FRIDAY 14TH APRIL 2023

FG Cedes Exclusive Custody of Returned Bini Artefacts to Oba of Benin

Decision ends tussle

Emmanuel Addeh and Alex Enumah in Abuja

between monarch, Edo governor

The federal government has in an order of recognition of ownership vested custody and management of

repatriated looted Benin Artefacts in the Oba of Benin Kingdom. The government made the order in

notice No. 25 in the official gazette No. 57 in Volume 110 at pages A245-247, dated March 28, 2023.

The document was titled: “Notice of Presidential Declaration in the Recognition of Ownership and

With 2.8% Growth Prediction, W’Bank Urges Nigeria to Ease Trade Barriers...

Page 8

Ahead of Rerun Polls, IG Deploys Personnel, Logistics in 24 States

Chuks Okocha, Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Daji Sani in Yola

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, yesterday, ordered adequate deployment of supporting

personnel and additional logistics for effective election security management during the forthcoming supplementary elections scheduled for Saturday, April 15. The polls will hold in specific areas across 24 states.

In Adamawa State, the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general election, Atiku Abubakar, implored the electorate in all the places where the supplementary elections would

take place in the state to come out in large numbers and cast their ballot for PDP. Atiku canvassed support for the state governor, Umaru Fintiri, who will be fighting a by-election to

determine whether he would have a second term following the declaration of the March 18 governorship election in the state inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

At the same time, supporters of the two major political parties – PDP and All Progressives Congress (APC) – asked INEC to conduct

Continued on page 5

Tinubu: Atiku, PDP’s Petitions Gross Abuse of Judicial Process

ex-VP’s candidacy balkanised, affected his party's fortunes Dismisses him as a serial loser, recalls his many electoral losses

Atiku's aide on $460,000 forfeiture: You can’t outrun your past

Chuks Okocha and Alex Enumah in Abuja

President-elect Bola Tinubu, yesterday, told the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and his party that their petition against his victory at the February 25 presidential election constituted a gross abuse of the judicial process.

Tinubu, in a preliminary objection he filed against Atiku and PDP’s petition, dated March 21, stated that it was wrong for the petitioners to approach the tribunal with the same issues they had earlier filed at the Supreme Court.

Tinubu dismissed Atiku as a serial loser, saying he has been losing presidential polls since 1993.

The president-elect insisted that he clearly won majority of the votes cast at the presidential election and was rightly declared

AT THE 14TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF DANGOTE CEMENT PLC...

L-R: Group Managing Director/CEO, Dangote Cement Plc, Arvind Pathak; Chairman, Aliko Dangote; Non-Executive Director, Abdu Dantata; Non-Executive Director, Olakunle Alake; and Non-Executive Director; Devakumar Edwin; at the 14th Annual General Meeting of Dangote Cement Plc held in Lagos…yesterday

Says

Tinubu, Biden, El Anatsui, King Charles Make TIME 100 Most Influential People 2023

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Nigeria’s President-elect, Bola Tinubu, President of the United States, Joe Biden, King Charles III and Ghanaian-born, Nigerian-based sculptor, El Anatsui, have been named among Time's most influential personalities in 2023. Also mentioned in the list were Argentine footballer, Lionel Messi, Twitter Chief Executive, Elon Musk and Nigerian professor of epidemiology, Dr Dimie Ogoina, among others.

Time’s annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world accords recognition to people “for changing the world, regardless of the consequences of their actions”.

Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the winner of the 2023 presidential election on February 25 ahead of his rivals. He polled 8,794,726 votes.

According to the Time’s citation on Tinubu, winning an election in Africa’s most populous country is no easy feat. But it noted that Nigeria’s newly elected leader has had nearly two decades to prepare.

“Called Jagaban, or 'leader of the warriors' by his supporters, the now 71-year-old ran in a presidential election for the first time this March. His campaign slogan, “It’s my turn,” was a nod to his role as a long-time political power broker. Tinubu helped restore the country’s democracy in 1999 after fighting military rule and then served two consecutive terms as governor of Lagos.

“But Tinubu’s win with the

ruling APC came in a fraught election and by a slim margin over Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi. It was the first time Nigerian voters contended with a third-party candidate, and many discontented young Nigerians yearning for change pinned their hopes on Obi.

“Marred by allegations of intimidation and vote rigging, the outcome of the ballot is being challenged in court,” the magazine stated.

However, it added that Tinubu now faces a litany of crises in a fractured nation, including deep-rooted corruption, religious insurgencies, and shortages of cash, fuel, and power in a crumbling economy.

“But the president-elect seems aware of his inheritance: “(Nigeria) is one country and we must build it together,” Time quoted him as saying in his acceptance speech.

In addition, Charles’ appearance on the list comes as he prepares for his and Queen Camilla’s coronation on Saturday 6 May.

Some entertainers on the list included US actor, Michael Jordan; US singer, Beyonce; US actress, Angela Bassett, amongst others.

The new monarch appeared on the list under the Icons category, alongside author Salman Rushdie, Chinese dissident Peng Lifa, actor Jennifer Coolidge, trans journalist Imara Jones, and others.

The list pairs awardees with guest contributors who are specially selected to write about them, with British Vogue editorin-chief Edward Enninful penning a tribute to King Charles.

Also mentioned were Mr. Evan Gershkovich, one of the imprisoned journalists in Russia and Iranian reporters Elaheh Mohammadi and Niloofar Hamedi for what the magazine described as their crucial coverage of protests against the regime.

Interim Editor-in-Chief of Time, Sam Jacobs, said the inclusion of Gershkovich as well as Mohammadi and Hamedi on the list on Thursday was meant not

only to highlight the importance of their work, but also to bring attention to their situations and join in calls for their release.

El Anatsui, a sculptor from Ghana who currently lives and works in Nigeria was also listed. His interest in African craft led him to be associated with the 1970s art movement Nsukka group. In 2008 he won the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Biennale.

“El Anatsui is one of the most impactful artists of our time. As a sculptor, he shows an incomparable capacity to experiment with his materials, medium, and process. El collects diverse materials, puts them aside in his studio for years, and then returns to them intermittently, until he figures out the right language for inventing completely new sculptural forms.

"The breath-taking combination of experimental rigour and inspired vision turns such unassuming materials as printer’s plates or liquor-bottle caps into the

magnificent constructions and compositions displayed around the world, from a recent solo show in Seoul to his upcoming commission at London’s Tate Modern.

"Less public, but just as important, is El’s unflinching generosity of spirit. As his career grew, so has his remarkable propensity to support not just other artists but also individuals, families, and institutions in his community in Nsukka and across Nigeria. And he does all this without fanfare, as if it is only but a life mission. That, for me, is the mark of greatness,” a Time citation stressed.

On Ogoina, it stated that he sounded the alarm on a new presentation of Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) that he was seeing in his home country of Nigeria.

“Recognising the importance and potential implications for global spread, he persisted, documenting the potential for sexual transmission

of Mpox and publishing the data in high-impact scientific journals. As the global Mpox outbreak unfolded in 2022, Dimie’s insights became critically important to developing better strategies to prevent and control outbreaks.

“Dimie is also a passionate champion for global health equity. He has often made the point that Mpox is not a new disease and that had the world paid attention sooner, we could have avoided a global outbreak.

“It is this drive that has led Dimie to make significant contributions to the field through his advocacy, leadership, and research,” the magazine said.

Other notable figures and celebrities who have been named on this year’s list include supermodel Bella Hadid, actor and TV host Drew Barrymore, author Neil Gaiman, US fashion designer, Thom Browne, and Mexican activist Maria Herrera Magdaleno.

But Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, lambasted Tinubu for trying to present the $460,000 forfeiture

case as one relating to tax evasion and not drug charges, saying the former Lagos State governor could not outrun his past.

In the petition filed on his behalf by his lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, the respondent observed that six states, comprising Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Sokoto, which were under the control of PDP had approached the

Supreme Court to nullify the outcome of the presidential election.

TINUBU: ATIKU, PDP’S PETITIONS GROSS ABUSE OF JUDICIAL PROCESS winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He observed that the emergence of Atiku as the presidential candidate of PDP balkanised the main opposition party and affected the party’s fortunes at the election.

In their Originating Summons dated February 28, 2023, the plaintiffs had predicated their request on the grounds that INEC did not comply with its Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022. Specifically, they claimed that the failure of INEC to use the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS)

to electronically transmit results of the elections substantially affected the credibility of the process.

Tinubu insisted, “The petitioners herein, through themselves and/or their proxies filed the Originating Summons at the Supreme Court, before filing this petition. The petitioners are maintaining two processes in respect of the same subject and/or complaint of theirs,

FG CEDES EXCLUSIVE CUSTODY OF RETURNED BINI ARTEFACTS TO OBA OF BENIN

Management of Repatriated Looted Benin Artefacts in the Oba of Benin issued on 23rd March, 2023.”

The government by the order said it recognised and vested ownership, custody and management of looted Benin artefacts consequent upon the ‘unfortunate’ British Military expedition known as The Benin Massacre of 1897, in the Oba of Benin as an institution “to the exclusion of any other person or persons and or institutions.”

It added that all repatriated artefacts therefore must be delivered to the Oba of Benin and that the right of the original owner therein affirmed in the Oba, covers all looted Benin artefacts both repatriated and or yet to be repatriated.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Oba of Benin shall superintend on matters of safety and security of any repatriated looted Benin artefacts while the Oba is at

liberty henceforth to engage with national and international institutions in respect of these looted Benin artefacts,” the document stated.

The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, had attempted to douse the tension raised by who should have custody over the artefacts by promising that his administration will not engage in “disrespectful exchanges” with the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, over stolen artefacts.

But the Oba of Benin had warned that the artefacts to be returned, was not the property of the state government or any private corporate entity that is not a creation of the Benin kingdom.

The monarch warned that no state government or any individual could pose to be a legitimate destination for the artefacts to be repatriated, adding that the Benin Royal Museum was designed and will be sited within the precinct of the Palace of the Oba of

Benin from where they were looted.

“The Oba of Benin Kingdom is globally recognised as the traditional ruler, symbol and custodian of the culture, tradition and heritage of the Benin Kingdom and people now located within Edo State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the March 23, gazette stated.

The federal government recalled that following a military expedition in February 1897, known as the Benin massacre, the British Royal Marines invaded the ancient Palace of the Oba, looted and carted away thousands of artefacts of Benin origin from the Palace of the Oba and other parts of Benin kingdom . It stated that after the invasion of the palace and the kingdom, the looted artefacts were taken to different museums and private collections around the world through gifts, loans, exchanges. purchases and other means.

In addition, it said that the earliest known auction of some of the looted artefacts was in 1897, through, an advertisement in the British Times Newspaper in May, 1897, for the sale of the artefacts.

According to the document, as the custodian of the culture, tradition and heritage of the Benin kingdom and people, the ownership and title of the artefacts and other art works such as crafts, creative works and other cultural endowments made of bronze, clay, charcoal, iron, ivory, raffia, silver, wood are attributed ascribed and known to symbolically belong to the Oba.

It noted that the Oba and the Federal Government of Nigeria had been making concerted and frantic efforts to secure the repatriation of the looted artefacts from the custody of all the museums and private collections

Continued on page 8

AHEAD OF RERUN POLLS, IG DEPLOYS PERSONNEL, LOGISTICS IN 24 STATES

a credible rerun in Adamawa State.

The supplementary elections are scheduled to hold in 2,660 polling units and 185 local government areas across 24 states.

A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), said the additional support included the deployment of personnel, operational vehicles, non-lethal weapons, personal protective equipment (body armor), and anti-riot equipment.

Adejobi said the IG had also directed all supervising senior police officers in charge of jurisdictions, where the supplementary elections would be held, particularly, the

supplementary governorship elections in Adamawa and Kebbi states, to ensure the emplacement of adequate manpower and other resources for effective policing of the electoral process.

He urged the electorate in the affected states to come out en masse to exercise their franchise and be law-abiding while maintaining peace and orderliness. He assured them that the police were poised to ensure the emplacement of a proper security arrangement for the supplementary polls to ensure that the elections were conducted in a peaceful and secure environment.

Atiku, in a press release by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, called on

voters at polling units where elections would take place in Adamawa and Kebbi states to ensure that the process of electing PDP governors and federal and state lawmakers was completed in a peaceful manner.

Atku was quoted as saying, “In both Adamawa and Kebbi where supplementary elections shall be held on Saturday, I wish to make a special appeal to the voters in the respective polling units, where elections shall be taking place, to make sure that the PDP enjoys overwhelming support through their votes.

“It is an established fact that the APC has failed the people of this country and, especially, in Kebbi State, the more reason it is incumbent on

the electorate to vote them out and return the PDP.”

Atiku spoke in Yola, where he would be casting his vote on Saturday

The PDP leadership in the state, at press conference in Yola by Director General of the Presidential and Governorship Campaign Council of Fintiri, Awaal Tukur, explained that it was a good outing that successfully elected Governor Ahmadu Fintiri with clear margin of over 31,000 votes ahead of the APC candidate. Tukur added that the votes were credible enough to have declared Fintiri governor-elect.

Unfortunately, he said, INEC declared the elections inconclusive with reruns to be held in some wards and 69 units of the state.

against the conduct of the presidential election held on 25th February 2023.

“This latter petition is abusive of the Originating Summons filed at the Supreme Court and is liable to be dismissed in limine,”

Outside the alleged incompetence of Atiku and PDP's petition, Tinubu stated that claims by the petitioners that Atiku’s election was marred and invalidated by reason of corrupt practices was incompetent and not cognisable under the Electoral Act.

The former governor of Lagos State noted that contrary to the petitioners’ claim of corrupt practices, Atiku and PDP's performance could be traced to internal wrangling in the party.

Tinubu stated, "While the first petitioner claims to be the candidate of the second petitioner at the presidential election under reference, the respondent shall lead evidence that a host of states controlled by the second petitioner and their governors protested against the emergence of the first petitioner as the candidate of the second petitioner and till the date of the election, vowed not to support him, and, they, indeed, did not support his candidature."

He added that at the tribunal, he shall lead evidence to show that Atiku could not even campaign or canvass for votes in some of the states controlled by PDP, including Rivers and Oyo states, where he defeated Atiku by a wide margin.

Tinubu insisted, "The second

Tukur stated, "Despite the fact that the election of the governor was inconclusive and many attempts were made by the APC and some partisan electoral officers to steal our mandate, the people of Adamawa State and members of our great party, PDP, remained calm and composed.

"I make bold to state that while we call for calm engagement and participation of the people and citizens of the state, let us again get to prove to the world that APC did not and cannot win this rerun by popular voting. That is also to sound a word of caution that the PDP will not in anyway fold its arms and allow rigging and any violent procedure to undermine the people’s votes and

petitioner does not have any right whatsoever or howsoever to be returned as duly elected at the election held on February 25, 2023, having lost to and/or been beaten/ defeated by the respondent. The first petitioner, having lost at the election of February 25, 2023, has no right to and cannot be declared as the winner of the election under the Nigerian laws."

Tinubu also disclosed that Atiku "has been consistently contesting and losing successive presidential elections in Nigeria since 1993, whether at the party primary election level or at the general election, including 1993, when he lost the Social Democratic Party (SDP) primary election to the late Chief M.K.O Abiola; 2007, when he lost the presidential election to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.”

Tinubu cited “2011, when he (Atiku) lost the Peoples Democratic Party presidential primary election to President Goodluck Jonathan; 2015, when he lost the APC primary election to President Muhammadu Buhari; 2019, when he lost the presidential election to President Muhammadu Buhari; and now, 2023, when he has again, lost the presidential election to the respondent.

"Further to (iv) supra, it was/ is not a surprise and/or not by accident that the electorate rejected

Continued on page 36

mandate.”

Meanwhile, APC carried out a peaceful protest to the INEC office in Yola to demand credible polls. The APC protesters were led by Supreme Leader of Natives National Movement of Nigeria, who called on the Adamawa Electoral Resident Commissioner not to be intimated in the process of carrying out his constitutional obligation.

Speaking at the INEC office, Mr Smart Edward, frowned on the sentimental campaign against the APC governorship candidate, Aishatu Binani, by the opposition party. Binani called on all the tribes that made up the state to rally round APC to win the polls.

Tinubu Biden King Charles El Anatsui (Courtesy: October Gallery and Jack Shainman Gallery) Ogoina (Courtesy: KC Nwakalor, The New York Times/Redux)

COURTESY VISIT ON FORTH COMING ANNUAL TAX CONFERENCE...

L-R: Registrar, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Dr. Lanre Olasunkanmi; Vice Chairman, 25th Annual Tax Conference Committee, Dr. Odunayo Ani; Founder/CEO, Courteville Business Solutions Plc, Dr. Adebola Akindele; President, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Mr. Adesina Adedayo; Principal Partner, Mazars Consulting, Dr. Sanni Adeyemi and Member, 25th Annual Tax Conference Committee, Mrs Utere Iniobong, during the courtesy visit by the management team of the Institute to the CEO of Courteville, Dr. Akindele to intimate him on the forth coming Annual Tax Conference in Lagos....yesterday ABIODUN

PwC: Proposed NGX’s Tech Board to Promote Growth of Nigeria’s Tech Ecosystem

Dike Onwuamaeze

A new PwC report has stated that the proposed creation of a technology board by the NGX would enable the capital market enhance the growth of Nigeria’s technology ecosystem and give prominence to tech companies in the market.

The report observed that in spite of the growing tech-sector in the Nigerian economy and

significant private funding secured by African tech start-ups over the years, the tech sector is currently grossly underrepresented in the Nigerian capital market. It stated further that out of the 157 companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), only nine companies with a combined market capitalisation of N11 trillion were technology-based companies (excluding traditional banks which have incorporated technology into

their operations).

The PwC stated this in its new report titled, “Growing the Nigerian Technology Ecosystem through the Capital Markets,” released yesterday, which was authored by a PwC Partner, Ms. Omobolanle Adekoya and Senior Manager, PwC, Ms. Elizabeth Ekpo.

It noted that the launch of the proposed technology board by the NGX, “is expected to promote more listings from African technology

2022

companies, create an inclusive environment that would serve as a catalyst for further economic advancements whilst deepening the Nigerian capital market.

“This is also expected to increase the attractiveness of the Nigerian capital market to tech based companies and position the NGX as a preferred exchange hub in Africa.

“In addition, the tech ecosystem would benefit from improved

With 2.8% Growth Prediction, W’Bank Urges Nigeria to Ease Trade Barriers

Debt roundtable expected to ease burden for countries, says IMF boss

Obinna Chima, Nume Ekeghe, Funke Olaode and Ugo Aliogo in Washington DC

The President of the World Bank Group, David Malpass, yesterday, predicted that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would grow at 2.8 per cent in 2023, just as he advised Nigeria’s policymakers to ease trade restrictions and take more steps towards diversifying the economy in order to achieve shared prosperity and sustainable growth.

In addition, he said Nigeria should focus on improving electricity, access to clean water, and more investment in agriculture which according to him would help trigger faster growth.

improve debt restructuring process and ease debt burden for countries.

They both spoke during separate press briefing at the ongoing IMF/ World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC.

Malpass said: “For Nigeria, the growth was 3.3 per cent in 2022 and 2.8 per cent in 2023, within our forecast, and our high priority for the World Bank is shared prosperity in a sustainable way.

“And so, as we think about Nigeria, there are many changes that are needed in order to allow that process to proceed. Nigeria has a big chunk of its GDP is oil and it means that a lot of people in Nigeria are facing poverty and that needs to be redirected.

“Nigeria has trade protection that blocks market development. They have a dual exchange rate that is very expensive for the people of Nigeria to maintain that dual exchange rate system. They have high inflation and not enough diversification of the economy to really make sufficient progress.”

He further advised policymakers in Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African countries to focus on policies that would enhance inclusive growth while using India as a case study of a country that has recorded improved electricity supply, investments in agriculture and investments in infrastructure.

of our duties to them and I want to make a double plea on their behalf. Help them resolve crushing debt burdens and help ensure that the IMF can continue to support them going forward.

governance, transparency, talent retention, funding and long term sustainability amongst others by listing on the Nigerian Exchange.”

It would also address some, “concerns of these startups about likely pricing/ risk premiums and ongoing regulatory commitments that would follow.”

It stated further that, “a healthy ecosystem that creates a balance for all subsectors of the technology ecosystem and ensures the optimal flow of required funding to innovate and grow while strengthening governance for long term sustainability is fundamental to enhancing economic growth.

“Agri-tech, clean-tech, ed-tech, e-health, recruitment & HR, prop-tech, mobility & logistics etc are equally important and require adequate investments to enhance their capacity to contribute to national and regional development,” the report stated.

According to the report, Nigeria

has a fast-growing tech sector mainly driven by the financial services and the telcos.

It, however, pointed out that, “a holistic and inclusive approach must be adopted for the entire tech ecosystem.”

The PwC noted the Nigeria is, “home to over 400 tech startups and ranked 61st out of 100 countries worldwide in the startup ecosystem index9, Nigeria also ranks number one in Africa in terms of venture capital investment destination, leading in both funding and number of equity rounds.

“It accounted for 23 per cent of all equity funding and 27 per cent of the total deal count of $1.2 billion raised in 2022, portraying the country as the preferred investment destination in Africa.”

But despite these impressive performances, the PwC observed that the Nigerian capital market does not optimally reflect the activities of the sector.

Afreximbank Set to Hold Annual Meetings in Ghana

The 30th Annual Meetings of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) will take place in Accra, Ghana, from 18th to 21st of June 2023.

a bold initiative for Africans. The hard work of the past three decades, in pursuit of that vision, has shaped what Afreximbank has become today.

This was just as the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, pointed out that talks from the roundtable on debt initiated by the multilateral institution would help ensure debt sustainability assessment,

“And they also face insecurity across the northern and western regions and its very challenging. And so, the World Bank is working hard within Nigeria, but also working to have an economic system that can be more productive.

For her part, Georgieva added that the global sovereign debt roundtable held on Tuesday, and has already recorded progress. This, she said was expected to ensure that countries with high debt profile have their debt restructured in a manner that gives room for growth.

“On the first, we now have the global sovereign debt roundtable. It is making tangible progress co-chaired by the World Bank, IMF in India as G20 chair, we can group together public and private creditors as well as borrowers first time all of them sitting around the table to accelerate restructuring cases, including those that are covered in the G20 common framework but also those that are not covered by the framework and are pressing.

The event would mark the high point of the Bank’s year-long 30th anniversary celebrations, under the theme, “Delivering the Vision. Building Prosperity for Africans.”

She said: “We have to be mindful

FG CEDES EXCLUSIVE CUSTODY OF RETURNED BINI ARTEFACTS TO OBA OF BENIN

“We met yesterday, I was very encouraged by the positive outcomes. Firstly, we agreed to improve information sharing of macroeconomic projections and debt sustainability assessment at an early stage of the debt restructuring process. located in different parts of the world, for the preservation of Benin culture, heritage and tradition in line with the 1970 UNESCO Convention.

Quoting several conventions, the federal government stated that in consequence of the request for the repatriation of the artefacts, the Oba received some architects repatriated from Jesus College, Cambridge, and is awaiting the release of further looted artefacts .

“As the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and in the exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 5 of the Constitution

of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as altered, l, Muhammadu Buhari, hereby give notice, declare and order that the ownership of the artefacts looted from the ancient Palace of the Oba and other parts of Benin kingdom be and is vested in the Oba

“That custody of the repatriated artefacts, shall, from wherever and whenever they are brought into Nigeria be handed over to the Oba as the original owner and custodian of the culture, heritage and tradition of the people of Benin kingdom in Edo State of Nigeria.

“That repatriated artefacts may be kept within the Palace of the Oba or such other locations within Benin City, or any other place that the Oba and the Federal Government of Nigeria may consider secure and safe, “That the Oba shall be responsible for the management of all places where the repatriated artefacts are domiciled or located and the Oba shall work jointly with any recognised national or international institution to ensure the preservation and security of the repatriated artefacts for the benefit of humanity,” the federal government stated.

It explained that the repatriated artefacts shall not be taken out of the designated custody without the written consent and authorisation of the Oba, and upon such return, the artefacts shall first be inspected and authenticated by the Oba before it is accepted and restored to its designated custody.

“This notice may be cited as the Recognition of Ownership, and an Order Vesting Custody and Management of the Repatriated Looted Benin Artefacts in the Oba of Benin Kingdom, 2023,” the document added.

According to a statement yesterday, “the 30th Afreximbank Annual Meetings and 30th anniversary celebrations will bring together on one platform thousands of people, including African and Caribbean leaders and senior government officials, African, Caribbean and other policymakers, corporate leaders, bankers, academia and other thought leaders.

“The meetings will include the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders and an extensive seminar programme, featuring plenaries and side events.”

The President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Prof. Benedict Oramah, thanked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his government for graciously accepting to host the meetings.

“Thirty years ago, the founding fathers of Afreximbank launched

“Member States, clients, customers and partners, the business and international trade community, all those in Africa and the diaspora who strive for the prosperity of African people are invited to join us in Accra to celebrate the Bank’s achievements and reflect on its future in an increasingly turbulent world,” he added.

Afreximbank Annual Meetings are open to all those interested and/ or active in promoting African trade and supporting the socio-economic development of African economies.

Ghana’s Finance Minister, Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta, noted that, “It is only fitting that the commemoration of this milestone for Africa’s key Trade Finance institution is co-organised by the host of AFCFTA Secretariat, the Government, and people of Ghana, who are determined torch bearers for Africa’s quest for trade expansion and integration.

“This is another opportunity to deepen cooperation and seek African solutions to Africa’s challenges.”

AJALA

Says Nigeria accounted for 27% of total deal count of $1.2bn in Africa in

ROCK REALTY REALESTATE MASTERCLASS...

With N30tn Losses to Petrol Subsidy, Oil Theft, NEITI Calls for Tracking of Nigeria’s Crude Swap Deals

Urges immediate deregulation of petroleum sector Seeks expedited probe of Glencore bribery case

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

As Nigeria continues to count losses to its controversial petrol subsidy policy, oil theft and non-functional refineries to the tune of over N30 trillion, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) yesterday called for a transparent tracking of the country’s crude swap policy, currently overseen by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

Speaking during the ‘Policy

Dialogue

on

Utilisation

of Beneficial Ownership Information on Crude Oil Swap Deals in Nigeria’, held in collaboration with ‘Policy Alert,’ the Executive Secretary, NEITI, Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji, stressed that the ‘resource curse' could be addressed through regular disclosures of extractive information in the sector.

The event which held in Abuja was designed to bring together officials from relevant government agencies, oil and gas industry regulators, civil society and the

media as well as to share data and analytical insights on Nigeria’s crude oil swaps to close identified gaps.

Orji recalled that oil swap dates back to the period when the NNPC received daily crude allocation of 445,000 bpd from the government to refine for domestic consumption.

He stated that the near-total collapse of the country’s four refineries meant that the NNPC could not refine the 445,000 bpd Domestic Crude Allocation (DCA), but exported most of the crude and

then depended on imported refined products for local consumption.

This, he noted, led the country into huge debts and did not guarantee sustained imports of refined products to meet domestic demand. According to him, the debts got so heavy while refined products were scarce with long queues at petrol stations nationwide.

