FRIDAY 3RD MARCH 2023

Nigeria’s Election Badly Flawed, INEC Failed, Says Financial Times in Editorial Advises courts should take hard look at Tinubu's victory if challenged

Peter Uzoho As controversies continue to trail

Nigeria's just concluded 2023 presidential and National Assembly polls held last weekend, The Financial

Times of London has said the elections were badly flawed, just as it lambasted the Independent

National Electoral Commission (INEC) for misfiring.

The newspaper also advised the

courts to take a hard look at the emergence of the president-elect, Mr. Bola Tinubu if his victory was

challenged in court by his opponents.

Continued on page 8

President-elect Tinubu: I'll Run Fair, Inclusive Government... Page 36 Friday 3 March, 2023 Vol 28. No 10187. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com TR

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Obi Weeps, Says He Won Election, Will Prove It Atiku: Poll Worst Since 1999, I’ll Challenge It Ex-VP reiterates belief in judiciary Obi accuses INEC of tampering with existing voters' data APC tells exAnambra gov to accept olive branch or meet in court Dismisses PDP candidate as delusional, responsible for defeat

Chuks Okocha, Kingsley Nwezeh, Adedayo Akinwale, Emameh Gabriel in Abuja and Nume Ekeghe in Lagos

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, who was visibly devastated to the point that he

cried on national television, albeit maintaining decent composure, yesterday, insisted he won last Saturday’s presidential election

and would not only challenge it, but would prove he actually won it.

Obi, who also boasted about his confidence in the judiciary, citing his

experience as governor, insisted he would prove to the court how he won the election, even as he accused the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC) of tampering with existing data of voters.

Continued on page 8

Six States Ask S’Court to Declare INEC’s Pronouncement of Tinubu as President-elect Null,Void, of No Effect For failure to transmit presidential election results electronically as required by Electoral Act, commission’s regulation and guidelines Claim FG has powers to compel INEC as agency of government See story on page 8

THEY RIGGED THE ELECTION...

LEADERS WE TRUSTED ROBBED US...

L-R: Labour Party Campaign Director General, Mr. Akin Osuntokun; Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, Mr. L-R: Adamawa State Governor, Umaru Fitinri, PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar and PDP National Peter Obi; with Chairman of Labour Party, Julius Abure; during the World Press Conference on the outcome of Chairman IyorchIa Ayu, during a World Press Conference by Atiku Abubakar in Abuja.... yesterday KINGSLEY ADEBOYE 2023 general election in Abuja Yesterday

Ohanaeze in Lagos, Yoruba Council, Christians Back Sanwo-Olu for Second Term... Page 34

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Labour Party Will Resist Intimidation in Lagos, Says Rhodes-Vivor Segun James The governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos State, Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivor has warned that supporters of the party would resist any act of intimidation on election day.

Rhodes-Vivor who spoke in

Lagos, yesterday, said: "Our victory is for the people of Lagos and it has set up the foundation upon which we can change the status quo and begin to build a better Lagos moving forward.

"At this moment, I feel your despair, frustrations and anger at this system which callously

tries to subvert our will and makes us feel like our votes don't matter. Do not despair my people.

Our votes actually count and it has retired some members of the status quo already.

“I have also heard about the threats they make to your

livelihood, the intimidation on your businesses and the violence they have promised to unleash on you.

"Stand strong for I will stand firm with you through this all and together we shall prevail and after we achieve victory, none of them will dare you.

“We must keep the fire burning and even if they attempt to cower us, they cannot kill our hope.

Our hope has kept us going in the face of intimidation, thuggery and suppression."

He stressed that the people's hope for a better Lagos and a better Nigeria, "has brought us

this far. It has set us apart in this electoral cycle. I appeal to you to reach into your innermost recesses and draw upon strength so that we can emerge victorious and actualise the new Lagos we dream of. We are on the threshold of victory and must not give in to self-doubt or primordial fears."

SIX STATES ASK S’COURT TO DECLARE INEC’S PRONOUNCEMENT OF TINUBU AS PRESIDENT-ELECT NULL, VOID, OF NO EFFECT Alex Enumah in Abuja In what appears like a copy-cat replay of an ongoing suit over the move by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ban the use of some denomination of old currencies, six states of the federation; Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Sokoto have dragged the federal government before the Supreme Court over the conduct, collation and announcement of the February 25, 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections.

The States want the apex court to declare that the pronouncement of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as winner of the February 25 presidential election and president-elect based on that election be voided by the court.

They are seeking "A declaration that the entire results of the Presidential Election conducted on the 25th of February, 2023 announced by the Chairman of INEC at the National Collation Centre, Abuja, in flagrant violation of the provisions of Sections 25; 47(2); 60 (1), (2), (4) & (5); 62;

64(4)(a) & (b); 70; and 148 of the Electoral Act, 2022, governing the 2023 nationwide general elections, particularly paragraphs 38 of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022; and paragraphs 2.8.4; 2.9.0; and 2.9.1 of the INEC Manual for Election Officials, 2023, for the conduct of the Presidential Election, were invalid, null and void, and of no effect whatsoever.

"A declaration that the fundamentally flawed electoral process through the non-uploading of the results of each of the 176,974 Polling Units nationwide, in respect of the presidential election and National Assembly Elections held on Saturday, 25th February 2023 were not in accordance with the provisions of Sections 25; 47(2); 60 (1), (2), (4) & (5); 62; 64(4)(a) & (b); 70; and 148 of the Electoral Act, 2022, governing the 2023 nationwide general elections, particularly paragraphs 38 of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022; and paragraphs 2.8.4; 2.9.0; and 2.9.1

of the INEC Manual for Election Officials, 2023, for the conduct of the presidential election In addition, they are seeking "A declaration that the failure of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission to electronically transmit or transfer Polling Unit Results in Form EC8A using BVAS by uploading Scanned Copy of the said Unit Result to the Independent National Electoral Commission Result Viewing Portal (IReV) after the counting and announcement of the Polling Units results on 25th of February, 2023 in collusion, violates the provision of Sections 25; 47(2); 60 (1), (2), (4) & (5); 62; 64(4)(a) & (b); 70; and 148 of the Electoral Act, 2022, governing the 2023 nationwide general elections, particularly paragraphs 38 of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022; and paragraphs 2.8.4; 2.9.0; and 2.9.1 of the INEC Manual for Election Officials, 2023, for the conduct of the presidential election.”

They are also seeking an order

of the apex court "directing a holistic review of all results so far announced by the Federal Government of Nigeria through INEC which were carried out other than through the manner prescribed by the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022; and the INEC Manual for Election Officials.

"And for such further Orders as the Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstance.”

The plaintiffs also brought an application praying the apex court for an order directing a departure from the rules of the apex court in the interest of justice by directing for accelerated hearing of the substantive suit.

Besides, plaintiffs also filed another application seeking for an order for abridging time for parties to file and serve responses for and against the suit. No date has been fixed for hearing.

The plaintiffs in the originating summons marked: SC/CV/354/2023, are specifically asking for an order of

NIGERIA’S ELECTION BADLY FLAWED, INEC FAILED, SAYS FINANCIAL TIMES IN EDITORIAL

The London-based publication gave the advice in its editorial published yesterday.

It added that Tinubu's tally of 8.8 million in a country of 220 million people gave him the weakest of mandates.

It warned that the former Lagos State governor would be faced with one of the most difficult jobs in the world as Nigeria has been teetering on the edge of catastrophe with a breakdown of security and an almost total absence of growth.

INEC had in the early hours of Wednesday, declared Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progress Congress (APC) as the winner of the election and had proceeded with the issuance of certificate of return to him Wednesday afternoon.

Declaring the official results, the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, said Tinubu polled a total of 8,794,726 million votes to defeat his closest challengers, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) who polled 6,984,520 million; 6,101,533 million and 1,496,687 million votes, respectively.

However, The Financial Times argued that all that Nigeria needed was a clean election to reiterate the basic message of democracy where a sovereign people could choose its leaders, saying "sadly, it did not

happen."

It maintained that the, "election which appears to have delivered the presidency to Bola Tinubu, a wealthy political fixer running for the incumbent All Progressives Congress — was badly mismanaged at best."

The publication added that the presidential election failed to set the example needed for West Africa, where too many national leaders have extended term limits or resorted to seizing power at gunpoint.

Noting that, "Nigeria remains a democracy, but only just," Financial Times posited that the emergence of Obi as a viable third-party candidate had brought excitement and forced candidates to talk about policies, if only a little.

According to the paper, neutral observers had thought that INEC was in good shape and that they had high expectations that the electoral umpire's promise to transmit voting tallies electronically from polling stations would eliminate ballot stuffing.

It added that, "the outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari, had staked what remains of his tattered reputation on a clean contest.

"Yet the INEC badly misfired.

Voting started late in many districts, depriving millions of the right to vote.

The system to upload results from 177,000 polling stations stuttered, causing legitimate concerns of vote tampering during long delays.

“Violence was troubling. Party goons

invaded many polling stations in what appeared to be blatant acts of intimidation. The Financial Times witnessed armed men remove a presidential ballot box in Surulere, Lagos."

The London-based media outfit stated the official result put Tinubu on 37 per cent, from Atiku's 29 per cent and Obi's 25 per cent.

It argued, however, that some individual results did not pass the smell test, which it stated, "includes Obi’s ever-so narrow victory in Lagos state, where crowds had greeted him like a rock star."

It further said, "More worrying still was voter turnout, which was pitifully low at 27 per cent. If official results are right, two-thirds of the 87 million people who lined up for hours to collect their voter registration cards failed to cast their ballot. Apathy cannot explain it.

“Something, including the possibility of widespread voter suppression, must have prevented them from voting. Total turnout of 25mn votes in a country of 220mn people is unacceptably low.

"Tinubu’s tally of 8.8 million gives him the weakest of mandates."

It stressed that Obi and Atiku must now decide whether to pursue their claims of rigging in the courts and that if they do, Nigeria’s judiciary should take a long hard look at their case.

It recalled that the courts in Kenya in 2017 and Malawi in 2020

had overturned suspect elections, maintaining that if Nigeria’s courts find suspicions, they should not shrink from annulling individual contests or even the whole result.

"It is plausible courts could conclude that — despite some obvious irregularities — the overall result reflected the will of the people.

In that case, or if there is no court challenge, Tinubu will be faced with one of the most difficult jobs in the world. “Nigeria has been teetering on the edge of catastrophe, with a breakdown of security and an almost total absence of growth. Neither is sustainable. By 2050, Nigeria will have 400 million people. They cannot be left without hope," the paper stated.

In conclusion, it advised that the next president must quickly remove the ruinously expensive fuel subsidy and rationalise the exchange rate system.

It also advised that the security agencies, specifically the army and police, which are riddled with ineptitude and corruption needed urgent reform, stressing that "these basic steps are the minimum to begin to repair a deeply damaged country."

Pointing out that Tinubu campaigned partly on his ability to pick a strong team, the paper said if confirmed as president, he must name a cabinet of independent, competent and honest ministers.

"Even Nigerians who did not vote for him will hope against hope for that," it added.

the apex court, "directing a holistic review of all results so far announced by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which were carried out other than through the manner prescribed by the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022; and the INEC Manual for Election Officials.

The suit filed by the Attorneys General of Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Sokoto States has the Attorney General of the Federation as sole respondent and was brought pursuant to Sections 6 (6) (a), 14 (2) (b), 153 (1) (F) and 232 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended); 2. Sections 25 (1), (2) and 3; Sections 60 And 66 Of The Electoral Act, 2022.

They predicated their case on the grounds that, "The collation of the national election results from the 36 States of the Federation, and that of the Federal Capital Territory, for the said 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections have not been carried out in compliance with the mandatory provisions of relevant sections of the Electoral Act, 2022; the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022, made pursuant to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022; and the INEC Manual for Election Officials, 2023."

According to the suit filed on February 28, by their lawyers, Prof Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the agents and officials of the federal government and INEC, failed to transmit the collated result as prescribed by the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022; the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022; and the INEC Manual for Election Officials requiring transmission of the results by the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in flagrant breach of the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022; the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022; and the INEC Manual for Election Officials, 2023.

It was their submission that the, "Non-compliance with the due process of law has led to a widespread agitation, violent protests, displeasure, and disapproval from a wide spectrum of the Nigerian populace, including international observers, political parties, well-meaning Nigerians and former Head of States of the Federal Republic of Nigeria".

They further claimed that the widespread violent protests,

demonstrations and rallies endangered the peace, order, good governance, security and safety of the plaintiffs.

The plaintiffs argued that the federal government through INEC, "is empowered by law to correct the elections due to technical glitches and errors arising from the conduct of the elections with substantial effect on the electoral process in line with the provisions of Section 47 (3) of the Electoral Act, 2022; and other relevant sections thereof.

"The Federal Government of Nigeria has nonetheless continued to collate results for the Presidential and National Assembly elections, against the provisions of extant Electoral laws and Guidelines, notwithstanding the fundamental flaws identified in the process of the collation of results and the public outcry that has greeted the entire electoral process.

"Whilst queries were being raised as to the failure or deliberate refusal of INEC to transmit the results electronically, INEC suddenly pulled down its portal harbouring the Regulations and Guidelines, thus leaving the plaintiffs in the dark.

"Most Nigerians, including the governments and peoples of Adamawa State, Akwa Ibom State, Bayelsa State, Delta State, Edo State, and Sokoto State, are entitled to a proper and electoral lawful process and procedure that guarantees a free, fair, transparent and credible election.

"There is no justifiable basis for the ongoing collation of results without compliance with the mandatory provisions of the law that mandatorily require the use of BVAs, electronic transmission to the IRev Portal.

"Unless this Honourable court intervenes, the Governments and peoples of Adamawa State, Akwa Ibom State, Bayelsa State, Delta State, Edo State, and Sokoto State, who have suffered and will continue to suffer irreparable hardship and damage of unquantifiable proportions by being denied the opportunity to participate fairly in a free, transparent, fair and credible election, which can lead to a breakdown of law and order and thus endanger the public peace, security, safety, order and good governance, consequent upon the violent demonstrations and protests that have already started to take place in different parts of the country, including the Plaintiff States, as a result of the fundamentally flawed electoral process, which does not represent the wishes of Nigerians and of the plaintiff states," they submitted.

Amongst the issues raised for Continued on page 16

OBI WEEPS, SAYS HE WON ELECTION, WILL PROVE IT...ATIKU: POLL WORST SINCE 1999, I’LL CHALLENGE IT In equal breath, Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, for the first time, reacted to the outcome of the exercise, which he claimed was not only flawed, but the worst since 1999 and as such, must be challenged.

Atiku, who reiterated his confidence in the judiciary, by recounting his ordeal as vice-president, when he took his principal, Olusegun Obasanjo, to court eleven times and won all of the 11 times, refused to meet a reconciliatory team of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Tinubu, who visited him yesterday, saying he had no knowledge they visited him.

The two presidential hopefuls, who came second and third after results of the presidential election was announced by the INEC, spoke at separate world conferences in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Meanwhile, the APC Presidential Campaign Council, has asked Obi to either accept the olive branch

extended to him by Tinubu or meet its lawyers in court, while at the same time, dismissed Atiku’s claims on the election as delusional, because he reaped what he sowed after allegedly causing division in his party.

Obi: We’ll Prove to the World We Won the Presidential Election

Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, yesterday, said his party would head to the court with enough evidence to prove that it was robbed of its victory at the presidential election.

Obi, at a world press conference attended by local and international journalists at Transcorp Hotel, Abuja, alleged manipulation of voters' data by people in authority, even as he confirmed working with the PDP and other aggrieved political parties, as well as members of the public, while calling on his supporters to remain law-abiding and focused on next week’s elections across the states of the federation.

He said, "The election was conducted and results announced as programmed" by INEC, adding that, "It's a clear variance of the electoral rules and guidelines as we were promised. This election, as you know, did not meet the minimum standard which was expected to be free, fair and credible. It is now the most controversial elections ever conducted in Nigeria.

"The good and hardworking people of Nigeria have again been robbed by our supposed leaders, who we trusted. However let me appeal to all Nigerians to remain peaceful and be law-abiding and conduct themselves in the most responsible manner. Please, be assure that Datti and I, and indeed all of us that this is not the end but the beginning of journey to the birth of a better Nigeria.

"The process through which you go into office is far more fundamental.

It’s my belief that, if want to bear your Excellency, the process at which to arrive at it must be excellent. It

must now require that we do the right thing in order to generate the right confidence and moral authority.

"I assure you the good people of Nigeria that we would explore all legal and peaceful options to regain our mandate. We won the election and I will prove it to Nigerians. For those who believe that a new Nigeria is possible, I want to say to them that a new Nigeria is possible and I will work for that new Nigeria to be possible. Your resilience, your hard work for a new Nigeria will not be in vein. Datti and I remain committed to that new Nigeria.

"The commitment of Nigerians in the face of unwarranted attacks is a testimony that a new Nigeria is really possible. I look at people like lady Jennifer, who was stabbed but insisted that she must vote and that gives me courage to believe that a new Nigeria is possible.”

Asked if there was enough evidence to back his claims, he said: "We are not yet in court. That is why they persist

and they asked me to go to court.

I don't want to answer questions. I am on my way to court.

"If I tell you all these I don't know what I will be telling the court. We have passed that stage,because we were asked to go to court. So, let's go there. Remember that I am obidient. I am going to go where I am directed to go.”

On how voters' register was tampered with, he gave a breakdown of the number of registered voters and votes cast by Nigerians since 2015 according to INEC reports, and vowed that he would dismantle the rascality as exhibited by "those in authority".

He said, "In 2015, the number of registered voters was about 67 million and 29.4 million voted. In 2019, the figures increased to about 84 million and about 28.4 million voted.

And then we were told that about 11 million registered in 2022, which brought the registration to about 95 million and 87 collected their PVCs

but only 23.3 million voted.

"You can see how Nigeria works.

We had increase of 11 million but the voters dropped by over 20%. The reason was due to manipulation and deduction of votes. The number was supposed to increase but it didn't increase because people were busy doing what is wrong. I will challenge this rascality for the future of the country. Nigeria cannot conduct election 63 years after independence.

"We are not in alliance not in alliance but we are discussing partnership with other people and many other Nigerians, who feel hurt as we do. I believe process in which people should get to anywhere should be respected,” he said, reiterating his confidence in the judiciary, and boasting that he had never failed in all his bid to get redress from the court.

Obi said: "I am going to get justice.

All these while they tell me about the integrity of the judiciary. From Continued on page 35

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NEWS

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

COURTESY VISIT TO VP...

L-R: DG, NOA, Dr. Garba Abari; CEO, +234Express, John Adoga; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, and DG, OSPRE, Chris Ngwodo, during presentation of some books to VP when the Reading against Intolerance Initiative team paid a courtesy visit to him at the State House, Abuja

Buhari Directs Power Ministry, Relevant Agencies to Make Affordable Electricity Available to Nigerians Backs Zulum’s reelection bid Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday gave a presidential order to the Ministry of Power and other relevant agencies to ensure that Nigerians have access to affordable electricity.

Speaking while inaugurating the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project constructed by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) to supply 50 megawatts of electricity to Maiduguri and environs, the president directed the Ministry of Power and other relevant agencies, namely the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory

Commission, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc, Transmission Company of Nigeria, to continue to collaborate with NNPC Ltd to ensure that millions of Nigerians access affordable electricity in the short term.

He expressed confidence that the undaunting spirit of the new NNPC Ltd would continue to engender affordable energy for all Nigerians, not just for the immediate, but for the years ahead.

Buhari described the power project as another testament towards achieving stable, uninterrupted power

Buhari Rejoices with RCCG General Overseer, Adeboye, at 81 Celebrates renowned journalist, Liad Tella, at 75 Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has joined leaders and members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in celebrating the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, on his 81st birthday anniversary on March 2, 2023.

The president, in a statement issued yesterday, by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, rejoiced with the religious leader, who left his academic career to fully commit to serving the Lord.

Buhari equally felicitated with family, friends and other church leaders within and outside the country, thankful for Adeboye’s positive influence on people and institutions, with a focus on expanding the kingdom of God on earth.

Recalling the visits and prayers, especially when he was ill and recuperating, the president said he remains grateful for the friendliness and wise counsels of the General Overseer over many years.

He, therefore, prayed that the Almighty God will continue to bless and guide Pastor Adeboye and his family.

Also yesterday, Buhari shared

the joy of the milestone with renowned journalist, Alhaji Liad Tella, who turns 75 today.

The president, in another release by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, saluted the over five decades Tella has invested in journalism, rising to the top of his career as Deputy Editor of National Concord, and Editor-in-Chief of The Monitor Newspapers.

He also celebrated Alhaji Telly’s contribution to knowledge as Senior Research Fellow, Department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin, and his commitment to Islam, being one of the founding fathers of Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), and a Federal Commissioner at the National Hajj Commission, for many years.

Buhari rejoiced with the Tella family, the media community, especially the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), and wishes the Asiwaju Musulumi of Iwo land longer life in good health, to further serve God, society, and humanity at large.

supply aimed at improving the economy and lives of Nigerians.

The president said his administration has worked hard to fulfill the promise of tackling the nation’s electricity challenges and has succeeded in laying the foundation for a strong, prosperous country through the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

He noted that a key execution priority of the ERGP was to ensure national energy sufficiency for Nigerians.

According to him: ''The Maiduguri Emergency Power Project is part of an incremental 4,000MW of power generating assets that this administration embarked upon to improve national power supply and stimulate economic growth. ''The aggressive project

strategy deployed to complete this project on schedule is a total reflection of federal government sensitivities in identifying and easing the plight of the Nigerians; particularly those recovering from the adverse impact of the insurgency in this north-east region. ''Over the past few years, insurgents had attacked power supply lines along MaiduguriDamaturu and MaiduguriDamboa-Biu roads leading to acute power supply shortages to the city of Maiduguri and its environs and crippling the economic activities in the region. ''For this purposeful response, I want to commend the NNPC Ltd for following my directive to ensure the immediate restoration of reliable power supply to Maiduguri within the shortest possible time".

Buhari reassured Nigerians of the federal government’s resolve to implement programmes, particularly in the power sector, that deepen domestic gas utilisation, expands national power generation capacity, revitalises industries and creates multiple jobs for economic growth.

The president, who was making his fifth visit to Borno State, since the administration of Prof. Babagana Zulum, thanked the governor for keeping his campaign promises to the people of the State.

He declared that the governor, who is currently seeking a second term in office, deserves to be re-elected. ''Your Excellency, I cannot remember the number of projects I commissioned during your first tenure, these laudable

projects are impressive. I thank you. ''We also acknowledge the excellent work that you have done, working closely with the federal government and other stakeholders, to bring back the IDPs and refugees from Cameroon and other neighboring countries. I think the Governor deserves another term,'' he said.

While in Maiduguri, the president inaugurated the dualised Ahmadu Bello Way; Shehu Sanda Kura Road; Lafiya Road and Mogoram Road; Ultra-Modern Market, Bama Road; newly constructed Staff Quarters for University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital; Hon. Muktar Betara Aliyu Cancer Centre, and the newly constructed Bolari Market Road.

After New Tenure Limit Rule, Adaora Umeoji Retires as Zenith Bank DMD Obinna Chima

The Deputy Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Adaora Umeoji has retired from the financial institution following the new tenure limits for banks’ executives released recently by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Her retirement became effective from February 24th, 2023.

Zenith Bank disclosed this in a notification to the Nigerian Exchange Limited yesterday, that was signed by its Company Secretary/General Counsel, Michael Otu. The bank explained: “We write to notify the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the investing public of the retirement of Dame (Dr) Adaora Umeoji from the board of Zenith Bank Plc with effect from February 24, 2023.

“This follows the expiration of her tenure of office as Deputy Managing Director in line with

the CBN circular No. FPR/ DIR/PUB/CIR/001/070 dated February 24, 2023. The board wishes her success in her future endeavours.”

The CBN last week revised the regulatory requirements for the tenure of Executive Management and Non-executive Directors (NEDs) of deposit money banks (DMB) and financial holding companies (HoldCos).

The apex bank, which disclosed this in a circular to all banks dated February 24, 2023, titled: “Re: Review of Tenure of Executive Management and Non-Executive Directors of Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria,” had explained that the regulation was in line with the Code of Corporate for Banks and Discount Houses (Ref: FPR/DIR/CIR/GEN/01/004).

The letter was signed by the Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, CBN, Mr. Chibuzo Efobi.

According to the CBN, the

tenure of Executive Directors (EDs), Deputy Managing Directors (DMDs) and Managing Directors (MDs), shall be in accordance with the terms of their engagement approved by the board of directors of banks, subject to a maximum tenure of 10 years.

Furthermore, the banking sector regulator stated that where an executive, who is a DMD becomes the MD/ CEO of a bank, or any other DMB before the end of his or her maximum tenure, the cumulative tenure of such executive shall not exceed 12 years.

It added: “However, for an Executive Director (ED), who becomes a DMD of a bank, or any other DMB, his or her cumulative tenure as ED and DMD shall not exceed 10 years.

