THURSDAY 6TH APRIL 2023

Organ Harvesting: Obasanjo Pleads for Clemency for Ekweremadu, Wife James Sowole in Abeokuta Nigeria's former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has pleaded with the Central Criminal Court,

Old Bailey, United Kingdom and the Government of the United Kingdom to temper justice with mercy in the case of organ harvesting for which the former Deputy Senate

President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife had been found guilty.

The UK court had found the trio of the former deputy Senate President, his wife Beatrice, a doctor,

Obinna Obeta guilty of conspiring to arrange the travel of a 21-year old from Nigeria to the UK in order to harvest organs for their daughter, Sonnia.

However, in a letter dated April 3,2023, and addressed to the Chief Clerk, the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, Obasanjo, stated Ekweremadu's qualities, which

could qualify him to deserve clemency of the UK government and the court.

Continued on page 10

HURIWA Accuses National Broadcasting Commission of Promoting Fascism ... Page 10 Thursday 6 April, 2023 Vol 28. No 10221. Price: N250

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Peter Obi Under Pressure to Leave Nigeria, Says Labour Party ... Page 35

Soyinka: Datti’s S'Court Comments Fascistic, Menacing, Unacceptable Says he’s acting like Trump with do-or-die provocation Declares his position as an intimidation of judiciary Chuks Okocha in Abuja Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, yesterday, insisted that the

comments by the Vice-Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed on the just concluded presidential

poll was fascistic, menacing and unacceptable in a democracy.

Soyinka, who likened BabaAhmed’s commentaries to those

of former United States President, Donald Trump with his do-or-die provocation, further declared his commentaries as a palpable in-

timidation of the nation’s judiciary.

He also explained why he advised the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, and the Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to leave Continued on page 10

Fuel Subsidy Removal: FG Secures $800m World Bank Facility for Palliatives To be disbursed to 50m Nigerians Discussions on with incoming government on modality to phase out policy Deji Elumoye in Abuja The federal government has disclosed that it has secured a World Bank facility worth $800 million to attend to a segment of post-petroleum subsidy palliatives requirement in the country.

This was just as it stated that discussions are also on between the present administration and the in-coming government on modalities for the removal of fuel subsidy by middle of this year.

Speaking with newsmen yesterday, after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, at the State House, Abuja, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, disclosed that the $800 million was first tranche of palliatives to be disbursed through cash transfers to about 50 million Nigerians, who belong to the most vulnerable category of society.

According to her: "When we Continued on page 10

SIGNING CEREMONY OF ESTABLISHMENT OF NSIA-VITOL JOINT VENTURE COMPANY...

L-R: Head of Environmental Products, Vitol, Michael Curran; Business Development (Africa), Vitol, Richard Egan; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, and, MD/CEO, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, Mr. Aminu Umar-Sadiq, during the agreement signing ceremony at the State House for the establishment of an NSIA-Vitol joint venture company called CarbonVista - a carbon avoidance and removal company…see story on page 5

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

NEWS

BAWA AT FEC...

L-R: Chairman , EFCC , Abdulrasheed Bawa; National Security Adviser to the President , Major General (retd), Babagana Monguno and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI at the Federal Executive Council meeting held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa , Abuja ….yesterday

NSIA, Vitol Seal JV Agreement for Carbon Emissions Reduction Projects $50 million initial investment committed

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), which oversees Nigeria’s Sovereign Wealth Fund and Vitol have signed a joint venture agreement to invest in projects that would significantly reduce carbon emissions in the country.

It was learnt that an initial $50 million had been committed to the plan, with a view to attracting new investors as the partners develop the project pipeline.

The JV was expected to commence with projects in Nigeria in partnership with local firms with proven track records of successfully delivering high-quality projects, combining carbon offsetting with social outcomes.

In addition, it was meant to contribute to the attainment of UN Sustainable Development Goals, with major focus on infrastructure, agriculture and energy.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, in her comments, said that the joint venture was important, while expressing happiness over the prospects of a domestic carbon market in Nigeria.

She stated that the NSIA's unwavering commitment to promoting sustainable development in Nigeria was evident through its extensive portfolio of successful projects.

According to her, CarbonVista, a platform for developing quality

projects and attracting third-party capital, represents yet another milestone in NSIA's mission to build critical infrastructure and create investment opportunities that drive economic growth and development in Nigeria.

"I am particularly pleased that this initiative is a Joint Venture between two important players in their respective fields, targeting one common goal: to invest an initial $50 million towards developing sustainability-driven projects in Nigeria.

"This venture is expected to attract additional capital and leverage the large pool of ESG resources to create new businesses and develop the voluntary carbon market in Nigeria. It clearly demonstrates the power of partnerships in driving positive change toward sustainable development.

"As the supervising minister of this institution, NSIA’s great strides continue to represent critical building blocks in support of our aspirations for the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National planning and the country.

"More fundamentally, I am pleased with the prospects of a domestic carbon market in Nigeria and its opportunities for sustainable investment and economic growth," she noted.

The finance minister stated further that a thriving carbon market can create new opportunities for busi-

nesses and investors while driving the country's transition towards a low-carbon economy.

Ahmed pointed out that the government will continue to support the venture as it seeks to place Nigeria at the forefront of tackling climate change while achieving sustainable social and economic outcomes.

"We recognise that climate change is a global challenge that requires collective action, and we are committed to playing our part in the global effort to address this challenge.

"Through initiatives like CarbonVista, we are creating an enabling environment for sustainable invest-

ment in Nigeria, contributing to the country's economic development while protecting our environment for future generations,” she concluded.

The Chief Executive Officer, NSIA, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, explained that given the NSIA’s mandate as the custodian of economic resources for the next generation of Nigerians, tackling climate risks that have adverse effects on the environment was core to the objectives of the organisation.

According to him, the NSIA sustainability objectives go beyond seeking out profitable investments that incorporate climate solutions, to mitigating activities that could have adverse impact on the wellbeing

potential to scale to 100 MW- located in the heart of Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital.

"The project will use renewable energy sources, including the power of the sun, to abundantly generate clean energy for businesses and households in Lagos, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and promoting sustainable development,” it added.

The solar farm, it said, would also reduce the cost of electricity for businesses and households, making it an attractive investment for both private and public sector players.

the partnership to grow into a platform that pushes the carbon trading market, encourages green project development, and attracts significant third-party capital into the ESG space in Nigeria.

"The unique challenges posed by climate change calls for deliberate and strategic action at all levels. At the NSIA, we developed a 3-prong strategy for delivering our ESG and climate finance objectives.

“One of the thrusts of this approach involves building partnerships with like-minded institutions to support Nigeria’s overall goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.

Continues online

FG Approves Disbursement of N320.3bn to Varsities, Others Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The federal government has approved the 2023 disbursement guidelines for the sum of N320,345,040, 835 as intervention to public tertiary institutions across the country.

The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, at a workshop organised for beneficiary institutions, disclosed that on the basis of this, each university shall get for the 2023 intervention cycle, the sum of N1,154,732,133.00.

This comprised N954,732,123.00 as annual direct disbursements and N200 million as zonal intervention.

According to him, each Polytechnic would get N699,344,867.00 comprising N569,344,807.00 as annual direct disbursements, and N130 million as zonal intervention, while each College of Education shall get N800,862,602 comprising of N670,862,602.00 as annual direct disbursement and N130 million as zonal intervention.

“It is pertinent to note that this represents the highest disbursement

LandWey Partners Firm to Deliver Sustainable Energy Solutions for Isimi Lagos LandWey Investment Limited, a Nigerian real estate development company has announced a landmark deal with Virtuitis Solaris, a subsidiary of MOJEC International Holdings, to develop the Isimi Lagos Solar Farm.

The Isimi Lagos Solar Farm is a renewable energy project aimed at promoting sustainable development and reducing the carbon footprint in Nigeria.

According to a statement by LandWey, the Isimi Lagos Solar Farm would be a 50 MW solar photovoltaic power plant, with the

of the next generation.

He stated that the NSIA acknowledges the significant resources required to undertake green projects that deliver appreciable social impact and has therefore partnered with Vitol to set up ‘CarbonVista’ as a platform for developing quality projects.

Over the next few months, he said the NSIA would roll out projects to set the standard environmentfriendly investments in Nigeria.

These projects, he added, would be carefully selected, partnering with local institutions that have proven track records of successfully delivering high-quality projects.

Umar-Sadiq said the NSIA expects

"The project is in line with Nigeria’s commitment to the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and reduce greenhouse gas emissions," it added.

Commenting on the deal, the founder and CEO of LandWey Investment Limited, Olawale Ayilara said: “We are excited to partner with Virtuitis Solaris – Mojec International to develop the Isimi Lagos Solar Farm. This project aligns with our commitment to sustainability and reducing the carbon footprint in Nigeria. It also reinforces our

vision of creating sustainable and inclusive communities that provide quality living and working spaces for Nigerians.”

Also speaking about the partnership, GMD of Mojec Int’l Holdings, Chantelle Abdul said: “We are pleased to partner with LandWey Investment Limited to develop Isimi Lagos Solar Farm- A first of its kind, Green Energy City.

“This project is a testament to our commitment to promoting renewable energy and sustainable development in Nigeria. We believe that this project will not only contribute.

to each beneficiary institution, since inception of the Fund.

“I should also place on record that the fortunes of the Nigerian tertiary education sector improved significantly under the Buhari administration.

“Between 2015 to date (eight years), the total sum of N1.702 trillion has been disbursed as EDT collection to public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education compared to a total sum of N1.249trillion disbursed from the inception of the Fund in 1993 up to 2014 (21 years).”

This remarkable success he noted, was due to sustained efforts at expanding and increasing efficiency of collection of the Education Tax and added impetus was the gracious approval of Mr. President for an increase in education tax from two per cent to 2.5 per cent in the year 2021.

“We are grateful to all the key actors, notably Malam Adamu Adamu, Minister of Education; Mrs. Zainab Ahmed Shamsuna, Minister of Finance, the Chairmen and members of the Senate and House Committees on Finance and my brother Mohammed Nami, Chairman. Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS)”, he said.

Speaking further, he said: “May

I also seize this opportunity to appeal to Mr. President, as a parting gift to the education sector and a fitting finale to his manifest desire to improve education funding in the country, for his ascent to the Finance Act 2023, which provides for a further increase in education tax from 2.5 per cent to three per cent.

“You will recall that at the Year 2022 workshop, several crucial issues were discussed. It provided me with the opportunity to listen to several complaints and problems facing several beneficiary institutions and we were able to respond appropriately to many of the issues raised and committed to looking into those that required our careful examination and review,” he added.

Among some of the problems discussed were the issues of abandoned or non-completion of projects in institutions which constituted a serious challenge to the Board of Trustees in ensuring allocative efficiency and value for disbursed funds.

He further disclosed that the Fund has since reviewed the disbursement process on the internal audit clearance requirement and also engaged on a one-on-one meeting with affected institutions with the aim of resolving this persistent problem.

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NEWS

NEWLY-ELECTED FEMALE MEMBERS OF EKITI HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY...

L-R: Newly elected female members of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon Adeteju Okuyiga (Gboyin); Iyabo Fakunle-Okeimen (Ilejemeje); Alhaja Mariam Ogunlade (Emure); Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji; Mrs Abimbola Solanke (Moba 1); and Olowokere Bosede (Efon), during the Governor’s meeting with the newly elected members of the state Assembly in Ado-Ekiti…recently

LCCI: We Are Deeply Worried

By Rise in Nigeria’s Public Debt Laments country accumulated additional N31.21trn debt in 10 years Says both capital and interest payments on borrowed sums expose the country’s fiscal vulnerabilities Dike Onwuamaeze The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has expressed concern over the exponential increase in Nigeria’s public debt

from N10.04 trillion to N46.25 trillion between 2013 and 2022.

The LCCI recalled that the recent data released by the Debt Management Office (DMO), showed that Nigeria’s public debt increased

by N6.69 trillion or 22.7 per cent to N46.25 trillion as at the end of 2022, up from N39.56 trillion at end-2021.

The chamber expressed its concern in a statement titled:

“LCCI Statement on Nigeria’s Rising Public Debt,” signed by its Director General, Dr. Chinyere Almona.

It stated: “The LCCI notes that between 2013 and 2022 public debt

Edo Airport Sited in Uzairue, Not Auchi, Says Community Revived Uromi cassava plant'll boost job creation, manufacturing, says state govt Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The Uzairue community in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, Wednesday, clarified that the proposed airport by the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, was not sited in Auchi, but Jattu in Uzairue land.

Since the Edo State Government proposed to build an airport in Edo North Senatorial district, to harness the solid mineral potentials of the area, there had been a controversy over the exact place where the airport will be located.

While some reports had stated that it would be built in Auchi, others controvert that Jattu was the location.

But in a statement, yesterday, the Chairman, Jattu Development Committee, Alhaji Abdul Baba Saliu, clarified that the proper site for the airport is Uzairue.

He said, "The attention of Uzairue Community of Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State has been drawn to recent inaccurate reports in both the online and traditional media as regards the site of the proposed airport project in Edo North by the state government.

"We wish to categorically state that the airport will be situated in Uzairue land and not Auchi as stated in the reports.

"As a matter of fact, a vast expanse of land has since been made available in Jattu for the purpose of the airport. We are therefore surprised about reports of Auchi being the host community of the airport project."

According to the statement,

"Uzairue community has been in touch with the state government over the issue right from the start and readily made land available for the landmark project following request by the government. ahead of the commencement of work, the land has since been surveyed.

"In its wisdom, the government chose to establish the airport in Uzairue land and we are very appreciative of that. Rich in solid minerals, we are not unaware of the importance of an airport in Edo North Senatorial district. It will, no doubt, go a long way in positively impacting on Uzairue, Afemai and the whole of Edo people in general.

"Uzairue and Auchi people are brothers and neighbours. In the spirit of mutual co-prosperity, both communities stand to benefit from whatever opportunities the project offer. Instead of dividing us, the project should bring us together.

We are one.

"We wish to once again thank Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philips Shaibu for their bold initiative in establishing an airport in Edo North. On our part, we'll create the enabling environment for peace and security which are very essential for the successful execution of the project. We also wish to assure our wake and see governor of our unflinching support and loyalty."

Also reacting, the Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Musa Ehbomina, said the proposed airport would be built in Uzairue community and not Auchi.

Meanwhile, Edo State Government has said the revival of the Uromi Cassava Processing Plant, which was in a state of disrepair for over a decade, would create employment opportunities and boost manufacturing in Edo Central Senatorial District of the State.

The plant was revived after the state government reached an agreement with M-Hiver Nig Ltd as part of the government's drive to boost industrial activities in the state.

The Edo State Commissioner for Business, Trade and Cooperatives, Afishetu Braimoh said the development would usher in a new era of prosperity in the area.

She said the revived plant would

source raw materials locally, noting that the plant will enhance youth employment and fast-track industrial development in the state.

Braimoh noted, “There are so many by-products from cassava that can be realised from this plant.

The plant has been lying dormant for over a decade. As you know, the war in Ukraine and Russia has reduced the supply of wheat.

“Cassava is the perfect alternative to wheat. We also now have companies coming into Edo State to set up ethanol production. It is time that we revive this plant and let Edo people start reaping the reward of the facility.”

Continues online

rose by 360.47 percent, from N10.04 trillion in 2013. As a result, we are deeply worried by this development in the face of insignificant revenue growth, large presence of decaying infrastructure and the unsustainable burden of oil subsidy overhang.

“Although, a decline in debt service appears positive but the ratio of debt service to government revenue at about 90 percent remains alarming and unsustainable.”

The LCCI, however, recommended that government should shift its focus to equity financing either by divestment or shedding of its equity holdings in stateowned enterprises, real estate, and infrastructure to reduce its debt commitments and improve its fiscal situation.

It noted that, “both capital and interest payments on borrowed sums expose the country’s fiscal vulnerabilities. Also, the government should, as a matter of urgency, emphasise strategies on revenue growth while blocking leakages.

“Importantly, the government may want to consider the need to deregulate the downstream subsector of the oil industry to block a major drain on revenue.

“Finally and most importantly, following the commendable launching of the restructured Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) as the arrow head of Nigeria’s efforts to optimise national as-

sets by President Muhammadu Buhari on February 1, 2023, the LCCI wishes to urge that copious references should henceforth be made to the growth in the stock of financial assets that Nigeria owns in corporate equities, real estate and infrastructure spaces and the returns Nigeria is generating on them, each time Government of Nigeria is providing updates on the growth in the stock of the financial liabilities that Nigeria owes and the costs it is incurring on them, to provide local and global observers a balanced picture of our financial evolution.”

It argued that this would motivate national asset managers, led by MOFI, “to grow our assets and the returns on them as well as motivate our national liability managers, led by DMO, to minimise our liabilities and the costs we incur on them, with equal vigor.”

The LCCI pointed out that, “issuance of joint reports by MOFI and DMO could be most ideal going forward. One-sided updates on liabilities with no updates on assets when such updates were adequately available could well be blamed for some of the downgrades of Nigeria’s debt issuance risk profile and outlook. “The rating outcomes would have been more favourable had updates on assets been provided side-by-side with updates about liabilities.”

Respite as Governors Get April 15 Deadline to Access Security Votes Chuks Okocha in Abuja Relief was believed to have come the way of the 36 state governors as the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has extended the deadline for cash withdrawal for security votes by the governors to April 15.

The decision to grant an extension according to a reliable source, was arrived at after intense negotiations at the last meeting between the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the economic and security agencies.

The NGF recently met with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and

other related offences Commission (ICPC), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN).

THISDAY gathered that the April 15 deadline was ratified at a special virtual meeting convened by the NFIU with the NGF on Tuesday.

Also discussed in the meeting attended by the EFCC and ICPC, was the naira redesign policies and the controversies it attracted.

The source told THISDAY that: “The governors were informed of the April 15 deadline ahead of Tuesday meeting,” adding that the NFIU would be interested in knowing the position of the governors.

“They (The state governors) can withdraw cash for security vote up to April 15. The NFIU will wait to hear what the governors will have to say. The extension is granted only for security votes.

The NFIU is not saying they should not spend their money but only that they should do it online,” he said.

Apart from the cash withdrawal extension, the source disclosed that those at the meeting, “looked at a lot of issues that concern the financial system.”

But the governors are likely to reject the short extension because they believed the agency lacks the power to determine how security votes should be disbursed, the

source added.

The governors were instrumental to the CBN, a key participant in the meeting, walking back all the decisions it took in the wake of the naira redesign policy.

The NFIU had in January 2023, given a March 1 deadline for the end of cash withdrawals from all public accounts.

The Supreme Court had ordered a return of the old N200, N500 and N1,000 notes after the cash crunch induced by the naira redesign policy led to a nationwide outrage which literally brought the nation down on her knees.

At the time of filing this report, a communique from the NGF was being expected.

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NEWS

REV FATHER GOVERNOR-ELECT IN ASO ROCK...

L-R: Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu ; Benue state governor Elect , Hyacinth Alia and the Minister of Special Duties and Inter – governmental Affairs , Senator George PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI Akume addressing the State House Press corp shortly after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa , Abuja …yesterday

Okonjo-Iweala Advises Governments against Introducing Obstacles to Trade WTO expects volume of world merchandise trade to grow by 1.7% this year Dike Onwuamaeze and Oluchi Chibuzor The Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has asked governments to avoid trade fragmentation as well as obstacles to trade.

Okonjo-Iweala, made the call in a statement issued by the WTO to announce its “Global Trade Outlook and Statistics” for 2023.

She said: "Trade continues to be a force for resilience in the global economy, but it will remain under pressure from external factors in 2023. This makes it even more important for governments to avoid trade fragmentation and refrain from introducing obstacles to trade.

“Investing in multilateral cooperation on trade, as WTO members did at our Twelfth Ministerial Conference last June, would bolster economic growth and people's living standards over the long term. " The WTO projected that growth in global trade would slow to 1.7 per cent in 2023, after a 2.7 per cent expansion recorded in 2022.

It stated that the 1.7 per cent forecast for trade growth in 2023, was up from the previous estimate of one per cent from last October.

A key factor here, according to the WTO, was the relaxation of COVID-19 pandemic controls in China, which was expected to unleash pent-up consumer demand in the country, in turn boosting international trade.

It said: “Global trade growth in 2023 is still expected to be subpar despite a slight upgrade to GDP

projections since last fall. Weighed down by the effects of the war in Ukraine, stubbornly high inflation, tighter monetary policy and financial market uncertainty, the volume of world merchandise trade is expected to grow by 1.7 per cent this year, following 2.7 per cent growth in 2022, a smaller-than-expected increase that was pulled down by a sharp slump in the fourth quarter.”

The WTO's trade projections, set out in the new "Global Trade Outlook and Statistics" report,

estimated real global GDP growth at market exchange rates of 2.4 per cent for 2023, while projections for both trade and output growth are below the averages for the past 12 years of 2.6 per cent and 2.7 per cent respectively.

The WTO Chief Economist, Mr. Ralph Ossa, said: "The lingering effects of COVID-19 and the rising geopolitical tensions were the main factors impacting trade and output in 2022, and this is likely to be the case in 2023 as well.

“Interest rate hikes in advanced

The Senator-elect and former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole has congratulated former Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, on his appointment as Chairman Police Service Commission (PSC).

Oshiomhole in a statement signed by his Media Aide in Benin City, Victor Oshioke, said, "I congratulate you on your nomination, confirmation and swearing in as Chairman, Police Service Vommission, by President

sibility of unforeseen fallout from monetary tightening.”

The WTO further stated that the 2.7 per cent increase in world trade volume in 2022, was weaker than its October 2022 forecast of 3.5 per cent, as a sharper-than-expected quarter-on-quarter decline in the fourth quarter of 2022 dragged down growth for the year.

“Several factors contributed to that slump, including elevated global commodity prices, monetary policy tightening in response to inflation, and outbreaks of COVID 19 that

disrupted production and trade in China.

“Notably, trade growth last year turned out to be in line with the 2.4 per cent to 3.0 per cent baseline scenario in the WTO's March 2022 initial report on the war in Ukraine, and well above its more pessimistic scenario in which trade would have grown just 0.5 per cent as countries started to split into competing economic blocs. In the event, international markets remained broadly open,” the WTO said.

FG Declares Friday, Monday Public Holidays for Easter Celebration NSCDC deploys 30,000 personnel to ensure peaceful celebration Michael Olugbode in Abuja The federal government has declared Friday, April 7 and Monday, April 10 as public holidays for the 2023 Easter celebration.

This was contained in a statement yesterday, in Abuja, by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Shuaib Belford.

Belgore, in the statement, stated that the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, made the declaration on behalf of the federal government.

The Minister urged Christian faithful to emulate the virtues of sacrifice, togetherness, forgiveness, Kindness love peace and patience which were attributes

and practices of Jesus Christ, as exemplified by His ministry on the earth.

He also called on Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for an end to the security challenges in some parts of the country, adding that security was everybody’s business.

He also enjoined them to love their neighbours through acts of kindness and generosity of spirit, with the well to do sharing their substance with the less privileged around them.

He urged Nigerians and foreigners resident in the country to display high sense of citizenship and public spiritedness by supporting the efforts of the security agencies.

Oshiomhole Congratulates Former IGP, Arase on Appointment as PSC Chairman Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

economies have also revealed weaknesses in banking systems that could lead to wider financial instability if left unchecked. Governments and regulators need to be alert to these and other financial risks in the coming months."

He added that, “looking ahead to 2024, trade growth should rebound to 3.2 per cent, as GDP picks up to 2.6 per cent, but this estimate is more uncertain than usual due to the presence of substantial downside risks, including geopolitical tensions, food supply shocks, and the pos-

Muhammadu Buhari.

"As IGP, you served the nation exceptionally well and I have no doubt that you possess the needed experience and capacity to steer the PSC to greater heights, so that it can impact positively in the welfare of both serving and retired police personnel."

Oshiomhole described Arase as a man of honour with an unblemished track record as well as profound passion for the development of not only the police force but Nigeria

as a whole.

"I am convinced that your unquestionable loyalty to our country and the enthusiasm with which you served in the Force certainly made you the right man for job."

He described Arase's appointment as a clear manifestation of putting a round peg in a round hole. " I also pray for God’s guidance and blessings upon your life as you begin your stewardship at the Police Service Commission" Oshiomhole said

This, the minister said was with a view to ensure peace and security of lives and property of Nigerians.

He said that the federal government was doing all that was necessary in ensuring a peaceful transition of government following the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general elections.

“The nation is persistently on the part to greatness and I urge all Nigerians to positively deploy their creative energy to the full realisation of the coming prosperity, as there is surely light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

The minister wished all Christian faithful a most blissful celebration and all Nigerians a happy holiday.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) has raised an alarm that some unscrupulous elements were planning to cause mayhem across the country during the Easter break, in the name of protesting against the just concluded election.

Owing to this, the NSCDC disclosed that it has deployed 30,000 personnel nationwide to forestall break down of law and order, and ensure a hitch-free Easter celebration nationwide.

A statement yesterday, by the spokesman of the Corps, Olusola Odumosu read: “Determined to ensure a hitch-free Easter celebration, the Commandant General (CG) of the Nigeria Security and

Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has ordered the deployment of 30,000 personnel from the FCT, states, zonal commands and the National headquarters to beef up security across the country.”

It disclosed that the CG gave the order at the National Headquarters, Abuja, while addressing personnel on the need for effective policing of the nation against any atrocious activities of dangerous elements planning to cause breakdown of law and order.

The CG, according to him, directed all Special Forces in the Corps such as the Armed Squad, CG's Special Intelligence Squad, CG's Special Anti- vandal monitoring Squad, CG's Marine monitoring unit, Special Female Squad, Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation (DII), RRS, Agro Rangers, SWAT, K9, Counter Terrorism unit and CBRNE, to join forces with the regular officers to ensure a hitch-free celebration across the country.

The CG was quoted to have said: “As the Easter celebration approaches, I want to see massive deployment of personnel everywhere in the country.

"All special forces and regular officers must go all out to protect lives and properties of citizens.

You must look out for criminals, hoodlums and mischief makers seeking to compromise the integrity of the country and deal

decisively with them.”

Audi explained that the massive deployment would cover all public utilities, suspected flashpoints, worship centres, markets, recreational facilities, shopping malls, parks, gardens and other crowded locations.

He stressed that the tight security measures being put in place was to protect lives, infrastructure and prevent any occurrence of national emergencies given reports of various political agitations and planned protests in different parts of the country.

The CG added: “Reports have it that some people want to take advantage of the Easter celebration to cause breakdown of law and order, chaos and destruction of critical national assets in the name of election protests and other political agitations but we will not allow that to happen.

"You must prevent any unlawful gathering, assembly or protests which failed to obtain necessary permission from the police which is the lead agency in internal security.

"You must also ensure proper synergy with other security agencies to forestall any threat to the peace of the nation.”

He warned holiday makers to celebrate in moderation and be law abiding in their activities, urging them to assist security agencies by giving timely and credible information to nip crime in the bud.

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HURIWA Accuses National Broadcasting Commission of Promoting Fascism Alleges Lai Mohammed instigating civil war Alex Enumah in Abuja The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has alleged that the move by the head of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to stifle freedom of expression and his open, brazen and toxic attempts to control the media contents of broadcast houses was symptomatic of a failed state ruled by brute force.

The rights group argued that eternal vigilance was the price of liberty, thereby tasking Nigerians to stand up, take steps legally to prevent the collapse of civil rule and constitutional democracy in Nigeria, it alleged was the objective of the

current head of the NBC. HURIWA stated this against the backdrops of unwarranted attacks of media pluralism, freedom of expression and other constitutional rights by the NBC. It further stated that the alleged intermittent threats and impositions of unmerited and unconstitutional fines and other untoward administrative sanctions on private broadcasting stations in Nigeria by the NBC was breeding fascism, muzzling constitutionally guaranteed freedoms and ultimately promoting political killings, intolerance of opposing views and could imperil the sustenance of democracy and constitutionalism.

Besides HURIWA described the NBC and the Information and Culture Minister, Mr. Lai Mohammed as the two most dangerous threats to the survival of civil rule in Nigeria, describing the duo as agents of destabilisation and constitutionalism.

In a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the group also castigated the minister of information and culture, for instituting a culture of fascism, dictatorship through his recent diatribe against opposition leader in Nigeria and presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Gregory Obi. HURIWA cautioned the Minister

of Information and Culture to stop overheating the polity and actively attempting to start off a civil war in Nigeria by his unguarded statements.

Warning that the combined threats targeting private television stations by the NBC and the dissemination of crass falsehoods and cheap propaganda against opponents of the ruling All Progressive Congress and those opposed to the outcome of the February 25th, 2023 presidential poll was capable of derailing democracy, HURIWA called on world leaders to call Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari to order.

The rights group recalled that the NBC had vowed to close down

broadcast stations airing programmes capable of undermining national security and peaceful co-existence.

NBC's Director-General, Malam Balarabe Ilelah, had issued the warning at a meeting with broadcast stations on the coverage of the presidential, National Assembly, gubernatorial and state assembly elections.

“The NBC is giving its last warning to broadcast stations and will not hesitate to shut or revoke the license of any when convinced that its activities are capable of undermining the peaceful co-existence of the country.

“Any further breaches of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and

Act will no longer be tolerated,’’ he had warned.

However, HURIWA cited some fundamental rights provisions to justify the right of all citizens to freedom of expression including Obi and Atiku Abubakar who are contesting the emergence of the APC's Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

However, the group challenged the television and radio stations coming under the alleged dictatorial radar of the NBC to challenge the infractions of their constitutional rights as enshrined in section 22 of the Constitution before the court of competent jurisdictions to cut down the oppressive and negative tail of the fascist NBC.

Buhari Inaugurates 14-man National Council to Implement Nigeria Startup Act 2022 Assures tech-savvy Nigerians of funds, tax reliefs Nigeria produces four out of seven unicorns in Africa valued at $7.5bn ICT revenue generation increased from $51bn in 2019 to $408bn in 2022, says Pantami Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated a 14-member National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship with the mandate to guide the implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA) 2022.

Speaking yesterday, at the inauguration of the Council chaired by him, the President directed the Secretariat, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), to ensure faithful implementation of the Act, which provides incentives and support for start-ups, including tax breaks and access to funding.

