics and the men now understand that in order for them to win, they need the women.

“So for me, as a woman coming into the contest, I’m going to have the support of all the women because it is time for women to showcase their skills; it is time for women to govern the state and we are going to see it in this particular election.”

Amu is a U.S-trained occupational therapist from Owan West LGA in Edo North.

Loretta Ogboro-Oko Time to Shake the Table A UK-trained consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Loretta Ogboro-Okor is one of the governorship aspirants in the Labour Party.

Since declaring her interest in the governorship race, Ogboro-Okor has consistently emphasised that her decision is driven by the goal of amplifying the voices of women in the decision-making process. “A lot of women are always at the back door, it is time we took our place in the political space. We have to be at the table so that we can shake it.”

Her motivation to join the race was triggered by her passion to improve the lives of her people.

Ogboro-Okor is not new to politics.

Through her blog “Loretta Reveals,” she advocates for gender inclusion as well as

writing on politics and social reform topics.

She was appointed to the Diaspora agency committee by Obaseki in 2021. She led the health care policy group in the Obi-Datti presidential campaign and participated as a panellist in a telethon for the LP’s candidate, Peter Obi. Additionally, she co-founded the Ashanti Graham Health and Education Foundation, focusing on capacity-building for healthcare professionals and recognizing outstanding graduating students in the medical field. Ogboro-Okor was part of the Midwestern professionals led by Don Pedro Obaseki advocating for restructuring in Nigeria as a group. She is part of a team working to stop illegal migration and trafficking from Nigeria.

If elected, Ogboro-Okor disclosed that she would prioritise technology, education and healthcare. She puts it this way: “We are looking at what I call THE PACTS. T stands for Technology, H is for Health, E is for Education, P is for Production and Infrastructure, A is for Agriculture, E is for Commerce and Job Creation, T is for Tourism and the Diaspora, and S is for Security.”

An Edo princess, Ogboro-Okor is also a Medical Simulator Expert and a Global Goodwill Ambassador.

Omosede Igbinedion It’s Woman O’ Clock Like the APC, the PDP has only one female governorship aspirant, Omosede Igbinedion.

Igbinedion is a prominent figure in Edo politics, having gained recognition as the youngest female member of the 8th Assembly of the Nigerian House of Representatives in 2015 under the platform of the PDP. She represented the Ovia Federal Constituency which consists of Ovia North-East and Ovia South-West Local Government Areas of Edo State.

She has served in various capacities in the Green Chamber, holding positions such as Deputy Chairman of House Services.

She has been an active member of several committees, including those related to Local Content, Aviation, Downstream Petroleum, FCT, Judiciary, Rural Development, and Women in Parliament.

Beyond her political affiliations, she is also the daughter of the renowned businessman, philanthropist and the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel

Coming from a notable lineage of political and social leaders in Nigeria, known for their substantial contributions to the nation’s quest for independence and self-governance, Princess Asha Okojie is determined to bring about transformation in Edo. A humanitarian and philanthropist whose impact cuts across politics and business, Okojie who is an LP governorship aspirant has been an active player in politics, empowering youths to participate in the political discourse.

“People like me are those who have always tried to help people push agendas and policies,” she reportedly said.

Born in Uromi to the late Prince Albert Okojie, a prominent figure and founding member of Action Group (AC) and Midwestern Democratic Front (MDF), Okojie’s mandate is to care for Edo people.

“I want to take care of Edo people, empower the youths, create jobs, and make life easy. Poverty, hunger, and illiteracy are at its highest. Solving these problems is what I want to bring to the table. I also want to increase the deficit in intangible assets. When I talk of intangible assets I am talking about skills, knowledge etc,” she told an online media platform.

Okojie’s overarching vision revolves around principles of equity, fairness, and justice. Her comprehensive agenda spans economic development, education, women’s empowerment, infrastructure, healthcare, cultural heritage preservation, good governance, security, youth empowerment, and environmental sustainability. With a robust background in health information management and administration, she brings a well-rounded approach to her vision for Edo’s transformation.

Angela Aburime-AsomAnswering the Call “As a gentle dove, a mother commands the attributes of a courageous lion, the protectiveness of a hen, the swiftness of a leopard as well as large doses of empathy, knowledge, firmness, compassion, integrity, fairness and commitment to purpose,” reads the post on the LP governorship aspirant Angela Aburime-Asom’s X account.

A distinguished medical doctor from the Edo Central senatorial district, Aburime-Asom emerged as the third female governorship aspirant for the Labour Party. Positioned as a visionary leader, she is dedicated to advancing progress and prosperity in Edo. The paediatrician has made notable contributions to causes ranging from education to medical missions and healthcare development and is recognised for her commitment to innovation, inclusivity and integrity.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R JANUARY 21, 2024

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HighLife Time for Abubakar Momoh to Get Serious

Momoh

Nigeria’s 2024 budget has unfurled like a lavish tapestry, revealing a grand allocation of N346billion (€349million) to the Ministry of the Niger Delta. This region harbours nearly all of the country’s oil reserves, making this allocation more than just a monetary figure.

This allocation represents not just a fiscal decision but a strategic move by President Bola Tinubu, akin to a master chess player positioning his queen. It’s an unspoken acknowledgement of the Niger Delta’s pivotal role in the nation’s economic theatre.

The Delta, after all, is no ordinary place. It’s a labyrinth of potential and power, producing more than half of Nigeria’s revenue, and with the 2024 budget, Tinubu seems to be feeding this goose quite generously.

However, the plot thickens with the revelation of 953 abandoned projects in Rivers State alone, a subplot that could rival any Shakespearean drama. This situation, riddled with the ghosts of inconsistency and governmental vacillation, paints a picture of unfulfilled promises and potential. Yet, there’s hope, a new chapter, as the current NDDC Board seeks to rewrite this narrative, striving to transform these abandoned dreams into concrete reality.

Adding to this rich tapestry is Nigeria’s ambitious goal of producing 1.8 million barrels of oil per day by 2024. The names TotalEnergies, Chevron, and ExxonMobil dance in this oil ballet, each playing their part in a symphony of economic resurgence. This goal, however, is more than just a number; it’s a beacon of hope, shining through the mists of economic uncertainty.

But let’s not forget, every story has its villain. In this saga, it’s the spectre of oil theft, a shadow that looms large over Nigeria’s fiscal dreams. This menace, costing the nation at least $2 billion between January and August 2022 alone, is a hurdle that must be overcome. It’s a battle of wits and wills, as the government seeks to clamp down on these nefarious activities to secure the revenue necessary for its ambitious projects.

So, as Abubakar Momoh steps into the limelight to steer this ship, one thing is clear: the stage is set, the players are in place, and the drama of Nigeria’s oil delta is unfolding.

In this story of power, potential, and politics, every move counts, and every decision echoes in the hallowed halls of Nigeria’s future.

In the heart of Nigeria, where the lively streets once echoed with the chatter of market vendors and the laughter of children, there now resounds a chorus of frustration and bewilderment. The culprit? The seemingly endless cash scarcity that has gripped the nation with an iron fist, leaving citizens and financial institutions in a state of disarray. As the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) grapples with the daunting task of navigating this financial storm, questions and accusations fly as fast as the naira notes are hoarded.

The CBN Governor, Yemi Cardoso, points to the flawed implementation of the naira redesign policy as the root of this chaos.

This policy, intended to streamline the financial system, has instead triggered widespread hoarding and a crippling cash shortage.

Imagine the daily plight of ordinary Nigerians. People like Bola in Lagos, who, after a fruitless visit to the bank, could only withdraw N4,000, a paltry sum that barely scratches the surface of her needs. Or Mohammed Sule in the FCT, witnessing the all-too-common sight of long ATM queues, only to be met with a meagre N5,000 to N20,000 withdrawal limit. These stories are but a drop in the ocean of hardships that Nigerians face daily.

Amidst this backdrop of scarcity and despair, a perplexing spectacle unfolds across Nigeria: the enigmatic appearance of crisp, new naira notes at events and parties. Like a mirage in a desert, these bundles of currency emerge in the hands of currency traders, flaunting their wealth in stark contrast to the empty ATMs and the strained smiles of bank tellers.

This phenomenon raises eyebrows and questions alike. How do these traders acquire such vast sums of fresh currency when the average Nigerian struggles to withdraw their hard-earned savings? The disparity is glaring, painting a picture of inequity and hidden machinations within the financial system. As the ordinary citizen

with KAYODE ALFRED 08116759807, E-mail: kayflex2@yahoo.com

...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeria’s rich and famous

Between Currency Traders and CBN Governor

Cardoso

queues for hours for a meagre withdrawal, these traders seemingly bypass the turmoil, accessing what appears to be an unending supply of new notes. This unsettling scenario feeds into the general resentment and suspicion among the populace, casting a shadow of doubt over the integrity of the financial system and those who operate within it.

The banks find themselves equally ensnared in this web of scarcity. Sources within admit, albeit anonymously, that the flow of naira is indeed restricted. They encourage digital payments, yet this solution rings hollow for those who depend on physical cash for their daily bread.

And what of the PoS operators, those unsung heroes of modern Nigerian commerce? They stand accused of exacerbating the crisis. Bank employees claim that these operators, with their multitude of accounts and ATM cards, are draining

the lifeblood of the cash supply. Yet the PoS operators deflect these accusations, hinting at a more sinister plot. They suggest that bankers themselves might be selling money to them, fueling the scarcity for reasons unknown.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised its voice in protest, condemning the government’s apparent apathy towards this crisis. They see the suffering of the masses and call for immediate action to inject liquidity and restore some semblance of normalcy to the economy.

In this swirling maelstrom of blame and desperation, one fact remains clear: the people of Nigeria are caught in the middle. From the bustling markets of Lagos to the dusty streets of Abuja, the cry for relief is unanimous. The CBN, the banks, and the PoS operators, all must come together to untangle this knot of scarcity and restore the flow of naira to the hands of those who need it most.

With Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Sun Shines Again in Ondo

Aiyedatiwa

In the lush landscapes of Ondo State, a new dawn has broken with the ascension of Lucky Aiyedatiwa as governor. It’s as if the state itself

is waking from a long slumber, shaking off the dust of past controversies that clung like cobwebs to its vibrant façades. The air buzzes with renewed energy, a tangible shift felt in every bustling market and quiet hamlet.

This is not just a change of leadership; it is the heralding of a new epoch, where the sun promises to shine brighter than ever before in the Sunshine State.

With the curtains falling on the previous administration, shadowed by whispers of mismanagement, familial entanglement and governance standstill, Aiyedatiwa stepped into the limelight. His rise to power was like a breath of fresh air in the stifling political climate.

Aiyedatiwa, with a name that conjures images of fortune smiling down, seems destined to steer Ondo towards a brighter horizon. Under his nascent watch, the state is shaking off the grey clouds of the past, embracing a future painted in bold, hopeful strokes.

The ongoing transformation under Aiyedatiwa is not just political rhetoric; it’s a reality unfolding on the streets. The once abandoned road projects are now buzzing hives of activity, with contractors weaving new paths of progress. The waste

management authority, once a symbol of neglect, is rejuvenating the state’s cleanliness and health. Every corner of Ondo whispers tales of rejuvenation, from the humming markets, reawakened with commerce, to the government ministries, now pulsating with purpose and efficiency.

In the markets and town squares, the gossip is as vibrant as the newfound optimism.

Residents share tales over steaming cups of palm wine, their words painting Aiyedatiwa as a messiah in a politician’s garb.

Yet, in the shadows of these sunny conversations, there are murmurs of caution.

Some recall the old adage, ‘not all that glitters is gold,’ wary of placing hope in yet another political saviour, especially with the November elections approaching with each passing day.

His detractors have labelled him a political opportunist. They claim his outlook of poise and mantra of getting down to work is a disguise, a charm offensive designed to hoodwink the citizens into returning him in November.

But the overarching sentiment remains one of cautious optimism, a collective crossing of fingers for a sustained renaissance under Aiyedatiwa’s short tenure. The air is rife with aspirations, and the streets resonate with the heartbeat of progress.

Tony Elumelu: Giant Across the River of Business Human imagination is often the barrier to personal and corporate achievement. In other words, a person may be able to achieve all that he imagines as long as he puts in the work and obtains favour from on high. This is the natural position of super businessman, Tony Elumelu.

The more time passes, the more obvious it gets that this businessman is not like any other—he is a giant among them.

The recent bump in the stock value of Geregu Power PLC cemented the name of Femi Otedola as a growing giant in Nigeria’s business market. It echoed the mastery of another Nigerian businessman, Abdul Samad Rabiu, whose business also crossed the N1 trillion threshold. But it looks like these men

have only paved the way for Elumelu who is set to surpass them given his current pace.

Elumelu has joined Otedola and Rabiu to form the three Nigerian business giants holding significant stakes in two companies that are worth over N1 trillion.

Elumelu’s status came about following the rise in market capitalisation of Transcorp Hotels Plc, the hospitality branch of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (better known as Transcorp).

As Elumelu’s stake in Transcorp is about 29.5 per cent, it is only natural that the company’s ascension to trillion-Naira stock value will launch the man into the

heavens. At this time, Elumelu’s influence in Nigeria’s corporate landscape will be deepened, likely extending to the political and cultural corridors.

Elumelu deserves many accolades. Back then, it was partly due to his efforts that the United Bank for Africa (UBA) grew very strong in Nigeria, leading to an era of domination that required the collective efforts of other banking institutions to match and neutralise. But UBA’s recent climb to trillion-Naira stock value status throws these other banks behind, once again demonstrating its dominance and Elumelu’s management prowess.

A new era is upon us, and it is people like Elumelu who wave the flag of radical economic progress.

Elumelu

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R JANUARY 21, 2024

HIGHLIFE

Can Kayode-Laguda Fill Gbajabiamila’s Big Shoes?

Kayode-Laguda

Succession is the order in politics and leadership. But how capable is the one coming in compared to the one going out?

This is the question that is attending the emergence of Fuad Kayode-Laguda (FKL) as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Surulere 1 Constituency House of Representatives by-election. Having

the intention to take up the mantle of Femi Gbajabiamila is not enough; can FKL fill Gbajabiamila’s shoes?

The people of Surulere 1 constituency are currently in the limelight. Filled with joy over the various campaign promises delivered by candidates, the people are sure to gain certain privileges in the days to come. But all that will end once the candidate is decided, and the work of representation will start in the House of Reps.

As FKL is a favoured candidate, being a member of the APC, one wonders if he has what it takes to continue from where Gbajabiamila stopped.

Gbajabiamila represented Surulere 1 for a long time. During his time, this constituency came to be known as one of the most powerful in Lagos due to Gbajabiamila’s influence as the Speaker of the House of Reps. Even though FKL will not immediately enjoy this heritage of

power, if he wins, his occupying the same seat of representation means much.

Regarding whether FKL has what it takes, it should be recalled that he is an expert in all things finance and has served the public under the aegis of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) and the national body, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). FKL’s educational background, particularly, his Master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Lagos and his MBA degree from the University of Lagos Business School equipped him with just what he needed to fulfil the obligations of these roles.

With Gbajabiamila’s shoes in view, FKL has no choice but to scale up. This is the only way he can serve the people of Surulere 1 effectively.

Will Hope Uzodimma Do Well in His Second Term?

Constancy is the heart of reliability, but change, although characterised by a rearrangement of variables, is what inaugurates progress. In Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has been reinstated as the executive governor, leading to all shades of expectations.

Given his performance in the first four years, citizens are divided over what to expect: positive change or the flowing curtains of blood, sweat, and tears.

