FRIDAY 18TH MARCH 2022

Elumelu Laments 95% Oil Production Lost to Theft

Seeks strong leaders in 2023 Says sufferings despite natural endowments inexplicable MAN demands removal of VAT from diesel prices, threatens retrenchment

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Dike Onwuamaeze in Lagos Businessman and Chairman Heirs Holdings, Mr Tony Elumelu,

yesterday bemoaned the fact that Nigeria was losing over 95 per cent of its oil production to thieves.

This is just as the Manufacturers

Association of Nigeria (MAN) has described the rising price of Automotive Gas Fuel (AGO) otherwise known as diesel as a very worrisome development that

has been impacting businesses negatively, especially the manufacturing sector of the economy.

Elumelu, who narrated the

ordeal of some of his colleagues at work on his official Twitter handle, noted that apart from the economy, Nigerians are now afraid as a result of the bad security

situation.

Elumelu, who is the founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Continued on page 5

Nigeria Raises $1.25bn through Eurobonds as Public Debt Hits N41.026trn... Page 6 Friday 18 March, 2022 Vol 27. No 9838. Price: N250

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We Have Settled N3.5trn of Your N4trn Invoices, FG Tells Gencos...Page 6

Soludo Talks Tough at Inauguration, Says Every Criminality Must End Declares anyone playing politics with security riding on a tiger Bianca, ex-first lady went physical at ceremony, slaps Obiano's wife EFCC arrests former gov at Lagos airport Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Former governor of the Central

Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof.

Chukwuma Soludo, yesterday, talked tough at his inauguration as the sixth elected governor

of Anambra State, saying his administration would do everything humanly possible to end every form of criminality in

the state.

The new Anambra governor, who read riot act to politicians, whose stock in trade was to play

politics with security, however, so, especially on account of the warned that with the coming increasing killings in the state. in of his administration, they Continued on page 5 would be riding a tiger doing

Buni Overrules Akpanudoedehe, Says All Bello’s Decisions Stand Insists he transferred power to Niger governor to act in his stead El Rufai: I'm done with this charade unless concrete, honest steps are taken to implement agreed plans Akpanudoedehe absent at Yobe gov’s first meeting since return

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Chairman, Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of All Progressives Congress (APC) and governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, has denied the alleged disbandment of the convention sub-committees inaugurated by the governor of Niger State, Abubakar Bello, while acting as the chairman of the party.

Instead, Buni said he would take responsibility for all the actions taken on his behalf. He noted, for the record, that he properly transferred power to his Niger State counterpart to act in his stead while he was away on medical grounds.

However, in a shocking turn of events, Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, yesterday, described what was going on in

BUNI, A CAT WITH NINE LIVES...BACK IN CHARGE

L-R: Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Chairman of APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni; Chairman of Progressives Governors’ Forum and Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Bagudu and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, in Continued on page 5 Abuja after Buni's arrival from medical trip...yesterday

Yet to Decide Zoning ofTicket, PDP Releases Details of Presidential Nomination Process...Page50

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PAGE FIVE B U N I OV E R R U L E S A K PA N U D O E D E H E , SAYS A L L B E L LO ' S D E C I S I O N S STA N D the governing APC as a charade and said he was done with the party. El-Rufai added that, with the situation of things, unity was impossible in APC. Despite boasting that he remained the secretary of CECPC, Senator John Akpanudoedehe was yesterday absent at a meeting convened by Buni with Bello’s team. The meeting, held at the lodge of the Yobe State governor in Abuja, was his first since his return to the country.

The national secretary of the party, Akpanudoedehe, had in a statement earlier yesterday, claimed that Buni had approved the dissolution of the sub-convention committees put in place by Bello and reinstated the ones he set up before embarking on a medical trip to Dubai.

The statement read, "The Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the chairmanship of Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, makes this press release to clarify the events of last week and reassure the membership and stakeholders of the party, as well as the Nigerian people, in general, that the governing party is crisis-free, strong and remains united in giving the country the transformative leadership and good governance, which she promised.

"As approved by the chairman, HE. (Gov.) Mai Mala Buni, please, find below the list of chairmen, deputy chairmen and secretaries of the various sub-committees for the 2022 APC National Convention (as earlier published)."

But Buni, in a rebuttal issued hours later, noted that the report about the alleged dissolution of the committees was not true.

Buni’s stated, "This is to bring to the notice of all stakeholders and members of the party that the purported suspension of some activities initiated and executed by the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee under the acting chairman and Niger State Governor, H.E. Muhammed Sani Bello, is not true."

While insisting that all activities carried out in his absence remained valid and binding, Buni added, "All party stakeholders and members are hereby advised to disregard the previous statement discarding the activities of the committee under the leadership of the acting chairman."

The Yobe governor recalled that he duly transmitted power to Bello to enable him undergo medical attention.

Buni said regarding Bello, "Therefore, all actions and measures taken by the committee under his leadership as acting chairman, remain effective. The party calls for support and understanding to move the party forward to a successful convention slated for March 26th, 2022."

It looked very probable that Akpanudoedehe might have lost his job as CECPC secretary, following the latest developments.

In a leaked notice dated March 8, 2022 and signed by a majority of the members of the caretaker committee, a vote of no confidence was passed on Akpanudoedehe .

Titled "Motion of no confidence on the Secretary of the Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee," the notice was signed by Senator Ken Nnamani, Governor Abubakar

Bello, Senator Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf, Prof Tahir Mammah, Senator Abba Alli, Mr. David Lyon, Hon. Akinremi Olàide, Mrs Stella Okotete, Mr. Ismaeel Ahmad, and Dr James Lalu.

Members of the committee cited Article 17 Sub-section 5 of the APC constitution, which allowed a majority of any constituted ad-hoc committee of the party to pass a vote of no confidence on any member found wanting.

The notice read, "We, the members of the CECPC of the All Progressives Congress, duly constituted on the 25th of June, 2020 by the National Executive Committee of our great party, and sitting in our regular meeting on the 8th Day of March 2022, hereby unanimously resolve and adopt a motion of no confidence on the secretary of the Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress, and direct that from today henceforth, he steps aside as the secretary of the committee and stop forthwith all activities and duties associated with the office.”

The majority of the caretaker committee members had pulled the rug off Akpanudoedehe's feet, though this was still subject to ratification by the National Convention or Congress.

According to the party's constitution, where a vote of “No Confidence” has been passed on an officer, the relevant party organ

shall appoint another person to act in his place pending ratification by the National Convention or Congress.

Corroborating Buni’s position, spokesperson of the Bello leadershi Akpanudoedehe , and National Youth Leader, Mr. Ismaeel Ahmed, maintained that the final list of convention planning sub-committees signed by the Director of Organisation following the directive of the caretaker committee remained the final and authentic list.

Responding to news making the rounds about the old list, Ahmed said the CECPC never approved the list and in fact, has no record of such list.

Ahmed, who has been briefing the media since the leadership crisis started, urged party members and the media to ignore the falsehood being spread by Akpanudoedehe.

He stated, "The approved final list was the outcome of extensive consultations with all the stakeholders and follow-up at ensuring a decent list that is representative and inclusive, is put together and the same has since been issued.

"The laughable action of sacked Senator Akpanudoedehe, is, therefore, considered an affront on the committee, which was duly constituted in line with provisions of the party’s constitution and NEC of the party.

"Seeing the unpopular actions of Senator Akpanudoedehe, it is

now obvious that he might be surreptitiously working to derail the party, cause internal friction capable of causing further crisis, but the committee against all his antics is determined to forge ahead and ensure the national convention holds as scheduled and approved devoid of any untoward actions."

In a curious development, El-Rufai, yesterday, expressed frustration with the wrangling in the ruling party. He told his colleague governors that he was done with the party, saying unity may be difficult to foster in APC as things currently stood.

El-Rufai, who addressed other APC governors in what seemed like a WhatsApp message in a group, alluded to betrayal, corruption, greed and other vices in the party, indicating they are the reason he opted out.

The messaged read, as shared, “Your Excellences, unity is impossible to attain when leaders that are in office, because we consented to it, are consistently erratic, capricious, corrupt and deceitful.

“Loyalty begets loyalty.

“Deception begets mistrust.

“Betrayal begets revolt.

“Ineptness, greed and selfishness threaten to destroy what has been built over nearly a decade, by those who didn’t even know how this party was put together.

“Let’s restate that I am done with this charade, unless concrete, honest and transparent steps are taken

to implement our agreed plans under a leadership we trusted.

“Thank you. Nasir El-Rufai.”

Notwithstanding the developments, Akpanudoedehe reacted earlier today to his purported sack, saying he remains the secretary of the party. The secretary, in a brief chat with journalists, said, President Buhari's letter superseded everything.

"The president's letter supersedes everything. I remain the secretary of the party," he maintained.

Even at that, Akpanudoedehe was absent at a meeting at the instance of Buni with the Bello-led committee, who stood in while he was away, yesterday.

The meeting, which took place at Yobe State Governors’ Lodge in Asokoro, had all members of the caretaker committee in attendance, except Akpanudoedehe.

It was gathered the Yobe State governor met with the chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) and Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, where he was briefed on the outcome of the forum’s meeting on Wednesday night.

Sources close to CECPC said the Bello team met at the Niger State Governor’s Lodge, which is a stone throw from Yobe’s before proceeding to Yobe’s Lodge with other members of the committee.

Speaking to journalists at his lodge, Buni applauded CECPC members on the level of preparations towards the national

convention.

He stated, "You know that since I travelled, the party has not stopped.

His Excellency (Governor of Niger State, H.E. Abubakar Sani Bello) has done very well in managing the affairs of the party. We are here to discuss the issues going forward.

“We are now at the finishing line in the preparations for our national convention, which is at hand, on March 26. We are putting heads together to achieve this task ahead. I want to emphasise that the March 26 national convention is sacrosanct.”

Buni further clarified that the visit was not a formal meeting of the CECPC, adding, "You know that this is not a formal meeting of the committee. These members of CECPC just came to welcome me back to the country and wish me well after returning from a medical trip outside the country.”

On his part, Bello said, "For the past one week, I have been acting as the chairman of CECPC and what I can tell you is that we made lots of progress towards our national convention like we saw in the inauguration of the State Chairmen, adoption of some of the zoning formula, and some of the decisions of the CECPC taken before he (Governor Buni) left the country.

I can tell you for free that in the last one week, we have ensured that we are good to go for the national convention."

SOLUDO TALKS TOUGH AT INAUGURATION, SAYS EVERY CRIMINALITY MUST END Soludo, who identified security as a major challenge to tackle head-on in his inaugural speech, drove into the arena to the awe of the people and guests, as he and his deputy, Gilbert Ibezim, arrived in vehicles made by local manufacturer, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM).

He did not stop at that, he also walked his talk by appearing in his locally made Akwete dress, and a pair of shoes made in Ogbunike, Oyi Local Government area, in addition to ensuring that local foods were served as refreshments, including palmwine, abacha, ukwa and other native delicacies, as well as locally produced beers and malt drinks.

Unfortunately, what was to be a moment to cherish by the new governor soon evoked regrets after fight broke out between the immediate past first lady, Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano, and wife of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the eternal leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.

Mrs. Obiano got up from her seat, walked up to Bianca and after a brief altercation muttered in hushed tones, resulting in slaps from the former beauty queen, fight ensued. It took security aides a while to restore order.

Even more, the day did not end on a pleasant note for the immediate past governor of the state, Chief Willie Obiano, who was arrested last night at the Lagos airport by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as he was about to jet out of the country.

Soludo was sworn in by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu at the Government House, Awka, in

a low key ceremony.

The professor of econometrics, had opted for a low key function for his swearing in, while also rejecting plan by his predecessor to hold the event at the spacious newly completed International Convention Centre, Awka.

Supporting his action, Soludo in his inaugural speech said, "The Anambra State Government will only patronise Made-in-Anambra products and services unless such goods or services are not currently made in Anambra, then made in Nigeria, Africa, etc, in that sequence.

"When you see me in Innoson vehicles or in my Akwete dress with a pair of shoes made in Ogbunike/Nkwelle Ezunaka and Onitsha, we are making a statement.

"Today, the light refreshment to be served after this brief event is abacha from Umunze, ukwa from Isuofia, Anambra rice with ofe akwu, nkwu enu from Awgbu, ngwo from Awa and Oba, and malt and bottled water from Onitsha.

"As part of our Made-inAnambra, cultural renaissance and healthy living agenda, when you come to the Governor’s Lodge or attend any state government’s function, be sure to be served only Made-in- Anambra.

"We want to go back to where M.I. Okpara stopped with the palm revolution and plant millions of palm trees. In some years, we will seek not only to export palm produce but also fresh palm wine from Anambra State."

Speaking after his swearing-in ceremony, Soludo said, "My heart bleeds to see and hear about our youth dying in senseless circumstances. Every criminal gang – kidnappers, wicked

murderers, arsonists, rapists, thieves – all now claim to be freedom fighters. Criminality cannot be sugar-coated. This must stop.

"All the stakeholders must now review both the narrative and the action plan. For starters, I endorse the recent statement (March 7, 2022) by the Joint Body of South East Council of Traditional Rulers and Bishops/Archbishops on Peace and Conflict Resolution, requesting for a tripartite discussion between them, the Presidency, and southeast governors to deal with the conflicts in the south-east especially, in relation to Nnamdi Kanu and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

"There is no conflict that dialogue, in good faith, cannot resolve. Our government is determined to urgently restore peace and security in Anambra, and we will seek the active cooperation and collaboration of all stakeholders."

Soludo told members of IPOB/ ESN, the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), and other armed groups to interrogate both the purpose and means of their campaign, and warned politicians playing politics with insecurity, that they were riding a tiger.

"The current trajectory is a road to desolation. Let us get around the table and talk. Let the elite in the closet come out, and let’s debate our future and forge a consensus.

The conspiracy of silence by the elite and some community leaders must end.

"If you see something, say or do something. Securing Igboland and Nigeria must be our collective responsibility. Let those in the forests come out, surrender their guns and let’s work together to

rehabilitate and empower you to contribute positively to the peace and prosperity of our homeland," Soludo said.

On why his inauguration was a low key event, Soludo said, "Today is my first day at work.

I just reported for duty and will work for at least eight hours. We had more than a month since the election to celebrate our historic victory. Now is the time to work, and there is no minute or kobo to waste in fanfare.

"In a few minutes, I will announce some of the principal officers of the administration, and commence with serious meetings of the Anambra State Security Council, followed by a meeting with the permanent secretaries, a meeting on Okpoko, and with my Strategy, Execution and Evaluation (SEE) team.

"Within the next one week, the list of Commissioners will be laid before the House of Assembly. Tomorrow, we will head to Okpoko in Ogbaru Local Government Area and parts of Onitsha and Idemili as we signpost our commitment to fundamental urban regeneration, beginning with the greater Onitsha metropolis."

The former CBN governor said, "I insisted that this event must not cost the government of Anambra one kobo. I would rather use such resources to lay the foundation stone for a public hospital at Okpoko or elsewhere or empower our security agents to fight criminality.

"Yes, there will be a time to celebrate. We will celebrate when security of life and property is guaranteed and law and order restored; every child of schooling age is in school; every school child is receiving the 21st century

supply worsened in the last few weeks, with the authorities blaming shortage of gas and dipping water levels at the country’s hydropower stations for the development.

In addition, the prices of goods and services have recently skyrocketed, with diesel increasing by about 300 per cent and airline operators threatening to stop their services due to galloping aviation fuel prices.

Elumelu, who narrated the ordeal of some of his colleagues at work on his offical Twitter handle, noted that apart from the economy, Nigerians now lived in fear due

to the security situation.

He tweeted, “This morning, I am listening to my colleagues at the office bemoan the very pressing issues that they face everyday in this country, and how things have been getting worse and worse – no electricity for five days, hikes in the price of diesel, frightening food inflation, etc.

“How can a country so rich in natural resources have 90 per cent of its citizens living in hardship and poverty? I have often said that access to electricity is critical for our development, alleviation of poverty and hardship. And

education for the digital age."

Bianca, Ex-First Lady Went Physical at Event, Slaps Obiano's Wife Meanwhile, Mrs Obiano engaged in a fight with Bianca Ojukwu at the venue and subdued the poise of the inauguration with their filthy fisticuffs.

The former first lady, who seemed to have come set for a fight had approached Mrs Ojukwu at the front row of the event, where she was seated close to Chief Willie Obiano, allegedly warning her about coming to an APGA function, after she had attacked the party during the November election.

Mrs Obiano had said something things to Mrs Ojukwu, including touching, a situation the latter warned repeatedly against, causing Mrs. Ojukwu to smack her on the cheeks, while the former first lady attempted to fight back, before security operatives separated them.

Earlier, THISDAY witnessed the arrival of Mrs Obiano as she was stopped at the gate, when her convoy attempted to use the main gate.

She had come late for the event, while her husband had arrived much earlier, and had already inspected the guard of honour, and the swearing-in ritual for the new governor was ongoing.

A barricade at the expressway leading into the Government House was locked with keys, while Mrs Obiano was advised by security men to drive down to a far away junction and turn into a smaller gate that led to the Government House.

ELUMELU LAMENTS 95% OIL PRODUCTION LOST TO THEFT a platform which promotes entrepreneurship in Africa, urged Nigerians to be “vocal” about the way they are governed and hold their leaders more accountable.

He added: “How can we be losing over 95 per cent of oil production to thieves? Look at the Bonny Terminal that should be receiving over 200,000bpd barrels of crude oil daily, instead it receives less than 3,000 barrels, leading the operator , Shell to declare force majeure.

“Why are we paying taxes if our security agencies can’t stop this? It is clear that the reason

Nigeria is unable to meet its OPEC production quota is not because of low investment but because of theft, pure and simple!”

Elumelu pointed out that while oil producing countries were happy that prices had been rising and their foreign reserves continue to grow, Nigeria is in a state of gloom.

“Meanwhile, oil producing countries are smiling as their foreign reserves rising. What is Nigeria’s problem? We need to hold our leaders more accountable,” he added.

He decried the worsening state of insecurity, public infrastructure

and rising inflation in Nigeria.

The usually reticent businessman, who chairs the Board of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), argued that being endowed with huge natural resources, the country should not be in its current decrepit state.

In the last couple of weeks, the state of basic supplies, like electricity and petrol, have worsened, as Nigerians spend time in queues to buy petrol and businesses and homes suffer due to prolonged blackouts. Diesel price has also risen astronomically.

The already bad state of power

speaking of security, our people are afraid! Businesses are suffering.”

The businessman, who holds a controlling interest in Transnational Corporation (Transcorp), also wrote about the country’s energy sector, stressing that oil theft, not lack of investment in the upstream, was generally responsible for Nigeria’s inability to meet its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota.

He added, “How can we be losing over 95 per cent of oil production to thieves? Look at Continued on page 52

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2022

NEWS

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

A NEW DAWN IN ANAMBRA...

Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu (R), administering the oath of office on Prof. Chukwuma Soludo as new governor of the State at the Government House... yesterday

Nigeria Raises $1.25bn through Eurobonds as Public Debt Hits N41.026trn 2022 Budget: FG borrows N950bn from domestic market

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja Nigeria has issued $1.250 (N520 billion) billion seven-year Eurobond in the International Capital Market (ICM), being the first African country to access the ICM in 2022.

This is just as the Debt Management Office (DMO) has revealed that Nigeria's total public debt stock, comprising the federal government, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), states and local governments stood at N39.556 trillion as at December 31, 2021.

In addition, the DMO disclosed that the federal government has so far borrowed about N950 billion from domestic sources to finance the N6.39 trillion deficit in the 2022 Budget When the fresh Eurobond issued by the country is added to its debt position as of December 31, 2021 and the N950 billion it had borrowed from the domestic market in 2022, the country total public debt currently stands N41.026 trillion.

According to the DMO, proceeds of the Eurobond would be used to finance critical capital projects in the 2022 Budget to bridge infrastructure deficit in and strengthen Nigeria’s economic recovery.

The DMO in a statement announced that the Eurobond offer was launched at an initial price of 8.75 per cent per annum, adding that on the back of strong investor demand, Nigeria was able to revise the price guidance to 8.5 per cent per annum According to the DMO, the Order Book continued to grow, reaching a peak of $4 billion.

The Order Book included many quality investors in the United States, Europe and Asia.

"With this strong investor interest, the price was tightened to 8.375 per cent per annum, the Order Book still remained high at 3.676 billion and retained the quality investors.

"Nigerian investors also participated in the Offer with a total subscription of $60 million "The proceeds of the Eurobond will be used to finance critical capital projects in the Budget to bridge the deficit in infrastructure and strengthen Nigeria’s economic recovery.

"Equally important, it would contribute directly and in full to the level of Nigeria’s external reserves," the DMO said Nigeria’s ability to access the ICM at this time underscores her established presence in the ICM and engagement with investors on a continuous basis.

Meanwhile, the DMO which revealed the country’s total debt position, disclosed that the federal government has so far borrowed about N950 billion from domestic sources to finance the N6.39 trillion deficit in the 2022 Budget.

The sum of N2.57 trillion was to be borrowed from domestic sources and another N2.57 trillion from foreign sources, while government hopes to draw down N1.16 trillion from multilateral/bi-lateral loans and harvest N90.7 billion from privatisation proceeds to fund the deficit.

The DMO Director General, Ms. Patience Oniha who unveiled the latest debt figures during an interactive session with journalists

in Abuja, yesterday, noted that the comparable figure for December 2020 was N32.915 trillion or $86.392 billion.

The N39.556 trillion debt recorded as of December 31, 2021, was N1.566 trillion higher than the N38 trillion recorded as of September 30, 2021, even as Debt-to-GDP stood at 22.47 per cent as of December 31, 2021.

Oniha explained that the public debt stock for December 31, 2021, included new borrowings by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and sub-nationals, adding that for the FGN, the 2021

Appropriation and Supplementary Acts included total borrowing from domestic and external sources of N5.489 trillion to part-finance the deficit.

She added: "Borrowings for this purpose and disbursements by multilateral and bilateral creditors account fora significant portion of the increase in the debt stock.

Increases were also recorded in the debt stock of the states and the FCT. "The new borrowings were raised from diverse sources, primarily through the issuance of the Eurobonds, Sovereign Sukuk

and FGN Bonds. These capital raising were utilised to finance capital projects and support economic recovery.

"With total public debt stock to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as at December 31, 2021, of 22.47 per cent, the Debt-to-GDP ratio still remains within Nigeria's self-imposed limit of 40 per cent.

"This ratio is prudent when compared with the 55 per cent limit advised by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund ((IMF)for countries in Nigeria's peer group, as well as the ECOWAS Convergence Ratio

of 70 per cent."

According to her, the federal government was mindful of the relatively high debt-to-revenue ratio and had initiated various measures to increase revenues through the Strategic Revenue Growth Initiative and the introduction of the Finance Acts since 2019.

Explaining why debt was growing, the DMO chief executive explained that debt accumulation was a global phenomenon, particularly necessitated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We Have Settled N3.5trn of Your N4trn Invoices, FG Tells Gencos TCN attributes supply collapse to fragile grid Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The federal government said yesterday that it had settled the power Generation Companies (Gencos) to the tune of approximately N3.5 trillion from the total invoices of N4 trillion issued by the electricity generators.

The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET) Plc, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) set up by the federal government to act as intermediary between power generators and distributors, noted that the amount represents close to 90 per cent of the total indebtedness.

Speaking on the state-owned

Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Managing Director of NBET, Dr. Nnaemeka Ewelukwa, explained that with that amount , the government has shown a strong commitment to keeping the sector afloat despite the challenges of funding.

Although most of the funding is not directly from the federal government, as an intermediary, the NBET collects market remittances for onward payment to the Gencos.

But the new figure runs contrary to the position of the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), umbrella body of the Gencos, which during the week

stated that the power supply situation in the country was worsening because the generation companies were being owed over N1.6 trillion.

APGC's Executive Secretary, Dr Joy Ogaji, argued that a situation where the energy dispatched by the power generators is used as an index for power generation capacity was detrimental to the Gencos' survival.

In the past couple of weeks, the already bad power supply situation in the country had worsened as the players in the sector continued to trade blames as to whose table the buck stops.

“Currently, on capacity, we are

owed N1.644 trillion,” Ogaji, who speaks for the group stated.

But Ewelukwa, who disputed the figure, maintained that it wasn’t the right time to point accusing fingers, explaining that as a system, the power sector must work together to alleviate the pains currently faced by customers.

“To be very clear, the indebtedness is about one third of that. The government like I said, through NBET has paid close to 90 per cent of what is owed generation companies. So the current debt, just to be clear, is about one third of that. That’s about N555 billion, excluding interest.

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NEWS

INAUGURATION OF 5.25KM GEDU-OROKI-SABO-ASHIPA ROAD...

L-R: Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Debo Ogundoyin; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; and his Bauchi State counterpart, Senator Bala Mohammed, during the inauguration of 5.25KM Gedu-Oroki-Sabo-Ashipa road Oyo... yesterday

Gender Balance: Emefiele Seeks Top Management Positions for Women James Emejo in Abuja The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, yesterday called for promotion of more women in top management positions in order to achieve gender balance.

To this end, he said the central bank had issued gender-mandated regulations to pave the way for gender diversity and inclusiveness at the top management levels in the banking industry.

Emefiele, who disclosed this during a webinar hosted by the Deputy Governor in charge of the Financial System Stability (FSS) Directorate, Mrs. Aishah Ahmad, as part of activities to commemorate the 2022 International Women’s Day (IWD) at the CBN, further pointed out that the CBN had since surpassed the affirmative action with 32 per cent of the total workforce being female.

He said the CBN had also

issued a policy that requires a minimum of 30 per cent of female representation on boards and 40 per cent at the top management level in the banking Industry.

This, he said, was similar to the National Financial Inclusion Strategy recommendation increasing female staff of microfinance banks to 30 per cent.

According to the CBN governor, the apex bank, in an effort to increase representation of women in the industry had been using the gender diversity model as part of the criteria for approving the membership of boards of institutions under its regulatory purview.

He stressed that such gender mandates were necessary to breaking the bias in the Nigerian Banking industry, adding that eight out of the 23 bank chief executives representing 35 per cent, were women, which was way above the global average.

Speaking on the theme:

House Uncovers How FIRS Accepted Uncertified Capital Allowances Claims by Taxpayers Juliet Akoje in Abuja The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts was yesterday informed about how the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) accepted capital allowances claims by tax payers without certificate of acceptance from the ministry of trade and industries in 2019 This was contained in the 2019 Auditor General of the Federation's queries to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government The Chairman of the committee, Oluwole Oke who presided over the hearing, lamented the level of external borrowings by the federal government, saying the committee's probe of public funds was aimed at curtailing revenue leakages to boost government treasury

His statement was against the backdrop of alleged tax evasion by telecom service provider, MTN, whose current assets stands at N2.68 trillion in the country, yet does not have proof of customs duty over the years The lawmakers condemned the issuance of an assets certificate by the Ministry of Trade and Investment to the telecommunication firm without first evaluating their assets Following the failure of MTN’s representative to tender the relevant documents to buttress his position that the company was up to date, the committee resolved to write the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to furnish it with relevant documents including MTN duty permit so as to ascertain the total amount it owes government since 2001.

“Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow,” in recognition of the significance of empowering women to be part of the solution to the climate change crisis, Emefiele emphasised that the campaign aimed to raise awareness on the persistent bias and discrimination in communities, workplaces, schools and the society in order to create a, “gender equal world” that is “diverse, equitable and inclusive.”

He stressed the central bank under his watch, had “demonstrated its commitment to diversity and inclusiveness by designing and implementing a wide variety of initiatives, programmes and interventions to promote entrepreneurship, reduce poverty, generate employment and deepen financial inclusion for women.

The governor disclosed that females had benefitted hugely from the bank’s intervention programmes such as the Agribusiness Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS) and the COVID-19 Targeted Credit Facility (TCF).

Specifically, he said out of N134.67 billion disbursed to 37,273 AGSMEIS beneficiaries, as of January 2022, 33 per cent (N44.1 billion) went to 12,511 female beneficiaries.

Similarly, out of N349.51

billion disbursed to 712,442 total beneficiaries under the TCF, he said 45 per cent (N159.21 billion) went to 330,128 female beneficiaries.

He added that the MSME Development Fund (MSMEDF) was designed to allocate at least 60 per cent of the fund to women and women-owned enterprises of which 60.3 per cent of the of 229,579 beneficiaries are women.

In addition, the CBN boss said out of the 211,306 financial statements currently registered in the collateral registry, 92,091, representing 43.6 per cent were female borrowers.

Citing reports to support claims about gender parity in the workplace among other issues bordering on discrimination, he said that the CBN recognised the positive impact of gender parity on the economy, achieving the SDGs and climate targets.

While also noting that women had been disproportionately affected by both the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects of climate change, he said the bank was using the 2022 IWD as an opportunity to celebrate women who are in the frontline of these twin crisis.

He said the apex bank took strategic actions in areas such as recruitment, retention, succession planning, and return-to-office work arrangements in order to

address the gender gaps, adding that it had since surpassed the affirmative action with 32 per cent of the total workforce being female.

Emefiele said, "It is only by unleashing the full potential of women to participate fully in the economy that we can strengthen growth, eliminate poverty, create jobs and respond effectively to the mounting global challenges, from the pandemic to climate change."

Earlier, Ahmad, expressed appreciation to the governor and other deputy governors for their constant support towards women and their wellbeing.

She said the commemoration of the International Women’s Day was an opportunity to celebrate women for their progress, achievements and their contributions to the society.

She noted that age, ethnicity, religion and other biases had to be broken for women to realise and fulfil their full potential without which a sustainable future would not be achievable.

Also, in her remarks at the occasion, the Second Deputy Governor, Bank of Ghana, Mrs. Elsie Addo Awadzie, challenged women to change the narratives in their minds and break the biases they had created against themselves.

She also urged women to

believe in one another, support one another and mentor one another in order to lift up one another.

Awadzie, stressed the need to consciously and intentionally seek alliances and support when necessary and to cultivate meaningful relationships towards mutual respect and consideration.

She therefore urged every woman to be the light that others seek to follow, adding that, “it takes boldness, courage, sheer resilience and excellence to succeed as a woman in the 21st century.”

The Representative of UN Women to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Comfort Lamptey, challenged women to strive to achieve a healthy work-life balance, stressing that passion and commitment were key attributes for success in any endeavor.

Special Adviser to the CBN Governor on Sustainable Banking, Dr. A’isha Usman Mahmood also thanked the governor and deputy governors for their support towards the success of the programme, noting that the IWD celebrations had, over the years, evolved to being a day for appreciation, respect and recognition for the women folk.