The inauguration at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja, preceded the Federal Executive Council (FEC) weekly meeting and had members of the Digital Innovation Council in attendance.

Other members of the Council included Vice President as Vice Chairman, Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, who shall preside over the council in

the absence of the chairman and vice chairman.

Other members are Ministers of finance, budget and national planning; industry, trade and investment; science, technology and innovation; Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, four representatives of the startups consultative forum and one representative each of the Nigerian Computer Society, and the Computer Registration Council of Nigeria and the Director General of the Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) as Secretary of the council.

The president noted that Nigeria had been at the forefront of the remarkable growth of startups in Africa, with Nigerian start-ups raising over $4 billion between 2019 and 2022.

According to him: ‘‘It is worth noting the remarkable growth of start-ups worldwide, with over US$400 billion of venture funding accessed in 2022. ‘‘This growth was fuelled by a

surge in demand for digital services as people worldwide turned to technology to stay connected, work remotely, and access essential goods and services largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ‘‘In Africa, the startup ecosystem has also been growing at a remarkable pace. In 2022, African startups raised a record of $5.4 billion in funding."

Buhari, therefore, charged members of the Council to harness the potential of Nigeria's young and innovative population, who have demonstrated their ingenuity, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit in creating innovative solutions to the challenges of the nation and the continent. ‘‘With this inauguration, which serves as our first meeting, I hereby direct the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), to convene another meeting of the Council in May 2023 to make further progress on the implementation of the Act.

‘‘I congratulate the members of the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship on their assignment and wish them a successful and productive engagement in harnessing our youth talents and uplifting our country’s economy to new heights,’’ he said.

Describing the Startup Act 2022 as a testament to the vision and commitment of his administration to harness the potential of Nigeria's young and innovative population, the President recalled that it was developed in collaboration with his office, the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, with the support of the Tech Ecosystem.

Buhari explained that the Act, which became law after its approval by the Federal Executive Council on 15th December 2021 and the Presidential assent on 19th October, 2022, provides incentives and support for start-ups, such as tax breaks, access to funding, ease of doing business, intellectual property

O R GAN H ARV EST ING: OBASA N JO PLEAD S F OR C L E M E N CY F OR EKWE R E M AD U , W I F E The letter read, "My dear Chief Clerk, may I seize this opportunity to commend your utmost dedication and resourcefulness which you have demonstrated with rare qualities of commitment and courage, while also upholding the cherished traditions of the public service.

"It is with great pleasure that I write in respect of Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who I have known for over two decades.

"Within this period, I have followed and watched, with keen interest, Ike Ekweremadu's inspiring career which traversed private legal practice and public-administration.

I recall, with fond memories, the beginnings of our political and social relationship at the outset of our collective quest for democratic rebirth for our fatherland.

"During my administration as a democratically-elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria between 1999 and 2007, Ike Ekweremadu and I had close relationship and interactions as staunch members of our political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and more so as he got elected into the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2003, of which he has since remained a member till date.

"Within this period of his service in the Nigerian parliament, he has served as Deputy Senate President of the Senate and has headed so many Committees in various capacities and brought to bear his broad-based experience in legal practice and public administration.

“Sometimes in 2009, he was appointed as the First Deputy of the Economic Community of

West African States to lead ad hoc Committee to work for the return of ECOWAS constitutional order in the Niger Republic.”

Furthermore, Obasanjo stated: "I clearly remember that in the heady days of the keen contest for the presidential ticket of our party early 1999, he joined other well-meaning Nigerians from the south-eastern part of Nigeria to set aside extraneous considerations and ensured that south-east unanimously adopted me for the presidency.

“This was without regard to the fact that my closest competitor hailed from their part of the country. I truly cherish his Godfearing, dispassionate, moderate and pan-Nigerian approach to national issues and developments, in our multi-ethnic, multi-religious geo-polity.

"He dedicates himself to the service of God and humanity and he continues to play visible roles in national development.

Through the Ikeoha Foundation, a non-governmental organisation founded by him and his wife, in 1997, he and his wife have rendered a lot of charitable activities, enhancing poor people's access to quality education and healthcare and building their capacity to participate in mainstream social, political and economic activities of their communities.”

According to Obasanjo, Ekweremadu's conferment with the coveted national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), was further testimony to his selfless service to our country, Nigeria.

"Mr. Chief Clerk, I am very much

aware of the current travails and conviction of Ike Ekweremadu and his wife in the United Kingdom resulting from their being charged with, I do realise the implications of their action and I dare say, it is unpleasant and condemnable and can't be tolerated in any sane or civilised society.

“However, it is my fervent desire that for the very warm relations between the United Kingdom and Federal Republic of Nigeria; for his position as one of the distinguished Senators in the Nigerian parliament, and also for the sake of their daughter in question whose current health condition is in danger and requires an urgent medical attention,

you will use your good offices to intervene and appeal to the court and the government of the United Kingdom to be magnanimous enough to temper justice with mercy and let punishment that may have to come take their good character and parental instinct and care into consideration.

"I do hope Mr. and Mrs. Ekweremadu have learnt from this distressing experience of theirs to guide their future actions or inactions so they will continue to be outstanding members of their community and will continue to contribute fully to the good of the society. Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration."

protection, and participation in public procurement.

He particularly commended efforts of Pantami and the Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, for the achievement.

The president acknowledged that as Nigeria aims to become a global talent factory through the implementation of the Startup Act 2022, its startup ecosystem still faces significant challenges, such as access to funding, support infrastructure, and skilled talent.

He said: ‘‘These remain major barriers to the growth of the ecosystem, particularly for early-stage start-ups.

‘‘The provisions of the Nigeria Startup Act 2022 represent an important step towards addressing these challenges and promoting the growth of a more vibrant and inclusive startup ecosystem in Nigeria. ‘‘Furthermore, implementation of the Act will lead to consolidation and further development of the gains recorded by Nigeria’s digital economy, in the last four years, in the areas of contribution to GDP and increased revenue generation, among others."

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S OY I N K A : DAT T I ’S S ' C O U RT C O M M E N T S FAS C I ST I C , M E N AC I N G , U N AC C E P TA B L E the stage and encourage as well as mentor the younger politicians.

The Nobel Laureate, who spoke on the Arise News television, said, “I never heard anyone threaten the judiciary the way I heard Datti speaking. Blackmailing attitude.

Do or die provocation is not what we are struggling for.”

Soyinka, who condemned the LP vice-presidential candidate, who spoke during an interview with Channels TV’s Seun Okinbaloye on Politics Today, said he deemed his comments as menacing and could incite national discord.

“Datti kept saying the Supreme Court better give his comments interpretation. This is trying to dictate to the supreme arbiter of the nation. I mean, it is an institution we all revert to, if not today, then tomorrow. If not this election, then the next election. But Datti kept saying, ‘No, the supreme court in its wisdom, has to agree with me.’

“That is what is known as fascistic language; it is not acceptable. His comments were

unbecoming, a threat to the judiciary. It is a fascist language which alienates the people. It is unacceptable and I refuse to be a part of it,” he added.

Soyinka further accused the media of jeopardising public discourse by taking a stance in reporting political matters rather than objectively putting out news for public analysis, especially regarding the statements made by the vice-presidential candidate.

Insisting that the comments were alienating the supporters of the party and fanning the flames of fascism in politics, Soyinka equally condemned the attacks on non-indigenes in various states, where violence broke out during the presidential and gubernatorial elections, and described it as disgraceful and shameful.

According to him, before the presidential election when Atiku and Tinubu visited him, he advised that they should leave the political stage and allow fresh blood they could mentor.

FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL: FG SECURES $800M WORLD BANK FACILITY FOR PALLIATIVES were working on the 2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the Appropriation Act, we made that provision to enable us exit fuel subsidy by June 2023. We’re on course, we're having different stakeholders' engagements, we've secured some funding from the World Bank, that is the first tranche of palliatives that will enable us give cash transfers to the most vulnerable in our society that have now been registered in a national social register.

“Today that register has a list of 10 million households. Ten million households is equivalent to about 50 million Nigerians."

She added that government was ready to go beyond cash transfer to cushion the effect the subsidy removal would have on Nigerians.

Her words: "We also have to raise more resources to enable us

do more than just the cash transfers and also in our engagements with the various stakeholders, the various kinds of tasks that we have go beyond the requirement of just giving cash transfers. Labour, for example, might be looking for mass transit for its members.

“So there are several things that we're still planning and working on, some we can start executing quickly, some are more mediumterm implementation.”

On how much funding was received from the World Bank for the execution of the planned exit, Ahmed said, “$800 million for the scale up of the National Social Investment Programme at the World Bank and it's secured, it's ready for this disbursement.”

Asked if the incumbent government had been discussing subsidy removal with the

incoming administration, the Minister said “there are a lot of discussions going on at different levels, including with members of the transition committee of the incoming government.

"On the secondary question on exit of fuel subsidy, this is a commitment in the Petroleum Industry Act. There's a provision that says 18 months after the effectiveness of the PIA, all petroleum products must be deregulated, that 18 months takes us to June 2023."

Ahmed had said the federal government would remove the controversial petrol subsidy before the end of Buhari’s tenure on May 29, 2023.

She had attributed the delay in removal of the subsidy, as provided for in the PIA 2021, to the 2023 general election and the forthcoming national population

census.

She had said subsidy removal was a difficult political and economic decision for the government to take.

She had said subsidy cost per litre of petrol ranged between N350 to N400, maintaining that Nigeria spends about N250 billion monthly on subsidy.

The PIA signed into law on August 16, 2021 by Buhari provides for total deregulation of the downstream sector, which implies the removal of subsidy and enthronement of a free market regime for the sector.

But in January 2022, the federal government kicked that section of the PIA aside and postponed subsidy removal to end of June 2023. The government cited the pains subsidy removal would bring on the poor and vulnerable masses.

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AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IN MEDIA REGULATION...

Managing Director of LASAA Prince Adedamola Docemo (L) receiving the award of Excellence in Media Regulation from Dr Abiola Salami of the Peak Performer Africain Lagos, recently. The award recognises the Agency's consistent commitment to excellence and performance

AuGF Report: NNPC Didn't Provide Details of N102bn Crude Oil Supply to Refineries, Senate Alleges Lawmakers uphold indictment of 37 MDAs Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The Senate yesterday indicted the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) over its inability to provide details of the crude oil supplied to the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical company (WRPC) and the Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company

amounting to about N102 billion.

The red chamber gave the verdict after considering the report of its committee on Public Accounts chaired by Senator Matthew Urhoghide, at plenary.

The panel in its report, sustained the queries issued against the NNPCL as contained in the 2016 report of the Auditor General for

the Federation (AuGF).

The document accused the NNPCL of poor record keeping on the crude oil it lifted and supplied to the two refineries.

It explained that details of the breakdown of what was delivered to the two firms worth about $376, 655,589 (N102.6bn).Deliveries of crude oil from Escravos Terminal

for the operation of Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) and Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) are channeled directly into WRPC facility.

WRPC pumps the required quality to the KRPC. The AuGF query had read, "From the review and examination of

Father Alia: Benue Civil Service in Critical Condition, Vows to Revive It Says state's economy in bad shape Lauds Buhari for allowing credible polls Deji Elumoyein Abuja Benue State governor-elect, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has described the state civil service as one in very bad and critical condition which could be likened to a patient in hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The Catholic priest-turnedpolitician, who spoke to newsmen yesterday, after a courtesy visit to President Muhammadu Buhari, at the State House, Abuja, said he came to lead the state in order to infuse life into it and keep it going.

Explaining why the state was in bad state, the governor-elect said Benue, also known as ‘food basket of the nation,’ owes backlog of salaries, pensions and gratuities and he hopes to remain focused and tackle the myriad of issues on his desk when he takes over office on May 29, 2023.

The governor-elect, who was accompanied on the visit by the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume, also lamented the ethnic division that reared its head between the people of the state and Fulani herders, which he said was strange to the state.

On how he plans to revive the state from near collapse, Alia said “Once I’m sworn in, I know that what the good people of Benue want is progress and development and there’s so much that we need to put on track for things to work.

Benue state is an agrarian zone and so we must focus on agriculture and upgrade it.

“Benue is very capable of feeding the whole nation, so we are not just the food basket of the nation by name and I am hoping that we will up our game in agriculture and take care of the rest as well.

“It is sad that the life of civil service in the state is near collapse, it’s in the ICU, so I just need to get in there and infuse life in it and keep it moving. We have a lot of backlog of unpaid salaries, pensions and gratuities. So, already I got much on the desk to keep a good focus on and I remain hopeful that I am going to do just that”, he said.

He lauded Buhari for ensuring the elections took place, noting that although people were expecting a perfect election, it may not have been perfect, “but a number of areas in the country recorded a near perfection in the outcome of the results.”

His words: “For someone to feel that we have never made the stride in the right directions I think that would be flaw of logic. So, we have done so much and I remain quite grateful. My visit is a solidarity visit and President leaves office in a matter of months, I came to wish him well. He has done so much for the nation.

“Remember, I am a Catholic priest and I prayed for all of us too and shared the blessings with him too.”

On what he was going to do to address the animosity in the state over the anti-grazing law, Alia said, “one thing must remain clear, when you say that the atmosphere was quite tensed, let it be on record that the Benue people are very hospital

people.

"We are very friendly people and over the ages, we’ve lived all cultures and different people. And so if some mishap had happened in the last eight years, thank God the eight years has expired.

“I want everyone to feel that Benue is a home for everyone.

Remember, before I am stepping in there as a governor, our history reveals that we have all cultures in Benue and so it is, we have all cultures in Nigeria in Benue. So I believe my time will not be any

different.

“If there were some errors, I am coming to correct them. But I know for sure we are hospitable, we are friendly and the Benue State Assembly is also a knowledgeable Assembly. So the 10th Assembly is going to work for the people and do the work of the people.

“If by chance anybody perceived us to be a hostel state, please we are a renewed hope of Benue, a hospitable, friendly, law and order people. So, we are all welcome to Benue as we move in there,” he said.

domestic Crude Oil Lifting sales profile presented for audit verification, it was noted that several deliveries were stated to be jointly lifted and delivered to WRPC and KRPC without necessary details or breakdown of what was delivered to respective companies.

"From the examination carried out, a total oil lifting of 8,399,017; billion barrels of petroleum liquids; with a total sales values of $376, 655,589 (N102.6 billion) was stated to have been lifted jointly by these two companies.

"The failure to properly separate these deliveries and charge directly to each company makes it difficult to reconcile and account for each lifting."

The Senate at plenary, upheld the recommendation of its Committee and asked the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mele Kyari, to ensure specific details of crude delivered to the two refineries for audit.

The red chamber also upheld the indictment of 37 MDAs for violation of financial procedure in the country.

It resolved to submit the report of the indictment to the Office of Secretary to the Government of Federation for further action.

The lawmakers are also scrutinising a bill that would enforce the

implementation of the outcome of the Auditor General's report submitted to the National Assembly for consideration.

Also among the indicted government agencies was the Ministry of Information and Culture over three unrecovered vehicles.

The query as adopted by the Senate read: "Audit Investigation revealed that Toyota Land Cruiser and two Toyota Hilux pick up vans, observed to be missing, were in the custody of former Minister of the Ministry and a female staff in Sure-P office.

"In his response to the query, the Permanent Secretary explained that the Toyota Land Cruiser was an official vehicle of the Minister, High Chief Edem Duke and he took it away when he was leaving the office.

"The Ministry, the Permanent Secretary added, has written series of letters to the former Minister to return the vehicles but to no avail."

Some of the 35 other indicted agencies are: Office of Accountant General of the Federation, National Population Commission, National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA), FCT Area Council Service Commission, Ministry of Defence , Ministry of Justice , National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA), among others.

FEC Okays N392.786bn Contracts for Works Ministry, Customs, Others Approves N15.3bn for ICT for 2023 population census Deji Elumoye inAbuja The Federal Executive Council (FEC) rose from its weekly meeting in Abuja, yesterday, with the approval of various contracts worth N392.786 billion presented to it by Ministries, Department s and Agencies (MDAs).

Ministers took turns to give details of the approvals they received on behalf of the ministries and agencies under them while speaking with newsmen at the end of the Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Among the memoranda that received approvals were two presented on behalf of the National Population Commission (NPC), totaling the sum of N15,300,000,000, for procurement

and installation of technology-based gadgets for use in the upcoming 2023 National Population and Housing Census.

Informing reporters about the approvals for the NPC, Presidential spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu, said while the first memorandum was worth N10.9 billion, the second one was valued at N4.4 billion.

According to him, “among those memos that were okayed today was the award of the contract for the supply and installation of information and communication technology (ICT) components for the 2023 Population Census. This is for the National Population Commission (NPC). It is meant for census. The ICT component contract was awarded

for about N10.9 billion.

“Another contract that was approved for the National Population Commission was the contract for the development and implementation of mobile device management solution for the personal digital assistance devices to be used for the 2023 Population Census.

This is in the sum of about N4.4 billion.” Shehu said FEC also approved a N3.3 billion contract for the development of external cost of infrastructure at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) new training academy.

He added that the sum of N1 billion was equally approved for the contract for the procurement of 19 vehicles for the Nigerian Ports

Authority (NPA).

He said Council okayed N65 million for variation in the cost for the supply of airport fire crash tenders in the Ministry of Aviation.

Shehu also said FEC approved policy on HIV/AIDS to protect people living with the disease and new regulations on woodworking ecosystem.

According to him, “we don't have the Minister of Labour and Employment today, but he got two approvals.

One is pertaining to the woodworking ecosystem. Government has revised regulations pertaining to woodworking machinery and the entire ecosystem which dated back to 1959.

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POLITICS

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

Makinde as New Political Sheriff Kemi Olaitan writes that with his re-election in the March 18, 2023 gubernatorial poll, sending political opponents into the cooler, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, has turned himself to a political sheriff in the pacesetter state.

T

hough the just concluded 2023 general elections may have come and gone, but for political observers the outcome of the polls in a state like Oyo which has a sitting governor, Seyi Makinde, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in power would continue to reverberate for a long time to come.

While many expected the PDP to have an edge in the elections, however this was not to be as Governor Makinde, had before the elections pitched tent with other members of the G-5 Governors under the Integrity Group, which drew a battle line against the national leadership and refused to be part of the campaign train of the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar, unless the National Chairman of the party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, step aside and the position filled by a member of the party from the Southern part of the country.

Indeed the unyielding position of the Integrity Group culminated in a crisis that saw the aggrieved Governors through their comments and body languages canvassing vote for the presidential candidates of other political parties other than their party, PDP. For Makinde, the presidential election was about voting for equity, fairness, justice, and unity of the country, which led him into collusion course with prominent leaders of PDP in the state.

Thus the PDP went into the February 25 presidential and National Assembly election a divided house and loosing woefully.

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and now president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, won the state with 449, 884 votes as against Atiku’s 182,977 votes. The APC eventually snatched the state, taking all the three senatorial and eight House of Representatives seats.

The outcome of the first election was to create verbal war between loyalists of the governor and supporters of Atiku who believed that he had an alleged alliance with Tinubu’s camp, as well as APC Presidential Campaign Committee (PCC) in the state, who dismissed any standing agreement between the president-elect and Governor Makinde.

A member of the APC PCC, Nike Ajagbe, stated that Tinubu’s visit to Makinde on February 16, 2023, during the presidential rally in Ibadan, had nothing to do with endorsement of the governor, stating that the president-elect was a party man who cannot joke with the success of his party across the country especially the South West which is regarded as his stronghold.

Ajagbe added that it was in the programme of the campaign team to visit all the opposition governors whenever they were in their state for campaign, insisting that nobody should see such as an endorsement but a privilege to host a widely accepted presidential candidate.

Makinde, a beneficiary of a coalition which a former governor of the state, Senator Rasheed Ladoja, coordinated in 2019, went into the March 18 gubernatorial election with the major stakeholders including Ladoja who reportedly endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin and calling on the people of the state to vote for Folarin in the election, against him. Indeed, for political observers, it was only a miracle that can save Makinde from an imminent defeat.

However, Makinde against all predictions turned the tide by not just trouncing his well-known opponents in other political parties, but also opponents within the PDP, including Ladoja.

The political gladiators were roundly defeated across the length and breath of the state to establish the supremacy and popularity of Makinde, winning in 31 out

Makinde

of the 33 local government areas in the state and polling 563,756 votes to beat his closest rival, Senator Folarin of the APC, who scored 256,685 votes and Accord Party candidate, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, who got 38,357 votes.

Makinde while savouring his victory which political observers believed has naturally made him the new Oyo State political Sheriff through acceptance and cooperation across political parties, declared that the incoming administration which he tagged, Omituntun 2.0, is a film that will be a lot better, sweeter and more effective when compared to Omituntun 1.0.

According to him, “Right now, I am just overwhelmed. I want to thank the good people of Oyo State for the confidence they have reposed in this administration and my ability to lead them. I also want to say thank you to all my friends and colleagues throughout the country who did one thing or the other for us to support this administration.

“For me, I think the reward for hardwork is more work. So, for this second tenure, we will work harder for the people of Oyo State more than we did in the first tenure. Like I said on the campaign trail, Omituntun 2.0 is a film that will be a lot better, sweeter and more effective when compared to Omituntun 1.0.

“So, I want to say thank you to my leaders, elders, our supporters, who have done really well. This victory is dedicated to God and to the good people of Oyo State.

“We thank God and the people of Oyo State because before the elections, there were many wars. The godfathers, powerful and notable people in the state stood up and merged against us but we told them that we do not have any godfather but that we have God the Father and the people of Oyo State. And now everyone can see that a person with God is the majority.

“We actually had 63 per cent of the vote and that is unprecedented. It is just the people. They made up their minds to support us and this almost four years, we have listened to them, we did not come across them as all-knowing. We told the people of Oyo State that we may not be right all the time but we committed to be honest with them all the time. I think it’s

Analysts are of the view that wih his re-election as governor and becoming the second in the history of the pace setter state after his immediate predecessor, the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi, history may not be kind to Makinde if during the next four years he turns himself to an emperor. For them, how he manages his role as the new political leader will determine if the coming generations will remember him for good as the onus is on him to see the victory as an avenue to correct the wrongs of the first time and make amends with those he stepped on their toes

just an appreciation of that, that gave us all of this support and success.”

The governor who also spoke on the political implication of his victory, said his administration is building a state where everyone would have opportunities, irrespective of the son of whom they are, stating that the young ones can now attain whatever position they desire.

He said, “I want our youngsters to take notice of this. There is no more glass ceiling in Oyo State. Seyi Makinde has broken all the glass ceilings. I have broken the glass ceilings for the youngsters in the state.

Our young ones can now attain whatever positions they desire.”

For the Deputy National Chairman (South), of the PDP, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, the emergence of Governor Makinde as the new political leader in the state is divine, stating that he departed from past political culture where governors patronised leaders at the expense of the people but rather stood with the people, hence his emergence was smooth and overwhelming for his opponents.

His words: “Governor Makinde’s emergence is God ordained. When God sends you on an errand, He supports you with all you need to get there. Makinde is a governor that stands by the people. Before now, governors did not want to offend leaders, hence they did their biddings.

But Makinde stands by the people, making them happy by providing what makes life better. Some godfathers wanted the election result differently against the wish of the people from who legitimacy is derived.

His own style of leadership is collegiate.

He listens.”

The former Deputy Governor in the state, believed that Makinde will succeed as the new leader because he always puts the people first, saying “we are going to embrace the people. The stakeholders have to be well-managed because politics is a game of number.”

The overwhelming victory by Makinde led to prominent personalities within and outside his party congratulating him. One of such was Senator Ladoja who in his congratulatory message said, “My dear governor. Congratulations on your reelection for another term of four years.

“By now the campaigns are over, the outbursts are over, the various lies are over, the abuses are over, the curses are over, the deliberate misinterpretations are over, the jostlings for spaces are over.

“All the dramatis personae have quit the stage with their laurels and bruises leaving you alone. What are now left are your promises and stark realities.

“May God help you succeed to the people’s expectation, your satisfaction and fulfillment in this selfless job before you.”

While the events of the next few months and years would reveal a lot on whether or not Governor Makinde actually reached a deal with the APC to earn his victory, what is not in doubt is that his re-election in the face of the growing influence of the APC in the South-west region, could be attributable to evidence of excellent performance which endeared him to the people of the state.

Nevertheless, analysts are of the view that wih his re-election as governor and becoming the second in the history of the pace setter state after his immediate predecessor, the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi, history may not be kind to Makinde if during the next four years he turns himself to an emperor.

For them, how he manages his role as the new political leader will determine if the coming generations will remember him for good as the onus is on him to see the victory as an avenue to correct the wrongs of the first time and make amends with those he stepped on their toes.

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY APRIL 6, 2023

POLITICS

Ugochukwu-Uko: Panacea to Nigeria’s Development is Restructuring Post election periods are usually time for political healings but for the main opposition’s Peoples Democratic Party, the reverse is the case as the crisis rocking the party is far from abating. Emameh Gabriel Reports

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ow do you see the state of the nation with regards to the South East and especially the recently concluded elections?

There’s a time and season for everything. Time to be vociferous and a time to be quiet. A time to watch and say nothing and a time to mobilise. A time to act and a time to prepare. For every thing, there’s a time and season.

Moreover this is electioneering season of campaigning, elections and election tribunals.

I usually stay away from partisan politics. I allow politicians to do their thing. I dedicated my life to speaking the truth and the truth only in the hope that I may inspire the younger generation to stand on the truth, thereby initiating a better tomorrow. My activism is anchored on the truth, that Nigeria needs to restructure the polity along the lines of true federalism and power devolution.

I’ve been standing on this truth for decades now. I refuse to get involved with partisan politics, but I can tell you that the just concluded elections should teach us all, certain lessons and that the awareness in the land today is commendable.

In all humility, I played, (through the benevolence and mercy of God Almighty), a role in watering the ground for the new consciousness in the land through my over a hundred Igbo Youth Movement (IYM) seminars and conferences through the 1980s and 1990s. I committed my adult life to opening the eyes of the younger generation to the reality of our existence as a people and encouraged them to interrogate our situation and condition. I usually leave partisan politics to politicians.

be restructured without delay.

Ugochukwu-Uko

equals. We’ve also remained good Nigerians over the years with the hope that the injustices meted out to Ndigbo will be ameliorated through affirmative action and by getting the chance to govern Nigeria. We believe that equity demands Nigeria gets it right. The just concluded elections went the way of previous elections, the usual verifiable incidents of voter suppression, votes inflation, violence and citizens chased away from polling stations in certain regions of the country. These sad developments seem to validate the agitation and create discontent.

But all these things happen because of the suffocating unitary structure that has created a domineering all-powerful centre, turning the federating units into helpless entities depending entirely on the centre for survival, which is why Nigeria must

In your estimation sir, how’s the South East faring politically in present Nigeria especially after the recent elections?

My region has been trying to get across the message to other Nigerians that we want to be treated fairly, treated right and treated as

The overall outcome of the election in the South East left many dissatisfied and disappointed. What’s your take on the outcome of gubernatorial elections in Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu states?

I normally do not like commenting on elections, but like everyone else, I noted the emotions and sentiments in the air. So many factors were at play including the awareness as a result of the agitation, even though people do not like to give the agitators any credit, but the truth is the anger in the land, as represented by the agitation, inspired the mood of the people and also the vote pattern.

Our people are awake now and very conscious of the precarious situation of the country. People are tired of the post civil war political culture and are more ready to hold the political class accountable, unlike three decades ago. The awareness today is huge. The contest was keen in Enugu and Abia. In Ebonyi, Umahi bulldozed his way.

In Enugu, the 24 year-old PDP structure was almost toppled. In Abia, it was overwhelmed and replaced by a new political party.

What’s interesting is the reaction of the political leaders affected. Governor Ikpeazu showed commendable statesmanship and humility by congratulating Alex Otti hours after the announcement of the final results. He also advised against litigations, pledging a smooth transition of power, saying he was looking forward to a seamless handing over. That is so beautiful. In Enugu, the other party refused to accept the result.

I think the South East political culture is maturing in an interesting way. 2027 promises deeper maturity, what with the heightened level of consciousness and awareness in the land.

The elections have come and gone, I think we all should concentrate on moving the region forward.

How do you rate the outgoing Governors and governments of Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu states?

I try all I can to avoid political comments, I leave that to professional critics who attack leaders on behalf of political opponents and praise singers, cheerleaders and different shades of ndi otinkpu who survive through that.

The Governors are not my friends. They resent my guts. They don’t understand why Elliot should not bow down and say only what they want him to say and be a good boy like everyone else. I disagree with their handling of the agitation and said so publicly. I don’t agree with them. There’s no love lost between us. I call them out always and ask them to do the right thing. They can keep all their love for their wives and girlfriends. I don’t think I need their love. I disagree with their fear of Abuja.

They are all scared of offending the centre and they failed to push restructuring as strongly as they should. I tell them so and they aren’t fond of me. They should have united the region and upped the demand for restructuring of Nigeria and also they should have engaged the agitators constructively. They know I disagree with their error of judgment in the handling of the agitators.

Having said that, I can tell you that Umahi cleverly struggled to drive the narrative that eyecatching infrastructure like flyovers, shopping centres and Airport are more important than manpower development, which isn’t true. I give Umahi thumps up for the schools, and roads etc, but what is the performance of Ebonyi students in JAMB, Unity schools entrance exams and skills acquisition etc? Human development is zero.

Moreover, he introduced politics of intimidation and suppression in Ebonyi, Uzodinma in Imo hasn’t been able to key in with the people.

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

Mayaki: In-fighting Within Opposition Parties Aided Tinubu’s Victory A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Edo state, John Mayaki, in this interview with Adibe Emenyonu, reveals that some undercurrents including disagreements among the opposition parties ahead of the February 25, 2023 presidential poll paved the way for the victory of APC candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

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inubu has been declared the President-elect. Having served as the Edo State coordinator for APC Presidential Campaign Council, how were you able to manage the role and deliver on your core mandate, especially in the face of great pressure mounted from different quarters?

I think it is only right that I begin with my gratitude to the leadership of the APC-PCC for giving me the opportunity to serve at the level in Edo State. To answer your question on how I was able to serve as one of the media managers of the campaign amid unprecedented levels of disinformation and negative propaganda aimed at us by our opponents, I think it’s important to first establish the growing ability of the people to determine truth from falsehood. That played an important role and made our work in fact-checking the lies of the opponents and promoting the superior qualities of our candidate, as evidenced by facts and data, a lot easier.