The second term of Governor Uzodimma is underway. Set in motion by high-profile individuals like President Bola Tinubu and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Uzodimma second term surely bears the marking of something momentous. However, knowing the governor and how he managed the state the first time, one wonders if there will be a significant positive change in the state for the next four years.

Truth be told, even though the governor is the same person the people cried their eyes out

to before, they have renewed their hope and wiped their tears, trusting that things will be far better this time.

This is not to say that Uzodimma ’s first term in office was marked by one dilemma after another. Yes, there were critical security issues and the economy never really reached the height expected from the superintendence of someone with an all-round educational background. But there were also tangible milestones, including infrastructural development, educational funding, and a persistent concern for public sector workers, to name a few.

These milestones serve as a measuring line for Uzodimma second term in office.

Should his achievements revolve around these developments and not propel Imo further, he would be considered to have failed them.

Similarly, should he eclipse these milestones and broaden the scope of governance, he would be deemed progressive and well-meaning, and will very likely win the respect and approval of

Uzodimma

Brother’s Keeper … Femi Otedola Visits Dangote Refinery

Dangote (letf) and Otedola

Billionaires Femi Otedola and Aliko Dangote are big chapters in the book on Nigeria’s economy . They’re closer than friends and nearer than brothers, these two individuals demonstrate a commitment to each other’s interests that is rare.

Otedola has once again renewed the hope of many onlookers in camaraderie. Posting a picture on social media of himself and Dangote standing side-by-side, Otedola waxed lyrical about his visit to the latter’s refinery and the amazing things that Dangote is doing.

According to Otedola, that visit to Dangote Refinery is akin to a visit to the eighth wonder of the world. Updating Nigerians on the refinery, Otedola stated that production has started and the Guinness Book of Records should be preparing a slot for Dangote in which the refinery will be captured as the World’s Largest Single Train Petroleum Refinery.

With Otedola’s enthusiasm, one can imagine how gladdened Dangote feels to be friends with

him. It is not every day on billionaire hypes another on the latter’s accomplishments.

Often, it is a matter of one copying the other to establish a business and doing whatever needs to be done to steal the prospects. But Otedola is not like that, and Dangote loves him for it.

It is now obvious that Otedola will take every opportunity to praise Dangote for the refinery and also publicise the national benefits to be had on account of the refinery.

This has endeared Otedola to well-meaning and informed Nigerians who also recognize what the refinery can bring to the country’s coffers and future.

Regarding friendship, few can compete with Otedola. To think that he is not celebrating the emergence of his Geregu Power PLC as a company with its stocks valued above N1 trillion with as much as he is celebrating Dangote’s refinery. Where can one find such a brother’s keeper?

Tribute to Our Father, Enoch Onyenweama Nkechi Obi “There is no friendship, no love, like that of the parent for the child.” – Henry Ward Beecher 1813 -1887.

Our father, Chief Enoch Nwakwuribe Onyenweama (Akuoma Isingwu) was born on December 24, 1929 in Umuda Okpuala community in the Umuahia North Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia State.

He was the second of two brothers. He had four surviving half siblings.

Onyenweama attended elementary and secondary school in Umuahia and worked briefly after leaving school at a bookshop in Umuahia. He later proceeded to Lagos where he got employment at Costain West Africa Limited, a construction company in Ebute Metta on the Lagos Mainland.

In 1961, he met, courted and married our mother, Mrs. Regina Ojukwu from Awka-Etiti, a town in the Idemili South LGA of Anambra State.

Shortly after their marriage, they were

blessed with four children: Sir Collins Chukwudi Onyenweama, Mrs. Nkechi Obi, Mrs. Victoria Onyinye Nnaji and Mr. Tony Obinna Onyenweama.

As mum and dad started making strides in their new marriage, the civil war broke out, altering their hopes and plans, resulting in an abrupt relocation to the village.

Shortly after the end of the civil war in 1969 and uncertain about the future, our father returned to Lagos in 1971 in search of greener pastures.

He later got employment at Shell Nigeria Limited. However, our father had an inner desire to become a businessman, to take after his parents – Chief Onyenweama Agbanyim and Mrs. Ikpeghioma Agbanyim, who were both successful in business in their time.

Our father was later to resign his Shell job - to take his destiny in his hands in the uncertain and murky waters of business.

His Shell experience and ambition to succeed counted so much in his foray into business. Our father was later to become a

successful businessman, philanthropist and an outstanding community leader.

It should be noted that he never at any time craved adulation, praise or compliments in his numerous community initiatives.

He preferred and insisted on impacting positively and empowering his people in any way he could without bragging about it. Interestingly, these are some of the values he impacted on his children: To always demonstrate humility, compassion, discipline, charity and honesty in whatever we do.

Our father upheld wholeheartedly the principle that when you’re materially privileged, it becomes an obligation to give to charity and to humanity. He was an embodiment of lessons in brotherhood and family.

He might not have been able to build a Taj Mahal or to move the Kilimanjaro, but he certainly succeeded in raising children who radiated love, energy and empathy.

For over 60 years of marriage with our mother, who is fondly called, “Mama Anambra”, our parents shared everything

Leslie, Abike and Chiney

Dabiri-Erewa, Legend of Broadcasting and Politics Honours Lisa Leslie, Chiney Ogwumike Few things are as exciting as watching one legend meet another. The Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa met with two such legends of women’s basketball, Lisa Leslie and Chinenye ‘Chiney’ Ogwumike in Abuja recently. The meeting was charged but saw how one legend of broadcasting and politics embraced her fellows in the realm of sports.

There is no arguing the charm of DabiriErewa. After all these years, the woman remains at the top of her game, not shining with less brilliance now than she did some 10 or 15 years ago. Because she has not lost the ‘it’ of broadcasting and politics, she was able to stand her ground as she hosted legends of women’s basketball, Leslie and Ogwumike.

During the meeting, Dabiri-Erewa praised the accomplishments of Leslie and Ogwumike, describing their presence in the global sports scene as an assurance of Nigeria’s progress.

The NiDCOM boss stated that the basketball legends have strategically repositioned Nigeria in their representation, demonstrating the nation’s potential to reach the top through sports.

Additionally, Dabiri-Erewa also noted to Leslie and Ogwumike that they were not only serving themselves and Nigeria but also inspiring younger women to put in the work. Given their commitment, these younger women may also be able to move themselves, use the resources provided by the nation for natural talents, and improve for the betterment of their communities and country.

Without a question, Dabiri-Erewa’s words to Leslie and Ogwumike bear more truth than tribute. As she intimated, having more selfdriven women will push Nigeria onto the shoulders of unlimited progress. It will make this nation greater than the heroes past ever imagined.

But Nigeria does not only require brilliant sportswomen like Leslie and Ogwumike.

Masters of broadcasting and politics like DabiriErewa are also needed to get Nigeria into the position of dreams, where representatives outside the shores of the nation are recognized as legends and agents of positive change. life offered them.

They were a tag team, supporting each other in every conceivable way until the very end of our dad as a mortal.

I hail my mum for her unwavering support and the care she had given to our dad over the years. Our dad had contended with diabetes at an early age. I am particularly humbled by our mother’s strength, tenacity, drive and resilience over the years as well as her ability to focus on the life she shared with our dad.

We are not unaware of what our mum has lost as age- related difficulties began to take a toll on our father, especially as he began a gradual decline like every mortal.

But we thank God and affirm that he deserved the successes and the rich life that his maker granted him to enjoy in his earthly journey.

I hope that through this lens, we, his children, 12 grandchildren and three great grandchildren can find strength from the life he lived and the experiences he shared, and therefore, be there for each other at all times.

We continue to cherish the memories we had.

Mrs. Obi is the Group Managing Director/ CEO of Techno Oil Limited.

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LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

For Abdul Imoyo, Adieu My Friend

Imoyo

Last Wednesday night, we bade farewell to media gentleman, Abdul Imoyo at the elegant Harbor Point event centre in Lagos. It was a solemn occasion as many of his friends, drawn from all over, converged on the beautiful hall to bid him farewell. Abdul was a very brilliant public relations and media practitioner who was not only very diligent but also carried out his assignments with the highest level of professionalism that he won for himself so many admirers as could be seen by the composition of people in the hall.

I didn’t really see anybody cry in that hall. There was no need as Abdul had lived a wonderful even though short life.

In the little time he spent on this earth,

he touched lives, especially my own o. Abdul played a very vital role in making me who I am today in theatre.

From his support while at UBA, down to the last posting at Access Bank, he would hold my hands and say, “Edgar, don’t worry, we go do am.”

When his colleagues would be doing like King Nebuchadnezzar, Abdul would hold your hand end to end, and even in rejection, he would still be there standing with you assuring you that there will be a next time.

He was a very brilliant young man, whose passing shocked the community, hence the full turnout that evening.

From Herbert, his last CEO, down to his immediate boss, Amaechi, to Roosevelt,

the Managing Director at Access Bank, and so many other people from all walks of life. I even saw Charles Aigbe, his former colleague at UBA and the influential Azuka Ogujiuba who was like his professional sister. Admiral Francis Akpan (rtd) also was there, and his colleague capital market reporters led by the very amiable Goddy Egene was also in attendance.

After it all, Charles led a delegation made up of myself, Azuka and six other people who may not like their names in print, to the powerful Lydia’s place, one of Abdul’s favourite hangouts to honour him in our own little way, to a feast of hot and deliciously made bowls of afang.

Abdul, you will not be replaced. Mark my words.

and as he was turning to that one, America would call, reminding him of his debts, then Asiwaju would run to Abeokuta to shout “emilokan!”

Wahala everywhere with no respite.

They even printed wedding invites for him and offered to marry him off.

So, it is no surprise that immediately he handed over, he ran o; as in ran to Daura and didn’t even wait for Aisha for a well-deserved rest.

economy; in fact the Naira suffered another round of devaluation same period, and you see how everything is going on and you now wake me up in the middle of the night to be asking me my thoughts about the dance.

My brother, we all go school together.

We all have access to social media, in fact opinion is now democratised, as in you can also carry your laptop and write your own thoughts and go and sleep.

I have no thoughts o. Seriously, I really do not have any thoughts around it. In fact, I think I will do the same in his shoes. When you have talk, talk, talk, talk and the thing is still the same and getting worse, you will dance, na make you no go kill yourself for Nigeria matter? Abeg.

So, for me, the dance was ok. In fact, we should make it a national pastime – dance. At least, if for nothing else, BP will not kill us finish before Naira reach N3,000 as has been predicted.

Kai!

in exquisitely made afang as created and delivered by Senator Florence Ita Giwa in that her heavenly restaurant.

Prof Osinbajo was in his element at the launching of Mr. Adesina’s book- I don forget the name of the book. He moved from one anecdote to the other, regaling the distinguished gathering with one sweet tale of his life with Buhari after the other.

The one that really got me was the one where he said, Buhari had admonished him on his way to the Niger Delta not to be the very first Vice President to be kidnapped. This got the hall into frenzied laughter. Kai. From the way our President was laughing, forgetting the carnage in Plateau and Ibadan, you will see that he has forgiven him for daring to attempt a Presidential run.

Prof Osinbanjo is one of the most gifted public speakers Nigeria has ever produced. His command of the English language, versed with a strong sense of timing and a cool mien while at it, makes his deliveries always a delight to watch.

I am sure in his younger days he would have been a killer with the babes. You know how they say it, cow wey no get tail, na God dey help am.

As he no tall na, God give am mouth.

Great guy.

MUHAMMADU BUHARI: THE GODFATHER NEVER SLEEPS Wike should come and learn work.

The best way to influence is to stay clear. Breathing down the neck of your protégé will only irritate, annoy and eventually lead to revolt like what he is facing in Port Harcourt.

Buhari is an expert godfather. The bobo knows just how to super influence without gra gra like our Wike brother, who is all over the place and losing on all fronts as it were.

At the recent launching of “that” book

by Mr. Femi Adesina, our president Bola Tinubu was quoted to have said that Buhari has remained on his own, not interfering and hardly talking to him. That it is even him that used to call him and say, “Oga, are you there?

Are you sure you are ok? Can I send Fura or something?”

The man had said he could not wait to retire and he had also said, “When I go, nobody should call my name for anything.” Well, when you carry load wey pass you, no be to run away at the slightest opportunity.

The thing was overwhelming Nigeria for a man with that level of capacity.

The wahala was just too much. Was it the economy or insecurity or all the abuse? Before he wakes up, Nnamdi Kanu would have abused the living daylight out of him. While he was grappling with that one, they would go and kill thousands of villagers,

WALE EDUN: IT’S DANCING TIME It was one of my ogas who sent me a clip of the Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun and some top Nigerian officials dancing on stage at the ongoing World Economic Forum in Davos. I looked very well at the clip and thought maybe I saw the Vice President Kashim Shettima.

But as I no sure, let me call the name of the person that I am very sure I recognised in the clip – Wale Edun.

The “alakoba” who sent me the clip said, “Edgar, I know you usually have a feeling around these things, what do you think of our officials dancing on stage at such a serious event especially with the challenges that we face economically.”

My people, this was how they used to push people to Golgotha. You see someone that looks like Kashim dancing on stage when Ibadan is on fire, you see Wale Edun dancing when he has not done anything about the

Buhari

Edun

PROF YEMI OSINBAJO – THE BARD STRIKES AGAIN A bard is a very powerful singer but permit me to call Prof Yemi Osinbajo, our immediate past Vice President, a bard. The man talks like he is singing. When he is speaking, I used to feel the way I feel when I am swallowing morsels of fufu wrapped

Osinbajo

MOHAMMED BADARU’S TOUGH CHOICES

Ogunlesi

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I hear he is our defence minister and he has come out to say that we should not crowd fund to save our daughters, sons, husbands, fathers, wives from the hands of kidnappers.

My brother Badaru, that one go hard o. I perfectly understand the position as it will encourage more people into the business and deepen the tenacity of its players but we are not a country in the mould of the US or Israel who will have this kind of policy and back it up with effective anti- terrorist initiatives.

For them, once they say no negotiations, no communications, the next minute they have entered the kidnappers’ den and those ones will be in trouble. Mbok, go and watch “Raid on Entebbe” again and see what I am talking about.

Here, kidnappers are using the same NIN and SIM card we are all using to ask for ransom and communicate and yet we cannot track. If you owe one small microfinance bank, they will use your NIN and SIM to make your life a misery. But kidnappers are being paid huge sums of money using the same method without being traced. Na wa.

My brother, defence chief, this latest one is very painful o. A family of six or so, the younger brother killed instantly, another daughter killed because they could not meet the demands, and I have just heard another one killed with the ransom significantly increased and all of this happening with effective communications and all.

My brother, e go hard for us not to crowd fund o. We must secure the lives of the remaining family members. In fact, we must crowd fund for every Nigerian in captivity including General Duru who is in his third month.

The government must have “ransom payment” in its annual budget o. Yes, we are that helpless in this situation since kidnapping will soon overtake Nollywood as the fastest growing sector in the economy.

The whole thing is tragic, I swear.

A cashless society, a society connected by NIN and SIM and yet kidnapping is thriving despite these.

We are not yet serious in trying to solve this problem. When our authorities are ready, they know what to do for now. Mbok, let the crowd funding commence in earnest. We need to save lives. Kai. ADEBAYO OGUNLESI: A MYSTERY WONDER MAN This Sagamu man just sold his company for about $12 billion, growing his personal worth to about $3 billion, making him one of the richest black men ever. I once saw a report that he was appointed to one of the infrastructure “thingy” in this our country of which he very reluctantly accepted to serve. It was reported that he was unceremoniously sacked. He ran, never to come back. Anyway, that is not the story for today.