She added that creating a more equal world today was a collective responsibility and a foundation on which a sustainable tomorrow could be built.

Customs Rescinds Decision, Accepts CBN's e-Invoicing Policy Udora Orizu in Abuja The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday rescinded its opposition to the e-Invoicing and e-Valuation policy for imports and exports in the country.

The NCS had opposed the new payment policy recently introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), saying it was against conventional practice.

The NCS had also decried poor sensitisation by the CBN on the project.

On its part, the CBN had said the new regulation was primarily aimed at achieving accurate value from import

and export items in and out of Nigeria.

Consequently, the House of Representatives waded into the matter and ordered the stoppage of its implementation, pending the outcome of an investigation into the impropriety or otherwise of the policy.

Appearing before the House Committees on Customs and Excise; Banking and Currency, yesterday, the Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Galadima Saidu said after a meeting with the CBN two days ago, they decided to give their support to the initiative on the condition that it's a home grown

policy meant to save money for the country, among other benefits.

He said: "Let us look at it as a home issue. Every day, we graduate students in Computer Science, no jobs. We should give them the opportunity. If the service providers can come in and give you capacity to do this thing for a period of six months, at least, it is okay.

“The CBN should tell us who is providing the service. Who have they engaged to provide this service? If they tell us they are Nigerians and they would employ Nigerians, fine and good, no one is against it."

However, at the meeting other stakeholders including the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria kicked against the new policy, saying that they were not carried along in the process.

In his ruling, the Chairman of the Committee on Customs, Hon. Leke Abejide, therefore urged the CBN to ensure that all relevant stakeholders were carried along in the policy.

He directed the parties to also communicate their resolution to the committee for further legislative input.

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POLITICS

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

Enugu State and Clanish Clamour for Gubernatorial Ticket Zoning Chidi Ibudialo Nwakaeze frowns at the quest by some parts of Enugu State to make a bid for the governorship slot based solely on ethnic background

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nugu state has a long history in the part of Southern Nigeria development and the black race in general.

Enugu became a municipality in 1956 with Umaru Altine as its first Mayor. After four years, Nigeria gained her independence in 1960. On May 27th, 1967 the Nigeria Government created 12 states out of three regions - Western, Eastern and the Northern Regions and Enugu was made the capital of the new East Central State. The former Eastern region attempted to secede in the three-year long civil war with our darling state Enugu as part of the secessionist States of Biafra. The city Enugu was named the Biafran capital until October 1967, when it was captured by Federal forces; the rest of the state was hard fought over, but much of it fell by June 1968. It is great to draw the attention of this write up to the other cities that formed the capital of the Western and Northern region.

The Western state had Lagos as its capital, while Kano was the capital of the Northern Nigeria.

The cities of Lagos and Kano have all advanced rapidly in terms of industrialisation and global presence, while Enugu still lags behind based on very shrewd and parochial politics that is devoid of excellence. In 2010, the estimated GDP of Lagos State was put at $74billion and the state occupied the first position in Nigeria. Kano State which was the capital of Northern state had an estimated GDP OF $13 billion and was ranked 6th on the table while Enugu State which was the capital of Eastern Nigeria had a GDP OF $4.4 billion and occupied 25th position on the log. As at 2016 Lagos state GDP grew to $145 billion (as prepared by Lagos Bureau of Statists and it was estimated to rise to N628 trillion ($157.728 billion) by 2018 with a projected average annual growth rate of 4.2%. The city of Lagos is called the Centre of excellence. It is amazing how backward Enugu state has slid off the radar while the people are busy with very parochial argument like zoning instead of search for a man with the right capacity, sagacity and spirit of excellence that can take the state back to its rightful position.However, you may argue that zoning has helped the state to maintain a very peaceful disposition in eyes of everyone, but the danger of zoning heavily outweighs the peace that we sought after; let me take you on a little journey on zoning; zoning in Enugu state in the last 23years has led the sate into the election of very clannish governors/zonal heads rather than state governor with the exception of Sullivan Chime.

In line with the above, in 1999 Chimaroke Nnamani was elected as the governor of Enugu State from the Nkanu extraction (because the people sought for a clannish/ zonal governor rather than a state candidate that can grow the economy of the state), instead of the elected governor to focus on how to grow the state, he preoccupied himself with how to move everything and every institution to his home town, Agbani. He moved the law School to Agbani, Enugu State University was equally moved to Agbani. Likewise several other institutions was equally moved which left the central city balkanised or better still, raped of its glory. It was only Sullivan’s administration that focused more on what benefited everyone.

The Sullivan administration applied the 70:30 rule in its application of resources; they channeled more funds to the main city in order to rescue the city of Enugu in line per capital project allocation. Their policy was very laudable (more than 60% of visitors into Enugu State spend their time in the capital city). Towards the end of Sullivan’s Administration, the parochial drums started beating again and the drummers went to Nsukka zone in order to produce an Nsukka governor. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi then became the new governor of the state. Upon assumption of office in 2015, he quickly commenced the reconstruction of Nsukka roads, and upon completion of the roads, he felt that he completed his assignment since he was elected as Nsukka governor rather than Enugu State governor. Who can blame him for underperformance? Abso-

lutely no body! The governor went as far as moving Enugu Polytechnic in Iwollo to Nsukka instead of creating a new one just exactly the same very parochial thinking like Chimaroke. The above is the primary problem of Enugu state politics which has greatly af-

fected the economy, unity and the welfare of the people. None of the governors are bothered about economic growth and welfare of the people let alone talking about advancement in comparison to our peers like Lagos and Kano state. I have taken time to read all the

The Way Out of APC Crisis Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim suggests how the All Progressives Congress can overcome iits enduring crises

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he fastest way out for the APC crisis is to respect its constitution.

Here is why?

Our great party the APC is embroiled in a crisis which if not swiftly handled may lead to its destruction.

Worse still, prolonged instability in the ruling party may complicate the many challenges the country is facing and serve as huge distraction to governance.

The reason for the present crises is rooted in the ambitions of many powerful members of the party.

And to be clear there is nothing wrong with people having ambitions what is dangerous is to put institutions and systems at risk for one’s ambition.

Literarily, every second term Governor in Northern Nigeria wants to be a Vice President with the intention of being President in the next election season.

They care less about how to tackle insecurity and the scourge of poverty ravaging the region.

On the contrary, how these challenges will be immediately addressed are the prororities for the people of Northern Nigeria.

The spirit of friendship that bound those who moved against the former APC Chairman Adams Oshiomhole has irretrievably broken down. The beneficiary of the coup against Oshiomhole - Mala Bunni is also been suspected of habouring a sinister agenda after tinkering with the dates of the National Convention many times.

Interestingly, all the sides to the ugly drama are dropping the name of the President.

There is a way out of the present mess which is the return to the full operations of the Constitution of the party Immediately.

Sadly, some people in cahoot with the INEC chairman Mammood Yakub are

trying to block this through administrative subterfuges and judicial maneuvers.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party with all the state chairmen must meet immediately with or without Bunni and steer the party towards a National Convention in order to cure the party processes of many ailments it has gathered in the past two years that can constitute legal albatross in the future..

Every one must now ignore the ranting of the INEC chairman who believes that any party meeting called without his approval is illegal.

Mahmoud needs to know political parties are not government parastatals.In any case Mahmood is only playing tricks to complicate APC woes,where was he when PDP Deputy chairman called and Presided over meeting to remove Secondus as the former PDP chairman?

-M Olawepo-Hashim APC chieftain is a former Presidential candidate NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

write ups and arguments in support and against zoning, I am most disappointed and ashamed that nobody has asked such fundamental questions like firstly how did our state slide out from third position if not first (because coal, palm oil was the mainstay of Nigeria economy) down to such dishonorable position as 25th on the GDP Log, secondly, how do we work ourselves back to first three in terms of GDP; thirdly, which of the current governorship candidates has the capacity, exposure, connection, sagacity, and mental tool set to move our state back to the top three (since it is obvious that Ugwuanyi is more concerned about Nsukka local government or Zone as though he is a Chairman and not a governor) fourthly, out of the candidates that are currently vying for governorship position, who amongst them understands the dynamics of the building blocks of the economy and the correlation between the different variables and equally on how best to tweak them in order to grow the GDP of the state. Fifthly, which of the candidate have a proper structure that covers the whole state visa viz which of them has visited most parts of the state in order to understand what their peculiar challenges are or are we working to produce another local government governor/chairman as a state governor? The politicians are simply using the heads of the poor masses in order to achieve their very selfish agenda; if not, can someone answer the following questions for me: firstly, how many Nsukka persons/ indigenes have gotten or bought a product cheaper in the market because he mentioned to the seller that he was from the governors zone. Secondly, has every Nsukka person become billionaire because of the fact that the governor is from Nsukka. Thirdly, how many Nsukka people got employed in a great institution or multilateral organisation because he is from Nsukka? Obviously, your guess is as good as mine. We keep ourselves busy with very mundane argument such as zoning or no zoning rather search for the right candidate with excellent tool set. Suffice to say, if constitution should change its root and allow Sullivan to contest again as the governor of the state, I am very sure that everyone will vote for him because of his excellent performance and not because of his zone of origin. Equally, take a look at Rivers State where an Ikwere man governed the state for eight years and another Ikwere man ( His Excellency Wike) took over and he has performed excellently well and above everyone’s expectations.

Equally take a look at Lagos state the center of Excellence, and many other examples too numerous to mention. I suggest that our main argument should be excellent performance, capacity, exposure, sagacity, and not zoning.

It is even more worrisome that states like Ebonyi is even about to overtake Enugu state both in terms economy growth, infrastructure advancement technological growth and welfare of the people.In order to arrest further slide off the radar and stop the bleeding which the state is currently going through, everyone needs to suspend zoning for now and search for a proper Enugu state governor rather Zonal or clannish governor. The governor has to be a man with the spirit of excellence, the needed global exposure and capacity for the office, a man that understands the pain of everyone in every zone of the state and equally possesses the mental capacity and sagacity to tackle them head-on then, he will begin to take our state up the ladder of the national GDP where the likes of Lagos and Kano states are. By so doing, the GDP of the state will grow, employment will be created for the timing youths of our state, welfare and academic rating of the state will grow as well hence we can then begin to attract the right investments to Enugu state both nationally and internationally.Finally, the man to do the above assignment should be called Enugu State governor and not a zonal head.

-Nwakaeze, an Economic Analyst wrote from Port Harcourt

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EPISTLES of ANTHONY KILA

Zelensky, Biden, Putin and Lessons from Ibadan Anthony Kila points out instructive patterns that emerged at the Road to War Crimes the recent crowning of the sovereign of Ibadan

Chido Nwangwu warns that the hope of the Ukrainian President, expecting support from America may be dashed

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n Wednesday, March 16, 2022, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky teleported his boyish charm and growing authenticity as a brave leader in war-time into the auditorium of the United States Congress.

He addressed the leadership of the U.S., for about 15 minutes.

Appealing with anguish and dignity, the former comedian and television star Zelensky, raised the crucial question: “Is this a lot to ask for, to create a no-fly zone over Ukraine to save people? Is this too much to ask for?”

But American President Joe Biden had stated many days earlier that such an action might lead to a direct confrontation with Russia and the likelihood of a WWIII (World War 3). Biden will not do it.

Zelensky knows communication and the power of visual, videographic intervention. During his virtual address to the U.S Congress, he played a very brief but emotionally persuasive montage of the unrelenting destruction and indiscriminate killing of children, pregnant women and traumatized elderly people and dead children. Many of the members, across party lines had tears in the ears and anguish written all over their faces.

“In your history, you have pages that would enable you to understand

Ukrainians,” Zelensky pointed out and made some references to the attack on Pearl Harbor, 9/11 terror attacks, Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

Biden will not engage the Russian President Vladimir Putin in the “no-flyzone” action. He wants to avoid what could escalate into super fighter jets showdown in the skies of Ukraine, and potentially a nuclear showdown! It will not happen under his watch as America’s Commander-in-Chief.

So, Putin has the range and capacity to pound Ukraine until the courageous Ukrainians beg for remedial ceasefire and cessation of the Russian assault!

Biden argues he’s dealing with Putin, the Oligarchs and Russia severe blows through sanctions and isolation, believing and hoping (as he does) that it will asphyxiate the big, ruthless Kremlin political economy. Meanwhile, he announced shortly after Zelensky’s speech additional military aid of more than $800 million.

-Dr. Chido Nwangwu is the Founder & Publisher of USAfrica magazine and USAfricaonline.com, first African-owned, U.S-based newspaper on the internet NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

Ohaneze Women’s Wing UK Denies Splinter Group Victoria Eberendu, President Ohanaeze Ndigbo Women’s Wing UK and Ireland rejects a splinter group

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t this auspicious time, we the members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Women’s Wing U.K. and Ireland, (Omenala Igbo efula) in line with our cultural and traditional values; strongly throw our unquantified support behind our menfolks the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Men Wing U.K. and Ireland.

Our support for our Men’s Wing is not only unwavering, is unending since our culture and tradition defines who we are.

Having said that, we wish to seize this opportunity to condemn in its totality, this bogus, abominable and irresponsible attack on our cultural and traditional values; by a group of the so called ‘civilized and westernized’ women who most recently, usurped the exclusively men’s revered Nze Na Ozo Traditional titles here in the diaspora.

We tried to ignore the absurdity of this group by not making any comment. However, owing to numerous online viral messages suggesting that Ohanaeze Ndigbo Uk and Ireland supported these group of women in their iniquitous quest to be addressed as Nze Na Ozo, hence it has become necessary to distance ourselves from these group of women.

As Ohaneze Ndigbo Women’s Wing UK and Ireland , a group of Igbo women grounded in culture and tradition; we will never relent in protecting and preserving these values we cherish and hold dear to our hearts for ever and ever.

In addition, we want to let it be known that Ohanaeze Ndigbo Women’s UK and Ireland (Omenala Igbo efula) is headed by Mrs Victoria Eberendu as President and Lady Ada Tender Ikechi-Uku as Vice President.

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ear Readers The coronation of the 42nd Olubadan has finally happened so we say Long live the King and God bless Ibadan. No need to pretend, messages have been exchanged privately, but as a Balogun, it will be odd for me not to publicly say Kabiyesi! KAde pe Lori, ki bata pe lese, ki irukere ko dokini.

The ceremony was truly rich and interesting, as expected and rightly so, from across the country and even from outside the country, many celebrities and notables made time to go to Ibadan to pay homage and to celebrate with the new King and the people of Ibadan. Not all the VIPs are the same: In Ibadan, we saw the popular as well as the notorious, some of the top guests are respected, others tolerated by the people of Ibadan. In all, the event brought Ibadan to the Centre of the national and indeed international discourse. A lesson here is that Kingship can add value, if truly royal, if well managed.

A lot more can be learnt and gained from the process of coronation. Our media houses, especially the print media, did a lot to inform people about the kingdom and kingship in Ibadan, a lot more could have been done and should be done especially by TV and radio.

Beyond reporting topical facts strictly connected to the coronation, television and radio could have used the opportunity of the coronation to take their viewers and listeners into a journey that will explore and rediscover the history of Ibadan, its kingship and military structure, arts and literature and perhaps uncover the influence of Ibadan on some of the finest of our literature.

Wole Soyinka, Tola Adeniyi, Chinua Achebe, Christopher Okigbo, J.P. Clark-Bekeredemo and even Harry Garuba are some of the names that readily come to mind.

A very unique feature of the Ibadan monarchical system is the process of accession to throne.

Unlike other Yoruba Kingdoms, accession to kingship in Ibadan has been and remains certain, predictable and based on ranking. It must be said that the ranking allows for thorough preparation induced by experience and endurance that the kings in waiting acquire during their decades of waiting.

Right after the 41st Olubadan joined his ancestors, Mobolaji Aluko, a Professor of Chemical Engineering and pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Otuoke in Bayelsa State, in a musing shared with those willing to learn and think, about the uniqueness of Ibadan quipped:

“The Kabiyesi is dead, long live the Kabiyesi!; We can truly say this in Ibadan, not in many places” then melancholically added that “(…) certainly not in many of the 150-odd towns of Ekiti with Obas.” The popular and respected Professor is however being euphemistic and deliciously politically correct in observing that the declaration, (first used in 1422 to declare the death of Charles VI and the ascension of Charles VII in one single phrase) is not applicable in his own Ekiti. He omitted others: The brutal truth is that from Gulf of Guinea that wets Badagry and Epe passing through the cradle of Ile Ife to the mountains and hills of Ekiti and Ondo up to the rivers closing Kabba and Jebba, ascension to and management of kingship has become messy and most time heart wrenching for some us.

It is now difficult to find a king in Yorubaland whose accession to the throne was not marred by undignified struggles, contentions, petitions and even court cases. Things should not be this way. It is time for those who can to come up with a plan that will save the monarchy from such shameful and petty demonstrations. Though, eventually and swiftly resolved, even ascension to the 42nd Olubadan throne, had its hiccups, I am sure to the chagrin of many at home and abroad. Herein lies another lesson: Good sense and dignity prevails when matters of importance, like kingship and tradition, is managed by people who have a sense of history and genuine ties to tradition.

-Prof.Kila is Centre Director at CIAPS Lagos NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

Doris Fisher’s Pre-emption of Wike and Kalabari’s Guber Aspiration

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he year 2023 has become a watershed in the long race of the Kalabari ethnic nationality to the Brick House of Rivers State, a race marked by anything but team play by the sprinters themselves and their divisive supporters who have been studied to be easily prone to switch into discordant tunes that had in time past demoralized and even sprained the frontrunners away from the finishing line. The 2023 general election offered the Kalabari nation a time for critical circumspection and coordination to get it right with concessionary considerations from corunners looking good in their favour this time.

1 it doesn’t seem that the drummers of discord on the sidelines have been appeased, and it took nothing but the groundbreaking Kalabari Civic Reception in honour of the man who held the aces, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, an event that put the collective political aspirations of the Kalabari people in the front burner, to spring up the internal tunes of discord that attempted to assail the hopeful outcome like a bull in a China shop.

A bull straying into a shop of valued

china wares doesn’t have the intent to take any for a prize, except to destroy everything in its hysteria. But it doesn’t seem so with Dr. Doris Fisher, the Veterinary Doctor of a Kalabari origin that has taken headlong the priced job to undermine Kalabari’s collective quest for the governorship of Rivers State.

In her own case, she seems to have a target amongst the wares displayed in the shop, and her destructive hit at the prime Brick House ornament is plausibly in exchange for the job of Deputy Governorship to an eventual snatcher of the coveted gubernatorial ticket outside her Kalabari group, because in her vile antecedents of political brinkmanship, Dr. Doris Fisher has always had an offer of porridge for her role of spoiling the political broth, even though she had got fooled all along but never seemed to relent.

-Douglas is a Buguma-born Public Affairs Analyst.

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

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Vol 27. No 9838

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See page 28

REPOSITIONING SECURITY AGENCIES FOR 2023 CHALLENGES AFAKRIYA A. GADZAMA argues that we must get rid of corrupt and politically exposed security operatives in order not to undermine the elections See page 28 A VOICE OF COURAGE ON THE PLATEAU SERIKI ADINOYI pays tribute to Jonah David Jang on his 76th birthday See page 29 THE ARC AND JOURNALISTS’ ESTATE EMMANUEL OLORUNDA-OTARU writes that journalists are peace-loving people See page 29 EDITORIAL RENEWED EFFORTS IN THE DRUG WAR See page 30

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

THE MILLENIAL MUTAWALLI OF IIORIN Alimi AbdulRazaq is turbaned the Mutawalli of Ilorin Emirates, writes RAHEEM ADEDOYIN

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APC still dances on the precipice despite Buni’s return, writes BOLAJI ADEBIYI

MAI MALA BUNI’S TACTICAL REBOUND In an article titled, APC Dances on the Precipice, published in THISDAY edition of January 28, 2022, it was argued that legal challenges laid ahead of the ruling All Progressives Congress’ plan to hold its national convention on February 26, 2022, because of presumed several infractions of its constitution. The situation has worsened since then. Not only was the convention postponed by one month to March 26, 2022, even the proposed date is challenged by a court order that restrained the holding of the event pending the determination of a VXLW ÀOHG E\ VRPH DJJULHYHG PHPEHUV RI WKH party.

Interestingly, the court order, procured in November last year, came to light only last week as the intrigues in the ruling party LQWHQVLÀHG ZLWK WKH DWWHPSW E\ D FOLTXH LQ the party’s governors’ forum to shunt aside Mai Mala Buni, the Yobe State governor, who is also the chairman of its Caretaker/ Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee. Also set for the guillotine was the head of James Akpanudoedehe, the voluble secretary of the committee.

President Muhammadu Buhari, party members were told, had ordered the removal of Buni and his replacement with Sani Bello, the youthful governor of Niger State. The announcement coincided with the outbound ÁLJKW RI WKH SUHVLGHQW ZKR ZDV RQ KLV ZD\ to London for medicals. Curiously, the news of the presidential decision came not from any of his aides but from anonymous sources which nonetheless made headlines of the mainstream and social media. Bello’s take-over of the party’s national secretariat the next day and his rash of decisions to prune down the convention planning subcommittees as well as the summoning of an emergency National Executive Committee PHHWLQJ ZHUH WKH RQO\ FRQÀUPDWLRQ RI WKH presidential order.

6XEVHTXHQW HYHQWV UHYHDOHG WKDW LW ZDV only a palace coup that was bound to fail spectacularly. Obviously, the plotters H[DJJHUDWHG WKHLU LQÁXHQFH RQ WKH presidency and underrated Buni’s capacity to resist his ouster even while on the sickbed like the president. Anyway, a meeting and a counter meeting in London on Tuesday and Wednesday resolved the matter in favour of the ever-calm Yobe State governor who rebounded yesterday retaking command of the party. First, in a terse statement by Akpanudoedehe, recuperating Buni put in abeyance the NEC meeting scheduled for yesterday, disarming his adversaries who had planned to use it to upstage him. His next move is awaited.

Whatever that is, Buni and the APC need to worry about the legal mines that lace their paths and take practical steps to detonate them. Reference had earlier been made to the shaky legal foundation of the CECPC, which has been compounded by

the unconstitutional extension of its tenure by the president in June last year. For a party in such a deep hole, the thing to do is to stop digging. This is not about to happen as the informal power brokers of the party appear bent on deepening the overthrow of its constitution, a tendency that is at the heart of the crises.

Unable to maintain their hold within the context of the constitution, the power brokers continue to use informal organs to subjugate the formal structures of the party to the exclusion of the majority of its members. For instance, under what section of the APC constitution did the president derive the power to perfunctorily remove or appoint the party’s chairman? Even if he ZDV ÁH[LQJ KLV SUHVLGHQWLDO PXVFOH VKRXOG it not have occurred to his enforcers to use the procedures laid down in the party constitution?

It is the same way the governors of the

The CECPC, which now stands in for the NWC has recommended March 26 but the constitution requires the stamp of approval of the NEC. So, has the NEC approved the March 26 date proposed by its CECPC?

party have gone about trampling on its constitution so much so that their pressure group, Progressive Governors’ Forum, which is not a formal organ of the party has practically dominated and taken away the powers of the National Working Committee and the NEC. No doubt, with their states’ treasuries in their pockets, the governors ZLHOG D ORW RI LQÁXHQFH EXW WKDW RXJKW WR EH put into positive and creative use no matter the exigencies of their political objectives.

And except they curb their excesses the APC appears doomed.

If they are in doubt about this, the Independent National Electoral Commission’s hint that it would insist on total compliance with its rules and regulations, as well as the law, should clear the doubt. One of its rules is that parties are bound by their constitution and must comply strictly with its provisions. Another word for that is internal party democracy, right?

Here, the APC needs to be careful and avoid the road back to Zamfara. It needs to get its lawyers to examine whether its proposed extra-ordinary national convention proposed for March 26 is on a sound footing with regard to Article 25 (A) (i) of its constitution, which states: “The National Convention of the Party shall be held once in Two (2) years at a date, venue and time to be recommended by the National Working Committee and approved by the National Executive Committee subject to the giving of the statutory notices to the Independent National Electoral Commission and at least fourteen (14) days notice given to members eligible to attend.”

Yes, the CECPC, which now stands in for the NWC has recommended March EXW WKH FRQVWLWXWLRQ UHTXLUHV WKH VWDPS of approval of the NEC. So, has the NEC approved the March 26 date proposed by its &(&3&" 7KLV VHHPV WR EH WKH TXHVWLRQ %HOOR was trying to answer when it scheduled the now-cancelled meeting. Although other stakeholders tend to believe that he and his FOLTXH PLJKW KDYH KDG RWKHU LQWHQWLRQV %XQL needs to consider the legal implication of not seeking NEC approval for the convention date.

To overlook this, no matter the political exigencies might be fatal for the party. It could amount to, as lawyers would say, building something on nothing, it would not stand. This, as Abubakar Malami, the attorney-general of the federation and minister of Justice, has reportedly warned Buhari, is a legal risk that the APC is taking.

It remains to be seen how the intrigues will end.

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

2 28

T H I S D AY FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2022

Alimi AbdulRazaq is turbaned the Mutawalli of Ilorin Emirates, writes RAHEEM ADEDOYIN

THE MILLENIAL MUTAWALLI OF IIORIN +H LV WKH KXPEOH TXLHW W\SH +H KDV VDUWRULDO taste but imbued with incredible simplicity.

7RGD\ 'U $OLPL $EGXO5D]DT ZLOO QRW KDYH KLV TXLHW ZD\ DV KH LV WXUEDQHG WKH 0XWDZDOOL RI Ilorin Emirates. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, is leading the A list of guests that will also include former president Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR, state governors and many distinguished 1LJHULDQV DQG GLSORPDWLF ÀJXUHV 0XWDZDOOL &KDQFHOORU RI ([FKHTXHU RU 0LQLVWHU RI ÀQDQFH LV RQH RI WKH PRVW UHYHUHG royal titles in Ilorin Emirates.

The drumbeat of celebration became louder long before today but the Kwara capital city literally goes agog this Friday for the turbanning of the newest title holder appointed

Dr. Alimi steps into the shoes of his late father, Alh. AbdulGaniyu Folorinso AbdulRazaq,( SAN, OFR), the celebrated first lawyer from Northern Nigeria, former, Chairman Nigerian Body of Benchers and the longest serving Mutawalli of Ilorin

E\ WKH (PLU RI ,ORULQ +LV (PLQHQFH 'U ,EUDKLP Sulu Gambari, CFR. Dr. Alimi steps into the shoes of his late father, $OK $EGXO*DQL\X )RORULQVR $EGXO5D]DT 6$1 2)5 WKH FHOHEUDWHG ÀUVW ODZ\HU IURP Northern Nigeria, former, Chairman Nigerian Body of Benchers and the longest serving Mutawalli of Ilorin who died in 2020.

'U $OLPL $EGXO5D]DT LV XQLTXHO\ .ZDUDQ +LV ÀUVW QDPH $OLPL KDV D ULQJLQJ KLVWRULFDO VLJQLÀFDQFH LQ ,ORULQ (PLUDWH +LV VXUQDPH $EGXO5D]DT EHORQJV LQ WKH JHQUH RI IDPRXV family names not only in Ilorin or Kwara but in Northern Nigeria.

The new Mutawalli is a distinguished lawyer, a stately politician, an entrepreneur, a key corporate player, a remarkable public VHUYLFH ÀJXUH D QRWDEOH FRPPXQLW\ OHDGHU DQG DQ DͿDEOH 1LJHULDQ SDWULRW 'U $OLPL $EGXO5D]DT '$$ ZDV D

privileged child but who, in his own words, “ learnt the virtues of modesty, prudent attitude, honesty, humility, good disposition, patriotism and truthful perseverance,” from his path ÀQGLQJ IDWKHU Indeed, DAA is AGF in a millennial garb.

In law practice, education, politics/ public VHUYLFH 'U $OLPL LV D FKLS RͿ WKH ROG EORFN A legal scholar with a doctorate degree LQ ODZ DQ +DUYDUG DOXPQXV 'U $OLPL ZDV exposed to the rudiments of law practice very early in life. At age 12, he was already following his celebrated lawyer father to the court. +H GRHVQ·W KLGH WKH IDFW WKDW KLV IDWKHU ZKR rose to become one of the earliest recipients of the prestigious Senior Advocate of Nigeria 6$1 LQÁXHQFHG KLV VWXG\ RI ODZ DQG FKRLFH of law practice as a career.

Expectedly, DAA joined the family’s law ÀUP +RXVH RI /DZ IRXQGHG E\ $*) ZKHUH he became the managing partner. $*) LQYHVWHG LQ HGXFDWLRQ TXDOLW\ education- not only for his children but as public service. Ilorin College, Ilorin which the ODWH SDWULDUFK HVWDEOLVKHG LQ DV WKH ÀUVW private secondary school in Kwara (and some VD\ LQ QRUWKHUQ 1LJHULD EXW QRZ NQRZQ DV ,ORULQ *UDPPDU 6FKRRO ,*6 IROORZLQJ WKH government’s takeover, is now an iroko tree in .ZDUD·V HGXFDWLRQ ÀUPDPHQW Toeing his father’s line, Dr. Alimi also founded the famous Bridge College, Ikoyi. To butt, Alimi’s younger brother, Mallam Isiaka $EGXO5D]DT LV WKH SURSULHWRU RI DQRWKHU famous secondary school in Nigeria, the Regents School, Abuja.

Politics runs deep in the family but the public service content of it is more pronounced. AGF was an outstanding political leader and public VHUYLFH JHQHUDO +H ZDV FRPPLVVLRQHU LQ WKH old Kwara State and member of federal cabinet as Minister of state for Transport of the federal republic of Nigeria, in addition to other public service engagements.

Dr. Alimi has not held any elective political R΀FH KH DFWXDOO\ FRQWHVWHG LQ WR EH governor of Kwara State but lost the election WR ODWH $GPLUDO 0XKDPPHG /DZDO %XW KH ZDV DQ LQÁXHQWLDO VWDNHKROGHU LQ WKH 3HRSOHV 'HPRFUDWLF 3DUW\ 3'3 ZKRVH \HDUV ORQJ UXQQLQJ UHLJQ DV 1LJHULD·V ÁDPER\DQW UXOLQJ party, was terminated by the All Progressive &RQJUHVV $3& LQ In public service, Dr.Alimi was commissioner, Legal Licensing and Enforcement of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission 1(5& FKDLUPDQ 1DWLRQDO ,URQ 2UH 0LQLQJ Company, Itakpe and member, National Council on Privatization.

