FRIDAY 22TH MARCH 2024

Tinubu (left) with President, Global Affairs at Meta, Nick Clegg, in Abuja, after announcing the rollout of Meta's

products to help creators earn from Facebook and Instagram...yesterday

FG, States, LGs Share N1.1527tn

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), yesterday shared a total sum of N1,152.756 trillion to the three tiers of government as Federation Allocation for the month of February, 2024 from a gross total of N2,326.148 trillion.

The disbursed amount and gross revenue were higher than the N1.149 trillion and N2. 068 trillion respectively posted in the preceding month of January.

The total distributable revenue of N1,152.756 trillion was drawn from Statutory Revenue of N101.349 billion, Value Added Tax (VAT) of N428.806 billion, N15.157 billion from Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), and N607.444 billion from Exchange Difference.

From the N1,152.756 trillion

TINUBU: THOSE

the Senate, when he presented the 2024 budget and also knew what he got back, when it was passed.

The president, however, assured Nigerians that the current security and economic challenges facing the country would soon become a thing of the past, confident the nation would surmount her challenges.

In a related development, the National Economic Council (NEC) rose from its 140th monthly meeting in Abuja, yesterday, with a revelation that all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) owed the federal government a total of N1.718 trillion from budget support facility extended to them during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

This was as Vice-President Kashim Shettima has hinted at the firm resolve of the renewed hope administration of President Tinubu to leave a legacy of prosperity and opportunity for all Nigerians.

Speaking at a special Iftar with the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and other senators at the State House, Abuja, the president addressed the lingering allegation of budget padding for the first time since the news became topical.

Appreciating the Senate for its works, particularly the passage of the Students Loan Bill, the president told the leadership of the Senate that the integrity of the National Assembly must remain intact and that his administration would always encourage cooperation for the advancement of the nation.

“I know the arithmetic of the budget and the numbers that I brought to the National Assembly, and I know what numbers came back. I appreciate all of you for the expeditious handling

shared for the month of February inclusive of Gross Statutory Revenue, Value Added Tax (VAT), Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), and Exchange Difference (ED), the Federal Government received N352.409 Billion, the states received N366.950 Billion, local governments got N267.153 Billion, while the oil producing states received N166.244 billion as 13 per cent Derivation (Mineral Revenue).

The sum of N66.456 Billion was given for the cost of collection, N856.937 Billion allocated for Transfers Intervention and Refunds, while the sum of N250.000 Million was saved The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, presided over the FAAC meeting which held at his ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, and attended by the 36 state finance commissioners, among others.

of the budget. Thank you very much.

“Those who are talking about malicious embellishment in the budget; they did not understand the arithmetic and did not refer to the baseline of what I brought. But your integrity is intact.

“I am grateful for what you have been doing. The natural challenge we are facing will be over. On the current economic difficulty, we are about turning the corner.

“Our revenue has improved. All we have to do is to control expenditure and manage ourselves better. Light is at the end of the tunnel, and Nigerians will soon smile again,” the President affirmed.

Reechoing his position that challenges would not defeat Nigeria, he said, "The challenges of insecurity will be over, they can't defeat us, we have to rescue our country.

“It's in this freedom and strong determination that we believe we can bring about prosperity to everyone of us. We're entitled to it and definitely, I assure you, you will partake in the essence of the prosperity.”

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the president on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu said, "Yes, we are definitely challenged.

“The security challenges around us, our armed forces are trying, but we will not allow them to undermine the integrity and the value of our armed forces and the leadership of the armed forces.

"We will continue to encourage and fight for our sovereignty, our individual right to exist, banish poverty from our society.

"The national challenge that we face will be over, the economic challenge, we're about turning the corner. Our

Citing a communique issued at the end of the meeting, the Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Mohammed Manga said in a statement that the Gross Revenue available from VAT for February 2024 was N460.487 billion, an increase from the N420.733 Billion distributed in the preceding month, resulting in an increase of N39.755 billion.

From that amount, the sum of N18.420 billion was allocated for the cost of collection and the sum of N13.262 billion given for Transfers, Intervention and Refunds.

The remaining sum of N428.806 billion was distributed to the three tiers of government, of which the federal government got N64.321 Billion, the states received N214.403 billion, and local governments, N150.082 billion.

Accordingly, the Gross Statutory

revenue is improving and you can see it reflected in the sub-nationals.

“All we have to do is... and manage ourselves much better. I know you share bread without butter, maybe time around we'll put butter beside your bread.

Earlier, Akpabio, who led members of the red chamber of the National Assembly to the State House Banquet Hall for the fourth in the series of the special Iftar, expressed the commitment of lawmakers towards ensuring the Renewed Hope Agenda succeeds.

NEC: FCT, 36 States Owe FG N1.7trn for Budget Support Facility

The National Economic Council (NEC), yesterday, at its monthly meeting in Abuja, revealed that all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) owed the federal government a total sum of N1.718 trillion from budget support facility extended to them during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari had in 2021 approved in tranches the budget support facility to assist the states and FCT meet their pending financial obligations including payment of workers' salaries.

According to a release issued by the Media Assistant to the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation in its presentation to the virtual NEC meeting presided over by the vice-president and attended by the governors and FCT Minister, stated that outstanding liability of the states and FCT from the budget support facility stood at N1,718,705,566,436.25 as at March 21, 2024. It gave the breakdown of the debt being owed the federal government

TINUBU TO META: NIGERIA READY WITH GIFTED YOUTHS TO LEAD AFRICA IN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY VISION

his administration was opening up channels of opportunities in information and communications technology, deepening capacity, and fostering partnerships.

Tinubu also spoke on his administration's 3MTT programme, which was dedicated to training three million Nigerian youths in digital technology and essential skills before deploying them to innovation hubs across the country. He emphasised that Nigerian youths were the most critical asset in the country’s arsenal as it moved to achieve digital economic expansion.

According to him, "For us in Nigeria, we have a vibrant, gifted and resourceful youth population. Recognising that the future is most likely to be AI-enabled, we have to prepare our youths and make them ready to compete and participate in the global economy.

"I can assure you that Nigeria is open for business. We want to lead the African continent in digital technology. Data is valuable to our development. We are ready to cooperate on technological advancements. It is the only way

to go. We need a collaboration that will be a win-win for all."

Emphasising the importance of technology in driving small businesses, the president said he was committed to ensuring that technology was deployed, adapted, enhanced, and used to catalyse growth across a vast majority of micro businesses, spurring mass prosperity down the line.

He stated, "What interests me is the use of technology in the development of small businesses. We need to make the business environment more conducive for you and more profitable for us as well. I hope we can collaborate and continue to promote our mutual interests."

Earlier, in his remarks, Clegg thanked Tinubu for an executive order he issued, which enabled the landing of the Meta-backed deep-sea cable in Nigeria.

He said, "It is an extraordinary infrastructure project. When it comes on stream in the first quarter of 2025, it will be twice as much as the capacity of all subsea cables that exist. We buried the cable 50 per

Revenue of N1,192.428 billion received in the month was higher than the sum of N1,151.808 billion received in the previous month of January 2024 by N40.620 billion.

"From that amount, the sum of N47.404 billion was allocated for the cost of collection, a total sum of N843.675 billion for Transfers, Intervention and Refunds and a total of N200.000 billion saved.

"The remaining balance of N101.349 billion was distributed as follows to the three tiers of government: federal government got the sum of N7.351Billion, States received N3.729 billion, while the sum of N87.394 billion was allocated to LGCs as Derivation (13% Mineral Revenue).

"Also, the sum of N15.789 Billion from Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) was distributed to the three

OF

to include N49,105,873,326.75 by the FCT and N49,105,873,326.75 by each of the 36 states of the federation bringing the total outstanding liability at N1,718,705,566,436.25.

In another presentation by the Secretary of NEC, Mr Nebeolisa Anako, gave an update on establishment of state police, which indicated that reports had been received from 16 states backing the establishment of state police while the remaining 20 states were yet to send in their report.

All states across the country expressed their support for the establishment of state police and recommended changes in the constitution and the current policing structure to enable the operationalisation of the initiative.

While noting the presentation, Shettima observed that the rate of submissions by the states were not impressive and urged states yet to make inputs to expedite action to enable robust deliberations on the subject-matter at the next Council meeting.

Earlier, he had declared the resolve of the renewed hope administration of

Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, yesterday, vowed that the troops conducting operations over the murder of their men would not rest until weapons carted away were recovered and the perpetrators were apprehended.

A visibly angry Abdussalam further said through the recovery operations in Okuama, the army would make sure no one ever attacked its troops again.

cent deeper than any other subsea cables under the seabed. It is more powerful and more extensive in terms of its geographical connectivity. It could yield up to $37 billion worth of increase in economic activity in the next two or three years across the African continent."

Clegg also said Meta will introduce in June a feature on its Instagram app that will allow Nigerian creators to monetise their content.

"We have a lot to do with Nigeria to deepen partnerships," he added.

On his part, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr 'Bosun Tijani, said Meta platforms were critical platforms in Nigeria, and as such opportunities for partnerships and engagement were essential to promoting development in the digital economy sector.

Tijani said, "We must continue to engage to create opportunities for our people so they can also share in global prosperity. Digital technology is an opportunity to connect Africa to contribute to the development of the world."

(3) tiers of government as follows: the Federal Government received N2.274 Billion, States got N7.578 billion, local government councils received N5.305 billion, while N0.632 billion was allocated for Cost of Collection," the statement said.

It also disclosed that N657.444 billion from Exchange Difference, the federal government received N278.463 billion, states got N141.240 billion, while the sum of N108.891 billion was allocated to local government councils.

The sum of N78.850 billion was disbursed as 13 per cent Derivation while N50 billion was saved.

Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Value Added Tax (VAT), Import Duty, Excise Duty and Customs External Tarif levies (CET) increased significantly, while Oil and Gas Royalties increased marginally.

Tinubu to leave a legacy of prosperity and opportunity for all Nigerians. He told the governors to nominate persons to represent each geo-political zone at the zonal level and focal persons to lead the implementation of the programme in their respective states. He assured them that as the scheme becomes operational in the coming weeks, implementation across the country would be diligent, committed and forthright. Shettima boasted that the administration would not rest on its oars until the citizens began to bask in the opportunities they were promised, noting that it was the reason the government prioritised skill acquisition and job creation. He specifically noted that prioritising whatever offers Nigerians a means to earn a living with dignity were part of President Tinubu's eight-point agenda.

“But two things are clear: one, we won’t ever regret paving the way for the acquisition of skills that meet the needs of the global markets. Two, our actions today will shape the economic landscape of tomorrow, and so it’s

incumbent upon us to ensure that we leave a legacy of prosperity and opportunity for all Nigerians.

“When we empower entrepreneurs and small business owners, we unlock the potential for innovation, job creation, and economic growth.

“By providing access to financing, training, and mentorship programmes, we unleash the entrepreneurial spirit that lies within every Nigerian, catalysing a wave of economic prosperity that benefits us all.

“We cannot achieve this without inclusivity and equitable access to opportunities. This is the ladder we must offer to every disadvantaged citizen.”

Shettima noted that the government had “moved beyond mere deliberations to the implementation phase” and it was actively pursuing its “short-term goals en route to achieving our medium-term and long-term strategies.

“My confidence in our ability to fix our nation stems from the unity of purpose this council has demonstrated. We have rejected binary thinking,

us and when this thing happened, I immediately called the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Army Staff because I was in Abuja. I came back and issued a press statement.

But former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mike Ejiofor, called for an independent probe of the killings, stating that an objective inquiry would indict some very important persons (VIPs).

Oborevwori gave the warning when he addressed traditional rulers on the incident at the State Traditional Rulers' Council Secretariat in Asaba.

The governor, who said the act of killing soldiers was alien to the state, described it as barbaric, inhumane, and unacceptable. He vowed that those who committed the evil act must be made to face the full wrath of the law.

He said no kingdom should shield the perpetrators of the act, adding that Delta is governed within the tenets of the rule of law and human decency.

Oborevwori said, "On the 7th of February, we summoned the people of Okoloba and Okuoma communities in Bomadi and Ughelli South local government areas, including the members representing the two constituencies in the state House of Assembly, the council chairmen, and their Presidents-General, where we advised them that a lot has been happening in their area and they signed a peace accord.

"The killing of these army officers and soldiers came as a rude shock to

"On Monday, I went to Bomadi to meet with all the security chiefs, where we had our security council meeting and I got briefings from the Brigade Commander. In attendance was the G.O.C 6 Division Nigeria Army, Maj Gen Jamil Abdussalam, and the JTF Commander, Real Admiral John Okeke.

"After the meeting, I went to Abuja to meet with Mr. President to brief him on what happened. I also went to see the Chief of Army Staff to discuss with him. I also meet with the National Security Adviser and the Inspector General of Police.

"I felt that it is also proper that I brief you people even though you may be aware. Those people, who committed that evil act, must face the wrath of the law. No kingdom should shield those criminals because Delta State is governed by the tenets of the law and human decency.

“We cannot tolerate that. It has never happened in this state –to kill one Lt. Colonel, two Majors, one Captain and 13 soldiers. We need to fish out those involved.

"Do not hide or shield anybody. The Chief of Army Staff and Mr. President have assured me that innocent people will not be victimised unless you connive with the killers of the soldiers.

"I have briefed you and make sure that you fish them out from your kingdoms. If any traditional ruler shields a criminal, that traditional ruler is inviting trouble.

"We did not bargain for this evil act but for peace, I don't want crisis. I have also received information that

two other villages are boiling to fight. They should not fight, we want peace in all our communities.

"What are they fighting for? I have promised you people that I am going to do more for Deltans, so what are they fighting for? All of us are Deltans and we want development.

"For the first time in almost two decades, we had peace in Warri in December and people celebrated in peace. Now we have communal crisis, why?

"I condemn it and it's unacceptable.

So, please, my dear royal fathers, let us be on the same page to fish out these people. Don't allow anybody who committed this evil act to come to your kingdoms and bring problem to your community.

"Tell us and we will hand them over to security agencies. You should not play politics with this. Don't say that the army has taken over your village, because they cannot just come to your village without getting information. But I assure you people that no innocent person will be victimised.

"Tell your people not to encourage crisis because if you do, you cannot come out of it. Some people don't have knowledge of what is happening and they start talking. What I did was to go and brief the commander-in-chief and later granted the State House Correspondents interview."

Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty, Maj. Gen. Felix Mujakperuo, (retd), said they were on the same page with the governor to ensure peace and security in the state.

Mujakperuo said the security of the various kingdoms would translate to security of the state and the country, and called for a judicial panel of enquiry to unravel the immediate

Wale

CLOSING CEREMONY OF AIG PUBLIC LEADERS PROGRAMME 2024...

FRC Warns Corporate Entities against Falsifying Statements on Sustainability Reporting

Olowo seeks harmonised sustainability disclosure to boost FDIs, others Faber: ISSB standards to expose risks in banks’ portfolios

James Emejo in Abuja

Executive Secretary/Chief Executive, Financial Reporting Council (FRC) of Nigeria, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, yesterday warned corporate and government entities in the country that the council would not tolerate greenwashing in reporting sustainability.

He vowed that the council would leverage the efforts and rich expertise of the Adoption Readiness Working Group (ARWG) on the subject matter to deliver top-notch regulatory supervision in the country's interests.

Speaking at the opening of the regulatory roundtable to commemorate the visit of the Chairman, International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), Mr. Emmanuel Faber and his team to Nigeria, Olowo, said the group had finalised

the roadmap document, which would be a tool to mainstream the implementation of sustainability reporting in the country in phases and with assurance and timelines.

He pointed out that though most of the world's economies are failing to advance the social, environmental, and climate goals set in the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement, Nigeria was taking steady and progressive steps.

He said this is exemplified by the roadmap report for adopting the International Sustainability Standards IFRS S1 and S2 by the FRC and the establishment of the Interministerial Committee on Carbon Market Activation Plan by President Bola Tinubu.

Faber, however said, the ISSB standards would assist banking supervision committees in assessing the risks in banks' portfolios.

He said, “The International Public Sector Accounting Standards, for government and state entities have also elected to choose our standards to bring climate topics and part of the national accounting systems.”

Also, President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mr. Innocent Iweka Okwuosa, while commending the FRC for spearheading the adoption of the reproting standards in the country, said, “We have created massive awareness within ICAN and all our members are onboard”.

Nonetheless, the FRC boss said the harmonisation of sustainability disclosure standards globally remained a critical enabler to unlock and align the existing flows of both private and public capital with measurable sustainability outcomes.

This he said, would make

better data available and allow for progress in other fields within the “impact transparency” agenda for agents to make informed decisions with full information that evolves from the current paradigm of financial return and risk alone.

He emphasised that “Adequate disclosure is key to investment decisions and our country, Nigeria, urgently needs investments, especially foreign direct investment.”

Olowo said several key regulatory bodies in the country are carrying so many activities and developing policies that have the potency of truncating the progress being made as these silo efforts may be counterproductive.

He said, “There is therefore, the urgent need to create a platform for regulatory roundtable to fashion out a potent mechanism for collaboration and

NNPC Pledges to Drive Firm’s Transformation with Research, Innovation

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos

The Executive Vice President, Gas, Power and New Energy, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye has identified transparency, accountability, research, technology and innovation as key drivers of the ongoing ‘transformation’ in the company.

Ogunleye disclosed this while speaking during a panel session hosted by the the national oil company at the ongoing 2024 CERAWeek Conference in Houston, the United States.

Ogunleye, whose session addressed the theme: “Africa’s Energy Future: Access, Investment & Sustainability”, said under the current leadership of Mr. Mele Kyari, the company has institutionalised the use of modern technology to drive its operations.

According to a statement

by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the NNPC, Ogunleye stated that this development has created tremendous value for the company in its quest to compete with its global peers.

He said with the coming of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in 2021, NNPC has today transformed into an integrated commercial entity that is focused on transparency and accountability, two core values that are vital towards the company’s quest to float an Initial Public Offer (IPO) at the stock exchange.

“Over the last five years, the NNPC has been pushing the agenda of transparency, accountability and performance excellence. I am glad to say that we are setting very high standards, and this is a journey that we are all committed to going forward,” Ogunleye added.

He further observed that

transparency and accountability have a commercial component to them, because they can make any organisation attractive to its partners and potential investors.

He said currently, the NNPC is working assiduously to become IPO-ready, stressing that once that is done, the IPO will be phenomenal and successful.

Ogunleye, who described the future as exciting for the NNPC Ltd, said as the biggest energy company in Africa with the biggest resources and largest market, the company remains committed to delivering value to its shareholders by relentlessly improving its processes in line with global best standards.

He said gas will continue to be an important resource for Africa because it is the surest tool for economic development and for delivering better living standards for the teeming population on the continent.

He called on all gas players

to sustain the advocacy for gas as a major energy source that will be utilised to develop the economic and industrial fortunes of the continent.

He said that gas is a top priority for NNPC because the company is at the forefront of Nigeria’s gas commercialisation efforts and flare elimination.

“Gas has come to stay. It is going to be part of the energy mix for us in the long term. We shall continue to be at the forefront of accelerating gas development and commercialization in Nigeria,” he added.

Other energy experts on Mr. Ogunleye’s panel were Daniel Berkove, Senior Advisor, S&P Global; Emmanuel Mugagga, Chief Financial Officer, Uganda National Oil Company and Benjamin Kweku Acolatse, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Finance and Administration), Ghana National Petroleum Corporation.

harmonisation of policies to ensure a seamless and effective implementation of sustainability reporting in Nigeria.”

He noted that capital to support investment in the most critical issue areas facing societies was not flowing at the required pace and scale, nor with adequate effectiveness to ensure the delivery of real impact with transparency and integrity where needed the most.

He said, “We are at a pivotal moment; less than a decade away from the date set by the UN to achieve the SDGs, most of the world's economies are failing to advance the social, environmental, and climate goals set in the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement.

“However, Nigeria could be said to be taking steady and progressive steps as exemplified by the roadmap report for the adoption of the International Sustainability Standards IFRS S1 & S2 by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria and the establishment of the Inter-ministerial Committee on Carbon Market Activation Plan by Mr. President.”

Continuing, Olowo said, “The ISSB Standards therefore, represent a significant step forward in promoting a global baseline for transparency, accountability, and comparability in sustainability reporting by harmonising

the disparate sustainability standards frameworks serving different markets and differing investors’ appetite for ease of corporate disclosure as part and parcel of general-purpose financial reporting.

“These globally recognised standards provide a comprehensive framework for organizations to assess, measure, and communicate their environmental, social, and governance performance effectively.

“By embracing these standards, we have demonstrated our commitment to support and protect investors’ interest and enhance their confidence by fostering a more resilient and sustainable economy.”

He said Faber’s visit further underscored the importance of sustainability as part of corporate and general-purpose financial reporting in today's world.

Olowo said, “As we gather here today, we are demonstrating our collective resolve to work together towards addressing the pressing challenges of climate change, environmental degradation, and social inequality.

“The impact of these issues is felt across the globe, affecting communities, ecosystems, and economies. We must take decisive action to mitigate these threats and safeguard the well-being of current and future generations.”

Naira Gains Over N100 in Single Day, Hits N1,453 on Official, N1,485 on Parallel Markets

Nume Ekeghe

The naira continued its upward trend yesterday, closing stronger at both the official window and the parallel market. This marks the second consecutive day the official window and parallel market recorded gains of N100 in one day

On the official Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange (NAFEM) window, the naira appreciated by N107.29 to close at N1,453.28 per dollar, compared to N1,560.57 on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the parallel market saw the naira gain N105, closing at N1,485/$1 from N1,590 the previous day. Daily foreign exchange turnover also rose significantly, with a 47.83 per cent increase to $288.47 million from $195.13 million on Tuesday. This suggests increased activity in the forex market, potentially driven by growing confidence in the naira. Also, the highest spot rate yesterday was pegged at N1,598 while the lowest spot rate recorded was N1,300.