The mystery man has over the years built an enviable global infrastructure platform that has seen his firm gobble up some of the world’s most lucrative infrastructural assets, making him quite influential and successful.

This is what has led the worldfamous black rock group to not only spend so much in buying up his firm, but also “begging” him to remain on their Board.

Well, for us here in Nigeria, we must immediately get sense and also “beg” egbon to come and buy our airports and run them the way he did the UK airports that led to all this one.

Oya Keyamo, over to you. No pride, make we go beg.

ALIKO DANGOTE: LET ME APOLOGISE You know, our people do not really have a sense of history. When it was announced that the giant Dangote Refinery has finally crackled to life, the first thing that came to my mind was that exact moment when the idea of building the largest-ever refinery in the world hit him.

Was he in the toilet doing the usual when, like Galileo, the eureka moment came, or was he on his private jet on the way to Maldives for a game of polo? If you ask me, he would most likely have been in Otedola’s house eating amala when suddenly power went off.

He would have looked at his friend and said, “But Femi, why light go like that na? See, I don stain my agbada.” Femi would have said, “Wait, make them on generator,” and he would have screamed, “Cuppy, leave the headphones for a second and rush and go and switch on the Gen, your uncle has poured pepper on his agbada and you know we have a meeting at the Vatican.”

It would have been at that moment the ever fast-thinking Alhaji would have shouted “Femiiiiiiiiiii. I have an idea to solve this problem once and for all. Why not build the largest ever refinery so that the issue of fuel scarcity, power generation will be solved once and for all.”

Femi would have looked at him with suspicion, wondering how that would solve their immediate problem, when Cuppy walked in and in that her ever so beautiful sonorous voice would have said “Dad, there is no fuel. I have sent them to go and queue for fuel.

Dangote

Don’t worry they will be back before Alhaji finishes his amala.”

Alhaji would have looked at Femi and said, “You see?”

This project garnered its fair share of skepticism including me. So many times, the hardworking imagemakers of Dangote Group, my brother Tony, will be calling me and engaging me. In frustration he will shout, “Edgar, we should be hailed for the huge confidence we are showing in this economy,” and I will say, “please let me finish my afang so I can think straight.”

Call Alhaji anything you want to call him; historical epochs are made like this. Visionary positions and a huge resolve to deliver despite herculean challenges. Some of us lost faith o, joined the naysayers and abused, heckled and even called for all sorts, but today, as the refinery starts life with the first six million barrels of crude and a push for approval to start the distribution of aviation fuel, diesel and others, all I can say from this my Shomolu seat is – Alhaji, I on behalf of the millions who doubted you, called you names and swore to high heavens that snow will fall in Daura before the refinery will work sincerely apologise to you.

Mbok, forgive us, na mumu we all be. Kai, well-done sir and to the whole team at Dangote Group, including the very beautiful young lady on the second floor who refused to give me her phone number the other day, I say congratulations and a job welldone. Dreams are made of this.

Thank you.

MUDI: KINDLY TAKE HEART You see, this is why it is not very good to be jumping into conclusions. You see, Mudi the super brilliant fashion designer who has redefined fashion continent wide, is owing me N20,000.

He has been owing me this money for a bit now and has been dodging.

Anytime I call him, he will say – I dey come, I dey Abidjan, when I come back. When I call three days later, he would say I don come back but I don rush go Abraka. So, I started thinking of getting this online debt collecting people to help me start sending him those their vile text messages – those ones they used to send to their debtors and be saying- you are a bastard and we will strip your mother naked if you don’t pay us.

Then he totally disappeared throughout the December period.

He was missing in action during the Alibaba show, didn’t attend any of my plays, was not there during all the afang summits I held and all that.

This N20,000 must really be a problem for him, I thought o. So I decided to give him debt relief and called him during the week. He didn’t pick but sent me a terse message, “my mama die.”

Ohhhhhh, Mudi mama die o. I have met her before o when we went to unveil the roundabout he built in Ughelli. She was such a sweet soul and gentle with Mudi bearing such a remarkable resemblance to her. She was 92 and would be missed.

My brother, abeg use that my N20,000 add to the expenses because I know how costly it will be for you, especially giving a mother who lived such a gracious life touching the community in the way she did.

Please, accept my condolences my brother.

FEMI FANI-KAYODE: TWO TIMES A LION During the week, I saw pictures of my egbon, the erudite Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and his family. The last Xmas and new year season must have been quite wonderful as the pictures showed him and his very beautiful wife - Precious Chikwendu, actress, model, businesswoman and mother of his four sons, host friends and family to very sumptuous meals.

Chief who seems to have been very distracted with the Israeli war taking very strong sides and seemingly ignoring the wahala in Nigeria looked very relaxed and handsome in the clips that I have seen.

It seems like the love between these two have been rekindled following some years of the locust where all sorts including chairs and tables were publicly thrown at each other.

Oga has been relatively quiet on the scene and apart from some long epistle in the Israeli-Palestinian war, he has not really been out there on the local scene making us his fans to quibble and wonder what was going on.

All the wahala in Port Harcourt with Wike running wild amongst other such issues have mostly escaped his attention and me for one would have really enjoyed his take on these issues especially as they used to come with very sexy language and fine accent.

I guess with the return of the ever so beautiful madam, Chief has found better use of his time as can be gleaned from the pictures and clips that I have seen.

Anybody interested in seeing them, should reach out so that I can attempt to defeat Funke Akindele’s box office record with the clips - you should see Chief do the Buga, you will. Laugh and fall down.

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Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH

Shade: Heartbeat of Razaq Okoya’s Dynasty

Rone

Gas Mogul, Julius Rone, Expands Business Interest Have you ever wondered why Julius Rone, the renowned gas businessman, fondly known as ‘Gas king’, has always been ahead of his counterparts?

The answer is simple! He always thinks outside the box.

He is indeed a genius full of innovations and improvements that always set his competitors on their toes. He has been at the forefront due to his ingenuity and inventiveness.

Though his contributions to the nation’s political scene have been acknowledged, the impact of the boss of UTM Offshore Limited (UTMOL) is felt even beyond.

However, this is not the news.

The Delta State-born is said to be expanding his tentacles by investing in another line of business.

Details are still sketchy as Rone is said to be keeping this close to his chest. It was learnt that this new venture would definitely catch many by surprise and would contribute immensely to the economy of the nation.

For a man whose eyes are on the future, it is not surprising that he is trying to expand his business interest.

“You will recall that 2023 was an eventful one for the King of Gas. But 2024 is expected to be more momentous as he takes his businesses to yet another level,’’ a source told us.

Despite his great accomplishments, one can say that the widely travelled gas mogul is still a story waiting to be told. The billionaire businessman is also known to have a soft spot for the advancement of society.

At first blush, billionaire businessman and Chairman, Eleganza Group, Chief Razaq Okoya, had been smitten with the ravishing beauty of then 21-year-old Folashade Nimota (nee Adeleye) She charmed the billionaire with her attractive curvature, come-hither-look and shape that could make any full-blooded man drool.

But beyond this, Okoya, who was then 59, could see what many, including his immediate family and critics, could not see in the young Ijebu-Ode native.

So, with a steely and unbent resolve, he planned and eventually married the University of Lagos graduate of Sociology in an elaborate wedding that was the talk of the town for many months.

Twenty-four years after their marriage, not a few are still wondering how the heart of the respected octogenarian business mogul beats only for hazel-eyed Shade.

It is no news that the successful industrialist’s first wife was Kuburat, who bore him seven children. It is also a fact that Okoya later took a second wife, Ajoke. But sadly, the connubial relationship hit the rocks in 2001, after some irreconcilable differences.

The relationship got messier shortly after Ajoke moved out of their Ikoyi Crescent, Lagos residence. At the time, many were shocked

when news broke that Okoya denied the paternity of their last child, Rasheed, though a DNA report from London later proved him wrong.

Kristin Hannah once said, “A wrecked marriage scares everyone. It’s like a rock tossed into a still blue pond; the ripples go on and on”, Okoya, who has lived through that bitter experience, seemed to be in a hurry to literally inhale the future and exhale the past; hence he wooed and married Shade.

At the outset, Shade reportedly deployed her native intelligence to survive the unhealthy rivalry, with its attendant emotional problems, allegedly fuelled by her husband’s only sister, Wosilat, and his one-time favourite daughter, Biola.

Today, the 46-year-old beauty and mother of four keeps thanking her Creator for making her the envy of her critics, who never gave her marriage any chance of survival.

She has gotten his heart to herself alone, the numero uno of Okoya’s heart while in her smiles alone, the 84-year-old billionaire finds happiness.

Interestingly, unlike many in her social status, Shade cannot be tagged with the disdainful brush of a “Trophy Wife,” as she has proven to be a strong-willed, hardworking and go-getter woman.

In her capacity as the Managing Director

Okoya and Shade

of Eleganza Group, she has turned around the fortunes of the family’s business and saved the almost moribund conglomerate.

Is Caroline Danjuma Tired of Being in the Cold?

Danjuma

Caroline Danjuma, former actress and exwife of Musa Danjuma, the younger brother to a former defence minister, General TY Danjuma (rtd), has always been in the news for so many different reasons.

While she was not one of the A-list actresses in the nation’s movie industry, otherwise known as Nollywood, she, however, commands

respect for her charm and beauty.

Before her marriage to the Taraba State-born billionaire, she had allegedly been romantically linked with the award-winning musician, Innocent ‘2Baba’ Idibia and a former Super Eagles player.Her marriage to billionaire Danjuma offered her a new lease of life leading to a total transformation in her life.

For 10 years of their marriage, it was a source of envy to many celebrities who looked at it as a marriage made in heaven.

During the years of their sizzling romance, the dazzling beauty enjoyed marital bliss and her hubby flaunted her like a new bride, while she also enjoyed expensive gifts from the man either on their wedding anniversary or on her birthday celebrations.

However, a few years into the marriage there was news of an alleged break-up. But on every occasion the story hit the street, the couple denied it, while they also made appearances at parties or social events. At the time, not many were aware that it was all cosmetic until the marriage that produced three children crashed like a pack of cards due to irreconcilable differences.

She subsequently picked up the pieces of her life and moved on when she went into another romantic affair with her friend, Tagbo Umenike, who died in 2017.

The mother of three, quite expectedly, was distraught over the loss of Tagbo for many months.

As expected of a beautiful lady, a source revealed to us then that though she got attention from men, she had refused to look their way, even though there was an unverified rumour that she was in a sizzling romance with one London-based big boy and businessman, Lekan Gbadamosi. The romance tales later disappeared just like it started.

But it seems the Nigerian-Scottish-born lady who has been off social media for a while has learnt her lesson the hard way, probably she is tired of being in the cold, ready to go back to the warm hands of her exhusband.

Recently, she granted an interview with actress Innih Emah on a YouTube show, ‘Speak Your Truth with Innih.’ The former actress confessed that she still loves her ex-husband and it would not change.

She said: “He would always be the love of my life. He is the father of my three children. He is the one I said, and you know what? This man is worth being my husband.

So, yes, he would always remain the love of my life, and that would not change.

“I would love to marry again, whether it’s my ex-husband or a new amazing man God sends. I want to have a family.”

She has set tongues wagging ever since she made the revelation.

When Yemi Lawal Gathered Who’s Who for Daughter’s Wedding The serene and opulent atmosphere of Lagos was literally set ablaze weeks back with splendour and merriment, as the prominent Osi-Bobagunwa, Yemi Lawal, celebrated the marriage of his daughter in grand style.

The Lagos real estate industry icon and Chairman, Seagle Group of Companies, Lawal, radiated joy and happiness as his daughter, Olayemi Hafisat Lawal tied the knot with her dashing groom, Olanrewaju.

The wedding, which was held on Saturday, December 30, 2023, was nothing short of a spectacle. The Nikkah took place at the luxurious Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, while the reception unfolded at the esteemed Landmark Event Centre.

The elite event, which was graced by an illustrious array of dignitaries, including members of the Presidency and notable figures from various industries, is undoubtedly an affair to remember.

Among the distinguished guests were Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, representing President Bola Tinubu, and the venerable Baba Ijebu Adebutu Kessington. Furthermore, the presence of Governor Dapo Abiodun, former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, and Ladi Adebutu added

a touch of political charm to the occasion.

The gathering was a testament to the widespread admiration and respect for Lawal, whose influence extends across both state and industry lines. Titans from the realms of real estate and banking joined in the celebration, further enhancing the event’s grandeur and prestige.

Royal presence was also felt with Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi (jájá II) leading a distinguished array of royal fathers, alongside notable personalities such as Rev. Esther Ajayi, Gbenga Ashafa, juju maestro, Ayo Balogun, Yemi Edun and Chairman Address Homes Properties, Dr. Bisi Onasanya, among others.

The guests were treated to the finest and most expensive liquors and delicacies. Champagne arrived in flûtes on trays, and the guests emptied them with gladness in their hearts, even as they rocked the dance floor.

The evening was made even more illustrious by captivating performances from legends King Sunny Ade and Chief Ebenezer Obey, who serenaded the guests with their timeless tunes, adding an extra touch of class to the grand celebration.

The wedding party counts as one of the biggest in Lagos this year, solidifying Lawal’s esteemed status in Lagos’ real estate industry and also a testament to his affluence.

Lawal

As the event unfolded, the air was filled with joy and warmth, as cherished alliances were celebrated and new connections were made. The wedding exemplified the coming together of distinguished personalities to honour the union of the Osi-Bobagunwa’s daughter, creating memories that will be cherished for years to come.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 24 2012

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

21. 1. 2024

Shuaibu

Akerele

Asika

New Cultural Appointees as Elixir for Nigeria's Creative Economy The recent appointments of seasoned actors in the cultural space position Nigeria’s creative economy for a significant transformation. Yinka Olatunbosun reports

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he cultural community in Nigeria has always been a close-knit one where murmurs of displeasure can easily be heard. Once an appointment is made, cultural hubs—physical and virtual—naturally become the unplanned town halls for conversations around WKHP 3KRQH FDOOV IROORZ 7KH GXVW ÀQDOO\ settles. Everyone minds their business, or so it seems. This WUHQG VHHPHG WR KDYH WLFNHG RͿ DJDLQ WKH PRPHQW WKH FXUUHQW president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, announced the list of new cultural appointments. The air of excitement and anticipation was mixed with questions about what this portends for the cultural scene.

Starting with the appointment of creative entrepreneur Obi Asika as the new Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, the creative community sees in a recognisable face: “one of us,” so to speak. Not a professional from DQRWKHU ÀHOG GHOLYHULQJ SDSHU SHUIHFW OLQHV RU UHJXUJLWDWLQJ mere rhetoric full of propaganda. Asika has made a name for KLPVHOI LQ WKH DQQDOV RI KLVWRU\ DV RQH RI WKH PRVW LQÁXHQWLDO ÀJXUHV LQ 1LJHULD·V FUHDWLYH VHFWRU As the founder of leading communications agency Dragon Africa and co-founder of Social Media Week Lagos, Asika has engaged in the promotion and enabling of opportunities in the media, sports, entertainment, and technology industries, both locally and globally. He knows show business like the back of his hand. Right from the days of Storm Records, he has navigated the music scene before music production became 1LJHULD·V PRVW WUHDVXUHG QRQ RLO H[SRUW +H KDV VHHQ D ORW RI up-and-coming artists acquire international recognition. On the strength of his insight into the creative sector, he has been the master of masterclasses and a showstopper at stakeholdHUV· IRUXPV %XW KH LVQ·W DORQH LQ WKH YHKLFOH RI SURJUHVV IRU WKLV XQGHUUDWHG sector with huge potential. Other appointees include Tola Akerele as the Director-General of the National Theatre. This art and design executive has owned a cultural hub in Ikoyi for 21 years, known as Bogobiri House. Musicians, young and old, have found their voices inside the intimate section of the Afro-centric building that houses a library, gallery, restaurant, and art shop. Her template for a cultural hub

has been replicated over the years in most parts of Victoria Island. She had designed Bogobiri from materials sourced locally, thus demonstrating how discarded materials can add aesthetic value.