As his late father prospered in Corporate Nigeria (he was Chairman in Council of the 1LJHULDQ 6WRFN ([FKDQJH 16( 3UHVLGHQW RI 16( &KDLUPDQ &DSLWDO ,VVXHV &RPPLVVLRQ so also is the new Mutawalli a key player in WKH FRUSRUDWH ZRUOG +H LV &KDLUPDQ RI )RUWH Upstream Services Limited and was recently DSSRLQWHG WR WKH %RDUG RI )LUVW %DQN +ROGLQJV PLC as non-executive director.

Dr. Alimi is a silent hero of the OtoGe UHYROXWLRQ LQ .ZDUD 6WDWH +H KRVWHG VHYHUDO strategy sessions in his in GRA, Ilorin, residence; he was the get-to, the Godfather of OtoGe movement.

Adedoyin is a journalist and member of the executive board of the International Press Institute (IPI)

AFAKRIYA A. GADZAMA argues that we must get rid of corrupt and politically exposed security operatives in order not to undermine the elections

REPOSITIONING SECURITY AGENCIES FOR 2023 CHALLENGES The year 2023 will be epoch-making in the annals of the country for some obvious reasons, the most important of which is that it is the year the country will have new governments at the federal and states’ levels. It is also the year the country will have surmounted security threats against its sovereignty and territorial integrity as Nigerians expect the nation to have overcome the problems of insurgency, criminality and banditry attacks in some parts of the country and learnt from its past PLVWDNHV WR GR WKLQJV GLͿHUHQWO\ +RSHIXOO\ after a successful election the country would join the league of democratic countries. Most Nigerians believe that all these will be possible if all stakeholders remain committed to their responsibilities and the political class and security agencies in particular change their ways to move the country forward.

It is important to note that the security stakeholders are among critical agencies for successful conduct of elections, good governance and national security. It is therefore important that the roles of the security agencies in the political evolution of the country are properly scrutinized as was done with the Electoral Laws. What makes the re-examination of the role of security agencies in elections and governance in the country very important is that the failure to do away with retrogressive practices, such as manipulation and use of thugs in politics, is believed to be with the connivance of security operatives, some of whom have played GHVSLFDEOH UROHV +RZHYHU LW LV LPSRUWDQW WR observe that most security operatives have performed exceptionally well. There certainly exists in their midst unscrupulous insider saboteurs whose activities need to be checked.

It is important to note that politicization of the security organizations is among negative LQÁXHQFHV RQ VHFXULW\ RSHUDWLYHV WKDW QHHG to be closely monitored. In some recent elections in the country some unscrupulous security operatives have thrown overboard their professional ethics, neutrality and determination to strengthen the democratic process. It is not surprising that keen watchers especially of the security scene, including retired security practitioners, have lamented how some unscrupulous security operatives brazenly compromise their roles during elections and the discharge of their statutory responsibilities. It is a known fact that some security operatives have been corrupted during elections while some have been openly indicted for aiding and abetting electoral malpractices. Such irresponsible security operatives have done enormous damage to elections and governance in the country. Being parties to the manipulation of elections and intimidation of perceived political opponents of their pay masters are among allegations that have been made against security operatives that underscore the importance of repositioning nearly all security agencies in the country before 2023. All security agencies LQ HͿHFW QHHG WR EH UHSRVLWLRQHG WR KDYH WKH ability of subverting all undesirable practices in 2023 in the country that have contributed to challenges faced in politics in the country.

Security agencies need to go back to their roles as honest advisers of their principals.

The stability of the polity is dependent on the security agencies being professional and honest in advising the political leadership.

There are allegations that the country has however witnessed the disturbing practice of security agencies especially their leadership failing to speak truth to power and at times aligning with those who appointed them regardless of the truth about issues before them. It has been argued that most security agencies in the country fail to be honest with those in power, thereby compounding the problems of those being ruled. It has been consistently observed that many of the security agencies have lost their claims to professionalism and neutrality. This is because some of them have been overtly politicized. The situation is likely to be worse in 2023 as there are reports that some politicians are busy and discretely recruiting retired and serving security RSHUDWLYHV 7KLV ZLOO GHÀQLWHO\ QRW DXJXU well for the forthcoming elections. It is expected that 2023 will be a trying period for the country and critical stakeholders like security agencies. The country will therefore need very upright and professional security operatives, especially before and during the 2023 elections. &RQVFLRXV HͿRUWV VKRXOG DOVR EH PDGH WR purge the security agencies of those that are clearly corrupt, disloyal and those who KDYH QRWKLQJ WR RͿHU 7KH\ PXVW DOVR EH LQVXODWHG IURP WKH LQÁXHQFH RI GHVSHUDWH interests. This has become expedient at a time the country is passing through resurgence of ethnic, parochial and intense religious sentiments. The country can draw from the pool of professionally tested, honest and sound security operatives when it faces some problems.

Another retrogressive practice among security operatives that needs to be checked is highhandedness and seeing themselves to be above the law. These attitudes are the bane of security agencies in the country.

Everything must therefore be done to ensure corrupt and politically exposed security operatives do not undermine the 2023 elections and national security. Special attention should be paid to the reported discreet recruitment of serving and retired security operatives who have nothing to RͿHU E\ VRPH SROLWLFLDQV WR VWUHQJWKHQ WKH process in 2023. Relevant security agencies and the government should as a matter of urgency place such persons and their sponsors under close monitoring.

The year 2023 will come with myriad of challenges especially sentiments and actions that could be harmful to national security. It would be necessary to take concrete steps to stop individuals who are engaged in plans that could undermine national security. Reported plans by desperate politicians to recruit retired and serving security operatives should be among antics that should attract action from relevant agencies. The country cannot GHÀQLWHO\ DͿRUG WR WR\ ZLWK LWV GHVWLQ\ LQ 2023.

Gadzama OFR, mni is Chairman, National Institute of Security Studies

329

T H I S D AY FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2022

SERIKI ADINOYI pays tribute to Jonah David Jang on his 76th birthday

A VOICE OF COURAGE ON THE PLATEAU Senator Jonah David Jang, a former Military Governor of Benue and defunct Gongola States, former Plateau State governor, and former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria turned 76 last week. Plateau citizens, home and abroad, celebrated him as a true father that thinks Plateau.

People don’t become fathers by automation, or just by procreation. True fathers are the ones that have paid the price of UDLVLQJ WKH FKLOGUHQ DQG PDNLQJ VDFULÀFHV IRU them. That is exactly what Jang represents, VLJQLÀHV DQG V\PEROL]HV LQ 3ODWHDX

Raised from a very humble background, -DQJ SXOOHG WKURXJK DOO RGGV WR OLPHOLJKW ,Q the military, Jang didn’t just serve the Nigerian state as a dedicated military governor who got a commendation of the then Head of 6WDWH DV D \RXQJ PLOLWDU\ R΀FHU KH IRXJKW the war that kept Nigeria together till today. +H KDV DOVR ÁRZQ WKH 1LJHULD ÁDJ KLJK internationally having represented Nigeria at the prestigious Royal Military College, winning several medals.

With other statesmen, Jang convened the famous NADECO that fought oppression and emancipated the masses during military dictatorship.

Despite his towering and intimidating national and international engagements, Jang still consistently thinks Plateau, having his two feet planted at home. That is an attribute of a father. No father betrays and sells of his family to strangers for whatever reason, not even for the quest for power and fame. This attribute sets Jang apart. $V D UHWLUHG PLOLWDU\ R΀FHU -DQJ UHWXUQHG to his home state to contribute immensely to the politics of Plateau, and to invigorate the state that was rather occupying a back space in Nigeria political map.

Not minding that he was a retired highUDQNLQJ PLOLWDU\ R΀FHU KH KXPEOHG KLPVHOI and worked with all and sundry for the emergence of past leaders in Plateau and at national level. He became a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party and PDGH VDFULÀFHV IRU WKH SDUW\ WR JURZ $ SDWULRW RI WKH ÀQHVW KXH -DQJ UHWXUQHG to his country home of Du in Jos South Local Government Area after serving two terms as governor and a term as senator. Though he has retired from active politics, his house has remained a Mecca of sort, where people

EMMANUEL OLORUNDA-OTARU writes that journalists are peace-loving people

THE ARC AND JOURNALISTS’ ESTATE

DQG JURXSV RI GLͿHUHQW EDFNJURXQG YLVLW WR get counsel and tap from his wisdom and H[SHULHQFH ,QGHHG -DQJ KDV EHFRPH WKH conscience of Plateau, through his various interventions on critical issues as well as LQYROYHPHQW LQ GLͿHUHQW SDWULRWLF DFWLYLWLHV ,Q WKH 6HQDWH KH ÀUPO\ GHIHQGHG WKH FRXUVH of Plateau and the Middle Belt, asking why his VWDWH PXVW EHQHÀW IURP IHGHUDO JRYHUQPHQW·V support, like every other states ravaged by attacks and insurgency.

Even outside government, Jang has not relented at raising his voice against persistent

attacks on Plateau communities. He believes that government at all levels must be put on their toes to defend all Nigerian citizens, whether they be Northerners or Southerners.

Unknown to many, Jang does not just play the politics of defending and supporting the Plateau man, he consistently prays for the people. Just recently he brought former President Goodluck Jonathan to LQDXJXUDWH D VSLULWXDO HGLÀFH QDPHG ¶7KH 7HQ &RPPDQGPHQW· PRQXPHQW ,W LV D SUD\HU house and retreat ground he had built with personal resources to get his people closer to God. He believes that beyond human assistance, the Plateau man needs the help of God to realize his dreams. Today, hundreds of Plateau citizens take their burdens to God in the place of prayers. Conferences and retreats are held by various Christian organisations at the Ten Commandment. Counseling are given to people that are weighed down by encumbrances of life, especially with the current myriad of challenges facing Nigerians.

The former Governor has demonstrated great and inspiring love to the Berom nation, his roots. He has never taken them for granted nor trade their belief in him for anything, no matter how important.

As he clocks 76, the entire Plateau people rolled out drums to celebrate a father that has set an example for the younger generations that would love to follow a path of love and integrity.

Jang remains a voice of reason, wisdom, and courage on the Plateau that will never fade away; not politically, not religiously nor otherwise. He passionately thinks Plateau.

Adinoyi LV D 6WDͿ RI 7+,6'$< 1HZVSDSHUV

Those who ganged up to destroy the arch depicting the Journalists’ Estate Phase 1, Arepo in Obafemi-Owode Local Government, Ogun State recently, have challenged the government’s authority.

The new arch was approved by the state government and the erection supervised by WKHLU R΀FLDOV ,W ZDV PHDQW WR UHSODFH WKH demolished one, to pave way for the road reconstruction for journalists and indeed the entire Arepo community.

But some hoodlums led by some chiefs, and in the company of some residents of Beachland Estate (Ebute), invaded the Journalists’ Estate on February 8, 2022 and pulled down the newly erected arch. How do you justify this invasion and destruction RI RWKHU SHRSOH·V SURSHUW\" ,I WKH MRXUQDOLVWV and other residents did not refrain from self-help and retaliation, it would have degenerated to a communal crisis. And thanks also to the responsive Governor, Dapo Abiodun, who immediately sent emissaries for on- the- spot assessment of the situation, and to further calm charged nerves. The journalists are grateful to the governor for his prompt intervention, believing that at the end of the day, justice will be done for the unwarranted invasion and destruction of the multi-million naira arch.

There is no doubt that the coming of journalists to Arepo has brought development to the community, which some people are shying away from acknowledging. But the history cannot be changed.

7KHUH LV HYHQ DQ DWWHPSW WR XQR΀FLDOO\ FKDQJH WKH QDPH ´-2851$/,676· (67$7( ROAD’’, which the then government of Governor Gbenga Daniel, gave the road, after he reconstructed it. Passing through the road now, you could see some shops and EXVLQHVV R΀FHV EHDULQJ WKHLU DGGUHVVHV DV “Beachland Road”. Who is behind this name change?

Before the coming of journalists to Arepo to settle, little or nothing was known about the community. The journalists brought it WR WKH OLPHOLJKW DV WKH SODFH ZKHUH WKH ÀUVW Journalists’ Estate in Africa is situated. The coming of journalists has equally attracted over 20 other non journalists estates, including the BERA (Ebute), that is now

EHLQJ LQVWLJDWHG WR ÀJKW WKH MRXUQDOLVWV for reasons best known to them.

There is no doubt that journalists have attracted development to Arepo as a whole. First, it brought the obscure village to limelight; the value of the land has shot up astronomically. Many important JRYHUQPHQW R΀FLDOV FDPH WR SD\ KRPDJH Governors, ministers, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, industry chieftains, to mention a few. Even, the Baale himself, Oba Solomon Atanda Oyebi, got recognized and promoted to become the Olu of Arepo. Arepo has now attained a MXELOHH VWDWXV IURP ZKDW LW XVHG WR EH ,V LW ULJKW WR QRZ VWDUW ÀJKWLQJ WKH MRXUQDOLVWV" The dubious name change of the road FDQ EH YHULÀHG , KRSH WKH\ ZRXOG QRW hurriedly remove those signposts and addresses bearing the strange name after this expose. Just like BERA did, when they secretly broke and remove their own bar gates, to hoodwink and cover their hypocrisy, after the destruction of the Journalists’ arch, so that the government’s R΀FLDOV VHQW WR LQVSHFW WKHLU LJQREOH DFW will not see that they too, put bar gates on their entrance and exit.

The BERA aggressors should realize that a time would come when there will be a ‘Pharaoh that did not know Joseph’, and WRUWXUHG WKH ,VUDHOLWHV LQ (J\SW XQWLO *RG sent Moses to deliver them from slavery and bondages; and the journalists they DUH ÀJKWLQJ QRZ FRXOG EH WKHLU 0RVHV and ally then. The earlier they realize this and make peace with the journalists, the better for them.

Journalists are peace-loving people, who want to live in peace with their QHLJKERXUV LQ $UHSR ,Q WKHUH was a Memorandum of Understanding entered with then Baale in Council, now Olu of Arepo, Oba S.A. Oyebi and representatives of the Journalists’ Estate Phase 1, to live in peace with one another in the community. Let’s give peace a chance. Let the MoU be.

Olorunda-Otaru is THISDAY Night Editor

4 30

T H I S D AY FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

RENEWED EFFORTS IN THE DRUG WAR The NDLEA is doing remarkably well

D

espite the increasing risk, evidence abounds that many desperate Nigerians are still enmeshed in the illegal drug business. But it is also heartwarming that the relevant authorities are now awake to their responsibilities and taking bold steps to contain the drug scourge. A fortnight ago, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) intercepted at least 294,440 tablets of Tramadol, Diazepam, Swinol, Rohyphnol and Exol-5 along with other illicit drugs in major operations in Delta, Bauchi, and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. In a similar raid within the same period, which reinforced the fact that cannabis is the most widely cultivated, and abused substance, the agency destroyed 255 hectares of cannabis farms VSUHDG DFURVV ÀYH ORFDO government areas of Ondo State. At the end, NDLEA reportedly arrested13 suspects and recovered 250 NLORJUDPPHV RI FDQQDELV VHHGV GHHS LQVLGH ÀYH PDMRU forests. :H PXVW EH FOHDU 7KH ZDU DJDLQVW LOOLFLW GUXJ WUD΀FNLQJ DQG DEXVH LQ 1LJHULD LV SDUWLFXODUO\ GL΀FXOW EHFDXVH LW has, over the years, been compromised on many fronts. %XW WKH 1'/($ LV JUDGXDOO\ EXLOGLQJ SXEOLF FRQÀGHQFH in its operations and increasingly justifying government investment with an impressive record of arrests, convictions, and drug seizures. In the last one year, for instance, the NDLEA has arrested 12,306, seized 3.4million kilogrammes of illicit substances, facilitated conviction for 1,367 persons and recovered cash more than N130bn.

“We are doing our utmost to win this war against drug DEXVH DQG WUD΀FNLQJ RI LOOLFLW VXEVWDQFHV µ VDLG WKH NDLEA Chairman and CEO, Mohammed Buba Marwa ZKLOH UHZDUGLQJ VRPH VWDͿ UHFHQWO\ IRU RXWVWDQGLQJ performance. “The onus is now on us to ensure that our SHUIRUPDQFH ZLOO QRW EHFRPH D ÁDVK LQ WKH SDQ µ ,W LV QRWHZRUWK\ WKDW R΀FHUV DQG PHQ RI WKH DQWL QDUFRWLF

DJHQF\ DUH PDNLQJ LW LQFUHDVLQJO\ GL΀FXOW IRU GUXJ EDURQV WUD΀FNHUV DQG FDUWHOV WR RSHUDWH LQ WKH FRXQWU\ :H KRSH the agency can sustain the momentum. Perhaps one of the most comforting things in the renewed onslaught was the recent bust of a drug ring allegedly headed by RQH RI WKH FRXQWU\·V PRVW GHFRUDWHG SROLFH R΀FHUV '&3 Abba Kyari. The suspended former commander of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Force Intelligence Bureau of the Nigerian Police was arrested allegedly for operating with drug cartels from within and beyond. The agency’s prompt and decisive action on the matter that is currently in court is not only a radical departure from the past, but a display of willpower and institutional professionalism.

It is also commendable that the NDLEA is building capacity. In the last one year, the agency has recruited more WKDQ DGGLWLRQDO VWDͿ who are constantly exposed to trainings to make them HͿHFWLYH %HVLGHV WKH ZRUNIRUFH LV FRQVWDQWO\ PRWLYDWHG with a welfare scheme that eases unnecessary anxieties. /DVW 'HFHPEHU IRXU VWDWH FRPPDQGV DQG R΀FHUV ZHUH given cash-backed awards and commendation letters for their outstanding performance in the areas of drug supply reduction, drug demand reduction and diligent prosecution of cases. +RZHYHU QRWKLQJ FDQ EH WRR PXFK WR ÀJKW WKH LOOLFLW drug business. Issues related to drug abuse have increased the public health and security challenges in the country.

Statistics are hard to come by but there is a correlation between the abuse of drugs and organised crime. Indeed, many of the audacious crimes including vicious robberies and murders, raiding of banks, prisons, and kidnappings, and of course the Boko Haram insurgency are aided by drugs. The social problem of having our young people hooked on drug is a major issue that should attract the attention of not only the government but all stakeholders in the Nigerian project. :H FRPPHQG WKH 1'/($ FXUUHQW HͿRUWV WR VROYH D deep-rooted problem.

The NDLEA is gradually building public confidence in its operations and increasingly justifying government investment with an impressive record of arrests, convictions, and drug seizures T H I S D AY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

Letters to the Editor Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-300 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (750- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with photograph, email address and phone numbers of the writer.

LETTERS

W

ABUBAKAR AND EPILEPTIC POWER SUPPLY

hen common Nigerians are faced with epileptic power supply, they grumble about the Discos, and the Minister of Power. They don’t bother where the problem is coming from because the Discos and the minister are the two ‘entities’ who the common-man rely on electricity matters: Discos charge them for electricity bills, while they view the minister as the overall head of power sector - which is true.

Discos often blame poor supply from the transmission end. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says the poor power supply experienced nationwide is due to low power generation by the generation companies (GenCos). Some of the problems are technical hitches in Egbin plant and poor gas supply.

We must admit that the transmission sector has witnessed tremendous progress. Nigeria witnessed only four grid collapses in 2020 as against 42 in 2010.

A total system collapse means a total blackout throughout the country. This is one of the biggest challenges the Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, has to address because once the country witnesses a total grid collapse, Nigerians will easily forget the progress made in many years. A 24-hour failure will erase a one-year success story.

What should the minister and his team do to bring a short-term solution once the country witnesses a total system collapse? The an-

swer – we need a reductionist approach. Our electricity sector operates on a holistic system. For example, once the Egbin Thermal Power Station in Ijede / Egbin, in Ikorodu, Lagos witnessed a technical problem, a consumer in Jimeta, Adamawa State will feel the impact.

The best way to tackle this issue is Neighborhood Solar Power and Wind-power model. Each neighborhood in Nigeria that is connected to the national grid has an electricity-transformer site. Technicians DQG H[SHUWV LQ WKH 0LQLVWU\ RI 3RZHU WKH 5XUDO (OHFWULÀFDWLRQ $JHQF\ 5($ DQG 'LVFRV LQ FROODERUDWLRQ ZLWK RWKHU SULYDWH ÀUPV VKRXOG look into a model to build solar panel farms and mini wind turbines at these transformers sites or near it at each community to connect the neighborhoods with alternative power. This will allow members RI D FRPPXQLW\ WR VKDUH WKH EHQHÀWV RI VRODU HQHUJ\ ZKHQ WKH QDtional grid collapses even if they lack solar panels on their properties.

This system is being operated globally, Nigeria should benchmark it. /LJKWZHLJKW ÁH[LEOH ZLQG WXUELQHV DQG VPDOO VRODU SDQHO IDUPV within the neighborhood, can be used to power communities when the national grid collapses without the people feeling any impact.

Thus the Minister of Power and the Discos will be free from public criticisms, while Gencos will have ample time to rectify any technical glitch.

Zayyad I. Muhammad, Abuja

STOP THE EXCUSE, NIGERIANS ARE TIRED Hypocrisy is the homage vice pays to virtue. This clearly enunciates the Nigerian challenge: hypocrisy has become a national symbol and an excuse IRU HYHU\WKLQJ 7KH QDWLRQ DV ZH VSHDN LV ÀJKWLQJ WR VWD\ DOLYH ZLWK KLJK LQÁDWLRQ DQG D SRWHQWLDO ULVN RI D VWDJÁDWLRQ YHU\ ORZ HFRQRPLF JURZWK low human development index and general insecurity. Despite all of this, it is sad some Nigerians still choose to play politics. I was shocked when a spokesperson of government recently defended the second system collapse in one year in Nigeria. It was akin to a student defending failure by saying he did better than others. I think this need to be economical with the truth makes us look stupid in the end. I repeat Nigeria is blessed with enormous potential but we need to harness the resources we have and we must shun corruption. $V RI WRGD\ ZH GRQ·W KDYH D ZRUNLQJ UHÀQHU\ DQG ZKHQ \RX FDOFXODWH DOO the monies we have spent on subsidies you wonder how we think. We all envisaged that the global headwinds occasioned by Covid will bite harder in 2022 but we didn’t prepare for it. Every sector as we speak is in a maelstrom - from the university to the aviation sector. Our great country has become a joke in the eyes of the world. This is not the time to give excuses. It is the time WKH OHDGHUVKLS VKRXOG DFFHSW IDLOXUH DQG ÀQG UHPHGLDWLRQ 7KH VROXWLRQV DUH within reach, we must support small businesses to drive growth, we must UHPRYH VXEVLGLHV ZH PXVW EXLOG UHÀQHULHV DQG ZH PXVW WUXO\ LQWURVSHFW RQ RXU ORQJ WHUP PRQHWDULVP DQG VHH KRZ GLͿHUHQW HFRQRPLF VFKRROV RI thought can help us.

Rufai Oseni, rufaioseni@gmail.com

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2022

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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

1 7 , 2 0 2 2

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EXCHANGE RATE

OBB

9.00%

CALL

4%

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564.02%

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5.82%

N413.03/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

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6%

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FG’s Continuous Enforcement of PCR Tests Worries Nigerian Air Travellers, As Nations Relax COVID-19 Restrictions

Chinedu Eze The continuous enforcement of PCR tests for Nigerian air travellers by the federal government, has become a source of concern for air travellers from Nigeria.

The concern is coming at a time when many countries including the US, UK and Saudi Arabia have relaxed COVID-19 restrictions, including dropping PCR test for travelling public. In Nigeria, government is still fully enforcing strict coronavirus protocol with compulsory PCR test that cost about N50, 000 in Lagos.

Many international travellers and foreign airline officials in Nigeria have cried out to government, saying the continued enforcement of strict COVID-19 test is a rip-off, as there is global drop in coronavirus cases and Nigeria records relatively very low cases at the worst of times.

Also the price of PCR test has not reduced but still about N45, 000 to N60, 000, depending on the lab recommended by officials of Port Health who are in charge of screening passengers who are travelling or arriving Nigeria.

Country Manager of one of the major international airlines told

THISDAY on Wednesday that, “Government should remove that PCR test so that Nigerians can travel feely. They are just collecting money for nothing. Allow people to travel and let air travel come back to normal. We are not people oriented in this country.”

THISDAY investigation revealed that the Port Health officials and others involved in the interface with passengers over Coronavirus protocol do not care about whether passengers are vaccinated or not and there are verifiable documentation of Nigerians travelling out of the country who

are fully vaccinated in addition to taking the booster but these officials do not even look at the vaccination card, but they insist that air travellers must pay for PCR test if they are arriving the country or be administered with PCR test while leaving the country.

THISDAY accessed the arrival section of the terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and noticed that the major concern of the officials who confront passengers on arrival was for them to pay for the PCR test, and once paid they do not border with the passengers.

THISDAY monitored a passenger who arrived the country two weeks ago and he said after the payment at the airport nobody called him; nobody asked about anything; whether he did the test or not.

“They know that nothing is happening. There is no COVID-19 in the country any more and that’s why they are not bordered,” he said.

But a passenger travelling to UK told THISDAY that she did not undergo PCR test because she was fully vaccinated and UK did not require PCR test for fully vaccinated passengers.

Also Turkey had directed that

anybody travelling to Turkey who is fully vaccinated did not need PCR test, but anyone coming back to Nigeria is made to pay for PCR test.

For about one month Nigeria has stopped giving COVID-19 case updates, which indicates that existing cases are negligible.

In addition to scrapping PRC test, United Kingdom has announced that it would remove the remaining COVID-19 international travel restrictions for all passengers from 4:00 am Friday 18 March.

According to a statement from Continued on page 34

NIMASA Act: FG Urged to Allocate 50% Cargo to Nigeria Flagged Vessels Eromosele Abiodun As the 9th assembly embarked on the amendment of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Act 2007 and the Cabotage Act 2003, customs agents

in the country have called on the federal government to ensure the call for Nigeria flagged vessel to carry 50 per cent of cargo generated in the country is backed by law.

They agents said carriage of bulk or liquid cargo must be initiated by

NIMASA to empower the indigenous operators reference to the statute.

National President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), the umbrella body of customs agents in Nigeria,

Lucky Amiwero stated this in his submission to the National Assembly Committee on Marine Transport.

As part of their recommendation, the agents said, National carriers status should be developed and facilitated by NIMASA for the

expansion of fleet for the carriage of shared cargo based on the Act. On national carriers, it is the agency that will develop and implement policies and programmes, which will facilitate the growth of the local capacity in ownership, manning

and construction of ship and other maritime infrastructure as contained in section 22 (K) of NIMASA ACT 17 of 2007.

“Tthe sharing ratio of 50 percent Continued on page 34

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT T H U R S D AY, M A R C H 1 7 , 2 0 2 2 BILLS

BONDS DESCRIPTION 12.75 27-APR2023 14.20 14-MAR2024 13.53 23-MAR2025 12.50 22-JAN2026 16.2884 17MAR-2027

Price

Yield

106.80 6.49 112.34 7.52 113.86 8.29 108.16 9.91 124.59 9.96

Change Updated Time (%) 4, -0.01 March 2022 4, -0.01 March 2022 March 4, 0.00 2022 March 4, 0.03 2022 4, -0.09 March 2022

OTC F X F U T U R E S

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UNCP CP VI 2-MAY-22 NEVE CP I 24-MAY-22 DANC CP II 25-MAY-22 TRBH CP V 26-JUL-22 FSDH CP VI 1-AUG-22

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CONTRACT TENOR Contract (MONTH) NGUS MAR NGUS MAR 30 30 2022 2022 NGUS APR 27 2 2022 NGUS MAY 25 3 2022 NGUS JUN 29 4 2022 NGUS JUL 27 5 2022

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BUSINESSWORLD

AIR WATCH

Handling Companies Canvass for Duty Waivers Chinedu Eze The Aviation Ground Handling Association of Nigeria (AGHAN) has canvassed for duty waivers, special window for foreign exchange and other incentives for ground handling companies in the country, especially as challenges facing the industry are on the rise.

The association said it has so far achieved over 60 per cent success in the implementation of the new safety threshold handling rate approved by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in the last quarter of 2021.

Speaking on tecently in Abuja during the courtesy visits to the DirectorGeneral, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu, and the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Akin Olateru, respectively, the Chairman of AGHAN, Mr. Olaniyi Adigun, said the handling companies needed government support to remain in business.

Adigun specifically called for customs duty waivers, easy access to forexand other incentives for the handling sub-sector of the economy.

According to him, the handling companies could not be isolated from the echo system of the aviation industry.

The AGHAN chairman decried that due to recent downturn in the economy occasioned by the fall of naira against major currencies, the handling companies were struggling to acquire modern Ground Support Equipment (GSE) to augment their services.

On the approval and subsequent implementation of the new safety threshold handling rate for the handling companies, Adigun noted that the handlers had achieved over 60 per cent implementation.

On the other 40 per cent, Adigun said serious negotiations were ongoing with them to comply with the directive and expressed hope that they would comply very soon.

He lauded Nuhu and Olateru for their contributions in achieving the new safety threshold handling rate by the handlers.

He said: “This is the first time in my years in the aviation industry that I will see a true change in the handling sub-sector in Nigeria. In the past, the engaged in unhealthy competition, which unfortunately worked against us, but today, we are seeing some changes.

“However, some of the African airlines are yet to comply with this directive. But, serious negotiation was ongoing between them and us. One thing we want them to know is that this new safety threshold handling rate is for their benefit as we will be able to acquire more modern equipment that we will use to serve them.”

In his response, Nuhu, said that the handling companies were part of the aviation safety chain, even though, their critical activities were not known to air travevellers.

Wakanow Partners ThankUCash on Customer Loyalty Africa’s leading travel tech company, Wakanow has announced its partnership with ThankUCash, Africa’s leading loyalty and rewards company to launch a customer loyalty program, WakaPoints.

WakaPoints is Wakanow’s customer loyalty program and is set towards charting a new course in the Africa travel space.

It is an innovative approach to reward loyal travelers and give back value for loyalty. With WakaPoints, Wakanow customers earn points on every travel booking and they

can redeem those points instantly on their next booking.

Speaking at the launch event which was held at the Wakanow HQ, the CEO of Wakanow, Mr. Adebayo Adedeji, said: “WakaPoints is a show of our unflinching commitment to ensure that our customers have the best travel experiences with us.”

The CEO of ThankUCash, Simeon Ononobi, who is the technical partners for the WakaPoints program, expressed his delight at the launch of WakaPoints.

He said: “We are excited to have

partnered with Wakanow on building this first of its kind loyalty program in the travel space in Africa and I am convinced that everyone who signs up on WakaPoints are in for a rewarding experience.”