NEDs, with the exception of Independent Non-executive Directors (INEDs), shall serve for a maximum period of 12 years in a bank broken into

three terms of four years each.

“EDs, DMDs and MDs who exit from the board of a bank either upon or prior to the expiration of his or her maximum tenure, shall serve out a cooling off period of one year before being eligible for appointment as a NED to the board of directors.

“NEDs who exits from the board of a bank either upon or prior to the expiration of his or her maximum tenure of 12 years (three terms of four years each), shall serve out a cooling off period of one-year before being eligible for appointment to the board of directors of any other DMB. “The cumulative tenure limits of EDs/DMDs/MDs and NEDs across the banking industry is 20 years. Please be guided accordingly.”

It pointed out that the regulations were part of measures aimed at strengthening governance practices in the banking industry.

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OHANAEZE NDIGBO PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR SANWO-OLU'S RE-ELECTION...

L-R: President General, Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos, Chief Sunday Udeh; President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos, Chief Sunday Ossai and President, Yoruba Council Worldwide, Oladotun Hassan, during a news conference on the forthcoming gubernatorial election held at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja by Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos... yesterday

Report: How Nigeria Gas is Fuelling Morocco, Algeria Pipeline Power Struggle Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Morocco and Algeria, two known adversaries are each racing to build a conduit pumping Nigerian gas to European markets, even as the continent aims to wean itself off fossil fuels, fuelling an age-old rivalry in the process.

Both countries have moved to revive long-stalled projects in light of a gas supply crunch following Russia's invasion of Ukraine a year ago.

Prices surged and Europe -- which was heavily reliant on Russian gas -- had to look elsewhere for energy.

Rabat is hoping the NigeriaMorocco Gas Pipeline, which would skirt the coastlines of 13 West African countries, could pump billions of cubic metres of natural gas to the kingdom, AFP reported. From there, the gas would flow through the MaghrebEurope gas pipeline (GME) into Spain and Portugal.

Nigeria's Oil Minister Timipre Sylva told AFP that a feasibility study was underway and some countries had already signed up to the project, but a start date has yet to be set.

To the east, Morocco's neighbour and arch-rival Algeria is pushing to relaunch plans for a Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline linking Nigeria to Algeria's Mediterranean coast via Niger.

Last July, Algiers signed a memorandum of understanding with Abuja and Niamey to bring the

4,128-kilometre (2,565-mile) pipeline to fruition, at a cost of up to 18 billion euros ($19 billion).

From Algeria the gas could be pumped via the Mediterranean undersea Transmed pipeline to Italy through Tunisian territory, or loaded onto liquefied natural gas tankers for export.

The renewed momentum on both projects follows months of heightened tensions between Algeria and Morocco after the collapse of a decades-old ceasefire in the Western Sahara and Morocco's normalisation of ties with Israel in late 2020.

In August 2021 Algiers cut diplomatic links with Rabat altogether, accusing it of "hostile acts", which Morocco denies.

Later that year, Algeria declined to renew a 25-year deal to pump gas through Moroccan territory to Spain in exchange for gas that covered almost all of Morocco's needs.

The loss of that gas helps explain Morocco's drive to make its 6,000-kilometre pipeline project, launched in 2016, a reality.

Morocco's deal with Nigeria and their West African neighbours is set to cost 23 billion euros, but Sylva noted that the project would involve complex negotiations.

"There are certain agreements that you must sign with every country" on the route, he said.

Rabat and Abuja did make progress

last year, signing MoUs with seven of the 13 countries in question as well as with the Economic Community of West African States, a regional bloc.

Rabat is hoping the pipeline, combined with Nigeria's vast hydrocarbon reserves, can create "a stable, predictable and mutually profitable gas market", said Moroccan researcher Jamal Machrouh.

Europe has a "strategic interest" in the project, Machrouh added.

At the same time, Algeria is pursuing anew its own similarly challenging pipeline, started in 2009. The project would have to pass through thousands of kilometres of desert including some areas where jihadist groups have waged a long insurgency.

Algeria is Africa's biggest gas exporter and the third-largest gas provider to Europe.

Algerian expert Ahmed Tartar said the pipeline project could be finished within three years and would "meet an important part of Europe's future needs".

But Maghreb geopolitics expert Geoff Porter told AFP in September that "a pipeline like this would be hugely vulnerable, not just to attacks by jihadists but also by local communities if they feel they're getting exploited by a project from which they derive no benefit".

"Then there's the bureaucratic element, which is extremely complex,"

he added. "Then, who's going to finance it?"

Algeria's Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab said on February 18 that technical studies were underway. He insisted that "this African project will benefit the countries it crosses", and even neighbouring ones.

Both pipelines could be viable for Europe, as the continent would not

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said it would henceforth, resist any attempt to rig it out in future elections, beginning with the yet to scheduled National Assembly supplementary elections and next week governorship election in Sokoto state.

PDP made the vow at the stakeholders’ meeting held in Sokoto State.

The meeting which was attended

by Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, his Deputy Alhaji Muhammad Manir Dan'iya, former Deputy Governor, Mukhtar Shagari, party state chairman Alhaji Aliyu Bello Goronyo, the state campaign Director General, Yusuf Suleiman and National and State Assembly members from the party, said it had become manifest that the

ruling All progressive Congress (APC) was interested in rigging elections, saying the PDP would henceforth contend with such in all ramifications and magnitude, to discomfit it in all coming elections.

They said the PDP had thoroughly reviewed all infractions and vowed never again to allow the use of foul means to usurp power as it was done in the past.

They berated the action of security agencies especially the Nigeria Police which they said allowed themselves to be allegedly used by the Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi.

Speaking further, the leader of the party in the state, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, urged the security agencies to be professional, stressing that any further attempt to intimidate the people in the

forthcoming elections would be resisted.

"All of you know what happened last Saturday, we were winning overwhelmingly when the APC thugs invaded the polling units at the watch of security agencies,” he stated.

"These thugs rendered most of the election in many polling units inconclusive.

The PDP therefore resolved that in as much as it remains a lawabiding political party, conducting its affairs strictly within the ambit of the nation’s electoral laws, the party would henceforth resist rigging.

“We will henceforth directly and physically confront and resist the election riggers from always having a field day by truncating our nascent democracy.

“Consequently, the PDP directs all its agents, its officials to be

we still want to use gas, methane?"

Borrell suggested Morocco could focus efforts on its enormous wind and solar energy potential as well as selling hydrogen to Europe.

A senior European diplomat, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, put it more bluntly: "In the future, we won't be buying gas any more."

SIX STATES ASK S'COURT TO DECLARE INEC’S PRONOUNCEMENT OF TINUBU AS PRESIDENT-ELECT NULL, VOID, OF NO EFFECT determination by the apex court were: Whether having regard to the provisions of Sections 25; 47(2); 60 (1), (2), (4) & (5); 62; 64(4)(a) & (b); 70; and 148 of the Electoral Act, 2022, governing the 2023 nationwide general elections, particularly paragraphs 38 of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022; and paragraphs 2.8.4; 2.9.0; and 2.9.1 of the INEC Manual for Election Officials, 2023 thereof, the electronic transmission of votes collated at polling units and the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the transmission of collated result is made mandatory.

"Whether by virtue of the provisions of Sections 25; 47(2); 60 (1), (2), (4) & (5); 62; 64(4)(a) & (b); 70; and 148 of the Electoral Act, 2022, governing the 2023 nationwide general elections, particularly paragraphs 38 of the INEC Regulations and

PDP Vows to Resist Alleged Attempt to Rig NASS Supplementary, Guber Elections in Sokoto Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

want to overly rely on "a single player" for its energy supplies, Machrouh said.

But they would also come online as Europe engages in longer term efforts to wean itself off fossil fuels -- including gas.

During a January visit to Rabat, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said of the pipeline: "You have to consider when it will be finished. Will

vigilant in all polling units to avoid the repeat of what happened last Saturday.”

He called on President Muhammad Buhari to caution erring security officials.

“Our insistence as a party is for a level playing ground, a free, fair and credible electoral process, where all votes will count just as our party provided for General Buhari in 2015, that enabled him to be elected as president.

“However, we will not accept our respect for democratic tenets to be taken as a mark of cowardice or weakness,” he added.

He added that the stakeholders’ meeting was a wake-up call to all lovers of democracy across the nation, “to rise in this spirit to safeguard the nation’s democracy from all anti-democratic and oppressive forces.”

Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022; and paragraphs 2.8.4; 2.9.0; and 2.9.1 of the INEC Manual for Election Officials, 2023, for the conduct of the Presidential Election, the Federal Government of Nigeria through presiding officers of its executive body, Independent National Electoral Commission was bound to electronically transmit or transfer Polling Unit Results in Form EC8A using BVAS by uploading Scanned Copy of the said Unit Results to the Independent National Electoral Commission Result Viewing Portal (IReV) in the course of the General Elections held on the 25th of February, 2023 throughout the Federation.

"Whether the Federal Government of Nigeria in the recently held Presidential and National Assembly elections conducted nationwide on 25th February, 2023 through INEC, complied with the mandatory provisions of extant laws, INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Presidential Elections, 2022.

"Whether the failure of the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Defendant and INEC to electronically transmit or transfer Polling Unit Results in Form EC8A using BVAS by uploading Scanned Copy of the said Unit Result to the Independent National Electoral Commission Result Viewing Portal (IReV) after the counting and announcement of the Polling Units results on 25th of February, 2023, violates the provisions of Sections 25; 47(2); 60 (1), (2), (4) & (5); 62; 64(4)(a) & (b); 70; and 148 of the Electoral Act, 2022, governing the 2023 nationwide general elections, particularly paragraphs 38 of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022; and paragraphs 2.8.4; 2.9.0; and 2.9.1 of the INEC Manual for Election Officials, 2023, for the conduct of the presidential election.

"Whether the failure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through INEC to comply with the provisions of

Section 60 of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the Regulations and Guidelines for Conduct of Elections, 2022 made pursuant to the Electoral Act and the Constitution of the FRN, 1999, as amended, in collating and announcing the results of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections render the already announced results and the elections conducted as a whole a nullity.

"Whether the entire results of the presidential election conducted on the 25th of February, 2023, as announced by the Chairman of INEC at the National Collation Centre, Abuja in flagrant provision of Sections 25; 47(2); 60 (1), (2), (4) & (5); 62; 64(4)(a) & (b); 70; and 148 of the Electoral Act, 2022, governing the 2023 nationwide general elections, particularly paragraphs 38 of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022; and paragraphs 2.8.4; 2.9.0; and 2.9.1 of the INEC Manual for Election Officials, 2023, for the conduct of the Presidential Election, were valid."

In the event the questions raised were determined in their favour, plaintiffs urged the apex court to then declare, "that the Federal Government of Nigeria, through INEC was bound to electronically transmit or transfer Polling Unit Results in Form EC8A using BVAS by uploading Scanned Copy of the said Unit Result to the Independent National Electoral Commission Result Viewing Portal (IReV) in the course of the General Elections held on the 25th of February, 2023 throughout the Federation in compliance with the provision of Sections 25; 47(2); 60 (1), (2), (4) & (5); 62; 64(4)(a) & (b); 70; and 148 of the Electoral Act, 2022, governing the 2023 nationwide general elections, particularly paragraphs 38 of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022; and paragraphs 2.8.4; 2.9.0; and 2.9.1 of the INEC Manual for Election Officials, 2023, for the conduct of the presidential election.”

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WORKSHOP ON MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC SECTOR BUDGETING...

L-R: Principal Accountant, Budget Office, JUTH Jos, Mrs. Noroh Bott; Assistant Director, Account, Federal Medical Center Nasarawa, Akintunde Adewale; Facilitator, Mr. Benjamin Opara; Chief Accountant UBTH, Benin, Mr. Aielosha Omo and Asst. Director Account, AEFUTH Abakaliki, Mrs. Chinese Obiekwe, during the workshop on management of public sector budgeting in Abuja... yesterday ENOCK REUBEN

FG: Two Million Nigerians Receiving N5,000 Cash Gifts Every Month Says 10 million pupils being fed daily

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The federal government yesterday disclosed that 1, 940, 004 vulnerable Nigerians each are currently receiving N5,000 cash gifts every month under the National Cash Transfer Programme.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Mrs. Sadiya Umar Farouq, disclosed this at a one-day stakeholders' retreat on National Social Investment (Establishment) Bill organised by the Senate Committee On Social Duties.

Farouq was represented at the occasion by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Nasir Sani Gwarzo.

The minister explained that the objective of the National

Social Investment Programme Establishment Bill was to provide a statutory and institutional framework for the implementation of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP).

She noted that the NSIP was created in 2016, by President Muhammadu Buhari to address social and economic inequalities and alleviate poverty among Nigerians.

According to her, there are four social support programmes meant to empower the poorest and most vulnerable Nigerians to enable them to attain an acceptable standard of living.

She said the NSIP was directly and indirectly impacting on the lives of poor Nigerians through its four cluster programmes.

These, she said included the N-Power Programme, Government

Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) and the Conditioner Cash Transfer Programme (CCTP).

The programmes, she added, were designed to serve as various forms of social safety nets specifically targeting those at the bottom of the social ladder who require some form of assistance to enable them become productive members of society and prevent more people from falling below poverty line.

She said, "A wide range of sustainable development goals including poverty reduction, education, health, social inclusion and empowerment can be achieved through the NSIP. "Contributory social protection schemes such as Social insurance,

health insurance, and the pension scheme are all backed by legislation.

The laws are: The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund Act, the National Health Insurance Authority Act, and the Pension Reform Act. "The NSIP, which is a noncontributory social protection scheme is not backed by any law and this underscores the need for it to also have a piece of legislation.

"Since the inception of the NSIP in 2015, one million youths have been empowered through the N-Power Programme and additional 500,000 others are currently undergoing various trainings under the programme as approved by the president.

"The cash transfer has enrolled 1,975, 381 poor and vulnerable households from the National Social Register into a National

W’Bank: Pace of Reforms Toward Equal Rights for Women Falls to 20-year Low

Obinna Chima

The global pace of reforms toward equal treatment of women under the law has slumped to a 20-year low, constituting a potential impediment to economic growth at a critical time for the global economy, a new World Bank report has shown.

In 2022, the global average score on the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law index rose just half a point to 77.1—indicating women on average enjoy barely 77 per cent of the legal rights that men do.

It noted that the current pace of reform, in many countries a woman entering the workforce today would retire before she would be able to gain the same rights as men, the report noted.

“At a time when global economic growth is slowing, all countries need to mobilise their full productive capacity to confront the confluence of crises besetting them,” the Chief Economist of the World Bank Group and Senior Vice President for Development

Economics, Indermit Gill said.

“Governments can’t afford to sideline as much as half of their population. Denying equal rights to women across much of the world is not just unfair to women; it is a barrier to countries’ ability to promote green, resilient, and inclusive development,” he added.

Women, Business and the Law 2023 assesses 190 countries’ laws and regulations in eight areas related to women’s economic participation—mobility, workplace, pay, marriage, parenthood, entrepreneurship, assets, and pensions.

The data—which are current through October 1, 2022—offer objective and measurable benchmarks for global progress toward legal gender equality.

“Today, just 14 countries—all high-income economies—have laws that give women the same rights as men. Worldwide, nearly 2.4 billion women of working age still do not have the same rights as men.

“Closing the gender employment gap could raise long-term GDP per

capita by nearly 20 per cent on average across countries. Studies estimate global economic gains of $5-6 trillion if women started and scaled new businesses at the same rate as men do.

“In 2022, only 34 gender-related legal reforms were recorded across 18 countries—the lowest number since 2001. Most reforms focused on increasing paid leave for parents and fathers, removing restrictions to women’s work, and mandating equal pay.

“It will take another 1,549 reforms to reach substantial legal gender equality everywhere in the areas measured by the report.

At the current pace, the report, notes, it would take at least 50 years on average to reach that target,” it added.

The latest Women, Business and the Law report provides a comprehensive assessment of global progress toward gender equality in the law over the past 50 years.

“Since 1970, the global average Women, Business and the Law score has improved by about 2/3,

rising from 45.8 to 77.1 points. The first decade of this century saw strong gains towards legal gender equality. Between 2000 and 2009, over 600 reforms were introduced, with a peak of 73 annual reforms in 2002 and 2008. “Since then, reform fatigue seems to have set in—particularly in areas that involve long-established norms, such as the rights of women to inherit and own property.

“New analysis of the data shows that economies with historically larger legal gender gaps have been catching up, especially since 2000.

“Currently, equality of economic opportunity for women is highest in OECD high-income economies but important reforms have continued in developing economies. Sub-Saharan Africa made significant progress last year.

‘The region accounted for over half of all reforms worldwide in 2022, with seven economies—Benin, the Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Malawi, Senegal, and Uganda—enacting 18 positive legal changes,” it stated further.

Beneficiary Register.

"The NBR alone has 9, 841, 700 household individuals in the 36 states of the federation.

"The Cash Transfer support the poor and vulnerable to improve consumption and develop savings skills to reduce poverty line and building their resilience to withstand shocks.

"A total of 1, 940, 004 beneficiaries are currently receiving cash transfer each monthly. Public primary Schools across the country have witnessed unprecedented number of new enrollment as a result of the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme.

"The programme is currently feeding 10 million pupils in over 66, 000 public schools across Nigeria.

The programme is gradually reducing cases of out-of-school children nationwide.

"Currently, 2, 653, 333, beneficiaries have accessed the GEEP loans under three categories including Trader Moni, Market Moni and Farmer Moni.

"A total of 1, 142, 783 individuals across the country have registered

to benefit from the second round of GEEP under the three loan programmes."

The Minister explained that Section 17(3) of the constitution provides that the state shall direct its policy towards ensuring that all its citizens without discrimination have the opportunity of securing adequate means of livelihood and ensuring provision is made for public assistance in deserving cases of need among others.

The Chairman of the Senate panel, Senator Yusuf Yusuf, explained that the retreat was aimed at bringing together, critical stakeholders from the executive arm of government to be at par with the legislature on the proposes legislation.

Yusuf said, "Information is a very important tool for a legislation. Since the government policies emanates from legislation, we invited critical stakeholders from the ministry and other agencies so that they can furnish the committee with vital information that would enable them to come up with a robust legislation for the NSIP establishment."

NPA MD, Bello-Koko, Felicitates with President-elect, Tinubu The Managing Director/CEO of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Mohammed BelloKoko, has joined eminent Nigerians in felicitating Nigeria’s President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his victory at the polls.

In a congratulatory message sent to Tinubu on behalf of the Board, management and staff of NPA, Bello-Koko said his victory at the polls was undoubtedly a deserving reward for his many years of discipline, determination and diligence in the pursuit of public good.

He wrote: “With very profound delight, I will like to on behalf of the Board, Management and staff of the Nigerian Ports Authority congratulate you on your resounding victory at the presidential elections held on 25th February 25, 2023.

“Your victory at the polls is undoubtedly is a deserving reward for your many years of discipline, determination and diligence in the pursuit of public good.

“Given your unassailable track record of public spiritedness, we are persuaded that your presidency of our dear nation Nigeria will deliver the greatest good of the greatest number.

“Whilst assuring of our unflinching loyalty under your visionary leadership, please accept as always the assurances of our esteemed regards.”

The one-time Lagos State Governor and the vice-presidentelect, Sen. Kashim Shettima, were on Wednesday presented the Certificate of Return in Abuja by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

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POLITICS

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

Agwu: Mbah is Most Suited Candidate for Enugu Governorship Seat Edwin Agwu writes that the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, stands out among all the candidates for the coveted seat.

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he long awaited 2023 presidential election finally happened at the weekend. We, the Obidients, can beat our chest that we won in many ways. I am proud of what we have been able to do in a matter of months. We built a pan Nigerian project and demonstrated, in practical terms, that a new Nigeria is possible. Taking Lagos is historic and an icing on the cake.

By the landslide success recorded by the Obi-Datti tsunami in the South East, we vented our righteous indignation on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for denying us the presidential ticket despite the over 20 years of loyalty and consistent block votes as well as all that the region has suffered in the nearly eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari administration for massively voting former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

But for the South East and some of its sons and daughters, the PDP would have long been dead since after the 2015 election.

But today, I am a proud Igbo man because Peter Obi has shown the world that the PDP didn’t necessarily need a northern candidate to win the 2023 presidential election. Ndigbo have good products that are acceptable across ethnic, religious and regional lines.

Win or lose, we have demonstrated that we have equal, and in fact, greater stakes in this country. After all, no other part of Nigeria invests in other parts of the country other than their own region as Ndigbo. No other part of Nigeria has their population in other regions and states as Ndigbo.

However, it is noteworthy that we did not queue behind Obi just because he is an Igbo man.

After all, we voted for Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Yar’Adua even when Igbo sons were on the ballots. Ndigbo are so right thinking, liberal-minded, and vehemently republican that they won’t queue behind just anybody or Ofiogori (prodigal).

Obi ran on quality track record and we supported him in the last presidential election for his demonstrable capacity.

However, did competence and capacity really count in the election of members of the National Assembly? I don’t think so.

Whereas some parts of Enugu State, especially the Enugu urban, took deliberate steps to weed out some representatives based on performance, some PDP candidates lost their elections due to local politics in their constituencies.

But we know it as a matter of fact that many people, who won the last weekend’s National Assembly election did so on the Obi bandwagon effect. It is a fact that many were simply thumb printing or made to thumb print both ballots for Labour Party in the belief that they were voting for Obi. The Church too had done a massive job in christening the Labour Party logo (father, mother, and child) as the holy family.

But as an Obidient foot solider, it is important to underscore the fact that the Obi election is over. And it was not about party.

Labour Party was just a bland party, until Obi brought value into it and it is worthy of note that the Obidient movement is a project which millions of diehard PDP faithful championed.

In the same vein, we must now treat the governorship election differently or have ourselves to blame for the next eight years.

I have maintained even well ahead of the primary elections and before the emergence of the Obi phenomenon that the next governor of Enugu State must be elected on the basis of competence and track record, not party.

And that point is even more valid now.

It will be the height of hypocrisy to canvass for Obi presidency based on competence, vision, and capacity and turn around to canvass for just any regular politician as the

next governor of Enugu State in the name of party.

Instructively, all the prominent governorship candidates in Enugu are PDP through and through irrespective of the party on

which platform they are running.

The Labour Party candidate, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, has held several public offices under the PDP for the past 24 years. He was a member of the House of Representatives

Kwari: My Failure to Be Re-elected Shows Beauty of Democracy A member of the National Assembly, Senator Suleiman Abdu Kwari, who failed in his re-election bid last Saturday, says the outcome of the exercise clear shows the beauty that the nation’s democracy is made up

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he Senator representing Kaduna North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Suleiman Abdu Kwari, has thanked his numerous supporters and his campaign team for a job well done during the election held on the 25th of February 2023 in the Kaduna North Senatorial District.

In the mind of close to 200,000 voters in the district, he was found to be able and capable of moving them forward in the 10th national assembly, but more voters felt they wanted someone new to represent them at the Senate and that, is exactly the beauty of democracy.

Senator Kwari, in a statement issued in Abuja, called on all his supporters to give all glory to God for the outcome and to offer the hand of brotherhood and friendship to those voters on the other side of the political parties and contestants.

According to him, Kaduna State now more than ever needs to be united in order to deepen the many developmental strides and achievements of the outgoing administration.

He further stated that he would now focus on completing the outstanding deliverables set forth in the 9th Senate Legislative Anti-Corruption Strategy 2022.

Senator Kwari, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, said he

is now focused on getting the Wiitness Protection Bill and the Whistleblower Bill passed and assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He has sponsored many bills, which have been assented to by Mr. President. They include Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act, the Proceeds of Crime Act as well as the Terrorism Prevention Act, all of 2022.

Meanwhile, Senator Bwari has congratulated the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory at the just concluded presidential poll.

He, however, urged those not satisfied with the outcome of the election not to lose hope in the nation’s judiciary but to go there and ventilate their grievances.

and special assistant to Goodluck Jonathan.

He worked with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in the first four years of the administration as Commissioner for Local Government Matters. He was the Commissioner for Environment from 2019 until March 2022 when he joined the governorship race and he remained in the PDP until June when he joined and picked the Labour Party ticket after losing out in the PDP governorship primary election.

But just like Nigeria, Enugu has come to a point where we don’t need leaders that will just dabble their way through for a whole eight years.

We need a leader who espouses a vision, which blueprint must be well laid out for us to see and interrogate. But as I write, Edeoga is yet to present any manifesto, less than two weeks to the election. And even if he does so, there is no way the citizens can interrogate him.

His candidacy can be likened to someone, who is promising to build a mansion for Ndi Enugu, but has no building plan or architectural design.

Conversely, Dr. Peter Mbah of the PDP has not only marshalled out his vision of a new Enugu State in his detailed manifesto since October 2022, he has additionally gone round Enugu State to market his blueprint for a new Enugu in town hall meetings in the 68 development areas or centres. He has made himself available during those engagements to be interrogated by community leaders, market women, youths, traditional institutions, women groups, and political leaders across the state on his manifesto.

