THURSDAY 14TH FEBRUARY 2024

NLC Strike Notice: FG Pushes for Fair, Sustainable Minimum Wage, Begins Talks with Labour Pleads with NLC, TUC to withdraw strike warning To resume payment of wage award this week Labour foresees stalemate in negotiation for new minimum wage, kicks against panel composition NASS vows to enforce payment of living wage to workers Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The federal government has com-

menced discussions with organised labour to try to forestall a looming industrial action by workers over

alleged poor implementation of the fuel subsidy removal palliatives, including payment of N35, 000

wage award.

Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka

Onyejeocha, who confirmed the talks, said negotiations on the new minimum wage had also

commenced. Onyejeocha said the Continued on page 38

Wednesday 14 February, 2024 Vol 29. No 10535. Price: N400

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NUPRC Says Plan to Conduct Closed Bid Round for Oil, Gas Blocks Legal... Page 8

Stop Playing to Gallery, FG Blasts Opposition Governors

Insists nation’s economy remains strong Says anomalies in states impacting hardship

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The federal government, yesterday,

accused the governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of playing to the gallery and failing to conduct

themselves in a manner befitting their roles as leaders.

The Minister of Information and

National Orientation, Mr Mohammad Idris, who fired the broadside at the PDP governors in a statement,

however, insisted that the nation’s economy remained strong.

The riposte followed the stance

taken by the governors during a Continued on page 38

Tinubu Speaks with Grieving Herbert Wigwe’s Parents, Comforts Couple Ghana’s president, Akufo-Addo calls, offers condolences We lost a gem, bright star, Osinbajo, Obaseki, Anyaoku declare Kogi, Cross River governors, Zenith Bank commiserate with families, Access Holdings You're irreplaceable, says exEmir of Kano, Sanusi Emir of Zazzau: his death, a great personal loss Herbert was a first class guy, Wale Tinubu Wale Igbintade in Lagos, Sunday Aborisade in Abuja and Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

President Bola Tinubu and President Nana Akufo-Ado of Ghana yesterday called Pastor and Mrs. Shyngle Wigwe, the grieving parents of late Group Managing Director of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, to offer them words of comfort. He died in a helicopter crash in California, the United States of America, last Friday, at the age of 57.

Wigwe, a top banker and entrepreneur, was killed in the crash alongside his wife, Chizoba, son, and former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo.

Tinubu, it was gathered, spoke to Wigwe’s parents through Aigboje AigImoukhuede’s phone to commiserate with them and provided them very comforting words. The president made the call at 12.02pm, while Akufo-Ado called Aig-Imoukhuede at 3.17pm and both offered condolences Continued on page 38

please STAY STRONG!...

L-R: Herbert Wigwe’s only daughter, Tochi; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Neysom Wike and Herbert’s mother, Stella Wigwe, when the minister visited to console the grieving family in Lagos on Monday

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

NEWS

the president and the super eagles...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima flanked by the Super Eagles Team during their audience with president in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday after the just PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI concluded AFCON held at the Presidential Villa Abuja..... yesterday

NUPRC Says Plan to Conduct Closed Bid Round for Oil, Gas Blocks Legal Declares Nigeria's technical oil production potential stands at 2.26m bpd APPO to announce headquarters of proposed African Energy Bank next month

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos

In a pre-emptive move to remove any potential misinterpretation, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has explained that the upcoming 'closed' bid round for the sale of oil and gas blocks this year was legal and in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

The commission also stated that Nigeria's national technical oil production potential currently stood at 2.26 million barrels per day (bpd) well above the 1.5 million bpd production quota allocated to the country by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The Chief Executive Officer of the NUPRC, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe gave the clarifications yesterday, in Lagos, while speaking at two separate sessions at the ongoing 8th Sub-Saharan African International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC).

Komolafe spoke at the same conference where the Secretary General of African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO), Dr. Umar Farouk announced that the country to serve as the headquarters of the upcoming African Energy Bank (AEB) would be made known before the next month.

The theme of this year's SAIPEC was "The Next: Accelerating African Content."

Although, the NUPRC boss did not give the details of the closed bid round that would be coming up any time this year, he had announced last month that the commission would be conducting another Mini-bid Round for 12 offshore blocks.

Komolafe also said the earlier minibid round for the seven deep offshore blocks was nearing conclusion.

He maintained that further investment opportunities were also available in the licensing rounds, which would be conducted more frequently in line with the provisions of the PIA. He explained, "At this point, let me use this opportunity to announce that the commission will be concluding the Nigerian ongoing seven deep offshore bid round which we commenced earlier.

"In addition to that, the commission will be conducting closed bid round in the course of the year. Let me take time to explain that the Petroleum Industry Act actually provided for both closed bid and open bid. Both are legal...because when we hear closed bid, it might be misinterpreted.

"So, closed bid is legal just as open bid is equally legal. Section 73 of the PIA makes this very clear. What is inherent in closed bid and open bid

is that both will be conducted in a fair, transparent and very competitive manner. But the underlining thing is that both are legal by virtue of the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act.” He called on potential investors to take note of the bid round which commission would be conducting in the course of the year in line with the provisions of the law.

According to him, that was part of the investment opportunities the commission would be showcasing at the event.

As part of the efforts to deepen

Nigeria's gas market and ensure decarbonisation of upstream operations, Komolafe mentioned that the commission recently awarded 49 flare sites to successful bidders for flare gas commercialisation through the Nigerian Flare Gas Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP).

Through the initiative, he said more gas would be available for domestic gas utilisation in the form of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), feedstock for power generation plants, fertilizer plants and petrochemicals as well as for exports.

However, stressing on the country's oil production capacity, the NUPRC chief executive said Nigeria's national technical oil production potential currently stood at 2. 26 million bpd as against the current 1.5 million bpd OPEC quota.

According to Komolafe, “The oil reserves and gas reserves in Nigeria respectively represents 30 per cent and 34 per cent of the African oil and gas reserves.

“Although the actual national production currently averages 1.33 million barrels of oil per day and 256 thousand barrels of condensate per

Michael Olugbode in Abuja and Emma Okonji in Lagos The United Kingdom has signed an Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) with Nigeria to boost trade and investment between the both countries and unlock new opportunities for UK and Nigerian

businesses.

UK Minister for Trade and Business Kemi Badenoch signed the ETIP alongside her Nigerian counterpart Trade Minister, Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite in Abuja, yesterday.

The Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) was the first

the UK has signed with an African country and was designed to grow the UK and Nigeria’s already thriving trading relationship, which totalled £7 billion in the year to September 2023.

This arrangement would pave the way for opportunities in sectors crucial to both economies such as finance and legal services as well

Tinubu Asks Senate to Confirm Five Nominees as CBN Board Directors

five nominees into the board of Finance, and other Financial will receive the usual expeditious Daily turnover increases by 127.5% ofthe Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Institutions for further legislative consideration of the Senate, please action. The committee was given accept Distinguished Senate as directors.

The naira yesterday experienced an increase against the US dollar at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange (NAFEM), concluding the day at N1,499.07 and also it showed a slight appreciation in the parallel market closing at N1,495/$1.

At the NAFEM window, the Naira closed at N1,499.07/$1, marking a N35.32 appreciation from Monday’s rate of N1,534.39.

The parallel market also recorded gains although marginally closing the day at N1,495, marking a N5 gain compared to N1,500/$1 it exchanged on Monday.

Furthermore, the official window recorded a daily turnover of $203.93 million yesterday compared to the $89.61 it recorded on Friday indicating a 127.5 per cent increase.

The highest spot rate recorded yesterday was N1,510/$1 while the lowest spot rate recorded was N896.28/$1.

Continues online

UK Signs Enhanced Trade, Investment Partnership Agreement with Nigeria

Naira Gains at Both Official Wants Tadese approved NPC Commissioner Urom Eke, and Olayinka Aliyu," Akpabio to fellow Senators , sought Market, Parallel Market Sunday Aborisade in Abuja for expeditious consideration and the letter read.

Akpabio then referred the request approval of the request .

Bola Tinubu has asked the to N1,499/$1, N1,495/$1 President "Whilst hoping that this request Senate to confirm the appointment to the committee on Banking, Nume Ekeghe

day, the national technical production potential currently stands at 2.26 million bpd, and the current OPEC quota is 1.5 million bpd.

“Thus, the Commission is taking strategic measures to arrest some challenges confronting us in order to boost production and meet the potential."

He said part of the measures being taken by the commission was to improve transparency in hydrocarbon measurement and accounting.

The president's request was contained in a letter read by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, at the floor of the Senate yesterday.

Tinubu said the request was in compliance with the provision of section 6(1a) of the section 10(1)(2) of the CBN establishment act 2007.

"I am pleased to present for confirmation by the senate the appointments of the under-listed five persons as directors of the board of the CBN: Robert O. Agbide, Ado Yakubu Wanga , Murtala Sagaley,

one week to act on the request.

Meanwhile, Tinubu has asked the red chamber to confirm Hon. Amidu Tadese from Osun state, as Commissioner of the National Population Commission (NPC).

Tinubu in the letter seeking for the appointment confirmation , said , it was done In accordance with the provisions of sections 154 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.

He also in the letter read by

President, the assurances of my highest consideration, “he said .

The nominee , Raheem , a PhD holder, is a university don and the current Head of Department of Public Administration, Fountain University, Osogbo.

He hails from the Tadese Royal Family in Iwo, Osun State and holds Bachelor Degree of Science (Pol Science),from Oduduwa University, Ile-Ife and another one on Arts and Education from the University of Ilorin.

as foster new collaborations in innovative areas like the creatives industry. The visit by the Secretary of State comes a week ahead of a UK Government-led fashion and beauty trade delegation to Nigeria.

The ETIP also initiates further collaboration on the UK’s ambitious Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), launched last year which puts in place simpler and more generous trading terms for Nigeria and 36 other African countries.

Nigeria is a major beneficiary of changes introduced by the DCTS and would see tariff reductions on over 3000 products, meaning that 99 per cent of existing Nigerian exports to the UK by value would be duty free. Tariffs have been removed on Nigerian goods which promote value addition in important non-oil export sectors such as cocoa butter and paste, sesame oil and clothing and apparel.

These changes would boost trade with the UK and support the federal government of Nigeria’s wider trade policy priorities.

Badenoch said: “The UK and Nigeria are vital partners, with longstanding historical and economic ties.

“UK businesses are already seeing huge success in Nigeria - one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

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Akpabio Swears In Fresh Senators...

L-R: Senator representing Plateau North, Prince Pam Mwadkon; Senator Mustapha Musa (Yobe East); Prof Anthony Ani (Ebonyi South), and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, after the swearing in of the three senators yesterday, who recently won their by-elections....yesterday.

FG to Establish Commodity Board to Tackle Rising Food Inflation, Others Shettima: We'll deploy security forces to protect farmers, activate more farmlands Says govt to restore 10m acres of degraded lands within nation's borders

Deji Elumoye in Abuja The federal government yesterday, hinted of plans to establish a National Commodity Board as a solution to rising food inflation in the country.

In tackling price volatility, the board would be given the mandate to assess and regulate food prices, as well as maintain a strategic food reserve for stabilising prices of crucial grains and other food items.

Vice President Kashim Shettima made this known at the opening of a two-day high-level strategic meeting on climate change, food systems and resource mobilisation at Abuja.

Delivering his address titled,

"Climate Resilience and Food Security: Nigeria's Vision for the Future," the Vice President said the two-day event was an attestation of Nigeria’s efforts at mitigating the effects of climate change and ensuring food security for Nigerians.

Recalling that food security was one of the eight areas of priority declared by President Bola Tinubu as part of his Renewed Hope Agenda, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency on food security, Shettima highlighted ongoing policy reforms by the administration to ensure food and water availability, as well as affordability.

According to him: "Our solution to the potential food crisis has

become immediate, medium, and long-term strategies. The shortterm strategy entails revitalising food supply through specific interventions like the distribution of fertilizers and grains to farmers and households to counteract the effects of subsidy removal; fostering collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water Resources for efficient farmland irrigation, ensuring year-round food production; and addressing price volatility by establishing a National Commodity Board.

"This board will continually assess and regulate food prices, maintaining a strategic food reserve for stabilising prices of crucial grains and other

food items."

He assured that while the Tinubuled administration was fully invested in the restoration of degraded land, there were ongoing plans, "to restore four million hectares, or nearly 10 million acres, of degraded lands within the nation's borders as its contribution to the AFR100 Initiative.”

Commenting on government's handling of the security challenges preventing farmers from working on their farms, the Vice President said, "I wish to assure you that we will engage our security architecture to protect the farms and the farmers so that farmers can return to the farmlands without fear of attacks.

"We won’t only make it safe for

NAFDAC, Beverage Workers Bicker over Ban on Alcohol in Sachet Operators: Multinational brewers behind agency’s prohibition of our sachet products

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Raheem Akingbolu and Dike Onwuamaeze in Lagos The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and workers under the auspices of Beverage, Tobacco Senior Staff Association have disagreed over the ban on alcohol in sachet and less than 200 ml bottles.

The Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) also alleged that multinational beer manufacturers in the country were behind the NAFDAC ban on the production of alcoholic beverages in sachets and less than 200ml PET bottles.

However, while NAFDAC said it decided to phase out production of alcohol in sachet and pet bottles less than 200 ml by January 31, 2024, due to its dangerous health impact of the product to the society, beverage and tobacco union claimed that the outright ban was wrong since sachet drinks were registered food product.

The union also said they were worried over what would become of thousands of the workforce who would lose their jobs if the industry was shutdown.

Addressing members of the union who thronged the headquarters of NAFDAC yesterday morning to protest the ban of their products, President of AFBTE, Jimoh Oyibo, said NAFDAC did not carry out any form consultation or engagement with stakeholders before ordering the ban.

He said: "We are here because of what befalls our companies, once

you shut down that pet sizes, it's as good as losing the company, so, considering the number of our workers that are affected, we said no, we can't allow this to go.

“Meanwhile, this are registered food products, we did not just come out of the blue and decided to produce.

"If we allow it to stay, it means that thousands of people will be affected and of course, the multiplier effect is something else. The ban came as a surprise, we were taken unawares, there was no engagement by the NAFDAC, the officers just came and sealed off our companies."

On the way forward, Oyibo said there was need for constructive engagement with all stakeholders to look at what was possible.

However, on its part, NAFDAC explained that it did not ban alcohol production in bigger bottles.

In a statement, NAFDAC's Resident Media Consultant Sayo Akintola, said the agency only banned alcohol in containers or sachet that a child could easily conceal.

The statement explained that the ban only concerned alcoholic content in sachet or PET bottles less than 200ml.

It stated: "AFBTE and DIBAN signed an agreement with MOH and NAFDAC and FCCPC in 2018 December that they will phase out production of alcohol in sachet and PET bottles less than 200 ml by January 31, 2024. “The agreement document is available. A five-year phase out notice should be sufficient.

"Nigeria was one of the 193 Member States of WHO that reached an historical consensus on a global

strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol by adopted resolution WHA63.13 at the Sixty-third session of the World Health Assembly, held in Geneva in 2010.

'This was seven years before my time, an agreement signed by Nigeria with other nations that we will protect youth by making alcohol not easily reachable and accessible."

Meanwhile, DIBAN has alleged that multinational beer manufacturers in the country were behind the ban of the product.

The operators made this allegation during a press conference in Lagos State, where they insisted that banning the production of alcoholic beverages in sachets and less than 200ml PET bottles would wipe out 5.5 million direct and indirect jobs, devastate over N800 billion investments in the sub-sector and undermine the country’s banking system because most of the investments were executed with borrowed funds from Nigerian and foreign financial institutions.

Executive Secretary of DIBAN, Mr. John Ichue, claimed that of late, beer manufacturers have not been doing well in terms of market share and has been recording losses in their financials in the five past years.

Ichue said: “The undertone here is that they are directly responsible for what is going on (the ban). The idea is to get us out of business and take over our businesses. That is the agenda of the beer group. I want the press to realise that this is the direction they are going (sic).”

He alleged that the multinationals had tried the strategy in Kenya,

Uganda and Tanzania but failed in all the countries.

According to him, “what is happening is that there is a group out there that is putting pressure on the Director General of NAFDAC just to sustain their business. And that is what is playing out.

“We should know that most players in our sub-sector are indigenous players. The multinationals want to take our business. And that is the strategy. But by the grace of God that will not happen.”

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farmers to return to their farms, but we will also ensure the activation of land banks. There is currently 500,000 hectares of already mapped land that will be used to increase the availability of arable land for farming, which will immediately impact food output.”

Shettima added that the Tinubu administration was also collaborating, "with mechanisation companies to clear more forests and make them available for farming," even as the Central Bank of Nigeria "will also continue to play a major role in funding the agricultural value chain.

"We will deploy concessionary capital to the sector, especially towards fertilizer, processing, mechanisation, seeds, chemicals, equipment, feed, labour, among others. The concessionary funds will ensure food is always available and affordable, thereby having a direct impact on Nigeria’s Human Capital Index (HCI).

“This administration is focused on ensuring the HCI numbers, which currently rank as the 3rd lowest in the world, are improved for increased productivity," he added.

The Vice President also restated efforts by the administration, "to ensure a massive boost in employment and job creation," noting that it, "is another presidential area of priority.

"The government will make agriculture attractive for our teeming youth population with a view to creating between five to 10 million more jobs for them within the agriculture value chain, working with the current 500,000 hectares of

arable land and the several hundreds of thousands more farmlands to be developed in the medium term," he pointed out.

These efforts, Shettima said, were part of federal government's bid to actualise the, "UN-Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development Goals 2 of “Zero hunger” and African Union Agenda 2063, which aims to transform Africa into a global powerhouse of the future.

"But we can’t achieve this unless we guarantee food security by building the capacity of smallholder farmers who account for about 88 per cent of the total food production in Nigeria."

He implored those at the event, including development partners, private investors and the diplomatic community, among others, to make sure the high-level engagement results in a positive outcome.

Earlier in her speech, National Coordinator of NEPAD, Mrs. Gloria Akobundu, praised Tinubu for his efforts towards making Nigeria a great nation.

“We are happy with the resolve by the administration of President Bola Tinubu to stand undeterred by any odds in his objective to build a viable, effective and great nation,” she said.

Akobundu said NEPAD decided to convene the stakeholders’ forum in order to strengthen small holder farmers in Nigeria as a way of addressing food shortage problem in the country.

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Niger CJ: You Can’t Wish Alleged Corruption in Judiciary Away Laleye Dipo in Minna The Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik, has said the outcry by a section of the country that the judiciary was corrupt could not just be wished away.

Justice Abdulmalik made the comment in a message at the opening of Bar Week of the Nigeria Bar Association of Niger State branch holding at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre in Minna.

"Corruption allegations abound, whether real or in the imagination of those making the allegations" she declared, adding that there was the need for the judiciary to

have zero tolerance for corruption which may rear its ugly head in any form or manner.

"Corruption as we all know is not limited to illegal exchange of money for underserved favour, the failure of counsels to see to the Prosecution of cases of his client with diligence and honesty is also corruption," she said.

Justice Abdulmalik, therefore, admonished members of the Bar to ensure that in the course of prosecuting cases, they strictly adhered to the etiquette and decorum expected from members of the profession.

She appreciated the "candid and sincere" working relationships between members of the bar and

the bench before also saying, "We are looking forward to the bar and bench fora in March this year and others in subsequent years.

"Let me also remind the members of the Bar of the existence of the Multi-door Court House and Small Claims Court in the state" she added.

The judiciary, according to the chief judge, is making conscious efforts to provide a conducive environment for the administration of Justice in the state despite paucity of funds.

She pointed out that at the Judicial Service Commission level, "we have not abdicated from our responsibility of disciplining erring judicial officers and judiciary staff."

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politics

Acting Group Politics Editor DEJI ELUMOYE Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com (08033025611 SMS ONLY)

Hurdles Before Soludo in Quest for Second Term in Anambra

David-Chyddy Eleke looks at some of the issues that may constitute impediments to Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo’s Quest for a second term in office.

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here are several factors that will constitute opposition against Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo’s quest to be returned by Anambra people for a second term as election holds later in 2025.

Soludo has been governor of Anambra for less than two years, but already, many opposition parties and politicians have started showing interest in taking his seat. Soludo is yet to declare his intention to contest for a second term, but it is a privilege that is within his right, which many believe he will not turn down.

Despite being an incumbent, which is known to be an advantage to anyone holding the position, it is believed that Soludo will face a very tough battle in his quest to get re-elected. This is not just because he occupies an exalted position which many envy, nor because Anambra has severally been described as an “A” list state, which parades men and women whose brains are bursting at it seams with ideas, or pockets fully loaded with cash made from private enterprise, but because elections generally are battles.

Part of the hurdles will be as a result of miscalculations that Soludo has made, which has brought him enemies. This means that besides individuals who have interests, political parties that exist to win elections, there are also institutions that ordinarily should remain neutral, who may likely take sides because they have been offended, or feel offended by the governor, one way or the other.

Peter Obi/Obidient Wave No doubt, the goodwill and support enjoyed by former governor of the state and presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, is one factor that may play a key role in challenging Soludo in the next election. Obi would like to stamp his feet as the symbol of new democracy in Nigeria by trying to instal a Labour Party governor in his home state, Anambra, to make huge statement for future political endeavours. Besides this, through his popularity in the last presidential election, Obi has gathered for himself top politicians in Anambra State from across the three senatorial zones of the state as disciples, most of whom benefitted immensely by winning political positions in that election.

These men include Senators Victor Umeh and Tony Nwoye who are sitting senators, and many other current members of the House of Representatives.

Umeh, the Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District is a grassroot politician, who had been in All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) all through his political career, until Soludo came along and edged him out. He was edged out of APGA in 2023 by forces believed to be propelled by Soludo.

The forces oscillated their support between Uche Ekwunife of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Dozie Nwankwo of APGA. Nwankwo won the APGA primary election against Umeh. But Umeh who later picked the LP Senatorial ticket for the race floored both Dozie Nwankwo and Uche Ekwunife in the contest. The 2025 governorship contest will undoubtedly present an opportunity for him to pay Soludo back.

Senator Tony Nwoye, on the other hand, is also a strong politician from the Northern senatorial zone of the state. He has been described as a one-man riot squad. He has however been touted to have interest in running for governorship, using the Labour Party platform, even though he hails from northern senatorial zone, where the immediate past governor, Chief Willie Obiano, hails from. But on the whole, many are of the opinion that the party may stick to Valentine Ozigbo, the candidate of the party in the 2021 election, and a close ally of Obi to prosecute the election.

APC/Ifeanyi Ubah Factor Since billionaire oil mogul and senator representing Anambra South senatorial zone, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), there have been palpable tension among the membership of APGA.

opulence in a burial. Charles, a former lawmaker was in the Anambra House of Assembly when the law against such displays during burials was passed, and Soludo was said not to have spared anything in chastising him for breaking a law he contributed to making.

He was also said to have come hard at Fr Obimma, and by extension the Catholic Church by showing his disappointment at a priest involving in such disrespect for the law.

This was said to have irked the Archbishop of Onitsha Arch diocese, Valerian Okeke, who took the microphone and thoroughly rebuked the governor for involving in petty things and disregarding the main issues of governance.

Though the matter had been managed amicably, but it is still believed that Soludo’s temerity to speak to priests in such matter may not be something to go away so easily. If the Catholic Church which Soludo is also a part of decides to fight him, his chances of survival may be slim.

Soludo Previously, Anambra people have never given APC a chance. It became even worse during the tenure of former president, Muhammadu Buhari. In the rural parts of Anambra State, many rural people refer to APC as Fulani party, and the brazen attitude of herders during the administration of Buhari even heightened the hatred for the party.

With Tinubu now in charge, the hatred is dying down, and more Anambra sons have embraced the party. Beyond that, the likes of Ubah have begun a campaign to make the state see political parties as mere vehicles used by politicians to arrive at political offices. This has started to soften the mind of the people towards the party. Ubah, a known grassroot politician, who equally has deep pockets had in a recent interview revealed his interest in the election. He is also touted to be attempting to oust Soludo by pairing up with another popular politician and grassroot mobilizer, Senator Uche Ekwunife, as running mate. This has sent jitters up the spine of the ruling party, and may probably be one of the biggest stumbling block for Soludo’s re-election if fielded by APC. Catholic Church Anambra has remained one state where religious politics thrives, and this has played a major role in who

became governor of the state. Since the return of democracy in 1999, the church in Anambra has played roles on the emergence of governors.

And in this, the Catholic Church has always had an upper hand. Save for Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju who was elected in 1999, every other governor of the state have either been a Catholic or Anglican. These two have remained the dominant religious bodies in the state, and they are not unaware of their own powers, and they deploy it to make kings, even if it meant preaching politics from the very sacred alter of Christ.

Soludo, the incumbent was himself elected on the basis of his being a Catholic, and it was not by mistake that he chose an Anglican, Dr Onyekachi Ibezim, as his running mate. But recently, Governor Soludo had a spat with priests of Catholic Church, when he openly, in the presence of Bishops and Archbishops chastised a priest, Rev Fr Emmanuel Obimma, the Spiritual Director of Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Uke, during the burial of his mother.

Soludo had recently begun championing the enforcement of a law which regulates ostentatious display of wealth during burials.

The governor had himself buried his father in December, 2023 in strict adherence to the law.

But in the case of Mrs Obimma, his sons, who are wealthy chose to give her what they called a befitting burial. This had drawn the angst of the governor who was at the ceremony. He had chastised Rev Fr Emmanuel Obimma and his brother, Charles Obimma, for such show of

The traditional institution is another institution that may pose a challenge to Soludo’s re-election bid. He recently had a running battle with some traditional rulers, which also led to the suspension of some of them. The issue was the conferment of chieftaincy title on Senator Ubah.

Ubah had been conferred with the chieftaincy title of Odenjinji by the traditional ruler of Neni Community, Igwe Damian Ezeani.

He was however suspended by the state government for doing so without obtaining the approval of the traditional ruler of Nnewi Kingdom, where Ifeanyi Ubah hails from.

Traditional institution The traditional institution is another institution that may pose a challenge to Soludo’s re-election bid. He recently had a running battle with some traditional rulers, which also led to the suspension of some of them. The issue was the conferment of chieftaincy title on Senator Ubah.

Ubah had been conferred with the chieftaincy title of Odenjinji by the traditional ruler of Neni Community, Igwe Damian Ezeani.

He was however suspended by the state government for doing so without obtaining the approval of the traditional ruler of Nnewi Kingdom, where Ifeanyi Ubah hails from.

A press release by the state commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon Tony Collins Nwabunwanne, suspending Igwe Damian Ezeani supported its action with a section of the Anambra State Traditional Ruler Law, which stipulated so.

The action had generated a lot of dust, with many condemning the Soludo government for such action. This had led to the monarch, and all others who conferred titles on Ubah within the Christmas period tendering apologies, with some even withdrawing the titles.

In what looked like drawing a battle between the traditional institution and the governor, the chairman of Anambra State Traditional Ruler Council, and Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe wrote the commissioner, siding the monarchs.

He condemned the action of the state government, and accusing Soludo of thoroughly belittling the traditional institution in the state.

Achebe reminded the state government that a stipend of N170,000 which he pays monthly to all monarchs is not enough reason for him to denigrate them that much or see them as his boys.

He reminded that the traditional rulers were accomplished personalities in many fields before taking up the traditional stools of their communities, and should not be looked at as errand boys.

This may have sparked a war that is believed to have been managed perfectly by the state government, as Governor Soludo in a visit to the meeting of the traditional rulers recently, dissolved the Achebe-led council, citing that it was improperly constituted.

As properly as this has been managed, it is believed that the election of 2025 will present an opportunity for the monarchs to draw a pound of flesh from Soludo too, when he will be needing them and their subjects to cast their votes for him.

Meanwhile, Soludo does not seem to be unmindful of these challenges, and may also be working out strategies to combat them. He still has two years to court the friendship of those he may have offended with his policies, and also up his achievements as campaign strategy. For example, he may be campaigning with his achievements in office, including road infrastructure, the new government house, employment of teachers and health workers, among other achievements. But as 2025 draws close, events in the state would unfold appropriately.