The Chief Commercial Officer of Wakanow, Mrs. Adenike Macaulay, said: “WakaPoints for us is not just a loyalty program, it is an avenue for us first to say ThankU and to foster closer relationships with our customers, to better understand, anticipate and fulfill their travel needs.”

Obiano, Soludo Commend Air Peace on Regional Connectivity The Anambra State government has described the commencement of Air Peace three weekly flights into Niamey, Niger Republic, as a historic and decisive step in the economic integration of the African region.

Outgoing Governor Willie Obiano said the resumption of flights from Abuja and Kano from March 11 “is historic because it would help end the awful trend in Africa where passengers from some African cities would have to fly to Paris or London or Madrid or Lisbon to catch a connecting flight to some other African city”, according to his Information and Public Enlightenment Commissioner, Don Adinuba.

According to him, “We are proud that a worthy indigene of Anambra State, Allen Onyema, founder and chairman of Air Peace, is playing a significant role in ending this regional blight which has been most

embarrassing to all of us who are Africans.”

Noting that Nigeria and Niger Republic are not just two neighbouringcountries, Adinuba quoted Governor Obiano as saying the citizens of both nations have so much in common.

“The cultural propinquity between them is remarkably deep”, he stated, adding: “The Hausa language, for instance, is commonly spoken in both countries, and there are numerous families with members in both places.”

The Commissioner expressed the optimism that with Air Peace scheduled regular flights from Abuja and Kano to Niamey, trade between these “friendly West African states of Nigeria and Niger Republic will rise exponentially and relations between both the citizens and governments of the two nations will be deepened”.

Adinuba also reported that the incoming Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has called the Air Peace chairman on the phone to congratulate him on the flights.

Adinuba quoted Soludo as saying “As a pan Africanist myself enamoured of the visions of great statesmen like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe of Nigeria, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and Sekou Toure of Guinea and as someone who has worked and lived in places like Addis Ababa in pursuit of the vision of an integrated and developed Africa.

The news of the flights between Abuja and Niamey and between Kano and Niamey is nothing other than delightful.”

Soludo also lauded Air Peace for plans to begin operations into London, Houston, Mumbai and Guangzhou.

NIPE Holds Inaugural Launch, Investiture of New Executive The Nigerian Institution of Petroleum Engineers a division of the Nigerian Society of Engieeers will hold the inaugural launch of the institution on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos The auspicious occasion will also be used for the investiture of a new national chairman and executive members who will run the affairs of the institution for another period of time The occasion will also feature the investiture ceremony of Engr Prisca Kanebi, FNSE, FNISafetyE as the 5th National Chairman and First Fellowship conferment of the Institution

Another high point of the event is the official launch of the Institution’s Journal christened “the Journal of Petroleum and Energy Studies.”

This will be a specialised research journal and newsletter dedicated solely to Petroleum Engineering and Energy Studies.

A paper on, “The future of Petroleum Engineering and Petroleum Engineering of the future,” will also be delivered by Prof Joseph A. Ajienka, FNSE, FAEng former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt The high profile event will be chaired by Tasiu Sa’ad GidariWudil, FNSE President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers while

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State is expected to grace the occasion as the distinguished Guest of Honour with Rt Hon Godwin Elumelu, Minority Leader Federal House of Representatives as special guest of honour Other guests of honour are Engr Ali A. Rabiu, FNSE President of COREN and Mr Bismarck Rewane, MD/CEO of Financial Derivatives Company who will be the guest speaker at the occasion The event will be hosted by Engr (Chief) Dr Vitus Ibeh, FNSE with Dr (Mrs) K. B Orodu as Chairman, Investiture Committee and Engr Emmanuel Aforka as Secretary respectively.

A I R WATCH

Will ‘Spring Alliance’ Save Nigerian Airlines?

Chinedu Eze Recently six Nigerian airlines announced that they want to work together in a partnership dubbed ‘Spring Alliance’.

The announcement was received with a mixture of excitement and anxiety by the industry. It was received with excitement because it is believed that one of the major challenges that dogged the airlines in the past has been their inability to work together, which gave vent to bitter cutthroat competition.

There was anxiety because some industry stakeholders believe that it would not be effectively managed.

The airlines that agree to work together include Air Peace, Azman Air, United Nigeria Airline, Arik Air, Aero Contractors and Max Air. Besides these operators, other airlines include Dana Air, Ibom Air, Green Africa Airways and Overland Airways. Last year, Ibom Air and Dana Air signed interline agreement and they have been working together since then. So only two airlines are not in such partnership, Green Africa and Overland, which could be described as low cost carriers and which also operate the same aircraft type.

Speaking on behalf of the members of the new alliance, the Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema said that they formed an alliance, just as it is done in other parts of the world, to work together to improve their service to their customers and also ensure their own survival.

“So, today, in Nigeria, the 8th day of March 2022, some airlines in Nigeria notably, Air Peace, Azman Air, Arik Air, Aero Contractors, Max Air & United Nigeria have decided to come together to form what we call the Spring Alliance.

“The name of this alliance is Spring Alliance. We decided to come together to do this for the benefit of the flying public that use the opportunities provided by these airlines to fly. By this alliance our passengers are protected whenever there is a problem with one airline. It is our response to the complaints of the flying public, so this alliance will enable us to satisfy them.

“With this alliance and what we are going to be doing henceforth, the flying public will reap the benefits. For example if Air Peace has a tech issue on any of its aircraft, the passengers of Air Peace need not to be delayed, if any member of this alliance is going to the same destination, all we need to do is move the passengers over to that other airline, a member of the alliance, at no further cost to the passenger”, he explained.

Before now there have been a clamour for this kind of partnership, as the airlines have refused merger over the years, but the partnership, industry insiders believe, will improve their operations to the benefit of air travellers and it would also whittle the animosity prevalent among Nigerian carriers,

which they noted, made it difficult for them to work together in the past.

Managing Director of Flights and Logistics Solutions Limited, Amos Akpan said that the major challenge the airlines in the alliance would face would be sorting out airfares, so they need a clearinghouse to achieve that.

“They should get a financial clearinghouse that pays each member according to the ticket fare she flew as agreed in the alliance.

This will relief the members in the alliance the stress of sorting who gets what amount from accepting each other’s ticket. Members can focus on providing safe and quality flight services.

They might need spring alliance desks in the airports for proper documentation and smooth transfers which, I’m sure, the agreement would contain procedures for accepting each other’s ticket,” he said.

Reacting to the new partnership, the President of Aviation Round Table (ART), Dr. Gabriel Olowo commended the six domestic airlines for forming an alliance in a bid to enhance service delivery to air travellers.

Olowo, however, said that for the alliance to work, there must be a clearing house and strong compliance committee, while the terms and conditions must also be well spelt out and described the alliance as a welcome development, which must be made to work by all the parties involved.

Olowo emphasised that the alliance remains the only surviving strategy for the domestic operators to deliver strong players and compete internationally, remarking that the alliance would reduce waste, ensures harmonisation by the airlines, while their economies would also improve.

The airlines in a joint statement had said that the alliance would enable them to mutually support each other’s operations and surpass the expectations of the flying public.

“Alliance remains a key factor as they will not be the first experiment in the market. Clearing House is a major factor and strong compliance committee must be set up to oversight internal processes. It is not a duty of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). They could be invited to give advice on processes.

“Economies of scale and schedule harmonisation will minimise waste from excess capacity, frequent schedules and seamless connections for passengers, tariff flexibility among others. Alliances will work despite passenger preferences because alliance partners offer near similar products and services to the extent that passenger may not be able to tell the difference except individual prejudices.

He added that processes must be established and respected, suggesting that erring members should be removed without rancor.

Olowo, however, observed that he expected some challenges in implementation of the alliance, but said that such was not insurmountable.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2022

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BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

‘How Honeywell Group is Making Strategic Investments, Building Partnerships for The Future’ of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beyond the examples mentioned above, there are more sectors and industries whose existence is reliant on providing goods and services to the tourism sector or are part of the supply chain that need the industry to thrive for them to benefit. The people in these sectors belong to the so-called ‘other 9’ whose industries are not considered a part of travel and tourism but essentially dependent on the sustained operation of the tourism sector for survivability.

Kemi Adeoye

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN

N

igeria was expected to be the fastest-growing hospitality market with a projected 12 percent compound annual increase from 2019 to 2023 according to a PwC projection.

In early 2020 however, the COVID-19 pandemic spread globally, and the tourism industry was one of the worst-hit.

Globally, the tourism industry contributes about 10 per cent to the global GDP. This was expected to rise in four years with significant upward movement in Mauritius, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. In Nigeria, the contribution of travel and tourism to Nigeria’s GDP was 5.1 per cent in 2019. In 2020 however, the upward trajectory slowed down due to the pandemic.

With the ban on international and even local travel shortly after the outbreak of the viral infection in Nigeria, non-essential travels were suspended.

Travel for work and holidays were put on hold and the nation as well as the rest of the world was forced to go virtual as a method of work and entertainment. Due to this, hotels, tourist attractions, and air transportation were some of the industries hinged on tourism that were badly affected.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?

JOB LOSS IN TRAVEL, TOURISM INDUSTRY

The World Travel & Tourism Council estimates that 1 in 10 workers in the world work in the hospitality industry. This translates to 1 in 10 workers losing their jobs as a result of the industry being grounded because of the pandemic. From March 2020 to around March 2021, many countries announced a ban on international travel and closure of restaurants and hotels while also limiting gatherings. All these measures were put in place to reduce the spread of the virus. However, they also affected employment in the travel and hospitality sector.

The Regional Director of the World Travel and Tourism Council, Andrew Brown revealed that “$4.5tn was lost by the tourism and hospitality sectors as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide and over 770,000 jobs were lost in the sector in Nigeria alone.”

This figure also closely follows the estimation that 1 in 10 Nigerians lost his/her job in the tourism industry which also affected those whose goods or services

Adeoye are either directly or indirectly connected to it.For example, the production of in-flight magazines in Nigeria took a hit when the tourism industry suffered as a result of the pandemic. While magazine production would be appropriately considered a media and communication sector, its target audience is tied to the travel industry which ultimately meant that those who worked in the editorial, photography, copywriting, news gathering, typesetting, printing, and distribution department of the magazine lost their jobs during the aforementioned period.

Companies that also provide cleaning services, entertainment and advertising for travel and tourism companies also had to lay off their workers, reduce their pay or in some cases, keep them officially employed while not paying them during the heat

As the world is trying to adapt to the changes brought by the pandemic, the hospitality industry is also making a steady albeit slow return. Research by Jenny Southan, a travel editor and founder of Globetrender, projected that, “as people think more carefully about the way they travel, they will seek out hotels and travel companies that are doing everything they can to minimise their impact on the planet. We can also expect accreditation to gain prominence, as consumers look for reassurance from legitimate “eco-tourism” certifications (Visitors) will want to book trips that leave them feeling better than before when they return home. Wellness tourism will be increasingly popular.”

Globally, there is an optimistic projection that the hospitality industry will make a remarkable return. However, only the prepared can make a quick return, and to do so requires understanding the uniquely changing needs of customers and clients. Nigeria needs to take a proactive approach in order to be at par with global best practices and not wait for others to take advantage of the relatively small market that is just making a return.

A Harvard Business Review article referenced partnerships between or among companies as a means for providing shortcuts for companies racing to improve their production efficiency and quality control. This symbiotic relationship provides an essential opportunity for rapid growth in a period where quick recovery and adaptation to change is necessary.

According to Deloitte, “In an environment of dramatically lower revenues, high fixed costs,

less than optimal asset returns, and the need to conserve capital, hospitality organisations will need to determine which areas to prioritise and invest in. They will need to find the right balance between investment and conservation, one that achieves the highest ROI in the near to medium term. Some of these decisions will endure; others may not. But the decisions made in the months to come will have a lasting impact on the operating models of the hospitality sector for years to come.”

This level of preparedness is evident in the way Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, a respected hospitality brand, and part of Nigeria’s leading investment holding company, Honeywell Group Limited (HGL), is fostering an alliance with the Bank of Industry to provide a basis for the recovery of the hospitality industry in Nigeria.

This partnership is hinged on mutual respect nurtured by the positive track record of Honeywell group over the years. Our impressive performance before the pandemic coupled with a sustained positive service delivery during the pandemic shows a clear path of contributing toward the growth of Nigeria’s economy.

Nigeria needs more of these important partnerships in the hospitality sector to give it a much-needed boost.

Our relationship with the BOI has been a beneficial relationship and the Bank of Industry has proven to be a valuable business partner. The bank has supported us in building our brand as a foremost hospitality business.”

With this sort of institutional support long term, the projected growth in Nigeria’s tourism industry, which faltered due to the pandemic, can recover, and possibly reach the expected height.

According to Deloitte, “the COVID-19 pandemic will eventually fade. The economy will recover, and the hospitality sector—from restaurants to hotels, casinos to sports—will regain its footing and look forward with confidence to a successful, thriving future. Now is the time for companies to act, adapt to the new normal, position themselves for nimbleness, and thrive in the years ahead.” t ,FNJ "EFPZF JT $IJFG 'JOBODJBM 0GmDFS BU )POFZXFMM (SPVQ -JNJUFE

How Shoprite is Impacting Nigerians, Economy Peter Nelson

I

n June 2021, Shoprite’s Nigerian operations were taken over by Ketron Investment Limited, a Nigerian company owned by a group of local investors led by property firm Persianas Investment Ltd. This acquisition resulted from Shoprite International’s divestment of its Nigerian portfolio and a shift from the ownership to the franchise model.

Over the years, Shoprite has established itself as a household name in Nigeria, generating billions of Naira/dollars in annual sales and attracting thousands of visitors into its 25 stores nationwide. Shoprite has become synonymous with shopping malls, especially in Lagos, so much so that it is now a landmark name. For example, a trip via public transport to the Ikeja City Mall or The Palms Shopping Mall in Lekki will require you to tell the driver you’re alighting at “Shoprite”.

So, when the story initially broke that Shoprite International was exiting Nigeria, there was a bit of panic and uncertainty around what this meant for the shopping and retail experience in Nigeria. Several people asked who would take over the company and how well they would preserve product quality.

However, in the months since ownership changed hands, Shoprite has continued to prove the solidity and consistency of its supply chain and customer service. In the final weekend of November, between the 26th and 28th of the month, Shoprite Nigeria opened its doors for a special Black Friday sales offering, the first-ever edition since it became an entirely locally owned company.

It offered customers attractive deals and gifts in all its stores nationwide, including offering up to 50% discount on select items.

It also handed out “golden vouchers” to lucky customers who didn’t need to pay for their shopping experience and gave out special hampers to several lucky winners.

One of the highlights of customer spending

behaviour in the last two years since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world is the desire to spend less but gain more value. The pandemic impacted jobs and livelihoods, making an already pricesensitive market more sensitive. We saw this as brand loyalty waned with many more challenger brands and new market entrants coming in at very low prices. Several shopping centres were also locked down for weeks as the government restricted movement to curb the spread of the virus. However, as soon as the lockdown was lifted, activity started to pick up again. Customers returned to their routine, and foot traffic into shopping malls returned to their usual high volumes.

Nevertheless, one thing remained constant: the customers’ priority of gaining the most value per naira spent.

Much of this insight can be seen reflected in Shoprite’s strategy and, moreso in its

Black Friday sales. This campaign proves that Shoprite is, above all else, committed to preserving the quality of the customer experience that has come to define its presence in Nigeria since 2005. It also highlights the retailer’s commitment to offering great products at reasonable prices, another feature for which it has become popular.

Upon the successful completion of the acquisition earlier in the year, Chairman, Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited (RSNL), Tayo Amusan, said, “We look forward to building an even stronger company following our acquisition and are excited about the greater impact we will achieve to the benefit of our customers and other stakeholders now and well into the future.”

From all indications, the company has kept its word. It continues to operate 24 of its 25 outlets across eight states in Nigeria

with plans to reopen the 25th store at Circle Mall soon. It also, directly and indirectly, employs over 10,000 people, with an overwhelming majority of them being Nigerians. Beyond that, it has also maintained its relationship with more than 300 suppliers across the country while maintaining partnerships with hundreds of small businesses, farmers, and suppliers of local and international brands.

Shoprite intends to continue growing strong, setting itself up to be the most significant player in Nigeria’s retail sector, which already contributes nearly one-fifth of Nigeria’s GDP. Much of this sector is currently informal. However, with the rising middle-class and continuous expansion of the urban population, it is safe to say that the retail experience is well on its way to being fully modernised in such a way that it sets Nigeria on the global map.

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

‘CBN RT200 FX Policy to Reshape Exporters’ Mindsets, Infuse Value Addition on their Commodities’ Nume Ekeghe

Head of Export and Agric Businesses at Fidelity Bank, Isaiah Ndukwe has suggested that the recent RT200 FX Policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would encourage more businesses to go into export as well as prompt exporters to add value to the commodities they export.

He said this while speaking at workshop tagged, “Harnessing

Export Business Opportunities, CBN RT200 FX Policy: Policy Sensitisation, Emerging Sector Issues & Implications to Business,” organized by Fidelity Bank’s in Akure, Ondo State.

The event had in attendance representatives from key stakeholders in the Nigerian financial services and export industries.

Also in attendance were representatives from the Nigerian Export and Import Bank (NEXIM),

the Cocoa Exporters Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) amongst others.

In a statement by the Bank, he noted that the CBN efforts towards actualising $200 billion in Foreign Exchange (FX) repatriation from non-oil exports over the next five years have been given a major boost.

Speaking on the need for strategic planning in the non-oil sector,

Ndukwe said: Fidelity Bank is well positioned to advance the CBN policy thrust to reduce the country’s dependence on oil revenue.”

He stated that the bank is committed to growing the export business across key sectors of the economy by providing support to exporters.

He added: “The new policy will not only reshape exporters’ mindsets, but will also infuse value addition

on their commodities, allowing them to earn more forex.

“With the implementation of this policy, the CBN has stated that the supply of foreign currency to commercial banks will cease by the end of 2022, while investors will be able to generate forex through the RT200 FX Program template that has been designed to strengthen commodity exports.”

Launched on February 10, 2022 by

the apex bank as part of measures to reduce the increasing demand for foreign currency by importers, the RT200 FX Programme has been designed to reduce the excessive pressure on the exchange rate.

Commending Fidelity Bank on the sensitisation series, an attendee at the event and cocoa farmer, Babatunde Fatimiro said: “In Ondo State today, cocoa has a dedicated agency; this is unprecedented in Nigeria.

NIMASA ACT: FG URGED TO ALLOCATE 50% CARGO TO NIGERIA FLAGGED VESSELS of cargo to and from Nigeria, must be implemented to galvanize and kick start the participation of indigenous operators.

Nigeria flagged vessel must carry 50 per cent cargo generated through technical assistance, NIMASA must work out modalities for the proper implementation with conjunction with the Federal government of the technical assistant policy as contained in the law.

“The carriage of crude and petroleum product to and from Nigeria must be implementation to build capacity and generate employment as contained in the law. The government should administer policy for the development of shipping in general, develop and implement policies and programmes, which will facilitate the

growth of local capacity in ownership, manning and construction of ship and maritime infrastructures.”

They also urged the national assembly to review and remove the waiver clause of the cabotage of section 9,10 11, 12 &13 to build capacity and generate employment.

They urged the government to implement the provision on towage, carriage of petroleum product, navigation in inland waters, shipyard and ship and manning so as to build capacity and generate employment “The federal government should implement the local content on labour requirement, contract and manufacture of the local content. The Nigeria content monitoring board in conjunction with

NIMASA shall have powers to enforce compliance and relevant section of coastal and inland shipping (Cabotage Act) in relation to matters pertaining to Nigeria content development, Section (105), “they stated.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila had while declaring open the two day public hearing by the House Committee on Maritime Safety Education and Administration on the Merchant Shipping Act, Repeal and Enactment Bill 2021, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Act Repeal & Enactment Bill 2021, Coastal & Inland Cabotage Amendment Bill 2020, noted the need for appropriate regulation of

the Nigerian maritime industry in tune with realities of the times to ensure maximum utilization of the nation’s maritime sector.

On her part, Chairman House Committee on Maritime Safety Education and Administration Honorable Linda Ikpeazu said the public hearing was to ensure that the decision of the Legislature regarding the Bills are taken from well informed position premised on submisions from maritime stakeholders from all aspects of the industry.

She said: “It is common knowledge that the maritime sector is a foundation and catalyst to growth of nations that possess marine endowments. Nigeria, by any standard, is well endowed by ocean coastline, rivers, and a rich marine

bio-diversity.

“Not only are we focused on making the maritime sector a key alternative source of revenue and economic growth to our dwindling oil resources, we are also poised to develop a prosperous blue economy for our nation, akin to similar success in the maritime nation around the world.

In his submission, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, commended the National Assembly for embarking on the review of the Laws governing the maritime sector noting that the new NIMASA Bill under consideration, will enhance the capacity of the Agency to effectively regulate the Nigerian maritime industry in line with international best practice.

FG’S CONTINUOUS ENFORCEMENT OF PCR TESTS WORRIES NIGERIAN AIR TRAVELLERS, AS NATIONS RELAX COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS the United Kingdom, “As one of the first major economies to remove all its remaining COVID-19 travel restrictions, this is a landmark moment for passengers and the travel and aviation sector. From 4am Friday 18 March, all COVID-19 travel restrictions will be lifted, including the passenger locator form (PLF) for arrivals into UK, as well as all tests for passengers who do not qualify as vaccinated. This change, therefore, removes the need for unvaccinated passengers to take a pre-

departure test and a day 2 arrival test.”

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has also scrapped most of the COVID-19 restrictions and has ended social distancing in the two holy Mosques and all mosques in the Kingdom, but has continued to make wearing of facemasks mandatory.

Saudi Arabia said it no longer require travellers to undergo mandatory COVID-19 quarantine upon arrival to the Kingdom and passengers would also no longer need to provide a PCR test upon their arrival.

In Europe, France has lifted COVID-19 passport requirement for access to most venues and events from 14 March. Greece is scrapping Passenger Locator Forms from 15 March. Romania lifted all travel restrictions imposed due to COVID-19, as of 9 March, Ireland has abolished all COVID-19 entry restrictions from 6 March and Germany allowed all travellers, regardless of their country of origin, as high-risk list is abolished from 3 March.

In the US, no PCR test for fully vaccinated and boosted travellers.

Industry observers express surprise that Nigeria that relatively has less of COVID-19 cases is still enforcing compulsory PCR test.

Exasperated by this situation, a well-known Nigerian journalist, David Hundeyin said on Twitter, “I have never heard of a country on this planet where its own citizens are not allowed to board a flight home unless they pay $100 and

register on some bullshit portal. I don’t think even Eritrea or North Korea charge a fee to their returning citizens. Only Nigeria.”

Most countries have relaxed COVID-19 restrictions, including the ones that suffered most from the virus.

The US recorded 967, 000 deaths, France, 137, 000, UK, 163, 000, Germany 124, 000 and Turkey, 96, 000 deaths, but Nigeria that is still enforcing COVID-19 restriction recorded 3, 142 deaths.

FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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WEEKLY MAGAZINE

NEWS METRO THISLIFE ART WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com 07010510430

Elizabeth Olubunmi Amao: Championing the Cause of Air Force Wives

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͶ, 2022

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COVER

Elizabeth Olubunmi Amao: Championing the Cause of Air Force Wives When she assumed office as the 21st National President of the NigerianAir Force OfficersWivesAssociation,one thing was paramount on Mrs. Elizabeth Olubunmi Amao’s mind- to holistically touch the lives of all members. One year and some months down the line, Chiemelie Ezeobi, who reviewed some of her achievements so far, reports that she has succeeded in tackling education, health, skill acquisition and vocational training for members and the less privileged, while carrying widows of late military personnel along

M

arried to Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao, the 21st Chief of Air Staff (CAS), automatically made his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Olubunmi Amao, the National President, Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA).

As a non-governmental organisation, the association gets funding from the goodwill of the members of the public, corporate organisations, voluntary donations of members and enormous support of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to carry out charitable activities in different communities, across the nation.

However simple this might look, it’s not a tea party as the job of harmonising women and catering to their needs in whatever capacity is enormous not forgetting that the sole aim of NAFOWA is to make life easy for members, women and the less privileged in the society.

For Mrs. Amao, upon assumption of office in January 2021, the task facing her was daunting but she faced it headlong with candour and determination. Known for her calm mien and empathy for the less privileged, she has championed causes that have uplifted lives while helping the NAF in boosting its civil military relations.

RESHAPING ACADEMICS Given her commitment to provide effective and efficient quality education, her desire to reshape the general outlook of all NAFOWA schools and improve service delivery of its subscribers, NAFOWA is true to type.

One of the first bold steps she took was touring all NAFOWA Schools across the country to get first-hand knowledge of its current status.

Her vision is to ensure that all NAFOWA Schools are positioned to compete favorably with other private and public schools in Nigeria and beyond.

She tackled the issue of uniforms for the school pupils given that that NAFOWA had been dependent solely on foreign supply of uniform f a b r i c s a n d p r o d u c t i o n , a situation which at times led to shortage of uniforms.

In line with federal government’s policies of less dependency on foreign goods and sourcing locally to meet immediate needs, she set up of a tailoring work shop in the national secretariat to cushion the effects of late delivery and supply of uniforms to pupil.

She also completed and kickstarted the NAFOWA Little Angels Primary School and NAFOWA Secondary School, both in Asokoro, as part of her commitment to expand and bring qualitative education to the base and all host communities.

In Kaduna, the NAFOWA Little Angels School was also handed a lift with an additional classrooms to cater for expansion and reduce the population of students in classes.

TRAINING FOR TEACHERS Not forgetting to train the trainers, Mrs. Amao in collaboration with the Directorate of Education (DOE) Headquarters Nigerian Air Force also organised a two-day Workshop themed “Modern Teaching Approaches and Classroom management” for the NAFOWA Little Angels Teachers in Abuja.

Stating that NAFOWA will continue to provide qualitative education to the children and wards of serving personnel and the society in general, she stressed that there was need to be aggressive in pushing the association’s ideal on education to the world through the training and retraining of teachers.

She urged the Directorate to take stock of trends and modern styles of work and introduce it to NAF and NAFOWA Schools, while also urging teachers to put more effort into gaining access to materials and digital resources to integrate into their curriculum which will enable the children to be mentally and academically advanced in knowledge.

MEDICAL, HUMANITARIAN OUTREACH In fulfillment of the association’s vision and motto “Service to Humanity” and in solidarity to the Nigerian Air Force at 57 Celebration; NAFOWA donated items worth millions of naira to 063 Nigerian Air Force Hospital Patients and Military Widows in Abuja.

Mrs. Amao while handing over the items to the Commander 063 NAF hospital, Group Captain Muzammil Mohammed, said the gesture was part of

NAFOWA National President with the donated bus the association’s vision on healthcare delivery.

While urging the commander to make good use of the equipment in saving lives and ensuring improved health, she added that the donation was necessitated in other to enhance the Maternity and Pediatric Wards of the hospital and to serve both the personnel and host communities.

Some of the items donated to the Hospital include Skyrun Air Conditioner, Patient Monitoring Gadget, BP Apparatus Manual, BP Apparatus Digital, Weighing Scale with Height, Fridge, Ward Screen, Wheel Chairs, Stretchers, Dissecting Forceps, Couscous Speculum, Underlay, Detergent, Disinfectant Stethoscope, Pulse Oximete, and Oxygen Gauge (UK).

Others include Weighing Scale, Latex Gloves, Emergency Trays, Stitch Scissors, Artery Forceps, Sponge Holders, Needle Holder, Surgical Scissors, Simms Speculum, Emergency Trolley, Neonatal Scale (Digital), Pediatric Stethoscope, Cartons of Syringes, 5ml Syringes, Salvon Disinfectant, Sterilisation Machine, and Pedal Bins.

PASSION FOR WIDOWS Knowing the pains military widows face, Mrs. Amao has often carried them along in her acts of charity. Not known to discriminate between widows of other services, she as shared palliatives to Military widows from the Army, Navy and Air Force where she presented clothings, food items and cash gifts to them.

Acknowledging the plight of the military widows, she said “these our sisters are mostly absent in the statistics, unnoticed by national and local authorities and mostly over looked by the civil society. Their plights, travails and challenges go unnoticed by the generality of the society” Thus, she said that NAFOWA whose motto is “service to humanity” chose the NAF week to specially celebrate and reach out to the wives of the fallen heroes and provide succour to them.

SKILL ACQUISITION, FACELIFT FOR VOCATIONAL CENTRE NAFOWA under Mrs. Amao is very keen on skill acquisition and vocational training.

In Abuja, the association recently graduated graduated 50 participants from its Inaugural Skills Acquisition and Vocational Training Programme after 12 weeks of intensive training in various vocational trades which includes Catering, Event Decoration, Wig Making, Soap Making and Air Condition Installation.

The graduands included youth and women, who are largely unemployed or underemployed, from within the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Bases in Abuja and their surrounding communities.

While thanking the CAS for his continuous support, Mrs. Amao said they had to explore a number of options that would add meaningful value to the lives of women and youths in NAF Bases across the country.

The major highlight of the event was the presentation of starter packs, comprising Mixer, A/C Installation tools, Soap Making tools, Wig Making Tools, among other accessories to the graduating students.

Just last February, NAFOWA empowered another set of 60 participants in its second edition of the NAFOWA Skills Acquisition and Empowerment Programme in Abuja.

The three- month long programme commenced on February 14, 2022, to provide participants with required knowledge and practical skills in vocational areas such as P.O.P, Make Up / Gele tying /Hair making, Household items / soap making, Leather Production, Home Decoration, Embroidery / Stoning and Catering.

She reiterated the commitment of the association to contribute to the socio-economic wellbeing of women and military widows in the society, adding that the programmes will expose the participants to the essentials of skills acquisition including setting up small and medium scale enterprises which will in turn relieve the pressures on family daily demand especially at a time when white-collar jobs are not easily

“She reiterated the commitment of the association to contribute to the socioeconomic wellbeing of women and military widows in the society”

available.

In the same vein, the NAFOWA Vocational Center in Lagos has also been rehabilitated and new equipment supplied to aid the smooth running of the school.

The national president has also set up a team to fix up modalities to upgrade the school in other to get an affiliation to Yaba Tech.

TACKLING CANCER Last year October, the National President did something commendable: she created awareness about the deadly scourge of cancer. She organised the NAFOWA cancer awareness day, which allowed free screening and testing.

Beyond that, she ensured the purchase of new equipment for the Cancer Centre, all geared at tackling the menace.

Noting that cancer is a public health challenge nowadays which is responsible for about one in six deaths worldwide, she said creating awareness and educating the public is extremely important.