Additionally, it also helped that Asiwaju Tinubu had years of organically built grassroots popularity and familiarity. He is not a stranger at all to the people, and this is the case across the country. He is, of course, as you probably know a visionary leader who began his march to the Villa as far back as 1999 when he conceived a masterplan for Lagos and turned a dysfunctional state into a megacity and one of the largest economies in Africa.

Then you also have to factor in our organized party structure. We are present in all the wards in the country and have active organs, manned by experienced mobilizers, in virtually all the nooks and crannies of the country.

While the main opposition cannibalized itself, and Obi followed a divisive path with his greenhorns, we remained compact, grew our strength, and united to deliver the prize.

Finally, the availability of a smart and comprehensive manifesto meant that we could offer

Mayaki

specific promises to key target groups, including students, traders, artisans and industry leaders, with a clear roadmap of how we intend to achieve the promises and a timeline of action.

No other party was able to do that and I believe this, and other other aforementioned factors, drove home the point that we were better prepared and had the best candidate.

Nigerians passed their verdict and we won. I believe strongly that our victory will be upheld by the court and Asiwaju’s administration will succeed.

The Labour Party and the PDP have both filed a petition at the Election Petition Tribunal challenging the victory of your party. Some other persons are also alleging that your principal, Bola Tinubu, is ill. Is he really ill and what do you make of the chances of the opposition in court?

I have also come across some concocted junk reports alleging that Bola Tinubu took ill and was flown to France before being taken to the UK. What I found interesting, and I think this is where any serious-minded person should know that these are just frivolous claims by those desperate to cast aspersions, was that the same people proceeded to report again that the same man they claimed was ill and battling for his life was actually meeting and scheming with government officials abroad. So which is it? The man they claimed he was meeting with was seen in his office and he attended Jumaat service the following day.

I also suffered from their falsehood as they went to town with an obviously fake report that I left my party and defected to the Labour Party.

Before then, the same people zeroed in on the outgoing President and claimed, comically, that he was replaced by a clone from Sudan.

It’s all hogwash, and I wish to place on record my distaste for such manner of contestation. It violates all known ethics and perhaps highlights the challenges that come with the absence of gatekeeping in the new media. The moderators of the platform must do more to curb disinformation, especially when it is spread within a network of accounts mimicking actions to amplify untruth.

But to answer your question directly, I think it is clear by now that Asiwaju Tinubu is in great physical shape and suffers no illness whatsoever.

Don’t forget that they shouted the same propagandist nonsense during the campaign, but they were put to shame when the same man toured the entire country, traveling non-stop from state to state, covering more distances and hosting more events than even their own supposedly healthier candidate. Bola Tinubu is whole and strong. He has gone to rest after completing a rigorous campaign and will return to the country soon.

As for the court cases, that is not an unusual thing, especially in Nigeria. But I must emphasize

that opposition have no case here. One of them has even demonstrated, quite sadly, that he doesn’t even understand what he is going to do in court.

Not only does he not understand the difference between the BVAS and iRev, he also gave a funny interpretation of the acronyms that got many of his followers questioning why they followed him in the first place.

Before the election, the Muslim-Muslim nature of the APC’s ticket generated heated responses and inspired certain sentiments.

In particular, Christian Pastors appeared to join the fray, with some of them issuing several controversial prophecies. Did you find this disappointing as a Christian?

Yes, I was disappointed by the actions of some clerics who allowed themselves to be used by those who knew that their only chance of victory could only come from dividing Nigerians. They branded our party ‘a Muslim party’ when, in reality, a Catholic Reverend Father was chosen to represent us in the Benue governorship election and he was supported to win.

We tried to get people to see beyond the divisive antics and look beyond the mode of the candidate’s preferred mode of worship.

That is personal to them. What is important to the public, and relevant to development, is their track record and leadership qualities. Hunger, cash crunch, and some of the other challenges the country is experiencing today don’t recognize religion. They don’t privilege one group or sect over the other. So who we should be looking for is who can solve these problems and set the country on the path of sustainable growth. Thankfully, the majority of Nigerians bought our message and agreed with us that competence is what should determine who leads.

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

18

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY, ʹ˜ 2023

FEATURES Emmanuel Osemota Foundation: Giving Succour to the Girl-child in Nigeria, USA

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

The Emmanuel Osemota Foundation, EOF, is intentionally taming the myriad challenges facing the girl-child from attaining her full potential in life. This scourge ranges from poor menstrual health to human trafficking among others.

Rebecca Ejifoma writes about the foundation's ongoing intervention and rehabilitation activities among other plans underway in Edo State, Nigeria, and Florida, USA

Students of St. Maria Goretti Girls College in Benin City, Edo State displaying their school materials distributed by EOF

F

or the girl-child in Edo state and Florida, the United States, it is a whole new world. This is because these adolescent girls are finally fitting into their defining space as the force to help shape the collective

future.

Sadly, these girls have had to face a heap of barriers including poor access to equal opportunity in education and profession, menstrual health and mental development. Rather, they have been exposed to gender discrimination, sex trafficking, child labour, early marriage, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, and rape among a host of others in society.

While these devastating challenges have remained concurrent globally, research shows that two among them are more prevalent among adolescent girls in Edo state and Florida. It's the menstrual period and sex trafficking. For girls in these communities, having your menstrual cycle is said to be embarrassing enough, but having it as a cultural taboo is even worse.

It was to give the girl-child a significant voice in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 5 which advocates gender equality, that the Emmanuel Osemota Foundation, a non-profit organisation, is empowering local communities through education and high-quality healthcare.

The foundation believes that equipping the girl-child births a healthier and more productive society, nation, and the world, and ultimately breaks the vicious cycle of poverty and illiteracy; thereby, accelerating the economy, and creating a more equitable society.

“Girls in impoverished communities in Edo State and lower-income families in Florida face the cultural taboo and lack of access to safe menstrual health solutions,” says the founder of EOF, Emmanuel J. Osemota.

Menstrual Hygiene Kit for Adolescents According to the founder, a Nigerian US-based epidemiologist, these adolescent girls turn to unsanitary methods including rags, leaves, newspapers, and tissue papers. In some cases, they become victims of sexual exploitation out of desperation for supplies.

“What’s even worse is that the girls who attend schools without access to any menstrual health solution skipped classes because they were ashamed while some even dropped out of school to focus on menial jobs,” Osemota bemoaned.

In local communities in Edo state, he pointed out, these girls don’t have the proper supplies or enough of them. "This leads them to use unsanitary items in their hour of need, exposing them to an increased risk of infection,” he narrated. "It ought not to be so."

Owing to this heartbreaking discovery, EOF expanded its reach. It distributed the prerequisite menstrual hygiene products across schools in two cities – Benin and Miramar, in Nigeria and

Students of Ezomo College in Benin City, Edo State during a menstrual hygiene awareness campaign

the US respectively. “Educating them on menstrual health and helping meet their needs has significantly decreased dropout rates for girls in school,” says the founder.

Today, the foundation's menstrual hygiene kit initiative has reached over 5,000 girls in both countries. This is because EOF rolls up its sleeves from January through December in Edo state and South Florida every year.

In addition, the founder outlined their six impacting outreach programmes lined up throughout this year.

Sex Traffickers Masquerading As Modelling Agents Citing the RAINN/Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, only 30 per cent of sexual assaults are ever reported in the US, Osemota insisted that human trafficking was running rampant in Orlando and South Florida, in the US. While describing human trafficking as a 150-billion-dollar industry, the EOF boss noted that the average age of trafficked women is 14 years of age.

Thus, Osemota submitted that these girls were being approached, asked for directions, offered modelling jobs, or just thrown into a van that pulled up beside them in broad daylight. Hence, the EOF took off the ground in 2006 to cushion these ills.

"We believe that the fight against human trafficking starts long before a girl-child becomes a victim," he added.

Human Trafficking in Edo State Although education and healthcare are the chief priorities of EOF, the foundation is not oblivious to the vicious trend of human trafficking in Edo state, where young naive girls are swayed and lured to Europe to be sexually exploited and forced into labour.

A 2017 research by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) shows that out of the 119,000 migrants who arrived in Italy, 18,185 were Nigerians, and 5,425 were women. The IOM Italy also estimates that 80 per cent of these women were potential victims of trafficking and that 94 per cent were from Edo state.

Meanwhile, in 2018, Reuters ranked Nigeria as the fourth most dangerous country in human trafficking. It also listed Nigeria as the 6th worst risk women face

from traditional practices in rural communities.

According to a 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report in Nigeria, the government initiated investigations into 852 cases, including 323 sex trafficking cases, 168 labour trafficking cases, and 361 unspecified cases.

Thus, Osemota lamented the rate at which young girls are heavily trafficked in Edo state, Nigeria, and South Florida, USA. "We are all affected one way or another," he admitted, as he underscored what the foundation has mapped out in earnest to combat the heinous trend.

Accordingly, the healthcare professional chipped in that the offer of a better life outside the country for Nigerian women and rural girls in Edo state, in particular, has resulted in them being prey to human traffickers and predators.

Therefore, Osemota highlighted, “That is why at EOF, we are taking results-oriented steps to prevent the traffickers from increasing the horrifying statistics.

“Our initiatives are fighting the social and health situations that perpetuate trafficking. The Emmanuel Osemota Foundation is taking intentional and strategic action to educate young girls who are the most vulnerable.

That is the foundation identifies at-risk populations for human trafficking and hosts public engagements like community roadshows. This, the epidemiologist conceded, is to spread awareness of the perils involved for such young girls.

Grassroot Approach For a more holistic approach, EOF works with community leaders, as well as local and state government officials in championing programmes against human trafficking. While Osemota acknowledged that legislation and officials at high levels of government are powerful tools, he emphasised, "We build relationships with government officials to advocate for stronger laws and protections for victims".

The not-for-profit foundation also synergises with local community

For EOF, if the girl-child remains in school, this allows her to have access to continuous education and sustainable solutions. Consequently, this affects current and future generations of women and men, playing a pivotal role in breaking the shackles of poverty

leaders by training and providing resources to advocate for women who are currently victims of the ill-act.

"We are proud to stand with them," the founder expressed, "showing them that their story is not over but just beginning."

Accordingly, Osemota hinted at their strategic rehabilitation of women through short-term as well as long-term care. We also do this for young girls and women in South Florida, US." Owing to the IOM report and more, EOF is determined to assist, help, cheer and educate young girls, their communities and the public about human trafficking and menstrual and women's health among other significant activities.

Girl Child Initiative With its "Girl Child Initiative: Invest in A Girl, Power the Future", EOF enlightens the surrounding communities, provides educational materials and hosts symposiums on the essence of education.

As a result of these educational measures and safe menstrual health panacea, the founder is pleased that its programmes have directly resulted in decreasing the rate of dropout among girls in school as well as increasing their contribution to their local community sustainability.

"Our programmes will increase women and girls’ employment prospects and potentially lead to further educational opportunities. We also empower girls to continue their education or learn a trade so that they can be self-sufficient," Osemota expressed.

For EOF, if the girl-child remains in school, this allows her to have access to continuous education and sustainable solutions. Consequently, this affects current and future generations of women and men, playing a pivotal role in breaking the shackles of poverty.

Undoubtedly, these women and girls can also be decision-makers in their communities and campaign effectively against age-long harmful practices like Female Genital Mutilation/cutting (FGM), Gender-based Violence (GBV), Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG), human trafficking, child marriages, and others.

Wherefore, EOF, which officially registered with the Nigerian and the US governments in 2019 and 2020 respectively, has pioneered a handful of impactful programmes like community medical outreaches, entrepreneur projects, anti-human trafficking sensitisation, educational school drive, and community advocacy for locals. This is all in its efforts to ignite lasting change for girls and women at home and abroad.

Thus, for this year, EOF has mapped out plans to do more noble deeds and impact more communities in Edo state as well as South Florida. The foundation says it is not compromising on its vision to provide succour to the girl-child and women in accessing education and high-quality healthcare for a better future.

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T H I S D AY ˾ DAY, ʹ˜ 2023

#THISISNIGERIA 2023 Elections: It Is Time For Honest Conversations

–Oluseun Onigbinde

T

he 2023 presidential elections have not come and gone because their memory still lingers from INEC’s indefensible behavior that crushed trust in the electoral system. If there are lessons to pick in this whole quagmire, it must be that things can get worse irrespective of what technology, innovation, or level of automation is used for elections in Nigeria.

The BVAS accreditation supposed that we had scaled through a period where political parties disrupted the voting process or discriminately allotted votes to themselves after its conclusion. Well, that's typical of Nigeria's gradualism that continues to comfort you with the “Rome was not built in a day” cliché . We have a bigger mess on our hands, and it's the fact that the collation process hasn’t moved an inch from the old, manual addition and subtraction method. While INEC boasted beyond measure that such illegal manipulation won't happen because they would upload the results in real-time, it never fulfilled an ounce of its promise.

Where then do we go from here?

While civil society has done enormous work improving the electoral act to compensate for electronic involvement in the polls, there seems to be too much cuddling with INEC. Civil society must boldly tell INEC it has failed to deepen trust in the election process.

INEC messed up in its ad-hoc and core personnel selection. On the one hand, many of its staff caved in under pressure from politicians to declare election results. On the other hand, the Commission is eager to squander public resources on endless litigation. For instance, in the Kogi North Senatorial District case, why is INEC in a hurry to declare a winner who led by 369 votes marred with polling units’ cancellation and violence, as visually explained by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan? Why does the Rivers State Collation Officer for Presidential Elections (SCOPE) reiterate the enormous pressure put upon him, and it still feels okay to accept the result? What exactly is the turnaround time for INEC collation? Why does it feel like politicians have hijacked the collation process dictating when results should be released at the state level?

While INEC oversold its technology solution and even made us drool with its performances in the Osun and Ekiti elections, it was a shock to see its electronic collation platform fail during the presidential and governorship elections. In partnership with Dean Initiative and Hallowmace Foundation, Civic Hive hired persons to relay election results at 774 local government and 469 House of Representatives and Senatorial Collation Centers. We believed this mechanism would help in rapid access to election results, allowing Nigerians to see things in realtime. Our idealism was punctured when we discovered that election results at the LGA were only partially collated as late as noon on Sunday, one day after the election.

This alerted us that something was wrong with the collation process.

Politicians have heavily compromised INEC staff, especially at the state and ward levels.

This was reinforced especially in elections where the state governors acted like warlords or exhibited antics geared towards a “do or die affair.” It is evident that in such a situation, the institutions—police, military, INEC—gravitate towards the political authority, thereby compromising the entire process. Thugs can disrupt an election and snatch and burn ballot papers while the police watch, helpless. The treasonable and atrocious crimes won’t matter if they were ordered from above. One wonders if this

will not mean our elections might get more violent, with opposing camps also unleashing their measure of violence. And once elections are on tight margins, the ruling party within the state can continue to use force to reduce margins through violence and suppression until it finds a way to leap ahead.

We are also learning that technology cannot fix a broken system. It is only through applying values and a consequence framework that change can happen. We have seen situations where BVAS machines were destroyed or jettisoned or even where INEC officials boldly stated that they had been instructed that uploading would only occur at the Collation Centeragainst INEC’s rules. Like Mr Tunji Lardner would remind us, “We are applying technical solutions when our issues are mostly adaptive.”

It is obvious that through state coercion and institutional capture, the political class has mastered how to apply dark arts even before using any technology.

Technology will not save us, and it is clear that our winner-takes-all attitude and the perks of political office will continue to erode our values. The difficult task is how will the political class enforce sanctions they are complicit in. The bastardization of Nigerian institutions, where they can’t separate duty from operational control, is such a sad spectacle.

This might be a time for civil society

to be wary. If there’s ever an opportunity to reform Nigeria’s electoral system comprehensively, it is now. After the enormous positives from 2015 that showed progress, it is evident that regression is possible if our voices aren’t loud or if we cuddle with the institution just to protect our access. INEC should get no further camaraderie but intense scrutiny of its activities, especially on adherence to its guidelines. The institution is yet to sort out its logistics issues which an open technological application can fix. The political class will respond positively if corrupt collation officers are prosecuted, and the institution rejects rigged results.

However, if INEC uses its officials and university professors to affirm dishonest and doctored results, it will continue expanding public distrust.

INEC also needs to raise its voice that a successful election is not its sole making.

The enormous burden of a successful election also includes the political class and security institutions. I noticed that in the recent elections, police officers arrived early, yet we have pockets of incidence where they stood aloof while votes were manipulated or voters suppressed. INEC needs assurances and direct communication for consequence management and escalation with other agencies.

We hoped this election would herald

a new paradigm for Nigeria’s democratic experience. The prospect of a third force candidate also energized urban voters, especially in southern Nigeria. However, it is time to inform the political class that if our democracy is expected to thrive, it must be drawn from legitimacy. If public offices are rooted in service, they must not be forced on the people. Those who lead INEC or collate results must also care about their legacy, as the continuous use of the judiciary to decide election winners is not a pointer to a credible electoral system.

One must acknowledge the sheer bravery of Nigerians excited to be part of the electoral season that would lead to a new Nigeria. While the final voter participation rate of 27% falls below the standard, the current statistic also calls for further cleanup of the voter register and intensified voter education toward fuller participation in future elections. To receive over N305 billion to conduct this election meant Nigerians expected nothing but the best the institution could give, but it delivered a shoddy performance. The people only partially accepted the results as credibility waned over the period. Hence, INEC needs to sit down with its partners and do honest soul-searching on where it missed its steps. t0MVTFVO 0OJHCJOEF JT UIF DP GPVOEFS BOE $&0 PG CVEH*5

24 T H0I S D AY THURSDAY APRIL6, 2023 TR

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& RE A S O

Thursday April 6, 2023 Vol 27. No 10220

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

IKPEAZU AND THE VERDICT OF HISTORY DELE OLOWU argues that good governments are often not good self-advocates

See page 25

‘COCAINE HOPPERS’: THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG FFICKING Policymakers will learn a thing or two from Jude Oboh’s extensive research on the ‘global cocaine ecosystem’, writes CHUKWUEMEKA UWANAKA

See page 25 EDITORIAL

TACKLING MALNUTRITION IN NIGERIA

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Costly distractions must be avoided at this critical stage of governmental transition, writes MONDAY PHILIPS EKPE

TOYING WITH INTERIM GOVERNMENT What hasn’t one seen or heard lately?

A cocktail of general social and economic pressures, crooked political atmosphere and the frenzy that goes with political changes in Nigeria seems to have made it somewhat GL΀FXOW IRU SHRSOH WR WKLQN DQG DFW VWUDLJKW Late last month, tens or hundreds of energised people took their protestations against the outcomes of the recent federal and state elections to the Defence Headquarters in $EXMD :LWK WKH KHOS RI D PHJDSKRQH WKH\ FULHG WR WKHLU KRVWV WR ´GR VRPHWKLQJµ ,·P \HW WR SXW P\ ÀQJHU RQ ZKDW WKH ZKROH PLVVLRQ was all about and, more disturbing, whether they truly grasped the import of the optics EHLQJ JHQHUDWHG E\ WKHLU VWUDQJH LQWHUYHQWLRQ Those who were surprised by the brashness of that desperate crowd may still be treated to other awkward dramas before the May 29, KDQGRYHU GDWH Truth is, 24 years after the Nigerian military handed over political power to civilians, not many people wish to have it back in the XVXUSHG H[HFXWLYH DQG OHJLVODWLYH UROHV $QG in fairness to it, some of its top functionaries have been assuring Nigerians lately that theirs is to provide support for the police and boost internal security anytime they’re called upon to do so at this volatile point in the nation’s GHPRFUDWLF MRXUQH\ .HHSLQJ IDLWK ZLWK WKRVH briefs, in the face of electoral frustrations still simmering among a sizable part of the populace, would guarantee more respect for our soldiers and give the country enough space and time to deepen its hard-won GHPRFUDF\ Even before last week’s disclosure by the Department of State Security (DSS) about the plans of some persons to railroad the country into an interim government arrangement, some prophets, soothsayers and critics had already predicted its possibility and also SURPRWHG LWV DGYDQWDJHV 0XFK HVRWHULVP has actually gone into explaining why the presidential inauguration may not hold as VFKHGXOHG DIWHU DOO The DSS spokesperson, Dr Peter Afunanya, ZDV HPSKDWLF +LV DJHQF\ ´FRQVLGHUV WKH SORW being pursued by these entrenched interests as not only an aberration but a mischievous way to set aside the constitution and undermine civil rule as well as plunge the country into FULVLV 7KH LOOHJDOLW\ LV WRWDOO\ XQDFFHSWDEOH LQ D GHPRFUDF\ DQG WR WKH SHDFH ORYLQJ 1LJHULDQV Consequently, the service strongly warns those organising to thwart democracy in the country to retract from their devious schemes DQG RUFKHVWUDWLRQV :KLOH PRQLWRULQJ WKH '66 will not hesitate to take decisive and necessary legal steps against these misguided elements WR IUXVWUDWH WKHLU REYLRXV LQWHQWLRQV µ Very stern indeed but one wonders why VXFK D WUHDVRQDEOH RͿHQFH VKRXOG EH WDFNOHG with a mere appeal to the suspects to see reason, instead of arresting them for proper LQYHVWLJDWLRQ DQG SRVVLEOH SURVHFXWLRQ ,I WKH aim is not “overheating the polity”, as we often say whenever we hide behind condonement, docility and cowardice, then the state service may have surrendered professionalism to

SDUWLVDQVKLS 3ROLWLFDO FRUUHFWQHVV PXVWQ·W overthrow expert responses to potentially UXLQRXV WKUHDWV 1R PDWWHU KRZ VWURQJO\ anyone feels about the results of the February 25 and March 18 elections, deliberately pushing for something clearly beyond the reach of the constitution at this point would EH XQSDWULRWLF UHFNOHVV DQG ULVN\ 1R ULJKW thinking person or responsible country stands WR JDLQ IURP VXFK JDPEOLQJ That DSS announcement only signalled the acknowledgement of the plot for an interim administration at a high level of the QDWLRQ·V VHFXULW\ DSSDUDWXV &RPLQJ EDUHO\ two months to the scheduled handover of power from President Muhammadu Buhari to President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that whistleblowing shouldn’t be glossed RYHU $V H[SHFWHG WKH UHDFWLRQV KDYH EHHQ RYHUZKHOPLQJ $QG DV XVXDO WKH\ EHDU IDPLOLDU ÁDYRXUV UDQJLQJ IURP WKH LQIRUPHG to the purely sentimental and the outrightly ULGLFXORXV Some elements in the declared victorious All Progressives Congress (APC) think that the smoke must have originated from the camp of WKRVH DQQRXQFHG DV ORVHUV E\ WKH ,QGHSHQGHQW 1DWLRQDO (OHFWRUDO &RPPLVVLRQ ,1(& LQ the presidential election who, according to them, would go to any length to truncate the RQJRLQJ VHHPLQJO\ VHDPOHVV WUDQVLWLRQ The immediate reaction of the Spokesperson of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council, Dr Yunusa Tanko, to the DSS alarm represents the views of many of the RSSRVLWLRQ SDUWLHV ,Q KLV ZRUGV ´$V D SDUW\ we have submitted ourselves to pursuing the course of justice through constitutional means, it will not serve us if the interest of democracy FROODSVHV LQ 1LJHULD :KHUH ZDV WKH '66 when our members and other Nigerians were being attacked, maimed and killed especially in Lagos? Where was the DSS when some LQGLYLGXDOV ZHUH HQJDJHG LQ HWKQLF SURÀOLQJ and violence against Nigerians of a certain ethnic nationality over their democratic choices?

“Now that Nigerians have decided to follow laid down democratic procedures of drawing attention to injustice, warnings and threats DUH EHLQJ LVVXHG 7KH '66 RXJKW WR KDYH issued these warnings from the beginning to show Nigerians that this country belongs to DOO RI XV DQG QRW WKH SHUVRQDO ÀHIGRP RI DQ LQGLYLGXDO RU D JURXS :H XUJH WKH '66 WR send these words of caution to those bigots

There’s no reason why the normal judicial course shouldn’t be followed to its logical conclusion.

We can hope and press that the courts realise the sensitivity of the moment and commit due diligence to their duties. When Nigerians see that justice and fairness are well served, they’ll embrace peace

who are pushing this country to the brink of disaster with their utterances and violent conduct against other peace-loving Nigerians who do not subscribe to their political views RU VSHDN WKHLU ODQJXDJH µ 2QH FDQ LQWHUSUHW Tanko’s anger as denouncing attempts to use the alleged plans to distract the aggrieved parties from continuing with the legitimate TXHVWV IRU WKHLU SHUFHLYHG VWROHQ PDQGDWHV ,W·V UHPDUNDEOH DQG KLJKO\ FRPPHQGDEOH that the LP and Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) embraced the legal route soon after the SUHVLGHQWLDO SROO The individuals said to be rooting for this political hiatus are either historically challenged or can’t be bothered about its UHSHUFXVVLRQV 7KH RQO\ WLPH LW VXUIDFHG LQ the country’s history was in 1993 when the WKHQ 0LOLWDU\ 3UHVLGHQW ,EUDKLP %DEDQJLGD LQVWLWXWHG DQ ,QWHULP 1DWLRQDO *RYHUQPHQW ,1* ZLWK &KLHI (UQHVW 6KRQHNDQ DV WKH head, in the heat of the toxic anti-government environment produced by the annulment of WKH IDPRXV -XQH SUHVLGHQWLDO EDOORW Popularly referred to as a contraption, the ,1* ODVWHG IRU OHVV WKDQ WKUHH PRQWKV KDYLQJ EHHQ VXPPDULO\ WRUSHGRHG E\ *HQHUDO 6DQL $EDFKD LQ 1RYHPEHU WKDW \HDU ,W HQGHG DEUXSWO\ WKH ZD\ LW VWDUWHG 7R GDWH PRVW Nigerians don’t accord that period any worthy UHFRJQLWLRQ :KLOH LW FDQ HDVLO\ EH DUJXHG WKDW WKH GLͿHUHQFHV EHWZHHQ WKH HOHFWLRQV years ago and the latest ones are obvious, the inappropriateness of the sort of interregnum being clandestinely canvassed remains valid, QRQHWKHOHVV The failings of the recent general election are too fresh to be revised, twisted and ZLVKHG DZD\ ZLWK D ÀDW $Q H[HUFLVH K\SHG as technology-driven and low error-prone, simply caved in and couldn’t live up to its RZQ SURPLVH 7R ZRUVHQ WKLV UHFRUG WKRVH polls didn’t go down as being among the best the country has organised, in the estimation of many citizens and most local and international REVHUYHUV 6ROXWLRQV WR ULJJLQJ DQG RWKHU forms of malpractices are yet to be found, VDGO\ 7KH ODVW RXWLQJ GLGQ·W SURYH DQ\WKLQJ WR WKH FRQWUDU\ 6RPH DQDO\VWV DUH DOUHDG\ looking at the recent presidential election as belonging to the opposite extreme of the 1993 version, the former being near excellent but WKH ODWWHU KRYHULQJ DURXQG WKH KDOO RI LQIDP\ 2I FRXUVH QRW HYHU\RQH ZRXOG DJUHH ZLWK WKLV DVVHUWLRQ Anyhow, no matter the gravity of the accusations levelled against the presidentin-waiting and his party, there’s absolutely no reason why the normal judicial course VKRXOGQ·W EH IROORZHG WR LWV ORJLFDO FRQFOXVLRQ Thankfully, the aggrieved parties who LQLWLDWHG WKH OLWLJDWLRQ DUH VWLOO RQ LW :H FDQ hope and press that the courts realise the sensitivity of the moment and commit due GLOLJHQFH WR WKHLU GXWLHV :KHQ 1LJHULDQV VHH that justice and fairness are well served, they’ll HPEUDFH SHDFH Dr Ekpe is a member of THISDAY Editorial Board

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THURSDAY APRIL6, 2023

DELE OLOWU argues that good governments are often not good self-advocates

IKPEAZU AND THE VERDICT OF HISTORY A postmortem of contemporary events in $ELD 6WDWH PLJKW OHDG WR WKH FRQFOXVLRQ WKDW *RYHUQRU ,NSHD]X PD\ KDYH EHHQ WKH DUFKLWHFW RI KLV RZQ UHFHQW VHWEDFN ,NSHD]X·V JUDYHVW error in his entire eight-year rule was to have JLYHQ VFDQW DWWHQWLRQ WR WKH UHTXLUHPHQW WR HQJDJH LQ UREXVW SXEOLFLW\ DQG VKRZ RͿ KLV political goods to an electorate, noted even at WKH EHVW RI WLPHV IRU LWV F\QLFLVP +LV KDELW of reticence and a reliance on his growing reputation as a silent achiever hurt him UDWKHU EDGO\ LQ WKH MXVW FRQFOXGHG HOHFWLRQV +RZHYHU KLV UHFHQW HQJDJHPHQWV ZLWK WKH media have been unusually expressive and have left many wondering why he kept his

gemstones under wrap for so long!