He has had exclusive engagements with Enugu youth, women organisations, churches, professional bodies, the Chamber of Commerce, etc. to answer questions on his manifesto.

Not long ago, he engaged Enugu people in a live phone-in programme across several radio stations and nobody who listened to him with an open mind will doubt that among the candidates, he is the one who has the capacity to rework Enugu State.

In particular, Nigeria is passing through a major and multifaceted economic crisis. The model that depends on federal allocation and the incremental development has run their full courses.

We can no longer make any more progress relying on that old model. So, between someone that has the capacity to innovate the system, someone who has been a successful entrepreneur with visible track records of accomplishments and another who has lived on public offices, political appointments and government patronage, I will not think twice before settling for the former.

Peter Mbah has shown capacity to grow something out of nothing. He grew a business (Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited) from a N1 million capital base to one that now records well over N1.4 trillion annual turnover.

Pinnacle effectively joined the downstream business from a one-bedroom apartment and with just two staff at a point the subsector was already drenched and left little room for innovation, but he was able to displace the oil majors to become the number one by market shares and volumes in that industry today.

An entrepreneur, who has earned the trust of local and international investors and bankers such that they bankrolled Pinnacle’s $1 billion and Nigeria’s first offshore, subsea, and largest petroleum products terminal, is the kind of leader many states would give an arm and a leg to have.

Peter Mbah is our window to a prosperous and sustainable future and we must set sentiments aside and once again, Obidiently cast our votes for competence, sound vision, integrity, and track record come March 11, 2023.

-Agwu writes from Enugu.

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Friday March 3, 2023 Vol 27. No 10184

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

THE PRESIDENTELECT AND MATTERS ARISING JOSHUA J. OMOJUWA urges the President-elect to pursue an agenda of national reconciliation

See page 21

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION DONE, TENDENCIES UNVEILED, POTENTATES DEMYSTIFIED A new Nigeria is not yet foreseeable, reckons AKPANDEM JAMES

See page 21 EDITORIAL

PREPARING AGAINST 2023 FLOODS

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Despite the feeling of disappointment in some quarters, it is time to move on, writes BOLAJI ADEBIYI

TIME TO MOVE ON There have been mixed feelings since Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, announced the outcome of the 2023 presidential election, which produced Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress as the winner.

While Tinubu’s supporters expressed joy about his victory, the followers of Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party; Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, who trailed the winner have vented their anger at the result of the poll, claiming that the election was rigged.

It is tempting to dismiss the fury of the opposition candidates and their supporters as the usual sour grapes common with losers of electoral contests in Nigeria. But given the tense situation that elections and their outcomes engender in the country PRUH HͿRUWV ZRXOG KDYH WR EH GLUHFWHG DW assuaging the feeling of hurt rather than the tendency to gloat by the winning side. It is, WKHUHIRUH VLJQLÀFDQW WKDW 7LQXEX KDV PRYHG in this direction, calling on Atiku, Obi, and Kwankwaso to join forces with him to administer the country. ,Q KLV VSHHFK DIWHU UHFHLYLQJ WKH FHUWLÀFDWH of return, Tinubu was conciliatory, appealing to those who didn’t support him not to allow their disappointment to keep them away from realizing the historic national progress that could be made through the concert of HͿRUWV WR UHGLUHFW WKH QDWLRQ ´, DP DVNLQJ \RX WR ZRUN ZLWK PH µ KH VDLG DGGLQJ ´0\ heart and my door are open to you. I ask you to come in so that we may begin the task of rebuilding our national home together, day by day, brick by brick.”

Whether his opponents would take the ROLYH EUDQFK KH KDV RͿHUHG WKHP UHPDLQV WR be seen in the days ahead even as complaints remained rife that the poll was not held in strict compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022. Their main issue was the non-compliance with S60 (5) of the Act which stipulates the uploading of results to the INEC server from the polling unit level. That this was not done, they claimed, suggested some hanky-panky on the part of the election management agency in connivance with the winning party.

However, a dispassionate analysis of the results would seem to lend some credence to the possibility that the outcome of the poll is a fair representation of the wishes of the people. That the result shows a redrawing of the political map of Nigeria, which has deprived many political heavyweights of bragging rights in their strongholds tends to support the view that it was indeed a keen and credible contest. The outcome shows very clearly that there are no more dominant

political forces across the country and that political actors who hitherto thought they had a comfort zone would need to sit up.

7KLV LV ZK\ WKH VLJQLÀFDQFH RI WKH VSUHDG of the winning votes of the three leading contestants cannot be discounted. The trio of Tinubu, Atiku, and Obi won 12 States each across regional lines. Obi, for instance, won convincingly in 11 states and Abuja, trashing Tinubu in his Lagos State stronghold. The Labour party candidate also unseated the PDP in the entire South-east states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo, crossing over to the nearby South-south to route the hitherto main opposition in its base of Cross River, Edo, and Delta.

He also moved up to the North-central states of Plateau and Nasarawa to give the ruling APC a bloody nose, with his comprehensive victory in the Federal Capital Territory as the icing on the cake. In all, Obi posted victories in nine southern and two northern states plus the nation’s capital, humbling in the process Tinubu, the eventual winner, and Ifeanyi Okowa, the PDP running mate and governor of Delta State in their bases.

Atiku’s spread was across nine northern and three southern states with the PDP candidate routing the APC in its traditional bases of Gombe, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, and Yobe. He retained the PDP strongholds of Adamawa, Taraba, Sokoto, and Bauchi in the North, and Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, and Osun in the South. It is important to note that President Muhammadu Buhari and Nasir elRufai were the major casualties of his wins as both lost their home states of Katsina and Kaduna.

Tinubu had a more even regional spread as he won in seven northern states of Benue, Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, and =DPIDUD DQG ÀYH VRXWKHUQ VWDWHV RI (NLWL Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, and Rivers. But he lost the bragging right in Lagos and Osun that he lost to Obi and Atiku even as his low margin of loss in most of the northern states showed him as the second preferred candidate in the region that had two of its own in the contest.

Besides the mixed regional spread, it is equally imperative to note that safe for the South-east, where Obi posted above 90 per

cent of the votes, no other candidate had the luxury of a high percentage of margin of win or votes cast. The keenness of the contest, resulting generally in low margins of win, therefore, ought to douse the feeling that the poll was rigged.

Meanwhile, the distribution of senatorial seats compared to the performance of the presidential candidates indicates another trend, which shows that the electorate might have been more discerning than the politicians and the media think. For instance, Obi’s LP showing in 11 states did QRW WUDQVODWH WR DQ\ VLJQLÀFDQW VWUHQJWK LQ WKH federal legislative election which was held on the same venue and day.

A case in point is Lagos where he won the presidential election but lost all three senatorial seats and two of the 14 federal constituencies. In Rivers, Tinubu’s victory could not secure his party any senatorial or federal legislative seat. In fact, as of 7KXUVGD\ /3 KDG ÀYH VHQDWRULDO VHDWV 6RFLDO Democratic Party, two; Young Peoples Party, one; NNPP, one; PDP, 27; and APC, 51.

What all these point to are that as genuine as the complaint over the failure to instantly upload polling units’ results is, it does not necessarily sustain the charge of manipulation of the results as the collation process was even nationwide. Otherwise, it would be necessary to ask why the results for Lagos State which returned LP would be acceptable while the result for Jigawa which returned Tinubu would be unacceptable when the same collation processes were deployed.

Without a doubt, despite the close outcome of the presidential contest, some opposition elements still feel aggrieved. The fact of the matter though is that given the huge feeling of hurt, an objective assessment of the SURFHVV E\ DOO VLGHV RI WKH GLYLGH LV GL΀FXOW The drafters of the electoral process must have had this type of situation in view when they provided the avenues for the ventilation of grievances in the enabling laws.

Although some of the candidates that lost the poll and their supporters have expressed concerns about the tedious nature of judicial DGMXGLFDWLRQ LW LV LPSRUWDQW WKDW WKH\ ÀQG ZD\V RI UHSRVLQJ FRQÀGHQFH LQ WKH FRQÁLFW resolution mechanism that has been put in place. After all, some of the complainants have had courses to engage the judicial process in the past with favourable outcomes.

But as all parties weigh their options it is vital that the peace of the polity is preserved so that the nation has a chance to move on with its life.

Adebiyi, the managing editor of THISDAY Newspapers, writes from bolaji.adebiyi@ thisdaylive.com

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FRIDAY MARCH 3, 2023

JOSHUA J. OMOJUWA urges the President-elect to pursue an agenda of national reconciliation

THE PRESIDENT-ELECT AND MATTERS ARISING Once upon a time when a Nigerian who went in search of work has found it. In president-elect got the people’s mandate, essence, having aspired to the presidency they went to sleep. That looked like a and now gotten the mandate, the presidentmuch-needed rest period until their siesta elect has now earned himself days of unrest carried over several months into their than he has ever had. Nigeria is desperate administration. They then expended for leadership. The near-rainbow colours almost every goodwill they accrued from of the electoral map shows that whilst the the campaign and eventual triumph at the APC have won the election, most voters polls. This former president-elect had a – about 63 percent – preferred not to vote ORW RI JRRGZLOO WKH\ FRXOG DͿRUG WR ZDVWH them. This does not invalidate the fact that whilst APC’s Asiwaju Bola Tinubu emerged more than that number preferred not to vote president-elect on the back of a tougher race their opponents too. The point is, whilst the that had no goodwill left for the eventual majority as expected won the election, the winner, especially thanks to INEC’s majority was the minority of total voters.

LQH΀FLHQF\ 7KH HOHFWRUDO FRPPLVVLRQ ZLOO Whilst this cannot invalidate the mandate, it bear the burdens of its own shortcomings puts the popularity of the winner in context. during the polls, but the president-elect that Therefore, the president-elect should look to emerged from that process will bear some of pursue an agenda of national reconciliation.

On the back of that agenda, the presidentthat weight. A lot in fact, because he is the one that would be centered in the media elect should now get on with other essential long after INEC fades into the rearview of tasks at hand. The change management process that failed to materialize in 2015 should be dusted up, tweaked and plugged to activate reforms that’d create telling impact in the critical sectors of the Nigerian economy. This is especially important because his government will be confronted by the fuel subsidy controversy set to be delivered by the current government considering the current budget indicates WKH VXEVLG\ ZRXOG EH RͿ MXVW GD\V DIWHU WKH inauguration. That leaves his government with the prospects of facing prospects and VWULNHV IURP LWV ÀUVW ZHHN This is not an impossible situation. There are no impossible situations, only tough the people’s perception.

The President-elect has started. He is choices to be made. One of those tough working on what is within his control and choices is the need to concede some of the saying the right things; advancing the need SULYLOHJHV RI R΀FH 7KLV LV QRW D SLHFH DERXW to come together for the common Nigerian what the president-elect should look to have cause, calling supporters of his opponents to in his inaugural speech but if that piece for join in the work ahead, committing to youth one reason or the other does not see the and women inclusion in government and light of day from my end, I should quickly even advancing for the prospects of a future state here, the president-elect should let female president. As words go, Asiwaju 1LJHULDQV NQRZ WKH VDFULÀFHV DQG SULYLOHJHV Bola Tinubu said all the right things. As he will be giving away when he moves into actions go, he now must put those words Aso Rock as President.

Now that you have clinched the into action.

Like he has been known to do as a presidency Mr. President-Elect, the ‘On your politician, beyond the public calls, he must mandate’ song has now served its purpose. reach out to his opponents. The essence Aso Rock – and power generally – is would not be to ask them to jettison their designed to blind whoever holds it. Without legal right to challenge the result, but to GHVLJQLQJ D V\VWHP WKDW KHOSV WR ÀOWHU ensure they aren’t advancing calls and sycophancy whilst delivering hard truths actions that would upset the fragile state of as hard as they are, one would immediately Nigeria’s national security. Unlike virtually get sucked into the delusions of power. every election since 1999, this election 7KDW LV WKH QRUP 0RYLQJ LQWR WKH 9LOOD ZLWK produced three heavyweight leaders – on your horde of supporters chanting, ‘on your the back end of a poor result - who having mandate’ at every turn has zilch utility and amassed over one million votes, are in a would come at great costs.

In a system where saying it as it is comes good position to call their supporters to mount protests. The president-elect has at a huge cost, what needs to be said needs been more restrained in victory than when to be said. You have the mandate now. he won his party’s ticket, on that front, he Those who have been standing for the mandate for the better part of the last two FDQQRW DͿRUG WR IDOO RXW RI OLQH As a private citizen, I sent text messages decades have done a great job. They must to three presidential candidates when the now rest it for their private meetings at best, direction of the result became apparent. I was never to be heard at your public meetings acting in my personal capacity as a citizen when you become president. We do not to help ensure that amid everything, the want to make what often looks like a clown security and safety of Nigerians remained show by default – Aso Rock and its historic priority. It is my belief that this is the path characters - become a clown show with a responsible citizens should take. Whatever soundtrack. Your mandate has become the actions we take as individual citizens Nigerian mandate. It is time to focus on the though, the onus lies on the president-elect work at hand, there is a lot to get done. The WR OHDG WKH HͿRUWV WR HQVXUH SHDFH ZLWKRXW time to start was yesterday. prejudice to anyone’s pursuit of what they Omojuwa believe justice ought to be. is chief strategist, Alpha Reach and author, There is a Yoruba saying that goes, ‘omo Digital Wealth Book wa se o r’ise,’ which means that the one

A new Nigeria is not yet foreseeable, reckons AKPANDEM JAMES

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION DONE, TENDENCIES UNVEILED, POTENTATES DEMYSTIFIED I was deeply worried about my uncle’s heart. crucible known as structures built across He has a blood pressure challenge. Thank the divides, over time. It is so because the God I was in Uyo when the 2015 presidential component divides have their peculiarities, election result was announced. I had advised their strengths and weaknesses; and these him much earlier against placing too much have to be harnessed and cultivated. premium on election outcomes, but should Arrogance is one ingredient that does not always keep an open mind because anything blend. It makes smooth paste impossible. could happen. I told him that permutations Mindless consumption often results in on ground did not favour his then preferred emotional combustion. candidate; that he should create room for the People often claim that there is unexpected. He dismissed my advice citing something peculiar about politics in what he regarded as solid indicators. It almost Nigeria. A comparative spreadsheet would cost his life. show that is not the case. It is what happens I had just returned from my sojourn in Abuja everywhere in the world, even though in DV RQH RI WKH SULQFLSDO R΀FHUV RI WKH varying degrees. Region, religion, race and National Conference. Given my orientation as rewards always play critical roles in the a journalist, I had carried out a survey among eventual disposition of those involved and a very potent political population that made DͿHFWHG 9HKLFOHV WR SXVK DQG FRXQWHU WKH up the delegates. I knew their thinking and inputs and outputs are very germane in dispositions. I placed that alongside my many determining the outcomes. \HDUV LQ WKH ÀHOG ,W ZDV REYLRXV WKDW ZKDW Some Nigerians have become avid undiscerning persons would think impossible complainants about how things are not was going to happen. It happened. My working in the country; and often express uncle almost had a grand reception from his how desirous they are for a new Nigeria. ancestors. I was called in by his club members. Underneath such expressions is usually a deep sense of hypocrisy. The concern is not really about Nigeria; it is about their sentimental predispositions, largely region and religion, and a good dose of greed and opportunism.

The just concluded presidential election in Nigeria presented a spectacular scenario. Religion has dealt a fatal blow to rationalism. It has always been there, but this time it took the form of sordid evangelism. Some who believe they know God more than God himself, irrespective of creed and educational attainments, became trapped in odious sentiments that beggar belief.

My presence helped the situation.

In all the sacred books used by the On Wednesday February 22, 2023 it various faiths, God clearly indicates that suddenly occurred to me that my uncle, He is the supreme consciousness. He who is eight years older now, might again be shares His glory with no one. But what walking a similar pathway, given his peculiar did we see all over the place? Leaders of disposition. He had been calling me almost some faith-based institutions became gods RQ D GDLO\ EDVLV WR ÀQG RXW WKH VWDWXV RI WKH and made pronouncements with uncanny various court cases involving the gubernatorial indiscretion. Some uttered curses upon candidates of parties in my state. He relies on members who do not take their word as me to give him information on such politically- gospel. They turned the altar of God into a related cases handled in Abuja. theatre of absurdities. They forget that the , WKHQ FDOOHG KLP WR ÀQG RXW ZKR KH ZDV Almighty is a jealous God. supporting for the presidential race. He told Platforms of religious groups meant me. I asked him why. He explained. The for information and evangelism were familiar trademarks! I reminded him of his turned into arenas for hateful speeches blood pressure situation and asked him to and preachments of political and religious keep an open mind. He asked why. I told him LQWROHUDQFH $Q\RQH ZKR KDV D GLͿHUHQW his candidate does not stand a chance, given view would be reminded of how the the permutations on ground. He argued. I children of Israel lost their heritage in told him outcomes of national elections are Egypt because they failed to position determined using binoculars, not spectacles. themselves in governance when Joseph Again, he lost but with care this time. was prime minister. Was that God’s plan Often, people contest election results because for the children of Israel, to make Egypt they always see issues from their own prisms. their inheritance? Religionists who do not They hardly consider historical antecedents, factor God’s plan into their thinking and UHJLRQDO SHFXOLDULWLHV UHOLJLRXV D΀OLDWLRQV DQG rationalisations are bound to turn logic into the sensibilities and orientation of others that gospel and confuse the gullible. make up the universe of activity. They hardly Sentiment has a way of beclouding look at the big picture. They create their own reasoning. It amazes when some religious world and live in it. And then assume that practitioners assume a sense of entitlement. whatever obtains there should be the gold They initiate actions and fail to reckon that standard. Any divergent view is viciously others have the capacity to either counter of attacked, condemned, rejected and vehemently do same. They direct adherents not to vote protested. In their cocoon, they become the for people of other faiths but expect others custodians of the national conscience. Those to vote for theirs, nonetheless. Bigotry was who do not share in their sentiments are elevated to a mountainous pedigree. They enemies of the country. label others and assume theirs should be It remains true always that raw emotion sacrosanct. Clannishness runs deep in their cannot supplant strategic planning. Every consciousness, some with unbelievable segment spills emotions; it is the strategic arrogance. mixture of the various emotions into an agreeable paste called goodwill that gives a James, candidate an edge. The mixture is done in a a communication consultant, lives in Abuja

22 4

T H I S D AY

FRIDAY MARCH 3, 2023

EDITORIAL

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

PREPARING AGAINST 2023 FLOODS The authorities should put in place effective means of cushioning the impact of floods

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FESTAC Town, Lagos

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2023

23

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

REPO

A T

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

08056356325

M A R C H

S & P INDEX

2 , 2 0 2 3

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

10.25%

INDEX LEVEL

613.31%

1/4 TO DATE

-0.85%

N416.86/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

9.56%

1-DAY

0.16%

YEAR TO DATE

7.64%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

10.52%

MONTH-TO-DATE

0.44%

Airlines Lose N50bn to Low Passenger Traffic after Presidential Elections

Chinedu Eze Domestic airlines may have lost N50 billion revenue in the last one week, as a result of low passenger traffic experienced after the Presidential, Senate and House of Representatives elections, which held February 25, 2023.

The low passenger traffic has been attributed to the order given by the federal government, which restricted movement of people on the day of election, a development that forced air passengers to stay away from airports, even after the

elections.

THISDAY authoritatively learnt that all the 10 domestic airlines operating in the country scaled down their operations to avoid further loss of funds and they have expressed fears that if passenger movement does not pick up in a short time, some of the airlines would face sustainability problem.

The Managing Director and CEO of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi, affirmed to THISDAY that there was very low passenger movement at the airports and that airlines were losing huge revenue

due to the development. He however noted that the airline envisaged it and reduced its operations due to restriction of movement on the day of election, adding that after the election, passengers were still not coming to the airports, and that the airline had to readjust its operations.

He further said even after the airline reduced its flights, the low passenger traffic continued to affect its operations and the airline continued to lose money on fixed costs like insurance, adding that if the airline is operating and earning

revenues, it will be able to offset the fixed costs.

“It is very true that there is drastic reduction in passenger traffic at the airports. We anticipated that there would be low passenger traffic due to the restriction of movement but we found out that after the election, passengers were not coming to the airports, so we rescheduled our flights. Although we are not burning fuel but fixed costs like insurance are still running. So if we are not operating, we won’t earn money to pay for these costs. So the low passenger traffic is affecting our

operations. If the low passenger traffic continues, it will also affect the sustenance of our operations,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chief Operating Officer of Ibom Air, George Uriesi, told THISDAY that airlines experienced low passenger traffic and that it became so low that the airline had to adjust its flight schedules.

He said that Ibom Air reduced operations by 60 per cent but it has picked up again to 70 per cent, expressing the hope that the worst time is over with the conclusion of

the presidential election. He believes that henceforth passenger traffic will begin to build up.

“There was drastic reduction of passenger traffic at the airports; that we reduced operations by 60 per cent but we have gone back to 70 per cent. It looks like the number (of passengers) is building up. It is hard to predict whether it would continue to build up but presidential election has been concluded and presidential election carries more weight than Continued on page 24

Nigeria’sTrade Balance Declines from $50m to $20m Eromosele Abiodun The modest gains in oil production was unable to lift Nigeria’s trade balance as the country’s balance of trade position has reversed from surplus to deficit.

The country recorded a $20 million trade deficit in November 2022 as against a

surplus of $50 million in the previous month of October 2022.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) who disclosed this in its Monthly Economic report said the deficit was a result of low crude oil export receipts during the period.

The CBN also said that crude oil and gas export

receipts declined month-onmonth (MoM) by 9.3 per cent to $3.9 billion in November 2022 from $4.3 billion in October 2022.

According to the CBN report, “Trade performance was weaker than expected as trade deficit was recorded, owing largely to lower crude oil export receipts.

Provisional data shows that

the trade balance swung into a deficit of $0.02 billion from a surplus of $0.05 billion in the preceding month.

“Aggregate export receipts declined by 7.7 per cent to $4.33 billion from $4.69 billion in October. Similarly, merchandise imports declined by 6.2 per cent to $4.35 billion from $4.64 billion in October. Crude oil and

gas export receipts declined to $3.90 billion from $4.30 billion in October.

“In terms of share in total exports, crude oil and gas accounted for 90.2 per cent.

Of the total crude oil and gas export, oil constitutes 84.6 per cent, while gas accounts for 15.4 per cent. Non-oil export earnings rose by 16.9 per cent

to $0.4 billion, from $0.35 billion in October, due, largely to sustained favorable commodity prices at the international market.

“This was due to the 7.0 per cent and 16.1 per cent increase in other non – oil products and re-exports to $0.38 billion and $0.02 billion from $0.36 billion and $0.01 billion respectively.”

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

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

Change Updated Time (%) 10.82 -0.01 January 6, 2023 January 11.11 -0.71 6, 2023 January 0.00 6, 11.35 2023 January 12.60 0.00 6, 2023 January 12.92 0.00 6, 2023

Yield

BILLS MATURITY

Discount

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

3.01

NTB 11May-23

3.23

3.01 2.21 3.20

3.27

OTC F X F U T U R E S

CPS

Change Updated Time (%) 3.01 -0.01 January 6, 2023 January 6, 0.00 2023 3.02 January 6, 2.22 -1.71 2023 January 6, 3.23 0.00 2023

Yield

January 6, 0.00 2023

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

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

Discount Yield

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CONTRACT Current TENOR Contract Rate Updated Time ($/₦) (MONTH) NGUS JAN 25 469.87 January 6, 1 2023 2023 January 6, NGUS FEB 22 2 472.05 2023 2023 NGUS MAR 29 474.23 January 6, 3 2023 2023 NGUS APR 26 476.42 January 6, 4 2023 2023 NGUS MAY 31 478.60 January 6, 5 2023 2023

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FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

In Search of Humanitarian Aid for North-east Ugo Aliogo examines the UN statistics and the $1.3 billion needed to reach 6 million people in North-east Nigeria with humanitarian assistance in 2023

T

he United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale, stated recently that $1.3 billion would be needed to reach six million people in North-east Nigeria with humanitarian assistance in 2023.

The 6 million people requiring assistance represents an increase of 500,000 people from the 5.5 million people identified for assistance in 2022.

According to him, $1.3 billion is needed to provide critical lifesaving assistance to 6 million people suffering from the devastating impact the continuing 13-year-long noninternational armed conflict.

It was learnt that with the Humanitarian Response Plan, 120 operational partners would work in support of government efforts to save lives, improve the quality of life, protect the most vulnerable and enable affected people to return to normalcy and live safely and with dignity.

Schmale, who expressed concern that the large-scale humanitarian crisis in the North-east is not showing any sign of abating, explained that 2.4 million people in the region affected by the conflict require urgent support.

He said: “An estimated 2.4 million people are in acute need – impacted by conflict, disaster and disease – and require urgent support. Some humanitarian needs of affected people are deepening and increasing, particularly those related to food insecurity and malnutrition.