Needless to say, Akerele is an interior designer (KLC School of Design, London, and Parsons School of Design, New York) with an expansive love for creativity. More recently, she set up Soto Gallery in Ikoyi to connect visual artists with collectors.

7KH L'HVLJQ R΀FH VLWV DWRS WKH JDOOHU\ 2QH RI WKH SURPLQHQW SURMHFWV L'HVLJQ 2΀FH H[HFXWHG LQ LQWHULRU GHVLJQ LV WKDW RI EbonyLife Place, Victoria Island, Lagos. Her venture into the National Theatre is well timed. After the iconic cultural GHVWLQDWLRQ KDG EHHQ KDQGHG RYHU WR WKH EDQNHU·V FRPPLWWHH LW ZDV FOHDU WKDW WKH HGLÀFH ZRXOG QR ORQJHU EH D ¶6XQGD\ FUXVDGH· JURXQG 7KH 1DWLRQDO 7KHDWUH ZLOO VHUYH WKH SXUSRVH for which it was built—a platform to showcase talents, rich culture, and dynamic artistry.

It was sheer excitement when Shaibu Husseini, a seasoned journalist, performing artist, cultural administrator, PR expert, PHGLD H[SHUW DQG ÀOP FXUDWRU ZDV DQQRXQFHG DV 'LUHFWRU General of the National Films and Censors Board. A serial juror in many arts and culture events, Hussein has been a UDOO\LQJ ÀJXUH IRU WKH VWDJH VFUHHQ PHGLD DQG DFDGHPLFV ,Q 2010, he published his book, titled Moviedom, which narrates the developmental stages of the Nigerian movie industry, otherwise known as Nollywood.

This man of wit was the head of the jury in 2017 at the Africa Movie Academy Awards, amongst other adjudication roles.

Busy as a bee, he never fails to pick up a call. Perhaps his appointment is the most celebrated among the creatives because, ÀQDOO\ WKH FUHDWLYH VHFWRU LV EHLQJ JRYHUQHG E\ SURIHVVLRQDOV who are not just bystanders of the fun parts of the cultural scene EXW SHUVRQV RI SHGLJUHH ZLWK KDQGV RQ H[SHULHQFH LQ WKH ÀHOG Then, there is Aisha Adamu Augie, appointed as the DirectorGeneral of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Culture &%$$& ZKR LV D 1LJHULDQ SKRWRJUDSKHU DQG ÀOPPDNHU based in Abuja. A native of Argungu Local Government Area in Kebbi State, she won the award for Creative Artist of the Year at the 2011 The Future Awards. Her work traverses documentary, fashion, and aerial photography. In truth, CBAAC needs a documentarian like Adamu-Augie. Remember how

challenging it was to assemble all the articles of history from EHIRUH )(67$& · " /LNH WKH 1DWLRQDO 7KHDWUH &%$$& KDV VXͿHUHG VRPH VHWEDFNV over the years. Falling freely from an enviable height of hosting international confabs on issues of interest to Africans and diasporans, CBAAC was struggling to maintain its revered status. Rather than relying on media whitewash to create a good image of itself, CBAAC now has the opportunity to be revamped with a combination of youthful energy and the wisdom of this experienced culture worker who boasts of QDWLYH LQWHOOLJHQFH³D TXDOLW\ WKDW LV KLJKO\ LQÁDPPDEOH XQGHU WKH LQÁXHQFH RI D WHFK HQDEOHG ZRUN HQYLURQPHQW 7KHQ PRYLQJ RQ WR (NSRODGRU (EL .RLQ\DQ·V DSSRLQWment as the Chief Conservator of the National War Museum, which has raised eyebrows in some quarters because many thought the museum could use a curator and archivist that can revolutionise the way history is presented to the public.

The Nigerian National War Museum in Umuahia showcases the military history of Nigeria with relics from the BiafranNigerian Civil War. Housing a collection of tanks, armoured vehicles, ships, and aircraft all from Nigeria or the defunct Republic of Biafra, this heritage site symbolises the evidence RI WKH LQWHUQDO ZDU LQ 1LJHULD IURP WR .RLQ\DQ·V expertise in project management is expected to bring all the operations of this historical monument together for a smooth sail, as it has in Rwanda, Germany, Japan, and other countries that have survived the war period. ,Q WKH VDPH YHLQ $KPHG 6RGDQJL·V DSSRLQWPHQW DV WKH Director-General of the National Gallery of Art and Chaliya 6KDJD\D·V DSSRLQWPHQW DV WKH 'LUHFWRU *HQHUDO RI WKH 1Dtional Institute of Archaeology and Museum Studies require a certain degree of ingenuity. These institutions are in dire need of forward-thinking leadership that can strengthen ties with international cultural organisations to deliver programmes and projects that empower artists and promote historical artefacts, respectively. More collaborative projects should be developed to minimise reliance on public funds where necessary. In that way, funds saved from projects can be conserved as grants, prizes, or donations towards research and documentation.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

56

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JANAURY 21, 2024

PERSPECTIVE

History, 1966 Coup and Tribute to Our Heroes Past Femi Fani-Kayode

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igeria is the only country in the world in which history is not taught. This policy has done us much harm and represents perhaps the greatest, most savage, most brutal and most destructive blow to the pysche, confidence, knowledge, intellectual acumen and mental health of our people.

The consequence of this egregious and unbelievable error and grave oversight is the fact that we are now having to contend with a vast population of over 220 million people who are essentially ignorant of their own past, that have no knowledge of their noble historical heritage and that predicate and rationalise their nation’s existence on lies, misinformation, disinformation, falsehood, folklore, fairy tales, fantasy, self-serving and selective clap trap and a more than heavy dose of intellectual distortion and historical revisionism.

This is precisely why we are, in the main, essentially a conflicted and confused people who have no idea where we are coming from, where we are today or where we are going tomorrow.

This is why we, more often than not, view, discuss and debate our nation’s history with an emotional bent and from a thoroughly subjective, unintelligent and unintellectual prism rather than an objective, plausible, logical, level- headed, factual and intelligent one with strong primary sources and unassailable empirical evidence.

We have little or no regard or appreciation of the heroic deeds, monumental struggles, historical achievements and extraordinary sacrifices that our forefathers made in the struggle against British colonial rule, the fight for independence, the struggle against military rule and the challenges and obstacles that our politicians from the First, Second and Third republics faced, surmounted and overcame to get us to where we are.

This is our reality and frankly it is pitiful. I say pitiful because without any knowledge of our history we are nothing.

Worse of all is the fact that, having learnt nothing from our past mistakes and numerous historical challenges because we have no idea about precisely what those mistakes and challenges were, it becomes inevitable for us to repeat them.

Permit me to tickle your collective fancies by asking the following questions: How many Nigerians know who Alafin Aole Arogangan, SheikUsmanDanFodio,BishopAjayiCrowther, Rev. Emmanuel Adelabi Kayode (my great grandfather), Herbert Macauly, Sapara Williams, Rev. Suberu Fanimokun, Isaac Boro, General Murtala Mohammed, Alhaji Ali Akilu, Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, Colonel Gideon Orkar and Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim were?

How many know anything about Ernest Ikoli, Alhaji Aminu Kano, Chief Joseph Tarka, Owelle Nnamdi Azikiwe, Justice Daddy Onyeama, Chief Philip Asiodu, Chief Allison Ayida, Chief Hope Harriman, Chief Godfrey Amachree, Alhaji Adamu Attah, Alhaju Adamu Augie, Chief Solomon Lar, Alhaji Saleh Jambo, Alhaji Saleh Hassan, Oba Adesoji Aderemi and Alhaji Adamu Ciroma?

HowmanyknowmuchaboutGeneralHassan Katsina, General Ibrahim Babangida, General Shehu Musa Yar’adua, General TY Danjuma, General Sani Abacha, Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar, Dr. Olusola Saraki, Chief KO Mbadiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Adetokunboh Ademola, Chief FRA Williams, Justice Atanda Fatayi-Williams, Oba Okunade Sijuwade and the Black Scorpion, Benjamin Adekunle?

How many know anything about the Black Victorians of the old Lagos colony or Sara Forbes Bonneta who was the god-daughter of Queen Victoria of Great Britain.

How many have ever heard about Sara’s distinguished and well to do husband, Captain James Pinson Labulo Davis, a wealthy businessman and philanthropist from old Lagos.

How many know anything about the politics and history of Nigeria in the 1920s, 1930s,

1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s?

How many knew that it was only in the 1950s that Nigerians were allowed to live in the area of Lagos known as Ikoyi and that this came about only as a consequence of the long and bitter struggle and great and irresistible agitation of the proud and noble Nigerian leaders of the old Lagos colony of that day.

Up until then Ikoyi was a residential area that was the exclusive preserve of the European settlers and colonialists!

How many have heard about Justice Victor Adedapo Kayode, my Cambridge-University trained paternal grandfather who was one of the leading criminal lawyers of his generation, who was the third Nigerian to be appointed as a Magistrate (in those days, all our judges were white) and who landed a dirty slap on the face of a British colonial officer in broad daylight outside the front door of the old Bristol Hotel in Lagos for his insolence, impertinence and overtly racist remarks! The following day the matter was reported in the newspapers and it created quite a stir!

Howmanyknowaboutwhatreallyhappened during our civil war and what led to it?

How many know about President Shehu Shagari and the Second Republic and how many have any knowledge of Chief MKO Abiola in the third?

How many know about military rule in Nigeria and who the main players were and how many have any idea about the coups and attempted coups we have experienced since independence?

Sadly most Nigerians, particularly in the Gen Z generation, know NOTHING about their nations past and its major players and even whentheydothatknowledgeissparse,scanty, shallow and, more often than not, minimal, inconsequential and obscure.

It really is a tragedy and one of the reasons that yours truly has written this contribution about the relevance of January 15th in our calender is to at least attempt to enlighten those that are intelligent enough to appreciate the importance of history and that have no idea why we even have or celebrate an Armed Forces Remebrance Day or where

our seemingly unending troubles and turmoil really started.

Consider the following: Today is Armed Forces Remembrance Day and it is a day that we are constrained to remember our fallen heroes.

Many in the younger generation do not know why this particular day was chosen to commemorate those that fell and the tragic events that led to their brutal murder. Permit me to enlighten those that know no better and to share the facts.

58 years ago today, on January 15, 1966, a bloody, vicious, merciless, unrelenting and violent mutiny took place in our Armed Forces in which many of our revered, respected and beloved political leaders and senior military officers, together with some members of their respective families, were humiliated, tortured, mutilated and finally murdered in cold blood.

Those that were killed were Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the Prime Minister, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of the old Northern Region, Chief S.L. Akintola, the Premier of the old Western Region, Brigadier Zakariya Maimalari, Colonel James Pam, Brigadier Samuel Ademulegun, Colonel Ralph Sodeinde, Chief Festus OkotieEboh, the Minister of Finance, Colonel Arthur Unegbe, Colonel Kur Mohammed, Lt. Colonel Abogo Largema, Mrs. Hafsatu Bello, the wife of the Sardauna of Sokoto, Zarumi, the bodyguard of the Sardauna of Sokoto, Mrs. Lateefat Ademulegun, the wife of Brigadier Ademulegun, Ahmed B. Musa, Ahmed Pategi, Sgt. Daramola Oyegoke, PC Yohana Garkawa, PC Musa Nimzo, PC Akpan Anduka, PC Hagai Lai and PC Philip Lewande.

Two others were also abducted by the mutineers from their homes that night and brutalised. Thankfully they both managed to escape with their lives. The first was Chief Remilekun Adetokunboh Fani-Kayode KC, SAN, CON, the Balogun of Ile-Ife and the Deputy Premier of the old Western Region (my beloved father).

I personally witnessed some of the events of that night when, led by one Captain Emmanuel Nwobosi, they came to our home and official

residence in Government House, Ibadan and abducted him.

Thankfully he was rescued later in the day by loyal troops led by Lt. Colonel Yakubu Gowon (as he then was), Captain Paul Chabri Tarfa (as he then was) and Lt. Takoda, who stormed the officers mess in Dodan Barracks, Lagos where he was taken and was being held by the mutineers and freed him after a prolonged and bloody gun battle which resulted in deaths on both sides.

The second was Sir Kashim Ibrahim, the Governor of the old Northern Region who was rescued and freed by loyalist forces in Kaduna.

Both of these men were delivered by divine providence and went on to live for many more years and make their contributions to national development.

The coup was led by Major Emmanuel Arinze Ifeajuna and Major Chukuwemeka Kaduna Nzeogwu and 90% of the officers involved were Igbo.

The allegation that it was an Igbo coup is accurate and factual regardless of all attempts to revise and re-write history, often by the mutineers themselves, in a futile attempt to makeitlookotherwiseandportraythemselves as patriots and heroes.

They were far from either of the two and the bitter truth is that they were nothing more than a bunch of over ambitious, power-hungry homicidal maniacs and murderous butchers who attempted to take power through the barrel of the gun and impose an ethnic and religious agenda.

The assertion that it was not an Igbo coup is patently false and we owe it to those that lost their lives on that terrible night to at least speak the truth about what happened and who killed them.

I commend the historians, commentators and writers, including individuals like @renoomokri, who have collectively continued to pronounce and enunciate this sacred truth despite the insults and threats which they are often subjected to by those who are blind to the reality, who have no knowledge of history andwhohavebeenmisguidedandbrainwashed into believing otherwise.

Thecycleofviolencethattheunprecedented amount of violence and bloodshed that took place that terrible night unleashed was horrendous and not only did it lead directly to what has rightly been described by historians as the “Northern officers revenge coup” six months later in July 1966 in which 300 Igbo officers and the Head of State, General Aguiyi-Ironsi, was murdered but also to the infamous pogroms in the North where up to 100,000 Igbos were murdered by angry mobs and finally the civil war in which up to three million Igbo civilians and Biafran soldiers (including one million Igbo children) were killed alongside hundreds of thousands of Nigerian civilians and gallant Army officers.

My prayer is that we never witness or experience such bloody events in our history again but if anyone is interested in knowing where, how and why this terrible series of events and cycle of brutality started they must consider the events of January 15, 1966 when the murderous elements that called themselves young Army officers unleashed mayhem on our leaders and killed so many of them in the most beastly and cowardly fashion.

History records all those that were murdered that night as heroes and we shall never belittle, forget or undermine the supreme sacrificethattheymadeforourbelovednation.

They live on in our hearts and we resolve to soldier on regardless and make Nigeria an even greater and better country than they sought to make it and to honour their memory by building on their great and noble heritage and legacy.

May their precious souls continue to rest in peace, may the Lord continue to protect, comfort and bless those they left behind including their families and loved ones and may God continue to guide and lead our great nation Nigeria. ˾ ËØÓ̋ ËãÙÎÏ ÓÝ Ë ÐÙÜ×ÏÜ ÓØÓÝÞÏÜ ÙÐ àÓËÞÓÙØ˛

57

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 21, 2024

CICERO

Editor: Ejiofor Alike SMS: 08066066268 email:ejiofor.alike@thisdaylive.com

IN THE ARENA

When Kidnappers Rule Unencumbered by meaningful deterrence, and hugely rewarded for kidnap and killing of the rich and the poor, kidnappers and bandits have continued to rule both the governed and the ungoverned spaces in Nigeria. When will the country’s political leadership rise to the occasion, end its squeamish rhetoric and put this scourge to the sword? Louis Achi asks

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he extremely brutal kidnappers and bandits ravaging Nigeria are clearly oxygenated by enormous monetary gains, the apparent inability or collusion of the nation’s constitutionally flawed security architecture and the corrupt justice system. Even the emergence of a new administration has apparently provoked a statistical up scaling of the enervating malaise.