17

T H I S D AY • WEDNESday FEBRUARY 14, 2024

politics

Between Abiodun’s Legacy and Oluomo’s Fall

Kunle Somorin writes about the need for Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State not to interfere in the internal politics of the state Assembly which recently led to the sack of the Speaker, Hon. Olakunle Oluomo.

Abiodun

T

he impeachment of Olakunle Oluomo as Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly came at an unexpected time.

After escaping the banana peels many times, he was ousted cheaply at an unprecedented time in the state’s history.

The development was coming just around when the Supreme Court put a rest to post-election litigation concerning the governorship election in the state.

Delivering the judgement, the five-member jury, led by Justice John Okoro, declared a watershed judgement upholding the election of Prince Dapo Abiodun as the duly elected Governor of Ogun State in the March 18, 2023 governorship election.

Prince Abiodun’s challenger and the PDP governorship candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, failed to prove allegations of non-compliance with the Electoral Act during the conduct of the governorship election.

“This appeal is unmeritorious and ought to be dismissed and it is hereby dismissed. The judgement of the court is hereby affirmed,” Tijjani Abubakar, who read the lead judgement, said.

Governor Abiodun, who was seeking reelection, flew the flag of the APC during the March 18 governorship and was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) having polled 276,298 votes to defeat Adebutu, who scored 262,383 votes.

As is his right, Adebutu approached the Ogun State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta to contest the results of the election. In a unanimous ruling on Saturday, September 30, 2023, the three-member tribunal led by Justice Hamidu Kunaza struck out the petition because it was “incompetent, defective, disjunctive and lack merits”.

Not satisfied with the judgement of the tribunal, and despite other opposition parties under the aegis of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in the state saying the case was dead on arrival at the higher courts, Adebutu proceeded to the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision.

Addressing a press conference in Abeokuta after the tribunal judgement, IPAC’s state chairman, Samson Okusanya described the statement credited to PDP after the judgement, which discredited the verdict, as docile and out of crass ignorance from political merchants.

“Ladi Adebutu and his team of lawyers ought to have known that law and facts are not based on technicalities but rather on fairness and objectivity of the legal process which stipulates that the petitioner ought to have frontloaded certain information in the petition. We salute the judiciary and most importantly members of the Tribunal led by Justice Hamidu Kunaza for a job well done. The PDP and her candidate should as a matter of importance, discontinue his planned wild goose chase at the appellate Court and accept the will of God,” he said.

As predicted, Prince Abiodun’s lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), prayed the appellate court to dismiss the appeal. He urged the court to uphold Governor Abiodun’s victory as the validly elected governor of Ogun State. The court upheld the prayer. Delivering judgement on the appeal, in its majority judgement of the three-member panel that was delivered by Justice Joseph Ikyegh,

Oluomo said there was no reason to overturn the judgement of the tribunal.

With post-election litigations over and the governor’s re-election duly affirmed by the Supreme Court on January 19, 2024, the high expectations of the people of the state, majorly because of the standard set by Governor Abiodun in his first term, demand that all involved come together in reconciliation to move the state forward.

Already leading that reconciliation tone is no other person than Sir Kessington Adebutu, an industrialist and father of Hon. Adebutu.

He congratulated Governor Abiodun on the revalidation of his re-election by the Supreme Court and urged his son to join hands with the governor in the interest of the state after the apex court’s verdict. In a letter addressed to Prince Abiodun, dated January 22, the senior Adebutu said he had counselled his son to sheathe the sword and join Abiodun in moving the state forward. He also called for a peaceful meeting between Hon. Adebutu and the governor.

Most importantly, he noted that the apex court’s judgement had put an end to all matters of litigation surrounding the 2023 governorship election.

After his victory at the polls, Prince Abiodun promised that “We will continue with the same vision of providing focused and purposeful governance. We will push our frontiers as the industrial, educational and religious capital of Nigeria. We are fast becoming the food basket in the southwest, so we have a lot to be thankful for. Please let us keep our eyes on the ball.”

Embarking on the delivery of these promises and the completion of major projects in the state not only require strategic partnerships and collabora-

tion. Ogun needs an enabling environment for industrial growth, manpower development, and creativity to thrive. Part of that enabling environment is for stakeholders, no matter their creed and political alignment, to close ranks and for the good of the state.

From that point, every political pundit thought the APC was on a roller coaster. It has successfully quelled internal opposition, winning all elements loyal to former Governor Ibikunle Amosun over. Weeks before, another APC lawmaker, Kunle Sobukunola, snatched victory from his PDP counterpart, Babajide Owodunni from the governor’s constituency at the Appeal Court and the euphoria became more undiluted with more converts into the APC. That was when the lucre of leadership snapped for Oluomo, the governor’s protege and the state’s number three citizen.

Perhaps conscious that this is his second and final term, Abiodun understands that this is his “legacy term”. He buckled under his place in history at the moment when not only governance but crisis, whether internal or external, would be a reflection of his stake in statesmanship. More than his first term, it is during this second term that history will record his administration’s scorecard in terms of performance and his political dealings with friends and foes alike.

The crisis of confidence in the Ogun State House of Assembly did send a wrong signal about the willingness of the governor to foster reconciliation within his party as a benchmark for his ability to close ranks with other stakeholders outside his party.

Despite describing Governor Abiodun as his benefactor and expressing gratitude for endorsing his candidacy for the speakership twice, embattled ex-Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Olakunle Oluomo, expressed disappointment in the lack of intervention from the governor and the leadership of the APC, which he had expected. He said the disappointment meant that he would have to seek justice elsewhere.

Oluomo was impeached over alleged high handedness, lack of focus and transparency, arrogance, poor leadership style and inciting members against one another allegations which his erstwhile deputy Dare Kadiri spewed two years ago. These events are a real challenge for governance in the State. Many believe that there are political undercurrents and that Governor Abiodun should be careful with the politics of succession and post-governorship politicking. Thankfully, the governor erred on the side of all democratic norms and Baron de Montesquieu would have turned in his grave for him putting his gubernatorial seal on the triumph of the ineluctable theory of separation of power.

What a pity from someone who admitted there has been no love-lost relationship with his colleagues in the House. The governor’s love and protection notwithstanding, it appears he left many things to chance.

An ordinarily sagacious four-term lawmaker would have not been left in the lurch as it happened to him. Some loyal forces would have squealed to him on the impending sack, probe and formal impeachment and helped him strategise.

But it seemed all his network of friends, colleagues, party chieftains and even career officers could not muster support when it mattered most.

Something must be wrong for no one to have given him any inkling of the putsch. These only advertise dissidence, unpopularity and political quicksand which must be monitored in the State. Going to court and appearing before the Musefiu Lamidi panel without getting a damage control system in place is equally antithetical to common sense. Worse still, the executive arm, the civil apparatchiks and party stalwarts were quick to seal the fate of the embattled Speaker, swore in and embraced Oludaisi Elemide as his replacement.

Prince Abiodun was unequivocal on the fall of Oluomo. He agreed with the decision of the assembly members to impeach him, insisting that the lawmakers have the right to choose their leader. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Kayode Akinmade in Abeokuta, the governor said the lawmakers have the prerogative to elect their leaders in line with the stipulated law.

Oluomo was impeached over alleged high handedness, lack of focus and transparency, arrogance, poor leadership style and inciting members against one another - allegations which his erstwhile deputy Dare Kadiri spewed two years ago.

These events are a real challenge for governance in the State. Many believe that there are political undercurrents and that Governor Abiodun should be careful with the politics of succession and post-governorship politicking. Thankfully, the governor erred on the side of all democratic norms and Baron de Montesquieu would have turned in his grave for him putting his gubernatorial seal on the triumph of the ineluctable theory of separation of power.

That move further gives a fillip to Prince Abiodun’s much-mouthed template and deliberate action plans to transform the state by implementing the “Building Our Future Together” agenda, hinged on the five developmental columns of I-S-E-Y-A: Infrastructure; Social Development and Wellbeing; Education; Youth Development, and; Agriculture and Food Security.

Now that he has a renewed mandate, he should not let political expediency, primordial sentiments, or party loyalty sway him. More collaboration, reconciliation and collective interest should drive his clear agenda on how to consolidate the gains of the past four years while embarking on fresh developmental programmes and projects.

Going forward, governance, justice, fairness, the rule of law and the people’s welfare should continue to be his priorities because those are the benchmarks by which his legacy lies post-2027.

-Somorin writes from Abeokuta.

18

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2024 • T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2024 • T H I S D AY

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20

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2024 • T H I S D AY

21

T H I S D AY • Wednesday, February 14, 2024

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

A T

REPO

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

08056356325

F e b r u ar y

S & P INDEX

1 3 , 2 0 2 4

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

19.12%

INDEX LEVEL

611.31%

1/4 to daTE

-0.07%

N795.28/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

16.25%

1-DAY

0.03%

YEAR TO DATE

0.48%

*AS AT Monday, July 24, 2023

3-MONTH

15.75%

MONTH-TO-DATE

-0.7%

Treasury Bills Subscriptions Hit N13.15tn as Interest on 91-day Rises to 17.24%

Kayode Tokede Subscription to Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTBs) increased to N13.15 trillion in the first 40 days of 2024, following a strong demand for risk-free instrument and hedge against inflation by investors.

So far, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has conducted three NTBs auctions, offering N1.29 trillion to investors but eventually recorded N1.38 trillion total sales.

On January 10, 2024, the CBN offered N52.29 billion for 364 days NTBs but got N10.01 trillion total subscription and only retained the amount offered. On January 24, 2024, the CBN offered N231.8 billion NTBs and retained the same amount offered. The last offer, which was on February 7,

2024, was N1 trillion.

The CBN has continued to woo investors with attractive interest rate on 91-day NTBs, reaching a peak of 17.24 per cent at the last auction on February 07, 2024, while interest rate on the first 91-day NTBs auction conducted January 24, 2024 was at 2.44 per cent.

THISDAY investigation revealed that the 364-day NTBs interest rate has increased from 8.399 per cent to 19 per cent when the third NTB was conducted February 07, 2024.

In an auction held in January, the CBN sold NTB totalling N381.2billion across various maturities-- 91, 182, and 364 days. The interest rates for these maturities were recorded at five per cent for the 91-day bills, 7.15 per cent for the 182-day bills, and

11.54 per cent for the 364-day bills, respectively.

During the first NTB auction for February, the CBN offered N1 trillion across the 91-day, 182-day, and 365-day maturities, with a successful bid rate of 7.0000 per cent-17.2400 per cent, 4.0000 per cent -18.0000 per cent and 13.0000 per cent -29.9400 per cent, respectively.

The breakdown of the N1trillion NTB auction was N200.00 billion of the 91-day, N200.00 billion of the 182-day, and N600.00 billion of the 364-day bills.

The 91-day NTB of N200 billion was on offer and the subscription was N39.90 trillion while the 81-day bill has an offer of N200billion and subscriptions valued at N51.35 billion were made and the 364-day

NTB of N600billion offer saw a N1.87 trillion total subscription.

Treasury bills yield has been rising since the central bank started its rate hikes in response to the high inflation rate. With the inflation rate at 28.92per cent as of December 2023, the central bank has increased its benchmark monetary policy rate to 18.75per cent.

Investors demand, however, rose to match, almost doubling the offer size, reaching N1.98trillion.

Despite the demand level, stop rates rose significantly across the trio of maturities, reaching 17.24 per cent, 18 per cent, and 19.00per cent (vs five per cent, 7.15 per cent, and 11.54 per cent), respectively.

“Are we back to higher rates?

It seems very likely that we will

see, on average, much higher T-bill rates than last year, which is good news for savers. The bigger question is whether we will see 1-year T-bill rates above the 20 per cent-mark, as we saw last week. It is possible, especially if the new approach is successful in attracting foreign investors, ”said analysts at Coronation Research.

Experts expressed that the NTBs auction represents a move by the CBN to manage the country’s debt obligations and address liquidity in the financial system, stressing that inflation rate responsible for push in NTBs interest rate witnessed so far in February.

Commenting on the development, the CEO, Wyoming Capital and Partners, Mr. Tajudeen Olayinka said, “the essence is to

encourage foreign inflows that could help improve dollar liquidity in the foreign exchange market and cause a moderation in naira exchange rate until the market attains equilibrium level.

“I have no doubt that it was the most appropriate decision on the part of CBN and government at this time. There’s need to improve dollar liquidity that will eventually force domestic interest rate to moderate subsequently.”

The Vice President, Highcap Securities Limited, Mr. David Adnori, stated that NTBs are considered to be one of the safest forms of investment since they are backed by the government.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

Analysts: CBN Determined to Attract Foreign Investors With FX Reform, Policies

Nume Ekeghe

Experts in the financial service sector have stressed that reforms being undertaken by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), utterances by the CBN governor, and the array of monetary policies recently rolled out are slated to lure foreign investor back into Nigeria.

The analysts noted that stakeholders in the foreign exchange market eagerly anticipate insights into foreign exchange market policies whenever the CBN governor addresses the economy

at various forums or platforms.

They stated that the CBN’s drive to achieve stability has inundated its activities in recent times.

“Foreign exchange market stakeholders are always looking forward to policy direction on the FX market whenever the CBN governor discusses the economy at different fora or platforms.

“For example, we subjected his presentation at the Senate to text analysis, and it confirmed our assertion that the conversation is typically about the FX market. The top 10 words with the highest

frequencies were “Exchange, Billion, Rates, Demand, Dollar, Economy, Growth, Supply, Foreign, and Pressures”. These words account for 22 per cent of the total 635 words used in the presentation,” one of the stakeholders observed, “said experts at Afrinvest “We also consider some specific insights shared by the governor at a media engagement this month, where he addressed critical issues about the backlog of FX demand in the economy.

He revealed that of the total $7 billion in unpaid obligations, a

forensic audit initiated by the authority identified invalid import documents and discrepancies in allocations amounting to $2.4 billion. He promised that the lacuna would be adequately addressed.

Among other strategies, he stressed that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is working tirelessly to align its strategy with the CBN’s core mandate of price stability.”

“We believe that with the recent liberalisation of the FX market, sustained improvement in Nigeria’s oil production, successful Eurobond

issuance this year, and prolonged stability at the exchange rate, yields on Nigeria’s local fixed-income instruments would be very attractive to foreign investors. This is particularly realistic given the expected decline in the interest rate environment in advanced economies, ”the analysts said.

The experts also observed the recent Standard & Poors affirmation of Nigeria’s credit ratings at “B-/B” for both foreign and local currencies, with a stable outlook.

“The agency also kept

Nigeria’s national scale ratings at “ngBBB+/ngA-2. The decision was hinged on a plethora of reforms undertaken by the new administration to address the nation’s fiscal sustainability condition through fuel subsidy removal, stoppage of ways and means advanced to the government, and unification of the multiple exchange rate window, among other measures taken on the fiscal side.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

M a r k e t d ata A s at T u e s d ay, F e b r u a r y 1 3 , 2 0 2 4 BONDS Description Price Yield Change Updated Time (%) ^13.53 23February 101.02 12.51 0.52 13, 2024 MAR-2025 February ^12.50 22100.09 12.44 -0.01 13, 2024 JAN-2026 ^16.2884 17106.91 13.49 0,00 February MAR-2027 13, 2024 ^13.98 23February 100.78 13.71 0,00 FEB-2028 13, 2024 ^14.55 26February 101.40 14.15 0,00 APR-2029 13, 2024

BILLS Maturity

Discount Yield

Change (%) Updated Time

Maturity

NTB 8-Feb24 NTB 7-Mar24 NTB 11-Apr24 NTB 9-May24 NTB 6-Jun24

1.25

1.25

0.00 February 13, 2024

11.54

11.61

4.20

4.22

2.61 February 13, 2024

CRSL CP II 18-FEB-24

13.01

13.16

4.87

4.91

2.84 February 13, 2024

FLOURMILLS CP III 29-FEB-24

10.55

10.70

5.60

5.69

3.26 February 13, 2024

11.67

11.97

6.47

3.67 February 13, 2024

UACN CP VI 19-MAR-24 LFZC CP IV 16-APR-24 MTNN CP VII 14-MAY-24

9.69

9.97

6.33

OTC F X F U T U R E S

CPs Discount Yield

Change (%)

Updated Time

2.43 February 13, 2024 2.53 February 13, 2024 2.71 February 13, 2024 2.97 February 13, 2024 2.44 February 13, 2024

Contract Current Tenor Contract Rate ($/₦) (Month) NGUS JAN 13 – 29 2025 NGUS FEB 14 – 26 2025 NGUS MAR 15 – 26 2025 NGUS APR 16 – 30 2025 NGUS MAY 17 – 28 2025

Updated Time

February 13, 2024 February 13, 2024 February 13, 2024 February 13, 2024 February 13, 2024

T H I S D AY • Wednesday, February 14, 2024

22

BUSINESSWORLD

Insurance

IFRS 17 Transition: Operators Await NAICOM’s Decision With a good number of insurance firms yet to tidy their books despite the December 31, 2023 deadline given to them to migrate from IFRS 4 to 17, players are apprehensive as to what action NAICOM will take, writes Ebere Nwoji

A

few months ago, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) mandated all insurance firms to upgrade their financial reporting model by migrating from IFRS4 to IFRS17.

The commission gave December 31 2023 as deadline for full compliance.

Meaning that from that period insurance firms should cease from filing their financial reports based on IFRS 4 model and migrate to IFR17 model.

The December 31 2023 has come and gone but some insurance firms are yet to comply with the regulator’s directive, raising the question on whether the regulator will instantly raise its punitive hammer or give period of grace.

Though some firms have complied, a good number of players fall within the category of laggards in carrying out the directive; although none of them owned up to have failed in this regard, while a few operators said they are on course.

As at September 2023, when THISDAY surveyed the level of preparedness of operators towards meeting the deadline, it was discovered that while all operating firms were dusting their tables and financial books to close the chapter on IFRS4 finance reporting model and migrate to IFRIS17 model, in practical reality, some companies have not really shown signs of seriousness to meet the deadline; though they were optimistic that they would do.

Now the deadline has come and gone but the picture portrayed by many operators is similar to what happened in 2012, when the IFRIS4 was introduced. Indeed, checks

by THISDAY on how the management of various firms have fared in the transition show that some firms were able to get it right, having sent their employees to countries like Europe and other western markets for training on the new model of finance reporting, while some maintained their conservative stance, relying on self help effort.

Underwriting firms like Sovereign Trust Insurance, Leadway, AIICO, among others said they are good to go on the transition and migration process.

On the other hand, a company like Consolidated Hallmark Insurance which former Managing Director, Eddie Efekoha now Group Managing Director Consolidated Hallmark Holding Company, said firm has always occupied the fifth position in annual report filing insisted that they need not worry sending their staff abroad but would make use of what they have to get what they want.

Insurance experts viewed that it is not most likely all firms would meet the deadline just as it has always happened in the past.

This raises the question on whether NAICOM would raise its punitive hammer on companies yet to comply or give some months of grace for more operators to comply.

Speaking to the media on this, the Director General, Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA), Mrs Yetunde Ilori, said the implementation of IFRS 17 was a general challenge that affected not only the insurance industry but the entire economy.

She was optimistic that operators would be given a concession by the regulators by extending the date for submis¬sion of their financials.

She described the model as a learning process, adding that operators were holding meetings and series of engagements ongoing.

“I know various regulatory authorities may grant conces¬sion that is requested for, if there is need. Work is still in progress, I’m sure companies will approach their respective supervisory au¬thorities to ask for an extension if there’s need for it”, she stated.

Awaiting NAICOM Decision

Although NAICOM has not made any official statement on the fate of companies yet to comply with the directive as it is just barely two months after the deadline expired, the commissioner for insurance, Mr Sunday Olorundare Thomas had at a public discourse on Insurance expenses, risks and allocation in IFRS17 reporting organised by Mettlehouse Consulting Limited (MHCL), said implementation of the IFRS17 has presented the insurance industry with formidable challenges, particularly in relation to the allocation of insurance service expenses.

According to him, achieving transparency, comparability and consistency in financial reporting by insurance operators in Nigeria will be a great milestone.

“We all know that the IFRS 17 has fundamentally transformed the way insurance contracts are accounted for as it introduced a principles-based approach that aims to improve transparency, comparability, and consistency in financial reporting. While the overarching objective of IFRS 17 is commendable, the practical implications on expenses allocation have posed intricate challenges for insurers Worldwide.

He said the discourse therefore, presents a timely opportunity for the experts to engage in collaborative discourse and share insights on navigating the complexities of the insurance service expenses allocation under IFRS 17.

He said as a regulated industry, the Commission was committed to the harmonisation of financial reporting practices among licenced insurance operators in Nigeria to achieve comparability among the industry players as

this remains one of the key objectives of IFRS 17.

Pending the time the commissioner for insurance will decide the fate of firms which could not meet the deadline, analysts said all eyes are on the commission regarding wise decision on this.

According to them, this is because if the commission decides to raise its regulatory hammer on the errant firms, in the area of slamming fines, shareholders will not be happy.

Already, shareholders have been complaining that funds that would have been paid to them as returns on investment are used in payment of fines for infractions every year. They also viewed that if the commission decides to resume imposition of fines for infraction like this, industry critics may misinterpret it that the commission is looking for ways of boosting its revenue because of the mandatory 50 per cent deduction from the internally generated revenue, which it will pay to federal government according to the mandate of government to its agencies on December 28 last year. On the other hand if the commission allows those errant firms to go free, the laggards among them will in future continue doing things at their own pace hoping that the commission will do nothing.

They therefore said that this calls for use of regulatory intelligence and tactics by the commission to drive the industry aright in this most challenging times the country found itself .

NAICOM had directed insurance firms to migrate from IFRS4 model of financial reporting to IFRS17 model allowing firms to prepare their 2022 report based on IFRS4.

The commission however said all insurance firms must file in their 2023 report in 2024 based on IFRS17.

Purpose of IFRS17 Migration

Finance experts said the purpose of IFRS 17 is to ensure that an entity provides relevant information that faithfully represents those contracts it undertook.

According to them, information from the IFRS17 gives a basis for users of financial statements to assess the effect that insurance contracts have on the entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows.

According to the experts, the IFRS 17 requires a company to measure insurance contracts using updated estimates and assumptions that reflect the timing of cash flows and any uncertainty relating to insurance contracts. This requirement will provide transparent reporting about a company’s financial position and risk.

Nigeria adopted IFRS in 2012 because the level and quality of disclosure prior to the adoption of IFRS was poor. The benefits expected to derive from the adoption and implementations include easier access to external capital and an increase in foreign direct investment.

IFRS generally is issued by London based accounting standard board (IASB) and addresses record keeping, account reporting and other aspects of finance reporting .It replaced the international account standards (IAS) in 2001.

Initially when NAICOM issued the directive on IFRS17, not many firms embraced it as many criticised and kicked against it but today the firms have all bowed to NAICOM as many firms are running around looking for how to upscale their operations.

Operators’ Level of Preparedness

Speaking on how far his company has gone on this, the International Financial Reporting Standards

(IFRS 17) Project Manager at AIICO Insurance Plc, Mr. Mayowa Korode said the IFRS 17 was developed to bring consistency to financial reporting around the globe for companies reporting under IFRS 17, and to compare insurance companies to those operating in other sectors of economy.

Korode maintained that AIICO Insurance was fully ready for the implementation, adding that the Company’s first and second quarters 2023 reports were done in IFRS 17 model.

Korode noted that the most fundamental element of change that IFRS 17 brought was the closer alignment of the accounting to the underlying economics of insurance.

He said AIICO Insurance as a company has adopted full implementation of the new standard.

“IFRS 17 is a comprehensive standard to account for insurance contracts applicable to companies that prepare financial statements under IFRS. It replaces IFRS 4, which was not a comprehensive standard.

The new standard provides a single global accounting standard for insurance contracts.

Explaining the existing issues in IFRS 4 and how IFRS 17 addresses the problem, he said IFRS 4 has a variety of treatments depending on type of contract and company; estimates for long-duration contracts not updated; discount rate based on estimates does not reflect economic risks; lack of discounting for measurement of some contracts and little information on economic value of embedded options and guarantees.

He however said IFRS 17 provides consistent accounting for all insurance contracts by all companies; estimates updated to reflect current market-based information; discount rate reflects characteristics of the cash flows of the contract; measurement of insurance contract reflects time value where significant and measurement reflects information about full range of possible outcomes.

The Balance Sheet in IFRS 17, he noted, required a current measurement model, where estimates are re-measured in each reporting period.

The measurement, according to him, is based on the building blocks of discounted, probability-weighted cash flows, a risk adjustment, and a contractual service margin (‘CSM’) representing the unearned profit of the contract.

For Income Statement, requirements in IFRS 17 align the presentation of revenue with other industries. Investment components are excluded from revenue.

Under IFRS 17, entities have an accounting policy choice to recognise the impact of changes in discount rates in profit or loss or in other comprehensive income (‘OCI’) to reduce some volatility in profit or loss.

On Disclosures, he said, IFRS 17 disclosures will be more detailed than required under current reporting frameworks; disclosures will provide additional insight into key judgements and profit emergence, adding that disclosures are designed to allow greater comparability across entities.

Sovereign Trust Insurance said it has already migrated. Spokesman of the company, Mr Segun Bankole, said the company already had prepared its 2022 account based on the new model and has converted same to IFRS17 as directed by the regulator.

Expressing satisfaction at the position of his company as one of the early adopters of the new model, he said he has just received about five employees of the company sent to foreign markets for training on the new model.

Also Leadway Assurance Limited said it has already done the implementation of the International Financial Reporting Standard17.

Mr Raphael Akomolede, of finance department of

the company gave insights on the position of Leadway regarding the implementation of the IFRS 17.

He said the company had completed solution design which takes care of gap analysis, financial and operational impact assessment; designed future state of finance process/technology gap analysis; development, documentation and review of target operating model; preparation of technical documents and reviews and vendor selection for IFRS 17 and has complied.

He said the impact of IFRS 17, included improved comparability for the first time; relevant and updated measurement of insurance contract liabilities; a more intuitive presentation of financial performance and position; enhanced disclosure and transparency and a clear distinguishing of insurance activities from investment activities.

While commending the National Insurance Commission for the roadmap for the implementation of IFRS 17 for the insurance industry in Nigeria, he said the commission was working seriously since 2019 towards ensuring the full adoption of IFRS 17 in the Nigerian insurance industry

NAICOM’s Roadmap

Since its announcement of the new model of finance reporting in 2019, NAICOM has not rested on its oars.

Indeed, the commission seems to be much more prepared compared to other stakeholders who seem to be foot-dragging. Some operators have alleged that NAICOM has vague understanding of the new model of financial reporting.

The commission said in its efforts to get insurance firms ready for the new finance reporting model, it had set up sub-working groups to facilitate the migration.

Aside this, the commission had created a road map for the IFRS implementation, thus charging insurance firms to conduct awareness training and capacity building workshops,set up project groups and meeting committee, perform financial and operational impact assessment, design project implementation and covering technical, financial and operational impact assessment.

They are also to put up project implementation update and project status report and send same to NAICOM. They are also to determine desired system landscape, tackle issues identified during the impact assessment as well as design actuarial and financial target operating model and execute plan implementation.The insurers were also required to perform resource allocation, submit quarterly project status report to NAICOM and educate stakeholders and conduct core training on IFRS. They were further required to implement new processes and system, new accounting policies choices and performance financial statements, etc.

Experts’ view

Meanwhile, finance experts said the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has important role to play in the migration because the present tax payment system by insurance firms is not compatible with the IFRS system.

According to the experts, FIRS needs to amend its tax laws to suit the IFRS system.

The expert said with IFRS system, government cannot generate as much revenue as it used to generate from insurance industry before.

The experts said with IFRS 17 implementation, organisations needed a lot of data which they would use to run their cash flow and this as we know is one of the problems of insurance sector although stakeholders are making efforts in this regard.

They further said with migration to IFRS 17, organisations would pay heavily on new software developments, especially with the current high exchange rate, emphasising that the insurance companies would rely on western market for new softwares for the new model, since Nigerian software developers are not yet conversant with the model.

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BUSINESSWORLD

ECONOMY

Sanitising Tax Environment for Revenue Optimisation In this piece, James Emejo, assesses the new customer-centric policy direction of the FIRS towards improving voluntary tax compliance among others.

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t its 2024 Strategic Management Retreat held recently with the theme, “Reimagining Tax Administration for Equity and Economic Growth,” the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), signaled a new direction regarding tax administration in the country, by unveiling a new operational structure that is largely customer-centric.