L-R: Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan; Chairman, AIG- Imoukhuede Foundation, Aigboje Imoukhuede; Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa and Executive Vice Chairman, AIG- Imoukhuede Foundation, Ifovwe Imoukhuede, during the closing ceremony of AIG Public Leaders Program

MASTERCARD PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO SANWO-OLU...

NACCIMA Kicks against CBN’s Lifting of Ban on FX Access for Milk, Dairy Products

Says new policy ‘ll discourage local production

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dele Oye, has kicked against the lifting of the foreign exchange restrictions the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) placed on the importation of milk and dairy products.

Oye, in a statement, expressed concern over the potential ramifications of the policy change,

especially against the backdrop of the Naira’s current depreciation and the inconsistencies observed in customs duty payment.

While acknowledging the CBN’s efforts to refine trade policies in alignment with the evolving economic landscape, Oye warned that the move could result in the decline of local production.

“The decision to lift restrictions on dairy importation by all entities, barring selected companies, suggests a strategic move towards liberalising

the sector, which is commendable from a free-market perspective.

“However, as a professional body deeply invested in the growth and stability of Nigeria's economy, we must express our concerns regarding the potential ramifications of this policy change, especially against the backdrop of the Naira’s current depreciation and the inconsistencies observed in customs duty payment,” he argued.

According to him, the depreciation of the Naira has already placed a

significant burden on importers, with the increased cost of foreign exchange reflecting on the final prices of goods and services.

“The recent policy shift, while potentially increasing competition and broadening market access, could also exacerbate this burden, leading to higher retail prices for milk and dairy products, ultimately affecting the end consumers.

“In addition, inconsistent customs duty payments have been a significant challenge for businesses in

Envoy Reveals US Invested $200m to Ensure Food Security in Nigeria in 5 Years

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The United States Government has said it invested $200 million in food security in Nigeria in the last five years, with another $150 million given as grants to 33 private sector companies in Nigeria.

The US Acting Ambassador to Nigeria, David Greene, who spoke at the 2024-2029 Global Food Security Strategy Launch, also revealed that another $22 million has been invested in Nigeria's cocoa value chain, spanning seven states.

The implementation of the Global Food Security Strategy for Nigeria, is expected to boost agricultural productivity and drive agriculture-led economic growth over the next five years.

The envoy however said that despite the support of the US government, Nigerians are best placed to solve the issues that affect them.

He said: “The US government is providing broad assistance across Nigeria to support agriculture development. USAID invested almost $200 million in agriculture for the last five years to improve food security and build household resilience to shocks in Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Cross-River, Delta, Ebonyi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kebbi, Niger, and Yobe states.

"We also provided modest grants to 33 private sector companies to leverage over $150 million in private sector development, generated $306 million in domestic sales and created over 23,000 jobs.”

He stated that the USAID is one of many US government agencies promoting agricultural development in Nigeria, explaining that for example, this year, the US Department of Agriculture inaugurated a $22 million, five-year investment in Nigeria's cocoa value chain, spanning seven states.

According to Greene, the investment improves rural livelihoods by building capacity in cocoa productivity, trade capacity, and traceability.

He lamented that Nigeria is currently experiencing a severe food crisis due to insecurity, inflation, currency devaluation, the increased cost of inputs, trade restrictions, climate change, and post-harvest loss.

" In January 2024, Nigeria recorded an over 35 per cent increase in food prices, making it difficult for the 84 million Nigerians living below the poverty line to buy food.

If we project out into the future, global food demand will double by 2050, and yet at the same time key staple crops are showing a decrease of up to 30 per cent.

"Furthermore, while climate change is causing extreme weather conditions like drought and floods, it is even more challenging for smallholder farmers to increase yields and incomes.

“Ranked the sixth least prepared globally to confront climate change, Nigeria must focus on adaptation if food security is to be achieved,” he said.

The envoy also noted that US and

Nigeria are engaged in exchange programmes and fellowship which aimed at equipping Nigerians.

“In the last two years, the US Department of Agriculture has also sponsored more than a dozen scientific exchange fellows to study at US agricultural universities and 30 private sector stakeholders to visit the United States, all so they can come back to improve Nigeria's crop production, animal breeding, efficient pesticide use, and trade capacity," he explained.

He cited the case of one Agada Blessing, a Ph.D. student from the Joshua Sarwuan Tarka University in Benue State, a soil scientist that USAID supported to attend Michigan State University and developed her research on climate change and fertiliser use.

He said Blessing returned to Nigeria, and has been sharing her research work and organised training programme on the importance of soil management for agricultural productivity, trained graduate students and government staff on soil management for maize production across Benue State.

He noted that Nigeria is a country of immense talent and potential, saying the potential to drive agriculture-led economic growth is endless.

“ While the US government and other partners are here to support Nigeria, Nigerians are best placed to solve the issues that affect them. However, for ideas to grow and drive economic development, the Nigerian government must

create an enabling environment that supports private sector-led growth and entrepreneurship.

“US companies and other US private sector stakeholders are eager to help Nigeria improve agricultural productivity, trade, and food security. However, clear and transparent tax and investment rules are needed for meaningful growth.

"Food must be available to buy, and prices must be affordable for all Nigerians. The Nigerian government should embrace the adoption of genetically modified crops to boost the productivity and income of smallholder farmers while removing trade restrictions, including food and agricultural import bans. Competition and free trade fosters creativity and efficiency.

"Helping Nigerians to put food on the table can go a long way in rebuilding the reputation of the Nigerian government in the eyes of Nigerians," he stated.

USAID Nigeria Deputy Mission Director, Sara Werth said Nigeria, like many nations, is grappling with the growing challenge of food insecurity.

She said Nigeria's diverse ecological zones and vibrant young populace holds the key to a bountiful future.

She, however said: “But to unlock this potential, we must join hands. From government to private enterprise, to academia and the tireless efforts of civil society, let’s work together to forge a path towards food security.”

Nigeria. This inconsistency not only hampers the ease of doing business but also creates an unpredictable trading environment.

“A policy change of this magnitude requires a concomitant strengthening of customs regulations to ensure that all stakeholders are on a level playing field,” Oye added.

The NACCIMA boss recommended a phased approach that would allow domestic producers to adjust to the new competitive landscape while preserving the value of the Naira.

“This approach should be coupled with a robust support system for local dairy farmers to boost domestic production, thereby

reducing over-reliance on imports in the long term.

“Additionally, harmonising customs duty payments to eliminate disparities and foster transparency will be critical to ensuring the success of this policy,” he stated.

He further stated while the body recognises the merits of liberalising the dairy importation process, it strongly advocates for measures that safeguard the stability of the national currency and promote fair trade practices.

“We are keen to engage with the CBN and other stakeholders in crafting a sustainable path forward that benefits the Nigerian economy and its populace,” Oye stressed.

Foreign Airlines Dispute CBN Claims over Clearing of their Trapped Funds

Top travel agent explains why CBN does not owe foreign airlines

Chinedu Eze

Foreign airlines have continued to dispute the claim of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that it has paid off all the trapped airlines funds in its possession.

But there are indications that the apex bank might be right as other revenues of the foreign carriers are domiciled in commercial banks.

Few days ago, the bank reiterated that it had cleared its debts to the foreign airlines.

Acting Director of Corporate Communications at CBN, on Wednesday disclosed in a statement that the financial regulator recently concluded the payment of $1.5 billion to settle obligations to bank customers, effectively settling the residual balance of the FX backlog.

But yesterday, President, Association of Foreign Airlines and Representatives in Nigeria, (AFARN), Kingsley Nwokeoma, insisted that CBN still owed the airlines.

“If they say they have cleared the trapped funds, they should show us figures. They should tell us how much have been cleared. The last I checked, the status quo still remains the same,” Nwokeoma said.

However, the General Managing Director, Flinchglow Holdings

Limited and immediate past President of National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mr. Bankole Bernard, who operates one of the top travel agencies in Nigeria, explained to THISDAY that CBN is correct in insisting that it had cleared the backlog of trapped funds in its coffers.

Bernard said the remaining revenues of the airlines are with the commercial banks; that if they want to repatriate the remaining revenues they would have to buy dollars in the Investors and Exporters window.

“In the past, foreign airlines will sell their tickets in Naira and go to the CBN to buy dollars and repatriate their earnings, but when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came in May, he directed that CBN should no more sell dollars; so, everyone should go to the autonomous market to buy. Airlines funds are domiciled with commercial banks. The backlog that CBN paid were the funds with CBN before the new policy was made. The Central bank has paid this money and does not owe foreign airlines any money. The airlines will now settle with the commercial banks where they kept their monies,” the former NANTA President explained.

L-R: Divisional President, Sub-Sahara Africa, MasterCard, Mr. Mark Elliott; Regional President, Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa, MasterCard, Dr. Dimitrios Doris; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu; Country Manager, West Africa, MasterCard, Mrs. Folasade Femi-Lawal and the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat during a courtesy visit to the Governor, at the Lagos House, Marina... yesterday

Musa says military committed to security of school children, launches safe schools manual Agwai,

stakeholders urge Tinubu to demonstrate political will Northern senators lament, demand action Interior minister seeks military-paramilitary synergy

Kingsley Nwezeh, Michael Olugbode, Sunday Aborisade in Abuja and Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday, lamented that it was heartbreaking that school children were still being kidnapped, 10 years after over 300 schoolchildren were kidnapped in

Chibok, Borno State. But the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Christopher Musa, yesterday, said the Armed Forces remained committed to the security of schoolchildren across the country, even as he launched a Standard Operating Manual (SOP) for the safe school initiative. This was stakeholders, including a former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd.), at a

Edo, Oando to Generate 175MW Wind Energy for Industrial Clusters

State partners NDLEA to combat drug menace

The Edo state government’s renewable energy programme being implemented in partnership with Oando Energy will result in the construction of wind turbines across three locations in the three senatorial districts of the state, the state has said.

The locations, according to studies by Oando Energies, will be at Uhunmwonde, Uromi and Akoko Edo, where energy currents are high.

The Commissioner for Mining and Energy, Hon. Enaholo Ojiefoh, who disclosed this in a chat with journalists, noted that the state government is looking at serving areas with increased economic activity with wind energy operated by partners.

He stated that Oando has carried out their audit and has come up with the report that there is a heavy wind current in a part of Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

“They have opened discussions with the local government chairman. The other location is between Uromi and Ubiaja, close to the railway bridge, where there is also a strong wind current. Another one will be situated between Etsako and Akoko Edo, close to the Igbira camp,” he said.

He noted that the company had identified the areas where they will install the turbines to harvest wind energy, generate power and sell to willing buyers.

“They are set to fit the meteorological mast to take record

of the wind in the area. These are part of the renewable programme we have to drive industrialization,” the commissioner said.

The commissioner added that the renewable energy programme is targeted at industrial zones in the State, which is why the company is conducting an energy audit in Ikpeshi, Akoko Edo Local Government, where a lot of mining activities are ongoing.

“Oando Energy is set to construct a plant in the area to serve the investors in the economy. So, the renewable energy programme is targeted at solving energy issues in these clusters,” he added.

Meanwhile, the state government is strengthening collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other sister security agencies to improve strategies and efforts at combating the drug menace in the State.

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, received the new Commander of NDLEA in the State, Callys Alumona and other officers of the agency at the Government House, Benin City, to brainstorm and chart ways to strengthen the war against illicit drugs in the State.

Obaseki represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Osaigbovo Iyoha, said the government was empowering youths in the state to discourage them from substance abuse and other social vices, commending the new commander for raiding hotspots in the state and other efforts to end the menace in Edo state.

meeting to chart the way forward for safe schools initiative, urged President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate some political will.

At the same time, the Northern Senators Forum, yesterday, also lamented the spate of kidnappings in their region and asked the Tinubu administration to take action before the situation got out of hand.

Sharing the same spirit, the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi TunjiOjo, has reiterated the imperative of fostering closer collaboration between the military and paramilitary forces to bolster national security efforts.

However, speaking at the launch of the safe school initiative, Iweala, who lamented the security situation in the country was worried about how fast things had deteriorated 10

years after the Chibok experience and at a time she was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

"Effort by armed forces in containing attacks could not have come at a better time. This programme started under my time as finance minister in the wake of the Chibok girls abduction.

"It is heartbreaking that 10 years after, our children are still being kidnapped," she said calling for the supply of solar panels to plug phones and to light up schools.

"Nigeria does not have the resources to police every path of the country. But we have the resources to do the the minimum," she said.

The safe school initiative was launched in 2014 after the abduction

of about 300 school girls from Chibok, Borno State, as part of efforts to ensure that children in conflict areas or affected by insecurity continued with their education.

Unfortunately, the launch of the SOP for military personnel came after the abductions of school children in Kaduna, where some 287 pupils were kidnapped, 15 Tsangaya students in Sokoto State and 20 people in IDP camps in Borno State. The defence chief said the SOP would provide necessary guidelines for members of the armed forces to implement the safe schools initiative within the confines of international and national laws.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remains committed to providing every necessary assistance for the security

of school children and other learning institutions against attacks within the ambit of Nigeria’s constitution.

“The volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous nature of the current security environment requires better synergy among the military and other security agencies,” he said.

He, however, called for concerted efforts of stakeholders to work together so as to ensure school children are safe in school.

His words: “The success of such an initiative without doubt will require the utmost commitment of all stakeholders, who particularly are looked up to by the citizens of the country for their security and safety.

"It is, therefore, in the interest of our

Continued on page 14

Dike Onwuamaeze

As his 60th birthday draws near, the Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, has identified the establishment of digital and technological inspirational centres as the sure way of building the employment capacity and entrepreneurial skills of Nigerian youths for the emerging global digital economy.

Abiru told journalist yesterday in Lagos that this awareness informed the setting up of the “Senator Abiru Innovation Lab (SAIL) in Ikorodu, Lagos State, which has impacted about 1,670 youths with digital skills that cut across data science, artificial intelligence etc., which have helped some to gain useful employments.

He noted that some of the programmes that are delivered free at the SAIL go for N4.5 million per person and stated that the time has come for Nigerian youths to match their educational certificates and qualification with skillset

for today’s economy.

He said: “The idea is to set up a facility that will help these young folks to upgrade their skills so that they can be employable and be entrepreneurial because that is the way the world is evolving.

“That is actually the thrust behind this facility that we are in. What the youths are asking for is a platform to realise their dreams. Not donations of computer units but inspirational centres they will wake up in the morning and rush to.”

The senator explained that a true inspirational centre should have 24-hour electricity, constant internet access and choice faculty that would serve as facilitators and managers of the facility.

“The basic innovation and digital skills that we do here for now is in about five categories. We have what is called the ‘Tech Talent.’ It is a six month programme targeted at tertiary schools’ graduates who do not have digital technological skills and assist them to acquire foundational digital and software

skills. We are particular about what our youths can do with their hands.

“We also have the ‘Accelerators Programme’ aimed at improving those that are already entrepreneurs by enabling them to use technology to improve their business model.

“We also have ‘Data Science’ programme that runs for six months.

“We also have a programme for those awaiting university admissions. We call it the ‘STEM Programme.’ We have buses that go to schools and bring their students here.

“We also have the ‘Teachers Fellowship Programme’ that exposes our teachers to what is called inquiry based learning.

“I am happy to report that since we started this facility in 2021 we have touched the lives of 1,670 people in class.

“It is a small facility given the size of the society but it is a way of leading and also showing people that this is actually what we need to do for our society.

“It gives me joy because we believe that we are imparting on lives.

“Today, we are very proud to say that we now have a partnership with Awari, an Artificial Intelligence organisation. Awari's first call in Nigeria is here. With this partnership, it has been able to absorb about 160 people that were trained here and has given them permanent jobs.

“Today, the pay might not be fantastic but it is a good starting point. Their average pay is about N200,000 per month.

“If you ask me what is my greatest joy I will point to this facility as my greatest joy. I am particularly concerned in truly making people useful. I always like to equip people so that they can move on and be better.”

Besides the SAIL, which is an endowment initiative, the senator also has his constituency projects targeted at education, health, power projects amongst others. His constituency’s revolving loans of N300 million that he is targeting to increase to N500 million.

STRATEGIC PEACE BUILDING MEETING...

L-R:

Governors Urge Minimum Wage C’ttee to Consider States’ Ability to Pay

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The governors of the 36 states have called on the National Minimum Wage Committee (NMWC) to consider states’ ability to pay as well as peculiarities, before reaching a decision on the next minimum wage.

Also, the governors highlighted the need for state policing as a critical amendment in the ongoing 1999 constitutional Amendment proceedings to correct a fundamental flaw in the national security architecture.

The governors said this in a communique after their meeting, signed by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF), AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq who is also the Governor of Kwara State.

"Members urged the NMWC to consider the current realities, individual state peculiarities and consequential impact on the capacity of the government as well as private sector employers to pay. Members also emphasised the need for proposals to be data- driven and evidence-based,” the communiqué stated.

It said that members discussed the growing concern raised by the United States Embassy over illegal and fraudulent inter-country adoption of Nigerian children by US citizens including systemic fraud and corruption, child-buying, the imprisonment of pregnant women, and unreliable or non-existent documentation.

"Members reviewed the progress of the NMWC and ongoing multistakeholder engagements towards agreeing on a fair minimum wage.

Obaseki Inaugurates NIESV Secretariat in Abuja, Cautions against Quackery

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Governor of Edo state, Mr Godwin Obaseki, yesterday commissioned the national headquarters of the Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), cautioning against quackery in the built environment.

Speaking at the event in Abuja, Obaseki, while appreciating the pivotal role of NIESV in the development of Nigeria’s real estate sector, argued that Nigeria is currently contending with a number of issues in the built environment such as quackery, building collapses as well as real estate scams.

He maintained that these have called to question the place of professional bodies, challenging their existence and role as standard bearers.

But amid the challenges, he stressed that it was reassuring that the NIESV had held steadfast to its mandate, raising the standard for professionalism and ensuring that its members offer the best service.

He told the NIESV members that as professionals, it was not expected that the dire economic situation in the economy such as inflation and the attendant increased cost of living would have an impact on the work they do.

“In fact, the raging debate on the price of commodities,

especially building materials demands even more subtlety from members of this great institution. It is in times like these that some of your clients would want to compromise on quality and ethics.

“ But I trust that you are well versed in your practice to be able to guide them aright especially in the light of the dangers inherent in compromising on materials and standards when constructing public and private projects.

“The wide spectrum of the institution’s area of influence, such as plant and equipment valuation, project finance and management, land and building valuation, facilities and infrastructure management, real estate consulting, environmental valuation, business assets and intellectual property valuation, among others, put you in a very critical position in the economy.

“This implies that your coverage area has profound impact on the larger economy and places enormous demand on your members as we navigate these turbulent times in the light of foreign exchange crisis and its impact on valuation of assets within the country,” he noted.

In Edo state, Obaseki emphasised that he had made several efforts to restore sanity to the built environment, working with professional bodies such as NIESV to ensure that standards are maintained and that builders act professionally to deliver the best of services.

"Members pledged to engage the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government in a bid to address the situation, “ the governors said .

The communique said that the governors discussed the progress made by states in implementing various business enabling reforms, including those aimed at improving land administration, Public Private Partnership (PPP),

investment promotion frameworks, business-enabling infrastructure and regulatory environment under the World Bank supported State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme for result.

The communique said that the governors were implored to leverage available support within the programme in implementing related reforms to stimulate further economic growth.

Also, the governors, the communique said, received an update from the NGF Senior Health Advisor, Dr. Ahmad Abdulwahab on the Health Sector Renewal Compact, the next round of the Primary Health Care (PHC) leadership challenge and the UNICEF Child Nutrition Fund.

The communique said that the governors restated their commitment to deliver on requisite

actions and reforms to achieve the objectives of the various initiatives.

According to the communique, the governors commiserated with the Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, over the communal clash between Okuama in the Ughelli South Local Government Area and Okolaba in the Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, which led to the death of 16 military personnel.

Finally, Davido Settles Breach of Contract Case With Amaju Pinnick out of Court

Wale Igbintade

American singer, David Adedeji Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has agreed to settle the breach of contract suit filed against him at the High Court of Delta State Effurun by the Amaju Pinnick-led Brownhill Investment Company Limited out of court.

As part of the consent judgement entered in a N2 billion suit filed against him, Davido also agreed to within seven days of execution of the terms of settlement, pay the sum of N30,000,000 to the claimant, being a part contribution to the claimant's outstanding legal fees in this suit.

As part of the out-of-court settlement, the defendant agreed to perform live at the 'Warri Again 2024 Concert’ slated for October 4, 2024 in Warri, Delta State.

The claimant, had through its lawyer, Kelechi Onwuegbuchulem in suit number EHC/183/2023 prayed the court to award N2 billion as general damages against Davido.

Besides, the claimant is praying the court for N150 million as legal and professional fees, and additional sum N30 million as cost of filing the suit.

Listed as defendants in the suit are David Adeleke a.k.a “Davido”, and his music label, Davido Music Worldwide Limited.

Consequent upon an extensive discussion and negotiations to have the matter resolved amicably, the parties have mutually agreed to perform at the “Warri Again Concert” edition on October 4, 2024.

In the consent judgment obtained by journalists in Warri yesterday, parties further agreed that the sum

of $94,500 which the claimant had already paid to the defendants, will be consideration for the performance at the event.

The parties also agreed as follows: "The parties have resolved the miscommunication issues that occasioned this dispute and the 1st defendant shall immediately post on his social media platforms including X, Instagram, Facebook, Snap Chat, etc. the following statement: “All issues regarding 'Warri Again 2023 Concert’ have been settled between Mr. Amaju Pinnick and myself, and I am happy to announce that I shall be performing live at the 'Warri Again 2024 Concert’ on 4th October, 2024 in Warri, Delta State."

"The defendants shall, within seven days of execution of these Terms of Settlement, pay the sum of

N30,000,000 to the claimant, being a part contribution to the Claimant's outstanding legal fees in this suit.

"The defendants shall, in view of these terms of settlement, withdraw the appeal filed against the ruling of this honourable court dated 16th January, 2024.

"The claimant shall provide a private jet to convey the defendants, as well as provide accommodation and other logistics for the defendants’ performance at the ‘Warri Again’ concert slated to be held on 04 October 2024.