And worse, these agents of death and desolation have turned their brisk trade to the nation’s capital, Abuja - sending a powerful message of crass defiance to both the security agencies and their Commander-in-Chief.

A particular incident was the kidnap of Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, her siblings and father. The incident captured the attention and rage of widespread Nigerians almost more than previous similar incidents.

On the evening of January 2, Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, her five sisters and their father were abducted by kidnappers from their residence in Sagwari Estate Layout at Dutse in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). But she (Naheeba) was unfortunately killed penultimate Saturday by the kidnappers who reportedly demanded the sum of N60 million ransom for their release.

Witnesses say Nabeeha’s uncle ran to find help but was ambushed and killed, as were three police officers. It is not known why the family was targeted.

The kidnappers demanded to be paid a huge sum of cash by 12 January, and when they did not get it they killed Nabeeha as a warning, according to a member of the family who spoke to the BBC on condition of anonymity.

Nabeeha’s kidnappers handed over her body and, in accordance with Islamic rites, she was swiftly buried by her family penultimate Saturday.

From information gathered, after the killing the bandits increased their demand from the initial N60 million per person to N100 million, totaling N700 million.

To drive home their seriousness, the kidnappers allegedly killed more abductees, including a 13-year-old secondary school student, identified as Folorunsho Ariyo, over the delay in paying the ransom.

Speaking on Monday, the First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu demanded that security agencies must “intensify their efforts” to end Nigeria’s security crisis. She insisted on a “swift return of the Al-Kadriyar sisters”.

General Musa On his part, a former Minister of Communicatons and Digital Economy, Prof. Ali Pantami, last Sunday, announced that he mobilised a balance of N50 million ransom for the Al-Kadriyar family to enable them to secure the release of their remaining five daughters from the kidnappers following the murder of Nabeeha.

Meanwhile, residents of Sagwari Layout have perfected plans to stage a massive protest against the perceived inaction of the government and security agencies in rescuing their people.

Hundreds of Nigerians have been kidnapped for ransom in recent years, largely by criminal gangs who see it as an easy way to make money. Close to 20 people were abducted in in the first week of 2024 alone.

No matter how desperate the circumstance, Nigerian law prohibits the payment of ransom money.

However, many victims pay up because they do not trust authorities or their track record.

While the Nigeria security agencies have repeatedly discouraged payment of ransom to kidnappers, the Nigerian Senate had in 2022 passed a bill imposing jail terms of at least 15 years for paying a ransom to free someone who has been kidnapped.

The bill also made the crime of abduction punishable by death in cases where victims die.

According to AIG Wilson Inalegwu (rtd), also a former Commissioner of Police in charge of the FCT, “the aim of the perpetrators of these criminalities is to make the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu fail in his Renewed Hope Agenda.

So, stopping the criminals is key to the economic, political and social goals of the government and the good people of FCT and Nigeria.

“Most of those incidents occur in the outlying areas of the territory, including Bwari Area council, Gwagwalada, Kwali and Abaji councils’ axis. The Rubochi part of Abaji area council is also noted for incidents of kidnappings. “Ordinarily the FCT being the seat of government should be a place considered safe where Nigerians and visitors alike can visit and transact business without let or hindrance.

“On the other hand, if the FCT is seen as unsafe and a haven for kidnappers where violent criminals hold sway, foreigners could be discouraged from direct investment (FDI) so much clamored for by the federal government.”

He added that, “the situation demands urgent action by all and sundry, especially the FCT Administration, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF-FCT) and other relevant security agencies as well the FCT community.

“The security services especially the police that

have primacy on internal security working in close collaboration and coordination are supposed to reduce prevent or mitigate crime. But in reality, do they have such collaboration to make this happen?” he queried.

“The sophisticated state of technology, which should be force multipliers is lacking, especially the absence of Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at critical parts of the FTC. “The inadequate staff strength coupled with the absence of logistic support, including vehicles, walkie-talkies constitute huge challenges to FCT Command. On its part, there are many police divisions, but most of them are incapable of dealing with crimes due to inadequate manpower.”

Switching to the FCT Minister who’s now constantly away to Rivers State to confront perceived challenges on that front, AIG Inalegwu prescribes that, “the FCT minister should set up a robust Security Department for the coordination of security activities in the FCT, including the appointment of security coordinators for each Area Council as subordinate to the Special Adviser Security (SA Security).

“The Coordinators will serve as Secretaries to the various Area Council Security Committees and are to report on all matters of security to the Hon Minister through the SA Security. Coordinate layers could be appointed and used as informants.”

Recently, the Chairman of the Kaduna State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. John Joseph Hayab, revealed that a ransom of over N250 million was paid to secure the release of 121 students of Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna who were kidnapped by bandits in July 2022.

Bandits had stormed the school owned by the Nigeria Baptist Convention (NBC) in Damishi, Kaduna and abducted 121 students.

On its part, Amnesty International has stated that Nigeria’s authorities must treat epidemic of kidnapping as an emergency. In the body’s words: “President Bola Tinubu must treat the rampant kidnapping that has become part of daily life in Nigeria as an emergency by taking all lawful measures to end the cycle of violence and fear people in Nigeria are living under today, AI said.

“We are now facing an epidemic of kidnapping.

People in Nigeria are now living on the knife edge.

Widespread insecurity and the chaos it causes have been exacerbated by routine kidnapping, as armed groups tighten their stranglehold on the country. Nigerian authorities must immediately stem the tide of kidnapping now,” said Isa Sanusi Director, Amnesty International Nigeria.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

Oshiomhole in a Fix on Who to Choose in Edo

Uzodimma

Oshiomhole

The leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Senator Adams Oshiomhole is in a dilemma over who to support in the 2024 governorship primaries to pick the ticket of the party in the state, as they look forward to primary election in February.

Oshiomhole who is the immediate past governor of Edo State has been on the frontline in the governorship elections in the state since 2007 when he first made his bid for the governorship and was declared winner by the courts in 2008.

Since the end of his governorship in 2016, Oshiomhole has been the biggest determinant of the ticket backing Godwin Obaseki for the APC ticket in 2016 and throwing him out in 2020.

He was also central to bringing in Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as the 2020 candidate of the party but the plan for victory was sabotaged by internal discord at the national level of the APC where some governors in the party among others reportedly worked to frustrate the party in the election.

It was gathered that the current senator representing Edo North in the Senate is this time stuck between backing Ize-Iyamu and another contender, Washington Osifo who served as a commissioner in his administration for the APC ticket.

Both aspirants are from Edo South, a region that is likely to be key to the outcome of the election given its dominant size in the state.

It was learnt that Oshiomhole was initially

bent on Osifo apparently because he had been his political protegee but other reasons are said to be now weighing to the contrary.

But it was gathered that the confusion flows from the prospects of winning between Osifo and Ize-Iyamu with the Redeemed pastor who has contested the two past elections having a name recognition that projects him better.

However, fears that Ize-Iyamu may be uncontrollable is a factor that is also said to be weighing against him in the Oshiomhole camp as concerning the APC ticket.

The risk of the APC winning or losing in the main election, it is believed, could turn out to be the factor that determines how the immediate past governor of the state throws out support.

58

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 21, 2024

BRIEFINGNOTES $UH )&7 5HVLGHQWV 6X;HULQJ 'XH WR 5LYHUV &ULVLV" Having publicly focused largely on fighting for the control of his home state, Rivers, with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike is believed in some quarters to have neglected the security of the FCT and abandoned the residents to bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements, Ejiofor Alike reports

D

espite his declaration that he is the governor of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the events of the past few months suggest that the former Governor of Rivers State and Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, appears to be more interested in maintaining his tight grip on the political structure in his home state as de facto governor than discharging his responsibility of mobilising security agencies to maintain law and order in the FCT, as governor of the capital city.

One of Wike’s remarkable claims since he was appointed by President Bola Tinubu was that he is the governor of the FCT. Speaking when a delegation of Rivers caucus in the 10th National Assembly visited him in Abuja after his failed attempt to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the FCT minister, reiterated his ambition to continue to control the politics of Rivers State.

“I am here as a governor in FCT, but I am interested in the political structure of Rivers, which we have built over the years,” Wike reportedly said.

With the events of the past few months in Rivers State, analysts believe that Wike is not only interested in the politics of his home state, he also wants to be the de facto governor.

Wike did not hide his intention to be the political godfather of the state, when he confirmed speculations that he backed the failed impeachment plot against Governor Fubara by the Rivers State House of Assembly.

After the impeachment plot had failed, Wike told the governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by the Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, that impeachment is a democratic process and not a military coup.

“Nobody can intimidate me. If I want to do something, I will do it. Impeachment is not a military coup; it is provided under the Constitution,” he told the PDP governors.

There are speculations that he abandoned a critical part of his ministerial duties at the FCT, leaving the residents at the mercy of bandits and kidnappers.

Wike is not the only prominent member of Tinubu’s administration who installed a successor.

Vice President Kashim Shettima was instrumental to the emergence of Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume installed Benue State Governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi was also instrumental to the emergence of Ebonyi

Wike State Governor, Francis Nwifuru; the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar installed Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, while the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu also installed Governor Nasiru Idris of Kebbi State, among others.

But while these senior members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Tinubu’s administration have focused on their new assignments in Abuja and do not interfere publicly in the governance of their home states, Wike has been shuttling between Abuja and Port Harcourt, and making public utterances that suggest that he is more interested in the control of Rivers State than his new assignment in Abuja where he is expected to help security agencies to secure the FCT. In what many analysts believed was an attempt to play politics to win the support of traditional rulers for political gains, Wike had in September 2023 donated brand new SUVs to some traditional

rulers in Abuja, claiming that the gesture would help improve security in the territory.

Many analysts, who wondered how donating SUVs to traditional rulers could improve security, argued that Wike should have donated the vehicles to security agencies and also equip them to secure the FCT. Tension has been high in Abuja of late on account of banditry unleashed on Bwari Area Council by criminal elements, who have been kidnapping some residents for ransom.

A former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Patami had disclosed that his friend offered to pay N50 million to rescue five sisters abducted by gunmen in Abuja.

There was outrage over the gruesome killing of a young lady identified as Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar by the gunmen who abducted her and five other sisters.

Najeebah and her sisters were abducted on January 9, alongside their father, Alhaji Mansoor Al-Kadriyar.

Nabeeha was a 400-level student of Biological Science, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

Others abducted include: Najeebah (500- level, Quantity Surveying), Nadheerah (300- level, Zoology) The gunmen later released their father, asking him to go get N60 million as ransom for the release of her daughters before Friday, January 12. In a bid to raise money, Nigerians were urged to donate whatever they have into a bank account, but not enough money was gathered as of Friday.

Consequently, the hoodlums killed the oldest of the six girls, Najeebah, and dumped her body somewhere for her parents to bury.

As bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements were trying to overrun the FCT, Wike was criss-crossing Rivers State to consolidate his grip on the political structure of the state and mobilise forces against Governor Fubara.

Speaking on one of such visits, which was the occasion of a New Year luncheon he organised in his country home, Rumueprikom, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, Wike declared that he has no regrets making Fubara the governor of the state.

The FCT minister explained that he had to ask those who showed interest, including an ally like the former Rivers PDP Chairman, Felix Obuah, to drop their ambition in order to pave the way for a governor from the riverine area.

But barely one week later, Wike, who has remained inconsolable since he lost the PDP presidential and vice- presidential tickets in the 2023 general election, said he regretted pleading with Obuah and other governorship aspirants of the party to step down for Governor Fubara.

Speaking at a thanksgiving service organised

by Obuah in Omoku, the FCT minister begged the people of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of the state to forgive him for not supporting their son in his ambition to succeed him as a governor.

Before then, he was in Gokana Local Government Area of the state to mend fences with Victor Giadom where he boasted that when 2027 comes, the people will know who is in charge of politics in the state.

With his attention focused on his home state, it was not until last Tuesday that Wike met with the Service Chiefs over the security situation in the FCT. But instead of apologising to the FCT residents for abandoning them to kidnappers and bandits to fight for the control of Rvers State with Fubara, he accused the press of exaggerating the insecurity situation.

The residents of FCT expect Wike to face the state of insecurity in the capital city, stop raising the political temperature of Rivers State and allow Fubara to take charge of the state.

NOTES FOR FILE

Profligacy in the Name of Foreign Investment Drive

Olukoyede

The news that 14 states in Nigeria have so far spent at least N21.04 billion on foreign trips in the last three years to attract foreign investments into their states without success has again exposed the country’s level of profligacy.

The states in question are Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Ebonyi, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara. Between 2021 and the third quarter of 2023, these states reportedly failed to attract any of the $14.85 billion that foreign investors channelled into Nigeria.

According to the media report, a breakdown shows that between 2021 and 2023, Bauchi spent N3.81billion on foreign trips without having anything to show for it. Bayelsa spent N1.99 billion,

Benue spent N1.33 billion, Borno spent N1.73 billion, Cross River spent N663.16 million, Ebonyi spent N1.01 billion, Edo spent N1.77 billion, Gombe spent N32.09 million, Imo spent N541.23 million, Jigawa spent N1.10 billion, Nasarawa spent N541.26million, Taraba spent N2.52 billion, Yobe spent N1.24 billion, and Zamfara spent N2.77 billion.

The figures for foreign trips were extracted from state budget performance reports sourced from Open Nigerian States. Many of the states didn’t have their full budget performance reports with some only having for two quarters in some instances.

Also, Kebbi did not also receive any foreign direct investments in the period under review but there was no data on

the amount the state spent on foreign related trips hence its exclusion from this report.

How on earth would states which have not addressed insecurity in their domain, think they can attract investments if it not a grand deception?

Most of the states whose governors are gallivanting around the world in search of foreign investments are plagued by banditry, and kidnapping in recent years. Also, they know that more than 70 per cent of their farmlands have been abandoned by farmers due to fear of bandits’ attacks.

The questions begging for answers are: Which investor will open his eyes and put his hard-earned money in a state that is not safe? What infrastructure have they put in place to allow investments to thrive?

There are speculations that most of the trips abroad in search of foreign investments are opportunities to launder money, buy properties or negotiate their personal businesses.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 21, 2024

CICERO/ISSUE

Ighodalo, an Aspiration for Greater Edo 2024 Benin City, the Edo State capital stood still as Asue Ighodalo officially declared his governorship ambition with a promise to run an inclusive government that will create economic rejuvenation of the state, Adibe Emenyonu reports

F

or a greater part of Wednesday, January 17, commuters and residents around the Airport Road axis of Benin City, the capital of Edo State, had a hectic time trying to access the area as Asue Ighodalo, former Chairman on the boards of Nigerian Breweries, Sterling Bank, the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, declared for the governorship of the state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Leaders of the PDP in attendance include: Edo State PDP chieftain and past senator representing Edo Central Senatorial District, Senator Clifford Ordia; Secretary, Edo PDP Senatorial Caucus, Central, Mr. Luckson Ogendengbe; National Leader of the PDP, Chief Tom Ikimi; Edo PDP Senatorial Vice Chairman, Central and Senatorial Caucus Chairman, Archbishop Anthony Okosun, and Deputy Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Mrs. Marie Edeko.