Unlike in the past when emphasises had been on meeting revenue targets as well as investigation and prosecution of defaulters at the detriment of business sustainability, the new leadership of FIRS, led by the Executive Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, has made it abundantly clear that it is more interested in facilitating an enabling environment for these businesses and investments to thrive, believing that this would able businesses to pay their taxes willingly.

The service is also putting in place measures to simplify tax payment and collection by creating a one-stop shop to conduct all tax activities among others.

There’s no gainsaying that several businesses had gone aground mainly because of excessive taxation, coupled with a hostile operating environment, occasioned by both external and domestic headwinds.

Yet, all that tax authorities were interested in was payment of taxes by struggling organisations.

This scenario has caused a major disincentive for taxpayers, most of whom have resulted in dodging or circumventing their obligations.

In fact, the last decade has seen the enforcement department of tax offices embark on investigations and prosecution of big and small taxpayers.

What was however baffling is that the authorities never bothered to put into consideration the inimical regulations and policies of government that had hampered businesses.

However, Adedeji said it was high time the service changed its mindset and rather facilitated a perfect environment for businesses to thrive and so they would be able to pay their taxes.

Adedeji said, “Our focus is to drive voluntary compliance and we will upgrade the organisational structure that we have and what we’ve done in general was to move from functional types of taxes units to customer-centric.

“And what do I mean? Today, you have VAT and stamp duty offices…The way we are structured today does not actually allow us to develop expertise in what we want to do. So, we are moving away from that type of functional or type of taxes unit to customer-centric, having large, small and medium taxes and service also categorised as a support group.”

He said, “What will that do for us? Because our key role as collection agency is to take care of our customers – the taxpayers -we are setting up structures in such a way that we would be able to serve them well.

“So, we have a large tax office, we have small tax office and a medium tax office. What that will do is that we would have a one-stop shop for tax payers.

Instead of having VAT or Withholding tax or stamp duty offices – when you go to the tax office, this categorisation is going to be done by the threshold of your turnover.

“So, when you go to one tax office, you have all your concerns addressed – VAT, stamp duty and the rest – all types of taxes will be done at that one stop shop, and that is the focus. And we want to use that to drive voluntary compliance because the focus cannot be on litigation and investigation – those will be only 10 per cent of our strategy.

“The real strategy is to drive voluntary compliance and the way to do it is that there would always be consequences for non-compliance.”

Huge revenue burden

The FIRS has a collection target of about N19.41 trillion for the year after it surpassed its 2023 target

by N816 billion, having collected about N12.37 trillion.

With the magnitude of such revenue mandate this year, many had expected that the service would deploy more aggressive measures to enhance its collection performance.

But, Adedeji said Adedeji expressed confidence that the task was not impossible, especially given the reforms and new structure being put in place under his leadership to boost voluntary compliance by taxpayers.

He said the new approach was to provide the enabling environment for businesses to survive to enable collection of taxes.

He told THISDAY, “Our duty is to provide an effective tax collection system; we are not a revenue generating agency; we are a revenue collection agency.

“And if you go with the plan the president has to rejuvenate the economy – because what determines whatever we have comes mainly from macroeconomic indices, remember, we are going to tax prosperity not poverty, we are going to focus on the fruit and not the seed.

“Our duty is to make sure we have that viable economic environment to lead to economic prosperity and for us here, it’s just to put the structure in place to aid effective collection.”

The FIRS boss said, “Our focus is to increase tax without increasing tax rate. So, our focus is actually to improve our effectiveness in collection to drive voluntary compliance.

“Also, expand the base and have a good environment that makes the companies prosper.

When the base is big, the same percentage will give you more taxes and that is our target.”

Customer-friendly environment

He said the unveiling of the new FIRS organizational/operational structure, remained a critical milestone in the service’s commitment to revolutionize tax administration in the country, adding that the cornerstone of the paradigm shift was the establishment of a customer-centric organisational structure designed to streamline processes and enhance efficiency in our tax operations.

Adedeji added, “We are not merely adapting to change; we are leading it. The forthcoming structure, set to kick off from February 2024, embodies our dedication to modernize and digitize the tax administration landscape in Nigeria.”

He stated that in its pursuit for a more efficient and contemporary tax administration methodology, the service is embracing an integrated tax approach, leveraging technology at every step which positions the service at the forefront of innovation, ensuring that it meets the evolving needs of our taxpayers in a rapidly changing world.

According to him, “The structure advocates for a comprehensive approach to taxpayer services, consolidating our core functions and support under one umbrella. By tailoring our services to specific taxpayer segments, we aim to simplify the taxpayer experience. No more complexities, no more overlaps—just a seamless and user-friendly interaction for every taxpayer.

“In a groundbreaking move, we are shifting away from traditional tax categorisation. Instead of maintaining different departments for distinct tax categories, the new structure formulates

taxpayer segments based on thresholds. This tailored approach ensures that taxpayers are guided and serviced according to their specific needs, eliminating confusion and redundancy in tax administration.

“Behind this transformative initiative are carefully considered considerations detailed in our operations plan. We highlight the rationale behind our integrated approach, the benefits of comprehensive taxpayer services, and the logic behind tailored taxpayer categories, which will be presented to management in the subsequent sessions of this workshop.

“These considerations set the stage for a more responsive, efficient, and user-friendly tax administration system. Let me assure you that due process will be followed in this reformation. Extensive re-orientation and change initiatives will be implemented to ensure that no one is left behind.

“We recognize the need for meticulous planning, effective communication, and unwavering commitment to navigate this transformative journey successfully. “FIRS is already a formidable force, and with these new efficiencies, we can indeed meet and exceed our targets. This is not just a restructuring; it is a catalyst for a monumental leap forward, a collective investment in our shared future, and an unyielding commitment to excellence in tax administration.”

He explained that the proposed structure is not just a set of reforms but a commitment to redefine FIRS’s role in shaping a modern, efficient, and customer-focused tax administration system, stressing that through innovative organisational restructuring and process optimisation, FIRS remained committed to fostering a taxpayer-friendly environment that aligns with global best practices and positions Nigeria as a leader in contemporary tax administration.

“As we unveil this new chapter in the history of FIRS, I urge all of you to embrace change, to be pioneers in this transformative journey, and to envision the future we are collectively building. Together, we will redefine excellence in tax administration, setting new standards and inspiring others to follow,” he said.

Tax revenue as alternative

Speaking at the retreat, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, reiterated the need to focus on domestic revenue mobilisation to fund government’s budget, charging the service to do more help the government, amid confirmation by the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, that the FIRS now accounted for about 70 per cent of the nation’s total revenues, adding that a lot of tax revenues are still left uncollected while there’s need to expand the current tax base.

Edun said while tax

revenue remained crucial, the issues around increase in government revenue deserved attention, adding that federal government owned enterprises must do more to augment the current fiscal position of government going forward.

The minister particularly commended the FIRS chairman and his team for exploring options to boost collection, he noted that the country’s tax revenue as a percentage of GDP remained low at about 10 per cent compared to other African countries and developed world in general.

He said though the service met and surpassed its target for last year, additional efforts are still needed to measure up to the challenge this year, and urged the service to build public trust, and accountability to the people regarding tax collection.

He said, “Bear in mind that in order to maintain and build confidence and public trust, what the taxpayers want to see is that their money is faithfully collected as it should be and properly spent and accounted for with minimal excess wastes and leakage. They deserve it and I believe you’ll give it to them.”

The minister stressed that the emphasis of the current administration was to grow the economy adding that given what is going on around the world, even a high and elevated and sustained increase in interest rates, borrowing is not the way to go.

“The emphasis is on IGR, domestic resource mobilisation, and equity as opposed to debt.”

Strategies for target actualisation

Meanwhile, in realising its target for the year, the service has developed proactive engagement strategies to establish regular communication and provide customized and efficient services that address the unique needs of large taxpayers and key sector contributors.

It further seeks to improve understanding of key sectors and their value chains as well as improve quality of desk reviews of all taxes and audit particularly of firms/sectors identified as high risk.

Among other things, it plans to constantly refine digital platforms to ease filing, payment, reporting and communication, and establish a robust grievance redress mechanism/CRMS among others.

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

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EDITORIAL

THE BAN ON SINGLE-USE PLASTICS

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The complaints from the bench are largely superficial, contends CHIDI ANSELM ODINKALU

THE PERIMETER OF THE JUDICIAL LEASH It is widely said that Nigerian judges are over-worked and grossly underpaid. Senior lawyers have described the conditions of service of judges in the country as “a disgrace”.

So poor indeed is their remuneration that in October 2023, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) doorstepped the federal government asking that the salaries of judges in the country be increased by at least 300%. But some lawyers think this even too low.

Judicial salaries, it is said, have depreciated to nothing since they were last reviewed in 2008. Since then, allegations of judicial corruption appear to have escalated almost in inverse proportion to the loss in value of judicial pay, leading to suggestions of correlation, if not causation, between the state of judicial remuneration on the one hand and judicial corruption on the other. Gani Fawehinmi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who died in 2009, in fact linked this to judicial mortality, lamenting the fact that many Nigerian judges “die in office under circumstances that are related to the barbaric conditions in which they work.”

Every president since Goodluck Jonathan has promised to address this situation without in fact doing anything about it. In his first three months in office, the current incumbent, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has – like his recent predecessors - repeated the promise.

Unwilling to wait any longer upon politicians whose promises are notoriously fickle, the judges appear to have decided to resort to self-help. On 4 May 2022, Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae, a judge of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, issued a judgment declaring that “since 2008 is embarrassingly too low and unrealistic, given the current socio-economic and other realities existing in Nigeria and the current global comparative salaries and allowances paid to Judicial Officers of the same or similar cadre.” She ordered the government to institute a new remuneration structure that would guarantee minimum salaries ranging from N84 million per annum for judges of Customary Courts of Appeal, Khadis of Sharia Courts of Appeal and of the various High Courts in the country to at least N120 million per annum for the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

In reaching this judgment, the judge reasoned that “the downturn in the economy and devaluation of the Naira has completely eroded its purchasing power since 2008”. She claimed that in the 14-year period between the last review of judges’ salaries in 2008 and the judgment in 2022, the exchange rate of the Naira to the Dollar had depreciated in value from N117.74 to N415.83.

Among the many problems with it, the orders in this judgment were directed at institutions in the executive and legislative arms of the federal government, including the National Assembly; the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC); the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation; and the National Judicial Council, (NJC). Preoccupied very

much with the politics of elections since then, these agencies did not appear to have much taken note of the judgment since it was handed down.

Stuck for options, it seems the higher ups in the judicial hierarchy decided in the interim to sort themselves out by dealing in judicial appointments in a manner that entirely unravels their claims about judicial salaries. On face value, the widespread complaints about judicial salaries in Nigeria totally denude the office of a judge of much respect or appeal or so most rational people would think. Surely, few parents would want to inflict on their much loved children a job in which the remuneration and conditions are described in the form of expressions routinely used to describe judicial conditions of service in Nigeria.

Yet, despite all the complaints, the seniormost judges in the Nigerian judiciary have “turned the judiciary into premium job racket for family members.” The latest advertisement for this trend is – not for the first time - the recruitment into the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). At the end of January 2024, the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Husseini Baba-Yusuf, who comes from Kogi State, having secured permission from the NJC, requested nomination of suitable candidates to fill 12 judicial vacancies in his court. The request specifically named the states from which it sought candidates.

These are: Bauchi, Bayelsa, Enugu, Imo, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, and Zamfara.

Kogi, Bauchi, and Oyo States, which were invited to send forward candidates, are already well represented on the bench of the FCT High Court. They just happen to be the states of origin of the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court; of the immediate past CJN, and of the incumbent CJN. The Chief Judge of the FCT runs the court system and will shepherd the nominations through the NJC where the CJN holds sway. What better way to guarantee safe passage of the preferred nominees of the FCT Chief Judge than by sweetening it with a candidate allocated specifically to the CJN? So, of the 12 slots on the list, it appears three are already spoken for with one daughter or daughter-in-law of the CJN, his predecessor and the Chief Judge of the FCT apparently

guaranteed seats on the list of appointees.

For senior judicial figures, the opportunity to plant a child on the bench as a parting gift has become something of a ritual, with judicial appointments timed to coincide with high profile judicial retirements. For those who were unable to accomplish generational replacement for themselves on the bench before their retirement, arrangements are made to retrospectively cure the oversight.

Hence, for instance, the proposal to translate a daughter of the immediate past CJN, herself currently a relatively junior magistrate in the service of the FCT judiciary, to the High Court Bench.

This facility is also used to build bridges with political heavyweights. As he was about to retire at the end of his eight -year term as governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, immediate past governor of Kogi State, got the magnificent gift of a judicial nomination for his beloved wife, Amina, to become a judge of the High Court of Kogi State. Her only qualification for this nomination, apart from having notionally been a lawyer for up to 10 years, is that she is the wife of the state governor. Madam Amina is not a magistrate, a court registrar, an academic or a legal practitioner. But that did not stop the Kogi State Judicial Service Commission headed

by Chief Judge, Josiah Majebi, from turning her judicial nomination into a parting gift for her husband. After leading SANs from the state sued the NJC accusing it of blithely disrespecting its own rules in the Kogi State nominations, the NJC was forced to suspend the process of High Court appointments in Kogi.

It is not only children and spouses of judicial and political higher ups who get planted into judicial sinecures in this way.

Mistresses and other partners whose only qualification is intimate genital relations with people connected with politics or judicial appointments routinely get nominated too. This is not merely a debasement of high judicial office and the vocation of the judiciary or a clear violation of the Judicial Code of Conduct; it also is a very clear rebuttal of the case for improvement in judicial salaries.

For, one may ask: if the job is so poorly remunerated as they would have us believe, why would a sane and highly placed parent choose to hose-in their child into a dead-end position guaranteed to blight their lives over the course of a tenure that could last over 35 years? There can only be two possible reasons. One is that the parent wishes the child ill. This is most improbable. The other is that the office of the judge has become so corrupt that the gazetted remuneration really counts for nothing. In the words of an infamous proverb from Conakry, once the child gets into the position, they will follow in the footsteps of their parent or paramour and feed off the fertile offerings within the perimeter of the judicial leash. If that is so, we may ask, why bother?

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

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EDITORIAL

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

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THE BAN ON SINGLE-USE PLASTICS The ban is welcome

In 2005, Eritrea became the first to adopt an outright he Lagos State Government recently ban on plastic bags. Benin Republic adopted a ban on placed a ban on the distribution and the production, importation, marketing, possession, use of polystyrene and other single-use and use of non-biodegradable plastic bags in plastics in its domain. Environmentalists November 2017 to end marine plastic pollution. and those familiar with the harmful Tanzania banned plastic sachets used for packing impact these products have on human distilled and other alcoholic beverages from being and animal health and on the environment support manufactured or imported to mainland Tanzania. this policy. According to the United Nations Tourists are not allowed to enter the country with Environment Programme (UNEP), the benefits plastic carrier bags. of plastic are undeniable. “The material is cheap, lightweight, and easy to make. These qualities have Senegal is the most recent country to tighten its led to a boom in the production of plastic over the efforts against single-use plastic. It announced its ban past century,” says UNEP which also highlighted the on single-use plastic water sachets and coffee cups in down sides.

February 2020, to be implemented in April 2020. In Polystyrene is a hard, stiff, transparent synthetic Côte d’Ivoire, the ban on resin produced by non-biodegradable plastic the polymerisation of bags that was expected styrene. It is widely Environmentalists say Polystyrene takes up more landfill than any to come into effect in employed in the foodNovember 2013 was met service industry as rigid other waste and that it is not only a dangerous air pollutant but also with fierce opposition from trays and containers, the plastics industry. The poses a great threat to humans, the environment and wildlife disposable eating law includes plastics used utensils, and foamed for bags of drinking water. cups, plates, and bowls.

In 2016, they also outlawed Polystyrene is also plastic sachets used for alcohol.

Madagascar banned blended with other polymers, lending hardness plastic bags less than 0.05 millimetres thick since 2015 and rigidity to several important plastic and rubber and have forced local businesses to find alternative products. Environmentalists say Polystyrene takes T H I S D AY packaging solutions. up more landfill than any other waste – 30 per EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU Mali announced a ban against non-biodegradable cent globally and that it is not only a dangerous air DEPUTY EDITOR WALE OLALEYE bags in 2013. Tunisia banned the use of plastic bag pollutant but also poses a great threat to humans, MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO in March 2017 and instructed all supermarket chains DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU the environment and wildlife. This product is not to stop distributing the bags. Plastic bags were first CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI biodegradable and takes over 500 years to decompose EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN banned in Malawi in 2015, but the country’s high and while decomposing, it leeches harmful chemicals THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE court overturned the original ban the next year after into the environment.

14 plastic manufacturers opposed the ban, saying it It is commendable that the Lagos State government was “an infringement of business rights.” But later, has resolved to heed the advice of UNEP by seven supreme court judges ruled that the original regulating the use of these products and it is our T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D ban must be upheld after all. In 2013, Mauritania hope that all other state governments including EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA banned plastic bags. In the capital of Mauritania, an the FCT Administration will also institute similar GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, estimated 70 percent of cattle and sheep deaths are regulation to safeguard our environment and our ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI caused by plastic bag ingestion. lives. Specifically, polystyrene contains styrene, DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, In The Gambia, under the prohibition and ban of ANTHONY OGEDENGBE believed to be a carcinogen, which leaks into and the use of plastic bags, a person who manufactures DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI contaminates food and drinks served in polystyrene SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH or imports, uses, or sells plastic bags commits a containers, affecting human health and reproductive ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI criminal offence. systems. As a commercial product, it has been CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI banned in many countries, but enforcement remains DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO •To be concluded tomorrow TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com a challenge on the continent.

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LETTERS AS COST OF LIVING CONTINUES TO RISE

he recent protests in some parts of Niger, Kano and Ogun States over the rising cost of living did not come to many Nigerians as a surprise.

Many saw it coming. There were disturbing signs which emerged in the last two years for the likely rise on the cost of living in the country. For instance, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and others had predicted looming hunger in the country. Despite these warnings, our policymakers have not rolled out adequate measures to address the situation. While the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted the economy of many countries including Nigeria, it did not teach any lesson to our leaders. The post Covid-19 era witnessed mass corruption and the mismanagement of public funds. Many intervention programs particularly in agriculture sector geared towards food security were marred by corruption. Until the emergency of Tinubu's administration and the suspension

of Director General of NIRSAL, a subsidiary of CBN, little was known on how funds meant for intervention were outrightly looted. Also, the ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management created by the immediate past administration is being investigated. The former minister, Sadiya Umar- Farouq, was alleged to have diverted funds meant for alleviating poverty in the country.

There are other contributory factors to the current inflation and cost of living such as devaluation of the naira, worsening insecurity in farming communities; increase in the cost of production, fuel price increase, public debt, hoarding, high taxes; increase in public spending, etc. On a serious note, these factors have contributed greatly towards the current food crisis in the country. There is the urgent need for government to address the underlying causes of the high cost of living and come up with short, medium and long term plans

to address it. While the release of 102,000 metric tons of assorted grains as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may temporarily provide relief if judiciously channeled, the rate with which inflation reduces the purchasing power of Nigerians calls for more urgent actions.

What actually triggered the current cost of living is the sudden removal of fuel subsidy and unification of exchange rate by the Tinubu's administration.

Subsidized Premium motor spirit (PMS) or petrol is the lifewire which sustain Nigerians. In fact, subsidy which government grants is what stabilises the price of goods and services in the country. With erratic power supply across the country, many companies resorted to the use of diesel or petroleum to produce goods and services.

• Ibrahim Mustapha, Pambegua, Kaduna State

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WEDNESday, February 14, 2024, T H I S D AY

business/MOnEYGUIDE

FCMB Launches Accelerator Programme to Empower 1m SMEs Oluchi Chibuzor First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has launched an accelerator programme to upskill and grow over 1 million small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria. Partnering with SkillPaddy and other industry experts, the bank aims to equip startups and existing businesses with the skills and resources to develop innovative products and services, create new markets and fast-track their growth.

In a statement, the bank said it aims to upskill about 1 million SMEs through a Technical Assistance grant of N284.7 million from Proparco (the private-sector arm of the French Development Agency) and another N227 million from the African Development Bank (AfDB).

“These will enable FCMB

to facilitate the successful onboarding and empowerment of SMEs, including women entrepreneurs, under its SheVentures proposition and those operating in high-impact sectors (agriculture, renewable energy, digital).

To kick off the programme, First City Monument Bank awarded N50 million in grants to 200 SMEs who participated in the first training session.

This announcement was made at an event celebrating Global Entrepreneurship Week 2023.

“The FCMB Accelerator Programme reaffirms our dedication to empowering businesses effectively. We want to inspire Nigerians to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams and build a portfolio of ready businesses that can transform Nigeria’s economy, “said FCMB’s Group Head of SME banking, George

Ogbonnaya.

FCMB is committed to supporting women-led SMEs. “Through mentorship and access to finance, we will continue to empower these incredible entrepreneurs,” Ogbonnaya added.

“This partnership with First City Monument Bank will be a game-changer for SMEs,” said Kunle Erinle, Founder and CEO of SkillPaddy. “By accelerating productivity, we can unlock doors of opportunity for startups and existing businesses, ultimately boosting Nigeria’s economic growth.”

CEO of Sweet Indulgence by Bakhita, Oladimeji Olanrewaju, expressed her excitement: “I am grateful to FCMB for this opportunity and look forward to scaling up my business through the programme.”

L – R: Group Chairman, Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), Umaru Kwairanga; President, Chartered Institute of Stockbroker (CIS), Oluwole Adeosun; Mrs. Titi Ogunbajo (wife); Group Chief Executive Officer, NGX Group, Temi Popoola; CEO, Central Securities and Clearing System (CSCS), Haruna Jalo-Waziri and Senator Tokunbo Ogunbajo during a condolence visit to late Bamofin Abimbola Ogunbanjo’s family by the Nigerian Capital Market community yesterday in Lagos

CedrusAdvises Nigerians to Escape Poverty through Savings, Investments

MARKET INDICATORS

Dike Onwuamaeze

MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS (MILLION NAIRA)

The Chief Executive Officer of Cedrus Group Africa (CGA), Mr. Olubusayo Adeniyi, has advised Nigerians to rethink their attitude toward savings and investment in order to escape the poverty trap and migrate to prosperity.

Adeniyi gave this advice recently during the unveiling of the group’s economic outlook titled “2023-Rearview, A Glimpse Into 2024.”

He said: “The essence of what we are doing is to move people from being poor to being rich. So, we first need to disabuse our mind of whatever error that we have been carrying so that we will have the right mindset.

“Every fruit has elements of seed and bread. Sow your seed and do not eat it along with the bread. Remove your savings before spending. Prepare for your future with investments.

We want to help the investing public to change their mentality around savings because it will always payoff. Our goal is not leave any demographic behind.”

Speaking on the same vein, the Technical Analyst of CGA, Ms. Oluwafisayomi Toyo, said that the mentality of spending ones income before saving and investing would only perpetuate poverty in an individual’s life.

Toyo said that investment is very essential and remained the most effective way for the common man to become prosperous.

She, therefore, advised Nigerians to move their money from savings accounts to investments in equities, fixed income, real estate market etc. where it would yield more returns for them.

“The little you have saved should not remain in the

bank. Rather, it should be turned into investment in various asset classes that will help them to manage the economic crises.

“Last year the equity market returned 45 per cent. This showed that there is a lot of value in the market. Positive returns on companies will drive the market further and their prices upward while some of them will issue dividends that will be delightful to investors, ”she said.

Similarly, the Research Analyst of CGA, Ms. Chinemelum Nwaeze, who presented the group’s economic outlook, said that it is high time for Nigerians to begin to do away with the mentality that the rich will be getting richer while the poor are getting poorer by embracing delayed gratification through targeted savings and investments even with N5000 per month.

FirstBAnk to Reward Customer With N36m FirstBank has launched the second season of its Cash Out promo designed to reward users of FirstMobile, its industryleading mobile banking solution Leading up to the grand finale – with N1 million up for grabs – the promo comprises three distinct categories, each offering attractive rewards comprising N10,000 worth of airtime and data, N20,000.00, and N100,000.00 respectively.

The bank in a statement

said, “In the first category, 100 lucky customers will win N10,000 worth of airtime and data each week for completing a minimum of five transactions on the FirstMobile app. The second category builds up the excitement of the promo, as 100 lucky customers will win N20,000 each for carrying out a minimum of ten transactions weekly.”

“We are excited to launch the second season of the FirstMobile

CashOut promo which is designed to empower our customers with a wide range of innovative banking solutions at their fingertips on the go.

Our goal is to continually enhance our customers overall digital banking experience and satisfaction. The promo gives us an opportunity to reward and celebrate our esteemed customers’’, said GE e-Business & Retails Products, FirstBank, Chuma Ezirim.

Customers to Win Big at LAPO Promo Raffle Draws Sunday Ehigiator Customers of LAPO MfB across Nigeria, are set to win various cash prizes at the LAPO Xpress Save and Win Promo draws set to hold on February 12, 2024, at the company’s head office in Lagos In a signed statement by the company’s Director of Communications and Branding, Mr Oluremi Akande, he said, “We will be holding the raffle draw to pick the Star Prize winner of a whopping

N1 Million Naira. The Raffle Draw which will be held on the 12th of February 2024 will bring the second season of the LAPO Xpress Save & Win promo to a befitting conclusion.

“LAPO Microfinance Bank remains committed to the vision of social and economic empowerment of Nigerians as a whole through the deployment of sustainable and responsive financial products and services.

The LAPO Xpress Savings account is a financial product

which further emphasizes our commitment in this regard.

“The LAPO Xpress Savings Account encourages financial inclusion and a savings culture among its clients through a generous reward system. The first season of the save and win promo was widely subscribed to and Mrs Sherifat Haruna, a resident of Adamawa State, emerged as the star prize winner of N500,000 while one hundred (100) lucky customers won a consolation prize of N20,000 each.”

November, 24

Money Supply (M3)

72,014,274.74

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,245,804.25

Money Supply (M2)

71,331,641.40

-- Quasi Money

45,146,611.59

-- Narrow Money (M1)

26,185,029.81

---- Currency Outside Banks

3,081,255.46

---- Demand Deposits

23,103,774.40

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

32,212,549.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

58,300,995.27

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

39,801,725.20

---- Credit to Government (Net)

32,511,333.17

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

59,737,156.08

--Other Assets Net

4,720,308.20

Reserve Money (Base Money

22,908,392.34

--Currency in Circulation --Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

3,347,716.33 19,560,676.02 0.00

• Source - CBN

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

December 2024

Inter-Bank Call Rate

16.99

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

18.75

Treasury Bill Rate

8.93

Savings Deposit Rate

5.28

1 Month Deposit Rate

7.24

3 Months Deposit Rate

7.56

6 Months Deposit Rate

8.42

12 Months Deposit Rate

9.75

Prime Lending rate

14.17

Maximum Lending Rate

26.62

• Monetary Policy Rate - 13%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE As At 24th JANUARY , 2024

The price of OPEC basket of twelve crudes stood at $81.30 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $79.70 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

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

WEDNESday, February 14, 2024,• T H I S D AY

29

mARKET NEWS

Investors Lose N183bn on Profit-taking in Guinness Nigeria, 29 Others

Kayode Tokede

The stock market yesterday reversed some of the gains from previous session as the overall capitalization lost N183 billion on investors profit-taking in Guinness Nigeria, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc and 28 others.

The Nigerian Exchange Limited All-Share Index (NGX ASI) dropped by 334.62 points or 0.33 per cent to close at 101,707.70 basis points. Also,

market capitalisation declined

by N183 billion to close at N55.653 trillion.

Accordingly, the NGX ASI Month-to-Date and Year-toDate performance moderated to +0.6per cent and +36 per cent, respectively.

On sectors, the NGX Banking Index dropped by 1.9per cent, NGX Consumer Goods Index depreciated by 0.2per cent and NGX Industrial Goods declined by 0.1per cent, while the NGX

P R I C E S MaiN Board

F O R DEALS

Insurance Index added 1.1per cent and NGX Oil & Gas appreciated by 0.1per cent.