Orji stressed that the government had to find innovative and less expensive ways of making refined petroleum products available for the

CBN Warns Nigerians to Steer Clear of Fake Recruitment Portal

Seeks more public-private participation in green financing

James Emejo in Abuja and Nume Ekeghe in Washington DC

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday warned Nigerians to disregard a fake recruitment portal purportedly floated by the bank.

In a statement, CBN Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Dr. Isa AbdulMumin, said the central bank was currently not engaged in any general recruitment exercise.

This was just as the Deputy Director, Development Finance Department, and Head of Financial Inclusion, CBN, Paul Oluikpe, yesterday, called for more participation by both the public and private sectors in financing green projects. Oluikpe, made this call while

speaking during a session at the ongoing IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings where he spoke on Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) with the theme, ‘Scaling Public-Private Cooperation to Advance Inclusive Green Finance.’

The fake website purportedly lured unsuspecting applicants into divulging sensitive information about their bank Verification Number (BVN) among others and rejected physical disabilities.

However, the CBN spokesman said the bank would, “never request for the BVN of intending applicants nor discriminate against persons with physical disabilities.”

The apex bank, therefore, warned members of the public to be wary

of fraudulent recruitment agents bent on taking advantage of the employment challenge to defraud eligible applicants, particularly young graduates.

AbdulMumin said the bank’s attention had been drawn to a “fake recruitment portal inviting ‘eligible’ members of the public to submit applications in an exercise that will commence soon.

“The fraudulent website lists requirements for eligibility to include, among other qualifications, the possession of a Bank Verification Number (BVN).

“The portal goes on to state that those with physical disabilities are not eligible to apply.”

He said, “For the avoidance of

doubt, the CBN is currently not carrying out any general recruitment exercise and will never request for the BVN of intending applicants nor discriminate against persons with physical disabilities.

“Accordingly, members of the public are hereby warned to be wary of fraudulent recruitment agents bent on taking advantage of the employment challenge to defraud eligible applicants, particularly young graduates. Please be guided accordingly.”

Meanwhile, Oluikpe has called for more participation by both the public and private sectors in financing green projects.

Continues online

Suspend Planned National Population Census Until IDPs Go Back to Their Homes, Ortom Tells FG

George Okoh in Makurdi and Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has asked the federal government to suspend the plan to conduct the 2023 national population and housing census until all internally displaced persons (IDPs) are returned to their ancestral homes.

Ortom, made the call yesterday, when he received a delegation from the Middle Belt Forum led by its President, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, at Benue People's House, Makurdi.

The 2023 population and housing census is billed to start on May 3rd,

2023. No fewer than 43 IDPs were recently killed in an attack on LGEA Primary School Mgban, in Nyiev Council Ward of Guma LGA of Benue State by suspected armed herders.

But the governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur, noted that close to two million indigenes of Benue State were in the IDP camps and would not be counted because they needed to be in their localities before they could participate in the exercise.

Ortom stated that what the federal government must do before carrying out the census was to ensure adequate security for the IDPs in Benue and

elsewhere in the country to go back to their homes to be counted.

According to the Governor, "I want to say that the federal government should suspend the issue of census because it looks like the proposed census is coming with an agenda.

"So, until they are able to restore security and all our IDPs go back to their ancestral lands to give all of them opportunities to be counted in the homes of birth. Because I understand from the National Population Commission that those to be counted must be counted in their localities."

Ortom, lamented that presently,

"there is so much injustice, bias and tribalism," going on in the country and that both the leaders and the people were expected to correct it before the country could move forward.

He particularly decried the sustained attacks on Benue communities by herdsmen over the years in which more than six thousand people had died and property worth billions of naira destroyed with the federal government allegedly doing little to help.

citizens and thus, in 2010, the NNPC introduced oil-for-product swaps as a solution to this problem.

Describing oil-for-product swaps as complex barter transactions in which NNPC and private traders swap crude oil for refined petroleum products, rather than for money, he explained that the two kinds of swaps could not be sustained as there were major operational changes within the NNPC on the management of domestic crude allocation in 2016.

“I wish to use this platform to draw attention to four major issues that civil society should target urgently in their advocacies and set an agenda for the incoming administration.

“The first is the urgent need to make decision on the agitation for the removal of fuel subsidies. The full deregulation of the petroleum sector will permanently lay to rest the conversation around oil swaps.

“NEITI’s latest policy brief titled: ‘The cost of fuel subsidy: A case for policy review revealed that Nigeria expended over N13 trillion ($74 billion) on fuel subsidies between 2005 and 2021.

“The figure in relative terms is equivalent to Nigeria’s entire budget for health, education, agriculture, and defence in the last five years, and almost the capital expenditure for 10 years between 2011-2020,” he said.

He listed the other economic opportunity costs of fuel subsidy to include among others, slashing allocations for the health, education, and technology infrastructure sectors and deterioration of the downstream sector with the declining performance of Nigeria’s refineries and recording zero production in 2020.

In addition, he stated that it has disincentivised private sector investment in the down and midstream petroleum sector, led to low employment generation since the refining process is done outside the shores of Nigeria and worsening national debt.

According to the executive secretary, the policy has further resulted in declining balance of payment, forex pressures and depreciation of the naira, product losses, inefficient supply arrangements-scarcity and its attendant queues.

Quoting from the policy brief on crude oil theft, he recalled that between 2009 and 2020 (12-year period), Nigeria lost 619.7 million barrels of crude oil valued at $46.16

billion or N16.25 trillion. The volume of crude oil losses, he reiterated, represents a loss of more than 140,000 barrels per day.

“Between 2009 and 2018, Nigeria also lost 4.2 billion litres of petroleum products from refineries valued at $1.84 billion. These findings and recommendations on tackling crude oil theft have been submitted to the president through the Presidential Committee on Crude Oil Theft in which NEITI also served as a member,” he added.

On the status of the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), Orji said not much had been heard of the Presidential Steering Committee on the implementation of the PIA set up in 2021 to coordinate the implementation of the Act.

“Not much is in the public domain on the progress of the committee’s work. Civil society should step up advocacies for the conclusion of the committee’s work and submission of its report to the president before the expiration of this administration with clear recommendations to the next administration on what has been done and outstanding work,” he stated.

Orji also noted that the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), which NEITI implements, requires implementing countries, including Nigeria to disclose any contract(s) and licenses that are granted, entered, or amended that sets out the terms and conditions for the exploration and exploitation of oil, gas, or minerals from January 2021.

The PIA 2021, he added, also mandates the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to publish the texts of any new license, lease or contract, or amendment immediately following the granting or signing of such texts. He drew the attention of civil society and other stakeholders to the Glencore bribery scandal, noting that while some culprits had been jailed in some countries, the issue was not taking the front burner in Nigeria.

“The disclosure by the United States Department of Justice that Glencore (One of Nigeria’s oil traders) had paid bribes in various sums, spanning over a decade to some Nigerian government officials at the NNPC to secure crude oil contracts and other business advantages was in the news.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Victoria Crest Homes, Mrs Ichechi Okonkwo; CEO, Rock Realty Limited, Dr. Ibukun Adebayo; with CEO Brilliant Concepts Realtors, Dr. Funke Kehinde; during the Rock Realty RealEstate Masterclass in Lagos... yesterday

SIDELINES OF THE ON-GOING IMF AND WORLD BANK SPRING MEETINGS IN WASHINGTON DC...

Umar-Sadiq: NSIA Has Attracted Substantial Capital into Economy

Says assets grew by

The Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Mr. Aminu Umar-Sadiq, yesterday said the operations of the fund had attracted a substantial amount of capital and value-addition into the country.

He said notwithstanding macroeconomic challenges which had impacted negatively on its transaction, the NSIA had returned a profit over the last 10 years of its existence.

Addressing journalists at the 2022 Performance and Earnings briefing in Abuja, he also explained that the fund’s positive performance over time had endeared it to state governments and the National Assembly – both of whom initially raised objections about the administration of the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF).

Umar-Sadiq said through a well-diversified investment portfolio and costs control measures, the institution had been developed currently to a N1 trillion-asset company.

However, he said the current monetary tightening regime characterised by high-interest rate continued to impact asset valuation.

10.5% in 2022

He said despite the numerous challenges posed by the global economic environment, the NSIA delivered a respectable financial performance, underscoring of its asset allocation and investment strategy.

According to him, in the review period, for the 10th year in a row, the fund has remained profitable, closing the 2022 financial year with net asset of N1.02 trillion in 2022, representing 10.5 per cent growth compared to N919.73 billion in 2021.

However, total revenue earned from its core assets within the three funds and its fiduciary activities in relation to its third-party managed assets, amounted to N11.4 billion, representing a decline of 27.2 per cent from the preceding year.

Essentially, earnings from interest income, infrastructure business revenue, and fiduciary activities' management fees increased by 34.5 per cent amounting to N15.7 billion year-on-year growth.

Also, total comprehensive income closed at N96.96 billion for 2022, a decline of 34 per cent relative to N147. 98 billion in 2021.

The NSIA boss said, “The Authority efficiently managed all its controllable earnings streams, resulting in growth in its non-volatile revenue streams.

“The decline in performance year on year can be attributed solely to fair-value losses on financial assets from externally-managed investments.”

The performance further indicated a continuity of the performance trajectory from the pioneer team to the current one led by Umar-Sadiq, who also assured of continued highquality and steady leadership for the authority.

He said despite the Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous (VUCA) nature of the markets in 2022, the fund continued to post positive earnings through effective management of the resources entrusted in its care coupled with the deft and harmonious working relationship of the board, executive management, and partner institutions.

Umar-Sadiq said, “We are in a fiduciary role for the people of Nigeria, current and future. We are guided by this every day as we recognize the urgent need to leverage the institution’s mandate and fund to support the country’s growth agenda.

“The results that we are presenting today are a continuation of the sterling foundation laid at the NSIA since inception. It is a legacy of achievement that we are

sustaining and improving upon.”

He said, “We are committed to ensuring that Nigeria’s Sovereign Wealth Fund consistently ranks highly in the league of state-owned funds in terms of transparency, governance, and performance.

“Our foray into some new terrains underscores our resolve to ensure that optimal returns are generated through responsible investing. For emphasis, we have on behalf of the present and future generations expanded our focus sectors to include climate finance, renewable energy, innovation, and technology.

“This is in addition to the priority sectors we had maintained over the years namely agriculture, motorways, power, healthcare, and gas industralisation. He also said the NSIA would support the government’s efforts at improving the availability of fertilisers in the country.

Further commenting on the outlook for 2023, the NSIA boss expressed optimism that the returns would be robust despite the local and global headwinds. He said the fund would seek to attract local capital and strengthen institutional capacity to deliver more value going forward.

Umar-Sadiq said, “Nevertheless,

UNAIDS Predicts Significant Reduction in New Cases of HIV in Africa by 2030

Say countries need $29bn annual investments

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS has predicted the lowering of new cases of HIV infection in Africa by 40 to 90 per cent if countries fully finance intervention programmes.

UNAIDS estimated that low and middle-income countries would need investments of $29 billion annually to meet it target of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

It also projected more than seven million AIDS-related deaths by 2030, adding that half of the number could be averted if HIV response was fully financed with right policy orientation.

The research and analysis by Economist Impact, conducted across 13 African countries, said findings showed that fully financing the HIV response would save millions of lives and would produce substantial health, social and economic gains.

It said that by fully financing the HIV response, African countries could get things back on track and be able to achieve the 2030 goals and would produce substantial health, social and economic gains in African countries.

The orgsnisition said that its projections were based on the findings of report titled: 'A triple Dividend: The health, social and economic gains from financing the

HIV response in Africa”

A statement by the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Winnie Byanyima, on the findings as highlighted in the new report, showed that investing in the HIV epidemic would also enhance educational outcomes, especially for young women and girl

It added: “Not only would there be between 40 per cent and 90 per cent fewer new HIV infections, depending on the country, but investing in the HIV epidemic would also enhance educational outcomes, especially for young women and girls, reduce gender inequalities and boost economic growth.”

It further noted that: “This report comes at a critical time with evidence that should act as a catalyst for political decisions to ensure full HIV funding, that will have substantial social and economic outcomes.

"It will put African countries on a path towards building more resilient healthcare systems and be better prepared for future pandemics.

"If the targets for fully financing the HIV response are met in South Africa for example, women aged 15-19 would account for almost 15 per cent of the reduction in new HIV infections by 2030, despite making up less than five per cent of the total population.”

we anticipate that these losses will be minimised, if not fully recovered by 2023 as the global economy starts to recover.”

He said the authority’s 2023 strategy will focus on driving growth through platforms, assessing exit opportunities from existing investments, attracting local currency capital, increasing third-party asset management portfolio as well as leveraging ESG as an asset class. According to him, the 2022 fiscal year was marked by unprecedented shocks, such as the COVID-19 lockdown in China, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, food and energy crises, supply-chain disruptions, soaring inflation, and monetary policy tightening, which precipitously impacted the global

financial markets.

He noted that like other emerging and frontier markets, the Nigerian economy faced multi-dimensional challenges during the year - surging inflation primarily driven by high cost of petroleum products and food prices to declining oil output and weakening currency, thus the prospect for growth diminished as the year wound down.

The NSIA chief executive explained that the reduction in the group earnings in 2022 was primarily attributable to the decline in the performance of the Future Generations and Stabilization funds invested in emerging and developed financial market instruments and exposed to volatility issues within the global markets.

Sahara Foundation Rebrands, to Promote Energy Access, Sustainable Environments

Peter Uzoho

Sahara Group Foundation, the social sustainability vehicle of energy and infrastructure conglomerate, Sahara Group, has unveiled its refreshed brand identity to reinforce its commitment to promoting access to energy and sustainable environments.

The new brand identity unveiled in Lagos, yesterday, included the introduction of the Foundation’s refreshed logo, impact focus, and website to frontline brand, energy, sustainability, and lifestyle journalists.

In a statement issued yesterday and signed by the Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group, Mr. Bethel Obioma, the event also served as a formal introduction of Sahara Group Foundation's new Director, Ejiro Gray, who in December 2022 assumed the new role in addition to her role as Director, Sustainability and Governance, Sahara Group.

According to the statement, the duo of the Sahara Group's Executive Director and Trustee of the Foundation, Ade Odunsi and the Executive Director, Moroti Adedoyin-Adeyinka expressed their delight at the transformation of the Foundation since it was established.

“We are privileged to have been given the platform to serve and Sahara Group Foundation has always been the rallying point for

all employees and our businesses to touch lives responsibly.

“We are delighted that we can now move our impact further as we pursue the overarching aspiration of building sustainable societies,” Odunsi said.

Speaking on the Foundation’s refreshed brand identity, Gray said, “The Sahara Group has undergone some significant business expansion over the years, and in the same vein has repositioned to better serve and create commensurate impact through our corporate Foundation.

“As such, this refresh allows us to reinforce our mission clearly and enhance the impact of our projects and interventions.”

She said Sahara Group Foundation which has positively impacted over two million beneficiaries since inception, had streamlined its activities to foster greater impact and more sustainable outcomes.

“Sahara Group Foundation epitomises everything Sahara Group stands for, serving and making a difference responsibly. We are looking to scale our impact and reach to benefit more individuals, communities, social innovators, and small businesses.

“This brand identity refresh is a perfect springboard for giving wings to our corporate and shared aspirations across our locations,” she said.

James Emejo in Abuja

L-R: Director, Monetary Policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Hassan Mahmud; Special Adviser to the CBN Governor on Financial Markets, Mr. Emmanuel Ukeje, and Chief Economic Adviser to the President, Prof. Doyin Salami, on the sideline of the on-going International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC…yesterday

SON SENSITISATION ON PRODUCT AUTHENTICATION MARK...

FG: Two Million Nigerians Benefited from Govt's Poverty, Growth Strategy Projects in 2022

Osinbajo-led committee approves N250bn for project execution in 2023 budget Says 4.5 million jobs created via rural roads’ construction

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

No fewer than two million vulnerable Nigerians from across the country benefited from projects implemented under the Federal Government’s National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS) in 2022.

According to a progress report presented at the NPRGS Steering Committee meeting, chaired by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, at the State House, Abuja, about 1.6 million smallholder farmers were also impacted under the

Agriculture for Jobs Plan.

The breakdown and other details of the progress report presentation was contained in a statement issued yesterday, by the media aide to the Vice President, Laolu Akande.

Besides, 13,000 youths have been trained under a Technical and Vocational Education and Training programme in six states comprising Lagos, Ogun, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna and Nasarawa, while arrangements were underway to provide similar training for 2000 beneficiaries in Edo State.

Also, more than 8,000 Nigerians

Ensuring Safe Standards in Agriculture Trade Crucial for Sustainable Future, Says WTO

Oluchi Chibuzor

The Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Jean-Marie Paugam, has emphasised the importance of the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) in improving developing countries’ capacity to meet sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards for agriculture trade.

The Deputy DG recently chaired the STDF Policy Committee meeting, where participants reflected on STDF’s work to facilitate safe trade in food, animal and plant products based on the 2020-2024 Strategy.

Speaking during a virtually held meeting, Paugam noted that the meeting was a testimony of STDF being a strong, vibrant and wellfunctioning partnership, noting that the upcoming external evaluation is an opportunity to further strengthen our collaboration.

According to the Deputy DG, global partnerships like STDF are crucial to help farmers, producers, traders and governments in developing countries address some of the main challenges the world is facing today.

“Around us, we are still grappling with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our lives and our economies. Climate change is on the rise and has a clear impact on the occurrence of new pests and diseases, and on food safety,” the WTO Deputy DG added.

“The meeting today is a testimony of STDF being a strong,

vibrant and well-functioning partnership, and I see the upcoming external evaluation as an opportunity to further strengthen our collaboration,” Paugam noted.

The meeting was attended by senior representatives of STDF’s founding partners and donor members represented by France, Germany and the Netherlands as well as STDF developing country experts.

Highlight of the meeting was the approved the terms of reference for the external evaluation by The Policy Committee which would assess STDF’s results and impact in facilitating safe agriculture trade, taking into account the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic on STDF's operations.

The evaluation was expected to generate key lessons and recommendations to inform STDF’s future strategy for supporting developing countries in meeting international food safety and animal and plant health standards. It will cover STDF's global activities, including knowledge work and grants, with an in-depth assessment of results and impacts achieved by three STDF projects on the ground.

The process would leverage the knowledge and insights of STDF members, clients in developing countries, and other organiations involved in SPS capacity development.

Members of the Policy Committee commended the work carried out by STDF and made suggestions to further enhance STDF's global partnership.

were employed in rural roads construction under the Rural Roads programme which built 40 rural roads in 120 communities, covering about 57.3 km across the country.

The NPRGS implementation monitoring update, presented by the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba, said, “following the release of N50 billion, programmes that have achieved 100 per cent completion include: Agriculture for Food and Jobs Plan (AFJP) and Construction of Rural Roads, among others.

“A total number of direct beneficiaries of the implemented programmes currently stands at 1,818,782 vulnerable Nigerians and

a total of 9,527 Nigerians have also been directly employed through the implementation of the programmes so far," he said.

Additionally, at the meeting, the committee approved the sum N250 billion for the execution of projects for the year 2023. Projects scheduled for implementation under the NPRGS for the year include the provision of 100,000 homes for low-income earners which would create one million jobs directly and indirectly, expansion of energy access by providing 1,200 solar street lights in rural communities and six mini-grids for high-capacity productive farming under the

Solar Naija Programme, creation of 4.5 million direct and indirect jobs through the Rural Roads programme which targets to connect about 750 rural markets. Others are provision of N9 billion support for over 1.6 million vulnerable smallholder farmers for the 2023, wet season farming under the agriculture for jobs plan and expansion of the National Social Register with additional three million households.

In an interview with newsmen after the meeting, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, who is also the Co-Chair of the Technical Working Group for the Committee said though

implementation has not reached expected levels, efforts were underway to touch each of the targeted 15 areas of implementation.

According to him, “today, we just came to review the implementation and update on the spending on the projects so far and approval for this year’s projects for the same scheme.

“Based on what was received from the co-chair of the Technical Working Group, over N50 billion have been spent so far. The performance so far hasn’t reached the level we expected. But nearly every aspect of the 15 areas targeted is being implemented in one way or the other.”

Obi: British Govt Yet to Apologise to Me over Heathrow Airport Detention

Emameh Gabriel in Abuja

Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has denied media speculations about a purported statement of apology issued by the British Government in connection with his detention at the Heathrow Airport last week.

The denial by Obi was contained in a statement issued by Labour Party’s Presidential Campaign Council and signed by Diran Onifade.

The statement followed several media reports that stated that the United Kingdom Government has tendered an apology to Peter Obi, describing the Immigration official’s action as appalling. But reacting to the reports, Obi who spoke through his campaign media office, said: "We would like to state emphatically that we are not aware of any such apology, and have not issued any statement whatsoever, in that regard.

"We have been receiving inquiries with regards to a so called apology, purportedly issued by the British Government or any of its agencies, to our Principal, Mr. Peter Obi, in respect of a routine Immigration engagement with him, as he arrived London, for a brief visit, last Friday, the 7th of April

"While we continue to examine any dubious or political motive, on the part of the perpetrators of the identity theft, we have every

confidence in the ability of the British authorities to resolve the matter, to conclusion.

"Mr Peter Obi and the LP/ PCC have since moved on from the incident and continue to be totally focused, on the legal processes before the Election Petition Tribunal towards the recovery of our mandate, which we are firmly convinced, was overwhelmingly expressed by voters, in the Presidential election of February 25th.”

FAO: Closing Gender Gap in Agrifood System Will Boost Global GDP By $1tn

Oluchi Chibuzor

A new report released by Food and AgricultureOrganisation (FAO) has stated that closing the gender gap in agrifood systems could boost global gross domestic products (GDP) of nations by nearly $1 trillion and reduce the number of food-insecure people by 45 million.

Specifically, the new report revealed that tackling gender inequalities in agrifood systems and empowering women reduces hunger, boosts the economy and reinforces resilience to shocks like climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report titled, ‘The Status of Women in Agrifood Systems Report, was the first of its kind since 2010, and goes beyond agriculture to provide a comprehensive picture of the status of women working across agrifood systems— from production to distribution and consumption.

Commenting on the socioeconomic benefits of the report, the FAO Director-General QU Dongyu, stressed the need to tackle the gender inequalities endemic in agrifood systems and empower women.

According to him when this would be done, the world would take a leap forward in addressing

the goals of ending poverty and creating a world free from hunger.

He said, “Efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems depend on the empowerment of all women and gender equality. Women have always worked in agrifood systems.

It is time that we made agrifood systems work for women.

“Indeed, the study explains that closing the gender gap in farm productivity and the wage gap in agricultural employment would increase global gross domestic product by nearly $1 trillion and reduce the number of food-insecure people by 45 million."

The report also indicated that

when economies shrink, women’s jobs go first, stating that globally, 22 per cent of women in the ‘off-farm’ segments of agrifood systems lost their jobs in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to two per cent of men.

The study further confirmed that women were more vulnerable to climate shocks and natural disasters, as resource constraints and discriminatory gender norms can make it harder for them to adapt.

“For example, women’s work burdens, including hours worked in agriculture, tend to decline less than men’s during climate shocks such as heat stress," the report stated.

L-R: Director General, Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Mallam Farouk Salim; Special Assistant to the Director General(SON),Chief Duru Emeka; Deputy Comptroller of Custom, Gaura Duwoh; Director ICD, SON, Issa Sulaiman; and Director Lagos Operation SON, Yeside Akinlabi at the SON Sensitization on Product Authentication Mark, held in Lagos... yesterday SUNDAY ADIGUN

POLITICS

Mbadinuju: Good Governor Wrapped in Bad History

Most of the crop of governors that emerged in 1999, at the dawn of the nascent democracy in Nigeria, did not explore fully, the powers embedded in their offices.

Most of them were free, and because of the rot that the country witnessed under the military rule, they had the task of rebuilding their various states, and the challenges were enormous.

Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju was among such governors.

The news of the death of Mbadinuju was announced on Tuesday, by his family.

His son, Cheta Chinwoke Mbadinuju, Esq, who announced this on behalf of the family said: “With heavy hearts but utmost gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing of our father, grand father, uncle, friend and associate, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, a former governor of Anambra State and elder statesman.

“Odera as he was fondly called, passed peacefully at the age of 78 years on the morning of the 11th of April, 2023 at the National Hospital Abuja after a brief illness, surrounded by his family and loved ones. At this trying time, we pray for God’s grace and mercy upon him and those left behind to mourn him. His funeral arrangements will be announced in due course by the family.”

Mbadinuju, a man credited for his jovial attitude and free-mindedness became governor in 1999. For a state which was just eight years old as at that time, Mbadinuju, a scholar and former media manager was faced with the troubles of building a new state, with all infrastructures in place.

He had set out to achieve this, and had for a man who is very educated, many believed he came prepared for governance, and was credited for the commencement of some of the best infrastructural facilities in the state.

He was however unlucky and was caught in the web of the high power politicking in the state, and what many see as bad advisers, who formed the bane of his government.

In the history of Anambra State, since the return of democracy, Mbadinuju and Dr Chris Ngige, can be said to have suffered the highest level of political turbulence, during their reign.

For Ngige who was later to succeed Mbadinuju, he was kidnapped as some point and made to sign his own resignation.

But for Mbadinuju, the turbulence which his reign in the state witnessed was responsible for his inability to return to office, after his first statutory four years.

He formed part of the few governors at that time, who did not make it back to office in 2003. Besides that, his four-year reign was faced with challenges of all kinds, which included what many believed were political turbulence orchestrated by his godfathers, while the state also witnessed industrial actions by workers, which led to the closure of schools for about one year.

All of these were counted against him, and contributed to making him unpopular.

All of these militated against his tenure, but most unfortunately, even though he was credited for laying the foundation for many infrastructural facilities in the state, he was unable to see many of them to completion because of distractions, causing many in the state to refer to him as the very worst the state can ever afford to have.

While he was alive, many always associated him with bad leadership, without looking at the circumstances under which he failed to perform spectacularly as they hoped.

But upon his death, tributes have poured in from many, while some other people have protested the eulogies heaped on him, when he would have been easily eulogized, while he was alive.

Governor of Anambra State, Professor

Chukwuma Soludo, in his tribute commiserated with the family, while also sympathizing with Uli Community in Ihiala Council Area where he hails from, as well as the entire people of Anambra State for the

loss.

Soludo said: “We note that the late ‘Odera’ will be fondly remembered for passing a law that created the Anambra Vigilante Services, establishing Anambra

State University, Uli, among other legacy projects”.

While mourning him, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation expressed grief over his death. Acting President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Damian Okeke Ogene, in a press statement described the late former governor as good man.

He said: “Mbadinuju played his own role in the socio-economic development of the state. Well, death is a due everybody must pay and you don’t know when. It is sad that Mbadinuju is dead, but I must say that he was a good man and he did a lot for the socio-economic development of Anambra State. We pray God to give him eternal rest and we console his family members to bear the lost with fortitude”.