7KH HQJDJHPHQWV KDYH EHHQ UHYHODWRU\ and have shed unaccustomed light on the *RYHUQRU·V WHQXUH DQG UHYHUVHG VRPH RI the negativities which had dominated the OLWHUDWXUH RI KLV VHUYLFH DQG VDFULÀFH WR KLV EHORYHG SHRSOH 6RPH PLJKW EH RI WKH YLHZ WKDW WKH ,NSHD]X UHVSRQVH LV XQVHDVRQDEOH DQG ODWH LQ FRPLQJ +RZHYHU WKH ULJKW RI UHSO\ FDQQRW EH impugned or defeated either by time or E\ GLVWDQFH 3XEOLF LQWHUHVW LVVXHV FDQ RQO\ be enlivened by throwing the public space open to a multiplicity of voices, as well as by D FRQWLQXRXV GLDOHFWLF RI YLHZV 1R PDWWHU KRZ ODWH DQ LQWHUYHQWLRQ IURP WKH ,NSHD]X platform, it should provide decisive materials which will assist in producing the verdict of KLVWRU\ %XW LW LV LPSRUWDQW WR H[SORGH WKH FDULFDWXUH ZKLFK KROGV RXW $ELD 6WDWH DV D debt -ridden state which is unable to meet REOLJDWLRQV WR LWV HPSOR\HHV 7KLV LV D SXWULG myth, and has been stylized over the years to SDLQW D GLVWUHVVHG LPDJH RI *RG·V RZQ VWDWH 5HFHQWO\ *RYHUQRU 2NH]LH ,NSHD]X VWDWHG WKDW KH KDV SDLG FLYLO VHUYDQWV LQ $ELD DQG FRQVWUXFWLYHO\ RZHV QR RQH +H H[SODLQHG that his brand of governance did not allow him to pass the buck and that when he took over, he embraced both assets and liabilities; FRQWUDU\ WR WKH SUHYDLOLQJ FDULFDWXUH $ELD 6WDWH LV QRW RZLQJ DQ\ FRUH FLYLO VHUYDQW VDODULHV RI DQ\ NLQG 7KLV LV GLVWLQFW from income generating entities who spend WKHLU ZD\ LQWR WURXEOH 7KH\ DUH RQO\ HQWLWOHG WR VXEYHQWLRQV 7KH RYHU EORDWLQJ RI WKH public service and government owned entities in the state has proceeded by tricks DQG LQ VWHDOWK 0DQ\ RI WKH LQFXPEHQW FKLHI executives employ people without mandate and sometimes in clear violation of extant SURWRFROV ,Q WKH PHDQWLPH PDQ\ RI WKH entities generate revenue which they deploy XQLODWHUDOO\ 6R ZKDW ZDV RQFH D JRYHUQDEOH cluster with tidy numbers, soon becomes a gross association, hemorrhaging state UHVRXUFHV DW XQVXVWDLQDEOH OHYHOV 7KLV KDV EHHQ WKH EXUGHQ SUHVHQWHG E\ $ELD 6WDWH )RU *RYHUQRU ,NSHD]X WKH VHUYLFH KDV EHHQ D FURZQ RI WKRUQV (YHQ WKRXJK WKH VWDWH·V

SXUVH ZDV OHDQ ,NSHD]X FDPH LQWR R΀FH ZLWK a new sense of hope, pushing up social and SROLWLFDO H[SHFWDWLRQV 7KHUH ZDV FRQVLGHUDEOH GUDPD ZKHQ RQ KLV ÀUVW GD\ LQ R΀FH KH XQYHLOHG VHYHQ URDG SURMHFWV LQ $ED D ORQJ XQVHUYLFHG HQWUHSUHQHXULDO KXE 7KLV JHVWXUH UHFHLYHG ÁDWWHULQJ QRWLFHV IURP WKH PHUFKDQW FODVV ZKRVH IDLWK LQ JRYHUQPHQW URVH VKDUSO\ 7KH JRYHUQRU VRXJKW WR FUHDWH DQ HFRQRP\ driven by the private sector in order to H[SDQG LQIUDVWUXFWXUH 5RDGV HGXFDWLRQ heath as well as oil, gas and construction EHFDPH D ERRP SURGXFLQJ URDGV LQ DOO 7KH JRYHUQRU LQWURGXFHG D QRYHOW\ LQ URDG construction through the use of cement WHFKQRORJ\ 7KH WHFKQRORJ\ HQWDLOV FDVWLQJ the road with concrete over a mass of iron EHIRUH DVSKDOWLQJ LW ,W LV D QHZ WHFKQRORJ\ which enhances both the stability and life RI URDGV $ QHZ EULGJH KDV EHHQ FRPSOHWHG DW 2NRWXUR $ÀD 2EDGLDK ,W UHDOLJQHG WKH EULGJH DW 8PXQQHRFKLH $ QHZ SROLF\ ZKLFK upheld zero tolerance for pot holes was HVWDEOLVKHG 2OG URDGV LQ $ED DQG 8PXDKLD DUH SHULRGLFDOO\ DVSKDOWHG 6RPH URDGV OLNH 6W 0LFKDHOV 3DUN URDG 8EH DQG RWKHUV LQ $ED ZHUH WRWDOO\ UHZRUNHG 7UDGH FHQWHUV ZHUH DOVR HVWDEOLVKHG WR UHYLYH ROG DUWLVDQVKLSV 0H[LFDQ DQG 3LOOLSLQR VXSHUYLVRUV ZHUH brought in to train young children in the trades including carpentry, masonry and KRXVH ZLULQJ 7KH )ULHQGV RI $ELD 6FKRROV ,QLWLDWLYH was also launched to mobilize funds from Abians to rehabilitate badly degraded VFKRROV *RYHUQRU ,NSHD]X XUJHG KLV IULHQGV WR HPEUDFH WKH SURMHFW 1R OHVV WKDQ XQHPSOR\HG \RXWKV KDYH EHHQ WDNHQ LQ E\ WKH $ELD 6WDWH 7UD΀F 0DQDJHPHQW Agency to assist in the protection of public LQIUDVWUXFWXUH 2QH RI WKH PRVW RXWVWDQGLQJ PHULWV RI WKH ,NSHD]X \HDUV LV WKH UHVWRUDWLRQ RI UXUDO DQG XUEDQ SHDFH $ELD KDV HDUQHG the new reputation as the most peaceful VWDWH LQ WKH 6RXWK HDVW 1RW VXUSULVLQJO\ WKLV peace has produced an enabling learning HQYLURQPHQW VXFK DV KDV PDGH $ELD 6WDWH WKH WRS VWDWH LQ WKH DQQXDO :$(& FKDUW 7KLV SRVLWLRQ KDV UHPDLQHG XQFKDOOHQJHG IRU \HDUV UXQQLQJ 3XEOLF VFKRRO HQUROOPHQW KDV LPSURYHG VLJQLÀFDQWO\ IURP LQ WR RYHU LQ 7KH VWDWH university at Uturu moved up in ranking to ÀUVW SRVLWLRQ DPRQJ VWDWH XQLYHUVLWLHV LQ WKH HQWLUH 1LJHULDQ IHGHUDWLRQ 6WDWH VXSSRUW IRU education reached unthreaded territory when *RYHUQRU ,NSHD]X SURYLGHG VSRQVRUVKLS IRU IRUHLJQ VFKRODUVKLS ZLWK RI WKHP QRZ VWXG\LQJ LQ ,QGLD DQG $XVWUDOLD (GXFDWLRQ infrastructure has expanded phenomenally GXULQJ WKH ,NSHD]X \HDUV :KLOH VRPH RI WKLV may be due to the training, the pedigree and WKH VHQVLWLYLWLHV RI *RYHUQRU ,NSHD]X LW LV only proper to recognize good works when WKH\ PDQLIHVW LQ SXEOLF OLIH 7KH GHOLYHU\ RI VHYHUDO EULGJHV LQFOXGLQJ the Okezie Aba interchange in Osisioma /*$ WKH VHYHUDO HURVLRQ PHGLDWLRQ SURMHFWV WKH YDULRXV KHDWK SURMHFWV DFURVV WKH VWDWH DQG WKH (\LPED HFRQRPLF FLW\ SURMHFW which has provided impetus for industrial GHYHORSPHQW IRU WKH MXULVGLFWLRQ DV ZHOO DV WKH HVWDEOLVKPHQW RI WKH *HRPHWULF &RPSDQ\ $ED ZKLFK KDV FKDQJHG WKH SRZHU environment, lifting substantially the night HFRQRP\ LQ $ELD KDYH DOO LQYHVWHG *RYHUQRU ,NSHD]X DV D OHDGHU RI VHUYLFH *RYHUQDQFH LV D PXOWLOD\HUHG H[SHULHQFH ,W LV FRPSOH[ DQG governed by varied perceptions, some of WKHP GL΀FXOW WR LQWHUSUHWH RU XQGHUVWDQG

Olowu is a veteran Journalist

Policymakers will learn a thing or two from Jude Oboh’s extensive research on the ‘global cocaine ecosystem’, writes CHUKWUEMEKA UWANAKA

‘COCAINE HOPPERS’: THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING $V WKH 1'/($ XQGHU %ULJ *HQ %XED 0DUZD next chapter of the book had the informal UWG VHHPV WR EH DFKLHYLQJ KLJK SHUIRUPDQFH economy mentality, extended family outcomes in the arrest of illicit drugs in Nigeria, liabilities, disappointed apprentices, -XGH 5R\FH 2ERK D 3K' KROGHU LQ &ULPLQRORJ\ patrilineal inheritance culture and culinary from Utrecht University and consultant to the IRRG VZDOORZLQJ DELOLW\ LGHQWLÀHG DV 'XWFK JRYHUQPHQW KDV UHFHQWO\ SXEOLVKHG D the main cultural factors that motivate ZHOO ZULWWHQ ERRN RQ FRFDLQH WUD΀FNLQJ DQG 1LJHULDQ FRFDLQH WUD΀FNHUV &XOWXUH DV FRQVXPSWLRQ E\ 1LJHULDQV DQG LQ 1LJHULD a concept can be somewhat challenging ¶&RFDLQH +RSSHUV· LV D FXOPLQDWLRQ RI \HDUV WR FRPSUHKHQG DQG FRQWURO :KLOH VRPH of extensive research, spanning six countries, argue that you cannot legislate culture, by the author, who surprisingly does not have FXOWXUH KRZHYHU FKDQJHV 7KH OHVVRQ IRU DQ RULJLQDO EDFNJURXQG LQ ODZ HQIRUFHPHQW government will be for relevant policies Oboh however deployed his extensive that can moderate or change these cultural academic training and original expertise in IDFWRUV WKDW PRWLYDWH FRFDLQH WUD΀FNHUV $JULFXOWXUH (QJLQHHULQJ XS WR D 3K' IURP WKH 7KH QH[W FKDSWHU GZHOOV KHDYLO\ RQ 8QLYHUVLW\ RI )ORUHQFH ZKLFK KDV VHHQ KLP the structure and operating framework ZRUN SUHYLRXVO\ DW WKH )RRG DQG $JULFXOWXUDO XVHG E\ WKH FRFDLQH WUD΀FNHUV 'UDZLQJ 2UJDQL]DWLRQ )$2 RI WKH 8QLWHG 1DWLRQV HYLGHQFH IURP LQWHUDFWLRQV ZLWK WUD΀FNHUV to now investigating the intriguing world direct observation and assessment of public RI WKH &RFDLQH LQGXVWU\ DQG WKH DFWLYLWLHV RI government activities, the author is able to 1LJHULDQV LQYROYHG recreate and demonstrate the processes, ,V LW DQ DWWHPSW WR VWLJPDWL]H 1LJHULDQV" procedures and methods successfully , GRQ·W WKLQN VR HVSHFLDOO\ DV WKH DXWKRU XVHG E\ WUD΀FNHUV 7KH G\QDPLF DQG

adaptive nature of the modus operandi RI WUD΀FNHUV SURYLGHV HPSLULFDO DQG explains his motivation in the introduction valid information that should enhance DQG VXEVHTXHQW QLQH FKDSWHUV RI WKH ERRN WKH RSHUDWLRQV RI WKH 1LJHULDQ 'UXJ /DZ 7KH LQWURGXFWRU\ SDUW KLJKOLJKWV WKH REMHFWLYH (QIRUFHPHQW $JHQF\ 1'/($ DQG LWV of the book, which is an explorative attempt SDUWQHUV VXFK DV WKH 8QLWHG 1DWLRQV 2΀FH at the role of Nigerians in the international RQ 'UXJV DQG &ULPH 812'& ,W DOVR WUD΀FNLQJ RI FRFDLQH LQ SDVW GHFDGHV $ KLJKOLJKWV WKH JDSV WKDW VKRXOG EH ÀOOHG GHGXFHG REMHFWLYH LV DOVR WR LQÁXHQFH GUXJ LQ WKH 1DWLRQDO 'UXJ &RQWURO 0DVWHU 3ODQ control policy, in a manner that reduces the 1'&03 ² ZLWK TXHVWLRQV DV trade and consumption of illicit drugs, and WR KRZ G\QDPLF DQG VWUXFWXUDOO\ HͿHFWLYH VXEVHTXHQW UHGXFWLRQ RI QHJDWLYH VRFLDO DQG WKH 1'&03 SROLF\ LV LQ HͿHFWLYHO\ DQG KHDOWK RXWFRPHV 2I SDUWLFXODU PHQWLRQ LQ H΀FLHQWO\ WDFNOLQJ LOOLFLW GUXJ WUDGH DQG WKLV SDUW RI WKH ERRN LV WKH PHWKRGRORJ\ FRQVXPSWLRQ LQ 1LJHULD /DUJHO\ TXDOLWDWLYH LW LV TXLWH H[WHQVLYH DQG &KDSWHU ÀYH RI WKH ERRN FDQ LQ VRPH GUDZV IURP GDWD RI RYHU \HDUV RI VWXG\ PDQQHU EH VDLG WR EH WKH VWXͿ WKDW PRYLHV ZLWK ÀHOG ZRUN LQ VL[ FRXQWULHV LQFOXGLQJ WKH DUH PDGH RI ,W SURYLGHV KLVWRULFDO GHWDLOV 1HWKHUODQGV 0DOD\VLD &KLQD +RQJ .RQJ DQG ÀOOLS WR ZKDW VRPH KDYH KHDG RI %UD]LO DQG 1LJHULD 6LJQLÀFDQW HͿRUWV ZHUH EXW ZLWK OLWWOH OLWHUDWXUH H[LVWLQJ 7KDW PDGH WR SXVK IRU REMHFWLYLW\ DQG HQVXUH WKDW is the Brazilian connection to cocaine ÀQGLQJV DUH UHOLDEOH DQG YDOLG WUD΀FNLQJ LQ 1LJHULD 7KH FKDSWHU 7KH UROH RI VRFLRHFRQRPLF FRQGLWLRQV DV provides a comprehensive description ¶SXVK IDFWRUV· IRU WKH IRVWHULQJ RI FRFDLQH of the connection between Nigeria and culture in the country, is the thrust of the second Brazil, as well as with regard to cocaine FKDSWHU 'HFOLQLQJ FRQGLWLRQV FKDUDFWHULVHG E\ WUD΀FNLQJ )URP URRW VRXUFHV LQ $PHULFDQ unemployment, reduced purchasing power countries such as Bolivia, to the role of law and lack of opportunities, especially from enforcement agents and other agents in 1LJHULD·V VHFRQG UHSXEOLF DQG WKH RXWFRPHV WKH WUD΀FNLQJ VXSSO\ FKDLQ WKH GHWDLOV RI RI WKH ,0) LQVSLUHG 6WUXFWXUDO $GMXVWPHQW this part of the book provides information 3URJUDPPH 6$3 RI WKH ·V DUH LGHQWLÀHG WKDW VKRXOG LQÁXHQFH ELODWHUDO UHODWLRQV as factors that contributed to Nigerians between Nigeria and Brazil, and for what seeking alternative sources of socioeconomic will be foreign policy level interactions that VWDELOLW\ DQG LPSURYHPHQW $ SROLF\ DSSURDFK DGGUHVV WKLV FKDOOHQJH 7KDW ZD\ SROLFLHV to resolving this causative factor will however designed to promote trade, investment have to grapple with the contradiction of why and human relations are not abused by there is a cocaine culture in countries with very WUD΀FNHUV good socioeconomic indices, as well as why similar African countries that implemented the Dr Uwanaka 6$3 ZLWK VLPLODU VRFLRHFRQRPLF RXWFRPHV GR is of the Department of Public Policy, QRW KDYH FRFDLQH FXOWXUH DV 1LJHULD African University of Science and Technology, )ORZLQJ IURP WKH SUHYLRXV FKDSWHU WKH Abuja

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EDITORIAL

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

TACKLING MALNUTRITION IN NIGERIA Government and other stakeholders could do more to secure the future of our children

F

ive United Nations agencies recently called for urgent action to protect the most vulnerable in an unprecedented food and nutrition crisis in 15 countries, including Nigeria. According to the statement by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), more than 30 million FKLOGUHQ LQ WKH ZRUVW DͿHFWHG FRXQWULHV DUH FXUUHQWO\ VXͿHULQJ IURP ZDVWLQJ RU DFXWH PDOQXWULWLRQ DQG HLJKW million of them are severely wasted, the deadliest form of undernutrition. “This is a major threat to children’s lives,” said the UN agencies, “and to their long-term health and development, the impacts of which are felt by individuals, their communities and their countries.”

That Nigeria is ranked as one of the countries with the highest number of malnourished children in the world came as no surprise. As far back as 2008, the report of the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) had indicated that one out of every three children under the age of ÀYH LQ WKH FRXQWU\ LV VWXQWHG DQG VXͿHULQJ IURP FKURQLF malnutrition. Stunted growth implies a marked increase in the child’s susceptibility to infections and contributes to child mortality. Invariably, pregnant women who are not adequately nourished eventually give birth to babies with low weight thus putting their survival at risk. Obviously, nobody paid attention.

Indeed, in that report, 53 per cent of child mortalities in Nigeria were traceable to malnutrition. Paradoxically, however, even though malnutrition is the underlying cause for a third of child mortality in the world, it LV \HW WR UHFHLYH WKH QDWXUH RI KLJK SURÀOH FDPSDLJQ DQG LQYHVWPHQW QHFHVVDU\ WR DGGUHVV LW HͿHFWLYHO\ LQ comparison with other causes of child mortality such as malaria and HIV/AIDS. Consequently, while child mortality rate caused by malaria has shrunk by a third since 2000, child malnutrition rates have decreased by a small fraction within the same period.

Political commitment is therefore necessary to ensure advocacy on the adverse implications of malnutrition and how to avoid its devastating consequences. Partnership with civil society and academic institutions with focus on food and nutrition is also an imperative. Such commitment could come by way of mapping out clear strategies for up-scaling nutrition in the public sphere. This should consist of clear roles and responsibilities for the various stakeholders, with milestones for mainstreaming nutrition into agriculture, fortifying basic foods with essential minerals or vitamins, mobilising FRPPXQLWLHV IRU DFWLRQ RQ JURZLQJ PRUH EHQHÀFLDO foods, and the perils of malnutrition.

Nigerians, as a minimum, deserve a life free from hunger, in a country so blessed with arable land and natural resources.

Unfortunately, both poverty and hunger continue to saturate our country’s landscape. Yet hunger is both a cause and consequence of poverty, as people on low incomes tend to have worse diets, while people who lack adequate nutrition struggle harder to extricate themselves from poverty. Therefore, for HͿHFWLYH KHDOWK DQG VRFLDO SURWHFWLRQ PRWKHUV PXVW be encouraged to adopt exclusive breastfeeding habits for their babies in the initial six months of their lives.

Thereafter, complementary feeding can be introduced for 24 months, then the consumption of various nutrients such as Vitamin A, iodised salt and zinc, amongst others.

Our governments, at practically all levels, need to sit up and confront malnutrition with resolute decisiveness if the future of our children is to be secure. They must address the crushing indices and causes of malnutrition that have continued to deprive over half of our children (and mothers) of a healthy and productive life span. They have an obligation in ensuring that the future of Nigerian children is secured by tackling those things inhibiting their proper upbringing and social welfare.

Nigerians, as a minimum, deserve a life free from hunger, in a country so blessed with arable land and natural resources T H I S D AY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

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

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

LETTERS OF ‘AWALOKAN AND EMILOKAN’ The column, ‘Between Ndigbo Awalokan and Yoruba Emilokan’ by Olusegun Adeniyi was quite insightful as usual. Unfortunately, there is no line within the reach of the Nigerian political elites that they have not already crossed. This has been evident since 1993 when members of the resurgent Pentecostal led the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to oppose Moshood Abiola’s same-faith ticket. That was how religion became another factor in the calculations of politicians across the country.

The entry of Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) into politics in 2003 gradually drew Muslim leaders into national politics, as they were hitherto more interested in consolidating Sharia in their home states. This support reached a crescendo in 2015 when he eventually won the presidential election. They were less involved in 2019 ZKHQ %XKDUL ZDV DOUHDG\ LQ R΀FH EXW WKH\ SLFNHG XS WKH gauntlet in 2023 when CAN orchestrated a vigorous cam-

paign against the choice of a Muslim running mate by the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

3HUVRQDOO\ , KDYHQ·W VHHQ KRZ WKH UHOLJLRXV D΀OLDWLRQ of any Nigerian leader has helped the generality of his FR UHOLJLRQLVWV DQG GHQLHG RWKHUV $Q\ EHQHÀWV DUH SHUsonal to individuals on account of their closeness to the leader. Muslims still go to Hajj as usual and Christian pilgrimage has become an established event. The dictum of 6KHKX 8VPDQ 'DQ )RGLR WR WKH HͿHFW WKDW ´D FRPPXQLW\ can endure with unbelief but cannot endure with injustice” should be guide enough to leaders of whatever faith.

One thing I have noticed is that people do forget that zoning and rotation are convenient arrangements politicians brought into being to share power “on behalf of their people.” Each party has its own “zoning cycle”. I have always believed that the Peoples Democratic Par-

ty (PDP), going by its past, should zone its presidential candidate to the North after Goodluck Jonathan’s turn as president on the platform of the party. By the same logic, the ruling APC was duty bound to present a presidential candidate from the South after Buhari. Even though the party almost didn’t, but for the doggedness of Tinubu, the winner of its primaries - and the presidential election.

0HDQZKLOH HWKQLF SURÀOLQJ KDV EHHQ ZLWK XV IRU D ORQJ time. But its current strength is a great worry, especially ZLWK SURSDJDWLRQ E\ VRFLDO PHGLD /HDGLQJ SROLWLFDO ÀJXUHV KDYH D GXW\ QRW WR VHH SURÀOLQJ DV D YRWH ZLQQLQJ strategy and must do all within their powers to tamper the enthusiasm of their supporters in their ready recourse to it.

MT Usman, former Director, National Universities Commission (NUC),

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2023

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Broadband Subscriptions Maintain Steady Growth, Reached 92.6m in February 2023

Emma Okonji After maintaining a steady growth rate in one year, Nigeria’s broadband subscriptions reached 92.6 million in February 2023, up from 92.01 million in January 2023, statistics released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has revealed.

The growth also led to an increase in broadband penetration from 48.20 per cent in January 2023 to 48.49 per cent in February 2023.

Nigeria, in December 2018, surpassed its

target of 30 per cent broadband penetration, and since then, the country has maintained a steady growth in broadband penetration and subscriptions across the county.

The statistics, which THISDAY obtained from NCC’s website, showed that in February 2022, total broadband subscription was 78.08 million, while broadband penetration was 40.91 per cent, but in March 2022, broadband subscription increased to 80.68 million, while broadband penetration

also increased to 42.24 per cent.

Analysis of the data showed that in April 2022, broadband subscription increased again to 81.68 million, while penetration also increased same period to 42.79 per cent. Then in May 2022, Nigeria witnessed another increase in broadband subscription to 83.37 million, with an increase in broadband penetration to 43.67 per cent.

Further review showed that between June 2022 and September 2022, broadband subscription

increased again to 84.61 million, 84.92 million, 85.23 million and 86.06 million respectively. Within the same period from June to September, broadband penetration also increased to 44.32 per cent, 44.49 per cent, 44.65 per cent and 45.09 per cent respectively.

“Between October 2022 to December 2022, Nigeria again witnessed another growth in broadband subscription. The figures rose to 86.95 million in October, 88.27 million in November 2022 and 90.40 million in December 2022. In the same vein and

within the same period from October 2022 to December 2022, broadband penetration also increased to 45.55 per cent, 46.24 per cent and 47.36 per cent respectively.

“In January 2023, broadband subscription increased again to 92.01 million, with increased broadband penetration of 48.20 per cent. In February 2023, broadband subscription reached as high as 92.56 million, while broadband penetration increased to 48.49 per cent, “NCC said.

Speaking on the

growth rate in broadband subscriptions and penetration, the Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, attributed the growth rate to better policy implementation by the NCC, based on the set target to achieve 70 per cent broadband penetration by 2025.

Chief Executive Officer, Internet Xchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), Mr. Mohammed Rudman, attributed the growth of broadband penetration to

the improved domestication of data within Nigeria, through IXPN. According to Rudman, “In Nigeria, locally domesticated broadband internet traffic increased from 30 per cent to 70 per cent within the last seven years. As of today, Nigeria is at level two, where at least 70 per cent of the internet traffic from major service providers is connected to the IXPN, while only about 30 per cent of internet traffic is connected to international exchanges.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

HP Highlights Importance of Employee Collaboration in Addressing Cybersecurity Emma Okonji Given the rising nature of cyber attacks, and its damaging effects on ogainsations and businesses, the Country Head, HP Nigeria, Mr. Emmanuel Asika has stressed the need for organisations to consider employee collaboration in tackling the menace of cyber attacks within organisaions.

Asika, in a statement,

explained that cyber attacks were fast becoming lucrative business for those who engage in it, even though many will hate to admit it.

Citing the FBI, which said there was a 207 per cent increase in reported case of cybercrime between 2008 and 2021, and almost $7 billion (N3.2 trillion) in losses last year, Asika said n Nigeria, the peril of cybercrimes recorded a massive rise in the

first six months of 2022, “with phishing and scams hitting 174 per cent”.

He also quoted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as saying that well over 2,800 persons were convicted of cybercrimes in the country last year, and that the Consumer Awareness and Financial Enlightenment Initiative (CAFEI) has projected a $6 trillion loss by 2030 to

cybercrime within and outside Nigeria.

According to Asika, it has become increasingly easier than ever before for hackers to work together in a specialised and concerted secretive supply chain.

“They have built fortes, proposing unique services like hiring of huge botnets to convey a customer’s preferred malware to thousands of targets, or hackers-for-hire who take full

advantage of the destruction caused by ransomware spreading an invasion of weak points in a network. The result of all these is that workers in scattered workplaces around the globe are now in more danger than ever before. The unclear distinction between private and work devices means that hybrid staff are not always shielded by enterprise defenses, thus the risk of attacks is always there.

“But there is a way out, and it lies with the employees who are usually the first line of defense, and they must work together. With computer crime now a part of how we do business, and growing, the only way to beat criminals is collaborating with one another to defend ourselves, ”he said.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT W E D N E S D AY, A P R I L 5 , 2 0 2 3 BONDS DESCRIPTION Price ^14.20 14MAR-2024 ^13.53 23MAR-2025 ^12.50 22JAN-2026 ^16.2884 17MAR-2027 ^13.98 23FEB-2028

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

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

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

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

24

THURSDAY, APRIL 6, ͰͮͰͱ ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

E-BUSINESS

Leveraging IXPs to Enhance Internet Connectivity The increasing demand for internet connectivity and domestication of data, underscores the importance of Internet Xchange Points in making connectivity more reliable and cost effective, writes Emma Okonji

R

ack Centre, Africa’s Carrier and Cloud neutral Tier III data centre, last week, held the first of a series of its planned webinar for the year, where it discussed about internet connectivity and peering, with participants, stressing the need for local and regional businesses to leverage peering and interconnection through Internet Xchange Points (IXPs).

Titled ‘Interconnection and Peering: The role of IXPs and Peering to Drive Traffic Efficient Business and Ecosystem Growth in Nigeria,’ the webinar highlighted the importance of IXPs in driving business growth in Nigeria and West Africa, through reliable internet connectivity and peering.

Leading the conversation during the webinar series, the keynote speaker, and Chief Executive Officer, Internet Xchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), Mr. Mohammed Rudman, explained that the significance of Internet Xchange Points (IXPs) in improving internet penetration cannot be overemphasized, since it helps to interconnect all the network operators towards the exchange of traffic, which is the foundation of any digital economy.

Rudman noted that IXPs remains a critical piece of infrastructure needed to help improve internet access by ensuring that internet traffic is localised, making it faster and affordable.

INTERNET ACCESS, CONNECTIVITY According to Rudman, in Africa, internet access is predominantly via mobile devices, and the Internet Xchange Points (IXPs) connect all the network operators in the ecosystem, for the exchange of internet traffic.

Based on the increasing demand for data, there is need for increased data centres and this gave rise for data centre investments in Nigeria, he said, adding that IXPs have become the cornerstone that is driving internet connectivity.

He disclosed that 90 per cent of internet traffic in Nigeria was mainly on mobile devices stating that there is a need for traffic to shift to other devices. He identified infrastructure, interconnectivity, content application, and cloud as the critical technical infrastructure required to support internet ecosystem growth in the region.

INTERNET XCHANGE POINT IMPACT According to Rudman, IXPs have formed network access points, through which institutions and organisations can connect to the internet. He said different studies have shown the great impact of Internet Xchange Points to the internet ecosystem.

“In Nigeria, locally domesticated internet traffic has increased from 30 per cent to 70 per cent within the last seven years.

As of today, Nigeria is at level two, where at least 70 per cent of the internet traffic from major service providers is connected

to the IXPN, while only about 30 per cent of internet traffic is connected to international exchanges.

“The impact of domestication of data shows that in 2012, Nigeria was exchanging only 300 megabits per second, but in 2020, it increased to 125 gigabits per second, which amounts to saving up to $40 million annually. However, in 2023, Nigeria is currently exchanging about 400 gigabits per second, which is an increase by over 200 per cent from 2020. Currently we have about 84 per cent of global subscribers that use mobile phones to connect to the internet.

From the fixed broadband subscribers, we have only 16 per cent of the total global internet subscriptions and the 16 per cent generates 80 per cent of internet traffic in Nigeria,” Rudman said.

He added that IXPN, for instance, had been keeping Nigeria internet domesticated in Nigeria, and it has been able to domesticate local internet to 70 per cent, reduce cost for access to local content, and enhance local connectivity and improve internet experience for end users. “IXPN also provides backup links for internet service providers. End users will be able to access the internet much easier and the internet is much safe to use, based on what IXPN is doing in the internet ecosystem,” Rudman added.

Addressing the benefits of Internet Xchange Points to businesses, one of the speakers, and CEO, Swifttalk, Mr. Austin Uwudia, said the benefits of IXPs to businesses remained enormous. Using the Internet Xchange Point of Nigeria as an example, he said before now, internet traffic would be generated in Nigeria, but it would first be routed to London where the data was been hosted before

returning to Nigeria, which according to him, is a lot of cost. He however said with the domestication of internet traffic, through IXPN, the internet traffic generated in Nigeria, remains in Nigeria, thereby reducing latency time as well as reducing the cost business.