As measured by market breadth, market sentiment was negative, as 24 stocks gained relative to 29 losers.

Honeywell Flour Mills emerged the highest price gainer of 9.92 per cent to close at N4.32, per share.

Juli followed with a gain of 9.90 per cent to close at N1.11, while Cornerstone

S E C U R I T I E S Market Price

quantity traded

Insurance rose by 9.88 per cent to close at N2.67, per share.

Associated Bus Company increased by 9.76 per cent to close at 90 kobo, while Veritas Kapital Assurance added 9.59 per cent to close at 80 kobo, per share.

On the other side, PZ Cussons Nigeria led the losers’ chart with 9.87 per cent to close at N25.10, while Morison Industries followed with a

T R A D E D

value traded ( N )

MaiN Board

A S O F

decline of 9.84 per cent to close at N2.75, per share. eTranzact International and CWG lost 9.70 per cent each to close at N6.05 each, while Sovereign Trust Insurance shed 9.62 per cent to close at 47 kobo, per share.

The total volume traded rose by 8.56 per cent to 263.192 million units, valued at N4.301 billion, and exchanged in 8,614 deals. Transactions in the shares of Veritas Kapital Assurance

F E B R U A RY DEALS

led the activity with 49.075 million shares worth N39.009 million. UBA followed with account of 24.342 million shares valued at N587.502 million, while Fidelity Bank traded 20.075 million shares valued at N217.331 million.

Transnational Corporations (Transcorp) traded 17.916 million shares worth N235.277 million, while Zenith Bank traded 16.018 million shares worth N578.151 million.

/ 1 3 / 2 4 Market Price

quantity traded

value traded ( N)

30

T H I S D AY • WEDNESday FEBRUARY 14, 2024

Education Ajulo: Harnessing Youths’ Technological Skills for Innovation

Nelson Ajulo is the Chief Executive Officer of Zarttech, a social-driven software and technology consultancy company fostering uniform and strategic relationships between Africa and the world. He explained to Funmi Ogundare, in this interview, why his organisation is passionate about empowering the youths in the tech industry and how its academy arm has been able to harness their skills to lead innovations in the face of improvement in technology

T

he decision to compete, innovate and change the global landscape for good is a no-brainer for Zarttech, a social-driven software and technology consultancy company fostering uniform and strategic relationships across multiple continents such as America, Europe, South and North America.

The organisation’s academy, Zarttalent, aims to provoke technological innovation among talented youths and challenge them to compete globally.

The Chief Executive Officer of Zarttech, Nelson Ajulo, recalled that one of the things the organisation set out to do when it commenced operations four years ago was to connect Nigeria and African talents with global work opportunities and increase the efficiency of the industrial economy in Nigeria.

He stated that if the youths are well positioned and equipped with skills such as software development, cybersecurity, data analytics, artificial intelligence, etc., that meet the needs of the global economy, they can easily tap into opportunities.

“That is what we will be working towards, especially because the youths are much more inclined towards technologies, so we can easily teach anyone that has analytical skills, software development, cybersecurity, data Analytics, etc.

Through this, they can become senior developers and engineers, and those who have the skills can also easily tap into global or international opportunities as well,” he said.

With 60 per cent of the almost 200 million Nigerians over 25 years old, the CEO noted that human capital is a significant part of the

Ajulo economy that will position the country for the future.

“Nigeria has a population of 200 million, and an average Nigerian is entrepreneurial and can grow a huge organisation if the infrastructure and financial support is there. Unfortunately, we don’t have the ease of doing business and infrastructure that will help an entrepreneurial mindset,” Ajulo stated. “However, with Zarttech, our

vision is to accommodate these great minds, Nigerians and Africans with great expertise, to come together to build and showcase innovation and possibilities to the rest of the world in a different way.”

He added, “It is no better time than now, particularly in the face of artificial intelligence and technology. It is not rocket science. We have a huge amount of youths and individuals that can compete, innovate and change the whole global landscape for good.”

Ajulo said quite a number of youths had been empowered and are now working with global companies through Zarttech Academy, adding that the empowered group also train the next generation in Nigeria.

He said, “That is where we have Zartech Academy, which is our foundation where we train young Nigerians in tech knowledge based on the skills that are vital and needed in the international marketplace and much more.”

He expressed concern that some of the courses taught in Nigerian universities no longer align with the global economy, saying that since there has been a shift from analogue to digital, youths should begin to look at skills that will increase expectations and make them globally competitive.

“Your education has to be vital to economic operations. If you could go to a university and learn a skill that the economy does not need to operate, that means that skill is useless,” Ajulo noted. “What we see in Nigeria are skills that are no longer vital to the global economy.

Your recognised skills have to align with the international marketplace that will actually increase

expectations and you become competitive.”

Ajulo explained that this “is what we also try to showcase in the academy that if we train people within a period of four of five months, and they become employable after one year of investment of their time, they are able to earn something much more than somebody who has gone to the university and invest four years of their life and have to work for six, eight or 10 years for a salary.”

He stated that the academy also dedicates a 30 per cent allocation to women, which includes a free scholarship for them, adding that they are encouraged more to participate in the technology skill programme aimed at bridging the gender gap and boosting the economy.

Ajulo stressed the need for tech companies to include women in their leadership positions, noting that such a move is economically necessary because, often, they are more productive than their male counterparts.

“It will be a shame if organisations are not increasing female leadership. Definitely, they will miss out on inclusion because they will not be able to perform as much especially with the new generation now,” Ajulo explained. “They are becoming more aware of this kind of situation, and they want to patronise companies that are much more inclusive. More than ever before, it is an economic necessity for companies to become inclusive.”

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

Parents Decry FG’s Failure to Pay Allowances of Scholars in Russia Uchechukwu Nnaike

Parents of Nigerian scholars in Russia have appealed to the federal government to aid students who are facing hard times over non-payment of their allowance since June last year.

The scholars are under the Bilateral Education Agreement, run by the Federal Scholarship Board (FDB).

The students are entitled to a monthly allow-

ance from the Nigerian and Russian governments. While the host country is meeting its obligation, which covers tuition fees and accommodation, the Nigerian government has not paid allowances for feeding and other upkeep since June 2023.

A spokesperson for the parents, Mr Kola Benson, said since June last year when the students received their last

allowance, they have not been paid, and most of the parents have to rely on their relatives to send financial support to their children.

“The poor economic situation in Nigeria is making it difficult for many of the parents to do anything meaningful, and the children are frustrated. We are begging President Bola Tinibu to bail us out so that the children would not be pushed by hunger to do what they are not supposed to do since their families are not in

Russia,” Benson said.

According to him, over 2,500 Nigerian students study across the many universities in Russia, particularly in cities like Moscow, St Petersburg, Kazan, Belgorod, Rostov, Voronezh, Kursk and Samara.

Benson added that the students pay for their medical needs through the federal govt allowance, so their non-payment will add to the pressure they are facing.

Fasina Unveils FUOYE Business School in Ado-Ekiti The Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Oye Ekiti, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, has announced the establishment of FUOYE Business School sited in the state business hub and capital, Ado-Ekiti, in line with his development agenda for the fast-growing university.

While announcing the school’s debut, Fasina described it as one of the university’s numerous business and consultancy arms established by his administration to offer services and human capacity development to the university’s catchment area and the country. The vice-chancellor said Ado Ekiti was chosen as the location to ensure centrality so that it could easily be ac-

cessed by corporate groups and business individuals from neighbouring Ondo and Osun and to attract development to Ado-Ekiti.

Fasina, who vowed to take the university to all nooks and crannies of the state and also give equal opportunities to qualified prospective students from all parts of the country, disclosed that as part of plans to achieve this goal, his administration would soon open a new School of Part-time Studies in Omuo Ekiti and Ushi Ekiti, after the success story of the school at Aiyegbaju

Ekiti where it debuted few years ago.

He said his administration, which turned three this February, was challenged to design a standard and extra-admission model like the part-time school approved by regulatory authorities to meet the admission requests of thousands of students yearning to study in FUOYE. He disclosed that the university was the most subscribed to in the country by applicants for admission last year, per JAMB’s record.

The FUOYE boss has also unveiled the institution’s microfinance bank initiated by his administration to grow the university’s finances

and encourage savings by staff and students.

While announcing the take-off of the microfinance bank, Fasina said, “This is indeed another milestone in our desire to fast-track development of this great institution which is no longer first among equal as it is now competing favourably with sister institutions that are much older than her in all indices of growth and development.”

He said that besides being a financial institution, the micro-finance bank would provide training opportunities for students studying in the finance, accounting, and management departments.

UNN Don Seeks Solution to Medical Tourism, Brain Drain A neurosurgeon at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, says medical tourism and brain drain can stop in Nigeria if the government begins to equip hospitals with the necessary facilities to enhance the performance of medical doctors and other healthcare workers.

He also suggested that a durable welfare scheme for medical personnel should be in place to quench their appetite for travelling overseas for greener pastures.

He said this while delivering the 198 inaugural university lecture at the Enugu campus, titled ‘Brain Surgery in the Global Age, Navigating the

Barriers of Care to Habituate Survival in the Final Frontiers, Footmarks of a Neurosurgeon’.

According to the scholar, the competence of Nigerian doctors globally is not in doubt, stressing that their challenge in Nigeria had been a lack of equipment to perform their duty and almost zero motivation.

Uche, however, commended the management of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, for putting in place state-ofthe-art equipment in the neurosurgery

theatre, which had made surgery at the hospital a routine.

He revealed that recently, a patient who had concluded arrangements to travel abroad for a neurosurgery case had to cancel his plans to come to the UNTH to hear the wonders performed by neurosurgeons there.

The Abia state-born surgeon advised Nigerians who have had headaches for about a month to seek medical attention because prolonged headaches are one of the symptoms of brain tumours. He re-emphasised the need to spread the national health insurance scheme to give more Nigerians access to healthcare.

He lauded the role of renowned neurosurgeons like Prof. Latunde Odeku, who pioneered the foundation of neurosurgery in Nigeria and Africa at the University College Hospital Ibadan in 1962.

Prof. Adelola Adeloye joined him in 1967, and in 1968, a second neurosurgery unit was established at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital by Dr. Da Silva and Dr. Nosiru Ojikutu, as well as that of UNTH, established in 1974

by Prof. Sam Ohaegbulam.

Uche joined UNN in 2009 as lecturer I and rose rapidly to the highest academic status of professor in 2019.

31

T H I S D AY • WEDNESday FEBRUARY 14, 2024

education

Educator Urges African TETFund NRF Grants YABATECH Researchers Teachers to Embrace N34m for Prostate Cancer Treatment Funmi Ogundare outcomes significantly for Pharmacology are partnering Lagos, led the researchers.

Artificial Intelligence prostate cancer patients in with the college researchers.

The Rector, Dr Ibraheem Uchechukwu Nnaike​

An assistant principal at Greensprings School, Anthony Campus, Mr. Lanre Oguntoye, has urged African educators to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) rather than watch and worry as new trends in the technology unfold. According to him, learning about the technology and adopting its use in their teaching pedagogy would lead to more efficiency.

Oguntoye, a multiawarding-winning educator, said this during a recent webinar titled ‘Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence’, organised by Greensprings Training College.

“Everyone is on a learning curve when it comes to AI. Thus, it is important for educators in Africa not to take the back seat. As the whole world is embracing AI, we also need to do so as individuals and at an institutional level and not play the catchup game,” he said Oguntoye highlighted the educational journey from the use of chalkboards, audio-visuals, computers, and digital technology to the nowemerging Artificial Intelligence. He disclosed that learning experiences can now be optimized

to suit each learner ’s needs with technologies like AI-powered tutors, personalised learning platforms, automated grading systems, adaptive learning algorithms, and intelligent virtual assistants.

According to him, adopting the necessary mind shift will help educators appreciate Artificial Intelligence and incorporate it into their teaching practices.

He said the required mindsets include: accepting change and understanding that strategies and methods keep on evolving; focusing on the strengths of AI, deliberating working against its weaknesses, and discouraging its abuse.

He also encouraged educators to teach their students on how to use AI intelligently rather than abuse its use. For instance, he said guiding the students in creating brilliant prompts on chatbots to help with their learning exercises and using AI to generate useful flashcards to aid revision.

Oguntoye is a celebrated educator with multiple awards from reputable educational institutions such as Cambridge University Press and Assessment and Suraasa (International Teachers’ Olympiad).

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Research Fund (NRF) has awarded a N34 million grant to the Yaba College of Technology research team to treat cancer.

The grant aims to enable researchers to develop an artificial intelligence-based precision medicine solution for prostate cancer treatment that can potentially improve

Nigeria and the world.

The grant is meant to develop a technique that uses AI to predict optimal drug combinations for prostate cancer patients based on analyses of biopsy tissue samples.

Experts in Computer Engineering, Medical Biochemistry, Oncology, Pathology, Zoology, Pharmacognosy and Ethnopharmacy, Toxicology, and

They will have access to biopsy samples from consenting prostate cancer patients in Nigeria, which has one of the highest prostate cancer rates in the world.

The Principal Investigator, Mrs. Aishat Amolegbe of the Department of Biological Science, YABATECH, and coresearchers from YABATECH, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and University of

Abdul, expressed excitement about the feat while pledging the college’s total support to the team on the innovative work to the desired end.

He congratulated the team members: Mrs Oluwatosin Amolegbe, Dr Mustapha Imam, Dr Funmilayo Doherty, Dr Ibrahim Malami, Dr Idowu Aneyo, Adebayo Adebari, and Dr Waidi Abiodun Ashiru on the well-deserved grant.

Some of the influential women in the education sector: From left: VC UNILAG, Prof. Folashade Ogunsola; VC FUO, Prof.

Olayinka Karim; VC FUTO, Prof. Nnenna Oti; VC BASUG, Prof. Fatimah Tahir; VC UNIBEN, Prof. Lilian Salami (Chairman Committee of VCs); VC UNIDEL Prof. Stella Chiemeke; VC LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello; and VC LASUED, Prof. Bilikis Lafiaji-Okuneye, at a retreat for vice-chancellors, in Lagos... recently

BUCODel’s Partners ALX to Boost African Youths’ Efficiency with British Council, Edutech Tech Courses on Web, Graphic Design Uchechukwu Nnaike​ but they also helped me is also big on community, tech courses on the lives of Funmi Ogundare

The Babcock University Centre for Open Distance and e-Learning (BUCODel) said it partnered the British Council, Edutech and Techlink to conduct 179 trainings in web design, 3D animation, graphic design, full stack development, network security and advanced data analysis, among others, last year.

The Director of the Centre, Prof. Mobolanle Sotunsa, in a statement, explained that the centre received a training grant from the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) during the period under review and that over 100 learners have enrolled in less than three years of securing approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to run MBA and B.Sc programmes.

She said the learners were pursuing B.Sc programmes at different levels in Accounting and Computer Science and the Master of Business Administration (MBA).

She stated that there was groundwork for course materials and resources in 10 new BSc programmes this year, including Nursing

(direct entry for licensed nurses).

BUCODel’s journey from 2021 to date, Sotunsa stated, reflected notable achievements in educational expansion and increased enrolments with noteworthy contributions to ODel space in Nigeria.

“BUCODel strategic roadmap emphasises technological advancement, global collaborations and innovations, innovationcentred approach in its establishment as a hub for pioneering online education,” she noted.

Sotunsa commended the governing board, the university management, faculty, staff and other stakeholders for their support, saying that plans are underway to start certificate courses in ODeL, instructional design and content development, learner support mechanisms and fundamentals of e-learning under the BUCODel Training Institute.

The BUCODel’s director said turning the centre into a research and innovation hub solely dedicated to research in ODel and innovation was one of the lofty goals of her stewardship.

ALX Nigeria, a tech accelerator, has highlighted the impact of its tech courses on the lives of their learners and fellows (graduates).

At a press conference to announce the organisation’s partnership with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, in Lagos, some individuals who have benefited from ALX’s innovative programmes also shared their success stories and testimonials.

Nduchekwe Ezekiel, an ALX learner, expressed delight with the transformative experience he gained through the tech courses. “I joined ALX with a passion to explore the possibilities available in cloud computing technology and ALX did not only give me the skills to make my dreams possible,

channel this passion appropriately.

Their mantra of ‘Do Hard Things’ encourages us as learners to take full advantage of the learning experience. We are encouraged to ask questions and of course, the community is always there to support.”

Oluwatosin Mogbadunade, ALX Fellow and CEO, Planned Path Consult, shared her journey from being a learner at ALX to achieving significant milestones in her career. “ALX has given me the requisite knowledge, skills, and attitude I need, not just in my tech career, but in life. With ALX you are taught not just to know what to do, but how to do it. As a result of my journey with ALX, I have been able to use data in my business as an entrepreneur to make informed decisions. ALX

and I have been able to build lasting relationships that have helped me move forward in the achievement of my goals.”

The Country General Manager, ALX Nigeria, Ruby Igwe, said that ALX Nigeria’s tech courses are high quality and up to date, designed to keep up with the evolving demands of the tech industry.

“With a variety of course offerings such as Artificial Intelligence Career Essentials (AiCE), Software Engineering, Data Science, AWS Cloud Engineering, Salesforce Administration, and many more, ALX learners are equipped with the skills, mindset, and network needed to succeed in the rapidly changing digital landscape.”

“We are thrilled to see the positive impact of our

our learners and graduates.

At ALX, we are committed to empowering individuals with the tools and opportunities to thrive in the digital economy. The success stories shared today are a testament to the effectiveness of our approach and the dedication of our team,” she added.

According to her, ALX continues to play a pivotal role in driving innovation and talent development even beyond the Nigerian tech ecosystem. Through its comprehensive programmes and collaborative initiatives, it remains at the forefront of empowering individuals to unlock their full potential and shape the future of technology throughout Africa.

The organisation advised interested youths to visit bit. ly/alx9ja for more information about the tech courses.

Ronik Comprehensive School to Hold Biennial Inter-house Sports Ronik Comprehensive Secondary School is set to hold its biennial Inter-house sports competition on February 16, 2024 between 11am to 3pm, at the ultra modern Ronik Sports

Complex, EJigbo, Lagos.

The Principal, Mrs. Victoria Duru said that the competition would be held under the laws of Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

She added that the occasion will be chaired by Mr. Austin Onyero, while Mr. Chris Alabi, the founder, Ronik Group of Schools will be the father of the day.

The inter-house sports competition will hold between Balewa - Yellow House; Awolowo - Green House; Azikwe - Red House; and Macaulay - Blue House.

32

T H I S D AY • WEDNESday FEBRUARY 14, 2024

FEatures

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

Worship for Change's Life Changing Generosity for Orphans, Children with Special Needs

Worship for Change, a foundation committed to raising awareness and support for charities that cater to orphans and children with special needs recently presented a lump sum of N33million to Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation, Joy in Africa Foundation, To Omo re Centre for Special Empowerment and The Seedo Initiative for Children with Special Needs, being the funds it realised from its Green Worship Concert last year. Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that for the beneficiaries, it was a lease of hope to thrive and a pat on the back to do more

L-R: Trustee, Worship for Change Foundation, Gboyega Aboderin; Founder, Joy in Africa Foundation, Asaba, Joy Okonjor; Her Husband, Henry Okonjor; Founder, To Omo Re Centre for Special Empowerment, Sam Ajayi; Chief Responsibility Officer, The Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation, Tobiloba Ajayi; Founder and Chief Responsibility Officer, Worship for Change, Wale Adenuga; and President, The Seedoo Initiative for Children with Special Needs, Kawan Aondofa-Anjira; during the presentation of cheques totaling N33m to the foundations catering for special needs by Worship for Change Foundation in Lagos, last Tuesday

E

motions ran riot last week Tuesday at The Gateway in Surulere, venue of the Worship for Change presentation of N33million cheques to four foundations that cater to orphans and children with special needs.

Life Changing Generosity through Green Worship Concert At the donation last Tuesday, the Worship for Change Foundation Chief Responsibility Officer, Wale Adenuga, emphasised the organisation's unwavering commitment to supporting vulnerable children.

The funds were raised through the Green Worship Benefit concert, a star-studded event held last October featuring renowned Nigerian gospel artists including Nathaniel Bassey, Tope Alabi, Moses Bliss, Cobhams Asuquo, Waje, AnEndlessOcean, Greatman Takit, E Daniels, Gbenga Adenuga, David Nkennor, Kng James, Grace Levites, and the host, Wale Adenuga. The concert also featured Bob Fitts, an international guest artist, and was anchored by Ayo Mairo-Ese and SACO. At the moment, Worship for Change through the Green Workshop Concert has so far been able to raise over N120m for 38 charities caring for thousands of orphans and children with special needs in Nigeria.

Passion for Children with Special Needs On what drives him to do this for children with special needs, Minister Adenuga, who is also a seasoned Gospel artiste, said: "Since 2004, I've been driven to use my platform to help indigent children, especially children with special needs. As we know, the special children's needs are barely cared for and catered for in our present-day society. These children are special, and God cares deeply for them."

Reiterating that more needs to be done to help children with special needs in the country, Adenuga added, “It got to a stage in my life that I asked myself can I leverage the fame I had to benefit the less privileged children in the society? Some kids have not felt government intervention and so all musical artists are performing for free to raise funds for some charities in the country”.

Stating that starting the foundation was a response to God's concern for them, he said “Worship for Change is a not-for-profit organisation committed to raising awareness and support for charities that care for orphans and

L-R: The recipients of the largesse for special kids with Wale Adenuga of Worship for Change after the presentation of cheques to the four foundations children with special needs. Although we dreamed of raising 100 million, we are not there yet, but we believe that we will get there."

Adenuga, who urged people to support those with special needs, said the government cannot do it alone.

“I think we have enough people in society that can make a difference; that is you and I. I used to tell people not to fly business class instead of first class; that difference can make a huge impact.

It’s just about a little inconvenience to yourself and being a better person to society,” he added.

Adenuga while using the opportunity to appreciate all the artists who performed at the event without charge, the individu-

als and corporate donors from Nigeria and all over the world for their contribution towards the success of the initiative, also acknowledged his fellow trustees and expressed gratitude to everyone who donated to the cause, just as he thanked the team, including Mr. Ramon Nasir, for their commitment to seeing that life is better for special children across Nigeria.

Emphasising transparency and accountability, Mr Adenuga assured the stakeholders of continued monitoring to ensure the funds are utilised effectively. "We will follow up closely to verify that the money is used as intended, addressing the specific needs outlined by each school," he stated.

Succor for Special Needs Homes For the beneficiary homes, the N8.25m (eight million, two hundred and fifty thousand naira)

As we know, the special children's needs are barely cared for and catered for in our present-day society. These children are special, and God cares deeply for them...Worship for Change is a not-for-profit organisation committed to raising awareness and support for charities that care for orphans and children with special needs

each of them got was like manna from heaven.

From gasps of sheer disbelief at the amount to sobs and tears. Overwhelmed at the huge amount each got, there was no dry eyes among them including the male beneficiary.

Prior to receiving the cheques, they all had pressing needs in the homes-expansion, lack of mobility, roofing, cost of drugs to take care of the special kids as well as educating them. So, the cheques represented a new lease of life.

Each of the four beneficiary schools – Joy in Africa Foundation (Asaba); Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation (Lagos); Seedo Initiative for Children with Special Needs (Abuja); and To Omo Re Centre for Special Empowerment (Ilorin) displayed with raw emotions in the middle of their thanks.

Mrs Kawan Aondofa-Anjira, the founder of the Seedo Initiative, tearfully recounted the heartbreaking experiences of raising her first two children with cerebral palsy, highlighting the societal stigma and discrimination they faced.

"They were considered 'spirits', 'undeserving of life'," she lamented, recalling the cruel suggestions she received from supposed Christians. "Fueled by this experience, my husband and I established a haven for mothers in similar situations, offering therapy and support for their children.", she said.

Tobiloba Ajayi, founder of Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation and herself living with the condition, echoed Mrs. Aondofa-Anjira's sentiment.

"My parents were told to abandon me as they already had 'normal' children," she shared. "Growing up, I realised society deemed children like me unworthy, even denying them education despite our parents' efforts."

Rev. Samuel Abiodun Ajayi, founder of ‘To Omo Re Centre for Special Empowerment,’ expressed gratitude for the financial support and prayed for the Wale Adenuga Foundation, adding that “This donation is a godsend. We were facing numerous challenges, and this will make a significant difference."

Also, Mrs. Joy Okonjor of Joy in Africa Foundation, another beneficiary, while she wept with joy, noted that she was also a beneficiary in the 2020 edition and shared plans to acquire their property for a bigger space.

The heartfelt testimonies resonated deeply with the audience, underscoring these schools' critical role in nurturing and empowering children with special needs, a cause Worship for Change is bent on championing.

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Property & environment

ACReSAL: Minister Calls for Increased Collaboration to Save Nigeria’s Environment Bennett Oghifo Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal has stated that addressing climate change is of keen interest to President Bola Tinubu, adding that the president is concerned about the rapid encroachment of desertification in the northern parts of the country.

Lawal also emphasized on the urgency to work hard in order to recover and reclaim lands lost to desertification.

He made these emphasis recently while addressing a team of environment experts from the World Bank, including Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) officials and other stakeholders at the ACReSAL Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU) in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.

The Minister also stated that “an increased collaboration among the Ministries of

Environment, Agriculture and Food Security, Water Resources and Sanitation, as well as the World Bank, will result in the success of the ACReSAL Project.

“We are not doing this because we have a job, we want to save our environment.”

While revealing the partnership between the Nigerian government and the World Bank which has led to a multiinstitutional machinery to stem the fast-paced degradation of landscapes of the country’s northern region, the Minister added that ACReSAL will be pivotal in facilitating the much needed inter agency cooperation among the ministries, as well as within the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

This will address pervasive issues like high degradation of natural resources, poor agricultural productivity,

climate risks, desertification, increased poverty rates, conflicts, violence, and weak institutional capacity.

ACReSAL, which the Minister said involves several federal and state Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), local governments, communities and civil societies, will also provide solutions to desertification, flooding, climatic variability, deforestation, extensive cultivation, overgrazing, bush burning, fuel wood extraction, charcoal production, faulty irrigation systems, improper road drainage design and construction.

The various MDAs include those responsible for planning, economy, finance, works, agriculture, water resources, forests, transport, power, emergency response, as well as those focused on climate and hydrological information or watershed/ basin regulation.

While expressing optimism that ACReSAL would deliver on the mandate, having a better understanding of collaboration, the Minister gave assurances to the National Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Mr Abduhamid Umar that the Ministry of Environment will make provisions for the needed support.

Responding, Mr. Umar said the team was elated by the Minister’s presence which, he said, clearly demonstrates his love for the environmental sector and ACReSAL, one of the key deliverables of his ministry.

He also informed the team that in previous events, the Minister had affirmed President Tinubu’s awareness of ACReSAL and its mandate.

Task Team leader of the ACReSAL Project and Senior Environmental Specialist, World Bank, Dr. Joy Iganya

Agene, in her remarks, said the World Bank Task Team was present to jointly receive the Minister with the FPMU team and noted that

the successes achieved so far by the ACReSAL Project is an indication of the benefits and support it has enjoyed from the Minister.

L-R: Task Team Leader, Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Programme and Senior Environmental Specialist World Bank, Dr. Joy Iganya Agene; Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal; and National Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Mr. Abdulhamid Umar, during the minister’s visit to ACReSAL Federal Project Management Unit in Abuja, last week

Buhari Urges Quantity Surveyors to Ensure Projects are Completed Within Cost Bennett Oghifo

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the nation’s Quantity Surveyors to remain focused and commit-

ted to ensuring that projects are completed within the cost, time and quality.

Buhari made the appeal when the NIQS President, QS Kene C. Nzekwe paid

L-R: NIQS President, QS Kene C. Nzekwe; and former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, during a courtesy visit of NIQS executive to former president in Daura, Katsina State… recently

him a courtesy visit in Daura, Katsina State, recently.

According to a statement by the NIQS, President Buhari said, “If all professionals in the building and infrastructure sectors act professionally, the sectors would have solved half of the ills in the industry.”

The statement said he assured the NIQS President of his continuous support for the Institute in the best way he could as he acknowledged the importance of the Quantity Surveying profession in the field of cost management in building and infrastructure projects.