Which was why the programme afforded NAFOWA the opportunity to drum up awareness about cancer and how important it is to take proactive measures to stay healthy as cancer has no regard for class or creed and can affect anyone.

Championing early screening, she said the disease can be effectively treated and this should encourage people to see stay vigilant and take actions to reduce the modifiable risk factors associated with cancer.

ABOUT AMAO Mrs Elizabeth Olubunmi Amao was born on March 13, 1966. A native of Igbara-oke, Ifedore Local Government Area, Ondo State, she attended St Joseph’s Catholic and St Paul’s Primary School, Igbara-oke and Community Olua High School, Igbara-oke, both in Ondo.

She worked briefly in Nigeria Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, And Pipeline and Product Marketing Company Ltd (a subsidiary of NNPC) depot precisely, Kaduna.

She also attended Kaduna State Polytechnic Zaria (Now Nuhu Bamali) for her National Diploma.

Then, Houdegbe North American University Benin, Benin Republic for her degree in Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Public Administration.

Married to Air Marshal Amao, the marriage is blessed with three boys and one girl. Mrs. Amao is also a business woman and her hobbies include going to gym, dancing and cooking.

For NAFOWA National President, her determination to bridge the gap and reduce women dependency on the society remains her top priority.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͶ, 2022

NEWS

Sava Homes Opens Exclusive Furniture Showroom in Lagos Island Stories by Mary Nnah SAVA Homes, a retailer of luxury-brand furniture, is set to open an exciting collection for design-conscious enthusiasts.

Consequently, the firm will be launching a new home furniture store in VI, Lagos on Sunday, March 20, 2022.

The store will feature a wide collection of contemporary home furniture from a portfolio of high-end European brands.

This includes Ligne Roset, an icon of French luxury living with a long pedigree dating back to 1860. The brand is famous for its sophisticated, cosmopolitan designs that capture the art of living “à la

française”.

Also to be on display is Calligaris, an Italian furniture maker that emerged in 1923 with a post-war modernist ethos of simplicity and lightness of form.

In addition, the firm will be displaying products from Calia, another Italian furniture maker known for creating unique shapes that are attractive and comforting.

Sava Homes Director, Janvi Savalani, said, “Through Sava Homes, we wanted to bring in cool, adventurous furniture that would excite our design-savvy customers.”

“Today’s young people aren’t looking to follow in their

parents’ footsteps; they have different tastes and sensibilities.

They want statement pieces that communicate who they are in the time that their living’. ‘These values depart from the neoclassical, ornamental furniture popular among Nigeria’s older generation”, she noted further.

She explained that Sava Homes represents the first phase of the company’s plan to become the biggest producer of premiumquality home furniture, adding, “We will leverage the space and expertise to offer products that are affordable to the common man.

“It is only when everyone sees a piece right for them that Sava Homes will become a

household name.

“Already we have started producing home furniture made by Nigerians for Nigerians, from high-quality resources found in Nigeria”, he added.

The business claims its mahogany doors and flooring are already being used in real-estate projects across Lagos. The store, located onAdeola Odeku Street is a unique destination in the heart of Victoria Island provides customers with the opportunity to schedule a meeting with its design consultant. For more information and updates, follow @Savahomes on Instagram or visit their website www. savahomes.com

PROJECT LOVE GIFTS OGUDU COMMUNITY The joy of Ogudu Community knew no bounds as they were visited by Precious Daughters, a non-governmental organisation, who gave out food items, stationery, clothes, shoes, and many other things.

The visionary, Oyinkansola Arogunmaya said it brings nothing but joy to her to see smiles on the faces of people.

Quoting a popular scripture, John 3:16, which says: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”, she narrated that God Himself, gave as a result of His love towards us and as such one cannot talk about love without giving.

“You either give your time, your listening ears, your money, yourself, you just have to give something when displaying the act of love”, she added.

She said further that her organisation was extremely delighted to give to the community with the help of God and all its partners.

“We can’t appreciate you enough because your kind gesture went a long way and to make matters interesting, we were able to win 25 souls into the Kingdom of God”, Arogunmaya added.

Furthermore, the community’s feedback was remarkable as beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the organisation for blessing them with food to eat and clothing for them and even their children.

LULU-BRIGGS BAGS TOP SILVERBIRD, DAILY INDEPENDENT AWARDS Chiamaka Ozulumba

L-R: Sales Trainer and Visual Merchandiser, Sub-Saharan Africa, Swarovski, Jonathan Minter; Executive Director of Polo Luxury Group, Jennifer Obayuwana; and Sales Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, Swarovski, Janni Bezuidenhout at the event

SWNigeria, Swarovski Global Discuss Post-Covid Strategic Expansion Plans SWNigeria, the official retailer of the world’s finest crystal jewellery line, Swarovski, recently received the international brand’s management team to Nigeria for a strategic engagement to consolidate expansion plans across the country.

The visit by the international Swarovski team is the first since the COVID-19 pandemic.

It marks a turning point as the brand seeks to deepen its engagement by bringing the luxury brand to more destinations across Nigeria.

It will be recalled that Swarovski recently opened a store at Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja, one of the largest shopping destinations in Nigeria.

Welcoming the team to Nigeria, Managing Director of PoloLuxury Group, Mr. John Obayuwana expressed delight

over the global Swarovski team’s visit to in Nigeria, noting, “Swarovski is an amazing brand whose know-how not only focuses on refining crystals but also explores methods that make the most incredible pieces attainable. “ We are proud to partner with the brand in creating new engagement opportunities to deepen its business possibilities here in Nigeria.”

In her welcome address, Executive Director of PoloLuxury Group, Jennifer Obayuwana, said the visit by a strategic partner of the PoloLuxury Group reinforces the brand’s appreciation for the Nigerian market and its desire to strengthen the relationship it has with its customers.

“We are excited to have the international Swarovski team here in Nigeria for this visit.

We are also proud to uphold the same Swarovski experience all over the world, as we strengthen the brand’s global expansion plans demonstrated by the recent opening of the SWNigeria store in Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja”, she said.

Speaking during the visit, Sales Trainer and Visual Merchandiser, Sub-Saharan Africa, Swarovski, Jonathan Minter, commended PoloLuxury Group for the success of the brand in the Nigerian market.

“Swarovski is an incredibly unique brand and we have a heritage of creating jewellery pieces that are crafted using the best possible standard. Our founder’s vision of making diamonds available to every woman makes it important to us that Swarovski jewellery is gotten at an attainable price.”

Speaking on the resilience

of the Nigerian luxury market in spite of the pandemic, Sales Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, Swarovski, Janni Bezuidenhout, expressed enthusiasm over the brand’s upcoming expansion plans.

“Looking at the global demographics, Nigeria is very unique, considering it is the only market that expanded in the past two years regardless of the effects of the pandemic on the luxury market worldwide. “ The standards of the boutiques in Nigeria are immensely high and we anticipate more exciting news in the coming months”, he said.

SWNigeria is home to a wide range of crystal jewellery, accessories, and decorative crystal pieces. The brand draws from the 125-year heritage of the global Swarovski brand, which embodies creativity, exceptional quality, and expertise.

Document Women Marks One Year Anniversary Nosa Alekhougie Document Women, a media platform striving to immortalise women’s impact on society by creating engaging feminist content representing women’s struggles, experiences and accomplishments, celebrated its one year anniversary with a photo exhibition and a documentary screening on

International Women’s Day, at the British Deputy High Commissioner’s Residence, in Lagos.

Since inception, Document Women has been known to amplify women’s voices and inspire wide-reaching conversations on women’s issues using a gendered lens. In addition, they are growing a community of curious minds by fostering open discussions about politics,

business and economy, culture, history, health (and more) that affect women.

Document Women began its operations a year ago in response to the exclusionary nature of mainstream media and since then, is gradually and uniquely transforming the way women are represented in media and the society at large.

In its first year, “Document Women” published over 300

articles, produced a podcast series and a short film directed

by Emmy nominee founder Kiki Mordi.

On the 8th of March, 2022, Document Women celebrated its first-year anniversary with a photo exhibition and documentary series themed “Women Giants”, with photography led by Kudirat Ikharo and Sarah Etta’s debut as a creative director.

It was a weekend of celebration for Dr. Mrs Seinye O.B. Lulu Briggs, Executive Chairman of Moni Pulo Limited, an upstream Nigerian oil and gas company, as she was honoured with the Daily Independent’s ‘Personality of the Year Award’ and the Silverbird Group’s ‘Extraordinary Achievement Award’, respectively.

According to the organisers, the awards were in recognition of Mrs Lulu-Briggs’s work as a businesswoman and social investor, especially through her role as Chairman of the globally respected O.B Lulu-Briggs Foundation which annually spends millions of naira on philanthropic projects across Nigeria.

“This award, which is a recognition of my work and that of the staff of my companies and of the Foundation, is a testimony to the fact that it is good to be good,” Mrs Lulu-Briggs told the dignitaries present at the Independent Newspapers Annual Awards ceremony.

A proud daughter of the Kalabari Kingdom, Mrs. Lulu-Briggs was born on the 21st of September, 1958 to a distinguished family of educators and community leaders - Mr and Mrs Ernest and Darling Briggs.

After a career spanning IT, banking and services, she became a businesswoman. Today she runs and holds investments in several ventures in the hospitality, real estate and services sectors.

They include the landmark Rachael Hotel in Port Harcourt; Soliyama Limited, an asset leasing and procurement company, La Sien Bottling Company, producers of the popular La Sien table water and Asia Town, the go-to Asian cuisine restaurant in Port Harcourt.

For most Nigerians, and internationally as well, Dr. Lulu-Briggs is more widely known and admired for her work as Founder/Chairman of the O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation, a humanitarian NGO she established in the name of her beloved late husband to celebrate and institutionalise his legendary prolific charitable and philanthropic giving.

Over the last 20 years of its existence, the foundation has touched thousands of lives in line with the United Nations Social Development Goals (SDGs).

For example, it cares for the upkeep of 200 elders and has reached 132,491 people through 34 medical camps across Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Rivers State that offered a wide range of health care services including surgeries, dental and vision care, free of charge.

Over the last few years, Mrs Lulu-Briggs has become a stronger advocate for addressing the travails of widows and their children.

The treatment she faced as a widow following the death of her husband in 2018, despite her social standing, motivated the foundation to partner the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) to enable it offer free legal services to embattled widows in the pursuit of their rights and the protection of their dignity as well as that of their children.

On the United Nations International Widows Day June 23, 2020, AWLA launched the first ever 24/7 toll-free number- 0800 00231111- for Nigerian widows in distress under the aegis of the O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation grant.

Last December, she was appointed Chairman of the Fund for the Alliance of NGOs and CSOs in the Global South, an international network of 450-member NGOs and CSOs from around the world who work in collaboration with the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) to deepen the impact of civil society in the Global South.

Speaking on the importance of the Silverbird Extraordinary Achievement Award, Mrs Lulu-Briggs said it was gratifying for her to be considered worthy of recognition by the Nigerian media, which she said represents the voice of the people.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͶ, 2022

E-TRENDS CHOCOLATECITYNEWACT RELEASESLOVE-THEMED

MUSIC SHOWBIZ

…Your weekly entertainment delight

NOLLYWOOD

Fuji Music is Not for Touts, Says Sikiru Ayinde Barrister’s Son Stories Vanessa Obioha

Noon Dave

Following the announcement of its projects for March, Chocolate City’s newly signed artist Noon Dave recently made his debut with a love-themed single ‘Brunch’.

The single which leads off his forthcoming project is accompanied by a vibrant display of subtle and pure vocals. Dave sings almost exclusively about taking his lover to brunch- or, more specifically, about the titillating promise of sex.

The artist born David Obafemi taps into his songwriting inspiration by soaking up elements of soul, RnB, pop and of course Afrobeats to create a unique sound.

This is evident in ‘Brunch’ which comes off as a classic throwback, daring but not too risque.

Having explored the friction between new wave and old school RnB, he blends the sounds so effortlessly with the infusion of pidgin, making the single timeless and futuristic, familiar but retro. “‘Brunch’ was very much inspired by Saint JHN’s music I listened to and this moved me to make a song lovers can enjoy whilst having a great time,” he said about the single.

As one of the latest RnB acts on the Chocolate City label, Dave who

THAMARVEL RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM

At the recently held colloquium by veteran Fuji musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) in honour of the late Fuji music pioneer Sikiru Ayinde, popularly known as Ayinde Barrister, the latter’s son Babatunde Ishola Balogun emphasised that the genre was not made for touts.

“Have you ever seen my father perform on stage? Did he dress like a tout? He had the best wristwatch, the best outfit. He has always been a pacesetter in anything. He encouraged all to go to school and if the government did something he didn’t like, he attacked them. That was why he didn’t romance with any politician.

“Barrister sang for the elites right from day one; the traditional rulers and respected persons in society.

Fuji music was not made for touts.

It was when it was Wéré that one had to sneak out of the house to wake people in the night. I hate to hear people say Fuji music is for touts. Barrister built Fuji music for the elites. Barrister was never illiterate. He was a disciplined man and a soldier. He had always been a corporate and decent person and brought decency to Fuji music.”

Balogun’s stance was one of the thrusts of the colloquium where panelists argued the erroneous perception of Fuji music. The panelists which included former Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture in Lagos State, Steve Ayorinde also noted that Fuji music is the most successful indigenous sound of Nigeria but expressed concern that while it has remained constant, it has not produced future

Late Ayinde Barrister

Fuji musicians as expected. However, they unanimously agreed that the genre has influenced younger artists in other genres.

For KWAM 1, having the colloquium was his own way of honouring the Fuji pioneer.

“I’m doing this for the man I love.

I want to surprise him all my life.

I want to keep giving him reason to believe.”

Barrister was during his lifetime known as a singer-songwriter, song producer and music performer. He was regarded as a pioneer of Fuji and Wéré music. After his first break

Six Winners Emerge in African Folktales Reimagined Competition

into music in 1965, Ayinde Barrister went on to release over 70 studio albums. He died on December 16, 2010. The colloquium had in attendance veteran Fuji musician Kollington Ayinla, the great evangelist Ebenezer Obey, Taye Currency among others.

OLAMIDE’S ‘HATE ME’ VISUALS IS STRIKING, HERE’S WHY

Olamide

Iyke Bede Thamarvel

Emerging Nigerian Afropop singer/songwriter, Rotimi Iyanuoluwa known as ‘Thamarvel’ has released his full-length debut album, ‘Hias’.

The album, which was released on March 12, tells the story of his musical journey. The nine-track album features other artists like Psycho YP, Melas_sa and Sassy.

“Working on this project was life-changing, I met a version of myself I never knew before,” said Thamarvel. “The plan was to come up with an album that best describes my journey so far.”

Produced by Rotimi Iyanu, Miles, Tiztext and Fuego, while Indomix mixed and mastered the songs, ‘Hias’ has smashing hits like ‘Wrong decision’ and ‘Most wanted’ featuring Psycho YP. Other notable songs on the album include ‘Caesar to Caesar’ featuring Melas_sa and ‘Slow and Steady’ featuring Sassy.

Azeez, Ali, Ogutu, Echkouna, Mzengi and Yako

Netflix and UNESCO have announced winners of the short film competition ‘African Folktales Reimagined’ for Sub-Saharan Africa’s up-and-coming filmmakers. The winners are Gcobisa Yako (South Africa), Korede Azeez (Nigeria), Loukman Ali (Uganda), Mohamed Echkouna (Mauritania), Voline Ogutu (Kenya), Walter Mzengi (Tanzania).

The winners will now go into the development phase of their projects, before starting production on the short films that will eventually premiere on Netflix as part of ‘An Anthology of African Folktales’ later this year.

While congratulating the winners, Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay said that “The laureates, and all the participants in this competition more broadly, highlight the rich, diverse and ever-evolving culture that Sub-Saharan Africa has to offer and that UNESCO wants to promote. We cannot wait to celebrate these films at a special premiere at UNESCO headquarters in Paris at the end of this year.”

Netflix Director of Content in Africa, Ben Amadasun added that “It’s been a truly inspiring journey for us to experience the level of creative talent from our candidates.

From the thousands of applicants

we’ve received to the Top 21 and finally, the 6 winners - it’s evident that Africa is filled with amazing storytelling talent that is ready to share their different perspectives and celebrate Africa’s rich culture and heritage.”

The competition was launched

by Netflix and UNESCO in October 2021, to promote diverse local stories and bring them to the world. The competition was also a step towards creative equity - as part of the Netflix Creative Equity Fund, which aims at enabling new voices from underrepresented communities within entertainment to bring their perspectives to a global audience.

Arguably, space-themed music videos are no longer a novel idea, but it remains a thrilling concept.

In the 90s, we saw Michael Jackson and his sister Janet replicate what it would be like boarding a space shift in their collaborative piece ‘Scream’.

Later in the early 2010s, Katy Perry released stunning visuals to ‘E.T.’ that explores alien life.

For a long time in the Nigerian music industry, the space music video genre was not explored for obvious technological shortcomings. Not even Burna Boy could fully pull off the concept with his futuristically titled sophomore album ‘On a Spaceship’; however, that has changed.

On Wednesday, February 23, 2022, Nigerian rapper Olamide returned with his first single of the year, a fastpaced afrobeats tune titled ‘Hate Me’, which sees singer Wande Coal provide a Micheal Jackson-esque chorus.

With lyrics steeped in braggadocio, the track does not present any prominent changes to Olamide’s rap style. His consistency is felt throughout the entire three and half minute video.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͶ, 2022

ART WEEKEND

…For pure art enthusiasts

NXT.ART FAIR 2022: The Future of Art is Tech

FOR ‘CONVERSATION IN TRANSIT,’ IT’S A WRAP

The narrative is changing for visual arts in Nigeria. A coalescence of curated conversations and an exhibition of varied art forms, including crypto art, marked the maiden edition of NXT.ART fair and the beginning of tech-driven solutions for arts.

Yinka Olatunbosun reports

A

Pan-African platform, AfricaNXT is famed for its online and offline initiatives to celebrate African ingenuity and empower the creatives, entrepreneurs, organisers, towards moving Africa forward.

Recently, it introduced the art fair to its annual conference held at the Landmark Event Centre, Oniru, Lagos thus creating an opportunity for artists, gallery managers, curators and other players in the art eco-system to rethink the future of arts.

A walk through the art pavilion was eye-opening on the new ways of making art more commercially viable. With a first stop at ADA NFT Gallery pointing to the overarching theme of the show “Here and There,’’ the mood was set for demonstrating the role that digital revolution could play in the “reterritorialisation” and “deterritorilisation” of creative works.

“This is the first time that we are merging the art world and technology world,’’ said Jepchumba, the founder and director, African Digital Art (ADA). “We have incredible culture, global culture and go around businesses. We finally have the opportunity to connect African artists to the resources and audiences.

“For example, if you are an artist and you want to come on to the platform and mint your art, it means that they can’t only buy your art but they can actually own your art and share royalties. The reason why we are having conversations between art and technology is because there lies the bedrock of innovation.’’

On the platform called NANDY Market, an artist can trace his artwork long after it has been sold and engage with the new owner so as to set the royalty, licensing and the contract.

With this technology, visual artists can earn royalties just like musicians do long after their active years of practice and even pass the privilege on to their offspring. The Covid-19 pandemic disruption paved the way for innovative solutions. Although countries closed their borders, technology erased the boundaries in many businesses.

The world couldn’t be more global as opportunities await artists who explore crypto art.

Seun Alli, the director, June Creative Art Advisory (JCAA) revealed that in spite of the fact that the post COVID-19 market has been challenging for arts, there are endless opportunities for

Ofime

Yinka Olatunbosun

Jepchumba

emerging artists.

“We are very particular about artists who are young and new in their careers. We are talking about artists who are 10 years or less who are not mid-level yet,’’ she said as she walked us through the pieces

by Yadichinma Ukoha-Kalu, Laja Oladotun, James George, Joseph Ogbeide and Musa Ganiyy.

Charlene Chikezie, the founder and curator, Forme FemineArt with a gallery in Lagos and Berlin also presented works that resonated the themes of African femininity in art, female bonding, vulnerability as well as evolution of self.

“This is to reimagine how we as current generations of Africans can begin to reimagine our futures,’’ she began while explaining how each artist explored unique techniques to project the theme and how females can serve as support systems to one another,’’ she said.

Ugonna Ibe-Ejiogu, the Artistic director of Cinnamon Lagos and NXT.ART fair explained the rationale behind the fair which drew

over 500 visitors from February 28 to March 4.

“We saw an uptake interest in art and art events especially with arts from Africa. Being a technological company, we wanted to create the opportunity for people to learn more from the new forms of art.

There are lots of opportunities for artists to make money beyond just the initial sales,’’ she said.

Tony Agbapuonawum, the Curator, ‘Curated Conversations at ART Fair Pavilion’ expressed his optimism for the discourse adding that it would help forge new ways of collaborations, new ways to reimagine and foster the prosperity in the African art eco-system.

The three-member panel featured painter-sculptor, Ayoola Gbolaha; painter-photographer, Isaac Emokpae andArt X Prize 2021 winner, Chigozie Obi. Based on the theme, ‘How art helps to generate social identity, New Culture and build a nation,’ they shared their perspectives on their individual approach to art.

For Gbolahan, the public art forms should embody the Nigerian story while artists should be socially committed.

“The artist is not a content creator,’’ he argued. “Society needs you to be a catalyst for change. You can use art as a way of political rallying and you can do it with art exhibitions. It starts with the curators talking with the artists and raising the consciousness.’’

Obi’s use of her indigenous language, Ibo, deepens her appreciation for arts and the meaning embedded in her works. More importantly, she optimises visibility for her works using technology.

“I’m a Gen Z and I am active on social media. You can use your social media platforms to inform and engage people,’’ she said.

With reference to Afrobeat pioneer Fela and legendary sculptor Erhabor Emokpae, the artist Isaac Emokpae posited that setting a cultural precedence is one way for African artists to represent Africa.

“If people don’t innovate, they’ll copy,’’ he said.

The production cast and crew of “Conversation in Transit”, the first Nigerian movie to be shot in a moving train have called it ‘a wrap.’

Rogers Ofime, the award-winning producer while speaking at the last day of the movie production, recalled how the idea for the movie was born.

The Canada-based producer went on a train ride from Lagos to Ibadan and visualised an action film and the Nigerian actors that could pull it off.

“In spite of their busy schedules, the actors came on set for 30 days. I tried my best and I am glad they all loved the script and came on board but it wasn’t easy.”

On his partnership with the government to use the train station and coaches for production, Rogers said it was initially a challenge to access the train station because of the length of the production. But after seven months of persuasion, the station had to lock up two of their coaches for the shoot.

“We tried to convince them, we spent seven months in trying to convince the government that this is actually a worthwhile adventure.

The only thing we got from them which I am very proud of are those coaches for 30 days.

“The government did not give us any money. This is not a political film, not a propaganda, it is because we, as filmmakers, identified a creative spot and we took advantage of it.

The director, Robert Peters had wanted to take a break from film making to reinvent himself, but when the script came he loved it.

The movie was shot at the Mobolaji Johnson train station, Yaba Lagos.

Initiated by Ummi Baba Ahmed and scripted by Tope Bolade- Akinbode and Dichie Enunwa.

Osas Ighodaro who played the role of Adeola in the Movie portrayed a life of a typical hard working woman, but stays positive even through her tough situation. Sharing her experience on the set, Ighodaro said, “The film is unique because it is a history making project. To be able to act alongside living legends like RMD is beautiful.”

With New Book, Bina Idonije’s Beams Lights on Relationships, Marriage Yinka Olatunbosun Bina Idonije was 20 years old when she wanted to release her first book. But that didn’t happen until twenty years later- in 2022 at Four Point Sheraton, Victoria Island Lagos. With a small gathering of friends, family and colleagues, Idonije opened up on the journey towards her first novel titled “Bridges are for Burning.’’

Nina’s memory of writing dated back to the 80s when she was about six or seven she wrote a book titled ‘John the Scallywag.’ It was written and illustrated by her with eight pages stuck together with water gum to create a bound prose work.

Today, she is a lawyer with a random interest in drawing plant species, hosting friends for drinks and listening to music.

Married with three children, Idonije was elated to see the first of her dream books become a reality against all odds.

“Every one that holds the book in hand will realise that whatever time you wake up is your morning. Writing is a passion for me and even though I had not become published all along, I used to write stories. I kept the dream alive. When I was a young girl, I really loved to read novels.

“I read ‘The Sugar Girl,’ ‘Eze goes to school,’ but I grew to read widely.

‘Mills and Boons’ introduced romance

into my palate. I suppose that’s where I got the romance from. I just wanted to add a different voice to the discourse around African literature,’’ she recounted.

Representing the middle and upper class, she carefully developed her characters to be contemporary and diverse with some having multi-racial identity.

With her writing, she celebrates the beauty of a woman and juxtaposes that with what attracts women to the kind of men they marry or have a romantic relationship with.

“Wanting money in itself is not a bad thing. I think it becomes a problem when it is the only thing. Just because you marry someone who is wealthy does not mean it has to come with baggage.

“ But when your sole goal is to marry for money, then you have to deal with whatever comes with it. We also have a couple whose story shows that someone can love you and still do bad things to you,’’ she said.

Further, ‘Bridges are for Burning’ explores the theme of love, toxic masculinity, friendship and womanhood.

In her review, Biyai Garricks, podcaster and Roving Bookworm Publisher, expressed her delight in reading the book.

“For a debut, this book is so wellwritten, witty and believable. It truly portrays a modern-day Lagos with colourful characters. It is full of dramasuspense and a brilliant twist at the end. It explores different relationships between friends, lovers and spouses.

Idonije

making human beings in ways that shock us. You have to be 18 to read the book because there are lots of steamy scenes in the book,’’ she said.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͶ, ͰͮͰͰ

POLSCOPE

áÓÞÒ ÎÎã ÎÓàáÜÓ áÓÞÒ ÎÎã ÎÓàáÜÓ ÏÎÎã˛ÙÎÓàáÜÓ̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙט ͸΀͸ͽ ͻ͸; ΁ͻͽ; ÏÎÎã˛ÙÎÓàáÜÓ̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙט ͸΀͸ͽ ͻ͸; ΁ͻͽ;

When Home Ceases to Be the Best hile growing up, it was a standing wise counsel to always remind the younger folks that wherever they went in life—”East or West”, they must always remember that “Home is the Best”.

That counsel was put to test recently when the Russian-Ukraine war broke out. Out of the estimated 4000 Nigerians who were mainly students in Ukraine, only about a little over two thousand students expressed desire to return home, regardless of the hot missiles and shells shattering everything, including human beings, in Ukraine. A few more students however changed their minds. But quite a number chose to relocate to neighbouring countries like Poland, Hungary, Romania, and just try to “rough it out”, there.

Some of them interviewed, stressed that there was no point coming back home, asking pointedly:” come back home to do what?”.

Not even the pangs and ire of restiveness and outright danger are enough to make them consider returning home as an option.

Quite a number who reluctantly came back home did so at the behest of their parents.

It is interesting to also note that some of the returnees have said even after the war, they will not like to go back to Ukraine.

A curious point is the number of Nigerian youths who are willing to sign up and be recruited as Ukranian soldiers to go fight the war—just so they can escape the domestic hades they are entrapped in.

Some of them have argued that joining the Ukranian forces may just be to help their own fortune, not minding if in doing so, they could encounter death. Like a swan song, they insist, as they say on street argots, “all die na die”.

The Russian-Ukrainian crisis raises quite a number of questions, chief of which is why many Nigerians youths are interested and keen on pursuing their studies in that cold block of Eastern Europe, especially those pursuing medical studies.

The answer may not be far-fetched. There is little or no guaranty on the system of education in Nigeria, especially those of the public universities. It is instructive that at the time of the Ukrainian war, all public universities in Nigeria have been on a four-week warning strike, yet again. And just when people thought the strike would be called off, it only got extended by another two months, last Monday. That means a whole semester is gone. That would be the umpteenth strike action that has the notoriety of disrupting the academic calendar and studies of Nigerian undergraduates. There is nothing else Dr Chris Ngige does as Minister of Labour and Productivity, aside negotiating with striking labour unions. If it is not ASUU, it will be

W

Onyema

Doctors or Clearing Agents, or Teachers, or Judicial workers’ Union etc. etc.

So, question is why should a student who had “escaped” that regular malaise in Nigerian universities be enthusiastic to return to it?

There is no doubting that the quality of education being dished out in Nigerian public universities to students is damn low and unassuring, yet it is worse that even that sub-standard measly quality will still not run smoothly. Very recently, a member of the House of Representatives bemoaned the lack of faith of public officers aka Nigerian Big men on the Nigerian educational system, the reason why many of them send their children to foreign schools.

How can the Ukranian returnees return to this thick darkness, complicated by unbearable heat wave? Back home, the irregular and epileptic power supply has suddenly gone comatose with yet another collapse of the national power grid. From epilepsy to stroke… so to say. The resort to use of generators has even been made more difficult with the prolonged fuel

scarcity, marginally improving a in some states. With near complete absence of public supply of energy, even those who have inverters cannot charge them to get the alternative electricity they laboured to procure. Nigeria seems desperate to frustrate its citizens from all fronts. For those who have diesel-powered generators, they are sweating profusely from all pores as the cost of diesel has hit N650 per litre. How can an economy---private and industrial, that runs largely on gas, continue production at that terrible price hike? N650 per litre!

Perhaps before this column gets published, the price of diesel would have hit N700 or more per litre. Those in aviation sector are already wriggling in pain with the huge cost of Jet A1. Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has issued a notice of hyper inflation. Is anyone still asking why inflation is faithfully climbing to the roof top unchecked? Everything but salaries and incomes are steadily on the rise. How can these Ukrainian returnees be excited to return to this pall of uncertainty?

In a clime where home news is per-

petually bad news, how can the children return home with glee? A forthnight ago, the news broke of how a missing 22-year old Oluwabamise Ayanwole who had been declared missing after boarding a BRT bus in Lagos, was found dead with parts of her body missing. She was raped and murdered.

This is the hitherto safe haven called Lagos, now hosting ritualists on parade even in government-owned facilities and services.

How can such a home where this bestiality happens be the best? How good is the home where the dignity of labour has long been sacrificed on the altar of magical riches, alias Yahoo-Yahoo?

How can this kind of home be the best when kidnappers are on the prowl, hounding the rich and even the poor.

This is a home where unemployment is choking. No matter how qualified and certified you are , the jobs are just not there. A home where “connection” and not competence, is might. How can such a home be best?

In the Ukrainian system, as in most foreign schools and climes, students can school and work as a means of supporting themselves.