Speaking on how Nigerian businesses can leverage on IXPs and peering for growth, Edge Strategy Manager at Meta, Mr. Ben Ryall, said by connecting to IXPs that keep internet traffic local, Nigerian businesses will be able to reduce cost of operation since their internet traffic will be domesticated within Nigeria.

ECOSYSTEM GROWTH While stressing the need for internet ecosystem growth across regions, another speaker, who is the Peering and Interconnect Specialist at NAP Africa, Yolandi Cloete, said: “Africa has the potential to do things differently from the way it is done in other countries and still grow their businesses in the ecosystem. There could be few challenges that come with different government policies across the African regions in terms of cross-border connectivity, but with the one carrier from an IXP, all of that could be addressed.

Therefore there is need for awareness creation and education on network peering to enhance business growth.

Partner Manager at DE-CIX, Mr. Darwin Da Costa, spoke of the need for businesses to expanded their infrastructure base in order to connect to the internet Rudman however said for any business to connect to any IXP, such business must be registered, acquire the autonomous system number from an IXP and also get IP addresses from Internet Registry.

“Businesses must also have close

physical connectivity capacity to enable them connect easily to any IXP. Businesses also need expanded equipment like routers and switches for interconnection and peering.

Businesses that have data centres and large network, needs to interconnect and peer with an IXP in Nigeria in order to domesticate their data, enhance service delivery reduce cost of operation, and have backup to address redundancy,” Rudman said.

MULTIPLE IXPS Head, Interconnection and Exchange Platform at Rack centre, Mr. Obinna Adumike, spoke about the need for multiple IXPs in the regional markets in order to improve the quality and reliability of the internet.

According to him, Rack Centre launched its Internet Xchange Point called AF-CIX in January this year, to increase local content distribution.

The AF-CIX, which is hosted at Rack Centre, is built on three pillars: Content, Localisation and Distribution.

AF-CIX, according to Adumike has security architecture that checks Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) and ensure that the network is safe for all service providers that are on the Rack Centre network and also ensure that businesses invest less on security.

“The AF-CIX can provide public and private peering and networking. The idea is to expose global IXPs to the Nigerian consumers, reduce cost of running internet connectivity business and lower latency rate. With AF-CIX, we provide connections to all the IXPs on our facilities, and we have access to portfolio of cloud content providers. Through the platform, users can get connected to all the submarine cables that are berthed in Nigeria. With AF-CIX, businesses will get exposed to top tier business providers and enterprise business providers within and outside of Nigeria,” Adumike said.

ATCON: Emoekpere Emerges as President, Rudman VP Huawei Partners TD Africa to Launch Cutting-edge SME Products Emma Okonji After two years of running the affairs of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), the association, on Tuesday, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and National Executive Council (NEC) elections, where it dissolved the former NEC, led by its former President, Ikechukwu Nnamani, to pave way for a new NEC that emerged after the election.

The election was conducted by a constituted electoral body, made up of the Head of Regulatory Affairs at IHS Towers, Mr. Damian Udeh as Chairman and the Executive Secretary of ATCON, Mr. Ajibola Olude as Secretary.

Speaking after the election, both

Emoekpere and Rudman expressed satisfaction over the conduct of the election and pledged their commitments to lead the association through team work in the next two years.

Emoekpere who commended the immediate past president of ATCON for operating a single term of two years, promised to also operate a single term of two years, before handing over to another elected president.

Disturbed by the negative effect of brain drain, where those with special technology skills are leaving the country in search of better living condition, Emoekpere said the new ATCON NEC would tackle the issue to redirect the thinking of Nigerians who are still planning to leave

the country. According to him, ATCON will work with organisations to re-design incentive package and training for staff that will make them remain on their jobs.

In the area of funding, Emoekpere said ATCON NEC would push for single-digit interest rates from financial institutions and investments companies that will make funds available to ATCON members to drive projects that would benefit Nigerians.

In the area of advocacy, Emoekpere promised to build on the advocacy programmes of the past NEC and engage more with industry stakeholders to key into the vision of ATCON in the area of local content development.

Emma Okonji Huawei, a leading multinational technology company has partnered TD Africa, sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest tech, solutions and lifestyle distributor to roll out a range of state-of-the-art products that are targeting the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) market in Nigeria and beyond.

They include the Intelligent Collaboration IdeaHub series products, next-generation networking devices and smart storage products.

The SME products were unveiled in Lagos recently, and attended by large number of partners and SMEs. The Huawei IdeaHub

series is an intelligent endpoint, which integrates multiple functions, including multi-screen collaboration between mobiles and PCs, interactive whiteboard, remote collaboration, FHD video conferencing and built-in HD AppGallery. Among the IdeaHub series is the new IdeaHub Board 2. which brings digital to every classroom for interactive teaching and immersive learning.

For its Next-Gen Networking Devices rollout, the new devices include the S3710 and S5735-L series SME switches, AR617 and AR651 series SME routers and the AirEngine 5761 series SME access points. These devices offer advanced networking

capabilities to help SMEs build reliable, secure and scalable networks that can support their business growth.

In her opening remarks, the Coordinating Managing Director, TD Africa, Mrs. Chioma Chimere, said: “SMEs hold the economic framework of every country as they represent over 90 per cent of businesses and more than 50 per cent of global employment rate. With small businesses at the core of our economy, TD Africa is proud to be the channel through which SMEs have access to these business transformational products. We are also glad that Huawei products play a major role in helping these businesses grow.’’

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2023

25

BUSINESSWORLD

BRANDS & MARKETING

Tinubu: The Brand, its Challenges and Unwavering Salesmen Raheem Akingbolu x-rays the brand essence of the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and how his handlers explored every single opportunity to market his candidature.

A

s a political brand that had a lot of issues to deal with before the stage was set for the 2023 contest, the emergence of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Lagos State governor, as the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), posed some challenges to its handlers. It was a brand that had admirers and critics in almost equal measure.

Coming up with a narrative that would resonate with different ethnic, religious and political tendencies was never going to be a tea party for those saddled with the responsibility of selling the brand to Nigerians.

However, it was a job they must execute.

him in his presidential ambition.

Closely related to this was the fact that Tinubu is a consummate administrator who understands the nuances of governance and management of public affairs. They also pushed the narrative that he knew how to head-hunt for capable hands that would run the country with him. Though a politician, his handlers believed he would look outside politics to seek talents and experts that would work with him.

THE ‘EMI LO KAN’ MANTRA

While many might think it was an unguarded political statement and one which reeked of entitlement, the ‘Emi lo kan’ claim made by Tinubu actually became a powerful political messaging tool which worked on ethnic champions who believed it was the turn of the South, albeit Yorubas, to produce the next President after Buhari.

When Tinubu made the statement in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, a song was made out of it and those words assumed a life of their own and it gained a lot of traction with many people, trending for a long period of time. Very soon, even neutrals changed it to ‘Awa lo kan’ which means ‘It is our turn’. That is, it was the turn of the Yorubas.

It must be noted that Tinubu’s most strident opponents were from the Southwest but quite a few of them were won over by the ‘Emi lo kan’ mantra and their ethnic sentiments were aroused.

While it can be claimed that this might not be best messaging tool especially with many political neutrals, even from the Southwest, pushing for an Igbo Presidency, but since politics remains a game of numbers, as long as the obvious ethnic sloganeering would fetch few additional votes, it was a fair game.

Perhaps the ‘Emilokan’ mantra would have been dismissed on the basis of its tone of entitlement but the other two leading candidates –Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party or LP also laboured so well to play up their rights to the throne. While Atiku tried to quickly draw a line between North East and other northern zones, Obi hinged his campaign on the obvious reason that the Igbos have been denied for a long time. Of course the seeming denial of Igbo to the office of the President for decades should fly with everybody who had considered it a moral burden to other parts of the country but the petty approach adopted by

THE POWER SHIFT NARRATIVE

Though a narrative not created by Tinubu’s men, this message resonated with voters in the southern part of the country, especially in the South-west and part of the North-Central. By the end of his second term in May 2023, President Muhammadu Buhari would have spent eight years in office. The thinking was that this would have made up for the agitation of the core North for power pre-2015 when the region, with active support of the South-west, worked against the second term of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

After spending eight years in office, the gentleman’s agreement on power rotation among the regions should come into play. And this worked on so many southerners even across party lines. “We can’t have another Fulani President after Buhari” were the buzz words out there.

While Tinubu’s handlers were very careful how they pushed this narrative, it was also a message that was quietly but effectively passed across to voters; especially neutrals. It must also be noted that even those who were pushing for a breakaway nation to be called Oduduwa Republic also caught the power shift bug as it was believed that it would answer to some of their agitations.

‘HE MADE SO MANY MEN’

One other messaging Tinubu’s handlers pushed very hard and successfully for that matter was the fact that no other politician in Nigeria, living or dead, had ‘produced’ more political and elected leaders more than their man. They listed governors, both serving and former, who would never have realized their political ambitions if not for the support Tinubu gave them.

There were words around also that if not for Tinubu, perhaps, Buhari would never have become President.

Latching on to mere morality in politics, the message was pushed across to the effect that it was fair enough that those Tinubu had made politically should support

Obi’s spin doctors made it look as if the Labour Party candidate was coming to govern only the Biafra nation. Then Obi saw the need to leverage on the clamour for a Christian Presidency and quickly rallied various Christian leaders and General Overseers, who suddenly became his campaign managers.

THE SPIN DOCTORS

Festus Keyamo: As the spokesman of the presidential campaign council, Keyamo’s background as a radical lawyer and activist was an advantage during the campaign. Knowing fully well that APC Campaign Council had the Atiku/Obi combined forces to battle with, it was not a surprise therefore that the team had to settle for a ferocious personality in the mood of Keyamo and others.

Dele Alake: Among other factors, the fact that Asiwaju recruited those who knew him from the word go as managers of his communications made the job easier. Alake, a former Editor of Concord newspaper and a major player in the media teams of both Chief MKO Abiola’s 1993 Presidential Campaign and Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Senatorial bid and eventual victory in 1991, is one of those eggheads who worked with Asiwaju Tinubu as governor. He was not only Commissioner for Information but the first to be given the ‘strategy’ title as part of his portfolio. At the critical period of Tinubu’s reign as governor when he had a Gani Fawehinmi to duel with, Alake tidied up the loose ends and gave his principal a soft landing.

Alake was then in charge of communication together with the current Commissioner for Environment in Lagos State, Mr. Tunji Bello. Another former Editor at Concord and THISDAY, Bello was also instrumental to the well orchestrated communication delivery of the Tinubu/Shetima camp during the build up to the presidential election but he provided more of behind-the-scenes communication strategy.

Bayo Onanuga: That Bayo Onanuga head Tinubu information directorate during the campaign could not have been by accident, considering his pedigree as an experienced journalist and communication expert. Like Alake, the relationship between Onanuga, a founding member of The News magazine and Asiwaju Tinubu dated back to many decades and this gave him (Onanuga) a rare advantage to know Tinubu inside out.

To this end, responding to issues about Tinubu and issuance of relevant press releases and other regular communications were not difficult for him during the electioneering campaign. One noticeable trend while the campaign continued was that Onanuga fought the battle with the same seal with which he faced the military during the era of guerilla journalism. With communication strategists and intellectuals like Temitope Ajayi, Remi Adelowo and others, issues generated on the Tinubu brand were getting the expected traction online and offline while the campaign continued.

Dr. Nasir Danladi Bako: One of the most strategic moves made by the Tinubu/Shetima campaign council last year, was the appointment of Dr. Bako as Co-Director Strategic Communications APC/PCC. He played both an active and advisory role in the communication arm. Though from the Hausa-Fulani extraction, he is nonetheless one of the country’s most cosmopolitan public servants. A successful broadcaster, orator, former commissioner in Sokoto State and above all a former Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission. During the campaign, Bako leveraged his influence in the media so well that he got a lot done to project Asiwaju Tinubu and Senator Shetima. A palace source also hinted this reporter that Bako’s closeness to the Sultan and other top northern elites also gave the APC campaign council ample opportunity to penetrate electorates from the various zones in the north.

Tunde Rahman: A former Editor of THISDAY, the Sunday newspaper, Rahman was an experienced political reporter and analyst before coming on board as Tinubu’s spokesperson. Though Rahman worked behind the scene during the presidential campaign, he was always the go-to person on issues that concern the person of Asiwaju.

Mahmud Jega: At the peak of the campaign, a few firebrands from the North were brought in for obvious reasons; to add more vibrancy and give a sense of belonging to northern supporters. Jega, a respected columnist and intellectual falls into this group. Within a short time, he leveraged his popularity among the northern elites to deepen the Asiwaju/Shetima narrative.

Abiodun Ajiboye: Being a successful marketing communications practitioner, Ajiboye came into the team with experience in brand and crisis management.

This explains his ability to sway opinions and douse tension from time to time.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

French: Acronis Prevented Millions of Cyberattacks Globally in 2022 General Manager, MEA and South Asia at Acronis, Mr. Peter French, speaks about business growth in cloud computing service and how Acronis supported global businesses and prevented cyberattacks in Nigeria and the rest of the world in 2022. Nosa Alekhuogie presents the excerpts: Acronis is actively expanding our presence in existing Cyber Cloud data centers all over the world. By operating within these data centres, Acronis can introduce our comprehensive cyber protection solutions to Nigerian organisations of all sizes, including consumers looking to preserve and protect their most critical files. Our presence in local Cyber Cloud data centres, allows for much faster and more reliable access to data.

Local access to data centres eliminates third parties and potential delays, which maximises our customers’ performance and provides more reliable access to data. Globally, we have expanded our data centre network to over 50, and in our selection process we look for SOC certified entities, with most being ISO 27001 certified. Acronis operations and services are all independently ISO 27001 certified as well, ensuring that industry-level safety practices are implemented as we handle sensitive customer data. Additionally, Acronis meets or exceeds all GDPR requirements on a worldwide basis.

How will you describe year 2022 for Acronis in terms of business growth?

022 was an exceptional year of accomplishment and growth for Acronis. Globally, we experienced a 53 per cent year-on-year (YoY) total cloud annual recurring revenue (ARR) and 59 per cent YoY cloud service provider on annual recurring revenue. We have continued pushing for innovation in our roster of cyber protection solutions, releasing over 60 new technical advances in 2022. More locally, in Africa, Acronis has seen significant growth in 2022. In Nigeria alone, we have increased our partner base 10-fold.

Our partners are the heart of our business and across the globe, we are excited to report 3,500 new global service provider signups over the past year. With over 3.5 million protected workloads, over the past year, our cyber protection solution stopped over 100 million cyberattacks. 2022 marked the most successful year in Acronis history, with a new funding round of $250 million that brought the total value of our company to $3.5 billion.

2

Acronis launched a data centre early last year, what is the acceptance rating of the data centre?

As a result of our Nigerian launch in 2022, we are witnessing an increase in MSP participation and rapid adoption of our advanced cyber protection portfolio. Additionally, our presence helps expand the cloud market in Nigeria. We seek out data centres of the highest quality globally to ensure our customers have the best possible experience.

Nigeria remained the biggest market on the African continent, what is Acronis outlook for 2023 having tested the market in 2022?

French While Acronis has seen over 250 per cent year-over-year (YoY) revenue growth in Nigeria, a recent statistic highlights a 1616 per cent increase in the number of data breaches in this region during Q3 of 2022. As a cyber protection company, we are excited to enter 2023 on such a strong foundation and look forward to even greater growth results in the Nigerian market.

There is presently a proliferation of data centres in Nigeria, what make Acronis data centre unique from others?

There is a projection of $6 trillion loss to cybersecurity within and outside Nigeria by 2030. As a cyber protection company, what can be done to avert this or reduce it?

At Acronis, we recognise the need to eliminate needless complexity in cyber protection, so we deliver a simplified, single-agent platform for MSPs to protect customers. Our integrated solution not only reduces complexity but also reduces costs and risks with the ability to free up resources and time for our partners, while closing potential security gaps.

Another vital facet to reduce losses posed by cyber security threats in today’s cyber threat landscape is proactive grassroots-

level education and training. By teaching and practicing responsible cyber awareness skills, intelligent security habits can be adopted and utilised by all parties. Similar to how someone might strive to improve their health and fitness by cultivating knowledgeable habits, digital hygiene can be trained and honed. Acronis refers to this as being ‘#CyberFit’. No one is exempted from this, beginning from a child using home devices, to a professional working in a complex Information Technology (IT) environment.

Our software is built, tested, distributed, licensed, and stored in Switzerland, where we have always employed robust security processes and protocols that protect the information for Acronis and our customers. We are continuously pushing for new innovations to keep up with the developing threat landscape and as more companies and individuals become interconnected, we will continue to innovate to keep all data, apps, and systems secure.

Acronis has been doing business in Nigeria, how much of local capacity are you leveraging to penetrate the market?

As a Swiss company with a worldwide presence, we strive to think global and act local. At the start of 2022 we had zero local presence in Nigeria.

Fast forward a few months and we now have two distributors and over 10 employees in Nigeria.

We have also expanded their reach to help service businesses in the African region. We look forward to further expansion into this region. In 2023 we celebrate 20-years of continued innovation from Acronis. We are excited to see even more opportunistic growth and expansion into Africa and invite interested service providers to reach out to learn more about our partner program.

26

THURSDAY, APRIL 6, ͰͮͰͱ ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Interswitch Sets New Transaction Volume Record with 1.2bn Transactions Emma Okonji Interswitch has announced that it achieved a new milestone in transaction volume processing, hitting 1.2 billion transactions in the month of March 2023, the highest the company has ever processed in a single month within Nigeria alone, excluding the company’s other markets across Africa.

The company said the feat is a testament to its commitment to providing secure, reliable, and innovative payment solutions to its customers across the country and beyond.

Speaking about the

achievement, Founder and Group Managing Director, Interswitch, Mitchell Elegbe, said the company’s focus on innovation has been key to their success adding that switching 1.2 billion transactions in a single month further reinforces the company’s position as an enabler in the Nigerian payment ecosystem.

He said: “We are thrilled to have processed 1.2 billion transactions in the month of March within Nigeria alone. This milestone is a testament to the trust that our customers have placed in us and our commitment to delivering innovative and secure digital payment

solutions across Nigeria and beyond.”

Elegbe further said: “This milestone is one that was made possible by our proactive investment in cutting-edge technologies that truly power the financial landscape. As we continue to grow and expand our operations, we remain committed to driving financial inclusion and helping businesses and individuals unlock the full potential of digital technologies.”

He noted that the success underscores the hard work and dedication of employees of Interswitch and highlights the fact that the firm is on the right track to achieving its set objectives.

HP Boosts Gaming Solutions to Inspire Experiences HP has announced its latest line-up of gaming hardware and software designed to bring gamers everything they need to enjoy the games they love.

Unveiled at the Amplify Partner Conference, they include the new OMEN Transcend 16 Laptop, OMEN 16 Laptop, Victus 16 Laptop, and a vast range of stunning OMEN monitors that offer casual, hobbyist, lifestyle, and hardcore gamers the power and flexibility to play and work hard. To bring everything together, new enhancements in

OMEN Gaming Hub offer a variety of performance and personalization features.

People everywhere seek devices that can adapt to hybrid play and work.

Sixty-two percent of gamers prefer a PC that fits their entire life instead of being used for gaming only. With a billion new gamers entering the space in the last seven years and 84 percent of them using games to connect with others with similar interests, gaming devices enable access to countless games and corresponding

communities.

General Manager of HyperX and Head of HP Gaming Strategy, Gagan Singh, said: “The gaming world continues to grow in popularity, plunging more people into exciting and immersive worlds to escape, compete, and connect with others. HP is enhancing and expanding a world-class ecosystem of hardware and software, designed to empower gamers and deliver the best experiences whether they are gaming, creating, or connecting with friends and communities.”

Xiaomi Launches Redmi Note 12 Series Smartphone in Nigeria Emma Okonji Xiaomi, last week, released its Redmi Note 12 Series smartphone at a launch event held at the Lagos Marriott Hotel in Ikeja.

Two models of the popular lineup - Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G and Redmi Note 12, with prices starting at 116,900, were launched for the Nigerian market.

Building upon the success of Redmi Note 11 Series, Redmi Note 12 Series delivers remarkable enhancements to the features that matter most to its fans.

The feature upgrades include the camera system, battery life, charging speed and user-friendly design, all

offered at an exceptional value.

Speaking about the launch, General Manager, Xiaomi Africa, Mr. Max Ma, said: “We are very delighted to be launching Redmi Note 12 Series in Nigeria, which is also the first market in Africa to launch the new devices.

Redmi Note 12 Series represents the best of innovation, higher than any smartphone in its price category. With Redmi Note 12 Series, Xiaomi promises and delivers high-end flagship qualities in upper mid-range devices at very honest prices, and we have introduced these devices so that many more Nigerians

can experience and have a better life through our innovative technology,” Featuring a flagship-level 200MP main camera with OIS, an ultra-wide camera and a macro camera, the top-of-the-line device aims to redefine photography for the upper mid-range smartphone segment.

The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G is designed to delight users with its remarkably bright and vivid 120Hz Flow AMOLED displays, which are Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos supported. Together with the flexible P-OLED materials that enable slimmer bezels, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G allows for a superb and immersive visual experience.

Airtel Restates Commitment, Launches Airtel Women Network Emma Okonji Airtel Nigeria has restated its commitment to driving gender equity as it launched the Airtel Women network in Lagos recently.

Former Securities and Exchange Commission boss, Arunma Oteh, led the conversation as the keynote speaker, on the theme “Empowering Global Leaders”, where she shared her experience and lectured female employees on becoming global leaders.

Chief Executive Director, Krishna Menon, who was represented by the Director of Airtel Business,

Ogo Ofomata, described Airtel Women Network as a coaching platform to empower and mentor women to become global leaders while breaking stereotypes and closing gender gaps.

Also speaking at the event, Director, Human Resources, Airtel Nigeria, Adebimpe Ayo-Elias, said: “Over the years Airtel women have contributed immensely to the success of the organizations and Airtel recognizes this and is committed to ensuring that the women thrive. We are currently at 25 per cent and our target is to grow women’s representation at top-

level management to 30 per cent before the end of the year. To generally drive women inclusion, especially in technology, part of what Airtel has done is to promote digital financial inclusion by registering and training women as Smartcash PSB agents, at no cost”.

Aunmanh Oteh, while delivering her keynote speech and interacting with the employees, commended the brand for driving gender equity and also commended the male employees of Airtel for supporting women to launch of Airtel Women Network.

27

THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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

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

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

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

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

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

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 04Apr-2023, unless otherwise stated.

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

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

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AIICO Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 5.72% Anchoria Equity Fund 154.14 155.55 6.34% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.25 1.25 1.56% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com info@anchoriaam.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 23.24 23.94 5.89% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 545.82 562.27 4.72% ARM Ethical Fund 46.70 48.11 3.51% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.14 1.14 1.37% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.13 1.13 1.77% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.30% ARM Short Term Bond Fund 1.05 1.05 1.60% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 97.19 97.19 2.20% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,130.27 1,130.27 0.34% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) N/A N/A N/A CAPITALTRUST INVESTMENTS AND ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED halalfif@capitaltrustnigeria.com Web: www.capitaltrustnigeria.com; Tel: 08061458806 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Capitaltrust Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.03 1.03 2.18% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.40% Paramount Equity Fund 20.01 20.38 4.80% Women's Investment Fund 155.12 157.37 4.12% CHD Nigeria Bond Fund 102.37 102.37 12.16% CHD Nigeria Dollar Income Fund 1.00 1.00 10.98% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Cordros Milestone Fund N/A N/A N/A Cordros Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Cordros Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) N/A N/A N/A CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 1.00 9.70% Coronation Money Market Fund 1.23 1.24 2.97% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.39 1.39 -1.48% Coronation Fixed Income Fund EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.75% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.09 1.09 9.56% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.12 1.12 17.42% Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 106.08 106.08 4.12% FBNQUEST ASSETS MANAGEMENT LIMITED invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Bond Fund 1515.25 1515.25 11.92% FBN Balanced Fund 209.97 211.51 5.14% FBN Halal Fund 126.73 126.73 12.51% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 10.68% FBN Dollar Fund 122.38 122.38 6.97% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 175.75 178.05 6.13% FBN Specialized Dollar Fund 106.69 106.69 9.59% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 7.28% Legacy Debt Fund 3.54 3.54 -11.58% Legacy Equity Fund 2.08 2.12 19.57% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.28 1.28 6.10% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1

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

Bid Price 4,408.58 3,785.14 100.00

Offer Price 4,436.42 3,785.14 100.00

Yield / T-Rtn 18.51% 7.64% 11.25%

FSDH Dollar Fund 1.15 1.15 5.58% GUARANTY TRUST FUND MANAGERS LIMITED enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.gtcoplc.bank; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) N/A N/A N/A Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: www.meristemwealth.com/funds/; Tel: +2348028496012 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 12.90 12.98 4.80% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.91% NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 103.08 103.08 9.95% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 11.12% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM EuroBond Fund N/A N/A N/A SCM CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital The Frontier Fund 132.78 135.94 5.62% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.02 1.02 11.02% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,816.63 3,842.59 12.52% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 247.72 247.72 5.16% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.50 1.51 19.44% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 337.77 337.77 7.87% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 276.58 279.38 18.30% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.61% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 12,920.12 13,073.66 18.32% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.39 1.39 7.49% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 122.92 122.92 5.14% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 117.60 117.60 10.55% Stanbic IBTC Absolute Fund 4,674.69 4,674.69 9.89% Stanbic IBTC Aggressive Fund 3,438.21 3,479.67 23.64% Stanbic IBTC Conservative Fund 4,397.30 4,413.66 15.50% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund 1.04 1.06 9.01% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.57 1.60 14.60% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.27 1.29 9.17% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.13 1.13 10.40% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.99 1.99 7.30% United Capital Eurobond Fund 127.28 127.28 6.05% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.88% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 14.56 14.64 4.75% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 16.55 16.71 4.68% Zenith Income Fund 23.98 23.98 1.78% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.82% VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD funds@vetiva.com Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 4.41 4.51 9.76% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 6.96 7.06 19.02% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 19.51 19.71 10.27% Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.08% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 24.45 24.65 22.26% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 141.96 143.96 -9.96% REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

115.40 53.52 101.31 9.95

1.31% 4.74% -12.87%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

16.97 138.05 109.85 17.40 16.40

17.07 140.45 111.75 17.50 16.50

9.65% 8.18% 9.87% -3.54% 3.23%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

106.75

0.00%

Fund Name

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

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

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

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

28

THURSDAY, ʹ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

11Plc Invests Massively toTake Advantage of Free Market in Downstream Sector Ejiofor Alike Ahead of the next month’s target set by the federal government for the removal of petrol subsidy, 11plc has invested massively in readiness for the expected free market in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry.

Addressing journalists after a media tour of the company’s facilities in Lagos, the Managing Director of 11Plc, Mr. Tunji Oyebanji, disclosed that the new owners of the company had made millions of dollars of investment since April 1, 2017, when ExxonMobil sold its 60 per cent share in the former Mobil Oil Nigeria Limited to NIPCO Plc, the parent company of 11 Plc. Oyebanji said the company made these investments to retain its leadership position in many areas of its business and also remain competitive in the event of the liberalisation of the downstream sector of the Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

Highlighting some of the achievements the company has made in the past six years, Oyebanji said: “It has been

an amazing journey. A lot of machinery has been upgraded; a lot of capacity has been added to what was in place.

We have recorded significant achievements.

“The new owner is very bullish about Nigeria; we have therefore invested significantly in raising the profile of the company. So, we expect it to continue to perform very strongly in years to come.

“With the investments, we are well poised for whatever developments that may come along with the incoming government. Of course, you know, there may be policy changes, but we believe that with the investments that we have made, we are well positioned to take advantage of whatever changes that may come with the new government or changes in the economic environment,” he explained. Speaking on his company’s expectations from the in-coming government, Oyebanji said: “What we always clamour for is to have a free market.

People talk about deregulation but I always tell people that

there will always be regulation, at least, in the areas of health, safety and quality. But regulation should not apply to pricing and sourcing of products.”

Oyebanji said that the company was expanding on its Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) filling plants across the country, while it has already expanded its storage to 8,000 metric tonnes capacity.

He said that the company pioneered investments in the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) market with the construction of facilities in Ibadan and Lagos.

Oyebanji said: “We continue to see improvements and all the investment that has been made in the last few years have been rarely in upgrading the company and bringing out more value,” he added. Speaking earlier while taking the media through a tour of the facility, the company’s Manager in charge of Public and Government Affairs, Mr. Adetayo Adepoju disclosed that the new owners had fixed the aviation fuel (ATK) loading gantry that was not working before takeover.

FMDQ Exchange Lists Dangote Industries Funding N300bn Bonds Kayode Tokede FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited (FMDQ Exchange), yesterday disclosed that it approved the listing of the Dangote Industries Funding Plc N187.58 billion Series 1 (Tranche A & B) and N112.42 billion Series 2 Senior Unsecured Bonds under its N300 billion Debt Issuance Programme on its platform.

The Series 1 and 2 bonds were listed on FMDQ Exchange in November 2022 and March 2023, respectively.

To mark the achievement, FMDQ Exchange, in keeping with its tradition, held a listing ceremony at its offices recently.

Whilst welcoming the guests to the Ceremony, Managing Director, FMDQ Exchange, Ms. Tumi Sekoni represented

by Ms. Jumoke Olaniyan, Senior Vice President, Business Development Division, FMDQ Exchange, congratulated the issuer and sponsors to the issue for achieving this milestone, noting that their decision to raise funds from the debt markets via the Exchange’s platform was testament to the highly efficient time-to-market and unrivalled listing and quotation service offered by FMDQ Exchange.

She also commended the sponsors of the bonds for their concerted efforts towards ensuring the success of the issuances.

She reiterated the Exchange’s commitment to continue to innovate and provide efficient services, to support issuers and investors, towards achieving an operationally excellent and globally competitive debt market.

According to Mr. Olakunle Alake, whilst delivering the special address, “we thank the investor community, Securities and Exchange Commission, FMDQ Exchange, and our team of professional advisers led by Standard Chartered Capital and Advisory Nigeria Limited and Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited for ensuring successful outings on both our debut and subsequent bond issuances.