He also thanked the Institute for the efforts it is making in seeing that construction projects are executed with a high sense of probity. In particular, he appreciated the Institute for the visit and thanking him for

the appointment of Quantity Surveyors in some important government establishments like the appointment of Late QS Ahmad Salhijo FNIQS as the Lead Consultant on the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) projects and QS Mamman Ahmadu FNIQS as the Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) from October 2016 to date.

He said, as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he knew the value and competence of Quantity Surveyors in project cost administration, which was what informed his choice of appointing Quantity Surveyors in the positions he did.

QS Nzekwe said the visit was a profound recognition of the former president’s instrumental role in fostering the growth and development

of Quantity Surveying in Nigeria. “During your tenure as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria precisely in 2019, you graciously hosted the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, and in recognition of your outstanding leadership and support for our profession, you were honoured with an honorary fellowship of the Institute. In 2016 you had already appointed a Quantity Surveyor in the person of QS Mamman Ahmadu FNIQS as the Director General Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) for all these uncommon benevolences to us, we are eternally grateful to you. Your commitment to the growth of Quantity Surveying in Nigeria was also evident during your earlier service to the country in your capacity as the Chairman of the

defunct Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF). As we all recall that as Chairman of the defunct PTF, you championed the use of Quantity Surveyors as lead consultants on almost all the PTF projects particularly the appointment of late QS Ahmad Salhijo FNIQS as the main lead consultant and Managing Partner of Afri-Projects Consortium Ltd. Your vision and foresight in recognizing the expertise of Quantity Surveyors significantly contributed to the success of those projects and solidified the importance of our profession in the field of cost management in building and infrastructure projects. We stand before you today, Sir, not just to reminisce about the past but to express our gratitude and to humbly request your continued support.

Blakskill 2024 Outlook Unveils Key Trends in Global Talent Market Fadekemi Ajakaiye As we stand at the precipice of 2024, the Global Talent Market is undergoing unprecedented shifts, driven by dynamic forces such as technological advancements, socio-economic changes, and a reshaped approach to work. This immersive experience promises to be a compass for navigating the evolving landscapes of talent acquisition and management in the years ahead.

The event convened thought leaders across various industries and HR professionals to discuss the evolving dynamics in the talent market and their implications on Nigeria, Africa and indeed, the world at large.

Blakskill, a leading HR Tech

company recently hosted the 2024 Outlook on the Global Talent Market, featuring a lineup of distinguished speakers and insightful discussions on the transformative trends shaping the ‘now’ and the future of work.

The hybrid event, which was held on February 1st, 2024 at Eko Hotel and Convention Centre, brought together industry leaders, CEOs, and HR professionals to delve into the emerging challenges and opportunities in talent identification, acquisition, and mobility across various sectors.

Mr. Olugbenga Omojola, MD/ CEO of Blakskill, highlighted the profound impact of global trends such as increasing connectivity, internet penetration, and rising unemployment

rates on the world of work.

He emphasized the need for organizations to prioritize value addition, skills-based hiring, and embrace AI-driven talent management practices.

Mr. Olusegun Mojeed FCIPM, President & Chairman of the Governing Council, CIPM, shared valuable insights into the evolving dynamics in the global talent market during his keynote speech. He emphasized the strategic importance of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belongingness (DEIB) in shaping HR practices. Mr. Mojeed emphasized that embracing diversity not only aligns with ethical principles but also provides a strategic advantage for organizations.

L-R: CEO Budpay, Wale Hassan; CEO Shoprite, Hubertus Rick; Growth & Expansion Manager, Nicholas Ogundipe; Head of Programme GIZ Nigeria and Ecowas, Sandra Vermuijten-Alonge; CEO Blakskill.com, Omojola Olugbenga; National President CIPM, Olusegun Mojeed; COO Blakskill, Alasa Micheal; and Chief Talent Officer-YF Partners, Yemi Faseun

Lawyer Urges Oshodi Community to Obey Court Order on Waste Bill Payment Fadekemi Ajakaiye Counsel to Excellens Links International, a registered waste collection, management and administration company in Oshodi/Isolo LGA of Lagos State, David Fadile, has appealed to some residents of Oshodi against violating the 2022 Lagos State Waste Management Authority

(LAWMA) rates increment.

He said the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) in 2022, increased waste tariffs across the state, stating that the increment was necessitated due to the cost of diesel and foreign exchange, coupled with some operational costs.

He urged them not only

to be law abiding but also to strictly keep to the court order prohibiting them from running campaigns in the social media to run down the Oshodi waste management companies.

Fadile said the people, who are less than 0.1 percent of the people of Oshodi, and that in 2022, about six individuals filed a suit against Excellens Links

and Tunap Company, both PSP operators servicing Oshodi environs, on the ground of increase in waste disposal tariff. ”LAWMA has to effect an increase in waste tariff and my client being one of the franchisees of LAWMA, effected this increase in Oshodi community.

“So, it is this increase that these individuals, about five

or six of them, led by Engr.

Babatunde Faleye filed an action in court.”

According to him, “On December 18, 2023, the court struck out the suit, with the prayer that the claimants shall not use social media to campaign against the business of the third and fourth defendants – Excellens Links International Company

and Tunap Company.”

He said, “Last year, they went to court in Suit No. ID/7076GCM/2023 to challenge Excellens Links and Tunap on the LAWMA increment but seeing that their case would be futile, their lawyer made to withdraw their suit but he was opposed to it by counsel to Excellens and Tunap.

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NEWS

76th meeting of the Board of Trustees of the PDP...

L-R: The National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Sam Anyanwu; the PDP Governors Forum Chairman, Senator Bala Mohammed; acting National Chairman, Amb. Illya Damqgum; Chairman of PDP BoT, Senator Adolphus Wabara and former Secretary of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Samini Turaki at the 76th meeting of the BoT of the PDP...yesterday

FG, Highway Concessionaires to Review Parameters for HDMI Projects Nationwide Discussions to centre on inflation, FX crisis, reduction in road traffic

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja In view of the current economic realities, the federal government and concessionaires under the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI), have agreed to review the parameters for the projects nationwide.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, gave the indication in Abuja during a meeting with the Public Private Partnership (PPP) unit of the ministry and Messrs Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Ltd (APPNL), the concessionaires for the Benin-Asaba and Lagos-Abeokuta road corridors.

The 12 roads initially planned for concession under the first phase of the initiative were: Benin– Asaba; Abuja–Lokoja; Kano–Katsina; Onitsha–Owerri–Aba; Shagamu– Benin; Abuja-Keffi–Akwanga; Kano–Maiduguri; Lokoja–Benin; Enugu-Port Harcourt; Ilorin-Jebba; Lagos-Abeokuta; and Lagos-Badagry.

However, only nine of the roads attained commercial close as of 2023.

The main objective of the HDMI, which seeks to facilitate the development of parts of Nigeria’s 35,000km of federal highway network, is to attract expertise and investment in the development of road infrastructure as well as maximise the use of assets along the Right of Way (RoW).

But Umahi said the newly introduced parameters will strengthen the quality delivery and management of road infrastructure under the PPP model of road infrastructure development and ensure efficient utilisation of the completed projects by road users.

The meeting had in attendance the team from the PPP office headed

by Ugwu-Chima Nnennaya and the one from APPNL, led by Mr.

Dipo Lawore and Mr. K. V. Rao, according to a statement by Umahi’s spokesman, Uchenna Orji.

Specifically, the meeting which dwelt on the review of the project parameters for the Benin-Asaba and Lagos-Abeokuta road corridors as negotiated in 2022, was necessitated by the heightened inflationary pressures, exchange rate concerns as well as reduced vehicular traffic on the highways occasioned by the increase in fuel pump price of petrol.

The minister said the parameters would be fine-tuned, agreed upon

and adopted in all contractual relations between the federal government and concessionaires, going forward.

He highlighted that the parameters will include that the design of the project should be in line with the specification of the ministry and investors can only improve upon the design, as well as that a reasonable construction period must be agreed upon.

In addition , he said that 100 per cent of one carriage way must be completed before tolling by concessionaires.

The business plan, he said, must be in line with the socio-economic dynamics while terms of tolling of road projects must be in accordance with the laws of the federation. He also stated that standard contract conditions must be followed.

“Contingency and variation on Price (VoP) shall be utilised only by the express and written permission of the client. Bill of quantities shall be verified and adopted in line with the prevailing market prices.

“Road count on traffic shall be carried out by the investor and where such data has been provided

by the client, it is the duty of the investor to accept or verify and where the investor accepts, it shall be binding on all,” the minister said.

According to him, it shall be the duty of the investor to sensitise the public on the toll programme in every project.

Also, he explained that the client shall have the right to terminate the job of the investor for failure to comply with the time of road project completion while every road construction for highways must be in accordance with the highway standard prescribed by the law.

In their separate responses, the team leader of the APPNL and the head of the PPP unit of the ministry assured Umahi of their commitment to the innovative initiatives of the ministry.

They agreed that there was a need to review not only the cost of the concession projects, but also the scope of the project to meet the standard of road construction.

They expressed their commitment towards a robust negotiation on the project review that would lead to a financial close, so that work could commence without further delay.

FCSC Chair Proffers Solutions to Incessant Labour Disputes Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof.

Tunji Olaopa, yesterday outlined measures to considerably reduce labour disputes in the country.

Olaopa who spoke at the second Annual National Labour Adjudication Forum of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) in Abuja, noted that although workplace disputes are inescapable, they hardly play out as positive occurrences.

He noted that they are neither ever well-managed, well-timed, and controlled to ensure a win-win resolution in a measure that presents veritable potential for enhanced national productivity.

Olaopa said that the ability and commitment of the social partners to negotiation and social dialogue in a manner that does not degenerate into militancy-induced irresolvable differences is the key to industrial

peace and harmony.

He lamented that adversarial industrial relations have been somewhat elevated to a national culture in dispute resolution and this has created disturbing road blocks to consensus building.

Among the factors that are responsible for a culture of labour disputes, according to him, are a lack of respect for terms of collectively bargained agreements because conclusions thereto were reached under duress in a manner that usually creates industrial peace of the graveyard.

He also listed a lack of political sophistication to unravel the legal, structural and systemic issues that have hindered an unfettered implementation and enforcement of relevant labour laws in Nigeria.

Olaopa decried some of the provisions of the labour laws which are perceived to be crafted to favour some parties against the others while

some others are obsolete outright and ineffective to address modern workplace disputes.

“There is also the consequence of the huge knowledge and information gaps on the part of some key actors in the labour movement. This dimension plays out, many times, as intellectual emptiness, one that makes meaningful contribution to discourses that are game-changing in the dynamics of national change management practically impossible,” he added.

According to Olaopa , many of the agencies at the heart of regulatory control of the dynamics, like the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and others that exercise jurisdiction over work-related suffer from lack of capacity.

“They suffer significant capacity deficits, professional creativity, resources, including funding to carry out their statutory duties in measures that sometimes smack of

abdication of responsibility,” he said.

He noted that the most worrisome dimension is the reigning industrial relations culture of impunity in the labour sector with significant elements of indiscipline and dishonesty in industrial dispute practices with poor corporate governance issues.

He listed these as the nonremittance of check-up dues, sit-tight syndrome, lack of accountability, absence of democratic tenets, and dictatorial tendencies in labour relations.

Thus, going forward, Olaopa noted that ‘tripartism’ is in such a precarious state that the government needs to urgently convene a no-holds-barred platform for national conversation where all the parties in industrial relations system could reach an agreement on how they could work together to make the Nigerian social model work. “ In this regard, the National Assembly should enact as a matter

of urgency all pending labour bills that can strengthen the institution of social dialogue and alternative disputes resolution (ADR) mechanism in Nigeria.

“The National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) should be strengthened to accommodate larger stakeholders. Indeed, there is an urgent need to transform the NLAC into the National Labour Council.

“This will involve diverse stakeholders in the management of labour issues as done by the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NDELAC) in South Africa which is deeply involved in all labour and socio-economic policy formulation and implementation in that country.

“The present mandate of the Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP) should be expanded to include capacity building of stakeholders and facilitation of research in dispute management and resolution,” he said.

Factional Tanker Drivers’ Union Urges Members to Ignore Directive Not to Lift Products

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The factional leadership of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) yesterday urged its members to ignore a purported instruction by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to halt the lifting of petroleum products in selected depots.

The National Chairman of PTD, Lucky Osesua and the National Secretary, Humble Obinna, in a statement in Abuja, assured the people, government and stakeholders in Nigeria's oil and gas industry of their unalloyed commitment to the lifting and distribution of products

across the length and breadth of the country.

PTD urged the public to ignore any threat coming from their parent union, NUPENG, not to lift petroleum products from certain depots in the country, adding that Nigeria is bigger than any individual.

It appealed to members of the public not to engage in panic buying, stressing that there were sufficient products made available for distribution at various depots.

Besides, the organisation insisted that the alleged plot to remove Osesua, Yusuf Garga and Obinna as chairman, deputy chairman and secretary of the PTD has failed in

its entirety.

Specifically, it said the plan by the group collectively led by Augustine Egbon, Afolabi Olawale, Williams Akporeha and Salimon Oladiti remained “an enterprise in futility. ‘’There is no shortfall in the distribution of petroleum products across the six geo-political zones of the country and PTD under the legitimate leadership of Lucky Osesua and his deputy, Dayyabu Garga has redoubled its commitment to ensure and guarantee lifting and distribution of petroleum products without encumbrance in observance of its statutory responsibility.

"We are also using this medium

to set the record straight that we are not former PTD national leaders.

Osesua remains and is still the national chairman of PTD, while Dayyabu Garga is the deputy national chairman, alongside Humble Power Obinna, who is currently serving as our national secretary,” the union stated.

The statement said contrary to the misinformation being peddled by their detractors, none of the PTD leadership is an ex-convict, urging their counsel to properly educate them on the doctrines of court contempt and subjudice.

"We further use this medium to dispel any speculation purporting

that tanker drivers have been directed to stop the lifting of petroleum products in some depots in the country.

"This is not true, and Nigerians should not as a result of this misinformation engage in panic buying and we strongly assure stakeholders in the petroleum industry's value chain that PTD is committed to its noble roles of lifting and distribution of products across the country.

"As socially responsible trade unionists, we understand the impact of economic sabotage, especially in an economy like that of Nigeria: therefore, on no condition will PTD be involved in this kind of inhuman

and satanic agenda,” it added.

Stressing that such development could undermine the rule of law, weaken democratic processes, and exacerbate social inequalities and tension, the PTD explained that businesses, livelihoods, and the most vulnerable segments of the society will suffer the consequences of such an action.

"Economic sabotage is a serious crime, and we want DSS to take note and act accordingly. We therefore direct all our members in all the zones across Nigeria not to heed any instruction from NUPENG or anyone else to stop them from the lifting of petroleum products.

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World Bank: Nigeria Needs $3bn to Achieve 85,000km Fibre Connectivity

Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja

The World Bank has said that Nigeria requires between $2 billion and $3 billion to achieve additional 85,000 kilometres broadband penetration over the next three years.

The World Bank’s Regional Director (Infrastructure), West and Central Africa, Mr Franz Drees-Gross stated this during an interview with journalists at a stakeholders meeting held in Abuja yesterday.

The meeting with the theme "Broadband for All" was designed to source for funding to actualise government's plan of achieving 120,000 Kilometres of optic fibre connectivity in Nigeria within the next three years.

Drees-Gross said the Nigerian government planned to raise funds to achieve the remaining 95,000 kilometres of fibre optic to take it up to the needed 120,000 kilometres.

"They plan to set up a digital national broadband fund and to roll out about 95,000 kilometres of what we call middle mile cable. So that's the terrestrial cable in the territory

of Nigeria to bring broadband to more parts of the country. Right now, I think Nigeria has about 35,000 kilometres of broadband cable.

"The idea is to add another 85,000 kilometres on top of that and what we are discussing with the government is, what's the best way to finance that? How could you set that up?

"How could you release some of the funding that's available in the country using perhaps a Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), and other instruments? And how can the World Bank provide technical assistance and if needed, perhaps some financing for that? He said.

He added that rolling out fibre was just part of the problem, stressing that what is needed is for the fibre to bring low cost digital access all over the country and so that people have the wherewithal to get online and to use it effectively and then generate digital content.

According to him, Nigeria can become a hub for export of digital skill, noting that Nigeria has a very impressive digital ecosystem, especially in Lagos.

He also noted that it was not just all about making broadband available but making it available and affordable.

"About 80 per cent of the population in West and Central Africa lives within range of a 4G signal 80 per cent. But only about 40 per cent actually connected to digital broadband. " So what explains the difference?

Why is it that those 40 per cent live within reach of the signal and they don't connect? The first issue is cost.

The cost of a data package, the basic data package exceeds what households can pay for.

"Then, there's device affordability.

You want to get a mobile device, that's intranet ready, that can get you online. The second thing is, even if people get online, sometimes they say, well, I don't see content that's relevant to me; relevant to what I want to know.

"And that's where that digital ecosystem in Nigeria comes in. You want an ecosystem that generates the digital content that people want to access; you need public services digitised.

Drees-Gross "I mean, Nigeria could be an exporter of digital services, just like you're an exporter of Nollywood. I mean, everybody watch Nigerian movies. There's no reason why people shouldn't be using digital content, digital services and digital products produced in Nigeria," he explained.

He also said that Nigeria can export optic fibre to other West African countries, explaining that

the country has got eight fibre optic cables, submarine cables that land in Nigeria.

“If you had a domestic cable network that reach everywhere, you could also be exporting some of that capacity to your neighbours. So that would give you more volume on your own terrestrial fibre optic backbone network," he said.

In his remarks, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani said it was necessary to have a stakeholders engagement to find ways of financing the national broadband plan.

"We are here with critical stakeholders on how to attract investments and fund our broadband infrastructures. I'm sure everybody that is listening to me probably understands that now we cannot do without technology on internet, so, we all need quality access regardless of our location.

"There's a need for us to invest in that databank. So it's the kind of thing that we call the telecommunications infrastructure, or in some cases, we call the fibre optic cables. So there's

actually a cable that helps us make it possible for internet to happen," he said.

The minister noted that about 120,000 kilometres fiber optic cables would be required for Nigerians to have quality and efficient access to the internet and other digital services irrespective of their locations.

He said in terms of financing, the country would require about $3 billion to fix the infrastructure, stating that through the World Bank and other development finance institutions and the private sector, there is hope that the funds would be raised within the next two or three years.

The Chairman of Phase 3 Telecoms, Stanley Jegede, who spoke on behalf of the service providers said it was a welcome development that government is working on how to provide fund for service providers to serve the underserved in the country.

"What we've experienced in the last few years in this sector is difficulty going to unserved parts of the country or certain parts of the country, because it isn't commercially viable.

them, and stayed true to our goals.

"It's a great loss, he was very supportive to lots of charitable causes, helping people to pay their school fees, and their welfare. He was able to actualise his dream of the Wigwe University. His legacies are fundamental institutions that will really impact on the society.

"Access Bank is not just an African bank, it has branches in US, France, Dubai and in China. The fact is that Herbert has done a lot for African business community. So, his legacies are institutions that will endure."

Zenith Bank, in a statement, condoled with the family of Herbert Wigwe, describing the late entrepreneur as an icon.

It stated, “We mourn with the Wigwe family and Access Holdings on the sudden transition of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, his wife Chizoba, and his son, Chizi.

“Dr. Wigwe was an inspiring leader devoted to positive change and human empowerment. He left indelible footprints not only as the Group CEO of Access Holdings, but also with his numerous contributions to the advancement of the financial services industry and growth of the Nigerian economy.

“In this trying period, we remember the values he lived by and his humble and generous nature that made him so dear to many.

“We reflect on the impact he had in the lives of others and thank God Almighty for the legacy he left

behind. May the souls of Herbert, Chizoba and Chizi rest in the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In a condolence message he personally signed, the Kogi State governor described the late CEO of Access Holdings as an amiable and hardworking individual, who was driven by patriotic fervour and commitment to the ideals of nation-building.

The governor recalled his recent meeting with the late Wigwe during which they had a robust conversation on how to explore areas of partnership between Access Holdings and the Kogi State government in line with his administration’s agenda to expand public-private partnership for accelerated growth and development of the state.

According to Ododo, “The late Herbert Wigwe was an exceptional individual whose impact transcended the banking industry and his generation. He was a humble and hardworking businessman who meant so well for the transformation of Nigeria and I am deeply saddened by his painful exit.

“As a government and people, our thoughts are with the Wigwe family who suffered far too many losses in one accident and all his colleagues at Access Holdings in this trying moment.

“Our thoughts are also with the

Tinubu Speaks with Grieving Herbert Wigwe’s Parents, Comforts Couple on the passing of the great African Banker.

Equally, yesterday, former Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; former Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II; Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli; and former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, alongside other associates paid condolence visits to the parents of Herbert Wigwe.

Others, who signed the condolence register at the residence of the Wigwes in Lagos, were Chairman of BUA Group, Abdulsamad Rabiu; former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; former Director General

of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Professor Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke; former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo; and former Minister of Petroleum, Don Etiebet.

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, and his counterpart in Cross River State, Bassey Otu, in separate press statements, condoled with the management and staff of Access Holdings over the death of Herbert Wigwe.

In his tribute, Osinbajo wrote, "We lost a gem, a brother and a decent man. May the Lord comfort Daddy and Mummy. May the morning joy come quickly" In his condolence message, Sanusi,

wrote, "Adieu my brother, my friend.

What a tragedy. You are irreplaceable.

We will miss you forever. Rest in peace."

Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli wrote, "A great personal loss to us. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace."

Amosun wrote, "Brother Herbert, goodbye. Good manager, adieu. May your soul rest in peace and may the good Lord comfort your aged parents, your siblings and the entire Wigwe family, adieu."

Adebayo wrote, "This is very sad and awful day."

In his message, Group Managing Director (GMD) of FBN Holdings Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, wrote, "What

can I say, Herbert, you lived a life of impact. We can't question God. Only He knows why He allowed this. RIP dear brother."

Speaking with THISDAY, Anyaoku said, "Herbert was a great star, with huge prospect of further illumination before he was plucked from the universe. It is a terrible loss in his sphere of activities, the banking sector, and to the country.

I say adieu to him."

Group Chief Executive of Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu said, "Herbert was a first class guy, he was kind, courageous, intelligent and supportive and a loving gentleman. I worked with him from 1999, we did business, we met challenges and we fought

NLC Strike Notice: FG Pushes for Fair, Sustainable Minimum Wage, Begins Talks with Labour negotiation would be gradual, adding that they would seek to address all concerns by the workers.

But the federal government urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) not to carry out their threat of industrial action. The government promised to resume the payment of wage award to workers this week.

Amid growing concerns over the unrelenting economic hardship in the country, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labour and Employment, Senator Diket Plang, assured that the National Assembly would support any move to introduce a living wage for Nigerian workers.

Speaking at the Second National Labour Adjudication and Arbitration Forum organised by the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), held in Abuja, yesterday, Onyejeocha said, “We have commenced negotiation with labour on the minimum wage on Monday.

“In fact, I will say that we started the engagement with organised labour immediately after the Christmas holiday, when I visited the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and that of Trade Union Congress in Abuja."

Onyejeocha said the committee would adopt the principle of social dialogue and tripartite engagement to resolve most of the issues that might arise during the negotiation.

Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, also said the federal government was desirous of a minimum wage that was fair, sustainable, and beneficial to all stakeholders.

Akume, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the SGF Office, Mr. Richard Pheelangwa, said the government was pushing for a new minimum wage.

On ways of resolving disagreements, the SGF said embracing alternative dispute resolution mechanism might sometimes provide a quicker way of resolving labour disputes, rather than the traditional conflict resolution method.

Akume said, "This forum coincides with the commencement of deliberations by the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage. This critical juncture underscores the immense significance of our gathering.

“It provides a crucial platform for open dialogue, constructive engagement, and the exploration of innovative solutions as we navigate the delicate process of determining a minimum wage that is fair, sustainable, and beneficial for all stakeholders."

In commencing negotiation on minimum wage, Akume said there was need to embrace tripartism and social dialogue by recognising the fact that collaboration and mutual understanding between government, employers, and labour unions were paramount.

According to him, each party must actively listen to the concerns and perspectives of the others, and foster the spirit of compromise and cooperation.

He stated that while striving for a living wage for Nigerian workers, the committee must acknowledge the country's economic challenges.

Akume said the panel should take into consideration issues such as "finding a sustainable equilibrium that protects worker well-being without jeopardising business viability and overall economic health is crucial".

In addition, the SGF said in seeking to resolve labour disputes, traditional negotiation methods might not always yield the desired outcomes, adding that embracing alternative mechanisms, like mediation and arbitration, could expedite resolutions, minimise disruptions, and foster trust among stakeholders.

Akume urged the leadership of the labour unions to also recognise measures undertaken by government for public good as well as wider public serving obligations discharged by the government to cushion economic hardships, beyond the minimum wage.

On her part, President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice

Monica Dongban-Mensem, said she was of the opinion that alternative dispute resolution mechanism should be used in settling conflicts in the labour sector since it encompassed all the tenets of social dialogue.

Speaking on the brewing dispute with the federal government over non-implementation of agreements on wage award and modalities for new minimum wage, President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, said organised labour was not satisfied with the manner government was proceeding with the talks on new minimum wage.

Ajaero expressed fear over possible stalemate in the talks. He said labour believed that any governor

or ex-governor that could not pay their workers the N30, 000 minimum wage had no business being on the new minimum wage committee.

"Of what essence is social dialogue or tripartite negotiation if the outcome will not be implemented?" he queried.

The NLC president said the agreement labour had with the federal government since October 16 last year was yet to be implemented.

Ajaero also spoke on the effect of the country’s galloping inflation on the wages of Nigerian workers, saying, “No matter what amount you negotiate in present Nigerian Continued on page 42

Stop Playing to Gallery, FG Blasts Opposition Governors

press briefing in Abuja on Monday, on the country's economic and security situation, which the federal government considered to be a way over the top.

He conceded that the PDP governors as critical stakeholders and leaders at the sub-national level had the right to state their position on national concerns as expected.

He however, expressed regrets that as leaders in the country, who were members of two important constitutional organs of government – the National Economic Council, which was the highest economic management organ of the country, and the National Council of States – the PDP governors had not conducted themselves in a manner befitting their roles as leaders.

"It is far-fetched when PDP governors, who are supposed to be major players in driving economic growth and prosperity for our citizens in their respective states, mischievously and falsely compare our current economic challenges to Venezuela.

"We want to state categorically that though our country is going through some rough patches, which are being addressed by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our situation is nowhere near what is happening in Venezuela," Idris said.

He said it was unconscionable for PDP governors to manipulate facts and misinform Nigerians about the country's true state of affairs, while advising them to play politics within the bounds of truth and fidelity to facts as opposition politicians were expected.

The minister insisted that the Nigerian economy remained robust and was expected to record a 3% GDP growth this year, adding the economy was meeting financial obligations to lenders at home and abroad.

He assured the people that the government was running effectively and could pay all its bills while maintaining a healthy trade balance with trading partners worldwide.

"Since President Tinubu assumed office, the revenue available to the three tiers of government has more than doubled. All 36 States, including the 774 Local Governments, have been receiving significantly larger allocations on the back of the reforms being pursued by President Tinubu to reposition our national economy.

"Nigerians should ask PDP governors how far and how well they have utilised the increased revenue to better the lives of Nigerians in their respective states.

"It is on record that most states controlled by PDP owe workers

and pensioners months of unpaid salary and pension arrears. The PDP governors have defaulted in paying gratuities to their retired workers.

“It is also a fact that many of the PDP governors have not paid N30,000 minimum wage to their workers since it took effect more than four years ago. All of these anomalies in their states contribute significantly to the economic pressure their citizens face," Idris asserted.

He urged the PDP governors to meet their obligations to workers, pensioners, and local contractors and see the multiplier effect if they were genuinely interested in the living conditions of Nigerians and were not just stirring up disaffection and ill-will towards the federal government.

According to him, "It is disappointing that PDP governors talk about rising costs of living and food when they have not done much to increase food production in their states. The land in Nigeria belongs to the states, not the federal government.

"PDP governors, in their communique yesterday, did not tell Nigerians how they are supporting farmers in their states to boost food production – a responsibility that is strictly within their purview. Instead, they shift all the blame to the federal

Continued on page 42

government, while shirking their own responsibilities to the people they govern."