Others are former House of Representatives member representing Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Federal Constituency, Joe Edionwere; past deputy speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Omo Ezomo; serving House of Representatives member, Hon. Marcus Onobun; former Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly and former member of the House of Representative, Friday Itulah, among others.

Ighodalo in the last seven years has been the Chairman of Alaghodaro Summit Limited, a private sector think-tank which means in Bini parlance, ‘moving forward.’

He was accompanied to the PDP state secretariat along the Airport Road, Benin City, by thousands of party loyalists and leaders, where he assured the people that if given the ticket, and eventually elected governor, he would run an inclusive government that would guarantee economic rejuvenation and equal development the three senatorial zones of the state.

The PDP governorship aspirant, who hails from Okaigben, Ewohimi, in Esan South East Local Government Area of the state, which is under Edo Central Senatorial District, was presented to the crowd by the former Foreign affairs Minister, Ikimi, as the consensus candidate of the zone, and was endorsed by the former deputy governor of the state, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, who noted that the Edo North Senatorial District leadership and members of the party also endorsed the aspirant’s ambition as the candidate that had the capacity to retain the state for the PDP in the September governorship election.

Declaring his intention to occupy the Dennis Osadebey Government House, Ighodalo said as the Chairman of Alaghodaro Summit, he had in the past seven years advised the state government on how to resolve some of the economic problems confronting the state.

According to him, he had decided to go beyond giving advice, and deliver the real solution that would unleash a new future for the state and its citizens.

Also, during the eight years of Adams Oshiomhole as governor, Ighodalo also featured prominently as a member of the state Economic Team headed then by the incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki, thus making him a “home boy” right from time.

Speaking, Asuelinme, which is Asue’s full name, noted that contrary to the insinuation that he was new to the state’s core governance, he had in the last 16 years been part of the team that chattered a new economic course for the state right from the government of the former governor, Oshiomhole, where “I served on the Economic Team, providing insights and inputs on the development of key government policies, programmes and initiatives, leading to reforms implemented by the then government.”

Ighodalo assured that his policies, if elected the governor of the state, would be tailored towards leading “a government that eliminates

Ighodalo officially declaring his governorship ambition in Benin City

Ighodalo (2nd right) with Edo PDP leaders

PDP supporters at the party’s secretariat to witness the declaration deprivation in all its forms, and makes Edo the best place to live and work in Nigeria”, adding that his government would initiate economic policies that “will uplift the poor, support the hardworking men and women of this state, and encourage entrepreneurship and innovation.”

“While, in the past, I have advised our leaders on how to resolve some of these problems, today, I am here to ask you for the opportunity to act - beyond giving advice - to deliver real solutions that

can unleash the promise of a new future for all of us. As governor, by the grace of God, my mission will be to create an Edo where quality education is accessible to all, where hard work is rewarded and where our talented youth can turn their dreams and aspirations into reality. I believe in the promise of an Edo where every person, regardless of their start in life, can write their own story of success -if we take the right steps, together.

“No part of Edo will be left behind. From the high plains of Kukuruku to the lush vegetation of Ilushi; from the rich, red sands of Sakponba,

to Esanland’s incredible biodiversity, we have all that is needed to make our state a mesmerising destination for progress and wealth. Across each administrative zone, in Edo North, Edo Central and Edo South, we will create practical and focused economic development teams that will harness each area’s unique potential to create wealth for all our people.

“I believe strongly that education is the gateway to opportunity; so, we will continue to invest in education as a priority from primary schools to secondary and tertiary institutions — throughout the state. We will ensure that our educational system becomes a beacon of hope, and ladder to opportunity. We will make Edo State’s educational system our key to ending generational poverty, for good, in our great state.

“If, by the grace of God and the will of the people of Edo state, I am given the opportunity to serve, I intend to be the Chief Welfare Officer of the state, providing good and affordable healthcare, decent living conditions and basic food security for all our people. We will also tackle insecurity in all of its forms. While an improved economy will reduce some types of insecurity, we will work doggedly to stamp out the more stubborn forms of insecurity, that continue to deprive our people of their lives and property.”

Ighodalo did not end there he also promised to build on the achievements of the current administration of Governor Obaseki on independent power generation, the Ossiomo Independent Power project, by replicating the same “across the three senatorial zones and exploring affordable ways of providing electricity in rural areas, declaring, “We will create an enabling environment for businesses and people to thrive across the state, and activate economic corridors that will connect our value-added goods and services to domestic and global markets.”

“These are not simply ambitious dreams; they are carefully thought out and financially achievable plans. With innovative financing and cross-sector partnerships, we will access the financial resources to fund these projects, and more. My personal experience, local and international networks, and decades of negotiating, fundraising and project finance experience are part of what I will bring to bear to achieve our goals.”

Explaning how the Edo Central Senatorial District arrived at Ighodalo’s candidacy, Ikimi said that he led the committee that midwifed the consensus that led to five other aspirants from the district such as two former speakers of the State House of Assembly, Friday Itula, who was a two-term member of the House of Representatives, and Marcus Onabu, the immediate past speaker, stepping down, followed by the former Chairman of Esan North-East Local Government Area, Mr. John Yakubu, and a two-term senator, Clifford Odia.

Ikimi, while thanking the leaders of the PDP in Edo North and Edo South Senatorial Districts for conceding the governorship to Edo Central, assured that the carefully-selected candidate, Ighodalo, would fulfill their aspirations for a greater Edo State.

Similarly, Ogiadomhe reiterated that the leadership of the party in Edo North endorsed Ighodalo as the consensus candidate because of his antecedents and the belief that he “has all it takes not only to win the coming election, but to also improve on all the gains of the current PDP administration in the state”.

From all indications, Ighdalo will contest the PDP ticket with the incumbent deputy governor, Philip Shaibu; the former state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), now in PDP, Mr. Anslem Ojezua; former council Chairman, Felix Akhabue and Ambassador Martins Uhumoibhi if they insist on going ahead to slug it out at the party primary election coming up in February.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 21, 2024

INTERNATIONAL

The State of Israel and the Second Holocaust in the Making: Consequences of Israel without Palestine

T

he State of Israel was established on 14th May, 1948 in consonance with the November 2, 1917 Declaration of the British Prime Minister, William Balfour, who promised a Homeland for the Jews. The promise was made against the background of competing Zionist and Arab nationalism that was compounded by genocide, also called holocaust, of the Jews in German occupied territories in Europe. The Jews and the Palestinians were then stateless.

This situation prompted the Zionists to request for a homeland from the British Prime Minister.

The classical Zionists hinged their request on biblical injunctions which talked about a ‘Land of Israel.’ And true enough, Joshua 1:4 talked about the ‘Entry into the Promised Land’ while Genesis 15:18 talked about the Lord’s promise to Joshua: that the original extent of the land promised to Abraham was to be given to Israel. But who were the Israelis? As shown in the Ancient Map of Israel, Israel was about 150 miles from Dan to Beersheba. Its greatest width was put at 75 miles across. As told in Genesis 17:8, the borders were the reflections of God’s promise. God said: ‘I assign the land you sojourn in to you and your offspring to come…’

In this regard, the Jews see themselves as the Israelis and the people of God. They held the view that they naturally constituted not only a nation by sociological determinants, but also the Nation of God. They considered that they should be able to have the Land of Israel for the purposes of restoration of Jewish independence. More important, they argued that their nationalism should be affirmed, that assimilation of Jews could never be the solution because it was not desirable and possible.

Classical Zionists believed that the only way to contain antiSemitism was separation and self-determination. This was the background to the request for a separate homeland for the Jews in 1917. Britain, then having the League of Nations’ Mandate over Palestine, promised them a Homeland. Britain and the United States worked tête-à-tête through the United Nations to make the establishment of the State of Israel possible, but the Arab Palestinians contested it, thus laying the first foundation for a fresh foreseeable holocaust.

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

From the Old to the New Holocaust Palestine was divided into two in 1948: 56% of it was allocated to the Jews to form their State. The Arab Palestinians considered it as most unfair and, therefore, decided to resist it by going to war on 15 May, 1948, that is, a day after the proclamation of the State of Israel. The United States stood like the Rock of Gibraltar behind the new State. The joint war sponsored by Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria against Israel was neutralised. This eventually led to the beginning of Israeli occupation of part of the 44% land meant for the Palestinians but which was refused for various logical reasons. The defeat of the Arabs did not end there. There were the 1967 Six-Day War, the 1973 Yom Kippour War, and the October 7, 2023 Hamas-Israeli saga, all of which have also led to further occupation of Palestinian land, because the Arabs have always lost in all the wars.

The second foundation for the new holocaust was undoubtedly laid on October 7, 2023 when the Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel. It was most unexpected. The attack raised questions about Israel’s invincibility. It raises questions about how to prevent a recurrence, which requires going beyond the traditional four major dynamics of the Israelo-Arab conflict since 1917: Zionist quest for a homeland, British acquiescence to the quest, Arab nationalism, and international politics of duplicity in the matter. These dynamics explain why Israel has always been in a permanent situation of war without end and why the likelihood of existence of peace in the future is very remote. For instance, when the Hamas penetrated Israel and not only killed, at least, 1,200 people, but also took many Israelis into hostage, Israel was disappointedly cut unawares. This prompted Israel’s resolution to wipe out the Hamas, in particular, and all Palestin-

Netanyahu ians, in general. Israel has said that it is not interested in any peace. Israel is vehemently opposed to any 2-State approach to the Israelo-Arab conflict. The reason for this position cannot be far-fetched: Israel wants a State exclusively reserved for the Jews.

The long term interest is to push out all Arabs from Palestine and repopulate the territory with the Jews, but forgetting to learn lessons from the first holocaust of which they were the first victims. It is this aspect of refusal to learn lessons from the past, and therefore preferring to be myopic, that the foundation of the second holocaust awaiting the Israelis is laid.

The first holocaust, that is, the genocide of the European Jews

by Nazi Germany between 1941 and 1945, not only took place during the Second World War, the current genocide, not of the Jews but of the Arab Palestinians by the Israelis, has the great potential to precipitate a second genocide of the Jews by people having sympathy for Palestinians. In the first genocide of Jews during World War II, about six million Jews were criminally and mercilessly killed. The murder of the Jews, indeed, began when Germany’s Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933.

Nazi Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, had an ideology of superiority of German race or of the Aryan Race, according to which Germans were superior to all other races in the world.

Hitler talked about Aryan to refer to a ‘pure German race’ or Herrenvolk who must have the responsibility to conduct and

“

Whatever is the case, if millions of Palestinians currently live in the Gaza strip, West Bank, and Israel under the control of the State of Israel, can the extermination of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip be a permanent antidote to threats to enduring peace in Israel? What is it that the Israelis want to do with Gaza without Palestinians if it is not to eventually take effective ownership of the territory? Can this be internationally acquiesced to? To what extent can military offensives resolve the problem? Is Israel prepared for possible military reprisals from the world? Does Israel consider that there can be global resistance to their policy of territorial expansion? Does Israel ask questions about what the descendants of the Gazans killed today can do in the near and distant future? If the Palestinians have been losing the past battles, will they continue to always lose the war? Without jot of exaggeration, the way General Charles de Gaulle told the world that France only lost battles during World War II and not the War per se, cannot but be the same way Gazans of tomorrow will recall that they only lost the battles and not the Israelo-Palestinian war. The consequences of working towards an Israel without Palestine are enormous and beyond what the post-Netanyahu administration can easily manage. Israel should therefore learn how to make haste slowly in its war of genocide on Palestine.

Time will tell, to borrow the words of Jimmy Cliff

manage global affairs. In the eyes of Hitler, the Aryans had the most pure blood, pale skin, blond hair, and blue eyes. All other peoples of the world were considered impure. In fact, the Jews were perceived to be evil and a major threat to the purity of the Aryans.

As such, Adolf Hitler wanted a New World Order that would be defined by Nazi Germany. He came up with the classification of races in which he placed the Aryans at the crescendo, with the Jews, Gypsies coming after, and the black people at the bottom.

This was the genesis of the systematic killing of Jews residing in all German-occupied territories in Europe. They were seen as potential rivals that could taint the purity of the Germans.

In this regard, an anti-Jewish legislation and programme was put in place to compel the Jews to emigrate or remain to be murdered. The main problem of the Jews was the difficulty in emigrating: finding a place to go to, the expensive costs of emigrating, the inclement environment of emigration, etc.

Unavoidably therefore, the murder of Jews continued increasingly in the late 1930s until 1941 when the killing reached a large scale following the German invasion of the former Soviet Union in June 1941. Einsatzruppen (mobile execution) was adopted as a matter of policy in 1941. This policy enabled more than a million Jews to be killed even in their newly occupied territories. Jews were deported from their holding camps to be killed in purposely-built killing centres called death centres.

They were thereafter moved to the concentration camps. As Wikipedia has it, ‘political opponents, homosexuals, prisoners of conscience, Roma, Jehovah Witness, Poles, Soviet prisoners of war and others were killed or died in camps as a result of neglect, starvation or disease.’

While this genocide of Jews in Europe was globally condemned and prompted the surviving Jews to seek unity and establish the State of Israel in 1948, the descendants of the same Jews that were persecuted during World War II are now the very people engaging in the persecution and genocide of the Gazan Palestinians today. Is the genocide of the Palestinian Hamas a reprisal for the genocide of the period 1941-1945? Is the October 7, 2023 surprise attack by the Hamas the profound causal factor of the Israelo-Arab conflict that began in 1948? Is it the biblical prescriptions that are responsible? How do we explain Israel’s policy determination to wipe out Palestinians beginning with the Hamas? With the policy attitude of Israel of seeking to exterminate Palestinians, and not limitedly to the Hamas, can there ever be peace in the world? With the adamant stand of non-preparedness to accept the two-state approach, does that point to the arrival of Jesus Christ sooner than later?

True enough, in the epistle of Mathew, Chapter 10, verses 34-36, Jesus Christ said: ‘do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.’ In Nigeria, for example, there is no peace in Nigeria as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency. Nigeria under Presidents Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari, and Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) has been fraught with challenges of insecurity and inclement polity. One critical rationale appears to be the enemy within. President Jonathan has it that there were boko Haramists in his government. The Boko Haramists are still in government and in the current Government of PBAT. More thought-provokingly, is this situational reality a reflection of ‘one’s foes will be members of one’s household? In fact, Mathew 24: 7 also said: ‘for nation will rise against nation.’ Is the Israel-Palestine imbroglio a reflection of these biblical injunctions?

And true enough again, the Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, which the Israelis considered unprovoked, and, therefore decided to retaliate on the basis of the principle of legitimate self-defense, but which the Hamas and other Arabs see as an act of longstanding frustration from the mistreatment

by Israel in Gaza. In other words, the perseverance of the Hamas is believed to have reached its crescendo by October 7, hence the attack. In the same vein, Israel also appears to have been pushed to the level of deciding to kill every enemy before submitting to being killed by the enemy. Consequently, an insecurity lull has been created in which the Palestinian Hamas are increasingly garnering more international sympathy and the Israelis are being condemned for reckless, excessive abusive of international humanitarian law. A new anti-Semitism is again in the making.

Quo Vadis therefore?

Israel without Palestine: Recidivist Insecurity Israel without Palestine is precisely what Israeli foreign and defence policies are saying. Israel appears to have the strategic plan of completely exterminating the Palestinians from the Palestinian territory and this cannot but raise many questions: is the Palestinian land synonymous with the Land of Israel? Is it the land God promised to Abraham and his descendants? Is it the land that God directly gave to the Israelis? If it is, can the land ever accrue to the Palestinians no matter for how long the land dispute lingers? If it is not, how do we reconcile Israel’s non-readiness to accept the Two-State Solution suggested by the United Nations?