But back home, graduates are hustling as “black market operators”, chasing motorists with kegs of petrol, just to make a few wads of Naira, a currency that is itself gasping at N570 per United States Dollar.

It is curious that the Nigerian government does not seem bothered that our critical workforce as a nation is on the “jakpa mode”-- ready and eager to flee the country. Right from the days of Andrew, ‘checking out’, has never been this huge and compelling.

Just go to the airport and see the volume of Nigerians---young and old, pushing to stream out of the land.

The Nigerian government issued a statement disallowing Ukraine from recruiting Nigerian youths into its fighting force. On the surface, that may seem the ideal thing to do. But does the government not know that signing up to go and fight (and probably die) in a foreign land on the side of a weaker and less equipped nation, a mark of utmost desperation? What is the alternative presented to such youths at home?

It is not lack of patriotism to speak of, or writing on, these things. They are just simply disenabling to right thinking members of the society, especially those who are not in the small circle of the ‘chopping’ crew.

This was a government that promised, in 2014/2015 to create at least three million jobs a year. If that had worked, this is the seventh year, over 21 million jobs would have been created. But rather than create jobs, millions of jobs have not only been lost, life and living has simply become tough and torturous. Even the rich are also crying.

Erelu Angela Adebayo’s Healthy Soul for the Under Privileged

“I

t is a deep passion. It is not circumstantial. I have come to live for it and it makes me happy and complete…” those were the words of Erelu Angela Adebayo, the former first lady of Ekiti State and the wife of the sitting minister of Industries and Commerce, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, as she describes her sustained devotion to the cause of less privileged and vulnerable members of society. Her works and contributions glow bright in a season the world chose to celebrate women, under the auspices of International Women Day, celebrated last week.

Her passion and commitment compares with that of late Mrs Alaere Alaibe whose project, FREE (Family Re-orientation Education and Empowerment), was determined to change the economic and intellectual fortunes of the women of the Niger Delta. Sadly, death abridged that effort.

Many had thought that Erelu got into children-focused charity efforts only when her husband became the governor of Ekiti State in 1999. True, she formed the Erelu Adebayo Foundation (ERAF) as a platform to care for underprivileged, abandoned and vulnerable children, when she became Ekiti Frist Lady. But truth is that even before getting into government, Mrs Adebayo had had a soft heart for children, especially those struggling with the basics of life. She had used the platform of the church to lend a hand to children in such categories, long before getting into government.

Perhaps one sure proof that her bond with underprivileged children is not circumstantial

Erelu Adebayo

is that nearly two decades after leaving office, she is still very knitted to the affairs and interest of such children. ERAF did not die with her leaving office. Luckily, the Ekiti State government has adopted the Foundation under the auspices of the Ekiti First Lady,

Mrs Bisi Fayemi. Not only did ERAF not die, it has actually mutated with several other initiatives aimed at meeting the needs of less privileged children.

Today, Erelu Adebayo as the Founder of Erelu Adebayo Foundation (ERAF), is also the Chairman of Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF); she is on the board of Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) as a Trustee, just as she is the Chairman of Greenwich Foundation.

It is instructive that she also initiated the ERAF Soup kitchen, where she cooks and feeds children from time to time, both within and outside the church, like City Hall on the Lagos Island, Angel Hospitality Services (a hotel), and such other places. Many a times, homeless and other classes of underprivileged children are gathered in their hundreds, and fed. At other times, women and children in various homes and orphanages, especially in low-rated neighbourhoods like Makoko in Lagos, are given bags and cartons of food items like Rice, Spaghetti, grains, Pasta, Noodles etc. etc.

Asked how she is able to carry on with these many initiatives given the huge cost implications, she said, many individuals and corporate organisations have been highly supportive, adding that “it is easier to get food items donated, than getting cash/money from organisations and individuals”.

She explained that the 25-year old Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), has been neck deep in providing succour and relief to vulnerable people across board, by way of providing nutrition, humanitarian intervention as well as giving grants and other facilities through micro-credit schemes. The ADF programmes

are funded by Dangote who rarely wants a publicity on his give-back initiatives to society.)

Beyond giving “bread and butter”, Erelu has long gone into some form of advocacy for victims of social violence against women and the girl child. The Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) founded by Dr Kemi Da-Silva Ibru, a gynaecologist, caters for victims of rape and other forms of violence against women.

In all cases, the driving motivation is how to change, for the better, the narrative of those who have been victims of nature or circumstances of life.

When Erelu Adebayo spoke to me during the week, you can tell the burning inclination of one who is so keenly interested in improving the socio-metrics of weak and vulnerable children.

Every Christmas, for instance, she drives back to Iyin-Ekiti where she celebrates with the children in the ERAF home, because “we are determined to put a smile on their faces”, she said.

There is a running mantra : OBJ (not Obasanjo), but Oh Be Joyful, which is like an operative lingo among beneficiaries of these initiatives.

But it is not once-in-a-year affair. Periodically, activities are organized to make the children feel at home all year round. In fact, she informed that she took the trouble to travel to Netherlands to visit some of the children who had been adopted from the home, just to check how they are faring.

In a way therefore, she deserves to be celebrated on this week of International Women’s Day, even as we await Mothers’ Sunday, later this month.

FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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44

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͶ˜ 2022

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

FG Urged to Suspend Tax, Levies on Fuel Imports to Curb Inflation Nume Ekeghe

The Chief Executive, Centre for Promotion Of Private Enterprise (CPPE) and former Director General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr Muda Yusuf has called for a suspension of tax and levies on importation of petroleum products to curb inflation.

Yusuf in a statement said companies are struggling to stay above waters in the midst of rising energy and fuel costs as well as a rising inflation.

Manufacturers as well as other operators in the Nigerian economy has been lamenting the soaring price of diesel which has jumped from around N250 to more than N750 per litre amidst the lack of electricity supply in the country.

Inflation, a measurement of

how fast prices of goods and services, which had slowed to 15.6 per cent in January this year had picked up vigour in February to 15.7 per cent as analysts say they expect inflation to soar even higher in March due to the higher cost of fuel, dripping down on other prices. Commenting on the recently released inflation figures, Yusuf said: “To tackle inflation, these key drivers would have to be addressed. All forms of taxes and levies on the importation of petroleum products should be suspended to give a respite on the spiking energy cost. There should also be deeper stakeholder engagements across sectors to develop an enduring strategy on the way forward.”

Noting that the technical computation of the inflation figures the NBS is not in dispute, he said the reality and severity of the

impact of the intense inflationary pressures over the past one year is at variance with the official inflation data.

“For the basket of goods consumed by most households, prices have jumped by between 30-100 per cent over the past one year. The same is true of businesses. The pressure of spiking inflation on household budgets has been excruciating and unbearable. Purchasing power has been massively eroded, real incomes have depressed, and the poverty situation has consequently worsened.

“Businesses have been similarly impacted as they have been experiencing a slump in sales, turnover and profits margins.

The impact on small businesses is even more severe because of their limited capacity to absorb economic shocks, “he added.

From left: Regional Manager, Lagos and South, Salamatu Sheidu; Managing Director, Mr. Hassan Usman and Head, Corporate Communications Department, Halima Ishaq, all of Jaiz Bank Plc at a media parley with the media in Lagos yesterday

Buhari Reappoints BOI Chairman, MD/ CEO for Another Term President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the renewal of the appointments of Mallam Aliyu AbdulRahman Dikko as Chairman and that of Mr. Olukayode Pitan as the Managing Director/CEO of the Bank of Industry (BOI) for another term of five years.

The new appointments which take effect from May 27, 2022, was conveyed via a letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha and dated March 11, 2022.

Under Pitan’s leadership, BOI has consistently delivered on its mandate to transform Nigeria’s industrial sector by providing

long-term financing and countercyclical loans diversified across industries such as agro-processing, gender businesses and renewable energy among others.

In the last five years, BOI has promoted financial inclusion by supporting the expansion of over 3 million enterprises, thereby creating over 7 million jobs.

To expand its capital-base to meet the needs of its customers, and contribute to economic growth of the Nigeria, Pitan led BOI’s successful foray into the international market and has raised about $3.8 billion in the last 4 years.This includes a $750million syndicated medium-

term loan in 2018 (fully paid); a €1billionsyndicated loan in March 2020; a $1 billionsyndicated loan in December 2020; and a €750 million Senior Eurobond (the first by any African national DFI) in February 2022.

Investor confidence in BOI is reflected in its balance-sheet which has more than doubled since Pitan’s appointment in 2017 growing significantly from N713billion to about N1.7trillion as at December 2021.

The bank consistently demonstrates resilience in the face of macro-economic headwinds and recorded remarkable growth, even in face of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unity Bank, NASME Partner to Empower Women-owned MSMEs Nume Ekeghe Unity Bank has partnered the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) to empower and boast businesses owned by women.

NASME also commended the bank it it’s strive towards promoting women businesses at International Women’s Day, IWD celebrations held in Lagos recently.

The National Deputy President of NASME, Gbemisola Oduntan gave the commendation while addressing the women at the event.

She said the partnership with Unity Bank enabled NASME to roll out an

engagement programme for women entrepreneurs in commemoration of the IWD, adding that the programme specifically targeted those in MSME sectors and provided a platform for corporate partners to join collaborative initiatives that will impact positively on the businesses of individual members of NASME in Lagos.

Delivering a keynote, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Unity Bank, Mrs. Oluwatomi Somefun, who was the Chairman of the occasion said Unity Bank Plc would continue to support pioneering efforts with genuine intent on inclusivity, removing biases and unlearning stereotypes, even as the Bank continues to introduce

innovative banking solutions that support and empower Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs operated by women in Nigeria.

Represented by Head, Personal and SME Banking, Dr. Opeyemi Ojesina, Somefun said the bank’s quest to grow retail segment “has enabled us to pay extra attention to women-led businesses more than any other financial services provider in Nigeria”.

She said: “Just recently, we launched the Yanga account, which is a new retail product designed to deepen beneficial impact on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs operated by women in the mass market retail space.

UK Snack Brand Announces Entry into Nigeria UK premium snack retailer, Chika’s Foods has announced plans to commence business operations in Nigeria. This will mark the organization’s expansion into the African snack market and the first of many market entries to come. The company, which is registered as Chika’s Wholefoods Africa Limited (CWAL) in an official document stated that it aims to introduce high quality production standards and make premium snacking experience available to low income groups across the continent, starting with

Lagos Nigeria.

Group CEO, Chika’s Foods, Chika Russell said, “Our story is incomplete without our Nigerian heritage and so we have come home to serve premium snacks to Nigerians and to bring standards to the African snack industry.

We strongly believe that snacks which taste good and is produced to the highest quality standards should be available to everyone, regardless of income class. That’s our goal for coming back home to Nigeria. We are a conscientious brand using good ingredients

(none of the bad stuff), known for our good ethos and backing good causes. We want everyone to eat only the good.”

Nigerian by birth, Mrs. Russell left her birth country at age 6 to the UK. As an adult in the UK, she realized a huge under representation of African food in the snacks market - snacks which were the delight of her childhood. And with a deep breath, she left the world of finance to share her passion for African inspired foods. Chika’s the brand was born.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7

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

45

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͶ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

Custodian Investment Reports 14% Revenue Growth, Declares N0.50 Kobo Dividend Kayode Tokede Custodian Investment Plc has said it recorded revenue growth of 14 per cent in its audited financial performance for the financial year ended December 31, 2021.

The audited accounts of

the group, released recently in Lagos, indicated that gross revenue increased by 14 per cent to N85.7 billion and, after adjusting for non-recurring one-time gain from prior year’s result, profits from continuing ordinary operations recorded 18 per cent growth while net

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

asset per share grew by 16 per cent to 937 kobo.

The company’s shareholders’ fund also grew by 16 per cent from N47.6 billion to N55.1 billion after paying dividends totaling N3.24 billion, amounting to 50 lobo per share during the year. The audited

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

result of the company and its subsidiaries has confirmed the growth in revenue and shareholders’ funds for the year that ended on 31st December 2021 as earlier reported in the unaudited result released on 31st January 2022. The report showed that

T R A D E D

VALUE TRADED ( N )

MAIN BOARD

A S

major business segments posted appreciable revenue and profit growths despite the challenging operating environment.

In line with the tradition of the company on the payment of regular dividends to its shareholders, the directors recommended the payment

O F

1 7

of a final dividend of 40 kobo per share on every 50 kobo share of the company, having paid an interim dividend of 10 kobo per share in September 2021, thus taking the total dividend paid on the result for financial year 2021 to 50 kobo per share.

/ 0 3 / 2 0 2 2 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

46

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2022

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Thisday Thisday Afrinvest Afrinvest 40 40 Index Index down fell by1bp 14bps The Afrinvest 40 fell 1bp to 1,895.64 index points The Thisday dŚŝƐĚĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ /ŶĚĞdž ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ďLJ ϭϰďƉƐ ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ due to sell pressure on SEPLAT (-3.1%), NB at 1,674.89 points due to sell-pressure on (-Ϯ͘ϬйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ ZENITH (-0.6%),

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

DANGSUGAR (-ϭ͘ϯйͿ͘ ƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞƐĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ WAPCO (-1.3%), and UBA (-0.7%). These stocks cumulafor 3.8% of the index. ƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϭϯ͘Ϯй͘

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

Current Price

Ticker

WƌŽĮƚ-dĂŬŝŶŐ ƌĂŐƐ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ͘​͘​͘ ^/ ĚŽǁŶ ϮďƉƐ ASI up 11bps as DANGCEM Gains 3.3% dŚĞ ůŽĐĂů ďŽƵƌƐĞ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƌĞĚ LJĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ͕ ĂƐ ƉƌŽĮƚtaking in SEPLAT NB (-Ϯ͘ϬйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ DANGSUGAR (WƌĞǀŝŽƵƐ ĚĂLJ͕ (-3.1%), ƉƌŝĐĞ ƵƉƟĐŬ ŝŶ ,KEz&>KhZ ϭ͘ϯйͿ ĚƌĂŐŐĞĚ ƚŚĞ ďĞŶĐŚŵĂƌŬ ŝŶĚĞdž ĚŽǁŶ ϮďƉƐ ƚŽ (+9.8%), E' D ;нϯ͘ϯйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ & E, (+0.7%) bolϰϳ͕ϯϱϯ͘ϮϮ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ͘ ŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚůLJ͕ zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ŵŽĚĞƌĂƚĞĚ stered ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŽŶ the local bourse as the AllƐůŝŐŚƚůLJ ƚŽ ϭϬ͘ϵй ǁŚŝůĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ĚŝƉƉĞĚ ʬ6.1bn Share index rose by to ʬϮϱ͘ϱƚŶ͘ dƌĂĚŝŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĞ 11bps to 39,550.36 points. ŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚůLJ͕ zd ůŽƐƐ ŝŵͲ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƌŽƐĞ ϲϰ͘ϯй ĂŶĚ ϱϯ͘ϱй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ƚŽ Ϯϯϵ͘ϳŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ proved to -1.8% while ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ƌŽƐĞ ďLJ and ʬ3.9bn.േϮϬ͘ϲƚŶ͘ dƌĂĚŝŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ േϮϯ͘ϰďŶ ƚŽ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ďLJ Ϯϭ͘ϲй ƚŽ ϭϭϬ͘ϴŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ value Mixed Sector Performance ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƌŽƐĞ ďLJ ϴϴ͘ϱй ƚŽ േϯ͘ϭďŶ͘ The most traded stocks Across sectors within our coverage, performance was by volume were dZ E^ KZW ;ϭϭ͘ϵŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ & E, (11.1m ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ Ϯ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ͕ Ϯ ůŽƐƚ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ AFR-ICT and InƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ ĂŶĚ K E K ;ϳ͘ϯŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ǁŚŝůĞ E ^d> ;േϮ͘ϮďŶͿ͕ dustrial Goods ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŚĞ Insurance and Bank E' D ;േϭϰϱ͘ϬŵͿ͕ ĂŶĚ 'd K ;േϭϯϰ͘ϴŵͿ ůĞĚ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘ ŝŶŐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ŝŶĐŚĞĚ ŚŝŐŚĞƌ ďLJ ϭϬďƉƐ ĂŶĚ ϭďƉ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ Z ' >/E^ ;нϮ͘ϲйͿ͕ E/d, Bearish Sector Performance ;нϬ͘ϮйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ &/ >/dz ;нϭ͘ϳйͿ͘ ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ Oil & Gas Across sectorsGoods underindices our coverage, performance was and Consumer declined 176bps and 45bps bearish as 4 indices lost, 1 index gained ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ &Z-/ d ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĚƌŝǀĞŶ ďLJ ƐĞůů ƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞ ŽŶ ^ W> d ;-ϯ͘ϭйͿ͕ E ;ŝŶĚĞdž ƌĞŵĂŝŶĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŽƉƉŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ůĂŐŐĂƌĚƐ ĂƌĞ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵͲ Ϯ͘ϬйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ E'^h' Z ;-1.3%).

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

1895.64

1 Airtel Africa PLC 2 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC

1,260.00

3 BUA Cement Plc 4 Guaranty Trust Holding Co PLC 5 Zenith Bank PLC 6 Dangote Cement PLC 7 Nestle Nigeria PLC 8 FBN Holdings Plc 9 Lafarge Africa PLC 10 Access Bank PLC 11 United Bank for Africa PLC 12 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC 13 Nigerian Brew eries PLC 14 SEPLAT Energy PLC 15 Ecobank Transnational Inc 16 International Brew eries PLC 17 Okomu Oil Palm PLC 18 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC 19 Fidelity Bank PLC 20 AXA Mansard Insurance PLC 21 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC 22 FCMB Group Plc 23 United Capital PLC 24 Guinness Nigeria PLC 25 Transnational Corp of Nigeria 26 Presco PLC

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

-0.01% 0.0%

38.2%

2.2%

89.6%

31.9%

31.9%

ROE

15.0%

ROA

P/E

3.5%

5.4x

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

P/BV

0.8x

6.0%

16.7%

1.5%

205.00

0.0%

8.0%

4.1%

4.1%

134.7%

14.1%

14.0x

21.5x

70.75

0.0%

6.8%

5.5%

5.5%

19.1%

11.2%

34.0x

6.4x

26.20

0.2%

6.2%

0.8%

0.8%

20.7%

3.3%

4.3x

5.1%

7.2%

0.9x

11.5%

23.5% 29.4%

2.9%

26.45

0.2%

5.9%

5.2%

5.2%

20.4%

2.7%

3.4x

0.6x

11.7%

273.50

0.0%

4.4%

6.4%

6.4%

39.2%

16.3%

12.9x

4.8x

7.3%

7.8%

1,435.00

0.0%

3.1%

-7.8%

-7.8%

106.8%

15.6%

27.8x

32.8x

3.5%

3.6% 14.2%

11.95

1.7%

3.3%

4.8%

4.8%

8.4%

0.8%

7.0x

0.6x

3.8%

24.00

0.0%

3.1%

0.2%

0.2%

11.6%

8.4%

9.0x

1.0x

8.3%

11.1%

10.40

0.0%

2.8%

11.8%

11.8%

17.0%

1.4%

2.9x

0.5x

8.2%

34.3%

8.50

-0.6%

2.2%

5.6%

5.6%

15.8%

1.4%

2.5x

0.4x

11.8%

39.9%

34.80

0.0%

1.5%

-3.3%

-3.3%

15.1%

2.1%

7.8x

1.2x

11.7%

12.8%

44.50

-2.0%

1.3%

-11.0%

-11.0%

7.6%

2.7%

27.9x

2.1x

3.6%

3.6%

930.00

-3.1%

2.1%

43.1%

43.1%

8.7%

4.1%

8.5x

0.7x

4.4%

11.8%

-10.3%

-3.9%

11.95

0.0%

1.8%

37.4%

37.4%

5.10

0.0%

1.1%

3.0%

3.0%

143.50

0.7%

1.0%

1.1%

1.1%

36.5%

23.3%

9.7x

3.2x

32.00

0.0%

1.1%

12.9%

12.9%

15.9%

4.5%

4.9x

0.7x

5.2%

20.4% 44.1%

2.7x

36.5% 1.0x

-11.2% 10.3%

2.98

1.7%

0.7%

16.9%

16.9%

13.3%

1.3%

2.3x

0.3x

7.4%

2.30

0.0%

0.5%

-0.9%

-0.9%

9.3%

3.0%

7.1x

0.7x

9.6%

14.1%

15.80

-1.3%

0.4%

-9.2%

-9.2%

17.4%

6.9%

8.7x

1.5x

6.3%

11.5%

10.3%

1.1%

3.41

-1.2%

0.5%

14.0%

14.0%

12.40

-0.8%

0.4%

25.3%

25.3%

65.00

0.0%

0.6%

66.7%

66.7%

13.3%

6.0%

13.7x

1.7x

0.7%

7.3%

1.12

0.9%

0.4%

16.7%

16.7%

11.1%

2.3%

5.9x

0.6x

0.9%

16.8%

0.3x

4.4%

2.8x

12.0%

133.00

6.4%

0.4%

51.5%

51.5%

2.8x

0.8%

27 NASCON Allied Industries PLC 28 AIICO Insurance PLC

13.50

0.0%

0.3%

2.3%

2.3%

21.3%

6.9%

12.7x

2.5x

3.0%

7.9%

0.69

0.0%

0.2%

-1.4%

-1.4%

7.2%

1.1%

383.3x

0.7x

29 TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeri 30 Custodian and Allied Insurance

264.90

0.0%

0.3%

19.4%

19.4%

48.0%

9.5%

5.4x

2.2x

1.6%

18.6%

0.3%

7.10

0.0%

0.2%

-10.1%

-10.1%

19.5%

5.5%

4.2x

0.8x

7.7%

24.0%

er 'ŽŽĚƐ ĂŶĚ Insurance indices, down 4.6% and

31 Vitafoam Nigeria PLC 32 Unilever Nigeria PLC

22.30

0.0%

0.2%

-0.9%

-0.9%

38.7%

16.0%

5.7x

2.0x

6.7%

17.5%

13.50

-0.7%

0.2%

-6.9%

-6.9%

7.8%

4.9%

29.9x

1.2x

ϭ͘Ϯй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ƉƌŽĮƚ-ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ E ^d> (-

33 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC 34 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

26.50

0.0%

0.2%

18.6%

18.6%

18.9%

2.4%

4.0x

0.8x

1.5%

25.0%

6.20

-0.8%

0.1%

5.1%

5.1%

7.1%

0.8%

7.0x

0.7x

4.0%

5.10

0.0%

0.1%

15.4%

15.4%

14.5%

2.6%

2.2x

0.3x

Outlook 9.1%), hE/> s Z

(-3.5%),

>/E< ^^hZ

(-6.4%),

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ͕ ǁĞĂŬͲ and D E^ Z (-Ϯ͘ϮйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ĂŶĚ ĂŶŬͲ ened to 0.01x 0.03x in the prior session as 18 stocks ing indices fellfrom by Ϭ͘Ϯй ĂŶĚ ϮďƉƐ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůůĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ͕ ϭϳ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ϳϭ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ /Ŷ ƚŽĚĂLJ͛s sesŽīƐ ŝŶ K E K (-0.8%), E/d, (-Ϭ͘ϮйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ 'd K ;-Ϭ͘ϮйͿ͘

35 Oando PLC 36 Wema Bank PLC 37 NEM Insurance PLC 38 Sterling Bank PLC 39 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd 40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

ƐŝŽŶ͕ ǁĞ ĂŶƟĐŝƉĂƚĞ ƚŚĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƚŽ ĐůŽƐĞ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƌĞĚ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ǁĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůŽŶĞ ŐĂŝŶͲ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ĞdžƚĞŶĚĞĚ ƉƌŽĮƚ-taking. er, up 1.8% driven

by

price

apprecia-

ƟŽŶ in E' D (+3.3%).

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ

;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ͕ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ͕ ƐĞƩůŝŶŐ Ăƚ 1.6x ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͘ϯdž ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ůĂƐƚ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ Ϯϰ stocks advanced while 15 stocks declined. MRS (+9.9%), MAY-

STOCK (-4.8%) led losers. Previous day, we expect the ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ƚŽ ƌĞŵĂŝŶ ŵŝdžĞĚ͕ ĂƐ earnings season gradually winds up.

27.8%

27.8%

14.1%

0.8%

4.0x

0.5x

4.3%

-9.6%

-9.6%

35.6%

18.5%

6.3x

1.0x

4.6%

15.8%

1.53

0.0%

0.1%

1.3%

1.3%

9.4%

0.9%

2.0x

0.3x

3.3%

50.0%

62.50

0.0%

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

-28.3%

-6.1%

5.38

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

2.4x 14.0%

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

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

10.0%

UB A

14.8

0.6%

10.3

-1.0%

10.0

-1.5% -0.2%

7.85

9.8%

A IIC O

0.69

6.2%

Z EN IT H B A N K GT C O

9.1

ET I

9.1

1.3%

UA C N

8.9

3.3%

UN IT YB N K

0.50

4.2%

23.30

4.0%

UA C N

11.00

3.3%

N EM

4.07

2.3%

OKOM UOIL

142.50

1.8%

11.75

1.3%

FB NH ET I

11.95

1.3%

F ID ELIT YB K

7.5

0.0%

T R A N SC OR P

5.9

-1.8%

N GXGR OUP

5.6

4.0%

UP D C

5.4

-4.0%

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

T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

R OYA LEX

1.02

-9.7%

LIVEST OC K

1.58

-9.7%

CHA M S

0.21

-8.7%

R ED ST A R EX

3.05

UP D C

-4.7%

0.95

-4.0%

1.31

-3.0%

WA P IC

0.49

-2.0%

ST ER LN B A N K

1.53

-1.9%

1.11

-1.8%

T R A N SC OR P Z EN IT H B A N K

26.40

25.0%

-13.8%

0.9x

PZ

C A VER T ON

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

0.0% 0.1%

A C C ESS

BAKER (+9.8%), and HONYFLOUR (+9.8%) led gainers while ABCTRANS (-8.3%), LASACO (-6.7%), and LIVE-

0.0% 0.0%

2.31

N GXGR OUP

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ

0.92

P ric e

NP FM CRFB K

14.3% 45.5%

4.07

T o p 10 G a i n e r s

T ic k er

3.3%

-1.5%

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

M TNN

458.9

0.2%

Z EN IT H B A N K

266.1

-1.5%

GT C O

239.2

-0.2%

D A N GC EM

205.2

0.0%

SEP LA T

201.0

0.0%

N GXGR OUP

129.1

4.0%

UB A

125.9

0.6%

P R ESC O

119.4

0.0%

ET I

108.7

1.3%

A C C ESS

107.1

-1.0%

Brokerage

Asset Management

Investment Research

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Abiodun Keripe | AKeripe@afrinvest.com

Taiwo Ogundipe | togundipe@afrinvest.com

Christopher Omoh | comoh@afrinvest.com

Damilare Asimiyu | dasimiyu@afrinvest.com

47

FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2022 • 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 16Mar-2022, 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 6.03% Anchoria Equity Fund 143.70 145.44 3.22% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.23 1.23 7.40% 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 21.59 22.24 6.44% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 482.61 497.16 6.97% ARM Ethical Fund 39.76 40.96 2.05% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.06 1.06 -2.24% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.03 1.03 1.51% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 7.19% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 109.02 109.02 7.19% AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Naira 1,085.82 1,085.82 8.58% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.11 2.11 13.16% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.28 2.33 24.01% CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.03 1.03 1.85% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.58% Paramount Equity Fund 18.66 18.99 10.87% Women's Investment Fund 145.93 147.52 4.92% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.37% Cordros Milestone Fund 139.13 140.05 5.25% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 111.54 111.54 4.85% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED 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 8.57% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.02 1.02 5.71% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.04 1.04 13.96% Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 101.58 101.58 3.52% 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 Fixed Income Fund 1,426.64 1,426.64 10.75% FBN Balanced Fund 185.70 187.12 5.96% FBN Halal Fund 117.69 117.69 8.39% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.10% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Legacy Money Market Fund Legacy Debt Fund Legacy Equity Fund Legacy USD Bond Fund FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

123.07 157.41

123.07 3.98% 159.58 4.25% fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com

Bid Price 1.00 3.98 1.80 1.22

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 7.00% 3.98 -0.61% 1.84 3.73% 1.22 0.89% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price 4,018.98 3,512.41 100.00

Offer Price 4,080.74 3,512.41 100.00

Yield / T-Rtn 3.26% 1.27% 5.95%

1.09

1.09

0.70%

INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 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 1.48 1.51 3.01% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,163.60 1,163.60 2.34% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 12.66 12.75 7.36% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 8.56% 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) 103.60 103.60 9.15% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 9.00% 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 1.63 1.65 1.08% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.67 11.66 4.24% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 5.34% PACAM Equity Fund 1.48 1.49 2.57% PACAM EuroBond Fund 113.91 116.43 -1.10% 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 130.00 132.25 9.53% 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 9.34% 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 3,555.34 3,594.67 3.27% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 237.06 237.06 0.56% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.36 1.38 5.38% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 316.87 316.87 1.13% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 249.80 253.42 3.16% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.75% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 11,427.85 11,590.15 2.88% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.30 1.30 0.92% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 117.75 117.75 0.67% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 108.11 108.11 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 0.98 1.00 5.51% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.43 1.46 5.23% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.16 1.17 6.31% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.09 1.09 1.55% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.99 1.99 1.53% " " United Capital Eurobond Fund 1.09% 123.67" 123.67" United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.39% 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 13.47 13.60 2.17% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 15.52 15.69 6.21% Zenith Income Fund 22.35 22.35 1.60%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

121.99 53.17

1.48% 0.83%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

14.20 135.73 107.18 20.30 22.53

14.30 139.13 109.55 20.40 22.63

1.69% 3.13% 3.44% 0.00% 0.00%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

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

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Money Market Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

4.42 5.68 18.63 1.00 21.07 169.62

4.52 5.78 18.83 1.00 21.27 171.62

17.19% 11.47% 8.41% 6.79% 8.62% 7.46%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

Fund Name NAV Per Share Yield / T-Rtn Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund 107.28 10.80% 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.

FSDH Dollar Fund

48

FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2022 •T H I S D AY

FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2022 • T H I S D AY

49

50

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2022

NEWS

AFRICA MAGIC UNVEILS EIGHT-DAY EVENT FOR 8TH AMVCAS… L-R: Head Judge, 8th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), Victor Okhai; Senior Brand Manager, Amstel Malta, Amina Jagun; Executive Head of Content and West Africa Channels, MultiChoice Nigeria, Dr. Busola Tejumola and General Manager, Marketing, Seven Up Bottling Company, Segun Ogunleye, during the press conference of the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA) in Lagos...yesterday ABIODUN AJALA

Yet to Decide Zoning of Ticket, PDP Releases Details of Presidential Nomination Process Ortom, Okowa, Mohammed to reconcile warring parties in Edo

Chuks Okocha in Abuja In addition to setting up a 37man committee to determine the zoning of its presidential ticket, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has taken a step further by releasing details of how the presidential candidate would emerge without waiting for

the outcome of the committee.