Delivering the sponsor’s remarks, the Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Capital and Advisory Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Yemisi Deji-Bejide, on behalf of the other sponsors to the Series 1 bonds, stated that “Standard Chartered Capital and Advisory Nigeria Limited is proud to have led this historic transaction.

Mutual Benefit Assurance Appoints New Directors Mutual Benefits Assurance has announced new appointments in its board with Lateef Akande Bakare topping the list of the new appointees.

The underwriting firm said the appointment was subject to the required regulatory approvals.

According to the company, Bakare is a chartered accountant with over 45 years post qualification experience. He retired in 1991 as the Quality Assurance Partner at Deloitte. He was Founder and Managing Partner

at Lateef Bakare & Co and Adetona, Bakare & Co respectively, both firms of accountants and insolvency practitioners. He has both private and public sector experiences having served in various capacities in professional practice and director of several private and public companies including First Bank of Nigeria Limited.

According to Mutual Benefit, another new director appointed by the company is Mrs. Wunmi Eniola-Jegede who is currently

the Executive Director, Business Development, Strategic Planning, & Human Resources of SIFAX Group.

According to the firm, her competencies include business development, strategic planning, project management, business strategy, and organisational development.

The new appointment in Mutual Benefit also saw Mr. Joseph Oladokun occupying the position of Executive Director Technical.

AM Best Affirms B+ Credit Ratings of AXA Mansard Insurance AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B+ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb” (Good) to AXA Mansard Insurance Plc. According to the agency, the ratings reflect AXA Mansard’s balance sheet strength, which it assesses as strong.

“The ratings also reflect rating enhancement, in the form of lift, from AXA

Mansard’s ultimate parent, AXA S.A, AXA Mansard’s balance sheet strength is underpinned by risk-adjusted capitalisation at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). Capital consumption is primarily driven by asset risk, which incorporates the company’s substantial real estate investments”, it stated in a statement.

Commenting on the rating, the Chief Financial Officer, AXA Manasard Insurance, Ngozi Ola-Israel, said, “The affirmation of our ratings by an agency like AM Best lends credence to the significant improvement in our internal capital generation abilities with strong focus on continuously improving our underwriting performance through technical excellence.”

L-R: Chief Operating Officer, Prime Agro Seed, Meka Nwabuko; Managing Director, Edo State Investment Promotion Office, Kelvin Uwaibi; Chairman, Board Of Directors, Prime Agro Seed, Emmanuel Ijewere; Director, PROFYTA, Trudy Schurink and Chief Executive Officer, PROFYTA, Ewout Schurink at Tomato and Pepper Seed Exhibition event in Benin City, Edo State...recently

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

49,356,443.6

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

50,601.36

Money Supply (M2)

49,305,842.3

-- Quasi Money

27,869,678.3

-- Narrow Money (M1)

21,436,164

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,680,236.81

---- Demand Deposits

18,755,927.2

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

5,074,909.92

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

27,869,678.3

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

61,195,142.4

---- Credit to Government (Net)

21,001,401.5

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

40,193,740.9

--Other Assets Net

6,785,979.22

Reserve Money (Base Money

14,040,351.9

--Currency in Circulation

3,210,664.98

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,829,686.9 390,557.8

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

July 2022

Inter-Bank Call Rate

13.00

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

2.76

Savings Deposit Rate

1.42

1 Month Deposit Rate

3.64

3 Months Deposit Rate

4.96

6 Months Deposit Rate

5.87

12 Months Deposit Rate

5.76

Prime Lending rate

12.10

Maximum Lending Rate

27.61

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 8 MARCH, 2023

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $84.37 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $84.59 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

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

29

T H I S D AY ˾THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2023

MARKET NEWS

U B A Ta r g e t s 2 0 % R o A E i n 2 0 2 3 F Y KayodeTokede Given its business expansion targets, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, yesterday said it aimed to achieve a 20 per cent Return on Average Equity (RoAE) in the 2023 financial year.

The Pan-African Bank in 2022 financial year reported 19.7 per cent RoAE from 18 per cent projection.

The Group reported Profit Before Tax (PBT) that stood at N201billion

in 2022, an increase of 31.2 per cent from N153billion in 2021, while Profit After Tax (PAT) increased to N170billion in 2022 from N119 billion reported in 2021.

It delivered gross earnings of N853 billion, up 29.2per cent on the prior year. As a result, we recorded an operating income of N591 billion, representing an increase of 33.6per cent from N443 billion in 2021.

Speaking on the targets for this

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

DEALS

F O R MARKET PRICE

year, the Group Managing Director/ CEO, UBA, Mr. Oliver Alawuba during the Bank’s virtual “audited 2022 results conference call”, said despite the global headwinds across all markets, the management and staff are committed to doing more this year by driving up revenues across all major business segments, coupled with the relentless pursuit of efficiency Group-wide.

He assured that Bank would continue to proactively respond to

issues in an innovative and ethical manner that tends to create value for all stakeholders.

He said the new executive management team has swung into action and revalidated its aspiration to become a leading financial institution in Nigeria, lead in Africa and ranked amongst the three most profitable Banks and a Systemically Important Bank (SIB) in all the countries in which it operates.

S E C U R I T I E S

T R A D E D

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

MAIN BOARD

According to him, “We are positioned to take Africa to the world and bring the world to Africa through capital and investment funds flows.

“We also remain focused on simplifying trade and cross-border payment across the continent with UBA as one of the leading Banks championing the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), an AfCFTA agenda and brainchild of Afreximbank which

AS O F

is currently operating in six pilot countries in West Africa – Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, and Gambia.

“Collectively, we are committed to providing quality leadership, a conducive work environment for our workforce and excellent customer experience that will continually translate to improving the bottom-line and our shareholders’ value in the short, medium and long term.”

0 5 / 0 4 / 2 3 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

T H I S D AY ˾ AY, APRIL 6 , 2023

30

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

Healthy Lifestyle: Spotlight on SSB Tax and Industry Monitoring Skills for Journalists

As part of campaign for a healthy lifestyle, the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA, in collaboration with the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Tax Coalition, recently organised a two-day training, themed, ‘Journalism Training on SSB Tax and Industry Monitoring’ in Lagos. Sunday Ehigiator reports

Participants at the two-day journalism training on SSB Tax and Industry Monitoring recently organised by CAPPA in Lagos State

N

igeria’s ranking as the fourth largest global consumer of SSBs portends grave implications for public health.

Availability, affordability, and aggressive advertising have been the three major pulling factors to consumers of SSBs, with little or no idea of its impact on their health, and general well-being over time.

SSBs are beverages that contain added sugars, including sodas, sports drinks, sweet teas, fruit drinks, energy drinks, and some fruit juices.

Excessive consumption of SSBs has been linked to a wide range of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and over 12 types of cancers, tooth decay, cavities, gout, and arthritis, among others.

The SSB Tax To reduce SSBs consumption and promote healthy lifestyles among citizens, the Federal Government introduced an N10/litre Excise Tax on all non-alcoholic, sugar-sweetened carbonated beverages through the 2021 Finance Act. Experts have argued that one of the most effective tools for reducing obesity rates and other NCDs is the implementation of taxes to increase the final retail price of products containing SSBs by at least 20%, as the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended.

The need for SSB tax stems from the fact that they have little or no nutritional value, but instead, their consumption has contributed to an increase in the global burden of NCDs, contributing significantly to the aforementioned illnesses.

Although the N10/litre Excise Tax on SSBs in Nigeria, falls short of the 20 per cent per litre tax recommended by the WHO, aimed at raising the price of sweetened drinks, thereby discouraging buyers, who would then seek healthier alternatives.

The WHO Guideline on Free Sugar Consumption The WHO guidelines recommend that to prevent obesity and tooth decay, adults and children reduce their consumption of free sugars to less than 10 per cent of their daily energy intake (equivalent to around 12 teaspoons of table sugar for adults).

Availability of the product, affordability, urbanisation, cultural and social norms, the marketing and advertising strategy of SSB industry, as well as the lack of public education and awareness about the health risk are some of the reasons most Nigerians still indulge in the consumption of SSB The guidelines suggest further reducing the intake of sugars to below 5 per cent of daily energy intake (about six teaspoons of table sugar for adults) for additional health benefits.

Arguments against SSB Tax Several arguments have been advanced against these SSB taxes, suggesting that they are not effective, are regressive, negatively affect employment and economic growth, and violate international, regional, and national law.

However, concrete evidence from over 40 countries implementing these taxes proves otherwise. The soft drink industry is usually behind such misinformation and is targeted ultimately at either weakening or killing regulation.

They devise different tactics to increase sales, regardless of the health of the uninformed consumers or the amount of money the government spends to manage the prevalence of NCDs. There have been cases when rather than reduce sugar in their products, the producers of such products reduce the bottle sizes of their brands.

It is important to note that consumers have a right to good and healthy products.

Public health should be prioritized over profit, industry actors should be compelled to accept the reality, which is that the SSB tax is a way to reduce the burden of NCDs that are fast increasing nationally.

Monitoring the SSB Industry As discussed at the training, it is not just

enough for Journalists to report on SSB Tax, but equally pay attention to the character, activities and body language of the SSB industry whose practices have been said to undermine the purpose of the tax.

The beverage industry has been viewed to have absorbed the additional cost brought about by the SSB Tax, thereby keeping the price of the drinks down at affordable prices for consumers, defeating and undermining the essence of the SSB Tax. Addressing Journalists at the training, CAPPA Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi said, “Our work as journalists is not only to interrogate these ideas and policies of the government, but also sniff lives out of bad narratives that are making the rounds and causing Nigerians to turn against a policy they should be supporting.

“To achieve this, we have to complement seasoned experts in public health, journalism, and advocacy to lead us through these conversations.”

He, therefore, urged the federal government as a matter of urgent health concern to increase the tax on SSBs without further delay to discourage unsuspecting Nigerians from making unhealthy choices that are gradually leading to the untimely death of many.

The burden of SSB Consumption Addressing participants on the burden of SSB consumption on public health

in the country, a Public Health Professional, Dr Francis Fagbule, listed reasons for the increasing consumption of SSB in Nigeria.

According to him, “availability of the product, affordability, urbanisation, cultural and social norms, the marketing and advertising strategy of SSB industry, as well as the lack of public education and awareness about the health risk are some of the reasons most Nigerians still indulge in the consumption of SSB.” He, therefore, harped on the need for solution health promotion, the building of healthy public policy, creating a supportive environment, strengthening community actions as well as developing personal skills to curb the adverse intake and effect of SSB. Healthy Food Policies in Nigeria Speaking on the topic, ‘Healthy food policies in Nigeria: Legal landscape analysis for SSB’, Senior Regional Adviser, Food Policy Programme, GHAI, Adeolu Adebiyi, disclosed pathways to strengthen SSB. According to him, these pathways include litigation, creating comprehensive stand-alone legislation like the Tobacco Act, the exercise of administrative power, leveraging on existing NAFDAC regulations with express provisions on modalities, and legislative pathways among others.

Verdict It would be recalled that, although implementation of the SSB was delayed till June 2022, the federal government through the Finance Act 2021, imposed an N10/litre excise duty on sugar-sweetened beverages to primarily discourage the overconsumption of sugary drinks.

Therefore, the verdict of participants at the training was that the federal government should increase the tax on SSB to meet the WHO recommendation, as the present N10/ litre imposed tax has not achieved the desired objective of discouraging and reducing its consumption.

Also present at the training as resource persons, to equip the journalists with relevant skills on how best to report SSB-related stories, were notable media owners, Director, International Centre for Investigative Reporting, Dayo Aiyetan and Publisher, The Cable, Simon Kolawole.

Pharma West Africa Appoints Conference Chair for Expo Launch Pharma West Africa, Nigeria’s new international trade event for medicines, has appointed Ahmed Yakasai to chair its inaugural conference.

Yakasai, a former President and Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), will head the team developing the conference alongside the Pharma West Africa Exhibition from October 4 to 6 in Lagos.

High-level local and international speakers from the pharmaceutical industry, leading pharmacists and other health professionals will discuss the conference’s theme of “New Frontiers in Pharma: Equitable Healthcare and Business Success”.

It aims to improve the public’s access to better quality medicines by looking at how to solve the challenges facing the local

pharmaceutical industry and to highlight opportunities to improve medicines security, supply and affordability.

“Nigeria has the potential to become a leading manufacturer and distributor of essential medicines in Sub-Saharan Africa.

About 60 per cent of pharmaceutical production in ECOWAS countries is dominated by Nigeria with less than 50 per

cent current capacity utilisation,” says Yakasai.

However, issues facing local medicines availability include infrastructure, supply chain challenges and available technology and training.

“We rely on other countries for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), machinery and other resources needed for domestic production of

drugs. Nigeria can balance her dependence on imports to meet its medicines needs by improving manufacturing capacity and increasing research capacity through adequate funding.”

Mr Yakasai’s experience as a pharmacist, academic and businessman includes more than 40 years’ experience of regulatory affairs.

Business roles include being a founder and Chairman of the Safe Medicines Foundation, a board member of Clearline HMO and SFH Access, and Chairman of Evans Baroque Pharma Ltd. He is involved in pharmacist education programmes at the Capital City University, Kano, and at Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudill, Kano State.

31

T H I S D AY ˾ AY, APRIL6 , 2023

NEWS

UNICEFCallsforInvestmentinHealthSystem to Reduce Maternal, Child Death in Nigeria Rebecca Ejifoma The United Nations Children’s Funds, UNICEF, has called on the government to strengthen the healthcare system by investing in the sector to significantly reduce maternal and child mortality across the country.

The Chief of Health for 6/*$&' /JHFSJB %S &EVBSEP Celades, made this call at the two-day media dialogue in Lagos state with entertainers and social media influencers to increase the uptake of immunisation and vaccination.

The media dialogue comes on the heels of new data from the global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) trends between 2000 and 2020, which covers the first five years of the 4VTUBJOBCMF %FWFMPQNFOU (PBMT 4%(T UP The data estimates that about 225 women died every day from pregnancy-related causes and childbirth in Nigeria in 2020. It also shows that of the eight million babies born in Nigeria every year, 2.2 million of these children have not been vaccinated.

According to Celades, Nigeria is progressing towards 4VTUBJOBCMF %FWFMPQNFOU (PBM 4%( XIJDI QSPNPUFT good health and well-being.

“However, the pace is not FOPVHI UP BDIJFWF HPBM u he warned.

Meanwhile, the health specialist recounted how routine immunisation coverage increased in Nigeria during the Covid-19 pandemic. “We saw how child under-five

mortality reduced over the MBTU GFX ZFBST #VU BHBJO JU T insufficient. For example, neonatal mortality is not going down. It is the same with maternal mortality.

That’s not enough if we XBOU UP BDIJFWF UIF 4%( target,” he noted.

On how to ensure that the 8 million children born every year in Nigeria survive and that the 82,000 women who die from pregnancy-related causes per year are saved, Celades called for investment in the health sector.

In the words of Celades, UNICEF aims to accelerate its interventions to make an impact, especially with only seven years to go to achieve UIF 4%( “We have a window of opportunity; we work together and mobilise resources. If the government is committed, we can achieve our target,” he highlighted.

Celades is certain that community-centered primary health care can meet the needs of women, children and adolescents and enable equitable access to critical services such as assisted births and pre-and postnatal care, childhood vaccinations, nutrition and family planning.

However, he lamented how underfunding of primary health care systems, a lack of trained health care workers, and weak supply chains for medical products are threatening progress. “And we need good data to be able to bend the curve and accelerate progress,” he outlined.

Accordingly, Celades implored the government at all levels to target the most vulnerable women in hard-to-reach areas among other inaccessible places (like communities) to access healthcare. “To do that, we need to be very clear with the data and invest in getting to the last one.”

He also listed leading causes of maternal deaths including severe bleeding, high blood pressure, pregnancy-related infections, complications from unsafe abortion, and underlying conditions that can be aggravated by pregnancy TVDI BT )*7 "*%4 BOE NBlaria) are the leading causes of maternal deaths.

“These are all largely preventable and treatable with access to high-quality and respectful healthcare,” he noted while calling on the state government and donors to increase effective investment in primary healthcare at the state and basic health levels.

Celades cautioned: “Without investments and addressing the right priorities, we won’t be able to bend the curve.”

He, however, acknowledged national health insurance as a very powerful tool to get universal health coverage and reduce maternal mortality.

He appealed further: “To expand the national health insurance as much as we can, to invest in the most vulnerable so they have access to health insurance, we are appealing to the state governments and partners to allocate resources to that.”

Stephanie Linus Advocates Improved Global Health for Women, Girls at US Capitol

(middle) Stephanie flanked by other participants at the US-sponsored programme at the US Capitol, Washington DC Acclaimed actress and filmmaker, Stephanie Linus, has advocated for improved global health for women and girls at the US Capitol in 8BTIJOHUPO %$ She underscored the importance of prioritising the health of these vulnerable people in her presentation as a speaker at an event powered by Pathfinder International, $BUBMZTU (MPCBM 4USBUFHJFT What to Expect Project, UN Women, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and Extended Hands Foundation.

Her remark was in line

with the US governmentsupported global health programme to improve the lives of women and girls in the developing world in ways that extend beyond improving health outcomes.

As a UNFPA Regional Ambassador and founder of the Extended Hands Foundation, Stephanie discussed her work with several gender-based awareness and intervention projects across the world.

She led a discourse on how lack of access to health care and overlapping areas of inequity keep girls out

of school, limit educational opportunities, and keep them from living the lives they choose.

With the CEO of Catalyst (MPCBM 4USBUFHJFT "MHFOF Sajery as the coordinator of the event, the Senior (MPCBM 5FDIOJDBM BOE Strategy Advisor, Pathfinder International, Lydia Murithi; the Chief Strategic Engagement Officer, of Pathfinder International, Crystal Lander; President and CEO of What to Expect Project, Annie Toro and the Chief, Washington Office, UNFPA, Sarah Craven also made their remarks.

FERTILITY

With Dr. Kemi AILOJE drkemi@lifelinkfertility.com www.lifelinkfertility.com +2348033083580

Cervical Incompetence (Part 1)

T

he cervix is a long, narrow passage at the lower end of the uterus (womb) that connects to the vagina. It usually has a firm consistency. It has a central opening called the cervical canal, with the upper end known as the internal orifice and the lower end known as the external orifice. The baby is delivered normally through the cervix and the vagina. Several changes in the cervix are observed during pregnancy.

The cervix glands secrete a mucus plug that closes the cervix and reduces the chances of infection.

In a healthy pregnancy, the cervix will retain its shape until late in the third trimester, when it will begin to soften, shorten, and dilate (open up) in preparation for birth. Some pregnant women, however, suffer from a condition known as “Cervical Incompetence,” also known as “Incompetent Cervix” or “Cervical Insufficiency WHAT IS CERVICAL INCOMPETENCE? Cervical incompetence is characterized by recurrent painless cervical dilation that results in second-trimester pregnancy losses. Although it may occur in a single pregnancy, the diagnosis is confirmed when it occurs in two or more subsequent pregnancies. This means that before the baby is ready to be born, their cervix begins to shorten or dilate, putting the pregnancy at risk of miscarriage or premature birth.

Cervical incompetence is not the same as premature labor, in which the cervix opens because the womb (uterus) has begun to contract, though it may lead to it.

CAUSES OF CERVICAL INCOMPETENCE Cervical incompetence may be caused by anything that causes cervical weakness, such as when the cervix is not strong enough to support the growing baby’s weight. Previous childbirths, surgical procedures, and individual anatomy may all contribute to an incompetent cervix.

In order to identify risk factors for an incompetent cervix and premature birth, clinicians must take a thorough history of the pregnant patient.

Risk factors for an incompetent cervix include the following: r 5IF DFSWJDBM MFOHUI JT TIPSU r 1SFWJPVT NJTDBSSJBHF r 1SFWJPVT QSFUFSN CJSUI r " QSJPS % $ EJMBUJPO BOE curettage) procedure, which is used to clear the uterine lining after a miscarriage or pregnancy termination. It may also be used to diagnose and treat uterine problems. r " QSJPS MPPQ FMFDUSPTVSHJDBM FYDJsion procedure (LEEP) is used to remove abnormal/potentially cancerous cervix cells. r " IJTUPSZ PG QSFWJPVT DFSWJY SFMBUFE surgical procedures. r %JBHOPTJT PG JODPNQFUFOU DFSWJY in a previous pregnancy. r 1SFWJPVT QSFHOBODZ XJUI UXJOT

or multiples. r 1SFWJPVT DIJMECJSUI JOKVSZ JO XIJDI the cervix was torn (obstetric trauma). r .VMUJQMF BCPSUJPOT PS MBUF UFSN abortions. r "COPSNBMJUJFT BOE BOPNBMJFT JO the uterus. r %JFUIZMTUJMCFTUSPM %&4 FYQPTVSF a synthetic form of the hormone estrogen thought to prevent miscarriage during pregnancy. r #FJOH CPSO XJUI DPOOFDUJWF UJTTVF disorders like hypermobility or Ehlers %BOMPT TZOESPNF 5IJT IBT BO FGGFDU PO the collagen in the cervix tissues, causing it to weaken. r (FOFUJDT 4PNF XPNFO BSF CPSO with an abnormally short or weak cervix.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CERVICAL INCOMPETENCE Cervical incompetence is often asymptomatic, which is why clinicians must consider risk factors, even though some women do exhibit mild symptoms. These symptoms, which typically appear between weeks 14 and 20 of pregnancy, include: r 4FOTBUJPO PG QFMWJD QSFTTVSF 8IFO standing up, it may feel as if something is falling out or being pushed into the vagina. When lying down, the sensation may be milder. Please contact the clinician if it worsens and becomes more intense. r " OFX CBDLBDIF #BDL QBJO JT BMNPTU an expected symptom of pregnancy, it becomes more common as the baby grows and shifts your center of gravity. Contact a clinician if you have persistent lower back pain, especially if it is accompanied by bleeding or cramping. r .JME BCEPNJOBM DSBNQT $SBNQJOH is a common pregnancy symptom that is easily dismissed. It is critical to keep track of the type and frequency of your cramps.

"SF UIFZ DPOTUBOU PS DZDMJDBM %P UIFZ HP away when you lie down or get worse when you move around? Cramps caused by cervical dilation typically feel similar to those experienced during a menstrual period. r " $IBOHF JO WBHJOBM EJTDIBSHF (volume, color or consistency): It is quite normal to have some vaginal discharge during pregnancy. However, if the vaginal discharge is thicker and has pink, brown or red in it, this may indicate your cervix is dilating. This may be due to membranes coming through the neck of the womb or water breaking early. r .JME WBHJOBM CMFFEJOH TQPUUJOH as a result of infection of the exposed fetal membranes. r $POUSBDUJPOT TJNJMBS UP #SBYUPO Hicks: These are also known as false or QSBDUJDF DPOUSBDUJPOT %VSJOH QSFHOBODZ you may experience abdominal tightness or pressure. They are a normal part of pregnancy that may or may not occur.

However, if not sure you need to see the clinician for review.…….…....

TO BE CONTINUED

THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

32

GAMINGWEEK

Edited by NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG | ikotibok@gmail.com | Tel: 08114495324

NLRC Introduces National Premium Identity Verification Platform To fulfil one of its missions of creating a safe and secure environment for operators and players, the National Lottery Regulatory Commission has informed stakeholders and operators of the impending National Premium Identity Verification Platform, writes Nseobong Okon-Ekong

I

n a move geared towards mitigating and curbing unscrupulous activities in the industry, the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) has launched the National Premium Identity Verification Platform (NPIVP).

According to the Director General of the NLRC, Mr Lanre Gbajabiamila, who spoke during a Stakeholders’ Engagement on Know Your Customer (KYC) and Verification Issues in the Nigerian gaming industry held at his office in Abuja, the new NPIVP will provide identification in less than eight seconds, attach real-time human faces to players, minimize fraud, ease compliance and encourage more participation in the industry.

Lamenting Federal Government’s concern about prevalent complaints relating to customer identity and verification in the industry, the DG said further that the initiative aligns with the commission’s mission of creating a safe and secure environment for operators and players.

According to Gbajabiamila, NLRC’s mission is to create an enabling, safe and secure environment for operators and players while ensuring the Nigerian gaming industry thrives, noting that the commission is the apex gaming regulatory institution in Nigeria, saddled with the responsibility of regulating the operation and business of the national lottery, setting standards, guidelines and rules; that ensure transparency and integrity and also protect the interest of players, stakeholders and the public.

He mentioned that the commission also carries out periodic industrywide assessments and other duties as the country’s president may have directed, per the National Lottery Act 2005 (as amended).

“To this end, the commission has collaborated with other federal government agencies to promote the

FOR THE GOOD OF THE GAMING INDUSTRY…

DG, NLRC, Lanre Gbajabiamila (middle) with representatives of Gaming operators after the sensitization program on the NPIVP programme gaming industry and ensure a safe and secure gaming environment.

We want to notify you that the commission recently executed a memorandum of understanding with the National Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC,” added Gbajabiamila and the control unit against money laundering (SCUML).

“More importantly, the NFIU and the CBN have brought to the attention of the commission the gaming operators’ low compliance with the existing Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism Laws in Nigeria,” Gbajabiamila said.

Gbajabiamila directed all gaming operators to identify and verify the players and users of their various gaming platforms while ensuring that the collected and collated personal data is secure.

“Concerning the minimum requirement(s) of customer due diligence (KYC), it is imperative to state that all gaming operators must identify and verify the players

and users of their various gaming platforms while ensuring that the collected and collated personal data is secure. I want to restate that Section 4 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 mandates gaming operators to identify and verify customers’ identities before establishing and including ongoing business relations,” he added.

He pointed out that section 4 (1) (b) of the act and section 33 (3) of the EFCC DNFBPs Regulation 2022 provide that businesses shall verify the identity of their customers using

a reliable, independent source, document, data or information.

“Importantly, Section 2.1(b) of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation, 2019, enumerates that data obtained from data subjects should be accurate,” Gbajabiamila stated.

Reacting to the initiative, the commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), represented by a senior officer of the Bureau, Mr Babatunde Bamgboye, said that the commission’s proactiveness was timely and in

The wins kept rolling in for BiG Africa Summit 2023 with a hugely successful second day! Attendees cradled their steaming coffee mugs, and anticipation filled the air, signalling the start of an exhilarating day of presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities. Lois Bright, Managing Director of Initiate International and

Chairperson of the event, extended a heartfelt welcome to sponsors, delegates, and speakers, setting the tone for a day full of ground-breaking insights and innovative ideas.

Richard Goodayle kicked off day two with an informative presentation.

The Senior Manager of Business Development for the KwaZulu-Natal Gaming & Betting Board received an

Napoli Set to Bounce Back from Milan Thrashing; Bayern Hope to Strengthen Grip on Bundesliga Summit On Thursday, Toulouse are likely to advance to the French Cup final at the expense of Annecy, while Fenerbahce and Flamengo are expected to beat their respective opponents.

In Italy, Napoli are expected to bounce back from their 4-0 annihilation at the hands of AC Milan when they visit 16th-placed Lecce, while the 2 Milan-based clubs are expected to claim three points each when they both take on Empoli and Salernitana.

Over in Portugal, football fans are bracing themselves for one of the greatest rivalries in European

football, The Portuguese Classico, known locally as O’ Clasico. This encounter will see Benfica welcome Porto to the Estadio Da Luz. Any of the two teams could win this tie, and it should produce at least two goals.

Club Brugges have been tipped in Belgium to dispatch bottom-placed Seraing routinely.

Man City emphatically brushed aside Liverpool last time out are expected to keep up the title fight by beating Southampton.

Bayern Munich sitting at the Bundesliga summit thanks to their 4-2 thrashing of Dortmund, are expected to extend their lead when they visit Freiburg.

Lanre Gbajabiamila industry,” said Omife. “The NCC is ever ready to collaborate further with the NLRC to make sure this project succeeds.”

Reacting to the initiative, the Association of Nigerian Bookmakers (Lottery Operators), led by its Executive Secretary, Akingba Olabimpe, drummed support for the NPIVP but raised fears about the success due to issues of jurisdiction between the federal and state regulators.

BiG Africa Summit 2023 Ends with a Bang

F O R E C AST Davidson Abraham

line with the federal government’s Anti-Money Laundering Act. The team leader of the NFIU, Mr Abbas B., said the new NPIVP would help tackle criminality in the lottery industry by reporting suspicious transactions, describing it as a brilliant innovation and stressing that the gateway to tackling criminality is Know Your Customer (KYC) and the NPIVP. He said it was a step in the right direction.

For the representative from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Abubakar Zanna, the NPIVP will mitigate the hacking of customers’ accounts by criminals and tackle fraud in the system.

“The CBN has been inundated with reports of customers’ wallets being hacked daily, but this initiative will help tackle this. The CBN is willing to collaborate further with the NLRC in making sure that the benefits are maximised,” he said.

NCC’s representative, Clement Omife, the deputy director of the Consumer Affairs Bureau, said the agency highlighted the importance of KYC, especially in partnership with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

“We really appreciate the NLRC for this wonderful initiative. We have been doing this KYC and I can tell you that it will help mitigate a lot of criminality in the lottery

enthusiastic response from attendees as he presented an overview of the Gaming Sector Black Industrialist Programme; how the programme has the potential to push exceptional business growth in South Africa.

Attendees were pleasantly surprised to hear of the funding opportunities for local gaming businesses in KwaZulu-Natal.

A highlight of the day included a panel of female powerhouses in South African iGaming discussing the hidden talent of women in the gaming industry. The panel touched on the importance of diversity in the industry and the business opportunities that exist in appealing to more women players.

Networking tea breaks and a midday lunch break allowed attendees to enjoy the drinks and food on offer and continue exploring the exhibition floor and interacting

with fellow speakers and delegates.

Business cards exchanged showcased the important connections and collaborations that the BiG Africa Summit 2023 has made possible.

The event’s success was evident as attendees walked away with a wealth of knowledge and a better understanding of the future of the African iGaming industry.

Following closing remarks, participants were spoiled with an incredible performance from traditional Zulu dancers. The spectacular performance was fitting as a closing segment of the spectacular two-day summit and a celebration of Africa’s rich culture and heritage. Attendees filled the hall for the last time for the highly anticipated BiG 5 Awards, where the winners were announced in a grand ceremony fitting of the innovation of African iGaming.