“Approximately 4.4 million people are expected to face food insecurity in the 2023 lean season, up from 4.1 million in 2022. Without urgent action, 4,000 people in Bama, Borno State, are expected to be in ‘catastrophe’ (Phase 5) conditions, in which starvation, death, destitution and extremely critical acute malnutrition levels become prevalent.”

He also noted that despite facing severe access and funding constraints, the humanitarian community reached 4.7 million people with assistance in 2022 through the generous support of donors.

With the Humanitarian Response Plan, he noted, the UN has outlined a vision to assist six million people. Of the $1.3 billion required, $631 million will be urgently needed for an emergency response to the 2.4 million people in acute need.

On her part, the British High Commissioner, Ms Catriona Laing, described the humanitarian crisis in the North-east as complex and pressing, and charged the Nigerian government with the primary obligation of leading recovery to redouble efforts in addressing the protracted humanitarian crisis.

She also urged inclusive actions that put women at the centre of the localised response.

The Minister, Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farooq, said the Nigerian state would remain committed to addressing the needs of vulnerable citizens.

She also underscored durable and sustainable actions being taken by the government, as it scales up rehabilitation and recovery efforts in the NE, to build the capacities of citizens to adapt to new and emerging shocks occasioned by migration, floods, epidemics and pandemics as well as the effect of climate change to underline its shift towards risk reduction measures in its planning and programming in finding durable solutions to socio-economic vulnerabilities of its citizens.

MALNUTRITION Malnutrition is still a big problem in Nigeria for many reasons mainly because of poverty which affects not only the ability

of people to have sustainable access to nutritious food that prevents them and their families from falling into malnutrition, but because its impacts on people’s abilities to afford essentials like education that helps them have adequate information to make informed decision or access health services which help treat malnutrition or underlining conditions.

To underscored the challenges caused by malnutrition in the North-east, THISDAY spoke to Humanitarian and Resilience Manager, ActionAid Nigeria, David Habba, who noted that poverty is the deliberate action or inaction of those people who should act, or otherwise known as duty bearers such as Government, adding that this is among the many reasons why ActionAid fights poverty, because they believe that poverty is manmade.

He further explained that there are other reasons such as the general food insecurity situation of the country which is affecting food production or other disasters such as floods, and insecurity that prevent people from engaging in productive economic activities.

He remarked that the insecurity situation alongside malnutrition would have been worse if not for the efforts of organisations such as ActionAid, the UN and others who are consistently implementing actions in communities and at policy levels. While the problem is still here, it could have been worse.

Habba expressed the readiness of the agency to make bigger strides and reduce malnutrition to its barest, stating that the government must take centre stage in prioritising and investing its resources in this regard.

He hinted that there is need to address the root causes of malnutrition such as poverty, illiteracy, poor healthcare delivery and others.

TACKLING THE MENACE Tackling malnutrition requires a collaborative effort of state actors, it is not an exercise done in isolation, therefore having joint efforts often times produces conventional and time-tested

approaches with proven results. Habba viewpoint is that the situation would have been worse off if ActionAid Nigeria did not have donors like the World Food Programme with whom they partnered to provide lifesaving assistance interventions in many areas of the North-east of Nigeria.

“It looks like the entire challenge has been handed over to international organisations, donors, and of course other national organisations to handle. This is a Nigerian problem; the international organisations and community are only here to support but we need the Nigerian government taking the lead and ensuring that it is committing our resources as well. You will be surprised that in some of the health facilities, even the doctors and nurses are employed and paid by the NGOs. What happens when funding cuts? This will also be a call on donors to increase their support to the country.

In the wake of the war in Ukraine, there has been a huge funding deficit to countries in need like Nigeria. The humanitarian principles of humanity should come to play here. The competing needs are appreciated but this is an advocacy for increased funding. They are already doing well but we call on them to do much more and not forget the starving population in Nigeria,” he said.

LIFESAVING ASSISTANCE Although $1.3 billion is needed to provide critical lifesaving assistance to six million people suffering from the devastating impact of the continuing 13-year-long non-international armed conflict, the worry however is that President Buhari’s administration might not meet up with this target since the government is in its final lap to leave office after May 29, 2023. Therefore, this is a challenge that would confront the new government.

Habba’s position on this is that it is not the sole responsibility of the government to fund this plan, noting that funding would come from donors, philanthropies, corporate, and individuals, but government needs also

to make a significant contribution because it is a Nigerian problem and government owes the people this duty.

“I am not aware of what the government of Nigeria’s funding for the HRP in the previous years has been like, but this is also a call for them, especially the new government to look at this area. Nigeria is a blessed country, by plugging waste, leaks minimizing corruption, and ensuring value for money, there would be enough resources to be channelled to areas like this that need urgent intervention. This will also save us the reputation of having to always go cap in hand waiting for donors to put in donations into our basket before we can save our people,” he stated.

ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY It is estimated that approximately 4.4 million people are expected to face food insecurity in the 2023 lean season, up from 4.1 million in 2022. However, it is important to note that during the leans season, vulnerable households and populations are assisted to be able to meet their food needs. This can be done by directly distribution food commodities during the five months of the lean season or through interventions like cash transfers or other livelihood support interventions that help put some resources in the hands of people.

Habba remarked that during the leans season, due to the rains, there is usually a spike in water borne diseases such as cholera or even illnesses like malaria, adding that these are contributors to the malnutrition burden during the lean season.

He urged actors to ensure contingency measures to respond to these issues, stating that the governments at all levels including state and local government are not left out.

He said: “You can see how no one is complaining that the country is broke now that politicians are about their business of politics and elections, it is important that the same energy and resources are deployed to addressing these basic issues. This is why they politic and we go for elections to hold in the first place. The new government must also prioritize investments in the human sectors of our nation. This is important to addressing the root causes of malnutrition.”

26

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2023 • T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 02Mar-2023, unless otherwise stated.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AIICO Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 6.83% Anchoria Equity Fund 158.95 160.66 9.66% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.24 1.24 0.65% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com info@anchoriaam.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 23.76 24.48 8.27% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 552.66 569.33 6.03% ARM Ethical Fund 47.03 48.45 4.25% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.14 1.14 0.92% ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.00 0.00 0.00% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.63% ARM Short Term Bond Fund 1.05 1.05 1.03% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.14 2.14 3.72% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.42 2.47 9.08% CAPITALTRUST INVESTMENTS AND ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED halalfif@capitaltrustnigeria.com Web: www.capitaltrustnigeria.com; Tel: 08061458806 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Capitaltrust Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.02 1.02 1.36% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.86% Paramount Equity Fund 20.17 20.54 9.83% Women's Investment Fund 156.67 159.66 7.95% CHD Nigeria Bond Fund 101.52 101.52 10.18% CHD Nigeria Dollar Income Fund 1.02 1.02 9.03% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.04% Cordros Milestone Fund 145.94 146.90 6.00% Cordros Fixed Income Fund 107.13 107.13 9.51% Cordros Halal Fixed Income Fund 104.29 104.29 6.03% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 114.16 114.16 5.74% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 1.00 11.01% Coronation Money Market Fund 1.23 1.25 3.20% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.38 1.38 -1.92% Coronation Fixed Income Fund EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 100.00 100.00 9.00% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 11.24% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,119.53 1,124.10 1.16% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.78% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.09 1.09 10.26% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.16 1.16 48.46% Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 105.74 105.74 4.40% FBNQUEST ASSETS MANAGEMENT LIMITED invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Bond Fund 1500.55 1500.55 12.24% FBN Balanced Fund 212.05 213.57 6.19% FBN Halal Fund 125.51 125.51 12.84% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.54% FBN Dollar Fund 121.60 121.60 6.92% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 0.00 0.00 4.67% FBN Specialized Dollar Fund 105.71 105.71 9.73% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.57% Legacy Debt Fund 3.52 3.52 -12.08% Legacy Equity Fund 2.13 2.18 22.70% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.27 1.27 5.27% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1

Fund Name Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

Bid Price 4,424.60 3,759.90 100.00

Offer Price 4,454.40 3,759.90 100.00

Yield / T-Rtn 31.10% 7.83% 10.75%

FSDH Dollar Fund 1.14 1.14 5.66% GUARANTY TRUST FUND MANAGERS LIMITED enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.gtcoplc.bank; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) N/A N/A N/A Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: www.meristemwealth.com/funds/; Tel: +2348028496012 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 13.23 13.28 9.04% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.39% NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 102.15 102.15 9.95% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 11.20% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.79 1.84 16.80% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.49 11.72 -0.32% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 10.29% PACAM Equity Fund 1.57 1.60 5.63% PACAM EuroBond Fund 119.19 125.06 5.82% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 132.61 135.75 0.05% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.02 1.02 11.02% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,834.79 3,864.89 13.11% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 246.87 246.87 4.80% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.52 1.54 21.43% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 335.88 335.88 7.27% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 276.65 279.65 18.37% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.80% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 12,954.48 13,111.39 18.65% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.38 1.38 6.82% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 122.25 122.25 4.57% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 116.65 116.65 9.66% Stanbic IBTC Absolute Fund 4,633.69 4,633.69 8.92% Stanbic IBTC Aggressive Fund 3,466.24 3,510.46 24.69% Stanbic IBTC Conservative Fund 4,381.51 4,398.42 15.10% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund 1.06 1.08 10.94% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.59 1.62 16.24% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.27 1.29 9.24% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.12 1.12 9.93% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.97 1.97 7.29% United Capital Eurobond Fund 126.47 126.47 5.49% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.32% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 14.62 14.76 5.40% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 16.63 16.80 5.21% Zenith Income Fund 23.84 23.84 1.19% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 0.00% VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD funds@vetiva.com Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Bid Price Offer Price Yield/T-Rtn Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund N/A N/A N/A Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund N/A N/A N/A Vetiva Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund N/A N/A N/A Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund N/A N/A N/A REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

115.40 53.52 101.31 9.93

1.31% 4.74% -13.05%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

16.76 142.91 111.92 17.40 16.40

16.86 145.40 113.87 17.50 16.50

8.26% 11.99% 11.94% 0.84% 10.63%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

106.75

0.00%

Fund Name

SFS REIT Union Homes REIT Nigeria Real Estate Investment Trust UPDC REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund MERGROWTH ETF MERVALUE ETF

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2023

25

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

As Ogun Marks First Flight at New Agro-Cargo Airport Last week, Ogun State marked the first flight at the new Gateway Agro-Cargo International Airport, which is a multipurpose facility that will provide easy movement of goods and services to and from industries in the Ogun industrial corridor. It will also serve as alternative to air freighting and eliminate traffic gridlock from Lagos airport, writes Chinedu Eze

T

he new Ogun State Gateway Agro-Cargo International Airport is meant to serve as cargo and passenger facility from the heavy industries built between the Lagos-Ogun corridor and the Agbara Industrial Layout. It is expected that the airport, which is well located, will provide seamless service for the evacuation of finished products from these companies and delivery of raw materials.

The location of the airport at the off limits of the notorious traffic gridlock that characterises Lagos State, puts the facility in a vantage position to move goods to other parts of the country from the airport. It will also be a rendezvous for the assemblage of farm produce before export, as the government of Ogun State is putting things in place to build aerotropolis at the airport.

This means that agro based factories and others can sprout at the airport. That will give rise to economic community that will create jobs, create revenue for government and expand businesses between the two major states in the South-west.

COMMERCIAL FLIGHT

Last week Thursday, the Gateway Agro Cargo International Airport along Iperu- Ilishan road in Ikenne Local Government Area, recorded first commercial flight, which landed at the 4 kilometers runway to the excitement of many indigenes and visitors who came to witness history.

The elated governor of the state, Dapo Abiodun, while addressing the high dignitaries and others who graced the event, recalled how the opposition tried to railroad against the project.

“The construction of the project started April 2021 and will be on record as the fastest built airport anywhere. The test flight despite all odds is very important to us for many reasons. Firstly, it is one of the necessary activities leading to the full certification and licensing of the airport for safe aviation operations. Secondly, it marks the actualisation of a dream, conceived 16 years ago by one of my predecessors Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD). The approval was given in 2008 by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and nurtured by the people of Ogun State. It is testament to what is achievable by being focused, deliberate,resolute committed and audacious. In every way therefore, it is a dream come true,” the governor, said.

He stated that the test flight was therefore a landmark event confirming the determination of this administration to develop an airport of international standards in Ogun State to serve businesses, industry, and the people of the state, adding that the development of the airport was in alignment with the vision of his administration, which is focused on providing an enabling environment forpublic private partnership (PPP). He said he considered PPP as fundamental to economic growth of the state and the prosperity of the people of the state.

T R A N S P O R T A T I O N INFRASTRUCTURE

According to Abiodun, “This administration recognises the vital importance of strategic transportation infrastructure and services in facilitating the efficient and effective mobility of people and goods across and beyond the state and

also accessibility to public services, industry and key drivers of economic activity in the state. Therefore, on the assumption of office, we established a ministry of transportation for the first time in the history of the state.

Soon after, the Ministry of Transportation, in collaboration with the United Kingdom Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Sector experts from Olabisi Onabanjo University, developed the Transport Policies for the State and subsequently the State’s Strategic Multi-Modal Transportation Master Plan.

“The Master Plan development was based on certain needs such as: Economic and industrial ambition of the state; The need to provide safe and affordable accessibility and mobility options to citizens, businesses, and industry; Provide inter regional and international connectivity for the movement of people and goods in and out of Ogun State; and Provide relief and alternatives to other regional transport sector hubs, particularly Lagos,” Abiodun said.

He also stated that in view of the planned spread of economic activities and clusters across the state coupled with the spatial distribution of current, planned and proposed road and rail transportation networks, the air transportation component of the plan demanded that the facility be located here in the Shagamu Remo nexus of the Lagos - Ibadan and Lagos - Benin Express Way. “The choice of the location allowed for easy accessible to the different parts of the state, not leaving out Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria. The eastern and northern regions of Nigeria will also be easily accessed from this same location.The country is currently vigorously pursuing strategies to promote the export of goods and services, and this airport will be critical in helping to achieve this objective.

“This project is part of an integrated development programme aimed at unleashing the full potential of Ogun State. This airport is located in the Remo economic zone, which houses the Ogun Special Agro Processing Zone (SAPZs) the entirety that we refer to as an Aerotroplois the first in Nigeria. The Ogun SAPZs ground-breaking ceremony was conducted about two months ago, it is PPP between Ogun state Government and Arise LLP a company that specializes in setting up agro value chain development. It promises to offer about 25,000 job opportunities.

This further justified the business case for the construction of this airport,” the governor further said.

He also stated that other complimentary infrastructure project currently being pursued include the development of a Dry Port at Kajola in Ogun Central on the Lagos – Ibadan Rail Line, the commencement the process of the construction of the Olokonla Port, which also was conceived by the previous administration.

“This will go a long way to easing the port congestion and make the Apapa port more efficient. No doubt this airport will become the alternative to Murtala Mohammed International Airport and is already been considered as the export terminal for non-oil in the Southwest.

There is therefore little doubt that the airport development has an established positive business case and that it is a major facilitator of increased economic activity in the state, an investment with expected economic returns in the form of increased tax receipts, employment generation prospects and a multiplier economic driver over and beyond air transportation operations. Furthermore, the federal government is reconstructing the Lagos to Shagamu Express Way and is on the verge of concessioning the Shagamu to Benin Express Way, ensuring safe and efficient land access to the airport and other air ancillary services. This is in addition to the federal government developing the east to west standard gauge rail line linking Lagos to the airport and to the eastern part of the country,” the governor added.

HOST COMMUNITIES

Abiodun thanked the host communities where the airport is located and said that his administration was mindful of the sacrifices made by the people of Iperu, Ilishan, Ode, Akaka, Irolu and Ilara who had committed more than 10,000 hectares of land to the airport project and have been hosts communities to the significant construction activities in the area.

“The government, in its inclusive approach to governance, undertook in- depth consultations with communities affected and committed to implementing the various recommendations that arose from the Environmental Impact Assessment undertaken prior to the commencement of the project.

The design and ongoing construction of the airport are being undertaken in collaboration with the various national and state regulatory authorities to ensure compliance with all state, national, and international standards,” he said.

The governor also explained that the category 4E airport remained one of the best constructed airport in Nigeria, disclosing that it can accommodate an Airbus A380 Boeing B777 and B747 and other unprecedented features of the airport include amongst others a 4 - kilometre runway, a 36-metretall control tower, fire station, cargo apron, and terminal buildings. The 82,000 square meter cargo apron for type E and type C aircrafts is completed.

“The government is in negotiation with airport operators with the view to establishing a PPP arrangement for the operation, maintenance and management of the airport facility.The private sector partner is bringing private capital, significant experience and know-how of developing and managing airport facilities and operations in Africa with the view to ensuring a self-financing airport and indeed a net contributor to the state exchequer.

Let me state and restate that the official commissioning of this project will take place in a couple months. Today’s event is to set the climate for the final commissioning of the project. Now the naysayers can give up...We will continue to be just fair and equitable,” he said.

CARGO HUB

For easy evacuation of cargo from the new Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport in Ogun State to Lagos, the state government said it would build a rail line linking the airport to Lagos in order to avoid traffic gridlock that characterizes road travel between the two states.

The state Commissioner, Works and Infrastructure, Ade Akinsanya, said the proximity of the airport to Lagos would enhance further industrialisation of Ogun State where land is abundant for investment in agribusinesses, noting that the airport would provide crucial service for evacuation and distribution of products to other parts of the country as well as importation of raw materials.

He said the project was conceptualised by the state government to create needed infrastructure to boost exportation of agricultural and nonagricultural goods on one hand and on the other hand, to further reinvigorate socio-economic activities for the state.

Akinsanya stated that this would increase revenue generation drive of the state, creation of hundreds of jobs and boost the revenue of the state in the long run.

He added that the cargo airport was designed to be an aerotropolis as it is provided with components such as a special agro processing zone to process raw agricultural material for exports, an international testing centre to certify that agro-produce comply with international standards before they are exported.

He stated that the airport project was in alignment with the focus of the current administration in the state, adding that it is a vital aspect of transportation, which would accelerate development in the state and ensure its expansion.

On the construction of agro-cargo airport by the Ogun State government, aviation travel expert, Ikechi Uko said there was an initial gap in air cargo in Nigeria.

According to him, there is paucity of cargo airports in Nigeria, adding that it is good if one is being built, especially near Lagos. So in order to boost export by air, Nigeria needs more cargo airports and he also canvassed for national policy to drive air cargo movement, noting that there is so much to export from Nigeria but getting an airport is the first step.

Uko said Nigeria imports so much and that it also has the potential to export as much if the country looks inwards because there are so much that can be produced in Nigeria that are demanded by the international community and that having a cargo airport and export processing facility, will make it easier for air cargo export.

“I commend the Ogun State government for building cargo airport. We don’t have enough cargo airports in Nigeria; so this is a good step. Air cargo is very important because if we develop strong cargo export Nigerian will boost its foreign exchange,” Uko said.

The new Gateway Agro-Cargo International Airport, Ogun State will create strong alternative, in terms of cargo freighting, to the Lagos airport and also help in decongesting the Lagos facility, especially as the Ogun airport has enough land for business expansion and establishment of agro product processing zones.

This

Weekend

Group Features Editor: CHIEMELIE EZEOBI chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com

07010510430

GBADEBO RHODES-VIVOUR:

TR

UTH

& R E ASO

N

WEEKLY MAGAZINE

The Architect of a New Lagos?

28

ͱ˜ ͰͮͰͱ ˾ T H I S D AY

COVER

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour: The Architect of a New Lagos?

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour is the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in Lagos State. With his running mate, Princess Islamiyat Abiodun Oyefusi, the change agent, social critic and advocate is an MIT graduate, an architect and politician, who once contested for Senate for Lagos West Senatorial District in 2019. An original Lagosian whose roots run deep, Gbadebo hopes to channel his passion for justice, dedication to service and advocacy in championing the affairs of the cosmopolitan city of Lagos. With his key derivatives being accountability, cutting down cost of governance, youth development, agriculture, tackling insecurity, job creation, urbanisation, cultural diversification, and even housing, Chiemelie Ezeobi queries whether he is indeed the new architect of Lagos as he is being touted

B

orn on March 8, 1983 on Lagos Island and raised in Ikeja, Gbadebo Chinedu RhodesVivour, also known as GRV, is the gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party (LP) for Lagos State in the upcoming 2023 Lagos State gubernatorial election scheduled to hold on March 11.

Education Despite his family background, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has carved a niche for himself in the field of architecture. He had his primary and secondary school education at Chrisland Schools before he went on to Paris in France to finish up at Ecol Artive Berlin.

Gbadebo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Nottingham, UK as well as a Masters’ degree in the same field from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston, USA. After his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 2009, he went back for a second Masters’ degree in Research and Public Policy from the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

Professional Life Professionally, Gbadebo has proven his mettle in his field of study. The MIT graduate founded Spatial Tectonics but also serves on the boards of Alhuda Construction Nigeria and Delta International Commercial City Ltd. His love for modern design has been replicated in his projects and has earned him the attention of creme de la creme of society. However, in most projects carried out in Lagos, he weaves his love for modern designing and the city’s rich culture. But most importantly, he does it with care for the environment, ensuring its preserved.

In his kitty are the development of a master plan for the Lagos International Airport, redesign of the Lagos Island waterfront, and revitalisation of the National Arts Theatre, and so many more.

Solid Pedigree For Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, his roots are as deep as they come coupled with a solid pedigree to boot. An original Lagosian, he is the son of former Supreme Court of Nigeria Justice Olawale RhodesVivour and Mrs. Nkechi Rhodes-Vivour.

But his roots are deeper than most. His grandfather was late Judge Akinwunmi Rhodes-Vivour and his great-grand father was Judge Steven Bankole Rhodes, the second ever indigenous judge appointed in Nigeria. Thus, to say he came from the lineage of legal luminaries is an understatement.

Gbadebo as the Unifier With this background, Gbadebo is entrenched in his quest to fight for justice for all notwithstanding tribe or religion. Call him a unifier and you won’t be mistaken. For one who has shed the toga of bigotry, his one true desire is for peace and justice on all fronts.

But this stance is often misunderstood like is currently happening. While some are fighting his stance to call for justice for the South-east region, there are yet many others who commend his balance in making a case for the Oduduwa nation also. For the latter, his non partisan stance only goes to portray a man filled with empathy and abhors injustice.

Also in contention recently is his choice of an Igbo lady as wife. While the ignorant

Gbadebo

Lagos is a Cosmopolitan city of commerce and excellence that needs a leader who is committed to unifying various Nigerians who work, reside or pass through Lagos. A true leader takes responsibility for its citizens in our Lagos

Oyefusi

as an honor and duty. We have a deep love for Lagos and for its people. We are consistent, you can go and verify. Lagos is our home and we will always defend it,” he posited.

He went to cite his younger sister Titilola, who coordinates the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team and has proven her mettle in tackling the numerous cases of sexual and domestic abuses across the state.

Social Advocacy A passionate advocate, Gbadebo has been vocal about so many causes from the thuggery that thrives in Lagos because of lack of empowerment of the youths to the traffic situation, lack of affordable housing and the need to transform Lagos to an indeed cosmopolitan city.

In 2015, he took a stand against potentially harmful GMOs despite international pressure to make sure Nigerian agriculture and environments are preserved & they aren’t pressured to use harmful produce.

His advocacy cuts across all sectors and he has been quite consistent in service.

But for most youths, what has endeared him to them is the fact that he showed up and out at the 2020 nationwide #EndSARS protest in the quest for justice and an end to police brutality.

gloat that his Igbo blood was enough to disqualify him from running for office of the governor of Lagos, they however ignore the fact that most of the past governors of the state were from Osun and even the current governor is from Ogun State.

Flaying that school of thought, he postures as the unifier who has had a taste of both worlds, thus has better understanding of their culture and value system.

His wife, Dr. Ifeyinwa Rhodes-Vivour (PhD.), daughter of Lieutenant Colonel Ifeanyi Aniebo (Rtd) from Umunze in Anambra State, is an Oxford University graduate, an internationally renowned molecular geneticist and a thought leader in public health in Africa.

Choice of Deputy His choice of deputy is Princess Islamiyat Abiodun Oyefusi, a law graduate from the prestigious Aberdeen Law School, with an MBA from the University of Hull.

Service to Humanity From time immemorial, the RhodesVivours have always rendered service to humanity whether in Nigeria or abroad.

From his ancestor, Bankole Vivour, that fought in world war II and lost his life bombing Berlin and Numernberg in the war against Hitler 77 years ago, to Gbadebo and siblings, it’s “Service for love of country, for love of our people.

For us, it has never been lip service.

I love to serve the people and I see it

Key Derivatives For Rhodes-Vivour, the agenda is not money or fame rather to build a Lagos that revolves around all.

On his Twitter handle, the pinned tweet read thus: “Lagos is working” our drainage systems say otherwise. The traffic, harassment by state backed youth, building collapses, Zero transparency & accountability, all say, Lagos is not Working.

It is time to make Lagos Excellent again.

It is time for a Lagos that revolves around

YOU.” In different fora, his key derivatives for Lagos has centered around youth empowerment, blocking identifiable leakages and reducing cost of governance, develop a multi-modal transport system, cleaning up the environment, boosting agriculture, tackling the perennial Lagos traffic and insecurity.

With youth empowerment, he intends to push policies that will take youths from the streets and build their capacity.

His desire is also to level up the standard of living of those that live in Lagos, but in doing so, he also intends to be accountable and not run an opaque government.

He also intends to render tailor made solutions to respective areas of the state while blocking leakages that prevents governance from reaching the masses.

Admitting that the transportation system in Lagos needs to be overhauled, he proposed a multi-modal transport system. This he said will automatically reduce the perennial traffic situation.

For Lagosians who have constantly lamented that they have been over burdened by multiple taxation, Gbadebo also promises to tackle that, adding that running a government with empathy is his focus.

For the women, he also promised to implement 35 per cent affirmative action to enable them fulfil their respective capabilities.

As the elections draw near, the question on many lips are whether he is well positioned to tackle the challenges that face Lagos and transform it from the second worst lived cities in the world to a truly cosmopolitan city, Gbadebo has this to say, “Lagos is a Cosmopolitan city of commerce and excellence that needs a leader who is committed to unifying various Nigerians who work, reside or pass through Lagos.

A true leader takes responsibility for its citizens in our Lagos”.

According to him, his hand is already on the plough to work but would need the backing of citizens to see it materialize through the polls come March 11, 2023.

29

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱ˜ ͰͮͰͱ

NEWS

Mothers of the Year Win Trip to Dubai Stories By Mary Nnah Being a fit, smart and fun mother has earned Mrs. Joy Obieze, Mrs. Ivbade Odigie and Mrs. Oluchukwu Rose Igwe an all-expenses-paid trip to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and one year’s supply of milk.

The women emerged winners recently in a keen contest that attracted over 300,000 entries, which were screened and narrowed down to the top six contestants, to select the Mum of the Year 2022.

The campaign, which started with a call for members of the public to nominate any mother or mother figure deserving of a much-needed vacation, an all-expenses-paid trip to Dubai, an amazing travel destination, has been on since 2016 with just one mum as the winner enjoying the trip.

However, as the milk brand clocked 30 years in 2018, more winners were recognized for the

star prize, taking the number to three mothers, who were eligible to travel to Dubai with two family members.

At a colourful grand finale in Lagos anchored by Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, aka Kiekie, Chris Wulff-Caesar, marketing director, FrieslandCampina, sub-Saharan Africa cluster, said: “Motherhood can be a thankless job and even when mothers are appreciated, one can never repay them for all they do. This is the reason we created the Mum of the Year campaign, to show appreciation for mothers or mother figures and give them their welldeserved rest and pampering.”

On the same note, the marketing manager, Gloria Jacobs, said the organisation allows mums to enjoy themselves, care for themselves, and relax.

When mums are healthy and happy, she said, the family is healthy and happy.

Reeling out modalities for the contest, she stated: “There

was three to 12 weeks’ promotion, where they get to buy specified milk. They could nominate themselves or get nominated by anyone, maybe their friends, family, kids, and get someone to write a compelling note about why they deserve an all-expenses-paid trip as a mother or mother figure before they could get into the entries.”

According to the brand manager, contestants must be fit mums, smart mums, and fun mums. The smart mum would answer some brand questions: “She should know what the brand is about and answer confidently questions about the brand. A fit mum should be healthy and fit. So, we do some fitness routines before a live audience. Finally, the fun mum would engage in a dance session with members of their family, also before a live audience, and the judges, on the spot, based their judgment, on criteria, would decide.”

Jacob noted that the top six

contestants were judged based on the set criteria, including fitness, smartness, dance moves, and the number of votes by the audience. At the end of the day, Mrs. Joy Obiese won first place, followed by Mrs. Ivbade Odigie and Mrs. Oluchukwu Rose Igwe.

Interestingly, for the first time, the Mum of the Year competition recognised and rewarded an outstanding Abeokuta-based retailer-mum, Mrs. Abiodun Abolade Sodiq, with an allexpenses-paid trip to Dubai and one year’s supply of milk.

At the ceremony, Obieze said she was happy, excited, and on top of the world: “I have been a customer and follower for years. I have always known about Mum of the Year.

“My advice for mothers out there is to always give the family healthy nutrition, and they could find in the milk, which is a healthy milk for a healthy family, healthy heart, mind, body, and everything.”

CHIEF OLUWALANA OLONISAKIN CELEBRATES 80 YEARS OF GRACE This is the inspiring story of an accomplished woman of substance at 80. It is the story of Chief (Mrs.) Oluwalana Olonisakin. She clocked 80 last December, but she will be celebrating it on March 26, 2023.

Olonisakin was born on 7 December 1942 into the family of Chief Samson Omolana Rotibi (The Balogun of Egbeoba) and Chief (Mrs.) Beatrice Ajeigbe Rotibi (The Otun Ijo of St. John’s Anglican Church, Igbemo-Ekiti) both of blessed memory.

‘Lana, as she is fondly called, attended the Ekiti Anglican Girls Secondary School, Ado Ekiti, later known as Christ School Girls’ Section, Ado Ekiti.

She performed brilliantly in the School Certificate Examination, following which she proceeded to the United Kingdom for further education.

‘Lana attended Catford College of Commerce and subsequently qualified for membership in the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators in 1968.

Upon her return to Nigeria from the UK in 1973, she joined the Federal Civil Service, working in the Ministry of Interior.

She pursued continuous professional education at several stages of her career, receiving a Certificate in Public Administration (CPA) with Distinction at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) Badagry in 1984; and a Post Graduate Diploma also at ASCON Badagry in 1992. ’Lana retired from the Federal Ministry of Interior in 2001, as the Federal Registrar of Marriages. Chief Oluwalana Olonisakin Retirement from the Civil Service was more of a career change for ‘Lana. She went into self-employment, establishing a small-scale business in events planning and organizing. At the same time, she began to devote time to the social issues that had captured her interest for some time.

In this regard, she established the Senior Women’s Empowerment Initiative, intending to provide opportunities for girls from disadvantaged groups and underserved communities.

Already an active member of the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church since the 1980s, ‘Lana committed more time to the service of God, opting, for example, for the following spiritual assignments: securing membership of the Equipping the Saints Worldwide Ministries Bible Institution (Anglican Mission) with a Diploma in Discipleship in 2004; a Certificate in prayer, Counselling, Missions and deliverance in 2004; a course in Principles of Care, Counseling and Ministry from the Ellel Ministries in Ellel Grange in Lancaster, England in March 2006; and a Diploma in Discipleship in 2006, from the Lagos Anglican Bible College.

C&F PORTER NOVELLI TRAINS JOURNALISTS ON PERSONAL BRANDING

L-R: Marketing Manager, Three Crowns milk, Gloria Jacobs; 2022 Three Crowns milk Retailer Mum of the Year, Mrs. Abiodun Abolade; Mrs. Oluchukwu Rose Igwe; Mrs. Joy Obiese; Mrs. Ivbade Odigie; all winners of the Three Crowns Mum of the Year 2022, and Cluster Marketing Director, Sub-Sahara Africa, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Chris Wulff-Caesar at the grand finale of Three Crowns Mum of the year campaign 2022 held in Lagos recently

HerVest Unveils Revamped Digital App, Introduces Bespoke Savings, Investment Solutions In furtherance of its commitment to bridge the $42bn gender finance gap in Africa, HerVest, a fintech dedicated to providing financial inclusion for women through a Gender Lens Investment (GLI) approach, has launched its revamped digital app to deepen accesstofinancialgrowthservices for underserved and excluded African women through target savings, impact investing and credit financing.

Users of the HerVest app can now take advantage of the investment features by investing in women-led small and medium enterprises to earn competitive interest on the go. Unlike the previous investment model on the app that focused largely on agro investments, the HerVest offerings have been expanded to boost access to funding for women-led entrepreneurs by connecting them to the capital and infrastructure required to scale their businesses.

The new HerVest app also has a dollar investment feature that allows users to invest in dollardenominated assets such as stocks, real estate, and a fixed income option to earn 10% 14% returns in dollars. This feature protects investments from inflation and allows us-

ers to diversify their portfolios into high-quality investments to build wealth.

This is in addition to the newly integrated personal savings feature where users can earn 15 per cent interest returns yearly, trade and investment opportunities which are now available to users via the innovative, user-friendly app. The newly revamped HerVest app is designed to reflect a trendy modern look and feel with aesthetically appealing designs, an improved visual hierarchy across the onboarding and the app’s interface to provide a seamless experience for users, aid swift information processing and reinforce trust.

With the HerVest app, users can now take a quick onboarding tour to gain requisite knowledge of the core functions of the app. In addition, users will have improved navigation for simpler access to the app’s features and enhanced performance.

Commenting on the development, the Chief Executive Office and Co-founder, HerVest, Solape Akinpelu said the improvement in the brand’s offerings is targeted at increasing the accessibility of its solutions to help underserved women build sustainable

wealth and achieve a better, fulfilling future.

“We are proud to introduce a refreshed and dynamic app built specifically to help link women to opportunities by providing them with access to credit, trade, extension services and premium investments through a genderfocused lens,” she said.

“Access to sustainable finance is a huge challenge as more women still face the challenge of being priced out of the existing market of microfinance loans due to the high operating costs of providing loans to them. However, with our members-only cooperative model backed by technology, we can connect and lend peer-to-peer profitability.

“Following our initial heavy concentration in the agro space, we have decided to expand and cover as many sectors as possible outside agriculture to help more women founders scale their businesses.

“Users of the revamped HerVest app can now access a range of financial solutions that allows them to build sustainable wealth either through a dedicated personal savings option, trade investment offerings or an optimised dollar investment that can be fixed, put in stocks or the thriving real estate option,”

Solape added.

HerVest is an inclusive fintech platform that provides financial growth services to underserved and excluded African women through target savings, impact investing and credit financing specifically for women farmers in Nigeria.

So far, HerVest has impacted over 10,000 thousand female farmers across Borno, Plateau, Kaduna, Benue, Niger, Oyo, Kwara, and Ogun States.

With a mission to improve women’s lives by giving them access to and use financial services across rural, urban, and peri-urban areas, HerVest offers savings, funds transfers, impact investment, and credit via its platform.

HerVest exists to serve Nigerian women with easy access to financial tools and services to achieve their financial goals and ultimately close the $42bn gender finance gap in Africa.

Currently, HerVest has over 30,000 women community members and is helping them achieve financial wellness through competitive returns on target savings, agro investments and gender-driven financial literacy resources.

HerVest is downloadable on internet-enabled devices.

In commemoration of its 25th anniversary C&F Porter Novelli, a strategic communication firm, recently held a media training workshop for journalists in Nigeria on personal and professional branding as part of the effort in boosting its media partnership and enhance professionalism.

While addressing participants at the virtual workshop, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, C&F Porter Novelli, Tony Ajero, urged media practitioners to continuously hone their reporting skills, and also seek innovative ways to carve a niche for themselves in the profession.

He averred that the personal and professional branding workshop for journalists was organised to empower the media with the tools they need to continuously seek innovative ways to scale their reporting skills even after they exit the industry.

Speaking on the CSR initiative, Ajero, said the move was driven by its “Public Relations for Good” mantra, stating that the training for journalists and academy are some of the ways the company is giving back to society.

He explained why personal and professional branding was important to the career growth of every journalist.

“With everything about life’s progress and development, branding is important for all media practitioners as it involves one’s identity, character and reputation.

“Personal branding is critical to not only business success, but professional and personal development. It starts with me: ‘Who I Am’ produces ‘Who I Want To Be.’ As a result, the process of getting to where we want to be must be intentional every step of the way.”

He stated further that to build one’s personal and professional brand, detailed attention must be paid to the six Ps of Marketing which is: Product, packaging, promotion, pricing, placement and positioning, as well as the identity, that will breed knowledge; character, that will lead to actions; and reputation, which will bring about the intended results.

“It all starts with identity! Every individual must be able to answer these questions: Who am I? Where am I coming from?

Where am I going? What are my strengths/weaknesses? Where are the opportunities for me? Where are the threats to success?

Who/what will help me get to my goals?’’

He said it had become imperative for media practitioners to skill up and look for ways to distinguish themselves through personal branding and conscious reputation capital development. Ajero explained further that in commemoration of its 25th anniversary, the company introduced some Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives to celebrate its various stakeholders and partners in progress.

According to him, such an initiative is a give-back initiative to Mrs. Rose Julius, the Nigerian pensioner who displayed patriotism by donating her monthly pension to the Buhari government and an Academy for Business Communication (ABC) West Africa, a platform for training young Nigerian undergraduates for free on Communication and Public Relations.

“C&F Porter Novelli saw the need to put Mrs. Rose Julius on a monthly allowance as a way of encouraging patriotism and rewarding actions such as those taken by Mrs. Julius in 2016 to support the Buhari administration’s anti-corruption war.

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

30

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Vitafoam Chairman, Makanjuola Retires as Shareholders Earn N1.9bn Dividend Kayode Tokede The Chairman, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Dr Bamidele Makanjuola has annnounced his retirement to the shareholders after meritorious service of ten years, a full term in line with the company’s tenure policy.

Addressing the shareholders at the Company’s 61st Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, he commended the Company’s Board and Management and shareholders for their support throughout his tenure.

He also noted that with the company’s team of innovative management and staff, it shall continue to post strong earnings and generate shareholder value irrespective of vagaries in the operating environment.

“I would like to inform you that this is the last AGM at which i shall address you as Chairman of Vitafoam Nigeria

Plc., having served out a full term in line with the company’s tenure policy for Non-Executive Directors. Together we have moved boundaries and broken glass ceilings. While some of our plans might not have turned out exactly as envisioned, we have persevered with your support to move the company to the next level in our collective quest for greatness.

“The fundamentals of our business remain strong . The growth in turnover in a volatile operating environment exemplified the unique strength and resilience of our brand. While turnover grew substantially, profitability was hobbled by raw materials price inflation at both local and international markets.

In addition, we had to contend with a sharp decline in Naira exchange rate relative to other major currencies, the paucity of foreign exchange, high infla-

tion, poor purchasing power, and low disposable income of consumers, among others. With renewed confidence , efforts will be intensified to grow our business lines by expanding Vitafoam’s product offerings. “, says Makanjuola .

Shareholders who showered encomiums on him noted that during his tenure, Vitafaoam recorded exponential progression in virtually all performance indicators.

Speaking, the President, Noble Shareholders Solidarity Association (NSSA), Mr Mathew Akinlade, explained that everything about Makanjuola and Vitafoam should be applauded.

As a commitment to positive rate of return, Vitafoam has rewarded its shareholders with a dividend payout of N1.9 Billion, translating into N1.52 per ordinary share of 50 kobo each for the 2022 financial year.

L-R:CommercialDirector,VitafoamNigeriaPlc,SolaOwoade;outgoingChairman,DrBamideleMakanjuola;Group Managing Director, Taiwo Adeniyi; Company Secretary /Legal Adviser, Olalekan Sanni and Finance Director, JosephAlegbesogieduringthe61stAnnualGeneralMeeting(AGM)ofVitafoaminLagosyesterday

MARKET INDICATORS

EBID Launches ESG Financing Framework Michael Olugbode ÓØ ÌßÔË The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has published its inaugural Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Financing Framework, signalling its commitment to sustainable development and green financing of key projects in priority sectors.

The Framework, which has received a positive assessment from ISS Corporate Solutions, will play a crucial role in linking EBID’s resource mobilization strategy with its objectives of promoting resilient, inclusive, and sustainable growth in its member states.

A statement from the bank quoted it’s President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr George Agyekum Donkor as saying: “We are thrilled to launch our ESG Financing Framework and receive this positive assessment from ISS ESG Solutions,” he added that: “EBID is committed to leading

the charge for green financing in the ECOWAS region and fostering the emergence of an economically strong, industrialized, and prosperous West Africa. This Framework will allow us to structure and execute ESG-related funding transactions that support the deployment of capital outlined in our Strategic Plan 20212025.”

According to him, “EBID’s ESG Financing Framework includes four green project categories and seven social project categories, all of which have been assessed as generating a positive contribution to sustainability”, with no project categories assessed as having “no net impact” or having a lower assessment.

The ISS Second-Party Opinion, published alongside the Framework, highlights the Bank’s commitment to the Sustainability and Development Goals (SDGs) and its objectives of promoting economic integration, healthcare

delivery, social protection, and climate resilience.

The publication of the ISS Second-Party Opinion demonstrates EBID’s commitment to sustainable development and provides greater transparency on the actions it is taking to foster sustainable growth in its member states. With its balance sheet size set to increase by 80% over the next five years, EBID is well-positioned to make a positive impact on the ECOWAS region and become the leading regional investment and development bank in West Africa.

Donkor said: “We are proud to play a role in supporting EBID’s ESG initiatives and the positive impact they will have on the ECOWAS region,” said ISS Corporate Solutions. “This Framework is a testament to EBID’s commitment to sustainable development and demonstrates their position as a leader in green financing in the region.”

Stockbrokers’ President Sets Agenda for Tinubu The President and Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr Oluwole Adeosun has identified some key areas that the incoming administration of Senator Bola Tinubu should address to strengthen the Nigerian capital market and reposition it for accelerated growth and development of the economy.

Adeosun in a statement

explained that the incoming administration should pay close attention to the capital market in order to maximize its array of opportunities. He noted that both the capital and money market should receive balanced attention from the federal government and promote unified exchange rate of the Naira to encourage participation

of foreign investors in the market.

“The fundamentals of the market are getting stronger day by day as a result of so many reasons. The elections actually excite the market, because of the imminent positive changes we expect, irrespective of which of the top candidates win. It signals great expectation and trust., “he said/

Mitiget Commences 2023 Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign in Schools Kayode Tokede Mitiget recently demonstrated its commitment to making sure that Nigerian youngsters are protected from cybercriminals and their pranks, as it commenced 2023 cybersecurity awareness campaign with a Summit at the main hall of Methodist Girls High School (MGHS) Yaba Lagos.

The event was well attended

by the students, teachers, school management, board of governors and Parents Teacher Association (PTA) representatives.

The principal of the school, Mrs. Oluyemisi Oluseyi Padonu, applauded the intervention of Mitiget with the summit, which enriched everyone present on the proper use of the Internet and fundamental practices that protect one from

cybercriminals. Addressing the students and other participants at the event, Mrs. Padonu, commended Mitiget leadership for the cybersecurity awareness initiative, stated that as the Ministry of Education at all levels encourages leveraging ICT for effective learning, this summit is timely for students and teachers be aware of the cyber risks and imbibe best practices to mitigating them.

MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS (MILLION NAIRA) AUGUST 2022 Money Supply (M3)

49,356,443.6

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

50,601.36

Money Supply (M2)

49,305,842.3

-- Quasi Money

27,869,678.3

-- Narrow Money (M1)

21,436,164

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,680,236.81

---- Demand Deposits

18,755,927.2

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

5,074,909.92

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

27,869,678.3

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

61,195,142.4

---- Credit to Government (Net)

21,001,401.5

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

40,193,740.9

--Other Assets Net

6,785,979.22

Reserve Money (Base Money

14,040,351.9

--Currency in Circulation

3,210,664.98

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,829,686.9 390,557.8

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

July 2022

Inter-Bank Call Rate

13.00

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

2.76

Savings Deposit Rate

1.42

1 Month Deposit Rate

3.64

3 Months Deposit Rate

4.96

6 Months Deposit Rate

5.87

12 Months Deposit Rate

5.76

Prime Lending rate

12.10

Maximum Lending Rate

27.61

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 10 JANUARY, 2023

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $82.78 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $81.86 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

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

31

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY, MARCH 3, 2023

MARKET NEWS

NGX Group Declares 6.8% Increase In Revenue to N6.17bn Kayode Tokede The Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, yesterday released its audited financial statement for full year ended December 31, 2022 with 6.8 per cent Year-on-Year (YoY) increase revenue to N6.17billion as against N5.78billion reported in the corresponding period of 2021.

The key contributing factors to revenue growth was 51.2per cent YoY increase in treasury

investment income to N2 billion in 2022 from N1.3billion in 2021, while transaction fees accounted for 51.2per cent YoY of revenue also increased by nine per cent YoY to N3.2 billion from N2.9billion in 2021.

From the Group’s profit & loss figures, total expenses grew by 35.5per cent to N8.8 billion from N6.5 billion in 2021, primarily driven by interest expense on borrowings recorded as N2.1 billion.

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

DEALS

F O R MARKET PRICE

Further breakdown of expenses revealed that personnel expenses that contributed about 42 per cent of total expenses also grew by 13.1per cent to N3.7 billion from N3.2billion in 2021, while operating expenses which accounted for 28.4per cent of total expenses fell by 7.7per cent to N2.5 billion in 2022 from N2.7 billion in 2021.

With mounting expenses, the NGX Group closed the year under review with N823million

profit before income tax from N2.4 billion in the corresponding period due to the growth in finance costs.

Also, the Group reported 68.9 per cent profit after income tax decline to N688.5million in 2022 from N2.2 billion in reported 2021 resulting in a significant decline in profit after tax margin to 9.3per cent in 2022 from 33.1per cent recorded in 2021.

The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, NGX

S E C U R I T I E S

T R A D E D

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

MAIN BOARD

Group Mr. Oscar N. Onyema in a statement said, “NGX Group continued to bed-down its operations post demutualization and restructuring. Despite the economic headwinds affecting the country, as demonstrated by our year end results, we have continued to create lasting value.

“Our top-line expansion drove a 70.6per cent increase in Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) in 2022.

AS O F

“In the same year, the Group leveraged its strong equity position and strategically increased its investment in an associate company in order to drive growth, boost efficiency and further maximize overall shareholder value.”

He added that, “However, the bottom-line operating performance slipped mainly due to the interest expenses resulting from borrowing to fulfil the strategic acquisition.

0 1 / 0 3 / 2 3 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

32

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2023

Friday, March 3, 2023

Thisday Afrinvest Index Advances 0.1% Thisday Afrinvest 40 index gained 11bps to 2,603.39

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

index points due to buy interest in AIRTELAF

(+0.9%), DANGSUGAR (+9.9%), and PZ (+3.4%). Cu-

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

ŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞƐĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϯϲ͘ϭй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ index.

Price Previous Current Price Change Change Price Weighting YTD Index to Change Date

Ticker

Current Price

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

2603.39

0.11%

40.4%

ROE

160.3%

ROA

24.7%

P/E

5.3%

5.0x

P/BV

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

0.8x

5.7%

13.1%

The Bulls Back on Track͙ ASI up 0.3% zĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ͕ ƚŚĞ ĚŽŵĞƐƟĐ ďŽƵƌƐĞ ƌĞĐŽƵƉĞĚ ƐŽŵĞ ŽĨ its previous trading day loss as the NGX-ASI rose

29bps to 55,670.24 points. This was supported by gains in GEREGU (+9.0%), AIRTELAF (+0.9%), and DANGSUGAR (+9.9%). As such, YTD return improved ƚŽ ϴ͘ϲй ;ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐůLJ͗ ϴ͘ϯйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂͲ ƟŽŶ ĂĐĐƵŵƵůĂƚĞĚ ʬ88.1bn to ʬ30.3tn. However, volume and value traded fell by 63.7% and 50.5% to 205.7m units and ʬϯ͘ϯďŶ͕ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘

Impressive Sector Performance Performance across sectors within our purview was mixed as 3 indices lost, 2 gained, while the Industrial Goods ŝŶĚĞdž ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŚĞ Banking, Oil & Gas, and Insurance indices lost 1.1%, 0.3%, and 0.1% reƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͕ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůů ƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞ ŽŶ ^^ KZW ;ϯ͘ϭйͿ͕ E/d, ;-0.9%), OANDO (-2.2%), MRSOIL (ϲ͘ϰйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ ^KsZ E/E ;-10.0%). However, the Consumer Goods and AFR-ICT indices gained 0.6% and Ϭ͘ϱй ƐĞƋƵĞŶƟĂůůLJ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ďƵLJ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ E'^h' Z ;нϵ͘ϵйͿ͕ E ^ KE ;нϴ͘ϵйͿ͕ /Zd > &

(+0.9%), and CWG (+8.9%).

