SUNDAY 24TH MARCH 2024

Mulls

Delta advisory council urges military, presidency to open access to communities

DHQ releases pictures of 97 wanted terrorists

Military rescues 78 hostages in Borno, 16 abducted schoolchildren in Sokoto

Group, Aliko Dangote; and the Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, during the presentation of a 10 kilogramme bag of rice to one of the beneficiaries at the flag-off ceremony of Aliko Dangote Foundation’s Food Intervention Programme,

Kingsley

State Police will Tackle Nigeria’s Security Challenges, Atiku Insists

Submission of memoranda by govs waste of time, says Makinde

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reiterated his call for the establishment of the state police to improve the deteriorating security crisis in the country.

This is coming as Governor

Atiku, who reacted to the clamour on his X account, said state police in the local government and the states will handle the hydra-headed security challenges facing Nigeria.

He called for the speeding up of the processes of establishing state police as well

Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has described the submission of memoranda on state police by governors as a waste of time.

DMO: NIGERIA PAID $3.5BN TO SERVICE EXTERNAL DEBT STOCK OF $42.495BN

data from the Debt Management Office (DMO) indicate.

Of this figure, commercial loans (Eurobond) accounted for 55 per cent or $1,925,210,931.71 service cost during the review period.

This was followed by multilateral debt service costs of $1.2 billion or 35 per cent.

Multilateral debts are those owed to the World Bank Group, International Monetary Fund (IMF), African Development Bank (AfDB), Islamic Development Bank, and European Development Fund, among others.

Bilateral debt service costs for the period, encompassing loans by the China EximBank, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and German Agency, among others, amounted to 10 per cent or $344 million.

In the fourth quarter, between October and December 2023, over $943 million was paid to service external debt.

Multilateral institutions comprising the World Bank Group, International Monetary Fund (IMF), African Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, and European Development Fund, among others, accounted for $552,120,970.71 or 59 per cent of the total external debt service cost for the last quarter of 2023.

Commercial loans (Eurobond) accounted for 39 per cent of the debt service cost for the quarter at $363,969,530.10 while bilateral debt service cost stood at 3 per cent or $27 million.

The just-released data from the DMO revealed that the nation’s total

public debt stock, comprising debt owed by the federal government, states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) increased quarteron-quarter (QoQ) by 10.7 per cent from N87.87 trillion in the third quarter of 2023 to N97.34 trillion in the fourth quarter of last year (Q4 2023).

The N97.3 trillion public debt stock comprises domestic debt of N59.12 trillion and external debt of N38.22 trillion.

This translated to an increase of N9.43 trillion over the comparative figure for September 2023, which the DMO attributed largely to new domestic borrowing by the federal government to part-finance the deficit in the 2024 Appropriation Act and disbursements by multilateral and bilateral lenders.

"There was an increase of N9.43 trillion over the comparative figure for September 2023 which was largely due to new domestic borrowing by the FGN to partly finance the deficit in the 2024 Appropriation Act and disbursements by multilateral and bilateral lenders.

“At N59.12 trillion, total domestic debt accounted for 61 percent of the total public debt stock while external debt at N38.22 trillion accounted for the balance of 39 percent.

“Consistent with the debt management strategy, Nigeria’s external debt stock was skewed in favour of loans from multilateral (49.77 per cent) and bilateral lenders (14.02 per cent) or a total of 63.79 percent which are mostly concessional and semi-concessional.

as the necessary constitutional processes.

The former vice president explained that due to the security challenges Nigeria is gradually becoming a killing field given the operations of bandits, kidnappers, and armed robbers.

According to the former vice president, "We have to prioritise security and speed up the process of a constitutional amendment that will introduce state police so that states and local authorities can deploy mechanisms that best suit their environment in tackling this hydra-headed insecurity in our land."

Atiku further lamented the insecurity in Nigeria, saying, "It is saddening that Nigeria has become a killing field. Thursday's killing of scores of

persons, including the village head, and abduction of an unspecified number of people by suspected bandits in Madaka, in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, is yet another confirmation that contrary to assurances, insecurity continues to be rife in our country.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the bereaved and the government and people of Niger State," he stated.

In a related development, Governor Makinde of Oyo State has described the submission of memoranda on state police by his colleagues as a waste of time.

Makinde, who stated this in an interview on television at the weekend, faulted 16 governors’ submission of a report on the matter to the National Economic

Council (NEC).

NEC had last Thursday confirmed receiving memoranda from 16 governors who expressed their support for the establishment of state police to address the myriads of security challenges facing the country.

But 20 other governors were yet to forward their reports to enable the NEC to act on them.

Reacting to the development, Makinde said: “I did not submit any memorandum on state police but my position is very clear about state police. I see it, quite frankly, as a waste of our time.

“I did not submit, not because of arrogance but because I don’t think the approach will quickly get us to where we want to go. You are asking the states to submit memoranda on how state police will work?” he queried.

Makinde said the issue of the state police can best be handled by the National Assembly and not the NEC or the National Security Adviser (NSA).

He argued that the issue must pass through the parliament since it is a constitutional matter before being replicated at the state houses of assembly.

The governor said: “The National Assembly, they know what to do. They have people that can quickly do this work. It is not the National Security Adviser or the National Economic Council that will deal with the issue of state police.

“It is a constitutional thing and should go to the National Assembly and then at the state level, we get our state houses of assembly to pass this law,” he added.

PREPARE TO RECEIVE, DISTRIBUTE 6,100MW OF ELECTRICITY IN NEXT SIX MONTHS, FG TELLS DISTRIBUTION COMPANIES

metering gap in the country on an annual basis over the next four to five years.

He explained that the government intended to raise that fund through a N75-billion seed capital to be provided by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, along with additional debt capital injections from the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).

Adelabu revealed these at the weekend when he visited Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) in Lagos and the Momas Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company Limited (MEMMCOL) in Ogun State.

He revealed that a bill for legislation to replicate local content law in the power sector was underway.

Speaking at the Eko Disco office, Adelabu said the charge to the Discos to be prepared to uptake 6,100MW became necessary after the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) successfully conducted system stress tests,

where it demonstrated its ability to transmit over 8,100MW, alongside the proposed plans for a partial Sovereign Risk Guarantee (SRG) to enhance generation companies’ (Gencos) capacity.

With Eko and Ikeja Discos having exceeded a specified threshold through improved collection efficiency and service quality, Adelabu said he had unveiled a strategic plan to utilise the two Discos as model Discos to pilot test the anticipated effective supply to be implemented sector-wide in the next few months.

He said the two Discos would serve as a standard for emulation by others.

However, at the MEMMCOL meter plant in Ogun, Adelabu also stated that in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the government was targeting to provide about 2.5 million prepaid meters every year to close the nation's metering gap.

This, he said, would help the government in the promotion

of import substitution policy of locally-made products in the power sector and encourage backward integration in the areas of technical training. He equally expressed the current administration's commitment to support local original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) by working on a bill that would promote local content for the power sector.

“We have a Presidential Metering Initiative that has the target of installing a minimum of two million to 2.5 million meters every year for the next five years, for us to close the huge metering gap that we currently have in the power sector.

“Even if we cannot close it 100 per cent as there will be new connections, we have to reduce it significantly and the government cannot do it alone. We have to do it jointly with all parties because we all contributed to the decay in the sector and we must also contribute to reversing

the decay", the minister stated. He maintained that the initiatives would encourage investors to risk their equity and debt capital to establish local industries.

“In the power sector, it is our choice to have significant local content in our projects and our contracts. We are trying to work on a bill now that will legislate local content for the power sector just like we have in our oil and gas. That is the only way we can sustain local producers. So, that is the reason I am here.”

In his earlier briefings to the minister, the Chairman of MEMMCOL, Mr. Kola Balogun, thanked Adelabu for the courage and commitment he had shown so far to reverse the ugly trends in the power sector

Balogun, however, noted that the demand for prepaid meters in Nigeria surpasses the volume of other countries in Africa, noting that local patronage was still needed for them to meet the investment threshold.

SLAIN SOLDIERS: MILITARY RELAXES SIEGE TO DELTA COMMUNITIES, INDIGENES COMMENCE GRADUAL RETURN

This is just as the Delta State Advisory and Peace Building Council (DSA&PBC) has condemned the killing of army officers and soldiers at Okuama community, and urged the Presidency and the Nigerian Army to open all access to the affected communities for the uninhibited and safe flow of movement and return by those who fled their homesteads.

However, in a renewed bid to rein in terrorists across the country, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has released pictures of 97 terrorists and armed bandits declared wanted in the country, promising that their banner will also be displayed across the country, just as the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri on Friday rescued 78 persons, comprising 35 women and 43 children held hostage by the terrorists in Borno State.

Troops of the Nigerian Army also rescued 16 school children abducted in Gada LGA of Sokoto State by terrorists.

Security sources told THISDAY yesterday that the heavy presence of operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) code-named ‘Operation Safe Delta’ in the affected communities in Ughelli South and Bomadi LGAs of Delta State has been scaled down to create a conducive atmosphere for the people to return home.

"The number of military personnel deployed to those

communities has been reduced drastically since there is no reason for them to continue the siege.

"The attention of the soldiers is now focused on the Ughoroturo community and its environment in search of the killers of the officers and soldiers. The ringleader of the killer gang has been traced to that community," one of the security sources told THISDAY.

Another security source disclosed that most of the returning villagers were women, and the elderly while male youths of the communities were still afraid for fear of the unknown.

"Most of the people returning home are mainly women and the elderly. Nobody is harassing them. Though socio-economic activities are yet to pick up, with time things will improve," the source said.

He said contrary to social media reports, many houses were still untouched in the two communities, stressing that the buildings that were touched were mainly those linked with the suspected killers.

"Contrary to social media reports and analysis on broadcast media, many buildings are still standing in the affected communities. The communities were not razed down as being insinuated. At the appropriate time, the military will open the places for the media to visit and assess what's on the ground,"

he added.

Delta Peace Council Deplores Killings, Urges Army, Presidency to Open Access to Communities

In a related development, the Delta State Advisory and Peace Building Council (DSA&PBC) has condemned the killing of army officers and soldiers in the Okuama community.

The council, at its meeting held in Asaba, and presided over by its Chairman, Professor Sam Oyovbaire, also expressed condolences to the Nigerian Army authority, the presidency, the families of the dead officers and soldiers, and the government of Delta State for the very unnecessary colossal loss of lives.

In its resolution at the end of the meeting, the DSA & PBC commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his timely responses to what it termed a very sad, complex, and sorrowful situation.

In the resolution signed by Oyovbaire, the DSA & PBC said: "As an institution with excellent credentials of advocacy, commitment, and activism for the promotion, sustenance, and advancement of peacebuilding and conflict resolution, council re-affirms its dedication to

the course and quick process of return to peace and stable livelihood in Okuama and all other communities affected by this unfortunate development.

"Council empathised very strongly with the people of Okuama and all our other communities in Delta and Bayelsa states the unfortunate and horrible experiences of suffering and losses."

“The council urged relevant authorities to fish out the masterminds of the heinous crime to bring them to justice.

It said: "The perpetrators of the criminally bestial killing of the Army officers and soldiers must be apprehended and be duly prosecuted. There must be no hiding locations for these criminals.

"In the meantime, the council calls upon the relevant authorities, especially the Nigerian Army and the presidency to open up all access to the affected communities for uninhibited and safe flow of movement and return by those who fled their homesteads for fear of further afflictions.

"The siege to the communities should be dismantled to also facilitate independent observations, investigations, and provision of humanitarian assistance to the needy dwellers for peaceful livelihood," he explained.

DHQ Releases

Pictures of 97 Wanted Terrorists

Meanwhile, in a renewed bid to rein in terrorists across the country, the DHQ has released pictures of 97 terrorists and armed bandits declared wanted in the country.

The military high command, in a war update issued by the Director of Defence Media Operations (DDMO) Maj Gen Edward Buba, said the wanted persons include terrorists, insurgents, and armed bandits among others, who are behind violent crimes in the country.

They include the factional leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa. A total of 43 persons were declared wanted in the Northwest zone ravaged by banditry. They are Alhaji Shingi, Malindi Yakubu, Boka, Dogo Gide, Halilu Sububu, Ado Aliero, Bello Turji, Dan Bokkolo, Labi Yadi, Nagala, Saidu Idris, Kachalla Rugga and Sani Gurgu.

In the North-east where terror groups, Boko Haram and Islamic State for West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists operate, 33 persons were declared wanted.

They include: Abu Zaida, Modu Sulum, Baba Data, Ahmad, Sani Teacher, Baa Sadiq, Abdul Saad, Kaka Abij Mohammad Khalifa, Umar Tella, Abu Mutahid, Mallam

Mohammad, Mallam Tahiru Baga, Uzaiya and Ali Ngule. Also, a total of 21 insurgents and violent criminals were declared wanted in the Southeast and North-central.

They are Ekpa, Chika Edoziem, Egede, Zuma, ThankGod, Gentle, Flavour, Mathew, David Ndubuisi, High Chief Williams Agbor, Ebuka Nwaka, Friday Ojimka, Obiemesi Chukwudi a.k.a Dan Chuk, David Ezekwem Chidiebube and Amobi Chinonso Okafor a.ka. Temple, among others.

"Indeed, to curb the freedom of action of terrorists and the perpetrators of insecurity across the country. The military has released a banner of wanted terrorists and their cohorts.

"The banners would be deployed in strategic areas across the country. The deployment of the banner is for ease of recognition and arrest of the wanted persons," the statement further said.

A separate statement issued by Army Spokesman, Maj Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, said troops rescued 16 abducted school children in Sokoto and 78 persons, comprising 35 women and 43 children held hostage by the terrorists in the North-east, even as the manhunt for the killers of 18 military personnel by militants in Delta State was being intensified.

Kyari: Nigeria Requires $15bn to Strengthen Existing Gas Infrastructure

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has said that Nigeria would need between $10 billion and $15 billion in the next two to three years to ramp up its existing gas infrastructure.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, Mele Kyari, gave the estimate at the 2024 edition of CERAWeek, a global oil and gas event in Houston,

the United States, organised by S&P Global.

The programme which ended on Friday was themed: “Multidimensional Energy Transition: Markets, Climate, Technology and Geopolitics.”

Kyari argued that the main focus of the NNPC at the moment, is building capacity to deliver gas into the domestic market, reiterating that Nigeria remains a gas country with associated oil rather than the

other way round.

Nigeria has over 208 Trillion Cubic Feet (TCF) of proven gas reserves and about 600 TCF in potential reserves, but can hardly get the resource out of the ground due to lack of infrastructure and the muchneeded investment in the sector.

But highlighting the ongoing conversations around energy transition, the NNPCL GCEO noted that the country takes the issue of energy availability

very seriously as well as the cheapest route to explore it.

The NNPC’s chief executive argued that there is now a clear opportunity that gas has today, which wasn’t there 10 years ago, explaining that the NNPC and its partners are building a number of trunk lines that will supply gas within the network.

According to the GCEO, within the next three to four years, there will likely be in-country gas infrastructure

Nigeria Scales Global Aviation Safety, Security Audit

Chinedu Eze

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has cleared Nigeria in the just-concluded Security Audit Programme, the Continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP-CMA).

This was announced at the weekend by the Team Lead, Callum Vine, at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Headquarters in Abuja.

The audit which started about two weeks ago, focused on critical elements that ensure efficient security apparatus in air travel, especially at the Abuja and Lagos international airports, which include skilled personnel, equipment, facilities as well as airport infrastructure and signals.

In a statement signed by the

Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Obiageli Orah, and made available to THISDAY, the agency explained that the objective of the USAP-CMA is to promote global aviation security through continuous auditing and monitoring of member states’ aviation security performance.

Such monitoring, the Director stated, is to enhance member states’ aviation security compliance and oversight capabilities by regularly and continuously obtaining and analyzing data on member states’ aviation security performance.

These include the level of implementation of the critical elements of an aviation security

oversight system and the degree of compliance with the Standards of Annex 17 — Security and the relevant security-related Standards of Annex 9 — Facilitation, as well as associated procedures, guidance material, and security-related practices.

According to the Team Lead, Nigeria scored very well in most of the key indicators.

He hailed the country for having very robust policies and agencies with clear mandates on airport security.

He also acknowledged the speed with which the personnel dealt with identified deficiencies without complaints.

He explained that the full report of the audit would be made available to Nigeria by ICAO within 60 days, after which

the country would have 30 days to make comments.

In her speech at the debriefing, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, said the authority would use the results of the audit as a roadmap for continuous improvement in the services it renders to airport users and stakeholders.

Kuku urged all stakeholders to collaborate closely, share best practices, and remain vigilant in upholding the highest standards of security in the Nigerian aviation industry. She thanked all government agencies, security bodies, government institutions, and heads of aviation agencies for their contributions to this incredible achievement.

NBA Calls for Scrutiny of Members Shortlisted for Appointment as FCT High Court Judges

Wale Igbintade

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has invited the public to scrutinise 24 of its members shortlisted for appointment as judges of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court. This was contained in a statement issued at the weekend by the Publicity Secretary of the association, Akorede Lawal.

Lawal said the Chief Judge of the FCT, Justice Husseini BabaYusuf, had requested the NBA to call for expressions of interest from qualified legal practitioners from 12 different states.

to raise supply, especially domestically.

“What we see is that we will probably need between $10 billion to $15 billion in two to three years. That should cover the immediate gap. And of course, looking beyond providing gas in the domestic market, which is to see how relationships and partnerships can create gas for export.

“And of course, when you look at that, and then probably you see another incremental $10 billion to $12 billion which will create the opportunity for growth,” he stated.

Besides, the NNPC helmsman said that there is an ongoing engagement, which has reached a very advanced stage to create a pipeline that can pass through 13 African countries into Morocco and then to Europe, estimated at $25 billion.

He mentioned the ongoing

construction of the NLNG Train 7, expressing the hope that it will likely double Nigeria’s current capacity in the liquefied natural gas space when completed.

“Also, we are working on two other projects. One is the fixed LNG project and we have reached an advanced stage of commitment so that we can bring back another 10 million tonnes facility in the country, and several other floating LNG projects.

“But obviously, we have a line of sight around at least three to four LNG projects. We are also engaging our partners to see how we can add another train on the LNG making it eight. We see huge opportunities,” he pointed out.

Kyari further called for support from other countries to nations in sub-Saharan Africa, to close the energy availability gap.

NDIC Asks EFCC to Return Funds Recovered from Banks’ Fraudsters

James Emejo in Abuja

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has requested the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to return funds recovered from banks’ fraudsters to the corporation.

The Managing Director of NDIC, Mr. Bello Hassan, made the request when he visited the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

in combating financial crimes within the banking sector through its mandate, which includes bank supervision and liquidation of licensed banks.

The ultimate objective, he added, was to protect depositors’ funds and ensure the stability of the financial system.

Those shortlisted, according to the statement, are Ademuyiwa Oyeyipo, Bamodu Olutomi, Anumaenwe Iheabunike, Celestine Obinna, Hauwa Gummi, Yakubu Muri, Buetnaan Bassi, and Sarah Avoh.

Others are Maryam Yusuf, Victoria Ariwoola, Lesley Wike, Munirat Tanko, Abdullahi Ambali, Esther AgosuAdeleke, Cajethan Osisioma, Anthony Nwoye, Hayatu Sani, Abdulrahaman Usman, Diane Nkwap, Weriebi Egberipou, Ehusani Simpa, Ifeoluwa Ojediran, Harrison Ngar, and Salihu Salihu.

He said the association consequently published a “notice calling for expression of interest from suitably qualified legal practitioners of Bauchi, Bayelsa, Enugu, Imo, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, and Zamfara States origin, for appointment as judges of the High Court of the FCT.”

Lawal said the names of the shortlisted candidates have now been forwarded to the NBA President by the Chief Judge, who also chairs the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) of the FCT.

Lawal called on the members of the legal community and the general public to submit their comments, objections, or petitions, regarding the suitability of the candidates.

He explained that all submissions must be in PDF format and sent to the NBA President via email or WhatsApp before the close of business on Wednesday, March 27.

The association’s spokesperson emphasised that this exercise is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the judiciary and

ensuring that only candidates with the requisite competence, character, and reputation are appointed to the Bench.

“Members of the Bar and the general public are, therefore, invited to submit petitions/ objections and/or comments generally on the suitability or otherwise of the shortlisted candidates, who are being considered for appointment as Judges of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.

“All comments/petitions/ objections should be put in portable document format (PDF) and forwarded as an attachment to the NBA President,” he said.

Lawal said the NBA is committed to promoting transparency and upholding the standards of the judiciary.

This was made known in a statement by NDIC’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Bashir Nuhu.

“The NDIC boss called for enhanced collaboration in the recovery of depositors’ funds to ensure that liquidation dividends are paid to depositors, whose monies were lost as a result of bank failures.

“He, therefore, solicited for the return of recoveries made by the EFCC on behalf of the NDIC to the Corporation’s coffers to facilitate the timely reimbursement of depositors,” the statement read in part.

The NDIC boss assured the EFCC of his commitment to ensuring that those who were responsible for the failure of banks were properly investigated and prosecuted.

Also, Hassan explained that the NDIC played a critical role

He commended the EFCC for its relentless efforts in the fight against corruption and financial crimes and its role as a key member of the task force on the Implementation of the Failed Banks Act chaired by the NDIC.

Hassan said the existing partnership between the two organisations, which led to 10 high-profile cases referred to the Commission currently under investigation, should be strengthened.

The EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, stressed the interconnection between criminal activities and bank failures, urging NDIC and the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), to intensify oversight to prevent the risk of bank failure.

He pledged the EFCC’s commitment to deepening collaboration and synergising efforts in combating financial crimes, and safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s banking sector.

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Onyeali-Ikpe; Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Otu; Chairman of Board, Fidelity Bank, Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi; Executive Director, South Directorate, Fidelity Bank, Mrs. Pamela Shodipo, during a courtesy visit led by the Chairman of the bank to the governor in Calabar…recently

Police Release Identities of 12 Slain, Missing Officers in Delta Attack, Vow to Arrest Killers

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The police high command yesterday released the pictures of six slain policemen and six others declared missing-in-action during an ambush in Delta State some weeks ago.

The policemen were killed in an ambush by assailants while undertaking a mission to investigate the disappearance and rescue of three of their colleagues in the Ohoro Forest in Delta State, while six others are presently missing-in-action.

A statement issued by Force Headquarters confirmed the arrest of five suspects in connection with the preceding incident and the killing.

It said the suspects have volunteered information necessary for the rounding up of all the perpetrators.

The statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the bodies of six of the slain officers were recovered after a "fierce" search conducted by a combined team of police officers and other security outfits.

It said the police were focused on the search for the other six officers while all their families were duly contacted.

It listed the deceased officers to include:

"Inspector Abe Olubunmi (IRT) enlisted on August 1, 2003; Inspector Friday Irorere (51 PMF) enlisted on January 1, 2003; Sergeant Kuden Elisha (51 PMF) enlisted on October 17, 2011; Sergeant Akpan Aniette (51 PMF) enlisted on October 17, 2011; Sergeant Ayere Paul (IRT) enlisted on October 17, 2011 and Sergeant Ejemito Friday (51 PMF) enlisted on October 17, 2011.

"While the officers currently missing-in-action include: Inspector Onoja Daniel enlisted February 1, 2003; Inspector Onogho Felix enlisted on January 1, 2004; Inspector Emmanuel Okoroafor enlisted on April 1, 2004; Inspector Joel Hamidu enlisted June 1, 2006; Sergeant Moses Eduvie enlisted on October 17, 2011, all of 51 PMF; and Sergeant Cyril Okorie (SWAT) enlisted on October 17, 2011.

"The Nigeria Police Force is profoundly saddened by the devastating loss of six courageous officers in Delta State, who exhibited exceptional valour in the face of adversity.

"These brave officers tragically fell victim to a cowardly ambush by armed assailants while undertaking a mission to investigate the disappearance and rescue of three of their colleagues in the Ohoro Forest, Delta State, while six others are currently missing-in-action.

"Our hearts extend to the families, friends, and colleagues of the fallen officers during this period of profound sorrow. We stand in solidarity with them, offering our deepest condolences and earnestly praying for the peaceful repose of the departed souls," it said.

The statement said: "Immediate measures have been initiated to ensure that justice is served swiftly and the perpetrators of this abhorrent crime are brought to justice.

"The Inspector General of Police has mandated the deployment of all necessary resources and personnel to apprehend those responsible for this senseless killing of our officers, and this has led to the arrest of five suspects in connection with the preceding incident and the killing, who are currently volunteering information necessary for the rounding up of all the perpetrators.

"It is paramount to

underscore that contrary to perceived notions in some quarters, the Nigeria Police Force is committed to responding decisively to the loss of its officers and men as a result of the many unforeseen hazards associated with our job due to the dynamics of crimes and criminality globally.

"Recent incidents, such as the murder of SP Angbashim in Rivers State, where the perpetrators have been painstakingly traced to their hideout and decimated during the exchange of gunfire with gallant operatives of the Force is a vital pointer.

"Notable also is the

swift and robust response to the attack on the Police Command Headquarters in Adamawa State where one Inspector Jacob Daniel was gruesomely murdered, which was followed by a visit to Adamawa State by the IG, and timeous response by Mr. President upon being briefed.

"Equally, efforts were intensified in that regard to seek redress and ensure sanctions for the attackers," it said.

The police, therefore, warned against any further assault on personnel.

"The Nigeria Police Force unequivocally condemns any further assault on

police officers and other law enforcement personnel, who selflessly dedicate themselves to safeguarding the lives and property of all citizens, reiterating the NPF’s dedication to upholding law and order, and urging our officers to remain resolute in the discharge of their lawful duties, undeterred by such cowardly acts.

"Similarly, individuals and groups peddling unnecessary and insensitive publications being circulated in the media space are urged not to make light of this loss to the NPF but to sympathise with the police in these sorrowful times," it said.