GAMINGWEEK TEAM DATE Thu 06/04/2023 Thu 06/04/2023 Thu 06/04/2023 Fri 07/04/2023 Fri 07/04/2023 Fri 07/04/2023 Fri 07/04/2023 Fri 07/04/2023 Sun 08/04/2023 Sun 08/04/2023

FIXTURE

BETTING TIPS

FC Annecy Vs Toulouse Aucas Vs Flamengo Fenerbahce Vs Kayserispor Salernitana Vs Inter Lecce Vs Napoli AC Milan Vs Empoli Benfica Vs FC Porto Club Brugges Vs Seraing Southampton Vs Man City Freiburg Vs FC Bayern

2 to qualify 2 1 2x 2 1 Over 1.5 1 2 2

Nseobong Okon-Ekong ikotibok@gmail.com | 08114495324 Iyke Bede Akeem Lasisi lasaisai@yahoo.com | 08023687884 Vanessa Obioha vaysylver@gmail.com | 08069838305 Davidson Abraham davisiano.adm@gmail.com | +971 56 744 6013

ADVISORY: +18 PERSONS UNDER 18 MUST NOT PARTICIPATE IN BETTING, GAMING OR LOTTERY ACTIVITY

THURSDAY APRIL 6, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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COURTESY VISIT TO NCC...

L-R: Secretary, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Gwa Mohammed; Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN), Chioma Mordi; Director SCGN, Tijanni Borobo; Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, NCC, Adeleke Adewolu, and Director, SCGN, Ibrahim Dikko, during the courtesy visit to the Commission's Head Office...recently

Buhari: I Look Forward to Retiring to Daura After May 29 Says he'll stay away from Abuja You’ve done very well to hold Nigeria together, says UK envoy Deji Elumoye in Abuja With less than two months to the end of his eight-year tenure, President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, reiterated that he looked forward to retiring to his country home, Daura in Katsina State after handing over power on May 29, 2023.

Speaking yesterday while receiving in audience at the State House, Abuja, the outgoing British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Her Excellency, Catriona Wendy Laing, the President said he looked forward to his retirement in Daura, Katsina State, after handing over on May 29.

“I’ll be as far away from Abuja as possible,” he said.

He however, lauded UK for cooperation on many fronts, particularly in the rebuilding of the North East, hitherto ravaged by insurgency.

President Buhari said the United Kingdom was second home for many Nigerians, and relations between the two countries would continue to wax strong.

“In fact, some wealthy Nigerians don’t feel complete till they’ve had a home in the UK,” he added.

Earlier, the outgoing envoy,

who said, she was fascinated by Nigeria, particularly the music, dance, culture, and that she’s had “a fabulous time here,” however, commended the president for

doing so much to hold the country together.

Commenting on her four and a half years tour of duty, the High Commissioner expressed

sadness about her leaving, saying, “Nigeria is so much fun. I had a fabulous time here, and I’ll be back.

“I love the dance, the music,

Laing congratulated Buhari for very successful eight years in office, saying he had done very well to hold the country together.

Buni Backs Wase for 10th Assembly's House Speakership Betara vows to run even if position not zoned to North East Ndume joins race for senate presidency, unfolds 10-point agenda Opposition lawmakers form alliance to counter APC Deji Elumoye, Sunday Aborisade and Juliet Akoje in Abuja Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, yesterday, threw his weight behind the ambition of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase, to run for Speaker ahead of the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in June, this year.

This is as another aspirant for the speakership position, Hon Muktar Betara, has vowed to fight on even if the position was not zoned to his north east geo-political region.

At the same time, a former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has expressed

his readiness to contest the Senate Presidency seat in the 10th National Assembly.

In a related development, some opposition parties’ members-elect in the House of Representatives, Tuesday night, met ahead of the inauguration of the 10th Assembly, with a view to forming an alliance against the position of the ruling party at the June inauguration of the legislature.

However, Buni, a former acting national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who spoke while receiving Wase and his campaign team in Abuja, said, "We in the APC and indeed the House of Representatives need you more

than you need us because there is no better time for us in the party to pay you back for your loyalty than now.

"Experience is not studied in the university; it evolves from institutional participation and entrenched ideas, which you already have. For us, we know you will work based on experience because you are prepared more than any other.

"You didn't need to come, I will work for you because to whom much is given, much is expected.

You listened to us and stepped down when I was National Secretary even before the President. He knew about it and it is now time for us to reciprocate

3,300 N-Knowledge Beneficiaries Conclude Three-month Nationwide Training The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has formally ended the training of 3,300 beneficiaries in Hardware, Software, Animation, script writing and other life skills under the N-Knowledge programme.

The beneficiaries have been in residential training since February 2023.

Speaking yesterday, in Abuja, at the closing ceremony of the N-Knowledge Expansion training coordinated in the FCT and training camps in six geo-political zones, the Minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, was quoted in a statement to have said the programme was focused on equipping young Nigerians with relevant skills and certification to become competent workers, innovators and entrepreneurs prepared for both the domestic and global digital job market.

the culture. It’s been good to experience Nigeria. I’ve been to over 20 States, and I’ve told my successor to also do the same. I’ll be back, and still travel wider.”

At the closing ceremony held at the Public Service Institute of Nigeria, Abuja, the Minister, charged the beneficiaries to make optimum use of the opportunity given to them to become solution providers and entrepreneurs in their communities.

“I am specifically here to symbolically bid farewell to all the trainees of the N-Knowledge training programme for the 6 geo-political zones of the country.

“It is designed to achieve Mr President’s goal of poverty reduction and job creation, most especially as it targets the unemployed youth for competence building and gainful employment. The N-Power helps young Nigerians acquire and develop life-long skills to become solution providers and entrepreneurs in their communities.

“During the training sessions where you all learnt the core components of the programme in

the respective tracks, there were wellorganised curricular meant to shape you in the choice of your trades to become useful to yourselves and develop competencies which will increase production and add to the overall growth of the society.

“You will confirm by now that N-Knowledge programme is focused on equipping young Nigerians with relevant skills and certification to become competent workers, innovators and entrepreneurs prepared for both the domestic and global digital job market.

“The training targeted at developing competencies of the youth in software development, Hardware handling and application of ICT in the creative industry, are catalysts to mainstreaming the Nigerian youth to at least take advantage of the outsourcing market for software development,” the statement added.

Umar Farouq also advised

beneficiaries against selling their starter packs and urged them to use the devices given to them to become independent entrepreneurs in the society.

She also presented certificates, laptops and work stations to the beneficiaries.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, commended the beneficiaries for their good behavior throughout the training and urged them to maintain same thereafter.

The Permanent Secretary who was represented by the National Coordinator, Engr. Umar Bindir, also wished them a successful apprenticeship period ahead while maximising the opportunity given to them.

Beneficiaries would earn a stipend of N10,000 monthly for the nine months period of their apprenticeship.

that your gesture; someone must step down down for you this time around," the Yobe governor said.

But Betara, in a statement by his campaign group, Betara National Patriotic Mandate, said he was aware of "deft moves" by some influential leaders in the APC to zone the NorthEast out of the speakership race.

The statement signed by the national coordinator of the group, Mallam Maigari Al- Amin stated, "We are watching the events that are going on and we can see that some influential leaders are making deft moves to zone the Northeast out the Speakership race and hereby say that our principal, Betara, Insha Allah shall become the Speaker because nobody can cow us and even convince us to stop this project. We shall fight on and win whether the party zones to North east or not.

Meanwhile, Ndume, who hinted at his aspiration in a statement, said his ambition would be determined by the fairness of the zoning arrangements that would be put in place by the APC leadership.

"Subject to the position of the party (APC), and the fairness of such arrangements, I intend to throw my hat in the race for Senate Presidency because of my experience," he said The Borno South Senator, who contested the seat with the incumbent President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan in 2019, wondered why the APC was insisting on a zoning arrangements for the National Assembly positions, when it didn't do the same during the presidential primaries.

He said, "The APC leadership did not take any position during the presidential primary election.

Aspirants from all the geopolitical zones participated in the exercise.

Senators should be allowed to choose a competent person among them that has adequate legislative and

managerial experiences to lead the Senate.

"Zoning may not lead to the emergence of the best person for the job that is why the decision to choose the Senate presiding officers must be the sole responsibility of the senators," he said and pledged to put Nigeria and her interest first if elected, saying the issue of political inclusion and power devolution would be paramount in his Agenda.

On their part, the opposition members, whose meeting, had lawmakers from the six minority political parties in attendance, was aimed at forming an alliance ahead of the inauguration of the 10th assembly.

A ranking lawmaker, Hon. Fred Agbedi, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said the meeting was to enable the lawmakers-elect network, interact and familiarise before their inauguration.

Agbedi said the minority caucuses had the highest number of elected lawmakers in the 10th assembly, giving them greater strength to deepen opposition politics and democracy.

Also, a member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, stated that the opposition lawmakers must work “very closely” to protect their interest.

“We understand that for us to be able to put through our collective interest, for us to be able to protect our ideals as minority parties that fundamentally serve as a check to the ruling party, and to be able to contribute to nation building, we must come together," Jibrin stressed.

He hinted the opposition lawmakers that, "Whoever calls them for a meeting and tells you anything is not telling you the honest truth. If we do not put ourselves together, we will not be able to marshal through our interests"

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84TH BIRTHDAY THANKSGIVING OF CHIEF ODEYEMI...

L-R: Former Managing Director/Regional Executive, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Akinwuntan; his wife, Eva; Mrs. Kofoworola Odeyemi; Chief John Agboola Odeyemi, celebrant and Past President, Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), and Dr. Sonny Kuku, during the 84th birthday thanksgiving of Chief Odeyemi, and dedication of his new house in Lagos... recently

Peter Obi Under Pressure to Leave Nigeria, Says Labour Party Emameh Gabriel in Abuja Labour Party, yesterday, raised the alarm over the continued pressure from concerned Nigerians and family members of its presidential candidate in the February 25 presidential election, Peter Obi, to flee the country for his own safety.

The party made the disclosure yesterday in a statement by its Presidential Campaign Spokesperson, Dr Tanko Yunusa, where he expressed worries over alleged plans by agents of the ruling APC and some security agencies to arrest him on false charges of inciting insurrection in the country.

Tanko disclosed that Obi was recently contacted by associates, elder statesmen, family and friends with concerns for his personal safety, saying no amount of pressure would

force Obi to flee the country.

"These concerns have increased intensely in the last few days as immense pressure, has been mounted directly on Mr. Obi to leave the country, no doubt from sources allied to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its agents in the security services.

“Mr Obi has been repeatedly and categorically told that he has a choice to leave the country or face the prospect of being arrested on false charges of inciting insurrection in the country.

"It is difficult to fathom and indeed unfortunate and regrettable that state institutions have become part of a well-calculated, deliberate and orchestrated campaign of calumny by the APC to discredit and delegitimise Mr Peter Obi and compel him to abandon his right

to seek redress in court following the outcome of the last election, which was adjudged both locally and internationally to have failed to meet any standard of credibility or fairness,” he said.

He said part of the grand design was the circulation a doctored audio call that has so far went viral in the last few days, adding that at no time throughout the campaign and now "did Mr Peter Obi ever say, think or even imply that the 2023 election is or was a religious war."

Tanko described the attempt to manipulate Nigerians through this tactics as "very sad and wicked", noting that the party’s legal team would be taking actions against peddlers of the fake audio conversation.

He said, more worrisome was the fact that, "despite the public denunciation of the fake audio call,

its contents have been translated to other Nigerian languages and circulated in most parts of Northern Nigeria with some of our Moslem clerics deceived and instigated to use the contents for their sermons at various Mosques during the usual Friday prayers.

"This is a dangerous development at a time when the APC led-government and the APC party, which have been awarded undeserved and unfair victory should be more concerned in addressing the ethnic and religious frictions unfortunately created by the outcome of the elections.

"Yet unsatisfied but determined to cause more problems, Mr Lai Mohammed, who fancies himself as modern day Gobbeal is on a tour of some selected countries to present an alternative story

about the 2023 discredited election, and from his first statement in Washington have assumed the role of the courts by stating that Mr Obi has no pathway to victory.

This is a direct intimidation of the courts and a waste of taxpayers’ money (Nigeria’s money).”

Tanko further disclosed that the party was aware that there were "many more campaigns of calumny against Mr Peter Obi, planned for the near future both before and during the court process.

APC NWC Constitutes Five-man Investigative, Reconciliation C’ttee over Leadership Crisis Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Bill to Domesticate New Partnership for Africa’s Devt Framework, Establish AU Development Agency Passes Second Reading Lawmakers propose legislation to repeal Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation Act Juliet Akoje in Abuja The House of Representatives yesterday passed for second reading a Bill for an Act to Domesticate New Partnership for Africa’s Develop-

ment Framework and Establish the African Union (AU) Development Agency and to give effect to its Provisions in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and for Related Matters (HB. 2180).

Senate Considers Buhari's Request for N9.6bn Refund to Plateau, Borno Sunday Aborisade in Abuja President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, yesterday asked the Senate Committee on Foreign and Local Loans to consider a request by President Muhammadu Buhari seeking parliamentary approval for the refund of N9.68 billion spent by the Borno and Plateau states on behalf of the federal government.

Buhari is seeking the approval of the Senate to refund N9.68 billion as promissory notes to Plateau and Borno states.

The president in the letter read at plenary by Lawan, said the money was the reimbursement for funds

expended on the execution of federal road projects in the States.

Buhari's letter noted that the executive had for a long time, put a stop to such interventions. It however explained that the projects in question were executed before the declaration.

Plateau State according to the letter, would be entitled to about N 6.6 billion while Borno State would have a total of about N3.84 billion in respect of the Federal Roads rehabilitated and executed by the State Governments.

Lawan urged the Senate panel chaired by Senator Clifford Ordia, to expedite action on the report and submit within four weeks.

The bill was presented by Hon. Gideon Gwani and Hon. Dachung Musa Bagos).

The proposed legislation seeks to give effects to provisions in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and it was geared towards fulfilling the agenda 2063 of the partnership of African Development.

It also provides for the functions of the agency which ranges from job creation, human capacity development and economic development projects.

Furthermore, the bill would also provide a framework for the actualisation of the provisions of the agreement.

However, the importance of the agreement was to enhance rapid growth, cooperation with nations of the world.

Relatedly, the House also passed for second reading, a bill for an Act to Repeal the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation Act, Cap. N102 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation Bill, 2023; and for Related Matters (HB.2196).

The bill seeks to provide financial systems stability through effective system surveillance mechanism to enhance public confidence and to

allow NDIC perform and regulate properly.

Other bills passed for second reading included: "A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap. N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to strengthen the Operations of the Agency, empower the Agency to Establish Laboratories, update the list of Dangerous Drugs, review the Penalty Provisions, enhance the Power of the Agency to Prosecute drug Related Offences and issues Subsidiary Legislation; and for Related Matters (HB.2195).

"A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Weights and Measures Act, Cap.W3.

Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the Nigerian Weights and Measures Regulatory Agency (Establishment) Bill, 2023 for the development and enforcement of varying scopes of legal metrology activities for the promotion of Fair Trade, Protection of Public Health, Safety and the Environment; and for Related Matters (HB. 2183) (Hon. Olufemi Fakeye).

“A Bill for an Act to Amend the Public Complaints Commission Act. Cap. P37 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004; and for Related Matters (HB. 1718) (Hon. Sergius Oseasochie Ogun)"

He warned, however, that Labour Party "want to make it clear to the APC party, APC led-government and its agents that Mr Peter Obi, a widely traveled man, has no intention to leave the country at this time irrespective of the pressure on him and his family.

"Obi is determined as he had stated in his first and only press conference after the election to challenge the outcome of the election and the process has begun. It is his fundamental right," he said.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has constituted a five-man investigative and reconciliation committee to curtail the brewing crisis in the party.

The committee was constituted following a series of complaints by the National Vice Chairman, North West, Dr. Salihu Lukman against the National Chairman, Senator Abdulahi Adamu and Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

Lukman, had in a statement Monday accused both Adamu and Omisore of turning other members of the NWC to a rubber stamp, saying the duo took all decisions bordering on managing the finances of the party without the knowledge of other NWC members.

He also alleged that the Adamu-led administrative organ has continued to commit some fundamental infractions that led to the dissolution of the Adams Oshiomhole-led NWC in 2020.

These infractions, Lukman said, included the refusal to convene the National Executive Council (NEC), hold the National Caucus meetings, give quarterly financial reports to the NEC and inaugurate the National Advisory Council (NAC) of the party, as well as lack of accountability.

However, Lukman's latest expose, expectedly created an uneasy calm within the party, hence, the decision of the national leadership of the party to set up the committee.

THISDAY checks revealed that some members of the NWC met to wade into the matter with a view to curtailing it before it degenerates

further.

The decision to set up the committee was taken at the NWC meeting held at the party secretariat yesterday in Abuja.

The members of the committee were Deputy National Chairman (North), Abubakar Kyari, who will serve as the head of the Committee; Deputy National Chairman (South), Emma Eneukwu; National Vice Chairman, South East, Ijeomah Arodiogbu, and the National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka.

THISDAY reliably gathered that the five-man committee would be meeting with Adamu and Omisore.

A member of the NWC, who pleaded anonymity said the fiveman committee met with Lukman for about 2 hours yesterday, where he further presented some of the infractions he accused the chairman and the secretary of.

The source further revealed that the committee was not given any time frame to carry out its assignment but was charged to thoroughly investigate and find an amicable solution to the crisis before it degenerates further.

The source added that he was aware that Lukman had tabled his minimum demands that things must be run in accordance with the Constitution of the party and that accountability must not be compromised again.

"We have set up a five-man committee to wade into the crisis, look into the allegations raised to essentially see how it can be mitigated.

We are aware that allowing it to fester further, boil down to opening flanks at the end of the day, which if not plucked may put the party in jeopardy.

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SIGNING OF AGREEMENT FOR REVIVAL OF THE UROMI CASSAVA PLANT...

L-R: Edo State Commissioner for Business, Trade and Cooperatives, Afishetu Braimoh; Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, and Managing Director, M-Hiver Nigeria Ltd, Dr. Mike Iseghohi, after signing an agreement for the revival of the Uromi Cassava Processing Plant, at the Government House, in Benin City…recently

Agbakoba Advises Election Tribunal to Conclude All Petitions Before May 29 Emma Okonji and Nosa Alekhuogie A former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has urged the presidential election petition tribunal to conclude all petitions emanating from the February 25 presidential elections before the inauguration of the president-elect on May 29th.

Agbakoba, who spoke yesterday on ARISE NEWS Channel, stressed the need for all the petitions to get accelerated hearing, adding that seven days were a good time frame to get everything sorted.

He said the fact that the constitution prescribed a time frame of about 180 days, doesn’t mean that it must run its course since the policy has been over heated, saying the judicial philosophy of Nigeria was about a hundred years old, and the country itself was not known for speed.

“Ghana finishes its own election petition in thirty days, so why can’t we do the same? My first recommendation will be to ask if the issues presented to the tribunals are amendable to quick resolution?” he noted.

“I’m concerned that the polity is overheated and the way to go is to see if we can get the petition resolved before May 29th. The elections held in February, that’s about four months, what is the

difficulty in resolving these cases before the handover?” he said.

Agbakoba, who claimed nothing has been heard from the lawyers since they filed the petitions, urged the judiciary and lawyers in the tribunal to see if the goal could be accomplished, noting that, “the problem is our judicial philosophy and having to run a judicial system that is a hundred years old.”

Fielding questions on the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC)’s role as a respondent and not a neutral witness, he said the electoral body ought not to be a party because then, it would be forced to defend the petition.

“Right now, INEC is a party, it is hiding documents, because it has an interest to say the elections were conducted properly. I hope that the lesson from all these is that the 10th assembly will inaugurate all the legislative recommendations we made in 2007. It is time to demystify elections petition which are not difficult at all,” reiterating that seven days wereenough time to go through the court of appeal at first instance and the supreme court.

"Nigeria needs to cool down, the whole place is over heated because of the petitions, the court needs to be pro active. I must state that since the petition has been filed, not a statement has come from the court and that’s unfortunate, ” Agbakoba noted.

He insisted that he did not agree with what the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, said about the statement the Labour Party’s presidential candidate,

Anambra State government has expressed gratitude to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) over the renovation of some Primary Healthcare Centres(PHCs) in the floodravaged areas of the state.

The renovations were facilitated by UNICEF through the funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).

The Executive Secretary, of Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA), Mrs. Chisom Uchem, who supervised some of the rehabilitated centres yesterday, applauded UNICEF

for the interventions.

Uchem who was in Anambra West and Awka North Local Government Areas (LGAs), said her visit was also to facilitate the delivery of medical equipment to the health facilities and to monitor the status of the renovation of Primary HealthCare Centres.

"We are happy for the renovation and delivery of hospital equipment by UNICEF through SIDA and CERF. This would strengthen the morale of community members on their commitment toward matters relating to their health.

"This will however extend to using the existing community structures in building up resilience to mitigate the impact of emergencies on their health systems.”

2023 while the petitions would not have been heard.

“In other to balance out justice, why don’t we try even if we fail? I urge the tribunal and legal team on

both sides to do their possible best to push this case to the possible limit, where we can see if there can be a conclusion before the swearing-in,” he added.

Adamu Blames Loss of Kano on Selfishness of Party Members Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, has blamed the party’s loss in the governorship election in Kano State on the selfishness of some party members.

Candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Abba Yusuf, won the election with 1,019,602 votes while Nasir Yusuf Gawuna of APC polled 890,705 votes to come second.

But in an interview with BBC Hausa service, Adamu said it was sad for the party to lose an important state like Kano, adding that the party would take action on the erring members.

Adamu noted that the party had warned all APC governors in Nigeria to do away with any form

Anambra Govt Excited as UNICEF Rehabilitates Health Centres Damaged by 2022 Flood David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Peter Obi, made calling it treason.

According to him, the main problem was the fact that the President-elect, Bola Tinubu was likely to be sworn in on May 29,

The Health Specialist, UNICEF Enugu Field Office, Dr. Ifeyinwa Anyanyo commended the state government’s efforts and support of their activities by providing an enabling environment for the interventions to thrive.

She noted that the State Ministry of Health (SMOH) and ASPHCDA had been key towards facilitating the availability of relevant State Programme Managers in providing technical support to fast-track interventions, programme planning, implementation, and monitoring.

“The support of the government has also been critical in convening community stakeholders at various stages of community engagement and participation,” she said.

of selfishness before the election, stressing that he believed it was that selfishness that led the party to its loss in a state like Kano “It was the fault of others that made us lose in Kano. There are those who did not do what they should. Kano is among the states that we beat our chests and say that this is ours, because whatever we do, Kano is at the top of our

list. But because of selfishness, we found ourselves in this situation.

We shouldn’t have lost Kano, but everything that happened to a person, God knows.

“We had warned all APC governors in Nigeria to do away with any form of selfishness before the election, and we think it is that selfishness that led us to lose in a state like Kano,”he said, stressing

that the party was waiting for the election noise to die down before actions would be taken against anyone who wronged the party.

According to him, despite the loss in Kano, the party was grateful to have won the presidential election and in other states, adding also that, “The supplementary elections in Adamawa and Kebbi will be in our favour if God wills,” he added.

Yahaya: Military Working Hard to Make May 29 Flagship of Army’s Parades Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, yesterday, declared that the Nigerian military was prepared to ensure a successful hand over of power by May 29, 2023, adding that the army was working hard to ensure that the event turned out as flagship of Nigerian Army parades.

Yahaya said the army possessed the requisite capacity and moral strength to deliver on its constitutional mandate, stressing that there was no legal task beyond the Nigerian Army to achieve.

Yahaya, who spoke at the closing ceremony of the Third Quarter Chief of Army Staff Conference in Abuja, said the army was on course towards self-sufficiency in defence production.

The army chief, who commended troops for their commitment and sacrifices across theatres of operations and the recently concluded general election, charged the soldiers to sustain the tempo in the defence of the nation.

He also urged commanders to identify, harness and encourage

personnel with research potentials to put in more efforts to enhance research and development to curb contemporary challenges.

“I have no doubt that we are on course towards achieving self-sufficiency in defence production. I’m glad that the Nigerian Army research and development has in recent times received renewed push to contribute towards addressing our needs and contemporary challenges.

“I must also remark that we have capacity and moral strength to deliver on our constitutional mandate. We should, therefore, always be reminded that we are men of honour and we should perform our duty with courage and complete loyalty.”

Commenting on the army’s preparation towards May 29 handing and taking over parade, Yahaya said, “We must, therefore, put all hands on deck to ensure that the event turns out as flagship of Nigerian Army parades.”

He added that it was the collective efforts of the Nigerian Army personnel that led to operational successes being recorded across the theatres of

operations and charged them to consolidate such efforts in order to sustain the achievements and totally eradicate terrorism and other nefarious activities from the country.

“As command responsibility, all commanders should always think ‘two down’ and ensure thorough supervision and guidance. As command responsibility, relevant commanders at various levels must monitor closely the behaviour of personnel deployed for all operations and appropriately reward and sanction personnel as necessary," he said.

He also charged commanders to awaken the consciousness of adherence to basic tenets of tactics and field craft.

“You must ensure thorough and detailed briefings and debriefing of troops before and after operations. You must continue to contain all the equipment under your commands and device measures for safe keeping and accounting of all arms and ammunition. Commanding officers must take full responsibility for their units and always apply their initiatives in taking charge of their units,” he said.

THURSDAY APRIL 6, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

37

NEWS

THE 2022 INDUSTRY ALL-STAR AWARDS…

L-R: Chairman of the Summit / Chairman STB McCann, Sir Steve Omojafor; Principal Consultant, NECCI, Nkechi Ali – Balogun; Group Chief, Branding and Communication, Dangote Industry Limited, Anthony Chiejina; Chief Executive Officer, Pearl Awards, Tayo Orekoya, at 2022 The Industry All Star Awards, in Lagos…recently

Dangote, Rabiu, Adenuga, Make Forbes Billionaires’List Goddy Egene and Kayode Tokede Forbes has listed three Nigerians, Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and Mike Adenuga among the billionaire businessman and philanthropists rating in the Forbes billionaires list in the World.

Forbes, in its latest comprehensive list of the world’s billionaires for 2023, disclosed that the 2,460 individual billionaires globally for this year have a couple of surprises.

One of the surprises, however, is the rise of BUA Group chairman, Rabiu, who from $7.6billion a few months ago,

has shot up towering many to become the 249th richest person in the world and closing in on overtaking the third richest man in Africa, Nicky Oppenheimer, who stands at $8.4billion.

According to the report, Rabiu’s latest worth is put at $8.2billion.

“From $1.6billion in 2019, Forbes recorded that by 2022, his net worth was at $6.9billion and from there has jumped to $8.2billion in April 2023,” the report added.

The 62-year old Rabiu is essentially into cement and sugar as well as real estate and is building sub-saharan Africa’s second largest refinery and petrochemicals plant in Akwa

Ibom, Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Aliko Dangote has retained his position as the wealthiest person of African descent in the world.

After climbing to $14billion in

2022, his wealth is estimated to be around $14.2billion as at when the reports released on Tuesday.

He is presently the 125th richest man in the world and he is easily the largest cement

producer in Africa, with his hands in other businesses including pastries, sugar and other areas of manufacturing.

Mike Adenuga, the third Nigerian on the African

billionaire’s list, the report disclosed, has not been cosy.

He dropped from $7.3billion in 2022 to $6.1billion. The last couple of years have seen him move up and down the wealthiest’ scale.

Ohanaeze: Chief of Army Staff’s Warning to IPOB, ESN Unfortunate Amby Uneze inOwerri

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has expressed displeasure over the comment of the Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Faruk Yahaya, warning the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its security outfit Eastern Security Network (ESN) for their peaceful protest over the continued detention of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu by the federal

government. In a statement titled “Enough is Enough” and signed by the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze, Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, the group lamented the inglorious activities of the Nigerian government and her security apparatus on her position and ill-treatment of Ndigbo.

According to him, Yahaya was quoted in a warning he issued on Monday that “ IPOB, ESN, or

any other group or individuals have no constitutional backing to threaten Nigeria’s integrity.”

The Ohanaeze maintained that instead of the security to apologise to Ndigbo for killing five of Igbo boys in Aba, Abia State last week during their peaceful protest over the continued and illegal incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu.

“On Friday, March 31, 2023, five members of the IPOB were shot

dead in Osusu, Aba, Abia State, while they were on a procession across Aba. Confirming the incident, the Abia State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mustapha Mohammed Bala, a Katsina-born, welleducated police officer claimed that “policemen on confidence building patrol/show of force within Aba metropolis came under attack by the proscribed IPOB/ESN members.

The crisis rocking Labour Party (LP) took a fresh dimension yesterday as two conflicting court orders from two courts of competent jurisdictions were issued between its national officers and some suspended members of the party.

However, a State High Court

an order restraining LP and all its members from any suspension or purported suspension of its national officers till the determination of motion on notice.

This followed by an earlier order issued by an Abuja High Court yesterday restraining the National Chairman of the LP,

Farouk Ibrahim and two others from parading themselves as national officers of the party.

Others stopped from parading themselves as national officers are the National Organising Secretary, Clement Ojukwu and one other.

Justice Hamza Muazu issued the restraining order while ruling

by Chief James Onoja, SAN. But in a statement signed by the National Secretary of the party, Farouk, the party confirmed that its lawyer G. C. Igbokwe ,SAN, has gotten a High Court order that status quo is maintained and no action which may result to the suspension of any national officer of the party be taken.

Oyo Group Presents Agenda to Tinubu, Edo Court Restrains Labour Party from Suspending National Officers Makinde over Marginalisation Emameh sitting in Benin yesterday issued Julius Abure, National Secretary, in ex-parte application argued Gabriel in Abuja Kemi Olaitan inIbadan

A socio-cultural group in Oyo State, Ebedi Frontliners, Iseyin (EFI), has presented agenda for Iseyin Development to the Presidentelect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde.

This is as it urged them to key into the community development agenda, which according to them would have positive impact on the nation.

This was the main point at the end of its emergency meeting at the palace of Aseyin of Iseyinland.

The group in a communique signed by its President, Olusegun Adeleke, and made available in Ibadan, yesterday, outlined various projects and programmes it believes would benefit Iseyin people, Oyo State and Nigeria.