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

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JANUARY 21, 2024 • T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

B AC K PAG E C O N T I N UAT I O N NOW THAT DANGOTE REFINERY IS LIVE able to refine 210,000 bpd; Warri, 125,000 bpd; and Kaduna 110,000 bpd also. All on paper.

Several stats have been published by Dangote Refinery, but the one that easily pops at me is that when producing at full capacity, it can meet all our petrol, diesel and aviation fuel needs. In other words, we would not have to import refined products again. I find this satisfying: my dream has always been that we would stop importing products. We pride ourselves as an oil-producing giant but we are not even enjoying most of the benefits in the industry chain because of poor thinking. I used to campaign vigorously that government should take the bull by the horn by investing in a mega refinery to meet our local needs.

It could then lease out management and sell it off in the future.

I received a long lecture from the CEO of a downstream company at the time who told me emphatically that building refinery was a waste, that it was not a profitable business. He said no new refineries were being built globally.

He also said, ominously, that there would be little or no difference between local refining and importation of petroleum products, concluding that the business case for a refinery was bad.

“The difference between refining in Nigeria and importing from Europe is shipping cost,” he said and I paraphrase. “If you may know, shipping is the cheapest form of transportation in international trade. There is no advantage

with having a refinery in Nigeria.”

I did not agree with him, even though he sounded convincing. I was thinking of the local jobs and the value chain, but I was not ready to argue my case. He was enjoying so much patronage in the fuel importation business under the President Obasanjo administration that I did not expect him to agree with my proposal. And he had a strong voice in the policy direction of the government in the oil sector. Government officials consistently said privatisation was the way to go and that Obasanjo was not going to build a new refinery.

Since then, we have been spending billions of dollars on treating our sick refineries without success. (Well, the jury is out on the latest Port Harcourt rehabilitation).

Now that Dangote Refinery has seen the light of the day, I am thinking of what might have been. If we were a thoughtful nation, we should be having regrets. Maybe someone would do the math one day and unearth the amount of forex we have been burning on fuel imports since 1999. There are many reasons for the sorry state of the naira today and fuel importation cannot be considered as a trivial factor. Fine, we are earning billions of dollars from oil export, but so also are we concurrently burning our forex income on fuel imports.

The resources that should go into building our reserves are depleted on importing fuels.

Let us now hope that forex demand for fuel

importation will end.

The second regret is the way we have been trading away value through crude swap deals in the last 10 or more years. We created an arrangement under which we would basically barter crude oil for fuel imports. Using traders, we would exchange a barrel of crude valued at $70 for litres of petrol worth $70. I have always been wondering: what happens to the other products and byproducts in the same barrel? For all you care, those ones could be worth another $70 (just guessing). What a waste! But that is what happens when you have more oil than sense — or, to put it less dramatically, when the buccaneers, who know where all the value is, collude with those in authority to skin us.

Now that Dangote Refinery is onstream, we should expect an end to this. There will be byproducts both for export and local utilisation.

Fertilisers aside, there is the carbon black which is raw material for paints, inks, rubber products, car tires and food colorants. The refinery plans to produce bitumen, which Nigeria currently imports. These are some of the benefits we threw away for decades, swapping crude oil for petrol and arguing that shipping cost is the only difference between local refining and fuel importation. Take a moment to imagine the lost forex revenue and the jobs that we bartered away while complaining that unemployment, poverty and crime were on the rise.

All said and done, we cannot undo the past. We took a lot of missteps in the past two decades. Some were genuine mistakes.

Hindsight is usually a perfect 20/20 and we can all become wise after the event. But some missteps were self-serving. Remember that the fuel import and subsidy regimes created a generation of rent-made billionaires who were nothing but devourers and cankerworms. The past can remain in the past while we make the best of a possible new order. I know many people are suspicious of Dangote because of his business practices, but that is down to regulatory failure. I want to sincerely hope that the success of this project will attract more investors to the sector.

If the Port Harcourt Refinery really works as promised by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), that means we could start exporting refined products sooner than later, having achieved self-sufficiency in Nigeria.

That would be a dream come true for me.

I have always hoped that Nigeria would be among the world’s biggest exporters of refined products. The forex income is the first thing that jumps at you today given the parlous state of the national currency, but there are several other benefits. What about the tens of thousands of jobs? What about the potentially huge new economy around the petrochemical industry? Dangote took a big risk. Let us start enjoying the benefits.

And Four Other Things…

FCT KIDNAPPERS The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria’s seat of power, has come under unwanted attention recently with the upsurge in kidnappings. It has never been crime-free — we should remember how Boko Haram used to bomb FCT with ease — but hopes that it has become a safe haven in recent years are fast disappearing. The brutal nature of the kidnappings — a young student was killed while ransom money was still being mobilised — might suggest a touch of terrorism.

Kidnappers hardly kill their victims who are cooperating with them, but terrorists are usually desperate and murderous as they seek to raise funds for their operations. This is for the security agencies to consider. Terrifying.

IBADAN ARMAGEDDON Wednesday night brought trauma to Ibadan, Oyo state, with the explosion that rattled the city, grinding houses to dust and sending five people to early graves. Those who survived need attention. Some will develop hearing problems, mental health issues and PTSD. Treating physical injuries and discharging patients from the hospital should be complemented with therapy. I can see we are trying to blame foreigners for the disaster, but maybe we need to look inwards too. What sort of system allows a private residence to stockpile explosives? This is a national security issue. The trucks must have passed various security checkpoints after paying the dirty tolls on its way to that house. Porous.

TWO PLANETS The company at the centre of the social register verification contract saga is New Planet Projects Ltd, founded in 2009 by Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, now minister of interior, and not Planet Projects Ltd, as I mistakenly wrote last week. Planet Projects Ltd, the transport infrastructure company, was founded by Mr Biodun Otunola and is best known for building the Oshodi bus terminal. It was registered in 2007. Although I am not making any excuses, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) surely created a room for the mistaken identity. By just adding “new” to an existing name, you can get the CAC to register your company with the help of insiders, even when it could amount to “passing off”. Chaos.

NO COMMENTS On Thursday, Mr Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said something we knew all along but had been silent upon for years: that the anti-graft body stinks. The elephant in the room. “The craze and quest for gratification, bribes and other compromises by some of our investigators are becoming too embarrassing and this must not continue,” he lamented. We should pray for him as he prepares to take on the monsters within. Olukoyede may also want to find out why Nigerians pay N60,000 under the table to get the SCUML certificate.

Restoring public faith and confidence in the commission will definitely take a while, but it is worth a try. Uphill.

ADDRESSING NIGERIA’S FOREX LIQUIDITY CHALLENGE because investors are adopting a wait-and-see posture and constantly scanning competing investment domains. We need to continue to remove the constraints to domestic and foreign investments, but we should have no illusions.

The third option is to take some foreign loans at commercial or concessionary rates. One example of a commercial loan is Eurobonds, which we binged on at a point. Another is the recent $3.3 billion Afrexim Bank loan facilitated

by NNPCL. When stripped of all the financial and legal jargons, this is a commodity-backed loan, a tribe of loans renowned for opacity.

Besides, at 11.85%, it is expensive. We can get longer-term loans for under 3% interest rate from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

However, Nigeria seems to have maxed out its credit line with the World Bank and the IMF will not give loans without stringent conditions. Nigeria has never gone to IMF for a bailout, but the institution is roundly demonised in popular imagination in the country. This makes approaching the IMF a tough political choice. Interestingly, Nigeria is already implementing some of the conditions that IMF will stipulate, though IMF is likely to insist on more transparency and prudence. As politically unpalatable as it may be, this is an option the president may have to keep alive and figure out how to sell it to Nigerians.

The fourth option for boosting forex supply is related to the third. We can seek placements or deposits from countries awash with forex, such as the petrostates of the Gulf. This could come in different forms: currency swaps, direct deposits and strategic investments in state-owned companies. In July 2023, the United Arab Emirates signed deals worth $50.7b with Turkey. On its part, Egypt has attracted long-term deposits and short-term debts above $30 billion from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and even Libya.

The Federal Reserve of the US also provides dollar swap lines to central banks to boost dollar liquidity in other countries. This facility has been extended to central banks in Canada, Mexico, England, Australia, Japan, Brazil, Singapore and others. We should be realistic that Nigeria might not have the same strategic and systemic significance to the US as these other countries. We may stand a better chance with some of the Gulf states. My sense is that some of these discussions are ongoing with the

Tinubu recent visits by the president and his team to UAE and Saudi Arabia, but we need to offer reassurances and step up formal and informal contacts with those countries as well as prepare internally for potential charges of religious agenda in some quarters.

To make any difference on the forex market, we need loans and deposits in the region of $20 billion. This is the quantum that will calm the market and reassure players in the forex market about adequate liquidity. We actually don’t have to draw down on or use the forex loans/deposits. Their existence will serve as psychological boost and take the heat out of the forex market. But loans (whether commercial or concessional) have to be repaid, and at a cost. So, taking on loans in whatever guise has implications for our external debt, for the increasingly crushing revenue/debt-service ratio, and for the debt burden we are imposing on future generations. However, we may have little or no options but to seek some significant but reasonable loans/deposits.

The fifth and last option is to ensure that Nigeria returns to earning forex from its main export: oil and gas. In 2010, flows from the oil and gas sector accounted for 94% of total forex flows to the CBN but dwindled to 24% by June 2022 (and is probably much lower now). A ready explanation for this is the decline in oil production. But it is more than that.

Yes, there has been a precipitate decline in Nigeria’s oil production since 2020 as our production fell from an average of 2m barrels per day to between 1.2-1.4m barrels per day.

The reason favoured by government officials for this major decline is oil theft (and it is a favoured line because the oil-theft narrative will involve spending money and awarding contracts). But other reasons for the decline include the stagnation of investment, the aging oil and gas assets, the divestments, and the failure to close new deals.

As said earlier, reduced oil production doesn’t fully explain why oil forex flows more or less dried up. Nigeria is still producing oil, prices

of oil have remained consistently high since Russia invaded Ukraine about two years ago and oil still accounts for more than four-fifth of Nigeria’s export. The reason why the oil exports are not translating to commensurate forex flows is because of the effect of the policy that assigns a portion of the Federation share of oil to domestic consumption, called the Domestic Crude Allocation (DCA) and paid for in Naira.

As indicated in a recent policy memo by Agora Policy, crude oil apportioned for domestic consumption constituted only 8.57% of the Federation share of oil in 2004, meaning the remaining 91.43% went to Federation Export, which fetched the country dollars. Fast forward to 2023, DCA accounted for almost 100% of Federation share of oil because oil production declined and the Federation share as a percentage of total oil produced also declined on account of shift in oil production arrangements. The crude oil due to the Federation was still exported, but bartered for petrol for local consumption through the direct sale, direct purchase (DSDP) arrangement, and was paid for in Naira (note: the Naira payment itself is not guaranteed as NNPCL makes sundry upfront deductions from the DCA and this explains why the national oil company failed to make remittances to the Federation Account for a long time).

The DCA represents multiple whammies for Nigeria and has been overtaken in the context of deregulation. Agora Policy rightly called for the scrapping of this opaque and suboptimal policy, asking for the Federation’s share of oil to be sold in dollars whether it is on offer within or abroad. (For those interested, it can be accessed here: https://agorapolicy. org/cancelling-domestic-crude-oil-allocationis-nigerias-surest-path-to-easing-forex-supplycrunch/).

Earning forex from all of Federation’s share of oil is Nigeria’s surest path for addressing its lingering forex supply challenge. While other options for unlocking forex supply should be pursued, cancelling the DCA or earning dollars from Federation’s oil is a necessary complement that will yield immediate and continuous result. It is fully within the control of the country, and it will provide constant flows that will guarantee liquidity in the forex markets. It is the way to go.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JANAURY 21, 2024

62

ENGAGEMENTS

with ChidiAmuta e-mail:chidi.amuta@gmail.com

The Kidnapped Nation

T

wo weeks ago, this column in a piece entitled “Neither atWar Nor in Peace” lamented that Nigeria has entered a new normal. We are neither a nation at peace or in a declared war. Instead, we are perennially in a state of psychological and physical siege. Even in that state, our government continues to live in perennial denial, behaving as if they are presiding over a normal democratic state. That hybrid status puts us in a unique category among troubled nations of the world.

Side by side with a count of Nigerians who have recently been killed, abducted, kidnapped or just missing, we have entered a new category of a nation with more hostages than those at war.

When Hamas militants and hotheads attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, they took a little less than 250 hostages. That led Israel to the ongoing Israel-Hama war whose end we do not yet know. Today in Nigeria, kidnappers and bandits are holding any number of Nigerians as hostages as we speak. No one, not even the police, knows exactly Nigeria’s total hostage population, where exactly they are being held, who is holding them and for what reasons beyond ransom. We have hostages of bandits and terrorists dating back to the president Jonathan days and stretching to the present. When Buhari handed over to Presdient Tinubu, I am not so sure he handed over the precise number of hostages held by different criminal groups allover the country!

Those Nigerians kidnapped or abducted are hostages of an adversary without a face and without a name. Worse still, those that are killed by these criminals are victims of a nameless evil.

An enemy without a clear identity has entered the fray of Nigerian’s insecurity. They invade, fiercely assault, collect hostages, execute innocent people in cold blood and disappear into thin air. They then make contact with the families of their hostages to demand huge sums as ransom.The negotiations are mostly between the affected families and the bandits, hoodlums andterroristsallwearinginterchangeablebadges.

The final onus is on government to take over from there. But the government seems to be in quandary. It does not know exactly the identity and character of whom to negotiate with in these many instances of serial and viral kidnapping.With each new instance of kidnapping or abduction, the faceless enemy shows a different colour.

Government is comfortable in the thinking that it is dealing with crime control. I am not so sure.

One question that has not been addressed is whether we are dealing with random bands of criminals and killers or a concerted force with a larger political purpose. The instances of kidnapping and abductions are many and widespread. They seem to wear differential regional badges. The ones in the North East tend to be inspired by ISWAP, Boko Haram and retail versions of Sahelian jihadism. In the North-west, they tend to be sundry opportunistic criminals originally bred by residues of geo -ethnic and religious animosities but now fired by poverty and economic desperation. Further south, in the mid section of the nation, the crisis of killings and kidnappings takes on a more sectarian and occupational character. Angry migrant herders, mostly Moslem, against equally angry impoverished settlers farmers who are presumably Christian.

In the South-east, what began as separatist anger has blossomed into an enterprise of criminality powered and controlled by political and business moguls. In the cities of the South-eest and Lagos, urban criminal gangs and cults carry out opportunistic attacks to kidnap for quick cash or in quest for victims for the more gruesome harvest of body parts to fuel a thriving trade in rituals for money.

This national canvas of internal warfare has been with us for the better part of the last eight years. We have just entered a new phase in both the magnitude and geographical location of kidnapping and abductions. In the past one month, many incidents have occurred in and around the Abuja area. Families have been thrown into tragic mourning and anxiety as bandits have routinely abductedmanymembersoffamiliesandexecuted some without even waiting for the requested ransom. In the Abuja kidnappings, the quantum of ransom sought has tended to be so huge as to befit the reputation of the capital city as the home of huge free cash.

Tinubu In one celebrated instance, a friend of an affected family said to be a minister in the immediate past Buhari government disclosed that he had to come up with a princely N50 million to free remaining members of a family even after the innocent girl, Nabeeha, was executed by her captors. As families and concerned citizens try to grapple with existing cases, the criminals are at work with new exploits, new abductions and more dastardly killings especially in the Abuja area.