"These terms of settlement shall be binding on the parties to this suit, their agents, privies, successors in title, or any person or entity howsoever described acting at the behest or authority of any of the parties to this suit, upon adoption of same.

House Moves to Increase UBEC Allocation from 2% to 4%

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a Bill for an Act to amend the Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education (Amendment) Act.

The proposed amendment seeks to increase the share of the Consolidated Revenue Fund allocated to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) from 2 per cent to 4 per cent.

The goal is to ensure that the allocation to education meets the recommended benchmark by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) of 15 to 20 per cent share of the total national budget, the promoters said.

The bill sponsored by Hon.

Muktar Shagaya was read for the first time in the Chambers on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.

Leading the debate at the plenary, Shagaya said the UBEC was established in 1999 to formulate the policy guidelines for the successful operation of the universal basic education programmes in the country.

To achieve this, he said UBEC receives 2 per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) from the federal government and allocates it to the states through a pre-existing counterpart funding arrangement, and other relevant agencies implementing the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme.

The lawmaker explained that the original intention and mandate

of the commission as contained in the extant Act is to provide greater access to, and ensure quality of basic education throughout Nigeria.

Shagaya said going by this, basic education is to be provided by the federal government and it shall be compulsory, free, universal, and qualitative.

The lawmaker added that the extant law establishing the UBEC while laudable has still not achieved significant aspects of its set goals as intended.

For instance, Shagaya stressed that the issue of out-of-school children still proves to be a multifaceted problem with far reaching consequences, adding that the latest global data on out-of-school children by UNICEF, Nigeria has approximately 10.5

million out-of-school children.

Regrettably, the lawmaker emphasised that a concerning trend also persists as a significant level of infrastructural deterioration plagues the majority of public primary schools across all 36 states of the federation.

Shagaya added: "Despite the proposed capital expenditure for the education sector in the 2024 budget, it’s potential impact may be limited. With an increment in school enrolment numbers and widespread infrastructural decay, the situation is indeed daunting.

"It is imperative that we address this while also prioritising technological advancement and enhancing teacher’s training in our basic schools to align with global best practices.

A member of the Delta State Advisory and Peace Building Council, Air Vice Marshall Ajobena Frank; former state Deputy Governor, Chief Benjamin Elue; Governor Sheriff Oborevwori; his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme; and Chairman of the Peace Building Council, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, addressing members of the council during their meeting with the governor in Asaba...yesterday

Electorate Not Judges Should Decide Election Winners, Mutfwang, Falana Insist

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang and a Human Rights activist, Femi Falana, yesterday, in Abuja, said Nigeria must ensure that the real winners of elections emerge before swearing-in, adding that the people and not judges should decide the winners.

They spoke separately at the

Haske Satumari Foundation annual colloquium, themed: "Electoral And Judicial Reforms: The Imperatives on Nigeria’s Democracy, Governance, Leadership and its selection processes."

Mutfwang said since leadership has become crucial, it would be unfashionable to allow the judges and lawyers to decide the true winner of election.

He said, "Our leadership recruitment is a fraud. Some of us get into positions of leadership simply by the mercy of God. Not because of fat Bank account.

"We must develop rules that are clear and transparent. Our process is far from being transparent. To strengthen democracy, electoral reform is important.

"Also, comprehensive judicial reforms became expedient because every election circle had its legal regime. For the judiciary, there is an urgent need to safeguards its independence and integrity. What we witnessed is partisan interference." Mutfwang said even professors of law became confused with the legal jurisprudence that arose from the judgment that came out of the 2023 election petitions,

OKONJO-IWEALA: HEARTBREAKING KIDS ARE STILL BEING KIDNAPPED 10 YEARS AFTER CHIBOK

dear nation that every stakeholder works assiduously to build a strong, safer, more secure, and prosperous future for our children and our beloved country," he said.

Delivering the keynote address, Agwai said the success of the initiative depended on the collective responsibility of stakeholders and citizens by taking ownership and providing intelligence to security agencies.

He said the move reflected the Armed Forces’ collective commitment to upholding the sanctity of education and creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning to thrive.

“Regrettably for learners as well as teachers currently in schools, the fear of them becoming possible victims and the trauma created by having their fellow students and friends attacked is having a negative impact on the quality of education in our country.

“This initiative must be a collective responsibility of all our communities. Our citizens at all levels of government, the civil society and NGO’s must resolve to have safe schools environment for our children by always providing the necessary vital information which is to be acted upon for the good of all.

“Accordingly, all of us must take collective responsibility and ownership for the development of this safety initiative," he said.

The Head of Financing, Safe Schools Secretariat and Technical Working Committee, Ministry of Finance, Halima Iliya, said Nigeria’s educational system was always in deep crisis ranging from kidnapping and terror attacks.

She said the safe school initiative was delayed due to a lack of policy framework, funding and budgetary allocations to provide the needed support.

Northern Senators Lament, Demand Action

The Northern Senators Forum has lamented the spate of kidnappings in their region and asked the President Bola Tinubu administration to take action before the situation got out of hand.

The senators noted with concern that 441 people mostly schoolchildren were kidnapped in Kafuna State in the last one month.

In a statement by its Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua, the forum said the federal lawmakers from the North would continue to play their roles to ensure peace in the region.

"The distressing state of affairs concerning the recent wave of violence and kidnappings in the North is a major concern to the Northern Senators Forum(NSF).

"The series of events that have unfolded in Kaduna State, beginning with the kidnapping of 286 students and staff from a school on March 7th, the despicable attack on worshippers in a mosque on March 8th, the abduction of 61 more persons on March 12th, followed by 14 individuals on March 17th, and a staggering total of 87 individuals in Kajuru on March 18th, amongst others, are not only reprehensible but demand urgent and resolute action.

"We are committed to pursuing a lasting solution to this menace. We will not rest until the security situation is significantly improved and the perpetrators of these heinous acts are brought to justice.

"It is our core duty and mandate, and we will spare no effort in fulfilling it for the greater good of our people and our nation," the statement stated.

Tunji-Ojo Seeks Military, Paramilitary Synergy

The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has reiterated the imperative of fostering closer collaboration between the military and paramilitary forces to bolster national security efforts.

The minister said this while Musa, on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.

The minister while expressing gratitude for the ongoing support from the Armed Forces, emphasised the pivotal role played by military personnel in assisting agencies under his Ministry during various operations.

He also stressed the need to bridge existing gaps between the military

and the Ministry, advocating seamless intelligence sharing and resource allocation to effectively counter emerging threats.

Highlighting key areas of collaboration, the minister emphasised the importance of training initiatives, particularly for personnel of the Nigeria immigration Service (NIS) stationed at border checkpoints, and officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) tasked with safeguarding the nation’s forest.

He, however, advocated a memorandum of understanding to facilitate coordination and operational assistance between agencies under the Ministry and the Nigerian military.

He said: “There are numerous responsibilities that I believe the nitty-gritty can be worked out in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between our agencies and the Nigerian military, encompassing equipment, training (which entails

Wale Igbintade

Justice E.O. Ashade of the Lagos High court, sitting in Yaba yesterday adjourned till May 28, 2024 for the adoption of final written addresses in the suit filed by RCN Networks Limited and its Managing Director, Alhaji S I Nuraini Abiola against Guaranty Trust Bank and five others over alleged fraud committed on the document used to secure judgement against the claimants.

At yesterday's sitting, the claimants' counsel, Dr. Charles Adeogun-Philips cross-examined a legal officer with the GTB, Nicholas Igwebuike on the alleged discrepancies noticed in the Deed of Assignment, and the Deed of Tripartite Mortgage presented before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court to secure the judgement.

RCN Networks Limited and Alhaji S I Nuraini Abiola (Claimants) had instituted the Suit against the Defendants alleging that the bank

know-how), and other operational assistance.

"I want it to be your legacy, my legacy, and above all, the legacy of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that the military and the Nigeria Immigration Service were able to synergize and protect our border in such a way that any internal threat can be contained internally."

Musa commended the minister for his proactive initiatives that have contributed to the Ministry's progress since assuming office.

He reaffirmed the Armed Forces' commitment to supporting the Ministry in its mandate to enhance internal security, stressing the importance of unity between the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Interior in addressing contemporary security challenges.

He said, "Both the lawyers and the judges must up their game. Time has come when lawyers must tell their clients "you have a bad case. Judges and lawyers should not determine who wins the election."

Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said some lawyers in Nigeria deliberately sabotaged the system, and insisted that Nigeria must decide not to allow lawyers and judges to decide who was an elected representative.

"Electoral system is good. What we should remove is the intervention of the court. Let's make the electoral process transparent, transmit the results from the polling unit to the server and insist on electronic transmission.

"If you must know, judges are not suited to determine, who wins election. Because they were not there.

"The winner should be determined by the electorate and not judges," Falana reiterated, adding that Nigeria has the most election cases in the world.

"Pre-election matters should be decided before the election. All preelection matters should be concluded before swearing-in.”

Former President Goodluck Jonathan who declared the event open, said Nigeria must move forward through open conversation at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium.

Represented at the occasion by

his former deputy, Namadi Sambo, Jonathan said he hoped that the outcome of the colloquium would help in the development of Nigeria.

The Mayor of Entebbe in Uganda, Facrice Rulinda, said Africa must look at things that can work for its democracy adding that even in the US, not everybody elects their president.

"In Africa, we talk about one man, one vote. Civic education is lacking. The people must know that their vote is their voice, so they should not sell it," Rulinda said, adding that only action would lead to African integration.

The Convener of the colloquium and founder of the Haske Satumari Foundation, Kudla Satumari, said the conversation would help in shaping political discussion in Nigeria as the country prepares to amend the constitution and the electoral act.

"Some of the discussions will be valid in the electoral amendment process. The keynote speakers made valid points. We must ensure that all pre elections causes are settled before the election. We must ensure that all cases are concluded before swearing in.

"Also, we must ensure that the Justice Uwais panel report is implemented. All election cases should be concluded before the swearing in. Judges should not determine the true winner of an election," Satumari added.

based on the judgement of the court appointed a receiver manager over the Deed of Tripartite Mortgage, and registered same at the Land Registry Directorate, Alausa based on the alleged fraudulent documents.

The crux of the matter was as a result of the inability of the claimants to repay the sum of N970,743,041.15 facility given to it by the bank.

As a result of the default on the part of the claimants, GTB approached the Federal High Court, Lagos seeking for an order to enforce it's rights under the agreement by taking over the security used in securing the facility.

After hearing the banks' application and the counter claim filed of RCN Network Limited, Justice Aneke granted the reliefs sought by GTB.

However, dissatisfied with the ruling of the court, NRC filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal.

However while the appeal was

still pending, RCN filed the suit at the Lagos High Court alleging that the judgement at the Federal High Court was secured with forged documents.

Meanwhile, in a petition dated 23rd March, 2020 written to the Central Bank of Nigeria by the Managing Director of RCN Networks Ltd, Nuraini Agboola Abiola, the Petitioner said that he maintained a banking relationship with the Respondent for many years. In the normal course of business activity, the Petitioner applied for and obtained secured loan facilities from Respondent at various times between 2007 and 2009

According to the petitioner the modus operandi of such transactions was that the Petitioner would cause myself to secure such facilities using a range of landed properties owned by myself. He stated on 16th April 2009, the Respondent GTB granted a line of credit in the sum of Five

Hundred and Eight Million Naira (N508,000,000.00) to the Petitioner, in which he submitted the title documents to his Oyinkan Abayomi Drive property to GTB on the basis that the said documents will be perfected in the event that the line of credit facility was utilised.

However, the said Line of Credit facility was never fully utilised.

In September 2009, the petitioner RCN also had a separate transaction with GTB for the issuance of an Eight Million US Dollar ($8,000,000.00) Letter of Credit for the importation of Harris Military Communication equipment for onward supply to the Nigerian Army.

"In return, I released the title documents to my Banana Island and Osborne Phase II properties to GTB and executed all the Tripartite Legal Mortgage (TLM) documents in favour of GTB.

As part of the conditions prescribed by GTB for the issuance of the said letter of credit facility,

L-R:

Ibrahim Mohammed, Vice President, Strategic Partnership and Digital, All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA; James Sule, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy; Hannatu Musa Musawa, Honourable Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy; Mike Dada, Managing Director, PRM Africa Marketing and Communications & President/Executive Producer, All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA and Ayo Adeagbo, Special Assistant to The President on Art, Culture and Creative Economy during a strategic meeting with the minister on promotion, celebration and development of African music in Abuja...recently

WORLD WATER DAY CELEBRATION...

2027: Obi Steps Up Humanitarian Visits During Ramadan, Breaks Fast with Muslims

Obi/Datti campaigns says it’s not campaign but show of love

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

In what appears as a subtle campaign for the 2027 presidential election, a former governor of Anambra State and Labour Party presidential candidate in the February 25, 2023 election, Peter Obi, might have commenced campaigns ahead of next polls as he has stepped up his humanitarian gestures during the ongoing ramadan.

But while Obi has upped his subtle campaign preparatory to2027, his party, the Labour party, is embroiled in leadership struggle as the National Chairman, Julius Abure, who is seeking reelection has been in a battle with party stakeholders, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

However, Obi’s new style has been to visit mosques to donate items to them during this Ramadan period, and in some cases, breakfast with the Muslims.

On Monday, a viral video, Obi was seen dining with Muslims in a Nasarawa mosque, a development that has become a talking point on X.

In the video, the ex-Anambra governor was seen eating rice from a 'takeaway' plate and spoon-feeding a boy in the mosque while other congregants gathered around him watching.

But the Chief Spokesman of the Obi/Datti Campaigns, Dr. Tanko Yunusa, has said Obi’s visit to some mosques in the north was to show that he was not a religious bigot as alleged during the last presidential campaigns by some people.

"Some people in some quarters described and called him a bigot because he did not visit the mosques. So, he chose this period of Ramadan to solidarise with the Muslims during the Ramadan as this period is a time to show love. This is what he is doing and not campaigns,"

ACF Lauds Tinubu for Reopening Niger Border

John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has commended President Bola Tinubu, for reopening the Nigeria-Niger air and land borders and the lifting of economic sanctions slammed on the neighbouring country.

Nigeria had closed its borders against Niger Republic in the wake of the coup that sacked Mohamed Bazoum as democratically elected president on July 26, 2023.

However, on March 13, President Tinubu, directed the reopening of the borders between the two countries.

The ACF, in a statement, yesterday, in Kaduna by its spokesperson, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, said Tinubu’s directive by for the reopening of the border was a welcome development.

The forum said border communities can now look forward to a change in their challenging economic conditions.

"Critical supplies of food, medicines and electricity will now resume as will air travel operators and passengers see an end to the ordeals while the sanctions lasted.

“President Tinubu deserves accolades for the latest move and acting in Africa’s interests, a heroic step forward against neo-colonial manoeuvres.

“ACF congratulates the President for emerging from the saga as bona fide, listening and responsive leader concerned with the plight of the people of Nigeria, Niger and, ultimately, West Africa,” it stated.

The forum also commended the intervention by former military head of state and one of the founding fathers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), for seeing to the end of the crisis.

Mohammed-Baba said Gen. Gowon remained active in uniting West African people around issues of common interests.

Tanko Yunusa said.

Obi, who never visited or entered a mosque during his last presidential campaign, which he lost to President Bola Tinubu, appeared to have begun a subtle campaign for the 2027 polls.

During last year’s campaign, he toured several churches to garner support for his presidential aspiration but he lost most of the votes in the North.

Burt he is now touring mosques to attempt to woo them to his side ahead of the 2027 presidential election. He is believed to be using the hunger in the land to sway the northerners to his side.

He was at the Barkin-Iku

Suleja, Niger State Central Mosque, located along the SulejaKaduna road on Wednesday.

While inside a mosque, Obi offered aid to about 100 individuals and broke the Ramadan fast with about 1,000 individuals, and shared a meal with the Muslim community.

The former Presidential candidate posted photos of his visit to the mosque on his X handle.

He wrote: “In continuation of my nationwide tour of identifying and sharing with the Muslim faithful during this sacred Ramadan season, I made a stop at the Barkin-Iku Suleja Niger

State Central Mosque, located along the Suleja-Kaduna road in Niger State. “It was a privilege to offer aid to about 100 individuals, break the Ramadan fast with about 1000 individuals, and share a meal with the devout Muslim community, fostering a spirit of togetherness and solidarity, while also addressing a critical societal need by installing a borehole.

“During this visit, I had the honour of listening to a Tafsir by the Chief Imam, who revealed the pressing needs of the community that has been deprived of a basic necessity for over three decades—a reliable source of

clean water.

“I am thankful that this act of support was able to meet their need for the last 30 years and exemplify the core values of our movement—empathy, inclusivity, and a commitment to uplifting the lives of all citizens, regardless of creed or background.

“As we continue our journey, I am reminded of the profound significance of unity and compassion, especially during this holy month. Together, let us strive to build a nation, where the basic needs of every community are met, and where the spirit of generosity and understanding prevail,” he said.

Makinde: Olubadan Restored Stability to Ibadan Chieftaincy System

Oyo State Governor, 'Seyi Makinde, yesterday, hailed the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Mohood Lekan Balogun, for bringing peace and stability to the Olubadan Chieftaincy System within the short period of his reign.

He said the deceased monarch, who represented Oyo Central Senatorial District in the Senate between 1999 and 2003, played roles that ensured the traditional system did not fall apart.

The governor maintained that though Balogun's death was painful to him, because they shared a relationship that transcended politics, his life should be celebrated for his contributions

to the progress of Ibadanland, Oyo State and the traditional institution.

Makinde stated this when he paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Olubadan at his Alarere home, reiterating that the state government would give Oba Balogun a befitting burial.

According to him, the state government had already approved funds for the Fidau Prayers for the late Oba and would also do the needful at the appropriate time when he is to be given a state burial.

The governor said he had a robust relationship with the late Olubadan as one of his sons, even

before he became the governor, stating that it was painful that he did not fulfill the desire to be the first Olubadan to occupy the ultramodern Olubadan palace.

He urged the family of the monarch to remain united, promising to always do the needful as the situation arises.

"When Baba was admitted to the hospital, I was in touch with the doctors. I told them that they should try their best to keep Baba alive. I believe they gave Kabiyesi the utmost care in that situation, but we can only propose but God disposes.

"A lot of people may not know how close we used to be. Our

relationship was beyond politics. But let me say that this is not the time for us to mourn but to celebrate the life of Baba and his contribution to Ibadanland, the traditional institution and Oyo State.

"If you recall, we had serious issues with our traditional institution before his ascension to the throne of Olubadan. Things were falling apart and it was painful. So, I told Baba as the next Olubadan then that he should withdraw the case in court so that I could sign. All of that happened and we were able to resolve the matter. That is why his death is painful to me.”

Senate: NYSC Trust Fund Bill Will Tackle Unemployment Through Skills Acquisition

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Senate has said the NYSC Trust Fund Bill would address the issue of unemployment currently being experienced by graduates. It noted that the fund was meant to empower corps members with necessary skills during their one year mandatory service.

The red chamber also said each of the corps members would be encouraged to access loans from the Trust Fund for the purpose of establishing small scale businesses based on the skills they've acquired at the camps.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, who sponsored the bill, stated this in an interview with journalists in Abuja.

He expressed the hope that if signed into law, the NYSC Trust Fund would also not be subjected to abuse like the other existing social interventions programmes. "The structure of the Fund does not give room for that kind of sleaze so to say. It can never give room for it because there is strata and apart from having that strata, there is going to be checks and balances.

"Not only that, this is a scheme for young adults of Nigerians and in fact, part of the young adults will be represented on the Board of Trustees that will be formed when it comes into practice.

"So definitely, it's not going to be, then the structure of the NYSC as it is now there is little changes only for trustees members and then even procurement.”

L-R; Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite; Special Adviser on Environment, Mr Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu; Representative of Hon. Minister of Water Resources and Environment and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Environment, Alh Shehu Aliyu Shinkafi; Representative of the Governor of Lagos State and Commissioner for The Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab and Lagos Urban Water Sanitation and Hygiene (LUWASH) Chief of Party, Mr. James Racicot, during the year 2024 World Water Day Celebration, organised by the Lagos State government and Lagos Urban Water Sanitation and Hygiene (LUWASH) held on 21st of March, 2024, at the Marriott Hotel,Ikeja GRA, Lagos.

www.thisdaylive.com

opinion@thisdaylive.com

WHAT GENRE IS LABOUR’S LATEST CRISIS?

Labour should put its house in order, writes JOSHUA J. OMOJUWA

See page 21

HIGH COST OF DRUGS AND HEALTHCARE

Tinubu’s awaited executive order on cost of drugs should back the local manufacturing sector with incentives, writes CALIXTHUS OKORUWA

PADDING ACCORDING TO NINGI AND HIS FRIENDS

Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, should be feeling somehow now. Suspended from the Senate for three months for abusing the privileges of his colleagues by bringing the Upper Chamber into disrepute, he ought to be regretting that a federal legislator of his ranking should have his name etched in some kind of Black Book. Surely, a three-term member of the House of Representatives and two-term senator ought not to find himself in a situation where it would be suggested that he demonstrated a shocking misconception of law-making processes, particularly, appropriation procedures.

of government in S81(1) when it states, “The President shall cause to be prepared and laid before each House of the National Assembly at any time in each financial year estimates of the revenues and expenditure of the Federation for the next following financial year.”

this debate, however, is the thorny issue of zonal intervention projects or constituency projects, a legislative policy that allows each federal legislator to nominate federally funded projects for their constituency and include them in the appropriation law.

See page 21

His allegation, a couple of weeks ago, that the President Bola Tinubu administration was implementing a N28.7 trillion different from a N25 trillion Appropriation Act the Senate passed in December last year, was bound to raise the dust that it raised. If found true, such executive conduct would amount to an impeachable offence, which could warrant the president's removal from office. Meanwhile, to the extent that it was what was presented to the president that he signed, the integrity of the leadership of the Senate was at once questionable. How did a whopping N3.7 trillion creep into the spending estimates law? That was the logical question that the ever-suspicious public had asked in believing that the massive divergence was evidence that the government could not be trusted.