Some Anambra people who commented on his passing praised him as a good man who was only a victim of bad company, referring to some of those who worked with him.

An Anambra indigene, Emma Okafor, said: “I’m absolutely sorry for this irreparable loss. While alive, Odera was good, and a gentleman, humble and humorous. Unfortunately, his administration was hijacked, suffocated and ridiculed by hoodlums who brought bad name and image to both the Government and the State. I pray God Almighty to grant him eternal rest and his soul a place in His Kingdom, the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss”.

Another respondent, Mr Victor Agusiobo, said: “Odera, may your good soul find entree into the Elysian Fields. Anambra’s most educated governor. You were a victim of bad company and substantial bad press as governor.”

Gbajabiamila as Tinubu’s Chief of Staff?

Ahead of his inauguration on May 29, 2023 as President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, has reportedly begab team building, with Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, said to have been penciled down as his Chief of Staff.

According to a report carried recently by THISDAY newspaper, Gbajabiamila, has already begun to discharge the duties of the chief of staff to Tinubu, having unofficially resumed with him in France, with a view to working out processes and plans, including calendarising his activities.

The Chief of Staff to the President of Nigeria is a high-ranking official who manages the Office of the President. A CoS duties as assigned by the President are primarily focused on managing the flow of information and people and advising the president on various issues.

Over the years, the position of a Chief of Staff has gained much traction to become a vital appointment to be made by a Chief Executive.

The occupier of such position has a crucial role in ensuring the success or otherwise of the principal who has entrusted the role to him during a particular tenure in office.

In terms of access to power, a CoS is presumed to be the first to see the principal and the last to bid him goodnight. Whatever he says about his boss is taken as the truth.

The power of the CoS was witnessed when in 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari, ordered his cabinet to pass all government correspondences and requests through the late CoS Abba Kyari, making him the principal channel of communication between the President and

the government.

As the day for swearing in of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu draws closer, some politicians and his close allies are being considered for some serious roles in his administration.

One of those being considered for the position of the Chief of Staff is the current Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

Speaker Gbajabiamila, 61, could be said to have been prepared for his legislative roles through the various educational institutions he attended, both in Nigeria, and abroad.

He attended Mainland Preparatory School for elementary education and Igbobi College in 1973, where he completed his secondary education. Subsequently, he enrolled at King William’s College on the Isle of Man, United Kingdom for his ALevel. He was accepted into the University of Lagos, Nigeria. He graduated with a Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) with honors in 1983 and was called to the Nigerian bar in 1984.

He first worked for the law firm, Bentley Edu & Co in Lagos, before establishing his own law firm, Femi Gbaja & Co. He then

Tinubu.

earned his Juris Doctor from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School in Georgia, USA, passed the Georgian bar exam in 2001, and set up a law firm in Atlanta.

While in the USA, he actively participated in the election of Bill Campbell who later went on to become Mayor of Atlanta.

Gbajabiamila was first elected to the House of representatives in 2003, to represent Surulere I constituency of Lagos State.

From being a member, he rose in the legislative ranks to become the Minority Whip, Minority Leader, Majority Leader of the House, before eventually clinching the Speakership seat in 2019, after defeating his opponent, Hon Mohammed Umar Bago.

He’s known to be very diplomatic and has been able to apply his leadership skills to deliver on the main functions expected of a legislator.

In the area of constituency representation, Gbajabiamila is known to have attracted several Federal projects to Lagos state, particularly his constituency, Surulere. This has attracted praises to him from his state governor and traditional rulers. It might also be the reason why he has consistently won his re-election campaign since 2003.

The Speaker is currently one of the top Bills and Motions sponsors in the 9th House. He sponsored critical Bills such as the Physically-challenged (Empowerment) Bill 2019; Criminalization of Estimated Billing System Bill 2019; Students Loan (Access to Higher Education Bill), 2019, among others.

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

Early in the week, news of the death of former governor of Anambra state, Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju broke. David-Chyddy Eleke remembers the deceased as one of Anambra’s best, with good intentions for the state.

Udora Orizu writes that Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, seems to have assumed the role of Chief of Staff to President-elect, Asiwaju Bola

Nigeria, Hateful Incitement, Genocide and Rwandan Lessons

Chido Nwangwu writes that Nigerian government and people need to learn from the lesson of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda and ensure that the polity is not unnecessarily heated up by utterances of politicians aides who participated in the recently concluded 2023 general elections in the country.

EPISTLES of ANTHONY KILA

Musings on a Sad Anniversary and Ruinous Obsession

Anthony Kila writes on the ninth year anniversary of the kidnap of Chibok secondary school girls in Borno State and asks if government has left the parents and guardians of the affected girls to their fate.

We have all noticed the hateful inclination and deadly disposition of some desperate political charlatans who claim and parade as leaders across our communities, countries and International environments. For many of them, they revel in the fact that one of the easiest ways to get to power or keep power is to demonize, attack and minimize other groups, especially racial demographics, ethnic groups and relatively small nationalities as less than worthy to lead. Or they will say that they are too dangerous to share or provide leadership for the governance of the country.

It has been witnessed in many parts of the African continent, including Rwanda, Sudan, South Africa, the Congo, Nigeria, the United States, across the Asian continent and parts of Europe.

The most recent brutal show of this level of depravity and hate was during the April, 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, and led primarily by the Hutu paramilitary group known as the Interahamwe. More than one million Rwandans were hacked to death or killed by any means! Sadly, it was a genocidal slaughter the last day that lasted for 100 days. It was bloody and hellish on the soil and air of Rwanda!

I must note that, significantly, Rwandan President Paul Kagame warned, again, on Friday, April 7, 2023, at the Gisozi Genocide Memorial center for more 250,000 genocide victims:

“We cannot ignore things like violence and hate speech that persist not so far from here…. You can also see the same indifference today as we saw in 1994.”

On Wednesday, April 7, 2004, Rwandan President Paul Kagame specifically named Belgium, Britain and the United States for withdrawing their forces when Rwandans needed them, asserting that: “Injustice of powerful nations should be stopped. Rwanda should be a good example to learn a lesson.”

The first, key lesson of the Rwanda genocide is that moral and courageous leadership serve our collective and singular moral interests.

Kagame’s view dovetails with the words of the civil rights icon, Martin Luther King Jr. in his ‘Letter from Birmingham Jail (April 16, 1963) arguing that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justiceAlso,everywhere.”

later the holocaust survivor, Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel, in his book ‘Un die welt hot geshvign (And the World Kept Silent)’ later updated as ‘Night’, wrote: “Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivi- ties become irrelevant. Whenever men or women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that

place must- at that moment- become the center of the universe.”

Biafra. Rwanda. Darfur, and other geopolitical zones of killings and human tragedy are reminders of past and continuing centers of the universe.

Reflecting on the crises of 1994, Gen. Romeo Dallaire, the UN commander whose call for reinforcements was ignored said recently: “The international community didn’t give one damn for Rwandans because Rwanda was a country of no strategic importance.” Bill Clinton was the president of the United States at the time.

On April 7, 2023, in a difficult but frank reflection, Rwanda’s Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Jean Damascene Bizimana, noted that “April 21st was a dark time for Rwanda. We lost almost 250,000 people in various places as the killers moved into the areas where they hid and hacked many…. Forgiving the perpetrators of the 1994 genocide is proof of our unity and resilience. Today, we remember with happiness and appreciation what Rwanda has achieved. Those who still have the genocide ideology, we ask them to stop, learn from us and respect life.”

Truth must be told that there are especially the hired hands and “spokespersons” for many politicial leaders in Nigeria who are spinning mills for hate speech and potentially genocidal incitements. They talk, yell and fulminate without public or personal decorum, without any sense of responsibility and consequence since the elections in Nigeria in February and March, 2023.

They should learn from Rwanda and other places where words became tools for the decimation of ethnic groups, religious identies and nationalities.

One of the biggest lessons of the Rwanda Hutu-imposed genocide is that we have all seen the face of evil; sometimes, they reside among us. The Rwanda genocide is still fresh as the zone where next door neighbors and teenagers used knives and machettes and dane guns and assault rifles to kill those they played soccer with and fetched water from the same stream only a few hours earlier. Hutus set Tutsi houses on fire to destroy the lives of those who sang and played at the churches and village squares.

The slaughter of women and children and all moving objects with any and all available weapons marked a new low in the depravity of malice and prejudice.

The world is watching, as Nigeria’s government does nothing to restrain the people who bring the sword of incitement and violent bigotry!

-Dr Nwangwu, is Founder of the first African-owned, U.S-based newspaper on the internet, USAfricaonline.com, and established USAfrica in 1992 in Houston. Follow him on Twitter @Chido247

Dear Readers

This weekend marks a sad anniversary, it is the nineth year commemoration of the kidnaping of the Chibok girls. Let us remind ourselves that between the 14th and 15th day of April 2014 close to 300 young secondary girls were abducted from their school, a Government Girls Secondary in Chibok, Borno state, a part of the country then notorious for insecurity.

Reports that reached us then was that the school had been closed for weeks for security reasons and that the girls were in school for their final examination. Amid tears, we should see.

This sad anniversary is not just a reminder of the sad fact that the too many girls are still missing, it also reminds us of who we were and who we are as a people.

When the kidnapping occurred nine years ago, the first two worrisome elements for consideration, besides the fact of the kidnapping itself, were those of “how”.

Many people wondered how it is possible for so many girls to be taken away without anyone noticing and raising a useful alarm.

Many of us wondered how it was possible for there not to be enough eye witnesses that would have seen and that could describe where the kidnappers came from and where they went with the girls.

Another major “how” issue that came up was that of “how many”. It became quickly and sadly obvious to us then that the state and school could not give an exact number of how many girls were taken away. Parents were saying one number, school were saying another number and government were giving another.

That was nine years ago, do you think today we can confidently and precisely say how many students are in and out of any school compound? Have we put in place enough measure to ensure that none of our children can be kidnapped without trace?

Just in case we forget, it is worth remembering that one of the main reasons many voted for the then candidate now outgoing president Muhammadu Buhari was the belief and hope that he would lead the restoration of security in general and the return of the kidnap girls or to “#Bring back our Girls” as those who still care about the girls keep saying.

At the heat of the moment, the whole world cared about our missing girls, celebrities and world leaders carried placards and made

statements. There were rallies across capitals of the world. Various government and leaders around the globe offered to help in terms of offering arms and other equipment, human capital and intelligence, the interest was intense and wide.

Nine years later, the world has moved on, they seem to have found other interests and only those who seem to care, apart from the family of the girls, are those that meet under the Falomo bridge in Lagos.

I have observed elsewhere and severally that the gathering under that bridge is more constant and certainly more reliable than many airlines in Nigeria. One of the many lessons to take away from this sad episode is how ruinous is the obsession with foreign intervention.

What is there to gain from this obsession with we calling others to intervene in our woes?

They (foreign leaders and people) sit to chair, get details of our situation offer some platitude and move on to the next show on the big stage called world politics.

We must tell ourselves the truth, everyone has his own troubles, even when they are truly interested in our woes, foreigners do not have the time, resources or even legal backing to fully step in as we may wish or need, hence we need to focus, with resolve, on our issues by ourselves.

While we are at telling ourselves the truth about ruinous obsession, who will tell the leaders and faces of the APC that this their chasing after everything the opposition is doing and saying makes no sense.

By opposition I refer to the Obidents because the main opposition, the PDP, bless them, they are snoozing and they should not be disturbed. General elections are over and so should be campaigns and banters, it does not make sense for a party in power and about to hand over to itself to continue to battle with those that have lost the election.

Sadly, but legitimately, oppositions and those that lost the election have reasons to challenge the results. It is another phase in the electoral battle but this is a battle to be fought in the court room not on the streets or twitter.

-Kila is Centre Director at CIAPS. www. ciaps.org.

AFROBEATS

ECONOMY: NIGERIA BEYOND OIL

JOSHUA J. OMOJUWA canvasses the need to exploit the vast potential of the nation

NOW THAT THE DUST IS SETTLING

The dust raised by the declaration of Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress as the winner of the 25 February 2023 presidential election by the Independent Electoral Commission appears to be settling as the dispute is gradually moving from the noisy protestations on the streets and social media to the serene atmosphere of the courtroom for judicial review.

See page 21

SEPLAT: INTERESTS, INTRIGUES AND FALLACIES

The Seplat issue should be handled transparently and dispassionately, writes DAN AIBANGBE

About three weeks ago, four of the defeated presidential candidates, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, Solomon Okangbuan of the Action Alliance, and Chichi Ojei of the Allied People’s Movement approached the Presidential Election Petition Court with their petitions, asking the court to nullify the election of Tinubu.

The petitions, which came on the last of complaints by aggrieved contestants, claimed in the main that the presidential election was fraught with irregularities and did not meet the requirements of the law and INEC guidelines guiding the electoral process. The complainants made heavy weather of the failure of the electoral body to upload results in real-time to the portal, claiming the act marred the credibility of the poll.

See page 21

EDITORIAL

THE IMPERATIVE OF HEALTH INSURANCE

because he had been indicted in a drug case in the United States around 1992 and that the APC ticket had been rendered invalid by the alleged double nomination of the running mate, Kashim Shettima. He also contended that the failure of the declared winner to score 25 per cent of the votes in the FCT, Abuja vitiated that declaration. senior advocate of Nigeria, who is leading Atiku’s legal team in 2019.

migrated from the streets to social media where they eulogised the submissions of admonished his foot soldiers to respect the sanctity of the court. The prospect of a favourable legal battle would seem to have calmed frayed nerves arising from the electoral routing of their principals.

The INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, had declared Tinubu the winner of the closely contested race on 1 March, saying the APC candidate, posted 8,794,726 votes to beat Atiku, who scored 6,984,520 votes; Obi at 6,101,533 votes; and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, who gathered 1,496,687 votes. He per cent of the votes cast in 29 states of

the federation, four states more than the constitutional requirement.

want the declaration annulled by the court. Curiously, both are claiming victory, telling the court to do justice to their cases. For some moments their claims energised their supporters who saw in them a ray of hope that what they lost on 25 February could still be found in the courtroom. But Tinubu and INEC are damping that hope with their robust reply to the twosome petitions, saying they not only lack merit but that they are also frivolous.

by learned silk Abubakar Mahmood, defended its declaration of Tinubu, contending that he met the requirements of the Constitution and the Electoral Act by scoring the majority of the votes cast, as well as met the second threshold of 25 per cent of the votes in two-thirds of the 36 states of the federation and Abuja. It punctured holds in Obi’s claim that Tinubu ought to have scored 25 per cent of the votes in Abuja to be declared the winner. scoring 25 per cent of the votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory is a condition precedent to the declaration and return of a candidate in the presidential election,” Mahmood argued in the brief, contending that the FCT, beyond being the country’s capital “has no special constitutional status over and above the other 36 states of the Federation to require a candidate in the presidential election to obtain at least 25 per cent of the votes cast in the FCT before being declared winner of the presidential election.”

According to him, “The declaration and return of the second respondent [Tinubu] was not wrongful and was made in accordance with the provisions of Section respondent having scored one quarter states which are beyond the constitutional threshold for such declaration.”

Tinubu and his APC’s lawyers were more brutal as they went for Obi’s jugular, contending that he was not even a validly nominated candidate since he was still a member of the PDP as the 30 April 2022 deadline for the submission of the register of members by all political parties organising primaries for the candidates vying for positions for the 2023 general elections.

Amongst others, the APC claimed that the LP lacked the necessary locus standi to initiate the suit on the grounds that it did not present a valid candidate for that election.

The party said in its preliminary chambers of Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, “The 1st Petitioner[Obi] herein resigned his membership of the PDP on May 26, 2022, and joined the Labour Party the following day being May 27, 2022. The 2nd Petitioner [LP] herein conducted its Presidential Primary on May 30, 2022, which produced the 1st Petitioner [Obi] as the candidate it intended to sponsor in the General Election.

2022, the 2nd Petitioner [LP] is mandated to have submitted its comprehensive register of members to the Ist Respondent [INEC] 30 days before its presidential primary, that is to say, the said register of members must have been submitted to the Ist Respondent [INEC] on or before 30th April 2022.

“The 1st Petitioner as of April 30, 2022, was still a member of the PDP and his name was not and could not have been in the register of members submitted by the 2nd Petitioner [LP] to 1st Respondent [INEC].”

Besides, the APC argued that the LP and Obi’s petition was defective because they failed to join Atiku, who came second, contending that it was impossible to cancel the PDP candidate’s votes without hearing from him. “Alhaji Atiku Abubakar must be heard before his votes can be discountenanced by the Tribunal,” the winning party argued.

On the issue of double nomination by Shettima, the APC dismissed it as a nonissue, stating that it was not only statutebared but had also been determined by the Court of Appeal last month in favour of the vice-president-elect.

Well, now that issues have been joined at the petition court created by the 1999 Constitution as altered, and the Electoral Act 2022, it is hoped that all aggrieved parties will relax their nerves in the belief that the judicial review will do what is right according to law. Sule, a political analyst, writes from Kaduna

The filing of petitions by aggrieved presidential aspirants will douse tension, hopes AHMED SULE

JOSHUA J. OMOJUWA

canvasses the need to exploit the vast potential of the nation

AFROBEATS ECONOMY: NIGERIA BEYOND OIL

D’banj’s hit single ‘Oliver Twist’ became an instant sensation during the 2012 London Olympics, marking the high point of Afrobeats global outreach to that period. Today, over a decade later, Afrobeats has cemented its position as a leading contributor to global happiness. Whether in an Emirates in Las Vegas or festivals in the remotest parts of the world, or some random bar in Guatemala, the world parties to our music.

There should be a museum for these stories, which could be a massive project that would attract people from all around the world. Yemi Alade’s exploits, Ckay’s monumental run, Burna Boy’s domination, Wizkid’s stardom, Tems earning mainstream status, Davido clocking for Nigeria at the World Cup in Qatar, Rema leading a new charge…these and more often happening simultaneously. These times are unprecedented.

There is a Nigerian curiosity that was initiated by Nollywood and has since been enhanced by our music. There are millions of people curious about where the music comes from. Now, the best they are left with is the streams. But like football fans who watch their teams on TV, the ones who can the opportunity to visit the home cities and towns of these clubs.

Events breaking within the corridors of Nigeria’s energy giant, SEPLAT Energy PLC, (SEPL) is assuming a dangerous dimension. The intrigues being initiated by the dramatis personae are upping the ante with rapid acceleration. The Investors, the oil and gas industry and the federal government appear to be deeply involved and intertwined in a typical Russian Roulette!

stakeholders, who dragged the de facto CEO of Seplat, Mr Roger Brown (a Briton) before the Nigerian courts on a number of seemingly contrived issues including abusing the Nigerian President Buhari; racist practices; establishing of foreign same time, the same group petitioned the immigration documents of Mr Brown should

the Comptroller of Immigration! The relevant sections of Company and Allied Matters Act, place the responsibility for the appointment of CEO on the Board shareholders at the next general meeting or extra-ordinary general meeting of the company. Mr Brown is also not a new employee of the company. He has been with Seplat in one form or the order since 2013.

The impact of Afrobeats on Nigeria’s image has been remarkable, but there is more potential to be tapped. It is crucial to be to build a brighter future, just as we did kickstarting its rise to global prominence.

In the 1990s, TV and radio stations went in search of local content for their programming. The government had stipulated a minimum duration for Nigerian and African music on their stations. A lot has been said about how government did nothing in the advent and eventual popularity of Afrobeats but that could not be far from the truth. Our radio and TV stations adjusted their programming, over the years, we went from a people who were comfortable partying on American foremost.

As with many policies, you know how it would start but you have no idea how far it would go. This should not be suggested to mean that the then military government is responsible for the global advancement of Afrobeats – several things are often responsible for phenomena such as this – but writing the story without acknowledging this essential bit would amount to leaving a huge gap that could undermine its integrity. In a certain sense, government has also inadvertently helped with the spread of Afrobeats, this bit in a way it wouldn’t be strikes and those in pursuit of opportunities abroad have been at the forefront of that spread. These days, I do take it for granted when I hear our music pop up anywhere. Okay, not for granted in that absolute sense but it is not the big deal it was say 10 years ago. When something becomes normal, you sort of get used to it. Like repeatedly hearing Rema’s ‘Calm Down’ during the day across the The Strip in Las Vegas.

It is time for the government to make a not even have to be the federal government as there are opportunities for subnational governments in this Afrobeats Economy. music taking the world by storm. Fela’s Afrobeat did that. Majek Fashek achieved some success too, and the likes of Prince Nico Mbanga, William Onyeabor, King Sunny Ade, etc., achieved some acclaim for their

Every December, we see what is possible. The Nigerian diaspora come visiting with their foreign currencies – and some, their newly acquired accents. They are the closest thing we have to tourism. If we worked things out right, Decembers could easily be for Lagos on the global fun calendar. There is no reason why not if most of the Afrobeats superstars somehow converge in the city you need more than stars to attract tourists. You need security and the assurance of safety, a powerful story, you need iconic music venues – not just big halls. You need bright streets and good roads, world class hotels side by side with clean and wellmaintained boutique accommodations. There are trappings of these in Lagos, but to make this a thing, you’d need to provide the enabling environment.

music. They took it with them all over the world and now it has become a global thing. If Nigeria becomes safe enough for its diaspora to make Lagos and several of Nigeria’s cities their party grounds in December, in a short time, those planes will also contain more of their friends and allies. In no time, it would just be people with little or no link to Nigerians who just want to experience the greatness of Nigeria in December.

This will not happen by accident though. Afrobeats’ domination is not an accident. People built and sought out relationships. Sometimes you do not need a big airport, you just need a clean one with professional countries that got me distracted by how clean their airports were and how professional had it at the fore of my mind these were not rich countries. They are just countries who appreciate the connection between visitors and their economy and have committed to ensuring a memorable experience for every visitor. You would always want to return.

the multidimensional impact of reggae music and its variations on Jamaica, its people and values and its economy. Afrobeats and its variations could be that for us. As we celebrate the power and fame of our music, let us remember, there are several layers of opportunities to explore here, and we can’t party into the night thinking this is it. It is not. There is more.

Omojuwa

is chief strategist Alpha Reach and author, Digital Wealth Book

best interest of Nigeria. Needless to say, the group succeeded in obtaining an ex-parte suspended from acting as Seplat CEO.

In response to the perceived injustice due to unfair hearing and outright misrepresentations, the Seplat Board quickly scrambled a legal response that ensured the ex-parte order was promptly vacated and Mr Brown was free to return to the country to fully answer the charges during the hearing of the substantive suit.

To further shed more light on the issues at stake, Seplat is a company of interest to international investors, it is worth close to one trillion naira. Seplat is in the process of completing the acquisition of Mobil Producing Nigeria Limited; Seplat is the foremost Nigerian operator in the on-shore leading supplier of Gas fueling the Nigerian Gencos. The prospects are high.

The worrisome intrigues spiked by the recent Suit No FHC/AB/CR/149/2023 instituted by the federal government, against Seplat Energy, Mr Brown (the CEO), Independent Non-Executive Directors (INEDs) Dr Charles Okeahalam, Mrs Bashirat Odunewu, Prof Fabian Ajogwu, Mr Rabiu Bello, Ms Emma Fitzegerald and the Company Secretary, Mrs Edith Onwuchukwu appears to be stoking the embers of a dying

of Nigerian Immigration Act, 2015.

A cursory examination of the particulars of the charges reveals a lot of contradictions. For instance, the set were accused of employing the CEO without the consent of

Another issue is why bring these charges after you have already expelled the man and not before? Conviction on the charges ought to have been the grounds for expulsion. Also, the content of earlier publications reveals that the immigration documents of Mr Brown were repudiated sometimes after the Ministry of Interior received a petition bordering on racist acts of the CEO, which implies that he had valid documents while serving as CEO! So, at what point were the criminal committed?

To the best of my knowledge, Mr Brown did not enter Nigeria as an Illegal immigrant, neither did he sojourn as an illegal worker. The minute his valid immigration documents were repudiated, the man left the country promptly, pending when the authorities properly and justly resolve the issues. As we speak, Mr Brown is outside the shores of Nigeria. So, why these new criminal charges, which appear like an overkill and an attempt to put paid to his ability to work in Nigeria.

A number of questions and concerns become pertinent at this point. What in Nigeria have on his employment as CEO of a company that operates actively in two prominent jurisdictions? How Britain, if and when the Nigerian courts complete their hearings? How does this epic story help Nigeria’s quest for Foreign Direct Investments, which recent reports say has nose-dived from an average of 25 this year? How does this episode help the corporate governance and ease of doing business perception index of our dear country?

In another development, Seplat has issued a public notice dated April 13, 2023 on this latest development in line with the extant regulations of the Stock Exchange.

In my opinion, the federal government needs to handle this case with diligence and in such a transparent manner that assures the whole world of justice and fairness, because a lot of Nigerians are rising up the corporate ladders in the diaspora.

We must be careful to ensure entrenched personal interests and powerplay do not obscure patriotic necessities and long-term national interests. What goes around comes around. Hopefully, our courts will do justice to this situation as usual and sustain its fort as the last hope of our democratic society.

SEPLAT: INTERESTS, INTRIGUES AND FALLACIES

The Seplat issue should be handled transparently and dispassionately, writes DAN AIBANGBE

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

EDITORIAL

THE IMPERATIVE OF HEALTH INSURANCE

The country should strive to extend health insurance to all citizens

Ayear after President Muhammadu Buhari signed the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Bill into law, stakeholders in the health sector are expressing concerns that there are still huge gaps to cover if Nigeria is to attain Universal Health Coverage (UHC). “We need to have a metric in terms of how much we are spending, who is getting it, and if there is deviation from what one is supposed to be achieving. Accountability is very important,” said health expert, Gafar Alawode, who recently highlighted the low insurance coverage penetration in the country.

As we noted when the NHIS was signed into law, the bulk of the work lies in its implementation. The repealed NHIS could not grow the scheme of the population due to lack of political will. As a result, the country was losing hundreds of thousands of its citizens yearly due to inability to pay out of pocket for at the time was the system-wide inequalities in its implementation, including the lack of cohesion between the federal scheme and the ones promoted by the state governments, private sector, and healthcare providers.

Although many countries, including Rwanda and Ghana, have recorded successes in Universal Health Coverage (UHC), it took Nigeria 18 Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to own a document that now mandates every citizen to be enrolled into an insurance programme for their future health needs. Last year, the president described the scheme as a path towards providing universal health for at least premium. He added that the NHIA will collaborate with state governments to accredit primary and secondary healthcare facilities to ensure the

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

enrolment of Nigerians.

past one year. The NHIA, in collaboration with state governments, private sector, healthcare providers, among others, must set processes in place to see that every Nigerian - from the formal to informal sector, to the unemployed, and other bodies - are enrolled into health insurance schemes. The stakeholders must ensure, this time, there is synergy between themselves. With Universal Health Coverage as the goal, all tiers of government, healthcare providers and the various schemes must ensure the previous disparities they had that limited the implementation of NHIS are put behind them since NHIA promises to start on a clean slate.