CELEBRATING UGWUANYI AT 60…

Impeachment: Edo CJ Constitutes Panel to Probe Shaibu

CRPP urges panel members to reject offer

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-City

The Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, has constituted a seven-man panel to investigate the allegations levelled against the state Deputy Governor, Mr. Philip Shaibu, by the state House of Assembly.

This is part of the processes initiated by the assembly to impeach the deputy governor.

This is as the state chapter of the Conference of Registered Political Party (CRPP) urged members of the impeachment panel to decline the offer.

Shaibu, who was a strong political ally of Governor Godwin Obaseki, fell out with the governor due to his governorship ambition.

The panel was constituted on Friday via a statement, with reference number: CR/4837 /Vol. I/131, endorsed by the Chief Registrar of the Edo State High Court, B. O. Osawaru.

According to the statement, the panel is headed by a retired justice, S.A. Omonua.

In the statement, the Chief Registrar

stated that the CJ was acting following the powers vested on him by Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution.

The statement read: “This is to bring to the notice of the general public that in line with Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Honourable Chief Judge of Edo State, Honourable Justice DI Okungbowa, has constituted the panel of seven persons to investigate the allegations contained in the impeachment notice against the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu.

“The said panel of seven persons is composed of the following persons: Justice S.A. Omonua (rtd) – Chairman; Professor Violet Aigbokhaebomember; Professor Boniface Onomion Edegbai -member; Professor Theresa Akpoghome – member; Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu – member; Andrew Oliha- member and Idris Abdulkareen- member.”

The Edo State House of Assembly, it would be recalled, had on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, vide a resolution passed by 19 out of the 24 members, directed the CJ to constitute a seven-

man panel to investigate Shaibu.

The same day, Shaibu approached an Abuja Federal High Court, asking the court, through an ex-parte motion, to restrain the assembly; the CJ, and his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, from taking further action on the impeachment process, pending the determination of the substantive matter before the court.

In the motion dated and filed on March 18, the deputy governor, through his lawyer, Prof Oladoyin Awoyale, also joined the Edo State Government, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Clerk of the Assembly, the Director General of the Department of State Services and the Inspector General of the Police.

But the court, presided over by Justice James Omotoso, turned down the request, insisting rather that all parties should be put on notice.

He, however, granted the request that the parties be served by substituted means and adjourned the matter to April 15, 2024.

Meanwhile, the state chapter of CRPP has urged members of the impeachment panel to decline the

Social Media Regulation Necessary to Tackle Fake News, Anarchists, Others, Lai Mohammed Insists

Segun James

Former Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed, has reiterated his unpopular call for the regulation of social media, insisting that it will tackle anti-state groups, anarchists, and other harmful entities in the country.

The former administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, in which Mohammed served as its information minister, had unsuccessfully pushed for the regulation of social media and opposed media freedoms.

The administration suspended X (then Twitter) for seven months (June 2021 to January 2022), accusing the microblogging site of supporting the October 2020 #EndSARS protests.

Speaking at the iRepresent International Documentary Festival, which forms part of activities to mark the 90th birthday anniversary of Prof. Wole Soyinka, in Lagos at the weekend, Mohammed, who is also the Managing Partner of Bruit Cosaud, a policy advisory firm, emphasised the need for stricter oversight of social

media platforms to prevent them from being exploited by those seeking to undermine the government and incite violence.

He argued that his call is not an attempt to stifle freedom of expression or censor dissenting voices, but a step geared towards ensuring that the social media platforms are held accountable.

The theme of the event was

“Disinformation and Misinformation:

The Media in the Age of Discontent”.

He said: “Let me state here that I support the calls for the regulation of social media. However, regulation of social media should not be misconstrued as an attempt to stifle freedom of expression or censor dissenting voices.

“Rather, it should be viewed as a necessary step to ensure that these platforms operate in a manner that is responsible, ethical, and conducive to the well-being of society.”

Mohammed further urged the current administration to take action against social media companies that allow misleading information to circulate unchecked.

According to Mohammed, the unchecked spread of fake news and hate speech on social media has become a serious threat to national security, with anti-state groups using these platforms to spread propaganda and incite public unrest. He warned that this trend could have dire consequences for the stability of the country and called for decisive action to address the issue.

offer to investigate the allegation level against Shaibu.

In a statement by the Chairman of the group, Dr. Samson Isibor, and Secretary, John Isidhaome, CRPP said it was obvious that the CJ was being engineered to set up the panel.

According to CRPP, "The announcement by the Chief Judge of Edo State setting up the impeachment panel to probe Hon. Phillip Shaibu, did not come to us as a surprise

based on the fact that he who pays or appoints the piper dictates the tune. It is clear the CJ is being engineered. "But our arguments are very fundamental to the nascent democracy we are operating with the three arms of government, the executive, the legislative, and the judiciary. Each arm is independent of the other, Edo State House of Assembly led by Blessing Agbebaku, rebuffed the judiciary by turning down a court summon sent

by a Federal High Court delivered by a High Court bailiff. In fact, the court bailiff was harassed and chased away by the House of Assembly security men on the order of the House of Assembly leadership, these actions of the lawmakers, now lawbreakers are supposed to be viewed seriously as a slight on the judiciary. It took the intervention of the judiciary for the court bailiff to paste the summon at the entrance of the assembly.

Oil Theft: Navy Hands over 10 Suspects, Two Tugboats, Badges to NSCDC in Delta

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship Delta (NNS Delta) weekend handed over 10 suspected oil thieves to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for further investigation and prosecution. Also handed over to the NSCDC were two tugboats, two badges, and nine storage facilities with an unspecified quantity of crude oil.

Commander of NNS Delta, Commodore Abba Muhsin, disclosed that the suspects were apprehended on March 8, this year at WATSON jetty, Edjeba in Warri South Local Government Area of the state.

Commodore Muhsin, who was represented during the handing over of the suspects and other facilities by Base Operations Officer, Commander Patrick Onoja Ali, was nabbed following an intelligence report about the activities of the suspected oil thieves.

"On March 8, this year, NNS Delta got intelligence on some suspected illegal oil bunkering operations happening at WATSON jetty, Edjeba in Warri. So, our men were deployed to this location. We conducted raids from different locations and at the end, 10 suspects, two tug boats, two badges, and nine storage facilities were apprehended," he said.

Muhsin warned perpetrators of illegal oil bunkering to steer clear of NNS Delta's area of operations vowing they would be tracked down and made to face the full wrath of the law.

"Our target are those who hide under legal means to perpetrate oil-related illegalities and those who outrightly perpetrate such illegalities. If you do not change, we will unbundle and flush you out of Delta.

"This is one of the series of actions, in support of Operations Delta Sanity of the Nigerian Navy

and Operations Delta Safe of Defence Headquarters as part of the Navy's Coast Guard functions towards nation building,” he said.

Commander NNS Delta assured that his command will remain resolute to free its areas of operations from all forms of illegal oil theft and other activities and commended all government agencies that support its operations.

Receiving the suspects, the Commander of Warri Anti-Vandal Patrol of the NSCDC Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Abdullahi Murtala, said the Corps will carry out further investigations and possible prosecution of the suspects.

"On behalf of the CommandantGeneral of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, through the State Commandant, Suleiman Agboola Jimoh, I have taken over the suspects and the facilities," he said.

Delta, Ekiti, Edo, Ondo Seek Shareholder’s Rights in Benin Disco

Peter Uzoho with agency report

Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Ekiti state governments have informed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) of their intention to exercise shareholder’s rights in the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

The state governments noted that the decision is to ensure the efficient supply of electricity to citizens.

This, according to Premium Times, was disclosed in a letter dated March 18, 2024, and addressed to

the Executive Chairman of NERC, Sanusi Garba.

The letter was jointly signed by the Commissioner for Energy in Delta State, Jerry Ehiwairor; the Commissioner for Mining and Energy in Edo State, Enaholo Ojeifoh; the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities in Ekiti State, Mobolaji Aluko; and the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources in Ondo State, Razaq Obe.

The officials signed the letter on behalf of the state governments.

A copy of the letter titled: ‘Notification of intent to exercise shareholder rights in the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC),’ was also sent to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu; Chairman, Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Shamsuddeen Usman; Director General, Nigeria Governors’ Forum; Chairman, Senate Committee on Power; and Chairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on Power.

“We write to formally inform the NERC (the Commission) of the intent

of the governments of Delta State, Edo State, Ekiti State, and Ondo State (the BEDC State Governments) regarding our collective residual equity in the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

“After a thorough evaluation of the operational deficiencies and service delivery failures to our states, the BEDC state governments intend to exercise our shareholder rights in BEDC, to ensure the efficient provision of electricity services to our citizens,” the letter reads in part.

L-R: Bishop John Okoye of Awgu Catholic Diocese; Bishop Callistus Onaga of Enugu Catholic Diocese; immediate past Governor of E nugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Bishop Godfrey Onah of Nsukka Catholic Diocese; member of House of Representatives representing Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency, Hon. A nayo Onwuegbu; Parish Priest of St. Patrick's Church, Ohom-Orba, Udenu Local Government Area, all in Enugu State, Rev Fr Emeka Isife, and former Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party in Enugu State, Mr. Vita Abba, when a Holy Mass was concelebrated to mark Ugwuanyi’s 60th birthday, at his home Parish, St. Patrick's Church, Ohom-Orba in Enugu State… yesterday

Despite Being a Staunch PDP Member, I’ll Not Oppose Tínubu’s Government, Says Gov Eno

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has said that despite being a staunch member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he will not oppose President Bola Tinubu’s government.

The governor made the assertion when receiving thoúsands of defectors from opposition parties into the ruling PDP in the state at the weekend in Uyo, the state capital.

The defectors comprised former top office holders, such as the former House of Representatives member, representing Oruk Anam, Ukanafun Federal Constituency, Hon. Emmanuel Ukoette; former state APC Publicity Secretary, Nkereuwem Enyongekere; former Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon. Samuel Effanga; former Youth Leader of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Ubong Edem; former Transition Chairman of Ukanafun Local Government Area, Abasiono Udonfuk; among others from the All Progressives Congress (APC), YPP, New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and Social Democratic

Party (SDP). Governor Eno, in a very exciting speech, while receiving the defectors, spoke of his spirit of inclusivity.

“A lot of people have asked repeatedly: Are you in PDP? Yes!

I am in PDP but my PDP is not the type that insults people. So, I want to beg you as you come back, one of the things you must drop is let’s not attack leaders.

“From the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we will and must show him support and respect. That is the PDP I run. We don’t attack leadership because what goes around, comes around.

“If I have a suggestion, I have access to the president, we will go and give our suggestions. We will support our leaders and we will not fight them.

“I am a pastor trained to respect people and we must continue to show that all-important character of humility, compassion, and respect to constituted authority.

“That, I shall continue to do. I and our party will continue to collaborate with the centre so

Corps Members to Oyo Amotekun

The National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) has debunked a story trending on social media of a corps member posted to Amotekun Corps for a oneyear mandatory youth service programme.

Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations, NYSC Oyo State, Ms Christy Olatoye, in a statement on Saturday in Ibadan, said Amotekun was not included on the list of employers on the NYSC database.

She, however, said the Western Nigeria Security Network code-named “Amotekun” remained a respected organisation, as reported by NAN.

Olatoye reiterated that a posting letter with such deployment did not emanate from the NYSC Oyo state.

“The attention of the NYSC Oyo State has been drawn to a story trending on the Social

media of a corps member posted to Amotekun Corps.

“I want to set the record straight that it is the policy of the National Youth Service Corps to post Corps members to where they would be relevant and their services will be well utilised.

“While I admit that the Amotekun Corps is a respected organisation in its line of assignment it is not included on the list of employers on our database. We only post to employers on our database.

She advised pranksters not to portray the scheme negatively.

“The National Youth Service Corps is a noble scheme that has served the nation for over five decades with notable achievements to our records.

“It is therefore not an organisation that should be used as an object of prank,” she said.

that we can bring dividends of democracy to Akwa Ibom. I will not fight the centre. Nobody will fight the centre. That is the point and now that you are coming back, that is what we will maintain. We will give peace a chance.

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has alerted the public especially those who have loved ones abroad to a new scheme by scammers who impersonate its officers and call unsuspecting citizens to inform them of the arrest of their relatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Ikeja Lagos or any other international airport with illicit drugs upon arrival in the country.

Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, Femi Babafemi, gave the warning in a statement

“The last administration that God made me to take over from was peaceful and so there is a continuity.

“Without peace, there can be no progress. So, please for those of you that were abusing us, don’t bring that spirit of abuse and begin

on Saturday.

He said after throwing the family members into panic, the scammers then made a demand of millions to facilitate the release of such persons from NDLEA custody.

“We have thwarted some such bids in the past when the family members called the agency’s official contacts for help or clarification.

“At the moment, there is one such scenario the agency has just investigated. In this case, the picture of a Nigerian man based in the US is be-

to abuse people in authority. Please, drop that spirit, and let’s work together. We have only one President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and we owe him our allegiance.

“We must show respect, decency,

ing circulated with audio of a purported NDLEA officer negotiating the payment of N5 million with a female relative for the release of the US-based Nigerian man purportedly arrested at the Lagos airport on Friday 22nd March upon his arrival with a ‘contraband’

“Just like in previous instances, our investigation has also shown that the current incident is the work of scammers.

“No NDLEA officer is involved in the audio conversation and the person whose

and loyalty. That’s why, everything that the president had promised us, God will touch his heart and he will give it to us. You don’t abuse somebody and then turn around and want to go and benefit from the person. Is that good?

photo is attached to the audio recording being circulated is not in our custody at MMIA or any of our commands either as of yesterday or any other day. The family members involved in this case are advised not to part with their hard-earned money to scammers.

“Nigerians with loved ones abroad are also urged to keep discussions on travel plans of their relatives to themselves to avoid the hijack of such by criminal elements for devious schemes,” Babafemi said.

EduTimes Africa Proposes Mandatory Skills Acquisition Programme for NYSC Members

Wale Igbintade

In order to address the high rate of unemployment in the country, EduTimes Africa has proposed to the federal government a programme that would improve the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme by integrating a three to four months mandatory skills acquisition programme for all graduates.

The Chief Executive Officer, EduTimes Africa, Oladapo Akande, disclosed this while speaking to newsmen at a forum recently, as part of its first year anniversary.

Akande lamented Nigeria’s digital, technical and vocational skills deficit which has often led to business organisations having to employ expatriates, many of whom are not university graduates, just to bridge the skills gap.

The helmsman at EduTimes Africa pointed out the irony of being the one who dreamt this

proposal to improve the NYSC programme 51 years after his late father, Samuel Babafemi Akande, then a Permanent Secretary during the General Yakubu Gowon administration, pioneered the NYSC scheme.

He said part of the cogent reasons the NYSC scheme was initially introduced was to encourage proper integration of its citizens made up of different tribes, and of course, to ingrain a spirit of service and patriotism in its youth.

Akande noted that “there is hardly a better way in which the Nigerian youth can serve his or her country in these tough times, than to contribute to its economic revival, and what better way to do that, than to skill up and be better empowered to contribute”.

He stated that EduTimes Africa’s proposal to include skills acquisition in the NYSC programme is predicated on the belief that if the graduate’s certificate is unable to put food

on the table due to the lack of available jobs, his or her skills will.

Quoting from a 2019 report compiled by UNESCO and UNEVOC and in collaboration with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Mr. Bankole Ojo-Medubi, Executive Director (Operations & Projects) at Westwood Works and a close associate of EduTimes Africa, made the following revelations; “Interest in TVET is lower in Africa than in other regions (DANIDA 2002c). The Nigerian TVET enrollment rate is 5% (10x less than Germany (52%).TVET contribution to GDP - 5% (Germany (25%) and the number of recognised TVET programs in Nigeria - 40+ (Germany has 8x more at 300+).’ Germany, which recently replaced Japan as the world’s 4th largest economy, is famed as an industrial giant.

“In order to position itself in a way that its voice will not only be heard but it will be able to make concrete contribu-

tions to the nation’s economy, EduTimes Africa revealed that it was recently onboarded as a member of the Education Policy Commission at the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Nigeria’s biggest and most influential think tank”.

While concluding, the CEO quoted one of EduTimes Africa’s regular columnists, Angora Aman, a TVET specialist in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire who says, “Our future is indeed in our hands, and the hands we need are skilled, trained, and ready to build a prosperous Africa.”

He noted that the introduction of the proposed amendment to the NYSC scheme would go a long way to make the Nigerian graduate more employable and in many cases, empower them with the relevant skills to create their own source of income, adding that whichever way, both they and the society are sure to win.

SECONDARY SCHOOL OUTREACH PROGRAMME…

Trade Union Veterans Demand Abure’s Resignation as LP Chair

Wale Igbintade

Trade Union Veterans who formed the Labour Party have called on the embattled Chairman of the party, Mr. Julius Abure to resign following allegations of monumental cases of fraud levelled against him.

In a statement signed for and on behalf of the veterans by Comrade Lawson E. Osagie, they regretted that the noble ideals that made them form the Labour Party to free Nigerian people from decades of bad governance are being desecrated by Abure.

The statement read: “We cannot sit down and continue to watch as the ideals, principles, and ethical values of Labour Party we toiled so much to build over the decades are being rubbished by one man.

“Consequently, we urge Barrister Abure to step aside now as the National Chairman of the Labour Party and in his place, the Board of Trustees should appoint a Caretaker National Chairman that will organise Congresses in the states before the National Convention can be convened,” the Labour Leaders emphasised.

JAMB Extends Direct Entry Registration by Two Weeks

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has extended by two weeks the ongoing registration for Direct Entry to enable all prospective candidates to participate in the process.

This is contained in a statement by JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor (PCA), Fabian Benjamin on Saturday.

The statement read: “The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will be extending the 2024 Direct Entry (DE) registration by two weeks to enable all candidates desirous of DE registration to do so.

“The Board commenced the 2024 Direct Entry on Wednesday, 28th February 2024, and was to have concluded it on Thursday, 28th March 2024, but on subsequent consideration, has now extended the exercise by two weeks from Wednesday, 28th March 2024, consequently bringing the registration to a close on Thursday, 11th April 2024.

“This extension became necessary following the challenges faced by candidates in going through some of the security screening measures put in place to arrest the rampant and embarrassing cases of fake A’level certificates being paraded by some DE candidates.

FRSC, Sister Agencies Inaugurate Joint Taskforce to Tackle Use of Trailers to Convey Human Beings

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

In a swift response to the urgency to halt the rising cases of traffic infractions occasioned by the use of trailers to convey passengers and the attendant fatalities, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dauda Ali Biu, has inaugurated a Joint Task Force to arrest and prosecute offenders involved in such traffic infractions.

The Joint Task Force, Biu said comprises the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, State Traffic Management Agencies, and operatives of the corps. Others who were drafted into

the task force, he disclosed, include representatives of the various transport unions.

Biu in a statement made available to the press yesterday by the Deputy Corps Marshal, Corps Public Education Officer FRSC Headquarters, Jonas Agwu hinted that the inauguration of the JTF which is in phases commenced with the commissioning of the team to man the Kaduna-Abuja expressway yesterday at Kakau Toll Gate, Kaduna State.

The Corps Marshal, who was represented by the Assistant Corps Marshal, Federal Operations, ACM Zubairu Mato, emphasised the cardinal role of the Joint Task Force.

“This body will be charged with the implementation in spirit and letter of the MOU referred to earlier,” they added.

They posited that the Supreme Court under Justice

The Trade Unions veterans who issued the press statement include the pioneer President of the Nigerian Labour Congress {NLC}, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu, the 2nd President of the NLC, Comrade Ali Chiroma, the pioneer General Secretary of the Congress, Comrade Aliyu Dangiwa, the 2nd National Treasurer of the NLC, Comrade S. O. Oshidipe. Others are Comrade S. O. Z Ejiofoh, the Board of Trustees Chairman and pioneer Chairman of the Labour Party, Comrade Lawson Osagie Esq, and Comrade Salisu Mohammed, all of whom were the main actors in the formation and registration of the Labour Party. The Labour Leaders stressed the need for the Board of Trustees under the Chairmanship of Comrade Ejiofoh to be enlarged to accommodate representatives of the new stakeholders namely Mr. Peter Obi, Governor Alex Otti, and the Labour Party Legislative Caucus.

Uwais ruled long ago that workers have the right to form a political party to defend and promote their interests.

“How then can any well-read and informed lawyer say that NLC has no business in politics or is a meddlesome interloper in the affairs of Labour Party formed by the Trade Unions themselves.

“For the benefit of those who want to know, the 2009 Constitution of the Labour Party in which NLC and TUC Presidents and Secretaries are made statutory members of NEC of Labour Party were the

input and contribution by the Edo State Council of Labour Party and Bar Julius Abure was Secretary of the subcommittee on the Review of the Constitution while Comrade Lawson Osagie was the Chairman and a Benin-based legal practitioner, Barrister Adams Aliyu was also a member.

They posited that Abure’s current rhetoric about the role and place of NLC in the Labour Party is not only disappointing but embarrassing to the culture of comradeship and solidarity of the trajectory and historical perspective of the labour movement in general and Labour Party in particular.

Shettima, AbdulRazaq to Headline NIPR’s Spokespersons’ Summit

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Governor of Kwara State, Mr AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, are expected to headline this year’s Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) National Spokespersons Summit, to strengthen capacities of professionals in public, private, and civil society organisations.

NIPR President, Ike Neliaku, who spoke to journalists at the weekend in Abuja, said that the programme was part of efforts to put in place an effective, sustainable, and well-focussed framework for managing public conversations in Nigeria.

According to him, it will also enhance good governance, rebuild trust, renew hope, and promote development at federal,

state, and local government levels

Set to be held in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information, the summit, the NIPR chief executive said, will enhance the competencies of spokespersons through the acquisition of relevant skillsets, an understanding of global trends and best practices.

In addition, Neliaku stated that it will help expand their knowledge of modern techniques that would enable them to craft effective and attractive messages, create acceptable content, and manage the expectations of their principals, organisations, and society.

Scheduled for March 26 and 27, he stated that the event will be themed: “Change Narratives, Change Society.”

“The summit will be opened

by the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who has graciously accepted to be the special guest of honour. It will be chaired by the Governor of Kwara State, and Chairman, of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

“The Minister of Information and National Orientation will be the chief host of the summit. We will take goodwill messages from various sections of Nigerians,” he added.

Prof. Tony Iredia, he said, will also be a key speaker at the event, which will feature technical sessions.

He pointed out that the session will be chaired by Chief Yomi-Badejo Okusanya, the President, of the African Public Relations Association (APRA) and the Group Managing

Grant Winners Emerge from The Youth Sustainable Enterprise Challenge Programme

The Youth Sustainable Enterprise Challenge Programme, an entrepreneurship development programme funded by the British Council, in partnership with Prince’s Trust International, soon to be King’s Trust International, and implemented by NerdzFactory Company, concluded with a grand finale and pitch day event featuring the program participants.

The Youth Sustainable Enterprise Challenge Programme equipped 60 young entrepreneurs in Lagos with the practical skills, knowledge, and confidence required to

succeed as entrepreneurs. The program reinforced the idea that entrepreneurship is not just about starting a business, but about building sustainable enterprises that can drive economic growth and societal progress. Participants spent a month in the classroom on a fully funded tuition, learning and gaining exposure to the rudiments of building a sustainable and thriving business while also interacting with mentors and other business leaders. The program then concluded with a pitch event and grand finale in Lagos.

The pitch competition began

with a large pool of participants presenting their ideas during the program. Through a rigorous selection process, the participants were initially narrowed down to 30 contenders and upon further review, it was narrowed down to the final 16 participants who ultimately competed for the grant prizes on pitch day. At the end of the pitch day, the final 8 winners were awarded grant prizes. 2 winners each were awarded across 4 major categories, namely - Most Innovative Business, Most Societally Friendly Business, Most Profitable Business, and Most Environmentally Friendly Business.

Director of CMC Connect.

Being the first of its kind, he said the organisation has not spared anything to ensure that the event succeeds.

Also speaking, Chairperson of the Planning Committee, Sule Sule, emphasised the need for strategic communication, explaining that spokespersons must learn how to handle their assignments.

“We are in an era where everything you do must be strategic, even the way we communicate nowadays. Spokespersons too, the way they handle their assignments must be strategic, and this is the kind of forum that will equip them and give them the necessary tools to make them alive to their responsibilities,” he stated.

Commenting, the Subcommittee Chairperson on Publicity, Moji Makanjuola, argued that only Nigeria can change the negative narrative about the country.

L-R: Senior Associate, G. Elias, Kuburat Abubakar; Knowledge Management Manager, G.Elias, Onome Adeyemo; Chief Operating Officer, Nana Winful-Dare; Partner, Similoluwa Oyelude; and Associate, Iyanuoluwa Adeyemi, at the annual secondary school outreach that engages and inspires young female minds on equity and inclusion as part of the activities to mark International Women’s Day in Lagos…recently

As Nigeria Grapples with Widespread Power Outages

With successive administrations’ culture of blame game on the sorry state of power supply to homes and businesses in Nigeria, Festus Akanbi argues that the current regime and tackle the perennial outage if it does not take decisive steps to settle issues of legacy

There are no two ways to describe the current performance of the power sector in Nigeria. This is perhaps the worst experience in recent times.

With the blackout spreading to virtually all parts of the country, observers said it is a big indictment on the Federal Ministry of Power which is gaining the notoriety of giving excuses in place of power supply to Nigerians after nine months of being in the saddle.

The current power outage in Nigeria has caused immense anguish among its citizens. Nigerians are grappling with the inconvenience every aspect of daily life. From the inability to refrigerate food to disruptions in businesses and healthcare services, the power outage exacerbates existing challenges faced by many Nigerians.