These projects, according to EFI, include food sustenance, job provision, completion of the Ikere Gorge Dam project and re-construction of federal roads around Oke-Ogun area among others.

The group also lamented what it called total neglect of the OkeOgun area by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, stating that no physical infrastructural project was allocated to the region that consists of 10 local government areas.

It then called on the presidentelect to see to the completion of the abandoned Ikere Gorge Dam project to show gratitude to the people of Oke-Ogun region for their support towards his victory and effect positive change in power generation by reactivating the dam.

Abe Alleges Plot to Frustrate Opposition Parties from Challenging Polls Outcome in Rivers

Blessing Ibunge in PortHarcourt

Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Rivers State, Senator Magnus Abe has decried deliberate plots by some politicians to frustrate opposition political parties from challenging the outcome of the just-concluded election in the state Abe, who spoke in Port

Harcourt yesterday, insisted that the clash between supporters and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) was not necessary.

He wondered why a group of people who claim to have won election and were declared winners, will be preventing others from getting materials that will aid

them in challenging the outcome of the polls.

He said: “In this country, going to court is one of the constitutional rights of our citizens and it is part of our electoral process. If you are not satisfied with the process, it is part of expressing your displeasure over the process.

“What I want to say is that after the election, I decided to be guided

in my responses because no matter how the process is unacceptable to you, there are constitutional and accepted legal processes that you should follow.

“As one of the leaders of the state, one cannot be seen to be saying things that seems to imply that you are not following the constitutional processes or act outside the Constitution.

The coalition of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in Kogi state has accused the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party and the Presidential candidate of the party in the last presidential election, Atiku Abubakar of

governorship in favour of Senator Dino Melaye.

But in a swift reaction, Senator Dino Melaye discountenanced the allegations, describing them as imaginary and that Atiku has nothing to do with the Kogi state governorship delegate list.

of the group, Faruk Adejo Audu, said that the election of the ward three man adhoc delegate was manipulate to give Melaye advantage.

He said that out of the 725 expected delegates for the primary election that the

was awarded 125 delegates, thus giving him an undue advantage.

Adejo Audu warned that unless the manipulated list is corrected that the stakeholders would help the PDP to lose the governorship election.

Kaduna Re-instates 1,266 Teachers PDP Kogi Guber Crisis: Stakeholders Accuse Atiku, NWC of Manipulating Delegate List for Melaye manipulating the ward delegate Addressing a press conference appeal committee headed by Sacked after Competency Test Chuks Okocha in Abuja list for the nomination of the in Abuja yesterday, the leader Hon Idris Umar, that Melaye John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Kaduna State Government has approved the reinstatement of 1,266 primary school teachers who were sacked after a competency test in June 2022.

Their reinstatement was announced in a statement by the Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (KASUBEB).

The statement signed on behalf of chairman of the commission by the Public Relations Officer, Hauwa Mohammed said: “Having examined and verified their complaints, the government approved the reinstatement of 392 teachers who wrote and passed the test, 515 Central

Administration staff who are officially exempted from the test and 298 teachers who were verified to be sick at the time of the test and had valid medical excuse, backed

by Doctor’s certificate.”

The statement added: “Others reinstated are teachers who were reported by their respective Education Secretaries, to have been victims of kidnappers or involved in accidents.

“Finally 22 teachers were removed from the payroll for unsubstantiated claims”.

The statement directed all reinstated teachers to collect their reinstatement letters from their respective Education Secretaries immediately.

House Speakership: Aspirant, Gagdi, Promises to Right Wrongs in National Budget Udora Orizu in Abuja The member representing Pankshin/Kanam/Kanke Federal Constituency of Plateau State in the House of Representatives and speakership aspirant for the 10th Assembly, Yusuf Gagdi, has promised to right the wrongs in the country’s

budget.

Gagdi said he intended to stop re-initiation of projects not completed in a budget cycle in another appropriation document due to political intention, thereby wasting taxpayers’ money.

The lawmaker as part of activities before his official campaign flag-off on April

25, yesterday met with Abia State Governor-elect Alex Otti and House Labour Party members-elect.

He also disclosed that he had met with about 24 state governors, adding that the next speaker should be someone who can build on what Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila had put in place;

nation building a joint taskforce that unite members irrespective of their political party platforms.

Gagdi said: “I have seen a lot of wrongs in the National Assembly that need to be righted in term of budget which during the flag-off of my campaign will tell you more of those things.”

THURSDAY APRIL 6, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

38

NEWSXTRA

OBSERVING THE RAMADAN IFTAR…

L-R: Vice-Chairman, lsland Muslim Community (IMC) Board of Trustees, Alhaji Tijjani Borodo; President, Lekki Muslim Ummah, Dr. AbdulGaniyu Olusola Labinjo; Chairman, IMC Board of Trustees, Alhaji Rafiu Adisa Ebiti; past President, Lekki Muslim Ummah, Dr. Kamoru Omotosho; Imam, Syria Mosque, Ikoyi-Lagos, Elishami Noshi Ali, and Guest Speaker/former Assistant Chancellor, University of the West of England (UWE) Bristol, United Kingdom, Prof. Luqman Oyedele, at the Iftar (Ramadan breaking of fast) with IMC members at Lekki Central Mosque, Lagos… recently ETOP UKUTT

Stop Parading as LP Chairman, Court Orders Julius Abure Alex Enumah inAbuja Justice Hamza Muazu of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), yesterday, issued an order temporarily restraining Mr Julius Abure from parading himself as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP).

The restraining order, which is pending the hearing of a motion on notice, was sequel to an exparte application brought against him and three others.

Although the Motion number:

M/7082/2023, was dated March 4, it was, however, argued Wednesday April 5, on behalf of the claimants by their lawyer, Chief Ogwu Onoja, SAN. The other members of the national executive affected by the temporary order included the party’s National Secretary, Farouk Ibrahim; National Organising Secretary, Oluchi Opara and National Treasurer, Clement Ojukwu.

The claimants amongst whom were Martins Esikpali John, Lucky

shaibu, Idah Zekeri, omogbai Frank, Abokhaiu aliu, Ayokhaire later, Job Elomah and Dr abayomi Arabambi, hadurged the court to stop the defendants from further acting on behalf of the

Labour Party, pending the hearing and determination of their suit challenging the continued stay in office of the defendants over allegations of corruption.

The defendants were being

accused of forgery, perjury, unlawful and fraudulent replacement of party’s candidates in the just concluded general elections.

Specifically, the claimants

accused the defendants of forging court documents including receipts and seal of the FCT High Court which they had allegedly used in the substitutions of LP’s candidates in the 2023 general election.

Fishermen in A’Ibom Oil Producing Territory Protest Attacks by Pirates OkonBasseyinUyo

basis and disposed of their outboard engines by the hoodlums.

According to them, no fewer than 50 pieces of their outboard engines have been seized by the hoodlums in the month of April 2023, adding that scores of them have also been kidnapped and even killed.

Chief Golden Ogungbemi, the leader of the Yoruba community in Upenekang, said the fishermen

are afraid of sailing into the sea to operate hence the hardship they are experiencing.

He lamented that they are helpless as security operatives in sea have refused to come to their help.

According to him, “Our major problem is the issue of sea pirates.

They have been unleashing mayhem on fishermen to the extent that we are no longer going to the sea.

The situation is so bad. Whenever fishermen went to the sea, they confront you at gunpoint and seize your outboard engines.

“In March alone, fishermen lost about 30 pieces of outboard engines to the sea pirates. Just this April, they came again and dispossessed the fishermen of about 20 pieces of outboard engines. Each engine costs about N3million.

Rivers APC Suspends Chairman, Alleges Anti-party Activities

Fishermen in the waterways of Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have protested constant attacks on them by pirates operating in the area.

The fishermen, including those of Ijaw, Yoruba, Obolo and Ghanaians ethnic nationalities, complained that they were been robbed on a daily

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

NADECO Raises Concerns over Credible Census

Some members of the Rivers State Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended its chairman, Emeka Beke, legal adviser and Iheanyichukwu Azubuike over alleged anti-party activities in the February 25, 2023 presidential election in the state.

This is just as Beke has reacted that the said executive members has no power to suspend him, alleging that the development was a continuous onslaught by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state against the party.

Speaking on behalf of the aggrieved executive members, Dr. Chike Enyinda, (Special Leader) alleged that the party chairman connived with the

leadership of the APC in the state, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to influence members to vote for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar in the national election.

The executive members who addressed journalists yesterday in Port Harcourt, on the development are: Omiete Eferebo (Deputy Chairman), Oyor Fredrick (Assistant Secretary), Chidi Nweke (Auditor), Chike Enyinda (Special Leader), Obidinma Igwe (Vice Chairman Rivers East Senatorial District), Chigbo John (Financial Secretary) and Jumi N. Godwin (Deputy Youth Leader).

Others are Chisa Ogboke (Rivers West Youth Leader), Amadi Brilliant (Ex-officio) and Hajia Ramatu Aisha (Leader, Non indigenes).

The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) United States of America (USA) chapter has raised the fear that the planned 2023 census may fail to produce accurate human and housing population figures for the country tasking citizens to be wary of the project.

NADECO raised the fears in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Lloyd Ukwu, and made

available to the media yesterday.

NADECO cited the alleged fraud, manipulations, criticisms and complaints from within and outside the country that have trailed the just concluded general election as reasons to be cynical that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government is capable and sincere in its aspiration of a genuine census for the country.

It further described the amount of money mapped out for the exercise as a waste, given the poor state of the nation’s economy, debt profile and the glaring possibility that the census may not yield a positive outcome.

Ukwu said: “Elections and census form the cornerstone of democracy.

Many crucial national decisions rely on census figures. So if the

Buhari administration could not count those who voted in the last elections, which makes Nigerians think that his administration is marred with so much irregularities, where the number of voters in election are higher than registered voters, how are they going to be able to count the entire which is much larger that the registered voters.”

Kogi Killings: when Govt Vows to Bring Perpetrators to Justice he led Heads of Security and has promised that the and anti-terrorism squad that

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

Worried by the carnages, wanton destruction of lives and properties, the Kogi State Government has vowed to bring the perpetrators of the attacks on Oganenigu communities in Dekina Local Area of the state to justice.

Bello gave the assurance

Agencies in the state for on-thespot assessment to Oganenigu communities on Tuesday.

The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Edward Onoja, described the attacks as ‘’barbaric though not frequent in Kogi. ‘’His Excellency, the governor, frowns seriously at the attacks

perpetrators will be brought to book as always ‘’As we speak, the military have been fully on ground from the very day that the incident happened, they have forestalled more casualties, and they will continue to be on ground. ‘’There will be more deployment of the Mobile Police

would also be on ground.”

He assured that the SEMA team had taken stock to ensure quick intervention inform of palliatives to cushion the effect of the pains for the community. ‘’Kogi is proactive. We do not waste time in dealing with issues and challenges of our people.

their memberships of both the Supreme Eiye Confraternity, Vikings Confraternity and Black Axe Confraternity, were arrested from major towns across the state, including Abeokuta, Ijebu -Ode, Igbesa, as well as Agosasa in Ipokia Local Government Area of the state.

Parading the suspects, the Command’s Public Relations Officer

(PPRO), Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the arrest of the suspects became exigent in view of the sudden upsurge in activities of cult related killings witnessed in the State in recent times.

Oyeyemi stated that the incident, which had portrayed the state as haven for criminals, compelled the police in the state to launch a “serious

clampdown on those suspected to be behind the violent cult clashes which have left no fewer than five persons dead” across the state.

Oyeyemi disclosed that raids on the hideouts of the suspected cultists were targeted at suppressing the rivalries and supremacy battle among the various cult groups in the state.

Primera MFB Gets FCCPC’s Full Approval for Digital Lending Police Parade 24 Suspected Robbers, Cultists in Ogun The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has fully approved the operations of Primera Microfinance Bank as a digital lender in Nigeria.

The approval followed the investigation by the Inter-Agency Joint Task Force on the Digital Lending Apps, after which the FCCPC mandated the registration of money lenders to the Limited Interim Regulatory Framework and Guidelines for Digital Lending 2022.

FCCPC said the objective of the framework was to enhance transparent, fair, and beneficial alternative lending options in Nigeria. The criteria used in granting the approvals include: legitimacy;compliance with applicable regulatory requirements; lawful source

of funds and conformity with anti-money laundering and data protection laws.

It said having fully met all the laid down criteria of the commission, Primera Microfinance Bank, had been granted a full approval to launch and engage in digital lending in Nigeria.

Commenting on the development, the Chief Executive Officer, Primera MFB, Unwana Efiong Esang said: “This authorisation demonstrates the quality of our bank and lending proposition to meet the demands for best-practice digital financing in Nigeria. It also strengthens our commitment and drive to deepen financial inclusion and provide affordable and convenient access to credit for individuals, households and businesses in our economy.”

JamesSowoleinAbeokuta

The Ogun State Police Command yesterday paraded 24 suspected cultists, who were allegedly responsible for various cult clashes and armed robberies in different parts of the state recently.

The suspected criminals, who have allegedly confessed

Agbakoba Launches Compendium on Space Laws, Treaties, Regulations WaleIgbintade As part of his efforts to advance the space sector and knowledge, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has launched a book titled: ‘OAL Compendium of Space Treaties, Policies, Laws and Regulations in Nigeria’.

Addressing journalists yesterday,

Collins Okeke, an associate partner and head of Public Sector Practice Group, Olisa Agbakoba Legal, (OAL), described the book as a reference material that brings together all major international treaties and domestic laws on space that affects Nigeria as a major actor in the space industry in Africa and as a developing global giant in the space industry.

He said the book would serve as a research tool for lawyers, students, and those who are interested in what is going on in the space industry.

According to him, “The Compendium will also help to strengthen the legal, institutional, and regulatory framework that governs space activities in Nigeria.

He said a short introductory summary is provided at the

beginning of each treaty, policy, law and regulation to give the reader a panoramic view and a roundup of the focal interests of the instrument before going into the key provisions.

Okeke recommended the book for space enthusiasts who are desirous of knowing how activities in Nigerian space and worldwide are governed and regulated.

39

THURSDAY, ;˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

THURSDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe

Femi Solaja

closed door for violent attack on Bendel Insurance of Benin on Match-day five of the season.

And yesterday, Remo Stars were docked three points and three goals amongst other sanctions imposed on

Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

NPFL: IMC Hammers Remo Stars over Assault on Referee

Remo Stars FC became the third football club yesterday to be sanctioned by the Interim Management Committee (IMC) in the on-going

Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) following the decision of the league body to dock the Ikenne-based club three points and three goals among other punishment imposed on the club.

Two months ago, the IMC had sent a clear message of a no-nonsense era to the football community following the sanction on Bayelsa United over assault of an Assistant Referee at the Samson

Siasia Stadium in Yenegoa by ordering deduction of three points and three goals from Bayelsa United FC. The same day, IMC ordered El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri to play their home matches behind

Super Falcons posed for photographs shortly after their evening training in Antalya, Turkey... yesterday.

the club by the IMC for the assault on match Referee Ndubuisi Ukah and subsequent disruption of the Match-day 12 fixture of the NPFL against Gombe United.

The match of Sunday, April 2 was concluded the next day after the Referee was assaulted in the dressing room at halftime as a result of Remo Stars failure to provide adequate security for the match Officials.

The IMC in a Summary Jurisdiction notice signed by Davidson Owumi, the Head of Operations said the sanctions followed review of findings of the official match report.

In the charge, Remo Stars was found in breach of Rules B8.21, B13.21, C11 and B13.52.

For breach of Rule B8.21 which is failure to adequately secure match Officials before, during and after the match leading to the assault on one of them, the club was fined N500,000 and also directed to pay N250,000 to the said Official, Ukah Ndubuisi as compensation.

Mr. Ekene Adams identified as the attacker has been banned from all NPFL activities for the rest of the season. Remo Stars are also to ensure diligent prosecution in the law court, of Mr. Adams who is the Club's General Manager.

The Club was also found to have breached Rule B13.21 for disturbances and disruptions and fined N500,000.

Scores Hat trick Oshoala, Oparanozie Arrive Falcons’ Benzema as Real Rout Barcelona Camp ahead Haiti, N’Zealand Games It was near full house as star forwards Asisat Oshoala and Desire Oparanozie arrived in the camp of Nigeria’s senior women national team, Super Falcons ahead of two friendly matches in the Turkish city of Antalya.

Serial award-winner Oshoala has not played for the nine-time African champions since the Women Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco nine months ago, while barnstorming forward Oparanozie linked up with the squad for the first time since the Aisha Buhari Cup Tournament in Lagos in September 2021.

The arrival of the two respected markswomen generated positive vibes at The Sense De Luxe Hotel camp of the Falcons, ahead of Friday’s clash with World Cup debutants Haiti at the Emir Sports Complex.

Also in camp now are goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie, Inyene Etim and Yewande Balogun, defenders Onome Ebi, Glory Ogbonna, Tosin Demehin, Rofiat Imuran and Ashleigh Plumptre, midfielders Toni Payne, Christy Ucheibe, Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene, Regina Otu,

Deborah Abiodun and Halimatu Ayinde, and forwards Esther Okoronkwo, Gift Monday, Rasheedat Ajibade and new invitee Vivian Ikechukwu.

Only defender Michelle Alozie and forwards Jennifer Echegini and Uchenna Kanu, all based in

the United States of America, were still being expected as of press time yesterday evening.

The Super Falcons have snatched back their winning mentality following the defeat of World Cup-bound Costa Rica at the Revelation Cup Tournament

in Mexico City in February, and will be in great mood for Friday’s clash with the Haitians.

World Cup co-hosts New Zealand will be next in line for the Falcons’ fire on Tuesday, at the Mardan Sports Complex also in Antalya.

Karim Benzema scored a second-half hat-trick as Real Madrid routed Barcelona 4-0 to reach the Copa del Rey final.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Madrid levelled the tie through Vinicius Jr in first-half stoppage time.

Benzema added two goals early in the second half - the

COPA DEL REY

second from the penalty spot - to put the visitors in control and completed his hat-trick to seal the win in the 80th minute.

Carlo Ancelotti's side will face Osasuna in the final on 6 May.

Man Utd, Newcastle Win to Keep Top Four Dreams Alive Manchester United climbed back into the Premier League's top four by overcoming Brentford 1-0 at Old Trafford.

Marcus Rashford's 15th Premier League goal of the season - and 28th in all competitions for his club - secured the win.

It took United back above Tottenham in the race to qualify for the Champions League, and was the response manager Erik ten Hag needed following Sunday's defeat at Newcastle.

Brentford, who are chasing European qualification, lost for only the second time in 17 Premier League matches.

PREMIER LEAGUE United are level on 53 points with third-placed Newcastle - and three ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham, who have played one more game than their rivals.

Brentford stay ninth - three points behind sixth-placed Brighton, having played two more games than the Seagulls.

Elsewhere, in a series of defensive lapses from West Ham saw Newcastle claim a 5-1 thumping win at London Stadium.

Callum Wilson and Joelinton put the visitors two ahead inside

15 minutes, before Kurt Zouma pulled one back.

But blunders by Nayef Aguerd and Lukasz Fabianski allowed Wilson to double his tally and Alexander Isak to add a fourth, with Joelinton making it five in stoppage time.

Defeat leaves West Ham just outside of the relegation zone on goal difference.

David Moyes' side are one of four teams on 27 points alongside Everton, Nottingham Forest and 18th-place Bournemouth.

Newcastle remain third and are now three points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand.

Ikeja Golf Club Ups Ante with Exciting Initiatives for Members, Sponsors The prestigious Ikeja Golf Club, has announced plans to enliven the atmosphere at the club with fascinating activities for club members and sponsors.

The new treat is set to begin with the April Monthly Mug competition, which has been specially packaged to excite club members. The two-day competition will be held at the Ikeja Golf Club Course, on April 7and 8.

In a statement signed by the club, the Club Captain, Shina Akinyemi, said the aim is to refresh the atmosphere and make it more engaging and interesting for members and sponsors.

“Our members and sponsors are in for an engaging and entertaining phase, as we will be rolling out a series of initiatives that will make every moment at the golf course and vicinity more thrilling and memorable for them.

“Over the next twelve months, our members will be treated to something new and refreshing.

The idea is to make members look forward to every month on our golf course with enthusiasm and to also make the atmosphere a veritable platform for our sponsors to connect with their target audiences,” Akinyemi said.

Ikeja Golf Club Competitions Secretary, Jenkins Alumona, explained that the April Monthly Mug package will bring more fun for club members and their families.

“The whole idea is to add more spice, fun, and also a little bit of incentive for members, to make the games more interesting. Starting with this edition, sponsored by Friends of April, members will win prizes such as family lunch and hotel stay at a five-star facility like Marriott Hotel. We will also be using this platform for community outreach through donations to charity and impactful community

projects,” he said.

Friends of April include oil industry guru Larry Osai, West Africa insurance boss, Eddie Efekoha, Multichoice Nigeria CEO, John Ugbe, AAAN President Steve Babaeko and serial Fintech entrepreneur Goke Akinboro.

The new direction will see more competitions and special bi-monthly kitties that will include town hall engagements.The club's big competition schedule will kick off in May with the Ikeja Golf Club Stableforth Cup which will involve members and other players outside the club.

Karim Benzema...fired another hat trick yesterday as Real Madrid subdued Barcelona 4-0 last night

Thursday, April 6, 2023

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Donald Trump to Americans “Our country is going to hell. The world is already laughing at us. I never thought anything like this could happen in America. The only crime that I’ve committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it. We are a nation in decline. And now these radical left lunatics want to interfere with our elections by using law enforcement. We can’t let that happen”—Former American President, following Tuesday’s arraignment in court on criminal charges of falsifying business records.

OLUSEGUNADENIYI ‘Yes, Daddy. Thank You Daddy’ THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

I

deployed creative threads in imaginary Facebook conversations to drive home my point about how Nigerians tear one another to shreds on the internet in my column, ‘Hate in the Age of Charlatans’ on 31st August 2017. Unfortunately, with this recurring madness, the Nigerian social media landscape has become renowned for unbridled toxicity. The situation has worsened following the conclusion of the 2023 general election. The current war of words centres around a (purported) conversation between Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, and Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last election. Incidentally, I was not even aware of the brouhaha until I returned from church Sunday afternoon to receive a WhatsApp message from Valentine Obienyen titled, ‘Obi Versus Oyedepo: Too bad!’

I have known Valentine, Obi’s spokesman, for almost two decades and consider him a friend. In the short (two paragraph) message, Valentine explained what he described as the context to a conversation between his principal and Oyedepo. He also alluded to “our prodigal brother from Nnewi” as the source of the leak. As a regular recipient of messages from Valentine (he writes almost every day), I can easily guess whom he is referring to. Valentine alleged that a committee had been established (he didn’t state by who) to review all calls made by Obi in the last three years for the purpose of charging him for treason. He concluded: “Till now, they are yet to see any. The badly doctored conversation with Bishop Oyedepo released by our Nnewi prodigal brother is the much they have discovered so far. They edited out the Muslim-Muslim ticket that led to the discussion, where Obi said that in a society like ours, religious balancing was a necessary consideration and that their recklessness had made Christians to assume it was a religious war.”

By the time I went online to access the tape, I realized that a ‘civil war’ had already broken out on Twitter. It is the only social media channel where I maintain a semblance of presence, (apart from WhatsApp, the global headquarters of rumour-mongering). I also noticed statements by other actors who distance Obi from the video which they dismissed as “deep fake”. As an aside, I find it amusing that people who only knew Peter Obi yesterday and have no clue about the several battles he and Valentine had fought together were ‘sacking’ his spokesman on their Twitter handle! Besides, the number of people who now issue ‘directives’ on Twitter either in the name of Obi or that of the Labour Party is beyond ridiculous.

Ordinarily, the content and context of the viral audio, even if true, touched on basic rights in a democracy. Adherents and followers of different faiths are first and foremost citizens and are therefore legitimate segments of our electorate. Nothing in the constitution or the electoral law forbids politicians from going to an Imam, Bishop, or Rabi to seek support for their aspirations. The only issue is that appeals for such endorsements must respect the separation between faith and blatant partisanship and not be divisive.

That perhaps explains why the controversy around the audio conversation should not be left for spokespersons who in any case

Peter Obi are busy contradicting one another. I believe that Obi and Oyedepo may need to address the issue directly to clear all doubts.

I am aware of the danger of mixing politics with religion. But since there are discordant tunes about the authenticity of the audio, I want to err on the side of caution until we have clarity. What I find interesting is that those who easily jump to believing negative stories about other people from the same media outfit are now up in arms because this doesn’t align with their own agenda. That should teach them a lesson in fair hearing. But there is another issue here which I have also dealt with in the past and which we cannot afford to gloss over in our own interest. The grievous violation of citizens’ private telephone conversation opens more fundamental questions about our defective democracy than the meaningless chatter over “Yes, daddy”. Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution states very clearly: “The privacy of citizens, their homes, correspondence, telephone conversations and telegraphic communications is hereby guaranteed and protected.”

When you pick up your phone to communicate with a friend, family member, or even casual acquittance, according to Pronoma Debnath, an American Cybersecurity Fellow with the Strauss Center for International Security and Law who has done extensive work on surveillance, artificial intelligence, and digital rights, you do so on the assumption that your conversation will remain confidential. “The ability to communicate securely and privately is extremely important for individuals’ peace of mind, confidence, relationships, and livelihoods,” wrote Debnath.

That unfortunately is no longer the situation in Nigeria.

Breach of confidentiality is an issue we must confront because it touches on the rule of law—the cornerstone of a functional democracy. Even the ‘Lawful Interception of Communications Regulations, 2019’, prescribes stringent conditions under which citizens can be wiretapped by relevant security authorities to forestall abuse. Such action can only be in the interest of national security, for the

purpose of investigating or preventing a crime or giving effect to international mutual assistance agreements to which Nigeria is a signatory. And it requires written application before a Judge supported by sworn affidavits by either the National Security Adviser (NSA) or the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS) or their designees not below the rank of an Assistant Commissioner of Police.

In this age of technology, surveillance can be done in several ways and by actors that do not necessarily work for the state.

Many of the gadgets we use can also be deployed by unscrupulous people with money to procure hacking software for their sinister agenda. To that extent, we cannot always jump to conclusions about sources of information. What we should not tolerate is an environment where phone hacking and dissemination of confidential conversations become a regular feature of our national life. That bodes ill for everyone.

The ultimate responsibility lies with media practitioners who must learn from what happened in the United Kingdom with the ‘News of the World’, a weekly newspaper published every Sunday for 168 years, from 1843 to 2011. One of the numerous publications in the stable of the legendary Rupert Murdock, ‘News of the World’ was at one time the highest-selling English-language newspaper in the world.

But on 7th July 2011, it was forced to write its own obituary over allegations of phone hacking, with a ‘Thank You & Goodbye’ edition that happened to be its last. The painful lesson from the events that led to that tragic end for the newspaper, as I wrote in my column afterwards, is that journalism and journalists cannot live by a code of ethics different from those we demand of others. And the profession is not, and should never be, a licence to break the law.

My intervention was based on the April 2007 gubernatorial election tribunal case between Rauf Aregbesola, then of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Olagunsoye Oyinlola of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The latter had released phone logs containing conversations allegedly held between Aregbesola’s lawyer and a judge. In the case between Segun Oni of PDP and Kayode Fayemi of ACN, also on the 2007 election fiasco, the former also presented phone logs of alleged conversation between then ACN leader (now presidentelect), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and then Court of Appeal President, Justice Ayo Salami.

Questions I raised in my intervention included: “If we assume (and this is just an assumption) that the logs were indeed genuine, how did the petitioners come about them when in law phone companies can only release such to security agencies and only in exceptional circumstances? Could we then assume that in the two instances, the mobile lines of the affected persons were hacked into? Or did someone simply pay some corrupt staff of the affected mobile networks to get those logs? Whatever happened, if phone logs could be easily secured (or more appropriately, procured) by any unscrupulous politician, what kind of security system are we then operating in our country? I feel more worried to learn

during the week that our mobile networks are so unprofessional that even governors now demand call logs, and perhaps also voice and text data, apparently of their political opponents!”

In that piece I also wrote: “Whatever the political motivation for the nonsense going on, there is a bigger issue of national security which is being obscured here: the moment we open ourselves to a situation in which phone logs and other data which should ordinarily be confidential could easily fall into wrong hands, then we are no better than a banana republic. It also means that serious potential investors will be wary of operating on our shores. The sense of outrage that we have seen in the United Kingdom in the last one week shows quite clearly how serious issues of intrusion into privacy of this nature are.

“Without prejudice to whatever investigation the National Judicial Council (NJC) may be conducting into the allegations against Justice Salami, I believe it is much more important for us to get to the root of how politicians now have access to the call logs of their opponents. In a nation where virtually all citizens, from the president to the neighbourhood vulcanizer, now depend on mobile telephone operators (mostly foreign owned), this is not an issue we can afford to take lightly. The office of the NSA should investigate not only whether some call logs are genuine but also how they were obtained. And culprits should be made to face criminal prosecution if only to serve as deterrence to others that such infraction is not an acceptable behaviour in our country.”

Overall, we know that two things can be wrong at the same time. A conversation that imputes an election to be a ‘religious war’, if confirmed, is dangerous to the health of our society. But we should also not condone hacking. Nobody can feel safe when they are being snooped upon by political/business opponents or rogue state agents who may then sell their private conversations to the media. We should not wait until we become victims of such breach before we act.

Meanwhile, it is remarkable that Christians will celebrate Easter this year at a period Muslims are undertaking the Ramadan fast.

I therefore wish adherents of both faiths the compliments of this glorious season. Let us hope the enduring lessons will serve us in Nigeria.

Congrats, Kofar-Mata For professionals in the army, foreign service, civil service etc., career progression is based on hierarchical order. And getting to the top depends on several factors, including vacancy.

It’s even more difficult for diplomats and civil servants in Nigeria where the requirement of federal character makes it imperative that filling such vacancies be based on states of origin. That’s why I was delighted last week when I saw the name of my friend, Yakubu Adam Kofar-Mata (from Kano) among the list of six persons elevated to the position of Permanent Secretary by President Muhammadu Buhari. I congratulate Kofar-Mata and wish him success in his new assignment.

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