EDITORIAL OBLIGATION TO NIGERIAN SCHOLARS ABROAD

The strongly-worded rebuttal by Bayo Onanuga, presidential adviser on Information and Strategy, and the didactic interventions from Abubakar Bagudu, minister of Budget and Economic Planning, as well as the punitive response from the Senate, is, therefore, understandable. For a government that is battling to ward off the backlash of the harsh impact of its bold economic reforms on the public, mischief from a very important personality of that stature is a luxury that cannot be tolerated. And, if anyone doubted this, it ought to have been cleared by the vociferous reactions of the public and its social critics who not only queried the basis of an otherwise wellintended zonal intervention policy but also disputed the power of the legislature to appropriate funds as provided for in the 1999 Constitution as altered.

Ningi’s substantive claim was that there was a divergence between what was passed by the legislators and what was being implemented by the executive. Proven to be wrong on the floor of the Senate, he decided to raise extraneous issues in an apparent red herring rather than admit his mistake. This is what has now snowballed into the revival of the agelong debate over the power of the legislator to vary fiscal estimates presented to it by the executive. Central to

Despite the logic of the policy, its implementation over the years has been very controversial with the public believing that it had not only been corrupted but that it had also become a means of lining the legislators’ deep pockets. Evidence of underhand dealings by legislators is well documented in several reports of anti-graft agencies, particularly, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offence Commission. But that does not detract from the legitimacy and usefulness of the policy as many legislators have indeed ensured the successful delivery of several intervention projects in their constituencies. The huge hostel that was built for the University of Lagos by Femi Gbajabiamila, a former speaker of the House of Representatives and currently chief of staff to the president, is a glowing product of the policy.

Equally mired in steep controversy is the power of the legislature to vary spending estimates presented for appropriation by the executive. From President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023, there were several fights over this, causing passage delays for several months. Only President Tinubu has conceded that the legislature has the power to vary executive estimates, signing into law the N28.7 trillion Appropriation Bill, which was N1.2 trillion bigger than the N27.5 trillion he had presented to the National Assembly.

It is tempting to believe that Tinubu conceded this power not only because he was a former legislator, who represented Lagos West Senatorial District in 1990, but also because he has a large number of former ranking legislators in his cabinet. The fact of the matter though, is that the Constitution donates the ultimate power over appropriation to the legislative arm

If the legislature cannot vary the estimates, why does the Constitution mandate the president to lay them before it? In any case, Section 82 envisages a situation in which passage might be delayed and authorised the president to spend up to the amount approved for the period in the previous year, pending approval. More importantly, S59, which provides specifically for the mode of the passage of appropriation bill, envisages in subsection 4, the possible divergence between the executive and the legislature and provides that whenever presidential assent is refused the legislature could veto override the president’s veto with a twothirds majority of each of the two chambers.

The simple logic is that the legislature, which consists of the representatives of the people should have the final say in the determination of public policy, particularly, the allocation of financial resources for the upliftment of the people.

Many public analysts and social critics, who have been unsparing of the legislature probably overlooked or misconceived these provisions of the Constitution and the logic behind them in their interventions in the conversations. Interestingly, many of them neglected to note that similar disagreements had occurred in the United States of America, leading to government shutdowns.

In fact, by 2024, there had been 10 shutdowns, the most significant of which included the 21-day shutdown of 1995–1996, during the Bill Clinton administration, over opposition to major spending cuts; the 16day shutdown in 2013, during the Barack Obama administration, caused by a dispute over implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA); and the longest, the 35-day shutdown of 2018–2019, during the Donald Trump administration, caused by a dispute over expanding barriers on the U.S.–Mexico border.

So, it’s not a Nigerian problem after all. But the Tinubu approach appears realistic and commendable. Ironically, his positive move, intended to avoid intra-government clash and tension has now been enveloped by a cynical public outcry over a wellintended legislative policy meant to ensure even allocation of federally funded projects to all the constituencies in the federation.

Adebiyi is the media assistant to the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu

Prevailing controversy over federal legislators’ power to adjust the executive’s appropriation estimates betrays a limited understanding of the 1999 Constitution as altered, writes BOLAJI ADEBIYI

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

EDITORIAL

OBLIGATION TO NIGERIAN SCHOLARS ABROAD

Government should pay the outstanding fees promptly to avoid further embarrassment

One of the tragic failures of successive administrations in the country is the inability to meet obligation in the bilateral education arrangements with foreign countries, thereby exposing Nigerian time to time. As of today, Nigerian students studying in Russia, Morocco, Algeria, China, Hungary, and other countries, on a federal government scholarship scheme are owed their basic allowances and this culture of delayed payment seems to have come to stay. The students are studying under the Federal Government’s Bilateral Educational Agreement Scholarship with partnering countries, a scheme supervised by the Federal Ministry of Education.

In February, the President of the Union of Nigerian Students under the federal government-controlled Bilateral Educational Agreement Scholarship, Ayuba Anas, said the scholars had not been paid for eight months. This delay has led to dire consequences, especially for those residing in countries like Morocco, where the country doesn’t have adequate provisions for school hostels, unlike the other sister BEA countries. This means that stipends are crucial for covering basic expenses such as housing, electricity bills, handouts, internet bills, water bills, transportation, and food. Many of these students are now going through harrowing times for no fault of theirs.

output.

This systemic issue not only undermines the potential of Nigerian scholars but also tarnishes the reputation of Nigerian academia on the international platform, urging immediate attention and resolution from relevant authorities. For the Nigerian scholars in Russia, the situation is worse given the level of hardship facing the people as a result of the war between Russia and Ukraine. There were reports that some of the students had to settle for menial jobs and engage in distraction which is already causing academic setbacks to them. According to the spokesperson for the parents' group, Kola Benson, since last year June, when the students received their last payment, they have not been paid with most of the parents having to beg relatives for them to send small

Without financial stability, scholars grapple with stress, distraction, and even potential expulsion due to unpaid fees, hindering their focus on studies and research

Curiously, a government that seems to have imbibed a culture of delay in the payment of the allowances for the existing scholars has the enrolment of new scholars as it selected a new set numbering 179 to study in various institutions in Russia under the Bilateral Education Agreement last November. President Bola Tinubu should wade into this crisis and save the innocent children from avoidable embarrassments in foreign lands. All obstacles to prompt payment of these allowances should be tackled immediately.

To renew the hope of Nigerian scholars, the government should implement transparent budget

Over the years, unpaid allowances have become a pervasive issue plaguing Nigerian scholars abroad, detrimentally impacting their pursuit of academic excellence. These scholars, entrusted with representing their country on the global stage, face numerous challenges when essential allowances, such as tuition stability, scholars grapple with stress, distraction, and even potential expulsion due to unpaid fees, hindering their focus on studies and research. Furthermore, the their motivation, leading to a decline in academic performance and diminishing the quality of their research

of Nigerian scholars abroad. The government should track the disbursement of allowances from the federal government to relevant agencies. Again, there is a need to streamline administrative processes involved in disbursing allowances to scholars abroad and improve communication channels between the government, relevant agencies, and scholars abroad.

In the meantime, the federal government should quickly of the scholars in their fatherland.

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

KURIGA AND THE ONE BILLION NAIRA ULTIMATUM

Nigeria with the harrowing revelation that the captors of -

duna are demanding for one billion Naira to release them. It is not just a demand cut loose to be suspended in the air, the intrepid bandits have given the Nigerian state a 20-day ultimatum before they begin to do what they want with the children. Eight months into the presidency of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it appears that Nigeria is being force-fed the agony of its darkest days under Muhammadu Buhari. more than broken chairs, windows, doors, crumbling reptile-infested school buildings and disgruntled teachers. Yet, for many rural children, whose lives at home somehow manage to be harder, school, no matter how starved of resources, still represents a special space of math and their school the way the bandits did is an assault not just on the integrity of Nigeria’s security but on innocence.

of the institutions where Nigeria trains the members of its armed forces are located in Kaduna State. Yet, it remains the only part of Nigeria where lightening strikes twice for any of the 287 children snatched on 7th March 2024 to have been among those snatched from Baptist Bethel High School in the same local government in 2021. However, the parents whose children were snatched in 2021 will perfectly understand the agony of those whose children have been stolen this time around. They will understand the entire spectrum of dark emotions they are going through. What is under attack in Nigeria extends beyond life and limb, even if those are invaluable. In rendering schools unsafe for children and their teachers, the bandits whose reign of terror is suppressing communities across Northern Nigeria are steadily reducing the country’s future to Nigeria is in a transition. After eight years during which former president Muhammadu Buhari did not bother to

ineptitude and inertia of its occupants. He may have had only eight months, but the eight months have been longer than eight decades.

Rock, the president and his closest aides must be rattled by the turn of events. Spontaneous protests have rocked major Nigerian cities as families have responded to economic hardship. Prices of goods and services have soared, poor alike in Nigeria have been forced to grumble at the new equalizing reality.

The bandits' historic demand for one billion Naira in the history of Nigeria’s heartbreaking insecurity that one billion Naira has been demanded as ransom. It should greatly worry Nigerians that criminals are jerking up their prices at the same time the prices of goods and services are skyrocketing in the country.

Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com

POLITICS

Tinubu’s Marching Orders on Slain Soldiers and Issues at Stake

Stanley Nkwocha describes as apt recent marching order President Bola Tinubu gave security agencies to fish out killers of the 16 Nigerian soldiers murdered last weekend while on a peace keeping mission to Okuoma in Ughelli South local government area of Delta State.

The ultimate measure of a leader is defined by how he responds in times of emergencies; it also goes to demonstrate the attitude, courage and compassion in him. President Bola Tinubu’s response to the killing of 16 soldiers during a peacekeeping mission in Delta State aptly captures the true definition of leadership. Immediately the report of the attack got to the President, he issued a statement deploring the gory and satanic act.

In condemning the killing of the senior officers and soldiers during the peace mission, President Tinubu noted that any attack on the Armed Forces or any of their personnel amounts to an attack on the Nigerian State, a dastardly act he said will not be condoned. To this effect, the president granted the military full authority to go after the culprits and bring them to book.

Before the merchants of mischief begin to interpret the President’s declaration to suit their divisive tendencies, it will suffice to expatiate. Put succinctly, what President Tinubu is saying is that the death of these soldiers highlights a horrifying reality that threatens Nigeria’s sovereignty. The idea is that in Nigeria, no life is valued more than another. The loss of a civilian life in communal clashes is equally tragic as the loss of a soldier on a peacekeeping mission. We are one country and the pain of one reverberates through the entire nation.

The loss of the gallant officers serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for unity and collaboration in the pursuit of peace and stability. In the wake of some recent tragic events in Nigeria, it has become increasingly evident that the responsibility for fostering peace in the nation lies not solely on the shoulders of the security forces but on every single Nigerian citizen.

The incident in the Okuama Community in Ughelli South local government area of Delta State where soldiers deployed to maintain peace were ambushed and killed by community youths, highlights the critical need for all citizens to come together in a unified effort to address the underlying issues that fuel violence and conflict in the country.

Regardless of one’s role in society, whether a member of the military, Department of State Service (DSS), police, or an ordinary citizen, the responsibility to uphold peace and security rests on each and every one of us.

The soldiers in Okuama and Okoloba communities were deployed to quell a conflict they did not instigate. They were not the enemy; they were instruments of peace, tragically caught in the crossfire of pre-existing tensions. Their sacrifice underscores the urgency for a fundamental shift in perspective.

It is, therefore, essential for all Nigerians to recognize that every life lost, whether in the military or among civilians, carries equal weight and significance. The sacrifice of the soldiers from the 181 Amphibious Battalion, including a commanding officer, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers, underscores the profound impact of violence on all segments of society. Each loss is a loss for the entire nation.

Make no mistake; some elements - enemies of Nigeria or those angry with President Tinubu’s guts to think of changing the status quo and ensure that it is no longer business as usual, may be trying to skew negativity into Tinubu’s marching orders to ensure justice for the slain soldiers. But the culprits must be made to account for their infractions. If this is allowed to go unpunished the calculated sabotage will continue. This must sink well with mischief makers.

Moving forward, it is imperative for Nigerians to shift towards a collective mindset that views the pain and suffering of any individual as a shared burden for the entire country.

By fostering a sense of unity and solidarity, we can begin to address the root causes of conflict and work towards building a more inclusive and harmonious society.

Every citizen has a role to play in promoting

peace - from fostering dialogue and understanding within communities to supporting initiatives that promote reconciliation and healing.

As we reflect on the tragic loss of lives in Delta

State and other regions affected by violence, let us recommit ourselves to the vision of a greater Nigeria built on principles of unity, empathy, and mutual respect. By standing together as

a nation, we can overcome the challenges that threaten our collective well-being and pave the way for a brighter and more peaceful future for all Nigerians.

The sacrifice of the soldiers in Okuama cannot be in vain. Their deaths serve as a stark reminder that peace is not something bestowed by the state; it is built by everyday citizens. We must move beyond rhetoric and take concrete steps toward building a more tolerant and inclusive Nigeria.

Let this be a turning point. Let us choose dialogue over violence, understanding over prejudice and unity over division. A nation where every life is valued, where communities thrive together, and where peace prevails is the Nigeria we all deserve.

Furthermore, as Nigeria strives to consolidate its democratic institutions and practices, it is essential to address the underlying issues that have hindered constructive military-civilian relations. President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda represents a significant step towards fostering unity and collaboration among all segments of society. By emphasizing fairness, equity and justice, this agenda offers a framework for building a more inclusive and harmonious Nigeria.

-Nkwocha is media assistant to the Vice President

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

Ahmed: A Pathfinder for Development in Kwara

Wahab Oba writes about the enviable record of former Governor of Kwara State, Dr Abdulfatai Ahmed, which made him the Pathfinder for the development of the State of Harmony.

There are three essentials to leadership: humility, clarity, and courage.— Chan Master Fuchan Yuan

When Dr. Bukola Saraki gave his support to Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed to succeed him, he had a clear vision of where he wanted the state to be. Having set the pace for a greater, better, and prosperous Kwara, Saraki possibly needed a hybrid successor who understood the enormity of the task ahead.

He possibly wanted someone who would not just follow where the path may lead but go for where there is seemingly no path and leave a trail.

Against all odds, he found this in the Harvard trained banker, educationist, and politician, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, whose ingenuity and acumen came to bear when the world was challenged by economic recession, and the nation was faced with unprecedented security challenge which snowballed into shortfalls in federal allocations to states.

Prior to the global economic downturn and the upsurge in restiveness in the Niger Delta, Ahmed had fully leveraged resources and took advantage of the strength of the state for economic growth, human capital development and youth empowerment, strategic infrastructure and effective governance, all of which fused with the Shared Prosperity Programme of the administration.

In fulfillment of his Legacy Continues campaign mantra, Ahmed ensured completion of all inherited ongoing projects such as the Harmony Diagnostic Centre; Offa garage/ Michael modu dual carriage road: Ilorin metropolis water program; Ahmadu Bello Way rehabilitation; Asa Dam road dualisation and Akerebiata road, among others.

Ahmed deepened and strengthened commercial agriculture through private sector initiatives to drive the economy of the state and, in turn, create jobs and ensure food security. He pursued his dreams of making

Kwara the nation’s food basket when he signed a N70 billion large-scale farming agreement with Valsolar, a Spanish Consortium and a Memorandum of Understanding with the federal government through the then Minister of Agriculture, Akinwumi Adesina, on the production and cultivation of cassava on commercial scale in the state, which enabled the State to produce about 40 tonnes per hectare, far above the national average.

His efforts did not go unnoticed as he was awarded the “Outstanding Agriculture Icon of the Year 2011” for his contributions to the country’s agricultural development by the African Leadership Magazine in Washington DC, United States of America, in April 2012. Back in Nigeria, City People Magazine also selected him as the Best Governor in the North Central geo-political zone.

However, restiveness in the Niger Delta was a devastating blast to Nigeria’s economy. State governments were faced with huge infrastructural and recurrent expenditure deficits and delivering on electoral promises. A few sub-nationals were in defaults to their workers. Kwara State’s revenue from the federal allocation dropped to between N1.5 billion and N1.8 billion, with an internally generated revenue of about N600 million.

Its monthly obligations to workers were in the neighborhood of N1.6 billion and an infrastructural deficit of about N255 billion.

Rather than being daunted by the enormity of the challenge, Ahmed thought outside the box and came out with what has now become a new power house of the State, the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS). The philosophy behind this novel innovation of enhanced revenue collection system was to block all leakages by changing the people, the process, and the technology.

KW-IRS became the golden egg that changed the development trajectory of the state. The internally generated profile of the state moved from a monthly average of N600 million to N2.4 billion within the first three months. The target was to a yearly N100 billion mark without any increase in tax rate. KW-IRS moved the state from number 23 among viable states to number five within a period of two years. Thus, the state was ranked among the states in the country that can pay its staff salaries without waiting for monthly federal allocation.

The monumental success of the evolution of KW-IRS birthed an innovative funding approach for capital projects, Infrastructure Fund, Kwara (IF-K), which was also institutionalized to save the state from meaningless and unnecessary borrowings.

With the new financial stability and a sustainable project funding model, Ahmed was able to complete such projects like the remodeling of Ilorin General Hospital after the exit of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, and four other General Hospitals in Offa, Share, Kaiama and Omu-Aran.

Ahmed initiated and completed the School of Engineering at the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, and also commenced the KWASU Osi and Ilesha Baruba campuses of the school.

-Oba, former spokesperson to Ahmed, writes from Ilorin.

RATES AS AT MARCH 21,2024

Airlines operators have called on the aviation agencies like the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to review the charges on tickets in order to bring down airfares, which according to them, has skyrocketed.

The operators said due to increase in the cost of aviation fuel, which is about 60 per cent of their operational cost, airfares have gone up in recent times. They therefore called on government agencies to review downwards the charges the airlines pay, which is about 15 per cent of the cost of flight ticket, insisting that airfares will be relatively high if airlines are to sustain their operations.

Eromosele Abiodun

A survey by British International Investment (BII) revealed the extent of the impact already being felt in countries most vulnerable to the climate emergency.

The report revealed that nearly four out of every five businesses in many of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of the climate emergency are already suffering the consequences of a rapidly changing environment.

The startling finding is the third annual Emerging Economies Climate

One hour flight, from Lagos to Abuja, for example, cost from N90, 000 to N150, 000, depending on when the passenger bought the ticket and which airline he chose to fly with.

THISDAY learnt that when the low season set in by early February, minimum cost of one hour flight went down to N60, 000 but with the increase in the price of aviation fuel, from N700/N800 per litre, to N1500 per litre about a month ago, the price of ticket had to reflect on the cost of aviation fuel and total cost of operation, hence the increase in fares.

The President/CEO of Topbrass Aviation Limited and senior member of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Captain Roland Iyayi, said the review of taxes

Report – a survey of BII investee businesses in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.

British International Investment is the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor.

The report was launched in partnership with the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and ODI, the global think tank.

The report revealed that 79 per cent of companies surveyed said that climate change was already impacting their business, up from 68 per cent in 2022.

charged on ticket became pertinent because the cost of other variables fluctuates according to market forces, adding that what has remained constant are the aviation charges which had recently been reviewed upwards.

He frowned at the fact that since the past 40 years some of these charges were introduced, government has not thought about scrapping them to help the airlines, whose cost of operation is rising everyday due to the diminishing economy, as the exchange rate between the Naira and the dollar is ever on the rise.

Iyayi argued that if the agency like NCAA said that it earns revenue for recovery and not to make profit, it should reduce the

It also found that 72 per cent of corporates surveyed had experienced an extreme weather event in the last five years with droughts, floods and heat cited as the greatest cause for concern.

Survey responses varied across sectors and business types; financial services or fund managers cited fewer climate impacts, while corporates –particularly agricultural businesses – are facing more significant impacts.

While 86 percent of corporates said they are being impacted by physical and transition risks today, 68 per cent of financial services firms

burden on airlines, warning that if drastic action is not taken to save the airlines, they would go under in the face of outrageous cost of aviation fuel and other costs, including maintenance, insurance, spares and others.

Insisting that the charges are paid by passengers, he remarked that whoever pays the taxes will be paying at high rate because it is built on the ticket, which means that they contribute to the sum total of what passengers pay to travel and if the sum total of ticket cost is high, it would discourage many potential air travellers from travelling by air.

“It must be understood that when a ticket price is increased by a factor, there is a concurrent reduction in demand. That

said the same.

Despite many respondents highlighting that acting on climate can be cost-saving and add long-term business value, they also noted they did not have the knowledge and resources to respond to climate risks and opportunities. Respondents to the survey said they would benefit from more technical training on how to respond to the climate emergency as well as targeted investment and policy and regulatory action.

Commenting on the report, Managing Director and Head of

suppression of demand and consequent revenue loss is borne solely by the airlines. Whilst this is not an advocacy for abolishing the funding of the industry, it is a call for the immediate review of same for the growth of the industry. The position being advocated is for a review of the current structure to take cognizance of enhanced industry competition. Rather than the current ad volarem (percentile) structure, the industry should consider the adoption and introduction of a flat rate system as presently done by FAAN for its Passenger Service Charge (PSC). If done, airlines would then be able to unbundle their fares based on their business models and compete more on fares rather than capacity, thereby engendering affordability

and growth,” Iyayi explained. THISDAY learnt that Nigerian travellers pay 5 per cent ticket sales charge (TSC) and 5 per cent cargo sales charge (CSC) through the airlines. In addition to TSC and CSC, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) collects from the domestic airlines navigational and terminal charges. Also, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) collects from the airlines passenger service charge (PSC) in addition to landing and parking charges and from both the domestic and international airlines, FAAN collects fuel surcharge of N300 per litre (this amount may have increased).

Climate, Diversity and Advisory, at BII, Amal-Lee Amin, said: “Businesses and entrepreneurs across the emerging economy markets in which we operate are on the front lines of the climate emergency. Their businesses are already feeling the significant impacts of the climate emergency.