The frustration stems from the recurring nature of power outages despite promises of improvement from authorities. The situation highlights the urgent need for systemic reforms and investments in Nigeria’s energy infrastructure to provide consistent and reliable electricity to its people.

In its state of nervousness over the growing complaints from Nigerians, the federal government last week, gleefully announced that it had summoned the leadership of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) to explain the worsening power supply in their franchise areas, covering 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, who summoned the Chief Executives of AEDC and IBEDC because supply has been exceptionally bad in those regions also issued marching orders, asking the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to withdraw licences of non-performing electricity distribution companies, DISCOs.

This is even as power generation dropped year-on-year (YoY) by 21 per cent to 3,475MW in March 2024, from 4,404MW in the corresponding period of 2023, due to many problems, especially

But, on month-on-month (MoM) to 3,475mw in March 2024, from 4,043MW in February 2024, thus causing many Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to embark on loading.

The government accused the DisCos of not doing enough to improve supply despite the availability of power on the national grid.

Adelabu who stated this during a meeting with the head of the agencies in Abuja, said the distribution segment remains the weakest link in the electricity supply value chain.

Adelabu stressed that NERC must look for creative ways of getting the DISCOs to improve on utilities which fail to pick their allocations and outright cancellation of licences.

Mounting Legacy Debts

In his explanation, the Minister of Power blamed the unfortunate situation on issues like the legacy debts to the power generating companies.

“Today, we owe a total of N1.3 trillion to the power generating companies, out of which 60 per cent is owed to gas suppliers.

“Now, if you add N2 trillion legacy debt owed to gas companies and the N1.3 trillion being owed to GenCos, we have an inherited debt of over N3 trillion in this sector. How will the

sector move forward? Nigerians deserve the right to know this.”

Apart from the burden of debts, analysts explained that the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) is in a mess currently because

The reality is that Nigeria with a population of over 200 million people still depends on just 4,000mw of electricity supply to power their homes and businesses.

Operators complained that the expansion of infrastructure in the sector has been hampered by the fact that despite having invested over has prevented them from recouping their investment and discouraged them from committing more resources.

With such constraints, although the total national installed generation capacity stands at 13,000MW, Nigeria barely manages to get a third of that to where power is needed. The rest is stranded.

Thus, what this means is that there’s a misalignment of the entire value chain from gas the federal government has been forced to subsidise the real cost of electricity.

Low Allocation of Gas

in the country were not getting enough gas supply, leading to low allocation to electricity distribution companies.

Early this year, the Eko Electricity Distribution Company told its customers that it was not getting enough allocation from generation due to gas shortages and other related issues.

“Kindly be informed that the present reduction in power supply across our network is due to gas shortages and other related issues arising

from the generating companies,” the EKEDC said in a post on its social media handles recently.

Replying to outcries from its customers, the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company recently said Discos was not getting enough allocation to serve them.

“If we get the supply, we have to give it out. If we don’t get it, we cannot give it. Electricity is you will pay us our money. It is an allocation issue. Discos are not getting enough allocation,” the company said.

Vandalism

One other factor militating against regular power supply is the issue of vandalism of power assets.

Unfortunately, vandalism of power assets has become unrelenting in Nigeria. Reports stated that vandals recently destroyed two transmission towers, Tower T372 and T373 along Kaisata village, which supplies electricity to parts of the North-east, thereby adversely disrupting the power supply in Borno and Yobe states.

Between January and June 2022, reports recorded the vandalism of several transmission towers and lines including in Oku-Iboku, Akwa Ibom State, 330KV Sapele to Benin transmission lines, 132KV Enugu to Benue transmission line, 330KV Osogbo to Akure, 132KV Papalanto/Ojere double circuit transmission line in Abeokuta, causing power outages.

The Eko Electricity Distribution Company stated that it lost over N1.2 billion of its assets and electrical installations to vandalism and cable theft in 2022. This has led to several outages and the death of innocent residents.

Recently, there was an incident of power asset vandalism in the Federal Capital Territory, which plunged Abuja and its surrounding areas into darkness.

Also, the TCN said Tower 70 along its 330KV

Gwagwalada-Katampe transmission line was freshly vandalised recently, leading to the loss of bulk power supply and volume of power into Abuja by 250 megawatts. A similar incident occurred in the Gwarimpa-Katampe area in December. There should be constant patrols of critical national assets to check vandalism in the country.

Among other issues, the Discos have not metered over 50 per cent of their customers more than 10 years after privatisation.

Despite privatisation, the government has intervened repeatedly in the energy sector to the tune of N7 trillion between 2015 and 2023. Consumers, including ministries, departments, and agencies are owing billions of naira in electricity bills. The sole national grid collapsed thrice in 2023.

Observers noted that some of the problems enunciated above are not new as successive administrations have always been raising is-

will give Nigerians the opportunity to enjoy an uninterrupted power supply. For how long will the current leadership at the power ministry continue to give excuses for the failure to justify their positions?

Given the place of power in the nation’s development, the federal government should as a matter of urgency wade into the crisis, the sector.

The federal government cannot be mouthing lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty without taking the power sector very seriously.

electricity drives both the MSMEs and the big manufacturing sector

Nigerians are tired of excuses, this is the time for the minister and his team to roll their sleeves and hit the ground running.

www.thisdaylive.com

A LAND OF UNFINISHED INVESTIGATIONS

ETIM ETIM argues for a thorough investigation of incidents

See Page 18

CAN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ROBOTS OUTPERFORM POLITICIANS?

SONNY IROCHE contends that even with its drawbacks, AI has the potential to revolutionise our approach to governance and decision-making

See Page 18

EDITORIAL ISSUES IN THE OKUAMA TRAGEDY

See Page 23

AUSTIN ISIKHUEMEN argues the need to trim the cost of governance

NIGERIA AS A PROFLIGATE DEBTOR

Borrowing is a universal phenomenon. It happens because the resources of the earth are not evenly distributed, neither is the capacity of individuals and nations the same. Some are rich and some are poor. Needs also vary. The richest may also need to borrow to meet exigencies that his extant resources are insufficient for and so, he borrows in the interim to meet the shortfall. One underlying principle in borrowing is that what is borrowed must be repaid under agreed terms. These terms, including timescales, can only be varied with the lender’s concurrence and not through threats by the borrower.

A lender has a stake in the success of his debtor because such success enhances the chances of repayment. It is therefore incumbent on the lender to watch closely the lifestyle and business performance of his debtor and to ensure that the funds borrowed are not deployed to purposes different from the agreed objective. An agricultural loan deployed by a borrower to marry a new wife is obviously unlikely to be repaid as the marriage would not yield the crops whose sales proceeds would aid repayment. A sincere borrower therefore meticulously deploys such borrowed funds towards a project that would yield enough profits to enable him to repay both principal and interest as well as make a profit for himself. Such a borrower also strives to live within his means without displaying unnecessary ostentation while the loan is yet to be repaid or when the need for further loans is imminent.

Nigeria was known for being very generous with her resources when the going was good. At the time the country was awash with petrodollars, did our head of state not pay the salaries of public servants of a Caribbean country that was in financial distress? Did the same head of state who fought a 30-month civil war without borrowing not also say that Nigeria’s problem was not money but how to spend it? At the time we ran into debts starting from the Shagari era till Obasanjo’s second coming, at least Nigeria lived moderately as expected of the massive debtor that she was. Before then, as head of state, OBJ had, on realizing that Nigeria was not as wealthy as she used to be, instituted what he termed “low profile”. He cut down on wasteful spending and promulgated a policy on government vehicles making the Peugeot 504 the highest car government officials could use as an official vehicle. General Murtala Mohammed’s official vehicle was a Mercedes Benz in which he was shot by Buka Suka Dimka. General Obasanjo followed his new policy by using the same Peugeot 504 that other public officers used as head of state! This was before he handed over to President Shehu Shagari.

The massive display of opulence by public officials started during the quasi-miliary-civilian experimentation under General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida popularly called IBB. I recall clearly that the very first elected state government official to buy and use an SUV as an official car was Edo State Governor who coined the sobrique “The Heartbeat of the Nation”. I still recall reading in a national newspaper how other governors of that era gathered to admire the car at a meeting at the State House. The craze caught on and has never ceased ever since. Prado is now considered too cheap for public officials and the latest Land Cruisers and Lexus are the official vehicles in vogue.

The current government came into office at a time when Nigeria had used the previous eight years for unbridled borrowing with a worse-than-

rubber-stamp parliament that appeared to feel uneasy whenever a loan request was not under consideration.Thespeedwithwhichloanapprovals were given to the Executive gave the impression that loan processing was the primary objective of the National Assembly. Every new approval given appeared to increase the Senate President’s ranking so much so that he was eventually announced as the consensus presidential candidate of the ruling party before Jagaban and the El Rufai collective put sand in his garri.

Nigeria’s debt profile, according to the debt management office, was approximately 12.12 trillion naira as of June 2015 when the last government effectively took over from GEJ. By the time PMB’s government was handing over, it was projected by the DG of the Debt Management Office that the country’s debt would be 77 trillion naira, a whopping 535% increase. The current regime came into office with a suffocating debt albatross. One will therefore expect the elected and appointed officials, as well as the bureaucracy, to take this sobering state of affairs into consideration in the way they carry on. Nigeria cannot afford to annoy the lenders else they refuse likely requests for rescheduling and the inevitable loan requests in the near future. But the optics right now do not indicate that our public officials are conscious of this.

A key indication that the borrower is living above his means is the 70 billion naira allocated for the purchase of SUVs for members of the National Assembly and the eventual purchase of state-of-the-art SUVs at a whopping 170 million naira SUVs for each member. Just imagine if that money was deployed to a productive venture that would generate jobs or provide cheap food for the people! Those cars would be changed in the next four years! What if our government changes the write-off period to five years instead of four in the light of our current economic dire straits? There is the issue of insurance practice but that is a different matter entirely. Are some people not using cars that are seven years or even ten years old in their fleet? And must a government official use an SUV? What if you use an Innoson brand or Chinese SUV, if you must, especially the made in Lagos GAC brand? After all, you cannot use Chinese loans for everything else, get the Chinese to build your

infrastructure but consider their locally assembled value-adding branded SUVs as inferior. Zambian President has changed this silly craze for highvalue cars for official use and heaven has not fallen. Here, does Governor Oti of Abia not titillate in his beautiful Innoson SUV official car?

The 45-member cabinet the first Federal Executive Council is unwieldy at a time when the country is struggling financially. Add to this the number of official aides and hangers-on appointed by governments at various levels and a lender would be aghast and start thinking he has lent money to the wrong borrower. At the time General Obasanjo decreed low profile during his military incarnation in the seventies, it was due to a realization that wastefulness would hurt the country in the long run and that the profligate days of unlimited petro-dollar inflows were numbered. The GEJ administration saw the need to cut the cost of governance and set up the Stephen Oronsaye Presidential Committee on Restructuring and Rationalisation of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies. The objective was to achieve a reduction in the cost of governance through possible mergers of MDAs and other parastatals of government, many of which had similar mandates. The committee submitted a report with far-reaching recommendations.

To demonstrate that it was serious to implement it, government set up another committee to write a “White Paper” on the report and that too was done. Reading through that white paper, you will shudder to see how many of the meaningful costreduction recommendations were “rejected” and many more merely “noted”! The government that took over in 2015 had neither the guts, cost-saving objective nor the altruistic bent to do the needful. The report has not seen the light of day and Oronsaye’s travails may have been engineered by powerful interests whose lucrative watering holes were recommended for merger or scraping. A topheavy government is the antithesis of the Oronsaye mindset. It is gratifying that the present government has the gumption to keep politics aside and take the bull by the horns and implement that report at long last. Patriot Oronsaye, the man who saw today many years back, may yet have the last laugh. A fitting tribute to his doggedness and patriotism would be his engagement to midwife the delivery of this fresh attempt at a lean government.

In the first article I wrote on social media on this subject, I stated as follows:

“The mobilization to attack Niger Republic in order to dislodge the Tijiani junta that kicked out President Bazoum on July 26 2023, looks like another costly gamble in the making. It has the hand of Nigeria but the voice of ECOWAS (CEDEAO in French). Pray, who is ECOWAS without the Nigerian muscle and economy. This is not to underrate the other countries which, as sovereign entities, have the same vote in the community of fifteen members.

Now, with Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso and Niger out of the equation, ECOWAS is left with eleven members. Of these, I am wondering about the level of financial support and military contribution expected from the Gambia, Togo, Cape Verde, Benin Republic, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Even the Ghanaian economy is in an Akufo-ic comma at the moment. It therefore means our oil subsidy removal savings could be directed towards fighting Macron’s war in Niger. I wonder how our lenders would see such (mis)adventure.”

auxtynisi@yahoo.com

A LAND OF UNFINISHED INVESTIGATIONS

ETIM ETIM argues for a thorough investigation of incidents

It is not a surprise that President Bola Tinubu has ordered investigations into last week’s slayings of 17 army

It was the most gruesome attacks on the Nigerian military in recent times, and as the commander-in-chief said, ‘’it was an attack on our country’’. I should, however, remind the President that there previous disasters in the country. In fact, the word ‘’investigation’’ has become the most frequently used expression in Nigeria’s in the land – and there have been many of them - there’s a 100 percent chance that the government will promptly promise ‘’urgent investigations to get to the root of the problem’’, but the outcomes of those inquiries are hardly ever known. It would appear that a promise of investigation has buffeted from every angle by all sorts of problems.

I join others in condemning the murders village, Ughelli South LGA of Delta State. The investigators have their jobs cut out for them. What was the mission of the army in the area and who gave the order for the mission? We have been told that the soldiers were in the community for ‘peace mission’ over land matters in a small community of not more than 2,000 people. Is it customary for a military operation led by a lieutenant colonel and a major to be involved in land disagreements? I should also invite the investigators to take note of the fact that Okuama might not be the only community in the Niger Delta where soldiers regularly visit. The region itself is not a stranger to this sort of thing. Remember Odi in 2001?

While we are still investigating Okuama,

slaughtered by a militia group known as ‘Ombatse’ in Nasarawa State. Reports said an ambush, disposed of their weapons, brutally murdered by the cult group. Frank Mbah, who was the Deputy Force Public had promised full investigation, noting that the police will track down the killers. ‘’Enough is enough’’, he told journalists. The investigators were expected to answer some numbing questions: What was the mission the ill-fated operation and how were they lured into the ambush? Eleven years after, there has not been any update on the matter. And we have all moved on. Well, except the families of the departed who might still be mourning their loss.

further to pledge to rebuild the Tudun Biliri village. Four months after, we are yet to hear of the updates on the investigations and the extent to which the village has been rebuilt.

A few weeks after the Tudun Biliri bombings, terrorists invaded three LGAs in Plateau State between Christmas eve and Boxing Day, killing and maiming over 200 villagers. Again, there were the

The state governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, quickly issued a press statement, condemning the ‘’dastardly act’’ and followed it up with appearances on TV talk shows. He spoke of invasion of his state by terrorists and the helplessness

I speak to you, terrorists are occupying some schools in the area and they may launch more attacks’’, he said. Vice President Kashim Shettima visited Jos and held town hall meetings with political and religious leaders. There were the usual talks of ‘’nibbing the crisis in the bud’’ and instituting a high-powered investigation to get to the root of the matter’’. The National Assembly even invited the service chiefs solutions to the crisis’’. As at this hour, we have not heard of a single arrest being made and the outcome of the ‘’full scale investigations’’. The country has moved on…

We cannot easily forget March 28, 2022, when terrorists planted explosives on the Abuja-Kaduna rail tracks. The device exploded when the train travelling from Abuja to Kaduna ran over it, killing eight passengers while many others were kidnapped by the terrorists. Again, investigations were promised, and again no word has been heard on where we are on that.

investigations into cases of buildings collapse, extra judicial killings, accidental discharges and even that notorious case of a snake swallowing millions of naira belonging to the government.

CAN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ROBOTS OUTPERFORM POLITICIANS?

SONNY IROCHE contends that even with its drawbacks, AI has the potential to revolutionise our approach to governance and decision-making

In recent years, the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics has sparked a debate about the revolutionary impact of the nascent technology and the potential for these technologies to replace humans, such as politicians and bureaucrats in government. The idea of unbiased algorithms generating robots that are free from the shortcomings of incompetence and corruption associated with some of these professionals has become of particular interest to me, because of the fact that a country as blessed as Nigeria, had been brought to a near comatose state of economic depression, as a result of past incompetent and corrupt politicians and bureaucrats.

Now as an AI scholar and enthusiast, it is clear to some of us in that space and field of studies and research, that with AI’s proven ability to perform tasks with close to zero margin of error, it begs the question: Can robotic AI perform better than politicians and bureaucrats?

Governments around the world have faced numerous cases of incompetence, social and financial scandals, and corruption among their leaders. Transparency International and other socio-political watchdogs have consistently ranked countries based on their perceived levels of corruption and governance effectiveness. From presidents and prime ministers to state governors and parliamentarians, the list of officials charged with corruption and misappropriation of public funds is extensive. Could a leader programmed with AI be the solution to this pervasive issue?

The efficiency and productivity of AI in various tasks have been well-documented. From drug discovery to the cure of diseases that have long eluded human researchers, AI has shown its capacity to outperform humans in many areas. For example, AI has consistently defeated world champions in games like Chess and Go, showcasing its superiority in strategic decisionmaking and problem-solving capabilities.

In the case of Nigeria and the challenges that the country currently faces, have been as a result of prolonged economic crimes against the sovereignty by men and women who have been charged with the administration of the country’s resources for several decades in the past. Clear examples abound in nearly every field of the country, in critical sectors of the economy and overall development. The bureaucracy has long been fraught with endemic bribery and corruption, inefficiency and ineffectiveness in nearly all aspects of our national life - ranging from the civil service, Ports Authority Administration, Customs, Police, Immigration, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and crude oil theft, allegedly by humans who were put in charge of running and protecting the main national asset, the Central Bank of Nigeria (that became a Bureau De Change for a few), and dabbled into all manner of unrelated functions of a Central Bank, and almost all agencies of government are immersed in misappropriation of public funds and resources.

economic bloc, come up with a Regulatory Framework for the application of AI. The USA, China, UK, and the European Union (EU), have already led with that initiative of creating regulations around the use of AI. (In my publication: “The Need for the Creation of a Regulatory Framework for AI” published in the New Diplomat Newspaper; I had called on the federal government of Nigeria to establish an AI regulatory framework and authority)

One potential benefit of AI in governance is its ability to analyze vast amounts of data, through Generative AI (GAI), Machine Learning (ML), and Large Language Models (LLM), quickly and accurately. By processing information from various sources, AI systems can provide insights that human leaders may overlook. This data-driven approach to decision-making could lead to more informed policies and strategies, potentially improving the overall effectiveness of government operations.

Additionally, AI could help streamline bureaucratic processes and reduce inefficiencies in government agencies. By automating routine tasks and optimizing resource allocation, AI systems could free up human officials to focus on more strategic and highlevel responsibilities. This could lead to a more agile and responsive government that is better equipped to address the needs of its citizens.

However, the integration of AI into governance is not without its challenges. One major concern is the potential for AI systems to perpetuate existing biases and discrimination. If AI algorithms are trained on data that reflects historical inequalities, they may inadvertently reinforce these biases in their decision-making processes. To prevent this, it is essential to develop AI systems that are transparent, accountable, and regularly audited for fairness.

Since May 29, a new wave of investigations has come upon us. The CBN and many of its actions, including the Anchor Borrowers Program are under scrutiny. The Senate is planning to look into the N30 trillion ‘Ways and Means’ of the Buhari era, and at the same time, some Northern groups are calling for a probe into the Senate’s N3 trillion budgetpadding matter! Talk of investigating the investigator!

What then do we do with all the litany of investigations in the land? Can we have a judicial committee to investigate all cases of

Last December, the Nigerian army mistakenly dropped two bombs on a crowd of people in Tudun Biliri village in Igabi LGA of Kaduna State, killing over 100 of them. The villagers were celebrating a religious festival at night, but the military mistook them for a gathering of terrorists and quickly dispatched two drone bombs. There was a national outrage and the military authorities were expectedly embarrassed by such carelessness. President Tinubu was to make the right noises, promising ‘’prompt investigations’’. Both Kaduna and the federal government scrambled to salvage the situation and save face. The governments and the military high command went Etim is a Journalist

Considering these advancements in technology, the idea of using AI in governance is not farfetched. International organizations such as the United Nations, ASEAN Union, African Union, BRICS and other regional blocs should initiate discussions on the potential applications of AI in leadership roles. By leveraging algorithms to create effective and efficient systems for both public and private sector leaders, could AI help address some of the longstanding challenges facing humanity, such as wars, conflicts, hunger, diseases, climate change, nuclear proliferation and corruption?

The use of AI in governance on the other hand, however, raises some important ethical and practical considerations. While AI may offer solutions to some of the problems plaguing governments worldwide, there are concerns about accountability, transparency, and the potential for bias in AI decision-making. How can we ensure that AI-driven leadership is fair and equitable for all members of society? What safeguards need to be put in place to prevent abuse of power by AI systems? That is the reason that every country or

Another challenge is the risk of AI systems being manipulated or hacked to serve malicious purposes, such as rigging elections, and population head counts in national census. Ensuring the security and integrity of AI systems in governance will be crucial to preventing unauthorized access and manipulation of sensitive government data. Strong cybersecurity measures and robust oversight mechanisms will be necessary to safeguard AI-driven governance systems from external threats.

There is also this notion that the implementation of AI would lead to job losses. The answer is Yes and No. For the proponents of job losses; they are right to the extent of the types and manning of jobs. And for those who say No, that AI would not lead to job losses per say, they argue that in enhancing productivity and efficiency, it would create greater opportunities in the economic value chain, that would need workers to retrain in new fields that would be needed as a result of AI applications to business.

Iroche: A 2022/2023 Senior Academic Visitor at the African Studies Centre is now a 2024 Post Graduate Student in “Artificial Intelligence for Business” at the Saïd Business School. University of Oxford

IGP, Egbetokun

INTERVIEW

Sustaining Current Reforms Will Birth Positive Business Environment

The Director General of Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Mr. AdewaleSmatt Oyerinde, in this interview, canvassed the deepening of the current economic reform and the importance of approaching the ongoing negotiation of a new national minimum wage with creativity. Dike Onwuamaeze brings the excerpts:

Whatisyourviewon the economic reformsofPresident BolaTinubu’sadministrationand theirimplications fortheeconomy?

We are in a very interesting time because President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration came in May 2023 and decided to take very before it had avoided over time. The removal of fuel subsidy was one of the key reforms that his administration decided to embark on.

I remember that 14 years ago, NECAtook the position that petrol subsidy should be removed. But successive governments could not do it. And we continued to carry the burden and dug ourselves in the hole until the Tinubu’s administration came and took the decision.

Now, the reforms have brought some pain to the citizens. Are we prepared to mitigate

a way to mitigate these challenges.

Also, the minimum wage negotiation is coming at the same time when disposable income is low. But the conversation has started at the committee level.

Labour has requested N1 million (but later came down to about N700,000), which is valid within the context of labour’s reality. It is also desirable within the context of labour’s expectations. But we cannot situate it only within the context of labour’s reality and situation. We still have to take into the context of the ILO Convention 131.

While we look at it within the context of the need of workers and their families, which labour has probably focused on, we should also look at it within the context of economic and business sustainability.

We also have to look at it within the context of the economy comprising the interest rate, have to be brought into play before the committee will arrive at a minimum wage that we think will be acceptable to all.

Doyounotthinkthattheimplementation ofthenewminimumwagewillleadtojob losses?

The reality is this: unusual times require unusual responses. From our side, everybody in the ecosystem, both government and private sector, will have to be very creative in handling these issues. We cannot use the strategy of yesterday to resolve today’s problem. It will compound the issue. We should be asking what exactly our realities are. Were they foisted on us by the global economy or that we create are here now and everybody has to look at it dispassionately.

When a business cannot sustain its wage bill it has to increase the cost of its products to be able to cover those expenses. As the prices of goods and services are increasing the income that point, the business will decide whether to continue on this path or if I do not want to. So, one of the options will be to retrench, which is a natural consequence. We have to put on our thinking cap as employers, labour unions, and government to address this critical issue. At any point where it becomes absolutely impossible for a business to remain sustainable that

business

to make fundamental decisions: not get to that extent.

Howmuchprogresshasbeenmadeinthe negotiationofthenewminimumwage?

The commitment of all parties showed that there will be some levels of collaboration and consensus building. The realities are there for all of us and we cannot run away from them.

We are not in a position to share this information.

Whatareyoutalkingaboutwiththegovernmenttoenabletheprivatesectortoovercome thischallengingtime?

We recently had a meeting with the Honourable Minister of Finance. Part of the issues that were presented was the issue of forex because the real sector is starved of forex.

The government has said that there are the hoarding the dollar and making it scarce.

While we acknowledge that there may be some saboteurs who do not want the economy to work, we also want to say categorically that it is the out and deal with them within the context of the law. The volatility in customs’ exchange rate for clearing of goods was part of the things that was raised with the Minister of Finance and it was good that the central bank has announced that the rate to use will be the exchange rate when the form “M” was raised. This is one of the things we have commended the government for its responsiveness. From our own end, we have taken time to continue to look at these issues dispassionately and create a nexus between the

well on it because that issue has the potential to is the ban on sachet alcohol.

The NAFDAC has said that it is a health issue

and decided to ban it. But you cannot look at the ban just from the perspective of health. There are some economic considerations that you have to bring in. What happens to over N100 billion 500,000 workers in that industry that will lose issue of health from one end but have created multi-dimensional problems for the economy. How are we going to accommodate the 500,000 compensate for the investments that might have smuggling of those products in sachet packages attractive. We have many borders in this country regulated channel of tax that these businesses are paying cannot be collected from those smuggled products. So, it is a fatally wrong decision and that is why we have called it an economic sabotage, because you cannot take that decision without looking at its consequences for the whole of the economy. That is our perspective and how we think that government should look at all the issues that are currently bedeviling the organised private sector. The government has promised reforms and interventions but our view is that those interventions should be fast-tracked so that those it wants to save will not die before help gets to them.