He, however, assured the public that the All Progressives Congress-led administration of President Tinubu was working assiduously to address the current challenges, adding that the president was working with his security chiefs to eliminate all security threats wherever they exist within the national borders.

He said government was getting encouraging results in the number of terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers that had either been killed or arrested in the past few weeks.

The minister said success of the efforts was also reflected in the over 700 abducted Nigerians who had been rescued from captivity.

"The Central Bank is addressing the problem of volatility in the exchange rate, and we are beginning to see stability that will eventually lead to the naira gaining its actual value against the dollar and other convertible currencies.

"We urge the PDP governors to join their colleagues in the Nigerian Governors Forum, who are collaborating with President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima to revamp our economy for Nigerians' collective well-being," he concluded.

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NEWS

International Breweries Extra-Ordinary General Meeting...

L-R: Managing Director, International Breweries Plc (IBPLC), Carlos Coutino; acting Company Secretary & General Counsel, IBPLC, Dr Marian Reginald-Ukwuoma; Chairman, Board of Directors, IBPLC; HRH, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe; and Finance Director, IBPLC, David Tomlinson, at the International Breweries Extra-Ordinary General Meeting (EGM), held on Monday

Tinubu to Super Eagles: You've Proven Nigeria's Greatest Strength Lies in Diversity Confers MON national honours on players Announces donation of plot of land, flats in Abuja to each player Promises to attract investors for promotion of Nigerian professional football league Peseiro: I'm sad not bringing home the cup I'll return to my S’Africa despite threats, says Nwabali Musa, Osimhen flay cyber bullying of Iwobi

Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Bola Tinubu has said the national football team, the Super Eagles, had demonstrated by their team spirit and discipline at the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Côte d'Ivoire, that diversity was principally the nation’s source of strength.

Speaking yesterday at a reception in honour of the players at the Council Chambers of the State House in Abuja, the President commended the team for its exemplary display of unity, determination, and resilience on the field.

He emphasised the pride Nigerians felt in the Super Eagles’ remarkable journey throughout the competition.

''It is a great honour for me to receive you, our Super Eagles. As a team, you taught us lessons on resilience, togetherness, diversity, and excitement in competitive games. ''You started the tournament as if Nigeria would not assert itself, but you progressed to the finals. Through all the challenges and dealing with great humidity in the host country, you left your clubs and honoured your country. You gave us great excitement. ''You were determined. We salute your resilience. You lifted our spirits, and you made us proud. You made us smile as Nigerians. It is not easy to absorb a loss, particularly when the expectations are high.

“But you have demonstrated sportsmanship, resilience, and

teamship throughout the entire tournament. That is what AFCON stands for, the unity and resilience of the continent. You have done a great job, and I am very proud of you."

The president, however, pledged to continue investing in sports and youth development, adding: ''We will consult with you on how to facilitate and promote sports development.

“As your president, I will go out to attract greater private sector investment in the Nigerian Professional Football League. We have to grow our local league, and I promise to be a super promoter of sports in our country.

“Many of you may in the future become managers of our local premiership system. I want to say once again that I am proud of you,

Obaseki Looks to Lithium Mining, EV Battery Production as New FX Earner The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, is intensifying efforts to diversify the state’s economy with the exploitation of its solid minerals deposit, especially lithium as a new Foreign Exchange (FX) earner.

This was disclosed when the state welcomed international investors representing Renera Rosatom Energy Corporation hosted by the Edo State Ministry of Mining and Energy (Oil, Gas and Power).

Lithium, which is also known as white gold, is a mineral found in large deposits in some states in Nigeria such as Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, Ekiti, Cross River and Edo. In a presentation at the conference meeting, the Director of Mining, Edo State, Mr. Omoruyi Ihianle, disclosed efforts by the Obaseki-led administration towards exploiting its lithium deposit for the production of lithium batteries used in Electric Vehicles (EVs).

“The state government, after looking at the sector, thought it wise to come forward with what we call the SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle), and with this SPV, the state government aims to ensure that the mining sector gives value to the government and the investors,” Omoruyi said.

“We have the registration number of the SPV Associates Mining and

Investment Company Limited. It was incorporated last year and it has already started running.

“Now the mandate as regards the ministry of mining & energy and also the SPV is to ensure that the state is positioned in a way to assist miners and also to be a major player in the mining industry,” he added.

While outlining the objectives of the Edo State Mining and Investment Company Ltd. (ESMIC), the director of mining, noted that the commission aims to provide support for mining companies operating in the state.

According to him, this will be done by providing services along the mineral market value chain in line with international best practice with environmentally friendly business methods and ensuring that their partners get the value for their investment.

He further guaranteed that the commission is geared towards ensuring a smooth synergy between investors, the companies, and the miners while creating jobs for indigenes of the communities in the State.

The Edo State Commissioner for Mining and Energy, Hon. Ojiefoh Enaholo expressed the readiness of the state government in positioning Edo as an enabler and a major

player in the mining sector.

Speaking on behalf of the international investors, the Vice President of Uranium One, Mr. Andrey Mineev, expressed his gratitude for the warm reception, expressing the group’s readiness to partner with the Edo.

and Nigeria is proud of you. You are a lifter of spirits."

Tinubu, therefore, conferred national honours on each member of the football team, which clinched the silver medal in the competition, and announced the donation of a flat and a plot of land to each of them.

He decorated each member of the team with Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) lapel pins, while the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, immediately distributed forms for the allocation of a plot of land to each of the players.

Earlier, the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, applauded the president for prioritising sports development in the country and ensuring support for the team.

He lauded the defining decision of creating a separate Ministry of Sports Development. ''For the first time, we have gone through a major competition; we have come back without any crisis, without any complaint, without any issues whatsoever relating to allowances, bonuses, or whatever.

This kept the team focused on the matches in front of them with quality results,'' Enoh said.

Speaking on behalf of the team, the Vice-Captain, William Troost-Ekong promised to work hard to surpass their achievements by winning the gold medal in the next competition.

''We are very grateful for your support during our time in Ivory Coast. We did our best until the final.

I wish that we were here carrying the trophy for you. ''In 2019, I was here with a bronze medal. Now we are here with a silver medal. I have two gold-medal winners beside me here and all we can promise is that we will continue to work hard, and the next time we meet, hopefully next year, we will be bringing home a gold medal,'' Troost-Ekong said.

Speaking to newsmen after the presidential hosting, Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, expressed sadness that Nigeria did not win the AFCON tournament.

Peseiro, who also expressed excitement over the invitation to the State House by President Tinubu and the honours and gifts that followed, lauded the performance of the team at the tournament, saying they gave their one hundred per cent at the outing.

His words: “First of all, I’ll like to say thank you to the president.

I am 60 years old, this is the first time some president invited me to his house. It’s an honour and a pride to me that the President of the Republic of Nigeria for the invitation to come here. Thank you very much.

“About the final, if you ask me, I think we did a fantastic job, our

team showed very good spirit and played well. My boys did 100 percent, same for my staff and the NFF was the biggest for us. So you can find my staff also and everybody. Thank you to the players.

“Of course I would have liked to bring the cup to the Nigerian people.

I'm sad about that. But, of course, I'm happy because I think we did a fantastic job. In the final, I think we felt that atmosphere.”

Goalkeeper of the national team, Stanley Nwabali, said he would return to his South African club side, Chippa United, as he had no reason to fear going back.

Nwabali was reportedly threatened on the social media by some fanatic supporters of the South African national team, Bafana Bafana, for being instrumental to the ouster of their team at the semi-final stage, though he played for a South African club.

Nwabali stopped two penalty kicks by Bafana Bafana players in the decider penalty stage, during the Nigerian-South African semi-final match at the Stade de la Paix, in Bouake.

"Definitely, I must go back to my club, but talking about the threat, this is football, you can't threaten someone because they also won some other teams too.

Continues online

Shettima Inaugurates Pulaku Initiative Implementation C’ttee Deji Elumoye in Abuja The federal government is set to commence the implementation of the Pulaku Initiative, a large-scale resettlement programme aimed at addressing the root causes of farmers-herders conflicts and fostering national unity.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima, yesterday, inaugurated a steering committee to coordinate the implementation of the initiative in fulfillment of President Bola Tinubu's promise to improve the lives of all Nigerians.

The committee chaired by Minister of Housing and Urban Development,

Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, also has representatives of governors of the benefiting states as members.

Other members of the committee were the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; representatives of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), BUA Group, Dangote Group and the Director General of NEMA, among others.

Speaking during the inauguration of the committee at the State House, Abuja, the Vice-President said the project must be seen as an emergency to tackle a challenge that

has threatened the fabric of Nigeria.

"It serves as a testament to the fulfilment of the promises made by President Bola Tinubu. The aim is to create an environment, where the prosperity of our people is not just a distant dream but a tangible and achievable reality.

“This comprehensive approach reflects our dedication to fostering sustainable development and improving the lives of all citizens.

"This comprehensive approach reflects our dedication to fostering sustainable development and improving the lives of all citizens," the VP stated.

He further assured the people

that the initiative would address “a challenge that has persisted across various generations and demands our collective resolve, our optimum sense of justice, and our unconditional compassion.

"This is not merely a response; it is a call to action. We are here because each of our programmes or policies will falter unless we get to the root of the dysfunctions we have inherited," he added.

The Pulaku initiative will initially focus on seven states that have been disproportionately affected by farmers-herders conflicts. They are Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, and Kaduna State.

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NEWS

92nd Anniversary and Merit Award Ceremony of Igbobi College Old Boys' Association...

L-R: The 1st Vice President, Igbobi College Old Boys' Association (ICOBA)/ GMD CMC Connect Limited, Mr. Yimu Badejo-Okusanya; Award Recipient and Partner AO&FA Consulting Mr Olawale Abiola; the President Igbobi College Old Boys' Association/Co-Founder & Partner Banwo & Ighodalo, Mr. Femi Olubanwo; and Partner AO & FA Consulting Mr Tayo Folorunsho, at the 92nd Anniversary and Merit Award Ceremony of ICOBA in Lagos, recently

Governors' Wives Want Emergency Declared on Substance Abuse

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum, NGSF, has called on the federal and state governments to declare state of emergency on substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria with a view to mobilising resources to tackling the pandemic.

The call was one of the resolutions in a communique by theChairperson of the Forum and First Lady of Kwara State, Ambassador Olufolake Abdulrasaq, yesterday at the end of a two-day Drug Prevention Treatment and Care, DPTC, training organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for wives of state governors in Abuja.

The governors’ wife, while acknowledging “the urgent need to take control and reinvigorate the State Drug Control Committees (SDCC) for optimal functioning for the states that have one, and encourage states that do not have to constitute one, to increase rehabilitation programmes.”

Such, they argued, should “focus on holistic recovery, addressing both physical and mental health of drug addiction as well as harm reduction.”

They further stressed the need for “the federal government and state governors to declare state of emergency on illicit drug use and trafficking pandemic with a view to mobilising resources to tackling it.”

Other resolutions in the communique included “the need to foster good parenting through parents

teachers associations, community outreach programmes and to support the NDLEA Drug Integrity Testing Policy for early detection of drug users and timely intervention to prevent the progression to addiction/dependency.

“Agrees to work as a body and facilitator towards strengthening collaboration and cooperation between State governments, NDLEA and other security agencies in the fight against drug use and trafficking.

“Agrees also to support the building of at least three standard drug rehabilitation centres, one in each senatorial zone of the State to cater for drug users within the states and reduce the challenges of costs, access and stigma to drug treatment.

“Further agrees to use their good offices to liaise with the State Governors to facilitate the establishment, where no one exists, and strengthening, where it exists, of States Drug Control Committees (SDC) and appoint first ladies of States as chairs of the committees with NDLEA State Commander as the Secretary, for effective action against drug use prevalence, treatment and care.

“Adopts the Drug Abuse Prevention Treatment and Care (DPTC) programmes in States as Forum project, and to be chaired by the first ladies of the States, to help curb the menace of drug use and fostering greater access to treatment for women who use drugs by reducing to the barest minimum stigmatisation and cultural push

back.

“Adopts also projects and policies that foster cooperation with private sector and civil society organisations in the development of standardised treatment centres across the States of the Federation.

“Fosters active collaboration with, and providing supports to, NDLEA Commands in States with a view to embedding DPTC in all their anti-drug intervention programmes; and realises the need to create skill

acquisition centres and employment opportunities for young people to reduce being lured into drug use and trafficking.”

The First Ladies said their resolutions were based on their understanding of “the nexus between drug use and the heightened level of criminality, the increasing number of school dropouts, social and health issues, family problems.”

This, they added, included “violent extremism, kidnapping,

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has maintained its lead in the Senate, now boasting 59 out of the 109 member-legislature.

With 109 seats in the Senate fully occupied now, membership of lawmakers across party lines shows that the ruling APC has 59 Senators, PDP has 37 Senators, Labour Party, seven Senators, New Nigeria Peoples Party 2, Social Democratic Party, two, All Progressives Grand Alliance, one and Action Democratic Party, one.

This, however, followed three senators, who recently won bye-

elections in their respective senatorial districts and took their oaths of office yesterday.

The senators are Pam Mwadkon (Action Democratic Party, Plateau North); Professor Anthony Ani (All Progressives Congress, Ebonyi South) and Mustapha Musa (All Progressives Congress, Yobe East) They were subsequently led to their respective seats after the swearing-in President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, had directed the Clerk of the Senate, Chinedu Akubueze to administer the oath of office to the new senators at about 11:41 am.

and rehabilitation among others,” they assured the agency of their preparedness to take the knowledge gained during the training to their states for further action.

In his closing remarks Marwa commended the First Ladies for taking time out of their busy schedules to stay two days attending the DPTC training. He urged them not to allow lessons learnt to end at the venue but taken to their various states for implementation.

Sanwo-Olu to Parastatals: Explore New Avenues to Optimise State Revenue Segun James Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on the state agencies and parastatals to explore new avenues to optimise the state’s revenue.

One of such ways, he suggested was to embrace cutting-edge solutions leveraging on latest technology.

The Governor insisted that in doing so, greater revenue would be available to the state to fund infrastructural development and the timely and effective implementation of critical projects that directly benefit the people.

Sanwo-Olu made the remark during his one-day parley with heads of agencies/parastatals and government-owned companies

organised by the state parastatals monitoring office.

The event which took place at Alausa, was with the theme, “Transforming Parastatals/Government Owned Companies into Agile Organisations for Greater Efficiency.”

The event was to showcase the importance of parastatals and government-owned companies in driving growth and development across various sectors in a bid to increase economic prosperity of the state.

Sanwo-Olu said, "Let us collaborate to build a Lagos that embraces inclusivity, sustainability and prosperity for all its inhabitants.

Our aim is to establish a legacy of excellence and advancement for the generations to come.

APC Maintains Lead in Senate with 59 Members as Three New Senators Take Oath

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

banditry and terrorism, and its resultant impact on the food security, safety of lives and properties, foreign direct investment, the economy and the national security,” among others.

Commending efforts of the NDLEA and the leadership of Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa, (Retd) “in recent years, against drug use and trafficking with resounding successes in the areas of arrests and seizures, prosecutions and convictions, awareness raising, counseling

Vacancies for the now-filled three Senatorial Seats, existed as a result of the appointments of Senators David Umahi (Ebonyi South), and Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe East ), appointed ministers by President Bola Tinubu in August last year as well as the nullification of election of Senator Simon Mwadkwon as Plateau North Senator in October last year.

After taking the oath of office, the senators had a separate handshake with the Senate President, who handed copies of the senate standing rules to them.

They, thereafter, exchanged

pleasantries with other senators before they were led to their seats by the sergeant-at-arms.

Pam Mwadkon, a member of Action Democratic Party replaced the former Minority leader, Simon Mwadkwon, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, who was sacked by the Appeal Court last November.

Ani, replaced the Minister of Works, David Umahi, who was appointed as a minister. While Mr Mustapha, a member of the APC replaced Ibrahim Geidam, also appointed Minister of Police Affairs, and resigned afterwards.

"Parastatal organisations are established with a mandate to address specific developmental issues that hinges directly on the welfare and well-being of the people such as waste management, water supply, housing, transportation etc.

“This therefore means that the success of any administration will largely depend on how efficient and effective such parastatals deliver on their mandate.

"In recent times, the global landscape has presented us with unprecedented challenges, demanding that we adopt innovative approaches to increase government revenue.

“As stewards of public resources, it is incumbent upon us to explore new avenues and embrace cuttingedge solutions that will optimise our financial capabilities. By doing so, we can ensure that adequate funds are available for the timely and effective implementation of critical projects that directly benefit our people.

"Furthermore, I want to emphasise the importance of accountability and transparency in our operations. The Parastatal Monitoring Office serves as a vital mechanism for ensuring adherence to established protocols and standards.

“I urge all parastatals to fully cooperate with this office, as its oversight function is instrumental in promoting good governance and fostering public trust.”

He added: "Collaboration is the cornerstone of progress, and it is essential that we forge strong partnerships across all sectors. By leveraging our collective expertise and resources, we can synergise efforts towards achieving our common

goal of sustainable development.

“The success of our endeavors hinges upon the seamless coordination and cooperation of all relevant stakeholders.

"Central to our vision is the establishment of an investmentdriven economy that attracts global investors. We must strive to create an enabling environment that fosters innovation, entrepreneurship and business growth.

“Through targeted policies and initiatives, we can position our state as a prime destination for investment, unlocking new opportunities for prosperity and development.

"Our state, with its vibrant economy and diverse population, faces both challenges and opportunities. It is imperative that we work together, leveraging our collective expertise and resources, to address these challenges and seize these opportunities.

“I recognise the pivotal role that each of you play in the administration and delivery of public services. Your dedication and hard work are crucial to the success of our state.

"Today, I urge you all to welcome innovation, collaboration, and accountability into our pursuits. Let us aim for efficiency and effectiveness in fulfilling our responsibilities, remaining ever cognizant of the needs and aspirations of those we serve."

In his welcome address, the Head of Service, Olabode Agoro, expressed gratitude to the Governor for his support and providing leadership which he said had aided the parastatals and government-owned companies the opportunity to achieve progress.

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One-Day Parley with Heads of Parastatals/Government-Owned companies...

L-R: Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro; Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin during a One-Day Parley with Heads of Parastatals/Government-Owned companies across the State, at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, the Secretariat, Alausa-Ikeja, ... yesterday

Mohammed: PDP’ll Provide Alternative to Hardship Through Constructive Criticism

Party’s BoT worries over economy, insecurity Confirms Wabara, Makarfi chair, secretary

Chuks Okocha, Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja and Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, has said the party would provide alternative to the current economic hardship in the country through constructive

criticisms.

He stated this yesterday at a meeting with members of PDP Board of Trustees (BOT) held at the party's National Secretariat, Abuja.

This was as the 76th BoT meeting of the PDP expressed deep concerns over the economic hardship, high cost of essential life-enhancing commodities, insecurity and alarming food scarcity in the country occasioned

by the ill-implemented policies of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

Also, yesterday, the BoT in its communique, said in the bid to strengthen itself, confirmed Senator Adolphus Wabara as its Chairman and Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi as Secretary in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP.

However, Mohammed who lamented that citizens were subjected to untold hardship leading to hunger and anger, maintained that instead of engaging in a blame game, PDP as the major opposition would continue to offer positive contributions for the benefit of Nigerians.

While acknowledging the BOT support to the aspirations of all PDP candidates that won various

elective positions, he promised to accord them their desired respect as leaders of the party.

He expressed optimism that PDP would continue to remain united and the strongest political party in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, in a communique read

by Wabara, the PDP BoT said the current state of the nation was already causing restiveness and agitations in

House Steps Down Bill to Change Minimum Requirement for President, Deputy, Others Urges FCT CJ to halt recruitment into FHC

Juliet Akoje in Abuja

The House of Representatives, yesterday, stepped down a bill seeking to change the minimum requirement for election into the Offices of President, Vice President, National Assembly members, governors and other political offices from first school leaving certificate to a university degree or its equivalent.

In another breath, the House has also urged the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, to halt the recruitment process into the Federal High Court until there was compliance with the federal character principle and quota system.

Section 131 (d) of the 1999 Constitution as amended provides that a person shall be eligible to contest the office of the president if such a person is educated up to at least school certificate level or its equivalent.

But a bill for an act to alter the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to change the Educational Qualification for Elections into Certain Political Offices and for Related Matters was sponsored by Hon. Adewunmi Onanuga.

Onanuga, while presenting the bill, argued that the constitution of Nigeria should be amended to make it compulsory for elective office holders to have a university degree or its equivalent as against the current provision which allowed a First School Leaving Certificate holder to vie for the highest office in the land.

The bill, which enjoyed support from House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, Babajimi Benson, Kingsley Chinda

and others also received criticism from other lawmakers.

Onanuga called on the House to interrogate the educational qualifications of political office holders, noting it had become necessary to peg a university degree or its equivalent as the basic minimum educational requirement to vie for political offices.

Benson, who supported the bill said, "Anyone who is going to oppose this bill should tell us if his son or daughter is in the university or not. I can't believe that in this modern age, some people will say ‘don't go to school but yet go and be the president" Contributing, the House leader, Ihonvbare said "We all know what the world is today. A world where knowledge is power, we see leaders of other nations who make excellent presentations but here, we have leaders dodging debate.

“I don't think this requirement should apply to all political offices.

For local governments, it might not be required but the president, vice-president, national assembly members should be required to own a degree" Leke Abejide added that, "The world has moved, Nigeria should not be left behind. If we put a mediocre candidate to head an important political office, we will end up in disaster."

Alfred Iliah described educational qualification as very important even as he called on the lawmakers to take the Bill seriously.

Mustapha Aliyu, who said the proposed amendment as long overdue stressed that, “Education is the bedrock of development

in any society. Those contesting for executive seats should have a degree. However, the jump from leaving school to degree is too wide.

I will propose that there should be a middle course."

Criticising the bill, Hon. Aliyu Madaki, said the leadership quality of a political office holder is not determined by one’s level of education, “Your level of education is never a determinant of what you will do when you are put in a position of leadership. Let us allow everybody to contest and allow that section of the Constitution the way it is."

Usman Bashir said, “We were

privileged to go to university, but we have less privileged Nigerians, who couldn't afford to go to the university. I propose that we allow the minimum requirement for political office holders to remain the school certificate."

Ahmed Jaha argued that, "Qualification alone is not a true taste of knowledge. We are doing laws for good governance and for peace in this country. We will not do laws that will favour only a few number of Nigerians."

“How many Nigerians are degree holders? America that we refer to have done greatly in educating her citizens but here in Nigeria, what

have we done in improving our education system?”

Hon. Inuwa Garba said, “The mover of this bill is not aware of what is happening in some part of this country. Some schools in some parts of the country have been shut down for a while now. Certificate is not a true test of knowledge. The bill is discriminatory against some people" As a result, Onanuga stepped down the bill, pledging to lobby more of her colleagues preparatory to having it presented on the floor of the House at a later date.

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various parts of the country.

"The BoT is alarmed by the worsening insecurity in the country as evident in the rising cases of mass killings, banditry, kidnap for ransom and acts of terrorism by assailants, who are emboldened by the manifest laidback attitude of the APC administration to issues of security, especially in the last nine months.

"The BoT is appalled by the monumental corruption and unbridled treasury-looting in the APC administration especially the looting of billions of Naira meant for palliatives for poor and vulnerable Nigerians," he said.

He said BoT was seriously worried over the fall of the Naira to an abysmal N1,500 to the Dollar, incessant increase in the pump price of fuel which now sells for over N700 per liter with long queues in various parts of the country.

"These have attendant negative consequences as evident in the nearly 30% inflation rate, 41% unemployment rate and alarming 46% poverty rate where up to 130 million citizens have sunk deeper into multi-dimensional poverty in the last nine months.

"The BoT is disturbed that the catastrophic economic and security situation in the country have left Nigerians hopeless, despondent, angry and constitute a present and immediate threat to the survival of the country as hardworking young Nigerians, professionals in critical fields as well as major multinational companies are now leaving our nation in droves. "

Mutfwang: Why We Sacked Plateau Varsity Vice Chancellor, Rector, Others Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has defended the recent sack of the former Vice Chancellor of the state university, Professor Bernard Matau, the former rector of the state polytechnic, and other heads of state-owned institutions, recently relieved of their positions, noting it was to save the institutions from imminent collapse.

Reacting to agitations by Joint Union of Plateau State-Owned Tertiary Institutions (JUPTI), the Director of Press and Public Affairs (DOPPA) to the Governor, Mr. Gyang Bere said, “The action of government was to

revamp the education sector and save it from collapse.

“For instance, we have a situation where the heads of the institutions are unable to give a clear account of the revenue generated by the institutions.

So, government action is to see that such are investigated to ensure that the right is done.

“On the cancellation of the employment done by the previous government in October 2022, it was pathetic that people with SSCE were employed in the status of a lecturer.

What do such persons have to offer to the system? That, in itself, is like killing the sector. So, government’s action is in the interest of the Plateau State.

“We are therefore appealing to everyone whose appointment was affected by the cancellation, as there will be a review of the exercise to ensure that those who are qualified for their positions will be given their employment.”

JUPTI has addressed the press expressing dissatisfaction over the manner the heads of the tertiary institutions were removed and replaced without due regard to the edicts and laws establishing the institutions, warning on the danger and negative precedents the action of the government will create in the future.

Chairman of JUPTI Comrade Peter

Longbaam said, “Their appointments were in accordance with the Edicts and Laws that established these institutions.

We wonder which criteria were used to remove the Heads of the tertiary institutions.

“The removal of these officers was not in line with the extant laws governing the institutions. With this development, the union is shocked, especially knowing that, not long after, our dear government is a beneficiary of law and justice.

“We are afraid, these acts might be counterproductive with gross and unimaginable consequences in the accreditation of our academic programs.”

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NEWS

Inauguration and donation of classroom block...

L-R: Past Assistant Governor, Tunji Ola; Vice President; Rotarian Kayode Situ; student of Ikeja Junior High School, Aruwa Simon; Past District Governor; Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; Past President, Muyiwa Fashola; student of Ikeja Junior High School, Odeh Favour; and Hope President, Rotary Club of Ikeja, Rotarian Emeka Ibe at the club's inauguration and donation of its star project- classroom block - to Ikeja Junior High School, which was held at the school's premises ... recently

Despite Growing Insecurity, Senate Passes Confidence Vote in Military, Police Holds nine-hour closed session with ministers, service chiefs, IGP, others

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Senate, after about nine hours meeting with the heads of nation's military and security agencies, passed a vote of confidence in the security chiefs and commended President Bola Tinubu for the efforts being made to secure the country.

The meeting, which also had ministers in attendance, started around 12:30pm and ended at 9pm.

The heads of the security agencies in attendance were the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoheed Lagbaja; the

Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Hassan Abubakar; the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; the Director General of Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, and the Director General of the Nigeria Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.

The meeting also had in attendance, the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawale; Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Geidam; and the Minister of State for Police Affairs,

Atiku Disowns Bwala, Says He was Campaign Spokesperson, Not Personal Aide Declares notice is for media, general public Chuks Okocha in Abuja Former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 generalelection, Atiku Abubakar, has disowned Daniel Bwala, saying he was not his personal aide, but spokesperson of the Atiku/Okowa presidential campaign.

Atiku, in a statement by his media office, said, "It is important that the media and the general public take corrective note of defining Mr. Daniel Bwala as an aide to His Excellency Atiku Abubakar.

"Bwala offered his services and support to the Atiku/Okowa

Presidential Campaign Organisation as a spokesperson – and it was a position he held during the last presidential campaign.

"Subsequently, and after the election, the need for a campaign spokesperson has terminated, and Bwala has moved on with his career," Atiku stated.

Atiku said: "This, therefore, serves as notice to the media and the interested public to desist from defining Bwala as an ex-aide of Atiku Abubakar.

"We duly urge the public to henceforth recognise, introduce, and define Daniel Bwala by his current vocation and alliance," he said.

Imaan Ibrahim.

Others were the Minister of Interior, Hon Olubunmi Tunji Ojo; the Minister of Finance who is also the coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, who read the resolution at the end of the meeting, said the Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-

Ojo, had been mandated to ensure the unification of all the means of identification being issued by government agencies in Nigeria.