While the ring of kidnappings closes more on Abuja, the time has come to ask whether there is a larger political purpose to the latest onslaught of bandits and criminals on Abuja. Yes, Abuja is attractive to all manner of criminal enterprises. Some see it as the centre of a criminal tradition of government in which there is a disproportionate relationship between work and reward. Politicians and their hangers on enter Abuja literally as destitutes only to emerge a few months down the road as mega billionaires. Some who came to Abuja by night bus have been known to fly home a few months later in their personal private jets. Such gold rush reputation can attract mega criminals who convert vulnerable innocent people into merchandise and hostages of greed in order to get a share of the city of gold. Beyond the economic ecosystem of Abuja, there remains a perennial political question mark about the city in the geo ethnic and sectarian calculus of those interested in Nigeria’s future. To this extent, I want to insist that the latest spate of kidnappings, abductions and killings in and around Abuja constitute a clear and urgent to Nigerian politicians.

At the highpoint of the fundamentalist assault on Nigeria, Abuja was the scene of some of the most severe terrorist attacks. The United Nations offices, the Police Headquarters, churches in neighbouring areas, the facilities of THISDAY Newspapers and sundry other places were hit by a gale of terrorist bombings.

The terrorists took direct responsibility for the attacks. Therefore, the interest of forces

seeking to destabilize Nigeria through attacks on Abuja has never been hidden.

In the later parts of the Buhari administration, criminals and armed zealots became intensely interested in Abuja.

Followers of then imprisoned Shiite leader, El Zakzakky, carried their war for his freedom into Abuja city center.

They engaged security forces in days of sporadic episodes of gunfire right in the centre of Abuja. Further down the line, a horde of ISWAP and Boko Haram foot soldiers invaded the precincts of an Abuja maximum security correctional facility and freed nearly every inmate including numerous dangerous terrorists.

Still further the road of tragedy, fanatic terrorists mounted an assault against the centre of power, engaging soldiers of the presidential Guards Brigade in a fire fight that led to the death of a number of officers. At some point, schools and major institutions in the outskirts of the city had to be shut or evacuated for fear of terrorist invasion. So, Abuja has been a place of interest to a competing avalancheofcriminalsandarmedfactions with diverse interests and motives.

But for the rest of us, the city is our national capital. It is the seat of the federal government. It is home to all major diplomatic missions in the country. In response to the repeated instances of security threats on Abuja, nearly every major diplomatic mission in Abuja has issued frightening travel advisories warning their citizens against unnecessary travels to nearly all parts of the country.

In the latest one in later 2023, the United Nations warmed all its staff in Nigeria to avoid nearly every state in Nigeria for fear of being kidnapped or abducted.The Nigeriangovernmentitselfhasrepeatedly tacitly admitted the state of universal siege around the country by agreeing that combined military and police security

operations are ongoing in all of our 36 states.

Ironically, until the last one week, the new Tinubu government had feigned indifference to the threat of massive insecurity in and around Abuja. Understandably, it is hard to pay attention to personal security when you are surrounded by armed goons of state security and elite wings of the armed forces. So, both the presidency and the FCT administration had feigned indifference until a week ago. While the spate of kidnappings, abductions and killings raged, Mr. Nyesom Wike, Federal Minister of the FCT, was to be found more in Port Harcourt, capital of his home state of Rivers where he is waging an endless war of political attrition against the state governor, Mr. Fubara, his now rebel surrogate. At last, both Mr. Wike and his boss the President have finally thought it necessary to summon meetings with security chiefs on the bad situation in Abuja. If tough talking and grand standing could end insecurity, we probably would not have any more kidnappers and bandits left in Nigeria by now.

There is now an urgent need to interrogate the existing approach and machinery of internal security in the country. The existing system has not worked. Nothing indicates that Mr. Tinubu’s approach to the problem is in any way different from that of his predecessor. The popular myth was that Mr. Buhari as a former soldier with combat experience would end insecurity as he himself publicly undertook to do. But instead, after his eight years in office, the insecurity around Nigeria has graduated into a nightmare emergency situation. There is therefore little hope that Mr. Tinubu who literally does not know the difference between a rifle and a pistol will fare any better.

He has appointed new service chiefs and decorated them with new ranks and many shiny medals. He has appointed a familiar ex -police man as NSA. But the problem is not that of appointments and fancy titles. It is one of resources and strategy. The old strategy of throwing money and armed men in Hilux vans allover the place has not quite worked.

The government has recently bought a few helicopters from Turkey and the United States in addition to a consignment of Super Tucano jets from the United States. Many experts argue however that you do not wage a low intensity internal security war among your own citizens with the instruments of an all out war as if you were out to conquer an external adversary.

Unintended collateral casualties and human rights violations are bound to result, thereby deepening the internal bitterness among the populace and making resolution harder. We already have had quite a few of these, regrettably.

Budgetting for an increase in defence and securityspendinginaseasonofgallopinginflation is futile. It leaves less money for actual security spending. In addition, much has been said about leakages and corruption in the administration of Nigeria’s security business. Our insecurity has been around for so long that it has bred an industry of its own corruption enterprise in a country where government is seen as a criminal enterprise.

More importantly, in all the instances of kidnapping, abductions, terrorist attacks and other security breaches around the country, the staging theatres have been the ungoverned spaces. Our vast forests, bushes, savannahs and farmlands have been the favourite hiding places for bandits and criminals. The criminals strike the governed and inhabited areas and take their hostage into the ungoverned spaces from where they demand and negotiate ransom. Admittedly, the manpower available to the armed and security forces is inadequate to man these ungoverned spaces.

That creates the imperative of employing available technologies to ensure effective coverage of the entire national space. This calls for increased investment in areas like satellite surveillance and coverage of the entire Nigerian space including night vision scoping. The use of drones needs to be guided by proven know how to avoid the kind of ‘accident’ that led to avoidable loss of innocent lives in Kaduna State recently.

In all of this, we cannot diminish the overwhelming place of social factors associated with poverty in the epidemic of new crime from that we are witnessing. The ultimate long term situation is for government to ameliorate the prevailing poverty while taking effective active security measures to make crime and criminality unattractive for citizens.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 21, 2024

63

SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by: Duro Ikhazuagbe email:Duro.Ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

Odegbami, 1980 AFCON Winner, Canvasses Support for Eagles Kunle Adewale

cal’ in his playing days with the Green Eagles, reiterated KLV PXFK YDXQWHG EHOLHI WKDW ormer Nigeria Nigeria will emerge champions Captain, Dr. RI WKH FRQWLQHQW IRU WKH IRXUWK 3DWULFN 2OXVH- WLPH DW WKH ÀQDO WRXUQDPHQW LQ gun Odegbami Cote d’Ivoire, and called on all has called on patriotic Nigerians to do their Nigerians at bit in their own place and sector home and in the to back the team’s campaign. diaspora to provide ample sup´, KDYH XQÁDJJLQJ FRQÀGHQFH SRUW IRU DQG KDYH VWURQJ EHOLHI LQ that this team will do it again. the Super Eagles to triumph at , KDYH EHHQ VD\LQJ LW IRU VRPH WKH RQJRLQJ WK $IULFD &XS RI ZHHNV QRZ DQG WKH EHOLHI LV JHW1DWLRQV ÀQDOV LQ &RWH G·,YRLUH ting stronger by the day. That is Speaking on his radio ZK\ , GURYH DOO WKH ZD\ IURP programme on Eagle FM on Nigeria with my team, across Saturday morning, the one WKH VWUHWFK RI RQH WKRXVDQG known as ‘The Mathemati- and one hundred kilometres

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AFCON 2023: Gelson Brace Give Angola Victory over Mauritania

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gains in the state that happens to be the undisputed gateway to the vast Nigerian economy.

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went on a solo run into the visitors’ eighteen-yard box, only to end with a weak shot that was easily collected by goalkeeper Amissa Inarukundo.

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“Nigerians get what they want, what they deserved. You don’t complain after. You don’t. Nigerians at all time have had opportunities to vote. So whatever you voted for is what you deserved” – Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, taking a swipe at Nigerians over the leadership quality in the country

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SIMONKOLAWOLE Now That Dangote Refinery is Live SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

M

ay I congratulate Alhaji Aliko Dangote for finally giving birth to a “bouncing” refinery after being in the labour room for a decade.

It is heartwarming to learn that father and baby are doing well. Of all the adventures Dangote has embarked upon in his life — starting from his primary school days when, according to him, he was buying sweets with his lunch money and giving them to the maiguard to resell for him — the refinery project is surely the roughest and the toughest. For someone who took a multibillion dollar loan at N160/$ and has had to repay at the prevailing exchange rate per time, the refinery venture is enough to ruin his empire and turn him to a forgotten man. But he survived.

I am also thankful that I am alive to witness history. Since the early 2000s, I have been a fierce advocate of building of refineries in Nigeria, although my agitation was that the government should do it since the private sector was reluctant because of thorny issues around deregulation and subsidy. When Dangote announced in 2013 that he was going to build a refinery, I was over the moon. I celebrated it with an article, ‘The Refinery We’ve Been Praying for’ (THISDAY, September 22, 2013). As at then, he was thinking of 400,000 barrels per day and working with a budget of $9 billion, covering two other petrochemical projects in Edo and Ogun states which were initially in his plans.

Dangote I asked him why he would build a refinery despite the failure of the Nigerian government to deregulate the downstream sector. Most private sector investors had said they would not build refineries without deregulation. Dangote replied: “With or without deregulation, there is nothing stopping anyone from building a refinery. I am

not a marketer. All I will do is buy crude oil at the market price, refine and sell to marketers at the market price. It is marketers that deal with subsidy. If government continues to subsidise, marketers can buy products from us and then collect the subsidy from government. If not, they can sell to motorists at the market price.

It’s not complicated.”

Now that the refinery has taken off, the notion that it will bring down the pump prices of petrol and diesel, etc, needs to be toned down.

This notion has been promoted by unionists and activists for decades: that local refining would eliminate subsidy. No, it won’t. Dangote Petroleum Refinery Ltd buys crude oil at the going rates in the international market. It will price its refined products accordingly. You can’t buy raw materials at higher prices and sell the finished products at lower prices. Marketers will buy the products from the refinery and sell to motorists. It is now left for the Nigerian government to decide whether or not to subsidise at the point of purchase by Nigerians.

Dangote reminded me then that when marketers imported petrol from foreign refineries, they bought at market prices over there before claiming subsidy payments from government.

He went a step further by saying Nigeria should start focusing on exporting petroleum products.

“The way forward is for us to start exporting refined products rather than crude. We will get far much better value that way. In the next five to seven years, we should stop exporting crude altogether. Apart from South Africa, the

refining capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa is grossly insufficient. Angola has a refinery that can only handle 30,000 barrels per day, whereas they consume 120,000 barrels,” he said.

While promising that his own refinery could be completed by 2016, he projected that other African countries would be coming “to buy products from our refinery… that is our strategic plan”. A lot of things changed along the line.

Costs ballooned and deadlines were shifted various times. I must confess herein that at a stage, I was doubting if the refinery would ever be. This was worsened by unending negative media reports about the hiccups and setbacks.

But on January 13, 2024, the refinery finally came alive. Mr Femi Otedola, his billionaire friend, calls it the “eighth wonder of the world”. For those of us who had followed the trajectory for so long, this was indeed momentous.

The stats, as made public by Dangote Refinery, are very impressive: sitting on about 2,635 hectares in the Ibeju-Lekki export-processing zone, the $19 billion facility is the world’s largest single-train 650,000 barrels per day refinery with a polypropylene plant that will produce materials for plastic packaging, plastic parts for machinery as well as fibres and textiles. For comparison, the combined installed capacity of Nigeria’s four sick refineries is 445,000 bpd and it has been so since 1989, when President Ibrahim Babangida inaugurated Port Harcourt II. Both Port Harcourt refineries were built to be Continued on page 61

WAZIRIADIO POSTSCRIPT

Addressing Nigeria’s Forex Liquidity Challenge

N

igeria has a foreign exchange liquidity challenge crying for urgent, nuanced and sustainable solutions. To be sure, this liquidity problem long predated the President Bola Tinubu administration.

But the foreign exchange reforms introduced by the administration, clearly necessary but obviously not well-sequenced, has triggered a rapid and seemingly unending depreciation in the value of the Naira against the US dollar and other major currencies.

At the close of business on Friday, the US dollar exchanged for N902.45 at the NAFEM window and N1, 350 in the parallel market.

By contrast, the dollar rates were N471 and N765 at the Investors and Exports FX window and in the parallel market respectively on 13th June 2023, a day before the foreign exchange reforms commenced. The direct effect of the sharp and continuous depreciation in the value of the Naira is the constant hike in prices of goods and services, a development inflicting unceasing pains on most Nigerians.

The consensus among economists and financial analysts is that the Naira is currently undervalued.

But the sad reality is that the value of the Naira keeps falling, and there seems no end in sight to the free-fall, despite some ad-hoc

moves by and continuous reassurances from the government. Given the welfare and the regime/ national security implications of constantly rising prices, the present administration has to treat this problem as its most pressing challenge and it needs to evolve a coordinated, pragmatic and sustainable solution to it, especially because it removed the lid.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) surely has a key role to play here. But due to the many ramifications of the challenge, this is beyond what can be left to the CBN alone and beyond what can be approached in the current piece-meal, uncoordinated way. President Tinubu has to be in the lead, and has to take some difficult decisions. He needs to expand his toolkit and keep all the options on the table, weighing their pros and cons, and arriving at optimal decisions for the country.

Having a proper diagnosis is the starting point. There are possibly as many explanations for the depreciating value of the Naira as there are commentators in Nigeria. But one point that most analysts seem to agree on is that the Naira continues to depreciate because there is more demand for than the supply of foreign exchange. What is driving the demand for forex in the country can sometimes be a matter of ideological debate or pet theories. But what is not disputable is that the value of the US dollar

will continue to be high (and conversely the value of the Naira will continue to tumble) as long as the demand for dollars in the country outstrips supply. It is basically a demand and supply thing, and the exchange rate can be seen as the price of the US dollar.

What government has been trying to do overtime is to manage the demand for US dollars. The demand management approach has not worked, and government’s attempts at rationing foreign exchange or picking who got FX at subsidised rates created opportunities for arbitrage, patronage and other sharp practices.

A corollary of this approach was to defend the Naira with our foreign reserves. But reduced forex flows have shrunk the space for that. We cannot escape the tyranny of a forex supply crunch in an economy whose forex demand cannot immediately be suppressed except you want many sectors of the economy to grind to a halt.

So, what are the options Nigeria has for boosting forex supply and how quickly and sustainably can these options provide the needed relief?

The first option is to diversify and increase our export base. The oil and gas sector still accounts for more than 80% of our exports.

This necessarily exposes us to the volatility of the oil market and other issues we will come

to shortly. But clearly, we need to sell more things to the world to improve our balance of payments, expand our reserves and increase forex flows. The challenge, however, is that increasing exports is not like a switch that you can just flick on. It takes time. And here and now, there is a forex supply challenge to address.

The second option is to attract foreign investments, both direct and portfolio investments. The administration has introduced some reforms (including forex reforms) and the president and his team have been on the road to market Nigeria as a desirable and safe investment destination. All these moves are necessary and commendable.

But there is usually a time-lag between commitments and actual investments for direct investors. Portfolio investors have a global view and are constantly looking for where they can maximise returns. So even when you provide them the most favourable terms, there is no guarantee that they will come or that they will stay if they come. My hunch is that the devaluation of the Naira was premised on the assumption that forex would flood in. This has not happened yet or in the quantum desired, and understandably Continued on page 61

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