In another breath, the party has also set up a three-man committee headed by Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, to reconcile the differences in the Edo State chapter of the party.

Other members of the.

Committee are the Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa

and his Bauchi State counterpart, Senator Bala Mohammed.

But many of the party chieftains had started wondering why the PDP released details of how its presidential candidate would emerge, without waiting for the report of the committee it earlier set up.

Details of the President

Fayemi, Sanwo-Olu Mourn Obasi, Say It's Monumental Loss to Nigeria Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti and

Segun James in Lagos

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and his Lagos State counterpart, Mr. Babajide SanwoOlu have described the death of renowned media personality and Publisher of Business Hallmark Newspaper, Prince Emeka Obasi as a monumental loss to the country and the media industry in particular.

Fayemi in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, yesterday, said he received the news of Obasi’s death with shock.

The governor described Obasi who passed on at the age of 58 years as a personal friend and a patriot who fought for a better Nigeria using the media as a platform for his contribution to national development.

He added that Obasi was a detribalised Nigerian who believed in the new Nigeria project.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) noted that the deceased, during his lifetime, used his media influence to advocate for a better Nigeria and also participated actively in the political process as Commissioner for Information in Abia State and as a major force behind the annual Zik Leadership Prize, which identifies and honours leaders for sundry contributions to national development.

Fayemi described Obasi as a true believer in God, a patriot and thoroughbred professional who deployed his energy and time to whatever assignment he was given till he breathed

his last.

"Prince Emeka Obasi's death is shocking and unfortunate. It must be noted, however, that he lived a life of service to God and humanity. His death is a huge loss because we have lost a patriot, a distinguished professional and a truly detribalised Nigerian who was ever positive about the greatness of the country. We shall miss his amiable personality and leadership qualities.

"On behalf of my wife, Bisi, the government and good people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with his family, the people of Abia State and the leadership of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) on this irreparable loss. May God grant him eternal rest," Fayemi said.

On his part, Sanwo-Olu also described the death of the Publisher of Hallmark Newspaper as a colossal loss to the media industry and the country as a whole.

Sanwo-Olu in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said the exit of the former Abia State Commissioner for Information and Strategy was painful and heartbreaking, considering his impact in the journalism profession.

He said: “The death of Prince Emeka Obasi is a great loss to the media industry and he will be greatly missed. He made lots of positive impacts during his lifetime, contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of journalism in Nigeria as well as politics at the state and federal level.

“Obasi’s landmark

achievements in the media industry are unprecedented as he managed several newspapers, among which are National Mirror, Hallmark and Business Hallmark, thereby providing job opportunities for hundreds of people, especially journalists in different parts of the country.

“He also contributed his quota to governance in Abia State by serving as Commissioner for Information and Strategy.

“I sympathise with his family, friends, business, associates, and entire media practitioners in Nigeria. I pray that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

guidelines of the documents obtained by THISDAY showed that the PDP would screen its presidential aspirants that purchased the N35 million and N 5 million Expression of Interest and nomination forms on April 18.

The sales of forms for presidential aspirants would end on April 15, commencing March 17.

Also, the documents showed that the party would screen all governorship aspirants on April 16; the Senate and the House of Representatives aspirants on April 12, while the aspirants for the state House of of Assembly would be screened on April 9.

The panel to hear appeals of aggrieved members would sit on April 21.

Furthermore, while the presidential convention has been slated for May 28 and 29, the processes that would herald the election of ad hoc and the statutory delegates, would kick off between April 23 and May 7.

Curiously, however, all the approved dates for the processes for the emergence of the presidential standard

bearer, was without recourse to the 37-man zoning committee.

According to the guidelines and schedule of activities released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), all the political parties are expected to commence campaigns for the presidential run on October 3 as the presidential and the National Assembly elections would hold on February 25, 2023, while the governorship and state House of Assembly would hold on March 11 2023.

Not unexpectedly, this development has forced some members of the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) to question the sincerity of the party leadership over the setting up of the committee from each states of the federation and Federal Capital Territory.

Meanwhile, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party constituted the threeman committee to resolve issues in the Edo State Chapter of party, because of the dimension the matter had begun to take.

This was part of the resolutions reached at the 95th NEC meeting of the Party held on Wednesday, March 16, 2022,

and contained in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba Edo PDP crisis reverberated last week following diatribe between Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and his Edo State counterpart, Godwin Obasike, over threat by Edo’s Deputy Governor, Philip Shauibu, that they would quit if not absolved into the party.

National Chairman of PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, had asked party members to refrain from “attacking” each other He gave the advice while addressing a joint meeting of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and NEC of the party at the PDP headquarters in Abuja.

He said “attacks” were a distraction for the party, and that the focus now should be on winning elections.

Ayu, who urged party members to settle their differences “in-house”, added: “I am calling on every single member of the PDP family to put their differences aside.

We are not out to fight against ourselves; our goal is to unite the party, go out as we used to do, win elections as we used to do.”

Edo Engages MDAs, Others on Design of Benin Technical College Flood Control Project The Edo State Government is engaging all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) among other stakeholders to ensure better coordination in the delivery of its people-centric projects to the people and discourage wastage in apportioning state resources.

The government, through the Edo State Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (Edo NEWMAP) hosted a one-day interministerial collaboration workshop to review efforts by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration to improve the living standards of Edo people through various people-oriented projects and programmes across the state.

The workshop was also targeted at improving collaboration among various MDAs and proffer solutions to the Benin Technical College Catchment Area.

Present at the workshop included the representatives from the Ministries of Environment and Sustainability, Roads and Bridges and Physical Planning, Urban and Regional Development.

Others are Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC) and Edo State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR), among others.

The Project Coordinator of Edo NEWMAP, Dr. Tom Obaseki, noted that the parley was

aimed at bringing together all stakeholders so as to enhance synergy among ministries, departments and agencies of government.

According to him, “One of our major objectives is ensuring that the eventual preliminary engineering design for the Benin Technical College Catchment Area is all-encompassing and acceptable to all stakeholders.”

He further noted, “The workshop is aimed at enhancing synergy among government ministries, departments and agencies. More so, with the present economic situation of the country, there was the need for the state government to discourage wastage in the apportioning of its scarce financial resources in providing

development dividends to the people by preventing the duplication of construction activities across all communities in the state.”

Obaseki was further quoted in a statement to have said the report from the workshop will form the basis for providing a holistic solution to the problem of flooding in the Benin Technical College Catchment Area.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Mr. Jonathan Lawani, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Lucky Wasa, enjoined participants to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the workshop to enhance collaborative efforts among the various MDAs in the state.

51

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2022

NEWS

THANK YOU GOV ABIODUN...

L-R: Proprietress, Alaba Lawson Group of Schools, Mrs. Alaba Lawson; Primary Session’s Girls’ Prefect, Adeosun Sarah; Boys’ Prefect, Bamidele Emmanuel; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; College Session’s Head Boy, Olatunde Oluwaferanmi; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako Oyedele and the Head Girl of the College, Adeniyi Faith, during the Thank You visit by the Management Staff of the School to Governor’s office, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta …recently

Malami: My Tenure in Office Has Not Ended Yet Tasks journalists on fake news reportage Alex Enumah in Abuja The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, yesterday, said contrary to media report, he has not resigned from office, even as he prayed for a glorious exit.

Malami, who described the report of his resignation as fake news, perpetrated by mischief makers, called on journalists to put machinery in place to checkmate the menace of fake news before it destroyed the country.

The AGF made the clarification while declaring open the annual conference of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondent (NAJUC), Abuja.

He said, as the 2023 general election approaches, mischief makers were in the habit of conscripting journalists to disseminate false and fake news, particularly, about public officials.

"With the 2023 general election approaching, I hope this conference will address the practice, where journalists would be conscripted by agents of destructions to spread false information about personalities and issues. Unprofessional media practitioners have been reporting untrue and fabricated information against public office holders.

"Many public officers have been victims of malicious media reports, mischievous and deliberate distortion of facts. Many, who relied on some unprofessional information disseminators will be taken aback that the Malami that was claimed to have resigned as Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice was still seen in office discharging his functions, including attending the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting yesterday, granting interviews to journalists and still today, declaring this conference

open as the Attorney General of the Federation.

"There is naturally an end to everything. My tenure in office has not yet ended. I pray for a glorious end. I call on journalists to refrain from fake news, defamation, sedition, hate speech, blasphemy, and incitements of inflammatory statements in their reportage that could jeopardize our corporate existence as a nation and hamper the peace we have been enjoying,” he said.

He commended NAJUC for organising the conference, especially, that the theme: “The Judiciary and 2023 General Election: The Way Forward” was not only timely but apt.

Malami said it signified a clear indication that the association was working towards making positive impressions and impact in the democratic process and nation building.

"Occasions like this serve as

Reps Urge FCT, States to Implement UBEC, Child's Right Acts Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives has urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the UBEC Act and the Child Rights Act in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The lawmakers also urged UBEC to liaise with state governments who have adopted the Child Rights Act and the UBEC Act for enforcement of the provisions of the law.

The resolutions of lawmakers followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Bamidele Salam at plenary yesterday.

Moving the motion, Salam made reference to the report by the Federal Ministry of Education, in 2021, which stated that an estimated number of out-of- school children in Nigeria was about 10.1 million, while the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) put the number at 13.2 million.

He said the figure appears to be on the increase as the Ministry of Education has stated that there has been a more than 3 million increase in the figure from 2020.

He expressed concerns about the report from UNICEF that Nigeria has the highest number

of out-of-school children in Sub Saharan Africa and the highest in the world.

Salam said the House was aware that Section 18 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) provides that the Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels.

He said the House was also aware that Section 15 of the Child Rights Act provides that every child has the right to free, compulsory and universal basic education and it shall be the duty of the government in Nigeria to provide such education.

He expressed worry that the number of out of school children in the country was on a rapid increase and no arrest of defaulting parents or guardians were being made.

The lawmaker said, "Further aware that Section 15 of the Child Rights Act also provides that every parent or guardian shall ensure that his child or ward attends and completes his primary and junior secondary school education, and any parent who fails in this duty commits an offence and is liable on a first conviction to

be reprimanded and ordered to undertake community service. on second conviction to a fine of two thousand naira or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or to both such fine and imprisonment.

"And on any subsequent conviction to a fine not exceeding N5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

"Recall that 27 out of the 36 states in Nigeria have adopted and domesticated the Child Rights Act. Also concerned that the neglect of children puts their future and the future of Nigeria in jeopardy, as they are exposed to getting recruited into kidnapping and robbery gangs, drugs and other crimes."

Adopting the motion, the House mandated its Committees on the Federal Capital Territory and Basic Education and Services to ensure compliance.

Also at plenary, the lawmakers while adopting a motion sponsored by Hon. Shina Peller, urged the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to resuscitate and ensure full functionality and utilisation of the Ikere- Gorge Dam in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State.

avenues for introspection and unveiling action plans, future projects and strategic initiatives for consolidating the crucial role of the media, judiciary and electoral system in the country for the forthcoming year and beyond,” he said.

In his welcome address, Chairman of NAJUC, Abuja, Mr.

Kayode Lawal, drew attention to the sharp drop in the financial allocation to the Judiciary arm of the federal government, as well as the refusal of the state governments to allow financial autonomy of the judiciary at the state level.

He said the situation was already affecting the smooth

running of activities of judiciary in the country.

He, therefore, called on both the Executive and the Legislature to look into the budgetary allocation to the judiciary, with a view to jacking it up to enable it meet up with the challenges that might arise in the conduct of the 2023 elections.

NAPTIP Rescues 17,443 Trafficked Persons Since 2003 Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The National Agency for the Prohibition in Persons (NAPTIP) said a total of 17,443 trafficked persons have been rescued since 2003 till date.

The Benin Zonal Director of the agency, Mr Nduka Nwannwenne, made the disclosure yesterday, at a sensitisation programme in Ologbo, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo. Nwannwenne who also said 502 persons were convicted within same period, noted that the advocacy programme which would be carried out in two other communities in Edo, was in collaboration with the lawmaker representing Bekwara/ Ogbudu/Obanliku Federal Constituency in Cross Rivers, Mr Legor Idagbo.

He said the essence of the advocacy was to seek the collaboration of traditional institutions to combat the scourge

of human trafficking in the state and across the country.

According to him, the traffickers always come under the guise of helping the victims to seek better opportunities abroad.

Nwannwenne stressed that the victims who are mostly transported abroad through illegal and dangerous means, are often left traumatised with their experiences while others die before they get to their destination.

He regretted that some parents forced their children to embark on this journey without knowing the inherent danger involved.

"The reason for this advocacy is to create the awareness of the danger of illegal migration and that of human trafficking because most victims have come to say they never knew before embarking on the journey.

"They come to them (victims) with the believe that Europe or

their destination is where you pick money on the streets only to end up being used as slaves, prostitution or drug peddlers.

"It will interest you to know that the victims do not benefit from this menace as much as the traffickers.

"This is why we have come to you, our traditional rulers and parents, to let you know that we must all come together to stop this menace. Let spread the news against human trafficking in our communities", he stated.

Nwannwenne while noting that 20 states, including Edo, have set up tasked force against human trafficking and illegal migration, urged the remaining states to do so.

Responding on behalf of the chiefs, the Aigedion of Benin Kingdom Chief Godspower Irorere, said the advocacy was an eye opener to most of them and urged the agency to carry out more of it across the state.

Russia-Ukraine War: FG to Formulate New Trade Policy Says Nigeria will be sugar self-sufficient by 2032 Mulls 24-hour ports operation Deji Elumoye in Abuja The federal government is to evolve a new trade policy with nations under the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) with whom it shares mutual trade relations.

The policy, which is coming in the wake of hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, was meant to immune the Nigerian economy from the numerous sanctions from western countries against Russia.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Niyi Adebayo, made the disclosure yesterday, during an inter-ministerial media briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team at the State House, Abuja.

According to him, the trade

policy draft would be thoroughly scrutinised before being presented to President Muhammadu Buhari before being released to the public.

He also revealed that the trade department of his ministry had been mandated to analyse the crisis in the region as its concerns trade with Nigeria and come up with a report.

His words: "My ministry is looking at all the issues involved since the war has come up. The trade department is looking at what we import and export to them with a view of coming up with a policy paper which we will present to Mr. President.

“We have mandated our trade department to do an analysis to look at all the issues and come out with a report. Once

that report is ready, I will be presenting to the President, after presenting to the President, I will come here to brief you about it."

A recent report quoting data from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had revealed a worrisome impact of the RussiaUkraine conflict on Nigeria.

It had disclosed that since 2019, Nigeria has received $84.3 million in capital imports from Russia.

The country also imported N144 billion ($346.2m) worth of durum wheat in 2020 and N123.9 billion ($297.8m) worth of durum wheat between January – September 2021 from Russia.

Asides from these, Nigeria also imports various seafood such as mackerel, herrings, and blue whiting from Russia.

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COURTESY VISIT ...

L-R: Director, Public Affairs Communications and Sustainability, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe; Managing Director, Chi Ltd., Eelco Weber; Vice President, Public Affairs Communications and Sustainability for Africa Coca-Cola, African Operating Unit, Patricia Obozuwa and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo, during a courtesy visit to the Ministry yesterday by the Coca-Cola delegation.

Court Orders Dikko to Refund N57m to FG Within Seven Days Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, ordered a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal, Mohammed Dikko, to return the sum of N57million to the federal government within seven days or risk the forfeiture of his property in Abuja.

The said sum was used for the renovation of a property linked to Dikko.

According to the court, the sum of N57 million was transferred into a Stanbic IBTC Account No. 9202077424, belonging to

Capital Law Office, and used for the renovation/improvement of Dikko's property situated at No. 1853 Deng Xiao Ping Street, off Mahathir Mohammed Street, Asokoro Extension Abuja.

Delivering judgment, Dimgba held that, "The Defendant shall file a Report of Compliance with the above order with the Registry of this Court and serve a copy of same on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission within 10 working days from today.

"In the event of failure by the Defendant to comply with the above orders of the Court, the

Bill to Establish Single Board for Paramilitary Agencies Passes Second Reading in House Udora Orizu in Abuja A bill seeking to establish the board that would provide policy direction, appoint, promote and exercise disciplinary control over officers of the paramilitary agencies, yesterday, passed the second reading in the House of Representatives.

The Executive Bill titled, "A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Immigration and Prisons Services Board Act, Cap. 12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the Civil Defence Corps, Correctional, Federal Fire and Immigration Services Board Act, to Provide Policy Direction to the Corps and Services and Appoint, Promote and Exercise Disciplinary Control over Officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Correctional Service and Nigeria Immigration Service," was sponsored by the Majority Leader, Hon Alhassan Ado-Doguwa.

According to the draft of the bill, "Clause 12 provides that the Board may, with the approval of the Minister, make staff regulations for the Civil Defence Corps, Correctional, Federal Fire and Immigration Services (“the Corps and Services”), relating generally to the conditions of

service and providing for – appointment, promotion and disciplinary control, including dismissal; salaries, allowances and fringe benefits; appeals by such staff against dismissal or other disciplinary measures; and such other matters, as may be considered necessary for the staff of the Corps and Services and for the efficient performance of the functions of the Board under this Act. "Clause 12(2) further stipulates that Any regulations made under subsection (1) of this section may not be published in the Federal Gazette but the Board shall cause them to be brought to the notice of all affected persons in such manner as it may from time to time determine.

“Clause 16 of the bill provides that the Board may, with the approval of the President, borrow by way of loan, overdraft or otherwise from any source such sums as it may require for the performance of its functions and meeting its obligations under this Act in line with financial regulations and appropriation by the National Assembly."

The Bill was, however, voted on, passed for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Interior for further legislative action.

Defendant’s property known as House No. 1853 Deng Xiao Ping Street, off Mahathir Mohammed Street, Asokoro Extension, Abuja, shall stand permanently forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria as a tainted asset," Dimgba held.

Dikko, who piloted the affairs of the Nigerian Air, NAF, between September 2010 and October 2012, was arraigned before the court on January 25, 2017.

EFCC had in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/92/2016, accused him of complicity in money laundering and procurement fraud, to the tune of about N9.7 billion.

The anti-graft agency, among other things, alleged that the Defendant, while in office as the Air Force Chief, withdrew N700m from the NAF account, and used same to purchase a choice property at a highbrow area within the Maitama District of Abuja.

He was further alleged to have

fraudulently withdrawn N500m from the said NAF account to buy a four-bedroom duplex at Road 3B, Street 2, in Mabushi Ministers Hill, Abuja.

Besides, EFCC told the court that the defendant also took N250m from the NAF's coffers to buy a property at No. 14, Audu Bako Way, GRA, Kano State in 2011.

The prosecution closed its case on September 29, 2020, after it called a total of 12 witnesses and tendered 19 documentary evidence before the court.

Thereafter, the defendant, who earlier pleaded not guilty to the charge, opted to make a ‘No Case Submission’ in line with Section 303 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

But, the court, in a ruling delivered on February 23, 2021, discharged and acquitted the Defendant on six out of the seven-count charge.

The court held that a holistic review of the totality of evidence

before it, showed that the EFCC failed to establish a prima facie case that would warrant the Defendant to be called upon to enter his defence to the six counts.

Following a directive of the court, the Defendant opened his defence by appearing as his own witness in the matter.

However, in his judgement, yesterday, Justice Dimgba noted that whereas the EFCC had in the sole count of the charge pending before the court, alleged that N66m was removed from NAF account to renovate Dikko's Abuja property, he said available evidence showed that what was actually transferred out of the account was N57m.

The court held that the EFCC failed to establish that it was Dikko that gave the directive for the fund to be withdrawn for the renovation of the property.

"Granted that the evidence led by the prosecution in this case is not strong enough to warrant the conviction of the defendant

as charged, it will be against good conscience for the Court to shut its eyes to the fact that the defendant benefitted from funds belonging to the NAF, even if not in a manner sufficient to warrant his conviction for the offence that he has been charged or any other offence that he could have been found liable for.

"The question that agitates my mind is: What is to be made of the sum of N57 million? Should the benefit of the funds be allowed to be retained by the defendant so that the defendant becomes unjustly enriched at the expense of the public?

"I am satisfied that the said sum of N57 million was not payment for any value received by the NAF from the Defendant nor did it fall within the lawful expenditures of the force. It was rather made for the renovation of the Defendant’s property. Allowing the Defendant to retain the benefit will be a clear case of unjust enrichment under the Law of Restitution.

ELUMELU LAMENTS 95% OIL PRODUCTION LOST TO THEFT the Bonny Terminal that should be receiving over 200, 000bpd of crude oil, instead it receives less than 3,000 barrels, leading the operator, Shell, to declare force majeure.

“Why are we paying taxes if our security agencies can’t stop this? It is clear that the reason Nigeria is unable to meet its OPEC production quota is not because of low investment but because of theft, pure and simple!”

Elumelu pointed out that while oil producing countries were happy with the rising prices and their foreign reserves continued to grow, Nigeria was in a state of gloom.

“Meanwhile, oil producing countries are smiling as their foreign reserves are rising.

What is Nigeria’s problem? We need to hold our leaders more accountable,” he added.

In the forthcoming election, Elumelu urged Nigerians to be intentional about what they want and support leaders that will deliver.

He said, “Elections are coming – security and resources need to

be everyone’s agenda – let’s be vocal for our nation’s priority.

“Evil prevails when good people are silent. We need to be vocal about 2023. Let’s focus on Nigeria. Demand and advocate for leaders that deliver.

In 2023, Nigeria must be on a strong trajectory for progress and development.”

MAN Demands Removal of VAT from Diesel Prices, Laments High Price MAN decried the rising price of diesel. The association also requested that the government should remove Value Added Tax (VAT) on diesel in order to ameliorate the pain from the rising cost of energy, which it said constituted more than 40 per cent of the operating cost of Nigerian manufacturers.

In a statement yesterday, Director General of MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, attributed the current scarcity of petroleum products to the war between

Russia and Ukraine, which has pushed the price of crude oil in the international market above $110 per barrel.

Ajayi-Kadri lamented that manufacturers were left at the mercy of the vagaries of international price and the accompanying geopolitics.

He said, “As long as the price of crude oil continues to go up, price of AGO will equally skyrocket.

It is now said to be selling at N750 per litre, up from about N300 per litre in the past two months.

“Unfortunately, manufacturers, who largely rely on diesel to run their factories, due to unreliable nature of the grid power supply, are contending with huge cost to sustain their production line.

The information from MAN members equally indicates that the production capacity utilisation has been going down because of the unsustainable cost for running daily production on diesel.”

Ajayi-Kadri noted, “The direct implication of this trend, as many Nigerians are already feeling the heat, is the reflective high cost

of goods in the market owing to the high cost of production.

“Making the matter worse is the inadequate energy supply for the manufacturing sector from the national grid. It is on record that more than N100billion is expended per year by our members on alternative energy source, which constitutes between 30 per cent and 40 per cent of their cost structure.

“The implication is that our cost structure is thrown overboard; our working capital will be depleted by this one cost item, our capacity utilisation will nose-dive since we cannot run as many shifts as we normally do, we may have to right size to fit our production profile.

“The solution is rather complex.

We are dealing with a deregulated industry, as I earlier mentioned. In the short term, we can only look at how to get more favourable prices from the marketers; seek to remove other costs that are in-country, like VAT on the AGO, and work with government to reduce the pressure in other pain points for the manufacturers.

FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS

IG Charges Personnel to Sustain Fight against Violent Crimes Police arrest 30 suspects for banditry, kidnapping, others

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Inspector General of Police( IG), Usman Alkali Baba, yesterday charged police operatives across the country to sustain the tempo in the fight to curb violent crimes in the country.

The IG, who spoke in Abuja, lauded the results of efforts emplaced to roll back the negative trend of crimes, commended the Force Intelligence Bureau Special Tactical Squad (FIB-STS) for the recent arrest of 30 suspects for complicity in the crimes of kidnapping, armed robbery, arms smuggling, unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, car theft, rape, receiving stolen goods, amongt others.

The force intelligence bureau recovered a total of eight foreign and seven locally made AK47 rifles, eight revolver rifles, 2,200 rounds of live ammunition of different calibres, 14 AK47 magazines, three stolen cars, 10 fake number plates and a cash sum of N1,880,000) from

the suspects during follow-up investigations.

Notable amongst the cases is the arrest of one Ahmed Yunusa, aka “Yellow Ashana”,

a 36-year-old leader of a vicious bandit group that terrorised communities and road users along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway.

The suspect, who was on the run following a police operation that led to the death of a member of his syndicate, one Yellow Magaji aka Arushe, was arrested

during a sting operation by police operatives of the FIB-STS. The suspect confessed that he led the syndicate that carried out several kidnapping operations on

the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway and launched three different attacks on Kadara Community in Kaduna State, where scores were killed.

LOVE FOR THE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES…

L-R: Special Adviser to Osun State Governor on Civic Engagement, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye; Senior Special Assistant to Osun Speaker on Disabilities, Kehinde Onitiju; Director General, Bureau of Social Services, Richard Tinubu, and Commissioner for Political and Inter- governmental Relations, Taiwo Akeju, during an engagement

‘I ‘ve Advantage to Akwa-Ibom APC Crisis: Court Sacks Ekanem-led Exco Emerge South-east APC Zonal Chair’ Alex Enumah in Abuja

A medical professional and a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Imo State University, Owerri , Dr. Ijeomah Linus Arodiogbu, yesterday said he has advantage to emerge South-east zonal chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The medical practitioner, indicated interest to run for the position of the South-east Zonal Chairman of the APC, in an expression of interest form he sent to Extraordinary

Planning Committee of the party.

The 53-year old Arodiogbu, who hails from Arondizuogu in the Ideato North Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State, said he has consulted widely for the position and convinced he has the full support and approval of key APC stakeholders in his state.

Arodiogbu said he is duly qualified for the position, stressing: “ I am a registered member of the APC from Arondizuogu Ward 1, Idea to North LGA, Imo State”.

Afe Babalola Hospital Condemns Medical Tourism Victor OgunjeinAdoEkiti

The Chief Medical Director, The Afe Babalola Multisystem Hospital(AMSH), Dr. Kolawole Ogundipe, has appealed people, particularly the political class that they have no reason traveling abroad for medical services, the AMSH has facilities to cater to such medical needs.

Ogundipe stated this when the hospital declared two days free medical services to mark the fourth anniversary of the establishment of the 400-bed medical facility.

He said with the giant leaps being made by the hospital in terms of proficiency and quality

medical services, that Nigerians have no reason traveling abroad for medicare .

According to him, in United Kingdom (UK), the cost for the treatment of Heart Valve replacement is 17,000 pounds, but in AMSH, it costs between N5 million and N7 million, noting that even their dialysis services is the cheapest in Ekiti.

Apart from being a centre of excellence in treatment of diseases, the CMD stated that AMSH is upscaling its contributions to medical education, post graduate training and research, leading to the production of virucidine herbal drug for the management of COVID-19.

Police Arrest Suspected Ritualist in Kwara Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The Kwara State Police Command, yesterday, arrested a suspected ritualist who appeared to be mentally unbalanced for alleged possession of school uniforms, note books, text books and monies of different denominations totaling N166,700 Also, in the process of her arrest, a man in a black SUV Jeep found with the suspect zoomed off immediately he noticed the presence of the police.

In a statement issued in Ilorin and signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Mr. Ajayi Okasanmi, said that the suspect was apprehended by men of the police from Kulende Divisional Police Station in conjunction with members of the community.

The statement said: “Intelligence available to the command prompted the surveillance mounted around the area, which was the base of suspected ritualists that led to her arrest yesterday.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court has sacked the Augustine Ekaneled Executive Committee Officers (Exco) of the Akwa Ibom State All Progressives Congress (APC) and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) to withdraw the certificate of return issued on them.

Justice Taiwo meanwhile ordered INEC to issue a Certificate of Return to Stephen Leo Ntukekpo as the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of the APC.

The judge held that the inauguration of the Augustine Ekanem- led state Exco of the party was an act of illegality.

In their stead, the court equally ordered the electoral body to issue a certificate of return to Uduakobong Udoh and Uko Ini as the State Secretary and Woman Leader of the state chapter of the APC respectively.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo made the declaratory orders while delivering judgment in the suit brought against the party, members of the National Caretaker Committee and INEC. Specifically, the suit marked

FHC/ABJ/CS/635/2021 and filed

by Ntukepo, Udoh and Ini, listed the APC, Governor Mai Mala Buni (National Chairman Caretaker/ Extra ordinary Convention Planning Committee of APC); Senator John James Akpanudoedehe (Secretary caretaker/Extra ordinary conventional planning committee of the APC) and the INEC. Justice Taiwo, in his judgment, declared the plaintiffs as the dully and democratically elected State Executive Committee Officers (EXCO) of the party in Akwa Ibom state.

The court agreed with the

submission of counsel to the plaintiffs, Umeh Kalu (SAN), that by the provisions to section 223(1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution, section 85 (3) of the Electoral Act 2010, Article 20 of the APC Constitution and the guidelines for the conduct of the APC state congresses 2021, made pursuant to the party’s constitution, “the defendants cannot refuse to recognise the plaintiffs who were dully elected at the APC AkwaIbom congress which held in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state on October 16, 2021, as members of the AkwaIbom state Executive Committee of the APC.

Makinde: We’re Constructing Roads to Stem Rural-urban Migration Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, yesterday declared that his administration will continue to fulfill its mandate to the people in every way, stating that part of that mandate is the ongoing massive infrastructure revolution in the state.

The governor also stated that his administration is embarking on the delivery of massive road infrastructure across the state to expand the economy of the state

and building good road networks and inter-connectivity outside Ibadan, the state capital, to stem the tide of rural-urban migration.

Governor Makinde, who stated these during the inauguration of the 5.25 kilometres GeduOroki-Sabo-Asipa Road, equally said that the government is also building good road networks and inter-connectivity outside Ibadan, the state capital, to stem the tide of rural-urban migration.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, noted that the governor was joined by his Bauchi State counterpart, Senator Bala Mohammed, to inaugurate the 5.25km road project.

Governor Bala, who was the special guest of honour at the event, congratulated Makinde for standing by his people, describing him as being passionate about the development of Oyo State.