But briefing journalists after the session, Senate spokesperson, Adeyemi Adaramodu, said the Senate was impressed with the determination and focus of the security chiefs and urged them to do more to ensure

aboard a helicopter in the United States.

“This a huge blow to the banking and financial sector, not just in Nigeria, but across Africa and the world.

“Dr. Wigwe was a shining example of industry, brinksmanship and dedication to all of humanity.

Dying at a time when he was pioneering world class education through his Wigwe University is a devastating loss to this lofty dream and all who hoped on him.

“My deepest condolences to his family, his community, the Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc., his friends and associates.

“As painful as this death is, Dr. Wigwe will be remembered for the impactful life he lived and his unflinching dedication to excellence.”

Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, (APC Niger East), expressed sadness over

and revelations and use them for future actions.

Adaramodu said: "We commended the Security Chiefs and particularly pointed out that the Interior Minister should use a unified system of identification, that will be a better thing for Nigerians.

Continues online

NLC Strike Notice: FG Pushes for Fair, Sustainable Minimum Wage, Begins Talks with Labour economy, in the next five years, it can't buy a bag of rice."

He said there was need to tinker with the law providing for five years renegotiation of national minimum wage to allow for yearly adjustment of wages based on the level of inflation and value of the naira.

"This is important because people have been coming up to say that if we increase salaries it will affect inflation, but should we leave salary to be constant while variables continue to grow?” Ajaero asked. He added that workers were displeased with the poor implementation of the wage award by the government.

The NLC president wondered why it took the president less than 24 hours to implement the removal of fuel subsidy, but he had been unable to decide on measures to manage its effect eight months after.

Ajaero stated, "It took you 24 hours to say fuel subsidy is gone and it is taking you more than eight months to decide what to do with it and you are telling us to give you more time.

“It took 24 hours to remove fuel subsidy but more than eight months no single CNG bus is on the road."

Ajaero said it was better for him to be in jail than see workers earn poor wages that were less than what prison dogs consumed.

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, said dialogue and peaceful relationship between government and labour promoted development.

Fagbemi assured that government was going to implement all key recommendations from the NECA forum.

While welcoming participants at the forum, NECA President, Taiwo Adeniyi, said the organisation would ensure that priority was given to the welfare of employers.

Adeniyi said employers and employees, along with government, were encouraged to engage in social dialogue to improve industrial harmony in the country.

Meanwhile, the federal government urged NLC and TUC not to carry out their threat of industrial

Tinubu Speaks with Grieving Herbert Wigwe’s Parents, Comforts Couple

government and people of Rivers State and my brother, Governor Siminalaye Fubara, for the irreparable loss of one of Nigeria’s most impactful businessmen, investor and a pathfinder for the younger generation. Nigeria and, indeed, humanity lost a colossus in Herbert Wigwe.”

The governor prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the late Herbert Wigwe, his wife, Chizoba, and other Nigerians who lost their lives in the unfortunate air accident.

Otu, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbeche, expressed condolences over Wigwe’s tragic death alongside others in the helicopter accident.

The statement quoted Otu as saying, “I received with utmost shock and sadness the tragic death of one of Nigeria’s sterling bankers and business icons, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, alongside his wife, son and others

security of lives.

He said the security chiefs and the National Security Adviser answered questions bordering on security matters, adding that the Senate commended the president for his efforts to protect lives and property.

The Senate, he added, also commended Service Chiefs and urged them to follow all the suggestions

the tragedy.

In a statement he personally signed yesterday, Musa stated, “I am deeply saddened and devastated by the tragic news of the passing of my dear friend, Herbert Wigwe, CEO of Access Holdings, along with his wife and son, and another close friend, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former Group Chairman of NGX Group.

This loss is profoundly felt across the nation.

“I am down in spirit that we have to lose Herbert Wigwe this early in life. He was a man of integrity and strong conviction to work, he was a great personality and in his chosen career, he exhibited a high level of professionalism and unmatched leadership, which marked him out as a true patriot.

He was a man who never believed in cutting corners to achieve success in business.

"He was a visionary, charismatic

and transformational leader, who contributed significantly to the development of the banking industry in Nigeria and the economy at large.

“I wish to on behalf of my family and the people of Niger East Senatorial District offer our condolences to the Wigwe family, the Board and Management of Access Bank, the governor of Rivers State, the President and Commander-. in-chief of the Armed Forces of Federal Republic of Nigeria for losing such a great son, iconic entrepreneur a serial investor at such a time that our country needs his services the most.

"My heartfelt prayers are with Herbert, his beloved wife, his son, and all those who lost their lives in the tragic plane crash. May God grant them eternal rest and provide strength to Herbert’s family, Access Holdings, and all of us mourning this irreplaceable loss."

action, and promised to resume the payment of wage award to workers this week.

Onyejeocha made the plea in Abuja, at a meeting with the leadership of the two labour centres.

It followed labour’s ultimatum to the federal government on the implementation of the 16-point agreement reached with it on October 2, 2023.

In a statement signed by Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun, the minister appealed to the labour organisations to withdraw their 14-day ultimatum.

She assured that government had stepped up efforts to complete the implementation of the agreement.

The minister had convened the meeting in order to brief the labour centres on progress in the implementation of the agreement, and to reaffirm government’s commitment to the agreement.

She said, "It is true we entered into an agreement, but the government has shown good faith, and considering the urgency of the issue at hand, I called this meeting because dialogue has always been the best way out. And we are all for the well-being of our people.

“I am here to show good cause on why some agreement has not been met.’’

On the CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) buses programme, Director and Chief Executive of the Presidential CNG Initiative, Michael Oluwagbemi, who addressed the meeting virtually, stated that the government had made 70 per cent payment for the procurement of new CNG buses and CNG kits.

Oluwagbemi said while some of the buses were ready, they were expected to start assembling others locally, including the tricycles, between March and April.

The meeting agreed on an immediate joint inspection visit to the Port Harcourt Refinery for labour to confirm the reported progress made in getting the refinery back to operation.

Onyejeocha noted that while the reaction of the labour organisations was not unwarranted in the face of government’s non-completion of the agreement, bearing in mind that some items in the agreement could only be achieved in stages, she hoped that the discussion would lead to the rescinding of the ultimatum by labour.

She assured them of the president's sincerity of purpose and unflinching dedication to the implementation of the agreement, adding that he would leave no stone unturned in seeking to satisfy the demands of the labour organisations.

The minister promised that the government would keep working towards the complete implementation of the agreement.

Onyejeocha told the labour leaders, “I plead with you to sheath your sword. We have been showing good faith; it is just that it is not commensurate with your expectations. But I promise you that we will surpass your expectation this time, and I believe that everything will go well.”

Ajaero enjoined the federal government to be committed to beating the 14-day ultimatum, which started on February 9, by ensuring the implementation of the agreement.

He declared the labour unions’ resolve to stand by their ultimatum, stating that every party to the agreement should endeavour to live up to expectation for the interest of Nigerians and the government.

First Deputy President of TUC, Dr. Tommy Okon, echoed similar concerns, and criticised the government's gradual approach to implementation of the signed agreement.

Okon said, "We have a lot of respect for you, Minister, that's why we are here. We don't need to beg government to do what is right.

Let me tell you, we, the organised labour, are the ones managing crisis in this country for the government; if not, we wouldn’t be here today discussing these issues.”

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NEWS

Forging collaborations for training citizens in Internally Displaced Persons camps...

L-R: Senior Special Assistant to the President on Social Events, Princess Atika Ajanah; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education, Madam Abiola Arogundade and Chief Executive Officer of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Hon. Aliyu Tijani Ahmed, during an official visit to NCFRMI’s Corporate Headquarters at Maitama, Abuja last Monday by Madam Arogundade towards forging collaborations for training citizens in Internally Displaced Persons camps in parts of the country with a variety of skills and empowering them to ensure they are integrated back into the society.

Emefiele Never Directed Me to Pay $6.2m to Poll Observers, Says CBN Deputy Director Insists transaction wasn’t fraudulent, payment made to OSGF staff Mustapha denies knowledge, says document was forgery

Alex Enumah in Abuja

A Deputy Director and Head of the Service Delivery Division at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Michael Onyeka Ogbu, yesterday, told a High Court in Abuja, that the embattled former governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele, never never directed him to pay the sum of $6,230,000 to some international election observers prior to the 2023 general election.

The senior CBN official also insisted that the transaction was not fraudulent to the best of his knowledge and that the money

in dispute was paid to a staff in the office of the secretary to the government of the federation.

But former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, while giving evidence in the alleged $6.2 million fraud trial of Emefiele, denied that the government of Muhammadu Buhari or his office had anything to do with the said transaction Emefiele is standing trial on an alleged 20-count amended charge, preferred against him by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

A Special Investigator, Mr Jim

Obazee, had late last year claimed that video footages showed Emefiele and Mustapha dragging $6.2 million cash from the vault of the CBN. Findings by Obazee subsequently led the federal government to amend the criminal charge against the former CBN boss before Justice Hamza Muazu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to the new charge, Emefiele was alleged to have engaged in criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence, when he served as the apex bank's boss.

Among the allegations was that Emefiele forged a document titled: Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions dated January 26, 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201 and purported same to have emanated from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (AGF).

Emefiele was also alleged to have, on February 8, 2023 knowingly obtained, by false pretence, $6,230,000.00 by falsely representing that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation vide a letter dated January 26, 2023 with Ref No. SGF

Ogun Setting Pace in Tackling Energy Challenges, Says Abiodun James Sowole in Abeokuta Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, yesterday said the state has continued to set the pace for sustainable transportation systems with the use of alternative sources of energy.

The governor stated this while declaring open the 18th National Council of Transportation Conference, holding at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta.

Speaking on the theme of the conference: '’Enhancing Innovations and Technologies for Sustainable Transportation: Tackling the Energy

Challenges', Abiodun, represented by the Commissioner For Transportation, Mr Olugbenga Dairo, said that the theme of the conference was apt.

He said the nation is currently facing a serious energy challenge occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy, which has a spiral effect on cost of transportation and other associated utilities.

He noted that ever before the federal government rolled out plans for the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) project, Ogun state had taken the initiative by rolling out the CNG compliant vehicles to support green environment, fight

against global warming and ease the transportation burden faced by the public.

Abiodun added that other alternative sources of energy, which include electric trucks and motorbikes would soon be launched in the state.

He said that the multi modal transport master plan of the state has created a vista of opportunities for residents and travellers and has enhanced business developments across all strata.

He said there’s already a Cargo Airport at Iperu and an Inland Dry Port at Papalanto to cater for the material needs of the ever growing

industrial cities across the state and beyond.

He enjoined delegates to build on the potentiality inherent in cross fertilization of ideas, innovations and technologies.

In his address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mr Michael Oloruntola, said that the choice of Abeokuta was symbolic, as it has the cultural and historical tapestry that binds everyone together as a nation.

43/L.01/201 requested the CBN to provide a contingent logistic advance in the sum of $6,230,000 “in line with Mr. President's directive.”

Testifying on Monday, Ogbu said, based on the approval, the said $6.2million was paid to one, Jibrin Abubakar, nominated by the Office of the SGF to collect the meant allegedly meant for the payment of the foreign election observers.

While under cross examination earlier, Ogbu, noted that the funds were released because the request documents contained evidence of approvals by former President Buhari and Emefiele.

"6,230,000 was paid in cash to Jubrin Abubakar from OSGF, the money was paid in dollars," he said, adding that he would not have paid the money without authorisation.

Ogbu maintained that the transaction was not a fraudulent transaction because the Director Banking Services Department was trying to recover the money.

According to him, payment of the fund was based on the "understanding that it would be refunded,” adding that he has written for times for the return of the money.

"The last letter I wrote was in November 2023. Between February and November 2023, we have made efforts to have the money back.

"I am aware that the defendant ceased to be CBN governor in June 2023," he said, adding that he had made efforts to regularise

the transaction."

Speaking on the structure of hierarchy in the CBN, Ogbu, who pointed out that he did not report directly to the CBN governor but to the Director, Branch Operations, who in turn reported to the deputy governor operations and administration, said it was not usual for the governor to write directly to him.

While stating that he never paid any money to Emefiele, nor aware of the $6.2 million was traced to Emefiele's account, he said, "He (Emefiele) did not come to tell me that I should approve the payment.

I only acted on what is on the paper.

Recalling that he had said PD3 had approval of the governor, he admitted that, "Emefiele's name is not on the document. He did not sign the document. What is on the document is instruction from Banking Services. My evidence yesterday was based on the document before the court."

He explained that if he had not seen the signature of the Director of Banking Services he would not have authorised the payment.

According to him, the document showed that it was received at the office of the Director Banking Services on February 6.

"There is no stamp that it was received in the office of the governor.

My branch has CCTV of people coming in and going out. There is a footage of where the encasher was collecting the money.

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House to Probe States’ Spending LP Sets Up Disciplinary Committee of N6.57bn Allocation from FAAC

to Probe Its National Treasurer Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Labour Party (LP) yesterday said that it had set up a disciplinary committee to probe the National Treasurer of the party, Oluchi Oparah, who raised allegations of financial impropriety against the National Chairman, Julius Abure.

In a statement late yesterday signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party accused Opara of bringing the party to disrepute.

"Arising from the emergency meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the LP, the

leadership of the party has set up a disciplinary committee to try the National Treasurer, Ms Oluchi Opara for bringing the party to disrepute and misinforming the general public on the internal affairs of the party against the rules and regulations of the party,” it stated.

The spokesman of the party said that at the meeting held in Abuja, and presided over by the Deputy National Chairman, Mrs Ladi Iliya, the party extended an invitation to the Oparah to appear before it today.

Oparah had accused the national chairman of misappropriating the

sum of N3.5 billion, being proceeds of sales of forms for the 2023 general elections.

The national treasurer also accused the national chairman of forging the signature of the late national chairman, Abdulkadir Abdulsalam to steal the funds of the party.

She said that Abure attempted to bribe her with a car and a house to which she refused.

"His tenure has been marred by forgery, embezzlement, and corrupt enrichment, all at the expense of the party and its members,” she had said.

Juliet Akoje in Abuja

The House of Representatives has mandated its Committees on Special Duties, National Planning and Economic Development and Inter-Governmental Affairs to look into state spending and utilisation of the increased allocation from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion under matters of urgent national importance on: 'The need to monitor increased FAAC allocations and usage in accordance with enabling laws in the country in order to reduce poverty in Nigeria' moved by Hon. Ademorin Kuye

at plenary.

Kuye recalled that amount shared by the federal, states and local governments from FAAC had increased significantly, due to the withdrawal of fuel subsidy, floating of the naira and other economic policies unanimously introduced by the government.

"States and local governments got the most cash from FAAC in at least seven years after the subsidy removal took away its burden on public coffers and a currency reform delivered a 40 per cent boost on naira income," he said.

He informed the House that States and local governments received a total of N6.57 trillion in 2023, double the N3.16 trillion they received in 2022.

Raising the concern, Kuye stated that despite the availability of more cash to the states, 14.2 million more citizens continue to grapple with poverty.

He said even Delta that received N217.74 billion; Rivers N179.81 billion; Akwa Ibom – N145.57 billion, Bayelsa N128 billion, have poverty rate of 13.1 per cent, 7. 3 per cent, 22.9 per cent and 24.3 per cent respectively, according to a World report.

"We are more concerned that most of these states with increased allocation face significant challenge in payment of salaries, effective management of public institution, provision of public transportation and access to potable water as unemployment rate has increased to over 51 per cent in some of them.

wednESday february 14, 2024• T H I S D AY

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NEWS

BURIAL OF SYLVAN EBIGWEI…

L-R: Executive, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Delta State chapter, Ogbueshi Frank Nwandu; Reverend Father Dan Onyeayana, Son of the deceased, Dr.Olisa Ebigwei; Superintend of Customs, Raphael Ebigwei; wife of the deceased Dr.(Mrs.)Ego Ebigwei; Lady Agnes Ebigwei, and Reverend Father Norbert Uchiuno, at the burial of Dr. Sylvan Olisanye Ebigwei, at Okpanam, Delta State…recently

NHRC Expresses Worries over Rising Human Rights Violations Says 1,147 complaints received in January

Michael Olugbode in Abuja The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed worries over the increasing violation of human rights in the country.

Speaking during the

presentation of the Human Rights Dashboard in Abuja yesterday , the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu (SAN), lamented that the Northcentral zone has the highest number of rights violations, with Abuja having 382 out of

1,147 complaints received in January, 2024.

Ojukwu, who was represented by his Senior Adviser on Human Rights, Mr. Hilary Ogbonna, said

Towards developing the economy of Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde, has resuscitated the staging of international trade fair in the state 15 years after the last one was held.

The state Commissioner for Trade, Investment, Industry and Co-operatives, Hon. Ademola Ojo, made the disclosure during a press conference held in Ibadan yesterday ahead of the trade fair, tagged: EXPOYO 2024.

According to him, the expo will commence on February 23 and end on March 6, at the Permanent Trade Fair Complex ground, Sango- UI Road, Ibadan, the state capital.

He said trade fair is being organised by the state government in partnership with the Oyo State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OYCCIMA), adding that the trade fair would be declared open officially on February 27

by Governor Makinde.

“We want to let the people of Oyo State and Nigeria in general to see our preparedness towards having a successful 2024 International Trade Fair, tagged: EXPOYO 2024.

“We seriously appreciate first, the Governor of Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde for being magnanimous enough to grant approval for this 2024 trade fair.

University,Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Olubodun Sanni, for allegedly killing his co-student, Miss IfeOluwa Adekunle.

A massive gas explosion yesterday night occurred at a filling station on Alagbado road at Toyin in Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos State.

The incident happened at about 10.00 p.m.

As at the time of this report, the casualty figure from the incident could not be ascertained as men of the state Fire Service and other security operatives have condoned off the area.

The explosion, which rocked the mainly residential area, could be heard as far as Ikeja, the state capital, which is over 15 kilometres

away, a situation which led to the destruction of many buildings while people fled for dear lives.

Although it could not be confirmed, the explosion was suspected to be from a tanker said to be discharging petroleum product at the time the incident occurred.

As at the time of this report, no one could confirm if there are any casualties.

Meanwhile, the men of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, who were attending to the fire explosion reportedly said it was caused by gas tanker, which accidentally caught fire.

the highest number of domestic violence in the country, saying that domestic violence include wife battery, rape, child abandonment and assault.

Miss Ifeoluwa, 20, a 300-level student ofAAUA, was recently found dead in her room in a house outside the university campus, causing panic among the students of the university, particularly female students.

However, the new state Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Oladipo, while parading the suspects

alongside three others arrested for various criminal offences at the Command’s headquarters in Akure, said the suspect, in his confessional statement, explained how he entered the deceased room, stabbed her on the chest with knife and stole her iPhone.

According to him, “On February 2, 2024, a case of suspected murder

was reported at the Police State that one Adekunle Adebisi Ifeoluwa, 20, a 300level student of Adekunle Ajasin UniversityAkungbaAkokowasfound in a pool of blood at her off-campus hostel and was rushed to the university health centre and later referred to a Specialist Hospital in Ikare Akoko where she was confirmed dead.

Peace Returns in Nasarawa after Two Years of Benue Anti-grazing Hostilities Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia

Peace has finally returned to Kwara community in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State after about two years of crisis arising from the implementation of the anti-grazing law in Benue

State at the border between Benue and Nasarawa States.

Announcing the return of peace yesterday at his palace, the traditional ruler of Kwara community, HRH Usman Waya Abubakar, declared peace in his chiefdom when the Tiv community in his

domain led by their leader, Boniface Ifer, came to inform him that the Tiv people have returned to their villages and farmlands after a period of crisis during which insecurity prevailed.

He explained further that the crisis that led to

the displacement of the Tiv community did not emanate from Nasarawa State, but in Benue State, adding that the Tiv community in Kwara were just victim of circumstances, and regretted the crisis which led to some destruction of property.

Kano Gov Launches Biometric Software for Civil Servants, Pensioners, Others Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

Kano state Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf yesterday Massive Explosion Hits Lagos Suburb The launched the Kano Integrated

Segun James

rights violations in the country as a large number of violations are unreported.

According to the dashboard, the North-western region has

Police Arrest Ondo Varsity Student for Allegedly Killing Female Co-student

FidelisDavidinAkure

Ondo State Police Command Makinde Resuscitates Trade The has arrested a final year student of Fair in Oyo 15 Years After the state-owned Adekunle Ajasin

Kemi Olaitan inIbadan

the commission has 36 collection centres and in Abuja to receive complaints of human rights violation and that the figures represent only a fraction of

Personal and Payroll Information System (KIPPIS), to ensure accountability, prudence, in managing Public funds.

During the launching of the programme at Government House, Yusuf said the system was introduced to centralise payments by the state, and local governments and operate e-financing in tandem with global financial practice.

Governor Yusuf urged

the members of the KIPPIS implementation committee to ensure the capturing of all civil servants, pensioners, and all political appointees for the smooth and hitch-free running of the project across the state.

However, the governor directed the Secretary to the

State Government ( SSG) to issue evaluation templates to commissioners who are expected to fill and submit within the next 10 days to determine the retention of performing commissioners and relieving of those who underperformed from the state executive council.

New A’Ibom Police Boss Vows to Tackle Unprofessionalism among Officers Okon Bassey in Uyo

The new Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP. Waheed Ayilara, has vowed to tackle unprofessionalism among police officers in the command.Ayilara

pointed out that “undisciplined officer is a threat not only to the policing family but to the community and the state he serves.”

He made the vow during his maiden press conference at the Police Mess in Uyo where he

promised to make the state too hot for criminal elements and their collaborators to survive by raiding criminal hideouts to fish out all criminals and ensure peace in the state.

“I am using this medium to prevail on all criminals and

their collaborators in the state to pack your bags and luggage and relocate from the state.

“It is not going to be business as usual. We shall take the battle to your hideouts and deny you freedom of action anywhere in the state.”

Former Guber Aspirant will not Dump APC in Kwara, Says Aide Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

party as being insinuated in

He said that the former guber

is planning his exit from the

during the 2019 general election, Hon. Mashood Mustapha, popularly called MM, would not dump the party for another

Mustapha on Political Matters, Dr. Opeyemi Aregbesola, stated this in Ilorin in a chat with journalists.

AbdulRazaq, so as to ensure electoral victory of the party.

Aregbesola, who debunked the claims that Hon. Mustapha

He noted that “the issue of Kwara Hotels concession is purely business and, therefore, has no political undertone.”

quarters as a result of aspirant has remained committed party as a result of the Kwara Oku Jacks Appointed Board Chair A former governorship aspirant certain the Kwara Hotels concession to the APC and would continue Hotels concession issue, said that to work with the Kwara State “the claim is a figment of the the platform of the All issue. of Street Project Foundation onProgressives The Special Adviser to Hon. Governor, Mr. AbdulRahman peddlers’ imagination.”

Congress (APC)

Street Project Foundation has announced Julia Oku Jacks’s appointment as the Board Chairman, following a unanimous vote by the board members last December.

Street Project Foundation, a United Nations award- winning organisation founded by Rita Ezenwa-Okoro, the first Nigerian to serve on the board of the International Society of the Performing Arts (ISPA), is a youthfocused organisation established in 2008. Its mission is to facilitate

opportunities for youth leadership development, social mobilization, and cross-cultural dialogue using the creative arts. Over the past 15 years, the Foundation has positively impacted the lives of thousands of disadvantaged and vulnerable youth across Nigeria.

It aims to address challenges such as youth restlessness, lack of direction, limited access to capital, and opportunities to develop life skills. With Julia’s appointment, the Foundation anticipates a new era of impactful leadership.

Sani Signs Kaduna State Security Trust Fund Bill into Law

JohnShiklaminKaduna

Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has signed into law, the Kaduna State Security Trust Fund Bill, 2024. This followed the repealing of the State Security Trust Fund Law No.22, 2018.

In a statement issued yesterday in Kaduna, Mohammed Shehu, the spokesperson to the governor, said the law is “to provide money for the acquisition and deployment of security equipment, as human, material and financial resources shall be necessary for the effective functioning of all federal,

state, local governments and other security agencies working in the state.”

He added that part of the funds shall be reserved for the training and retraining of security personnel.

The statement explained that: “The law established a Board of Trustees (BoT) to be known as the State Security

Trust Fund Board of Trustees.

“The board shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal; have power to sue and be sued in its corporate name; be capable of holding, purchasing, acquiring any property movable and immovable.”

45

wednESday Jfebruary 14, 2024 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

House Urges FG to Enforce Sanctions on Hospitals Rejecting Accident, Gunshot Victims Urges agency for the disabled to monitor compliance with enabling laws

Juliet Akoje in Abuja

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Ministry of Health to enforce regulations prohibiting hospitals from denying or delaying emergency medical care to victims of accidents or gunshot wounds without a police report and impose appropriate sanctions and penalties.

It also urged the ministry and its regulatory authorities to take immediate and decisive action to address the issue of

hospitals and healthcare facilities refusing to victims without a police report.

Consequently, the lawmakers urged the Federal Ministry of Information, through the National Orientation Agency (NOA), to organise an awareness campaign to educate the public, hospitals, and healthcare professionals about the necessity of immediate medical assistance for accident or gunshot victims.

The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion on the Need for Drastic action

against Health Facilities Refusing Treatment for Accident or Gunshot Patients without Police Reports moved by Hon. Odianosen Okojie at plenary

yesterday.

Okojie noted that the provisions of Section 1 of the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot

Act, 2017 provides that every hospital is to receive and treat victims of gunshot wounds with or without police clearance and/ or payment of an initial deposit.

He argue that they are dutybound to report to the nearest police station within hours of commencing treatment on the victim.

ECOWAS: W’Africa Struggling with Effects of Surging Population Growth Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has lamented that member states are currently facing hard times as they are finding it difficult to cope with population growth and subsequent demand

for housing, transportation, basic services, food, jobs, and urban livelihood.

Speaking at the Stakeholders’ Consultation Workshop on ECOWAS Regional Resilience Strategy for West Africa in Abuja yesterday, the ECOWAS Commissioner on Human

Rights and Social Affairs, Prof.

Fatou Sarr, said the current realities of rapid population growth in West Africa with women and children being worst victims have contributed to increased demand for housing and transportation.

According to him, these issues further strain the

coping capacity of the region as member states struggle to recover from these challenges.

He said the workshop taking place in Abuja for three days, marked a significant milestone in the collective efforts to strengthen regional stability, peace, and development in West Africa.

the way of the opposition, saying the people stood their ground to defend their mandates.

Governor Diri made the commendation at the Douye Diri Peace Prize and Leadership Lecture/book presentation in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The leadership lecture and book presentation was part of activities to mark Governor Diri’s second term inauguration today.

According to Diri, the former

President Goodluck Jonathan, the elders and the people of the state stood by him.

He said: “All leaders both home and abroad did what was expected of them. This victory was not only because the governor work hard but because the people knew what they wanted.

“Peace and unity has eluded this state for some times, life were being threatened because of those who failed to do the biding of

other party. Now that we have come to enjoy some level of peace and unity, we will not want to lose it.

“We cannot achieve anything because we were so factionalized, hence a committee was setup headed by late Inatimi Rufus Spiff, and they went a long way to reconciled all the leaders and political stakeholders. We have no other home to go apart from Bayelsa State.

THISDAY checks, was caused by power surge that occurred in one of the offices of the court complex around 7:33 a.m. yesterday.

Following the ugly development, the state fire service were said to have been informed and rushed to the court complex to prevent the inferno from affecting the

whole court complex.

However, a statement issued in Ilorin yesterday and signed by the Head of Media and Publicity of the State Fire Service, Mr. Hakeem Adekunle, said the double efforts of the fire crew have prevented the total ravaging of the whole court complex by the fire outbreak.

The statement read: “In the morning of February 13 at 07:33 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service received a distress call regarding a fire outbreak at the state High Court in Ilorin.

“Responding swiftly, the fire crew rushed to the scene to find the imposing state High Court building ablaze.

PPDC, CSO, Others Brainstorm on Enhancing Criminal Justice System Diri Commends Bayelsa Elders for Standing against Threats during Guber Poll Seriki Adinoyi inJos

The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has underscored the critical importance of swift and efficient justice delivery, lamenting the detrimental effects of delayed justice on individual rights, public trust in the judiciary, commerce, investment, and resource allocation.