Outlook Investor ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ breadth, waned to -0.12x from 0.26x in the prior ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ ϭϳ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ͕ Ϯϱ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ϲϳ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŽĚĂLJ͕ ǁĞ ĂŶƟĐŝƉĂƚĞ Ă ƐůŝŐŚƚůLJ ŶĞŐĂƟǀĞ

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

T o p 10 G a in e r s

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

T R A N SC OR P

29.7

-8.0%

A C C ESSC OR P

18.6

-3.1%

9.7%

UA C N

14.0

-3.4%

12.20

8.9%

GT C O

13.1

-0.7%

0.98

8.9%

Z EN IT H B A N K

9.3

-0.9%

R EGA LIN S

0.30

7.1%

F ID ELIT YB K

9.1

-0.8%

F T N C OC OA

0.30

7.1%

UB A

8.9

-1.1%

D A N GSUGA R

8.4

9.9%

ST ER LN B A N K

7.9

0.6%

WA P C O

7.6

0.0%

T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

SUN UA SSUR

0.44

10.0%

D A N GSUGA R

19.35

9.9%

M C N IC H OLS

0.79

N A SC ON C WG

UP D C

1.07

4.9%

UN IT YB N K

0.57

3.6%

PZ

10.65

3.4%

T ic k er

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

T o p 10 L o s e r s

ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďŽƵƌƐĞ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƉƌŽĮƚ-ƚĂŬŝŶŐ

ĂŵŝĚ ĚĞĐĞůĞƌĂƟŶŐ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͘

T ic k er SOVR EN IN S

0.27

P ric e C hg % -10.0%

A C A D EM Y

1.16

-9.4%

T R A N SC OR P

1.27

-8.0%

CHA M S N GXGR OUP M RS

0.26 27.10 34.50

-7.1% -6.6% -6.4%

T ic k er

Value

A IR T ELA F R I

959.1

P ric e C hg % 0.9%

GT C O

348.6

-0.7%

Z EN IT H B A N K

244.6

-0.9%

WA P C O

205.4

0.0%

A C C ESSC OR P

172.3

-3.1%

D A N GSUGA R

160.9

9.9%

J A IZ B A N K

0.91

-5.2%

UA C N

118.3

-3.4%

H ON YF LOUR

2.17

-4.0%

UC A P

105.3

-1.0%

NA HCO

8.50

-4.0%

UB A

77.3

-1.1%

-3.4%

OKOM UOIL

72.8

0.0%

J A P A ULGOLD

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

P ric e

0.28

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HERE ARE OUR CERTIFICATES OF RETURN...

R-L: President Muhammadu Buhari; President-Elect, Bola Ahmed TInubu and Vice President-Elect Senator Kashim Shettima displaying their Certificates of Return to Buhari during their Thank You Visit to his residence in Daura, Katsina State on Wednesday

Akpoti-Uduaghan Writes INEC Boss, Seeks Review of Election Results

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the just concluded senatorial election in Kogi Central, Mrs. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has written the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over the outcome of the election.

Akpoti-Uduaghan in the letter dated March 1, 2023, specifically demanded a review of the declaration and return of candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abubakar Ohore as winner

of the February 25 senatorial election in Kogi Central Senatorial District.

The request which was brought in pursuant to Section 65 of the Electoral Act, 2022, amongst others claimed that the Returning Officer for the Senatorial District "wrongly" declared and returned the APC as winner of the election.

Akpoti-Uduaghan in the letter written by his lawyer, Mr. Johnson Usman, claimed that, "the candidate of APC was wrongly returned with 52,132 votes and declared the winner of the election in the Senatorial District while our client was wrongly credited with 51,763

Taraba Guber: APC, LP, SDP Kick over CAN's Endorsement of PDP Candidate Wole Ayodele in Jalingo The gubernatorial candidates of All Progressive Congress(APC), Labour Party(LP) and Social Democratic Party(SDP) in Taraba State have taken a swipe at the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) over its endorsement of the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Lt. Col Agbu Kefas(Rtd).

CAN, Taraba Chapter had in a statement dated 24th February, 2023, and signed by its State Secretary, Bishop Manasseh Silas Rifore, directed all Christians to vote for the PDP candidate.

But addressing a joint press conference in Jalingo, Wednesday night, the three candidates, Emmanuel Bwacha (APC), Joel Ikenya (LP) and Danladi Baido Tijos(SDP) lampooned the leadership of CAN in the state, saying their action was capable of dividing Christians in the state.

Taking their turns to express their displeasure over the position of CAN, the candidates told the Christian body to stop being political and face the Lord’s work.

Speaking, Bwacha said, "We're all Christians. A situation where CAN decides to become partisan is highly disturbing. Following CAN's footstep, Muslim Council has equally told Muslims to vote a Muslim candidate. But we are candidates of the people of Taraba State irrespective of your religion.

"We have Christians, Muslims

and Pagans in Taraba and even Atheists. We are candidates of everybody. People should disregard people who claimed to be serving God but are hypocrites.

“They even went as far as telling people lies that APC does not have a candidate in Taraba. Thank God the people know better" Also speaking, Ikenya described the action of CAN and the Muslim Council as divisive and a threat to the peace and harmony of the state adding that Tarabans have always known that CAN in the state has always acted as a parastatal of the state government."

According to him "Taraba comprise of many tribes of different religious affiliation. The action of CAN is capable of causing religious crisis and may threaten the peaceful coexistence of the people.

“Taraba people know that CAN Chairman is an employee of the state government and CAN has always acted as a parastatal under the state government."

The briefing took a new twist when Baido, the SDP candidate alleged that CAN leadership was given N50 million to carry out the endorsement.

In his words "We are reliably informed that the Chairman of CAN was given fifty million naira by the PDP to do the hatchet job and I can authoritatively say it is blood money. They have mortgaged their consciences," he fumed.

votes.".

According to the letter, the mistake followed a careful and meticulous review of the election results from the duplicate of the result sheets, which revealed that votes were manipulated and adjusted in favor of the APC's candidate.

She claimed that the alleged manipulation of results occurred in three polling units in Ganaja Township Ward in Ajaokuta Local Governement Area of Kogi State.

"The polling unit affected by manipulation of the step by step recording of polls contrary to Section 70 are as follows: “(a) In Polling Unit 009 on Form EC8 A(I), the votes scored by APC was 105 while that of PDP was 751, but when the votes were transferred to Form EC8B(I), 205 votes were recorded for APC and 51 votes was recorded for PDP, the effect of the manipulation led to wrongful crediting of APC with 100 votes while PDP was deprived of 700 votes. “(b) In Polling Unit 049 on Form

EC8 A(I), the votes scored by APC was 46 votes while that of PDP was 210 but when the votes were transferred to Form EC8B(I), 290 votes were recorded for APC and 10 votes was recorded for PDP, the effect of the manipulation led to wrongful crediting of APC with 244 votes while PDP was deprived of 200 votes. “© In Polling Unit 046 on Form EC8 A(I), the votes scored by APC was 51 while that of PDP was 112 but when the votes were transferred to Form EC8B(I), 640 votes were recorded for APC and 16 votes was recorded for PDP, the effect of the manipulation led to wrongful crediting of APC with 589 votes while PDP was deprived of 96 votes.

"Find attached the Forms EC8 as, 8B and 8C. The information contained therein are the same as uploaded on the commission server," she stated.

The PDP candidate argued that if the recordings were properly done and correctly imputed, Akpoti-Uduaghan would have

won the election in the Senatorial District.

"In other words, PDP ought to have been credited with additional 996 votes. The overall effect of the wrongful computation is evident in the return and declaration of Engr.

Abubakar Ohere as the winner of the election of the Kogi Central Senatorial District because the candidate that received the highest number of votes was not declared the winner.

"From the foregoing, we have our client’s firm instructions pursuant to Section 65 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 to demand and hereby demand for a review of the declaration and return of Engr. Abubakar Sadiku Ohere made by the Returning Officer for Senatorial District because if the 993 votes wrongly credited to the APC candidate is deducted from 52,132 votes wrongly credited to him, his total scored would have been 51,199 votes and if the 996 votes wrongly deducted from our client’s votes was added to 51,763 votes, she would have recorded

52,729.

“In the circumstance our client would have won the election with 1,530 votes. The cumulative effect of the above analysis shows that the Declaration and Return that was made by the Returning Officer for the Kogi Central Senatorial District was made contrary to the law; particularly Sections 51(2) & (3), 66 and 70 among others of the Electoral Act, 2022.

“These violations of the law substantially affected the result of the election as declared and therefore led to wrongful declaration and return of the APC’s candidate otherwise.

“Our client who won the election ought to have been declared the winner of the election by virtue of the total lawful votes recorded at the election.

"We humbly call on you to use your good offices in reviewing the above and declare our client as the winner of the Kogi Central Senatorial District election conducted on February 25, 2023," the letter read in part.

Lawan Urges INEC to Conduct Governorship Election Based on Electoral Act

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to abide by the constitution and the Electoral Act 2022 in the conduct of the March 11 Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Election.

He made the call at the close of yesterday's plenary while also suspending plenary to March 14, to enable senators participate in the campaigns and elections.

Lawan urged the electoral umpire to consider all issues raised by the public during the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections in order to have a smooth conduct of the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections.

He said, "I think INEC should consider looking into issues

raised by the public. INEC should be strictly guided by the constitution and the Electoral Act and their guidelines and regulations.

"Nigerians should support INEC in whatever way they can so that it conducts the governorship and states assembly elections successfully.

"This is because that is what we all expect and that is what we need as a democracy. We will be out of this place for the next two weeks and come back and continue our legislative functions.

"I thank every senator for doing everything possible to make this ninth Senate a success.

"We have finished this legislative week. The idea of reconvening immediately after the presidential and National Assembly elections was to ensure that we are abreast with

the whole situation both that happened during election and are happening now.”

Speaking further, the Senate President said: "This is so that we remain part and parcel of the solution where necessary and we have achieved that and we have also in the process done other legislative work.

"We have to adjourn for all of us to participate in the campaigns and elections of the governors and states assembly members."

The Senate President further noted that seven serving senators were contesting in the governorship election.

He listed them to include: Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege running for the governorship of Delta under the All Progressives Congress (APC). Others are Sen. Aishatu Binani (APC-Adamawa), Sen.

Haliru Jika (NNPP-Bauchi), Sen. Sandy Onor (PDP-Cross River).

"Sen. Uba Sani (APC-Kadana), Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha (APCTaraba) and Sen. Teslim Folarin (APC-Oyo).

Lawan said: "We wish all of them success and Nigeria will be making history, this senate will be making history.

"Senator Binani will make history if elected to be the first Nigerian female governor.

"We wish all our colleagues contesting and those of us who are not running should all go and participate in the processes because we will be able to observe first hand, some of the issues that may arise.

"During the presidential and National Assembly election on a general note, everything went on fine, but still we have one or two complaints coming from the public."

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FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2023 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

FISCAL DISCIPLINE IN BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION...

L-R: Chief Administrative Officer, Budget Division, Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), Said Ahmed; Assistant Chief Administrative Officer FMoH, Mr. Ibrahim Abubakar; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) FMoH, Ozigis Yakubu and CEO Finance and Account, Budget Division, FMoH, Gabriel Nwachibe, during the Fiscal Discipline Implementation workshop for Heads of Account in Abuja yesterday ENOCK REUBEN

Ohanaeze in Lagos, Yoruba Council, Christians Back Sanwo-Olu for Second Term Segun James

As the race for the governorship election in Lagos state draws closer, the Lagos State chapter of Ohaneze Ndigbo and the Yoruba Council Worldwide

yesterday promised to back Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Ohaneze made the promise at a joint press conference addressed by the leadership of the Lagos State Leaders of Thoughts led by Yoruba

Council Worldwide and Ohaneze Ndigbo, aimed at calming the political tension that followed the presidential election in the state.

In a statement signed by the President (Yoruba Council

Abia Lawmaker Writes Ikpeazu, Seeks Explanation on N27.4bn W’Bank Funds for Aba Roads Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia After months of haranguing over the alleged misappropriation of the N27.4 billion World Bank funds, a member of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Obinna Ichita, has formally written Governor Okezie Ikpeazu seeking for explanation on how the fund was utilised.

Ichita, who represents Aba South state constituency, had been complaining that there was nothing to show that the World Bank money had been properly put to use. He, therefore, activated the Freedom of Information Act to ask the Abia governor to account for how the said money was spent.

The lawmaker in a two-page letter through his counsel, Mr. Aloy Ejimakor, requested Ikpeazu to immediately furnish him with accounting details of how the State Government utilised the funds.

In the letter made available to journalists, the legal firm said they were authorised by Ichita, a Principal Officer of Abia State House of Assembly, representing Aba South State Constituency to write Governor Ikpeazu on the matter.

"We write this letter on the firm instructions of our said client to request Your Excellency to furnish us the following information within the deadline set by applicable law: "The accounting details of how the Government of Abia State spent the N27.4 billion (Twenty-Seven Billion, Four Hundred Thousand Naira (or the equivalent sum in dollar) which the Government of Abia State had received in full from the World Bank for road

construction and erosion control projects in Aba, specifically Port-Harcourt Road, Uratta Road, Obohia Road, Ohanku Road and Ngwa Road.

"The name and business address(es) of the contractor(s) that executed any of the projects mentioned in the preceding paragraph; and copies of the contract awards documents.

The cost of the execution of each project," he added.

Ichita, reminded the Abia chief executive that he had in several for a, "informed the people of Aba" that the World Bank funds had been received in full by the state government, citing a live radio programme of 29th May, 2020.

"On 7th March, 2021 during the 2021 Convention and the N20 million Visual Studio Fund lunch of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Aba Presbytery at St. Andrews Parish, No.1 Azikiwe Road, Aba, Your Excellency, again, publicly acknowledged the receipt of the said money in full by Abia State from the World Bank.

"Your Excellency, it is pertinent to state that this request for information is made pursuant to the provisions of Freedom of Information Act, which requires compliance within strict deadlines. We therefore await Your Excellency’s timely response," the letter read in part.

In a chat with journalists on the issue, the lawmaker explained that he decided to demand accountability on how the funds were spent because the projects for which the money was meant were still in deplorable condition.

He said his constituents were directly affected by the bad

condition of the roads in the commercial nerve centre hence they needed to know how such a huge sum of money meant to alleviate their sufferings was spent Ichita stated that public office holders should not forget that they only hold public offices in trust for the people hence they should be ready at all times to render accounts of their stewardship.

He warned that if the Abia governor fails to respond positively to his request within the stipulated time frame, the law would take its full course and the governor would bear the consequences.

Worldwide) Hassan Oladotun, President, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Mike Kelechi and President, Ohaneze Ndigbo Lagos chapter, Chief Sunday Osai, they predicted that SanwoOlu would be reelected because of his achievements and the sustainability of peace, unity and development in Lagos State.

The joint conference which took place in Ikeja, Lagos was coming on the heels of one Okechukwu Isiguzoro who was inciting the public to vote out Sanwo Olu in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

They believed by calling for the Governor's resignation, Isiguzoro had crossed the red line of the law in gross violation of the constitution.

"Though there were pockets of crises observed in Lagos State, however, the Governor swiftly swung into action and instantaneously called for a peace and security of the citizenry and their properties to be well protected.

“And the consolidation of all these, of course, rests solely

on our law enforcement agents that also spontaneously rise up to the challenge in arresting and taming the ugly situation.”

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Lagos, have backed Sanwo-Olu for a second term, saying he has done well in the last four years.

Leaders of PFN, Lagos State chapter, said this after a meeting in Ikeja, the state capital, urging all Christians to vote Sanwo-Olu on March 11.

At the ‘emergency’ meeting were Enyinnaya Okwuonu.

Chairman; Mahmood Akindejoye, Secretary; Theophilus Ajose, Director, DPG and other PFN leaders.

The meeting was convened to review the February 25 election and the need to present a common front for the March 11 gubernatorial election.

Ajose said it was the Church that requested for a Christian governor, adding that PFN was solidly behind Sanwo-Olu. He said: “The church in Lagos State asked for a Christian

governor and Governor SanwoOlu has done very well in the last four years.

“This gubernatorial election is not about any political party but about the candidate. Mr. Sanwo-Olu has made Christians very proud and has governed the state without any religious bias.

“He is one of us and the Church is speaking with one voice that Mr. Babajide SanwoOlu deserves our support again.

I call on all great church leaders across different religious divides – Pentecostals, Orthodox, OAIC, Muslims, religious and Christian organizations to support the gubernatorial candidacy of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu,” Ajose said.

PFN State Chairman, Okwuonu said though PFN was not partisan and without prejudice to other contestants, Sanwo-Olu deserves a second term to complete the good works he had started in Lagos.

On his part, Akindejoye urged all Christians to be United in supporting Sanwo-Olu for a second term.

Ekiti Judge Reinstated After 16-year Suspension by NJC Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti Over sixteen years after his suspension from office by the National Judicial Council (NJC), a judge in the Ekiti State Judiciary, Justice Jide Aladejana, has returned to office.

Justice Aladejana was suspended along with the then state Chief Judge, Justice Kayode Bamisile, in the heat of the political crisis that engulfed Ekiti that led to the impeachment of former Governor Ayo Fayose from power over alleged N1.4 billion poultry scandal.

A source told THISDAY yesterday, that Justice Aladejana officially resumed work on Tuesday, following the lifting

of his suspension by the NJC. Aladejana was subsequently allocated to High Court Number 2 and was well received by the management and staff of the Judiciary.

Aladejana was suspended by the NJC in 2006 following his role in constituting a sevenmember panel which indicted former Governor Ayo Fayose of gross misconduct.

A different seven-member panel had earlier absolved Fayose of allegations of corrupt enrichment, abuse of office and operation of foreign account levelled against him.

Fayose was subsequently impeached by 24 out of 26 members of the Second

Assembly on October 16, 2006, after the then lawmakers had adopted the report of the seven.

Aladejana performed the swearing-in of the then Speaker of the House of Assembly, the late Rt. Hon. Friday Aderemi, who was locked in power struggle with the then Deputy Governor, Mrs. Biodun Olujimi, on who should assume office as the Acting Governor.

It was the power struggle that prompted the imposition of state of emergency by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to prevent Ekiti from sliding into anarchy.

"It is true that Justice Aladejana resumed office on Tuesday after his suspension

was lifted by the NJC. The staff members were all happy to welcome home back because the judge is a very nice man.

"We are happy that Justice Aladejana is back and members of the public should not be surprised to see him at work or hear him perform his duties. The NJC has lifted the suspension after more than 16 years," a source said.

Before his reinstatement to office, Aladejana had served as the. Chairman of the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC), a position to which he was appointed by the administration of the immediate past Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

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NEWS

COURTESY VISIT...

L-R: Chairman Programmes Committee, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), Tajudeen Ahmed; Head Human Resources, Custodian & Allied Insurance Ltd, Abayomi Agiri, and Vice Chairman Advocacy Committee NBCC, Segun Akintemi, during a courtesy visit by Executive Committee of NBCC to Custodian Investment Plc in Lagos...recently

Local Election Observers Urge INEC to Upload Results on IReV Portal Allege suspicion over challenges in loading presidential results while N/Assembly outcomes went smoothly Adebayo congratulates Tinubu

James Emejo in Abuja

The Centre for Accountability and Inclusive Development (CAAID) and partners yesterday called on the National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that all polling unit results in the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections are immediately uploaded on the IReV portal.

The CAAID and 18 other partners were accredited by INEC, trained and deployed as election observers to monitor and report on the electoral processes across the country.

The group at a joint media briefing and report unveiling pointed out that what was particularly suspected during the

election was the fact that, “challenge was faced when uploading the presidential results, while those of the National Assembly elections went on smoothly.”

Executive Director, CAAID, Mrs. Aanu’ Rotimi, who unveiled its findings to journalists alongside Executive Director, Initiative for Africa Society Inclusion and Diversity for Development Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Coordinator CAAID Domestic Observer Group, Olayinka Akeredolu – Martins and Executive Director, Aspire Aspire African Youth Empowerment, Okache Emmanuel Ekpo, said the partnership deployed 321 observers across 22 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

She said even though the elections were peaceful in most

of the polling units, incidences of voter intimidation and suppression were reported in a number of locations observed.

The group noted that the, “inability of INEC to strictly adhere to the Electoral Act and Election Guidelines is an anti-climax and has cast a shade of doubt on the credibility of the outcome of the presidential results.”

Accordingly, “This has created an atmosphere of uncertainty and tension across the country.

As of March 1, 2023, the IReV showed only 149,897 out of the expected 176,606 results have been uploaded.

“The failure of INEC to convincingly communicate the cause of the glitches that led to its inability to upload results

immediately after the elections at PUs has further raised the suspicion of Stakeholders.”

Among other recommendations, the groups called on all aggrieved Nigerians to remain calm and channel their dissatisfaction through the legal process and avoid actions that will ignite social unrest.

They further urged the commission to initiate the review of the results to verify the allegations of compromise of the integrity of the process.

The election observer group further called for urgent steps by the commission to avoid a repeat of the highlighted challenges during the forthcoming governorship and state assembly elections.

“We call for unbundling of INEC around material and staff logistics, noting that the method of distribution of kits and sensitive materials needs to be improved.

“INEC needs to intensify efforts around voter education in collaboration with CSOs, media, and political parties in order to reduce the incidence of invalid or rejected votes. The number of invalid/rejected votes in the presidential election alone is close to one million,” the report further noted.

Meanwhile, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adeniyi Adebayo, yesterday described Bola Ahmed Tinubu's victory in last week's presidential election as a well-deserved one.

He described the outcome of

the election was a product of collective action by the leaders of the party who worked day and night to ensure the party's victory in the election.

In a statement issued by media aide, Ifedayo Sayo, the minister said Tinubu’s victory showed that his campaign message of "Renewed Hope" actually met the expectations of Nigerians, which accounted for the massive votes recorded by the party in the different parts of the country at the election.

Adebayo also described the victory of the APC presidential flag bearer as people's verdict on the performance of Buhari’s administration which has done so well to reposition the nation's economy.

OBI WEEPS, SAYS HE WON ELECTION, WILL PROVE IT...ATIKU: POLL WORST SINCE 1999, I’LL CHALLENGE IT 2003, I have always been to court.

I was there three years to redeem my mandate.

“I was to come back from impeachment and in all, I was successful. Without them in anyway compromising, I have never in anyway knowingly compromised any officer or any process because I believe they are doing their job. So, I must go there with the right thing.”

Atiku: Poll Worst Since 1999, I’ll Challenge It

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who spoke at a world press conference held at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, said his lawyers were still studying the details of the declared results, and restated his belief in the judiciary as he had done in the past, adding that, if he did not get a favourable judgement from the judiciary, he would further appeal to God. His words: "Having consulted with leaders of our party and Nigerians from different walks of life, I have come to the conclusion that the processes and outcome of the Presidential and National Assembly election of last Saturday was grossly flawed in every material particular, and as such must be challenged.

"This has been attested to by both local and international observers. I want to believe that this was not the legacy that President Muhammadu Buhari had promised. For President Buhari, it is not too late to make amends for the good of our country and the future generations and indeed to assure his legacy. ''I know that Nigerians, especially the youth, are traumatised by the developments, but I want to urge them to conduct themselves peacefully. Like

I have done over the years, I assure you that I will commit the rest of my life in ensuring that true democracy, which affirms the supremacy of your votes and your will, will take firm footing and guarantee a stable, prosperous and peaceful Nigeria. This is more so as Nigeria represents the hope of Africa and the Black World.

"It is my hope that the judiciary will redeem itself this time around and rise to the society's expectation as the last HOPE. In the end, who wins is not as important as the credibility of our elections and electoral processes," Atiku stated.

According to him, "This battle to right the wrongs of Saturday is not about me. It is a continuation of my battles to deepen democracy and for a better life for our people. It is about the future of Nigerian youths."

Atiku, who lamented the alleged manipulation during the presidential election, said, "…The dreams and aspirations of Nigerians, who braced all the challenges to go and cast their votes on Saturday, 25th of February, 2023, were shattered by the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which failed to live up to expectations.

"The weekend election was neither free nor fair. Preliminary assessments indicate that it is the worst conducted elections since the return to democratic rule. The manipulation and fraud that attended this election was unprecedented in the history of our nation.

"I can still not understand why the electoral umpire was in such a hurry to conclude collation and announcement of the result, given the number of complaints of irregularities of bypassing of the BVAS, failure of uploading to the IREV, and

unprecedented cancellations and disenfranchisement of millions of voters in breach of the Electoral Act and the commission's own guidelines.

It was indeed a rape of democracy.

"The 2023 presidential election presented our nation and its people the greatest opportunity for a reset.

We had everything going for us: a legal framework in the 2022 Electoral Act and the BVAS technology. The enthusiasm of Nigerians to turn out and in large numbers was an added bonus."

Recalling his fight to enthrone democracy, Atiku said, "Our fight to enthrone democracy continued.

Indeed, the motivating factor for the birth of the Peoples Democratic Party was to force the exit of the military from government and their permanent return to the military barracks.

"Following the exit of the military and the advent of democratic rule in 1999, I did not rest on my oars. I deployed the same level of commitment to advance and deepen our democracy. I did this because our democracy was bought at a huge price of human lives.

"My mentor and true Nigerian hero, who this venue in which we are gathered this evening is named after, was one of those who paid the ultimate price in that battle. So, also was Chief Alfred Rewane, Chief MKO Abiola and his dear wife, Chief (Mrs) Kudirat Abiola.