He added that the Oyo State governor, a tested technocrat, came into government with a plan and that the plan has been about using available resources to improve the lot of his people.

The governor, who also lauded the people of the state for supporting Makinde, said he was excited that governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been living up to the expectations of the people.

Katsina Closes 232 Bank Accounts Inherited from PDP, Recovers N4bn

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

The Katsina State Government has announced the closure of 232 bank accounts inherited from the previous administration of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015 and recovered the sum of N4 billion.

The State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Faruk Lawal Jobe, disclosed this to journalists

shortly after he declared his ambition to contest for the 2023 governorship election in the state.

Some youths under the auspices of Nigerian Youths Congress met with Jobe where they gave him a letter, urging him to join the 2023 governorship race over what they termed his economic-driven strategies that are enhancing the revenue

generation of the state.

Jobe said the Ibrahim Shema-led PDP administration officially headed over 29 accounts to Governor Aminu Bello Masari in 2015 but after thorough investigation, additional 232 accounts were found and balances accrued to the accounts was N4 billion.

He added that the state government shut the accounts and the balances were mopped

up and transferred to the consolidated revenue fund account of the government for developmental projects in the state.

He said: “My first assignment when I came as special adviser to the governor on Banking and Finance, I had to close 232 bank accounts belonging to MDAs in Katsina State that were never reported to us when we came on board in 2015.

Man, 60, Defiles 12-year-old Physically Challenged in Rivers Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt A 60 years old man, simply known as Victor, has been arrested by the police in Rivers State for the alleged defilement of a neighbour’s physically challenged 12 years old daughter.

The suspect, who was caught by the victim’s father stark naked after defiling the deaf and dumb daughter in her house in Ubima,

Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, was first handed over to the local vigilance group before handing over to the police.

The father of the victim who gave his name as Eze Eleonu, explained to journalists in Port Harcourt, how his daughter was raped by his neighbour.

Eleonu said: “On Saturday March 5, 2022, I came back from travel and noticed that the door to my room was opened.

“On entering my room, I saw Victor stark naked sitting very close to my physically challenged daughter who was also naked and I immediately grabbed Victor before raising the alarm.

“The shout attracted another neigbbour to my compound who helped in holding Victor before the arrival of local vigilance group members who took him(Victor) to their office and later handed him over to the Ubima Police

Division”.

The father of the defiled victim told journalists that before he caught Victor, he has been noticing blood stains on the private part of his physically challenged daughter since he ( father) is the one that used to bath her.

He explained that the medical examination conducted on the 12-year-old girl confirmed that she has been defiled.

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NEWSEXTRA

Customs, Security Adviser, Stakeholders Disagree over Arms Control Agency Sunday Aborisade in Abuja Stakeholders yesterday disagree over certain provisions of a bill for an act to provide for the establishment of the national centre for the coordination and control of the proliferation of small and light weapons in Nigeria They spoke at a one-day public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence.

While the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) picked holes in the bill, other stakeholders threw their full weight behind the proposed legislation.

Declaring the session open, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, linked challenges associated with small and light weapons to crises in the Sahel.

Lawan, who was represented by the Senate Deputy Minority

Leader, Senator Shuaibu Lau ( PDP Taraba North) , explained that the proliferation of weapons had triggered dangerous act of terrorism. Lawan noted that the development precipitated the gathering of stakeholders on National Security and Intelligence.

He noted that the essence of the Institutions was to control the menace of terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry among others.

No Abia Delegate Will Be Left Out, Says Abia APC Chair The Chairman of the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, has promised that no genuine statutory delegate would be left out in the national convention of the party on March 26, 2022.

Ononogbu in a statement he personally signed expressed shock

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as AWOSIKA KEHINDE PETER AKINOLU now wish to be known and addressed as AWOSIKA KEHINDE PETER. All documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OGUNNIYI ABIGEAL OMOWUNMI, now wish to be known and address as BADMUS ABIGAIL OMOWUNMI. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as AJAYI MUJIDAT TEMITOPE, now wish to be known and address as OKESOLA MUJIDAT TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as AKINTIBE TOSIN JANET, now wish to be known and address as ORE TOSIN JANE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS GLADYS OMIN, now wish to be known and address as MRS GLADYS OMIN IKON. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as FAMAKINWA LYDIA OLAMIDE now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNNUSI LYDIA OLAMIDE. All documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MICHAEL GRACE AMARACHI, now wish to be known and address as ANIWARU GRACE AMARACHI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ALIMI OLALEKAN ISIAKA, now wish to be known and address as ALIMI ISIAKA OLALEKAN. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OKPAKO EMMANUEL, now wish to be known and address as OKPAKO AKPOVE EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

over the purported letter written to the APC national leadership in Abuja by former Governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the Senate, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, where some names were submitted to the party as statutory delegates from the state.

According to him, the former governor could have written to the party in the state if he had any germane complaints instead of taking a self-help approach.

The APC state chairman said: “Our attention has been drawn to a letter purported to

have be written by Senator Kalu through which he attempted to smuggle a supposed list of statutory delegates to the national headquarters of our great party.

“This is unnecessary, as no genuine statutory delegate will be left out. It is not in the interest of any genuine member of the party to do so. Everyone is important.”

This is unfortunate coming from a person of the stature of former governor and a serving Chief Whip of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Osun Gov Promises Continuous Protection of People with Disabilities Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun has said that his administration will continue to protect the interest of persons with disabilities(PWDs) in the state. Oyetola said this during an engagement programme with the members of Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD), Osun Chapter yesterday in Osogbo.

The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Mr. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, said his administration is committed to their welfare, adding that they are important members of the society, who

deserve to be well catered for.

The governor said, to show how important the PWDs are, there is an ongoing Executive Bill tagged “Special People’s Bill” for their protection.

The bill, when passed and signed into law, persons with disabilities will be safeguarded against any form of discrimination and also have equal access to an environment conducive to social and economic development.

On other intervention programmes, Oyetola said the PWDs were also given priority during the state government free monthly food distribution.

Masjid 1001 Initiative Supports Community No fewer than one million Nigerians have benefited from Masjid 1001’s support to community mosque across the country through several developmental interventions in Kaduna, Osun, Rivers, Kwara, Sokoto, Kogi and Edo. This development is in line with its focal objective of providing safe and befitting community prayers centers across the country. Masjid 1001 Initiative recently announced the completion of renovation works of roofing, tilling, construction of prayers and ablution areas in select mosque. In the same light, the initiative announced two additional projects for immediate commencement.

The initiative, which was set up in 2017 by a group of respected

Muslim professionals volunteer their expertise to the renovation and refurbishment of community mosques towards to providing befitting prayer centres for Nigerian Muslims.

The Chairman Board of Trustees (BOT), of Masjid 1001, Dr. Musa Rabiu, said the initiative through its Mosque Selection Committee reviews all publicly nominated prayer centres across the six geopolitical zones of the country via its website www.masjid1001. ng based on pre-defined criteria.

These criteria include mandatory support to only communityowned mosques, assessment and confirmation of infrastructural needs as well as cost consideration in view of limited availability of funds.

BHS Iwo Old Students Association Holds AGM Baptist High School, Iwo Old Students Association has concluded plans to hold its annual general meeting tomorrow( Saturday, 19th March), 2022. In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, the association said the meeting will commence at 12 noon in the school premises at Adeke, Iwo, Osun State.

The association urged members

across the country and even in Diaspora to endeavour to attend as crucial matters that affect the development of the school would be discussed.

While emphasizing the need for all hands to be on deck to lift up the school, the statement added that members should be mindful of Covid-19 protocols, which according to it, will be strictly observed.

WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Islam and Science (5)

By: Bruno Abd Al Haqq Guiderdoni/ University of St. Andrews/IslamiCity (Continued from last week)

(3) God praises and loves diversity One fundamental element of the Islamic doctrine is the fact the God praises and loves diversity: “Among his signs: the diversity of your languages and of your colors.” As a matter of fact, God never ceases to create, because of His love, or rahma, a word that etymologically alludes to the maternal womb.

The mother’s love for her children is the best symbol of this divine love on earth, according to a Prophetic teaching which says that God created one hundred parts of this rahma, and He kept ninety-nine parts of it with Him, while letting one part descend on earth. It is with this part on earth that all mothers care after their children. This divine love reaches the diversity of creatures, physical phenomena, plants and animals, as well as the human diversity of ethnical types, languages and cultures, and extends to the diversity of religions, according to this well-known verse: “And if God had wanted, He could surely have made you all one single community. But He willed otherwise in order to test you by means of what He has given to you. Vie, then, with one another in doing good works. Unto God you all must return; and then He will make you truly understand all that on which you are differing.”

A Muslim scientist can easily appreciate this love of diversity in the meditation on the results of modern science. Thanks to the technical means of exploration, modern cosmology has discovered a spectacular view of the universe of galaxies, one hundred billions galaxies in the observable universe.

Each galaxy consists in typically one to one thousand billion stars. And it is very likely that each of these stars is surrounded by several planets, which themselves may have satellites. This makes an incredible number of planets, to which one must connect the fact that differential evolution gives each planet a specific identity that does not resemble to the others. Of course, we do not know how much of these planets actually harbor life forms, but astrophysicists cannot contemplate these large numbers without thinking that life probably exists elsewhere in the universe.

Only on earth, there are millions of living species. Can one imagine what the observable universe is? And the patch of the universe where it is expected that the laws of physics (and galaxies, stars and planets) are similar to the ones we know, is probably much larger than the observable universe, by a factor of many billions. And this patch of the universe may be encapsulated in an infinite multiverse in which the laws of physics and the properties of the outcomes greatly vary from patch to patch. What is the meaning of that all? A believer can read the creativity and love of God in this landscape. Love is the explanation of creation, according to the tradition where God says, “I was a hidden treasure. I loved to be known, so I created the creatures to be known by them.”

(4) Science cannot be separated from ethic According to the Islamic doctrine, the human being is created from clay and from God’s spirit, to become “God’s vice-regent of earth”. The human being is the only creature that is able to know God through all His names and attributes, and it is put on earth as a garden-keeper in the garden.

Our relationship with other living creatures on earth is not that from the upper to the lower level, with the concomitant possibility to exploit all “inferior” beings”, but that from the central to the peripheral. The “central” position of the garden-keeper on earth is the position of the watchman who equally cares after all the inhabitants of the garden.

This implies a sense of accountability for all creation, and should lead to humility, not to arrogance. As a consequence, we can eat the fruits of the garden, but we have no right to uproot the trees, which do not belong to us. The power that science has given to us must be accompanied by a greater sense of the ethic that is necessary to use this power with discrimination and intelligence. To say the things in a few words, we must not do all what we can do, very much as Adam was not allowed to touch one specific tree in the garden.

This prohibition makes us free, because

freedom requires the possibility of a choice.

This symbol of the garden keeper in the garden has a strong echo today, with the current debates on how to deal with global warming, the share of natural resources in a sustainable way, or the preservation of biodiversity.

Unity and diversity: a key for the century to come The Islamic tradition has a considerable spiritual and intellectual legacy that should make it contribute to the building of the 21st century. We do hope that the human kind will find a paradigm for its diversity within a strong sense of its unity. Unfortunately, there are also forces of darkness and ignorance that operate in our world. Instead of diversity, we see fragmentation. Instead of unity, we see uniformity. The believers have their share of responsibility in this tragedy, because they do not promote a genuine sense of the religious truth.

What has the debate between science and religion to do with that? I think that the idea that God wrote two books, the Book of Creation and the Book of Scriptures, with the certainty that these books are in fundamental agreement in spite of apparent discrepancies, can prepare us to the idea that God has written, or revealed “many Books of Scriptures”, that are also in fundamental agreement in spite of apparent discrepancies.

As far as the solution of these discrepancies is concerned, we must leave with some tension, while praising the Lord for the marvelous diversity He created and revealed.

In conclusion, let me address this issue of ultimate truth, and tell you a brief and profound story that illustrates the mystery of the human condition. We have to go back to the past and look again at Ibn Rushd.

Around 1180, Ibn Rushd was informed that a young man, called Muhyî-d-dîn Ibn ‘Arabî, aged about 15, was granted spiritual openings during his retreats. Ibn Rush, who was the greater philosopher of his time, invited this youngster to meet with him. Later, Ibn ‘Arabi, who then was considered the Greater Master of Islamic mysticism, wrote about the story of the meeting in the introduction of his major book, The Meccan Openings, a 4000-page treatise that unveils the content of his spiritual intuitions. I just let Ibn ‘Arabi speak. “When I entered in upon [Ibn Rushd], he stood up out of love and respect. He embraced me and said, “Yes”. I said, “Yes.” His joy increased because I had understood him. Then I realized why he had rejoiced at that, so I said, “No.” His joy disappeared and his color changed, and he doubted what he possessed in himself.” Then Ibn ‘Arabi gives us the key of these strange exchanges, in which answers come before questions.

Ibn Rushd addresses the central topic of our lecture of this evening: “How did you find the situation in unveiling and divine effusion? Is it what rational consideration gives to us?” Ibn ‘Arabi replied, “Yes no.

Between the yes and the no spirits fly from their matter and heads from their bodies.”

Ibn ‘Arabi reports Ibn Rushd’s reaction to these words: “His color turned pale and he began to tremble. He sat reciting, ‘There is no power and no strength but in God, since he has understood my allusion.”

As a matter of fact, Ibn ‘Arabi alluded to eschatology, by recalling that even if reason can go very far to capture reality, no one has been intimately changed by scientific knowledge. Knowing Gödel’s theorem, quantum physics of the Standard Hot Big Bang Model changes our worldview, and maybe the way our minds work, but it does not change our hearts. Of course, these discoveries are fundamental milestones in intellectual history. They can produce strong feelings in those who dedicate their lives to such studies. But revelation speaks of another degree, or intensity, of Truth that changes our very being, and prepares it for the mystery of the afterlife. The teaching of religions is that we shall have to leave this world and enter another level of being to pursue our quest for knowledge in a broader locus more fitted to contemplating God than our narrow, physical world. Our reason fails to conceive how it is possible.

It is a matter of faith in the promises of our Holy Scriptures. At that time, it is better to stop speaking, because, as the poet and mystic Jalal-ad-Din Rumi used to say, “the pen, when it reaches this point, just breaks.”

55

FRIDAY, ͹΀˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Ndidi’s Medial Ligament Injury in France Creates Panic in Eagles Camp Iheanacho, Balogun, Aribo progress to quarter finals of Europa League Duro Ikhazuagbe Super Eagles technical crew led by Augustine Eguavoen was thrown into panic mode last night following the medial ligament injury sustained by Wilfred Ndidi in Leicester City’s 1-2 loss to Rennes in their Europa Conference League last 16 second leg tie away in France.

The midfield enforcer was substituted by James Maddison in the 60th minutes after copping the knee injury.

Although Leicester progressed to the quarterfinal based on (3-2 aggregate) Ndidi’s injury bode a bad omen for the senior Nigerian team seeking a World Cup ticket in the playoffs with Ghana’s Black Stars.

Super Eagles are due to play Ghana in Kumasi in the first leg of the playoffs on March 25 with the reverse fixture coming up four

W O R L D C U P P L AYO F F S days later in Abuja.

Now, there are fears that a key figure in Eguavoen’s set up like Ndidi is likely to miss the all important two legged encounters.

Leicester Manager, Brendan Rodgers who confirmed after the clash that Ndidi suffered a medial ligament injury on the knee, didn’t state how long the midfielder will be away from action.

Some medics THISDAY spoke with last night admitted that it depends on the degree of the injury to determine for how long Ndidi will be sidelined. It is believed that it takes between one week and six weeks for the injury to get healed.

The ‘Foxes’ prevailed 3-2 on aggregate to now be in today’s draw for the quarterfinals.

It was Iheanacho’s Injury time goal from the first leg that fired Leicester to the next round.

Iheanacho was in action for all 90 minutes yesterday while another Nigerian Ademola Lookman was introduced in the 12th minute before he was subbed off after 78 minutes.

Ligue 1 club Rennes fought back from the 2-0 loss in England to win 2-1 in France.

Elsewhere, Super Eagles duo of Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo played vital roles as Rangers reached their first European quarter-final in 14 years after a resilient second-leg showing at Red Star Belgrade sealed a landmark Europa League aggregate victory.

Rangers lost 1-2 last night but their 3-1 advantage from the first leg proved decisive.

Iwobi Secures Everton’s Second Victory in 13 League Games

Wilfred Ndidi was injured last night and now remains a big doubt for the World Cup playoffs against Ghana’s Black Stars

Alex Iwobi's 99th-minute goal earned Everton a massive victory in their fight against relegation as they held on to beat Newcastle 1-0 despite being reduced to 10 men.

An average game, which was delayed by a protestor tying himself to a goalpost by his neck, came to life late on when Anthony Gordon tested Martin Dubravka with a curling shot.

But the mood soon turned sour when Allan was sent off with seven

minutes remaining for taking out Newcastle substitute Allan SaintMaximin after referee Craig Pawson consulted the pitchside monitor and overturned his initial decision to book the Everton midfielder.

At that stage, and with 14 minutes of stoppage time to play because of the protest, hanging on for a draw looked like the best Frank Lampard's side could achieve.

Yet in the ninth minute of additional time, substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin lead a breakaway

and slipped Iwobi through before he found the bottom corner.

It led to wild celebrations at Goodison Park as Everton earned only their second win in 13 Premier League games to put three points between them and the relegation zone.

But, as Lampard and his players hugged each other in delight at the final whistle, it felt like a victory worth much more than three points as they consigned Newcastle to a second consecutive defeat.

Brume Eyes Historic Medal as World PoloLuxury Becomes Indoor Championships Begin in Belgrade Official Timekeeper Olympics long jump bronze medalist, Ese Brume, is seeking to become only the third Nigerian athlete to win medals in all three global athletics championships including the Olympics.

Brume, who will be competing in her first World Indoor Champions has won medals at the World Outdoor Championships (bronze in 2019) and the Olympics (bronze in Tokyo) and is now hoping to join Glory Alozie and the late Sunday Bada as athletes who have won medals at the world athletics championships indoors and outdoors as well as the Olympics.

Alozie won silver at the World Indoor championships in 1999 in Maebashi (60m hurdles) and at the outdoor version later that year in Seville Spain (100m hurdles) before going to win another silver medal at the Olympics in Sydney and in the process became the first Nigerian to win medals in all three global sporting fiesta.

Bada followed suit a few days later after helping the men's 4x400m relay team to win gold at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 to add to the three World Indoor championships medals he won (1993,1995 and 1997) and a 4x400m relay bronze at the World outdoor championships in Gothenburg, Sweden in 1995.

Now, Brume seems to be following Alozie's pattern with her bronze medal feats in Doha in 2019 and Tokyo in 2021.

The 25-year-old will however

of Lagos Polo Tourney

Ese Brume...gunning for her first World Indoor Championships medal in Belgrade hope to shake off rustiness as she has not competed indoors this year and the towering figure of homegirl, Ivana Vuleta (nee Spanovic) who is the pre-championships undoubted favourite.

The 31-year-old Vuleta is not only coming to the championships as the defending champion but also the world leader in the event with the 6.88m she jumped at the World Indoor Tour Silver meeting in Belgrade last week.

Vuleta also jumped 6.83m three times in that competition, a mark none of her rivals have hit this year.

A medal for Brume will also make her the third Nigerian long jumper after Paul Emordi (silver in 1987) and Chioma Ajunwa (silver in 1997) to make the podium in the history of the championships.

Ruth Usoro, the other Nigerian competing in the long jump event at the championships will also be seeking a memorable debut.

With a personal season's best of 6.59m this season, the 24 year old will need to equal the 6.82m she jumped to win the Big 12 Indoor Championships last year for Texas Tech University in the

US-Collegiate circuit in Lubbock, Texas to stand a chance of making it to the podium.

The two Nigerian long jumpers will begin their quest for podium appearances on Sunday, the final day of the championships.

That same day, the men's 4x400m team of Nathaniel Samson, Timothy Emeoghene, Sikiru Adeyemi and Ifeanyi Ojeli will be seeking Nigeria's first ever relay medal at the championships.

Nigeria has won a total of 11 medals at the championships made up of two gold, six silver and three bronze.

With the return of the prestigious Lagos International Polo Tournament, PoloLuxury rekindled its wealth of experience in sports timekeeping to the 2022 edition of the competition as the Official Timekeeper.

The sponsorship agreement provides a unique opportunity for PoloLuxury to bring to the iconic game over three decades of experience in delivering precise and reliable results.

As Nigeria’s foremost connoisseurs of luxury, PoloLuxury records the dreams of athletes who have travelled from far and wide to compete for glory in the three-week long tournament.

Popularly called the ‘Game of Kings,’ the Lagos International Polo Tournament has become the flagship of polo competition in Nigeria and across the world.

Received into Lagos, Nigeria with great passion, the game has continued to attract the country’s royalty, elites, politicians and other highly influential dignitaries.

Speaking at a press conference to flag off this year’s tournament, Mr Oluwaseyi Oyinlola, Tournament Manager, said the 2022 edition of the game marked a grand return to form after a two-year break occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are excited about our partnership with Polo. We have been working on this for a number

of years and this seems to be the best tournament we’ve hosted because of the commitment of the sponsors.

It’s super encouraging,” observed Oyinlola.

The three-week long Lagos polo fiesta comprised 37 matches broadcast live on SuperSport/DStv, with live commentary provided by accomplished polo commentators from the United Kingdom.

Participants in the tournament included a line-up of international players and umpires from Argentina, South Africa, France and Colombia, who competed alongside their Nigerian counterparts.

Managing Director of Polo Limited, John Obayuwana, hailed the Lagos International Polo Tournament for its partnership with PoloLuxury for this year’s tournament. He described it as an opportunity for lovers of both the elite game and the luxury brand to experience sportsmanship at its finest.

“PoloLuxury is proud to celebrate and honour our longstanding relationship with Polo, the King of Sports. The core values of the game – integrity, quality, teamwork, and commitment – resonate with the values of PoloLuxury,” Obayuwana said.

PoloLuxury is the official and authorised retailer for some of the most prestigious Swiss watch brands in the world which include Rolex, Cartier, Piaget, Chopard, Longines, IWC, among others.

Friday March 18, 2022

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MISSILE Gov Obaseki to Gov Wike

“If Governor Wike is wont to show respect and courtesy to his colleague-governors, he would have reached out to me to express his concerns about the views made by my deputy governor, rather than embarking on this unwarranted public onslaught.

If Governor Wike cannot understand and adequately respond to the style and character of the Nigerian youth, how can he aspire to lead them?”

–Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, fires back in the verbal war.

AKINOSUNTOKUN DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA

akinosuntokun@thisdaylive.com

Reporting from the National Assembly

W

hen at our last outing I signed off with a promise of continuing with the subject matter of reintroduction to history I did not have in mind the topic I’m about to reintroduce.

It became a compelling choice, first, on account of its coincidence with the theme of the celebration of the women history month and the typical misbehaviour of Nigerian lawmakers on the same subject matter. We would also have something to say on the understanding and disposition of the lawmakers towards the evergreen subject of Nigerian federalism. In the scriptures, the poser was raised, can anything good come out of lowly Nazareth? The answer was provided in the inference that from Nazareth came peace, from Nazareth came courage and above all else, from Nazareth came Jesus Christ. Unlike Nazareth, the rhetoric is negatively applicable to the Nigerian parliament. Indeed can anything good come out of this national assembly?

In recent memory was it not this same assembly that was rooting for the perpetration of the culture of fraudulent elections otherwise known as the rejection of electronic transmission of election results?

By far the most suppliant legislative arm of government in the history of Nigeria, they have confirmed themselves in this dubious distinction and self-abnegation by rejecting a constitutional amendment bill empowering them to override a presidential veto. Not to talk of playing the servile yes man to President Mohammadu Buhari’s penchant for profligacy in an unprecedented mortgage of Nigerian patrimony (with the committal of skyrocketing foreign loans) prompting the IMF to warn that Nigeria’s indebtedness is no longer sustainable. There is equally the double jeopardy of constituting a most exorbitant charge on the Nigerian public till. In direct contradiction of what obtains in sane societies, the emoluments of our lawmakers keep spiralling the poorer Nigeria gets.

Now they have confirmed the worst fears of all who had warned that their advertised intention to embark on amendments to the Nigerian constitution will end up a sham.

At the conclusion of the ill fated exercise, two items are of significant import- and they all but confirm a reputation for doing what should be avoided and avoiding or negating what should be done. In a fit of cluelessness, it was practically on the date set aside for the celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women that the body chose to humiliate womanhood in Nigeria. Of the 68 legislations taken into consideration (and in compliance with the universally adopted Beijing declaration to which Nigeria is signatory) five bills sought to promote more opportunities for women in political parties, governance and the society at large.

They were all rejected.

Nonetheless the fact that I would not do what the lawmakers have done does not detract from the reality that male paternalism

Buhari

is typically representative of an underlying African context of illiberal patriarchy. On this score, the assumption is that this is a cultural heritage and that the farther the historical past the more conservative the tradition passed down the ages. Thus I was taken aback, as I’m sure many others are, that in the hallowest of the hallow chambers of our tradition a woman was actually, once, the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo. Female Ooni ke? Female Alaafin ke?

Didn’t our President tell us that the place of women in the household is limited to the kitchen, the living room and ze oza room?

For good measure and lest we believe that the one off female Ooni (Luwo Gbagida, the Xth Ooni of Ife) and female Alaafin (the Warrior, Oba Orompotoniyun of Oyo) was an aberration, there were other extensive illustrations. Top of the pile were the five times female Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland and the three times female Awujale of IjebuOde. There was the 27th Ajalorun of Ijebu Ife Oba Yebiwo Owoni who is the great grand mother of Chief Chris Ogunbanjo.

And not to be excluded is my own local Okemesi community which boasts of the first daughter of Oduduwa Oyelagbo as its founder.

History, according to Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, is replete with achievements of great female figures: from the unforgettable Queen Moremi Ajasoro and the legendary Ooni Luwo Gbagada of the Ancient Ife, the trailblazing Pupupu of Ondo kingdom, Alaafin Orompotoniyun of Old Oyo kingdom, the well documented female Owa Obokuns of Ijesa kingdom, the memorable female Awujales of Ijebu-Ode, and Yeyeniregun of Ado Ekiti, among others, to the great Queen Makeda also known as Queen of Sheba, the outstanding Makare Hatshepsut of the areas around the pinnacle of Ancient Egypt, the extraordinary Queen Ahmose-Nefertari, to the amazing Dahia al-Kahina, Queen Tiye, and Ann Nzingha of precolonial Angola, among others. In her book, Nwando Achebe

tells the story of Ahebi Ugbabe who rose through the societal ladder from the position of a local village girl and later on a sex worker to becoming a Warrant-chief and subsequently the only female king in colonial Nigeria and probably colonial Africa.

But following the tendency to minimise and diffuse uncomfortable facts, the incumbent Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi III, had this to say of his distant predecessor “the Alaafin Orompotoniyun was neither a man nor a woman, rather she was a strange being that had both vagina and penis, referring to her as a hermaphrodite. He also adds that when women looked at her, they saw a vagina, and when men looked at her, they saw a penis”! It was also news to me that in certain kingdoms like that of Ilesa, the gender neutral culture persists and allows for both male and females ascension to the throne. And contrary to received wisdom, some historians are actually of the view that westernisation came to reinforce the culture of gender bias patriarchy in contradiction to its perception as the harbinger of liberal modernisation. Perhaps it shouldn’t be all that surprising given that it was only between 1918 and 1920 that British women (over 30 years in age) Dutch and American women acquired the right to vote.

Now we take a look at the other side of the coin- that of the lawmakers doing what they should not have done and this is the defacto creation of a third tier of government- so called Local Government autonomy. “The bills seek to amend the Constitution to repeal the state joint local government account and provide for a special account where all allocations due to the local governments councils, from the federation account and state government shall be paid. The legislations also mandate each state to pay to local government councils in its area of jurisdiction such proportion of its internally generated revenue on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly.

For administrative autonomy, the bill seeks to allow local governments to conduct their own elections”. In essence, these bills represent the perpetration and consolidation of the extant anti federalism status quo. It is a step that further takes away Nigeria from federalism whose effect and impact is the weakening and derogation from the power of the second tier of government vis a vis the federal government. Net of revenue allocated to the federal government should accrue to the second tier which is constitutionally at liberty to appropriate and expend the accruing revenue as it deems appropriate. The creation and funding of local governments is an inherent power of the state government and the abrogation of this power- as represented in the creation of a third tier of government is a violation of federalism.

It is true that the state governments are tendentiously corrupt and profligate but this is an entirely different argument and portends no relevance to the federalism

stipulation of two tier governance structure.

At any rate, the local government operators are no less abusive of public trust. It is illogical in contemporary Nigeria to presume that conferring autonomy on the local governments would potentially result in public accountability and the efficient management of public resources. So, as rationale, we are left with no other conjecture than the ulterior motive of perpetrating a revenue sharing imbalance that favours one region over the other. This is indicated in the lopsided political inequity inherent in the distribution of the 774 local governments. Just one example will suffice. At their creation, Lagos state and Kano state of comparable population had 20 local governments apiece.

Thereafter Kano state has been subdivided and has had Jigawa state created out of it and as we speak, the former boasts of 44 local governments while the latter comprises 33 local governments. In sharp contrast, Lagos state remains rooted on the same spot at 20 local governments. So the original Kano state has been reimbursed with the revenue accruing to the additional 57 local governments relative to Lagos state. Since the present number of local governments, 774, is etched in the granite of the Nigerian constitution, it will require the obstacle race of constitutional amendment to correct the anomaly. And since local governments are directly funded from the federation account, revenue allocation is further skewed in favour of the region advantaged by the contrived third tier of government.

We are often cautioned by the ideologues of the status-quo that there is no true federalism and that federalism varies from one territorial jurisdiction to another. My clarification is that the verbiage of true federalism was prescribed by the wrong citation of what we practice in Nigeria as federalism. If what we call Nigerian federalism is a wrong attribution then there must be the authentic version. In truth Nigeria has violated and breached the threshold of the irreducible minimum of federalism. To argue otherwise is to imply that federalism is indeterminate and you can christen any constitutional structure including a unitary state with the name federalism. To buttress the point is the epistemological clarification that “although today’s federal systems vary in design, five structural characteristics are common to the United States and other federal systems around the world, including Germany and Mexico. First, all federal systems establish two levels of government, with both levels being elected by the people and each level assigned different functions. The national government is responsible for handling matters that affect the country as a whole, for example, defending the nation against foreign threats and promoting national economic prosperity. Subnational, or state governments, are responsible for matters that lie within their regions, which include ensuring the well-being of their people by administering education, health care, public safety, and other public services.

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