As the president stated of a social health insurance in Nigeria would be strengthened with the inclusion of 36 states into the scheme and getting them to set up and manage their own insurance schemes in line with the provisions of the reviewed health scheme. States that are yet to start their health schemes should take models of those who are making progress. They should as well trickle this down to their local governments, communities, wards, and families.

Ordinarily, the main goal of the NHIS is “to

cost-burden sharing for people.” But only a small proportion of Nigerians have prepaid health care. works in a country like ours are many. One, the idea of cashless treatment for those insured makes it imperative for them to get immediate treatment during sudden ill-health while the premium paid on health insurance is usually tax deductible.

Until we can extend health insurance to all citizens, the country’s push for UHC will be a mirage.

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

CHIMAMANDA’S CONTROVERSIAL LETTER TO BIDEN

Never has an open letter about Nigeria detonated with such force as the one multiple award-winning novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie recently wrote to Joe Biden, President of the United States.

The open letter titled “Nigeria’s hollow democracy” and published in the Atlantic, was the writer’s searing reaction to the election of February 25, 2023, which produced Bola Ahmed Tinubu as winner.

Given that Adichie’s galaxy of refulgent books – Purple Hibiscus, Half of a Yellow Sun, Americanah, Notes on Grief, weighty words have wrung a wave of reactions from Nigerians at home and elsewhere.

She chided the US government for congratulating Nigeria on while lashing out at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Washington Post for complicity in the compromised process, and a jaundiced narrative, respectively.

Now, as many as that believed that the election of February 25 was marred by material irregularities, there as just as many who believed that the election was credible but for the creaks of

a work-in-progress democracy.

Adichie is an Igbo who supported Peter Obi, an Igbo, of the Labour Party who came third in the polls and is now in court to reclaim his mandate. Many have dismissed her letter as the Nigeria’s colourful campaigns to promote national unity, and harness a diversity dividend from its over 350 ethnic groups have not masked the fault lines that easily and eagerly come to the fore in an ethnically fragile country. Today, even the Nigerian civil war fought over three decades ago continues to have important consequences in how Nigerians perceive Nigeria.

in the game of letters. Her striking and stylish manner of writing has wowed diverse audiences since she burst into the scene in 2003 with Purple Hibiscus as a 26-year-old. But Yemi Oke, achie epistle and egomania to write a response.

An aspect of his letter titled “Re: Chimamanda’s Seditious Open Letter To President Joe Biden: A Case of Extraterritorial Ethnocentric Politicking of a Non-Resident Nigerian-American” stands out as he eulogised those who have stayed back

in the country to give Nigeria a helping hand as opposed to people like Adichie who have since left the country. to our resolve not to be part of the “brain-drain” syndrome against our dear country, Nigeria, like the writer. Some of us are determined to be “brain-gain” to Nigeria. It is in view of this that we felt taken aback that Chimamanda went below expectations to pen-down a seditious letter against the government and people of Nigeria.”

It may be Intellectual or economic snobbery but those who once lived in Nigeria but now live in the diaspora never fail to capture an acute sense of loss and pain when they talk about Nigeria, no matter the occasion. It is not always pronounced, but it is always there – an aching nostalgia at what could have been.

This lamentation which usually rises unbidden always causes those at home to bristle at those who have left and are doing all they can to pull the country down.

Ike Willie-Nwobu, Abuja

NHIA, in collaboration with state governments, private sector and healthcare providers must set processes in place to see that every Nigerian - from the formal to informal sector, to the unemployed, are enrolled into health insurance schemes

RATES AS AT APRIL 13,2023

Why Nigerian Airlines Cannot Access Credit Facility from International Financiers

Chinedu Eze

Unlike their counterparts all over the world, it has become increasingly difficult for Nigerian airlines to access credit facilities from international financiers, competent sources in the industry have disclosed.

Running an airline is a capital intensive business, which needs high capital outlay. As a result, many airlines in different countries of the world rely on funding from international financiers with single digit interest rate and long-term repayment plan.

To access credit from foreign banks, airline must meet certain conditions, which may include the economic and business status of the country the airline operates from.

Some African carriers like Ethiopian Airlines, Air Maroc, Egypt Air, Kenya Airways, easily gets credit facilities from international financiers, just like their counterparts in Europe, the Americas and Asia. However, for several years, Nigerian commercial airlines have not been able to access loans from financial organisations, including Afrexim Bank and African Development Bank (ADB). Industry experts told THISDAY that country risk, government policies, safety status and airline regulation standards are important factors to be considered before an airline is qualified to access such credit facilities.

A few years ago, Afrijet Airline, which had become defunct,

accessed funds from international financiers to acquire aircraft fleet for its operations. Similarly, Arik Air accessed loan facility from the US Exim Bank to finance the acquisition of seven Boeing B737-700 and eight Boeing B737-800. It also accessed credit from Export Credit Agency of Canada to finance the acquisition of four Bombardier CRJ 900 and four Q400 Dash 8 aircraft. The airline also obtained credit facility from EU Export Credit Agency for the acquisition of two Airbus A340-500 aircraft.

The Managing Director and CEO of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi, attributed the problem to many factors, which include country risk.

He explained that any country that

has high country risk would inhibit airlines operating in that country from accessing such credit facilities. Another factor, he said, is inconsistent government policies noting that any country that changes its policies arbitrarily without long-term development plans might frustrate airlines operating in that country from credit and low insurance premium.

“Some of the factors that could frustrate airlines from accessing international financing could be country risk. There is the issue of forex. How easy is it for you to access foreign exchange? Recently the inability of foreign airlines to repatriate their revenue and inconsistent policies of government are factors that are put into

consideration. The financial institution will look at the airline’s books, the country it is operating in, the policies guiding airline operation and business in that country and if they feel that it would be high risk extending credit facility to that airline they will not acquiesce to that request. It was easy for Arik Air to access those loans because of the goodwill the airline enjoyed then and the country then enjoyed good reputation in international circles,” he said.

Commenting, the Managing Director of Flight and Logistics Solutions Limited, Amos Akpan, told THISDAY that international financiers would not want to invest in an environment where given factors prevail, which include:

no consequences for violation of corporate governance regulations, change of administration could lead to no honouring of agreements and the judiciary could be compromised.

“If you are looking for a territory and environment to invest, you would not choose where the following factors prevail: there are no consequences for violation of corporate governance regulations; where a change of administration in governance could lead to not honouring the obligations entered by the previous administration; the judiciary process is known to be influenced or compromised. Court orders are not obeyed.

With over $50m Investments, NIPCO Consolidates Leadership Position in Gas Business

Ejiofor Alike

NIPCO Plc has invested over $50 million in gas infrastructures over the years to consolidate its leadership position in gas business, the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Suresh Kumar, has said.

Addressing journalists after a recent media tour of the company’s

facilities in Lagos, Kumar promised that the company would continue to make massive investments to take advantage of the federal government’s ‘decade of gas’ policy.

Kumar recalled that the company pioneered the use of gas for vehicular fuel in the country.

“We have spent more than $50 million on natural gas infrastructure over the years. We believe that there

are lots of potential in Nigeria that can be explored for gas utilisation, and this will further boost our economy.

“By using indigenous gas, we can reduce the subsidy burden on the Federal Government. We can reduce the importation burden and that will directly or indirectly save our huge capital flight and there will be more employment opportunities for Nigerians.

“We are the pioneers. We always dream for the future. So we dreamt for natural gas utilisation in Nigeria right from 2008 and we started investing. We introduced this model to the government and say that look, Nigeria is a country that has abundant natural gas and instead of wasting subsidy on petrol, we should be looking at a blueprint of changing the petrol market to CNG market,” he explained.

He said the company currently has about 19,500 metric tonnes combined storage capacity for LPG, with 10 loading bays which can truck-out over 4,000 tonnes per day.

Kumar said the company currently has over 250 branded retail stations for white products and over 100 stations for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), while plans are in progress to build many more.

According to him, the company’s 10 world-class petroleum tanks with electronic radar gauges have a combined capacity of 85 million litres, supported by 10 loading arms and 2 buffer gantries loads over 200 trucks per day.

NANTA to Hold African Tourism Conference in South Africa

The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), in collaboration with the Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA) has concluded plans to organise the maiden edition of the African Tourism Conference to be held in South Africa in May, 2023. The Association also announced that it would also hold its 47th Annual General Meeting in Abuja from April 25 to 27th 2023.

The President of NANAT, Mrs. Susan Akporiaye, who announced the two events on Wednesday, said the event which was created by two industry associations, NANTA and TOUGHA has already been endorsed by

South Africa Tourism (SAT). She explained that in view of that the SAT will be hosting a hybrid multi-layer tourism industry conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, in May, 2023.

Speaking further, the NANTA boss said that both bodies have assembled the best faculty from the University of Johannesburg on tourism enterprise and related businesses, to help define and determine the immediate and future drive of the industry, its profitability and challenges.

“We must appreciate and commend the management of South Africa Tourism (SAT), particularly their teams in Nigeria and Ghana for the special interest in our growth

through knowledge based exposures and assistance to our clients wishing to visit, trade, and immerse in South African hospitality and culture.

“We no doubt hope to sustain the West Coast tourism collaboration between Nigeria and Ghana after the South Africa outing,” she said.

Speaking on why NANTA and TOUGHA decided to pick South Africa to host the inaugural edition of this conference despite the xenophobic tendencies in the country, Akporiaye said: “It is not all South Africans that do not like Nigerians. The people exhibiting xenophobic attitudes towards Nigerians are very few.

Lagos Marriott Hotel Wins sub-Sahara Africa Award

For its excellent guest satisfaction index, gross operating profit and improvement in its total sales, the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja has been announced as the best hotel in sub-Sahara Africa for the 2022 business year. The award was conferred on the company by Marriott International at the just concluded 2023 General Managers Conference held in Abu Dhabi.

According to President/ CEO, Marriott International,

Anthony Capuano, the Lagos Marriott Hotel Ikeja outperformed over 90 Marriott International hotels within the sub-Saharan region in key performance indicators such as gross operating profit, guest satisfaction index and a total sales up by over 45 per cent versus budget to be named the Hotel of the Year for 2022.

The hotel management has also achieved a 39 per cent women inclusion in its

AIR WATCH

Recruitments without Due Process

Chinedu Eze

One of the major characteristics that marred President Buhari’s administration in the aviation industry is the lack of open advertisement for employment throughout the eight years of his administration, even though new persons were recruited every month into the various parastatals that made up the aviation industry.

The recruitments include workers from Level 8 to directors and incidentally the recruitments do not recognize federal character, which indicates that workers should be recruited from different parts of the country equally.

leadership position, a feat that no other hotel in the region has achieved.

While responding to the award, Chairman, Mac-Folly Hospitality, owners of the Lagos Marriott Hotel and a subsidiary of SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, explained that the hotel had continued to weather the storm and achieve many firsts in just less than two years of operations despite the many challenges being faced by the company.

Ibom Air Receives IOSA Certification

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), on Wednesday, formally presented Ibom Air with its Operational Safety Audit Certificate.

The certificate was received by the Ibom Airlines Limited management team, led by the CEO, Mfon Udom, at the Ibom Air headquarters in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, from IATA representatives, which include Area Manager, West and Central Africa, Dr. Samson Fatokun, and Assistant Director Operations, Safety and Security, West and Central Africa, Jennifer Aisha Yeates.

Established by IATA in 2003, IOSA uses internationally recognised quality auditing principles to assess the

operational management and safety controls of airlines to certify them consistently. As a result, IOSA has become accepted as the international standard for airline safety and operational evaluation. The IOSA audit of Ibom Air was conducted in the second half of 2022, just over three years after the airline commenced commercial operations. Ibom Air’s effort was championed by the airline’s Quality and Safety Team, led by Engineer Edem Essien, Group Manager, Quality and Safety.

Responding to the presentation on behalf of Ibom Air, the Chief Operating Officer of Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi, first commended the Ibom

Air team for the landmark achievement. He expressed appreciation for the continuous efforts by staff to make the airline the World Class African Regional Airline as contained in the company’s vision statement.

In his words, “Ibom Air’s achievement of the IOSA Certification at this time is very much in line with our continental aspirations, as we move to position our airline strongly on the African continent. Our strategy to spread our wings across Africa includes establishing multiple interline agreements and excellent cooperation with partner airlines. Being IOSA certified is a pre-requisite for this.”

ARM’S DAAYTA 2023

Final Pitch Holds Today

Emma Okonji

The fifth edition of Deji Alli ARM Young Talent Award (DAAYTA) program, with the finalists’ pitch event, is scheduled to hold virtually on April 14th, 2023. The initiative was established in 2015 by ARM, in honor of its founding CEO, Deji Alli, with the primary objective to support young entrepreneurs who have innovative ideas that can positively impact people’s lives and the communities around them.

Some of the past winners of

the initiative include: Murtala Sanni of WESABI - 2019 Class; Eferobosa Oguegbu of The Paper Packaging Company- 2020 Class; Tope Sulaimon of Scrapays Technologies Limited - 2021 Class and Tunde Adeyemi of D-Olivette Enterprise - 2022 Class.

Following a thorough review of over 450 applications from start-up entrepreneurs across Nigeria, the organisers selected the top seven outstanding companies to pitch their ideas for 2023. The committees’ goal remains focused on identifying

THISDAY carried out investigation on recruitment exercises that did not follow due process in the sector and found out that before the Buhari’s administration took over in 2015, there was recruitment process for aviation security (AVSEC) for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). This was advertised and young Nigerians applied for the job but this recruitment exercise was in the process when the new administration took over. The applicants, it was learnt, were dropped. The new administration did an entirely new recruitment, which was dominated by persons from a section of the country.

Few years ago Ethiopian Airlines announced that it wanted to train Nigerians as pilots, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for its long operation to Nigeria. The programme was allegedly usurped by the Ministry of Aviation, that presented the number of Nigerians to be trained and they were sent to Addis Ababa for the training. After the training, Ethiopian Airlines, THISDAY gathered, wanted to organise a ceremony for the graduation of the pilots and also invite the media to cover it, but the Ministry of Aviation stopped all that because it did not want the names of those who benefitted from the training to be made public. They all came from one section of the country.

Every agency in the aviation industry since 2016 has record of new workers whose recruitment no one knew about. According to an inside source, “People will just come to the officer with appointment letter and tell you they have been employed and you are directed to put them in a department. There are a lot of such recruitments and many of them are not doing anything. What is very disappointing is that they will insist that they will only stay at some airports to work and I learnt that some of them don’t even come to work but they collect salary.”

by bodies like the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) so every employment in the agency is scrutinized, especially in technical areas.

Despite these stringent conditions, there are reports that over 200 new employees were recruited by the NCAA and these recruitments are largely from one section of the country who dictate where they should be deployed to and what grade level they should be given as entry point, in flagrant contravention of the public service rules.

There were indications that similar recruitment took place in 2020, when newly recruited staff with REF: NCAA/ DHR&A/03/1513/VOL.1/192 (name withheld) was given the offer of appointment as an Aviation Safety I on a Grade Level 12 NCAA Salary Scale (NCAASS), which is a contravention of the provisions of the NCAA Scheme of Service which provides that Aviation Safety (I) is for Grade Level 09, while NCAASS 12 is for the job description of Aviation Safety Inspector (III).

In reaction to the alleged lope-sided recruitment, the Head of Aircraft Safety (Director of Airworthiness), Kayode Isiaka Ajiboye, was reported to have resigned his appointment over alleged rot in the agency. Ajiboye tendered his resignation on March 30, 2023, and gave one month’s notice.

start-ups with a minimum viable product (MVP) and at least one customer. The selected startups are Cdial Limited, Moon Innovations, Natibo Technologies Nigeria Limited, Sakula Limited, StackJunior, Strich, Inc. and ThinkBikes Limited. The finalists will have the opportunity to present their pitches virtually to a panel of judges comprising entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals, including Ndidi Nnoli-Edozien, Victor Asemota, Sadiq Mohammed, Folasade Olusanya, Kola Aina, Ina Alogwu, and Tomi Davies.

Since 2016 the number of workers in every aviation agency has significantly increased and in Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), which is now National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the number has more than doubled; yet, it is not on record that there were anytime that vacancies were advertised or known recruitment process took place.

So, under this background it is not surprising about recent reports that there was secret recruitment going on at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). What was galling about the recruitment, however, is that report indicated that people who are not qualified are being recruited into safety critical positions.

The report disclosed that most of the new employees do not possess the minimum requirement for the positions they are to fill and that the under-the-table recruitment exercise is concentrated on one geo-political region of the country.

NCAA performs critical regulatory function with highly trained personnel whose professional activities are monitored

“Ajiboye’s resignation is not unconnected to the fact that almost all of the newly employed who were forcefully sent to the technical directorates with degrees such as Islamic studies and languages, will end up as misfits in the system and may compromise the safety standard he has established for civil aviation operation in the country. If care is not taken to review and reverse where necessary all employments made into the agency in the last one year, it won’t be long before Nigeria begins to experience air incidences and crashes,” a senior staff of the agency was quoted to have said.

Another staff who confirmed the recruitment, told THISDAY that in few years these persons who didn’t have technical knowledge and experience will begin to take important decision in the agency that may jeopardize safety in Nigeria’s airspace, adding that all the recruitments were coming from the Ministry of Aviation without the involvement of the agency.

When THISDAY called the General Manager, Public Affairs, NCAA, Sam Adurogboye to react to the report, he said that he would not react to it because nobody wrote a petition against the recruitment, noting that if there were such petition he would respond to it or issue a statement. “I see this as rumour, so I won’t comment on it,” Adurogboye said.

Sirika

Elusive Radar Coverage of Nigeria

The Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria, which was installed in 2010 was meant to capture, identify aircraft in the airspace and assist air traffic controllers in guiding the aircraft safely to its destination. But since its installation the system has been dogged by inconsistent maintenance programme and endless upgrade, writes Chinedu

Last year, the federal government moved for the comprehensive rehabilitation of the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) and signed a deal with the manufacturer, Thales of France.

The planned upgrade of TRACON, which was commissioned 12 years ago, was billed to cost N4 billion and 15 per cent of the money had been paid. The TRACON project is a major facility, which has eased air navigation and the surveillance of the Nigerian airspace and also enabled real-time search and rescue operations within the country’s airspace.

Before the decision by the federal government to rehabilitate the facility, it has been beset by many problems, which include hiccups in spares replacement, inconsistency in maintenance agreements with Thales and the fact that many of the parts have become obsolete.

THISDAY learnt that this has impaired efficient service delivery; that the users of the system, air traffic controllers, complained of failures in the purpose delivery of service and had at some time resorted to procedural, which is the manual guide of aircraft in the airspace. This system has its limitations. It relies on communication and no visual due to non-use of radar. It is separation based upon the position of the aircraft, based upon reports made by the pilots over the radio. It therefore does not necessarily require the use of radar to provide air traffic control using procedural separation minima. But it reduces the aircraft in the airspace and gives rise to delays of aircraft on ground and in the airspace.

Last year, the acting Managing Director of NAMA, Mr. Mathew Lawrence Pwajok, disclosed that TRACON had a five-year maintenance pact with Thales of France, its manufacturers which had since elapsed. He stated that in order to save cost, NAMA handed over the maintenance to its indigenous engineers, which had saved the federal government billions of naira.

“A whole lot of money has been saved through that action of our engineers to keep the system running. There had been significant improvement in traffic management with the radar. With this radar, we can see traffic up to Accra, Yaounde, Malabo, and many other places,” he said.

TRACON REHABILITATION

Speaking about the upgrade of the project, Pwajok said: “The upgrade of TRACON is ongoing, since 2010, we have not been able to upgrade to the top sky, the upgrade is expected to improve the functionality and efficiency of the system, it will become automated, and they will begin to issue information electronically thereby reducing the workload and pressure on Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) and pilots. The upgrade will cover the entire nation, the nine locations of TRACON. This is all to improve the safety, efficiency and capacity of the airspace”, he said.

THISDAY learnt that the severing of the maintenance agreement might have saved money for the federal government but it injured the capability of TRACON because many broken and outmoded parts could not be replaced, which led to improvisation and improvisation “depreciates equipment when you are not able to get the exact spare that is required.” So inside sources said that the

Eze

system was degraded.

Former Managing Director of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Captain Fola Akinkuotu, confirmed the status of TRACON before the critical intervention to rehabilitate it. Evaluating the status of the equipment, Akinkiotu said: “Well, the situation now has improved considerably, definitely far from where we were in 2017. When I came in 2017, we had virtually severed the relationship with Thales, the company that built it and being the original manufacturers of the equipment, the maintenance contract was allowed to elapse and NAMA did not re-engaged them. But when I came we reengaged them. So we are able to get spares and they were interested in actually working with us. We have gotten to the point where we are able to get spares. Recently we had a situation in Kano, they sent the experts here and they also sent the spares real quick. So our relationship has improved and right now we have the reconditioning contract in place and we are also going to have the upgrade contract in place; so, it is looking good and much better than in the past.”

OBSOLETE EQUIPMENT

Insider sources told THISDAY on Wednesday that due to long time that it took to complete the installation of TRACON, and that by the time it became operational, some of the parts of the equipment had become obsolete. So there is push for constant upgrading of the system, but unfortunately in recent times the spares have become extinct because the radar system in existence now is a significant departure from what was installed in Nigeria in 2010.

“They cannot see the spares and line items again so they need to upgrade the system and do a total rehabilitation of the whole equipment to be in tandem with modernity so it can effectively serve its purpose,” a senior maintenance official in NAMA told THISDAY.

Air traffic controller who has been using the equipment for a long time told THISDAY that from the time the equipment was put into use there was need for the upgrade because not all the functions attributed to it at inception were realised, so upgrade was taking place as the equipment continued to function.

“TRACON has been undergoing this type of upgrading for a long time. We are trying to modernize it. From 2010 it was installed there was a lot of upgrade needed. Now, we want to put the latest technology available. In the consul, the paper strip has been jettisoned and paper strip is now reserved for procedure, which is one of the redundances to TRACON. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has a rule that every service provider must have redundancies, which you must fall back to if the system in use fails,” the Controller said.

Another NAMA official who uses the TRACON equipment also said: “We have been using this equipment for a long time. It needs turnaround maintenance (TAM). We are still using it but it needs augmentation. Recently I heard that the federal government brought in radar equipment from Argentina. NAMA wants to build a new centre for navigation.”

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 12Apr-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

Princess Abiodun Islamiat Oyefusi: Advocating for Women Equality, Empowerment

Princess Abiodun Islamiat Oyefusi may be the daughter of the late Ayangburen of Ikorodu, but she surely did not depend on that to make her mark. A law graduate with merit from Aberdeen Law School, she also holds an MBA in International Business from the University of Hull. The Prince2 Project Management Practitioner is currently an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Governance U.K. and Ireland. But beyond these, she has over 25-year Board and Public Sector experiences developing Governance Framework and managing multi-million dollars projects. She is currently the Governance Partner for TLGPPartnetship. The honourary member of West Africa Women Association is most importantly, a strong advocate for women’s equality and rights working with various legal NGOs such Lawyers Without Borders. She also currently serves on boards of various NGOs such as SoulLifters, Global Girl Child Development. In this interview with Chiemelie Ezeobi, the 2023 Deputy Governorship Candidate for the Labour Party in Lagos State, shared her journey, venture into politics, assessment of the 2023 general elections, her ongoing advocacy to empower women and the project to provide succor for abused women

What do you stand for?

Iam a women advocate and I am part of the lawyers’ forum that supports women. I am also a strong voice for the girl-child.

When you say women advocate, what does that imply?

We continue to lobby for women’s rights and equality in all aspects of life where women are so deprived of equality in terms of null implementation of 39 per cent at all levels.

From the private to the public sector and even from the lowest level of the government right up, in all aspect of work, we need women to be represented on an equal ground and given an opportunity to showcase and serve the people. We will continue to serve women’s right in terms of domestic abuse, legal child, the right to education, destruction of early child marriages, and different aspect of the law that promotes equality for women.

Was Law what you set out to do from the onset?

It wasn’t something I planned to do but along the way, it’s the career path I found myself on, and for me to try the politics and affect where I’m going, affect the people I’m trying to support, I have to know the background how effectively you can achieve the objectives.

So did you always want to go into politics and how did it prepare you for the experience?

Yes, I come from a background of politicians. My father was the late Ayangburen. Hence, it’s an act of service. My uncle, the late Adeniran Ogunsanya was a strong politician, and my aunty, the late Denrele Ogunsanya.

How long have you been an active politician?

I’ve been active in Nigeria since 2014, but I’ve always been in politics right from my university; even when I was overseas I was part of a major political party in the UK.

So how has the journey been so far in politics?

It has been very educational, exciting, and eyeopening. However, you see many gaps in what we need to do and what we aren’t doing right; you know why the girl child should be motivated to go into politics, and you see why women aren’t given a level playing field to compete. It’s difficult to bring women to the forefront of politics, but it’s not impossible.

So what was your reaction when you were picked as the Labour Party Deputy Governorship candidate?

It was quite interesting because I didn’t apply for it. I was still contemplating leaving PDP because it got to the point that I felt they weren’t following the Constitution. They weren’t implementing their party constitution, which put position for all women. We had this national congress to elect the head, and there was only one woman among 22, and I was so disillusioned that how do we carry on from here? We seem to be going down the drain. Even in the Senate, we saw the previous dispensation, there were about 14, and in the current one we are about seven, so we seem to decline.

So I felt like we needed to do something drastic. I was part of the women that went to NASS to campaign for the 35 per cent; I came overseas to participate. So when His Excellency (Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, Labour Party Gubernatorial candidate for Lagos) contacted me to be his deputy because we both were in PDP, he was Lagos West senatorial, I was the East, we already had an aligned program, our vision of the way things should be run in the country, all we need to do to make a difference. Also, we are the true Lagosians, the way Lagos should be would need a Lagosian with the soul and heart, and empathy for the people to push for more. We wanted to bring it to reality.

How do you do it all in business and politics?

What I keep saying to the women is nothing comes free, it’s a struggle but it’s worth it because you’re not doing it for yourself, you’re doing it for the girl child, for the future. If we don’t do it now, lay the foundation, give them the opportunity to

be able to be somebody in future for equality, it’s going to be harder as we go on. So I say to them don’t give up, politics in Nigeria isn’t for the faint hearted, it’s not sweet or rosy, you have to be prepared to put in the work and if you get knocked down, get up and keep going again.

If you don’t get knocked out, you’ve not learnt anything in politics, you can’t be effective to anybody because I’ve said it’s better to journey and build character and experience than arrive and not learn anything. When you journey is when you get the experience and build the character and know where you should be going. But when you just arrive, the place doesn’t mean anything else to you, you don’t value it as much. Yes Nigeria politics is dogged, men’s club but there’s nothing that can’t be achieved. So you’ve got to have the vision, determination and courage to stand up and get it and that’s how we do.

Where you disillusioned at the electoral process and the election itself?

I must confess, I’m very disillusioned. I’m very sad; more than that, it’s confusing you wonder where we are going. First of all, I want to say thank you to all the Lagosians that stood up and voted for us and thank you to the youth for believing we can make a difference.