"It was also for this reason that I sacrificed my political aspiration and fought against the actualisation of Third Term. Whether during the military or civilian era, I have, no matter how inconvenient, pitched my tent with the people against dictators.

"During the military regime, it

nearly cost me my life and the near decimation of my businesses. In the civilian administration, it had serious adverse implications on my political life. But I have remained undaunted because I was, and still convinced, that the only reason why I am in politics is to work in tandem with other compatriots in the advancement of the wellbeing of the people.”

Continuing, Atiku posited that, "I have in the last three decades devoted my life to the battle to birth and deepen democracy in our country.

It was a battle that started during the military era. It was a struggle that nearly caused me my life and that of my son, Adamu, in Kaduna.

I survived the assassination only by the mercies and grace of God. "Following that attack, I was forced into exile. But that attack claimed the precious lives of some police officers.

That was not all, my businesses were nearly crippled and my signature business was eventually appropriated by the maximum ruler of that era.

My commitment to enthroning democracy ensured that I joined forces with other compatriots.”

Expressing his belief in the judiciary without any financial gratification, he said he was in court for eleven times against former Obasanjo and believed that he would get justice as was in the past.

He also accepted that Obi was a little hasty to leave the party, because he stayed back and fought the governors.

PDP Rejects Tinubu’s Return as President-elect

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP, yesterday, rejected in its entirety, the declaration and return of Tinubu, as president-elect

by INEC. In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP demanded that INEC immediately withdraws the Certificate of Return and cancels the presidential election declaration in line with its powers under Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022.

The party insisted that INEC, in declaring the APC candidate winner, acted contrary to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022 and the INEC Guidelines and Regulations for the conduct of the 2023 Presidential election.

The PDP held that its candidate, Atiku, won the election having evidently scored the majority of lawful votes cast by Nigerians at the polling units.

“Sadly, the election was marred by deliberate malpractices including the non-use of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC’s refusal/failure to transmit directly the results from Polling Units to its Server/Website in flagrant violation of Section 60 (4)(b) of the Electoral Act 2022.

"This violation of the Electoral Act

by INEC as attested to by political parties, voters, Nigerians of all walks of life as well as local and International Observers, paved the way for the alteration, falsification, switching of results and allocation of figures in favour of the APC. "Nigerians can recall how on Friday, November 11, 2022, INEC through its National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’ Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, assured that results will be transmitted directly from the

Polling Units to ensure the integrity and credibility of election results in Nigeria," he stressed.

APC-PCC to Obi: Accept Olive Branch or We Meet in Court

The APC PCC has challenged the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, to either accept the olive branch extended to it by Tinubu or they would meet in court if he remained aggrieved.

The Director, Media and Publicity, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement issued yesterday said the ruling party welcomed the decision of Obi to seek redress in court as an aggrieved party if he was convinced of the evidence of electoral fraud he would present before the tribunal as alleged.

He noted that going to court was part of the electoral process, and that it was the most decent, statesmanlike and civilised course of action to take.

Onanuga, who said the APC saluted the decision, noted that it was better than calling supporters to the streets and instigating social unrest, stressing: "Before Mr. Obi goes to court, we consider it necessary to challenge some specific claims in his press address. Contrary to his statement, it is not true that the election held 25 February was not free and fair."

He explained that the 2023 election was one of the most transparent and peaceful elections in the history of Nigeria, adding that it was because the process was credible that made it possible for Obi to record the over six million votes contrary to pre-election forecasts.

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NEWS

A NEW FIRE AND SAFETY STATION IN ISHERI NORTH...

L-R: Member, House of Assembly, representating Ifo II, Ganiyu Oyedeji; Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Governor Dapo Abiodun; Speaker, House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo and Senator-elect for Ogun Central, Salisu Afolabi Shuaib at the inauguration of the Fire and Safety Station, Isheri North in Ifo Local Government and Gubernatorial election campaign ... yesterday

Tinubu: I'll Run Fair, Inclusive Government

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja , John Shiklam in Kaduna , Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia , Segun James

President-elect Bola Tinubu has promised to run a fair and inclusive administration that would unite all Nigerians.

He gave the assurances yesterday in Abuja, when he received members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who were on a congratulatory visit to his residence in Abuja.

Tinubu, in a statement by his Media Office and signed by Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, also promised to hit the ground running from his first day in office in order to deliver on his campaign promises.

He said, "It is going to be a fair government guided by the rule of law, justice and fairness. It is going to be hard work from day one and we are going to join hands in building a government of the people and by the people."

The president-elect, who restated his commitment to unite the country and promise to be president for all, said, "I am committed to uniting the country. Definitely in any contest, particularly, democratic contest, there must be losers and winners."

Tinubu said he felt a fresh weight of responsibility after collecting his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday, promising to commit his victory to uniting Nigeria.

He thanked the party leadership for showing commitment and courage in leading the party to victory despite all the odds.

Earlier, the APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, said though transition elections were always tough for ruling parties, the victory of the APC was long foreseen, adding that, the NWC came to identify with Tinubu and congratulate him on his victory.

Buhari Begs Kaduna People to Vote APC in Guber Election

Following defeat at the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections in Kaduna State, President Muhammadu Buhari, has appealed to residents of the state to vote for Senator Uba Sani, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on March 11.

In a video, Buhari begged residents to vote for Sani and all APC candidates for the state house of assembly.

The governorship candidate was alleged to have run to Buhari

to intervene by appealing to the people to vote APC, following the devastating outcome of the presidential and National Assembly election in the state.

In the 1:50 seconds video, Buhari said, “First of all, I want to once again thank you for the confidence you have in me by electing me President on the platform of our party, the APC. I want to use this opportunity to inform you that Senator Uba Sani is our candidate for governorship election in Kaduna State.

“I am begging you to vote for him and all APC candidates for the House of Assembly to help him work. Senator Uba is a leading member of this journey, we worked together in the senate and he demonstrated capacity and competence. He will perform well more than it is expected.

“I apologise to you for hardship caused by the change of the naira. It was done to boost the economy of the country, not to cause hardship to anybody. Kaduna is home to me, therefore, I urge you to vote for Senator Uba Sani and all our APC candidates for the state assembly…”

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had defeated the APC at the presidential poll, after securing 554,360 votes against APC’s 399,293 votes.

While the PDP also won all the three senatorial seats in the state, in the House of Representatives election, the PDP won 10 of the 16 seats while the APC and the Labour Party (LP) won 4 and 2 seats respectively.

Adamu: Attempt to Halt Collation, Truncate Democracy Shameful

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdulahi Adamu, has described the attempt by the leadership of Peoples Democratic party Party (PDP) and the Labour Party to sabotage the result collation process and by implication truncate democracy as shameful.

He stated that their staged walkout from the collation centre was childish and a calculated attempt to rubbish the elections and impugn the integrity of the electoral umpire.

Adamu, while addressing a press conference, yesterday, in Abuja, said it was a pity that they took their loss so badly, saying they ought to be good sportsmen and women in the political arena.

His words: "I would be remiss if I fail to condemn in the strongest possible terms the shameful conduct of the leadership of PDP and the Labour Party in their unwarranted attempts to sabotage the elections

and throw the country into chaos and avoidable crisis. It is a pity that they took their loss so badly. They ought to be good sportsmen and women in the political arena.

"Their protest walkout from the collation centre was childish but clearly a calculated attempt to rubbish the elections and impugn the integrity of the electoral umpire.

Their call for the cancellation of the elections over their unproven allegations of electoral fraud must be the height of diabolical desperation."

The chairman stressed that all patriotic citizens of the country, who value peace and unity of purpose must rise with one voice to condemn these elements who wanted to parade themselves in the public space as the guardians of the country's electoral system.

Adamu noted that the opposition leaders aided by some self-appointed guardians of the nation’s conscience wanted to turn the victory of the ruling party into ashes in the mouths of all Nigerians and set the country up for global opprobrium.

He said it was condemnable and unpatriotic and unworthy of men who ought to recognise that in a democracy, respect for the right of the people to freely choose their leaders through an election was the fundamental pillar of that form of government.

Solomon to Nigerians: You Won’t Regret Your Choice of Tinubu

Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council in Lagos State, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, yesterday, joined millions of people around the world to congratulate

President-elect Bola Tinubu, saying Nigerians made a choice they would never regret, because Tinubu would deliver as promised and write his name in gold.

Solomon, who further thanked the Nigerian people for coming out en mass and irrespective of their creed, religions and political leanings to choose a leader for the progress of the country, acknowledged that, Tinubu fought a good fight and God crowned his effort, because he truly deserved the victory.

The former senator for Lagos West, however, commended the team spirit of the APC family, both at the national and states levels, saying, “Everyone deserves a pat on the back for this outstanding showing, despite some ugly twist in the mix.

“But, it is not uhuru yet. We have to go back to our various localities and deliver the APC on Saturday, March 11, when the governorship polls are scheduled to hold. That is when we can truly say, ‘it is done’ as far as 2023 general election is concerned.”

Wabara Bemoans Presidential Poll Fiasco, Calls for Cancellation

A former Senate President, Dr Adolphus Wabara, has bemoaned the process and outcome of last Saturday’s presidential poll, saying democracy has been dealt a mortal blow.

He said he was disappointed with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its failure to stick to its rules and guidelines and upload the results real time from the polling units.

Wabara, who is the acting Chairman of the Board of Trustees

(BoT) of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) told journalists in Umuahia yesterday that the poll could not pass any credibility test.

"It's a sham! You can see from the international observers how they condemned what we called election in the 21st century," he said, adding, "there is no hope again for the country. We have killed democracy in Nigeria".

According to him, there’s no difference between what transpired on February 25, 2023 and what obtained in the days of infamy "when people won election at all cost and asked their opponents to go to court."

He said that with the Electoral Act amendments and assurances from INEC, he had thought "we had passed that stage (of winning by all means), and are now responsible" only to be proved wrong by the electoral umpire.

The former Abia South Senator hit hard at INEC, saying its "shameful conduct" at the polls has made Nigeria an object of ridicule before the international community, citing the damming verdict of international observers.

Pyrates Sues for Calm over Presidential Poll Results

The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) has sued for restraint from the political class over the conduct and outcome of the 2023 Presidential election.

The NAS Capoon, Mr Abiola Owoaje, in a press statement, ‘2023 General Elections: Nigeria political class needs to exercise restraint’

noted that, “several complaints on the conduct of the polls and its aftermath capable of undermining the credibility and integrity of the electoral process have been raised by political parties, the electorate and international observers” Owoaje, who saluted Nigerians, especially the teeming youth population for their patience while exercising their franchise and demonstrating abiding faith in the country, pointed out that those aggrieved about the outcome reserves the right to criticise the process and procedure adopted for the electoral process.

He however, appealed for calm from all and sundry on the need to protect democracy to ensure nobody indulges in any action that could endanger democracy.

“The next few days are very crucial to the survival of our democracy especially as the second phase of the 2023 elections, which is the governorship and state constituencies elections are expected to take place on March 11. Therefore, calls suggesting truncation of democracy or resort to underhand tactics to derail it are unhelpful, counterproductive and should be discouraged.

“We caution political leaders, candidates and political parties to refrain from inflammatory utterances capable of igniting chaos in the country. We urge them to rein in their supporters from hate speeches, deliberate misinformation, fake news and propaganda meant to whip up base sentiments and potentially destabilise the country especially, along our fragile tribal fault lines,” he said.

Continues online

Tinubu’s Peace Delegation Moves to Meet Atiku Chuks Okocha in Abuja Members of the reconciliation delegation team sent by the president-elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar did not meet the former vice president at home, THISDAY learnt yesterday.

A reliable source close to the former vice president told THISDAY during a phone chat that Governors Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano; Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi; Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa; Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, and the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Nuhu Ribadu, had gone to plead with Atiku to concede defeat in the interest of

peace and unity, but unfortunately according to the source, they were not able to meet the former vice president.

During his media briefing yesterday, Atiku said he was not aware that they came to see him.

Also his media adviser, Paul Ibe, said he was not aware of such visit.

It was also gathered that others that visited Atiku were the Commonwealth delegation led by the former South Africa President Thambo Mbeki and the African Union delegation led by the former Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyetta.

The president-elect had set up committees to meet aggrieved presidential candidates to start the “healing process”.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu

of Ondo State and a member of the committees disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde.

He said a Committee of Elders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) would soon begin to meet with co-contestants of the president-elect in a bid to assuage their loss in the just concluded poll.

He stressed that every aggrieved person would be met for reconciliation.

“The president-elect has set up committees to meet with the gentlemen who contested in the election for us to start the healing process. I belong to one of the committees. We are going to meet them and appeal to them so that we can work together,”

the governor stated.

Tinubu polled 8,794,726 and was declared President-Elect on Wednesday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Top opposition parties in the election like Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have rejected the outcome of the poll, saying the electoral umpire failed to play by the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 on electronic transmission of results. The oppositions have also threatened to head to court to challenge the outcome of the poll.

Atiku Abubakar got 6,984,520 votes, Labour Party (LP)’s Peter Obi scored 6,101,533 and NNPP’s Rabiu Kwankwaso secured 1,496,687 votes.

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NEWS

WE APPRECIATE YOU…

L-R: Former Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission(FRSC), Gen. Halidu Hananiya (rtd); former Chairman, Senate Services Committee, Sen. Abubakar Girei; President & Chairman, Governing Council, Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN), Dr. Iliyasu Gashinbaki; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and former Military Administrator of Plateau State, Gen. Aliyu Kama (rtd), during an appreciation cocktail organised by CIFCFIN in Abuja…recently

Alleged Murder: Group Accuses Gbajabiamila, Ganduje of Plotting to Free House Majority Leader Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

Concerned citizens of Tudun Wada-Doguwa Federal Constituency in Kano state yesterday alleged that the House of Representatives and the Kano state government are collaborating to get the embattled majority leader, Ado Ado Doguwa, freed from the allegations of murder and illegal

possession of firearms.

Addressing journalists in Kano, the concerned group members led by former Commissioner Budget and Planning, Alhaji Nura Muhammad Dankadai, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that justice takes it course to avoid reciprocal violence The concerned citizens alleged

ACF Kano Chapter Congratulates Tinubu, Sets Agenda for Him Members of Arewa Consultative Forum(ACF), Kano Chapter, have congratulated the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying his election has opened a new chapter in the history of Nigeria.

Tinubu, who ran on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in presidential and national assembly elections held on February 25, 2023, was on Wednesday declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Reacting to the development, ACF Kano commended the emergence of Tinubu as the president-elect. The Chairman of ACF Kano, Dr. Faruk Umar, said in a statement that Tinubu’s election had demonstrated to the whole world that religion and tribe would no longer play a role in the

Nigerian politics.

“We pray to God to guide and help you in bringing back hope and prosperity to all Nigerians,” he said.

Meanwhile, the group has urged the president-elect to create a conducive economic environment that will attract foreign investors . “The current government has initiated many projects in the country , including the Niger Bridge and Lagos-Kano rail projects. We are confident that the projects will be completed under the incoming administration,” he noted.

ACF Kano also advised the president-elect to be magnanimous in victory by carrying everybody along regardless of their political affiliations so that a strong and united Nigeria could be built.

Adeleke Harps on Transparent National Census

Yinka Kolawole inOsogbo

The Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has called on the National Population Commission (NPC) to ensure a truly transparent conduct of the 2023 national census.

Addressing a team from the NPC led by its National Commissioner, Senator Mudashiru Hussein, Governor Adeleke ,who commended the NPC for the ongoing preparation for the 2023 national census, said all eyes were on the commission to deliver.

Adeleke noted that “despite the elections, we are taking the census project seriously. All levels of government including town associations are preparing.”

“The census is critical for national planning. Accurate census helps the government to meet the needs of the people in term of infrastructures and services”.

“The history of the national census in Nigeria is controversial.

We must get it right this time around”, the governor affirmed.

He urged the commission to ensure error free national head count, citing accuracy as key to acceptability of the outcome of the census”.

He specifically urged the commission to embrace tech application in national census, submitting that “accuracy can be enhanced when appropriate technologies are deployed in the head count project; “For us in Osun State, we pledge our commitment to mobilise our people for the exercise. I use this opportunity to call on Osun residents to participate fully. Just like general and state elections, getting counted during the census is a national civic responsibility,” the governor stated.

that they have information that the House of Representatives and the Kano state government were planning to ensure that Doguwa was released on bail

despite the allegations he is facing before the law.

“It is important to note that the people of Tudun Wada and Doguwa Local Government

have every reasonable ground to believe that the leadership of the National Assembly is currently collaborating with the Kano State Government to tinker

with ongoing judicial processes by exerting pressure and undue influence on the judiciary to grant bail to Alhassan Ado Doguwa and others.

Police Kill Terrorists, Recover Two AK-47 Rifles, Ammunition in Katsina Francis Sardauna in Katsina

The Katsina State Police Command on Wednesday repelled terrorists’ attack on Yasore village in Batsari Local Government Area of the state, killed two terrorists and recovered two AK-47 rifles with 97 rounds of 7.62mm

live ammunition.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Gambo Isah, in a statement yesterday said the hoodlums invaded the village with AK-47 rifles shooting sporadically but they were successfully repelled by police and vigilance operatives.

He explained that the police

received a distress call on Wednesday that terrorists in their numbers attacked the village and the divisional police officer in charge of Batsari led a combined team of police and vigilante group to the area where they engaged them in a fierce gun battle.

Isah added that: “The

security team recovered two corpses of the neutralised terrorists, two AK 47 rifles, five AK 47 rifle’s magazines, 97 pieces of 7.62mm ammunition of AK 47 rifles, two ITEL GSM Phones, a bunch of criminal charms, pen, lighter, blue veil and a black bag containing N2,580.”

President-elect Urged to Reflect on How to Overcome Nigeria’s Challenges The Yoruba Leadership and Peace Initiative (TYLPI) has urged the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to use the period between now and his inauguration on May 29, to reflect on the challenges of insecurity, economic downturn and disunity facing the country and come up

with lasting solutions to them.

The group made the appeal in a letter to the President-elect. In the letter signed by the President, TYLPI, Mr. Olusegun K. Ahmadu, the group noted that Tinubu’s antecedents suggested that he was well equipped to resolve the long-standing issues assailing the

nation and urged him to brace up to the task ahead.

The group noted that the nation has a surplus of the best brains in all areas of human endeavour and urged the president-elect to seek for the best of the nation’s human resources to assist him in the arduous task ahead.

“The nation is full of expectations that Asiwaju Tinubu would do all within his powers to strengthen the bond of unity among the fragmented parts of the nation, so that Nigeria could once again become a strong, independent and self reliant entity,” the group said.

Guber Poll: Ogun Non-indigenes Declare Support for Abiodun’s Re-election Bid

Non-indigenes residing in Ogun State have endorsed Governor Dapo Abiodun for a second term in office. The non-indigenes making up of Igede, Fulani, Igbo, Nupe, Hausa people, disclosed their support at an engagement with Governor Abiodun held in Abeokuta, yesterday, vowing to that they would work together to ensure the success of the governor

at the forthcoming governorship and House of Assembly polls.

Speaking on behalf of the Igede community, Chief Onuna Samuel, while appreciating the governor for creating an enabling environment for them to thrive in the state, noted that the Igede community was prepared to give their 100 per cent commitment to the second term ambition of

Abiodun.

The Nupe Community led by its leader, Alhaji Mustapha Nasir, while noting that the community had been solidly behind the governor since 2019, added that they would ensure they deliver votes from the community for the governor.

On his part, Chief Jay Okocha, who spoke on behalf of the

Igbo community would ensure they deliver their votes for the governor’s re-election.

Okocha, while calling on the people of the state to vote for continuity that would ensure the completion of the Ogun State International Agro Cargo Airport, assured the governor of votes from the community in the state.

APC Chieftain Lauds Wike on Tinubu’s Victory in Rivers Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state, Tony Okocha, has commended Governor Nyesom Wike for his unflinching support to the victory of the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu

during the February 25 election in the state.

Okocha, who was the Chairman, Local Organising Committee, APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Rivers, also declared support for Wike’s choice of candidate in the state, as a way to reciprocate his gesture for Tinubu’s victory in Rivers.

The APC leader spoke yesterday in a conference held in Port Harcourt, while expressing gratitude to Rivers people, especially those who he said ensured the victory of the president elect, in the state.

He said despite challenges experienced during campaigns for Tinubu, the party had a

meritorious victory against the experience of 2015 and 2019 in the state.

“We thank the Rivers electorate for trusting us when we appealed to their sensibilities and reasonableness to vote massively for Asiwaju Tinubu in the just-concluded presidential election in Rivers state.

Soludo, INEC Accused of Conspiracy to Deny LP Victory in Ogbaru Federal Constituency Emameh Gabriel in Abuja

A socio-political group, League of Ogbaru Professionals (LOP), has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmud

Yakubu, to ensure the immediate release of results of the House of Representatives election in Ogbaru Federal Constituency, conducted on February 25.

The group made the call in a statement signed by its chairman, Dr. Innocent Ezekude yesterday, expressing

shock over the refusal of INEC to announce results of Ogaru Federal Constituency after “results for the presidential election held all over the nation have been collated and a winner declared by the commission.”

Ezekiel in the statement recounted how the collation

of results of the Ogbaru House of Representatives election was progressing smoothly, until the wee hours of Tuesday, February 28, 2023 when, allegedly, at Governor Soludo’s behest, the team was directed to move every document concerning the election to Awka, the state’s capital.

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NEWS XTRA

Buhari Begs Kaduna Residents to Vote WORLD OF ISLAM for APC Candidate in Guber Election

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

John Shiklam inKaduna

Following the humiliating defeat of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the presidential and National Assembly elections in Kaduna State, President Muhammadu Buhari, has appealed to residents of the state to vote for the Governorship Candidate of the APC, Senator Uba Sani, on March 11.

In a video trending on the social media, Buhari begged residents to vote for Sani and other candidates of the APC for the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

The governorship candidate was alleged to have ran to Buhari

to intervene by appealing to the people to vote for the APC, following the devastating outcome of the presidential and National Assembly election on the party in the state.

In the 1:50 seconds video, Buhari said: “First of all, I want to once again thank you for the confidence you have in me by electing me President on the platform of our party, the APC. “I want to use this opportunity to inform you that Senator Uba Sani is our candidate for governorship election in Kaduna State.

“I am begging you to vote for him and all the APC’s candidates

for the House of Assembly to help him work.

“Senator Uba is a leading member of this journey. We worked together in the Senate and he demonstrated capacity and competence.

“He will perform well more than it is expected.

“I apologise to you for hardship caused by the change of the Naira. It was done to boost the economy of the country, not to cause hardship to anybody.

“Kaduna is home to me, therefore, I urge you to vote for Senator Uba Sani and all our APC’s candidates for the state assembly.”

March 11 Polls: Emami Calls on APC, LP to Synergise in Delta Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Ahead of the March 11, 2023 governorship and House of Assembly polls, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State and the Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Ayirimi Emami has called for collaboration between supporters of the APC and Labour Party (LP) to enable Delta State’s All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Ovie OmoAgege, emerge victorious Emami, made the call at the Ologbotsere Hall in Warri, Delta State, during a special traditional thanksgiving held by the Ologbotsere Descendants to appreciate God and the ancestors for the victory of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Nigeria’s president-elect.

He noted that the collaboration of the APC and the Labour Party was necessary now in Delta State to ultimately wipe out Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s political hegemony.

Emami disclosed that the thanksgiving became necessary to seek the blessings of the ancestors to grant Tinubu’s victory, before the presidential election held Saturday February 25, assuring that Itsekiri Nation would recover everything it had lost with Tinubu as president.

Whilst stating that Tinubu’s

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as ONUGU VIVIAN GIFT, now wish to be known and addressed as OMEKE VIVIAN GIFT. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as TOYE AJOKE REGINA, now wish to be known and addressed as OKHAVHE REGINA AJOKE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as RASHEED OLUWASEUN OLALEKAN TALABI, now wish to be known and addressed as SEAN ABODUNDE TALABI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OCHEI CHIOMA BENITA, now wish to be known and addressed as AROGUNDADE CHIOMA BENITA. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS EGWURUGWU CHIOMA QUEEN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLUJIMI-ONI CHIOMA QUEEN. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

emergence as president-elect, has brought blessing to Itsekiri Nation, the Ologbotsere of Warri kingdom expressed optimism that Tinubu’s Presidency, would lead to the

actualisation of the much talked about Koko-Ogheye Road, Warri to Ugborodo Road and completion of the Trans-Warri Ode-Itsekiri Bridges and Access Roads.

‘PDPnotAfraidbyProposedYPP,APC Alliance ahead of Guber Election in A’Ibom’

Okon Bassey inUyo

Akwa Ibom State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has said it was not afraid of any alliance by the Young Progressives Party (YPP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state ahead of March 11 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.

PDP in the State argued that such alliance would not threaten the victory of its governorship candidate, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno during the election.

The Publicity Secretary of PDP in the state, Mr Borono Bassey expressed the position of the party on the alledged alliance of YPP and APC while fielding questions from Journalists on Thursday in

Uyo, the State capital.

According to him, such coalition remains a mere conspiracy that would not stop the PDP’s candidate from winning the governorship seat in next week elections.

He said in the Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state held last Saturday PDP won over 90 per cent of seats in the National Assembly based on the results declared by INEC. He reasoned that elections in many units where APC was declared winner were inconclusive adding that PDP still remains strong in the state.

“We are not threatened by any coalition. The beauty of democracy is to allow people to make their choices.

2023: Aderinokun Decries Alleged Electoral Irregularities in Ogun Central Senatorial Poll Sunday Okobi The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate in Ogun Central, Ogun State, Chief Olumide Aderinokun, has rejected the result of last Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections, alleging over-voting and some electoral discrepancies.

Aderinokun, who was announced second in the senatorial election behind APC’s Afolabi Salisu, said there were over 100 polling units in Ogun Central that had over-voting.

Aderinokun in a statement issued by his media aide, Taiye Taiwo, and made available to THISDAY yesterday, faulted the electoral body

for some irregularities that marred the election in his district starting from polling units to ward levels in the six local government areas.

According to him, “The good people of Ogun Central have been robbed. The system failed the people and Aderinokun, and with the backing of the PDP family in Ogun State will not be accepting it.

“The result will be challenged because it doesn’t reflect the will of the people in Ogun Central.”

There were many instances of over-voting, poor network for the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to work effectively, delayed uploading of results and there were inconsistencies with numbers of voters and the results.

Kwara PDP, Others Form Alliance to Defeat APC

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

The leadership of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has finalised arrangements with other political parties in the state to form an alliance that would wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on March 11.

The Kwara State Chairman of PDP, Mr. Babatunde Mohammed, dropped the hint in Ilorin yesterday during the unveiling of the five- point agenda of the Governorship Candidate of PDP, Mr. Shuaib Yaman Abdullahi.

Mohammed said that “the PDP has formed alliance with

other political parties and they are too ready to work together ahead of the next polls in the state in order to vote out APC. “We are on the same page with other political parties on the next election. We are working together already.

“The other political parties in Kwara State also believed in unison because they have agreed with us to work as a team to oust the present APC’s administration in the state in the next polls.

“Those of you who will be travelling home for the next polls should leave by the next week Wednesday in order to prepare for the polls.

Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution in Islam

By: Siraj Islam Mufti/IslmiCity

H

umankind is besieged with all sorts of conflicts. But instead of dealing them through peaceful means, we are often faced with its Darwinian resolution - “The Might is Right” concept, that is, the powerful resort to force and impose their will on the weak. But while this mechanism may apply to others of God’s creation, it does not work for Homo Sapiens: Because we are endowed with a moral sense, which overshadows all our behavior. This moral dilemma requires tackling the underlying problem adequately. And unless it is tackled properly, the conflict persists: It does not go away and comes back in myriad forms, becoming ever more pernicious.

This moral sense is strong in Islam. Islam means peace in all its forms and asks for justice in resolving all conflicts. So that the aggrieved party is satisfied with the result and being at peace works for peace with all concerned.

Islamic Peace Fundamentals Islam literally means two basic concepts: First, Islam from the Arabic verb salima/yaslemu means to surrender or submit to God. And second, from its Arabic noun salam - from letters seen, lam, meem (or s, l, m) - it means peace or to acquire peace. A daily example of this is provided by Muslims in their greetings of Assalamu Alaykum, meaning peace be with you.

According to the Qur’an, Islam is what all prophets and messengers of God, from Adam to Muhammad and others in between (peace and God’s Blessings on them all), preached and practiced. And that is what they asked from their people: That is to submit to one God and to work for peace. This was the message of Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (Peace and God’s Blessings on them all).

Therefore, Islam advocates living in peace with God - the Creator and Lord of all that exists. As well as, seeking peace within our own selves, and living in peace with other human beings, and in peace with our surroundings and environment in its entirety.

All conflicts - whether they are interpersonal, or within the family and community, or national and international disturb this relationship of peace.

The Islamic principles of peacebuilding enunciated in the Qur’an also affirm that all of human beings have a common origin (“nafsin wahidatin”). In fact, this basic concept is enshrined in the very first words that a Muslim says when he/she is born or on accepting Islam, commonly known as Shahada.

Along with this commonality, Islam confers ‘dignity’ and respect on a human simply by virtue of being a human. This, as the Qur’an says “We have conferred dignity on the progeny of Adam” (Al Isra 17:70). This dignity is bestowed by God on all humans regardless of their ethnicity, religion, tribe, or nationality.

Unity Within Diversity Islam also recognizes great diversity within human beings. We come from different backgrounds and traditions. This richness is a gift from our Creator. It is very much apparent within the world-wide Islamic community. We witness it in the United States where there are Muslims from all parts of the world - no other country possesses this plurality of Muslim community.

However, despite this diversity Muslims share a commonality of Islamic belief.

Such a diversity means we should live in peace within our community and with our fellow citizens. And not to live in any harmful relationship with each other. Thus, American Muslims demonstrate a model community for the plurality that constitutes the United States of America.

The essential lesson from this plurality is to dialogue, collaborate and cooperate and develop a real healthy understanding of one another. This is the first essential step for living in peace and resolving any and all conflicts encountered, here and abroad.

Islamic Methodology for Conflict

Resolution and Building Peace As discussed above, the Islamic precepts are meant to maintain peaceful, healthy, meaningful relationships with God and with all of humanity.

This relationship is disrupted by conflicts, whether interpersonal, communal, national, or international.

Its restoration is essential for the sake of fairness and justice. Peace-building efforts work towards preventing an escalation of conflict and establishing a durable and self-sustaining peace.

Peace is intimately tied with justice in its Islamic understanding. You cannot achieve one without the other. Legitimate grievances of the affected party must be addressed, if real and essential peace is to be achieved.

Here are some relevant verses from the Qur’an addressed to the Islamic community: “O You who believe! Stand out firmly for God, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear God. For God is well-acquainted with all you do” (Al Maidah 5:8).

And: “O You who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or you kin, and whether it be against rich or poor: For God can best protect both. Follow not the lusts of your hearts, lest you swerve, and if distort justice or decline to do justice, verily God is well-acquainted with all that you do” (Al Nisa 4:135).

Towards this end Islamic scholars also emphasize promoting Islamic ethics in order to prevent, mediate, and resolve various conflicts. This must take place along with a personal transformation, developing spiritual awareness through Dhikr (constant remembering God and His Grace), praying, and fasting. As well as through acts of charity and love for other human beings.

One should exercise compassion and forgive others who have done him harm, and move away from greed, egocentricity, crass materialism, and harming others and work to live peacefully in cooperation with each other.

The Qur’an constantly uses the word Sulha in resolving all types of conflicts. It means seeking peace, reconciliation, compromise, and settlement.

As such, during the early Islamic history Muslim jurists developed a number of legal structures and institutions, using a variety of techniques to resolve conflicts amicably, and achieve peace.

Among these are the following: 1. Appointment of a Justice of Peace (Qadi as Sulh) to oversee the processes of mediation, arbitration, and reconciliation to achieve settlement and peace.

2. Parties in conflict have the option of resolving their dispute through a Wasta or third-party mediator who would ensure that all parties were satisfied with the outcome.

3. Other practices could use tahkeem, or using intermediaries to represent the parties. These intermediaries should be able to represent the parties’ position as clearly as possible to negotiate on their behalf, and guarantee that the parties receive a fair settlement.

A settlement could include Financial compensation; Service to the family; Service to the community, and Specific gestures of sympathy, or public demonstration of reconciliation.

These procedures and relevant structures need be revived and further developed utilizing all possible modern techniques. There are a number of organizations currently involved in conflict resolution. Others provide training for solving interpersonal problems and helping resolve issues within a family.

In order to resolve wider conflicts, it is essential that the peace-building efforts of civil-society organizations that already exist within …and in Muslim countries are adequately supported. This should go along with addressing the economicpolitical stagnation, and powerlessness of Muslim societies. As well as remedying the historical memories of violence and conflict from the times of Crusades and colonialism, past and present.

It is worth mentioning that within Islamic societies there exists a great diversity of traditions, cultures, and opinions that could be used to enrich the possibilities for pursuing peace-building efforts and resolving all existing conflicts.

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FRIDAY, MA ͻ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Flying Eagles Beat Uganda to Qualify for U20 World Cup Duro Ikhazuagbe Flying Eagles last night defeated Uganda 1-0 in Ismailia, Egypt to book their passage to the 23rd FIFA U20 World Cup finals scheduled for May/June in Indonesia.

The victory also means that Nigeria has qualified for the semi final of the ongoing 17th U20 Africa Cup of Nations. All four finalists will represent the continent at the global stage.

Ladan Bosso’s charges however remain largely unconvincing,

lacking that cutting edge to take them far at the world stage.

Ibrahim Muhammad, on the dot of half an hour, latched onto a long ball from the defence. He controlled well and fired but his effort hit the upright, and in his confusion, Uganda defender,

Ibrahim Juma, helped the ball into his own net for the only goal of the match. The Flying Eagles player whose goal contributed to Nigeria’s defeat of Mozambique missed making it two goals just four minutes after the restart.

Goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso,

who has been huge for the Flying Eagles since taking over the sticks after the opening day defeat to Senegal in Cairo, captained in the absence of the suspended Daniel Bameyi, but was unfazed by the band and gave another assuring performance for the seven-time champions.

As early as the 10th minute, he had to enact a reflex save to stop a bullet header from a corner kick.

Both teams continued to frisk for opportunities with Nigeria’s Ibrahim Muhammad and Haliru Sarki probing deep but undone mostly by inaccurate passes and

poor ball-holding in the final quarter.

On the hour mark and seven minutes after, Aniagboso saved point-blank efforts that sustained Nigeria’s lead, and in the 80th minute, Samson Lawal spun the ball away from goal from a 22 -yard free-kick.

Victory earned Nigeria a slot in Monday’s semi-finals. as well as a ticket to Indonesia.

The Flying Eagles will take on the winner of the clash between Congo and Tunisia, happening at the Cairo International Stadium this evening.

Messi Splashes N96m on Customised iPhones for Argentina’s World Cup Winners

Flying Eagles Ibrahim Mohammed (right) and Mohammed Aminu celebrating Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over Uganda to qualify for the semi final of the U20 AFCON as well as the U20 FIFA World Cup in Indonesia in June

Osimhen Almost Lost His Sight, Says Surgeon The plastic surgeon who operated on Victor Osimhen’s face when he suffered a facial injury in November 2021, Dr. Gianpaolo Tartaro has revealed that the Nigeria international almost lost his eyes after he was hurt in a clash of heads with Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar in Napoli’s 3-2 defeat at the San Siro.

Osimhen needed surgery, which involved seating six plaques and 18 screws on his face after a scan revealed the Napoli star forward had suffered multiple fractures to the cheekbone and orbital bone.

The Nigerian star forward was sidelined for over two months and has played with a protective

mask ever since.

“The orbital bone stopped just in time because Osimhen could even have lost his sight,” Tartaro told Radio CRC. “That bone could indeed have caused other problems, but fortunately some factors helped us and the eye was able to go back into its socket.

“The plaques do not need to be removed unless there is an urgent need; for example if they develop an infection. The titanium could alter an X-ray, but I don’t think Osimhen wants them removed.

“When we performed the surgery, we used the best quality

plaques in the world and had to study very carefully where to place them, so there was protection should the player have to head the ball.”

When asked about Osimhen’s decision on wearing the mask after recovery, Tartaro added, “He seems to play even better than he did before, it gives him security.

He has become world-class.”

The former Lille man has been in fine form for the Serie A leaders this season, netting 19 goals and four assists in 20 league matches, and has fired the Parthenopeans 18 points clear at the top of the table in their pursuit of a first Scudetto since 1990.

Lionel Messi has splashed £175,000 (about N96million) on customised gold iPhones for his Argentina teammates and back room staff following Albiceleste’s victory at the World Cup in Qatar last December.

The 24-carat gold 35 devices, all engraved with the last names and shirt numbers of the victorious players, coaches and back room staff, were delivered to Messi at his PSG department at the weekend and will be handed out to his Argentina teammates as soon as time permits.

Messi masterminded the South Americans victory over France in that epic final penalty shootouts inside the magnificent Lusail Stadium in Doha.

According to UK’s The Sun, CEO of iDesign Gold, Ben Lyons, explained how Messi approached him about designing a special gift after triumphing in the Middle East.

“Lionel is not only the G.O.A.T but he's one of iDesigns Gold's most loyal customers and got in touch with us a couple of months after the World Cup final,” began Lyons.

“He said he wanted a special gift for all the players and staff to celebrate the amazing win

but didn't want the usual gift of watches.

“So, I suggested gold iPhones inscribed with their names and he loved the idea,” stressed the iDesign Gold chief executive.

Each luxury handset boasts a similar design of the Argentina team badge with the updated three stars, the player's name and national team shirt number, and the words “World Cup champions 2022”.

The bottom of the phone is engraved with the manufacturers brand and the luxury service brand Patrick Group, however it is not known what their involvement was in the process.

Some of the mobiles unveiled in short social media snippets show the designs of World Cup final goal scorers Messi and Angel di Maria, while Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez's custom devices were also put on display.

The company behind the mobile phones appear to be popular with other footballers who like to use their six-figure salaries to buy luxury goods.

Neymar was spotted sporting gold wireless earphones and Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech invested in a similar gold iPhone recently.

Osimhen

NPFL: Odigie, Osarenkhoe Lead Nominees for LBA Feb Awards For the second month, Bendel Insurance duo of Monday Odigie and Imade Osarenkhoe, lead nominees for the February Coach and Player of the Month awards in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) organised by the influential League Bloggers Awards.

Nominated amongst others in January, the duo emerged winners of the awards which celebrate outstanding performers in the NPFL. Like his feat in January, Odigie finished as the only unbeaten coach in February after five matches and topped the table in Group A at

the conclusion of the first round.

Successful trips to Maiduguri and Ibadan, two difficult grounds against El-Kanemi Warriors and Shooting Stars Sports Club, boosted Odigie’s nominated.

The clash in Ibadan was a celebration of the historical rivalry between both sides which began during the first organised Nigerian league, in 1972.

Also nominated for the Coach of the Month award are: Deji Ayeni (Akwa United), Finidi George (Enyimba) and Mohammed Baba Ganaru (Lobi Stars).

Like Odigie, Ganaru led Lobi

to the top of Group B table and gets a second nomination.

Odigie and Ganaru have become regular nominees for playing good football, while the duo of George and Ayeni make the shortlist for the first time this term.

January Player of the Month, Osarenkhoe finished February as the poster boy of Insurance to underscore his impact in the team.

Osarenkhoe is arguably the most recognizable player in the NPFL. Goalkeeper Amas Obasogie gets a second nomination for his heroics in-between-sticks for

Insurance. Obasaogie has forced his way into the list to contest with strikers, who easily get noticed for the goal scoring rate.

Lobi’s wonder-boy, Joseph Atule, Bayelsa United’s Robert Mizo, Enyimba’s Chukwuemeka Obioma and Akwa United’s Uche Collins get their first nomination, this term.

The LBA is the foremost organisation recognizing and celebrating outstanding performers in the NPFL since 2009 and extended its reach to the second tier Nigeria National League and Women’s League, in 2017.

The customised 24-carat gold iPhones bought by Lionel’s Messi as gifts for his Argentina teammates, coaches and back room staff. He specially ordered the handsets as gifts to celebrate Albiceleste’s victory over France in the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar

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Friday March 3, 2023

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MISSILE Senator Bassey to Lawan, INEC

“Results were not uploaded to the server...The key element of the process is that when the results are collated at the unit level, they should be uploaded to the server which must be accessible to everyone. That’s the whole essence of the new amendment to the law. It is the leg upon which the transparency of the INEC stands. We are saying that the process has been compromised...”

–Senator Gershom Bassey, berating INEC and faults Senate President Ahmad Lawan’s counter arguments on electronic transmission of election results.

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LINDSAYBARRETT GUEST COLUMNIST

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The Rise of Arise TV

he growth and expansion of independent broadcasting in Nigeria took root and was consolidated in the initial period of its existence after the sector was initiated during the tenure of the military presidency of General Ibrahim Babangida. It is ironic that when that regime announced the commencement of a parley to discuss the issue the then Minister of Information, the brilliant former editor of the Daily Times, Barrister Tony Momoh, had publicly announced that he believed Nigeria was not ready for independent broadcasting.

However, after the conference ended he turned out to be the official who was entrusted with the historic task of implementing the innovative policy. As a result, that government gave the members of the Nigerian public an instrument that was to empower their democratic impulses with unprecedented reach and independence of opinion. Although the pioneering radio and television stations were relatively new during the abortive election of 1993 observers have recorded that the outspokenness of participants when that exercise was truncated was given

Obaigbena

remarkable relevance and credibility because the independent media was available for ordinary citizens to use to comment and to express dissent Since then the space for public expression of independent non-official views during periods of political contest and discourse has been greatly modified and expanded.

This is nowhere more obvious than on the independent television channels in Nigeria and the performance of one of the newest of these, ARISE NEWS, has been especially dynamic and exciting during the latest season of political contestation. ARISE NEWS came into being ten years ago and so it has been charged with celebrating its first decade while covering the most iconic public eventualities to confront its national headquarters Nigeria.

It has met the challenge with extraordinary professionalism and stylish aplomb. The inauguration of ARISE NEWS Presidential Town Hall meetings was an effective and widely popular innovation and one that influenced and affected the conduct of public affairs in the nation considerably. The

controversy that arose when one of the major candidates declined to participate was an impressive newsworthy event especially since the candidate owns a rival television station.

The crisis arising therefrom also raised serious ethical questions since it made the audience realise in concrete terms why ARISE is a more attractive channel than most of its rivals. Over the short span of its broadcasting life it has cultivated a style of communication that is driven by the intellectual rigour and strong personalities of its main commentators and leading presenters, such as Charles Aniagolu and Dr. Reuben Abati. In turning its full attention to coverage of the highly competitive elections ARISE NEWS actually surpassed its promise and rose to the pinnacle of its potential. This has won it praise not only from regular viewers but also from international critics. The broadcasting style of ARISE NEWS channel is very adventurous, which should surprise no one who has scrutinised the career path of its founder,who is Nigeria’s most dynamic media mogul Prince Nduka Obaigbena.

Balloting Without Tears Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN Over the weekend, precisely on Saturday, February 25, 2023, Nigerians finally trooped out to perform their civic duties to choose the next president and members of the National Assembly. The expectations were very high, mobilisation was massive in the urban areas and all eyes were on INEC, the electoral umpire. From the reports garnered so far, voter turn-out was impressive in some areas and average in others, due mainly to a number of factors, ranging from voter apathy, fear of attack by political thugs, intimidation, political tension and restriction of movement. It was a crucial vote for Nigeria. It took Nigerians so much to put together the new Electoral Act, 2022, the highpoint of which was to de-emphasize incidences of human intervention in the voting process. With the experiences in Edo, Ekiti, Anambra and Osun gubernatorial elections, Nigerians expected INEC to be on top of its game for the presidential election, especially in the areas of electronic transmission of results and the subsequent announcements. But this was not to be as voters waited endlessly for INEC to upload the results electronically as it had promised on countless occasions.

Let me share with you the excuse proffered by the commission in a statement titled: Challenges Experienced With the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV)’ “The commission is aware of challenges with the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV). Unlike in off-season elections where the portal was used, it has been relatively slow and unsteady. The commission regrets this setback, especially because of the importance of IReV in our results management process. The problem is totally due to technical hitches related to scaling up the IReV from a platform for managing off-season State elections, to one for managing nationwide general elections. It is indeed not unusual for glitches to occur and be corrected in such situations.

“Consequently, the commission wishes to assure Nigerians that the challenges are not due to any intrusion or sabotage of our systems, and that the IReV remains well-secured. Our technical team is working assiduously to solve all the outstanding problems, and users of the IReV would have noticed improvements since last night.

We also wish to assure Nigerians that results from the Polling Units, copies of which were issued to political

parties, are safe on both the BVAS and the IReV portal.

These results cannot be tampered with and any discrepancy between them and the physical results used in collation will be thoroughly investigated and remediated, in line with Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022.

While we fully appreciate the concerns of the public on this situation and welcome various suggestions that we have received from concerned Nigerians, it is important to avoid statements and actions that can heat up the polity at this time or promote disaffection towards the Commission. We take full responsibility for the problems and regret the distress that they have caused the candidates, political parties and the electorate.”

So much has been put into this election to avoid this kind of error from the electoral umpire. Technology answers to precision and it should not be subject to undue human interventions. There was enough time for INEC to prepare for this, enough money was budgeted and approved and the people of Nigeria stood with INEC in order to birth a regime of free, fair and credible elections. Though the incidents were in isolated locations, the fact that they happened at all should be a cause for concern to those who swim within the status quo.

The solution is for INEC to go back to the drawing board and put its house in order. Time is of the essence in the uploading and transmission of election results.

The events that culminated into the general election, starting from the #EndSARS experience, signalled the events happening presently. The opportunity that was provided for reconciliation was squandered on the altar of politics. Then came the fuel scarcity and increase in the cost of fuel, cooking gas, kerosene and even aviation oil. The DISCOS jerked up their tariffs without any whimper from the government, leaving the people at the mercy of economic buccaneers.

And as if that was not enough, the Naira redesign policy hit us like a thunderbolt, whereby money kept in the bank after gruesome hours of labour became trapped without justification. How do we go into an election in that circumstance? The people will speak and they have spoken. What is clear across the land is that people desire a change. That is the message of the 2023 elections and this will resonate louder as we approach the gubernatorial elections.

I verily believe that no election should be worth the life of any citizen, no matter the stakes. I do not agree

that section 33 (2) of the 1999 Constitution grants any licence for summary execution of any citizen. All those who indulge in snatching ballot boxes containing the decision and mandate of the people should be made to face the law of the land because that is the only way to stop the reign of impunity by ensuring that deviants face the consequences of their actions.

I do not think that the decision to demilitarise the polling units was done in error because it is important that we learn how to regulate ourselves as people who respect the laws made by ourselves. The other point is the mentality of our security agencies, over the years.

Our experience presently is that law enforcement officers still see the gun as an instrument of oppression and coercion, even and especially in military-civilian relations. The level of training and exposure of these security personnel calls for detailed evaluation during their civilian engagements. Part of the ‘Basic Principles of the Use of Force and Firearms’ developed for law enforcement officials by the United Nations expect that there should be other non-lethal alternative means of law enforcement and crime prevention. This should include non-lethal incapacitating weapons, for use in appropriate situations, with a view to increasingly restraining the application of means capable of causing death or injury to persons, by equipping themselves with self-defensive equipment such as shields, helmet, bullet-proof vests, etc. The other principles are listed as follows: “Law enforcement officials, in carrying out their duty, shall, as far as possible, apply non-violent means before resorting to the use of force and firearms. They may use force and firearms only if other means remain ineffective or without any promise of achieving the intended result. * Governments shall ensure that arbitrary or abusive use of force and firearms by law enforcement officials is punished as a criminal offence under their law. * Exceptional circumstances such as internal political instability or any other public emergency may not be invoked to justify any departure from these basic principles. * Law enforcement officials shall not use firearms against persons except in self-defence or defence of others against the imminent threat of death or serious injury, to prevent the perpetration of a particularly

serious crime involving grave threat to life, to arrest a person presenting such a danger and resisting their authority, or to prevent his or her escape, and only when less extreme means are insufficient to achieve these objectives. In any event, intentional lethal use of firearms may only be made when strictly unavoidable in order to protect life. * Governments and law enforcement agencies shall ensure that superior officers are held responsible if they know, or should have known, that law enforcement officials under their command are resorting, or have resorted, to the unlawful use of force and firearms, and they did not take all measures in their power to prevent, suppress or report such use. * Governments and law enforcement agencies shall ensure that no criminal or disciplinary sanction is imposed on law enforcement officials who, in compliance with the Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and these basic principles, refuse to carry out an order to use force and firearms, or who report such use by other officials.”

The experience of Saturday’s elections shows clearly that INEC has a long way to go in guaranteeing the sanctity of the ballot. The right to vote is fundamental, it should not and cannot be denied or hampered in any way, through subtle threats to voters. Fair enough, the ruling party was in exactly the same position as it seeks to unleash now, way back in 2015 and I recall vividly that Nigerians rose in their support to insist on peaceful and credible polls. There is no reason now to deviate from that lofty ideal.

Indeed, Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights states clearly that “every citizen shall have the right to participate freely in the government of his country, either directly or through freely chosen representatives in accordance with provisions of the law”. There is therefore no justification whatsoever, for seeking to exclude any citizen from exercising the right to vote, under the guise of inadequate logistics, electronic glitches and failure to plan. March 11 should be more scientific and conducted in such a way that we will hear the true voices of the people as they speak with their votes.

•Adegbowura, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, writes from Lagos

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