In a two-day access to justice town hall meeting and workshop in Plateau State, which focused on the administration of criminal justice instruments, PPDC brought other stakeholders, including government officials, legal professionals, and civil society organisations to discuss strategies to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the state criminal justice system.

Speaking during the meeting on the collaborative efforts that have led to significant progress in the past two years, particularly

through court administration and case management projects, the Chief Executive Officer of PPDC, Mr. Jubril Shittu, emphasised the importance of genuine partnership and highlighted interventions aimed at sustainability.

The state Programme Manager for PPDC, Linda Daze, outlined the efforts made by PPDC to enhance access to justice in Plateau State, including the introduction of a management project aimed at improving efficiency in the criminal justice sector.

She highlighted initiatives such as installing virtual hearing facilities, strengthening institutional capacities, and expanding the case management system. The CEO emphasised the importance of reducing file retrieval time and announced the launch of the Reforming Pictorial Detention phase-II project aimed at releasing 1,800 inmates annually.

Olusegun Samuel inYenagoa

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has commended the elders and people of the state for standing against threats and intimidations during the November 11, 2023, governorship election that returned him for a second term in office in the state.

He said there were threat to life and outright intimidation of the people that refused to looked

Fire Outbreak Destroys Offices, Open Courtrooms in Kwara Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Fire outbreak at the Kwara State High Court Complex in Ilorin yesterday reportedly damaged 40 offices and three open courtrooms.

Also affected by the inferno are court registry department and litigation office.

The incident, according to

46

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024 • T H I S D AY

BACK PAGE CONTINUATION Telling Chizoba’s Story with your trademark laughter, “Ijeoma, I am working.”

It was your construction firm that built the highways, bridges and toll plaza from Lekki Phase II all the way to and within Epe town, making the journey to Ijebu Ode in Ogun State less arduous. It was your construction firm that built roads and flyovers in Ondo, Imo, Adamawa, Ogun, Bauchi, Gombe and other states. You took on airport construction projects, oil and gas, and marine projects like fish to water. Today, Craneburg is one of Nigeria’s largest, diversified construction groups that employs 7,000 people working across all major sectors of the economy. When you were not travelling around Nigeria, you would take off to China or Hong Kong to import all sort of things that you sold. No enterprise was too big or too small for you to handle. You revelled in it like very few people could.

I once asked you how Herbert felt about your far-flung business interests. You responded, saying that your relationship with him was built on trust and he was a confident man who was very supportive of your business.

Herbert was later to confirm this over ten years ago when he proudly confessed to a mutual friend that you were probably wealthier than he was. More recently, in an interview on Arise News Channel, when the interviewer Ojy Okpe asked Herbert what his most prized possession was, without skipping a beat, he said you were his most prized asset and his everything. This was how much you meant to him. You were anything but a trophy wife.

You were an equal partner in a blessed union made on earth and now in heaven.

As I watched your relationship with Herbert thrive, I was later to understand that it was your independence, industry and mutual love of children that solidified your bond as a loving couple. Just like Herbert, you loved children dearly and I watched your family grow with the addition of David, Hannah and Okachi. I remember your love and dedication to your children. Despite your business interests, you always took off for several months at a time watching over Chizi and Tochi in the UK when they were at boarding school and university.

When David and Hannah were old enough

to go to boarding school, you did likewise.

I remember when you told me that Herbert found it difficult to let go of David and how he cried like a baby when he was dropped off at prep school in the UK. You and Herbert absolutely adored children and were planning to have more because they brought both of you tremendous joy.

Barely a week before you embarked on your

final journey to the United States, I called you to introduce you to a friend of mine who wanted to build two multi-storey buildings in Lagos.

Irrespective of the numerous projects that you were already handling, you were very grateful and excited at the new prospect and within 24 hours had met with her and her team at their office in Ikoyi. My friend is very sad at your passing but has promised to go ahead

with Craneburg Construction as a mark of remembrance of your dynamism and industry.

Chiz Baby, what will we do without you? You were a beautiful woman, not just in looks but in spirit. You never, ever flaunted your success.

You were always God-fearing, humble, playful, shrewd and intelligent. Last Saturday evening when I heard that you, Herbert and Chizi had been declared missing after the helicopter crash, I kept calling Alex your brother who was extraordinarily brave that night. We held on to whatever glimmer of hope that we had that all three of you had walked away from the crash and would be found. But as the night wore on and we learnt that you were no more, I completely lost sleep.

All I could do was to go down memory lane of our early beginnings as I showed you the lay of the land and introduced you to the few friends that I had. I thought of our minor scrapes as young women and our ability to move past them. I thought of your interactions with my mum and dad whenever you came round to visit. I thought of your interactions with your parents and siblings Alex, Pauline, Tolly, the late Anana and Chinny and how much you loved them.

I thought of Tochi, Hanana, David and little Okachi who you, Herbert and Chizi have left behind. It was like watching life through a kaleidoscope.

Chiz Baby, right now we can only console ourselves in the knowledge that you and your dearest Herbert left behind separate, yet intertwined sustainable legacies through which we shall remember both of you for eternity. Thankfully, Tochi is your daughter through and through. She is almost the same age today as you were when you returned to Nigeria over three decades ago. We believe in her capacity, with the support and guidance of her numerous uncles and aunties, to look after and bring up her younger siblings in a manner that would make you, Chizi and Herbert proud. Despite the heartbreak, they will grow, prosper, and carry on the baton of the Wigwe family. They will be fine!

Sleep on my dearest Chiz Baby. Sleep on my dearest Herbie. Sleep on my dearest Chizi.

And may your souls rest in eternal peace.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful and strive to be happy. In all frankly, self first, for if you are of no use to yourself, you can hardly be of value to others.

I’m not referring here to education per se; we have a sizable number of those. I am referring to a system of education that impacts on an individual a unique ability that is contributory to the overall beneficial growth of society, in other words, functional education as distinct from communicative education as we now have, that enables us read and write. The Germans have by their educational system articulated this perhaps more than any other country on earth with its high content of vocational studies and practical exposure during training, allowing and indeed encouraging innovation. It’s hardly conceivable that an automobile engineering student would not have dismantled and rebuilt an entire car by the date of graduation and his final year thesis being on how to improve some system within the vehicle. And to aid this further, German manufacturing businesses are an integral part of the educational system. The Chinese have recently adopted a similar system. Our inability to develop and implement a functional healthcare delivery system, has led nationally to both physical and economic hemorrhage.

Physically, our productivity is one of the lowest on the continent and indeed the world. Malaria as a single scourge accounts for no less than 15 to 20% decrease in workers output, not to talk about poor nutrition and its impact on physical and mental health development. Besides, given the amount spent as international funds transfer around the world on healthcare and the attendant high cost for healthcare locally, it is nightmarish to fall sick in Nigeria. Stating broadly, until functional medicare is available within five minutes walk from our places of residence, as do churches , universal healthcare delivery will remain a mirage.

One of the great mitigations to achieving our full potential as a people and a nation is the absence of infrastructure. The paralyzing road, rail, air and seaport infrastructure mitigates the rapid movements of good, and persons.

The poor communication system does not help either; this mitigates the provision of services.

To date our telecommunications system is a cellular one, which is a secondary means of communication with very limited data ability as against trunk lines with fiber optics with much larger data band width. What we call land lines, are indeed primary communication systems.

I need not talk about power or energy

infrastructure. Ironically, Nigeria remains the single largest petroleum gas pollutant in the world. Flaring approximately 25 billion cubic ft. of gas daily, an equivalent of 25 million liters of diesel, an amount that could fuel enough turbines to power the entire continent, is simply inexplicable. Imagine if we piped the gas to every part of the country and made subsidized gas our stimulant to industry in our quest to achieving global industrial competitiveness. After all we flare the gas.

You have to use what you have to get what you want. And embracing technology would be the catalyst. Technology and particularly information technology is the growth trajectory for the next 50 years.

As sophisticated as it may seem already, it is still in its infancy and the only only way to bridge the development divide between the northern and southern hemispheres is to expedite our knowledge in this sector. It is indeed more crucial in today’s world than the study of English as a language and matched only by mathematics.

(Truth is to study IT one must have a reasonable command of the language of instruction).

The usual question when I so postulate on what ought to be done is this: where is the money coming from? My answer is simple, several sources of financial engineering could bring this about, however, one obvious low hanging fruit, is amortizing our oil resources.

With an estimated 40 billion barrels there must be a way to leverage on the short term this resource, indeed, it’s not so much the resource but rather our credibility as a nation that is hampering our collective access to capital. The true challenge is not finding the money, but its maximum, prudent utilization and this has thus far eluded us. Recent budgetary allocations betray succinctly this statements.

Is it easy? NO, and it should not be. The bumps and hiccups along the way only help to sift the boys from the men, the girls from the ladies or better put, determine the entrepreneurs from the flock, thereby improving and putting focus on the productive gene pool. But this would require tremendous discipline, fastidiousness and for us an uncommon drive. But bear in mind, HE WHO DARES WINS!!! *The foregoing are excerpts from a preconvocation lecture given recently by Mr. Duke at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria

The late Herbert Wigwe

Musings with Graduands from, not those that entertain you for they are of transient value. Study and understand your failures, it’s telling you something. Pace yourself, we all have our race to run. It’s not necessarily for the swiftest.

Remember Kodak, they invented the digital camera, but failed to understand the digital revolution. Always improve and keep abreast of advancements, it’s an ever changing world.

Never stand still, time is the greatest and scarcest resource in the world, but, remember as Martin Luther King once said ,“if you can’t fly, run, if you can’t run, walk and if you can’t walk, crawl, but by all means keep on moving”. Your watch phrase should be “good better best, won’t you ever rest, nay, until my good is better and my better is best. Let the DESIDERATA by Max Erhmann be you creed to life, it goes this way; “Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

So set forth, your time is now.

Now let’s talk about Nigeria, Africa and indeed the world. Our population, resource base, positive aggression make it imperative that we play a dominant role in the black world or at least in Africa. That we claim we are the largest economy in Africa is akin to dwarfs arguing who is taller. The size of our economy which is hardly $500b is equivalent of perhaps two persons in the United States, several companies in the United States are far larger in worth than all of Nigeria, we need to contextualize ourselves vis a vis the rest of the world.

We still remain one of, if not the poorest nation on earth per capital. Ours is the typical “in the abundance of water the fool is thirsty.”

But there’s a new sound bite in the air. A trillion dollar economy in the next couple of years. But how do we achieve this and how does it better and prosper each or majority of us? What are our strengths that we can build upon that makes us as a collective, participants and beneficiaries in the overall upbuilding of our country. But a nation with the right planks can help catalyze this. And the proposition is based on four anchors, SKILLS, HEALTH, INFRASTRUCTURE AND TECHNOLOGY. Our world today is skill-based. Automation has over the past 200 years been replacing labor and over the last 50 years this pace has accelerated. It is automation that saw to the irrelevance of slave labor in the west and not morality and is currently leading to higher than required production levels that require unsophisticated markets for dumping. That explains the selling of good quality cheap products to the less developed, making it unattractive for this world to become productive entities in themselves. To bridge the productivity gap, we urgently need to bridge the skills divide.

47

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024

WEDNESdaysports Nwabali Pleasantly Surprised By President Tinubu’s National Honours to Super Eagles

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Duro Ikhazuagbe Nigeria’s new Number 1 goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has expressed amazement at the reception and national honours conferred on him and his Super Eagles teammates

by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday in Abuja.

Speaking on a late night Arise News show conducted by Suleiman Aledeh and Ngozi Alaegbu, yester-

day, Nwabali revealed that Super Eagles players and officials were stunned by the national honours, flat apartments and lands in Abuja showered on the team by the Federal Government despite not winning the 34th Africa Cup of Nations they lost in the final to hosts Côte d’Ivoire 1-2 on Sunday evening.

“To be honest, I didn’t expect these goodies from President Bola Tinubu.

But when he was announcing the

gifts to the team, I just was dazed.

I was wondering what would have happened if we had won the AFCON 2023 trophy for Nigeria,” observed the Chippa United goalkeeper in the South African Premier League.

Asked what the future holds for him, Nwabali said he would love to play in Europe but is not in a rush to move from South Africa for now.

“Of course, people have been sending me messages , wishing

that I go to Europe for greener pastures in bigger clubs. I really wish it comes true. But honestly, I always feel comfortable where I am , even if it is a small place and wait for the nice one to come. I don’t like rushing. That is not my style,” he stressed.

He recalled his debut for Nigeria against Mexico three years ago when he wished it becomes a permanent one. “ I really wished to be here in

NFF, Pinnick Decry Online Attacks on Iwobi The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Nigeria’s FIFA Council Member, Amaju Pinnick have condemned in strong terms the cyber attacks on Super Eagles’ midfielder, Alex Iwobi, stressing that the virulent attacks on the player are uncalled-for given his commitment and dedication to duty for homeland over the years.

“Alex Iwobi does not deserve these attacks. He has a record of utmost dedication to duty and a remarkable attitude of giving his all on international duty.

“We cannot suddenly forget the great moments he has made on duty for Nigeria, like scoring

that goal against Zambia in Uyo that qualified Nigeria to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Pinnick recalled the many sacrifices Iwobi have endured to bring glory to Nigeria. “ Alex Iwobi is a patriot who should be celebrated and not bullied on social media. He had the option of not playing for Nigeria but chose the country of his ancestors,” stressed the former NFF president.

Pinnick also recalled how he had to ferry Iwobi in his private boat from Benin Republic to Ilase Beach to stay the night when he was diagnosed with Covid-19 while his

teammates played the Squirrels.,” the FIFA Council member stressed.

According to NFF’s Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, Iwobi is the seventh most capped Nigerian player in history “We are talking about someone who is actually the seventh mostcapped Nigerian footballer in history.

With 76 caps, Alex Iwobi has nothing to prove to anyone about his patriotic fervour and dedication to duty for Nigeria. Please let us show him love and not hatred,” he pleaded last night.

Iwobi is behind only Ahmed Musa, Vincent Enyeama, Joseph Yobo, John Mikel Obi, Nwankwo Kanu and Mudashiru Babatunde Lawal (of blessed memory) in the record of most caps players for Nigeria, and has travelled to different countries and continents to defend the green-white-green for about eight years now.

He has featured for Nigeria at the FIFA World Cup finals in Russia in 2018 and the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 (Egypt), 2021 (Cameroon) and Cõte d’Ivoire (2023).

the Super Eagles. Because we lost I didn’t know when the opportunity will come again. In my heart, I knew that day will come. And here I am today. I believe this issue of playing in Europe will also follow that familiar route,” he hoped.

Nwabali was however sad that Nigeria lost the AFCON 2023 final to Côte d’Ivoire.

“With all the big stars in our team and how we went all the way to the final, I was looking forward to celebrating the AFCON title with Super Eagles in this my first outing in the tournament,” the new Super Eagles Number one goalkeeper said.

Speaking earlier in Abuja during the reception for the team at the Villa, Nwabali dismissed fears being nursed in some quarters that he may be haunted by South Africans due to his heroics that sent out the Bafana Bafana from the tournament at the semifinal stage in Bouake.

“Definitely, I must go back to my club, but talking about the threat, this is football. You can't threaten someone because South Africa also defeated some other teams to reach that stage of the tournament. It doesn’t make sense to me. Its all football. I don’t

Stanley Nwabali...stunned by national honours, houses and lands showered on Super Eagles by the Federal Government think there’s anything attached to it.

Maybe it was just weirdo writing rubbish on social media.

“But it’s cool to me because I spoken with my Club Chairman three days ago and he didn’t mention any stuff like anybody threatening me,” concludes Nwabali.

Orji Kalu, Ogba, Elegbeleye, Runsewe Top SportsVille Awards Nominees

Former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu and current Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League Board, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye, are top on the list of those nominated for different awards categories by the organisers of the annual Sportsville Special Recognition Awards.

Former Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) President and current NOC First Vice President, Chief Solomon Ogba and Otunba Segun Runsewe were also named.

The nominees were rolled out yesterday at an elaborate ceremony in Lagos by the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Adekunle Salami. Salami said his committee took pains to ensure that only those truly deserving made the final cut.

For the Icon category, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Otunba Segun Runsewe OON, Chief Solomon Ogba, Rtn. Victor Ochei are on the cards while Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye is the only nominee for the administrator of the year category.

A total of 10 recipients are on the cards for the special recognition category. They are Hon. Fatai Adekunle

Ayoola (Executive Chairman, Ajeromi Ifelodun LGA); Edington Kuejebola, Hajiya Zainab Saleh; Hon. Agboola Dabiri ; Gbenga Ojofeitimi ; Kunle Solaja ; Dr Uyi Akpata; Coach Sebastian Brodricks (Post Humous) ; Francis Orbih and Brila FM. PR Guru, Jenkins Alumona, is also in the Innovative category while Hon Daniel Igali is in the Integrity category. MTN, Tucan Energy and Nestle Nigeria are nominated for the Corporate category.

Remo Stars Complex stood out in the Best Facilities category (Private), just as Edo State Government got the nod on Best Facilities in the government category courtesy of the Samuel Ogbemudia Sports Complex. Delta State will also be rewarded with the biggest investment in sports award.

There are also sports federation category and support for Nigerian league category.

The ceremony holds on Friday, March 1st, 2024at the Prestigious EKO CLUB off Bode Thomas in Lagos under the Chairmanship of former Green Eagles Skipper, Dr Segun Odegbami.

Heineken Launches 'Cheers to The Real Hardcore Fans' as UCL Enters Crucial Stage The UEFA Champions League is back, and Heineken is bringing the heat with their latest campaign: “Cheers to The Real Hardcore Fans”.

This season, the Premium beer brand is shattering stereotypes and celebrating the true spirit of "hardcore" fandom, a group often misrepresented by negativity.

Coming off the electrifying Africa Cup of Nations where Nigeria proudly finished as runners-up, football fans are already gearing up for another exciting Champions League season where Manchester City’s European crown is being targeted by some teams including the London Gunners.

"It's been a whirlwind start to 2024," says Maria Shadeko, Portfolio Manager Alcoholic Drinks at Nigerian Breweries Plc.

"And now, we're taking the momentum to redefine hardcore fandom with Heineken's Cheers to The Real Hardcore Fans campaign."

This campaign isn't about aggression or negativity; it's about the passion, dedication, and quirky love that defines real hardcore fans.

Heineken has already confirmed Dutch Captain, Virgil van Dijk,and former Lioness, Jill Scott MBE, as ambassadors to show the world what true hardcore fandom looks like.

"There's a misconception about hardcore fans," explains Shadeko.

"Our campaign celebrates the diverse group who truly live and breathe the sport, the ones who paint their faces with team colors, memorize stats, and support their team through thick and thin."

L-R: Assistant Captain of the Super Eagles, William Troost-Ekong; Chairman, MTN Nigeria, Dr Ernest Ndukwe; CEO, Transcorp Hilton, Modupe Olusola; CEO, MTN Nigeria, Karl Olutokun Toriola; Director, MTN Nigeria, Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru; Terem Moffi, Super Eagles Forward and Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at the MTN Nigeria, Tobechukwu Okigbo, during the Champions' Breakfast with the Super Eagles, which held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja...yesterday

Mbappe Set to Return as PSG Battle Sadiq Umar’s Sociedad Kylian Mbappe is set to return for Paris St-Germain for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at home to Real Sociedad tonight.

The 25-year-old France striker was an unused substitute for PSG's 3-1 league win against Lille on Saturday.

PSG boss Luis Enrique chose to rest Mbappe for the game after he picked up an ankle injury in a French Cup win over Brest.

"Kylian Mbappe is available, just like the other players," said Luis Enrique.

"When a team has a player like

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Kylian Mbappe, of course we know that the more he plays the better, because we all benefit from that.

"There is no doubt about it. He could have played (on Saturday) if it had been a final, but it wasn't, it was not worth the risk."

Mbappe has scored 20 league goals and three in the Champions League this season.

PSG go into the game against Sadiq Umar’s Sociedad with an

11 point lead in Ligue 1, while the Spanish side are seventh in La Liga.

However, PSG finished as runnersup in their Champions League group to reach the knockout stage, while Sociedad finished top of a group which included Inter Milan.

Umar was part of the Super Eagles squad at the just concluded AFCON 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire but left camp on the premise he was returning to Spain to treat a lingering injury.

He was however spotted training at his club barely 48 hours he left Abidjan, giving room to specula-

tions the lanky striker was never really injured. He’s expected to be in Sociedad’s starting line up this evening.

PRESULTS (Round of 16) Copenhagen 1-3 Man City Leipzig 0-1 Real Madrid TODAY PSG v Sociedad Lazio v B’Munich

Lagos A+/ A One Wins Lagos Low Cup, MSD Baby Bear Clinches CNS Trophy As the prestigious 2024 Lagos international Polo Tournament enters its final week, host Lagos has tightened its hold on the medals table, adding Lagos A+/A One and Lagos MSD Baby Bear teams as top third week of the fiesta.

Olumide Agboola led Lagos A+/ A One to pull off the biggest upset of the third week, defeating hot favourites, Lagos MSD Baby Bear 6-3 to win the Low Cup in a fierce final match on Sunday.

MSD Baby Bear paid dearly for underrating their final game opponents who had earlier out-paced the Golden Alchemy 41/2-4 to earn their

2 0 2 4 N PA / L AG O S GTC O P O LO first ever Chief of Naval Staff title.

The international polo festival that is hosted to mark the 120 years anniversary of polo in Lagos, galloped off with fanfare January 23, 2024 with record 39 teams vying for four major prizes and a handful trophies, enters its final week with 14 teams jostling for the glittering Silver Cup. According to the Lagos Polo Captain, Muyiwa Oni, seven Lagos-based teams and visiting teams from Kano, Kaduna, and Ibadan are

grouped into four streams to play each other in the group games for the four top performers to meet in the semi- final stage to produce the two finalists.

Mayowa Ogunnusi, Tournament Manager who applauded all the sponsors and partners for making the 120th anniversary tournament such a huge success, added that apart from individual awards to be given out to the best performing teams, and players, the biggest subsidiary prize of the last week is the Sani

Dangote Memorial Cup. The Sani Dangote Cup was introduced two years ago to be played annually in memory of the late President of the Lagos Polo Club, as one of the major prizes during the prestigious polo fiesta.

Apart from the Adedapo Ojora Cup which was won by Kaduna Sublime/ Dangote team in the opening week of the grand fiesta, Lagos-based teams have continued to dominate the victory podium, carting home the event’s biggest prize, the Majekodunmi Cup, the Lagos Open Cup and the Lagos Low Cup decided last weekend.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

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MISSILE NECA D-G to Federal Govt

“We expect government to take more than a cursory look on local manufacturing. If we really want to deal with issues facing our economy, we cannot escape promoting ‘Made in Nigeria’ products. There is no option to local manufacturing. It must take place. Nigeria must produce what we wear and eat and we must also export. Those are just fundamentals for national development” --Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) D-G, Adewale-Smatt Ayorinde, urges the government to focus more on local manufacturing.

ijeomaNwogwugwu behind the figures

ijeoma.nwogwugwu@thisdaylive.com

Telling Chizoba’s Story

H

erbert Wigwe everyone knew, but not many knew the backbone behind his immense success. I called you Chiz Baby. Queenette Allagoa called you Chiz Burger.

Most called you Doreen. I remember when you came back from the United States of America 31 years ago. You were just 26 years old, armed with your university degrees and ready to start life afresh back home. We immediately bonded over our unique family dynamics and love of trading. I remember marvelling at your capacity to switch back and forth from an American accent to a Nigerian English accent with ease. I was immediately drawn to your infectious laughter which could be heard from a mile away and your tremendous industry.

You were born into privilege, but you were never afraid of hard work.

Your dad, the late Chief Cyprian Chukwuemeka Nwuba (Uncle CY) was a chartered accountant and had worked for Shell Petroleum Development Company where he rose to the position of African Financial Controller, before transferring to the Nigerian National Petroleum

Chizoba Doreen Wigwe Corporation where he was the Group General Manager, Finance and Accounts, before his retirement. Your mum was a senior public servant who worked in the education ministry

DonaldDuke

before she took you, Alex and Pauline to live with her in the United States.

Despite spending your impressionable years growing up in the U.S., we would head out daily to Oke-Arin market in the heart of Lagos Island where we tried our hands at wholesale trading. I would later drop my forays into Oke-Arin market and give up the shop that my parents had paid for me as I forged a new career in journalism. But you never did, frugally saving and turning around every penny that you made until you became an immensely wealthy and successful businesswoman with interests in construction, real estate and the hospitality sectors.

I remember the beginnings of your relationship with Queenette, which was to blossom into a lifelong unbreakable sisterhood. Today, she’s inconsolable without you, but remains thankful to God for your life. I remember your first meeting with Herbert, then a young, freshly minted General Manager at Guaranty Trust Bank, and the twinkle in your eye after introductions had been made. It was at Queenette’s house where we used to hangout as young women,

laughing our heads off and without a care in the world. I remember your wedding to Herbert and the reception at the Muson Centre.

I remember Chizi’s birth a few months after and Tochi’s four years later. We would still hangout at Queenette’s house where Herbert would often turn up after work to pick you up, but only after he had helped himself to a hearty meal of edi kai kong, afang or fisherman’s soup that were regular staples at Queenette’s abode.

I recall when you ventured into the construction industry. Just a few of us knew that Craneburg Construction Company was your baby. You would regale me with stories about size of the contracts your company was taking on and I was amazed at your trips all over the country, executing and monitoring road, infrastructure and building projects. You would sometimes call me from Bauchi or Sokoto State and I would ask, “Chiz Baby, what on earth are you doing there?” You would always respond Continued on page 46

guest columnist

Musings with Graduands

W

hat you wish today may not be so appealing tomorrow, the world is evolving, and in its evolution dynamics change.

Strategies are dynamic and ought to evolve according to circumstances.

Time is an element you have little or no control over, but never fail to seize the moment. What is most important is you have a career plan, no matter how humble or lofty, it is your plan and like the lens of a glass, keep your thoughts and aspirations focused therein, sooner or later, you will generate enough heat and light a fire.

As in a lens, there is no time frame when the heat would generate a fire, the clouds could cover the sun momentarily but eventually it will pass. The winds could cool the heat or rains may fall but all these shall come to pass in time, let not your desire to accomplish wane.

Nurture strength of spirit, believe and focus on yourself, you have no time to indulge on others, be thankful for God’s Grace upon your life, He that brought you thus far, shall never forsake you. What we term as misfortunes and setbacks only strengthen you, for what does not eliminate strengthens.

Fear is your greatest enemy, for he who dares wins. Be bold and daring, you are a

Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman stakeholder in this country, this continent and the world, and not a tenant. Globalize your aspirations where possible, but also be content

with your humble strides, what is important is do positive things no matter how modest it may seem. Attitude in numerology is 100, imbibe the CAN DO SPIRIT, if I can think it, I can do it, or how else could the Wright brothers have developed the aeroplane?

Consider where the world would be today without the daringness of those two brothers.

Do not for once think there is someone out there looking out for you, or bail you out in your times of need, you are now O. Y.O, on your own.

Unfortunately, governance and caring do not correlate in Nigeria. Aspire for what will bring the greatest good to yourself and society.

For instance, if theoretically, each one of you impacts positively the life of ten persons and they in turn impact a further 10 and thereon, in six short years we should impact the lives of millions of people.

That may sound absurdly impossible and

“Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass”

impracticable, only because we have not made giving the creed in our lives. In tough times, develop the resilience to overcome, nobody said it would be easy, but never lose focus, always look at the sunnier side to life.

For me, when the times are rough and tough, I take to music. I learnt how to play the saxophone in a tough period in my life, do what you enjoy, to keep you in such moments sane, never allow disquietude overcome you, that is a sign of despair and the beginning of failure. Remember, quitters never win, and winners never quit. Personally, I’ll will respect you if you aim high and miss, rather than aim low and hit. Be of self discipline, for if you are unable to discipline self, which is self conquest, how could you conquer the world?

Ego is a diabolical weakness not a strength, it’s size corresponds to your weakness. Samson was a conqueror until he lost self discipline.

Be punctual in your affairs, it’s better to be an hour early, than a minute late. Rather be the hammer than the nail, but never fail to show compassion in all your affairs for you are not just a human being, but a humane being.

Surround yourself with people you can learn Continued on page 46

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