“As long-term investors in climate finance, it is the role of BII and others to equip these businesses with the capital and expertise to play a key role in the fight against the climate emergency and to safeguard their long-term

viability.”

Professor in Practice - Sustainable Finance at the Grantham Institute, Nick Robins, added: “This report shows the overwhelming demand among firms in emerging economies for targeted investment to enable them to respond to the climate crisis. For business and investors in the Global South, there is now a strategic imperative to scale up capital flows in ways that bring a just transition for workers and communities, shaping the transition so it boosts quality jobs and gender equality.”

Chinedu Eze

Unlocking Nigeria’s Potential in the Era of Big Data

Adedamola Bowale

In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, the power of data is undeniable. As a data professional and tech co-founder deeply entrenched in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, I have witnessed firsthand, the transformative impact that data analysis can have—particularly in the healthcare sector. In this article, I aim to shed light on the immense potential that lies within Nigeria when it comes to harnessing the power of big data and analytics.

Nigeria, with its vast population and diverse healthcare needs, for instance, stands at the cusp of a significant transformation. Traditionally, healthcare decision-making in our country has been hindered by a lack of comprehensive data and insights. However, with the advent of big data and analytics technologies, we now have the tools at our disposal to revolutionise the way healthcare is delivered, managed, and optimised.

As both a data scientist and data engineer, I have dedicated myself to spearheading the development of our company’s data infrastructure, empowering us to leverage data-driven insights in all aspects of our operations. Whether it is optimizing supply chain logistics, improving patient outcomes, or enhancing operational efficiency, our commitment to data-driven decision-making has been the cornerstone of our success.

But our mission extends beyond the confines of our own company. We believe that every SME and large corporation in Nigeria has the potential to unlock tremendous value by embracing data analysis deeply. From pharmaceutical companies optimising drug development processes to healthcare providers leveraging predictive analytics for early disease detection, the possibilities are endless.

However, to truly realise this vision, there are several key challenges that must be addressed. First and foremost is the need for greater investment in data infrastructure and talent development. Too often, organisations in Nigeria lack the necessary resources and expertise to effectively collect, analyse, and interpret data. By investing in training programmes and infrastructure development initiatives, we can bridge this gap and empower businesses to harness the full potential of big data and analytics.

Second, there is a pressing need for robust data privacy and security measures. As we collect and analyse increasingly large volumes of sensitive healthcare data, it is imperative that we prioritise patient privacy and confidentiality. By implementing stringent data protection protocols and adhering to international best practices, we can build trust and confidence in the integrity of our datadriven healthcare ecosystem

Also, we must foster a culture of innovation and collaboration within the Nigerian tech community. By partnering government agencies, academic institutions, and other stakeholders, we can pool our collective expertise and resources to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing our healthcare system. Together, we can drive innovation, foster entrepreneurship, and ultimately improve the lives of millions of Nigerians.

As a data professional and tech cofounder of Avancee Pinnacle - one of the fast-growing Revenue Technology and Health Technology company, I am committed to leading this revolution and driving positive change in our country. Recognising the urgent need for change, my team and I set out to develop a solution that would not only address these challenges but also pave the way for a data-driven revolution

in healthcare.

The result of our efforts at was Pay1One—an innovative, entirely digital platform designed to automate revenue collection processes and optimize financial returns for public health facilities. At its core, Pay1One leverages cutting-edge technology to streamline revenue management, minimize revenue losses, and improve overall financial efficiency. By providing healthcare institutions with the tools and resources they need to effectively manage their finances, Pay1One is driving a paradigm shift in how healthcare is delivered and financed in Nigeria.

Since its inception in 2019, Pay1One has experienced remarkable growth and acceptance across Nigeria. What began as a pilot project in a single hospital has now evolved into a nationwide network, with 116 tertiary and state hospitals, Federal Medical Centres, Primary Health Centres, General Hospitals, and Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) utilising the platform. This widespread adoption is a testament to the tangible impact that data-driven solutions can have in driving transparency, efficiency, and accountability within the public sector.

But Pay1One is more than just a revenue management tool—it is a catalyst for change within Nigeria’s healthcare system. By digitising and automating revenue collection processes, Pay1One is reducing the opportunities for corruption and financial mismanagement. This not only improves the financial viability of healthcare institutions but also enhances the quality of care available to patients. With reliable revenue streams, healthcare providers can invest in infrastructure, equipment, and staff training, ultimately leading to better healthcare outcomes for all Nigerians.

However, the success of Pay1One is just the beginning of the journey towards a data-driven healthcare revolution. We continue to be committed to driving further innovation and adoption of data-driven solutions within Nigeria’s healthcare sector. By harnessing the power of big data and analytics, the country can unlock new insights, optimise resource allocation, and ultimately improve the health and well-being of millions of Nigerians.

Looking ahead, there are several key areas where data-driven solutions have the potential to drive significant impact in Nigeria’s healthcare system. From predictive analytics for disease prevention to personalised treatment plans based on patient data, the possibilities are endless. By leveraging data to inform decision-making at every level of the healthcare ecosystem, Nigeria can drive efficiency, improve outcomes, and ensure that every Nigerian has access to quality healthcare services.

In conclusion, the era of big data and analytics holds immense promise for Nigeria’s healthcare system. With platforms like Pay1One, Nigeria has the opportunity to transform how healthcare is delivered, managed, and financed in the country. By embracing data-driven solutions, the country can foster transparency, accountability, and efficiency within the public sector, ultimately leading to better outcomes for all. We are proud to be at the forefront of this transformative journey, and we are excited to see the positive impact that data-driven innovation will continue to have on Nigeria’s healthcare landscape.

AIR WATCH

Historic Reopening of Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport

The Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Gbenga Olorunpomi, recently captured the efforts made by the agency to rejuvenate the now, Bola Ahmed Tinubu Airport, Minna through infrastructural renewal and the installation of critical facilities to make it ready for resumption of service.

Olorunpomi said: “As high and relentless the Minna sun was, so were the spirits of the staff and management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria along with the people and government of Niger State. The date was 11th March 2024 and it was the historic reopening of the Minna International Airport, now rechristened the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna.

“It was clear that something had changed at this almost 34-year-old airport. Right in the middle was a brand-new domestic terminal built in record time through a partnership between FAAN and the Niger State Government, led by the charismatic Farmer Governor, Hon. Umar Mohammed Bago.”

Olorunpomi recalled that the Managing Director/ Chief Executive of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, upon landing at the airport, proceeded on an inspection tour of the terminal. She was led on the tour by the acting Airport Manager and the project contractor, noting that for a considerable amount of time, went around the facility, ensuring everything was up to code.

“As someone with an eye for excellence, she had questions wherever they went, lavishing praise on some and constructive criticism on other focal areas. Her passion for passenger comfort was evident as she insisted that the waiting areas be kept cool at all times and that protocol officers be alert to provide information to airport users. She proceeded to meet with the host of the day and other dignitaries and then went on to welcome the guest of the day, His Excellency, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Following the presidential handshakes, it was time to officially declare the airport open. At this point, the President and other dignitaries proceeded to perform the second function of the day- the launch of the Agricultural Mechanisation of Niger State,” he said.

Olorunpomi also said: “For the FAAN MD/CE, this event was significant for her in two ways: the first being that the event took place right on the Minna Airport grounds, with a substantial part of the land allocated to the state government for agricultural activities. The second, which is also tied to the first and critical to the aspirations of Mrs. Kuku, is to increase government revenue by making Nigerian airports properly positioned and equipped to export perishable goods.”

According to Governor Bago, the state plans to use airport facilities to transport their produce across the country in quick time. He thanked FAAN for providing quality guidance for the intervention and rehabilitation of the Airport to a global standard. He appreciated President Bola Tinubu for approving this airport as a special Agro Processing Free Zone for greenhouses; dairy and meat processing, and Agro Processing storage, aggregation, and other value chain development components.

He said this was in line with Mrs. Kuku’s vision for FAAN, where there is optimal use of their assets to grow revenue exponentially

and sustainably. In this case, the land around the Minna Airport, which have been hitherto underutilised, now will shore up revenues for both Niger State and FAAN.

Olorunpomi remarked that these are the kind of partnerships the FAAN MD/CE is interested in, noting that her turnaround mindset is at full function in FAAN and this is simply a sign that she is on the right track.

While speaking at the event, the Managing Director also stated, “At FAAN, one of our key aspirations is to help grow Nigeria’s economy through the facilitation of exports. We believe that with some investments in the right areas, we can put a huge dent in the N3.6trillion worth of perishable goods lost annually. Therefore, we are excited that the Niger State Governor has promised to complete the cargo and international terminals within a short time. We encourage him to do so as we cannot wait to assist the ambitions of the state to be the biggest food producer and food exporter in the country.

“President Tinubu’s commitment to progress, innovation, and excellence is evident in all his policies and programmes and at FAAN, we are happy to have partnered with the equally visionary leadership of the Niger State Government, ably-led by Governor Bago, on the project.

Olorunpomi also observed that these strategic partnerships reflect FAAN’s dedication to economic development and export facilitation, adding that by maximizing underutilised assets like the land, FAAN aims to drive revenue growth and bolster Nigeria’s economy through innovative projects and collaborations.

“The message is clear, with Mrs. Kuku at the helm, FAAN is now open for business!”

Kuku had also stated at the Minna airport that the Nigerian economy and revenue drive would receive boost when the proper investments are made into the exportation of food and other perishables via air transportation, adding that FAAN had done much to improve infrastructure at the airport.

“The overhauling of the runway and construction of the passenger terminal in a very short timeline was a daunting task that required much expense and synergy between all parties involved. I am indeed grateful that this project will forever be seen as a symbol of our nation’s dedication to advancing infrastructure, enhancing connectivity, and fostering economic growth. We believe that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, will serve as a gateway to the world, facilitating trade, tourism, and collaboration on a global scale.

Kuku said renaming the Minna International Airport after President Tinubu was historic and befitting, given the policy direction and implementations by the current administration.

“This occasion not only pays tribute to a visionary leader but also signifies a new chapter in the development of our aviation industry. President Tinubu’s commitment to progress, innovation, and excellence is evident in all his policies and programmes and at FAAN, we are happy to have partnered with the equally visionary leadership of the Niger State Government, ably-led by Governor Bago, on this project. His commitment, drive and close monitoring contributed immensely to seeing this project delivered in record time and for this, we are indeed thankful,” she said.

Elumelu at 61: A Giant, Yet His Mother’s Generous Son

Raheem Akingbolu pays tribute to the Chairman of Heir Holdings, Tony Onyemaechi Elumelu, delving into his business and philanthropic credentials, which have both continued to shape his worldview and personality as he advances in age

The apple does not fall far from its tree is a popular saying that rings true in the career and life of serial entrepreneur and turnaround champion, Tony Onyemaechi Elumelu, whose life as a businessman and career philanthropist mirrors that of his mother, a woman whom he venerates and credits for most of his successes.

On Mother’s Day, less than two weeks ago, Elumelu took to his LinkedIn page to pay tribute to his mother, to whom, he said he owes his instincts for business successes:

“To my mum whose experience served as my first initiation into a world where hard work translates to success. Growing up, I worked at my mum’s restaurant, watching her steer her business with leadership and so much strength. These formative years of my life made me the entrepreneur and leader that I am today. I am always grateful,” Elumelu, who today sits in the middle of a multi-billion-naira business empire ranging from financial services to hospitality, power and many more, said in deferring humility.

Those who knew Chief Mrs. Suzanne Elumelu will say that apart from his never-say-never approach toward tackling challenges, Tony Elumelu also caught a significant dose of her mother’s philanthropy. The soon-to-be 96-year-old matriarch was known in her community of Onicha-Uku, Delta State, as a dogged entrepreneur and giver, whose doors were always open to those around her that were in need.

One of those who knew the Elumelu family in the days of yore told of how she gave everybody around her access to water during periods of scarcity. “Growing up in Onitcha Uku, the only person who flung her door open for everyone to fetch water during harmattan, the thick of scarcity of water was Mama Elumelu. So, when I tell people that Tony O. Elumelu didn’t become philanthropic because he is rich, rather, he became rich from being philanthropic, a lot seem to wonder. Tony Elumelu was groomed and nurtured in philanthropy by this great woman,” wrote Eche Munonye, Publisher of CSR Reporters.

Those who have been struggling to situate the origin of Tony Elumelu’s life of giving, will understand, from the life of his mother that the billions of naira he has invested in charities steps from a well of kindness that runs in his family; it is in his DNA.

Today, Tony Elumelu is 61 years old.

Coincidentally, it was on his birthday, 10 years ago that he launched what looked like a seriously ambitious project of empowering young African entrepreneurs. Not many people thought he was thinking clearly when he announced the setting aside of a whopping $100 million of his funds to support enterprises in Africa.

But since he embarked on the project, it has grown from strength to strength, as an ever-increasing number of Africans have been benefitting from the project executed under the auspices of the Tony Elumelu Foundation and the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme.

Records indicate that since the launch of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme in 2015, the Foundation has trained over 1.5 million young Africans on digital skills. There has also been a disbursement of close to $100 million in direct funding to more than 18,000 African women and men, who have collectively created over 400,000 direct and indirect jobs across

“Records indicate that since the launch of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme in 2015, the Foundation has trained over 1.5 million young Africans on digital skills.There has also been a disbursement of close to $100 million in direct funding to more than 18,000 African women and men, who have collectively created over 400,000 direct and indirect jobs across the continent. The impacts made by the Foundation have not gone without being noticed. Only recently, the Harvard Business School launched a first-of-a-kind African philanthropy case study that was focused on the Tony Elumelu Foundation and its unique approaches and transformative initiatives. The case study showcased how strategic philanthropy is driving positive change and elevating countries and communities.”

the continent. The impacts made by the Foundation have not gone without being noticed. Only recently, the Harvard Business School launched a first-of-a-kind African philanthropy case study that was focused on the Tony Elumelu Foundation and its unique approaches and transformative initiatives. The case study showcased how strategic philanthropy is driving positive change and elevating countries and communities.

In the pantheon of revolutionary philanthropists that have walked this earth, Tony Elumelu, still active and working, would stand side-by-side with renowned global givers like John D. Rockefeller, Alfred Nobel, and Henry and Edsel Ford, men who gave what could well qualify for a part of themselves for the betterment of other people and worthy causes outside their immediate environment.

The gift of money may make the headlines and draw attention, but this is not where Tony sets his limits. In the realm of mentorship, the maverick investor is also unrivalled. Inside that can pass for the Tony Elumelu Alumni Association are men and women whom he nurtured in enterprise and management and whom he rewarded with prime positions for understanding and living a life of excellence.

Paraphrasing former American President, Abraham Lincoln, those who have passed Tony’s fire became “fine steel”. There are hundreds of notable people in this cluster including names like Charles Nwodo, who is the CEO of XL Management Services; Valentine Ozigbo, who was unarguably the most cerebral governorship candidate of the PDP in the last election in Anambra State; Obinna Ufudo, who was the pioneer CEO of Transcorp Group; Nnamdi Okonkwo, who was CEO of Fidelity Bank until recently, and Phillips Oduoza, who is the founder and Chairman of the board of Nova Merchant Bank to mention but a few. Only recently, Obong Idiong, who was Elumelu’s Executive Assistant, was elevated to the position

“The gift of money may make the headlines and draw attention, but this is not where Tony sets his limits. In the realm of mentorship, the maverick investor is also unrivalled. Inside that can pass for the Tony Elumelu Alumni Association are men and women whom he nurtured in enterprise and management and whom he rewarded with prime positions for understanding and living a life of excellence.”

of CEO of Africa Prudential Plc and later, as the CEO of Heirs Technologies.

It is perhaps this spirit in him that compels generosity and mentorship that is also impelling him to lead the charge for continental economic and social renaissance, which he has summed up in a movement which he called, Africapitalism, an extension of his social evangelism and a movement he is championing to ensure that Africans mobilise resources and take front-row seats to develop the continent.

Elumelu believes only Africans can, will, and should develop Africa, and in Chapter 4 of the e-book titled; “THE PATH TO ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND SOCIAL WEALTH: Rebuilding and Rebranding Africa as a Land of Investment, Innovation and Entrepreneurship”, he said:

“It is important to remember that the best way to attract outside capital and accelerate the pace of growth even further is for Africans themselves to lead the way with value-adding domestic investment. This is true despite the strength of the investment case that Africa can make for itself: no region in the world offers a greater diversity of opportunity, and few other regions are expected to have growth as high and sustainable as Africa. Africans must lead by example, investing in Africa to build economies and domestic industries that rival those in other parts of the world. Africans can no longer wait for outsiders to make the first move, or depend on outsiders for validation of Africa’s investment opportunities before taking up the mantle themselves. Ceding “first-mover” status to outsiders potentially puts them in the driver’s seat, once again leading to the forfeiture of Africa’s economic self-determination.”

If anyone had predicted when Elumelu and a few friends and believers came together to acquire the banking licence of Standard Trust Bank in 1989 that he would one day grow to become one of the most important figures in Africa, the man himself might have doubted it. But today, at 61, Tony Elumelu planted trees with roots transcending the continent to other parts of the world. And unlike the few other people with such multi-sectoral commercial and social interests, those around him rarely notice him appearing under pressure, a situation, which makes people wonder about the stuff he is made of.

Elumelu

Musa: How Vitavisco Can Generate FX for FG

In this interview, a Chemical Engineer and Managing Director, Vitavisco Nigeria Limited, a Subsidiary of Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Joseph Musa, discusses a range of issues affecting manufacturers in Nigeria and how Vitavisco can generate forex for the federal government. Excerpts

Can you provide an overview of the current state of the manufacturing sector in Nigeria, including the challenges faced?

There are three critical elements that can drive or slow the manufacturing sector in Nigeria, depending on how they are managed by the government.

These are energy supply and pricing, forex availability, and taxation. As we speak, public power supply is about its lowest level ever across the country. Diesel, which the industries rely largely on to power the plants have crossed the N1,300 per liter. Last week, we were reviewing our energy use for the four months of current versus previous year, and discovered that we have doubled our consumption in Naira amounts (about 100 % increase) in the current year against previous year.

As scarcity of forex lingers, and because the manufacturing sector depends largely on dollars to import raw materials, many manufacturing concerns are beginning to shut down. Some have started selling off the little raw materials they have and are laying off staff. They would rather buy dollars to keep than to keep producing at a loss because price increases are currently not keeping up with overall daily increases in manufacturing cost. For those still running the plants, volumes have dropped. This is ultimately leading to scarcity of manufactured goods in the market.Honestly the outlook is not looking good at present.

Multiple taxation is still a challenge – federal, state, local government and local councils all impose one form of tax or the other. Economy can not grow by excessively taxing the few operators to death. Sustainable growth will come only through continuously improving productivity. The government should rather pursue both widening and deepening the productive net instead of fixation on excessive and business disenabling taxation.

These and more are the challenges we are also facing in Vitavisco. But we remain positive, and continue to nurture creativity and drive innovation which factors have been key to our successes.

How is Vitavisco navigating the challenges in the manufacturing sector to remain competitive ?

We place premium on knowing our customers. We are highly diversified and keep on innovating. We operate effective management of cash flow and focus on our core competencies among others.

What initiatives or government policies should the government deploy to create a more conducive environment in the real sector ?

Any initiative that will help increase more participation in the real sector across all industries will ultimately drive productivity. The economy cannot grow relying on rents and taxes, especially where the organizations available to pay the taxes and rents are few. There should be deliberate implementable plan to make forex available to manufacturers at reasonable rates, boost power production, with high priority giving to supply of power to the manufacturing sector and stream lining of the taxation system. There is also the need to protect local industries through the custom tariff system, which should be made to favour goods that are locally produced and skewed against imported products that can be manufactured locally.

Could you elaborate on the products offered by Vitavisco?

Vitavisco deploys polymer technology to provide solutions for lifestyle, home and industrial needs. The Company’s main products include the following: Molded Viscoelastic (memory) foam, Molded high resilience foams for office and automotive seating, Polyurethane shoe, soles,

Polyethylene foam sheet, used for protective packaging, insulation and expansion joint applications in construction, padding material in furniture, padding material in bag making (both regular and lunch bags), etc. Polyethylene foam rod, used as expansion joint filler and in mattress edge finishing, Polyethylene foam duct used as insulation duct for air conditioner waste water pipe, Polyethylene foam net used for protective packaging of agricultural produce such as fruits.

What are the specific problems they are designed to solve?

Vitavisco developed a range of memory foam pillows to solve the problems of poor sleep patterns occasioned by sleeping on uncomfortable surfaces, neck and back pains often caused by using wrong pillow materials, and snoring associated with misalignment of the head and neck when using substitute pillow materials. Mattress and furniture makers, including interior decoration practitioners, across the country finally have a solution from Vitavisco to help provide their customers with sleeping and resting comfort. Most executives and other office workers in Nigeria are familiar with the ever nagging back and waste pain.

In the absence of disease conditions, these problems are often as a result of using inappropriate office chair, padded with the wrong foam material. The Vitavisco molded high resilience office chair foam is designed to arrest this challenge. With our molded office chair foam, executive health and productivity are guaranteed. The polyethylene foam range of products’ applications cut across various industries,

“Multiple taxation is still a challenge – federal, state, local government and local councils all impose one form of tax or the other. Economy can not grow by excessively taxing the few operators to death. Sustainable growth will come only through continuously improving productivity. The government should rather pursue both widening and deepening the productive net instead of fixation on excessive and business disenabling taxation.”

solving varieties of challenges: When used as joint filler, polyethylene foam sheet and rod save the country foreign exchange as these products are imported by various construction companies that require them.

Vitavisco imports the products from China. The polyethylene foam padding material provides the furniture maker with more creative options in upholstery works. The polyethylene foam duct used in the insulation of air conditioner waste water pipe also save the country foreign exchange. These brand of insulation ducts were being imported from China before the commencement of Vitavisco extrusion plants foam nets have been introduced to help curb waste in agricultural produce such as fruits during transportation from the farm to the market. The foam sheets have been made available to help local bag makers take their crafts notches higher. They are now able to produce bags that can compete in the international market because of the insulation effect of polyethylene foam.

How do these products contribute to the Federal Government’s efforts to increase foreign exchange inflow?

In the medium term, the company would not be in a position to generate foreign exchange. However, in the long run the company will build capacity to play internationally and earn foreign exchange, especially if AfCFTA (Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement) is actualized and does not remain only in the agreement books.

What efforts has Vitavisco made to expand its market and make its products more affordable to attract increased patronage and boost revenue?

Investment in people and technology: The company’s continuous efforts in investing in her people and technology has contributed to her market growth.

Partnership with customers: In addition, because most of our products are b2b, where our products are input materials to some other organization’s processes, we place emphasis on ‘partnering with our customers’.

Partnership with suppliers: Because of the unique products we offer the market, we work with our suppliers in developing most of our products. Both the company and suppliers are therefor committed to one another as a result. We are therefore able to ensure continuous availability of raw materials and manufacture goods at affordable prices.

Can you provide specific examples of

“We pride ourselves as a creative and an innovative organization. That is why there is no organization in Nigeria today offering our types of products in the various market segments where we play. A couple of organizations are currently trying to copy what we are doing but you cannot beat an original idea.”

innovative efforts by Vitavisco to distinguish itself in the market and stay ahead of the competition?

We pride ourselves as a creative and an innovative organization. That is why there is no organization in Nigeria today offering our types of products in the various market segments where we play. A couple of organizations are currently trying to copy what we are doing but you cannot beat an original idea. We will continue to be ahead of the pack. For example, we remain the only company offering molded polyurethane foam products for applications in furniture, physiotherapy, and healthy sleep. We introduced foamed plastic for various applications in packaging, construction and thermal insulation needs in the country. More recently we expanded our products into the footwear value chain where we manufacture and supply polyurethane base shoe soles to footwear makers.

What safety measures and capacity-building initiatives has the company implemented to enhance staff productivity?

Continuous training is our watchword in Vitavisco. We cannot afford not to train because of the uniqueness of our products. Almost everyone joining the organization comes in without no previous knowledge of our operations. We therefore place a lot of emphasis on training, including on the job training. The practice of being ‘fair and firm’ , have contributed to a positive work culture. We try to achieve full engagement of our employees.

Could you highlight some key achievements or milestones that Vitavisco has accomplished in recent years?

We are always the first in every market we have entered and the same applies to the products that we have introduced in the Nigerian market.

What is the company’s outlook for 2024 in terms of growth, expansion, and strategic objectives?

We have planned a 48 per cent topline growth for the year and a 105 per cent growth in bottomline versus previous year. Strategically, we are expanding our shoe sole business by investing in a new plant that will increase plant capacity from 2000 pairs of soles per day to 10,000 pairs of soles per day.

What sets Vitavisco apart from other companies in the industry and makes it a brand to watch?

We go close to our customers, identify their needs and offer solutions to suit.

Are there any emerging trends or developments in the industry that Vitavisco is poised to capitalize on?

Definitely. many trends are emerging and we have identified some growth opportunities for our business. But we shall keep this close to our chest at the moment (Laughs).

Musa

Anita Uwagbale: Celebrating R esilience, Evolution Two Decades after MBGN Win

It’s been two decades since Anita Uwagbale won the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) pageant, a milestone opportunity that reflects her resilience and evolution which is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and p erseverance that serves as an inspiration to young people who aspire to make meaningful impact in their communities. She shares with MARY NNAH her achievements, remarkable journey and the positive influence she has had on those around her

Anita Queen Uwagbale, a name synonymous with beauty and business acumen, is a testament to the enduring allure and versatility of a true queen.

Uwagbale’s journey from a beauty queen to a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist highlights the importance of perseverance and adaptability in achieving one’s goals.

Born in Edo and raised in Lagos, Uwagbal’s journey to stardom began at Madonna University, Port Harcourt, where she studied Accountancy. Her life took a glamorous turn in 2004 when she was crowned the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN), a title that catapulted her into the limelight and set her on a path of remarkable achievements.

As MBGN, Uwagbal, a graduate of the University of Phoenix represented Nigeria on global stages, including Miss Universe and Miss World. Her stunning performance at Miss World 2004 saw her place among the top 15 semi-finalists and being named the African Continental Queen of Beauty. Her reign was not just about beauty; she used her platform to advocate for environmental pollution awareness, demonstrating her commitment to societal issues. Beyond the crown, Uwagbale’s life has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. She married businessman Tom Iseghohi in 2008, and together they welcomed three children.

However, after a decade of marriage, the couple parted ways. Despite the personal challenges, Anita’s entrepreneurial spirit never wavered.

changing retail landscape.

“20 years of MBGN! It is amazing how time flies. Saying 20 years sounds like it has been ages but it is just 20 years ago. I still feel like the same person. The 20 years have been amazing. I have been married. Had kids and got divorced. I did business. Life has just happened but 20 years feels like just the other year. It feels like yesterday and we thank God for everything”, she noted.

BEYOND

BEAUTY: ANITA’S ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT

Anita’s foray into the business world was driven by a keen sense of opportunity and a desire to address a gap in the market.

“The Baby Store was born out of my struggle to find quality baby products in Nigeria. This venture was not just a business move; it was a solution to a widespread challenge faced by many Nigerian parents”, Uwagbale noted.

Her entrepreneurial journey did not stop there. With a vision to diversify, Uwagbale launched a printing company and an exclusive luxury hamper company, showcasing her ability to identify and capitalize on varied business opportunities.

The relaunch of The Baby Store marks a new chapter in her entrepreneurial journey. With a focus on educational toys, the store aims to cater to the holistic development of children, blending fun with learning. This shift reflects Anita’s deep understanding of her customers’ evolving needs and her commitment to providing value beyond just products.

A ROLE MODEL FOR ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS

Uwagbale’s journey is a powerful reminder that success is not a destination but a continuous journey of growth and adaptation. She stands as a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women, demonstrating that with resilience, innovation, and a clear vision, it is possible to overcome challenges and achieve lasting success.

Speaking about her modelling journey she said, “ Growing up as an only daughter with five brothers, I have always been that girl that when people see me, they called me a model and all kind of names and when Agbani Darego won the Miss World pageant, I became “Agbani Darego” and when people see me they will scream, Agbani! Because I was slim and quite tall. So my family was used to it. People keep telling me I should go for Miss World and all that. And I have always known that was something I wanted to do. When I was in secondary school and boarding school, I used to tell my juniors not to put water under my bunk because I was going to be their next Miss Nigeria. I didn’t even know what was entailed then but I just knew I was going to be their next Miss Nigeria. So, it was something that everyone in my household and around me got used to but I wasn’t allowed to go into the pageant while in secondary school my parents had agreed that if I got into the university, I could do it. So I went into pageantry during my first year in university.``

Speaking further he said, “I am an entrepreneur and over the years I have been able to launch several businesses that I still run to date. I have a printing company. I also run an exclusive luxury hamper company. My Baby store which we opened in 2011 is relaunching soon.”

“I am also a Nutritionist, a weight loss coach to be precise. I enjoy that part of my life because for me talking about nutrition and weight loss is beyond the now. It is a lifestyle, which I have pretty much tried my best to maintain”, she added.

NAVIGATING CHALLENGES: THE EVOLUTION OF THE BABY STORE

Uwagbale’s business acumen was truly tested with The Baby Store. “Operating a physical store in Victoria Island came with its own set of challenges, from exorbitant service charges to logistical issues”, she recalled. Instead of succumbing to these obstacles, Uwagbale who doubles as a weight loss coach embraced the digital revolution. She transitioned her business online, leveraging platforms like Jumia and Konga to reach a wider audience. This strategic pivot not only sustained the business but also allowed it to thrive in a rapidly

As she celebrates the 20th anniversary of her MBGN title, her legacy extends far beyond her beauty queen days. She has proven that true beauty lies in the courage to pursue one’s dreams, the resilience to weather life’s storms, and the innovative spirit to continually reinvent oneself. Her story is a testament to the fact that with determination and a willingness to evolve, one can not only stay relevant but also make a significant impact in the world.

“I am also a Nutritionist, a weight loss coach to be precise. I enjoy that part of my life because for me talking about nutrition and weight loss is beyond the now. It is a lifestyle, which I have pretty much tried my best to maintain”

L-R: Director, Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, Mrs. Ngozi Nwatarali; Director-General Services, Alhaji Yusuf Baba Abdullahi; representative of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) DirectorGeneral/Director, Community Development Service and Special Projects, Hajiya Zainab Isah; Director, Ventures Management, Prince Mohammed Momoh; and Director, Procurement, NYSC, Chief Chiwendu Chukwu, during the opening ceremony of the NYSC Store Officers’ workshop held in Abuja...recently

L-R: Chief Operating Officer (COO), Healthshare Nigeria, Mrs. Damola-Doherty Osundele; Chief Operating Officer, Atlantis Pediatric Hospital, Mr. Felix Uwajeh; and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola SanwoOlu, during the unveiling ceremony of Atlantis Pediatric Hospital in Lagos…recently

L-R: Father of the patient, Mr. Felix Kolajo; his daughter and corrective heart surgery patient, Precious Kolajo; Consultant/Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Dr. Michael Sanusi; Chief Executive Officer, Duchess Hospital, Dr. Adetokunbo Shitta-Bey; and mother of ‘Baby M’ (another corrective heart surgery patient), Mrs. Fatimat Olalere, at a briefing to announce the landmark open-heart surgeries of 13 year-old Precious and 5-month-old ‘Baby M’ at the Duchess International Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos... recently

L-R: Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan; Chairman, AIG- Imoukhuede Foundation, Aigboje Imoukhuede; Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa; and Executive Vice Chairman, AIG- Imoukhuede Foundation, Ifovwe Imoukhuede, during the closing ceremony of AIG Imoukhuede Foundation Public Leaders Programme in Abuja....recently

PHOTO: ENOCK

A cross-section of management team of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism rendering tributes to late Mrs. Bola Christianah Fasayo Ala, who was the longest-serving Senior Executive Officer (Accounts) of the institution, held at the school’s auditorium in Ogba, Lagos...recently

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke (left), presenting staff of office to the newly appointed Owa of Igbajoland, Oba Ademola Kayode Makinde (right), at the Owa Igbajo Palace in Igbajo, Osun State...recently

Fidelity Bank Supports CBN Export Sector Initiative with EMP 15

Kayode Tokede

Fidelity Bank Plc in partnership with Lagos Business School (LBS) hosted the 15th edition of its sustained Export Management Programme (EMP 15) to train entrepreneurs on the opportunities in the international market and develop their capacity to play big in the export space.

The Export Management Programme, launched in 2016 and hosted in partnership with another stakeholder, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), is designed to equip entrepreneurs with the requisite knowledge for driving the country’s non-oil exports and to support the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in its export sector initiative.

Speaking on the 5-day weeklong training programme in

Lagos, Team Lead, Export and Agriculture Division, Fidelity Bank, Mr. Emmanuel Nwalor, noted; “Entrepreneurs at the EMP 15 were empowered to export agriculture products the right way, and those who participated in the training have been upscaled on packaging and prerequisite understanding of the agriculture products to be exported.

According to Nwalor, “Nigeria is an agricultural commodities-based country with a lot of products like Cashew, Cocoa, and Ginger, among others that are exported out of the country.

“At Fidelity Bank, we advocate for value-added export and we have witnessed these in the manufacturing sector leveraging on the EMP initiative to upscale exporters

on the relevant details and understanding of all that is required in the production and packaging of value-added products for export.

“For us at Fidelity Bank, we have in partnership with the LBS been able to scope the Initiative by helping people to understand that packaging, quality, among other parameters are to be put in high consideration to export agriculture commodities out of Nigeria”.

On his part, The Director of Executive Education, LBS, Mr. Victor Banjo, noted that, “EMP is one of the most laudable initiatives at LBS and all thanks to Fidelity Bank that came up with the concept and collaborated with us in putting in place an intervention that helps to tackle some of the challenges we’re facing today in Nigeria.”

Ecobank, AFC Partner Gallery for Art Fair

Nume Ekeghe

In a collaborative effort to spotlight emerging talents in Nigeria’s art scene, Ecobank Nigeria Limited and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) have teamed up with Soto Gallery to present the +234 Art Fair.

This international art exhibition aims to provide a platform for young, unrepresented Nigerian artists, offering them opportunities to showcase their work locally and globally.

The Managing Director/ Regional Executive of Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal in a media parley yesterday emphasised the bank’s commitment to promoting the

creative industry in Nigeria and across Africa.

He said: The fair is dedicated to nurturing and uplifting the burgeoning art industry in Nigeria by providing a platform to support emerging artists and encourage increased interest in art acquisition, thereby contributing to the growth and prosperity of the local art sector and its international recognition.

Founder of Soto Gallery and Curator of the fair, Mrs. Tola Akerele, highlighted its significance in fostering cultural resonance and economic empowerment for emerging artists.

Akerele said: “This partnership with Ecobank and AFC

is instrumental in amplifying the voices of young Nigerian artists who may not have had traditional gallery representation. The +234 Art Fair provides a platform for these artists to showcase their talent and contribute to the growth and recognition of Nigeria’s vibrant art scene.”

In addition to the diverse art exhibits, the fair will include an art-centric bookstore, children’s area, VIP lounge, culinary offerings, and engaging workshops. Lawal reiterated Ecobank’s ongoing commitment to supporting the creative industry through various initiatives, including organizing exhibitions and commissioning art studios.

CBN, NGX Partners to Boost Students’ Financial Literacy

Nigerian Exchange Limited, Central Bank of Nigeria and other capital market operators have organised a symposium to boost the financial literacy level of some students in Lagos to mark the 2024 Global Money Week.

GMW is an annual global awareness-raising campaign on the importance of ensuring that young people, from an early age, are financially aware, and are gradually acquiring the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours necessary to make sound financial decisions and ultimately achieve financial wellbeing and financial resilience.

In his welcome address at the event, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the NGX, Jude Chiemeka, urged the students to embrace financial literacy and be aware that it is a lifelong

endeavour.

He said, “I believe this theme holds particular significance, especially for young individuals like yourselves, who stand at a pivotal juncture in laying the groundwork that will ultimately shape the trajectory and quality of your lives a decade or more from now. This event represents a significant step in our ongoing commitment to cultivating a community of financially literate future leaders who possess the knowledge and skills to make well-informed financial decisions through the array of financial literacy resources at their disposal. As we navigate the complexities of the financial world, it becomes increasingly evident that financial literacy and responsible money management are not just desirable traits but

essential tools for achieving long-term financial security and prosperity.”

Also speaking at the event, Lanre Gbadamosi of the Consumer Protection department at the Central Bank of Nigeria, highlighted the ‘Sabi Money Platform of the apex bank and how educative it is for school children.

“Sabi money platform is a platform where we have packaged 15 series of financial literacy topics. Financial planning has to start today and it has to start with you the children,” he said.

The Chief Economist and Head of Economic Research/ Intelligence at Coronation Merchant Bank, Chinwe Egwim, in her presentation, educated the students on the different economic terms and how it affects them.

‘PSR Will Set Standard for Recruitment into Public Service’

Olawale Ajimotokan

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage)

She noted that the service is striving through continuous training and development, to equip its workforce with the skills and knowledge needed to meet the evolving needs of the society.

The Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies Office (SPSO), Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Deborah Odoh has described the Public Service Rules as a culture that fosters professionalism and excellence within the institutions and sets standards for recruitment, promotion that ensure that those who enter public service are qualified, competent, and dedicated to the public good. She affirmed this at sensitisation workshop on the revised 2021 Public Service Rules for directors, human resource management from core ministries and other officers from human resource management departments.

She noted that the programme was in line with the central goal of the present administration and the leadership of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, to bring about effective administration and service delivery in the public service as a means to achieve Renewed Hope agenda, sustainable governance, adherence to law and order and capacity building in the public service.

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

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

L-R: Group Managing Director, UAC of Nigeria PLC (UACN), Fola Aiyesimoju; Chief Operating Officer, UACN, Queenette Durosinmi-Etti; Head of Talent Strategy, UACN, Abosede Ogundiyun; Head of Human Resources and Communications, Chemical and Allied Products PLC (CAP); Jethro Iruobe; and Consultant Family Physician, Iwosan Lagoons Hospital, ,Dr. Bright Johnbull, at the launch of the UAC Academy, a training program designed to equip managers across UACN and its subsidiaries with essential skills for organizational excellence held in Lagos....recently

Stock Market Halts Three-day Profit-taking, Up 0.13%

Kayode Tokede

The Nigerian stock market yesterday halted its three-day investors profit-taking momentum as gains in BUA Cement Plc and 21 others lifted the major index by 0.13 per cent.

The Nigerian Exchange Limited All-Share Index (NGX ASI) gained 130.66 basis points or 0.13 per cent to close at 104,387.47 basis points as

with the Month-till-Date (MtD) and Year-till-Date (YtD) gains increasing to +4.4per cent and +39.6per cent, respectively.

Also, market capitalisation rose by N74 billion to close at N59.022 trillion.

Analysing by sectors, the NGX Banking index added 0.9per cent, NGX Insurance appreciated by 0.6per cent and NGX Industrial Goods rose by 0.4per cent, while the NGX Oil & Gas index closed

flat. The NGX Consumer Goods dipped by 0.1per cent, the sole loser yesterday.

The upturn was driven by price appreciation in large and medium capitalised stocks amongst which are; BUA Cement, Guinness Nigeria, Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) and Transnational Corporation (Transcorp).

Investor sentiment, as mea-

sured by market breadth closed negative as 23 stocks advanced, while 30 declined. Juli emerged the highest price gainer of 10 per cent to close at N7.15, per share. Transcorp followed with a gain of 9.96 per cent to close at N14.90, while International Energy Insurance increased by 9.66 per cent to close at N1.59, per share. eTranzact International advanced by 9.65 per cent to close at N6.25, while Guinea

Insurance rose by 8.33 per cent to close at 39 kobo, per share. On the other side, Deap Capital Management and Trust led others on the losers’ chart with 10 per cent to close at 63 kobo, per share. Tourist Company of Nigeria followed with a decline of 9.86 per cent to close at N2.56, while CWG shed 9.09 per cent to close at N5.50, per share.

Caverton Offshore Support

Group went down by 8.57 per cent to close at N1.60, while Omatek Ventures depreciated by 8.05 per cent to close at 80 kobo, per share. The total volume traded rose by 12.8 per cent to 336.816 million units, valued at N9.285 billion, and exchanged in 8,790 deals. Transactions in the shares of United Bank for Africa (UBA) led the activity with 63.882 million shares worth N1.722 billion.

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF MARCH /21/24

CONDOLENCE VISIT ON THE KILLING OF SOLDIERS ...

I’ve No 2027 Ambition, Ajaero Replies Abure

NLC’s action show of shame, LP chair insists ‘Our party belongs to Nigerian workers’

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, has dismissed insinuations by the Labour Party National Chairman, Julius Abure, that he was inching towards declaring a political aspiration, using the platform of the party.

Both factions of the Labour Party led by Julius Abure and the Lamidi Apapa had had accused Ajaero of wanting to use the platform of the Labour Party to actualise his political aspiration for the presidency.

Also, yesterday, Abure described the blockade of the national headquarters of the party by the NLC on Wednesday as a show of shame and rascality.

This was as the deputy national chairman of the party, Ayo Olorunfemi, has said it was “absurd” for the NLC to claim ownership of the party.

However, reacting to claims he had ambition during an interaction with newsmen, Ajaero insisted “I have no ambition. I am only trying to finish what my predecessors

OBOREVWORI

started.

“Somebody said Ajaero wants to be president in 2027. Have I filled the form of any political party? What I am doing now, is it different from what other presidents of NLC did?

“Abdulwaheed Omar president was during the time of Dan Iwuanyawu. He even had to boycott the convention in Ondo State and set up a caretaker committee then.

“What I am trying to implement now is the MoU signed between Ayuba Wabba and Julius Abure. I have not even done anything. They were in court. It was Femi Falana that rescued it and there is no convention that brought Abure.

“So, for trying to enforce the MoU has become that I want to be president. It wasn’t that Ayuba or Omar wanted to be President. I am following the trajectory.”

But Abure, who described the blockade of the national headquarters as a show of shame and rascality, said, "What we saw was a show of shame, a show of rascality, an abuse of office and an abuse of the law of the land.”

In a late night statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, Abure said, "Nigeria Labour congress is subject to the law. NLC under Joe Ajaero is not above the law and the law precludes Ajaero and the leadership of NLC to take law into their hands.

“Where they besieged the office,

broke the fence, destroy the gates, unlawfully took possession of the Secretariat and destroyed properties worth millions of naira.

“Properties stolen including monies made for the payment of salaries and other official purposes. This is unfortunate. It is becoming unbecoming.

"I must state today that the leadership of NLC under Joe Ajaero is on the part of destroying the successes we have recorded in the 2023 general election.”

The deputy national chairman of the party, Olorunfemi, in a chat with Arise TV, said the Labour Party was owned by “Nigerian workers” and not NLC. He added that the “TUC, NLC, professional bodies and the informal sector of the economy… and they are all owners of the Labour Party.

“The Labour Party belongs to Nigerian workers, not NLC. The earlier we understand this, the better,” Olurunfemi said.

Nigeria-China Trade Volume Hits $22.6bn

NIIA DG advises China to mainstream investment through private sector

Oluchi Chibuzor

The Consul-General, Consulate General of People's Republic of China, Ms. Yan Yuqing, has described Nigeria as a pilot country for China-Africa cooperation in building the BRI and revealed that the trade volume between Nigeria and China was $22.6 billion in 2023.

He also said Nigeria's export to China increased by 50 percent during the year.

Yuquing disclosed this yesterday at the Lagos Forum 2024, which also

witnessed the launch of a new book titled: “The Chinese in the Nigerian Economy” that was written by Mr. Ikenna Emewu.

The forum was hosted by the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in partnership with the consulate-general of the People's Republic of China.