Whatisyourperspectiveaboutthebusiness

From the private sector’s perspective, we understand that current reforms are needed. If will do is to stop digging. And we think that this administration has decided to stop digging. We believe strongly that we are on a trajectory of growth if these reforms are deepened and where necessary applied with a human face. The Port

capacity a large chunk of forex used for petrol importation will be saved. If the government also addressed the issue of oil theft frontally, you

would have blocked that leakage. Also, dealing at the cost of governance will save funds for productive activities. If these reforms are followed thoroughly, everything being equal we will see a very positive business environment that will but probably in three years.

TheNationalBureauofStatisticsrecently changeditsmethodologyforcomputingthe unemploymentrate.Whatisyourviewonthis?

We cannot be selective on which parameter to choose and which parameter not to choose. The most important thing is to understand the context of that parameter. The new parameter of calculating does not contest that unemployment is high. The fact of the matter is that it just showed the new ways of calculating it. We are just aligning with the new global parameter that is being used currently to measure unemployment, which does not in any way contest the fact that unemployment is under the current methodology the unemployment rate was above 3.0 points. The recent report unemployment is actually increasing. It is left to the government to decide whether it should apply the new parameter or continue with the old method even when the world has moved on. It was a gathering of world statisticians, which NECA participated in, which came up with that part and come back to say that it is not right for us. For us, understanding the context of this new parameter is what is important. As I have said it does not contest that unemployment is increasing, it just showed us another way of calculating it. That is why we are saying that the NBS should continue to engage and enlighten Nigerians so that stakeholders and citizens will understand the new context of calculating the unemployment rate.

Howdoyoureacttothecallthatthegovernmentshouldopenthebordersforfoodsandother commoditiestobeimportedintothecountry?

It is neither here nor there. As I have mentioned earlier that unusual situation requires an unusual response. One of the challenges we have with food security is the country’s national security challenges that have made most farmers not to go to their farms. Unfortunately, this has created agitation about food in a country that has one of the largest arable lands in the world. First, address the issue of insecurity so that farmers can go back to their farms. But if it seems overwhelming to confront, the governpeople. If in the short term importation is an option nobody is saying that you will not do so. The people have to eat. We have the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement

of AfCFTA and other sub-regional protocols we have signed. However, those interventions must be deliberate. They must be strategic and impactful.

Howdoyouviewlabourunion’sinsistenceon goingonstrikethatdisruptseconomicactivities?

Maybe it is time for labour unions to consider weekend peaceful protests rather than protests or rallies that would disrupt productive activities. The organised private sector will not support any event that will compromise the sustainability of businesses.

has

NECA DG, Oyerinde

Loveth Ajufoh-Izeogu: Offering Holistic Beauty Experience

Renowned for her success in the beauty pageant world, Loveth Ajufoh-Izeogu has transitioned seamlessly into the skincare industry with her brand, Bodye Beautiful. Through this venture, she aims to empower individuals by addressing skincare needs and fostering genuine confidence, writes

Vanessa Obioha

From a young age, Loveth Ajufoh-Izeogu nurtured dreams of greatness, envisioning her name boldly displayed on skyscrapers.

Initially, the realisation of these aspirations appeared distant, shrouded in uncertainty. However, deep within, she felt the guiding hand of Providence shaping her path. Unbeknownst to her, her mother recognised her innate potential and laid the foundation for her to uncover her unique talents.

Blessed with a striking height of 5 feet 10 inches and natural beauty, it was inevitable that Ajufoh-Izeogu would gravitate towards the world of beauty pageants. Her journey began with notable victories, including clinching the titles of Miss UNILAG in 2009 and World Miss University in 2010. These achievements not only propelled her onto international platforms but also earned her prestigious roles as the fourth Student Peace Ambassador to the United Nations and Goodwill Ambassador to the International Vaccine Institute. Ajufoh-Izeogu further represented Nigeria at the World Miss University competition held in South Korea, where she distinguished herself as a top 10 finalist.

Driven by her fervent passion for beauty pageants, Ajufoh-Izeogu later established her own beauty pageant, Miss Grand Nigeria, under her venture QLA Nigeria, which initially operated as a fashion and accessories business. This ignited her entrepreneurial spirit. By 2018, she had forayed into the skincare industry with the establishment of Bodye Beautiful.

“Transitioning from beauty pageants to skincare marked a transformative journey,” she shared. “Bodye Beautiful is woven with threads of personal struggles and triumphs. My decision to delve into the world of skincare is intimately connected to a chapter of my life where I grappled with my own skin imperfections, particularly acne and uneven skin.

“Like many, I found myself navigating the emotional landscape of self-esteem challenges, concealing behind layers of foundation, and yearning for a reflection in the mirror that echoed the beauty I felt within.

This personal struggle ignited a spark within me – a determination to not only overcome my own skin concerns but to extend a guiding hand to others on a similar journey.”

Ajufoh-Izeogu aims to empower individuals through Bodye Beautiful by addressing skincare needs and fostering genuine confidence, shifting from concealing imperfections to embracing one’s uniqueness.

Initially launched as a one-person endeavour, the brand has evolved into a flourishing enterprise with a team of over 15 members spanning across Lagos and Abuja. Additionally, it has distribution channels established in Ghana and the United Kingdom.

With innovation as its cornerstone, Bodye Beautiful remains at the forefront of the industry, exemplified by its recent introduction of portable facial steamers and

Ajufoh-Izeogu

electric scrubbers.

“We observed the growing demand for at-home beauty solutions, and these tools provide a spa-like experience in the comfort of your home. The portable facial steam and electric scrubbers cater to busy individuals seeking efficient yet effective skincare routines.”

Ajufoh-Izeogu’s adeptness in navigating the skincare business is also attributed to her keen observations of international beauty standards garnered during her participation in pageants and travels.

According to her, “Serving as a beauty queen significantly broadened my worldview. It made me more conscious of diverse beauty standards globally and heightened my empathy for those facing societal pressures. This experience fueled my commitment to contribute positively to the beauty industry.”

In drawing parallels between the perception of beauty in the pageant world and the broader context of skincare and beauty products in society, the beauty mogul highlighted that “beauty is often

defined by specific standards, while skincare and beauty products in society emphasise individuality and diverse expressions of beauty. The transition highlights the shift from conforming to predefined standards to celebrating personal authenticity and uniqueness.”

She further underscored the implications of skincare and beauty products which are beyond physical appearance.

“Skincare and beauty products contribute to holistic well-being by restoring confidence. They empower individuals to engage in activities that bring them joy, fostering mental health and self-expression beyond physical appearance.”

With her expertise in the beauty and skincare industry, Ajufoh-Izeogu debunked several misconceptions associated with beauty and skincare products.

“Common misconceptions include the belief that dark-skinned individuals don’t need sunscreen or that expensive products are unnecessary. It’s crucial for

everyone, regardless of skin tone, to use sunscreen for UV protection. The quality of skincare products is not about shade but about providing effective solutions.

“Also any light-skinned person with dark knuckles is bleaching which is totally false. It can be as a result of genetics, sun exposure, hormonal changes, medical conditions, friction or even dry skin. Prevention involves getting the right skin care products at Bodye Beautiful to help address them, moisturising, sun protection, and addressing underlying causes. Seeking medical advice may be necessary for persistent issues.”

Through Bodye Beautiful, she not only addresses skincare needs but also offers holistic well-being by venturing into hair and beauty essentials.

“We recognised the need for a comprehensive beauty approach. While skincare remains our core, venturing into hair accessories, human hair extensions, and now beauty essentials was a natural evolution. We aim to offer a holistic beauty experience, from head to toe.”

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

ISSUES IN THE OKUAMA TRAGEDY

Government could do more to stem violent communal clashes

In recent times, the Nigerian armed forces have suffered heavy casualties from criminal gangs who now seem focused on laying ambushes for their troops. In the latest of such madness, some gunmen in the creeks of Okuama, Ughelli South local government area, ambushed troops of the 181 Amphibious Battalion in which the commanding and 12 Soldiers were gruesomely murdered. In a statement he personally signed, President Bola Tinubu condemned the killing of the soldiers who were on a peace mission as “unconscionable crime against the Nigerian people” while authorising and bring them to justice.

We commiserate with the Nigerian army and families of the fallen heroes, even as we hope that they will be accorded the needed attention also join in the call that those who killed our troops be apprehended and made to pay severely for their crime. As the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori warned at his meeting with traditional rulers last Thursday, shielding the culprits would amount to courting danger. But restraint on the part of the military is important so that innocent people within the communities would not be punished for the crime committed by a few.

Military operations in such a volatile and complex environment as we have in Niger Delta must be intelligence-driven to prevent this kind of tragedy. But more importantly, political authorities must also do more to resolve many of these land disputes that ignite violent eruptions. From Aguleri and Umuleri communities in Anambra State to Erin Ile and Offa in Kwara State to Wanikade and Wanihem communities in Cross River State to Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State, communal clashes have become a serious national security problem.

Drafting in military troops to theatres of violence arising from land disputes has over the years proved to be no solution. The time has come to realise the severity of the threat to our national security by reassessing the current strategies which have become ineffectual and costly

However, if gunmen could ambush our troops to kill them in such dastardly manner, it is very telling of the boldness they have mustered to thumb their noses at authority. That this has become a consistent pattern is why the military should be concerned. Last August, 36 military personnel were killed after being ambushed at Zungeru-Tegina Road and Chukuba area of Shiroro, both in Niger State. In July 2020, a Captain and four soldiers of the Guards Battalion, were killed following an ambush during a patrol in Bwari area of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT). The list of military personnel killed after being ambushed by criminals is long and deeply worrying. Yet, we do not need to enlist in the emptive and preventive intelligence.

The problem is compounded by millions of illegal Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs) in the country. The ease of access to these weapons has made individuals and communities more to make peace. Many communities are self-arming to protect themselves, to go on the offensive or for reprisal attacks. The frequency of these clashes demonstrates that we are teetering towards a lawless society, with all the frightening implications for peace and security in the nation.

We therefore call on authorities in Abuja and the 36 states to arrest this rapid and steady slide into anarchy by addressing the conditions that make violent attacks tools of expressing grievances between and among communities. We also mechanisms, create an early warning system that would alert of a brewing crisis, equip security agencies with modern intelligence gathering tools and promote policies that encourage peaceful coexistence and social harmony. Community and religious leaders must rise to help in promoting peaceful co-existence among our people.

Above all, we must accept that the insecurity confronting the nation is no longer a series of random and opportunistic attacks. Drafting in military troops to theatres of violence arising from land disputes has over the years proved to be no solution. The time has come to realise the severity of the threat to our national security by reassessing the current strategies which have become ineffectual and costly.

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

Letters to the Editor LETTERS

HOW TRIBALISM AND RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE HOLD NIGERIA BACK

Travel unlocks the key of knowledge. One can truly appreciate the beauty and diversity of Nigeria by traveling away from their comfort zone to other states. I hadn’t traveled to the South until I was posted to Delta State during my NYSC days. I traversed the bumpy road of Okene in Kogi State before reaching Delta State. There I experienced my first culture shock before I ‘acclimatised’ to the food, culture, and traditions of the state. While my story may sound good, Nigeria is a polarized nation. Nigeria is blessed with human and mineral resources and has over 200 tribes and a population of over 200 million. The youth, who make up 70 percent of the population, are like zombies; they follow blindly like a cult. The political class continues to use religion, tribe, and ethnicity as weapons to divide the youth’s opinions. The political class is united in draining the coffers of the nation.

Young people often ascribe religious, tribal, and ethnic connotations to everything. Unsuspecting parents can plant the seeds of hatred in their children

towards other tribes. For example, the Jukuns and the Tiv have intermarried for decades, yet they’ve become embroiled in conflict. In Plateau State, religious clashes have consumed thousands of lives and destroyed property. Some politicians, traditional leaders, and religious leaders also fan the flames of hatred.

Some governors and elders’ statements are capable of inciting ethnic strife. During elections, politicians use religious leaders to divide voters, as we witnessed in the 2023 election where some presidential candidates visited churches and mosques urging their followers to vote for them. On social media, you see users throwing jabs and making derogatory and condescending remarks about other tribes and religions. No tribe or ethnic group is superior to another or holds a monopoly on intelligence. We witnessed how a former governors who siphoned and mismanaged state funds were given heroic welcome upon their release from prison simply because of tribe. Tribal and religious

intolerance are deeply rooted in Nigeria. We often fail to see things from a wise perspective and instead ascribe political, tribal, ethnic, and religious connotations to everything.

Recently, a senator accused the national assembly of inserting N3 trillion into the budget. Instead of granting him a fair hearing, he was given a threemonth suspension. What if he is telling the truth?

What prevents the national assembly, in order to restore public confidence, from hiring a trustworthy independent forensic expert to verify the accuracy of his claim? If it is found that he misled the public, then they should suspend him immediately after the report. Sadly, because our loyalty lies to our tribe, the court of public opinion labels him negatively.

·About a month ago, a religious cleric called the President’s wife an infidel. He even went further to threaten her life because of her faith. This incident exemplifies the depth of religious intolerance in Nigeria.

In 2016, Sadiq Khan, a son of an immigrant and

a Muslim, ran to become the Mayor of London. He was elected with 57% of the vote, disregarding his roots, race, political affiliation, or religion, but rather based on his capacity and competence. In Nigeria, even educated individuals utilize divisive politics as a tool to garner votes. After winning the election, they retreat to their shells, empowering their children and rewarding their kin with lucrative government positions. It’s easy to manipulate unsuspecting illiterates or educated illiterates into submission.

China has dominated some technological areas. They teach their children skills in developing and assembling drones, watches, and the like. In contrast, in Nigeria, some parents teach their children to hate other tribes and ethnic groups. We all have our peculiarities. No tribe or ethnic group is completely angelic, unsullied, or flawless. We can all learn from each other.

Arc AliyuTanimu, Kaduna

DR. WURAOLA ABIOLA

New Chapters for Women Leaders

As Nigerian women continue to break through the once-imposing glass ceilings of the corporate world, Dr. Wuraola Abiola, a non-executive director at Lekoil, emerges sure-footed on the board of oil and gas, automobile manufacturing, publishing companies among others. Born of a strong pedigree in business, her journey and insights resonate with Lekoil’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity, Vanessa Obioha writes

EDITED BY: VANESSA OBIOHA/vanessa.obioha@thisdaylive.com.

Companies Must Distinguish between Treating People Equally

and Ensuring Fairness

“N

o tardiness,” the interview coordinator implores in his note. “Dr Wuraola Abiola values punctuality.” At precisely noon on the scheduled interview day, Abiola, adorned in Ankara dress and heeled shoes, enters the reception hall of Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, radiating an aura of simplicity and grace.

Her warm smile creates a balance for her intimidating voice in the corporate world. Having worked with Lekoil as an independent strategy consultant, Abiola’s journey to the top echelons of Lekoil was a result of her remarkable leadership, catching the attention of Lekan Akinyanni, the founder of Lekoil, who invited her to join the board as a non-executive director.

Lekoil, an Africa-focused oil and gas exploration company, boasts a diverse leadership team, with five out of eight members being women, including Mrs. Aisha Oyebode serving as the Chairperson.

“I was delighted because I felt that I could do even more with them,” says Abiola in a soft and tranquil tone.

“As a strategy consultant, you get to see the organisation at different snapshot points when they need your intervention. But as a non-Executive Director, you get to follow through on the decisions we take at the board level, and you work more broadly across the organisation, always with the leadership because we’re nonexecutives,” she explains, highlighting the importance of gender mix and dynamics in the workplace and how comfortable she felt with the number of women in leadership positions at Lekoil.

At Lekoil, Abiola notes, expertise supersedes gender bias, allowing every board member to contribute based on merit.

“To be fair, gender is important, but it’s not relevant per se in this particular board where all they see are fellow board members who are able to contribute to the decision-making process, help to identify risks, and also very importantly, are pragmatic about problem-solving,” she elaborates.

“Because what you have to understand about Nigeria is that our problems are quite complex, so simple decision-making, and logic may not always work. We have a lot of stakeholders and variables to consider. The ability to first of all analyse the situation and have the tools of complex problem-solving is really, very important in the board of Lekoil and we’re all accepted for our abilities to contribute to the positions of the board.”

In that regard, Abiola is not found wanting. She is the Managing Director of

Management Transformation, a consulting firm with expertise in leadership, governance, organisational development, risk management, strategy and public sector policy consulting since 1999. Over the years, Abiola has worked extensively across the African continent, serving as the Co-Chair of the FMDQ Debt Capital Markets Development/ Infrastructure Finance Sub-Committee and was a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) Research, Strategy and Advocacy Committee. Her educational background includes a degree in Accounting from McLaren School of Business, University of San Francisco and a doctorate in Organisational Behaviour from Imperial College, London, which she obtained in 1997. Beyond her expertise in transforming organisations through their people and for the benefit of society, Abiola also lectures at the University of Lagos and the University of Lagos Business School where she teaches Strategy and Business Policy. She is committed to passing on her knowledge and expertise to the next generation, a trait she inherited from her late father, the iconic businessman and politician, Moshood Abiola, better known as M.K.O.

Over the years, Lekoil has survived stormy waters but remains keen on its mission to shape the future of oil exploration and production in Africa by always having a dedicated and competent team on board. Abiola, with her vast experience, comes in handy. She describes Lekoil as an innovative company, being meticulous when using the word ‘innovation.’

“Innovation is something people talk about a lot but don’t actually mean.

To be honest, innovation

is quite difficult in the oil and gas sector because it’s very regulated. So, people think of innovation as something that gets introduced into oil and gas through technological advancements,” she says, describing Lekoil’s innovativeness in its market approach, structured partnerships, and value-capture mechanisms in the oil sector from the beginning.

“Innovation in terms of the value proposition and business model were at the heart of the company’s recreation by Lekoil’s founder, Lekan Akinyanmi. So, asking ourselves how to do things differently and better, is part of our DNA. Because that’s just what the company is all about. Which is also why I guess when Covid-19 struck, we were able to adapt, both in terms of how we work together and how we dealt with the technical issues. We showed a lot of resilience because being innovative and looking for solutions to problems is just the way we are.”

With many Nigerian women breaking the once-daunting corporate glass ceilings, Abiola highlights one of the key things women do when occupying the top echelons, using Lekoil as an example. “I don’t want to stereotype but at least the ladies on the board of Lekoil ask questions. Sometimes pointedly, other times reflectively. And we expect cogent answers.

“We read everything. Women read every single line of every single document. We will edit it if we’re not comfortable. Again, we will ask questions. We will challenge why it is there. What are we trying to achieve? We’re thorough.”

Abiola has an instructive perspective on the issue of gender equity and inclusivity in the oil and gas industry, particularly in terms of work-life balance. In her view, the leadership progression path in the sector (especially upstream) is mainly via the operations path, and given the natural roles of women in the context of family life, it is challenging for many women to maintain the same on-site presence as men, at certain points in their lives.

“We should not minimise that. So what companies have to do is be able to distinguish between what is fair

versus treating people equally. In this context, you can’t treat women the exact same way you treat men. It’s not fair to do so,” she argues.

“What is fair is to treat us appropriately for who we are, because whichever way we will add value. So, when somebody has a young family, especially now that technology and the post-Covid work approach has really helped with that, partial or fully remote work is a very viable option for a period of time. That is what is fair. It’s really that distinction, fairness and equality that people forgot about for a very, very long time.”

She emphasises that Lekoil is keen on treating women fairly and has in the pipeline, a mentoring programme for women in the industry just starting their careers. At the moment, the company has an informal programme where the women are attached to a mentor in the industry.

As the conversation progresses, Abiola’s delicacy becomes apparent. To begin with, she expresses a dislike for ambiguity and attributes her strong work ethic to her upbringing. Amidst these traits, one stands out: she is a daddy’s girl through and through. Her eyes immediately well up as the conversation shifts towards her late father. As the youngest child of M.K.O. and Simbiat, and as such, she holds countless cherished memories of him, making it challenging to choose a favourite.

“I was telling somebody the other day that Daddy was just a good father,” she remarks in an emotionally laden tone. “He was always there when it mattered. And for somebody that was so busy, and towards the latter years became so globally important, he would drop everything to pick me up from school because he believed he still had to be there.”

Fondly recalling her father’s support, she advocates for nurturing the next generation, citing Lekoil’s example when a young founder assembled a skilled team.

Abiola learnt a few lessons from her parents: staying positive, setting goals, and believing in oneself. These lessons, inspired by her father’s wisdom, she stresses, are crucial for empowering girls in today’s complex world.

Abiola

HighLife

Fresh Tales Trail Sayyu Dantata

Success will throw one into the limelight, like a commodity asking to be purchased in the village market. Such is the case for Sayyu Dantata, the younger half-brother of Africa’s wealthiest individual, Aliko Dangote, who is currently carving his own path to prosperity. Fortune is smiling upon him. As the founder and CEO of MRS Holdings, Dantata’s wealth and influence continue to grow, propelling him into the realm of luxury and opulence.

Recent reports suggest that Dantata is contemplating the sale of his lavish mansion in Banana Island, Lagos, renowned for its grandeur and unique design. This decision reflects his desire to return to his hometown of Kano State, signalling a possible shift in his lifestyle and priorities.

Unlike his half-brother, Dantata is not one to shy away from the spotlight, embracing a lifestyle of luxury and extravagance. His affinity for opulent assets, including a private jet and a penchant for piloting his own helicopter, sets him apart as a figure of prominence in Nigerian business circles.

Dantata’s success extends beyond his wealth, with his leadership at MRS Holdings propelling the company to new heights in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.

Through MRS Oil Nigeria, where he holds a commanding stake, Dantata has overseen significant growth, with revenues soaring by 80.9 per cent in recent years.

Under his guidance, MRS Oil Nigeria has become a key player in the nation’s oil sector, with operations spanning across West African countries.

Dantata’s strategic vision and leadership have positioned the company as one of Nigeria’s top fifty most valuable companies on the Nigerian Exchange.

Despite his success and growing wealth, Dantata remains distinct from his brother, Dangote, highlighting the diversity and individuality that exist even between identical twins. As Dantata navigates the complexities of business and luxury, his journey serves as a testament to the multifaceted nature of success and ambition in Nigeria’s business landscape.

...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeria’s rich and famous Will Akpabio Survive This New Plot?

The political landscape in Nigeria is once again engulfed in turmoil, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio at the centre of a storm of allegations and controversy. Suspected of corruption and self-serving actions, Akpabio’s leadership is under intense scrutiny, with repeated attempts to remove him from office proving unsuccessful.

Recent developments have intensified the pressure on Akpabio’s leadership, particularly with the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi from Bauchi State, who accused the Senate of budget padding. This accusation, alleging the padding of the 2024 budget to the tune of N3.7 trillion, has ignited public outrage and drawn attention to the alleged misconduct within the Senate.

Senator Ningi’s claims have not gone unnoticed, prompting calls for action from various quarters, including Northern governors and other stakeholders. President Bola Tinubu finds himself in a precarious position, facing mounting pressure to remove Akpabio or risk dire political consequences.

Despite the allegations and calls for his removal, Akpabio’s grip on power remains firm, with none of the attempts to oust him

In a universe where women have often struggled to find their place, Oyindamola Adeyemi, the founder and Group Managing Director of Still Earth Group, has fearlessly carved out a prominent space for herself. Her entrepreneurial genius not only shines brightly but also serves as a beacon of hope for a new generation of young women seeking to conquer their fears and achieve

proving successful thus far. However, the controversy surrounding the budget padding allegations continues to simmer, casting a shadow over his leadership and raising questions about accountability and transparency within the Senate.

Meanwhile, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has vowed to take legal action against the Senate over Ningi’s suspension, highlighting the broader implications of the ongoing turmoil.

During these challenges, Akpabio’s alleged attempts to sway public opinion through media manipulation and empowerment projects in his constituency have drawn further criticism and scrutiny. The approval of N2.5 billion for Akpabio to procure items such as deep freezers and generators has sparked outrage, with accusations of misuse of public funds and disregard for accountability.

As the political drama unfolds, Nigeria finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with allegations of corruption and misconduct at the highest levels of government. The outcome of this turmoil remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the need for transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership has never been more pressing.

Empowering Brilliance: The Rise and Rise of Oyindamola Adeyemi

greatness.

Adeyemi’s recent birthday celebration served as a testament to her remarkable journey and the admiration she commands. Loved by all and celebrated by many, Adeyemi’s infectious joy and unyielding passion for entrepreneurship illuminate her path, inspiring others to pursue their dreams with unwavering determination.

A trailblazer in the business sector, Oyindamola has left an indelible mark with her visionary leadership at Still Earth Group. Despite facing numerous challenges along the way, she has remained steadfast in her pursuit of excellence, refusing to be confined by societal expectations or limitations.

Through Adeyemi’s relentless efforts, Still Earth has emerged as a powerhouse in Nigeria’s construction industry, with a portfolio of completed projects and satisfied clients that speak volumes about the company’s

Abdulkabir Aliu’s Golden Heart

In this Ramadan season, Abdulkabir Aliu shines brightly as a beacon of compassion. As the CEO of Matrix Energy, his journey is not just one of business acumen but also of profound dedication to serving the less fortunate.

Under Aliu’s visionary leadership, Matrix Gas has flourished, marking milestones of progress and innovation. His strategic foresight has led to the establishment of cutting-edge LPG Refilling stations nationwide, including pioneering the first LPG terminal in Delta State and the entire South-South region of Nigeria. Such initiatives underscore Aliu’s commitment to driving transformative change in the energy sector while uplifting communities across the nation.

However, it is Aliu’s quiet acts of kindness during Ramadan that truly exemplify his golden heart. Despite his

position and influence, he eschews the spotlight, preferring to extend his hand in charity discreetly. His humility is as remarkable as his generosity, reflecting a deep-seated belief that true compassion does not seek recognition but stems from a genuine desire to alleviate the suffering of others.

Aliu’s philanthropic endeavours are rooted in a profound empathy for the less fortunate. His dedication to helping those in need transcends mere gestures, embodying a steadfast commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of others. Whether providing food to the hungry, shelter to the homeless, or support to the disadvantaged, Aliu’s actions speak volumes about his character and values.

Aliu’s legacy of generosity and compassion during Ramadan and beyond will continue to inspire generations to

professionalism and dedication to quality.

But Adeyemi’s impact extends far beyond the confines of her business empire. She embodies a modern yet timeless concept of femininity, characterised by resilience, grace, and unwavering determination. Her success serves as a reminder that women can thrive in any field they choose, breaking barriers and shattering stereotypes along the way.

As she celebrates another year of life, Adeyemi’s story serves as an inspiration to all who dare to dream. Her journey from humble beginnings to entrepreneurial success is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and unwavering belief in oneself.

In a world where brilliance knows no bounds, Adeyemi stands as a shining example of what is possible when opportunity knocks at determination’s door. She is not just blazing a path for herself but also lighting the way for countless others to follow in her footsteps.

Aliu come, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those he touches with his kindness.

Table Turns as Akanimo Udofia Goes Under the Radar

In the blink of an eye, everything changes. This is what may have happened to Obong Akanimo Udofia. Once a prominent businessman and budding political figure in Akwa Ibom, Udofia’s career took a sudden downturn after losing the gubernatorial election to Pastor Umo Eno. Despite his wealth and influence, his political aspirations ended in disappointment, prompting his withdrawal from public life.

Udofia’s failed bid for governorship dealt a significant blow not only to his political aspirations but also to his reputation and finances. Once known for his extravagant spending and high-profile lifestyle, Udofia’s sudden disappearance has left many questioning his whereabouts and speculating about the reasons behind his retreat. Even his business partners and

associates have been left pondering the absence of the once-vibrant and influential figure.

As the MD of Desicon Engineering Limited, Udofia had enjoyed a successful and illustrious career in the oil and gas industry, spanning over three decades. His leadership was instrumental in orchestrating numerous projects and partnerships with several international companies.

However, Udofia’s political miscarriage appears to have overshadowed his professional achievements. His defeat at the polls and subsequent withdrawal from public life serve as a sobering reminder of the harsh realities of politics and the unpredictable nature of public perception.

While Udofia’s decision to step out of the

spotlight may come as a surprise to some, it underscores the complexities and challenges of navigating the tumultuous world of Nigerian politics.

Nevertheless, despite the setbacks he has faced, Udofia’s legacy as a businessman and entrepreneur remains intact, a testament to his resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

As he navigates this new chapter in his life, only time will tell whether Akanimo Udofia will once again emerge from the shadows, revitalised and ready to reclaim his rightful place in the public sphere. Perhaps, he will choose to embrace a more private and introspective existence, away from the pressures of public life.

Akpabio

Adeyemi

Stepping into the role of MD of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) is no small feat, especially following in the footsteps of a seasoned

For Oyetunde Ojo, It’s a Big Mountain to Climb

leader like Senator Gbenga Ashafa. Oyetunde Ojo’s recent appointment to this prestigious position marks the beginning of a challenging journey, as he endeavours to navigate the complexities of the national housing and urban development sector.

Senator Ashafa’s tenure at FHA was marked by significant achievements and accolades, earning him recognition for his dedication and commitment to addressing Nigeria’s housing challenges. During his time at the helm, Ashafa spearheaded initiatives that propelled FHA towards meeting the expectations of the government and the people. His visionary approach and relentless pursuit of solutions positioned FHA as a key player in the quest to provide affordable housing for millions of Nigerians.

In contrast, Ojo, President Bola Tinubu’s sonin-law, steps into his new role with a wealth of experience in both the housing and hospitality

industries, as well as a background in legislative service. However, he faces the formidable task of living up to the legacy left behind by Senator Ashafa. Ojo’s success will be measured not only by his ability to maintain the momentum established by his predecessor but also by his capacity to innovate and drive FHA towards new heights of excellence.

As Ojo assumes leadership of FHA, he must be prepared to confront the challenges ahead with determination and foresight. Learning from Senator Ashafa’s accomplishments and drawing inspiration from his bold initiatives will be essential as Ojo charts a course for the agency’s future.

With a clear vision, strategic planning, and a commitment to delivering results, Ojo has the potential to make his mark and build upon the foundation laid by his predecessor. However, he has much to learn and accomplish to reach the level of Senator Ashafa or even surpass it.

Nigeria Women Taking the Lead in Banking Sector as List

In an exciting development for gender equality, Nigerian women are increasingly taking charge in the country’s banking sector, marking a significant shift in leadership dynamics. The latest addition to this inspiring trend is Dr. Adaora Umeoji, who has risen to the position of GMD/CEO at Zenith Bank, joining a growing list of female leaders who are reshaping the financial landscape.

Dr. Umeoji’s appointment at Zenith Bank showcases the remarkable progress made by women in breaking into traditionally maledominated sectors, proving their competence, resilience, and leadership capabilities. Her ascent to such a pivotal role not only highlights her individual achievements but also symbolizes the collective triumph of Nigerian women in breaking barriers and defying stereotypes.

Preceding Umeoji in this daring journey are ten other exceptional women who have taken on leadership roles in prominent banks across the country. Bolaji Agbede at Access Holdings,

Olusanya Miriam at GTBank, Nneka OnyealiIkpe at Fidelity Bank, Yemisi Edun at First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Tomi Somefun at Unity Bank, Bukola Smith at FSDH Merchant Bank, Yetunde Oni at Union Bank, Halima Buba at SunTrust, Ireti Samuel-Ogbu at Citibank, and Kafilat Araoye at LOTUS Bank all deserve praise for their courage and vision in charting new territories.

These women represent a diverse range of talents, experiences, and expertise, united by their shared commitment to excellence and progress. Their collective impact exceeds individual achievements and serves as an inspiration to aspiring female leaders and setting new standards for gender inclusion and diversity in the banking sector.

As pioneers in their respective institutions, Umeoji and her Amazonian sisters are not just holding positions of authority; they are driving transformative change, fostering innovation, and promoting a culture of inclusivity and empowerment. Their

Increases

leadership is characterized by a unique blend of empathy, strategic vision, and unwavering determination, propelling their institutions, and Nigeria’s banking industry at large, to new heights of success and sustainability.

Billionaire Businessman, Michael Prest, Strikes Gold

Michael

financing agreement with the African ExportImport Bank (Afreximbank) illuminates his exceptional acumen and visionary leadership.

With an astute understanding of market dynamics and an unwavering commitment to innovation, Prest has positioned BONI as a pathfinder in driving economic growth and empowerment. His strategic brilliance shines through in the meticulous design of the financing agreement, which not only catalyzes sustainable solar solutions for SMEs but also fuels the development of a transformative hotel project in Nevis, an island in the Caribbean Sea.

Prest’s ingenuity is palpable in the revolutionary “Solar-as-a-Service” model, a testament to his foresight and commitment to democratizing access to renewable energy. By seamlessly integrating affordability, accessibility, and environmental stewardship, this initiative epitomizes Prest’s ability to navigate complex challenges and unlock opportunities for societal advancement.

Prest’s strategic vision extends to infrastructure

The Other Side of Senator Oluranti Adebule

No matter what position one holds, personality always shines through. Senator Oluranti Adebule, a prominent figure representing Lagos West in the Senate, has attracted attention for her reserved demeanour within the Senate. Despite her remarkable background as a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, her subdued presence has led to speculation about her role in the Senate.

Senator Adebule’s political journey started with her appointment as Commissioner 1 in the Lagos State Post Primary Teaching Service Commission (PP-TESCOM), where she demonstrated leadership in shaping educational policies. She later served as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) under Governor Babatunde Fashola, showcasing her administrative acumen and dedication to public service.

In May 2015, Adebule made history as the 15th Deputy Governor of Lagos State, becoming the sixth woman to occupy the prestigious position. Throughout her tenure, she played a pivotal role in advancing the state’s development

agenda, particularly in education and governance. Transitioning to the Senate in 2023, Adebule’s reserved demeanour initially puzzled observers, who expected her to assert her extensive experience and knowledge more forcefully.

However, Adebule’s recent appearance at the commissioning of the new administrative building of Badagry local government, where she was the guest of honour, dispelled misconceptions about her shyness. This event affirmed her continued commitment to public service and community engagement, further solidifying her standing as a dedicated representative of Lagos West constituents.

development and hospitality, forging pathways to economic prosperity and job creation. Through this strategic collaboration with Afreximbank, BONI can occupy a topmost position among leading stimulators of economic activity in Nevis.

Prest’s brilliance reverberates throughout his illustrious career, characterized by bold moves and transformative initiatives. From his strategic takeover of the Bank of Nevis International Limited in 2019 to the rebranding of BONI as a global powerhouse in wealth management services, Prest’s intellect and foresight have propelled him to the pinnacle of success.

As a visionary leader, Prest’s legacy transcends conventional boundaries, inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs to embrace innovation and embrace the transformative power of strategic thinking. Through his unparalleled intellect and unwavering determination, Prest is sculpting a future defined by prosperity, progress, and boundless possibilities for generations to come.

Clearly, Adebule’s profound understanding of policy issues, coupled with her educational background, positions her as a formidable advocate for education, governance, and socioeconomic development in Lagos West and beyond. As she navigates the corridors of power with grace and intellect, her legacy as a leader in Nigerian politics will continue to inspire admiration and respect, making her a driving force for positive change and progress in Lagos West and beyond.

Aisha Achimugu: After Lavish 50th Celebration in Grenada, Achieves Another Milestone

There is a time for everything: a time to celebrate and another to be celebrated. Dr. (Mrs.) Aisha Achimugu, a distinguished Nigerian industrialist and humanitarian, seems to have gotten the hang of this. In a momentous occasion that further underscores her multifaceted success, Achimugu has been honoured with induction as a Senior Professional Chartered Fellow of the esteemed Chartered Institute of Public Resources Management and Politics (CIPRMP) headquartered in Ghana.

The induction ceremony serves as a testament to Achimugu’s Unwavering commitment to ethical leadership, responsible business practices, and societal betterment; qualities that have defined her tenure as the GMD/CEO of the renowned Felak Concept Group. Her exemplary leadership in navigating various sectors, including engineering, maritime, oil and gas, and ICT learning and development, has solidified her status as a trailblazer in traditionally male-dominated industries.

Amidst her professional accolades, Achimugu recently celebrated her 50th birthday in grand style on the scenic Caribbean island of Grenada. The extravagant festivities, spread over several days and hosted at exclusive venues such as Calivigny Island and Silversands Grenada, captured the essence of opulence and luxury.

The birthday extravaganza, meticulously orchestrated by Achimugu, featured opulent parties adorned with international musicians, sumptuous culinary delights, and lavish entertainment, setting a new standard for grandeur and sophistication. The estimated cost of the affair soared into billions of naira, reflecting Achimugu’s penchant and ability to curate unforgettable experiences.

Amidst the glitz and glamour of her milestone birthday celebration, Achimugu’s induction into CIPRMP stands as a poignant reminder of her steadfastness to excellence and enduring commitment to driving positive change in society. As she continues to make her mark as a leader and influencer, both professionally and personally, Achimugu remains a shining example of success, grace, and philanthropy, inspiring others to reach for the stars and leave a lasting legacy of impact and significance.

Ojo

Achimugu

Umeoji

Adebule

Prest

J. Prest emerges as a luminary in the finance sector, harnessing the power of intellect and strategic prowess to redefine the landscape of sustainable prosperity. As the mastermind behind BONI Limited, Prest’s recent triumph in orchestrating a groundbreaking $11 million

Folorunsho Alakija: My Heartfelt Proposal

You know, if no be say I am a big sinner, I used to have premonitions. That was how last Saturday, something just prompted me to pick up the phone and call my oga, Chike Ogeah. Chike is the very handsome and very tall head honcho in the firm that runs the presumptuously exquisite Marriott Hotels.

How is madam, I asked. Madam had been ill for a bit — about four years — and I made it a point to ask about her health each time I met or spoke to Oga Chike. Madam had been nice to me, offering me two plates of rice at the only family lunch they invited me to at their very beautiful Ikeja GRA home.

“I am waiting for the call Edgar,” he said. “You know the call; you had received it too.”

My heart skipped, there was a sense of closure, an admission that he had done his very best and reclined to the wish of the Almighty. I didn’t want to hear o, I had also received the call and still remembered very vividly how I rushed only to be welcomed with

Let’s start this week on a lighter note. The internet was abuzz recently with claims that Nigeria’s acclaimed richest woman, the ever beautiful and strong woman of God, Folorunsho Alakija, had received about 10,000 proposals from lovelore suitors seeking to replace her beloved husband, Mr. Modupe Alakija, who was reportedly on the way out.

My people, the only thing that the “agbado” economy has yet to hit is laughter. It is still free and social media continues to give us laughter in hefty dosages. That was how early that week, the airwaves were suddenly hit with the news that this wonderful couple were separating. Before you could say “afang,” the news had gone viral with all sorts of public commentary.

Their status as very wealthy individuals coupled with oga’s

Mena’s lifeless but still very beautiful body.

So, I changed the topic and started yabbing Flavour, the very talented musician. We talked for a bit about Flavour but Oga Chike came back to Funke. “Edgar, we have done our best. She has been ill for four years and if she must go, let her go to rest. She has fought the good fight. I just came back from the hospital at 4 am, it’s not been easy.”

This was Saturday and by Sunday, Funke had taken her very elegant leave. If you had met her, you would understand what Shakespeare called elegantly breezy beauty. You will not even believe she was a Yoruba woman o. The way she carried herself like a senior member of the British Royal family. Her carriage, comportment and composure used to make me feel inferior. The way she will do her head and nod it when you greet her, extending a perfectly coiffed manicured hand as you greet, you will just go on one knee and kiss her hand and say “My madam, you are so

sometimes boisterous public imagery, especially the spat at the elitist Ikoyi club which earned him some form of retribution and a picture on the notice board, made this news too compelling to ignore and before you knew it, another post came out: Mrs Alakija receives 10,000 marriage proposals.

My people, with a bag of rice climbing beyond the N80,000 mark and hardship becoming our constant companion, if Mr. Alakija just make mistake like this, we go replace am quick quick.

Mummy, please let me submit my own proposal here and in public before they go and do “mago mago” and ‘disappear’ my proposal. You know this Nigeria; corruption has killed us.

Mummy Alakija, my name is Joseph Edgar popularly known as the Duke of Shomolu. I am a wellknown polygamist and heathen. I last attended church when Pastor Odukoya passed. But wait, don’t cancel me out, it is not by this outward showing that you should evaluate me but my inner self.

If given the opportunity, I will write poems for you daily; I will buy Afang for you weekly since I cannot cook it. I will wash your feet every morning and swab it with

elegantly beautiful,” and she will say “common “getat” of here this very stubborn Duke of Shomolu.”

Oga Chike is now the newest member of our “gang” — those of us who have lost our wives and I was very very happy to hear that senior member, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo was on hand to provide the very muchneeded shoulder to lean on at this very turbulent time for the Ogeah family.

May her elegant soul rest in perfect peace. Kai. Goddd!!!

YEMI CARDOSO, IT WASN’T ME

I think a denial is in place right now. Someone pointed out that I was one of Mr Cardoso’s harshest critics joining that very jobless writer who called him and Wale Edun ajebutter economists in a Fadeyi economy.

Let me state here very categorically that I do not know what that person was talking about. I have never and I repeat never – in Donald Trump’s voice – ever critiqued, abused or even doubted Mr. Cardoso’s capacity to

warm towels. I will learn how to give pedicures and manicures so I can revel your warm lovely feet every other day with pristine attention. I will carry your bags, open the doors for you, and dutifully wait at the reception for you to leave work every day. I will not check your phones and will patiently wait in my corner near the boys’ quarters until summoned.

Mummy, very importantly, I am no longer a member of the Ikoyi Club so fighting there or having my picture on the notice board can never happen. I already have five children so you will not have to bother in that department and lastly, I will love you in a way only an Ibibio man can love a woman.

Please, my number is on the top of the page, just ask your people to call me and I will swim the Lagos Lagoon, crawl in Lagos traffic and rush to be by your side as your most dedicated and ever-loving spouse.

Please Mummy, I really do hope that you are not thinking of settling with Daddy o. Please, do not break my heart o, just consider me even if it’s a marriage of one week so that I will be entitled to at least some form of alimony or is it palimony? Whatever the case is, please do kindly consider my proposal as you will never find a more sincere and loving suitor in this Nigeria. Thank you. Kai!

perform.

My people, let me tell you people why I am denying myself - $7 billion forex backlog cleared, external reserve reflated to $34 billion, the highest in recent times, foreign portfolio investments rushing back with an oversubscription by over N1.3 trillion at the last treasury bill auction, over N1 trillion in the last OMO auction, the largest sale in four years, naira trading at N1,400 and being projected to increase its value and trade at about N900 to the dollar in the coming days.

Even oil production is up by over 57,000 barrels

My people, anybody that abuses this Cardi B again will have me to contend with o. Kai, my regret now is that when I saw him going to “piss” in the toilet at the Eko Hotel venue during the Herbert Wigwe tribute, I should have hugged him o. But instead, he looked at me as he struggled with his zipper with fear as he recognised the Duke of Shomolu who had called him a little bank chairman with six branches and hurried off.

FUNKE OGEAH: ELEGANCE LEFT THE ROOM

Alakija

Gumi

Babalola

Me sef, I look am comot face and hissed. Do you blame me? At that time dollar was doing N1,800 and inflation was rushing towards 40%. I hissed o, well sef. If he had greeted me, I for pour am water.

But all that now is in the past. Mbok, Cardi Baba, can I offer you three damsels from Ibeno, my mother’s village in marriage? They will cook afang for you daily, so you can rest from all that stew your people used to eat and will be getting piles. We cannot afford for you to come down with a pile o, this performance must be sustained.

Well done egbon, but we are still watching o, make he no go be the more you look, the less you see kind of thing o. But well done so far. God bless you.

SOWORE AND ADEYANJU:

NIGERIA’S PROBLEM CHILDREN

You know that saying, trouble dey sleep, yanga go wake am? That was how in a clip, these two well-known troublemakers, after struggling to be called to bar, were walking on their own jeje, passing EFCC head office, and the guards there went to look for trouble.

Two people who were born into trouble and who wake up in the morning asking themselves one salient question – whose trouble will I look for today? You now went to look for their trouble.

You see two people walking with a cameraman in front of your office and common sense no tell you say na trouble dey waka so. Their training did not tell them that they should immediately run into their compound and shut the gates, say these ones na ebola wandering around o.

That was how the security men now accosted them, asking them why they were taking pictures of the building and rightly so. The EFCC is a sensitive institution and as such, you cannot just saunter there and take pictures of the building because you manage to pass exam in old age.

That was how the security men got the abuse of their lives. Those ones now started begging o. Please Oga Sowore go your way o, no vex but na lie, they had fired the hornets’ nest. People that woke up looking for this kind of trouble and you gave them on a platter and they grabbed it.

They will yab, walk away and walk back all this on camera o and at some point, Sowore uttered, “I will even go inside and tell Olu that …” Olu is the EFCC Chairman whom they used to drink pepper soup together in UNILAG abi? Lol.

Kai, trouble unlimited.

AFE BABALOLA: A TIMELY AFFIRMATION

The last time I wrote about Baba, I found myself in his office in Ekiti prostrating and being asked to cut my hair and remove my earrings. I received the bollocking of my career and I took it all with humility because it was a huge privilege to be abused and heckled by an iconic figure like Afe Babalola. I come dey use am as a badge of honour because everywhere I went after that time I will be telling people –Baba Afe yab me ooo with pride, kai.

Today, however, I want to be on the same side of the street with the massive legal luminary. During the inauguration of a hospital recently in Ekiti, he was quoted to say that the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji was the very best to govern the state and wondered

why he didn’t come earlier.

In the reported speech, Baba was said to have lampooned all the others that came before him. I agree with Baba to a large extent on the other past yeo men except for my big brother Kayode Fayemi who in good conscience cannot be lumped with the other “gringos” that Ekiti has had the misfortune of being saddled with as governors.

Mr. Oyebanji, I must tell you, is in a class of his own, I swear. See, I have interacted with many state governors both past and present and you guys must agree that I can talk on the matter. My close interaction with Mr. Oyebanji threw up a huge respect for the man, I swear. A thorough Ekiti man who did “everything” in Ekiti. Schooling, marriage, career

CHIEF MKO ABIOLA: THE BROWNING OF MY HERO

I got a call last Sunday and it was from my very brilliant oga. Edgar, I will not support you on this one. This one being my new play on Chief MKO Abiola called “Kashimawo”, coming up this Easter at the Muson Centre.

Now, this is one of the most brilliant Nigerians ever invented. An Igbo man but completely detribalised and a patriot. I respect him to the hilt and take his positions very seriously. I have never won an argument against him and my heart sank because I knew I would not win this one.

I said, “Oga please na. This na Abiola o. Hero of democracy and winner of the June 12 election, the freest and fairest election ever. The federal government has apologised o and has even conferred on him the highest honour, although posthumously.” I threw these jabs knowing fully well that this Nobel prize potential will come with harder punches.

A stockbroker, banker, and economist par excellence, he just brushed aside my jabs and landed some very punchy ones. “Edgar, why do you want to make a hero out of this man who was a product of Nigeria’s rent system?”

Kai! I don die, piss catch me. I just knew that oga would floor me. I said, “Lord na, this man fought for us,” but he continued, “Edgar there is no one

and all put him in a very strong position to better understand the challenges and how to push for their solutions.

His humility not blinding him to the need to pull very strong human resources around him. I have heard stories of how my brother, Niran, was recruited by a consulting firm to run their internal revenue service. Niran used to tell me how “he did not know anybody” and how he was not a politician but was recruited strictly by merit and how when he started performing, Mr. Oyebanji would work into his office and say thank you to him.

In tourism, healthcare, infrastructure and the rest, the man is trying, doing things with his N6 billion monthly FAAC allocation that my other afang eating and happy hour punching brother and oga with his N26 billion monthly FAAC cannot do.

Aghhhh!!! I agree with Baba Afe on this one o, especially as you guys know that Baba at his age is not one for frivolity. I totally agree and do send my very strong commendations to Mr. Oyebanji. Thank you.

AHMAD GUMI: A WORRISOME PANACEA TO BANDITRY

It’s like this Baba has immunity. The type even our President does not have. He is an authority when it comes to banditry and has positioned himself as the bridge between us and those ones. His comments used to give me goose pimples and make me fear, I swear.

He says that the bandits are just dislocated Nigerians and as such we should negotiate with them, give them what they want and everything will be ok. Kai, how can someone say this with his mouth? I weak o. In that case, the over 80% of us who are threading below the poverty line, should carry guns na so that the government will come and negotiate with us. Abi?

Mbok, don’t let me talk too much on this matter because, as you see me so, I don’t have the power to be carried anywhere where I will not see afang or woman. So let me just mind my business and be ‘wakaing on my own o.’ Na wa.

EBENEZER ONYEAGWU: A FINE GENTLEMAN

who attended UNILAG in the 80s and 90s that will agree with you.”

“He was a product of the military,” he averred. “What sustainable development did he drop for Nigerians, what exactly did he really do for Nigerians?”

By this time, I was quite regretting picking up this call. This Baba will scatter my head now o. Abiola, my hero, me that went on Ikorodu road like millions of Nigerians to fight that fight?

“Edgar, you cannot put Abiola on the same platform you are putting Awo, Zik and Sardauna. You are recreating heroes with your plays and as such you must be very careful of who you project.”

“This baba really mean Abiola o,” I said in my mind and then he dropped the bombshell: “Most people who are going to see this play were not born when June 12 happened and as such your story might just be the defining point of their impression of the man, I will not support and I will not buy the ticket…”

By this time, I realised that I had to run away and I started saying – helloo, hellooo, helloo, hello, sir network, network, I cannot hear you again ooooo. I quickly dropped before this man go put “sand sand” for my garri.

My own MKO? Kai!

I have received with mixed feelings the recent announcement of the retirement of this perfect gentleman and banker. I had hoped that he would do a second term or something, but unfortunately, that has not been the case.

Ebenezer remains one of the most cerebral bankers that have held the mantle in this industry. His calm disposition and cerebral outlook marked him out as a different kind of banker. His bent towards technology led Zenith Bank to be sector leaders in the application of technology in their processes which impacted very seriously on its bottom line.

Its headline sponsorship of the massive tech conference used to bring together geeks who remain the arrowhead of the economic renaissance of this country.

Only a bank like Zenith could have identified very early the huge capacity embedded in Ebenezer’s head very early and corralled it into the powerful leadership force it became, making him impact very powerfully not only on their bank but the economy generally.

My brother, when you are ready, we will do afang at Senator ItaGiwa’s place. You may come with Dr Fasoranti and the new MD. Kai, did you see her photo? I keep quiet o.

Abiola

Madam Dorcas Bakare

Clocks 80, Relishes Grace and Fulfilment

A popular bible passage says, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

This passage aptly interprets why a mother, grandmother, and accomplished woman, Mrs. Dorcas Bakare, is over the moon. She’s privileged to have hit the milestone age of 80, even though her ageless traits and energy suggest otherwise.

Beyond the celebration of numbers, the Ilara Mokin, Ondo State-born and widow of the prominent and successful businessman, late Tijani Bakare, is relishing and celebrating grace, fulfilment, and favour.

Embarking on life’s journey, Mama did not only get her priorities right by setting her goals, she was lucky to have come from a background where she was well brought up. She was armed with qualities that were helpful to her course, imbued with the virtues of hard work, honesty, and dedication to whatever she found herself engaged in.

Mama was fortunate to have found a man of her dreams with whom she entered the matrimonial phase of life. She was smart enough to make a decision that her offspring would be her best legacy, spending her youthful age training and moulding her children accordingly. She equally contributed immensely to the success of the business empire of her husband.

An assessment of her life’s journey shows that the labour of her youthful days has all turned gold, particularly her children, who have equally all turned out to be admirable and successful in their various endeavours. She is not oblivious to her grandchildren, who are considered the delights of her old age. Mama, therefore, feels so blessed and fulfilled as she turns 80.

To make Mama’s day a memorable one, a private bash has been planned to be held in her honour in Lagos.

Tony Elumelu Embarks on Yet Another Mission

World-class businessman and finance wizard, Tony Elumelu, has made money. He has definitely made a name that resonates far beyond the continent of Africa. Undoubtedly, he remains one of the greatest personalities that have come out of Nigeria.

Apart from banking, where he dictates the tune, the billionaire businessman has his hands in many other pies. He has consistently demonstrated his commitment to improving lives and reshaping the continent through strategic investments and sustainable development initiatives.

With a diverse portfolio covering finance, energy, healthcare, real estate and hospitality, through his Heirs Holdings, Elumelu has remained dedicated to fostering inclusive growth and propelling Africa’s prosperity

For every investment he ventures, he has always been well thought of, and meticulously worked it out. This is the reason he always makes huge statements and also influences the pace and pull the strings.

Society Watch gathered that the highflying

business mogul has once again set out on another mission that would once again keep his name on the lips of Nigerians nay Africans.

It was revealed that Heirs Holdings, a leading African investment company dedicated to improving lives and transforming Africa through strategic long-term investments, has announced the launch of its new subsidiary, Heirs Technology Limited, with an ambition to empower Africa’s digital transformation through innovative and locally tailored solutions.

It was hinted further that the company’s range of offerings include IT consulting, which encompasses advisory services, business transformation, system integration, licencing, and partnerships. Additionally, it will offer various managed services, covering IT operations and business process outsourcing.

The launch of Heirs Technologies reaffirms Heirs Holdings’ steadfast commitment to invest in sectors that provide long-term returns and can transform Africa’s economy. Heirs Holdings has been a pivotal player in various sectors critical for Africa’s development, including financial services, energy,

power, healthcare, real estate, and hospitality. The Founder and Group Chairman, Heirs Holdings also said that the firm has the power to catalyse development, and they are committed to harnessing this potential to unlock new innovations that will improve lives and transform our continent.

Inspiring Story of Princess Kelechi Oghene

Princess Kelechi Oghene’s journey from a young dreamer to a successful entrepreneur is nothing short of inspiring. It is a narrative that continues to captivate hearts and minds around the world.

Described as a beacon of light in the fashion industry, the beautiful lady stands tall as a testament to the power and strength of women. Her determination shattered ceilings and her confidence dared in the strangest of places.

As the CEO of GMYT Fashion Academy, GAHAWARDS, GMYT Hostel Apartments, and GMYT Foundation, Princess Oghene has carved a path of excellence in the fashion world. Her commitment to empowering young women through education and mentorship is a shining example of her dedication to uplifting others.

Recently, she was nominated for the prestigious Africa’s Under 40 CEO Awards

Adewale Tinubu: A Shoulder to Lean On

There is a popular saying that ‘kindness is like snow that beautifies everything it covers.’

Oando Group Chief Executive, Adewale Tinubu, is one man who has the milk of kindness literally running in his veins. He does this without seeking attention. He believes in surreptitiously touching the lives of the less privileged without making a noise about it.

Those who benefited from his large heart would not stop to sing his praises to high heaven, as they continued to describe him as a beacon of hope and kindness.

The unassuming businessman has always made it a point of duty annually to lend support and give the Muslim faithful a shoulder to lean on during the Ramadan season, while he never spares any cost to ensure he puts a smile on the faces of the people.

He has thus become a bellwether in the acts of generosity to these sets of people. He sees sharing love with them as a sacred devotion.

As gathered by Society Watch, last Sunday, March 17, 2024, the trained lawyer once again

For obvious reasons,

been in the news. Though she does not go out of her way to seek cheap publicity, she is a delight any day to news hounds. Maybe because of her beauty or her intelligent deliveries.

Famously called Yeye, the stylish former first lady and her husband, who is now a lawmaker at the Upper Chamber, are known for engaging in a celebration of life and are well-connected. Indeed, they have

showcased his sense of magnanimity at the annual late Kafaru Oluwole Tinubu Memorial Ramadan lecture, organised by the family.

The event brought together conscious Muslim faithful in and outside Lagos State to be fed with spiritual diets during this year’s memorial Ramadan lecture at the popular De Blue Roof, LTV, Ikeja, Lagos. The event was organised in honour of the late police boss to take the Muslim faithful on a voyage around the blessings of Ramadan in a convivial environment.

Top Islamic scholars, including Isiaq Oloyede, Jubril Salaudeen, and Dr. Mustapha Bello kept the audience on the edge of their seats, as they took turns to engage them during their brilliant presentations, which were peppered with copious quotes from the holy Quran, as well as Hadith, the sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammed, SAW.

As revealed, the event was indeed, one moment that gave not a few in the audience the opportunity to see the oil magnate as someone who has not abandoned his religious obligations in the quest for wealth.

organised several shindigs that turned out to be the talk of the town.

Little wonder, expectations were high when the elegant woman clocked 60 last December. Many had looked forward to seeing her throw another superlative party to celebrate the milestone. But it was shocking to some of her friends when Yeye chose not to throw a loud party to celebrate her attainment to herald her entrance into the diamond club.

Rather, the day was celebrated with her family, close friends and close business associates. A source revealed to us then that she travelled to the US to stay with her daughter who welcomed a new baby. Before her trip, her charismatic and handsome husband composed a beautiful and romantic poem for her.

Yesterday, Saturday, 23 2024, Yeye and her husband, fondly called OGD, pulled out all the stops as they proved their worth in society when the birthday was celebrated.

As gathered by Society Watch, all roads led to

and Summit. She sees this nomination as a validation of the hard work, challenges overcome, and unwavering determination she has put into her vision over the years.

Also, she views this recognition as a celebration of every triumph, lesson learned, and moment of growth in her journey. She believes that behind every step lies a story of resilience, passion, and dedication.

Oghene acknowledges that this journey and recognition belong to everyone who has supported her, and she looks forward to continuing to write the inspiring story together, one chapter at a time.

But beyond her professional success, she is also a woman of substance, faith and integrity. Her unwavering belief in the power of hard work and determination has propelled her to great heights, inspiring those around her to dream big and never give up.

the Balmoral Hall, Sheraton Hotels, Lagos, where the celebration took place. A source also disclosed that the socialite exhaled whoops of joy and was on a spending spree for the event, which was a massive display of poise, allure, pomp and grand opulence. As expected, it was an assemblage of high-networth individuals and top-notch businessmen, powerful and influential government officials, as well as first-class and well-revered monarchs.

Indeed, this explained the frenzy and buzz currently in social circles when the date was fixed for the birthday shindig.

At the soiree, she was showered with loads of compliments, while she was described as a peace-loving woman. Even as a former Ogun State First Lady, she wore her heart on her sleeves and helped to cushion some of the aggressiveness associated with leadership in her home. This is another reason many people continue to sing songs to her, celebrating her authenticity and perspective of ease in life.

Elumelu

Oghene

Madam Bakare

Yeye Olufunke Daniel, wife of the former governor of Ogun State Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has always

Tinubu

Daniel

US Enhances Cultural Connections with Nigeria Through New Programmes

Vanessa Obioha

As the United States continues to deepen its relationship with Nigeria through its people, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Lee Satterfield was recently in the country to announce new programmes that will unlock creative opportunities for Nigerians.

These programmes, unveiled during her visit to the University of Lagos, include a music mentorship programme, a TV initiative and a one-year film study.

While providing a support system for the booming Nigerian creative industry, the programmes will underscore its global acclaim across music, film, TV, and other creative spheres.

The concept of the American dream was once embraced by nations like Nigeria in the 1980s, portraying the U.S. as the land of opportunity. However, this perception is evolving as Nigerian creatives gain international recognition for their exports. From Nollywood to music, Nigerians are shifting focus from the American dream to pursuing global recognition

through their arts and culture, embodying the essence of the Nigerian dream.

This much was highlighted by Satterfield in her speech as she pointed out the increasing recognition of Nigerian creatives from Hollywood and beyond.

“American entertainers are increasingly collaborating with their Nigerian counterparts and U.S. creative companies like Netflix, Disney, Paramount, Sony, NBC Universal, and YouTube to fuel growth across Nigeria’s creative industries,” she said.

However, the new programmes announced by Satterfield go beyond the glamour on screens. It targets those who work ‘below the line jobs’ – from set design to sound and editing to promotion and production, giving them equal opportunities as their counterparts in front of the camera.

Announcing the launch of the Africa Creative TV initiative (ACTV), Satterfield disclosed that the new professional development programme will focus on TV writers, producers, and those in other technical fields such as art direction, cinematography, editing, line producing, and more.

“ACTV is a partnership with the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts and was created as a result of President Biden’s 2022 Africa Leaders Summit and is in recognition of the creative industry’s influence and impact in Africa.”

Eight TV projects will be selected for a four-week residency in Los Angeles at the University of Southern California. While there, participants will work with U.S. professionals to develop skills and prepare for writing, development, and production.

The American Music Mentorship Program (AMMP) – a partnership between the U.S. Department of State and the Recording Academy (Grammys) – will, on the other hand, focus on the business of music.

“It will bring international midcareer music industry professionals to the United States for mentorship and networking opportunities, with an aim to cultivate a professional music industry ecosystem locally, support creative talent, and strengthen the creative economy globally”

Satterfield announced that five participants will be selected from Nigeria for the programme.

The Macallan, Atafo Mentor Aspiring Fashion Entrepreneurs

For the third time, Single Malt Scotch Whisky, The Macallan teamed up with notable Nigerian fashion designer Mai Atafo to upskill aspiring fashion creatives.

Since 2022, the two brands have been working together to inspire and enable the next generation of fashion creatives through the fashion workshop themed “Fashion Conversations with Mai Atafo.”

Topics such as understanding the fashion industry, the skills needed and a guide to running a successful fashion business in Nigeria, among other insightful themes are explored at the workshop.

Over 100 creatives were trained last year across Lagos and Abuja, demonstrating The Macallan’s commitment to promoting the growth of Nigeria’s youth population by supporting the infrastructure for achieving mastery in the craft of fashion.

“The world of fashion, like the world of whisky, thrives on the dedication of skilled artisans who dedicate their creativity and expertise to every stitch and design,” said the Brand Manager, Edrington portfolio in Nigeria, Hammed Adebiyi. “That’s why The Macallan is proud to be a three-time partner with Mai Atafo on this initiative.

We understand that nurturing the next generation of creative minds is paramount to ensuring a future where exceptional craftsmanship continues to flourish in the fashion industry.”

For Atafo, the partnership goes beyond sponsorship. “It’s a celebration of craftsmanship. My commitment to the art of craftsmanship is what brought us together, he said. “The Macallan appreciates craftsmanship, and fashion is a tangible expression of that.”

This year’s workshop took place at ATAFO, with the creative designer sharing valuable insights gleaned from his extensive two-decade career.

For Nigerian filmmaking students, Satterfield unveiled the one-year filmfocused Community College Initiative programme that will take participants through the process of script to screen.

“The programme will include four Nigerian filmmaking students and will support our broader efforts to build capacity in the creative economy, particularly through the lens of technical education.”

These opportunities, according to Satterfield are deliberate as the US recognises the economic opportunities that Nigeria’s creative industries provide for millions of people from Hollywood to Nollywood.

SORA Set to Redefine Lagos Nightlife

Iyke Bede

The Lagos nightlife scene is set to welcome a thrilling new addition with the grand opening of SORA on Friday, March 29, 2024. This eagerly anticipated establishment promises to inject fresh energy into Lagos’ entertainment landscape, offering a unique blend of music, culture, and excitement. Situated on the rooftop of the newly erected Trinity Towers in Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos, the concept behind SORA is to deliver sophistication driven by innovation and unparalleled service, setting a new standard for top-class entertainment, luxury dining, and sensual lounging spiced with panoramic views of the vibrant cityscape.

At the core of SORA’s culinary values is a celebration of local and continental cuisines, expertly prepared by a team of seasoned chefs. They have curated menus to showcase the finest ingredients, culminating in a gastronomic delight.

A sanctuary for fun lovers, the spot is adorned with sophisticated bars and lounges that beckon guests to savour special cocktails expertly prepared by their resident mixologists.

Lee Satterfield

How Wema Bank is Accelerating MSMEs Growth to Boost Economic Growth and Promote National Development

Samson Odeyemi

With the permeation of innovation and technological advancement, the world is constantly evolving, prompting individuals, businesses, institutions and nations to adapt, evolve and stay abreast with the rapid rate of development or risk being left behind; hence the “underdeveloped, developing and developed” categorisation of nations.

A country is categorised as developed when it is industrialised and considerably equipped to provide its citizenry with high standards of living and fast economic growth, underdeveloped countries are countries whose conditions are in contrast with that of developed countries and developing countries are in-between. To transition from under-developed to developing and extensively into the “developed” category, countries must devise sustainable ways to reduce unemployment and poverty rates, promote inclusive income distribution and boost economic growth.

Nigeria is one of these such countries saddled with the responsibility of making the transition from developing to developed. The foolproof way to achieve this goal is to create innovative solutions that not only bridge prevalent gaps in the Nigerian economic landscape but also guarantee the sustainable impact of these solutions. These prevalent gaps include but are not limited to low Foreign Deposit Investment (FDI), high unemployment and underemployment rates, limited foreign exchange capacity, low export to import ratio and high poverty rates.

To bridge these economic gaps, it is imperative that a strategic synergy between the public sector and the private sector be put in place, a common goal of boosting the economy and fostering national development.At the forefront of championing this intersectoral synergy in Nigeria and promoting the drive for increased economic growth and national development is Nigeria’s most innovative bank, Wema Bank Plc.

In today’s fast-evolving world, the potential of MSMEs remains one of the greatest assets that Nigeria possesses. The country is essentially bursting with human resources, however, limited non-human resources and opportunities weaken the strength and productivity of this diverse and gifted population. To bridge the gap between people and resources, all hands must be on deck to not only provide more resources for individual growth but to also empower these individuals to in turn, provide opportunities for others. This method of driving sustainable empowerment guarantees that each person who is empowered becomes an investment in the nation, one that will in due course, provide returns in form of opportunities and resources that will impact other Nigerians both on individual and national levels. This is where brands like Wema Bank come in; nurturing this intrinsic potential that MSMEs possess to generate the economic growth and national development that Nigeria seeks to achieve.

Wema Bank has built an admirable reputation for itself, evolving from Nigeria’s oldest and most resilient bank to Nigeria’s most innovative bank, and partner of choice for all. The most prevalent areas of its impact are in the MSME Sector, Women Empowerment, Sustainability, Technology, Digital Penetration/Adoption, Innovation and Financial Inclusion. These key areas stand economic growth and national development but ultimately, to boosting Nigeria’s position on the global landscape.

Through a plethora of products, programmes, partnerships and solutions, Wema Bank has empowered businesses with cutting-edge solutions, resources and tailored support for growth; from its newly launched its SME Business School which has served to strengthen the technical knowhow of MSMEs to its Export TradeAcademy designed trade, Wema Bank’s female-focused proposition, SARA by Wema, through which the bank has created unique solutions designed to help

Nigerian women thrive in their personal and professional lives, and even the Wema Bank 5 for 5 Promo through which the bank rewards customers with millions of Naira monthly for their personal and business needs; these are all excluding the MSME forums, trainings and trade fairs that the bank has sponsored over the years. It is no surprise that Wema Bank has become a beacon of hope to all Nigerians.

However, Wema Bank’s uniqueness lies not only in its commitment to constantly innovating for increased MSME impact but more importantly, in its strategy of championing that intersectoral synergy between the public sector and the private sector to achieve the shared goal of empowering MSMEs. Perharps the most prominent of such partnerships championed by Wema Bank Through Innovation and solidify its commitment Skillnovation Programme.

Wema Bank, in partnership with the Federal Digital Skillnovation Programme for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) on September 29, 2023, with the goal of training and equipping two million (2,000,000) youth and one million (1,000,000) MSMEs across Nigeria with advanced, relevant, highly demanded and sought-after digital skills for accelerated business performance and career success in the digital driven world that exists today.

With the advent of emerging technologies, it is clear that the digital evolution is here to digitisation has put businesses in a tight spot with only two options—adapt or perish. We see this in the hundreds of brands that dominated the world less than three (3) decades ago but are now extinct, which makes one wonder how Wema Bank did it. Being the oldest Indigenous Bank in Nigeria and simultaneously Nigeria’s most innovative bank seems somewhat paradoxical but on deeper analysis, the answer is clear: Wema Bank’s drive for constant innovation is what has helped it thrive for over seven (7) decades and for other businesses to remain relevant, they must adapt to the evolving needs of the

digital economy.

One thing is certain; digital skills will be in demand for a long time. Cyber-security, data and as such, will remain relevant for decades to come. It is therefore safe to say that acquiring such digital skills is essentially investing in the gift that keeps giving and this is exactly what Wema Bank is partnering with the Nigerian government to achieve—empowering more young Nigerians and businesses with the gifts that will keep giving on individual, business, national and even global levels through this groundbreaking digital empowerment programme.

gramme Curriculum empower participants with key digital skills to help the business sector including software engineering, product management, business analysis, cloud computing and product design, among others. By choosing to focus on increasing the digital expertise of Nigerians across these key areas, Wema Bank is ensuring that Nigerian businesses remain competitive on the global landscape and that Nigeria as a nation, is not left out as the world moves towards full digitisation.

institution, Wema Bank has tailored this programme to suit the needs of both entrepreneurially inclined and professionally inclined Nigerians. Entrepreneurial minded participants will gainment while professionally minded participants will acquire highly sought-after digital skills for optimum employability; all essential to promoting increased value addition in Nigeria’s workforce and giving more Nigerians a competitive edge in the international market, enabling them to become unequivocal assets to a diverse range of industries in Nigeria and across the world. This it is also arming the workforce for increased Programme is one that will not only reduce Nigeria’s unemployment and underemployment rates

national development, boosting the country’s position on the global landscape.

Skillnovation Programme in the last quarter of 2023, over 300,000 Nigerian Youth and Business Owners have leveraged the platform as a launchpad for their business and professional success;

(36) states in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have undergone basic trainings under self-paced learning conditions, allowing them to fully internalise the course content at their own speed. As reported by participants, this Virtual Training phase was a huge success, with many referring to the programme as an

is set to begin its next phase—physical training.ences in terms of learning methods. While some are able to assimilate excellently from virtual sessions, many others require a physical learning experience for maximum retention; hence the

Digital Skillnovation Programme. However, it is common knowledge that virtual learning bridges the gap in access to learning based on geographical restrictions, so this Physical Training agenda of this programme naturally begs the parts of Nigeria access this programme?”. The Digital Skillnovation Programme will run across the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and here’s how.

across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria to ensure that every Nigerian can access the full location. These hubs will be equipped with cutting-edge training and incubation facilities ideal for advanced and ultra-modern digital-driven learning, giving participants the opportunity to acquire marketable and transferrable digital skills in a state-of-the-art learning space within their reach, and gain a competitive edge in the Hubs will be set up in phases and trainings will commence accordingly, starting with two states in April 2024: Borno State and Anambra State. In addition to these virtual sessions and the physical training to follow, Wema Bank has states, allowing participants to ask questions concerning the programme, their professional trainings for them. It is also worthy to note that is also creating increased access to viable opof Nigeria. In states like Anambra and Imo State, the male to female ratio in participants’ gender segmentation was skewed to the right, with women in the lead. It is commendable that this programme is serving to promote inclusion for women and bridge the gap in gender equality in Nigeria.

Beyond the trainings, Wema Bank is going a to the unique needs of these businesses. Over the course of the programme, participants will receive millions of Naira in equity capital, soft loans and grants, to enable them to put their learnings to practice and build substantial and sustainable streams of income that could potentially make them employers in the nearest future. With the to supplement the opportunities being created, the commitment to providing round-the-clock support for participants throughout the probeyond the scope of the programme, Wema Bank is living out its promise of being “With You, All The Way” for businesses.

Oseni

ARTS & REVIEW ARTS & REVIEW

As a Bastion of Creativity, Next of Kin Nurtures Future Masters

Stomping into its sixth edition, the Next of Kin competition and exhibition organised by Thought Pyramid Art Centre now includes entries beyond Nigeria. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke reports

There are unmistakable hints that the Thought Pyramid Art Centre is gearing up for another edition of its Next of Kin exhibition—the sixth in the series, to be precise. Titled Renewed Hope: ExploringAfrican Narratives of Resilience and Transformation, it opens on Sunday, April 7, with an exhibition that will feature 20 talented artists from across Africa. And here is at the gallery’s Lagos outlet should be stirring up a lot of excitement: it is increasingly living up to its billings as a credible platform dedicated to highlighting up-and-coming artists who would not otherwise have had the opportunity to present their work to the public.

Obviously, this laudable initiative has come quite a long way with a conceptual framework, dating back to sometime in 2008, that ought to guarantee its sustainability. This was during the Thought Pyramid Art Centre’s exhibition director Ovie Omatsola’s visit to Lagos-based artist Emmanuel Dudu’s place in Ikorodu to source artworks for a presentation. But because Dudu didn’t have many paintings to show his visitor, he introduced him to his younger brother Stanley’s charcoal drawings, which he found captivating. “They were lovely works, and I had to buy them all, notwithstanding the fact that he was still a student, rounding up his higher national diploma programme,” Omatsola says about the drawings.

One curious neatness of fate thus set a series of other events in motion, culminating in a soldout solo exhibition titled New Episode, which Omatsola organised for Stanley Dudu at Omenka Gallery in the leafy, upmarket Lagos neighbourhood, Ikoyi. That exhibition’s overwhelming success opened his eyes to the fact that many talented artists, who like Stanley Dudu deserve recognition and support, are still hiding their lamps under a bushel out there. This was how he eventually came up with the high-wattage idea of Next of Kin.

The concept only took on a more coherent form PyramidArt Centre in Lagos and fully materialised series, which featured ten meticulously selected artists.

As the project gained traction, its later iterations sought submissions from a broader pool of emerging talents beyond the organisers’ immediate network, thus guaranteeing that worthy artists were not overlooked. This opening up of submissions for each new edition—a thoughtful, inclusive approach—not only enriched the diversity of the exhibitions but also provided a platform for artists to gain exposure and build connections within the art community.

Thus far, Next of Kin has spawned a vibrant one that creates a lively forum for collaboration and creativity. Moving forward, its goal remains steadfast: nurturing budding talent, celebrating creativity in all its forms, and cultivating an artssupportive and appreciative culture.

current masters, hence Next of Kin. And truly, our selection of artists has been really commendable because 80% of participants in the Next of Kin have been dominating the Nigerian art space even globally.”

annals attests that quite a handful of its alumni have done well for themselves. There was, for instance, Anthonia Nneji, who, in July 2022, was celebrated by Forbes, which listed her among its prestigious 30 under 30 list. Nneji, whose artistic journey hit a high note when she clinched the crown at the inaugural Next of Kin art competition and exhibition back in 2018, stands as a beacon of unbridled talent nurtured by the innovative wings of the Thought Pyramid Art Centre’s initiative. Similarly, Omofemi Oluwole, another 2018 Next of Kin competitor who made it to the top 10, etched his name into the annals of global artistry as the Majesty (the late Queen Elizabeth II).”

On the choice of the sobriquet “Next of Kin,” Omatsola explains that he sees these emerging artists as the next generation of masters that will take over from the present ones. “They are the ones that would inherit the art space from the EDITOR

Some of the emerging talents who sprung from

edition

and global art competitions and exhibitions include Access/Art X Prize 2023 champion Julius Agbaje, the gifted Emmanuel Idowu, who won the 2023 edition, and the remarkable artists Michael Igwe, Elizabeth Ekpetorson, and Sotonye Jumbo. Also worthy of recognition are artists such as Ikechukwu Ezeigwe, who claimed the 2019 title; Christian Allison, the 2020 champion; Unyime Edet; Bertha Onyekachi; and other brilliant creatives like Fortune Anuforo, Odinakachi Okoroafor, Odiabhehor Odibo, and Kareem Tobiloba, making their mark in the vibrant art scene through the diversity and depth of their artistic expressions.

Meanwhile, the prognosis for the future of this initiative, which remains a bastion of creativity and for nurturing and propelling the local art scene’s brightest talents, seems bright. “I personally wish that Next of Kin becomes a brand that will outlive me for sustainability,” Omatsola says. “I’m also working on franchising it to other African countries, including once every six years hosting the Next of Kin art fair.”

In the early stages of planning and executing Next of Kin Series 1, he would never have later achieve Forbes recognition in 2022. Nor could he have foreseen that one of the Series to paint Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth II. “Would I have imagined that, before Next of Kin even reached its 10th year, we would expand our reach to discover talents beyond Nigeria, as evidenced in Next of Kin Series 6? Despite these unforeseen developments, my aspiration for the future is that Next of Kin will persist as a steadfast beacon for uncovering future masters of our arts. I envision Next of particularly by establishing itself as the premier platform for visual arts in Africa, akin to the Amazon of the art world.”

Participants at one of the Next of Kin exhibitions

Omatsola

Omatsola addressing artists and guests during a past

of Next of Kin

Celebrating a Man of Principles and Integrity

Olu Akanmu

Prof. Fola Tayo has written a very interesting autobiog- raphy. The book, His Wondrous Grace, reveals Prof. Tayo as not only a distin- guished academician and university administrator but also a master storyteller. He takes you through a chronology of his distinguished, blessed, and adventurous life. Even as a chronology, the twists and turns that make a life story interest- ing flowed through the book.

The book starts from his early life and even before, giving us the interesting foundations and stories of his forebears, his ancestry from Ndakolo village near Bida, the migration of his great-grandfath- eras cattle traders through several cities in the South West, and his great-grandfather’s marriage to a Yoruba woman, the continuation of the same marriage tradition by his grandfather and father, which saw his dad brought up by his mother’s family at Imota in Lagos State, where young Fola Tayo was born.It is a story about how we are commonly one people in Nigeria, which reminds us how many bona fide Lagosians of Tapa origin, like the Oshodi, or Oshodi Tapa, and many more, are core to the history ofYoungLagos.Fola Tayo has been gifted with brilliance. It showed through his early school years at Imota and Ikosi, toping his classes consistently even in the midst of typical taciturn as a young pupil. He is blessed with good parents who instilled in him strong moral virtues. Young Fola Tayo was also emotionally more mature than his age. He was a young friend of his female class teacher and even got involved in the communication of affection between his male teacher, who wanted to date his friend, his female class teacher, and Aunty.

Young Fola Tayo was brilliant at Oriwu College, Ikorodu, a top student in the art subjects, including Latin. His dream of a solid education was, however, nearly cut short when he had to leave school in Class 4 because his parents could no longer afford his school fees. It was sad, but young Fola Tayo showed his dogged determination, started work, and self-studied. He worked, saved money, and went to the UK. In a curious twist, when he learned that sciences were tougher than arts, he decided to take the challenge and add science to his arts subjects—chemistry, physics, and biology—as he self-studied for his GCE O level. He passed. He continued self-study in science for GCE A level, passed brilliantly, and got admission to the Portsmouth School of Pharmacy. What is inter- esting here is that, without doing science in secondary school, he self-studied and passed his GCE A level.

Young Fola Tayo was a radical. He detests injustice. This has been a defining characteristic of his adventurous life, even in old age. He protested his score in the pharmacy school, saying that he was racially discriminated against. He was vindicated in his later years in the school when he won several prizes and did very well in his viva, where he impressed the famous Prof. Bow- man of the famous Bowman and Rand Classic text book in pharma- cology, who was the external ex- aminer. Prof. Bowman invited him to come to Glasgow‘s Strathclyde

BOOK REVIEW

for his doctoral programme, which he took and cleared in record 24 months instead of the 33-month calendar.

The young radical Fola Tayo, who detests injustice, naturally gravitated to leftist and socialist politics, with Fidel Castro and Che Guevera of Cuba and Latin America and Angela Davis of the socialist movement in the US as his political heroes. Left politics, a revolt against the conservative status quo that represents injustice, was where young people found meaning and explanation about the exploitative nature of capitalism, its alliance with white oppressors in colonial Africa like Ian Smith of Zimbabwe, and the need for a social justice movement that fights for a more inclusive and fairer society. That was the political consciousness of young Fola Tayo. We will see this radical- ism against injustice much later in his life, which he also defined as unrighteousness

unrighteousness to asphyxiate pharmacy. He served as president of the college. I will return to Prof. Tayo’s radicalism later.

Prof. Tayo met the Lord Jesus Christ when he was on Sabbatical in the US, when the LORD revealed Himself to him in a dream. By divine orchestration and arrange- ment, when he was coming back to Nigeria after Sabbatical, he went to OSU, not to the bigger UI. He has been appointed a professor to establish the pharmacy programme at OSU.It was at OSU in Sagamu that Baba was schooled in Christianity by close Christian brethren, who were his staff, and he became a fiery evangelist and, along with others, established the Church, the Chapel of Victory, International, which is growing by leaps and bounds today.

There is a conceptual and spiritual nexus among social justice, fairness, morality, and righteous- ness. For the LORD Almighty is a fair and just God who says, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one (a syn- onym for equal) in Christ Jesus, Galatian 3:28.. His word also says, “Do not rob the poor because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate.” Proverb 22:22. . It is therefore not surprising that Prof. Tayo’s sense of social justice and fairness from his early leftist politics translated into a quest for righteousness, fairness, and justice at the workplace and in larger society as a Christian leader. Prof. Tayo was a member of the G11 Professor Group that fought decadence, unprofessionalism, and unethical administration at the University of Lagos to a standstill in the days of Abacha and the early years of Obasanjo. He did so along with others at a huge personal risk and career cost, which you will find in the book. He even wrote an open letter of challenge to former President Obasanjo in the newspa- pers, protesting the situation at the University of Lagos. In all these, he also remained the fiery evangelist and Christian leader and was ordained a Reverend by Four Square Church. He carried his standard of high professionalism and ethics into his role as Pro Chancellor of Caleb University.

from a moral Christian doctrine when he gave his life to Christ. And all through his adventurous life, he fought different forms of social and academic oppression, social and academic unrighteousness, and injustice.

The book tells of Prof.’s sojourn across four universities: ABU, Ibadan, OSU, and UNILAG, interspersed with several sab- baticals for research in the US. This part of the book is like an auto-ethnographic account of Nigerian university systems, their strengths, weaknesses, politics, successes, failures, and challenges. Prof. Tayo then presented the case for the establishment of the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Ibadan, which today has produced several generations of pharmacists. He fought as Dean of Pharmacy, what he described as PHARMACOPHOBIA at the College of Medicine UNILAG, to get more autonomy and resources for UNILAG Pharmacy, which was virtually being asphyxiated by negative interprofessional rivalry and politics. He was critical to establishing the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacy and its implied consultant status— a struggle against professional

In conclusion, a way to sum- marise Baba Prof. Tayo’s life is that a righteous man may face adversi- ties, but the LORD sees them through it all, for the Lord said in his word in Psalm 37:25, “I was young, and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken.” Indeed, the Lord truly stands by His own. Mummy Tayo testifies of the grace concerning righteousness on Prof. Tayo in her write-up in the book on Prof. Tayo when she writes, “It is instructive that when he stands up for righteousness, God honours him.” The LORD has indeed honoured Prof. Tayo with a good and purposeful life. In his tribute to his granddad in the book, Temiloluwa Tayo describes his granddad as “a man of God.” There is no greater tribute to man than to be so described as a man of God, for in those words are the summary of the best virtues of man.

Prof. Fola Tayo is blessed. We rejoice with you on this occasion, sir, and we celebrate you for a life of good impact. Happy birthday, and I wish you a much longer life in good health and prosperity.

Editor

IN THE ARENA

SMS:

Another Prolonged Strike Looming in Universities

As the strike embarked upon by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and NonAcademic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions grounds activities in federal universities, Juliet Akoje writes that immediate intervention by the federal government is needed to resolve the issue and prevent further damage to the schools’ academic calendar

Since the commencement of the strike by the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) last Monday, activities in the federal universities across the country have come to a standstill, according to reports.

The unions separately declared the strike to press home their demands, resulting in students scheduled to write Computer-Based Test (CBT) exams being left stranded. The two unions, after several notices, followed through with their threat by embarking on strike on March 18, 2024, shutting down hostels, power supply, security and administrative works in universities across the country.

Both SSANU and NASU are protesting unpaid salaries by the federal government. The two unions berated the federal government for paying withheld salaries to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) while neglecting the nonacademic unions.

All the unions had embarked on an eight-month strike in 2022 to press home some of their demands, which included a better welfare package.

The administration of then President Muhammadu Buhari subsequently invoked a ‘No Work, No Pay policy’ against the unions but President Bola Tinubu last October approved the release of four of the eight months withheld salaries.

However, the President of SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, accused the federal government of unfair treatment and discrimination against non-academic unions by failing to pay them like their academic counterparts.

He alleged that some “saboteurs in his government” might be responsible for the decision. He wondered why the president would give an instruction that members of varsity unions be paid 2022 arrears and some government officials won’t fully comply with the presidential directive. For him, what is good for the goose, is equally good for the gander.

When the unions issued a threat to embark on a strike if they were not paid, the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, feigned ignorance of their notice to strike. However, the minister has assured Nigerians that the matter was receiving attention “at the highest level of government.”

Like the usual government’s procrastination and failure to act, it was not until the unions had commenced their strike that the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, came out to appeal to the unions.

But first, she criticised the unions for embarking on the strike, claiming that the strike undermined the federal government’s dedicated efforts to resolve the unions’ grievances.

According to the minister, in a statement by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Olajide Oshundun, the unions did not formally notify her ministry of their strike plans, which she said contradicts the stipulations of Section 18 of the Trade Dispute Act.

She said upon learning of the impending strike, the ministry promptly initiated contact with the union leaders to organise an emergency meeting and forestall the strike.

She noted that despite the inability to convene a physical meeting, a productive teleconference was held.

She explained that following the dialogue, the ministry proposed a new date, Monday, March 18, for a comprehensive conciliation meeting, which anticipated that the unions would postpone the strike, pending the meeting’s outcome.

But the unions declined this proposal, she said.

The minister reiterated her stance that strikes are counterproductive and should be the last recourse, only after all avenues for conciliation have been thoroughly explored. She urged both SSANU and NASU to reconsider their position and engage in constructive dialogue with the federal government.

But the logical questions to ask the minister are: What exactly constitutes the “concerted effort” she mentioned? Why was this effort seemingly absent during the four weeks when the unions were vocal about their grievances? Why did the minister schedule a “comprehensive conciliation meeting” for the same day the

POLITICAL NOTES

strike was set to begin, rather than addressing the issues earlier?

While the two unions’ strike had commenced, the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) declared a three-day warning strike, beginning on Wednesday over nonpayment of the four months withheld salaries. In a statement issued by its president, Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma, NAAT explained that the decision to embark on the warning strike was made at the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) emergency virtual meeting.

“This is to enable the union to press home its demand for the payment of withheld salaries of members of NAAT as approved by the presidency,” he said.

The question now is: How fast can the government act and how permanent will the solution be?

Strike actions are often an issue of major concern to students in higher institutions. The current strike would have been averted if the Federal Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Labour and Employment, National Universities Commission (NUC) and Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) had acted expeditiously by ensuring that the directive of President Tinubu was complied with.

This is why many feel that the government may have felt that because the unions are not academic staff, their industrial actions would have zero impact on the university communities. A cursory computation by a Nigerian online newspaper revealed recently that in the 19 years since Nigeria returned to civil rule under the Fourth Republic, universities have embarked on strike 16 times that saw them stay away from work for over 50 months.

Each time there is a strike in the universities, the students suffer because it prolongs their stay in school. It is in order to avoid these unnecessary strikes by any of the unions that parents do all in their powers to send their children and wards to private universities.

This is just not the time to be talking about a strike in Nigerian universities. Nigeria should not be presented with any strike at a time when there is so much hardship in the country and students are strongly eager to graduate.

The Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labour and the NUC should urgently intervene to resolve the issue.

Critical stakeholders in the education sector need to join hands in the efforts to find a lasting solution to what has become a perplexing national challenge.

In doing this, the federal government should take the initiative, so that the country can collectively come up with ways to reposition tertiary education. Unfortunately, disputes are always occasioned by broken promises and unfulfilled agreements by the federal government. The country cannot develop until efforts are made to revitalise key sectors like education and others.

Ramat Mohammed: Fired But Not Hired?

On January 12, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, announced a list of appointments that seemed to inject fresh ideas into the Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy.

Among those announced was Ramatu Abonbo Mohammed as the DirectorGeneral of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments.

Unfortunately, in spite of the announcement that was made public, Mohammed was never handed an appointment letter let alone resume at her new desk. In fact, close family sources said she had been out of the country on

medical ground for some time.

However, about two months after her appointment was announced, precisely Thursday, March 21, Ngelale, in yet another statement, announced the appointment of Mr. Olugbile Holloway as the new DirectorGeneral for the same position – the National Commission for Museums and Monuments.

Although in fairness to the presidency, there was no mention of Mohammed as either being sacked, seconded elsewhere or ever existed in the agency, the interpretation accorded the new appointment – suggesting that she was sacked for Holloway – has stoked an entirely new debate on the character of the government.

It is that either mischief-makers intentionally orchestrated the news to suit a premeditated intention or a clear manifestation of treacherous political undertone. But, really, who fires the person they did not hire?

Indeed, some staff of the agency allegedly shuddered at the claim of sacking someone, who was never at her desk for a day. In other words, there’s more to ignoring her and pretentiously moving on.

But, does Ramat Abonbo Mohammed, have anything to worry about? Maybe not. For a woman, who had always made her marks anytime she was called to serve, this particular incident can’t define her or sculpt an obnoxious narrative around her person.

Onyejeocha

Ramatu

Lessons from Okuama Killings

Apart from security agencies’ culpability, by sponsoring heavily armed gangs to perpetrate violence during elections and rewarding the leaders of violent non-state actors with appointments and contracts, political leaders in the Niger Delta are vicariously liable for the recent killing of 17 officers and men of the Nigerian Army by suspected irate youths in the creeks of Delta State, Ejiofor Alike writes

The recent killing of 17 officers and men of the Nigerian Army by an armed gang at Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area (LGA) in Delta State was the most atrocious and audacious act against the Nigerian state by any non-state actor in recent years.

For many, no word can describe such cruel, insensitive, inhuman and senseless crime against humanity.

Different accounts have been given on the cause of the incident, while questions have been raised on the legitimacy or otherwise of the soldiers’ peace mission to the Okuama community.

Okuama community, an Urhobo community in Ughelli South LGA, is located along the Forcados River, and shares boundaries with the Ijaw-speaking Akugbene and Okoloba communities in Bomadi LGA of Delta State.

Okuama and Okoloba communities had lived together peacefully for over three centuries until boundary dispute tore them apart.

According to one account, a man named Anthony Aboh from Okoloba community was allegedly abducted by Okuama people and his beheaded body was later found floating on Forcados River with his hands tied.

An enraged Okoloba people were said to have reported the incident to the military in Bomadi LGA, and the military operatives proceeded to Okuama community on March 14, 2024.

The soldiers were said to have met with the elders of Okuama community, who denied responsibility for the abduction and killing of the Okoloba youth, and their denial reportedly made the soldiers to insist on arresting the community leaders.

According to the sources in the community, information got to the youths that soldiers had come to terrorise the community and the youths laid ambush and killed the 16 soldiers.

Meanwhile, in a trending TikTok video, the suspected leader of the gang that killed the soldiers has dismissed reports that the soldiers were on a peace mission to the community.

Speaking in pidgin English in the video, which he said could be his last, he claimed that the soldiers were rather there to fight on behalf of the neighbouring Okoloba community in the lingering land dispute.

According to the gang leader, the soldiers earlier came and took away some people and allegedly killed them, only to come back to arrest Okuama community leaders.

In an apparent defence of the Okuama community in an advertorial published in a national daily, the Urhobo Renaissance Society (URS), wondered why military officers could embark on such peace

mission without the knowledge of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori; the Ovie (King) of Ewu Kingdom, and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Otu-Jeremi.

“If the king, the President General (PG), DPO of Jeremi and local government officials were not involved, who were those to sign the peace accord? Why were the police, Department of State Services (DSS) and other sister security agencies not involved in the military peace mission to Okuama?” URS queried.

However, the Nigerian Army last Monday accused the community of resorting to propaganda.

Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu said in a statement that no amount of propaganda would stop the culprits from being punished.

Onyema alleged that rather than provide

assistance to arrest the perpetrators of the crime, the community was dishing out propaganda.

While accusing fingers are being pointed at Okuama community, what is not in the public domain is the culpability of political leaders and security agencies operating in the Niger Delta in the heinous crimes being committed by militants in the region.

Since the return of democracy in 1999, political leaders in the oil-producing region have been sponsoring deadly criminal gangs to perpetrate electoral violence. After elections, these armed groups would resort to crude oil theft and illegal bunkering of oil.

With the official protection these non-state actors enjoy, they have become so brazen that they wear military camouflage and record videos where they display high-calibre weapons, while the security agencies look the other way.

Heads of security agencies in the Niger Delta

NOTES FOR FILE

know the notorious leaders of these gangs but condone their criminal activities to ingratiate themselves with their sponsors.

It took the killing and beheading of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ahoada Local Government Area (LGA) of the Rivers State, SP Bako Angbashim, by a dangerous cult group led by one Gift David Okpara Okpolowu, a.k.a 2-Baba, for the police to go after the criminal gang.

Before the dreaded cult leader and his gang murdered the DPO, security agents in the state were aware of their activities but gave them official protection to remain in the good books of the political leaders in the state.

It was not surprising that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, while speaking on the killing of the soldiers, admitted that “we know who did it and we are following up on him; we are going to get him.”

The CDS was obviously referring to the leader of the gang, which shows that security agencies knew about his criminal exploits before the dastardly act.

The killing of soldiers should serve as a lesson to heads of the various security agencies who condone the excesses of criminals in their areas of responsibility to ingratiate themselves with the paymasters of the dreaded criminal groups.

Another key lesson is that security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Army should stop their excesses and other acts of impunity against the civilian population.

Nigerian soldiers have become notorious for unleashing terror on the civilian population at the slightest provocation and this has provoked youths to carry arms against security agents, leading to the proliferation of heavily armed non-state actors across the country.

Political leaders who reward these criminals with political appointments and pipeline protection contracts are also complicit. In most cases, the pipeline protection contracts are awarded without proper consultations.

Speaking on the killing of the soldiers, a former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mike Ejiofor, said an independent probe of the gruesome killing will indict some Very Important Personalities (VIPs).

He said: “A lieutenant colonel, two majors cannot on their own just move out on a peace-keeping mission in a community. There is so much to this incident that must be found out.”

It has become a tradition for political leaders to issue public condemnations against the atrocities committed by the boys who work for them. Politicians who win elections by perpetrating violence should be exposed before Nigeria is overrun by criminals.

Heads of security agencies should also fish out warlords in their various areas of responsibility.

As Edo Indigenes Give Obaseki Conditions

The report that many residents of Edo State outside the state capital, Benin-City, have given Governor Godwin Obaseki a condition to fix their deplorable roads before they will vote for his candidate in the September 21 governorship election is really interesting. To them, the governor cannot perform so poorly and expect them to vote for his candidate.

For this reason, they want the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, to prevail on the governor to at least do palliative works on some important roads in order not to be embarrassed by voters.

All the people of the state get from Governor Obaseki are blame games and excuses. The governor has not fixed

strategic state roads, let alone volunteering to construct federal roads and requesting for a refund from the federal government. Not even the all-important Benin-Auchi Road that leads to 12 out of the 18 local government areas of the state has caught his attention. As it is today, these 12 local government areas are cut-off from Benin-City, the state capital.

On many occasions, communities had protested the poor condition of the road with no meaningful response from the state government. The poor condition of the road is daily fueling insecurity, yet the state government has not made any efforts to get the federal government to fix the road.

The governor needs to tell the people

of the state, which road he has constructed or rehabilitated since he came to power in 2016. Most of the roads constructed in Owan East and Owan West Local Government Areas by the Samuel Ogbemudia-led military administration have since started failing under the watch of Obaseki without any attention.

In fact, to access the two local governments today, the people have to go through Oloku Junction to connect the Benin-Owo-Akure Road.

To connect Ekpoma, Irrua, Uromi, Ubiaja and even Iruekpen, indigenes have resorted to taking the Benin-Asaba Expressway by Agbor junction.

The governor has been blaming the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government for playing politics and abandoning federal roads in the state. But he was a member of the APC in his first term and still failed to attract the attention of the federal government to those roads.

Musa

Obaseki

Kaduna Where Insecurity Thrives Despite Heavy Military Presence

Despite the concentration of military establishments in Kaduna State, Wale Igbintade writes that the state is fast becoming a hub of terrorist activities outside the North-east, as evidenced by the recent abductions and other security breaches

With over 90 people kidnapped last Sunday in Kajuru-Station community in Kajuru Local Government Area (LGA) in Kaduna State, there is no doubt that terrorists are still on an abduction spree in the state.

The attack came barely two days after 15 women and a man were abducted in the Dogon-Noma community of the same local government. A week before the abductions, about 61 people were abducted at Buda in the same area.

The latest abduction, according to residents, happened around 10 p.m., when most people would have either retired to bed or about to go to sleep. The merciless gunmen operated without restraint as they tormented their helpless victims.

One of the residents, Aminu Kajuru, who holds a traditional title in the emirate, lamented that the area is now under terrorists’ siege.

He said since last year bandits kidnapped the Emir of Kajuru, Alhassan Adamu, and members of his family, the area has remained under constant attack.

“For months our monarch was in the hands of the bandits before he was eventually released and since then, the situation has degenerated. From our estimation, over 100 people had been kidnapped as of today (Monday) when the bandits stormed our area,” he reportedly said.

A youth leader in the area, Harisu Dari, revealed that the terrorists also looted shops and stole food items and other valuables before disappearing into the forest. He said the bandits had ordered residents to come out of their houses before they were abducted.

In Kajuru and other areas of the state, no day passes without abductions of residents. The people have increasingly been subjected to unabated terrorism, banditry, killing of farmers by herders, and several abductions as security agents seem to have been overwhelmed and overstretched.

Today, this major industrial centre in Northern Nigeria which had flourishing manufacturing businesses is now a shadow of itself due to insecurity.

The situation, according to the people, does not mirror the reputation the state has as the home of

some of the most critical military command and control centres in Nigeria.

These establishments include the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), 1 Division Nigerian Army, Command and Staff College and Nigerian Army School of Infantry (NASI), both at Jaji; the Nigerian Army School of Artillery (NASA), and the Nigerian Navy School of Armament Technology, both at Kachia; Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology; Nigerian Military School and Nigerian Army School of Military Police, both in Zaria.

The state is also home to a depot of the Nigerian Army, a training centre for old soldiers. The existence of NDA, 1 Division, Air Force Base, and some military cantonments in Kaduna has earned the historical capital of Northern Nigeria the name and fame – The Garrison Town.

Apart from these military establishments, Kaduna also has a Police Training College. Yet, terrorists’ activities have wrapped the residents of the state in fear and anxiety.

Residents said they had expected that with these age-old military establishments, the state should be virtually terror-free. According to them, the array of military establishments should either scare terrorists away from the state or, at worse, confine terror activities to the state’s farthest fringes.

They also expected the existence of this enviable cluster of military establishments to critically advise the military authorities to deploy every relevant strategy to ensure that the spate of terror activities in the state do not constitute the most humiliating slight on the establishments which have been revered over the decades across West Africa.

Terror activities across the state are worsening by the day, rendering many parts of the state highly inhabitable.

Insecurity has also rendered all routes leading to the state capital, Kaduna, virtually the most-dreaded for travellers in the now terror-troubled North-west geopolitical zone.

In 2021, bandits killed 1,192 people in the state and kidnapped 3,348 others, according to a report by a Lagos-based geopolitical advisory outfit, SBM Intelligence. Deaths from insecurity in the state in

2020 were three times higher than those recorded in the North-east states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa battling terrorism, according to the report.

Despite the concentration of security architecture in the state, terrorists attack public and private institutions, as well as communities with impunity. On March 11, 2021, 39 students of the Federal College of Forestry, Afaka-Kaduna, were abducted when bandits invaded the school in the middle of the night.

On April 20, 2021, 23 students of Greenfield University which was formerly located along the Kaduna-Abuja Road, were abducted when bandits attacked the institution.

Also on July 5, 2021, bandits broke into Baptist Bethel High School, Kaduna, and made away with 121 students.

In August 2021, they attacked the country’s foremost military training institution, the NDA in Kaduna City, five months after an attack on Kaduna Airport’s FAAN Quarters.

Bandits had also ambushed a train heading for the city from Nigeria’s capital Abuja after bombing the rail track. At least eight passengers were killed in that incident, while 168 others were kidnapped. It took over seven months before they were freed.

A week after they attacked the train, the bandits raided a military facility in Birnin Gwari, killing 10 soldiers and injuring an unconfirmed number of others.

The attacks have left Nigerians questioning why a state that boasts of numerous elite military agencies, and concentration of weapons can be repeatedly besieged by bandits.

Though the security forces have been relentless in the fight against the terrorists with success stories recorded by the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force, security experts argue that the bandits are emboldened by the government’s lack of political will to frontally engage them, as well as exclusionary or sluggish response to intelligence. They said the situation is compounded by the expansion of the security crisis across the North-west region and mismanagement of equipment and personnel.

While all these happened under Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency, the terrorists have returned with much ferocity under Bola Tinubu’s government.

In less than a month, bandits have killed approximately 20 people and abducted over 400 individuals, plunging the state into a state of panic.

On February 28, 2024, bandits invaded Anguwan Auta, a community in Gonin Gora in Kakau ward of Chikun Local Government Area, killed two people and abducted three others. About four days later, the criminals returned to the area and abducted 13 people. This made hundreds of youths in the area protest and block the busy Kaduna –Abuja highway which passes through Gonin Gora.

On March 7, 2024, the bandits invaded and abducted 287 pupils and teachers of the Government Secondary School and LEA Primary School, Kuriga 1, in the same local government area.

A few days later, the terrorists returned to invade Buda Hausa community in Kajuru LGA and abducted 61 people who are still in captivity. According to the resident, Dauda Kajuru, the kidnappers stormed the community in large numbers and carried out the attack. He lamented that since the removal of an Army Commander popularly known as (Tega), banditry activities have resumed in full force around the Kajuru communities.

This was also followed by another incident in Dogon Noma-Ungwan Gamo community where they took away 14 people in the same local government area.

To release the abducted 287 pupils and teachers of the Government Secondary School and LEA Primary School, Kuriga 1, the bandits are demanding N1 billion as ransom, while they demanded N40 trillion, 11 Hilux vans and 150 brand new motorcycles for the release of the victims they picked up at Gonin Gora.

But President Tinubu has vowed not to pay ransom to the kidnappers. He directed security agencies to ensure the release of all the victims.

For peace to return to the state, and even other parts of Nigeria, many are calling on the president to equip and order the recruitment of more people into the over-stretched armed forces. They also advised him to possibly seek help from foreign countries.

Beyond these, the state government needs to ensure good governance and proper distribution and utilisation of resources in the state.

Some combat-ready soldiers

Beyond the Delta Bloodbath

Nigeria’s endemic insecurity took a different turn last week. Sixteen active duty soldiers were ambushed and killed by presumed youth militants in the Okuama area of Delta State. Not only were the soldiers killed, their remains were reportedly treated with barbaric disrespect and indignity. The most significant symbolism of the bloodbath is not that soldiers died. Soldiers signed up if necessary to die fighting in defence of the nation. In this instance, the soldiers did not die in any combat situation. The deceased were men of war who had gone in search of inter communal peace in their theatre of operation.They were slaughtered instead by a faction of the very people among whom they had gone to make peace.

The feverish hunt for the real perpetrators and effective background to what happened in Okuama has since commenced. The free use of illicit weapons as well as military gear by rival youth militia is self-evident. The flamboyant presence of state enabled warlords as nonstate wielders of illegal arms is also obvious. A long standing proliferation of military grade weapons in the entire area has been taken for granted for far too long. From the heydays of the Niger Delta militancy, all manner of criminality has become endemic. The Nigerian state itself cannot totally be exonerated from culpability in the militarization of consciousness in parts of riverine Delta.

When government recognizes certain warlords to the extent of ceding aspects of national security to them, the background for authorised criminality has been laid. It is common knowledge that the federal government has in recent times paid billions of Naira to companies owned by militant warlords to perform functions ordinarily reserved for the state or its agencies. But the precise immediate cause of this unwarranted bloodbath of the soldiers is what now constitutes a clear and present national security threat.

Understandable outrage and palpable fear has swept across the nation. There is outrage at the barbarity of what has happened. There is a clear sense of collective humiliation that our soldiers should be humiliated this way. But there is also fear as to what might result. Our history of the relationship between the military and the civilian populace is not too edifying. When civilians and soldiers clash, mayhem usually ensues. More people get killed than when the trouble started. Houses get burnt. Property gets destroyed. In all such aftermath, the victims are usually innocent others who happen to be in the vicinity of the affected neighbourhood.

Beyond predictable nationwide condemnations of the killing of the soldiers, something of a national consensus seems to have quickly emerged. It is on how not to treat our men and women under arms who are in harm’s way for the sake of the security of the rest of us all. The men and women who wear the nation’s uniforms in the pursuit of peace and security of the nation deserve to be treated with dignity. The choice to dedicate one’s life in the pursuit of the peace and security of the nation is the highest dedication to nation and fellow citizens.

Above everything else, the armed forces remain the highest expression of our national sovereignty. To assault men and women under arms and in uniform is a direct assault on national sovereignty. To assault and even kill personnel of the armed forces except in war is an outrageous affront on the supreme authority of the state. Those who bear illicit arms and use them to challenge the state ought to be fully aware of the consequences.

Inencountersbetweenarmedforcespersonnel and even the most irate civilian factions, there is a clear Red line. Civilians in possession of unauthorized arms ought to know that attacking and killing active duty soldiers is crossing that Red line. Therefore, those who expected the worst outcome in retaliatory actions over the Delta incident may not have been too far off the mark.

Fear of frightening reprisals in all such situations is not just peculiarly Nigerian. It is inherent in the training and professional instincts of every military. For the military mindset, humanity resolves into two categories of people: Enemy or Friend. A Friend is to be protected. An Enemy is to be vanquished. Therefore, when a civilian populace that is entitled to the protection of

soldiers crosses the Red lie to relate to soldiers as enemies, it sets itself up to be treated as an enemy force. The risk that we run in the Delta bloodbath is therefore a consequence of this breach of the psychological make up of every soldier. The challenge of military and political leadership in the present situation is one of management of violence to serve the ends of democratic civility and orderly coexistence.That obligation happens to be above the limited confines of the military’s professional mindset.

The situation requires a deft management of force to prevent unstructured reprisals and flagrant violations of the rights of innocent citizens. Reports from the affected area indicate that there have been increased hostile activity as well as suspected reprisals by the military and other opportunistic beneficiaries from the crisis. Clearly, the blazes that have been caught on video look more like reprisals by a determined adversary. The challenge to the military authorities in the situation is one of restraint to prevent reprisal attacks on the affected communities. For the political leaders, the challenge is to avoid incendiary rhetoric that could incite further aggravation of a bad situation. Even with the heat of anger on both sides and the avoidable actions that have taken place, the supreme national challenge remains that of maintaining peace, law and order in the affected areas.

Those who have equated the casualty count in the Delta incident to what has been happening to our troops in the North East miss the whole point. In the North East, there is an ongoing insurgency war. Casualties in a war situation are understandably considerable. It does not include the cold blooded massacre of service personnel on peace keeping operations. It is lazy analysis to lump the Delta bloodbath with other losses of lives of soldiers in different other parts of the country and term it the human costs of ‘insecurity’. A deliberate mass

armed factions of the populace. At the back of this doctrine is the ancient stipulation that in order for individuals and groups to enjoy full freedoms and rights, the state must exist in the first place. In other words, the existence of the state is the first condition for the existence of rights. There are no rights in an anarchic vacuum. But the existence of the state is a function of the prevalence of a superior force over other forms of force, especially those that challenge the state’s monopoly of violence and force.

In the Obasanjo doctrine, therefore, once any section of the Nigerian community takes up arms to challenge or threaten the pre-eminence of the federal government, it becomes imperative for the federal sovereign to overwhelm that insurrection with terminal precision and decisive finality. That is the only way to discourage future random challenges to national sovereignty. According to Max Weber, “a state is a legitimate monopoly of force over a definite territory. The territorial legitimacy of a state corresponds to the area occupied by the group of individuals who signed on to the social contract.”

For a battle tested combatant, the Obasanjo doctrine is a derivative of the civil war dictum of “to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done!”. It served the national purpose of reuniting the country in 1970.When the military quit the stage in 1999 and enthroned civil democratic rule, it hoisted the doctrine of superiority of force as a cornerstone of national security.

murder of military personnel whose only crime is that they happen to be soldiers by criminal gangs belongs in a different place. It must be punished for the reckless criminality that it is. The incident in the Delta is ugly. But it is not new. We have had nasty confrontation between civilians and the armed forces previously. There was the famous Odi incident in Bayelsa State. In the early days of the Obasanjo civilian administration, a contingent of policemen deployed to keep the peace in Odi was attacked and most of them killed. Soldiers were sent in to investigate and bring perpetrators to book. Some of them were also killed. Clearly, the will of the state and the armed supremacy of the sovereignty of the state was under effective assault. The state responded by literally obliterating the Odi community. My late friend and then Senate President, Chuba Okadigbo, later retold me the story of Odi. He took a Senate team to see what could be saved of Odi. When they got there, they were greeted by an eerie silence: charred homesteads, a field of carnage and not a single living being. His rhetorical question was forever unanswered: “Where is Odi?” Silence and emptiness were the answer that has lingered till today.

Similarly, inter communal clashes in the Zaki Biam area of Benue State assumed political dimensions during Obasanjo’s first term as civilian president. Civil peace was severely threatened. The will of the state was under severe threat as one of the community leaders happened to be a former Chief of Army Staff, General Victor Malu, whose politics ran at cross purposes with those of Mr. Obasanjo. Mr. Obasanjo ordered an armed invasion of Zaki Biam. Houses were razed. Many died. The community fled to neighbouring places.

Taken together, Odi and Zaki Biam become a gruesome short hand for a doctrine on the use of force in the preservation of the Nigerian state. It is neither new nor original. It goes back to Hobbes, Locke and Weber. Even Machiavelli had words of caution for those who must affront the Prince with force.

Let us give it a Nigerian name and call it the Obasanjo doctrine. In its simplest formulation, it clearly indicates that democracy should not mean reckless endangerment of the state by

Beyond Odi and Zaki Biam, the rise of militant ethno national and regional challenges to national sovereignty became more frequent. Easily the most pronounced and strategically significant was the Niger Delta militancy. It became fierce soon after Obasanjo completed his two term presidency in 2007. His successor, President Umaru Yar’Adua had to contend with a fierce insurgency in the Niger Delta. His peace gestures were mistaken for weakness. Yar’Adua invoked the Obasanjo doctrine. He mobilised the armed forces for a full scale assault on the worst parts of the Niger Delta. A full scale aerial bombardment of the areas controlled by the worst militant leaders was followed by ground assaults and take downs of militant camps and bastions. The overwhelming force of the federal forces secured a pax Nigeriana. The region was offered the human face of the Amnesty programme as an alternative to total military occupation. The Obasanjo doctrine would once again seem to have worked to the benefit of the Nigerian state.

Beyond the gruesome symbolism of assaulting the sovereignty of the nation, the killing of the soldiers in Delta is only one aspect of the spiraling insecurity in the nation. Other forms of our insecurity undermine other dimensions of our life as a nation. Kidnappings and abductions constrain the freedom of citizens to move freely in pursuit of their daily lives. Banditry in rural areas affect the nation’s food security by endangering the right of farmers to plant and harvest their crops freely. Separatist violence and militancy affect political freedoms of people in the affected areas for fear that a free expression of their political views could lead to threats to their lives. In the areas subject to jihadist violence, terrorism and fundamentalist insurgency, the secular essence of the Nigerian state is constantly called to question by militant zealots who seek territory, tribute to advance their bad ideology. Arguably, no aspect of the effects of our insecurity is more injurious that the other. But perpetrators of acts of insecurity whose actions endanger the existence of the very state undermine the very foundations of our corporate existence as a nation.

The Okuama killings have happened at a time when the need for national reassertion is highest. Therefore, the fallen heroes of Okuama waterside must be laid to rest in a most befitting manner. Adequate compensation and lifelong support must be extended to their families and dependents. The president as Commander-inChief must attend their funeral, preferably in full military regalia. He has taken a good step in conferring national honours on them. He must say something memorable about the sanctity of our national sovereignty and the special place of heroes who wear our nation’s uniforms and get into harm’s way in order to keep us all safe. It is the hour to serve notice to all trouble-makers and criminals that the hour of the walk over Nigerian state is over.

Musa

Edited by: Duro Ikhazuagbe email:Duro.Ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

Egypt Wins 13th African Games with Record 101 Gold Medals

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Eof the 13th edition of the African Games which ended last night in Accra, Ghana. The Pharaohs were the unassailable leaders, winning record 101 gold, 46 silver and 42 bronze medals to emerge champions.

the Games that any country was achieving the

100 gold medals mark to win.

The biggest star of the Egyptian team was gold medals in the men’s 200m, 400m, 800m,

But his medals haul was still short of the feat performed by another Egypt in previous edition gold medals from the pool.

table. South Africa placed third with 32 gold,

32 silver and 42 bronze medals. Algeria (29 gold medals) and Tunisia (21 gold

sixth with 19 gold, 29 silver and 20 bronze medals. Morocco, Ethiopia and Mauritius all tied on nine gold medals respectively but were separated by better silver and bronze on 8 gold medals completed the Top 10 of the continental multi-sports competition.

Ghana Coach Insists Black Stars were Unlucky Against Super Eagles

GhanaCoachOttoAddohas said his Black Stars were unlucky not to at least get a draw from the Jollof Derby against rivals Super Eagles because they controlled the game.

The Super Eagles won the friendly 2-1 in Marrakesh, Morocco Friday.

“I don’t like to look too much about the positives because we lost. But I think we were a bit unlucky the way we conceded like I said we were unlucky,” he told the GFA Media.

“First half they had the better chances, but in the second half we really, really did well. If you want to come to the positive

signs, the things we did in the second half with 10 men was good. We controlled them; we were a little bit unlucky with

“I think what killed us was their second goal because we were close to actually equalize but in all, a draw would have been deserved but like I said we lost and we have to improve and move on.”

He said he was impressed with his team even when they were reduced to 10 men.

“Absolutely, the way Abdul Salis was running and how he controlled the game was really, really impressive. But all the others did well too,”Addo reasoned.

“To hold them with 10-men in their half and pin them was a massive thing. We had good possessions; we helped and

supported each other in the right timing, especially Abdul Salis, when they pressed us, he went into the right spots to get out of the pressure and from there also we created danger with Jordan, with Semenyo. “The wing backs also in the second half were good, with Tariq (Lamptey) and Ebenezer (Annan) and it was really, really good. Ernest Nuamah you can’t catch, at the end we could have created a little more if we were lucky and Antoine Semenyo scored the equalizer with the chance he had with the header, then maybe we get a point but in the end we lost.” problems because I wanted him to play like

African Champions Côte d’Ivoire Held by Benin

Oumar Diakite scored a secondhalf equaliser to spare the blushes of newly-crowned African champions Côte d’Ivoire who were held to a 2-2 draw by Benin in a friendly in Amiens, France on Saturday.

winner of the athletics events of the 13th edition of the Games in Ghana with 11 gold, 6 silver and most gold medals. The lifters harvested 16 gold, 10 silver and 6 bronze medals to contribute a total 32 medals to Team Nigeria. Boxing placed third with 8 gold and 2 silver medals while wrestling was fourth in other of contribution of gold medals to Team Nigeria’s table. Daniel Igali’s men and women won 6 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze medals from the mat in freestyle wrestling event.

Four Nigerian Wrestlers Qualify for Paris 2024 Olympics

Four Nigerian Wrestlers yesterday quali-

Paris 2024 Olympic Games in their various events at the ongoing African and Asiaexandria, Egypt. The wrestlers will now join Odunayo Adekuoroye, who in 2023 after winning a bronze medal in the women’sships in Belgrade.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics silver medalist Blessing Oborududu booked a place at the 2024 Paris Olympics after a 2-0 pinfall victory over Uilau Tarkong of Palau in the 68kg.

World Military Champion, Amy Youin of Côte d’Ivoire 6-0 to secure Olympics slot In Paris.

list of Nigerian athletes going to Paris for the Olympics after overcoming Angelina Rodrigues of Cape Verde

10-0. African Games champion, Christiana Ogunsanya in the Shaimaa Mohamed 10-0 to However, Mercy Genesis narrowly missed out on Paris Olympics in this window Mohamed of Egypt in the Five female wrestlers will represent the country in the Paris 2024 Olympics . Nigerian male freestyle wrestlers will hope to join their female counterparts

The remaining Olympic slots will be decided on May 9 to 12 at the 2024 World Istanbul, Turkey. (NAN).

THE QUALIFIED WRESTLERS

*Hannah Reuben

Blessing Oborududu

Christiana Ogunsanya Odunayo Adekuoroye

RESULTS

(Friendlies)

England 0-1 Brazil

El Salvador 0-3 Argentina

Peru 2-0 Nicaragua

Zambia 2-2 Zimbabwe

Côte d’Ivoire 2-2 Benin

Ireland 0-0 Belgium

NPFL

Doma 1-1 Gombe

K’Pillars 1-0 Sporting TODAY

Heartland v Rangers

Katsina Utd v Abia War

Fae since his side lifted the Africa Cup of Nations title on home soil last month, but they had to come behind twice to draw after a lacklustre performance.

opened the scoring before winger Max Gradel equalised just before the half-hour mark. Olaitan’s second goal put Benin on course for victory before Diakite equalised again after 69 minutes.

Kwara Utd v Enyimba

Lobi Stars v Bayelsa

Plateau v Akwa Utd

Ivory Coast play Uruguay in a friendly in Lens on Tuesday, another opportunity to build towards the resumption of 2026 African World Cup

Sunshine v Rivers Utd (PP)

Remo Stars v Insurance

L-R: Hannah Reuben, Christiana Ogunsanya, Blessing Oborududu and Esther Kolawole booked their tickets to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris at the Africa and Asia Olympic Qualifiers in Alexandria, Egypt...yesterday

APGA to Ganduje

“I wonder the level of progress Kano State made under Ganduje’s APC that resulted in a revolutionary and historic rejection of the party by the people in 2023 as the people opted instead to vote for the NNPP and were ready to stake their lives to defend their votes.” – APGA replying APC National Chairman, Dr. Ganduje, for saying that Anambra State has remained politically-dislocated from the centre by remaining under the party.

SIMON KOLAWOLE

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500

How Lawmakers Underdevelop Nigeria

Count it all joy, dear readers, if I am summoned by Nigerian legislators after the publication of this article, for it is most likely I will be invited only once, tongue-lashed, and asked to remove my shoes and frog-jump back to my house. For heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), they cannot be that lucky. They can be invited thrice a week — sometimes by the same committee — and subjected to intense embarrassment in front of cameras and not allowed to utter a word of explanation. Newspaper headlines the following day will be:

‘Lawmakers uncover N30bn fraud under Gorimapa’. Mr Gorimapa will spend the rest of his life trying to explain that the allegation is not true.

Welcome to the world of legislature in Nigeria, where blackmail, intimidation and extortion are common tools to acquire instant billions of naira. They are well disguised as statutory functions. If you talk too much, the lawmakers will wave the constitution in your face and tell you that they are only doing their job. Of course, the constitutional responsibilities of the legislature are: representation, legislation and oversight. They, on paper, represent the interests of their constituents who voted them into office. They ostensibly make laws for the country’s peace, order and governance. They, theoretically, oversight the executive arm for accountability and transparency.

If, in reality, they genuinely discharge these responsibilities with a sense of duty to God and country, Nigeria would be a far better place. Healthcare, education and critical infrastructure at national and subnational levels would be among the best the African continent has to offer. We would not be lamenting about public hospitals lacking basic equipment, drugs and personnel; public schools with empty libraries and laboratories; or public roads punctuated by potholes and craters. If the lawmakers sincerely perform their constitutional roles with an utmost sense of patriotism, I can confidently declare that the executive arm will not be getting away with murder all the time.

Before I proceed, I need to be clear that I am not saying the legislature is solely responsible for the sorry state of the nation. Definitely, there is enough blame to go round the executive, judiciary, media, civil society and the general populace. Nobody can claim innocence in the underdevelopment of Nigeria. This article only focuses on the role of the lawmakers, given current controversies in the polity. My intention is to look at the dubious quota the lawmakers are contributing to the state of the nation. They do not have the powers of the executive and the judiciary, but if they exercise the powers they have diligently and purposefully, they can enable and entrench good governance.

I am also not saying all lawmakers are bad. That would be unfair. There are many lawmakers out there putting in a decent shift in spite of the difficult and sleazy environment. Also, the lawmakers, especially at the national level, have commendably risen to the occasion on a number of times, providing important checks on the executive, stopping overbearing presidents from becoming democratic dictators, blocking the “Afrodemocracy” third term agenda, and exposing executive malfeasance. And can we ever forget the timely invocation of the “doctrine of necessity” to fill the power vacuum left behind by the terminal ailment of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2010?

Indeed, I rate the legislators highest on lawmaking — and I refer not just to the 469 members of the National Assembly but also the 993 lawmakers in the 36 states of the federation. Where they have

Tinubu

often failed to deliver is in representation and oversight. You may be expecting me to talk about the budgeting, but that is part of lawmaking. They process the appropriation bill and turn it into law. In a way, I have covered that ground. But, in the real sense of it, they naturally discharge the two other functions of representation and oversight through the budgeting process — by purporting to factor in the interests of their constituents and oversighting the implementation by the executive arm.

But what do we see? “Representation” is usually about self rather than the constituent. Some lawmakers have come to think that paying medical bills and school fees is what representation means. But this is only a product of a system that has left the people behind, a system that makes the rich richer and the poor poorer and sustains itself through the entrenched beggarly culture. For instance, no UK constituent will send an SMS to the MP asking for money to pay school fees or hospital bills: the state provides free, quality education and health care to its citizens. In Nigeria, a lot of the funds end up in the pockets of the politicians, who then go on to play Father Christmas.

If the lawmakers truly represent their constituents, schools will not be teaching chemistry without chemicals, neither would hospitals be in want of paracetamol. They have the powers of budgeting and oversight. Some lawmakers think buying grinding machines for their constituents is the real meaning of representation. Yes, handouts are politically useful, but representation is more than giving out handouts. It is true that there is pressure from their constituents to buy wheelbarrows for “empowerment” and this is partly driving the extortion, but constituents can also see how their representatives have been transformed to billionaires overnight, so they want their own “share”.

Perhaps the most odious trait of Nigerian lawmakers is in the area of oversight, where the beast in them is often unleashed. President Bola Tinubu, while breaking the Ramadan fast on Wednesday with members of the House of Reps, specifically pleaded with the National Assembly to exercise restraint in the incessant invitation of agency heads. No week passes without the lawmakers summoning them and threatening to issue warrants of arrest against them if they fail

to appear — all this in an unnecessary attempt to flaunt their constitutional powers. Ultimately, at least from what we hear all the time, this is not really about promoting accountability. Yes, you know what I mean.

I have spoken to many agency heads in recent times and many are worn out by the harassment from the legislators. The extortion is too much. The waste of time, money and energy is unsustainable. One agency head told me: “In a month, some MDAs receive between 15 and 20 invitations to public hearings and interactions from various committees. All letters clearly indicate that the heads of agencies must attend and no representation is allowed. They will ask you to submit information that has already been submitted either to them or to another committee. The sheer number of documents we have to send… if recycled, it will save millions of dollars in paper importation.

“These submissions, at times, date back to 15 years and yet they ask that they are submitted in a few days. These submissions are in hundreds and sometimes thousands of pages. And you are supposed to submit 30 to 50 copies each. The worst thing is that they hardly read them. They have so-called consultants who are engaged to look for lapses and problems, not solutions. Same consultants set up questions for the members of the committee to ask MDAs during the hearings. The aim is always to harass and embarrass us for other ulterior motives. They do this in conjunction with the press corps who are used to spread spurious allegations if you do not ‘co-operate’ with the legislators.”

Another agency head told me: “The worst part for me is that some of my colleagues will cancel appointments to fly to Abuja only to be told the hearing has been moved or cancelled. Matters that have been looked into and closed by the previous National Assembly will be resurrected. This is the most vicious and desperate National Assembly ever. The impunity is something else. They tell you to your face that they spent money on elections and tribunals and need to recoup. They are not even hiding it. They brazenly ask you to pad budgets and tell you not to worry about how they will get the money out. They tell you they have special project contractors or consultants who would handle it.”

I do not suggest, by any strand of imagination, that the executive arm is full of saints and lovers of Nigeria. I do not propose that the arm is the epitome of accountability. For all you care, intimidation, extortion and blackmail by legislators may be their own way of getting “a piece of the action” — but we know that even on that front, most are well taken care of, aside the fact that they also take good care of themselves. My biggest worry is no longer about the corruption, which is sickening enough, but the impunity. Our legislators at national and subnational levels — 1,462 of them — need to endear themselves to Nigeria by truly representing them and making them their utmost priority.

I know the drill: this article will be deliberately interpreted as an attempt to blackmail the legislators and stop them from doing their job. To the contrary, this is actually an appeal to them to do their job — and do it properly, in the interest of 200 million Nigerians. There is no way Nigeria can make progress if the legislature does not creditably perform its responsibilities of representation, lawmaking and oversight. In presidential democracy — as opposed to the parliamentary system — there is a reason the powers of the executive and legislature are separated. It is to avoid having an omnipotent president. It is for checks and balances. But in Nigeria, it is more about bank balances.

And Four Other Things…

FALLEN SOLDIERS

The gruesome killing of 16 officers and men of the Nigerian army in Okuoma, Delta state, is so painful. Under no circumstance should people kill an agent of the state. It is a direct attack on the state. And this should never be justified or defended by sane people. I know some people are still in 2015/2023 elections mode and are spewing rubbish trying to justify the killings — but imagine that the soldiers had not exercised restrain and had opened fire on the attackers instead. We would be talking about Okuama massacre by now. Still, military response has to be mature to avoid a repeat of the disproportionate reactions to the previous incidents in Odi, Zaki Biam and Bama. Unfortunate..

UNKNOWN ARRESTERS

On March 15, 2024, Mr Segun Olatunji, editor of FirstNews, was reportedly taken away from his home by armed men. Although there are suspicions that it is one of the security agencies, perhaps the military, but there is yet no word on him. No agency has claimed responsibility. This makes it even scarier. Abduction of journalists was very common under military rule (naïve campaigners for a return of military rule may find that fact useful) but how can this still be happening in a democracy? On August 1, 2019, social media influencer, Abubakar Idriss, aka “Dadiyata”, was abducted by armed men at his house in Kaduna state. Till today, there is no word on his whereabouts. Disturbing.

VIRGIN ISLAND

Rev Fr Emmanuel Edeh, chancellor of the Madonna University, set social media on fire last week. At the university’s convocation, he declared: “It is only in this university that girls who have entered as virgins graduate as virgins. You can join our university as a virgin and graduate as a virgin. Tell me any other university in the whole world that can maintain this. That is why people from London, America, England, Germany, when you meet them, they will say Father, we want to marry a girl who is a virgin. And they don’t tend to get that until they come to Madonna University.” I am not interested in the big debate. I just want to know how the man of God knows they graduate as virgins. Intriguing.

CLARIFICATION CORNER

Last week, I commented on the case involving Senator Orji Uzor Kalu in which I said that the Court of Appeal blocked his retrial on technical grounds. That is not exactly the case. Kalu’s conviction in 2019 had been upturned by the Supreme Court on technical grounds — that the trial judge had been promoted before he delivered the judgement. The case that was thrown out weeks ago by the Court of Appeal was a civil one. The EFCC is trying to re-arraign Kalu but a high court blocked it. In its appeal, the EFCC did a shabby job in its filings and the Court of Appeal threw it out. The anti-graft agency is now expected to do things properly and proceed with the case. It is not over yet. Clarified.