Secondly, I want to say we are sorry for what they did to the youth. We are very sorry because that is not democracy. When people go out to exercise their civic rights, and they’re beaten and chased away from the polling unit, it’s not what democracy is all about. It gives a wrong impression, especially for the people coming out for the first time.

We are sorry for everyone that got beaten and matcheted. We have four in a coma and over 22 people dead. People are still in the hospital. We want to apologise on behalf of Lagos State and say to the dead that your labour will never be in vain. We pray for eternal rest and mercy upon your soul as we stand.

But this was not the purpose, and we must never allow that to happen because no one should die because they want change. It’s not right. It gives a wrong impression of our nation. It saddens me that we went back to the colonial era because this is the sort of thing we see in the movies, and it’s happening live in our front. It was so bad that I couldn’t even go out because there were shooting at almost four polling units.

They stabbed, beat, and collected their tags. People who looked different from Yorubas were chased from the polling units. One thing I brag about is the election proves Lagos doesn’t belong to any party. We won on the 25th February and this March we won. Even with all the violence, we would say this; Lagosians are tired of the one-party system. We want democracy, but because we have a one-party system, there’s no accountability -- nothing.

Some violence on the February 25th was not as violent as on the 18th, so for me, it’s sad we just went back to the pre-colonial era. You think, are we in the world? Did something happen? And the bigotry, the narrative it’s a war instead of an election, it’s very condescending and difficult to comprehend.

Lagosians are very welcoming. We’ve never had a narrative of such. My father stood and fought for them in Ikorodu and said that land must be given and that they have a right to build their property and business. Even myself, I am more Lagosian than the current sitting governor. So where was the problem? The problem wasn’t about an ethnic group. It was actually about keeping APC in power. It was purely political, but the narrative for the non-educated people they played on people’s emotions and mindset was just wrong.

What about those injured in the elections?

That’s what Labour Party stands for. Our logo is Our Lagos. Lagos belongs to all of us. This is what everybody worked for. Every citizen in Lagos must feel like they’re Lagosians. This is what our manifesto and slogan stand for. Nobody is left behind. We take everybody along with us.

So it’s painful that the current government can come out and deny it although people are in the hospital. We have people at LASUTH that their eyes were gorged out, we were there but they never once came out to apologise to these young people for what democracy did to them.

The government is the constituted authority of that state, you’re responsible for every citizen of that state. It’s your responsibility to offer some sort of empathy to the people but never once has this government come out to do so, all they did was deny that there’s no violence despite the fact that people were in hospital, videos were loaded, there’s hospital bill, they never offered to treat anyone free, they never visited anybody.

Most of the people dead or attacked in hospital they are in Labour Party but there was a dead guy, he wasn’t even Labour Party all he wanted was to vote, but they looked at him and said he resembled an ethnic group and they matcheted him.

But do you think Labour Party could have planned for better security for those that want to vote?

I have to accept that we could have done better but we depended on what we were told by INEC. They told us there would be security at the polling unit. INEC told us BVAS would work, but it didn’t. So at some point you have to trust people given billions to provide a free and fair election. I think that’s where we need to accept that we shouldn’t have trusted the way we did, maybe we should have made our own. Not that We didn’t make provision, we did, but it wasn’t enough.

So what’s your next step, personally and as a party?

We are in court still as you know and we are awaiting the outcome. Personally, for me, it’s time to develop my community. It’s time to reach out and ensure that the agenda of the party is achieved. It’s time to do everything possible and push to the forefront while we await everything positive regarding the outcome of the court.

Based on that, we will determine where I’m going in politics but for me, my life long dream is to see women at the forefront of politics. In

my lifetime, I’m praying to see a woman president, or vice president or governor.

So it’s time to develop the community, it’s time to help the girl child, help the women to empower them, to position them ready for the next elections coming. If they don’t sign our 35 per cent into law, we will get it because politics is not about the court. You have to prove yourself, contend, meet the electorate, and sell them the vision for them to buy it.

What we’ve been doing is trying to build up women, try to help our community flourish. For example, on the 1st of May, we have this community medics van with the support of doctors and medics, the Lagos chapter and the diaspora. We provided the van, and they catered for us. As much as possible, for every community within Lagos state, we are hoping by the end of the year, we will get three, one in the senatorial district.

We are also looking to provide a Safeway House for people who suffer from domestic violence and have been identified. We reach out to them and help them. They have nowhere to go. We can’t throw them back into that environment they were abused.

So we are building the first one. It’s already in the process. We pick them up to help the woman and child from this abuse, give them accommodation to settle down, rebuild themselves during the period and help them back into society.

Another move is that we are also hoping to hold a roadshow of politics to educate the youths so we can change their mindset on what politics is all about, what’s the agenda of each party and the manifesto.

You were recently given an award, what was it about?

I was given the Icon of hope. The award is about people that have distinguished themselves in their field of politics as a beacon of hope for the women and people. It’s a privilege and honour to be given that award because past recipients are key people in society like the Ooni of Ife.

For me, it’s an opportunity to go ahead further in recognition of things that have been done that are impacting people. It’s an honour to be recognised and to see that the award was coming from young people and different community diversity. It gives me hope that the young people haven’t given up on themselves, and not everybody wants to exit... We plan to build young people up so that the local government chairmen and counsellors would be someone that’ll contest as governor or president in the future. So if we build them up, give them that hope and support they need, we know the future is for them.

We can change the narrative because right now, the narrative is wrong as we believe politics is when you make overnight money. It’s just wrong. It brings the bad of society into politics. The belief that the youth would never be given power is wrong. My father always says three rules, the love of God is in a child, the strength of God is in your youth, and the wisdom and patience of God is in the old. So the old is supposed to guide the youth and not rule them, so that’s it.

What life lesson should the youths learn from the life of your late father, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu?

My late father became king at 39. When he was king, he was the longest-serving king of Ikorodu. He brought everything into Ikorodu. He was so good he was the only king that his children never became government commissioners.

Anytime a Governor says to bring one of your children to make them SA commissioners, he will tell them I don’t have any children that want to be SA or commissioner. He would ask them, SA or commissioner, how many people can you employ for my people? How many positions can it create? That’s why you always find Ikorodu people at the top of civil service.

He believed he was put in the position to serve his people. He often said when he gets to His maker, He’ll ask what he did with the position given to him How many of his people did he empower? That’s the kind of service he imparted to us to emulate.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

Oyefusi

Simba Planet Introduces Nike Shoes for Fitness Enthusiasts

Uzoma Mba

Simba Planet, the leading chain of bicycle stores in Nigeria, is excited to announce the launch of Nike shoes in their stores.

This latest addition to Simba Planet’s product range is in line with the company’s mission to provide top-quality, highperformance products to the Nigerian fitness community. For 35 years, Simba has been a trusted name in the bicycles business, offering a wide range of bicycles and accessories to meet the needs of cyclists of all levels.

Now, with the addition of Nike shoes at their Simba Planet stores, customers can enjoy the same level of quality and expertise when shopping for their footwear needs.

Nike is a globally recognised brand known for its stylish and comfortable footwear. The introduction Nike shoes in Simba Planet stores is intended to meet the needs of fitness enthusiasts of all levels. A statement from the company said, “We are thrilled to bring Nike’s latest lines of sports shoes to our stores in Nigeria. As an avid supporter of the fitness community, Simba Planet is dedicated to providing the best products to its customers, and when it comes quality, durability and innovation in

Lagos on Saturday, April 8, 2023

footwear, Nike is the global leader. “

Simba Planet’s launch of the Nike shoes is being supported by a series of instore promotions and social media campaigns. The aim of the campaign

is to create awareness about the new Nike shoes and to encourage fitness enthusiasts in Nigeria to try them out.

Simba Planet is the leading chain of bicycle stores in Nigeria, providing a wide range of cycling products and

THE LORD’S CHOSEN GENERAL OVERSEER REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO WINNING SOULS FOR CHRIST

Mary

Nnah

General Overseer of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, has reaffirmed his commitment and passion for winning souls for Christ as against some people’s belief that he has dabbled into politics.

Speaking last Sunday during a two-day International Crusade tilted, God’s “Covenant of Peace and Blessings” which took place at the Revival Ground of the mega-church at Ijesha, Lagos State, Pastor Muoka made it clear that he is not a politician rather, his only business is winning souls for Christ.

The General Overseer stressed that he has no business with politics and that anybody who uses his name for politics is on his own.

accessories to the Nigerian cycling community. With a passion for cycling and a commitment to excellence, Simba Planet is dedicated to providing the best products and services to its customers.

With over 300 stores, Food Concepts is West Africa’s Largest Quick Service Restaurant Franchisor

Precious Ugwuzor

Backed by technology, consumer behaviour in today’s fast-paced world has markedly evolved from that observed during the industrial revolution.

The information age provides consumerswithnumerouson-the-go optionsinthefashion,entertainment, andfoodsectorstomeettheirgrowing demands.

With Nigeria’s population projected by the United Nations to hit the 233 million mark by 2025, and the International Monetary Fund’s projection of 13.36 per cent gross domestic product (GDP) growth by 2026, the demand for services of the QSRs will also be on the rise. Tobesure,QSRexistedasearlyas the 1960s, albeit with limited menu offerings. However, various factors, suchaspurchasing power, government policies, poor marketing,

non-observance of food laws, and a lack of technological tools to propel sales, have led to their shrinkage or, at worst, demise.

In 1999, Food Concepts Plc, a Nigerian brand, emerged in the food sector and commenced operations 1999. It set out to redefine the face of QSR in Nigeria by first acquiring rights to a few South African-owned franchises and then progressed to establish its first wholly Nigerian QSR, Chicken Republic, in 2004, following a series of corporate restructuring and divestment.

In 2019, the company launched PieXpress, its pastry arm, to cater to mobile, transient consumers with various on-thego baked goods options. The ingenious expansion is a mobile pop-up store housed within the premises of existing Chicken Republic stores and powered by renewable energy sources.

This approach to expansion ensured reduced expenditure for acquiring properties, thus increasing profit margins for the business to channel to other aspects while creating more jobs across all of its 75 locations. Food Concepts has since established The Chop Box with the opening of the second service store in Agungi, Lagos.

With a focus on consistency in consumer experience, Chicken Republic opened its first store in 2005. The brand’s exponential growth isn’t as secret as its closely guided recipes. Food Concepts attributes the growth and sustainability of its brands to its drive to deliver excellent customer service.

The Food concept brand has witnessed continual growth within and outside Nigeria under the leadership of the recently elected Managing Director, Mr

Kofi Abunu. Currently, it boasts over 300 stores spread across Nigeria and Ghana, with a growth projection of 430 stores by next year. To achieve this, it works closely with a team of experts from diverse professional backgrounds, with over 50% of the team comprising women, to establish brand development by conducting market research, creating a brand identity, and establishing a marketing strategy that resonates with its target audience.

Training staff and educating the franchisees on running stores is another important aspect of maintaining brand consistency across all locations. It easily achieves this through the franchise relations that help it understand the level of support franchisees need while leaving room to cultivate a culture of franchisee independence that inspires innovation.

PMI Urges Accelerated Digital Adoption by Tertiary Institutions

Mary Nnah

Project Management Institute (PMI) has once again reiterated the need for tertiary institutions to accelerate digital adoption for massive skill shifts.

The Managing Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, Project Management Institute, George Asamani stated this in a paper entitled ‘Reimagining Higher Education in Nigeria”.

Asamani said that “by some estimates, the pandemic accelerated digital adoption by five years. This “digitalisation at scale and velocity” results in massive skill shifts. Data from Gartner TalentNeuron shows

an outsized number of techies being hired outside of IT. That trend is only likely to accelerate further as organisations demand digital skills far beyond the IT function and deep into other areas of the business.”

According to him, Higher or tertiary education, like all sectors, is fair game for disruption. “We saw a glimpse in the pandemic, where classes were held online, and courseware unbundled from college staples like libraries and cafeterias was delivered directly to devices.

“Overnight, technology automated the traditional

lecture, and logic supports the argument that anything that can be automated will be disrupted. As memories of the tumultuous time fade two years on, remote learning is everything, everywhere, all at once.”

Nigerian tertiary institutions have played a key role in framing national consciousness and identity. They have also played a pivotal role in advancing the economy by delivering skills that saw the country and companies gain dominance on the continent.

For decades, they met the demands of the era, but their agility has now come under

Premium One-Stop Beauty Salon, Curlla Set to Launch in Lagos

Curlla Luxury Salon is set to be the ultimate expression of luxury, created to provide a unique and unparalleled beauty experience, with a focus on personalisation, exclusivity, and exceptional craftsmanship, as launches its flagship location in Lekki, Lagos.

With a team of highly trained

and experienced professionals, the salon will offer a wide range of services, including hair styling and grooming, nail care, and more. Curlla is more than just a hair salon. It is a sanctuary of indulgence committed to creating the perfect atmosphere for clients to relax and rejuvenate

with its state-of-the-art facilities and premium products. With an unwavering focus on providing the highest level of satisfaction, Curlla is poised to offer world-class beauty experiences to its discerning clientele ensuring they look and feel their very best.

deep scrutiny at a time when profound change is sweeping through society.

The PMI boss further stated that the student loan bill passed at the end of last year in Nigeria has divided opinion, with concerns that the lack of employment opportunities could leave students debt-ridden like in the US. Collective student debt in the US has risen to over $1.7 trillion, surpassing auto loans and credit card debt.

Therefore, universities remain the pinnacle of academic achievement, but alternatives are fast emerging in credentialing and certifications.

The launch will take place on April 26th at 3 pm in Lekki, Lagos, and will be an exclusive and invitation-only event. The salon will open to the public on the 30th of April day, and appointments can be made by booking via the Curlla mobile app, WhatsApp, email, and via their social media handles.

He disclosed that at no time did the church insinuate, request, or plead for polling booths to be brought into the church as being speculated, stressing that people who peddle such rumour or allegation are wicked and evil.

He added that he has never sided with any politician or political party, before and will never do such.

“Another one is politics, I have not sided with any political party. They want to create the impression that I am supporting them. I can’t leave the church for political purposes, I can’t. Anywhere you see on social media that say we say, they are thieves, I am here standing for Jesus. You can only come here, we pray for you and we say let the will of the Lord be done.

“I am not in the business of telling you who will win, my business is to prepare you for heaven and ensure you gain heaven at last,” he said.

Muoka also condemned the action of those who use his name to appeal for funds from the public, stating that such actions do not emanate from him.

He maintained that he does not collect money for praying for people while stressing that the church only solicits funds when the church has a project and it is done only in the church therefore stressed that the church does not appeal for funds via social media.

“I don’t collect money for prayer, it’s not from me, we don’t appeal for funds except when we are doing something here for a purpose.

“Some people go to social media, place my picture and put account number, they are thieves, they go to the internet, Facebook, WhatsApp asking people for money, such actions do not emanate from me or the church,” he added.

Speaking on the theme of the programme, “God’s Covenant of Peace and Blessings, Muoka said that God is faithful and cannot lie. On the need to repent and receive the covenant of peace and blessings from God, he said “As you make amendments and turn from your wicked ways God will forgive and heal you. It can never be minus you, everybody will be remembered. Whatever God said, he will fulfill, he has the power; nobody can hinder it.”

The two days service did not go without amazing miracles, deliverance, healing, and Holy Ghost baptism as testimonies of God’s wonderful works ruled the air.

MULTICHOICE ANNOUNCES DATE FOR AMCVA 2023

The Executive Head of Content and West Africa Channels at MultiChoice Nigeria, Dr. Busola Tejumola, has said that the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) for this year will be held between May 18th and 20th in Lagos, Nigeria. The awards which celebrate African movie talents will be a 3-day event starting with a cultural night to the Runaway show and nominee gala. The main awards will be held on May 20, 2023.

According to Tejumola, “This year’s AMVCA will once again demonstrate our intentionality in spotlighting the tremendous talent we have in the African film and TV industry.”

This year’s edition she revealed further, will see the return of the social media category which the fast-rising comedian, Sabinus, took home last year.

She said that the award tagged ‘Best Online Social Content Creator’ recognised the growing acceptance of content creators across Africa.

She explained that there were also categories like the Trailblazer and lifetime awards that are often emotional wins.

“Fast-rising actors in the period under review will be looking forward to winning the trailblazer award, which will mark a major milestone in their career.

“On the other hand, the veterans and Nollywood fans will have their fingers crossed on the African movie legend the award show will be celebrating this year.

“The fashion-forward ‘Best-Dressed’ male and female categories will also return, and attendees will be looking to beat Osas Ighodaro and Denola Grey’s gorgeous looks from last year,’’ she said.

L-R: Akshay Talwar, business head; Sohan Sharma, Executive director and Pradeep Bala Krishnan, HR Director, all of Simba TVS Group at the launch of Nike shoes at the Simba Planet stores, in

The Lord’s Chosen G.O, Muoka

PERSPECTIVE

Otedola: The Evolution and Revolution of His Philanthropy

Femi Otedola, the Geregu Power chairman, is a never-ending, exhilarating, gravity-defying personage and unfolding persona delicately woven into the evolution of business and the revolution of philanthropy. Ahamefula Ogbu reflects on the magnificence of the ingenious and intrepid billionaire and how he balances the art and science of making wealth with looking after humanity through his unrestrained philanthropy

Snug as a bug in a rug, billionaire chairman of Geregu Power Femi Otedola is always in for a penny and in for a pound. A cosmopolitan figure born in the ancient city of Ibadan, West Africa’s largest city. As one of the most famous billionaires on the African continent, his life, family, controversies and businesses are well-storied. Otedola’s serendipity is often spotlighted per the material successes he has achieved. A first-year sexagenarian, the business magnate wears the looks of a fiercely competitive young businessman. Soft-spoken, not often heard speaking publicly, the Geregu chair imbues enigma and energy.

Born to a former governor of Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, Otedola personifies “opportunity meets preparedness,” demonstrating an entrepreneurial ebullience from a young age. With a smile always forming on his face, Otedola’s bearded visage seems to grow more luxuriant with the passing years. His bespectacled calm countenance underlies the billionaire’s depth and simplicity.

On the busy street of Lagos, Otedola, even his immaculate signature snow-white buba and sokoto will almost pass as an ordinary person. His trademark snow-white fashion of buba and sokoto is stylishly simple and symbolic. Handsome and winsome, Otedola exudes self-assuredness in a simple but special sense. His persona as a personage shines through the lives he touches, and he goes the extra mile to impact lives and livelihoods. Otedola’s wealth and way of life seem to be intricately woven together.

As of 2016, his net worth was $1.6 billion. That feels like a century ago.

Otedola, over the years, has brought to his grit, gumption and grace to bear on his businesses. At times, the billionaire has had to stare down the barrel of bruising business misfortune, earning the moniker of “the billionaire who bounced back.” Beyond his extraordinary business dimension and social reflection, Otedola admitted that the rich also cry, especially when his figurative ship hit the iceberg. Since then, the Geregu Power magnate has never looked back, literally and figuratively. Always forging ahead, Otedola has continued to break fresh ground. Futuristic in vision and fervent in passion, the billionaire businessman’s frontiers transcend immediate gratifications and grandeur.

Describing Otedola in superlative adjectives has become cliche. His life story and business history have been chronicled, and not a few can recite them by rote today. Blogs, newspapers and magazines, local and foreign, are replete with the Otedola tale of rising fortune, fame, fashion and fortitude. Yet, Otedola’s story is never-ending, exhilarating, gravity-defying and unfolding.

Otedola smiles, serious-minded. His body language bodes patience, perspicacity and passion for success and humanity. His ventures did not start today. As young as a six-year-old, Otedola was doing well in his grooming enterprise patronised by his family and friends’ circle.

“It was called FEMCO. I’d offer to groom my parents’ guests’ nails. Then, write a receipt and charge them for my service. They paid me too. I always had an interest in business,” says Otedola.

He adds, “God has been so kind. The only way I can show my gratitude to Him is to use my resources to support those who are underprivileged. This I intend to do for the rest of my life. In a world full of conflicts, diseases, calamities and inequality, we all need to show the milk of human kindness, to reach out and comfort the sick and give a helping hand to the weak.”

“You give it back!”

Surrounded by wealth and everything money can buy, Otedola’s grasp of humanity underscores his benevolent worldview of life. He understands the grace of being generous and humane. The billionaire shows by his humanitarian endeavours that he is not a run-of-the-mill,

cold and calculating money-mongering billionaire. He lives a life of philanthropy well-documented in the media and widely narrated by individual beneficiaries.

When the effervescent Otedola celebrated his 60th birthday on a multimillion-dollar luxury yacht, his thoughts transcended the transient. True, he treated himself and his loved ones to the fun of a lifetime, but the celebration cuts deeper than skin-deep.

“A lot of people think when they die, they take their money with them. We’ll see. In my journey of life, I have taken the risk, I’ve done the chase, I’ve enjoyed the thrill, and I have achieved success and recognition. What next?” says the former Forte Oil owner.

What lies ahead of Otedola is imprinted in his past and present. It is the innermost innate essence finding fuller expressions in diverse ways. With each passing year, the business magnate has accumulated a stupendous fortune. But wealth does not satiate his thirst for humanity, the fellow feeling that binds society and helps its inhabitants rise above life’s vicissitude.

Winsome Otedola does not shy away from his opulence. He does not hesitate to make a gracious display of it. The frills, the shrills and the thrills all come in a dazzling package. Otedola’s charming life is filled with the grandeur of imaginable wealth but surpassed by his philanthropic gestures.

“I feel highly privileged. The only way I can show my gratitude to Him is to use my resources to support those who are underprivileged. This, I intend to do for the rest of my life. In a world full of conflicts, diseases, calamities, and inequality, we all need to show the milk of human kindness, to reach out and comfort the sick and give a helping hand to the weak,” says the Geregu Power boss.

Saving children, saving future

Famous for his ingenuity and generosity, Otedola is not known for half measures or to give in small measures. His singular donation of N5 billion to assist children of Nigeria’s terror-ravaged North-East sounded too good to be true. The donation will assist thousands of children and women bearing the brunt of the Boko Haram insurgency, including those living in IDP camps. The donation was made to Save the Children, raising funds for rehabilitating displaced and underprivileged children, victims of insurgency and banditry. But the truth of his extraordinary sense of benevolence is stranger than fiction. In 2020, the THISDAY newspaper honoured him with the ‘Philanthropist of the Decade’ award.

“Since 2019, Otedola has supported Save the Children’s programmes on the prevention and treatment of malnutrition and on advocating for access to quality education for Nigerian children, impacting over 6,000 children in the states of Adamawa, Borno and Katsina,” says the UK-based non-governmental organisation, Save the Children.

The billionaire has made several donations to the Michael Otedola University Scholarship Scheme, established in 1985 by his late father, Sir Michael Otedola, to give underprivileged students in Lagos access to higher education. To date, several hundreds of students have benefitted from the scholarship. His love for children is further illustrated when he donated N100 million to the Otedola College of Primary Education in Noforija, Epe, Lagos. In 2008, he donated N80 million to the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers. When businesses were crumbling, and human lives were on the brink at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic that ravaged the world and humanity, Otedola was among the few benevolent billionaires to save lives and livelihoods from the cold grip of the coronavirus by donating N1 billion “towards

the eradication of COVID-19 across Nigeria. We must all do what we can to flatten the curve.” He was that to fruition.

In 2019, he was identified as the biggest individual donor to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) and was subsequently named by the Silverbird Group as ‘2019 Man of the Year’. The Leadership magazine honoured him as the ‘2019 African Philanthropist of the Year’, citing his “unequalled philanthropy and charitable contributions to society.”

Otedola was the winner in the ‘Leadership in Business’ category of the 2018 Zik Prize in Leadership Awards, instituted in 1995 to award prizes to exceptional leaders in honour of Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nigeria’s first president. That same year, the Geregu Power founder pledged to donate a well-equipped Faculty of Engineering building to Augustine University, Ilara-Epe, in Lagos. The foundation for the building, worth N2 billion, was laid at a quiet ceremony in 2018.

In 2023, the billionaire businessman and philanthropist handed over the completed block of a multibillion-naira faculty of engineering complex to Augustine University in fulfilment of his dream to add lasting value to the institution and its students. Otedola, chancellor of the institution, handed over the complex at an inauguration and handover ceremony. But he is not going to rest on his laurels.

“It is with thanksgiving to God that I express my great delight for today’s ceremony for the commissioning of the first block of the engineering complex of Augustine University. I thank God that my dream of donating the first block of faculty of engineering building has become a reality,” Otedola notes. “On realising that the first building is a fourbuilding complex, during my mother’s 90th birthday celebration last year, I increased my commitment to the engineering complex to the sum of N2 billion.”

Then, he announces: “In fulfilment of this pledge, I am extremely delighted to be also turning the sod today for the commencement of building number two of the engineering faculty complex.”

A firm believer in God, Otedola has spent his life in the fine blend of business and benevolence. In 2005, Otedola contributed at least N300 million to ensure that the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja was completed.

‘Arise O Compatriots!’

Some prominent Nigerians such as Sadiq Daba and Victor Olaotan, both actors and former Green Eagles captain, Christian Chukwu, were rescued from the jaws of death by his philanthropic intervention in their medical issues.”

Some prominent Nigerians such as Sadiq Daba and Victor Olaotan, both actors and former Green Eagles captain Christian Chukwu, were rescued from the jaws of death by his philanthropic intervention in their medical issues. Though now late, Daba and Olaotan’s families’ gratitude to Otedola would remain eternal for coming to their aid in their darkest hours. The late Majek Fashek also immensely benefited from his benevolence. Otedola spent a fortune rehabilitating him when he was stranded in London. He also paid former captain and coach of the Super Eagles Christian Chukwu’s N36 million medical bill, who had surgery at the Wellington Hospital, London, just as he rescued Peter Fregene, a former Green Eagles goalkeeper, who had been bedridden since 2001.

In 2019, he offered to assist ailing Nigerian lecturer Inih Ebong, a former associate professor in the Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Uyo, who was wrongly dismissed from his job in 2002.

Many more philanthropic endeavours of Otedola go unnoticed and unreported. Undaunted, he continues to navigate the unchartered path to the future.

Otedola

FOCUS

CBN’s Emefiele Deserves Appreciation, Not Churlish Attacks

Beyond the gaming of the currency redesign policy by several deposit money banks (DMBs) and the overt and covert moves by many politicians targeting the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele over the new economic strategy, a broad view of his eight-year stewardship shows the banking sage deserves some appreciation, not the attacks, Lewis Chukwuma writes

For a stuttering dollar-denominated, consumption-driven and almost solely petroleum-funded economy plus a misunderstood role of central banks the world-over, recourse to attacking the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Dr. Godwin Emefiele, appears logical, fair game. But a more rigorous analysis of micro and macro-economic dynamics in a transitional national economy suggests this is totally wrong.

At a fundamental level, Nigeria’s economy is not worse than most other comparable commodity exporting emerging economies. But as a consequence of opening up the nation’s economy to “all-comers” and dropping all capital controls by the previous administrations, performance of the economy naturally dipped and required proactive interventions to resuscitate it.