According to her, “In recent years, the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has been deepening, and China and Nigeria have built nice cooperation mechanism, broad cooperation platforms. In 2023,

China-Nigeria bilateral trade reached

22.56 billion USD.

“In recent years, the opening and commissioning ceremonies of Nigeria’s Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Lagos Blue Line and Red Line Light Railway constructed by Chinese enterprises have been held successively, which have not only promoted local economic and social development, but also made outstanding contributions to the deepening of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

“Chinese hi-tech enterprises have actively carried out cooperation in

communication technology with Nigeria, promoting the development of digital economy and mobile payment in Nigeria, while Chinese new energy and new material enterprises have helped upgrade the Nigeria’s industries.

“The scale of Lekki FTZ, Ogun Guangdong FTZ and all kinds of industrial parks is expanding day by day. It can be said that the deepening economic and trade cooperation between China and Nigeria is an important force in promoting inclusive economic globalisation.”

TO TRADITIONAL RULERS: IF YOU SHIELD CRIMINALS, YOU ARE INVITING TROUBLE

and remote causes of the crisis.

Oborevwori also briefed the Delta State Advisory and Peace Building Council, and urged the council to talk to the people on the need to maintain peace across state.

He said government would not allow troublemakers to discourage investors from coming to the state, adding that sustainable peace is needed to attract investors.

Chairman of the council, Professor Sam Oyovbaire, commended the governor for his efforts to ensure peace and security across the state, and stressed that council members supported the peace building moves of the governor.

Oyovbaire appealed to communities across the state to give peace a chance for the overall development of the state.

GOC: We Won't Rest Until We Recover Our Weapons, Arrest Killers

General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division of the Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, vowed that they would not rest until weapons carted

away and killers of their men were apprehended.

Abdussalam said the troops would be firm, strong, decisive and professional in the cause of the operations in the general area.

He made the vow while receiving Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief (Dr) Samuel Ogbuku, who paid him a condolence visit at the division's headquarters in Port Harcourt Barracks.

While appreciating Ogbuku and his team for the visit, Abdussalam said the mission handed to troops by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, was basically to recover the weapons carted away by the killers and ensure that all those involved were arrested.

While maintaining that the troops would continue to be in the creeks until the objectives were achieved, the GOC reiterated that no amount of propaganda, arm-twisting, blackmail, intimidation, and false narratives would distract troops from staying on course to achieve their objectives.

However, he said the operations would be conducted in the most professional manner in line with global best practices of adherence to rules of engagement and respect

for the fundamental human rights of the citizenry. He called on people of the Niger Delta to go about their normal activities.

Abdussalam also appealed to people and communities to assist

TINUBU:

troops with regard to the location of the fleeing criminals and the weapons carted away. He said the armed forces were the symbol of the country's sovereignty, stressing that President Bola Tinubu captured it succinctly when he said an attack

on the armed forces was an attack on the country. “Therefore, if we allow criminals to continue to attack our security forces, there will be anarchy,” the GOC said.

Abdussalam vowed that the

troops would not rest until all those involved were tracked down to account for their deeds and said the operation would be conducted in a way that, going forward, nobody would contemplate attacking men in uniform.

THOSE ALLEGING MALICIOUS EMBELLISHMENT OF BUDGET DIDN’T UNDERSTAND THE ARITHMETIC

resisted divisions, and relegated self-interest in favour of a shared vision for progress."

The vice-president observed, however, that despite the interventions made so far to prevent natural disasters, “to combat crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, to alleviate the short-term inflationary impacts of our economic-saving decisions, to mitigate environmental damage, and to curb revenue loss,” the efforts would be useless to the citizens unless “job creation and skill development at every corner of the nation” were prioritised.

Noting that it was not the best of times to be in office, Shettima implored the governors and other council members to remain constant in executing initiatives that would help wriggle the citizens out of their present condition.

“This is a delicate period to occupy

offices like ours. We cannot remind ourselves enough that we have come at a time that tests the depth of our leadership and demands our most rational wisdom to make a difference.

“Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we must remain consistent in implementing the initiatives that alleviate the suffering of our citizens and be accountable in doing so.

“We must also ensure that interventions we deploy are nondiscriminatory and favour all stakeholders, with no part of our communities or nation left lagging,” he stated.

NEC also endorsed the implementation of the $617.7 million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) programme in the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.

In his presentation on the i-DICE

programme, the Executive Director in charge of SMES at the Bank of Industry, Mr Shekarau Omar, said the i-DICE programme, a special intervention by government, aimed to deliver on the promise by the Tinubu administration to create millions of jobs in the technology space.

Omar explained that the programme was in support of government’s agenda to create more sustainable jobs, diversify the economy and equip digital and creative incubation hubs/innovation centers across the country.

He listed African Development Bank (AfDB), the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) among organisations that would fund the programme, giving a breakdown of how the funds would be sourced.

This was: AfDB, $170million;

IsDB, $70 million; AFD, $116 million; Bank of Industry (BoI) on behalf of federal government of Nigeria (FGN), $45.50 million; Fund Manager (For Equity Fund only), $8.70 million, and private investors, $205 million.

On the impact of the programme, Omar said 1,269,757 youths would be trained and certified in ICT skills, with at least 25,000 youths trained in each state of the federation and the FCT.

He noted that while at least 100,000 jobs would be created per state, about 5,581,231 indirect jobs would be created through i-DICE interventions nationwide.

Other highlights of the NEC meeting included update on Excess crude account (ECA) $473,754.57, Stabilisation Account N33,808,342,662.88, Current Balance of Natural Resources N113,925,600,918.68.

The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, (L) and Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, during a condolence visit by the leadership of the Commission to the Division's headquarters, in Port Harcourt, over the killing of military officers and soldiers at Okuama community, in Delta state .... yesterday

DISCUSSING LOKOJA-BENIN ROAD CONSTRUCTION …

L-R: Chairman, Senate Committee on Procurement and Edo All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo; Chairman, Senate Committee on Interior, and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole; Minister of Works, David Umahi, and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Yakubu Fofarmata, during a meeting on the construction of the Lokoja - Benin road in Abuja...yesterday

Amotekun Foils Kidnap, Robbery Attempts in Ondo, Parades 36 Suspected Criminals

Oyebanji orders forest guards to flush out criminals from Ekiti

Oyebanji orders forest guards to flush out criminals from Ekiti

Fidelis David in Akure and Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun have foiled attempts to rob three commercial banks and kidnap a managing director (MD) of a popular supermarket in the state.

on the citizens.

On the other hand, Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has directed the newly recruited Forest Guards in the state to synregise with security agencies to flush out kidnappers and other criminals that are using Ekiti forests as hideouts and inflicting terror

Pan-African Towers Appoints Oladipo Badru CFO

Sunday Okobi

Nigeria’s leading provider of digital infrastructure, Pan African Towers (PAT), has announced the appointment of Oladipo Badru as its new chief financial officer(CFO).

The appointment comes at a key moment in the company’s growth, with the recent influx of fresh investments from Development Partners International (DPI) and Verod Capital to solidify its position as Nigeria’s largest homegrown digital infrastructure provider.

Taking full responsibility for

the company’s financial strategy, Badru will play a key role in tracking cash flow and managing investments and capital structure for sustained profitability.

The company’s statement said Badru would bring a robust skill set and an excellent reputation in financial management from over two decades of experience across diverse industries, “where he has led significant transformation and change initiatives.”

Until his appointment, Badru was the Group Director of Finance at Etisalat Dubai, leading the Finance, Commercial and Business Development teams.

Adeleke Approves Promotions in Osun Civil Service

Yinka Kolawole in Osog

Governor Ademola Adeleke has approved the promotions of civil servants after a statutory process supervised by the Head of Service, Mr Samuel Ayanleye Aina in conjunction with the Civil Service Commission and Local Government Service Commission.

According to a circular by the Head of Service, the promotion letters for all due personnel for last year have been approved by Governor Adeleke and are being issued their letters of promotion by their

respective Commissions, Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

The Head of Service declared that the promotion followed all due processes as prescribed by the extant Public Service Rules.

“Mr Governor duly approved the exercise in compliance with his earlier directive that promotion exercise should be a regular feature of the service.

“So, I can confirm that letters are being given out to promoted officers. On behalf of Mr Governor, I also congratulate them,” Mr Aina noted.

ProjKonnect

Unveils App for Education Devt

Nigeria’s leading edutech firm, ProjKonnect, has announced the launch of its digital educational application designed to create a viable pathway for personalised learning for both students and young professionals. This is aimed at steering a paradigm shift within the Nigerian educational ecosystem in a bid to champion educational accessibility and innovation.

The strategic launch of the ProjKonnect App aims to further contribute towards developing a new generation of Nigerian

youths, particularly university undergraduates, who are equipped with the required skill sets necessary to compete in the 21st century favourably.

This is made evident as the mobile app is built to creatively incorporate a set of advanced tools which enable corporate entities to contribute to its courses in order to make them match global industry standards while also providing Nigerian youths with the opportunity to gain practical experiences upon completion of the courses.

The Commander of Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye,

who disclosed this yesterday while parading 36 other suspected criminals for various

offences committed within the month, said the mastermind of the attempts has been arrested while they are on the trail of six of the suspects who have escaped from the state.

Group Condemns Spate of Abductions, Warns It’s killing Nigeria’s Future

10 persons kidnapped in Edo

SegunAwofadejiinBauchiand AdibeEmenyonuinBeninCity

10 persons kidnapped in Edo

The Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSWN) has condemned the continued mass abductions carried out

in schools, communities and demand for ransom by bandits in many parts of Northern Nigeria. It warned that the unfortunate and continuously worrisome incidents underline an attack on the future of Nigeria’s growth and development.

This is just as the wife of the youth leader of Sobe in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Mrs. Irouje Omian, and nine others, consisting of five women and four men, have been reportedly kidnapped.

In a press statement made available

to our correspondent by its Research and Press Officer, Reuben Buhari , yesterday, CSWN said it views the spike in frequent mass kidnappings in both schools and vulnerable communities as capable of wreaking great havoc on the country in future.

Be Good Ambassadors of Your Family, School, Sokoto Varsity’s VC Advises Students

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

The Vice-Chancellor, Sokoto State University, Sokoto, Prof Garba Bashir, has admonished the matriculating students to be good ambassadors of their families and the school. Bashir also enjoined them

not to indulge in cultism and examination misconduct that would truncate their academic programmes.

He urged them to be diligent in their studies so that their parents and families would not be disappointed at the end.

The VC gave the admonition

in his address during the 10th matriculation ceremony of the university held at the convocation square of the school yesterday. He noted that the university is a nurturing ground for future leaders, who will create impact in the world.

According to him, “Obey rules

and regulations of the university, uphold and promote the noble ideals, principles, and those values which the university is known for.

“This great institution has long stood as a symbol of academic excellence and a nurturing ground for future leaders.

Otti Moves to Break Jinx of ‘No Easy Route to Arochukwu’, Flags Off 30km Road Reconstruction

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogoin Umuahia

The jinx of bad roads in Abia State which inspired the age-old saying: ‘There’s no easy route to Arochukwu’, is set to be broken as the state Governor, Alex Otti, yesterday flagged off the reconstruction of the shortest route from Umuahia to Arochukwu.

The 30km Arochukwu-Ndi Okereke-Ozuabam Road is considered the shortest connection to access Arochukwu from Umuahia, the state capital city, and vice versa. But it had been abandoned over many years.

Arochukwu Local Government Area is at the northern tip of Abia State, and is plagued by bad roads so much so that travelling through Akwa Ibom State offers the easiest route to the area.

In his speech at the flaggingoff ceremony held at Amuvi Arochukwu, Governor Otti said his policy of road reconstruction was aimed at “creating new pathways for social and economic development.

He noted that the deplorable condition of roads was among the “many impediments that limit the capacity of individwuals and businesses to function at their full potential.”

Former Lawmaker Urges Benue Gov to Stop Polarising APC

GeorgeOkohinMakurdi

A forum of concerned former members of the Benue State House of Assembly from the All Progressives Congress (APC)has warned the state Governor, Hyacinth Alia, to desist from further polarisation of the party, instead rebuild its relationship with the representatives at the centre and take proactive steps to stem the tide of herders/farmers crisis as against the lip service and politicisation of the phenomenon.

The group also passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the APC under the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and the state Chairman of the party, Austin Agada.

Speaking at a press conference in Makurdi, the state capital, yesterday, the Chairman of the forum and former Speaker of the sixth and seventh state Assembly, Dave Iorhemba, said the former members have observed with concern the frosty relationship between Governor Hyacinth Alia and the SGF, and the avalanche of derogatory remarks, the use of uncomplimentary language and innuendoes flung at the person of the SGF by the governor and his team when the two sides should be working together for a greater Benue State.

Female Representation on Corporate Boards Grows by 2.5% in Four Years

The Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria has revealed that female representation on corporate boards in Nigeria experienced a 2.5 per cent growth on average over the past four years. This statistic was unveiled during the roundtable event held in Lagos to commemorate the 2024 International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration.

Speaking at the event, Managing Director of Society, Mrs. Chioma Mordi, represented by the Head of Business and Strategy, Olumide Olaleye, highlighted the findings of a recent research study conducted by the Society in collaboration with the NGX. The study indicated on average an approximate 2.5 percentage increase in female representation on the boards of the top 100 companies listed on the NGX from 2020 to 2023. The report also emphasized a higher compliance of diversity within the financial sector.

\Themed “Inclusive Leadership: Harnessing Diversity for Innovation, Resilience, and Sustainable Success,” the roundtable convened industry leaders, chief executive officers (CEOs), C-suite executives, and corporate governance practitioners. The discussions focused on the imperative of inclusive leadership and the necessity of diverse representation to drive innovative and sustainable business practices.

Okun Group Passes Vote of Confidence on Ododo , Bello, APC in Kogi

IbrahimOyewalein Lokoja

Worried by the recent verbal attack on the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Bello Yahaya and the incumbent governor Usman Ododo by one faceless Bashorun Adeyemi, a group, Okun United

for Justice (OUJ) has passed vote of confidence on Ododo and Bello.

The Coordinator of Okun United for Justice, Eniola Olayemi disclosed this while addressing journalists in Lokoja yesterday. The group called on the governor and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress

(APC) in the state to disregard the inconsequential position of Bashorun Adeyemi and his Abuja paymasters. They stated that Okun nation spoke unmistakably in the last November poll and will speak even louder in 2027.

Olayemi further stressed that

to set the record straight, Bashorun Adeyemi has no right whatsoever to speak for or on behalf of the Okun nation, noting that he was just the mouthpiece of some Abuja-based political jesters who failed in their political conquest agenda on the Okun people and the people of Kogi State.

Banditry: FG Sets Aside N50bn for Pulako Approach

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

The federal government is accelerating the kinetic approach to the fight against terrorism and banditry in the country with the establishment of the N50 billion Pulako Initiative, targeting seven frontline states in the battle against banditry and cattle rustling.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this journalists during Iftar (breaking of Fast) last Wednesday evening in Kano.

He said the initiative has

targeted at Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger, Kaduna, Benue, and Kebbi States in the battle against banditry and cattle rustling.

According to him, under the Initiative, the Federal of Government Nigeria will build houses, clinics, schools, veterinary hospitals, empowerment initiatives, solar energy, and other infrastructure needs in the communities worst affected by banditry.

According to him, “The Nigerian Government is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being

of all Nigerians and visitors to our country. Our security agencies have been very busy, doing their best to keep us all safe.

“The military has been taking delivery of new weapons and equipment to strengthen the fight against banditry and terrorism. For example, the Nigerian Air Force this month inducted four new aircraft into service.”

The minister added: “The Nigerian military (supported by the Police and Intelligence agencies) has been taking the war to bandits and terrorists’

Ebonyi Community Petitions Tinubu over Killing of Police Inspector, 30 Others

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The last is yet to be heard of the killings in Ekoli Edda community of Ebonyi State as the community yesterday petitioned President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the matter by halting the cycle of killing in the community which has claimed over 30 lives.

The community also called for the arrest of the former Chairman of Edda Local Government Area, Uduma Chima, over

his alleged role in the killings in the community during his 15-year reign which spanned the administration of former Governor Dave Umahi.

But in his reaction, Chima denied the allegations, saying they were politically motivated.

He said he remained “the most loved politician in the area.”

Chima was a member of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, a transitional and

three-term chairman of the local council.

The community had last year petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IG) and the DirectorGeneral of the Department of State Security (DSS) over the persistent killings in the local council which left a trail of blood and destruction.

A philanthropist, Chief Julius Oji, had last year petitioned the IG over the killing of over 30 people in Ebonyi community.

Bauchi Flags Off Ramadan Palliative Distribution, Purchases N2bn Grains

Segun AwofadejiinBauchi

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed yesterday flagged off the commencement of the distribution of Ramadan palliative for beneficiaries across the 20 Local Government Areas of the State.

Speaking at the event, the governor said already grains worth N2 billion have been purchased for distribution to beneficiaries for Ramadan period.

Governor Mohammed noted that the state government is committed to ensuring that the distribution process of the Ramadan palliative is conducted with utmost transparency, as monitoring committee has been

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set up to supervise the exercise.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s swift response to the hardship confronting the nation, saying that the collaboration between the federal government and the state governments is a testament to collective commitment to provide succour and solace to citizens during this challenging times.

“The rising cost of foodstuffs and inflation have placed a heaven burden on citizens and it was as a result of genuine concern for welfare and well-being of our

people that the state government, in collaboration with the federal government, embarked on this intervention.

“I am pleased to inform you that the Bauchi State Government has allocated more than N2 billion towards the purchase of grains and has received substantial contribution from the National Emergency Management Agency, North East Development Commission and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to ensure citizens have access to essential food items during this period,” he said.

Eno Announces Free Food Supply for Less-privileged in A’Ibom

Okon Bassey in Uyo

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Umo Eno, has stated that under his food palliative

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I formerly known and addressed as EMEOYIRI BLESSING EBERECHI now wish to be known and addressed as EMEOYIRI BLESSING EBERECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

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camps and hideouts, especially in the Northwest and the FCT, and we are seeing the results.”

Idris commended the efforts of the Nigerian army and other security agencies in the ongoing fight against terrorism, and banditry, especially in the Federal

Capital Territory (FCT).

“The situation in Abuja has been brought under control, every week there is a news report about bandits routed and camps destroyed.“We are seeing testimonials of people safely making journeys they were

not daring to months ago, like the Abuja-Kaduna expressway.” The minister further explained that In February 2024, the Nigerian Armed Forces neutralised 974 terrorists, apprehended 621 suspects, rescued 466 hostages, and recovered 1,573 weapons

Dabiri-Erewa: Nigeria’s Economic Recovery Needs Diaspora Investment

Michael Olugbode in Abuja Nigeria’s economic recovery may require a dose of galvanisation of Diaspora investment, the Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa has reiterated.

She noted that Nigeria’s economy present need a breath of life, and the galvanisation from a structured Diaspora investment may lead to economic boom.

The NIDCOM boss said this at a strategic meeting with an investment group, Optiva Capital in Abuja yesterday.

She added that collaboration between Optiva Capital Partners and NiDCOM signals a pivotal step towards harnessing the potential of Nigeria’s Diaspora community, fostering sustainable economic growth, and strengthening ties between the Diaspora and their homeland.

Dabiri-Erewa also said that NiDCOM is willing to partner with Optival Capital Partners in advancing Diaspora investment and leveraging the capabilities of Nigerians living abroad.

She expressed satisfaction with the parley, stating that the meeting aligns with the Commission’s

core objectives, highlighting the significance of fostering a structured and symbiotic relationship with the Diaspora, and showing the importance of trust building.

Dabiri-Erewa further stated that platforms such as the Nigerians in Diaspora Investment Summit, which serves as a linkage for Diasporans to invest in various sectors of the Nigeria’s economy. was already in place and would be strengthened , adding that plans are on for a structured Nigerian diaspora fund to be private sector driven with appropriate government supervision

CAN Dissociates Self from Litigations against Katsina Varsities

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

The Katsina State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has dissociated itself from litigations written by one Barrister Ibrahim Isah against the management of Federal University of Dutsin-Ma, and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University.

Isah has filed a religious intolerance suit against the management of the universities at the Federal High Court of Justice, Katsina, allegedly using Katsina CAN as an applicant.

But the state CAN Secretary, Dr. Musa Daniel, while briefing journalists in Katsina yesterday on behalf of the association, said the

CAN has not engaged the service of Isah or any of his associates to institute legal action against the authorities of the universities.

He said investigation by CAN revealed that Christian fellowship activities were running smoothly on the campuses of the universities contrary to “false accusations” levelled against the authorities of the institutions by Isah.

He alleged that the lawyer enjoys the benevolence of a foreign organisation, Alliance for Defending Freedom International (ADF), to file the legal suits against the management of the federal and state-owned universities without consulting CAN officials.

He said: “The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Katsina State chapter has deemed it necessary to call this press conference because of the activities of one Barrister Ibrahim Isah who has been parading himself as Counsel to CAN Katsina State chapter.

“Barrister Ibrahim Isah does not in any way represent the CAN Katsina State chapter in any legal matter. We have our legal adviser in the person of Barrister Samaila Audu. CAN, Katsina State chapter have records of peaceful co-existence and merit based leadership in the two schools.

FAE Tasks FG on E stablishment of Research Institute for Paper Industry

Dike Onwuamaeze

programme, the less-privileged captured in the social register will now be given the food items for free.

Eno disclosed this at Etinan and Uyo Local Government Areas while flagging-off the construction of two major roads, the 8.6km Ediene Abak-Ikot Ekan Road project, and the 7.86km Ring Road III dual carriageway projects spanning Idoro Road in Uyo through Ibiono Ibom to Itak in Ikono LGA.

The governor disclosed that contrary to the initial provisions that the less-privileged would buy the food items at subsidised rates, he was going to make the food available to them at no cost.

He said the food intervention programme would be flagged -off next Tuesday with the launching of the Bulk Purchase food vouchers at a designated markets in the state, after which the agents would be unveiled to carry out the scheme in all parts of the state.

According to him, “My personal assistants from the wards would be given the vouchers, and they will verify your names in the social register before giving you the voucher, and after you will take it to redeem the food item from our redemption centres.

“Before the end of this week, we will publish the names of all the redemption centres. And once you get the voucher, you go and get the food item absolutely for free. If it is rice, it will be 5kg bags of rice each.”

The federal government has been called upon to establish a paper research institute that would enable Nigeria to harness potential in the paper industry and diversify its sources of foreign exchange.

The call was made recently by the Managing Director/CEO of FAE Limited, Mrs. Funlayo Bakere-Okeowo, during a press conference to mark FAE’s 50th anniversary.

Bakere-Okeowo argued that a paper institute would enable Nigeria to resuscitate its dying paper industry, especially

moribund paper mills in the country, and reposition the industry to become next to crude oil in earning foreign exchange.

She said: “We need a lot of encouragement in research, which could be realised by creating a paper research institute. We know that we have the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) that is doing its best, but we need a paper institute for the paper industry alone because paper has potential to become Nigeria’s ‘second oil.’

“A ton of paper now is about $1,350 in the international market. Imagine that we are able to export finished paper or even pulp?

“The greatest contributor to the GDP in the Scandinavia is paper and pulp. So we do not have to continue running after oil.” She also called on the government to provide single digit credit and stable foreign exchange rate to manufacturers.

Bakere-Okeowo noted that the FAE was established in 1974 by her mother, Mrs. Florence Iyabode Adu Bakare, as a paper trading company, but has emerged as one of the foremost envelope manufacturing company in Nigeria, with capacity to produce one million envelopes per day.

Ibadan Circular Road: Soludo to Flag Off 32.2km Road Infrastructure Component

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, will on Friday receive the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, to flag off the road infrastructure component of the Ibadan Circular Road project in the state.A statement by the Special Adviser to Governor Makinde on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, disclosed that the flag-off of the 32.2 kilometre-road infrastructure component of the 110 kilometre-project, named after former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, completes the first phase of the important project started by Governor

Makinde after previous administrations mulled the idea to no avail.It added that the 32.2km South-East Wing of the four-section project comprises six bridges and two interchanges, which have all been completed since 2023. Governor Makinde and his guest will also inaugurate three Junction Improvement Works in Idi-Ape-Civic Centre-Agodi Gate axis, which were constructed to ease the flow of traffic in the city. The Makinde administration took the initiative to drive the important but overlooked Ibadan Circular Road Project as part of the government’s commitment to building

infrastructure that targets the economy of the state.

Segmented into four sections - South-East Wing (32.2km), North-East Wing (20km), North-West Wing (33km) and South-West Wing (24km), the 110km project was designed to encircle Ibadan, the state capital and ease flow of traffic in the city.

It will also strategically link Ibadan-Ife Expressway, the Moniya Train Station and Ilutuntun Business District being constructed by the state government as well as the Oluyole Free Trade Zone being proposed by the government, among other benefits.

Ese Brume Retains Long Jump Gold, Amaechi Upsets Onyekwere in Discus

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Ese Brume flew to the gold medal of the women’s Long Jump event of the 13th African Games to be concluded in Accra, Ghana tomorrow.

Brume won the precious medal with a first round 6.92m jump to retain the gold she won at the last edition in Rabat, Morocco in 2019.

It was a welcome relief for the ‘Delta Flying Queen’ who many athletics watchers had hoped would face stiff competition from Ruth Usoro who had Africa’s leading 6.87m Jump before the Games in Ghana.

Surprisingly, Brume was untouchable. Despite not getting anywhere near her Personal Best of 7.17m, Brume, a hat-trick African

AFRICAN GAMES

Champion, double Commonwealth Games champion, a bronze and silver medal winner at the World Athletics Championship in Doha (Qatar) and Eugene, (USA), was good enough to rule the continent till the next Games.

Instead of Usoro, it was new girl Prestina Ochonogor who claimed the bronze medal with her 6.67m jump. Usoro finished a disappointing fourth outside the podium with her 6.62m. Burkina Faso’s Koala Jasmine won the silver medal.

In the women’s Discus, defending champion and African record holder, Chioma Onyekwere was upset by compatriot Obiageri

NPFL: Gombe Utd Ducked Three Points, Fined N3m Over Assault on Match Official

Gombe United have been ducked three points and three goals from the total accrued to the club for the season in a move the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) says is pursuant to its zero tolerance for assault on match officials.

NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, who signed the notice warned other clubs to ensure the safety of match officials assigned to their games or face serious consequences.

Officials in the Matchday 26 fixture against visiting Akwa United were found to have been physically attacked by fans at the end of the match at the Pantanmi Stadium on Sunday, March 17.

The NPFL in a Summary Jurisdiction notice issued Gombe United said its findings included that Bright Nwosu, the Centre Referee, Abdullahi Indabawa, the AR1, Friday Abu Emeje AR2, and Musa Hussainy Talle, the 4th Official were assaulted by the club’s fans.

Gombe United got charged with breach of Rules B13.52,

B13.18 and C1.1 of the NPFL Frameworks and Rules which arose from failure to provide adequate and effective security leading to access to unauthorised persons to restricted areas, throwing of objects by their supporters to match officials and the visiting team and assault on match officials at the end of the game.

In addition to the points deduction, the NPFL also imposed a total fine of N3million on the club made up of N1million each for failure to provide adequate and effective security, for throwing objects unto the field of play and compensatory payments to the four match officials at N250,000 each.

The NPFL also issued an order closing the Pantami Stadium to fans of Gombe United for the next three home games. Gombe United have 48 hours from the date of receipt of the sanctions to accept in writing to submit to the rulings or elect to face a disciplinary panel in accordance with Rule C26.

Mutiu Adepoju to Mentor Students at FCV Gladiator Camp

Ex-Super Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju, will mentor students at the 2nd FCV Gladiator Camp taking place at Grange School, Lagos from April 1 to 5.

Adepoju was part of the Super Eagles for the FIFA World Cups in 1994, 1998 – where he scored in a 3–2 win against Spain.

Adepoju described his involvement in the camp as part of his efforts to assist in youth development. “I decided to be part of FCV Gladiator Camp because of the passion I have for youth development and the belief I have in discovering future stars.”

He added: “I hope to show them what it takes to be successful through hard work and discipline and take them through my journey as an ex-footballer.”

The one-week training camp is organised by Dynaspro Promotion in collaboration with UK-based FCV International Football Academy with the

sole aim of identifying talents among students in Nigeria.

CEO of Dynaspro, Oluseyi Oyebode, said the decision to organise the camp was borne out of his passion for school sports development in Nigeria.

“Nigeria is a nation blessed with talents in sports but if we don’t discover them early, they will waste and that is why we want to fill this gap by unearthing and nurture them to stardom. The coaches that are coming coupled with the involvement of Mutiu Adepoju will inspire and help the students to fulfil their potentials in football. It is going to be a fun-filled camp mixed with several activities put in place to mould the participants during their stay,” Oyebode said.

Four outstanding students from the camp are expected to be awarded scholarships by the management of FCV International Football Academy where they will combine football with education in the UK.

Amaechi. Obiageri won the gold medal with her 58.93m throw. Onyekwere settled for

the silver with her 58.03m while Cameroon’s Nora Monie took the bronze medal.

Nigeria’s men and women booked their places in the finals of the 200m events to hold today.

Alaba Akintola (21.00secs) and Consider Ekanem (20.93 secs) easily won their respective semi final races same way Olayinka Olajide (23.51sec) also made it to the final of the women’s version.

With six of Nigerian boxers already qualified for the finals of the various categories of the boxing events of the ongoing 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana, today will be ‘judgement day’ for the rest in the semi-finals.

Other Team Nigeria boxers aspiring to join their compatriots in the finals include; Adesina Zainab (50kg), Kareem Shukurat ( 54kg), Ojo Joy (54kg), Olaore Adams 92kg and Onyekwere Ifeanyi (+92kg). To fight in the blue corner today is, Ifeanyi Onyekwere will be up against Bweluzey Anthony Lazare from Cote d’Ivoire while Olaore Adams will engage Egyptian Elsalamony Ali Mohammed Ibrahim in the Heavyweight division.

For the Lightweight category, Omole Dolapo will battle it out with Zambian Ngulube Albert in the feather weight class while Adesina Zainab will square up against Fahbulleh Grace from Liberia in the light flyweight division .

Ogunsemilore Cynthia will take on Algerian Hadjila khelif in the Lightweight category while Mbata Patricia engages Gramane Rady Adosinda from Mozambique in a middle weight bout. Ojo Joy will engage Tunisian Khouloud Hlimi in a featherweight bout.

Oraekwe Blessing will slug it out with Tunisian Ibeh Zina Eya in the Light middleweight division whille Kareem Shukurat faces Kenyan Faki Amina Martha in the bantamweight division.

Super Eagles, Black Stars in ‘Grudge’ Friendly in Morocco

Olawale Ajimotokan

Barely two years after Thomas Partey’s first-half strike that went past Francis Uzoho’s flailing arms sent Ghana to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in a 1-1 draw with Nigeria in Abuja on 29th March 2022, the Super Eagles will today in Marrakech, Morocco be aiming to restore their pride against the Black Stars, even with nothing at stake.

This prestige friendly is one of the tune up matches planned for both teams to stay in shape ahead of their Matchday 3 and 4 encounters in the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifying campaign in the first week of June.

The Super Eagles, with only two points from a possible six in their first two matches, will entertain

South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Uyo before squaring up to the Cheetahs of Benin Republic away in the Matchday 3 and 4 games. Ghana’s Black Stars, with three points from beating Madagascar and losing away to Comoros, are up against Les Aigles of Mali in Bamako before hosting Central African Republic during the same international window.

While Nigeria are in Group C of the FIFA World Cup race alongside South Africa, Benin Republic, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Lesotho, Ghana are housed in Group I with Mali, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Comoros Islands and Chad.

Both teams, with seven AFCON titles between them, will duel without their top-impact players. Reigning African Player of the Year

Victor James Osimhen, Nigeria’s major fear-carrier to the opposition, has had to scratch the big game due to an injury, same as his opposite number in the Black Stars camp, Mohammed Kudus.

The Black Stars will also play Uganda’s Cranes in Morocco, while the Super Eagles are up against Ghana’s group mates Mali on Tuesday.

Both Nigeria and Ghana were tied 0-0 in their last friendly game –played in London in October 2011. The Super Eagles have not beaten the Black Stars in an official match since the latter fell to a well-taken free-kick by Taye Taiwo in an AFCON group phase encounter in Port Said, Egypt 18 years

Today,ago.opportunity arises for new heroes to emerge as Nigeria

bank on AFCON 2023 stars Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon, as well as Kelechi Iheanacho and Sadiq Umar at the fore to light up the Grand Stade de Marrakech.

Italy-based Lookman’s three goals kicked Cameroon (two) and Angola (one) out of the AFCON 2023 in Cote d’Ivoire and sent Nigeria to the last four.

Cyriel Dessers, who scored a delight against Mexico in a friendly in Dallas in the summer of 2022, and Nathan Tella are also available to Coach Finidi George.

At the rear, George is likely to stick to AFCON 2023 number one Stanley Nwabali in goal, and perhaps Chidozie Awaziem, Kenneth Omeruo, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Jamilu Collins behind a midfield of Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka or Alhassan Yusuf.

Ese Brume (left) and Prestina Ochonogor celebrating with Nigeria’s flag after winning the gold and bronze medals of the women’s long jump event of the 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana...yesterday

Super Eagles players and officials in group photograph with Interim Head Coach of the team, Finidi George after training in Marrakech, Morocco...yesterday

The Patriots to President Tinubu

“The country needs a new legitimate constitution. We have had pluralistic countries that failed. Yugoslavia, for example, broke up into eight states. Czechoslovakia amicably broke up into two states, and coming home nearer, Sudan, which has existed for centuries broke up into two states. So, that should teach us that Nigeria should deliberately manage her diversity...by adopting a true federalist constitution” –The Patriots Chairman, Emeka Anyaoku, tasks President Tinubu for a new constitution, and restructuring of the country.

MAGNUSONYIBE

GUEST COLUMNIST

How and Why Budget Padding Has Been A Perennial Crisis and Solution

Outraged senators at the plenary last Tuesday, March 12, literally pounced on their colleague, ranking Senator Abdul Ningi, who has been a lawmaker for the past twenty-four (24) years, seventeen (17) of which he has served as a senator after being a member of the House of Representatives.

The enraged legislators in the red chambers went after the jugular of their colleague for allegedly going rogue on them by ridiculing the distinguished senators who sit in the hallowed red chambers of the National Assembly (NASS) via his claim that the 2024 budget was padded by N3.7 trillion naira, increasing from N25 trillion that he claimed was officially passed to N28.7 trillion, which he alleged is being implemented under the table by the incumbent administration.

But the allegation of padding, for which a sanction of three (3) months’ suspension has been slammed on the errant senator representing Bauchi Central, despite his backtracking, has been adjudged by some people as using a sledgehammer to crush a common housefly.

The truth is that in every organization or union, there are guiding rules based on certain principles to be observed by members. The aggrieved senator is alleged to have broken the rules by making a mountain out of a molehill, and his enraged colleagues were not in the mood to temper justice with mercy; hence, they literally threw the kitchen sink at him. But there is still a wriggle out room as the sanction can be rescinded or reduced.

Incidentally, the embarrassing allegation of padding the national budget in Nigeria is not a new phenomenon. In fact, the current incident echoes the events of 2018 when then President Muhammadu Buhari, representing the executive branch of government, also accused the legislative arm of doing exactly what Senator Abdul Ningi just accused his colleagues of doing.

However, President Buhari was not sanctioned by the senators in the way that Ningi was literally roasted because it was during the ‘cold war’ between the executive arm under the leadership of Buhari as president and the legislative branch with Senator Bukola Saraki as senate president.

Before 2018, as far back as the year 2000, thenPresident Olusegun Obasanjo had a face-off with the National Assembly (NASS) over budget padding. When he withheld assent after it was passed by the lawmakers, he was threatened with impeachment, and he capitulated. Late President Umar Yar’adua, who succeeded Obasanjo in 2007, also had a similar row with NASS. Mr. Goodluck Jonathan, who became president in 2010 Yar’adua, got caught up in a similar budget padding conundrum.

So, it is a perennial matter.

Even if it has been six (6) years since 2018 when the presidency and NASS had a spat on account of budget padding until the current blowout, nothing has changed, except the actors in both Aso Rock Villa, the seat of presidential power, and the chambers of the lawmakers in NASS whose leaderships have been replaced by sucessive occupants following new elections and the effluxion of time.

As Joseph Lowery, an American civil rights movement leader who was a close associate of Martin Luther King, once lamented about the civil rights situation in the United States of America, “Everything has changed and nothing has changed.”

It is the repetition of leadership flaws like the one referenced above that justifies the putting together of my latest book: “Leading From The Streets: Media Interventions By A Public Intellectual, 1999-2019,” which is a collection of 77 articles focusing on socioeconomic and political challenges that our leaders in government

have been grappling with since 1999, and about which I have written and published comments in the mass media since the return of multi-party democracy in Nigeria.

Evidently, the recorded news of many years ago as captured in the book is now history in contemporary times. That is because similar or the same leadership flaws that bedeviled previous administrations have been resurrecting, resonating, and reverberating on a daily basis in the present times, especially in the National Assembly (NASS).

That is why those in the corridors of power in the three branches of government need to obtain the new book,which would serve as an easy reference point or source for past misdeeds by our leaders and how to avoid the same mistakes by the present crop of leaders, as admonished by Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who graciously wrote the foreword where he made the remark: “I strongly recommend ‘Leading From The Streets…’ to all public office holders, advisers to public office holders, researchers, fellow column writers, students of journalism, and the general public.”

ln the preface to my book earlier referenced, I had made the case that: “…the book (‘Leading From The Streets…’) is both a prophecy and an explanation in the same breath. That is because some of the fears that we had expressed about looming policy disasters that the actions and inactions of leaders in government could trigger or elicit way back in the days via our media interventions have come to pass.”

Actually, there is a school of thought driven by the belief that if a mistake or error fails to be corrected, it has a high chance of being repeated. That is perhaps why budget padding, as reflected by legislators’ endurng desire to not only appropriate but also directly apply the funds, has become a sort of source of worry.

For instance, if our leaders had been guided by our counsel in the 2018 article when then-President Buhari raised the last alarm about budget padding, and we did a deep dive into the motivation and antidote, as a nation we would not have been running but remaining on the same spot with respect to the budget padding fever which has once again gripped the nation owing to Senator Ningi’s alarm.

On page 75 of my new book, earlier referenced, we documented an article focused on budget padding published on June 25, 2018, which is nearly six (6) years

ago. It is titled: “Budget 2018: Stranger Than Fiction As Presidency Accuses NASS Of Usurpation.” The piece which is still relevant to the unfolding embarassing scenario of today is basically an analysis of the fracas between the executive and legislative branches of government arising from budget padding back in 2018.

The article underscores how things have changed in the governance space of our beloved country, yet nothing has really changed since the bad manners in governance identified as Budget Padding have remained, as if it is ingrained in the DNA of our unscrupulous public administrators in a manner that it is said that ‘a leopard cannot change its spots.’

On that note and to put things in perspective, I would like to seek the indulgence of readers to allow me reproduce a snippet of the 2018 article earlier referenced:

Here we go:

Budget 2018: Stranger Than Fiction as Presidency Accuse NASS of Usurpation.

“Incredibly, after Nigerians have waited with bated breath for an unprecedented 7 months that seemed like eternity, President Muhammadu Buhari has, in the course of signing the 2018 appropriation bill into law on Wednesday, June 20th, stated that the document he signed is radically different from what he submitted to the National Assembly, NASS.

“According to Mr. President, in addition to the disruptive effect of the long delay in the passage of the appropriation bill on the economy, the National Assembly did not only cannibalize it, but the lawmakers practically engaged in a bazaar by increasing the allocation to themselves, and President Buhari is making heavy weather of it. Below is what he said at the signing ceremony: “The National Assembly made cuts amounting to 347 billion Naira in the allocations to 4,700 projects submitted to them for consideration and introduced 6,403 projects of their own amounting to 578 billion Naira”.

Does the narrative above that depicts a situation in 2018 not seem like déjà vu that budget padding is a major point of contention in the legislative arms, is recurring in 2024?

Even with the clarifications recently provided by the Budget Planning Minister, Atiku Bagudu, in his press conference held last Thursday, stating that budget padding is not abnormal and that the responsibility for budget creation ultimately lies with legislators, many Nigerians are still perplexed by the ongoing dispute.

However, due to the political brinksmanship skills of President Bola Tinubu, the leaders of the other two arms of government—Godswill Akpabio and Kayode Ariwoola in the legislative and judicial branches respectively—are now working in harmony with him, unlike in 2018 when President Buhari and Senate President Saraki were in conflict with a Senate under Saraki’s firm control.

However, a schism has emerged within the NASS since the presidency did not challenge the NASS for reducing Government Owned Enterprises (GOEs) budget by N850 billion and allegedly padding its own budget by N1.2 trillion, bringing it to about N2.1 trillion. As mentioned earlier, such actions are not inherently wrong.

It was Senator Agom Jarikre from Cross Rivers State who, in an outburst, exposed how the padded funds were distributed among senators, loudly complaining on the floor of the upper legislative chamber last Tuesday that he received none.

Whether the distinguished senators merely received projects allocated to their senatorial zones equivalent to the amount revealed by Jarikre, or if they actually received or intend to receive the funds, remains to be clarified by the embarrassed members of the red chamber.

My gut feeling was that it is the former rather than the latter that would apply. But former President Olusegun Obasanjo had in 2016 alleged that the legislators actually collect the funds and execute the proposed projects partially, while others do not implement at all. Has the situation changed?

It now behooves the lawmakers to defend themselves by debunking the claim by Senator Ningi and as earlier alleged by former President Obasanjo.

By and large, if Obasanjo’s allegation is correct, the foregoing developments are telltale signs of how Nigerian legislators are trying to usurp the role of the executives by not being content with making laws but also inclined towards being engaged directly in delivering dividends of democracy to their constituents,which going by the provisions in our current constitution, is the exclusive preserve of the executive arm of government at the federal, state, and local government levels.

Acquiescing with such an attitude or approach to leadership is contrary to the admonition by the iconoclastic civil rights leader Martin Luther King: “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward”.

In the light of the alarm about budget padding raised by Ningi,would our lawmakers allow themselves to be branded lawbreakers by a critical mass of Nigerians who cannot fathom the reason or see justification for the perennial budget padding crisis?

It’s about time that both arms of government found a permanent solution to what seems to me like a sort of enduring dichotomy.

Keeping that in mind, and being familiar with President Tinubu’s leadership style of always prioritizing matters that need urgent solutions and not tackling all issues in one fell swoop, one is quite optimistic that in due course of time, after stabilizing the economy by reducing food inflation triggered by the removal of subsidies on petrol and naira, which is a more pressing challenge, he would be embarking on the noble mission of ensuring that the three branches of government, in the practice of democracy, remain in their respective lanes as opposed to encroaching on each other’s duties which budget padding approximates.

In fact, at this critical juncture during which NASS is embarking on a review of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which commenced on February 14 with a 45-member committee comprising senators and members of the House of Representatives, and given that President Tinubu has recently committed to restructuring our country, one is of the conviction that we do not have to practice the American-style presidential system of governance hook, line, and sinker. Rather, we can have a hybrid between the parliamentary system which we inherited from the British colonialists who granted us independence in 1960 and the current presidential system which we adopted in 1978, apparently without exhaustively truly debating the concept which is currently turning out to be too expensive.

As has been argued vigorously by those who want our country to return to the parliamentary system of governance, it is the fact that we have a highly expensive NASS to sustain at a huge financial cost, with senators taking home a monthly salary of a whopping N15m and members of the House of Representatives receiving N10m salary as alleged by ex-president Obasanjo in 2016, is one of the major reasons that the recurrent expenditure in our national budget consistently takes the elephant size, leaving an ant size for capital projects.

NOTE: Read full article online on www. thisdaylive.com

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio