Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
The management of ARISE News Channel yesterday announced the strategic arrival of the global television station in South Africa and nine other African countries. Aside South Africa, other
Says Tinubu gave critical appointments to region to address its challenges
Agency tells court it may engage military to effect his arrest Fagbemi says obstructing justice not allowed Police withdraw security, immigration sends signal, puts him on watchlist
Kingsley Nwezeh and Alex Enumah in Abuja
In a first of its kind, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday, declared a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, wanted in connection with alleged case of money laundering to the tune of N80.2 billion.
Earlier, the EFCC had informed a Federal High Court, Abuja, of the possibility of engaging the Nigerian Army in effecting the arrest of Bello, if it considered it an option.
This was as the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has warnedBello, that taking flight from the law would not resolve issues and therefore advised him to toe the part of decency by honouring the EFCC invitation.
Fagbemi, who expressed
The 650,000 barrels per day
Dangote Crude Oil Refinery near Lagos is getting at least a third of its crude oil supply from the United States, underscoring the cheapness of US oil compared to other producing countries’.
A report by Bloomberg said yesterday that Nigeria’s new mega Dangote oil refinery is slowly grinding into gear, with analysts and traders watching its ramp up closely to try to understand when it will start pouring petrol into the market.
“The 650,000 barrel-a-day Dangote plant outside Lagos is taking advantage of cheaper US oil imports for as much as a third of its feedstock as it starts up,” the report added.
According to Bloomberg, Dangote has been shipping products in recent weeks while
readying two units to enable petrol output that will deliver a long-promised transformation of the fuel market both in Nigeria and the region, according to analysts.
“Dangote is going to influence Atlantic Basin gasoline markets this summer and for the rest of the year,” said Alan Gelder, consultancy Wood Mackenzie’s Vice-President of Refining, Chemicals and Oil Markets.
“When the Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracking (RFCC) comes online, that’ll really shake things up because it alters the West African gasoline (petrol) supply balance,” he said, referring to the unit that upgrades heavier products.
The refinery is running at about 300,000 barrels a day, nearly half its nameplate capacity, according to the average estimate of analysts at
WoodMac, FGE and Citac. The complex has started shipping jet fuel, diesel and naphtha as it widens to a full slate of products.
Wood Mackenzie expects to see the petrol-focused units to be online from June, while other analysts expect the RFCC to take until the end of the year. Dangote Industries said earlier this month that petrol deliveries will start in May. A company spokesperson didn’t immediately respond to questions.
“The refinery is already having a sizable impact on product markets even running in its most stripped back form at minimum rates,” said Ronan Hodgson, an energy analyst at FGE. Units that boost diesel quality will also start up in the coming months.
As much as a third of the oil shipped into the giant refinery
so far has been US grade WTI Midland, according to shipping information compiled by Bloomberg. That’s likely to continue as long as the foreign oil undercuts the price of local supplies, Hodgson said.
Dangote could be about to change that. Nigeria released new rules earlier this week that will compel its oil producers to sell crude to domestic refineries in a bid to reverse the country’s reliance on imported refined products. It’s not yet clear how much each refinery will need to take.
Earlier in January, it was reported that the $19 billion giant new oil refinery, the largest in Africa, was set set to import crude from the US, a sign of how competitive American barrels had become in the global market.
Trafigura Group sold 2 million barrels of WTI Midland
to Dangote refinery for endFebruary delivery, the first time that the giant refinery had purchased non-Nigerian crude, traders said.
Booming US oil supply over the past decade or so has transformed the global market, reaching as far afield as Asia. Nigeria’s economy is mostly dependent on petroleum exports.
The new refinery, owned by Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest person, is also sourcing domestic crude under a supply deal with the trading arm of the state company Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).
The first cargo that arrived at the plant in December last year was Nigeria’s Agbami crude, sold by a trading unit of Shell Plc. This was followed by more Nigerian barrels including the nation’s Amenam, Bonny Light
RIBADU: NORTH SUSCEPTIBLE TO INSECURITY BECAUSE OF SWEEPING YOUTH ILLITERACY
witnessed in the region. He explained that the educational gap in the region not only restricted economic opportunities but fueled grievances and heightened susceptibility to extremist ideologies.
"Groups such as Boko Haram and other extremists exploit these vulnerabilities by offering alternative narratives that promise belonging, purpose, and at times financial benefits for coercion,” he stated.
Ribadu said it was to help the North address some of these challenges that President Bola Tinubu decided to handover leadership of the areas to northerners.
“He appointed northerners to head security and Defence. He gave us both ministers of Agriculture and Education. Minister of health is from the North. It is for us to make the best of it,” he said.
To address this menace, the former EFCC boss said there was need to bridge the gap in school enrollment, which he said was critical to countering radicalisation and fostering a more stable and
and CJ Blend streams.
As well as processing domestic feedstock, the new giant plant is equipped to run other African crudes as well as supply from further afield including the US and Saudi Arabia, Dangote Group said earlier.
West Texas Intermediate Midland barrels tend to be cheaper than grades like Nigeria’s, which are priced relative to the North Sea grade Brent.
prosperous environment. According to Ribadu, aside from illiteracy, proliferation of small arms, corruption and injustice were also responsible for insecurity.
He maintained that despite laws against unauthorised arms possession, the circulation of small arms and light weapons (SALWs) was rampant, thus fueling violence. On the issue of farmers/ herders clashes, he explained that climatic factors and competition for scarce farming and grazing lands contributed to escalation of the crisis.
He admitted that the Nigerian security agencies were already overstretched due to limited number of security personnel in the country. He, however, stated that under Tinubu, Nigerian security has improved, stressing that all abducted school children had been successfully rescued without the payment of any ransom.
He also said the administration has improved security in the Niger Delta region, which helped in boosting oil production in the region. He warned criminals to have rethink as government would not fold it hands to allow any disgruntled element disturbing the peace of the nation.
“We are working. This set of leadership of the security sector is different. We are serious people and insha Allah, we will succeed,” he said.
On economy, Ribadu said the president responded in a timely and responsive manner by giving instructions to crash the dollar, which would lead to crash of the prices of essential products in the market.
He further explained that steps taken by the president would continue to improve the life of the average Nigerians.
disappointment in how those in authorities misused their powers to shield persons of interest, however, warned against obstructing security agencies in the discharge of their statutory mandate.
Also, last night, the police, announced the withdrawal oftheir men securing Bello and also sent signals round to that effect.
At the same time, the Nigeria Immigration Services, has also put Bello on the watchlist of persons not allowed to travel through any of the country’s borders, as an individual declared wanted by the EFCC.
But Bello’s lawyer, AbdulWahab Mohammed,
objected to the arraignment of his client before the Federal High Court Abuja, on grounds of jurisdiction, saying he was not a fugitive as the commission has made it seem.
The latest latest development followed the botched effort by the anti-graft agency to carry out the orders of a Federal High Court, Abuja, which granted a warrant for the arrest of the fleeing former governor.
Based on the orders, EFCC had Wednesday stormed the Abuja residence of Bello, to arrest and produce him in court, to enable him answer to alleged money laundering to the tune of over N80 billion.
signed by Fauziya Ali Mohammed, the Chief of Staff to the Chairman/Editor-in-Chief, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, some other nations where the news channel is already available include: Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda as well as in Cameroon, Sudan, Ghana, Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire, and in Francophone Africa.
“The management of ARISE News Channel is delighted to announce that your favourite cable news network has gone live in South Africa, in addition to nine other countries in Southern Africa, on Multichoice/DSTV Channel 416.
“The other countries are Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi and Mozambique. Others are Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
“With the new additions, ARISE News Channel is live in 54 African countries. It is already available to audiences in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda as well as in Cameroon, Sudan, Ghana, Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire, Francophone Africa, amongst others,” the statement added.
The Emmy-winning ARISE News Channel, which marked its 11th anniversary January 31 this year, is Africa’s premier broadcaster globally, showcasing the continent in Business, Politics, Technology, Commerce,
Science, SportsShow business and fashion, while projecting the best of Africa – its peoples and cultures around the world.
While affirming that ARISE News Channel is determined to be launched in all countries around the world, Chairman/ Editor-in-Chief Obaigbena said that the movement to South Africa consolidates the station’s as a clear leader in the industry.
“This movement to Southern Africa cements ARISE News Channel’s position as the leading broadcaster in Africa with independence and clear thinking. We are determined to celebrate the best of Africa and tell the African story in the global marketplace.
“We shall continually showcase the emerging African century where Nigeria and other African countries will be some of the leading economies around the world. This is a marathon and not a dash: we will do for Nigeria and Africa what the CNNs, the BBCs and Aljazeeras have done for their nations and regions.
“ In the emerging AI-driven new information highway, no one will shape your narrative better than you. We salute Multichoice for the ground-breaking move in Southern Africa,” it added.
ARISE News Channel operates a 24-hour broadcast from studios
in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria; in Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa; in London, the United Kingdom; and in New York, United States.
The Channel can also be viewed in the UK and across Europe on the Sky platform (Sky Channel 516) and Freeview (Channel 136), the Centric Channel in the USA, and also on the Hot Bird platform, which transmits to Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
The ARISE News Channel is also available to streaming audiences around the world through the ARISE Play platform.
Aside the above-mentioned countries, other African countries where the channel is now shown live, include: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Also, Arise is present in Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mozambique and Niger Republic.
In addition, the station broadcasts from Nigeria, Reunion, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Zanzibar, The Gambia, Togo as well as Uganda.
But Bello was said to have escaped arrest when his successor, Usman Ododo, allegedly used his position as governor to shield him from arrest.
However, declaring Bello wanted, a notice of declaration issued by the EFCC stated that Bello was wanted in connection with alleged case of money laundering to the tune of N80.2 billion.
The anti-graft agency, had, in pursuit of its investigation into the allegations of diversion of N80.2 billion against the former governor, laid siege to his Zone 4, Abuja residence, in a bid to arrest him.
The operatives of EFCC later clashed with the security personnel guarding Bello's successor, Ododo, who went to visit his predecessor at the height of the arrest drama.
In the notice of declaration, the EFCC stated: "The public is hereby notified that Yahaya Adoza Bello (former Governor of Kogi State), whose photograph appears above is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with alleged case of Money Laundering to the tune of N80,246,470.089.88.
“Bello, 48-year old Ebiraman is a native of Okenne Local Government of Kogi State. His last known address is: 9, Benghazi Street. Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
"Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its Ibadan, Enugu, Kano, Lagos. Gombe, Port Harcourt and Abuja offices of through these numbers 09-9044751-3, 08093322644, 08183322644, 07026350721-3, 0706350724-5; its e-mail address: info@efccnigeria.org of the nearest Police Station and other security agencies," it said.
Yesterday, the EFCC, had informed a Federal High Court, Abuja, of the possibility of engaging the Nigerian Army in effecting the arrest of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello. The anti-graft agency observed that the decision was sequel to a botched attempt to arrest Bello at his Abuja residence on
Wednesday.
Following an exparte order by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, personnel of the Commission had laid siege to the former governor's house in the Wuse Area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Nwite had in the ruling ordered the EFCC to arrest Bello and produce him in court on Thursday, April 18, for arraignment.
Others to be arraigned alongside Bello, according to the 19-count criminal charge, were his nephew, Ali Bello, who is the Chief of Staff to incumbent Governor Ododo, one Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu.
The anti-graft agency accused the trio of laundering the total sum of N80,246,470,088.88, belonging to the state.
However, they could not effect Bello’s arrest following the intervention of Ododo, who was said to have used his immunity shield to aid Bello's escape.
When the matter was called, EFCC's counsel, Mr Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, who narrated the ordeal of his client at arresting the defendant, added that the Commission was aware that the defendant was being shielded in the home of a person that has immunity.
While pointing out that immunity was only attached to a person, not his house or car, the senior lawyer argued that the law allowed Nigerian security agencies to break into a house to arrest a defendant.
"If he is unwilling to produce his client in court, we will invite other security agencies including the Nigerian army to produce him," Pinheiro stated, while urging the court to allow them return next week for the arraignment of the three defendants.
In addition, the senior lawyer urged the court to compel Bello's lawyer to accept service of the processes, since it has been impossible to serve the charge sheet personally on the defendant.
But Bello's lawyer, AbdulWahab Mohammed, objected to the arraignment
of his client before the Federal High Court Abuja, on grounds of jurisdiction.
While arguing that his Notice of Preliminary Objection must be taken before any other motion, he faulted the warrant of arrest issued against his client.
"The governor has a lawyer in court and if there is a justifiable issue for him to come to court, he would.
"Our contention is that the defendant on record is not a fugitive. We are talking of rule of law, not rule of force.
"We are contending that the warrant of arrest was given outside jurisdiction because there is a judgement," Mohammed said.
He, however, declined to receive service on behalf of his client, stating that he did not have his authority to accept service of the charges and proof of evidence.
Justice Nwite, who stated that he was yet to read the Kogi State High Court judgement, said to have been delivered on Wednesday, held that all parties including the former governor had to be formally invited before the court.
The judge, in addition, pointed out that the EFCC had the powers to arrest a suspect or defendant even without a warrant of arrest, and subsequently adjourned to April 23 for ruling and arraignment.
Part of the charge against the defendants read: "That you, Yahaya Adoza Bello, Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu( Still at large), sometime, in February, 2016, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to convert the total sum of N80, 246,470, 088.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eight Nine Naira, Eighty Eight Kobo), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section
L-R: Chairman of Metis Capital Partners, Prof Hakeem Belo-Osagie; Chairperson of Global Infrastructure Partners, Bayo Ogunlesi and former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) Uche Orji when Belo-Osagie had the final class of the first for-credit course
James Emejo in Abuja
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), yesterday disclosed that over N7.31 trillion accrued into the federation account in the second half of 2023 compared to N5.24 trillion in the first half of the year.
Chairman, Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Mr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, disclosed this in a statement made available to THISDAY.
He said of the gross revenue inflows, N1.69 trillion was transferred to the Exchange Gain Differential Account, leaving a balance of N5.47 trillion
Shehu said N3.26 trillion was also deducted as approved statutory deductions by the Office
of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), with a balance of N2.20 trillion for distribution to the three tiers of government between July and December last year.
He further explained that of the N3.26 trillion deduction, N2.25 trillion was transferred to the Non-oil Excess Account as savings, leaving a net statutory deduction of N1.01 trillion with further augmentations for sharing among the three tiers of government received from some reserve accounts, particularly revenues maintained by the Federal Ministry of Finance/OAGF. The RMAFC boss added that in the period under review, N4 trillion was distributed among tiers of government compared to N3.06
trillion disbursed to the tiers of government between January and June 2023.
According to him, statutory deductions in H2 2023 constituted 44.12 per cent of total gross inflows within the six months, compared to 42.31 per cent, including transfer to the non-oil excess account in H1.
Shehu further pointed out that of the gross revenue inflows into the federation account, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) remitted N874.64 billion in the review period compared to zero remittance in H1.
Also, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) remitted N1.56 trillion while the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) paid N3.65 trillion.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) also remitted N1.21 trillion in the review period.
This comes as the commission advocated that moving forward, the cost of revenue collection should be tied to the performances of Revenue Generating Agencies (RGAs), adding that this would improve revenue generation and remittances.
Shehu said such a move would further encourage RGAs to devise new strategies for enhancing revenue generation and remittances to increase the cost of collection.
He said, “We strongly advocate that payment of the cost of collection to RGAs should be tied to revenue performance. In other words, each RGA should receive a cost
The President of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Gabriel Idahosa, has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to continue its Foreign exchange market’s reform with intense discipline to further strengthen the Naira and curb inflationary pressure on the economy. Idahosa made the call yesterday during the LCCI’s quarterly press conference where he delivered an address on the state of the economy and urged the federal government to create an atmosphere that promotes export growth and competitiveness.
He said: “We urge the CBN to continue with its forex market reforms with intense discipline, as the high exchange rate against the Naira is a major driver of the skyrocketing inflation rates,” adding that “the Naira firmed up due to some foreign exchange policy reforms undertaken by the CBN” before the end of the first quarter.
He added that “in the last few days, the Naira rate of exchange with the Dollar improved, breaking some resistance and moving towards the level of N1000/Dollar or lower.
“The CBN needs to sustain its policy and regulatory reforms in the foreign exchange market, adopt policies that would attract more foreign exchange inflow into the economy as well as build market confidence in the performance of the FX market.”
Idahosa noted that before the reforms were initiated, the chamber noted that “the exchange rate of the Naira in the first quarter of 2024 depreciated in all foreign exchange market segments, crashing to an all-time low above the N1,500/Dollar mark in March. The depreciation was fundamentally driven by low supply to the market but speculative
activities played a huge role in distorting the real value of the Naira.” The LCCI commended the federal government’s swift actions in investigating the activities of some government institutions like the CBN and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, which have sent strong signals to the world that it is serious in putting governance right.
“We only wish to urge the government to hasten the investigations and finalise the next actions towards restructuring the institutions concerned and entrenching sound corporate governance.
“We need strong institutions with strict adherence to international best
practices in procurements, payments, decision making, discipline and communications,” the chamber said. It also urged the federal government “to create an atmosphere that promotes export growth and competitiveness,” in order “to boost export earnings, raise domestic revenue, improve citizens welfare, and increase business productivity and competitiveness.” It recommended that both monetary and fiscal authorities should focus on the factors driving the inflation rates by tackling the supply-side deficiencies instead of focusing too much attention on the demand-side management.
Naira Gains at Parallel Market,
volatile intra-day trading but closed at N1,050/$1. This is a decline from the N1100/$1 it exchanged on Tuesday indicating N50 gain.
the official window.
The parallel market recorded
At the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange (NAFEM) window yesterday, the naira recorded gains as it closed at N1,154.08 a N81.34 decline compared to N1,072.74/$1 it closed on Tuesday. The daily turnover saw a marginal decline of 1.85 per cent reaching $185.62 million yesterday, compared to the $189.12 million recorded on Tuesday. Furthermore, the highest spot rate observed yesterday stood at N1,220, with the lowest spot rate recorded at N1,000
of collection commensurate with the revenue generated against its revenue target, as provided for in the Appropriation Act.”
According to him, the FIRS received N115.22 billion as the cost of collection on petroleum Profit Tax (PPT)/Company Income Tax (CIT) and N3.47 trillion for Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) collections within the period. Revenue from EMTL totaled N86.76 billion
The FIRS and NCS also received N85.66 billion as cost of collection on Value Added Tax (VAT), while N6.75 trillion was paid in as cancellation of tax credit from
VAT in July. He said from the federation account component, the NCS received N85.17 billion as the cost of collection for the period while NUPRC received N62.75 billion.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) also received a refund of N82.91 billion as a penalty for gas flaring.
Revenues on gas flare penalty used to be federation account revenues before the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, which provided that such revenues should be paid 100 per cent to the authority.
Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja
The World Bank Group (WBG) and African Development Bank Group are partnering on an ambitious effort to provide at least 300 million people in Africa with electricity access by 2030, an initiative that could halve the number of people in Africa living without access to power.
While WBG will work to connect 250 million people to electricity through distributed renewable energy systems or the distribution grid while the African Development Bank Group will support an additional 50 million people, the Bretton Wood institution said in a statement.
Access to electricity is a fundamental human right and is foundational to any successful development effort.
Currently, 600 million Africans lack access to electricity, creating significant barriers to health care, education, productivity, digital inclusivity, and ultimately job creation.
Quoting World Bank Group President, Ajay Banga, the statement said: "Electricity access is the bedrock of all development. It is a critical ingredient for
economic growth and essential for job creation at scale.
"Our aspiration will only be realized with partnership and ambition. We will need policy action from governments, financing from multilateral development banks, and private sector investment to see this through."
According to the statement, the partnership is a demonstration of the determination of the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank Group to be bolder, bigger, and better in tackling one of the most pressing challenges in Africa.
"The initiative is the most recent manifestation of the World Bank Group’s commitment to become more impact-oriented and is the byproduct of a concerted workplan to build a better bank. It is aided by a constellation of regional energy programs that will now be aligned toward this common goal.
"For the World Bank Group to connect 250 million people, $30 billion of public sector investment will be needed, of which IDA, the World Bank’s concessional arm for low-income countries,
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has revealed that the federal government would have to spend the sum of N3.2 trillion as subsidy on electricity in 2024 if the recent electricity tariff hike is reversed.
The Chairman of the Commission, Sanusi Garba, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at a stakeholders meeting called by the House of Representatives Committee on Power.
He revealed that only N185 billion of the N645 billion subsidy in 2023 has been cash-backed, leaving a funding gap of N459. 5 billion.
Garba explained that as a result of the non-payment of subsidy, gas supply, and power generation
have continued to dip.
Garba stated: “The unification of FX and current inflationary pressures are pushing cost reflective tariff to N184/kWh. “If sitting back and doing nothing is the way to go, it would mean that the National Assembly and the Executive would have to provide about N3.2 trillion to pay for subsidy in 2024.”
Garba pointed that current investments in the sector were not enough to guarantee a steady power supply. He explained that before the recent review in tariff, Discos were only obligated to pay 10 per cent of their energy invoice, adding that the lack of cash backing for subsidy is creating a liquidity challenge in the sector. The chairman noted that if
nothing concrete is done to address issues in the sector including foreign exchange fluctuation and non-payment for gas, the sector will be heading for doom.
He stated that the continuous decline in power generation and system collapse are largely linked to liquidity challenges.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Power, Victor Nwokolo said the essence of the meeting was to address the recent increase in tariff and the issue of band A and others.
Nwokolo said the officials of NERC and Discos have given the committee useful information, saying the committee has not concluded with them because the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the Generation Companies (GENCOs) were
not there.
He assured that the committee would hold further consultations with them by next week.
Nwokolo added: "But from what they have said, which is true is that without the change in tariff, which was due in 2022, the industry lacks the capital to bring the needed change.
“Of course, with the population explosion in Nigeria, the areas being covered are beyond what they have estimated in the past and because they need to expand their own network, they also need more money.
“Every day, there are changes to the exchange rate and there are also threats to power installations because of security, thereby increasing the overhead.
“The committee has not fully agreed with them because we
The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) has restated its commitment to ensuring speedy reforms to boost efficiency and access to affordable and quality housing in Nigeria.
Speaking when he received the Housing Institutions Reform and the Multi-Agency Project Delivery task teams in Abuja, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the bank, Shehu Osidi, pledged his total support for the committees recently set up by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa.
The two committees were led by Mr Adedeji Adesemoye, who heads the Housing Institutions Reform Task Team and Brig.Gen Tunde Reis, who leads the Multi-Agency Project Delivery task teams. Reis was represented on the occasion by Chioma Wogu-Ogbonna, an architect.
Stressing the importance of the two important teams, Osidi stated that they are expected to work on the reforms of housing delivery agencies under the ministry, including the FMBN and the
Federal Housing Authority (FHA).
He explained that the visit underscored the importance of collaboration between the task teams and the agencies in achieving the aims and objectives of their assignment.
As the committees set out to churn out critical reform recommendations for the bank and other government agencies, the FMBN boss, reminded them that they had been entrusted with the important responsibility of reshaping the landscape of home ownership financing in Nigeria.
Besides, Osidi explained that they have the task of advancing the goals of affordable housing and urban development, describing it as a major assignment by all means.
“Accordingly, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria is committed to supporting you in fulfilling the ministry's dreams of reforming and improving the housing sector, which is crucial for sustainable development and improving the quality of life for all citizens.
“It is important to acknowledge that the bank has had a remarkable journey in the history of mortgage
and housing finance in Nigeria and we are happy that this interaction is taking place today to share our perspectives.
“It is equally important to share with the task teams that the bank, on its own, has recognised the need for reforms and has taken the initiative to commence a journey of repositioning and recapitalisation in conjunction with the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE),” he explained.
According to him, the FMBN was one of the enterprises hitherto slated for commercialisation by the federal government.
He added: “This focus was shifted to repositioning and recapitalisation after a series of engagements with the BPE on the need for the bank to stay true to its mandate of affordable mortgage financing.
“No doubt, the bank is bedevilled with a litany of challenges particularly with the performance of our estate development loans, but it is important to note that we are gradually turning the corner.
“We have a five-year strategy blueprint, approved ay the board guiding our operations and a major ICT project- the core banking
application is nearing completion, that is 95 per cent, to improve service delivery and enthrone process efficiency.”
The amendments of the FMBN and NFH Acts, he said, have also commenced in the National Assembly, pointing out that a copy of the draft FMBN bill was sent to the bank a couple of weeks ago, while the draft NHF bill is being awaited.
He stressed that the FMBN is concentrating on seven core but broad agenda to further deepen the ongoing reforms and usher remarkable turnaround.
“These include deepening process automation, promoting cost efficiency, enhancing credit quality & reducing non-performing loans, effective project management, expanding strategic partnerships, enthroning a robust organisational/employee performance management system and building/talent management and standardised capacity,” he added.
In their separate remarks, Adesemoye and Reis listed some key areas of focus for both teams, promising to ensure thorough and usable reports that will help grow the sector.
are not saying either yes or no because we want to get more input and also find out the possibility of gas being sold to them in naira. More of this is dependent on generation and without the gas, you cannot have power."
The total investable wealth currently held on the African continent amounts to $2.5 trillion, and its millionaire population is set to rise by 65% over the next 10 years, according to the 2024 Africa Wealth Report, published by international wealth advisory firm Henley & Partners in collaboration with global wealth intelligence partner New World Wealth.
Now in its ninth edition, the annual report reveals that there are currently 135,200 high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) with liquid investable wealth of one million dollars or more living in Africa, along with 342 centi-millionaires worth $100 million or more and 21 dollar-billionaires.
Africa’s ‘Big 5’ wealth markets (South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, and Morocco) account for 56% of the continent’s millionaires and over 90% of its billionaires.
Despite facing challenges, wealth growth on the continent has shown resilience. Dominic Volek, Group Head of Private Clients at Henley & Partners, pointed out that currency depreciation and underperforming stock markets "have chipped away at Africa’s wealth compared to global benchmarks." He mentioned that currencies in most other African countries also performed poorly compared to the dollar over the past 10 years, with dramatic depreciations of over 75% recorded in Nigeria, Egypt, Angola, and Zambia, noting, however, that this has not deterred the continent's wealth growth, showcasing its resilience and potential for recovery.
“According to our latest figures, approximately 18,700 high-net-worth individuals have left Africa over the past decade (2013 to 2023)," said the Head of Research at New World Wealth, Andrew Amoils, disclosing that there are 54 African-born billionaires worldwide, including one of the world’s richest, Elon Musk, but only 21 of them still live on the continent. Most have relocated to the UK, the USA, Australia, and
the UAE. Significant numbers have also moved to France, Switzerland, Monaco, Portugal, Canada, New Zealand, and Israel.
Despite a tough past decade that saw a 20 per cent decline in its millionaire population, South Africa remains home to over twice as many HNWIs as any other African country. It has 37,400 millionaires, 102 centi-millionaires, and five billionaires, followed by Egypt, which has 15,600 millionaires, 52 centi-millionaires, and seven billionaires. Nigeria sits in third place with 8,200 HNWIs, followed by Kenya (7,200 millionaires), Morocco (6,800), Mauritius (5,100), Algeria (2,800), Ethiopia (2,700), Ghana (2,700), and Namibia (2,300) all making it into the 'Top 10 Wealthiest Countries in Africa'.
Commenting in the 2024 Africa Wealth Report, South African political commentator Justice Malala said that with growth projected at four per cent by the IMF, Sub-Saharan Africa will be the second-fastest-growing region in the world in 2024, after Asia.
“The African Development Bank predicts that Africa will account for 11 out of the 20 fastest-growing economies in the world this year. And with a new global political order emerging, African voices are also being elevated in international decision-making bodies," stated Malala.
He added, "With Russia, China, the USA, and the EU all jostling for favour on the continent, African leaders have become more emboldened and are demanding a seat at the top tables."
At the city level, according to the report, Johannesburg holds its place as the wealthiest in Africa, with 12,300 millionaires, 25 centi-millionaires, and two billionaires. Cape Town follows closely with 7,400 millionaires, 28 centi-millionaires, and one billionaire. Cairo (7,200 millionaires), Nairobi (4,400), and Lagos (4,200) also stand out as key urban wealth hubs.
Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Mr. Aminu Umar-Sadiq, yesterday disclosed that its operations and investments had generated positive social and economic impacts and contributed towards the attainment of key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the country.
Addressing journalists at the NSIA 2023 earnings presentation in Abuja, Umar-Sadiq said over 245,000 direct jobs and about 200,000 had been created across the sectors with the help of the authority.
He said the fund had efficiently
utilised $1.64 billion in net government contributions received since 2013, resulting in Net Asset Value (NAV) of $2.47 billion in December 2023.
The NSIA boss further said the authority had continued to show resilience and growth in its asset performance in the past 10 years – a demonstration of its commitment to build its asset base while creating value within the economy.
Umar-Sadiq stated that through capital preservation, diversified portfolio of assets and an enterprise approach to risk management, the authority had been able to grow net assets to $2.47 billion, representing 8.5 per cent compound annual
The World Bank has commended the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for his government’s reforms in the basic education sector, expressing satisfaction with the progress and impact of the reforms in the last seven and half years.
A World Bank delegation led by the Bank’s Education Economist, Martín De Simone, said the State has continued to meet set goals, significantly progressing with its basic education sector reforms.
He said Obaseki has also embarked upon upskilling the State’s teeming youth population through the Edo Basic Education Sector and Skills Transformation (EdoBESST) Programme.
The delegation which is on a four-day working visit to the State is collaborating with stakeholders from the Edo State Ministry of Education, the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (Edo SUBEB), and other government agencies.
The team, according to Martín De Simone, the World Bank Education Economist and Task Team Lead for EdoBESST, is evaluating and reviewing the progress achieved so far in the implementation of the state-wide basic education reforms which was launched in 2018 by Obaseki.
He said, “We have held extensive meetings with key stakeholders over the past four days and have identified key areas where progress has been made and areas that need to be further strengthened as we
work toward achieving the goals of EdoBESST.
“We are particularly pleased that the data before us shows that there is improvement in the basic education system since the implementation of reform in various areas, including the performance of the pupils in the state-owned primary school system.”
After the team visited the situation room situated at Block B, State Secretariat at Sapele Road in Benin City, Martín commended the Obaseki-led administration for creating the facility where activities of the programme are monitored.
De Simeone said: “The situation room created to monitor teachers, students, and schools’ performance is unique because it helps in real data gathering compared to what the bank has seen in other places.
“The situation room from where activities of teachers, schools and pupils are being monitored will help in the overall performance of each school and teachers who are cautious because they know their activities are monitored and it will equally improve the performance of the pupils.”
Also, a Senior Education Specialist at the World Bank, Dr. Tunde Ademola while commending the governor stated: "We encourage the governor to urge UBEC to come learn from Edo SUBEB as this is the way to go as it will help Nigeria’s education system as the education system has improved in Edo State.”
growth over the years.
He said the authority had maintained 11 years of consistent positive returns and catalysed over $1 billion in third-party investment.
Umar-Sadiq also said NSIA developed/co-developed over 10 institutions and platforms to improve the financial market ecosystem leader in sustainability and preferred green partner of choice.
According to him, NSIA received its first royalty by price payment from Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NUPRC), in 2023, by virtue of the Petroleum Industry Act, in the sum of $45.59 million.
He said the fund’s initiatives further created economic stimulus, including $7.5 billion in agriculture, motorways $1.8 billion, financial market $695 million, gas industrialisation $274 million, healthcare $42 million, and power $22.5 million.
He said over 236,000 farmers were supported through NSIA’s agro projects, adding that 68 per
cent of beneficiary farmers are youths of which 50 per cent are females.
In the healthcare sector, he said three hospital projects with over 282,100 patients were served, including 150,000 chemotherapy sessions.
In the housing sector, the NSIA boss said 13,504 affordable houses were under construction while over 3,500 youths received formal education through partnered educational institutions, among others.
He said NSIA had been able to establish a leading Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) globally, playing a role in promoting investments for Nigeria’s economic development.
The authority remained in the top quartile of the Linaburg-Maduell Transparency Index, scoring 9 out of 10 among over 40 SWFs that were evaluated in 2022.
Also, in the 2023 Global SWF Governance, Sustainability, and Resilience Ranking, NSIA scored a perfect 100 per cent, ranking joint first with esteemed SWFs like Temasek
and New Zealand Super Fund. The GSR Scoreboard analysis reflected NSIA’s substantial progress from a previous score of 84 per cent, showcasing its enhanced sustainability practices, including improved ESG policies, a robust framework, climate investment leadership, and impactful reporting.
Notwithstanding domestic and global headwinds, NSIA had reported it grew its net assets by 119 per cent to N2.22 trillion in 2023, compared to N1.02 trillion the preceding year.
Total operating income also increased to N1.18 trillion, from N101.1 billion in 2022, inclusive of foreign exchange (FX) gains during the period.
The results were contained in its audited results for the 2023 financial year.ience of the NSIA's investment strategy and the quality of its earnings, despite the challenging global macro-economic, and geopolitical landscape.
“Our excellent results in 2023 and consistent positive performance
over a decade offer further proof of our robust strategic asset allocation, proficient execution of our infrastructure initiatives as well as effective risk management processes.
“We remain firmly committed to catalysing positive socioeconomic outcomes through critical infrastructure investments; strategic partnerships that expand our impact across pivotal sectors; and solutions that not only deliver our mandate but simultaneously uphold environmental stewardship.
“Looking ahead, we re-affirm our focus on creating shared prosperity for current and future generations of Nigerians.”
The significant rise in its operating income was attributed to the positive performance of the equities and fixed-income portfolios, as well as the positive performance of NSIA’s infrastructure investments.
In addition, the authority’s total comprehensive income increased by 1,122 per cent to N1.18 trillion in 2023, compared to N96.96 billion in 2022.
Over 24 million out of the 62.9 million children between five to 17 years in Nigeria as of 2022, were engaged in child labour, while 617,503 people were said to be in forced labour with no opportunity to exit their employment.
The statistics were contained in the 2022 Child Labour and Forced Labour Survey Report unveiled yesterday in Abuja by the federal government.
The survey was carried out by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) through the financial support of the United States Department of Labour (USDOL) and Netherlands Government.
The report showed that 24, 673, 485 (39.2 per cent) of children between 5 -17 years in Nigeria were engaged in child labour while 14, 390,353 (22.9 percent) of children are involved in hazardous work.
The survey further showed that 31,756,302 (50.5 per cent) of the children between 5 - 17 years in Nigeria were engaged in economic activity.
The report further indicated that
the prevalence of forced labour was more in urban areas than rural areas.
While presenting the survey report, Mrs. Abiola Orosanya said that in terms of the percentage of children in child labour and hazardous work, the South East region has the highest prevalence of children involved in child labour (49.9 per cent), followed by North East geopolitical zone with 49.4 per cent.
The report said that (5.2 per cent of every 1,000 people (617,503 people) were in forced labour in their current jobs in 2022
According to the report, 41.1 per cent of the people engaged in forced labour ply their trade in agricultural sector, whereas 32.8 per cent are found in the service sector.
Speaking at the formal launch of the 2022 Nigeria Child and Forced Labour Survey reports, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, said the purpose of the survey was to provide more accurate information on forced labour and child labour through data collection.
She was represented by the Permanent Secretary in thee Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment,
Ismaila Abubakar.
The minister said that the report will help to inform policy direction and interventions towards the elimination of child labour and forced labour in Nigeria.
"We are aware that the survey was conducted in April 2022, that is, 22 years after the first Multiple Indication Cluster Surveys (MICS) survey was conducted. The launch and publication of the survey report was delayed to this time due to the technicalities and processes involved in the analysis of the survey result.
"As we know, the purpose of the survey is to improve information on forced labour and child labour through data collection which will help to inform policy direction and interventions towards the elimination of child labour and forced labour in Nigeria," she said.
The Country Director of the ILO, Venersa Phala said that the 2021 global reports on child labour released by the ILO and UNICEF painted a troubling picture. She said: "Worldwide, the number of children engaged in child labour has risen by 8.4 million to a staggering 160 million. For the first time in two
decades, progress in combating child labour has notably stalled globally, with Sub-Saharan Africa facing particularly daunting challenges.
"The 2021 report points to a significant rise in the number of children aged 5 to 11 years in child labour, who now account for just over half of the total global figure. The number of children aged 5 to 17 years in hazardous work has risen by 6.5 million to 79 million since 2016".
According to her, the agriculture sector accounted for 70 per cent of children in child labour (112 million) followed by 20 per cent in services (31.4 million) and 10 per cent in industry (16.5 million).
She said nearly 28 per cent of children aged 5 to 11 years and 35 per cent of children aged 12 to 14 years in child labour are out of school.
"Child labour is more prevalent among boys than girls at every age. When household chores performed for 21 hours or more each week are considered, the gender gap in child labour narrows. The prevalence of child labour in rural areas (14 per cent) is close to three times higher than in urban areas (5 per cent)," she said.
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has okayed system-wide policies to comprehensively overhaul the education sector to improve learning and skill development, increase enrolment, and ensure the academic security of the nation's children.
The approved policies, according to a statement issued yesterday by presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, are captured as DOTS, an acronym representing: Data Repository, Out-of-School Children Education, Teacher Training & Development, and Skill Development & Acquisition.
On Data Repository, currently, the statement said there is a paucity of coordinated, verifiable, and authentic data on all aspects of the education sector in Nigeria, which is critical for planning.
Consequently, the president approved the conduct of an extensive census of the following: All schools in Nigeria from primary to tertiary level,
their conditions and live-in facilities, proximity to one another, educational infrastructure, among others.
The census will also include all teachers in Nigeria, their qualifications, training support received as well as all pupils and students in primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions, gender, exam grades, among others.
The information, the release stated, will guide federal and state interventions for teachers' training and development as well as overall support.
It will also provide data on gender ratio (boys and girls), their specific learning needs, and who is in school or who has dropped out based on daily monitoring with year-by-year reporting.
There will also be a dedicated portal/dashboard in the Federal Ministry of Education, offices of state governors, and local government chairpersons, which will host and disseminate the information for the federal government, states, and local
governments to monitor in real time.
This new data tracking architecture will enable the government to track the progress of students, thus having a clear data-driven mechanism for interventions, especially concerning out-of-school children, girls, and those with specific learning disabilities, among others.
For out-of-school children’s education and training, the Federal Ministry of Education is already implementing the government’s policy through the activities of four of its agencies.
Already, there are about 2 million beneficiaries, while the system-wide policy will further enhance the education and training of the nation’s out-of-school children.
On teachers’ development and support, the federal government said that under this programme, the Federal Ministry of Education will support and train teachers in digital skills to facilitate the use of technology in classrooms. This is expected to bring technology and
digitisation to teachers and learners at all levels of education.
On skills development and acquisition for all levels, the president, the statement further said, in his determined effort to enhance skills diversity in the education sector in
order to effectively equip Nigerian students with the requisite skills, knowledge, and values to become functional and productive members of society, has also approved the National Skills Framework. The government said that this is
designed to provide the appropriate skills for each level of education that will result in the empowering of generations of Nigerians with the required aptitude for the evolving needs of the global economy of the 21st century.
Security forces plan security summit in Niger Delta Lokpobiri: Quickest way to revamp economy is to produce, sell more crude Military Pledges Full Support as FG Seeks
The Nigerian military yesterday pledged its full support towards the efforts of the federal government to minimise oil theft as well as raise the production of the commodity in the Niger Delta.
The military renewed the promise when the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa visited the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri in his office in Abuja.
At the event, Lokpobiri reiterated that the easiest way to revamp the Nigerian economy is to reduce oil theft in the Niger Delta as well as raise production, given that the price of the commodity in the international market remains high at the moment.
The minister argued that there’s no oil-producing country in the world which takes its security very lightly, explaining that he has full confidence
that the Nigerian military, working with the ministry of petroleum and other stakeholders, will get the required results.
“You will agree with me that the quickest way to solving our economic problems is through the oil and gas sector. Today, oil sells for over $90 per barrel. And if we ramp up production and we reduce the level of oil theft and pipeline vandalism, we'll be able to raise requisite money to be able to fund not only our budget, take care of our forex problems, and then ensure that we stabilise our economy as a country.
“ There's no country in the world that doesn't prioritise security and investment in its oil assets. Check it. Anywhere in the world that has oil and gas prioritises – whether it's Saudi Arabia, whether it's UAE, whether it's Qatar, whether it's Brazil, whether it's the US – everybody prioritises investment and security of these
strategic national assets.
“And that is why, when I heard your name as Chief of Defence Staff, I said this is one appointment that is like putting a round peg in a round hole,” he stated.
According to the minister, by virtue of having served in Bayelsa and in the Niger Delta in the past, the defence chief came prepared for the job.
Lokpobiri pointed out that although oil theft may not be fully eliminated, but it must be fought to a standstill, to allow the country take full advantage of its God-given resources.
“We cannot reduce pipeline vandalism and oil tax to the barest minimum. We cannot completely eliminate it. There's no way a crime is completely eliminated. But working together with you, we'll be able to reduce it to the barest minimum so that we'll be able to benefit from the production of oil and gas, and that is going on.
The persons listed below (with passport numbers against their names), who had purportedly claimed to be “THISDAY Newspaper delegates” in a forged letter to the Conference Secretariat of the forthcoming 57th Session of the Commission on Population and Development in New York, USA, are NOT employees of THISDAY Newspapers Limited. They are:
1) Ezeala Okechukwu Godfrey B50060799 2)
Tejumola Adenuga debuts new exhibition inspired by Yoruba cosmology at Art Twenty One.
Nigeria-born, London-based multidisciplinary artist, Tejumola Adenuga evokes an African utopia with elements from his past in a new exhibition,“Future, Past”. The opening of the exhibition was held at Art Twenty One, in Lagos, on Friday, April 19, 2024.
Comprising of portraits and minimalist design elements, the exhibition is inspired by a mythology about a small river in his ancestry in Ijebu Ode and the characters that framed its existence, looking to it as a source of creativity and life. It conjures a place that is alive and vibrant with a revered divine entity within Yoruba mythology. Some of the sub-themes include a longing for expression, the possibilities of the human mind, and the psyche – internal and external struggles – that the process of creativity necessitates.
Adenuga’s visually intricate ink drawings, characterised by elements of middle-class family life in Nigeria, solemn melancholic figures, curves and minimalist framing, present intimate and multilayered imaginative scenes, creating what the artist refers to as ‘memories, present reality and future hopes from the perspective of a child that grew up near the river.
Reflecting on the inspiration behind the exhibition, Tejumola Adenuga said, “As an artist, I am often curious about the dichotomy of what is allowed to exist and what is possible to exist – and how to navigate the tension between remembering and daydreaming. I come from a family of blacksmiths and many years ago I left Nigeria, carrying with me the weight of possibilities, dreams and creativity. These three factors have shaped my identity both as an artist and an occupant of the world. Growing up, I was surrounded by creativity by way of the artisans who marked the particulars of my life – the cobblers, the welders, the weavers, and this exhibition plays with the idea of a nearby communal river as the source of creativity. I am so delighted to return to Nigeria – the place in which I took form artistically and be able to investigate what that means through this exhibition”.
From ink drawings to furniture inspired by his lineage of blacksmiths, Tejumola’s exhibition injects mythology into the mundane and elevates its characters with purpose, technicality and minimalism, offering a place in Africa where everything is possible, which in many ways is a prayer for both the artist and the viewer.
Caline Chagoury Moudaber, founder, Art Twenty One, remarked,“Tejumola’s work evokes different meanings to different people and its quiet, intelligent simplicity is at once the power and triumph. It’s so important for us to celebrate Nigerian culture and history, even while creating alternate worlds in which everyone is free to negotiate their capabilities outside of restrictive structures designed in service to a single narrative of a place. And that is what Tejumola does brilliantly, by exploring the re-making of a time and place through the real and imagined, his personal journey and shared, public experience, altogether inviting the viewer to a place devoid of limitations. “
The exhibition “Future, Past” is now showing at Art Twenty One.
David-Chyddy Eleke reports that Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra state is turning the state to a technology hub that will service the southern part of the country and rival Lagos’ Computer Village.
Joe Ifeizu is a journalist in Anambra State, and Managing Editor of The Razor Newspaper, a publication that exclusively reports Anambra news, shared a recent challenge about running the company’s website.
He said: “Our site engineer is a Lagos based web designer, sometimes, when we want a new software to develop our site and make it more user friendly, or even installing any application, we have to reach out to people in Lagos. I and my team usually wish that we have people around who can help us with such things, but truth is that Anambra and the South East, and by extension the entire Southern part of the country do not have a tech hub where you can find personalities that can be of help in matters like this.”
Ifeizu made the complaint, during a meeting of the leadership of the management of Anambra ICT Agency and some journalists in the state.
In reply, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Agbata replied: “I can feel your plight, but I can also tell you that soon, stories like this will be a thing of the past. Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, is intentionally setting Anambra up as a tech hub in the South East. The nearest you can find a tech hub here is Asaba in Delta State, but what we are trying to do is something that will make not just Anambra State government a tech-driven state, but Anambra people too, civil servants, even you journalists working in this state will key into what we are creating. We want to digitize the state.”
Those may sound like promises from politicians, which never gets fulfilled, but Soludo has continued to ensure that the frontiers of ICT in the state are pushed.
Using the youthful Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Anambra ICT Agency, Mr Agbata, Soludo has brought lots of innovation in governance, including an e-ID card project that would stop impersonation, trainings and setting up youths in the state through his Solution Innovation District, digitizing motor registration and tax collection in the state, and distribution of laptops to head teachers and principals of public schools in the state, among others.
Soludo has also inaugurated the Solution Innovation District located in the Innovation district which is a one-stop shop for youths in the areas of services and innovation, was established to provide training, incubation, and access to internet for youths with steady power supply.
The Governor has also trained and empowered 20,000 Anambra youths for the acquisition of various digital skills online.
The training was done in collaboration with Microsoft and Wootlab Foundation, who partnered with the state government.
Soludo during the event was resolute about where he was driving Anambra to. He said: “The world may be going east or west, but Nigeria must go through necessary disruptive changes. The removal of subsidy and floating of exchange rate are just some of these changes. It is quite auspicious that we are opening this district at this critical time.
“Our greatest resource is our human capital, and we want to mine it to its infinite elasticity. Only those who can see tomorrow, only those who plan and work towards it, can control the future. I ask our youths to look up to opportunities in these ongoing disruptive changes.
“In a digital age, human capital appreciates with continuous usage. We must keep on innovating and acquiring multiple scalable skills to control the future.
“We want the youths and children of Ndi Anambra to be prepared for this future. Invention, innovation, and technology. We must focus on tomorrow. The old order is gone, so let’s not cry to bring it back.
We are empowering and training our youths to control the future and become champions of the world. Technology is our mantra.
We want to get technology to become our culture. Everything technology and technology everywhere! The criminals that cause nuisance in
our society cannot define us. They are completely insignificant,” the Governor stressed. Also, Soludo using the Anambra State ICT
Agency had last year migrated from physical and identity card to an electronic ID card for civil servants, to curb impersonation.
During the launch, the State Head of Service, Mrs Theodora Igwegbe said: “This scheme can significantly enhance service delivery for Anambra State civil servants. By digitizing identification processes, civil servants can access government services more conveniently, reducing paperwork and minimizing the need for physical presence.
“This digital transformation empowers civil servants to engage in online training, access relevant resources, and collaborate remotely, thereby facilitating professional development and fostering knowledge-sharing within the civil service. Moreover, streamlined processes and faster turnaround times result in improved public service delivery, ultimately benefiting the citizens of Anambra State.”
Soludo is not relenting with ensuring that Anambra becomes the next technology hub in the country.
Recently as part of his administration’s agenda to engender effective service delivery and deepen the mantra of everything technology and technology everywhere, Anambra State government distributed 2,000 Laptops to Head Teachers, Principals of public schools and public/mission schools in the state for efficient service delivery.
Performing the function at the International Convention Center (ICC) Awka, Governor Soludo, highlighted the pivotal role and contributions of teachers in moulding the future of students in Anambra State.
NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com
Williams Ochonu extols the leadership drive of the Executive Vice Chairman/ CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr Aminu Maida.
The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been — Henry Kissinger
The above quote is instructive on the realization that leadership is needed to transform our great country. But the question is are those saddled with leadership positions aware of the enormity of the task before them?
I have advocated this much in several of my writings on the need for those in leadership positions in the country to come to the table. One of those who have indeed come to the table is the Executive Vice Chairman/ CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida The NCC is a strategic government institution mandated “to ensure fair competition in all sectors of the Nigerian communications industry and encourage the participation of Nigerians in the ownership, control and management of communications companies and organizations.”
With such a mandate, the NCC plays a pivotal role in the country’s socio-economic development. It connects critical economic players, promotes their dialogue and informs their policies. Communication is the economy’s engine for change and gateway to new resources and opportunities.
This is why I must commend the new leadership drive at the NCC led by Dr Aminu Maida, a thorough professional whose leadership has opened a new vista in the country’s communications sector. He hit the ground running with laudable plans and policies to re-position the NCC for optimal productivity.
The thematic focus of the new NCC revolves around transparency and accountability in creating a level playing ground for stakeholders in the communications industry. This much has been visible in the policy direction of the NCC in recent times. For example, the drive towards ensuring fair tax policies and eliminating every incident of multiple taxation and regulations impacting the Nigerian telecommunications industry is a laudable one.
The NCC has identified multiple taxation as a significant obstacle impeding the sustainable development of the telecom
industry in the country, and the steps taken so far are commendable. This is on the heels of the fact that consumers always bear the brunt of multiple taxes because operators factor these taxes into the services they render.
This is a smart one and indicative of what Nigerians should expect from the new leadership at the NCC. When the telecommunication sector is well-regulated, consumers will be the ultimate beneficiaries and contribute to sustainable growth and development.
According to available data, Nigeria’s telecommunications and information services sector, in the first quarter of 2023, delivered N2.508 trillion in financial value contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), representing 14.13 per cent. The strategic importance of this input cannot be overemphasized. This indicates that leadership is central to the NCC’s ability to deliver on its mandate.
I am glad that Maida is living up to expectations. He has displayed a grasp of the issues
in the sector. He has subsequently deployed brilliant policies and plans towards unlocking the endless possibilities in the industry to benefit Nigeria and Nigerians.
Maida is an astute professional who comes in handy with the requisite qualifications and experience to steer the ship of the NCC. His appointment by President Bola Tinubu remains a masterstroke. Maida has displayed a brilliant work ethic that resonates with the human resources department of the NCC. Under such circumstances, productivity would thrive. This is the new atmosphere at the NCC.
I agree with the quote by Herry Kissinger that the task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been. This is at play at the NCC, and the chief driver is Maida.
In the months and years ahead, the re- forms introduced in the telecommunication sector would begin to manifest. I think Maida has written his name in gold within a short period. He hit the ground running and matched his words with action.
I recall that when he assumed office, he stated that under his leadership, the NCC would ensure effective broadband infrastructure diffusion across the length and breadth of Nigeria. He also mentioned his aspiration to increase broadband pen- etration to 70% and to cover 90% of the population by 2025.
These are lofty aspirations, and I must confess that the NCC is poised to create a dynamic regulatory environment that ensures universal access to affordable and equitable service and supports the nation’s economic growth through the entrenchment of integrity, excellence, professionalism, responsiveness, innovation, and commitment.
It is a new dawn at the NCC. Someone joked that Maida has the midas touch. Anything he touches turns to gold. I agree. He is a lesson in leadership. Others occupying leadership positions in the country can emulate his passion and commitment.
The Renewed Hope Agenda will remain a mirage if heads of agencies and parastatals in the country do not imbibe these attributes.
-Ochonu writes from Abuja.
Data nuanced with care are often more meaningful, reckons
JOSHUA J.OMOJUWA
A journalist asked a Nigerian governor what informed the choice of his first road construction project. The governor went on to recount his experience during the campaign. It was a rainy day as his convoy navigated the towns and villages of the state in question, rallying support for his mandate. Whilst everyone was distracted by the crowd and everything else, this candidate noticed the schoolgirl that was struggling in the rain as it poured. The girl raised her school uniform, almost as far as her underpants. For a man who was looking to make change happen, he immediately noted the challenge. He also made a commitment to himself, that if he got elected, he’d fix that road.
I retell this story because it is not a usual story you hear when it comes to governance in Nigeria. It is also not the sort you could say was guided
matter.
However, we are not insensitive to stories. Had the governor reeled out the number of roads he built and their length in kilometres, I probably would have appreciated it then. However, it would have sounded like just another story of that nature. Every governor, even the most mediocre of the lot, can talk about building roads. The ones that can tell you about the stories behind such roads will get your attention.
It reflects one of the most fundamental points of leadership, to care. If you want to know how much a leader cares, do not go in search of what they do, find out why they do it. On the matter of what, they all have records of one thing or the other, some are only better at those than others. On the matter of why, that is the sort of governance that combines
by conventional data. This was limited data — a child on a bad road — albeit an emotional one, influencing a major decision. A lot has been said about Nigeria’s challenge with data. Muhammad Sani Dattijo’s book, Disruption, more recently helped to bring the matter home, especially with respect to his experience as a cabinet member in Kaduna State. You cannot create development without data and as shown above, you also cannot build without empathy.
The beauty of data is that it tells you the story, whilst accounting for nuances that just knowing about the problem may not show. For instance, it is not enough to know about infant mortality, it helps even more when you are able to geolocate the data, to know when the numbers appear to be higher over the course of the year, the cultural beliefs of the sort of women affected and other such data points. The more you know, the easier it is to design the solutions. In the absence of data or the right one, you could end up focusing your expenses on the effects whilst staying blinded to the causes.
Without data, you may be working hard, but on the wrong things.
As essential as data is though, it could result in scale insensitivity. I was reading a report where they said a former official had stolen $34b or so. Now, as someone who has an appreciation for numbers, I knew no Nigerian could steal such an amount in the same way you can’t steal what is not there. On account of that misplaced number, I discounted the report. That did not stop a lot of people on twitter discussing the number like it was N34b being referenced. These aren’t illiterates, the issue is that over time, people become insensitive to the scale of numbers. Some people appear to have an irrational relationship with numbers, that is different from scale insensitivity.
Mid-week, the EFCC was looking to arrest a former governor it had sued to court for N84b. That is the latest of the many numbers that have been quoted in the papers with respect to either corruption or a development cost. The human brain can only handle so much, so we cannot really quantify the scale of these numbers, whether to do with a development issue or say a corruption
data with care for the people.
When we look at our development numbers, be it out-of-school children, data on access to water, child and maternal mortality and other such data, finding the connection between that knowledge and doing something will always be inspired by knowing that there are millions of people and stories behind these numbers.
A friend told me about a Nigerian who established a school for children from indigent backgrounds, primarily receiving the children upon release from correctional and remand homes. I decided to meet with the founder of this school, LISA School. Damilola Feyide shared her story and her inspiration for getting the school started. I was moved to commit myself to the project whilst also promising to get my friends and allies on board. However, even though I thought I was sold to the dream after this meeting, it was not until I visited the school, met the 150 students that the work she was doing made more meaning to me.
We cannot build for people we don’t know. If you support a cause regularly, chances are that you’d likely do more when you see your support in action.
One day, Maryam defied the elements and set out for school. She was used to defying the distance to school. It just happened that, on this hopeful day, there was an Abubakar Bagudu who was campaigning to be governor of Kebbi State, challenging the incumbent party at the time. Bagudu set out to convince people to vote him as governor and amidst that, he was taking in faces and stories. One of those, Maryam’s — who could not even vote — ended up shaping his decision. She helped Bagudu build his first road as governor of Kebbi State in 2015 without needing to lift a shovel.
There is data, and it works, then there is the naked eye. If you choose to be blind, even data can’t help.
Omojuwa
is chief strategist, Alpha Reach/ author, Digital Wealth Book
ADA AGHAJI argues the need to prioritise eye health as treating vision loss improves quality of life
Iya Basira, a 67-year-old hardworking businesswoman and grandmother from Ilesha has never seen her grandchildren because she is blind from cataracts. She can no longer move around freely, so she has abandoned her business. Her nine-yearold granddaughter has been forced to drop out of school to be her eyes in the community and guide her around her daily activities which includes begging for alms. Iya Basira thinks her blindness as just a part of growing old and is totally unaware that a 15-minute cataract surgical operation could restore her sight.
Ibrahim Pam, a 42-year-old accounts clerk in Jos lost his sight from Diabetic retinopathy and had to be laid off work. He had suffered diabetes for 20 years, but no one informed him that this could affect his eyes. Regular checking of his eyes would have detected the condition earlier and he would have been sent for preventive treatment.
Papa Okonkwo, a 57-year-old professional shoemaker retired to the village late last year, to depend on hand outs from his relatives. It had become progressively difficult for him to thread his needle and maintain his high standard of shoe repairs. He was totally unaware that a simple pair of near vision
glasses would solve his condition.
These are a few examples of the one billion people globally with vision loss. In Africa, about 110 million people have vision loss and 24 million of them are Nigerians. Almost nine out of 10 of the causes of vision loss could have been prevented or treated. Untreated vision loss is of public health concern, not just in Nigeria, but worldwide. The New York Times in 2018 published an article headlined –“Improving a billion lives”. It estimated that about a billion people globally had eye conditions that could be corrected with a simple pair of glasses. And wearing these glasses could dramatically increase the economic productivity of those affected. The article also suggested that the poor eyesight of truck drivers in Nigeria was responsible for the majority of road traffic accidents in our country!
So much has been written about the power of treating vision loss to drastically alter the developmental trajectory of people, communities and countries. The former US secretary of state Madeline Albright stated, “Lack of access to eye care prevents billions of people around the world from achieving their potential and is a major barrier to economic and human progress.” It has been estimated that untreated vision loss accounts for up to $400-billion in lost productivity annually.
Last week, the Director-General of the Kofi Anan Global Health Leadership programme, Dr Alex Coutinho, drew my attention to another article in the New York times. This was titled, “Glasses Improve Income, Not Just Eyesight.” The author seemed surprised that a simple pair of glasses could improve workers earnings by up to 33%.
These findings are not new. Almost 20 years ago, a blindness survey was conducted in Nigeria. One of the findings was that blindness was a cause and consequence of poverty in Nigeria. Poor people could not afford eye treatment and people with untreated vision loss lost jobs/income due to their condition. Double jeopardy.
Research has also shown that treating vision loss improves peoples’ quality of life, increases household
incomes, reduces poverty and hunger, improves school enrolment- children with poor vision are more likely to drop out of school, reduces gender inequity, makes our cities safer. Eyecare programmes have been described as the golden thread connecting the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Reducing vision loss is a crucial enabler to achieving the SDGs.
So why haven’t we rushed to embrace this silver bullet that will catapult 110 million Africans and 24 million Nigerians into prosperity? There are several reasons for this.
One of these is the low political priority for eye health. With the continental burden of malaria, TB, HIV/AIDS, maternal mortality, vision loss has been hidden in plain sight.
In many African countries, eye health is not prioritised. Many African countries do not have national eye health policies and blindness is treated as a neglected tropical disease - a conundrum to be sorted out by non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Fortunately, Nigeria is ahead in that regard; we have a National Eye Health Policy, we have domesticated several WHO interventions to make eyecare more accessible, we have a National Eye Health Coordinator and a National Eye Health Committee. However, our eye health policies still need to be implemented.
Funding is crucial to implement our eye health policies. For far too long eye health has been funded by NGOs. The eye health security of 240 million Nigerians cannot be dependent on foreign aid and NGOs. However, the government cannot do it alone. It is a collective responsibility. We need to explore domestic funding and other innovative financing mechanisms, such as health insurance schemes, community-based financing models, and social impact bonds, to mobilize additional funding for eye health programs. We need to partner with the private sector to fund eye health. This will involve advocacy, policy reform, and collaboration with key stakeholders. Last month, I was privileged to be part of an Africa CDC delegation to Morocco to understudy their health system. It was amazing what they have done with public private partnership (PPP) in terms of health service delivery and health commodity manufacturing. They have completely eradicated malaria and organized their eye health system so that even the nomadic population have access to eye health. Yes, they run a successful monarchy, but they leverage heavily on PPP. Can we do the same in Nigeria? Can we develop a PPP model to tackle avoidable blindness? Although funding is not the only challenge, it is a crucial one. There are several other challenges to delivering accessible, affordable, and sustainable eyecare services in Nigeria, but with the political will and appropriate financing, we will always make a way. The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness has set targets for countries to eliminate avoidable blindness by 2030. A similar target was set for 2020 but many countries, including Nigeria failed to achieve it. Next month at the World Health Assembly, preventing vision loss will be discussed and a report will be made on member states’ progress towards achieving this set target. Nigeria, for socioeconomic and political reasons, needs to lead the way in showing remarkable progress towards eliminating avoidable blindness. Not just for socio-economic improvement or bragging rights: but so that Iya Basira’s sight can be restored, and she can return to her business, her granddaughter can return to school, and Pa Okonkwo can return to his viable shoe repair business.
Aghaji is a Professor of Public Health Ophthalmology at the University of Nigeria and an Africa CDC Kofi Annan Global Health Leader
It is unfortunate that as the nation remains overburdened with the quest for improved and steady power supply, there are unpatriotic elements hell-bent on sabotaging government national grid collapse of 2024, electricity transformer and powerline cables has become a major of government and private companies these power facilities while some elements within the society will deliberately move to destroy the facilities which are national be stated that the menace of electricity equipment whole transformers and power-line cables without stolen transformers and other equipment turn up installation of such specialised equipment without Unfortunately, this is a common story across the indeed has become one of the major obstacles
theft and equipment vandalism are really costing
The immediate consequence of this criminality is that life is made more difficult for law abiding citizens who are thrown into darkness due to erratic power supply
T
EDITOR
EDITOR
DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI
DIVISIONAL
PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI
DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO
TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com
serious crime that borders on economic sabotage, the security agencies should be up and doing in apprehending the hoodlums and bringing them to way of real-time intelligence and information to the security agencies whenever they notice any untoward come from within the communities and when they realise that they certainly have a second leaders should therefore consider it a patriotic duty
However, it is incumbent on the authorities to immediate consequence of this criminality is that threatened as industries are being shut down and production targets as many operate below their power outages and unreliable electricity supply, all more while people in communities must be vigilant
about compensation, how to compensate the living for theence of the last decade would have been mined to provide
insecure country along the lines of its failure to secure its of them have nothing to return to but memories, but are -
tion of what to do with memory but especially how to treat crime so that criminals no longer have to control the lives
with terrorism that has cruelly derailed its progress as a terrorists by reinforcing not their crimes but the human response to changing circumstances, by rehabilitating and
repatriating them to some of the communities they once-
However, the government must attempt the impossible -
of their present situation and be supported by the governThe door must be shut against these agents of insecuritysuit of petty criminals including crossdressers and internet fraudsters must now show that they have an appetite for Ike Willie-Nwobu, Ikewilly9@gmail.com
GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 17-April-2024, 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.
Chinedu Eze
It has emerged that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), poorly rates Nigeria’s international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu, because they lack needed state-of-the art facilities to make them friendly to travellers.
For airports to meet given standard in accordance to ICAO regulations, international airports are supposed to have both security and perimeter fencing, comprehensive runway lights, high level of security, easy internet access, high safety standard and modern facilities for easy passenger facilitation.
In 2017, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in collaboration with ICAO certified the Abuja and Lagos airports but since then the two airports had fallen short of the requirements for their recertification.
Ideally, Nigeria ought to certify all the five airports designated for international operations.
During the certification in 2017,
NCAA said the certification of an aerodrome entailed making sure that everything was current, working and monitored on regular basis. Such airports, it said, must meet all elements of safety oversight such as aviation legislation, operating regulations, civil aviation system, personnel training and certification, development of guidance materials and safety critical information, as well as surveillance and resolution of safety concerns.
The erstwhile Director General of NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu, told THISDAY that when international airports are not certified by ICAO in any member country, such country is categorized as high risk and this influences the airlines that may want to operate in the country, the type of aircraft that could be allowed to operate in such airports and above all, non-certification of airports increases insurance premium, the cost of leasing and the reluctance of lessors in leasing aircraft on long term to airlines that operate in such airports.
In September last year, ICAO carried out Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) and Nigeria scored 70 per cent but recorded low points on airports, which were not certified prior to the audit.
According to Captain Nuhu, the five international airports cannot be certified in isolation. The five must be made to meet the given ICAO standard before they will be certified.
During the last audit in September 2023, which was done under Nuhu, he explained that he decided not to certify the airports before the audit because if he had done that and the inspectors found out that they did not meet the required standard, Nigeria would be in worse situation. “There were critical elements that were lacking at the airport, like adequate fire coverage but I was under immense pressure to certify some of the airports but that would have been very dangerous because ICAO would
have identified them as major failure of the regulatory function of the Civil Aviation Authority. We have been working studiously with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to upgrade some of the airport facilities. At a time, we had to downgrade some of the airports because there were no markings, clear signages, adequate fire service.
“However, I give credit to the then FAAN Managing Director then (Mr. Kabir Mohammed) because of his commitment. Some of the airports like Abuja and Kano were close to meeting the standard for certification, but there were also Port Harcourt, Enugu and Lagos. We concentrated on Lagos to making it our gateway. We planned to certify the five airports after they have met the needed requirements,” he explained. In a recent presentation done by Assistant General Manager and Personal Assistant to the Director of Airdrome and Airspace Standards (DAS), Mr. Sylvester Dakup, he gave details of what is being done to
prepare the international airports for recetification.
Dakup said prior to the certification of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (NAIA) and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos in 2015, FAAN requested ACI (Airport Council International) Airport Excellence (APEX) to conduct technical inspection of the two international airports.
“The outcome of the technical inspection revealed several findings which resulted in ACI APEX recommendations for each of the airports. The implementation of the safety critical recommendations by FAAN, forms the bases for the commencement of certification process for the two airports which eventually lead to the certification of NAIA and MMIA in 2017. The outstanding findings generated from the certification Technical Inspection and on-site verification by NCAA teams were harmonized with the outstanding APEX recommendations
to form the post certification surveillance corrective action plan for the implementation of the operator in line with agreed timelines.”
According to Dakup, at the expiration of NAIA & MMIA aerodrome certificates in November, 2020, a six months extension was granted to FAAN to operate the aerodromes due to COVID-19 Pandemic and its effects on the aviation sector on the condition that FAAN would resolve all outstanding certification CAP items (136 for MMIA & 29 for NAIA) and complete the re-certification process within the extension period.
“The six months extension expired on 7th May 2021 without any meaningful progress in the implementation of the CAP items, most especially for MMIA. Since May 2021, the re-certification process for the two aerodromes have been ongoing,” he said.
The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com
In line with the vision of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to upscale inland waterways transportation, leading Maritime agencies and the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China met yesterday to share strategies on how to enhance Nigeria’s inland waterways sector.
They convened at the Maritime Business Roundtable Breakfast
Meeting (MBRBM) organised by Zoe Maritime Resources, themed, “Security and New Technologies in Inland Waterways Transportation,” in Lagos.
Giving her remarks, the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China, Ms. Yan Yuquing, stated that new technologies and compliance to international best practices lies at the crux of building efficient waterways transportation system. Yuquing added that through
optimisation of its waterways infrastructure and technological adaptation, China has been able to convert the position of the most efficient waterways economy in the world.
She said: “In terms of inland waterway freight volume, China has ranked first in the world for many consecutive years. The Changjiang River has consistently been the world’s busiest inland waterway transportation route, known for its
high volume of traffic.
“In 2022, China’s inland waterway transportation completed a freight volume of more than 4.4 billion tons and goods turnover of 1.9 trillion ton-kilometers, highlighting the significant support for the regional economic development and social progress.”
She explained, “China has constructed 16 Automated Container Terminals, with more than 10 currently under construction, both
ranking first in the world. At present, the mileage covered by the national ENC (Electronic Navigational Charts) is more than 5700 kilometers.”
Meanwhile, speaking at the plenary, representative of the Managing Director, Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and Assistant Manager, Port and Environment, Ms. Aisha Eri, noted that infrastructural deficits lead the list of challenges stalling inland Waterways transportation in Nigeria.
She added that a lack of adherence to safety education as facilitated the NIWA also pose a problem resulting in possible accident risks.