It could be recalled that on October 26, 2022, Emefiele, announced that new Naira notes would be introduced to replace the current 200, 500, and 1,000 Naira notes and that the redesign will take effect from Thursday, December 15, 2022. At the unveiling of the new Naira notes at the State House on November 23, 2022, the CBN boss told newsmen that existing notes would cease to be legal tender by January 31, 2023.

Since this policy enunciation and rollout, all hell broke loose as politicians who allegedly nursed shadowy agendas to corner power in just concluded general elections were seriously threatened. Even some state institutions were curiously roped in to achieve the illegal objective of caging CBN’s Emefiele.

Even some unforeseen dimensions kicked-in. Bandits and kidnappers reportedly offloaded huge consignments of currency sensing it would soon become useless to their quirky entrepreneurship. Many of the daily crimes took a break. Although, the policy spawned tough times for many Nigerians, it gave a glimpse that well enunciated and executed policies could provide the change Nigeria badly needs.

But in all of the Machiavellian plots triggered by the policy to unhorse Emefiele on specious, trumped up charges, one fact stood out starkly and ultimately saved the day: President Muhammadu Buhari who appointed the top banker was stoutly behind him. President Buhari has repeatedly assured Nigerian that he wants to leave an economy reasonably stabilised even against the enervating vagaries of the global village.

Coming then before a crucial general election, especially the presidential poll, the currency redesign policy was perceived to have spooked many politicians who saw the new economic footing as potential disruption of their plots to game the election and achieve pre-planned agenda.

Initial moves by even state security institutions, the judiciary and even the federal legislature to hobble the policy, subtly garbed in the borrowed robes of public interests hardly diverted the focus of the CBN boss.

It could be recalled that Reps’ Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, a protégé of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, unendingly summoned Emefiele to the National Assembly to ‘explain’ the new currency policy. But the perceived subterfuge fooled pretty few Nigerians as they believed other motives were at play.

Ultimately, the Supreme Court proclaimed a specific position on the policy which altered the initial time-lines set for it. The CBN had no choice but comply with apex court as a law abiding institution. The rest is history. Beyond the currency redesign policy the CBN led by Emefiele had birthed several policies

within the ambit of its broad mandate to revive the economy and instigate progression. Despite these efforts some believe he was exceeding his brief.

But Emefiele quickly dismisses the notion in some quarters that his interventions are exceeding the boundaries of his Central Banking brief: “The central bank is an entity within the larger entity called Nigeria. So, when you talk about interference, by virtue of the fact that the central bank is putting in place, policies that would help to engender growth, policies that would help to create job, there is no conflict in that and in fact, it has nothing to do with the independence of the CBN.

“The independence of the CBN is enshrined in the amended CBN Act of 2007, and nothing is altering or in any way, affecting the independence of the CBN. When you say your mandate as CBN is price and monetary stability, it must be price and monetary stability that is conducive to growth, conducive to creating jobs and conducive to ensuring that industries remain alive, whereas the primacy of your mandate, which is price and monetary stability remains intact.”

The efforts by the Emefiele-led CBN are clearly yielding considerable results as seen in the trajectory of key macroeconomic

indicators, the cyclical recovery of the economy since the 2016 recession. These interventions flow from total commitment and passion of a disciplined turf-player who shares the vision of the administration he serves.

Clearly, strengthening the economic recovery process in Nigeria is not a picnic. As it is, the project is being guided by a patriot who believes in Nigeria, who has unflinching faith in the ingenuity of Nigerians and who holds dear, the promise of the nation’s shared future.

There several critical arenas that the CBN’s interventions made considerable impact. In its determined effort to influence economic stability, some analysts believe that the CBN has intermittently veered into areas that are not its core mandate. It could be recalled that the CBN’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, a financing model for small-holder farmers, is part of the Federal government’s efforts to boost the nation’s rice production, supply, and distribution and consumption value chain.

Significantly, the Anchor Borrowers Program (APB) has empowered thousands of rice farmers in the country, while working hand-in-hand with the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN)

to reach the farmers. The CBN in January 2018 said it is determined to make Nigeria one of the largest rice producers and exporters in the world, making her less dependent on petroleum money.

What’s more - the Director-General, Africa Rice Center, Benin Republic, Dr. Harold Roy-Macauley has acknowledged thar Nigeria has overtaken Egypt as the largest rice producer in Africa. The director-general said that Nigeria is now the largest rice producer at 4 million tonnes a year. The latest development is testament to the Federal Government and the CBN’s efforts to vastly improve the production of rice in the country.

According to Roy-Macauley, Egypt was producing 4.3 tonnes annually but production has reduction by almost 40 percent this year, attributed to the Egyptian government decision to limit cultivated to preserve water resources.

Persons who worked so hard to kill the local industries like the once booming textile industry, agriculture - especially grains production, fertilizer production among other items that could easily be produced at home, were angered that Emefiele was reappointed for yet another five long years. Understandably, they cried for his blood.

Putting up with Emefiele’s fiscal responsibility demands is clearly unimaginable for them. So, they must discredit the man and his mandate. Many Nigerians know that without Emefiele’s ban on the importation of over 40 items about two years ago, the nation’s foreign reserve would have been completely depleted. His insistence on local production ensured that an assortment of locally-produced rice graces our tables today.

His compelling foresight in banning these items, ensured remnants of our textile factories still exist. His firm restrictions in forex allocation, his preference to finance production rather than consumption has ensured the current revival in the textile industry, agriculture value chain and drastic reduction in importation of grains from all over the world.

To critical industry stakeholders, this unassuming banking sage certainly deserves kudos for keeping faith and demonstrating uncommon commitment and professionalism in a particularly challenging period of the national journey. Governor Emefiele’s track record of unambiguous performance at the nation’s apex bank stands him out as the horse to back in the high intensity apex finance sector.

Little wonder, many were surprised when the conservative President Buhari backed this quietly focused, high-performance horse at the CBN. It could then be validly said that with his silence, Buhari confused his detractors but with his action shocked them to no end.

It is then little wonder that President Muhammadu Buhari reappointed on merit to serve a second, five-year tenure. Emefiele thus emerges the first apex bank boss to serve two terms since the country’s return to democracy, as well as the second such reappointment in the history of the bank. An unusual elite consensus graciously conceded that merit persuaded the president’s swift, executive action.

With little question, Emefiele has admirably deployed governance skills groomed in the stern, high-octane, financial industry, to effectively drive CBN’s command-room, these past eight years. And there have been extreme challenges to booth.

Emefiele

Yusuf Urges Insurance, Pension Operators to Prioritise Customer Satisfaction

Ebere Nwoji

Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr. Musa Yusuf, has urged insurance and pension operators to prioritise customer satisfaction to increase the efficiency of both sectors.

Yusuf said this in a paper titled, “Customer Satisfaction in Deepening Penetration in Insurance and Pension Sectors,” at the seventh edition of BusinessToday Conference held in Lagos.

He said before both sectors could attract more Nigerians, there is a need for operators to treat customers the way they would like to be treated, not the way they think they

want to be treated, “There is risk of making assumptions about customers’ expectations and developing features and services your customers don’t find valuable.”

Yusuf described excellent customer service as a brand maker, saying, no matter the industry, it helped to develop revenue generation, maintain customer loyalty and improve the overall business strategy. He said customer expectation was critical to customer satisfaction, and that customer satisfaction was about the ability to meet customers’ expectations.

According to him, 68 per cent of consumers say they were willing to pay more

for products and services from a brand known to offer good customer service experiences.

“For 86 per cent, good customer service turns one-time clients into longterm brand champions; 89 per cent of consumers are more likely to make another purchase after a positive customer service experience. About 93 per cent of customers are likely to make repeat purchases with companies who offer excellent customer service.

If the company’s customer service is excellent, 78 per cent of consumers will do business with them again after a mistake,” Yusuf explained.

Two Nigerian Undergraduates bags CISI Educational Trust Global Awards

Two Nigerian undergraduate students have clinched the CISI Educational Trust Awards.

This year’s CISI Educational Trust Awards were expanded to include universities from overseas and the Awards celebrate excellence amongst undergraduates and postgraduate students annually.

The winners, Oluchi Ajieh from the University of Lagos, emerged the overall winner in Africa while Favour Dibia of Covenant University, Ogun State was the runner up.

The two winners were celebrated at the CISI Members Forum, organised by the global body, in Lagos recently .

Announcing the winners, the CISI Country Representatives

(Nigeria), Dr John Osuoha, explained that the CISI Educational Trust Global Awards were designed by the CISI to encourage young ones to develop interest in the global financial market and aspire to acquire certifications that would enhance their skills and competencies as future leaders in the securities and investment profession worldwide.

According to Osuoha, both the University of Lagos and Covenant University used verifiable means to screen the candidates that represented each University. He noted that this manifested in the top performance of both students as the overall best

and runner up respectively in Africa.

“Today, we awarded two students who participated in our Educational Trust Global Awards competition. This is the first time that students in Nigeria are participating. Ajieh received 2000 British Pound Sterlings while Dibia was rewarded with Five Hundred Pound Sterling.

“We have engagements with private and public universities. We have courses for undergraduates from 100 level to final year on integrity, competence and preparation for leadership and a greater role in the future. This is in the spirit of catch them young, ”Osuoha said.

BeerTech Africa, International Breweries Rewards Beerkathon Winners

Beerkathon, a tech initiative aimed at encouraging inclusion in the tech industry culminated with the emergence of 3 winners at an awards ceremony organized by BeerTech Africa, the Tech arm of International Breweries Plc, a proud member of AB InBev, the world’s largest beer maker with over 500 beer brands.

The initiative targeted females 18 years and above in technology and innovation, tasking them with businessspecific problems to proffer creative solutions to.

In his welcome address, People Director, International Breweries Plc, Michael Odutayo explained that as a leading technology-driven brewery, IBPLC recognizes the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the tech industry.

According to him, “Beerkathon is dedicated to recognizing the brilliant minds and innovative spirits of women in technology, and we are honored to be able to provide a platform for them to showcase their skills.

We believe that supporting and empowering women in technology is the right thing to do and makes good business sense. We recognize that our company’s success depends on the talent and diversity of our workforce, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.”

A member of the grand prize-winning team, Omotola Ligali, who was visibly excited after her team was announced said, “Tech has no value if it cannot provide localized solutions. You either innovate or

die and Beerkathon created the right environment for us to think out of the box and create customized solutions.”

Speaking about the tech initiative, Director, BeerTech Africa, AB InBev, Cesar Robles said, “It is a well-known fact that women are underrepresented in the tech industry, not just in Nigeria but across the world. This problem needs to be addressed, and we as a company must take responsibility for our part in making the tech industry a more inclusive place for women. We believe that everyone, regardless of gender, race, or background, deserves an equal opportunity to succeed in the tech industry. We are actively working to recruit and retain more women in our company and provide them with the resources they need to succeed”.

More Millionaires Emerge in Stanbic IBTC Promo

Oluchi Chibuzor

As part of deepening financial inclusion through changing saving culture among its customers, StanbicIBTC has rewarded over 84 savers with cash prizes.

The grand finale draw of the Reward4Savings promo saw the bank giving out a total of N156 million to over 800 customers for One hundred thousand, One million and

Two million Naira categories.

Speaking, the Head, Personal Marketing, Stanbic IBTC, Mr. Emmanuel Aihevba, said the promo is targeted at rewarding “our new and existing savings account and @ease wallet customers for their unwavering loyalty and patronage and to promote a savings culture among Nigerians.”

According to him, “Yes for the sake of financial inclu-

L-R: Member, Nigeria National Advisory Council (NAC), Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI), Yemi Adewojo; Country Representative (Nigeria), CISI, Dr John Osuoha; Member NAC, Nkoli Edoka; Lecturer, Finance Department, University of Lagos, Professor Rufus Olowe; President, NAC, Ijeoma Onwu; Student of UNILAG andWinner, CISI Educational Trust Awards, African Region, Oluchi Ajieh; Director, Global Business Development, CISI, Kevin Moore; Head Operations, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Lagos Zonal Office, Hafsat Rufai and 2nd Vice President, NAC, Abiodun

Money

sion that is why we made it a saving promo; there are other various products that we could have targeted but savings goes all across. Beyond saving account there are wallets and our wallet prepositions is included.

“The total prize for season two is N156 million; before today we have given out N98 million plus what we gave out today the total prize is N156 million to over 800 winners.”

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).

Adebimpe, during celebration of Nigerian winners of CISI Educational Trust Awards in Lagos... recently

Shareholders Approve Dangote Cement N340.8bn Dividend Payout

Kayode Tokede

Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote, yesterday guaranteed shareholders and other stakeholders of the company’s management’s resolve to keep the company profitable by leveraging on strategic innovations for the continuous growth of their investments.

The shareholders of the ce-

ment manufacturing company, thus, approved N340.8billion dividend payout for financial year end December 31, 2022.

The management had proposed a dividend of N20.00 per ordinary 50kobo

Speaking at the 14th Annual General Meeting (AGM), of the company in Lagos , Dangote said the prospects for the cement company remain bright as the management will continue to

innovate on quality products delivery to millions of its customers across Africa while touching the lives of its host communities.

According to him, “We will continue to make sure that we keep our shareholders happy, not only the shareholders but all our other stakeholders...

Our strategy remains steadfast, focused on organic growth in Nigeria and Pan-Africa while ensuring that Africa’s regional

integration becomes a reality. We will continue to contribute to improving regional trade within Africa by building plants across West and Central Africa, guided by our vision of making the region cement and clinker self-sufficient. In addition, we aim to deliver higher returns and value to our shareholders.”

The Chairman pointed out that despite the challenging macroeconomic environment

in 2022, the company still made great strides, performed admirably, and remains Africa’s largest and leading cement producer.

Dangote explained that in the face of the unexpected challenges in 2022, the company implemented robust cost reduction strategies to manage the inflationary environment, and thus enhanced its competitiveness while maintaining high levels of product quality and customer

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF 13/04/23

service delivery. He stated that: “In addition, we achieved giant strides in transitioning to cleaner energy, with our cost containment initiative propelling the use of Alternative Fuel (AF) to replace more expensive fossil fuels, such as coal and gas. We also increased the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for our trucks due to the rising diesel cost environment.

LAUNCH OF RECYCLING PROJECT...

Flight Operations May Be Disrupted as Aviation Unions Embark on Strike April 17

Chinedu Eze

Flight operations might be disrupted as aviation unions have announced that they would embark on strike from April 17th to 18th, 2023, over the plan of the federal government to demolish Lagos offices of aviation parastatals and the delay to review workers Condition of Service, (CoS) as negotiated between the unions and four aviation agencies seven

years ago.

Other reasons given for the planned industrial action included non-implementation of minimum wage consequential adjustments and arrears for the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) since 2019 and the planned demolition exercise of all the agency buildings in Lagos by the Minister of Aviation for an airport city project, known as aerotropilis.

In a notice of a two-day

Katsina Whistleblower Slams Masari for Withdrawing N11bn Suit against Ex-Gov Shema

Threatens legal action

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

The Katsina-based self-claimed whistleblower, Abdulmumini Shehu-Sani has slammed the State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari for withdrawing an N11 billion suit against the former Governor of the state, Ibrahim Shehu Shema.

Sani, in a statement issued to journalists in Katsina, yesterday, expressed shock over the sudden withdrawal of what he termed a multi-billion-naira fraud case against the erstwhile governor of the state.

Shema, was arraigned before late Justice Ibrahim Maikaita-Bako at the State High Court 3 in 2016, for alleged criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office and conversion of public funds to the tune of over N11 billion while he was governor.

However, Masari had in February 2023, withdrawn the alleged criminal suit against the defendant through a nolle prosequi filed by the state government before the court.

But Sani, in the statement, said the withdrawal of the, "fraud case" further confirmed the level of immorality, corruption and decay that characterised the Masari-led government for the past seven years.

He threatened legal action against the state government for withdrawing the alleged criminal case against Shema, and vowed

to secure justice for the citizens of the state.

He said: "This singular act has exposed the Masari's administration as careless, shameless and insensitive. For someone who stole Katsina state public funds to be pardoned clearly points to the fact that, that is why Katsina state is still ranked as one of the poorest and unsaved states to live in.

"Since what Shema has stolen is our collective common wealth, I therefore as a citizen of the state wish to revive the case and follow it to its logical conclusion, I will make sure justice is done to the people of Katsina state.

"For Shema cannot steal our money and go scot-free. Justice must be done to the Katsina masses. I wish to assure the Katsina public that I am heading to court to make sure their stolen money is recovered from Shema."

He, however, claimed that the Masari-led government, through the state ministry for local government and chieftaincy affairs, was raising, "fictitious payment vouchers to cover for the 34 local government funds criminally used to prosecute the 2023 elections."

The state self-claimed whistleblower added that: "Therefore, I want to sound a warning to those involved in this wicked and criminal act that they will not go Scott-free."

warning strike to workers of all aviation agencies, signed by the scribes of the five unions, it insisted that if the warning strike fails, an indefinite strike shall ensue.

The unions included National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), National Association of Aircraft Pilots (NAAP) and Engineers and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreation Services Employees.

The unions which signed the notice said they had earlier issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Minister of Aviation since February 7, 2023 on the same

matter.

According to the notice, the ultimatum had since expired and nothing tangible had been yielded from their efforts.

“Recall our unions as named above issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and specific aviation parastatals since February 7, 2023 over the following demands: nonimplementation of minimum wage consequential adjustments and arrears for the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, NiMet since 2019, refusal of the Salaries, Income & Wages Commission, NSIWC and Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, OHCSF, to release the reviewed Condition of Service, CoS, of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, Nigerian Civil

Aviation Authority, NCAA, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT and Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet , as negotiated between our unions and the Agencies, and as duly conveyed by the Federal Ministry of Aviation since upwards of nine years.

"The ultimatum has since expired and nothing tangible has been yielded from our efforts and that of the Ministry of Aviation. Furthermore, it has become evident that the Minister of Aviation remains adamant in carrying out his threat to demolish the headquarters of FAAN, NAMA and NCAA in Lagos, despite all our entreaties towards caution.

"In view of the foregoing and unless the demands are met , NiMeT consequential adjustment

is implemented and the arrears paid, the CoS for NAMA, NCAA, NCAT and NiMeT are immediately released and the Minister's demolition exercise is halted, all aviation workers are hereby directed to withdraw all services in the sector on April 17 and 18, 2023 as warning strike. Should the warning strike fail to achieve the desired results, an indefinite strike shall ensue. All workers should comply and all state councils and branch exco members shall enforce this directive without compromise," the statement read.

The unions have directed all their members to comply with the directive while all state councils, branches and executives have been urged to enforce the directive without compromise.

Speakership: Gbajabiamila Denies Working against Wase, Others

Udora Orizu in Abuja

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has denied report that he was against the aspiration of the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Idris Wase, and some other aspirants seeking to become Speaker in the 10th House.

There had been reports that Gbajabiamila was backing a lawmaker from Kaduna, Tajudeen Abbas, for the speakership position.

But, Gbajabiamila, at a meeting with the aspirants denied the report, promising non-interference in the zoning formula.

Reacting to the latest report via his official Twitter handle, @femigbaja, he said he had not declared support for any of his colleagues, who had declared interest because there's need to wait for the zoning as he could not work against the interest of his party, the ruling All Progressive Congress. He wrote, "Today, April 13, 2023, a national daily carried a cover story in which it reported that I was against the aspiration of my deputy, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, and some other

aspirants to the office of Speaker in the 10th House. I have not declared support for any of my colleagues, who have declared their interest.

"I have made my position abundantly clear that there is a need to wait for the party to complete its zoning exercise as I cannot work against my Party’s interest and position. I am a product of APC's zoning in 2019, and I shall adhere to that any time the party comes up with its arrangement. Anyone/media peddling rumours of my endorsement of any of the aspirants should desist forthwith."

But in a related development, a coalition of returning and new members-elect from all political parties, has vowed to respect the decision of the majority party in the House, APC, on zoning of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker seats, as well as decision of opposition parties on minority leadership of the House in line with parliamentary best practices.

The coalition, known as the "Joint Task – 10th Assembly", comprised 283 members-elect from the APC, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the

Labour Party (LP), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Young Progressive Party (YPP).

In a statement signed by the group Chairman, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo (APC, Gombe) and Co-Chairman Hon. Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers), the lawmakers said the main focus of the coalition is to promote the independence of the legislature; the inter-dependence of the legislature and other Arms of Government to legislate for good governance and grassroots impact.

According to them, the coalition has the blessings of 14 APC governors, 9 PDP governors as well as several National Working Committee (NWC) members the ruling and opposition political parties.

Kumo and Chinda said members of the coalition were in agreement with whatever the majority partyAPC - decided on zoning.

"Members of the 'Joint Task – 10th Assembly' have agreed to put Nigeria first and allow the majority to form

the leadership of the 10th House with other opposition parties playing a major role.

“Those who may want to defy the APC and have a repeat of the 2015 rebellion should remember the consequences of such action on governance as the sour relationship between the leadership of the 8th National Assembly and the Executive left Nigeria and Nigerians at the receiving end.

"We are aware of the theatrics in the 8th National Assembly. But Nigerians want to see good governance and not grandstanding. Rebellion will deny the incoming Tinubu administration the opportunity to deliver on its mandate and the high expectations from Nigerians, especially under the current ethnic and religious tension in the country.

“We are glad that the leadership of the ruling party recognises that the opposition political parties in the House are very key in the formation of the next leadership of the House, hence this coalition shall continue to consult with all the opposition parties,” the statement stated.

L-R: COO, Wecyclers, Oluwayemisi Lawal; Council Manager, Isolo LCDA, Samson Bola Akinbami; Director, Sahara Group Foundation, Ejiro Gray; and Director of Programme, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Omolara Adewumi, during the launch of a recycling project between Sahara Group Foundation, Wecyclers and LSETF tagged 'Go Recycling' in Lagos…. yesterday

he'll adhere to APC’s zoning 283 lawmakers-elect agree to respect zoning, warns against repeat of Saraki, Dogara’s emergence Get 23 governors’ endorsement

WHY I WANT TO BE SPEAKER...

NEMA Alerts 314 LGAs of Impending High Risk Flood

Says 312 local govt areas prone to moderate flood risk Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos, Rivers to battle coastal flooding

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has alerted 314 out of the 774 Local Governments Areas (LGAs) in the country to brace up for high risk flooding in the months of April, June, July, September, October and November this year.

Giving the breakdown, the agency noted that while a total of 66 LGAs were prone to high flood risk in the months of April to June; 148 LGAs in July to September and 100 LGAs in the months of October

and November.

In addition, a total of 41 LGAs, according to NEMA, fell within moderate flood risk areas in the months of April to June; 199 LGAs in the months of July to September and 72 LGAs in the months of October and November.

The Director General, NEMA, Mustapha Habib Ahmed, disclosed this, during the public presentation of 2023 Climate-Related and Mitigation Strategies, in Abuja, yesterday.

Ahmed, while speaking, noted that sequel to the public presentation

Jonathan Harps on Adopting Digitalisation to Fight Crime, Poverty, Unemployment

Emameh Gabriel in Abuja

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has emphasised the need for total digitalisation of the Nigerian economy as a way of boosting employment generation, fighting poverty and reducing crimes, especially in the public sector.

Jonathan stated this yesterday in Abuja, during the signing of the digitalisation agreement between the Nigeria and Visa.

Highlighting the significance of a digital economy, Jonathan said, "the concept of e-Goverment was first embraced by the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo in 2004. There's no going back on digitalisation of our economy, if Nigeria must realise it's potentials."

Jonathan who was represented by a former Minister of Defence, Senator Al Amin Daggash, enumerated the benefits of a digitalised economy.

He said: "Digitisation eliminates person-to-person contact in the conduct of government and corporate businesses, thereby eliminating corruption, blocking revenue that could have been diverted to private pockets. It will increase efficiency in the conduct of government business.”

He said Customs, Immigration, Population Commission are among government agencies to benefit the most in a digitalised economy, adding that with digitalisation, Nigeria would know its real population when it conducts a national census.

"Digitisation is the only way we can achieve development. It will solve insecurity problem because it will boost the Nigerian economy by creating jobs, which will make the youths put food on the table.

“When Nigeria's potential is properly harnessed, it can create wealth for everybody and the only way to do that is to digitalise our economy," he concluded.

Earlier in his welcome address at the agreement signing ceremony, the Executive Vice Chairman of NeGSt-TAS Technologies Ltd, Dr. Felix Babatunde Obada, explained that digitalisation holds an all-round solution to Nigeria's numerous challenges.

According to him, "Nigeria’s films and music are popular around the world now. They are all part of a digitalised economy."

He expressed dissatisfaction with the way sectors like agriculture, oil and gas, etc were operating in silos, saying that a channel of communication and interaction needed to be opened among them.

"Government agencies are currently operating in silos. They are not working in synergy. It ought not to be so. Digitisation is to create a digital tread between economies to make them talk to each other.

“It's possible to make all aspect of the Nigerian economy talk to each. It has to be collective efforts. We have heard a lot of bad news in Nigeria. Scarcity, terrorism, arson, kidnapping, etc. We must begin to say good news to ourselves. That's why this initiative is coming at this time."

"We want to return Nigeria to when things were rosy. The efforts start now. We are privilege to be partnering with Visa. Visa don't need our money or technology; they have their own money.

“All they require from us is conducive operating environment. They have done this all over the world. It's the turn of Nigeria for good things to happen."

of the 2023 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) by NiMet on January 24, 2023, and the Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) by NIHSA on February 17, 2023, NEMA convened a technical meeting to review the two forecast documents.

He said the technical meeting was attended by experts from relevant stakeholder organisations that thoroughly appraised the risk implications of the forecasts and developed an early warning document based on thematic sectors covered by both NIHSA and NIMET.

According to Ahmed, "This document is expected to aid responsible organisations carry out preparedness and mitigation actions to safeguard lives, livelihoods, properties and the environment against hydro meteorological hazards in Nigeria during the 2023 rainy season and beyond.

"Permit me to highlight excerpts from the SCP which predicted rainfall onset to be earlier than the long term average in most parts of the country. The prediction also

indicated rainfall amounts range to be average and above average during the year.

"The exception to these are for parts of Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Kaduna and the FCT that are likely to observe below-average rainfall. Furthermore, states that are expected to record rainfall amounts of 2700mm and above are Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom, Delta and Cross River."

The NEMA boss explained that this year’s forecast indicated that there was a high risk of coastal flooding due to expected rise in sea level and tidal surge that may negatively impact agriculture, human settlements and transportation in Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos and Rivers States.

"Flash and urban floods are also forecasted over many cities and towns due to poor drainage systems and the lack of compliance to town planning and environmental regulations.

“The forecasts have provided the much insights into what to expect ahead of this rain season. The reality

is that this year may witness floods similar to what occurred last year if not more."

He added, "You may recall that last year’s floods resulted in 665 deaths and injury to 3,181 persons nationwide. A total of 4,476,867 persons were affected; 2,437,411 persons displaced, about 944,989 farmlands were damaged and 355,986 houses were partially or totally destroyed by floods.

"Since the release of the forecasts, NEMA has continued to engage relevant stakeholders to explore ways to mitigate against the risk of the predicted floods and other related hazards throughout the 2023 rainy season."

Continuing, he stated that, “at NEMA, we believe that early warnings must be matched with early actions. Therefore, we have written letters and attached this document for dispatch to all the 36 State Governments and the FCT Administration with specific mention of LGAs at risk and actions that are expected to be taken by responsible

authorities.

"We have also produced flood risk maps of areas at risk and uploaded on our official website and social media platforms for greater access by the public.

“NEMA has also commenced public sensitisation through placement of flood early warning jingles, special discussions and advocacy across the states.

"From the foregoing, it is important to emphasise that it is our desire that early warning alerts are matched with appropriate early actions especially at the community level.

“State governments that are yet to establish Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) in their respective Local Government Areas are encouraged to do so.”

On his part, Director-General/ CEO, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu, urged all actors within the disaster risks reduction and management value chain to adopt the early action documents.

NNPC Defends Kyari, Ajiya's Gratuity, Insists

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Payments Made within the Law

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) yesterday defended the gratuities paid to the the Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari and Group Executive Director, Finance and Accounts, Umar Ajiya, within the old corporation, saying it was within the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and appropriate government circular.

An online news medium had reported that the alleged payment of gratuity to Kyari and Ajiya ran into billions of naira despite still in service. Some other top officials of the NNPC were also said to have been paid.

The online medium stated that the NNPC officials made the move over fear of being retired compulsorily by the incoming government of Bola Tinubu.

“Our attention is drawn to the malicious publication by Sahara Reporters alleging inappropriateness of the disengagement of the GMD, Mallam Mele Kyari and GED F&A, Mr. Umar Ajiya from the services of the old corporation and their subsequent appointment by Mr. President to commence a new tenure as Group CEO and CFO in the new NNPC Limited.

“The general public may recall

the passage of the PIA and the successful transition of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to a commercially driven National Energy Company, the NNPC Limited.

“The PIA 2021, has in addition to the creation of NNPC limited made clear and unambiguous provisions relating to Governance, Administration, and the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Board of Directors by Mr. President.

“The PIA 2021 is deliberate about the long term sustainability of the 20 years long petroleum industry reform that climaxed in the creation of NNPC Limited as a commercially driven National Energy Company, with focus on sustainable value creation,” a statement by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the company, Garba Muhammad, stated.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Act, the statement stated that the appointment of the CEO and CFO of NNPC Limited by the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is on the basis of distinct terms and conditions of service including tenure, employment benefits and termination.

The appointment of CEO and CFO, the NNPC said, is not a career

posting as erroneously presented by Sahara Reporters.

“Specifically, section 59(3) of the PIA 2021 has clearly stipulated the conditions to be considered in appointing the CEO and CFO of NNPC Limited without recourse to previous employment ranks in the Corporation. The previous rank of GMD or GED F&A was therefore not a consideration in the appointment of the CEO or CFO of NNPC Limited.

“Consequently, by virtue of the appointments of Mallam Mele Kyari and Mr. Umar Ajiya as NNPC Limited Group CEO and CFO respectively by Mr President for a tenure of five years each with effect from 16 September 2021 has ended their employment with the corporation and are thus entitled to their terminal benefits in respect thereof.

“Based on the provisions of the Act, the new tenured roles they assumed with NNPC Limited cannot be regarded as continuance of their previous positions in the defunct Corporation,” the national oil company noted.

For further clarity on what it termed the misrepresentation of facts by Sahara Reporters, the circular issued by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, dated 27 July 2009, it said, had explicitly

stated that appointments as Chief Executives of GovernmentOwned Companies are “tenured appointments”.

“In respect of such tenured appointments, career officers who wish to take up such appointments shall retire from service, in order to run their tenure uninterrupted. The circular recognises a distinction between a tenured appointment to serve as chief executive of a government-owned company, as distinct from a career office.

“Public service rules require termination of any fixed career appointment to take up a tenured role. It is therefore our belief that the informed general public will disregard the misinformation and misrepresentation of facts published by Sahara Reporters.

“NNPC compensation does not pay gratuity into billions and we are a compliant organisation that is committed to delivering greater value to Nigerians in strict compliance with extant laws and circulars.

“The Group CEO and the CFO have demonstrated patriotism by ending their career appointments with the corporation to serve the nation on five years tenured appointment in NNPC Limited,” the NNPC said.

L-R: Speakership Aspirant, Hon. Miriam Onuoha; members House of Reps, Hon. Emeka Chinedu; Hon. Sa'ad Abdulkadir, during the official declaration by Hon. Miriam Onuoha to contest for the position of Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives in Abuja...yesterday

OBASEKI SHARES SUCCESSES OF EDOBEST AT WORLD BANK...

Eight Killed in Kaduna as Troops Intercept Ammunitions Being Conveyed to Bandits

Gunmen attack Rivers community, kill three Police arrest

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin, John Shiklam in Kaduna and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Bandits have reportedly killed eight people in an attack on Atak'Njei community, Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna state, while several others sustained injuries in the attack which occurred on Wednesday at about 9pm.

This is as troops of the Operation Forest Sanity intercepted a large quantity of ammunition being conveyed to bandits by courier around Polewire in Birnin Gwari LGA of the state.

At the same time, three persons were reportedly killed by suspected cultists at Ubeta community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, while operatives of the Kwara State police command arrested 10 suspected kidnappers that have been terrorising the people of Ilorin and other parts of the state in recent times.

However, Atak'Njei is the community housing the Palace of the Agom Atyap, the paramount ruler of the Atyap people.

Chairman of Zangon Kataf LGA, Francis Zimbo, who confirmed the incident, said those who sustained injuries had been taken to the hospital for treatment.

attacks in the area in recent times and called on security agencies to up their game.

National President, Atyap Community Development Association (ACDA), Sam Achie, also condemned the attack and described it as barbaric.

He called on those saddled with the responsibility of securing the people to fish out those behind the frequent attacks and killings in Atyap land.

On the intercepted ammunition being conveyed to bandits, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday, said security reports made available to the state government indicated the ammunitions were interception following credible intelligence on gunrunning activities.

His words: “In another significant breakthrough, troops of Operation Forest Sanity have intercepted a large quantity of ammunition being conveyed to bandits by a courier around Polewire in Birnin Gwari LGA.

“According to a report forwarded to the Kaduna State Government, the troops followed up on credible intelligence around gunrunning activities, and in the course of diligent checks, stopped a suspicious-looking vehicle within the location of interest.

10 suspected kidnappers, 8 ritualists in Kwara

vehicle – a black Toyota Corolla, revealed more than 2,000 rounds of various grades of ammunition, concealed in different parts of the car.

“After a thorough search of the vehicle, the following precise quantities (of ammunition) were recovered: 1,079 rounds of 7.62mm, special ammunition, 886 rounds of 7.62mm belted ammunition, 139 rounds of 7.62mm tracer ammunition and five empty AK-47 magazines.”

Aruwan said the driver of the vehicle, one Aminu Abdullahi, was arrested for further investigations.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai, according to him, noted the report with satisfaction, and thanked the troops for their proactiveness in denying bandits a major supply of ammunition meant to mete out more destruction and suffering.

Gunmen Attack Rivers Community, Kill Three

Three persons have been reportedly killed by suspected cultists at Ubeta community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.

THISDAY gathered that the incident happened on Wednesday, barley 72 hours after two traders, Chimezie Nebu and one other, were kidnapped in the same community.

journalists in Port Harcourt, said amongst those killed, kidnapped in the cult attack were innocent persons not involved in the evil act.

The traditional ruler disclosed that the two traders, who were kidnapped on Monday, are yet to regain freedom. He added that the kidnappers have not contacted the community or family members of their victims.

Chief Jonathan also revealed that the incident has been happening for months without serious Intervention from the side of the government or police, saying many natives had deserted the community.

"Some of the Youth perpetrating this act sworn an oath before now but we are surprised that some of them went back to their old ways," he said.

Kwara: Police Arrest 10 Suspected Kidnappers, 8 Ritualists

Operatives of the Kwara State Police Command have reportedly arrested 10 suspected kidnappers that have been terrorising the people of Ilorin and other parts of the state in recent times.

the state.

Parading the suspects in Ilorin, yesterday, at a press briefing, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Paul Odama, said, “five out of the 10 suspected kidnappers were rounded up at Banni police division in Kaiama Local Government Council Area of the state. Those arrested are Aliyu Abubakar ‘m’ 30yrs, Aliyu Bingi ‘m’ 30yrs, Shehu Sanni ‘m’ 35yrs, Abdulahi Saidu ‘m’ 28yrs and Bayo Dudu ‘m’ 30yrs.

"A team of policemen attached to Banni Division in conjunction with local vigilantes acting on intelligence stormed Banni forest in search of suspected kidnappers already taking abode in the forest in preparation for a kidnap expenditure.

"The search operation led to the arrest of three of the above named suspects, who confessed during interrogation to be kidnappers, two of their members by name Bayo Dudu ‘m’ and Aliyu Abubakar, stay in Niger State.

"Their operational weapon an AK-47 riffle is in possession of one of the suspect now at large. Effort is still in progress to arrest the remaining members of the kidnap gang."

“On the 05/03/2023 at about 2100hrs, anti-kidnapping teams attached to Eyenkorin axis of Ilorin in collaboration with local vigilante group in possession of a virile intelligence that some group of persons suspected to be kidnappers were sighted along Eyenkorin forest, stormed the forest, the operation succeeded with the arrest of the four suspects

"Those arrested are Abubakar Shehu ‘m’, Mohammed Aliyu ‘m’ 30yrs, Yunusa Ahmadu ‘m’ 28yrs, Malami Usman ‘m’ 27yrs and Dauda Amosa ‘m’ 28yrs. Investigation into the case revealed that, Abubakar Shehu aka Dogo and his gang were the kidnappers behind the kidnap of one Alhaji Madaki Shaibu at Ayegun Fulani Camp sometimes in January, 2023, where the son of the Alhaji was killed.”

Speaking on the arrest of eight suspects for alleged ritual activities, Odama, who paraded the suspects said, "the arrested suspects are Habeeb Ayomide ‘m’, Oni Obasanjo ‘m’, Mohammed Abdulkareem ‘m’, Ibrahim Apete ‘m’ , Ajao Musa ‘m’, Ismail Ayomide ‘m’, Adebayo Abdulaateef ‘m’ and Yusuf Najeem ‘m’.”

The command has also arrested another set of 8 suspected ritualists at a hotel in Malete town in Moro Local Government Council Area of

He decried the ongoing spate of

Paramount Ruler of Ubeta community, Chief Milan Jonathan, who confirmed the incident to

TINUBU: ATIKU, PDP’S PETITIONS GROSS ABUSE OF JUDICIAL PROCESS

“A search of the intercepted the first petitioner at the polls of the presidential election held on February 25, 2023.”

Arguing further, Tinubu submitted that unlike Atiku, he had been a more "consistent politician, who has not shifted political tendency and alignment." He said Atiku "has consistently crisscrossed different political parties of Nigeria, including being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before joining the Action Congress in 2007, when he was the presidential candidate of the party; returned to the PDP thereafter, before joining the firrd respondent in 2015, where he contested the primary election with President Muhammadu Buhari, before returning to the PDP in 2019 to emerge as its presidential candidate."

Tinubu claimed that he had not only always carried his supporters along but had also increased his political followership, while Atiku, on the other hand, had lost most of his followers in the process of moving from one political party to the other.

Tinubu alleged, "The emergence of the first petitioner as the presidential candidate of the second petitioner led to irreconcilable hostilities within the ranks of the second petitioner, causing the emergence of a group of governors

known all over the country as the G-5 Governors – Rivers, Oyo, Enugu, Abia and Benue – who opposed the first petitioner and vowed to mobilise their people against him. The respondent shall at the trial, found and rely on copies of newspaper publications and social media contents in respect of the said subject.

"While the first petitioner contested the presidential election of 2019 with President Muhammadu Buhari under a fairly cohesive Peoples Democratic Party with Peter Gregory Obi as his running mate and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as one of his supporters, the same Peter Gregory Obi broke away from the PDP to join the Labour Party to contest the presidential election of 25th February, 2023, while Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso also broke away from PDP to contest the presidential election on the ticket of the New Nigeria People's Party.

"While Peter Obi polled a total number of 6,101,533, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso polled 1,496,687. Before the balkanisation of the second petitioner, the South-Eastern States of Enugu, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi and Anambra used to be controlled by the second petitioner, but at the presidential election of 25th February 2023, they all went the

way of Labour Party.

"At a press conference addressed by the first petitioner on or about 2nd March, 2023, he admitted the negative impact of the balkanisation of the second petitioner on the fortune of his election, particularly, the exit of Peter Gregory Obi from the party. Respondent pleads the national newspapers that publicised the first petitioner’s press conference, including the Punch of 3rd March, 2023, where the first petitioner was reported to have lamented thus: ‘It is a fact that Peter Obi took our votes from the South-east and South-south, but that wouldn’t make him the president. You need votes from everywhere.’”

The president-elect pointed out that the failure of Atiku and PDP to join Obi and Kwankwaso in the petition was fatal to their case.

According to him, "The petitioners complained about outcome of the election in Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Imo, Kano, Plateau and Lagos states. The second respondent was not declared as the overall winner in any of the states aforementioned.

"Mr. Peter Gregory Obi of the Labour Party was declared the overall winner of the election in Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo,

Enugu, Imo, Plateau and Lagos states, while Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People's Party was declared winner of the election in Kano State.

"None of Labour Party, Peter Gregory Obi, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and New Nigeria People’s Party, has been joined as a party to this petition."

In conclusion, Tinubu stressed that the petitions by Atiku and PDP had no substance in fact, logic and law, and disclosed no reasonable cause of action.

"It deserves to be summarily dismissed, as same constitutes a crass abuse of the judicial process,” Tinubu said of Atiku and PDP’s petition. However, Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku, Shaibu, said in a statement that after the lies told by Tinubu and his surrogates, the truth had finally been unravelled through the processes filed by the All Progressives Congress at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

Shaibu said, “Festus Keyamo had gone on national television to say that Tinubu’s forfeiture of $460,000 was based on tax obligations. At least they have now finally admitted that the forfeiture was in relation to a

Odama said men of the state police command had also arrested another five suspected kidnappers along Eiyenkorin axis of Ilorin, the state capital.

drug trafficking case even though Tinubu did not admit guilt.

“But what has been established is that Justice John Nordberg ordered on October 4, 1993 that the funds in the amount of $460,000 held in First Heritage Bank in the name of Bola Tinubu represent the proceeds of narcotics trafficking or were involved in financial transactions in violation of 18 U.S. 1956 and 1957.

“Tinubu should know that he cannot outrun his past. He was investigated in relation to heroin trafficking. He had millions of dollars in his account while on a salary of $2, 500 monthly, and he forfeited part of it in order to escape jail. These are the facts. Elections are over, and he should stop lying to Nigerians.”

Shaibu said Keyamo’s lack of understanding of the legal proceedings was one of the reasons he failed as a prosecutor with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“Festus Keyamo’s law degree really needs to be investigated. One wonders how he even became a senior advocate. He went on national television to say the $460,000 was a fine for not paying taxes.

“Now, Tinubu is telling the Election Petition Tribunal that the money in

He said, "Some of the exhibits found with the suspects are local pot with concoction, nature sponges, connation satires and smart phone."

question was forfeited as part of a court decree in relation to his drug case. No wonder Keyamo lost so many high profile cases with the EFCC while he was a prosecutor.”

Shaibu knocked Tinubu for claiming that he was not under investigation, but only the funds in his bank accounts were under probe, saying he should explain to Nigerians how he was able to deposit millions of dollars one year after opening bank accounts while earning a salary of $2,500 at Mobil.

Shaibu said, “Elections are over, but Tinubu is still trying to deceive Nigerians. Is he saying the millions of dollars found in his account just magically appeared there just as how his aide said on live television that the bullion vans found on his premises ahead of the 2019 poll erroneously found their way there?

“Tinubu should stop taking Nigerians for a ride. Let him explain the business he did in order to have such a humongous sum of money in his account.”

Shaibu stated that a Tinubu presidency would represent a setback in the fight against narcotics, given his antecedents and his open admission that he lived with known drug kingpins.

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (middle) during a panel session at the 2023 World Bank Spring meetings, in Washington D.C, United States of America (USA),... yesterday

FUNERAL SERVICE FOR PA OLATUNDE ADENIJI…

L-R: The younger brother of the deceased, Pa Adegoke Adeniji; the widow, Mrs. Victoria Adeniji; the first son of the deceased, Mr. Olaitan Adeniji; Mrs. Ivie Ejiwunmi, and Dr. Niran Adeniji, at the funeral service of Pa Olatunde Adeniji held at the All Saints Anglican Church in Lagos…recently ETOP

Transcorp Faults Femi Otedola’s 5.52% Shares Acquisition

KayodeTokede

The management of Transnational Corporation Plc, yesterday faulted media reports that billionaire investor, Mr. Femi Otedola, has acquired 5.52 per cent stake in the publicly traded diversified conglomerate quoted on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX).

A top stockbroker had disclosed

to THISDAY that the billionaire now owns about 2.245 billion shares, representing 5.52per cent of the company, making him the largest individual shareholder of the group.

However, the President/ Group Chief Executive Officer, Transcorp Group, Owen Omogiafo, in a signed statement on the NGX noted that the company had not

SeamlessHR, Moniepoint Partner to Simplify Salary Disbursements

SeamlessHR, Africa’s leading cloud-hosted HR and payroll software provider, recently announced a partnership with Monnify by Moniepoint, a platform redefining how Nigerian businesses make and receive payments.

SeamlessHR’s partnership with Monnify gives Nigerian businesses the choice of paying salaries and payroll remittances via Monnify or other options available on SeamlessHR’s payroll platform.

Payroll management and by extension, salary disbursement is an important touchpoint of business management that can have a positive or negative effect on the employee experience.

Speaking on the development, Chief Technical Officer and cofounder of SeamlessHR, Deji ‘Lana, said: “Beyond paying employees well, it’s equally important to pay them on time. Staff depend on their salaries

to fund their lifestyles, so if something affects that, it would definitely affect their ability to show up productively at work.’’

“With the recent challenges faced in Nigeria by individuals and businesses in smoothly processing transactions and accessing funds, we decided to offer our customers more options to directly disburse salaries on SeamlessPayroll, helping them pay their people on time.”’

With this new update, SeamlessHR customers will be able to choose between disbursing salaries and pensions on SeamlessPayroll via Monnify, or the previously existing option of disbursing via Flutterwave.

“Our mission is to help businesses across Africa become more productive and successful, and that really translates into optimising various business processes, including how staff are paid,” Lana explained.

Seven Burnt to Death, 18 Injured in Ogun Road Crash

James Sowole in Abeokuta

Tragedy struck yesterday, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as seven people were reportedly burnt to death while 18 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a fatal auto crash.

Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Public Education Officer for Sector Commander FRSC Ogun Sector Command, Florence Okpe, said the accident involved two vehicles along Sapade bridge.

The statement said: “The suspected causes of the crash were excessive speed and route violation on the part of the Sienna bus which was going against traffic and collided with the Mazda bus, resulting in a fire outbreak.

“A total of 27 people were involved in the accident, including 25 male adults, 2 female adults,

yet received formal notification of any relevant interest in its shares, stressing that Nigeria’s largest listed conglomerate, known for its broad and diversified shareholder base, welcomed every new shareholder acquiring shares in the company. Omogiafo noted that the

management of Transcorp Corporation welcomed the expression of confidence in the leadership and management of the Group, as they continued unwavering commitment to superior stakeholders ‘returns, anchored in the ideology of

Africaptalism.

“We remain resolute in executing our Group’s strategy of making strategic investments in key sectors within the Nigerian economy, our transformation agenda and our ability to contribute positively towards building prosperity,”

the statement added.

The audited result and accounts of Transcorp for period ended December 31, 2022, revealed that Mr. Tony Elumelu, who is the chairman of Transcorp owned 273,104,041 issued share capital in the diversified conglomerate.

Kogi APC Primary: Onoja, Others Withdraw as Bello Endorses Ododo

Ibrahim

Oyewale in Lokoja

Ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Kogi State, scheduled for today Friday, the Deputy Governor, Edward Onoja, and the Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello, Mohammed Abdulkareem Asuku and other have

withdrawn from the race. This was announced at the stakeholders’ meeting of the party held yesterday in Lokoja. The meeting was held at the party’s Secretariat and hosted by the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who therefore unveiled his preferred candidate as the

Auditor General of the state, Ahmed Usman Ododo.

Meanwhile, Onoja and Asuku announced their withdrawal from the governorship race via their respective verified Facebook pages shortly after the meeting in Lokoja.

Onoja, whom many had thought will naturally succeed

Governor Bello before now, posted a cryptic message on Facebook, which reads: “To God be the glory for life and divine health. My appreciation to my leader, HE Alhaji Yahaya Bello and all my supporters for your love and prayers. Let love, patience and perseverance lead. I am forever grateful.”

Fayose: Why APC is Having Sleepless Nights over Peter Obi

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Brother to former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, Isaac Fayose, said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), is having sleepless nights over presidential candidate of the Labour Party(LP), Peter Obi despite the fact he lost in the February 25 election.

Sunday

Aborisade in Abuja

The Director General of the National Institute For Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, has said President Muhammadu Buhari will within the next 30 days, inaugurate the N50 billion permanent site of the NILDS

and 1 female child.

“The injured victims were taken to Victory Hospital Ogere and Idera Hospital Sagamu for medical attention,” Chief Route Commander Okpe stated.

“However, seven persons were burnt beyond recognition and their bodies were deposited at FOS Morgue Ipara.”

The FRSC Ogun Sector Command, Ahmed Umar, cautioned motorists on the dangers of route violation and excessive speed, as confirmed by Chief Route Commander Okpe.

“Human lives are important, therefore motorists are advised to drive cautiously and consider other road users,” she emphasized.

She also expressed condolences to the families of the victims and advised them to contact FRSC Ogere for more information about the crash.

Fayose said the level of reception accorded Obi by Nigerians in the Diaspora had made the APC feel Obi is still campaigning.

Reacting to a video of Obi being received by Nigerians abroad, Fayose claimed that APC was wondering why a loser would be accorded such treatment.

Fayose in a post on his Facebook said: “They(APC) are

situated along the Airport road in Abuja. The DG’s assurance came just as the National Assembly, through the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, is asking the contractors handling the project, Messrs Julius Berger Plc, to deliver it for inauguration

wondering what kind of man is Peter Obi, how can a perceived loser be receiving this kind of treatment for free?

“This is why they are not comfortable, having sleepless nights, saying Peter Obi is a threat to them and democracy.

“How can someone going about his normal activities be a threat to APC if not that they are not at

before May 29.

Gbajabiamila during the inspection tour of the complex yesterday in company with the NILDS officials, quizzed the project consultants on why workers were not on site since the needed fund has been provided.

He said: “I was here in September 2019 and came here

rest, they have no peace of mind.”

The older Fayose and former Ekiti Governor had earlier described Obi as a “hurricane” who changed the landscape of Nigerian politics.

He won in 12 states, the same number as Bola Tinubu of the APC, who was declared winner and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who came second.

again about a year ago when the project was said to be at 95 per cent completion stage but disappointed to be here today and see the project at the same level and without workers on site.

“Take it or leave it, this project must be completed within the next 30 days for inauguration by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ekiti Partners US Agric Dept on Cocoa Ecosystem Projects

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

The Ekiti State Government has partnered with the United States(US) Department of Agriculture (USDA) on the Traceability and Resilience in Agriculture and Cocoa Ecosystem (TRACE) project.

The Lutheran World Relief

(LWR) has been awarded funding under the USDA’s Food for Progress program to implement the project and strengthen the cocoa value chain in Nigeria.

According to a statement by the government, the project will be implemented in collaboration with the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN),

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), C-Lever, and Econometrica.

“A delegation from the Ekiti State Government, led by the Special Adviser on Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, his counterpart, Special Adviser on Investment, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Tayo

Adeola; and senior officials of Ministry Agriculture/Forestry Commission recently met with the TRACE delegates, led by the Deputy Chief of Party, Mr. Wale Awoyemi, and the CRIN team, led by Dr. Moses Ogunlade. The meeting was held to discuss baseline studies on cocoa production in the state.

Edo PDP, APC in War of Words over April 15 Supplementary Election

Adibe EmenyonuinBeninCity

Ahead of Saturday’s supplementary election in parts of Edo State, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have engaged in war of words with allegations and counter-allegations of plots to

manipulate the process.

The APC House of Assembly candidate for Ovia South West constituency, Sunday Aghedo raised the alarm alleging that the two Electoral Officers (EOs) deployed to conduct the supplementary election for the area have been compromised by the state government with huge

sums of money running into tens of millions.

Aghedo, who raised the alarm in a press statement yesterday , said Obaseki has shown his desperation to ensure that his party wins the constituency by every means possible.

According to him, “We have cried

out severally on the unwholesome activities of the Governor to ensure that the will of the people is subverted and now he has come again by giving each of the EO N5 million to deliver the PDP candidate who presently occupies distance second position after the March 18 poll.

UKUTT

‘Buhari ‘ll Inaugurate the N50bn Legislative Institute Next Month’

Insecurity: FG Funds Tertiary Institutions with N6bn

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

In its bid to fight insecurity in the nation’s ivory towers, the federal government has revealed that the sum of N6 billion had been invested from the 2023 Intervention Budget for security infrastructure in tertiary institutions across the country.

It added that it is set to release a total sum of N18 billion to six public universities under its Special High Impact Intervention.

Revealing this, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Sonny Echono, disclosed the aforementioned during a news briefing in Abuja yesterday.

Giving a breakdown of the 2023 Intervention Budget of N320 billion, recently approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, Echono said each of the universities would be given the sum of N1 billion each, the sum of N1 billion will be given to six polytechnics and six colleges of education will also get N1 billion each, while saying that over 95 percent of

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as OSEGBO-MARK CHIBUZO now wish to be known and address as OSEGBO-MBAMALU MARK CHIBUZO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OLAREWAJU TEMILOLA DAMILARE now wish to be known and address as ADEOGUN TEMILOLA DAMILARE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MRS. MOJISOLA OYEBIMPE DABOH now wish to be known and address as MRS. MOJISOLA OYEBIMPE ADESOYE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

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I formerly known and addressed as MUHAMMAD AMINU MASARI now wish to be known and address as MUHAMMAD AMINU BELLO MASARI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and ad- dressed as ONIFADE MARIAM ABIKE now wish to be known and address as OLADAPO MARIAM ABIKE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as EMELDA OGBONNE KALU, now wish to be known and address as ONYEKACHI EMELDA NWANYA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS NDIBE CORDELIA NKEIRUKA, now wish to be known and address as MRS. CHUKWUDI CORDELIA NKEIRUKA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

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the N320 billion total TETFund’s disbursement of 2023 would go directly to beneficiary public tertiary institutions.

Echono said the remaining five per cent of the allocation would be used for staff salaries and allowances, project monitoring and zonal capital projects.

He said that 62 per cent of the total disbursement (representing N198 billion) constituted the

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

institutions’ annual direct disbursement, while 20 per cent of the disbursement (representing N64.2 billion) would be used for special disbursement.

The Special Intervention is usually at the discretion of the Board of Trustees for which allocations are zonal-based and are done equitably by the decision of the Board as enshrined in the enabling Act.

Diri: Why I Deserve Second Term

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has given thumbs up to his administration, saying he deserves a second term based on his performance in almost four years.

Speaking on Arise News Channel’s “The Morning Show,” yesterday, the Bayelsa governor said his administration had made appreciable progress in virtually every sector of the state’s economy. These he listed to include infrastructure, education, health agriculture, sports, skills acquisition and human capacity development.

Diri had on Wednesday, emerged as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the November 11, 2023 governorship election in the state.

He was the sole aspirant in the governorship primary election held in Yenagoa.

The governor said it was only those desperate for power that would not see and appreciate

The Powerful Night of Ramadan

By: IslamiCity

We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power: And what will explain to you what the night of power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah’s permission, on every errand: Peace! This until the rise of morn! (97:1-5)

what the government had done during the period to improve the lives of Bayelsans.

He said through investments in agriculture, various skills acquisition programmes and support for small scale businesses, his administration created jobs outside the state’s civil service.

While admitting that there are few roads in the state capital that still need attention, the governor stated that so far more than 30 new concrete roads have been constructed apart from the ongoing and completed big-ticket road projects to open up the state and link up communities.

Responding to a question on the state’s internally generated revenue, he advocated for the practice of true federalism in the country, which he said would boost the revenue of the state.

Diri, however disclosed that an economic summit would soon be held to chart a new course for the state’s economy.

SEC Vows to Protect Minority Interests in Capital Market

Kayode Tokede

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has assured investors that the interest of minority shareholders would be protected during all transactions in the capital market.

The Director General, SEC, Mr. Lamido Yuguda gave the assurance in Abuja yesterday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the first quarter Capital Market Committee meeting (CMC).

This follows the decision of Oando Plc to delist from the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX).

He noted that protecting the interests of both majority and minority shareholders was the primary responsibility of the Commission.

“Protection of investors is the central mandate of the Commission and when the Commission protects investors,

we do not discriminate between minority and majority shareholders.

“When there is a case of delisting, the application for the delisting comes to the Commission and we go through it very carefully to ensure that the shares of the company being delisted are fairly valued because fair valuation is what protects all the shareholders,” he explained.

Yuguda also noted that the Commission was working at ensuring that foreign and retail investors were retained and more attracted to the capital market, observing that relative to other markets on the continent, the NGX has performed very well.

He expressed optimism that President Muhammadu Buhari will sign the Investors and Securities Bill (ISB) into law before leaving office in May, noting that the new law was long overdue.

Adeleke Appoints Principal Officers for IlesaVarsity

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has approved the appointment of principal officers for the University of Ilesa in the state.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Hon Teslim Igbalaye, issued letters of appointments to the principal officers yesterday in his office.

The SSG, who also hosted the appointees in his office, charged them to uphold the virtue of professionalism and integrity, which endeared them to the state governor and recommended them for the appointments.

The principal officers are Vice-Chancellor, Professor Taiwo

The Night of Power in His infinite wisdom is encouraged to be searched during the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan. Since over fourteen centuries, Muslims are striving diligently to benefit greatly from it. A rare trade indeed - pure profit and thousand times more!

Interestingly we have embraced the night for its mathematical magic but seemingly misplaced the very essence of the night. In fact, it was just another dark night. But it became the Night of Power because of what was revealed in the darkness. It is now known to us, a night better than a thousand months. The dark night is illuminating the world and the Quran is guiding the humanity ever since.

The Night of Power is celebrated powerfully. Masajid and communities celebrate the night by staying up all night, listening to lectures, reading Quran, etc. What seems to be missing though is to reflect on the Divine Words and to act upon it. Unless that is done, the real power will not be received from the Night of Power.

Ramadan visits us every year and offers us a reason to reflect on all aspect of our lives. The objects of our wants and fears far surpass the limits of human genius, energy, and mortal life. The sum of all that we need and desire ... spiritual or material, essential or superfluous ... simply exceeds our ability to attain it. What, then, is one to do? The believer turns to his or her Creator in prayer. The response is natural. Whether moved by need or hope, or faced with misfortune or danger, people instinctively call upon God. Prayer is at the center of our very being and the marrow of the Muslim way of life. For many in the English-speaking world, however, this face of Islam is virtually unknown.

Dua - Supplication - Prayer is always Muslim’s hope for everything. Let us submit ourselves and plead and plead and plead ... as He alone can relieve us of our anxieties and sufferings.

The following is an excerpt from Dua Kumayl that was often recited by Imam Ali (may Allah be pleased with him)

“by Thy majesty against which nothing can stand up by Thy grandeur which prevails upon all things by Thy authority which is exercised over all things by Thy knowledge which pervades all things

O Allah! Forgive us of sins that would hinder our supplications.

O Allah! Forgive us of sins that would suppress hope.

O Allah! Forgive all sins that we have committed and every error that we have erred.

O Allah! Accept our apologies and have pity on our intense sufferings and set us free from my heavy fetters (of evil deeds)

O Allah! You are aware of my weakness to bear even a minor affliction of this world and its consequence and adversity affecting the denizen of this earth, although such afflictions are momentary, short-lived, and transient.

How then can I bear the retributions and the punishments of the Hereafter which are enormous and of intensive sufferings, of prolonged period and perpetual duration, and which shall never be alleviated for those who deserve the same as those retributions will be the result of Your wrath; and Your punishment which neither the heavens nor the earth can withstand and bear!

My Lord! How can I, a weak, insignificant, humble, poor and destitute creature of Yours be able to bear them?

O’ my God! My Lord! My King! And Master!

Which of the matters shall I complain to You and for which of them shall I bewail and weep?

Shall I bewail for the pains and pangs of the punishment and their intensity or for the length of sufferings and their duration?

Therefore (my Lord!) If You will subject me to the penalties (of hell) in company of Your enemies and cast me with those who merited my punishments and tear me apart from Your friends and those who will be near to You, then my God, my Lord and my Master, though I may patiently bear Your punishments, how can I calmly accept being kept away from You?

I reckon that though I may patiently endure the scorching fire of the hell, yet how can I resign myself to the denial of Your pity and clemency? How can I remain in the fire while I have hopes of Your forgiveness?

So, my Lord! I look earnestly towards You and towards You, my Lord!

I have stretched forth my hands therefore, by Your honor, respond to my supplication and let me attain my prayers and, by Your bounty, frustrate not my hopes and protect me from the evils of my enemies and O’ My Lord! have mercy on me whose only asset is hope and whose only weapon is lamentation”.

Ameen ... Ya Rabb... Ameen

Ten-Point Plan: What To Do on The Night of Power

By: AlMaghrib Institute/IslamiCity

(That night is) Peace until the rising of the dawn. Quran 97:5

We prepare ourselves so well for Laylat’l-Qadr in terms of what it means to us and when it will be, but when we get there many of us don’t know what to actually do on the night itself and achieve the success being offered!

So, we came up with a plan as gleaned from the actions of the blessed early generations:

1. Prepare a list before the evening starts listing all of the specific du‘as you want to make. This is not necessarily a Sunnah of course – this is only because the Muslims of our generation are not so great at ritual worship and making long, detailed meaningful du‘as by ourselves; thus we need help, direction and structure.

Olufemi Asaolu; Registrar, Mr. Funso Olawale Ojo; Bursar, Dr. Mukaila Oyesegun Oyekanmi, and Librarian, Mr. Adewale Amobi Ogunsipe.

The Vice-Chancellor, Asaolu, is a Nigerian professor of accounting and finance. He is also a Fellow (FCA) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. He is the former dean, faculty of administration, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

Prof Asaolu was also the chairman of the University of Ilesa Review Committee, which was set up by Governor Adeleke to address all outstanding issues for the eventual take off of the university.

2. Pray ‘Isha in Jama‘ah – that’s half the night in prayer achieved as stated by the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in Muslim, and that’s a portion of Laylat’l-Qadr achieved as stated by some of the Salaf like Ibn al-Musayyib and al-Shafi‘i.

3. Pray with the Imam, don’t leave him after 4 rak‘ah or 8 rak‘ah or whatever. Finish the Tarawih prayer with him and the Witr prayer as well, even if he prays it early in the night. You have now achieved the reward of praying the full night, which if it is Laylat’l-Qadr, then you’ve in sha Allah achieved the full reward of standing the night of Laylat’l-Qadr as stated by the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

4. Avoid setting up two night prayers, calling them Tarawih and Tahajjud. Either elongate one of them to last longer in the night, or just pray one of them completely with the Imam with Witr. This is the Sunnah of the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in Ramadan: a single congregational prayer, not two separate ones, is the action of the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

5. Make a HUGE amount of du‘a during ALL the rest of the time available before Fajr starts.

6. If you feel the need to take little breaks in the night, only do the following in them:

a) Give plenty of Sadaqah, carefully and judiciously, to the highest-returning projects as possible, across as many fields and initiatives as possible, as varied as possible, as much as possible. Take advantage of the hugely multiplied rewards on offer. You can plan this in advance online to save time browsing on the night itself.

b) Read or reflect on something beneficial about Allah or read the Qur’an itself. Focus on His Mercy. And then call upon that Mercy later in your du‘a.

c) Keep your tongue busy with dhikr. Don’t waste a single second talking, watching or listening to anything from the dunya if possible. It’s just not worth it. It can wait one night.

7. If you want to bank on just one du‘a to really focus on during this night then choose the best Prophetic one of: Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa, fa‘fu ‘anni

(O Allah, indeed, you are the One who pardons; indeed you love to pardon. So please pardon me.)

8. Reduce the amount of food and time you will spend on eating Suhur so that you can spend more time making du‘a. This night is about standing in prayer, yes, but if you’ve done the above, then that standing is sufficient. Now make the night allabout du‘a.

9. Pray the Fajr prayer in Jama‘ah with the Imam. You have just achieved standing the entire night in prayer as stated by the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in al-Bukhari. So that’s all of Laylat’l-Qadr in standing achieved if it was indeed that night. Doing this is like a double guarantee for the night.

10. Finally, after your dhikr until Sunrise and your Shuruq prayer, get to sleep quickly so as to not to sleep too much during the day because there’s more ‘ibadah to be done on the 27th day too, to complete a successful night of al-Qadr as per the actions of the Salaf.

Europa: Gift Orban Fires Blank as Gent Hold West Ham

Duro Ikhazuagbe with agency report Nigerian wonder-kid in the Belgian league, Gift Orban was all action as Gent held West Ham to a 1-1 draw in their Europa Conference League quarter final first leg. Orban - who scored a hat-trick in 205 seconds in the last round - hit the bar with a wonderful 82nd-minute acrobatic attempt. The English team saw their 100 per cent winning run in the Europa Conference League ended by Gent. The Hammers looked on course to make it 11 wins out of 11 in Europe this season when Danny Ings tapped home after the hosts were caught out by a quickly taken

throw-in. David Moyes' side, Europa League semi-finalists last season, had to soak up waves of pressure in an intense quarter-final first leg in Belgium and Gent equalised after a clever touch and finish by Hugo Cuypers.

"I didn't think the performance was good but the result was not a bad result," West Ham boss Moyes said.

There was drama however deep in stoppage time when Gent's Kamil Piatkowski was shown a red card for bringing down substitute Lucas Paqueta, but it was overturned after the referee watched the incident again on the

pitchside monitor.

Elsewhere, Mats Wieferr gave Feyenoord a slender 1-0 advantage over Roma in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie.

The midfielder met Oussama Idrissi's left-wing cross, with his 20-yard effort going through a crowded area and bouncing twice on its way in.

Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini hit the post with a first-half penalty after a harsh handball call against Wieferr.

Jose Mourinho's Roma lost

Sadio

Mane Suspended, Fined over Leroy Sane Row

Bayern Munich have left Sadio Mane out of their squad for Saturday's league match against Hoffenheim amid reports he punched team-mate Leroy Sane.

Reports in Germany alleged Mane hit Sane in the face following Tuesday's 3-0 Champions League defeatby Manchester City at Etihad Stadium.

The pair reportedly had to be separated by team-mates after the altercation.

Bayern said Senegal forward Mane has been dropped because of "misconduct" and confirmed he will also be fined.

"Sadio Mane, 31, will not be included in the FC Bayern squad for this Saturday's home match against 1899 Hoffenheim," said Bayern in a statement on Thursday.

"This is due to his misconduct after Bayern's Champions League match at Manchester City. Mane will also be given a fine."

Bild saidformer Liverpool player

Mane, a two-time African footballer of the year, had complained about the way Germany winger Sane spoke to him after the defeat.

After flying back to Germany, Mane was picked up privately at the airport while Sane got the team bus.

Both Mane and Sane were back in training together on Thursday morning.

Neither player has yet commented on the alleged altercation.

Bayern host City in their quarter-final second leg next Wednesday.

Mane joined Bayern from Liverpool for £35m on a threeyear contract in June, shortly before prolific striker Robert Lewandowski left the German champions for Barcelona.

He scored six goals in his first seven matches in all competitions for Bayern but has not scored since October, struggling to replicate the Poland international's exploits.

Al-Nassr Sack Coach after Rift with Ronaldo

Al-Nassr have confirmed that manager Rudi Garcia has left the club 'by mutual agreement' following reports suggesting that he had a deteriorating relationship with his players, including Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Saudi Pro League club confirmed the news in a statement on Thursday and the Frenchman has left the club with immediate effect.

French

Ligue 1 Club Reims Lead Chase for Ighodaro

French Ligue 1 club Reims lead a clutch of foreign clubs that also include Egyptian giants Zamalek hot on the chase of Etiosa Ighodaro, who has taken the South African top flight by storm this season.

The striker has so far banged nine goals and delivered six assists for relegation strugglers Chippa United.

“Ighodaro has interested a good number of clubs outside South Africa like Reims in France and Zamalek of Egypt,” a source close to the player told SCORENigeria.

“His record is a lot more remarkable when you know that he is playing for a team who are fighting against relegation.”

Last season, he featured for University of Pretoria in the South African second division after he overcame his battle with various injuries.

Ighodaro is on loan at Chippa United from champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

Reports over recent days had suggested that Garcia was on the verge of being sacked, following an eight-month stint at the club.

It was said that Garcia had a 'blazing dressing room with his players' following a goalless draw with Al-Feiha on Sunday, and that £175m-a-year star Ronaldo was 'not satisfied' with the coach's tactics.

The Saudi club have also confirmed that their Under 19 coach Dinko Jelicic will take over as their new head coach. A statement on social media read: 'Al-Nassr can announce that Head Coach Rudi Garcia has left the Club by mutual agreement. “The board and everyone at Al-Nassr would like to thank Rudi and his staff for their dedicated work during the past 8 months.”

Garcia's exit comes in the wake

of Ronaldo's furious rant that saw him storm off the pitch on Sunday and bark at opposition

Titan Sports, Senema Production Stage All-Female Boxing Night

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Abuja Continental Hotel, formerly known as Sheraton Hotel, will come to life on May 1at the maiden All Female Boxing Night organised by Titan Sports Entertainment and Senema Production.

The night is code-named: Nigerian Boxing Meets Comedy.

Addressing the media yesterday in Abuja, John Uzoh of Titan Sports Entertainment, said the occasion which holds on workers'

day will be laced with comedy as numerous comedians led by Bernard Gbadamosi, known as Koboko Master will glamorize the event.

Six professional female boxers will compete in three different categories: featherweight, light welterweight and lightweight.

Each bout will be fought over three rounds with a minute rest in between each round. The lightweight event being the highest weight is the climax weight.

All the female boxers will go through the mandatory pre-fight health checks and are expected to put on their head gears during the fight.

The best fighter on the night will go home with a monetary reward of N200,000. The lowest ring side ticket for the night will cost N10,000.

Uzoh said they chose female boxing as a way of encouraging the growth of women's sports in the country.

One of the female boxers, who has been in the sport for many years, Helen Joseph, said her aim is to excel and show her prowess as a boxer.

The Executive Director Senema Production, Mrs Senami Ohiomokhare, whose father incidentally was a boxer before he retired from the Nigerian Air Force, said her production company opted for the event as a way of exhibiting the beauty, skills and grace reminiscent of the womenfolk.

players that they 'don't want to play'

The former Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus star then marched straight down the tunnel at full-time.

Criticising Al-Nassr players after that performance, Garcia said: “I don't feel satisfied with (their) performance.

“I asked them to play at the same level as the last game (a 5-0 win over Al-Adalah), but this didn't happen.”

Spanish outlet Marca claimed that Ronaldo felt as though Garcia could get more out of his team mates.

Garcia took over as manager in the summer as replacement for Argentine Miguel Angel Russo.

The club will now be looking

to their former U19 coach Jelicic to guide Ronaldo and Co to the Saudi Pro League title.

Keeping Ronaldo happy will be a big task for the Croatian, Jelicic.

The 49-year-old previously held roles at lower league Croatian sides Kustosija, Rudes, and Radnik, as well as the Croatian U19 national team and academy boss at Spanish side Alaves.

Before Sunday's rant, Ronaldo previously showed his frustration when he kicked a bottle after his side were beaten 1-0 by title rivals Al-Ittihad back in March. During the match, Ronaldo had been jeered by taunts of 'Messi, Messi' referencing his long-time rival for the world's greatest player for more than a decade.

Coach Rudi Garcia (left) has been sacked by Al Nassr after rift with Cristiano Ronaldo

Sadio Mane (right), has been punished for his altercation with Leroy Sane after Bayern Munich lost 0-3 to Manchester City on Tuesday night

Argentina forward Paulo Dybala to a thigh injury in the 26th minute, while England striker Tammy Abraham suffered a shoulder issue in the 58th minute.

Chimamanda to APC

“I wrote (this letter to the US president) of course, knowing full well that there will be criticism from certain quarters and I’ve seen a few things people sent to me and it has been kind of amusing to read the juvenile fulmination of non-juvenile people” –Renowned novelist, Chimamanda Adichie, replying the APC for calling for her arrest following a letter she wrote to the US President, Joe Biden.

KASSIM AFEGBUA

GUEST COLUMNIST

Senate Presidency: Why APC Must Get It Right

Ilistened to Senator Jarigbe Agom of Cross River North a couple of days ago on the Morning Show of ARISE TV Morning Show, where he opined that competence and capacity should dictate who becomes the Senate President, and not the region. He added that the Senate should go for the best candidate without much consideration for their religion. A day earlier, Senator Ndoma-Egba had opined that the Senate President should be zoned to the South-east in order to appease the zone and perhaps balance the power equation. Both of these persons who spoke are from the South-south zone and ordinarily are expected to understand the geopolitical ingredients that are desired, to balance the algorithms of power; unfortunately, they fall short.

The two issues they raised border on geopolitics and religion; two dominant issues that have become recurring decimals in the politics of our country. For a plural country like Nigeria, having multiple and multi-dimensional interests competing for attention within the subnationals, it is of political benefit to ensure participation, inclusiveness and balance of power and sentiments to promote a culture of belongingness and trust, so as to minimise the frictions and tempers in the polity. Balancing those factors should not be anchored on the plank of a sense of entitlement, but on the preponderance and quality of the arguments of the various competing zones, with a view to deepening our democracy and national growth.

The 10th Assembly Senate Presidency has expectedly become another thorny issue following interests from the respective geopolitical zones; and an understanding of the prevailing sentiments and emotions within the polity would help power players know how to bequeath and accord power across board. When the then APC presidential candidate, now President-elect emerged in 2022, he chose a fellow Muslim as his running mate. He altered the Muslim/Christian doctrine. He stated unequivocally that the rationale for his choice was based on his understanding of the prevailing issues and how he will garner votes at the elections, and not an Islamisation agenda as suspected. The protestations that attended his choice were from within and outside of the ruling party. Close associates of his, deserted him as his voice got drowned in the cacophony of voices especially from the Christian community, who saw the move as a deliberate affront to them. This reality also boosted the chances of a Southern Peter Obi, a Christian, who indubitably flourished his campaign on the theme of Christianity, even to saying at some point that, “Christians and the church should take back their country”. This faith and or same faith issue is very sensitive and we must be careful in handling it.

The complexities associated with balancing power in plural countries or societies are multifarious. In any plural society, both national and subnational entities must feel a sense of inclusion and regard for their concerns in the process, in any power distribution activity. In the case of Nigeria, there is always the tendency to view Nigeria from only a tripod configuration, Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa, thus subsuming other interests as though their interests are secondary. It is a wrong-headed reading of the entire gamut of minority rights. In the context of the 10th Assembly Senate Presidency, the issue of geopolitical balancing is both auspicious and compelling. The issue of religion is also important. Having a president and vice of the

country, of same faith, being first and second citizens, it is expected that a Christian Senate President and perhaps the Speaker of the House of Representatives will be of other faiths; except if we deliberately want to stir the hornet’s nest to provoke avoidable sentiments and emotions. I don’t think the President-elect and his deputy would want to travel that route, knowing full well that they both need a stable polity to stimulate good governance to deliver on their electoral promises. The geopolitical zone to be most considered and her merits is also important. I am advocating for the South-South zone to be accorded the position.

The South-south zone contributed so much to the success of the ruling APC in the last election. This zone has always been the stronghold of the opposition PDP, but in this 2023 election, the ruling APC was able to make a foothold in the zone, topping Rivers State votes, and coming second in the other five states with over 45% of the votes. That was audacious! The South-east zone had a different ball game. The presidential election outcome was abysmal for the ruling APC in all the five states of the South-east. In the fullness of such ridiculous outcome, Senators from the ruling party emerged, scoring as much as 42,000 votes in some cases, and others even more; but at the presidential election, they abandoned their candidate, Asiwaju Tinubu, in what I considered a conspiracy to humiliate him. The votes from all the five states of the South-east hover around 80,000. When one considers that both Senate and presidential elections held on the same day, hour, and minute and in a seamless process, the theme of conspiracy becomes obvious. Furthermore, the South-east zone senators have had the opportunity of being Senate President on five different occasions in the last 24 years; Enwerem, Okadigbo, Wabara, Anyim and Nnamani are all from the South-east. Some other senators from the South-east have served as Deputy Senate President for 12 years also. It means they have dominated the Senate for circa, 20 years. Bidding for the position at this

time would amount to taking the handshake beyond the elbow; and ask yourselves, if the APC had lost the presidency, as the South-east rooted for, would they be asking to become Senate President?

I do understand that there is no morality in politics because of some bizarre realities which have become the second nature of politics. But, there has to be balance of power to minimise the seen and unseen mitigating factors that stand against building a cohesive and stable system. Our power play needs to stimulate constructive engagement, collective bargaining, conversational politics, thus, good governance and wholesome progress. The South-south zone is undoubtedly the resource base of this nation. It is of utmost importance to deliberately and consciously factor in the interest of this zone now to avoid protestations and vibrations that may hurt the zone and the nation at large. Also, the character, content and antecedents of the individual for this position must be scrutinised for performance and sound leadership. Merely asking for the Senate Presidency with a sense of entitlement, is to me, a depraved assessment of the issues that have so far dictated our collective engagement and led us to where we are. The South-south geopolitical zone has persons of capacity and sound leadership orientation who can fit the bill. An individual who would be perspicacious in leadership of lawmaking, not allowing the assembly be dubbed a rubber-stamp one. They must be someone who understands the political dynamics in the country and can connect to them. The individual must be generational in thoughts to fit into the expectations of a contemporary digital age in the country. The South-south, unlike Senator Jarigbe Agom opined, parades eminently qualified persons who can up the ante in the Senate and constructively partner the executive arm of government to deepen democracy through lawmaking and other relevant responsibilities.

I have deliberately left out the North-west zone for obvious reasons: It is a predominantly Muslim dominated zone, and except the APC would want to sustain the narrative of Islamisation, nobody from the North-west zone should contemplate joining the race. Nigeria is very fragile at this time and the need to take selfless and patriotic decisions so as to stabilise the country is germane. The North-west zone has also enjoyed the privilege of producing our outgoing president for eight years; she should settle for the Deputy Senate President, while the South-east should settle for the Deputy Speaker. The North-central should have Speakership of the lower house while every other principal position should be shared altruistically to accommodate competing interests.

Within the South-south geopolitical zone, we have a ranking Senator, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, of quintessential and cerebral orientation, noted for quality service delivery and superlative performance; his antecedents are verifiable and he can deliver on the expectations of the 10th Assembly. It is not for nothing they call him “uncommon transformer”. Senator Akpabio, is not only a team player, he is also very astute, a reformer and transformational leader. He is reputed for several achievements both as the Governor of Akwa-Ibom state and Minister of the Niger-Delta Ministry. In the eight years he served as Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the state became a huge

construction site, turning a typical agrarian community to an urban centre with several infrastructural projects ranging from Airport, Hospitals, schools, hospitality business, human capital development, empowerment programmes, and to several interventionist projects that were started and fully completed under him, that have stimulated and anchored the economic growth of the state.

As a Minister of the Niger-Delta Affairs, within three years, he completed the NDDC Headquarters that had been abandoned since 1994, relocated the NDDC to its new office, built roads, built barracks and several other projects of economic value to the people of the oil rich region as well as starting and completing a forensic audit of the commission. Akpabio has the temperament and comportment to serve in the capacity of the senate president with equanimity and doggedness. Akpabio is a man of grit and courage, he has charisma and applies intelligence. He will deploy his huge political goodwill to balancing all the factors across the country.

Also from the South-south, is former Governor of Edo state, former labour leader, and former National Chairman of the ruling APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. Though a first timer to the Senate, he’s going to be one of the huge assets of the Senate either even in the Senate President capacity, if the rules permit; and or in other capacities thrust upon him. Oshiomhole is a resource material any day, any time. He’s deep in knowledge of contemporary issues, and understands the place of leadership in any human endeavour. Comrade Oshiomhole is a leader to reckon with having moved the ante in Edo State from 2008 to 2016 which till date represents the only evidence of growth of that state. His sense of service delivery has remained nonpareil. As a governor, his performance in Edo state was exceptional causing his peoples love for him to be perennial. As a product of struggle, Oshiomhole is a good asset in any institution he belongs. As we look forward to an interesting 10th Assembly, it is expected that there will be a healthy interplay of forces that would help to deepen democracy and consolidate on our laws for national growth and prosperity.

The 10th Assembly is expected to be forwardlooking and utility-driven. It should robustly dissect and interrogate issues with a sense of patriotism and not parochialism. It must earn the support and respect of the populace to avoid the stigmatisation of a rubber-stamp assembly. Its relationship with other arms of government must be constructive and objective, and the overall interest of the country must be uppermost in its politics of lawmaking. There is currently, national apathy and broken tongues and tribes. There is also lack of national cohesion and conversation.

The 10th Assembly must create platforms to engage Nigerians, stimulate national discourse and promote a sense of ownership across board. They must come up with laws that are therapeutic to our national healing process. The buy-in of everyone to create a sense of collective engagement that will accommodate all is highly needed; be they minority and or majority groups. The 10th Assembly and the APC must get it right; and allowing the South-south to preside over the 10th National Assembly will be the first step in this right direction.

•Afegbua, a former Commissioner for Information in Edo State and political analyst

Akpabio