Eri however assured stakeholders present that with the new administration of Nigeria’s government focus on inland waterways, the next one year would witness significant improvements in the sector.
The Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Obiageli Orah has said the newly created directorates in the agency will be bringing fresh ideas and innovations into the country’s airports operations and their management.
She said FAAN has gone through tremendous changes with the upgrade of the former Corporate Affairs department into the Directorate of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, the creation of a Special Duty directorate and that of the Cargo Development and Services among other changes all geared toward meeting global standard in the management of airports under FAAN.
Obiageli spoke when she received the new executive members of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) led by the Chairman, Suleiman Idris in her office in Lagos on Monday.
According to the FAAN Director,
the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as encapsulated in the Renewed Hope Agenda underscored the vision of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo to create new directorates that will ensure that Nigerians and the travelling publics are offered the best services across airports in the country. While she commended the Minister for the new initiatives, Obiageli said: “FAAN has gone through tremendous changes in the past few months. We have added some new directorates to the existing ones; I will start with my directorate which is public affairs and consumer protection. It is relatively a new one because we had corporate affairs but now christened public affairs and consumer protection, we also added a directorate of cargo development and services which deals with everything regarding cargo and hajj operations. We now also have a special duty directorate, one I will describe as an interventionist directorate that helps the agency
intervene in any situation as the case may be.”
According to her, “Whether new or existing, every single director have the drive, the energy including the Managing Director who on her own has super energy, everyone of us have the drive to ensure that we give the best to Nigerians, the Minister himself who I am sure you are equally aware of his capacity is always on the go, the vision he has for FAAN is outstanding, and I would extend that to the new hope agenda of Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu because we are all here to key in into the new hope agenda.”
The FAAN spokesperson further said: “The new directorate and the existing ones all we are here to do is to serve Nigerians and we are bringing a lot of innovations, we met system in place and all we can do is to build on the system, and in building upon the system we met, changes may occur, we may modify some things but it is all in good faith in order to serve Nigerians and the travelling public better.”
The Chairman of Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema, has commended Solo Driver, Pelumi Nubi for accomplishing the feat of driving from London to Lagos, and has offered Miss Nubi a free London Business Class return ticket.
The Air Peace boss gave the commendation, while hosting the travel content creator at the airline’s head office in Lagos recently.
“You made us proud. At a time when the economy is down, you
have ve made Nigeria proud. We are full of joy that you achieved this feat. That is why we said we should acknowledge you.
“We are really impressed with what you did. You are part of our national pride. We appreciate what you have done and we have decided to offer you a free Business Class return ticket to London”, Onyema stated.
Miss Nubi, full of excitement,
Stories are rife about how some foreign airlines maltreat passengers with the Nigerian passport.
Many Nigerian travellers have alleged that some foreign airlines that operate into the country treat them with disdain because they carry Nigeria’s green passport.
A recent incidence showed how a Nigerian lady did a video to narrate how she was treated by Turkish Airlines. Although she did not state her name in the video but she narrated her awful experience with the airline because she has the Nigerian passport.
Her narrative, however, tallied with what many others have complained about Turkish Airlines and other international carriers in the past.
Narrating her story, the Nigerian woman said: “So, this is one of those times where travel is not all fun and games. I am at Istanbul right now. And I have a 22 hours layover here in Istanbul. Now before this ticket was booked, it was clearly stated on their website that Nigeria is listed among the countries that get hotel accommodation, if passengers have a 21-hour layover. So you get an option of a hotel or you get an option of a tour package, a free tour package, both sponsored by Turkish Airlines. I got here today and went to the help desk and they say because of my nationality, my Nigerian passport basically, I don’t have access to going into Istanbul.
expressed gratitude to the Management of Air Peace for the offer and lauded the airline for its recently launched London service, which has been an industry disruptor. Pelumi, a travel blogger and the curator of Oremi Travels, recently solo-drove from London to Lagos and has been getting accolades for being the first woman to achieve such feat- solo-drive from the UK to Nigeria. AviAssist has signed a partnership agreement with an approved training organisation in West Africa.
The AviAssist Foundation and Landover Company Limited signed an agreement for the organiation and hosting of three aviation safety promotion courses at the Landover Aviation Business School (LABS), Lagos, Nigeria.
“A better safety record in West and Central Africa is not only good for the safety of travellers in the region but it is also good to help lower the operational costs across Africa with opportunities for lower insurance premiums”, AviAssist director Tom Kok said.
He added, “A safer West African
sky is crucial if the continent wants to realise the objectives of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM)”.
AviAssist will deliver two-day human factors in aviation course and a Team leadership in aviation course at LABS. All three events will take place in the week of the 6th of May 2024. The courses will be accessible to professionals from Nigeria and the region. The support of sponsors including the Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure, KLM Royal Dutch
Airlines and aircraft manufacturer Airbus and Boeing will assist in ensuring very affordable prices, granting more aviation professionals access to essential training.
Managing Director of Landover Company, Capt. Edward Boyo in response to this new development said: “We are very pleased to cooperate with AviAssist as leading reference organisation on African aviation safety promotion. It fits well with Landover’s commitment to boosting aviation safety in Nigeria and in the region”.
SHELT, a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions, has announced the launch of its new business unit in Nigeria, SHELT System Integration (SHELT SI). With a solid reputation built over six years of serving the nation’s financial, telecom, and government sectors, SHELT is now expanding its offerings to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation. The new business unit will operate under Cyber Immune Limited, a SHELT subsidiary in Nigeria. SHELT SI emerges as a vital addition to SHELT’s portfolio, providing customers in Nigeria with trusted and unbiased expertise to design and implement cutting-edge, resilient, secure, and scalable solutions.
SHELT SI will forge strategic partnerships with global leaders to provide Networking and Cloud Management Solutions, Security Solutions, Collaboration Solutions, Managed services, Communication services, and IT Professional
services while attracting top talent in Nigeria.
Speaking about SHELT’s growth, Managing Partner of SHELT Global Limited, Mr. Youssef Abillama, said: “We have full confidence in Nigeria and its commitment to digitization. SHELT is well positioned to be the technology partner of choice and trusted advisor to our customers in every step of their digitization journey.”
Country Manager of SHELT Cyber Immune Limited, Mr. Walid Bou Abssi, said: “I am immensely proud of the launch of SHELT SI in Nigeria. This expansion underscores our dedication to empowering the nation’s digital evolution. With SHELT SI, we are committed to providing unparalleled service to our clients, offering an unmatched value proposition driving innovation and resilience in Nigeria’s cybersecurity and network infrastructure space.”
“For me, it would have to be a consulate visa, not a visa that you can get here at the airport or anything like that. Now, none of this was stated on their website for stopovers. I showed up here this morning and in not so many words, they told me there is absolutely nothing they can do about it. My passport is Nigerian. Oh, they offered me a meal ticket. And that is pretty much the best they can do. A meal ticket and then I have to sit here and wait for 21 hours at the airport. This makes me feel really bad. The staff here are just doing their job, basically. “What they were told is what they are doing. How did we get here? Like, how did we get here? Where our passport is at the point where other people gain free access, free stuff, they get a free hotel, free everything and then my Nigeria passport basically keeps me sitting in the airport for 21 hours. Who are the people in charge of negotiating these things? Is there any government agency in Nigeria who is in charge of making sure that Nigerians are not marginalised like this when they are traveling? Like who are we supposed to talk to in Nigeria? Who is supposed to speak to Turkish Airlines to say if you keep in the airport for 21 hours, what provisions have you made for them?”
She emphasised that there is a hotel at the airport, which if the airline did not want passengers that have Nigerian passport to go to town, they can keep them in the hotels at the airport, but the airline disdainfully refused to accommodate her because she has a Nigerian passport.
“As a matter of fact, this airport has a hotel in it, but Turkish Airlines has no provision to keep Nigerian citizens in the hotel here. However, for any other person, I mean other nationalities, they get to go to a hotel for free or they get a tour package for free. Who is in charge of negotiating these deals? I will ask again. Why are we being sold tickets without an option? Like, how did we get here? I have spoken all the words I possibly can. I have said everything that is necessary to be said here, but it will seem their hands are tied. And right now, they are trying to see if there is a possibility of taking me to the business class lounge, and that is the very best they can do for me today. Where did we go wrong? These are one of the times that I feel really sad to be Nigerian and really, really sad that I do have a Nigerian passport. If this is the last thing I do on earth, I would get another passport because this is the most unpleasant experience ever. And the only reason I am going through this is because I am Nigerian with a Nigerian passport.
“This has to stop. I just came off a trip from my 70th country, and you would imagine that having traveled so much, you know, things would get easier. Well, sometimes it does not, and these are one of the sad realities of holding a Nigerian passport. This really made me feel bad in so many ways.
I mean, that feeling of, it is like a stepchild that is not wanted basically. That is how I feel right now because I mean, while I was here trying to state my case and argue my case in any way possible, other people were coming and they were getting hotel reservations or tour packages very easily. But then because of my passport, and I am not here saying the law should change because of me because I am traveling, all of a sudden the law should change. But who is negotiating how we are treated when we have to wait for 21 hours? Who is talking about it? Is there any organisation at all in charge of this?” the Nigerian woman asked.
This incidence is similar to what happened some years ago when an Indian National accused Turkish Airline of discriminating against him because he was travelling to Nigeria and because of his nationality. The passenger who narrated his experience in an audio recording shared via messaging app, WhatsApp, claimed he was a Business Class passenger on board a Turkish Airline flight from Istanbul, Turkey, to Nigeria. The passenger, who claimed the event happened on Thursday, August 17, 2017, explained that he had an eight-hour layover before his flight to Nigeria so he decided to use one of the sleeping suites reserved for Business Class to rest while waiting for his flight. But he was shocked when an employee of the airline told him he could not use the sleeping suite due to his nationality and the destination he was headed.
“I’m sitting in Turkish Airline Business Class Lounge I have a layover here from 10:30 am to 6: 30 pm, that is over 8 hours. So, I went to see if there is a place where I could sleep,” he said.
“I go to the desk on the wall and there is a notice saying: “Only for Business Class passengers”. I said fantastic, I’m a Business Class Passenger. And it said it for people who have layover of six hours and more and I said fantastic, I satisfied that also. I have a layover of six hours and more.
“I said to the lady who is there at the desk: Please, can I sleep? Where is the suit, where can I go and have some rest? She said No sir, where are you coming from? I said Mumbai, India and I am going to Nigeria.
“She said but then you can’t sleep. I said why not? She said that’s the rule. I said what rule?”
He said the lady at the desk told him that the airline has a policy that only allowed Business Class passengers who are nationals of mainly Western countries or passengers travelling to Western countries to use the sleeping suites.
“She showed me a list of countries. You have to be coming from them or going to them only then that Turkish Airline recognises that you need sleep.,” the passenger recounted.
“So, if you don’t go to those countries and you don’t come from those countries, and of course all European countries are part of that Washington, is part of that New York is part of that, and so on. Other than that, if you come from India and so forth and basically a non-white country it is assumed that you don’t need sleep.
“So here I’m sitting, even though I’m a Business Class passenger on Turkish Airline, Even though I have a long layover, I’m not allowed to sleep in the sleeping suite of the business class lounge. According to me; because I’m not white. According to their rules because I’m from India and I’m going to Nigeria.
“I think this is something that should be brought to the notice of the highest authorities. Including the president and including the head of the Turkish Airline to say that on what basis do you discriminate on your customers and between your Business Class passengers,” he said.
This is a matter, which many believed that the Nigerian government should strongly look into.
Kayode Tokede writes on Seplat Energy milestone achievements 10 years listed on NGX and LSE, its drive to reward shareholders and giving back to communities where its assets are located
Seplat Energy, formally known as Seplat Petroleum Development Company was April 14, 2014 listed on Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and London Stock Exchange (LSE) with the aim to reward shareholders and drive Nigeria economy growth.
The leading indigenous company was first appeared on NGX before its listing on the LSE had made clear its intentions and purposes-to be the first and major Nigerian International Oil Company (IOC)
Getting listed on the premium official window of the NGX was no brainer, but the listing missed that of FTSE 250 index for technical reasons such as the required International Accounting Standards, 50 per cent minimum Free Float and the highest levels of Corporate Governance.
Since its listed, the company has grown its revenue from N124 billion in 2014, an increase of 460.3 per cent to N696.9 billion in 2023, and profit before tax increasing significantly by 210per cent to N125.54 billion in 2023 from N40.48 billion when it first declared its results to investing public.
As a corporate vehicle, the Seplat proposition is power-packed with managerial and operational experience and sophistication. Also as an investment vehicle, the organisation portended great equity value and operational profitability, having been built majorly through the acquisition of tested assets with proven reserves and operability.
The LSE listing also portends quality reporting and the highest standards of regulatory supervision and corporate transparency. As such, this hybrid breed of investment vehicle is worthy of analytical attention as it approaches the end of its first decade of existence on these exchanges.
The company, is differentiated through strong management and strategic development which are demonstrated in its financial strength and flexibility; production capability; and portfolio diversity.
Seplat Energy is underpinned by a high-quality asset base and has invested to consistently grow oil production and capacity. Also, the company has prioritised the commercialisation and development of the substantial gas reserves and resources identified at its blocks, positioning Seplat today as a leading supplier of processed natural gas to the domestic market in Nigeria that will help increase Nigeria’s power generation capacity and industrial output.
Its gas business is making an increasingly important financial contribution for Seplat Energy with gas prices de-risked from the volatility of the oil price.
The management of Seplat Energy was making plans to acquire onshore assets of multinational oil and gas companies such as Shell and Chevron, estimated to require at least $2billion, as part of its aggressive Oil and Gas production portfolio.
Among the most notable achievements of the company is the acquisition of Eland Oil & Gas, first acquisition of UK listed company
by Nigerian company in December 2019. Eland held participating interests in OML 40 and the Ubima marginal field. The Eland acquisition followed earlier acquisitions such as Belema Oil Producing (an Energy Exploration outfit) in February, 2015 and ANOH Gas Processing (an Energy refining company) in March 2019.
In June 2013, Newton Energy, a whollyowned subsidiary of Seplat, reached an agreement with Pillar Oil to acquire a 40per cent participating interest (non-operated) in the Umuseti/Igbuku fields (OPL 283). Also In 2015, the Group purchased a 40per cent participating interest in OML 53, onshore north eastern Niger Delta, from Chevron Nigeria Ltd and a revenue interest in OML 55, south eastern Niger Delta.
In January 2017, the Group incorporated a new subsidiary, ANOH Gas Processing Company (AGPC) Limited, a midstream gas company committed to the processing of gas from OML 53 for distribution to the local market. In August 2018, the Group entered into a shareholder agreement with Nigerian Gas Processing and Transportation Company (NGPTC) to subscribe for equal ownership of AGPC.
The Seplat Energy portfolio now comprises eight oil blocks – direct interests in seven blocks in the Niger Delta area, four of which Seplat operates and one further of revenue interest. The company also established a robust Global Memorandum of Understanding with the local communities in the Niger Delta, setting out rules of engagement and mutual beneficiation.
The major effect of these acquisitions has been to position the company as the leading partner for Nigerian domestic gas supply for the power sector and a significant contributor to the crude supply to the export markets. They also culminate in delivering key performance indicators such as 478 million barrels of Oil Equivalent (MMBOE) in 2P reserves, 47,758 Barrels of Oil Equivalent per Day (BOEPD) production capacity, Adjusted Revenue of $1.06 billion, Adjusted EBITDA of $448 million $0.15c per share dividend and share value of GBP867.96 million (N1.98 Trillion) recorded as at its last reporting period in December 2023. The company has about 588 million shares outstanding on the Nigeria Exchange.
Away from the numbers and fundamentals, the key qualitative performance indicators for the company have also been very encouraging, Considering the fact that quality human resources is a key performance factor, the company has successfully marshalled its HR Function to ensure retention of personnel, above average industry standard for reward and motivation, on-going training to ensure career growth for all employees, recruitment policy that offers promotion from within as much as possible.
The staff turnover has been less than four
per cent on the average. Seplat has also been an equal opportunity employer with special consideration for the female gender. Seplat Energy currently features up to 60per cent Board Independence. In terms of sustainability, the company’s 91% CGRS and MSCI –BBB ratings are positive indicators.
Speaking on the Company dual listing, the chief executive officer, Seplat Energy Plc, Mr. Roger Brown noted that the Company has achieved local and international accountability, by complying with industry recognised best practice and standards, whilst strictly adhering to international and local laws and regulations; and ensure experienced and skilled leadership, Board accountability, high standards of corporate governance and Consistent delivery of targets.
According to him, the Company has been able to maintain strong cash position and good liquidity management; environmental commitment and social commitment.
He added that the dual listing has enabled Seplat Energy to increase its access to capital whilst its shares have become more liquid, explaining “postIPO, we generated $1.7 billion in FCF. Excluding 2014 and 2015 where we made significant capex investments. Post-IPO, we have generated an average annual FCF of $264 million.
“Bolstered our brand visibility, credibility and reputation. Today, Seplat Energy is a strong voice and a thought leader in the African energy landscape. Diversified Seplat Energy investor base, enhancing relationships with current and potential investors across the world, risk mitigation, and currency flexibility.
The CFO-Designate, Seplat Energy, Mrs. Eleanor Adaralegbe stated that the Company has maintained consistent production and reserves growth with 2023 gross production averaged 106 kboepd; 2P reserves CAGR since inception of 13 per cent; 2023 Reserves Replacement Ratio of 292 per cent; and Diversified evacuation routes.
She added that Seplat Energy completed major acquisitions since 2014, unlocking upside value: Current portfolio includes seven onshore blocks; Acquired Chevron’s OML 53, transferred in 2016 (resulted in development of the ANOH Gas plant); Acquired Eland in 2019; and Signed SPA with Exxon for MPNU in Feb 2022.
Speaking on shareholders’ value, Adaralegbe pointed out that $575 million returned to shareholders from IPO to 2023, equivalent to 107 per cent of $535 million IPO proceeds, saying that “core dividend increased 20 per cent in 2023 to US$12cent per share. Special dividends paid in 2022 ($5cent per share) and 2023 ($3cent per share).”
According to her, despite our aggressive capex investments and acquisitions, we continue to have adequate cash flow to pay our shareholders best-in-class dividend. With $575 million paid as dividends since our IPO in 2014, we have successfully returned all the capital we raise at IPO. Dividend paid in nine out of past 10 years due to unavailability of infrastructure, not oil price, main reason for reduced dividend in 2016 and 2017 (Forcados offline for 16 months).
Seplat Energy is known to drive positive socio-economic benefits for its country and host communities. Seplat CFO-Designate stated that “the Company is making an enduring difference to communities where we operate and Nigeria; approximately $57.2 million invested over 10 years in community projects focused on healthcare, education, infrastructure and empowerment to date (Eye Can See, Safe Motherhood, Pearls Quiz, Scholarship, Teachers Empowerment programmes, road construction, hospitals, skills empowerment, and entrepreneurship programmes).
“Seplat Energy has made a $2.8 billion contribution to the Federal Government of Nigeria over the past 13 years, $2.0 billion since IPO, $1.54 billion on Royalty till date, $329 million on Petroleum Profits Tax, $273 million on Value Added Tax, $259 million on Withholding Tax, $126 million on PAYE, $276 million on NDDC and others.”
The Nigerian economy is currently undergoing major energy transitions. Gas resources and products (LNG, CNG & LPG) will play key roles. The Nigerian domestic market is deep enough to absorb whatever Seplat Energy can come up with from its Gas Production plant, ANOH Gas Plant. Aside from contract for supplying the gas required for firing the electricity generators, there is increased potential for CNG infusion into the transportation systems as well as LPG for domestic use by the everincreasing population of about 250 million people, as well as in regional markets of the ECOWAS. Incidentally, this increased demand for gas coincides with Seplat Energy program for reduction in gas flaring.
Another potential for the company is to consummate the development of 13 additional wells already identified as priorities for 2024. This will greatly improve on its daily production output and revenue potentials as the world market prices appear to be rallying now.
As can be gleaned from the foregoing, Seplat Energy promised to be a veritable vehicle for investment for discerning corporate and individual investors who desire continual growth in their equity values as well as sustained and predictable returns in dividends. The growth opportunities in its operational trajectory ensure it will continue to seek both debt and equity finance from the stock markets
If the humiliated and dumped out-of-service officers followed Tinubu’s electioneering, their thoughts and feelings might have vacillated between angst, deja vu and denouement, Bayo Akinloye reports
Heaving a sigh, not of relief but of near-resignation, they cast their minds back to a distant past that weighs heavily on them. They were meant to be soldiers of the future; they imagined a future reign not under the jackboot but the presumptuous freedom that democracy offers. In that future, democratic glimpse, their destinies were entwined.
Immediately after the June 12 presidential election, with MKO Abiola presumed the winner of the historic poll, their hope would soon be dashed, left forlorn and somewhat renewed amid recent fears such a hope would soon be forgotten.
In another instalment of conversations with THISDAY, they expressed their angst and anticipation. They explained their full trust in President Bola Tinubu’s sense of justice and reparation as they hailed his devotion to magnanimity and national sacrifice. The seemingly forgotten military officers yet wonder if their labour and sacrifices for their fatherland will not be rewarded in their lifetime.
The military officers aired their fear of being annotated and imprinted as a footnote to history. That already happened to some of them, the group of ex-soldiers told THISDAY.
Ex-Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari forgot them, the phantom coup plotters stated. Between those two former generals and latter-day democratic rulers were former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Umar Yar’Adua. The heels of their hope, the ex-military men said, trudged slowly.
With Tinubu in the saddle, they are convinced it is now or never.
It was in 1993 when Nigerian civilians dared to hope under the jackboot of a military dictatorship. In the army, not a few were considered sympathetic to a potential return to democratic rule. But the line between hope and hopelessness, many concluded in hindsight, was thin ice. Those who dared, their hopes were dashed: a new regime of dictatorship took over, and amid uncertainty and insecurity, there were accusations of coups and “phantom coup plotters.”
Several civilian and military personalities were thrown into gaol. For a few, like Obasanjo, it was a blessing in disguise as he rose to power on the wings of his anguish in the hands of the last despot, General Sani Abacha.
Obasanjo ruled for eight years, instituted the Oputa panel but “ignored the travails and injustice of those of us, so-called phantom coup plotters, to languish in anonymity in despair, hoping to get justice,” said a former military officer incarcerated during the terror-filled days of Abacha. His files and many others gathered dust in the federal government’s archives for years. Many of the so-called phantom coup plotters felt their comrade Obasanjo dealt them perhaps the hardest blow by overlooking the Oputa panel report. His successors, Yar’Adua and Jonathan, would do the same. Later, an ex-general, Buhari, took over the reins of power as a democrat.
The humiliated military officers felt he was their ilk and would be more sympathetic to their delusion, demoralisation and lengthened humiliation. Years passed. Then, a glint of hope shone: Buhari declared the Hope ‘93 hero MKO Abiola a national protagonist and made June 12 a nationwide public holiday. Then, the files of the so-called coup plotters were said to have inched closer to his desk, almost, said sources close to the insufferable military men. Amid Buhari’s eight years, the files that would bring reprieve moved too slowly, and it was said the then-president did not get to sign them off, giving life to all the Oputa recommendations.
The military men accused of coups they repeatedly claimed they knew nothing about and probably never existed other than in the mind of the late despot gasped for breath. Forlorn, they
feared for the worse. Faint of heart, they dread to dream again. Decades of grit, gripping mental and physical pains, and the gruelling reality that they have laboured in vain for their fatherland appear a certain conclusion. The feeling, they said, gnawed their heaving hearts as they held on to the justice, in principle, that eluded them. Some of the suspected phantom coupists left brutalised during the 1990s dictatorship included Musa Shehu Yar’Adua, Olusegun Obasanjo, Colonels Lawan Gwadabe, Olusegun Oloruntoba, Gabriel Ajayi, Emmanuel Ndubueze, Rowland Emokpae, Bello Fadile, Lt-Colonels Martin Igwe, Sam Oyewole, Happy Bulus, Major Akinloye Akinyemi and Lt. Kayode Olowomoran. In the torture chambers of the maximum ruler that held sway at the time, there was “the mass arrest of the Nigerians earlier mentioned, and when it became clear to the military junta that their coup plot allegation could not be substantiated, the suspects were tortured, debased and dehumanised in its most ruthless ramifications” to extract “incriminating statements from them.”
In most cases, suspects were “soaked in muddy water dead in the night, blindfolded, handcuffed, shackled and left naked in the open air for hours.” This was followed by taking the suspects through various torture modules. At a particular torture chamber, suspects had their upper limbs chained to their lower limbs symmetrically. After that, suspects were suspended in a manner “characteristic of a fowl prepared for roasting.” Suspects were kept in this position for “close to one hour, and by the time they were left off the hooks, their wrists, armpits and ankles had been terribly battered.”
Several have waited for 28 years with hope raised; hope dashed, shattered, flickered and now —hope renewed, convinced of getting justice. Convicted of crimes they repeatedly deny committing, the so-called phantom coup plotters of 1995 and 1997 have yet to get the justice they insist they deserve. Arrested and tortured by the late Gen. Sani Abacha regime, the soldiers, in various interviews in 2017, recalled the horrors and indignities they had endured, the shame, deprivations, and disillusionment of giving their all to their country but getting almost nothing in return. Not that they did not try to hope, they said. They vowed they did. They pointed to the Oputa panel that exonerated them and the recommended compensations that came with it. That reprieve remained a mirage for more than a decade.
When asked in 2017 in an interview about Obasanjo’s failure to implement the recommendations of the Oputa panel that the
ex-president set up, one of the soldiers convicted in 1995, Col Jibrin Isa, said, “You know when you are in power, you look at things differently. Perhaps my thinking is that since he was in power at that time (between 1999 and 2007), if he (had) had implemented the recommendations, people might have made a noise about it, which is natural. Maybe he was waiting for an appropriate time after he had left office. But since he had left office as the president, I believe he should have taken more interest in the plight of people with whom he suffered unjustly in the hands of the Abacha junta. He should have pushed the case further; what is remaining is the implementation of the recommendations.” He added that the matter went to the industrial court, which ruled that “all the recommendations of the Oputa panel should be granted.”
Since 2017, the so-called phantom coup plotters have renewed their struggle to get justice in the full sense. Death and incapacitations have visited some of them. With time dulling the collective memories of many, the soldiers remain adamant. Many believed Buhari would grant the phantom coup victims a reprieve. That did not come despite several reports that Buhari was keen to recompense them. At that time, those close to the erstwhile attorney general of the federation, Abubakar Malami, said the paperwork would soon be completed. At the expiration of eight years of Buhari’s reign, nothing moved in the eyes of the victims, and the long wait for justice must continue, they sighed.
If the humiliated and dumped out-of-service officers followed Tinubu’s electioneering, their thoughts and feelings might have vacillated between angst, deja vu and denouement.
“This is it,” said one of the coup plotters who did not want his name mentioned, expressing the views of many of his comrades that if anybody would come to their aid at all in the worst of situations, it must be incumbent President Bola Tinubu. But they hesitated, not for lack of trust, but because time and pain have unsettled their once steady gait. They limp amid the uncertainty and failure of the past.
“We trust Asiwaju. We cannot stop to hope. That’s the only badge of honour we carry,” one of them stressed.
They hope Tinubu will consider their plight
and grant them the long-awaited reprieve. They point in the direction of the clear-cut facts and resolutions contained in the Oputa panel. They are convinced that justice delayed, which has left some of them deceased and others disconsolate, should not be justice denied.
Feeling left in the lurch, some of the victims stated that the Council of State approved the compensation for the victims of the phantom coup allegations, first in 2009 and later in 2011. They described their experiences in the hands of the Abacha hordes as “unjust, inhuman, satanic and callous acts of impunity against the said victims of rights violations and oppression cannot be wished away at all because it is alive in the recorded annals” of Nigeria and “in international libraries.”
In their enduring race for justice, the remaining so-called phantom coupists hinge their hope on the incumbent president, Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima, “to right the wrongs of the past, heal past wounds and wipe off sorrows and bewilderment from the life of the said victims of rights violations and abuses,” it is time the federal government should “deal with the horrible and psychological debilitating debrief our national callousness during General Sani Aba cha’s years of darkness, callousness, treachery and oppression.”
For their labour not to be in vain, the victims of the Abacha dictatorship are seeking “prompt action” that the incumbent president should endorse the reliefs and compensation recommended by the Oputa panel, its white paper (Council of State Memo June 23, 2009, Council of State Memo March 13, 2013, and Nigeria Official Gazzete NO 33, VOL. 86, dated May 26 1999, in favour of the military and civilian victims to alleviate their 22 years of trauma and psychological stress).
Among other things, they seek promotion to their appropriate higher ranks in line with their coursemates in the Armed Forces. They stated that they were high-flyers before their lofty careers were truncated. Added to that by the panel’s recommendation is a letter of apology for wrongful detention, torture, deprivation, and ruthless rights violations and comprehensive rehabilitation of all military and civilian victims caught in the web of the phantom coup. There are other recommendations by the Oputa panel. The ex-servicemen eagerly await the full implementation of the recommendations.
Obinna Nwodo is a Supply Chain Professional and the founder of the Young Supply Chain Professionals, YSCP, community in Nigeria His role involves managing supply chain activities to increase efficiencies, improve customer satisfaction, and stand out from competitors. In an interview with MARY NNAH, Nwodo shares his expertise, strategies, and perspectives as a Supply Chain expert
Supply chain management is a multifaceted field that requires a comprehensive understanding of its scope. Could you please provide a detailed overview of what it entails for the benefit of the layman?
Supply chain management is a complex field that involves coordinating the flow of materials or services from the manufacturer to the customer. It encompasses several stakeholders and processes, including requirement planning, procurement (buying), logistics (movement), and storage.
Your profile suggests that you specialise in strategic procurement and inventory optimisation. What was the attraction? Could you elaborate on your expertise in this area?
Well, initially I wanted to be a core logistics guy. But after a while, I felt it was too “field” for me. I just wanted to do office things. And of course, procurement and inventory optimization gave me that. I know that no matter what, I’d be playing in the supply chain.
As someone who has taken an interest in this profession, what specialised skills have you acquired to become well-versed in the field?
To do procurement, you need to have a lot of skills that cut across strategy, process adherence, administration and technology. Skills like risk management, data analytics, negotiation and IT tool proficiency are where ERPs and software productivity suites come in. You also need soft skills that ensure you can manage key internal and external stakeholders. Very important.
Growing up did you have role models that influenced your career path?
I won’t say I had any role models in the supply chain because I didn’t. When I was doing my first degree, I went for industrial training during one of the semesters and had my first exposure to procurement and I saw the same thing during my NYSC service year. So I picked it up and was trying to understand it. Then one day, my Dad was speaking to me and he said, “Do you know about supply chain and logistics?”. After that, I just made up my mind and said I was going to do this. And from there, it’s been a very intentional journey in procurement and supply chain
How long have you been involved in inventory planning and management, and what has been your experience so far? Do you operate as an individual or a company?
I have been in inventory management for more than 8 years. I got my first exposure during my first job to concepts like FIFOFirst In, First Out, safety stocks, Minimum Order Quantity, Reorder levels etc. It further deepened when I worked in a warehouse in Manchester as an Inventory Supervisor and coordinated the automation process for the items. We went to reduce dispatch errors by 50%. Today, I do more inventory optimization than management or control and this is because I work as a Procurement Manager
What is your academic background, and if you were not involved in supply chain management, what other field would you have pursued?
I started at Apata Memorial Nursery and Primary School. Then I went to Kings College, Lagos. Yes, I’m part of the men that shout Floreat! Then I went to the University of Lagos for my first degree and my second degree was from the University of Salford Manchester. That’s where I got my master’s in Procurement, Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Who is qualified to be considered a supply chain professional? What skills are essential for success in supply chain management and what are their responsibilities in this field?
A supply chain professional is someone who practices in the supply chain field and possesses degrees or certifications in procurement, logistics or supply chain. To work in a supply chain you can be many things which include but are not limited to Demand planning, logistics management, category management, procurement management, inventory and warehouse management, Order fulfilment, operations management, manufacturing and production, last mile logistics, customer success management, sustainability and after-sales management.
A lot of skills are required to be a successful supply chain manager but I’d mention a few like negotiation and contracts, data analysis, stakeholder management, market insights and intelligence, time management, project management, operational planning, research and strategy, cost and spend analysis. What may not necessarily be a “skill” but is crucial for success in the supply chain is emotional intelligence. This is because it was very tough and can be demanding with very high expectations.
Can you provide insight into the Young Supply Chain Professionals (YSCP) community of Nigeria? What is the group’s purpose, and why was it established?
The Young Supply Chain Professionals (YSCP) community of Nigeria is the fastest growing Young Professional Community in Nigeria with members from all sectors and across many industries who are well mentored to position the supply chain as
the heartbeat for 21st century business success with the vision of becoming the cynosure for supply chain excellence in Nigeria. It was established because I felt that there was a big gap between the entry-level guys and senior-level executives in the supply chain. So we launched to bridge the gap and so far we’ve had private and public sector engagements and also assisted many professionals to secure fantastic jobs.
As the founder of this group, how much of an impact do you think your activities as a supply chain professional have had on businesses and the nation’s economic growth in general?
I know a lot of young professionals are watching and I cannot fall their hand. So I just be myself. I’m naturally a valueoriented person so it’s not difficult to get into character. From the partnerships we’ve built, to the events we’ve organised, both scholarly and social by the way, to job creation, and a lot of probono work for different sectors, we have contributed immensely to the social and economic well being of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in our little way even though some of it can’t be quantified.
What are some of the current trends in supply chain management that need to be applied to ensure successful business operations?
Supply chains are getting more complex by the day. The best way to maintain resilience is through the adoption of technology and data-driven processes.
“More and more organisations are creating positions for strategic supply chain and procurement professionals now. Technology is also changing the game and this is where the younger generation comes in. I also believe that for a country to work then we need to get this supply chain thing right.”
These will actualise deepened knowledge for AI adoption, IoT, Robotics, augmented reality and sustainable solutions.
What are the essential elements of inventory planning and management?
Inventory management is an integral part of supply chain management. This is because inventory is assets that directly affect the bottom line. The key elements here include demand forecasting, supplier availability and planning, purchase transparency, safety stock management, warehouse management systems, data entry and analysis and stock reconciliation.
What are some of the primary challenges of navigating this profession successfully? Additionally, what was your most challenging moment in a supply chain role, and how did you resolve it?
Procurement and Supply Chain is tough but it’s the engine of every business whether we like it or not. High-flying companies are those that compete in their supply chains. There are probably a million challenges we currently face, but one notable example is price volatility caused by high inflation or FX fluctuations. A very strategic way to curb these sorts of price volatility is to sign fixed long-term contracts. The only advice will be to create a buffer to accommodate these price increases. The supplier will then be expected to strategically leverage bulk purchases and partnerships to fulfil the terms and scope of the contract. This way a win-win position has been created. In the case of unexpected circumstances where either party wants to declare a force majeure, then the rules of termination may apply.
Apart from fixed contracts, I have also used the best alternative strategy called BATNA. This is an analytical approach to tweaking a BOQ or purchase requisition since the conditions for the previous can’t be met. The most important descriptions are outlined and sourced so in the end, the alternative still works pretty well.
In situations where warehouse shipments are unexpectedly delayed, what measures do you take to address the situation?
When shipments are delivered? Well, I think it should always be expected so proactive mitigative strategies should always be in place. The first thing to do here is to communicate with all stakeholders so that they are aware. Here, the guide will be an escalation matrix. Then the exact location of the shipment should be determined and the new estimated time of delivery. After this, safety stock can be activated.
How do you handle cost efficiency, and what is your process for managing it? Cost efficiency today tilts towards Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Let me give you an example from an article I wrote. Imagine you want to purchase a car. Option A is N1000 and Option B is N1500. You immediately think that going for Option A gives you an N500 cost saving right? It does at that time but Option A needs N100 monthly for fuel and maintenance and Option B needs N40. By the end of one year, you would have spent N2,200 on Option A and N1,980 on Option B. By the end of the second year, you would have saved more than N900 if you went for Option B. So you see, focusing on unit cost alone isn’t always a sustainable way to determine cost efficiency. It has to be end-to-end and even factor in possible revenues.
What does the future hold for supply chain professionals in Nigeria, particularly for young people?
Very bright future I must confess. More and more organisations are creating positions for strategic supply chain and procurement professionals now. Technology is also changing the game and this is where the younger generation comes in. I also believe that for a country to work then we need to get this supply chain thing right. It’s not only master scheduling with mix and volume now, it’s everything. It’s the system. We desperately need this.
L-R:
Nume Ekeghe
Access Pensions has emphasised its commitment to offering thorough guidance and assistance to customers interested in Pension Backed Mortgages (PBMs).
Head of Customer Experience at Access Pensions, Ophelia Alex-Iwuanyanwu, reiterated this commitment during a recent webinar organised by the company.
She also highlighted the Access Advantage, showcasing the robust financial ecosystem provided by Access Corporation and how the firm is committed to ensuring the best for its customers.
Additionally, Chief Investment Officer, Access Pensions,
Wale Okunrinboye, Regional Head, Business Development, Adaeze Raji, and Head, of Benefits Administration, Access Pensions, Zainab Kaka Bello provided valuable insights to webinar attendees, offering tips to enhance pension planning security and manage personal finances effectively.
Alex-Iwuanyanwu said “We offer competitive pension backed mortgage finance tailored to your needs, ensuring your goal of home ownership is achieved. We also guide our customers through every step of the homeownership journey, starting well before the application reaches us. We offer end-to-end guidance from our team to ensure a simplified process that reduces the turn-
around time, from initiation to PENCOM’s approval.”
She further added that clients benefit from dedicated relationship managers, access to digital channels, financial literacy programs, and superior investment returns. Additionally, efficient benefits administration ensures timely pension payouts globally.
Also, Okunrinboye, speaking on, “Investment Management: How do we manage your pensions,” said: “Our investment process is built around applying an analytical approach to securities analysis, asset allocation, optimal trade execution and a quantitative approach to risk management.”
Oluchi Chibuzor
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II has hailed the entrant of of Tingo Cola and Tingo Electric energy drink into Nigeria market as a dream come true
This, according to him, would bring pride to Africa as the products are locally sourced in Nigeria.
Speaking at the launch of the products in Lagos, recently, Ooni Ogunwusi, said the products meet any international standard.
The Ooni, who is the Chairman of Tingo BV Plc, declared his staunch support for the Tingo drinks as the brand’s number one ambassador while
promising to guard it towards success.
According to him, “Today, I am telling the whole world that I have taken up the responsibility for these products because it is one of my passions. My dream was that one day I would be part of a team to design, conceptualize and put together a drink that would be the pride of not only Nigeria but the entire continent of Africa. Today, we celebrate the realization of that vision with Tingo Cola and Tingo Electric Drinks.”
The Ooni, who served as the official host of the launch, noted that “both Tingo Cola and Tingo Electric uphold
and meet any international standard all over the world.”
Underscoring the fruitful collaboration that made these products possible, Founder of Tingo Foods, Dozi Mmobuosi, emphasised that Tingo Cola and Tingo Electric represent not only a triumph of innovation but also a celebration of Nigerian ingenuity.
He noted that his team was, “proud to showcase these exceptional beverages to the world and are deeply grateful for the support of His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, and all our esteemed guests.”
Nume Ekeghe
Access Bank has announced the unveiling of the sixteenth season of DiamondXtra, a savings and reward account program, in Lagos.
This season of the special interest-yielding hybrid account, which permits deposits of both cash and third-party cheques, has been enhanced with exciting prizes for customers.
Participants stand the chance to win prizes totaling N200 million, including three SUVs, among other enticing rewards.
Speaking at the unveiling in Alaba International Market, Lagos, Regional Sales Director, Lagos, Mr Bolarinwa Animashaun, said the new season will bring more goodies to the
customers as the bank has taken their interest at heart.
He said: “In the last fifteen years, we have been able to ensure customer loyalty, reward committed customers over time and show that we are a bank that is ready to empower people and partner with people. He said, “If I take it into specific figures, we have rewarded 26,696 customers and we’ve given a total sum of N6.5 billion over the period. This Season 16 is interesting, because, we have seen a lot of opportunities to expand into digital opportunities and this time around, we will be rewarding 15,786 customers, and 10,000 of them will be digitally rewarded. “This is almost half of what
we have done over the last 15 years. So that is what is making it special. We have taken it into the possibilities of how technology can expand our business and reward customers.”
“So, we start from the monthly draws, quarterly draws and the annual draws. What makes it extremely interesting this year is that we will be rewarding with up to N200 million in prizes and we have added some very interesting gifts. We will be given out three SUVs as part of the N200 million price for this year,” Animashaun added.
At the unveiling, Access Bank conducted onsite draws where 48 customers who have DiamondXtra accounts and
The
their patriarch, brother and uncle, Mr Ifeanyi John Ubabukoh, who passed on to glory on February 14, 2024.
The deceased was a columnist and former Chairman of the Editorial Board, Champion Newspapers. He had worked with The Mail, where he edited both the Sunday and daily
Senior Special Assistant
Communication
then Anambra State Governor, Mr Peter Obi, between June
2009 and June 2012.
According to a statement by his son, Mr Ozioma Ubabuk oh, on behalf of the family, there will be a Service of Songs on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at the late journalist’s residence (John Ubabukoh’s compound) in Ngo Village.
The remains, the statement added, will leave Apex Mortuary, Igbo-Ukwu, on Thursday, April 25 for lying-in-state at Ubabukoh’s compound in Ngo.
“Funeral service will commence by 10a.m. and interment will take place by noon at Ubabukoh’s compound,” he stated.
Kayode Tokede
Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) announced on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) that it has successfully repaid its $500 million 5-year Eurobond that matured on April 18, 2024.
The Eurobond, which was issued in April
2019 was listed on the London Stock Exchange with a coupon rate of 9.5per cent. The bond garnered support from diverse group of global investors, including development banks, FMO and Proparco, who served as anchor investors.
The repayment, totalling $524 million
inclusive of principal and interest, was distributed to bondholders through the transaction agent on the specified maturity date.
Speaking on the repayment, Ecobank’s Group CFO, Mr. Ayo Adepoju in a statement said “This inaugural bond we are retiring today was critical in introducing our
firm to a wider array of global investors and contributed to the increased visibility of our brand in the capital markets.
“When viewed against the backdrop of the difficult operating environment that characterized most of 2023 and is still being felt today – particularly the disruptions in the
world supply chain and global financial markets – the Group continues to show resilience through strong liquidity, a robust balance sheet, and a solid leadership team.”
The $500 million Eurobond which has been repaid is Ecobank’s inaugural bond to be listed on the London Stock Exchange. However,
the group’s first bond issuance was in 2014, when it issued a $200 million bond that was listed on the Irish stock exchange.
In 2021, Ecobank also issued a $300 million 5-year bond at a fixed coupon rate of 7.125per cent. This bond which will mature in 2026 is also listed on the LSE.
Thisday Afrinvest Index down 20bps
Thisday Afrinvest 40 index lost 20bps to print at GTCO (-3.9%), ACCESS (-0.9%), and UBA (-0.2%). the index.
Bears Dominate Again... ASI down 0.1%
Yesterday, the local bourse sustained its bearish performance as losses in GTCO (-3.9%), UCAP (9.7%), and OANDO (- 6.7%) pulled the NGX-ASI
0.0%1.5% -24.6%-24.6%30.6%3.4%4.9x1.4x7.5%20.2%
16BUA Foods PLC379.90 0.0%3.4% 96.4%96.4%44.9%16.9%60.1x26.2x1.6%1.7%
17Okomu Oil Palm PLC247.00 0.0%1.6% -5.0%-5.0%56.6%24.6%11.4x6.1x11.5%8.8% 18Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC48.00
20AXA Mansard Insurance PLC5.50 0.0%1.1% 0.0%0.0%40.8%11.2%3.9x1.3x2.2%25.4%
21NASCON Allied Industries PLC52.55 0.0%0.9% -2.2%-2.2%57.3%19.2%5.0x5.1x2.1%19.9%
22FCMB Group Plc7.20 -2.0%0.9% -2.7%-2.7%25.5%2.5%1.5x0.3x3.5%65.6% 23Flour
24International Breweries PLC4.50
25Geregu Power PLC1,000.00 0.0%2.1% 150.6%150.6%74.6%15.2%92.8x63.1x0.9%1.1%
26Sterling Financial Holdings Co4.25 1.2%0.8% -0.9%-0.9%
27PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC38.00
Mixed Sector Performance
Performance across our coverage sectors was mixed as two indices gained, two lost while the Oil & Gas and Industrial Goods indices closed Consumer Goods and Insurance
Conversely, the Banking and AFR-ICT - -0.9%), CWG (- -9.1%).
Outlook
Investor
breadth, worsened to -0.06x from -0.12x in the
TickerPricePrice
GUINNESS55.0010.0%
NEIMETH1.809.8%
MORISON3.729.7%
INTENEGINS1.419.3%
REGALINS0.398.3%
CORNERST1.933.8%
PRESTIGE0.613.4%
ROYALEX0.623.3%
VERITASKAP0.623.3%
TRANSCORP14.002.9%
TickerPricePrice Chg %
UCAP18.10-9.7%
CONHALLPLC1.21-9.7%
CWG5.70-9.5%
CHAMS1.69-9.1%
SUNUASSUR1.00-8.3%
GUINEAINS0.34-8.1%
TIP2.08-8.0%
LIVESTOCK1.33-7.6%
OANDO11.10-6.7%
GTCO34.35-3.9%
ACCESSCORP44.0-0.9%
GTCO32.8-3.9% UBA28.4-0.2% TRANSCORP23.62.9%
ZENITHBANK22.01.7%
FIDELITYBK18.8-2.2% JAPAULGOLD10.10.0%
TIP8.2-8.0%
OANDO7.4-6.7%
CHAMS7.4-9.1%
TickerValuePrice
GTCO1142.0-3.9%
ZENITHBANK796.01.7%
ACCESSCORP766.2-0.9%
GEREGU662.20.0%
UBA650.0-0.2%
TRANSCORP326.72.9%
FIDELITYBK168.3-2.2%
DANGSUGAR127.20.0%
TRANSPOWER103.10.0%
OANDO85.7-6.7%
Party to hold another NEC August 15, expresses concern over ill-implemented policies of the insensitive APC administration How your NEC got it wrong, presidency fires
Acting National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Illya Umar Damqgum, has said the struggle to remain in office is not a mater of life and death for him.
In spite of the outcome of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party yesterday, the PDP leadership slated another NEC meeting for August 15, during which it intends to elect a substantive national chairman of the party. Speaking on the state of the party, the chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees(BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara, urged the party to do its best to resolve the internal crisis, saying Damagum has already overstayed his welcome in acting capacity.
Relatedly, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday, refused to stay the execution of his order barring former National Chairman of PDP, Uche Secondus, and others from attending the party's meetings.
However, the presidency, last night, said PDP got it wrong yesterday at its NEC meeting with all the tantrums it threw at the government of President
Alert Microfinance Bank (MFB) Group has announced plans to support over 100,000 Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in 2024 with affordable business loans.
The move, according to the company, is aimed at addressing the lack of access to credit for businesses which is still a major challenge hindering the growth and development of MSMEs in the country.
The Chief Executive Officer , Alert MFB Group, Dr. Olanrewaju Kazeem, at the grand opening of Alert Group headquarters and product launch yesterday in Lagos, said the Group so far has supported over 35,000 businesses and would be deploying the use of technology and credible partnerships to achieve the 100,000 target.
He said: "Based on our plans for the year, we are looking at a massive upscale of supporting over 100,000 businesses across our branches. We believe with this, within the next one year, we should be able to bring an additional 100,000 businesses into the Group."
According to him, the company is focused more on supporting MSMEs, explaining that about 98 per cent of its loans are extended to supporting businesses.
He stated that courtesy of the license from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Group's intention is to expand across the whole of Lagos State, while also pointing out plans to open up 10 additional branches to take its number of outlets in the State to 20.
"As it stands today, Alert Microfinance Bank is a State licensed bank by the CBN so this means we can operate across the
State. Today, we have about 10 branches across Lagos and they have supported over 30,000 clients. We have also disbursed over N30 billion so far," he stated.
He, however, commended the federal government for establishing the microfinance bank policy, saying that is a step in the right direction that has benefited many Nigerians.
"I cannot imagine where this country would have been if there were no microfinance banks in the country. We started this business with N27 million, but today we have raised our total asset in excess of N14 billion.
“Our intention is to grow the loan book to well over N30 billion by the end of this year. We believe this is doable given the growth that we have seen in recent years and the support from the board and management," he averred.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Finance, Lagos State, Mr. Abayomi Oluyomi, said according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), 50 per cent of Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) representing 60 million people are employed by several millions of MSMEs in the State.
He stated that the Alert MFB Group has been in the forefront in the past 10 years to empower small scale businesses in the State, saying that the Group has so far disbursed N30 billion loans to over 30,000 individuals.
"What we are saying is that the Group is a partner of Lagos State because they are about empowering the people which is one of the core mandates of the Lagos State government," he said.
"As we gather here, it is imperative to recognize the pivotal role that Alert MFB
as a SME enabler is playing in driving economic growth, fostering innovation and creating employment opportunities in Lagos State and Nigeria at large.
"Nowhere is the impact of SMEs more evident than in Lagos State, the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria. With its vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, diverse population, and robust infrastructure, Lagos provides a fertile ground for SMEs to thrive and flourish."
Bola Tinubu.
Fielding questions on how he felt over the power struggle in PDP in the last few weeks, Damagum said leadership change would not rob him of his place in the party.
He told journalists, “This is not a matter of life and death. I am still an elected member of this NEC. Even if I revert to deputy national chairman, I'm still a member of NWC. The issue of surviving or not does not emerge.”
On his part, the chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Muhammed, while speaking on the outcome of the NEC meeting, said, "You can see there was no dissension and rancour.
“It was planned that the party will have an implosion. PDP is more than that. We have gone beyond all these idiosyncracries. This party is a united party that is guided by experience and constitutionality.
"There were a lot of permutations and mischievous thinking outside there. But we looked at all the issues and we worked along our guidelines and constitution. There is no problem or dissension and problem among members."
On the question of choosing a new chairman from North-central, Muhammed said, “In the next two months, we will see a lot of activities. Leadership is a responsibility.
“We said in August we would have come out from our congresses. We will look at the issue of leadership and look at the issue of our constitution, where it will be. And we will do it with no rancour."
Meanwhile, security was tight at yesterday’s NEC meeting, as over two kilometres to the PDP national secretariat in Wuse Zone 5, was cordoned off by police men under the supervision of the FCT Commissioner of Police, Beneath Igwe.
From the junction of Ibro Hotel to the famous Julius Berger junction was cordoned off.
The FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, arrived the venue of the meeting with a motorcycle outrider followed by two guns mounted by Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) in a Lexus jeep with registration FCT 001.
Just like it happened at the national caucus meeting, neither Wike nor Atiku
Abubakar uttered a word.
The meeting was massively attended by all former governors, former ministers, and former Vice President Namadi Sambo, among others.
Donald Duke and Leyel Imoke walked in, hand-in-hand, while a former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, former governors, who were members of the G5, came in the same vehicle with Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State. Food vendors made brisk businesses, while despite the presence of armed security officials, pickpockets stole several telephones.
In the communique of the NEC meeting, National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Debo Ologunagba, said NEC urged the National Working Committee (NWC) to set up a reconciliation and disciplinary committee.
He said NEC approved all congresses in states where there were vacancies, from the ward to the
The Bayelsa State Government has indicated readiness to work with the National Boundary Commission (NBC) to have its littoral communities lying within 500 metres from the Atlantic Ocean coastline captured in the ongoing mapping exercise.
Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo stated this at a meeting with critical stakeholders including local government officials and the leadership of Host Communities Development Trust in the state at Government House in Yenagoa.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Dombara Atasi, yesterday, Ewhrudjakpo underscored the importance of the mapping exercise, stressing that it would enable communities that are yet to be recognised as oil and gas bearing communities along the Atlantic coastline.
According to the statement,
the ongoing mapping exercise is pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 3 of the Nigerian Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) aimed at enabling affected communities to form development trusts.
Ewhrudjakpo, who expressed concern that Bayelsa was the only oil-producing state where littoral communities were yet to be captured by the National Boundary Commission (NBC), urged community leaders to take the exercise seriously.
Emphasising the urgency required to carry out the delineation exercise, the deputy governor noted that failure to capture the Bayelsa littoral communities would deny them the immediate and long-term benefits as stipulated in the PIA.
To this end, he directed the Office of the state Surveyor General to liaise with local government chairmen, and other critical stakeholders to identify communities that are located within 500 metres from the coastline before
the arrival of the NBC officials.
He appealed to local government authorities and traditional rulers of the various communities to create an enabling environment for the NBC to successfully carry out the exercise which is expected to commence soon.
He said: "The delineation of littoral communities in oil producing states in respect of Chapter 3 of the Petroleum Industry Act is yet to be conducted in our state
"The exercise is being carried out by the National Boundary Commission to capture communities that lie within 500 metres from the coastline as provided by the PIA.
"Our communities must be captured for them to benefit from the exercise. Therefore, our local government chairmen and traditional rulers have a role to play to create an enabling environment for the work to be done.
"Coastline communities in five other oil producing states have
been successfully captured in the exercise. So, we should know we are running against time and act accordingly in order not to be left out in the programme."
In their separate remarks, the Chairman of the Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT), Ebikese Okoko, and the Chairman of KEFFES Rural Development Foundation (KRDF), Chief Christopher Tuduo, explained that they were prepared to collaborate with government and the NBC to ensure the success of the exercise.
The meeting was also attended by the Secretary to State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei; the Chairman, Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Governor's Office, Gowon Toruyouyei; local government caretaker chairmen, and permanent secretaries from the Ministries of Justice, Local Government and Mineral Resources.
Chuks Okocha, Alex Enumah and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (right) welcoming former Governor of the State and Ex-Minister of Works & Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), while the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, watches in admiration during the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) 2024 Lagos Leadership Summit, at the Konga Place, Lekki, Lagos, on Wednesday
Inaugurates Ondo guber primary election, appeal C’ttees S'east urges national chairman to reject list Group wants national chairmanship position returned to north central
Adedayo Akinwale, Sunday
Aborisade in Abuja and DavidChyddy Eleke in Awka
The All Progressives Congress (APC), has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, demanding investigation and apprehension of one Auwalu Jemomi and eight others for impersonating party executives of Ganduje Ward in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State.
The legal adviser of Ganduje's ward, Haladu Gwanjo, Monday, explained that they decided to suspend Ganduje from the party due to the allegations against him by the state government bordering on bribery.
Also, Kano State High Court on Wednesday affirmed the suspension following an ex parte order restraining him from further parading himself as a member of APC.
But the National Legal Adviser of the party, Prof. Abdulkarim Kana, in a petition dated April 16, said the unauthorised and misleading statement created significant confusion and unrest among members of APC and the public at large.
The petition read: "As the National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I. am writing to formally petition your esteemed offices to investigate and apprehend the following persons: Auwalu Galadima Jemomi, Muhde Weti, Danmala Gale, Samaila Haladu, Laminu Sani Barguma, Musa Lado, Lado Maishayi, Amadu Maishayi and Umar Amarwa.
"The above-mentioned persons have falsely claimed to be party executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of Ganduje Ward in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State.
"Specifically, on April 15, 2024, Auwalu Galadima Jemomi and his accomplices, claiming to be party executives of the APC from Ganduje Ward in Dawakin Tofa Local Government, Kano State, falsely issued a press statement suspending our National Chairman, Dr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, from the party.
"This unauthorised and misleading
statement has created significant confusion and unrest among our members and the public at large."
Kana noted that such impersonation and dissemination of false information were not only illegal but also havd the potential to disrupt public peace and order.
He, therefore, requested the Police to promptly investigate the matter and apprehend Jemomi and his accomplices involved in this fraudulent act.
Kana further requested the police to identify and investigate any sponsors or conspirators associated with this incident beyond those explicitly named in this petition.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC has inaugurated a seven-man committee to conduct the Ondo State Governorship primary election scheduled to hold on Saturday.
The committee, headed by the Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, would conduct a direct primary election in the 18 local government areas of the state to elect the standard bearer of the party. A former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege would serve as the Secretary of the Primary Election Committee.
Other members are Senator Lekan Mustapha; Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuoso; Chief Meg Duru; former Oyo Deputy Governor Iyiola Oladokun and Dr. Sani Danjuma.
Also, the party also inaugurated a five-man Primary Election Appeal Committee headed by former Bauchi Governor, Mohammed Abubakar.
The five-man Mohammed Abubakar Appeal Committee has Chief Obiocha Israel as Secretary while other members are Jamilu Isiyiaka Gwamna, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon and Mr. Onyeka Okafor.
Meanwhile, no fewer than 171, 922 delegates would elect its candidate for the September Governorship election
in Ondo state.
The National Organising Secretary of the party, Muhammad Argungu disclosed this on Thursday at the national secretariat of the party during the inauguration of the committee.
He said while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sent the Certified True Copy of 173, 181 membership register to the party, a revalidation done by the party brought the figure down to 171, 922.
Argungu noted that the delegates are members of the APC drawn from the 203 wards in the 18 local governments of the state and duly certified to take part in this Saturday's primary election.
Inaugurating the committee, the embattled National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, said after the completion of its work, the appeal committee has a duty to listen to complaints and attend to them.
He noted: "If there is any
disagreement, then the appeal committee will listen and that is part of internal democracy which we have to abide by as provided by our constitution. "Members of this committee have been selected based on their experiences and integrity. The primary election committee is chaired by no other person by our new governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo," he stated.
Ganduje, who noted that controversies were an integral part of democracy, urged the primary election committee to be focused and highly organised in discharging its mandate.
Responding, Ododo, who was represented by his deputy, Joel Salihu, expressed his commitment to the task ahead.
He said, "If there is any job not to be done, it must not be the one sent by Mr President and the National Chairman of the party and the party
itself. Any work I am sent to do, must be done.
"I have accepted to collaborate with all the committee members to produce the best candidate for Ondo gubernatorial election and in so doing, I will abide by the principle, doctrine and constitution of our great party."
Meanwhile, a group of protesters under the umbrella of APC Youth Solidarity Network (APCYSN) stormed the National Secretariat of APV to caution the party against the legal implication of Ganduje conducting the forthcoming Ondo State governorship primary election. The group in a petition jointly signed by the Convener, Danesi Momoh and and Co-Conveners, Abdulkadir Shuaibu and Adeyeye Olugbenga, respectively insisted that Ganduje lacked locus standi to conduct the primary as that can spell doom for the party in the long run.
The APC National Vice Chairman in the South East Zone, Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, has faulted the 90 man-list for the Ondo primary election of the party.
Arodiogbu called on Ganduje to reject the list.
According to a press release from his media office, Arodiogbu said he did not have any input, nor was there any from majority of members of the 25-man National Working Committee of which he is a member.
"We are calling on the National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulahi Ganduje, and the National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Suleiman Argungu to repudiate the list and seek the input of all members of the NWC members as the constitution of the party dictates.
The World Bank Group has announced an ambitious plan to support countries in delivering quality, affordable health services to 1.5 billion people by 2030.
President, World Bank Group, Ajay Banga, said this was part of a larger global effort to provide a basic standard of care through every stage of a person’s life –infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
For decades, the World Bank Group, has helped provide health services for women and children in more than 100 countries.
A focused effort to become faster, work better with partners, and bring
in the private sector, has enabled the 80-year-old institution to pursue greater scale and impact.
According to the Washington DC-based financial institution, the strategy to reach 1.5 billion people was focused on three core elements, which were expanding focus from maternal and child health to include coverage throughout a person’s lifetime, including noncommunicable diseases.
Expanding operations to hardto-reach areas, including remote villages, cities, and countries. Working with governments to cut unnecessary fees and other financial barriers to health care.
To be counted toward this goal, a person must be seen and treated
by a health-care worker via an in-person visit or telehealth.
“Providing a basic standard of care for people throughout their lives is critical for development,” said Banga. “This ambition won’t be realised with a solo effort. It will require partners, a coalition of public and private sector, working together to expand access to health care services,” he added.
"Under the President's health sector renewal Investment Initiative, we're expanding access to quality, basic health care, primary health care systems by expanding the primary health care centers from 1800 to 17,000, retraining 120,000 frontline health workers and enabling them with digital technology to function.
"Also, expanding the affordability to ensure the poorest and most vulnerable are able to afford the services that they need to improve maternal and child health. Immunization, as well as dealing with other elements.”
Nigeria's Minister of Health, Dr. Mohammed Pate, during a panel discussion, reiterated Nigeria's government commitment to make healthcare accessible to all and how the government was priotising health and some of the challenges in meeting the universal health coverage target. He said so far, the government's efforts were yielding results.
L-R: Chief Operating Officer, Seplat Energy Plc, Mr. Samson Ezugworie; Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma and Managing Director, ANOH Gas, Mr. Okechukwu Mba, when the Seplat Group paid a courtesy visit to the governor at Government House, Owerri... yesterday
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, yesterday, said the Gulf of Guinea, has continued to witness a downward trend in piracy and armed robbery attacks over the year. He said this was achieved through the efforts of the Interregional Coordination Centre, ICC, insisting that its achievements in maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea was quite commendable.
Touray made this known at the 4th Annual Meeting of the Heads of Institution (HOI) of the ICC, at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja. ICC was created in September 2014 by ECOWAS, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC)
with the mission of serving as the Coordination Centre on maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea following the 2013 Yaoundé Summit of ECOWAS, ECCAS and GGC Heads of State and Government.
Touray, in his address, said:
“Since the Political Declaration of our Heads of State, substantial progress has been made in our maritime community.
“With regards to our MoU, some progress has been achieved by the governing body on interinstitutional coordination.
"The Coordination Centre receives funding, and its annual
"This included the adoption of National Maritime Strategies and the deployment of critical maritime infrastructure that has improved maritime situational awareness.
Work Plan and Budget are approved, including the operations of Maritime Operational Centres.” Touray added that the importance ICC to global maritime security and safety could not be wished away, noting that it attracted the interest of many development partners. He listed them to include the G77++ Friends of the Gulf of Guinea, the European Union, the German Federal Government and the Chinese Government for their different support and assistance.
Sunday Aborisade in Abuja
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has called for Parliamentary Collaboration between the Nigerian Parliament and its Serbian counterpart. Akpabio made the call during a meeting with the President of the Serbia Parliament, Ms Ana Brnabic in London, on Wednesday.
This was contained in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom.
It added that Akpabio and the President of the Serbia Parliament, Ana Brnabic, extensively discussed issues of mutual interest to both nations and how to improve parliamentary collaborations between Serbia and Nigeria.
Part of the statement read:
"The Meeting, which was at the request of Ms Brnabi , also discussed matters relating to the International Parliamentary Union(IPU).
"The two parliamentarians have also agreed to meet again soon. The Serbian lawmaker, used the meeting to formally invite Nigeria's Senate President to Serbia, on a yet to be announced date," the statement said.
It noted that Akpabio, was recently elected into the Executive Committee of the IPU, a role he has been playing successfully in the last few months, specifically his speech on the needless bloodletting in Gaza, and the call for a ceasefire at the just concluded meeting of the body in Geneva, Switzerland. Akpabio, the statement added, was accompanied to the meeting by the Chairman, Senate Committee on NDDC, Asuquo Ekpenyong and Nigeria's Acting High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Cyprian Terseer Heens.
18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.
“That you Yahaya Bello between 26th July 2021 to 6th April 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court aided E-Traders International Limited to conceal the aggregate sum of N3, 081, 804,654.00 (Three Billion, Eighty One Million Eight Hundred and Four Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Four Naira) in account number 1451458080 domiciled in Access Bank Plc, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a), 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.
“That you Yahaya Adoza Bello sometime in November 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly procured E-Traders international Limited to transfer the aggregate sum
of $570,330.00 (Five Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty Dollars) to account number 4266644272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15( 3) of the same Act.”
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has warned Bello, that taking flight from the law would not resolve issues for him.
He, therefore, advised the embattled governor to toe the part of decency by honouring the EFCC invitation.
The AGF, while reacting to the development, expressed
disappointment in how those in authorities misused their powers, and warned against further obstruction of security agencies in the discharge of their statutory mandate.
According to him, government officials, no matter how highly placed, should not be involved in carrying out unlawful acts detrimental to the law.
In a statement in Abuja, the minister said, "The bizarre drama confronting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the course of its efforts to perform its statutory duty has come to my notice (Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice) as a matter of very grave concern.
"It is now beyond doubt that the EFCC is given power by the law to invite any person of interest to interact with them in the course of their investigation into any matter regardless of status.
"Therefore, the least that we can all do when invited, is not to put any obstruction in the way of EFCC but to honourably answer their invitation," Fagbemi said.
He lamented that a situation,
where public officials, who themselves were subject of protection by law enforcement agents set up a stratagem of obstruction to the civil and commendable efforts of the EFCC to perform its duty, is to say the least, insufferably disquieting.
He stressed that a flight from the law would not resolve issues at stake but would only exacerbate it.
"I state unequivocally that I stand for the rule of law and will promptly call EFCC and indeed any other agency to order when there is indication of any transgression of the fundamental rights of any Nigerian by any of the agencies.
“But I also tenaciously hold the view that institutions of state should be allowed to function effectively and efficiently. Nigeria has a vibrant judicial system that is capable of protecting everyone, who follows the rule of law in seeking protection.
"I, therefore, encourage anyone who has been invited by the EFCC or any other agency to immediately toe the path of decency and civility by
honouring such invitation instead of embarking on a temporising self-help and escapism that can only put our country in bad light before the rest of the world," the statement added.
Yahaya Bello’s Security, Immigration Places Him on Watchlist
The Nigeria Police, yesterday, ordered the withdrawal of orderlies attached to former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, just as the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) placed him on a watchlist.
A police wireless message issued by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Mobile Police, Force Headquarters, Abuja, to the Mobile Police Command (Mopol 37, Lokoja) said the police orderlies attached to Bello should be withdrawn immediately. "Police has ordered the withdrawal of all your men attached to His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, former Executive
Governor of Kigi State.
"All to acknowledge compliance. Treat with utmost importance. Above for your information and strict compliance, please," the signal stated.
On its part, the immigration, in a letter signed by ACI DS Umar, informed all zonal coordinators and control posts that the former Kogi governor was now on a watchlist.
"I am directed to inform you that the above named person has been placed on watch list.
"Suffice to mention that the subject is being prosecuted before the Federal High Court Abuja for conspiracy, breach of trust and money Laundering vide letter Ref; CR; 3000 /EFCC/ LS/EGCS.1/TE/V 1/279 dated 18th April 2024.
“If seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to Director of Investigation or cantact 08036226329 /07039617304 for further action. Please accept as always.the ComptrollerGeneral's warmest regards and esteem," the instruction letter disclosed.
L-R: Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake; former Governor of Bauchi State, and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Professional Forum, Dr. Isa Yuguda and former Governor of Adamawa State and member, Board of Trustees of the APC Professional Forum, Bala Ngilari
Kuni Tyessi in Abuja
Ahead of the commencement of the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination slated for Friday, April 19, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a directive to arrest any parent who comes near any Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre during the exercise.
JAMB issued the directive to all owners of CBT centres during a virtual meeting on Wednesday, a statement by the board’s Public Communications Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, said. Fabian said the directive became necessary following the intrusive disposition of some parents during the board’s previous exercises.
The statement quoted JAMB’s Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, as saying that any parent, who
disobeys the order, would not only be arrested but his ward would also be disqualified from sitting the examination.
Oloyede said the measure was necessary as it has been discovered over time that many of the intruding parents were facilitators of examination infractions while others have, by their actions, disrupted the board’s examinations in the past. According to the board, some miscreants also disguise as parents to infiltrate the centres to perpetrate all forms of infractions.
The registrar further stated that the board has directed security operatives to work with the centres to apprehend any meddlesome parent, who come near the centres.
He noted that going by the extant national policy on education,
a candidate for the examination must have attained the age of 17 years.
“Therefore, it is evident that these parents had not allowed their wards to pass through the classes as defined in the document, hence, the determination to follow their wards to the examination venue with the aim of compromising examination officials.
“At any rate, it is clear to any discerning observer that these parents deserve to be sanctioned as they had obviously ‘smuggled’ underage children into the ranks of those scheduled to sit the examination,” he said.
The board also advised candidates to jealously guard their personal details, email address, as well as their registration and phone numbers.
It noted that the advice was
issued against the backdrop of some candidates, who might be enticed into patronising any of those fraudulent websites out there.
“Consequently, the Board informed candidates that if their personal details are found with any of such sites, they would be treated as accomplices and prosecuted,” it said.
Oloyede further said all arrangements had been concluded for the conduct of the 2024 UTME, which will be held in over 700 CBT centres across the nation.
He disclosed that the board expects a seamless exercise but it has nevertheless made adequate provision to tackle any technical glitch that might occur in the course of the examination.
He, however, warned that if a session experienced any technical
challenge, candidates in subsequent sessions would be allowed to sit their examination as scheduled while the candidates in the challenged session would be rescheduled for the last session for the day or the following day or even further depending on the centre schedules.
“Candidates are to take note of this so that they will remain calm in the event of any disruption. In this wise, any candidate or parent, who disrupts any subsequent session on account of the failure of his/her session, would be disqualified outright from taking the examination,” he said.
The JAMB registrar appealed to centre owners to consider the assignment as a national engagement and not as a purely profit venture. He urged them to expose the bad
state congresses, and also approved the extension of time in the review of the party’s constitution.
The communique stated, "NEC commends all the organs of the party for their collective resilience, steadfastness and commitment towards the unity, stability and sustenance of our great party, despite daunting challenges.
"NEC also commends members of the PDP, with particular reference to the youths and women, for their courage in resisting the antics of the divisive and anti-people All Progressives Congress (APC), especially, its desperation to emasculate the opposition and foist a one-party state on our nation.
"NEC expresses concern over the ill-implemented policies of the insensitive APC administration, leading to worsening insecurity, harrowing economic hardship, soaring unemployment rate, high cost of food and other necessities of life with pervading misery and despondency across the country.
"NEC expresses serious apprehensions over the spate of acts of terrorism and violence, including the escalated cases of mindless killings, mass abduction of innocent Nigerians, and marauding of communities in various parts of the country.
"NEC condemns the insensitivity, nonchalance, incompetence and arrogance in failure of the APC administration, which continues to conduct itself in a manner that
shows that it has no iota of interest or commitment towards the wellbeing of Nigerians."
Ologunagba said NEC condemned the creeping totalitarianism and tendencies towards a one-party state, which is inimical to the peace, stability and corporate existence of the nation as well as the development of democracy and good governance in the country.
He said NEC, after due consideration, demanded that Tinubu should urgently convene a special National Security Council meeting to proffer holistic solution and measures to curb the disturbing insecurity with its attendant negative consequences on national life.
According to him, "NEC also demands that President Tinubu should immediately rejig his economic team to bring in persons of proven integrity and competence, without bias and vested interest, to assist in repositioning the economy.
"NEC further demands that the federal government should review all policies and programmes , which are stifling the economy with suffocating effect on the lives of citizens; including the increase in price of fuel without cushioning measures, hike in electricity tariff, increased taxation and implementation of adverse fiscal policies.
"NEC charges all organs, leaders, critical stakeholders and, indeed, all members of the PDP to close ranks,
put aside every personal or group interests and work together in the overall effort to reposition and return the PDP to power at the centre in the interest of the Nigerian people.
"Consequently, NEC received and approved the timetable for party congresses across the country. NEC also approved the reconstitution of the party disciplinary and reconciliation committees to further ensure the stability of the party.
“Similarly, NEC approved the extension of the life of the party constitution amendment committee to allow it to receive new amendment proposals for inclusion in its deliberation and final report for consideration by NEC.
"NEC commended the efforts of the National Working Committee in its effort towards rebranding the party, including the new look PDP logo, which is widely accepted by party members and Nigerians in general."
The chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum said the governors remained resolute in their support for the party.
Mohammed said, "The governors of the PDP are united and poised to give support to all the organs so that they can perform their constitutional functions. We have decided that at no time shall we leave the organs of the party feeling despondent and in want.
"We are working assiduously to
make sure that all the off-season elections are well-funded and we are solidly behind the current leadership of the PDP at the National Working Committee level and the BoT.
“We really appreciate their performance and we recognise especially that the BoT has an array of experienced elder statesmen, who can leverage on their resources and human capital to take us to where we want to be as a country.
"We also recognise that all eyes are on the PDP, especially we the governors, and we are determined to bring peer review mechanism so that we’ll bring good governance that will be diametrically opposed to what is happening in the APC.
“We want to make you proud and bring good governance in all ramifications and with all humility and modesty, you will recognise that my bosses – the governors – are doing very well.
"We know that we have suffered as a party, our presidential candidate suffered injustice and some of the gubernatorial candidates suffered injustice. At so many levels, we had legal infractions but, certainly, it is not for us to bring rancour and division within the party.
"We recognise that there are some gaps in the leadership recruitment and the lingering perception outside and, of course, the strategy of our detractors who are lingering and
waiting somewhere to see us implode or explode.
“But I must appreciate members of the caucus and members of the BoT that we have held meeting with and now the NEC that will not give our detractors the opportunity to see what they want – creation of faction – but PDP is too much for that.”
The chairman of the PDP BoT, Senator Adolphus Wabara, urged the party to do its best to help resolve the crisis within, saying Damagum has overstayed his welcome as acting national chairman, to the detriment of the North-central zone of the country.
Speaking at the opening of the 77th Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting, Wabara said, "The ambiguity surrounding this position has led to confusion and internal strife, hindering our collective efforts to pursue our noble objectives.
"The solutions to these two challenges are clearly imbibed in our party’s constitution, but deliberate litigations have made the application of these constitutional solutions impossible.
"It is incumbent upon us to resolve this matter with utmost urgency, guided by transparency, fairness, and the best interests of our party
eggs among them. He expressed shock over multiple intelligence showing how the CBT centres have been making efforts to compromise the board’s staff especially with the offer of accommodation.
He urged the centres not to hesitate to expose any staff, who asks for such favours as the board had sufficiently paid its staff for the exercise in line with government regulations, adding that any centre which persists in doing so, might have something to hide.
The JAMB boss also informed participants at the virtual meeting that the board had deployed stateof-the-art technologies to check all manners of infractions, collaborations and other unsavoury acts that are at variance with its code of operations.
and its members."
The PDP BoT chairman added "As leaders, we feel the pulse of Nigerians and, particularly members of our great party, in their demand and quest for direction at this critical time in the life of our party, the PDP, and dear nation, Nigeria.”
Court Refuses to Stay Order
Stopping Secondus, Others from PDP Meetings
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, refused to stay the execution of his order barring former national chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, from attending the party's meetings.
Ekwo also refused a similar request made by Chief Celestine Omehia and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Austin Opara.
The judge, in his ruling in three separate applications filed by Secondus, Omehia and Opara, held that the case of the applicants was grossly incompetent and lacking in merit.
Ekwo had two weeks ago issued an interim order restraining Secondus from participating in the PDP meetings, pending the hearing of the substantive suit before the court.
He had made the order following an ex parte application brought by one Titus Jones, a member of PDP from Ward 5, Ikuru Town, Andoni Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State.
L-R: The Chief Host, Chief Blakey Okwudili Ijezie; Chairman, Dr. Oluwafemi Babalola; Guest Speaker, Pastor Felix Jarikre, and Special Guest, Prince OC Eronini, at the fourth edition of Blakey’s National Tax Conference orgnanised by Okwudili Ijezie & Co in Lagos…recently
Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
The military high command yesterday declared that troops have been given the mandate to destroy terror groups and their networks across the country.
This came as troops operating in the North-east rescued another Chibok girl, Lydia Simon, who had been held captive by Boko Haram terrorists for several years.
around Ngoshe in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Lydia, who was on serial number 68 among the abducted missing Chibok Secondary School girls, was rescued along with her three children by troops conducting Operation Desert Sanity III,
YinkaKolawoleinOsogbo
Justice Ayo Adebiyi of Osun State High Court, Osogbo yesterday sentenced two middle aged men to death by hanging for armed robbery. The convicts are Wasiu Afolayan 36 years old and Kola Adeyemi 34 years old.
They were arraigned before the court on four counts charges of conspiracy, armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, and unlawful possession of arms contrary to and punishable under section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms (special provisions) Act, Cap R.11, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
They pleaded not guilty to the offences preferred against them.
Prosecuting Counsel from the Ministry of Justice, Barrister Bewaji Adeniji told the court that on the 7th day of December, 2018, at a place near C.A.C No. 16, Oke-Onitea Area, Osogbo, Wasiu Afolayan and Kola Adeyemi laid siege to the area and robbed people living in that community.
Wasiu Afolayan was arrested at the scene of the crime at Oke-Onitea, while the Police investigation led to the arrest of Kola Adeyemi at Ikire through the confession of the Wasiu Afolayan, who mentioned his name as his gang member.
BlessingIbungeinPortHarcourt
The Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) Service Providers Union has expressed appreciation to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for approving 40 per cent increase in their monthly payment.
The union also promised to support governor Fubara’s administration in achieving a clean state.
She was five months pregnant at the time of her rescue, and claimed to be from Pemi town in Chibok.
At a media briefing yesterday in Abuja, the Director Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj Gen Edward Buba, said the military was focused on defeating terrorists and their enclaves across the
country. “The prerequisite of ongoing counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations by the military across the country is defeating the terrorist and dismantling their military,
administrative and political capabilities.
“Accordingly, through our operations we are continually boxing in the terrorist and dismantling their resupply routes,” he said.
Hammed Shittu inIlorin and David-Chyddy ElekeinAwka
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command yesterday arrested a 19-year-old boy, Jamiu Akande, for allegedly raping a nine-year-old girl. Similarly, the Anambra State
Government yesterday apprehended a 40-year -old rape suspect, Anietie Tim, for raping a 14-year- old girl in Onitsha.
The Kwara state incident, according to THISDAY checks, happened at Pakata Area in Ilorin, the state capital last Tuesday.
In a statement issued yesterday, which was signed by the NSCDC
Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ayoola Shola, the corps said: “On Tuesday, April 16th, 2024, at approximately 20:30hrs, the case was reported to the gender unit of the command by Alhaja Yusuf Mariam Joke, the Director of Child, Ministry of Woman Affairs, following a distress call from Babareke House, Ipata Oloje Area in Ilorin.
“Without delay, the command swiftly responded and apprehended the suspect after painstaking efforts by officers of the command.”
The statement added: “Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect frequently visited the victim’s residence under the guise of seeing his friend, thereby gaining access to the victim.
Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
The federal government has reiterated its commitment to providing affordable homes for civil servants under the Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) programme in line with pillar six of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation plan 2021-2025 (FCCSIP-25).
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoSF), Dr. Folasade Yemi Esan, restated this yesterday during a site inspection of the ongoing construction of 116 housing units of two-bedroom semi-detached bungalows at Gwagwalada, Abuja, to be allocated to core civil servants upon completion. She urged all contractors involved in making the estate habitable to expedite action on the provision of electricity, water, and internal road network in the housing estate.
The estate, which is fully funded by the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB) and being constructed in partnership with some real estate developers, is projected to be unveiled in June as part of activities to mark the 2024 Civil Service Week.
Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba
According to Sikpa, “Governor Fubara has shown to be a good administrator and a listening governor who understands the plight of the service providers, hence the directive, which has now been effected in March payment”.
He ,however, tasked all service providers to rise to the occasion by performing their duties effectively and justify why the governor has reposed confidence in them.
Speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt, the union Chairman, David Sikpa, explained that the service providers had cried out over the harsh economic realities in the country, prompting the governor to invite them for a dialogue and approved the increased payment after listening to their plights.
A report by TechCabal has shown that funding for African startups plummeted by over 45 per cent to $466 million in the first quarter of this year.
In the latest document, the organisation recognised the challenges and innovative responses from startups amid the unsavoury situation. However, amid the downturn, logistics startups came top earners with $151 million in investments, while Fintech remained the sector with the “most funding deals.”
The report said: “In response to funding constraints, several startups have opted for strategic pivots to ensure viability. These pivots range from shifts in business models such as transitioning from fintech to edtech, to exploring asset-light approaches. “One standout example is KIPPA, which successfully navigated a sector switch, highlighting the adaptability and resilience of African entrepreneurs. Amid the challenges, success stories emerge with mobility platform, Swvl and Neobank, TymeBank, achieving profitability for the first time. These milestones are attributed to diligent costcutting measures, divestments and a sharp strategic focus.
Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has described the state Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as a prudent manager of state resources, which is good for the state, especially at a time the country was hit by severe inflation. He urged the media to give the governor all the support they can towards the overall success of the administration’s development blueprint encapsulated in the M.O.R.E. agenda, noting that the role of the media in influencing the governance process could not be over-emphasized.
In his remarks when he received members of the Asaba Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), who visited him yesterday in his office in Asaba, Aniagwu noted that the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa administration enjoyed a robust and cordial relationship with journalists, during which period he served as the governor’s chief press secretary and also the commissioner for information, and sued for the sustenance of that spirit in the present government.
The candidate of Action Alliance (AA) in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Tom Iseghohi Okojie, has promised to run an open door policy if elected in the forthcoming polls.
This is even as a grassroots mobiliser, Deconess Mabel
Onaiwu, has led over 60,000 of her followers to support Iseghohi Okojie’s aspiration.
Okojie spoke in Benin during the declaration of Deaconess Onaiwu and her followers for the PUP Culture and Action Alliance at the party’s secretariat in Benin.
The AA candidate promised to run a people-oriented government that will always put the masses first.
According to him, with leaders like Onaiwu by his side, he is more determined than ever to continue fighting for a better future for Edo State, stressing that it will be a future built on principles of inclusivity, transparency, and genuine progress for all.
He said: “I will not lie to Edo people. I will not cheat them or steal from them. When I am sworn in by November, I shall run a people-oriented government.
Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has screened and confirmed 13 commissionernominees for the State Executive Council.
Although the state Governor,
Senator Douye Diri, sent 14 commissioner nominees to the Assembly for screening and confirmation, however, one of the nominees, Mr. Daniel Igali, was absent.
Those screened and confirmed are: Dambo Biriyai, Maxwell
Embeleyi Ebibai, Moses Teibowei, Mrs Koku Obiyai, Gentle Epilefa Emelah, Ayibakipreye Brodericks, George Ekpotuatein Flint, and Komuko Akari Kharim.
Others are Perepuighe Biewari, Jones Ebieri, Peter Afagha, Mrs. Bidei Elizabeth and Michael
Magbisa.
Advising the nominees shortly after the screening, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Michael Ogbere, enjoined them to work as a team with those they will meet on ground, and remain loyal to the government at all times.
Ibrahim Oyewale in Loloja
Kogi State Government has commenced the distribution of relief materials in communities affected by the recent communal crisis in the Omala Local Government area of the state.
The State Governor, Usman Ododo had directed the State Emergency Management Agency(SEMA) to coordinate a need assessment exercise in collaboration with the local government administration and urged the state Deputy Governor, Comrade Joel
Oyibo Salifu, to commence the distribution of relief materials to people in the affected communities on behalf of the state government while on a visit to commiserate with the people.
Governor Ododo said: “While we are seeking a lasting solution
to the communal crisis in the area that had become intractable over the years, it is our responsibility to provide succour to the men, women and children who have been displaced by the attacks on their homes and their means of livelihood.
Folalumi Alaran in Abuja
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has declared that reforms of the President Bola Tinubu administration have started manifesting in the resurgence of the country’s economy.
Speaking while playing host to a delegation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Professionals Forum led by former Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda, Alake asserted that Tinubu’s progressive leadership
and courage in taking difficult decisions is turning the tide, putting the economy on a strong footing.
He said: “The president has chosen to leave a legacy of taking difficult decisions that will herald enduring structures that will not only outlast the administration, but also make it impossible for successive administrations to deviate from. The society would have become used to a certain standard of service delivery at the end of the Tinubu administration that
Nigerians will no more settle for anything less.”
The minister said it has become evident that the temporary pains of reforms are beginning to ease, citing the resurgence of the naira and emerging stability in the forex market.
Speaking further, he highlighted the administration’s efforts towards infrastructural renewal, citing the Lagos-Calabar coastal road, which he stated that on completion, will shorten travel time to the Cross River State capital to two and half hours.
Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-city
The Benin Traditional Council (BTC) has vehemently kicked against the purported crowning of one Alhaji Danjuma Garba Binkola as “Garkuwan Hausawa” in Benin-city, Edo State.
Wendy Diaz/SoundVision
“T
he month of Ramadan has come, a blessed month in which Allah Almighty has obligated you to fast. In it the gates of the heavens are opened, and in it the gates of Hellfire are closed, and in it the devils are chained, and in it is a night that is better than a thousand months. Thus, whoever is deprived of its good is truly deprived.” Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him (Musnad Ahmad)
only as much as you are able, for the best deeds are those done regularly even if they are few.” (Ibn Majah)
As I reflected on my own Ramadan experience, I began to think about what, if anything, I may have done consistently One simple thing I remember is that this Ramadan, I did not sit down for a full meal, until I prayed maghrib. In previous years, there were occasions where I delayed the prayer and ate dinner first. This year, I would have a date and some water, pray maghrib, and eat after. It may no sound like a big deal, but at least it was something good that was consistent. I pray that Allah accepts it as an extra special good deed. You may have done something similar and even better. Trust that Allah knows and sees all, and that He knows what is in your heart.
4. Follow up Ramadan with the six days of Shawwal and other good deeds.
A statement signed by the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, on behalf of the BTC and made available to journalists in Benin-city, said such purported plan violates the Benin Tradition and Customary Law applicable to Chieftaincy Matters and must not be allowed to hold in the state.
Raheem Akingbolu
According to the Iyase, “It has come to the notice of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) that an individual claiming
of business and society of the marketing research industry.
to be known as “His Royal Highness Alhaji Adamu Isa Adamu and who describes himself as ‘Sarkin Hausawa’ plans to perform a turbaning ceremony in which one Alhaji Danjuma Garba Binkola will be installed as “Garkuwan Hausawa Benin” on May 5, 2024, at No. 7 Butcher Street, off Mission Road, Benin-city.
Every year, when the month of Ramadan draws to a close, we are left with mixed emotions. With its parting, we often experience feelings of grief, failure, and guilt. We feel sad because the month of mercy is gone, we feel like we failed because we did not carry out everything as planned, and we feel guilty because we did not take full advantage of its many opportunities to do good. In addition, we may find ourselves defeated because the devils are no longer chained, and thus, they have the full ability to derail us for the remainder of the year (as if we need the extra help,”. The last words of the abovementioned hadith echo in the back of our minds – “whoever has been deprived of its good is truly deprived.” In many circles, we call this phenomenon the “post-Ramadan blues.”
If a person only does good during Ramadan, what good is that? No doubt that some worship is better than none However, Ramadan should serve to recharge our faith batteries to keep us active all year-round. The Prophet peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of fasting in the month of Shawwal, it will be as if he has fasted for the entire year.” (Muslim)
Notice that this enormous reward is for those who jus do the minimum of fasting plus the six days. There is no mention of extra acts of worship like reading the Quran dhikr, and dua.
The new President of the Nigerian Marketing Research Association (NiMRA), Seyi Adeoye, has pledged commitment to fostering the progress and growth of the marketing research industry.
Just as Adeoye was elected president, one of the lead consultants at Pierrine Consulting,
Adeoye, who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pierrine Consulting, said his vision for the organisation would revolve around the core principles of Reimagine, Engage and Grow.
He said: “My key objectives include establishing robust structures, defining clear value propositions for stakeholders, and enhancing the visibility and attractiveness of NiMRA to grow the talent pool within the industry.”
Spearheading NiMRA, Adeoye declared he has the clear agenda aimed at future-proofing the association and elevating its impact on the Nigerian market, with a strong focus on driving growth and transformation and pioneer innovative solutions that shape the present and future
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEWALE ADEFUNKE RASHEEDAT now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BALOGUN ADEFUNKE RASHEEDAT. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.
I, formerly known and addressed as MISS JOSEPHINE OLUWATOYIN MAKINWA, now wish to be called and addressed as MRS JOSEPHINE OLUWATOYIN OPARA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.
Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CSSUNN) has lamented that despite all the achievements recorded in the fight against malnutrition, it has remained a concern to public health and threat to child survival, growth, and development in the country and Bauchi State.
CS-SUNN, which expressed worry over the development, is a non-governmental, nonprofit making alliance, made up of organisations with a shared vision to transform Nigeria into a country where every citizen has food and is nutrition secured.
CS-SUNN stated that according to NNHS (2018) and NDHS (2018), the Bauchi State stunting rate is 46 per cent, wasting is 9.5 per cent while underweight is 28.2 per cent and overweight is 0.5 per cent leading to the CS-SUNN inauguration in
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly known and addressed as OLUWASEYI VICTORIA FALOLA now wish to be known and addressed as OLUWASEYI VICTORIA FALOLA-BANKS. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.
Victor Onofomi, was also elected as Financial Secretary of NiMRA, further highlighting Pierrine’s commitment to leading innovation in the industry.
Bauchi in 2018.
Secretary of CS-SUNN in Bauchi state, Mrs Dabis Mwaike, yesterday reflected on the partnership with international partners, the State Committee for Food and Nutrition, CS-SUNN members participated in the development of the Bauchi State Policy on Food and Nutrition, Multi-sectoral plan of action for nutrition, among other policies and documents.
Ugo Aliogo
The author of ‘The Boys With The Happy Feet Dance’, Bode Abifarin, has shed light on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children, focusing on navigating these challenges and fostering resilience.
In her new book, she chronicles the remarkable journey of a mother’s unwavering dedication to her twin boys- Ethan and Nathan-both on the spectrum, and the narrative unfolds from both the children’s and their mother’s viewpoints, weaving a tapestry of experiences.
Speaking at the event launch in Lagos, Abifarin emphasised that the book is more than just an autism story, adding that it is a testament to the enduring power of love, faith, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her children.
She explained that the book offers valuable insights for parents navigating the autism spectrum with their wards, while simultaneously warming the hearts of all readers. Attendees at the event were deeply moved by the poignant journey shared in the book.
Are you feeling deprived? If you can relate, I want you to know that you are not alone. I am right there with you. For busy mothers especially, earning the rewards of Ramadan can seem like an unachievable goal. I cried at the adhan of Maghrib this year. While my children cheered and celebrated that it signaled the beginning of the Eid holiday, I sank into a squat on my kitchen floor grasping onto the last date of Ramadan. I was not ready for it to end. Each intonation of the call to prayer was a jagged knife plunging into my heart. I felt so much remorse for the time I lost, the pages of Quran that I did not read, the taraweeh prayers I did not attend, the iftar dinners I did not cook, and the heartfelt tahajjud duas I never made. I wept over the last ten nights in which I could not stay awake or in which I did not wake up on time to pray anything before fajr, missing valuable moments for supplication and even the suhur meal. With an active, breastfeeding toddler in tow and three older children fasting, this year felt like I was busier and more distracted than ever.
It took me some time to collect myself and think positively, but admittedly, it is a difficult thing to do when we are experiencing the post-Ramadan blues and that is compounded by our usual mom guilt. Here are five things to help you overcome these negative feelings and plan for the next time.
1.Our deeds are judged by our intentions.
Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Actions are according to intentions, and everyone will get (the reward for) what was intended….” (Bukhari, Muslim)
I don’t think any practicing Muslim in their right mind approaches Ramadan half-heartedly. Majority of us intend to make the most out of this special time through fasting and extra worship. We understand its importance and we know that not everyone gets to experience it due to illness or death. As parents, we put even more effort to make it special for our children by decorating our homes, getting them used to waking up for suhur, encouraging them to fast, etc. Hence, we should acknowledge that we went into the month with good intentions and hope that Allah will reward us for it.
Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, explained this concept thoroughly when he said: “Verily, Allah has recorded good and bad deeds and He made them clear. Whoever intends to perform a good deed but does not do it, then Allah will record it as a complete good deed. If he intends to do it and does so, then Allah the Exalted will record it as ten good deeds up to seven hundred times as much or even more. If he intends to do a bad deed and does not do it, then Allah will record for him one complete good deed. If he does it, then Allah will record for him a single bad deed.” (Bukhari)
2. Even if we did the minimum, it is a lot!
Take an inventory of your deeds during the month. Create a list and check off what you accomplished. Here are some examples of things you may have achieved:
Did you fast? Check.
Did you pray all your five daily prayers? Check.
Did you wake up for suhur? Check.
Did you add any extra prayers at any time? Check.
Did you feed any fasting person (even your spouse, parent, or child)? Check.
Did you read at least some Quran (in any language)?
Check.
Realize that even what you think is nothing is still better than what most of the global population was doing. We should be proud and grateful that fasting was made easy for us; that is the spirit of Ramadan. When speaking about the month, Allah says in the Quran: “… Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:185)
3. Allah loves small deeds that are consistent.
What were you able to do consistently this Ramadan?
Can you think back and point out one thing that you did every day, even if it was seemingly insignificant? The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to encourage his followers to take things easy and work according to their limits. He said, “Take up good deeds
Feeling terrible about how lousy we think we did during Ramadan should also motivate us to do better outside o Ramadan. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him said: “Have taqwa (fear) of Allah wherever you may be, and follow up a bad deed with a good deed which will wipe it out, and behave well towards the people.” (At-Tirmidhi
We should get into the habit of performing acts o righteousness after we repent from any wrongdoing. I we truly feel like we failed, then we should do our bes to make up for that by doing good. As mentioned in this hadith, even being polite counts towards cancelling ou our bad deeds.
Maybe we did not read as much Quran as we wanted to, so we can make it a habit to read at least a page or two a day. Perhaps we did not give in charity during the month – put a few dollars in the sadaqa box every time you visit the masjid. Fast the six days of Shawwal, the three white days, and/or even take up Mondays and Thursdays to fas if you can. As a motivator to fast outside of Ramadan, the Prophet once mentioned: “Fasting the month of patience Ramadan, and three days from every month is like fasting the entire year.” (An Nasai)
If fasting is too difficult, we can try something else Choose an action that is easy for you and stick with it to make it consistent throughout the year.
5. Mercy does not end with the end of Ramadan. The month of Ramadan may be known as the Month of Mercy, but our Lord is the Most Merciful. So much so, that human beings cannot even begin to fathom jus how Merciful He is. In a hadith, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, explained: “Allah made mercy into one hundred parts. He kept 99 parts with Himself and sen down one part to the earth. From that one part, the creation is merciful to each other, such that a horse raises its hoo over its child for fear of trampling it.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
This mercy does not only encompass pious people, bu also sinners and those of us who think we are falling short Allah says in the Quran: “Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed agains themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy o Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.’” (Surah Az-Zumar, 39:53)
If we acknowledge this quality and name of Allah o the Most Merciful, then we should expect nothing bu mercy from Him. If we think good of Allah, we will find goodness and forgiveness.
In a hadith qudsi, Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace be and blessings on him, said: “Allah Almighty says: I am as My servant expects of Me and I am with him as he remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself I will remember him in Myself. If he mentions Me in a gathering, I will mention him in a greater gathering. When he draws near Me by the span of his hand, I draw near him by the length of a cubit. When he draws near Me by the length of a cubit, I draw near him by the length of a fathom. When he comes to Me walking, I come to him running.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
This narration teaches us to think positively about Allah We should remain optimistic that He will accept our good deeds and intentions. Even our Ramadan regrets can be a form of remembering Allah, and thus, will be rewarded accordingly.
We should continuously remind ourselves that Allah has made this religion easy, and He does not want to overburden us. We may not have won the Ramadan marathon, bu we crossed the finish line. That is noteworthy in itself! In the following beautiful verses of the Quran, Allah says: “And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty... So, establish prayer and give zakah and hold fast to Allah. He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper.” (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:78)
Just imagine - even though our worship is for Allah, i is He who aids us in performing these acts of worship. We should never despair as long as we are trying. Let us turn our grief into gratitude to prepare for the next Ramadan Insha’Allah, it will be even better.
May Allah preserve us, allow us to reach Ramadan and accept it from us. Ameen.
Nigerian international, Ademola Lookman, made a 80th minute cameo appearance last night as his Italian Serie A side, Atalanta, knocked out Liverpool from the quarter final stage of the Europa League.
Although the Reds won the away second leg in Italy via Mohamed Salah‘ lone seventh minute penalty goal, the 3-0 deficit from the first leg at Anfield last Thursday had done enough damage. Trent Alexander-Arnold cross was handled in the box to give Liverpool hope of upturning the deficit but that was not to be.
As the first half drew to a close, the Egypt forward lofted well wide when put through one-on-one, but Klopp's side struggled to create meaningful openings in the second period.
It marks the end of a difficult 12 days for the Reds, who drew at Manchester United and lost at home to Crystal Palace to surrender their lead at the top of the Premier League.
Attention will now turn back to the title race with Liverpool sitting third behind second-placed Arsenal and two points off leaders Manchester City.
The league now represents their final chance to give Klopp a fairytale ending to his eight and a half years on Merseyside and add to their success in the Carabao Cup in February. Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai and Ibrahima Konate rueing the knock out of the Reds from the Europa League...last night in back-to-back years.
Aston Villa reached their first major European semi-final since 1982 with a dramatic victory on penalties over Lille in the Europa Conference League.
In an extraordinary shootout after the tie ended 3-3 on aggregate after extra time, Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez - who had been booked earlier for timewasting - was shown another yellow card for appearing to gesture to home fans.
Martinez, who had already kept out Nabil Bentaleb's attempt, was allowed to carry on as his initial booking was not carried over into the shootout.
The Argentina World Cup winner then went on to keep out Benjamin Andre's attempt as Villa won 4-3 on penalties to advance to the last four.
Matty Cash's late goal in the 87th minute forced an extra 30 minutes after Yusuf Yasici opener in the 15th minute and Benjamin Andre’s 67th strike had seen Lille come from a 2-1 deficit from the first leg to lead the tie 3-2.
But nothing could separate
the sides after 210 minutes and two legs, needing penalties to decide the quarter-final. And it was marred in confusion. Martinez - who saved two spot kicks to send Aston Villa through - had already been booked in the first half for time wasting, and was shown another yellow card during the shootout.
Ever the performer, Martinez had 'shushed' the crowd after saving from Remy Cabella, leading to objects being thrown at him. He then gestured again to them, appearing to ask them to stop, and then was booked. It left many wondering why the accumulation of two yellows did not result in a red. However, rules of the competition state that no yellow cards from the game carry over into shoot-outs, and therefore Martinez was not sent off.
He continued to take part in the penalty shootout, saving the final spot kick from Andre and seeing Aston Villa into their first European semi-final since 1982.
Manchester City Manager, Pep Guardiola, was gracious in defeat after their dreams of a historic second successive treble were dashed by a stubborn Real Madrid on Wednesday night in a Champions League quarterfinal game the English club had thoroughly dominated.
Fourteen-time champions Madrid held on to dispatch the holders 4-3 in a shootout at Etihad Stadium to secure their semifinal berth against Bayern Munich. It was sweet revenge for Real Madrid who City ousted in last year's semis on their way to winning their first title.
"Congratulations to Real Madrid, they defended so deep, with incredible solidarity," Guardiola said. "We did everything. I have no regrets about what we've done. Defensively, offensively, we played exceptionally in all departments, in everything, and unfortunately, we couldn't win, so that's what it is."
After capturing their first treble – Champions League, FA Cup and Premier League titles – last season, they appeared on track to become the first team in history to claim the three titles
But despite completely dominating Madrid, firing 33 shots to Madrid's eight and taking 18 corners to just one for the visitors, Guardiola's men could not finish them off.
Kevin De Bruyne scored in the 76th minute to cancel out Rodrygo's 12th-minute goal, but both the Belgian and City's goalscoring machine Erling Haaland squandered several scoring chances as the tie finished 1-1 on the night and 4-4 on aggregate.
Victory looked in City's hands when Luka Modric failed to convert Madrid's opening spot kick. But momentum swung when Bernardo Silva shot straight into
keeper Andriy Lunin's hands, leaving Madrid's Nacho and Antonio Ruediger to seal the win.
"Pep Guardiola is a gentleman, always has been," Madrid Manager, Carlo Ancelotti, told Movistar. "He congratulated us, wished us good luck and that's what a real gent does."
Despite the heartbreaking ending, City fans serenaded the team off the Etihad pitch.
"Football is about scoring goals and from the penalty spot they did it a bit better than us," Guardiola said. "The performance and the commitment and everything was exceptional.
City now switch their focus to their quest for another FA Cup title on Saturday when they clash with Chelsea in the semifinals at Wembley.
Asked how he will pick up his players, Guardiola said: "We'll see tomorrow (Friday). Now it's rest. It's the semifinal of the FA Cup, we will try to compete the best we can."
Guardiola's team also have a two-point lead at the top of the Premier League with six games remaining.
"With penalties, you win some, you lose some. For the way we played, we should have done it before. But we did not convert the chances we had. We performed to our best, but it was not good enough."
Last year’s runners-up, Enugu Rangers will go up against Kano Pillars in what is indisputably the pick of the men’s Round of 64 matches of this year’s Federation Cup
The IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja has proposed N10 million as take-off of the endowment fund to help talented young golfers achieve their dreams.
The outgoing Captain of IBB Club, Dr Banjo Obaleye, disclosed this while addressing the media on the 2024 IBB Captain Cup.
“Golf is becoming a multimillion-dollar game and Nigeria cannot afford to sit and watch," Obaleye said.
He noted that the Executive Committee under him initiated the endowment fund to cater for the need of upcoming golfers from age nine to 17 years.
Also the Chairman of the Planning Committee of 2024 IBB Captain Cup, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, said
over 500 golfers registered for the tournament to celebrate the coming to the end of the tenure of Obaleye.
The tournament week commenced on Monday with a Staff and Caddies Kitty and a professional competition followed the next day.
The Veteran Category, featuring both men and lady golfers held yesterday while today has been set aside as
practice day for all registered players ahead of the climax tournament tomorrow when men in Handicap 0 to 9.8 and ladies in Handicap 14.5 to 23.7 will compete for the coveted cup.
Sports Minister, Senator John Owah Enoh, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who graces the occasion as the special guest of honour will perform the official ceremonial tee off.
competition. At the national draw conducted inside the NFF Secretariat on Thursday, the two former winners were drawn together, with Cup holders Bendel Insurance to face Ogun State flag bearers, Stormers Sports Club. High-riding Shooting Stars of Ibadan must negotiate for a place in the Round of 32 with Solution FC, while twotime CAF Champions League winners Enyimba FC of Aba must overpower Warinje FC from Bauchi, a survivor of the National Play-offs. In the women’s draw, Cup holders Bayelsa Queens are up against Bright Future Queens,
while Rivers Angels will tango with Ekiti Queens and Delta Queens tackle Fortress Ladies.
Last year’s runners-up Rivers Angels confront Ekiti Queens, with Delta Queens clashing with Fortress Ladies and Edo Queens to battle it out with Kada Queens.
At the draw, NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau assured that the Federation is committed to restoring the glamour and glitz of the oldest football championship in the land, while also pledging that the integrity of the competition will be maintained all through the men’s and women’s competitions till the Grand Finale.
“Those who think they can threaten the sovereignty of Nigeria will have themselves to blame. They have a price to pay. And we are not going to relent. We have degraded terrorism to a level that they cannot threaten the sovereignty of Nigeria any longer. Banditry and kidnapping will be defeated. And there is no payment of ransom whatsoever. We are taking the battle to them” –President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, spits fire against those threatening the peace and unity of the nation.
It is at times like these, that I give serious consideration to thoughts that often cross my mind. It is then that I contemplate delving into my archive of articles, dusting off those that bear resemblance to current realities, and contemporizing them. Thereafter ,I would notify readers that these are old narratives, perhaps a decade or even three decades old, yet their content and context remain largely unchanged.
The justification for this nagging thought process is the realization that déjà vu moments, such as the kidnapping of school children for ransom or as sex slaves, will continue to make headlines in the mass media for the foreseeable future. That is because little , if anything, has fundamentally changed in Nigeria’s security landscape since the Chibok girls were taken hostage a decade ago.
The assertion above is underscored by the fact that on October 27, 2015, when I wrote and published a piece titled “ON TERRORISM: COMPARING CHIBOK AND YAZIDI GIRLS.” I did not imagine that ten years after the abduction of the 276 girls from their hostel on April 14, 2014, nearly 100 of the kidnapped Chibok girls would still be in captivity or remain unaccounted for.
But the sad reality is exactly that, and the parents of the 91 (82 by some account) girls whose fate remains in the hands of Boko Haram are still grieving as they lament the fact that their beloved daughters are still languishing in the den of the obnoxious non-state actors -Boko haram who have been wreaking havoc on the Nigerian polity. In fact, due to the heartbreak triggered by their loss, about 45 of the parents are said to have also met their untimely death while grieving.
Worse still, since the Chibok schoolgirls’ kidnapping happened, approximately 1400 schoolgirls and boys have been stolen by kidnappers for ransom, bringing the total number in ten years to about 1680 in over 70 attacks on schools.
Sadly, 180 of the children and 14 of the 60 staff kidnapped lost their lives. Thats is according to recent Human Rights Watch statistics, which also states that between February and March of this year, 200 school children have been kidnapped from schools in Kaduna and Sokoto states.
But thank God they have been released to their parents.
To contextualize the dire situation in insecurity in our counry, I’d like to request readers’ indulgence to allow me to reproduce a significant portion of a decade-old article comparing the similar fate of the kidnapping of both Chibok girls in Nigeria and Yazidi girls in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. This comparison feels fresh as not much seems to have changed in the lives of the victims and the parents who suffered the misfortune in Chibok a decade ago, while Yazidi girls appear to have been rehabilitated.
Here is the view that l expressed and published in the mass media on 27 October, 2015: “Just as about 300 Chibok girls were rudely woken up and yanked off their bunk beds in Maiduguri, Northeast Nigeria by Boko Haram terrorists, hundreds of Yazidi girls from Iraq, on the other side of the world were also similarly seized by the terrorist group, ISIS, under comparable circumstances.
Long after, the unfortunate incidents sent the chill down the spines and cuddled the blood of rational humans worldwide, both victims and families have remained overwhelmed by the sad experience of sorrow, tears and blood that have become the regular trademark of terrorists.
Memories are made of images of CNN footages of the rescue of some of the Yazidi girls from Sinjar mountain where some of them fled, when ISIS invaded their homes. Very remarkable and commendable are the rescue efforts by Western powers backed International Coalition Forces and the determination of the girls to
flee into safety, demonstrating both the human spirit to survive and the sacrifice of men and women in uniform, who put themselves in harm’s way to save fellow humans.
The assertion above is given fillip by the fact that some efforts at rescuing victims have resulted in helicopter crashes that led to fatalities of military men. Although both sad consequences of terrorism in Nigeria and Iraq have the common denominator of terrorism inflicted anguish and the sad consequence of human tragedy, the event in Iraq seem to be having a sort of happy ending as some of the Yazidi girls are being rescued and rehabilitated (some have undergone training in photo journalism etc and are being integrated into society as currently being depicted on CNN) while the Nigerian situation remains unresolved as the hopelessness in the prospect of the Chibok girls re-uniting with their families becomes more remote.
The simple reason for the situation described above is the intervention of coalition forces put together by Western powers, leading to the situation of some Yazidi girls being liberated from the clutches of their captors while lack of international intervention has left the Chibok girls in captivity.
So in a nutshell, the difference between the salutary outcome in Iraq and the unsavory result in Nigeria is the level of efforts and time invested by the super powers who posses the financial resources and military muscle to take on the increasingly sophisticated terrorists in Iraq and the lack of interest or commitment by the same Western powers to the cause of the rescue of Chibok girls in Nigeria.
Curiously, the catastrophe that befell humanity and particularly the Chibok girls, that were abducted from their school dormitory, reverberated across the globe, with celebrities like Michele Obama, wife of the U.S. President, Gordon Brown, former prime minister of Britain and Malala Yusuf-Zai, (Pakistani victim of the Taliban terrorists) as well as the movie super star, Angelina Jolie, amongst a host of other high profile personalities campaigning against the dastardly act with the hashtag ‘BringBackOurGirls’ that went viral in the social media.
Conversely , after the CNN dedicated television coverage that revealed the pathetic conditions of the Yazidis and the nerve raking and daredevil rescue missions by coalition forces, the superpowers made concerted efforts such as bombing ISIS locations to rescue and rehabilitate the Yazidis but not so for the Chibok girls despite equally high publicity blitz elicited by the involvement of celebrities and desperate efforts made by Nigerian authorities to seek Western powers assistance in military intervention.
The reason lies partly in the double standards in the U.S. application of the ubiquitous Leahy Law and the lack of value of the Blackman’s life viz-a-viz his or her white counterpart.
So very often, the color of a man’s skin and not the content of his character, as the foremost USA human rights activist, Martin Luther King once posited, determines the level of adversities or tragedy he or she faces in life.
The situation persists, whether in the USA where black discrimination has thrived as reflected in the white police officers rampant killing of black people for flimsy reasons or the hypocrisy of the Japanese, when a girl of mixed Japanese and black American descent won the Miss Japan beauty pageant and she is being shunned for being of a mixed race.
Another disturbing anomaly in the issue of foreign relations and human rights, is the Leahy law prohibiting the sale of lethal military hardware to countries whose military have human rights abuse records.
What happens is that while countries like Nigeria that are deemed to be in breach, are denied access to such weapons to rein in rampaging Boko Haram terrorists and rescue the Chibok girls, countries like Egypt and Israel whose military have far more horrendous human rights records-Egyptian army under General, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi overthrew democratically elected government of Mohamed Morsi, killed and jailed politicians and the Israelis have practically razed down most Palestinian cities with massive human casualties using American weapons.
The fact is that Egypt and Israel are the U.S. strategic partners in the Middle East, hence the U.S. applies preferential standards by looking the other way when they engage in the obnoxious human rights abuses that have become a sort of emblem of both countries.
The U.S. excuse would be that Israel needs to survive in the light of the threat of annihilation by its violent Arab and Persian neighbours and Egyptian army needed to nip in the bud the extremist tendencies of the Islamic jihadist Muslim Brotherhood that had seized sovereign power in the hitherto moderate Islamic country. While those excuses offered by U.S. for buffeting their Middle East allies may be germane, equally altruistic is the fact that Nigeria -the most populous Black Country in the world is also under the threat of becoming another Iraq or Libya if terrorists like Boko Haram are allowed to continue their reign of terror on innocent victims.
recent bombing of a hospital in Kunduz, Iraq killing 22 patients and medical personnel comprising of 12 staffers of the humanitarian group, MSF popularly known as Doctors-Without-Borders.
If you add that and a previous fatal drone attack on a wedding party (mistaken for a gathering of terrorists) to the Guantanamo bay prison atrocities , the Black Hawk (US defense contractors) wanton killing of Iraqi civilians and the so called ‘rendition’ in Europe whereby (against United Nations, Geneva convention on prisoners of war), many suspected terrorists were tortured, in some cases to death, the U.S. stance against selling arms to Nigeria becomes hypocritical and a case of the pot calling the kettle black as they lack the moral authority to pontificate.
Just like the U.S. could make a mistake like she did in the unfortunate and sad incident in Kunduz hospital of which President Barrack Obama has now apologised and the U.S. defense authorities have suspended military support to the Syrian freedom fighters,(perhaps in the true letter and spirit of Leahy law) what’s the justification for her hard stance against Nigeria’s occasional human rights infractions , given the difficult conditions under which the military is also operating ?
In the wisdom of the philosopher, Carrie P. Snow
“When you think of the long and gloomy history of man, you will find that more hideous crime has been committed in the name of obedience than have ever been in the name of rebellion”
This perhaps underpins President Muhamadu Buhari’s presumption in his address to USA law makers during his maiden state visit to Washington DC, USA, that Western superpowers who fail to assist in providing weapons to rout Boko Haram are vicariously guilty of collusion with or are acquiescing with terrorists to kill and maim innocent Nigerians.
Now, as readers might have noticed from the content of the reproduced article, I have always placed the religious insurgency crisis in an international context.
Therefore, it is necessary to contrast what has happened to the Chibok girls with the hopelessness of Nigeria receiving necessary help to rein in the religious insurgents tormenting Nigerians, such as Boko Haram, which has now metastasized into the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), violent herders/farmers, bandits, etc., to the current status of the Yazidi girls of Iraq. As would be revealed in the latter part of this article, Yazidi leaders made frantic efforts to liberate the girls, and most have largely been set free from their captors, ISIS, and rehabilitated.
From the narrative based on reporting by NewsHour, a broacast of American Public Broadcasting Service, PBS, it can be seen that while there have been huge improvements in the plight of the Yazidis in the Kurdish region in terms of freedom from captivity, conversly ,the condition of the Chibok girls and the kidnapping and abuse of girls have worsened in Nigeria.
In a piece titled “Freed And Not Freed” by NewsHour special correspondent for PBS,Marcia Biggs,readers can gain a deep insights into how the Yazidi girls in the Sinjar Mountains in the Kurdish region of Iraq, who suffered a similar fate of kidnap and escape as the Chibok girls in Nigeria at the hands of religious extremists, have fared.
•Magnus Onyibe, an entrepreneur, public policy analyst, author, democracy advocate, and development strategist, who is an alumnus of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, Massachusetts, USA, and a former commissioner in the Delta State government, sent this piece from Lagos, Nigeria.
For further conversation and more, please visit www. magnum.ng.
Worse still, the U.S. Army records of human rights abuse stinks to the high heavens as evidenced by the NOTE: