THURSDAY 20TH APRIL 2023

NLNG: With Decade of Gas Plan, Nigeria Can Catch Up with Industrialised Nations

Says plan requires FG to commit about $2bn initial funding annually Urges next govt to stick with initiative on assumption of office

Peter Uzoho in Abuja

The Managing Director/Chief

Executive Officer of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), Dr. Phillip Mshelbila has expressed optimism that Nigeria's Decade of Gas policy would enable the country to catch up with the

developed and industrialised countries of the world if successfully implemented as planned.

Mshelbila, also explained that implementing and realising the ambitious decade-long gas plan

would require strong collaboration

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FEC Approves N1.535tn for Rehabilitation Of 700 Kilometre Roads Under NNPCL Tax Credit Scheme... Page 6

www.thisdaylive.com

DMO: Nigeria Has Not Defaulted in Debt Repayment to China... Page 12

Buhari

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Tinubu: Police Must Investigate Adamawa Guber Rerun Given Attendant Controversy

Commends poll’s peaceful atmosphere, congratulates Fintiri, Idris Military saved democracy, says governor-elect, blames APC Receives certificate of return Lai Mohammed: Why Buhari didn't interfere in poll crisis PDP victory is triumph of democracy, Elumelu celebrates

Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Adedayo Akinwale and Udora

Orizu in Abuja

President-elect Bola Tinubu, yesterday, called on the police authorities to fully investigate what transpired during the supplementary governorship election in Adamawa State because of the controversy associated with the exercise.

Tinubu, in a statement he personally signed, also congratulated the governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, and the Kebbi State governor-elect, Nasiru Idris, as well as senators-elect, House of Representatives members-elect, and state Houses of Assembly members-elect. He commended the “largely peaceful atmosphere” that encompassed the last round of elections held on April 15.

But Fintiri, who spoke yesterday

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IWUANYANWU BECOMES NEW OHANAEZE PRESIDENT...

L-R: His Royal Majesty Eze Cletus Ilomuoanya; Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma and consensus candidate for the post of President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, after he was presented to the governor at the Government House, Owerri... yesterday

Senate Presidency: Opposition Parties Not Planning to Frustrate APC Leadership on Zoning, Lawmaker Declares... Page 33

2023 NIGERIA OIL AND GAS OPPORTUNITY FAIR...

L-R: Director, Monitoring and Evaluation Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Akintunde Adelana; Managing Director of Jake Riley, Funmi Ogbue, and Executive Secretary, NCDMB,

during a press briefing on the 2023 Nigeria Oil and

FEC Approves N1.535tn for Rehabilitation Of 700 Kilometre Roads Under NNPCL Tax Credit Scheme

Okays granting of citizenship to 385 foreigners Approves e-customs modernisation project despite court order

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) rose from its weekly meeting presided over by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in Abuja, yesterday, with the approval of the sum of N1.535 trillion for the construction and rehabilitation of 11 roads across the country, under the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Tax Credit Scheme.

Works and Housing Minister, Babatunde Fashola, who disclosed this to newsmen at the State House, Abuja, after the FEC meeting, said over N1.5 trillion would be spent on some major roads totalling over 700 kilometres, which would soon be completed to link11 States in the country.

According to him, the benefiting states include Edo, Delta, Kano, Kaduna, Borno and Adamawa, among others

He explained: “The Council gave approval for the construction and rehabilitation of 11 roads totaling 737.242 kilometers in the sum of N1, 535, 154, 247, 234.48 under phase II of the NNPC tax credit scheme.

“Recall that in January this year, the council approved a memo for the NNPC to invest N1.9 trillion on our roads. That amount was then about 44 roads that had been awarded and the balance of those roads that had to go through procurement between then and now are the 11 that have now

been approved by the council."

Some other road contracts were approved following memos presented at Wednesday’s FEC meeting by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

The contract awarded also included an augmentation cost for the Ogun Shagamu road project.

Giving an insight into the projects, Fashola said, "the Ministry of Works presented four memoranda, all of which were approved. The first was for the augmentation of an existing contract in Ogun - Shagamu road. The contractor has run out of quantities, needs augmentation to finish the road.

"I think out of about 32 kilometers they completed over 20 kilometers which has been open to traffic. So council approved is N6.972 billion augmentation for them to complete the road. That was one."

Explaining further, the Works Minister said a memo on behalf of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FEMA), a statutory Corporation under the supervision of the Ministry of Works and Housing, sailed through Council with respect to the rehabilitation of five roads and the construction of one road.

He listed the roads to include Orogun -Owerugbo and associated roads in Delta state in favor of Mrs. UYK in the sum of N2.99 billion.

Others were the rehabilitation of Gege to Garage road in Yobe in favor of Mother Cat N12.926 billion then the rehabilitation of Geshua

Buhari Returns to Abuja After Eightday Official Trip to Saudi Arabia

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday returned to Abuja, after his eight-day official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he also performed the Umrah (Lesser Hajj).

The presidential aircraft landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 5:08 pm, after nearly seven hours for a four to five hour Jeddah-Abuja flight due to the ongoing situation in Sudan that warrants the avoidance of the country’s entire airspace by air traffic.

According to a statement issued

by presidential spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu, the rerouted aircraft flew from Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia through Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, DRC, Central African Republic, Cameroon and eventually Nigeria.

Upon his safe arrival in Abuja, the president was received at the presidential wing of the airport by top government officials including the Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; Deputy Inspector General of Police, Danmallam Mohammed, representing the Inspector General of Police and the Director General, Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bich

to Potiskum road in Yobe in favor of Thinker Point N2.986 billion.

"The rehabilitation and construction of Onitsha-Aguleri to Adani road in Anambra in favor of Commerce Steel and Construction N2.499 billion and the rehabilitation of Geshuwa-Yusufani road in Yobe in favor of Saha Continental Civil Engineering Limited at the sum of N1.99 billion and the rehabilitation of Oba-Nnewi-Okigwe road section one, Oba UG 35 kilometres in favor of messes Ferotex Construction in sum of N2.499 billion. That was the second memorandum which was approved," he noted.

On the third memorandum FEC approved, Fashola said it was with respect to the augmentation of the Potiskum to Damaturu section four part of the Kano-Maiduguri highway which is about 600 kilometers.

"Shuware to Azare and Azare

to Potiskum will be open to traffic. This section Potiskum to Damaturu is also almost completed. There's just an augmentation of N2.577 billion to cover escalation of cost in materials and to provide for lane markings.

"So that the road can be fully finally handed over. That was a third contract that was approved.”

When asked why such contract awards when the lifespan of the administration was almost coming to an end, Fashola made attempts to justify it, saying, " if the question is posed to Nigerians whether these projects should be left undone and transferred to the incoming administration, majority of the citizens would prefer it comes now because of the implications of job creation and stimulating the economy".

Also briefing the media, Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola,

said FEC approved the granting of Nigerian citizenship to 385 foreign nationals residing in the country.

He said 317 of the applicants were granted citizenship by naturalisation while 68 were granted by registration, adding that all the applicants met the requirements for such an honour.

“FEC at its meeting today approved the granting of Nigeria’s citizenship by naturalisation to 317 applicants and Nigeria’s citizenship by registration to 68 applicants.

“Those granted citizenship have met all the constitutional and administrative requirements for the grant of Nigerian citizenship,”Aregbesola explained.

The minister also disclosed that the council approved a special fire detection and alarm system to be installed in all firefighting stations across the country.

“At the same meeting, the council

approved the full business case for a project on National Fire Detection and Alarm System, incorporating life safety systems, networking, monitoring and dispatching at real time.

“This will be through a Public Private Partnership arrangement. At the completion of the project, Nigerians who so desire would subscribe to an automatic fire alarm system that if you have in your house, will raise an alarm at each of the fire service stations nationwide,” Aregbesola stressed.

The Minister said the project will be at no cost to the government and it will be fully digitized thus facilitating prompt response to any fire emergency.

FEC also approved E-Customs Modernisation project despite a court order.

Wabote: How NCDMB Summit Raised Incountry Participation in NLNG Train7 to 50%

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr Simbi Wabote, yesterday disclosed that the floating of the biennial Nigerian Oil & Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF), partly helped boost in-country participation to 50 per cent in the ongoing $5 billion NLNG Train 7 project.

Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, on the 2023 edition of the event coming up in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, next month, Wabote posited that while the involvement of Nigerians in the building of the Trains 1-6 was near zero, the gas facility under construction has Nigerians now largely represented.

The fair brought together major players across the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors of the Nigerian oil and gas industry, including government agencies, industry regulators and the National Assembly to showcase opportunities in the sector and present available in-country capacity.

“One of the greatest successes that we did record in this programme is that if you look at the NLNG Train

1-6, during its construction phase, if you go and check the level of Nigerian participation, it was near zero because LNG technology was alien to us and the activities there.

“Everything practically was done outside the country, if you take it from trains 1-6, but with the advent of NOGOF today, 50 per cent of the activities in LNG Train 7 is being done by Nigerians.

“This is because we provided the information which enabled them to prepare themselves to participate in that project and I sincerely believe if we want to build another train, I can assure you that almost 70 per cent of it will be done by Nigerians in-country,” Wabote stressed.

He explained that in line with previous editions, this year’s NOGOF would foster institutional collaboration, maximise participation of Nigerians in oil and gas activities, link the oil and gas sector to other sectors of the economy and also maximise the utilisation of Nigeria resources.

“Talking about the LNG, if you want to extrapolate the value that the 50 per cent is, I think the LNG project is a total of $5 billion end-to-end and 50 per cent of that

is being handled in-country and by Nigerians. That's a significant leap and this only happened because we provided a lot of Nigerians the opportunity,” he added.

The event, the fourth in the series, holding on May 18th and 19th, he said, has its theme as: “The Oil and Gas Industry: Catalyst and Fuel for the Industrialisation of Nigeria.”

He explained that the theme was important as it highlights the critical role of the oil and gas industry in fuelling industrialisation and overall development of the Nigerian economy, with its focus on linkage industries even beyond Nigeria.

He noted that NCDMB was also helping other African countries build their local content development models, stressing that while in the past, the industry spent $21 billion year-on-year, less than five per cent remained in the country.

“Virtually everything was done outside this country. Today, 54 per cent of that is retained in-country in terms of monetary value and activities,” he explained.

The executive secretary noted that the agenda for this year's event include technical opportunity sessions for various stakeholders and exhibi-

tion that would enable networking opportunities for delegates and give organisations the opportunity to distinguish themselves and present their activities or products to delegates.

Stressing that Artificial Intelligence would not take over the job of humans, he argued that the world should take advantage of the advantages that come with the AI space, explaining that humans will still build robots and operate them.

He, however said the challenge was in retooling and reskilling to meet with the new demands.

Wabote stated that the NCDMB would review the progress made by the board sometimes by taking counts of how many local businesses are growing in the oil and gas sector in terms of engineering, fabrication, procurement and construction.

“Last year, we got into the statistics and it was 54 per cent in terms of local content and our plan is that we will hit the 70 per cent mark by 2027. We're very much on track, because within that plan, we had short, medium and long term things that we must do to be able to achieve that 70 per cent. So we're very much on track on that,” he said.

Simbi Wabote,

Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF), themed "The Oil and Gas Industry: Catalyst and Fuel for the Industrialisation of Nigeria" in Abuja ... yesterday PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI

2023 KPMG CFO FORUM AGENDA...

NNPC: PIA Grew Oil Industry FDI from $775m in 2018 to $4bn in 2022

Targets $10 per barrel production cost

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) yesterday stressed that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) aided the growth of inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from a paltry $775 million in 2018 to $4 billion in 2022.

Speaking on Day 4 of the ongoing Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES), in Abuja, the Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NUIMS, Bala Wunti, stated that despite the challenges, the NNPC unit was targeting $10 per barrel production cost in the near term.

Through the instrumentality of the PIA, Wunti, who was represented by the NUIMS Head, Finance, Chisoma Elewa-Ikpakwu, stated that the unit was also beginning to see enhancements in its operations. According to him, the host communities are now more friendly since the PIA clearly specified the role and responsibility of stakeholders, which is helping to provide the much-needed peaceful investment climate.

“So also in Nigeria, we’ve seen a new trend in the movement of money. Foreign direct investments into our sector had gradually peaked

at $8.8 billion in 2011. This went down to as low as $775 million in 2018. But with the PIA and all the reforms that are going on, we saw it beginning to gradually increase to $3.8 billion in 2021 and last year, we saw it hovering around $4 billion.

“At the NNPC, what are we doing? The PIA has empowered us and then the NNPC is now profit-driven, more commercially oriented and what the NNPC has done in turn is to empower its subsidiaries,” Wunti added.

He stated that for NUIMS, a service unit of NNPC limited with the responsibility of managing

NNPC's investment in the upstream sector, it has many advantages that make the unit unique. He listed the advantages of the unit as a broad resource base and location in diverse operations, including land, swamp and shallow water, stressing that energy remains a key enabler of developments.

In the last one year, the NUIMS head stated that the NNPC has established a hydrocarbon industry security architecture, which has seen production improving from about 1 million barrels per day in the last quarter of 2022 to about 1.6 million per day in February this year, with

Lawmakers Threaten to Arrest AGF, Finance Minister for Shunning $2.4bn Crude Oil Sales Probe

Summon duo over alleged payment of $200m whistleblowers’ consultancy fees Demand details of transaction from CBN

Udora Orizu in Abuja

The House of Representatives may issue warrant of arrest on the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami and the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, if they again fail to appear before its ongoing probe on the alleged illegal sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil amounting to over $2.4 billion to global destinations.

The House Ad-hoc Committee investigating alleged loss of over $2.4 billion from illegal sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil exports in 2015, including crude oil export, gave the warning at its resumed hearing yesterday.

The lawmakers had on April 11, summoned the duo to appear before the parliament to give clarification on the operation of the whistleblower policy and approvals being made.

The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Mark Gbillah, while reacting to their absence at the resumed hearing, said if the ministers failed to honour its invitation again, the panel would be forced to invoke the instrument of summons and all other necessary powers the National Assembly could exercise which includes warrant of arrest.

"We will make this further appeal to the Minister of Finance and the Attorney General of the Federation and all others who have not responded or who have not honoured the Committee's invitations

to do so in the national interest.

“In the event that they fail to do so, we will be constrained to invoke the instrument of summons and all other necessary powers the National Assembly can exercise in this"Weregard. want to make this formal and final notice to those concerned - the Minister of Finance and the Attorney General of the Federation - to cause appearance before the committee to give evidence with regard to the allegations that have been laid with regard to the questions the committee has requested for them to answer and to respond to," Gbillah said.

The committee also invited Malami to appear before it to respond to the allegations that he approved the payment of the sum of $200 million to two private firms as consultancy services fees on whistleblowers’ recoveries.

The panel equally demanded the appearance of the finance minister, Ahmed, to explain her role in the said approvals and payment without providing details of actual recoveries from whistle blowers.

The committee's chairman, Gbillah, expressed displeasure over the uncooperative attitude of the ministers to the ongoing investigation despite several letters of invitation.

"We have not been getting any form of cooperation from the Ministry of Finance and Attorney General's office regarding this investigation despite series of correspondents sent to them on this matters that we are investigating.

“We have seen documentations from the Accountant General's office, where the Minister Finance approved the payment of substantial significant amount of money to so-called whistle blowers where details of monies recovered were not provided.

"We have heard media reports by the federal government indicating that millions of dollars were recovered through whistle blower revelations on behalf of the country. But we as a parliament have not seen where those monies were routed through the constitutional

appropriation process before they were expended. The constitution is very clear about the receipt and expenditure of Nigeria's money," he said.

The committee chairman further said the panel was interested in knowing where the Attorney General derives his powers to approve payment of funds meant for the federation without recourse to the legislature through formal request by the executive. He said: "We have looked at the functions of the Attorney General's

a daily average of 1.5 million barrels per day currently.

He listed other achievements as the signing of Production Sharing Contract (PSC) agreements, stressing that prior to 2022 there were a lot of uncertainty in the industry because PSC were ‘sparing’ and partners didn’t really know how the renegotiation will go satisfactorily.

Wunti added that the NNPC was one of the first on the continent to be ISO certified, because it is determined to make the processes its procedures world class.

He noted that NUIMS has achieved an industry-wide electronic management solution which all partners in the industry have keyed into and has a shareholder level agreement for a logistics base in Akwa Ibom.

“And this is geared towards reducing costs of production. Our short term objectives include increasing our production and we want to ensure that as we are doing this, all assets produce positive cash flows.

“We intend to increase our gas monetisation. As for us in Nigeria, we believe that gas is not just a transition fuel but it is our destination energy. So we’re also working towards increasing our shareholders returns, we are invested with huge resources of over $60 billion assets.

“We need to satisfy shareholders and we want to do all these with zero incidents. This is underpinned by our philosophy of doing everything we are doing with efficiency, trust and sustainability of operations and we do it with speed and comply

with all known regulations and at world class standard.

“Our long term and midterm objectives are to increase output to 2 million barrels per day and to increase gas production by about 1.5 billion SCF per day while working towards a $10 production cost per barrel,” he added.

On his part, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, who was represented by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company Limited , Seyi Omotowa, stressed that the NNPC plays an active role in realising the intended benefits of the Decade of Gas initiatives.

“The opportunities to be unlocked from the Decade of Gas are numerous with significant benefits for Nigeria. With over 200 tcf of natural gas reserves and a potential of growing to 600 tcf, there will be enough resources for the numerous gas utilisation projects being developed by NNPC Limited and its partners “NNPC is therefore taking advantage of the huge reserves to support growth in the power and industrial sectors, address energy poverty, reduce carbon-footprint and create more employment opportunities.

“Accordingly, NNPC has invested heavily in gas infrastructure as a key driver for gas development with our wide network of pipelines across the country such as the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System (EPS), in the Western Network and the Oben-Sapele linked by Ajaokuta/Geregu Interconnector

FG Approves N3.4bn Surveillance Aircraft for Customs

Okays N15bn concessionaire for e-NSITF infrastructure Endorses amendment of obsolete labour laws

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The federal government has approved the sum of N3.4 billion for the procurement of a surveilance aircraft for the use of the nation’s Customs Service.

Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba, made this known yesterday while speaking with newsmen at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. According to him, “The Ministry of Finance Budget and National Planning presented a couple of memos for which approvals were obtained. The first one was for the award of contract for the

procurement of a Cessna Caravan aircraft by the Nigerian Customs in the sum of N3,447,442,710 inclusive of 7.5 percent VAT with a delivery period of 12 months."

He said the aircraft would help a lot in carrying out air surveillance as well as curb the activities of smugglers.

“This aircraft is an addition to the current fleet in the Customs Service and it is aimed towards combating smuggling activities and enhancing intelligence gathering. It is also to provide aerial surveillance and reconnaissance for the customs across our borders,” Agba added. He further disclosed that N45.9 billion was approved as augmenta- tion for the cost of contracts for

the construction of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (NDIC) Head office Building in Abuja and Lagos, including its training institute in Lagos.

“The augmentation amount is a total of N45, 937, 319, 279.44. There are three different projects here; the first one is the NDIC Head Office Annex project in Abuja, the Lagos Office project and the Lagos Training Centre project in Lekki-Lagos," he said.

On his part, Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, told journalists that FEC approved the phase two of the electronic Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, e-NSITF, which would enable concessionaire to upgrade

the infrastructure for N15 billion.

Ngige also said the council granted approval for the amendment of obsolete laws in line with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) standard.

He said, "The second memo is the memo or what we call the electronic NSITF, Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund. Nigeria now operates the old workmen Compensation Act, which is now Employee Compensation Act 2010.

"Therefore, what we are trying to do is to align the contributions of NSITF to make it fraud-free. People should be able to make the contributions of workers with ease even from the comfort of their office and generate certificates.”

L-R: Partner, Tax, Regulatory and People Services, KPMG Nigeria, Mr. Ajibola Olomola; Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Access Holding Plc, Morounke Olufemi; Senior Partner, KPMG West Africa, Mr. Tola Adeyemi; Partner and Chief Economist, KPMG Nigeria, Dr. Yemi Kale; CFO, Development Bank of Nigeria, Ijeoma Ozulumba; Associate Director ESG KPMG Nigeria, Merilyn Obaisa-Osula; and Partner, Audit Financial Services, KPMG Nigeria, Oseme Obaloje, during the 2023 KPMG CFO Forum Agenda themed "Achieving Economic Stability in a Transition Year" held in Lagos ...yesterday PHOTO; ETOP UKUTT

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

MEETING OF THE FEDERAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL...

L-R : Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Mariam Katagum; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed; Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, during the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja....yesterday

PwC Report: FIRS Paid N69.926bn Tax Refund in Three Years

Received N321.34bon, $862.61m, €114m refund applications within the period under review

Dike Onwuamaeze

A PwC Nigeria’s report released yesterday has disclosed that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) paid a total sum of N69, 926,345, 255,45 in tax refunds in 2019, 2020 and 2021. The report titled, “Tax Refunds in Nigeria – Myth or Reality,” also stated that the FIRS received N321, 344,546,103.68; $862,612,748.63 and €114,000.31 tax refund applications in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

The PwC’s report also showed that the federal government provided a total of N75 billion for the payment of tax refund in 2019, 2020 and 2021. This was at a fixed rate of N25 billion per year irrespective of the sum being claimed for tax refund.

The report also showed that the FIRS received 911 requests for tax refund out of which 362 were processed and paid.

A breakdown of the figures showed that 284 applications were received in 2019, for the repayment of the sum of N211, 305,047, 504.44 and $18,041,869.81 in 2019. However, only 192 applications were processed and the sum of N23,605,897,863.40 repaid.

In the same vein, a total of 242 requests were received in 2020 for the repayment of N52,584,000,991.28,

$6,416,999.31 and €57,453.00 in tax refund. But 125 requests were processed and the sum of N27,883,524,254.05 repaid.

Also, in 2021, 385 applications were received by the FIRS for the repayment of N57,455,497,607.96, $838,153,879.51 and €56,547. However, only 45 applications were processed and the sum of N18,436,923,135.00 were repaid to deserving tax payers.

The report indicated that the value of tax refund applications received by the FIRS increased by almost 10 per cent from 2020 to 2021, and in each of the two years, the applications received exceeded the budget amount of N25 billion in each year.

The PwC stated that, “it appears that there is no data driving the fixed budget amount of N25 billion, despite the increase in demand cases. This may cast more doubts in the minds of taxpayers about the willingness of the tax authorities to make refunds.”

The audit firm stated that the FIRS annual reports for the periods under review also showed that “the payment of approved refund applications was subject to the availability of funds released to the FIRS in the annual budget/appropriation.

“The question then is whether the government has made adequate

FG Asks Immigration CG to Hand over to Most Senior DCG

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The federal government has directed the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Idris Isah, whose tenure is expected to expire on April 24, to hand over the affairs of the Service to the most senior officer.

This directive was believed to have been given to placate those set to protest the alleged plotting by the ongoing CG to further extend his tenure.

The CG who was due for retirement April 24, last year, had gotten an extension for a year and is presently alleged to be plotting another extension.

But in order to checkmate the alleged move, some concerned officers had written to President Muhammadu Buhari against this, insisting that it would lead to bad

blood and indiscipline within the Service, and even threatened to come out in large numbers to protest the illegality.

Reacting to the development through a memo issued by the Civil Defense, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board, dated 17th of April, 2023, and addressed to the NIS boss, the federal government directed him to, “hand over to the most senior officer, the Deputy Comptroller General on or before Monday 24th April, 2023, pending Mr. President’s appointment of a substantive Comptroller General of the Service.”

The memo signed by the acting secretary to the Board, Obasi Edozie Edmund, reminded the outgoing CG of his one-year tenure extension granted to him in 2022 by the President.

provisions to cater for situations where the approved refunds exceed the budget.”

It stated that a taxpayer might request a refund for various reasons, including tax remittance made with mistaken tax identification numbers, withholding tax deductions in excess of income tax payable, when input VAT exceeds output VAT and for other computation or payment errors.

The PwC also compared the Nigerian situation with what was obtainable in Germany and South Africa.

It added: “In Germany, refund payments are usually made within two to six months of an application; and there is an interest of 0.15 per cent that is charged for late refunds payments.

“South Africa has made remarkable progress with its tax refund administration. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) reported in April 2022 that it paid out its highest-ever amount in tax refunds in 25 years, representing an estimated 5.1 per cent of gross domestic product.

“According to the reports, the refunds reflected a growth yearon-year of 10 per cent mostly dominated by VAT (R262.4 billion), Personal Income Tax (R33.7 billion), CIT (R17.7 billion) and Customs duties (R58 billion).”

The PwC, however, recommended that the timeframe from verification of refund to the payment of the tax refunds should not exceed 12 months. It also recommended that taxpayers should ensure that

proper and relevant documentation is maintained to aid refund requests.

“Also, taxpayers should conduct a tax health-check before applying for the tax refunds. The FIRS should adopt a proper revenue recognition mechanism where WHT from companies (except where the WHT is final tax), are properly treated as liabilities until the relevant entities have filed their annual returns, or other appropriate criteria are met.

“This results in more accurate reporting, increases transparency and improves taxpayer confidence.

“Commercial interest should apply on late payment of refunds, similar to interest imposed on taxpayers for late payment of taxes. This encourages accountability, and aligns our tax system with global best practices.”

The PwC noted that taxpayers would begin to feel a deeper sense of trust and confidence in the government if an efficient tax refund system is put in place.

It added that “from an equity perspective, it is generally accepted that if a legal remedy or equitable relief is available to a deserving party but is not provided in good time, it is effectively the same as having no remedy. Essentially, justice delayed is justice denied. “A proper refund system becomes increasingly critical as the government starts focusing on fostering the ease of doing business and encouraging foreign investment and participation in Nigeria. Investors will feel more confident where they know that overpaid taxes can be refunded.”

Yemi-Esan Urges NIPSS to Allocate Additional Training Slots to Federal Civil Servants

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoS), Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan has appealed to the management of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to reconsider the entry position, as well as allocated slots for federal civil servants into the Senior Executive Course (SEC).

She also decried the seven slots being offered the service annually.

The HoS made the appeal when the Director General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo and the institute’s management staff paid her a courtesy visit, in Abuja

She complained that only substantive Directors are considered eligible for admission, while the bar was being lowered for public servants, especially the military and paramilitary.

Yemi-Esan urged the NIPSS to do a comparative analysis of posts in the federal civil service vis-a-vis those of the public service with a view to correcting the anomaly, adding that the data is readily accessible. She also commended NIPSS for retooling the personnel in government through the conduct of courses for middle and top level officers with the understanding and application of modern policy formulation and strategic management skills to problem solving in the pursuit of

national developmental goals.

She added that a collaboration between NIPSS and the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation would make for a better understanding of government policies and their effectiveness noting that in the last three years, a substantial number of the present crop of transformative federal permanent secretaries were products of institute.

Responding to Omotayo on the proposed certification of Directors undergoing SEC as policy analysts, the HoS said it would be economi-

cally unwise to spend funds training officers, who have less than three or four years to exit the service, given that the certificates were for proficiency and not career progression, which negates the primary purpose of value addition.

Regarding the replacement of staff that had left the service of the Institute, Yemi-Esan asked them to apply for a waiver, since there was an embargo on employment, while highlighting that the process of authorised establishments starts towards the ending of each year.

She further directed the institute to make a presentation to the Salaries, Income and Wages Commission concerning the peasant emolument of its staff as raised by the Director General, stressing that the OHCSF only has responsibility for establishment matters.

Earlier, while soliciting for more effective collaboration, Omotayo, stated that the OHCSF, being the think-tank of the government, should ensure that policies are well articulated, as well as executed to the latter.

Ndiomu Seeks EU Collaboration on Amnesty Programme

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Interim Administrator Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Major General Barry Ndiomu (rtd) yesterday visited the European Union (EU) office in Abuja, as part of the efforts to reposition the amnesty programme and improve the lives of ex-agitators in the Niger Delta Region.

At the strategic meeting, he solicited institutional and technical support from the EU, especially in the PAP’s proposed Cooperative Scheme that is set to commence.

The interim administrator highlighted how the cooperative would create sustainable livelihoods

for youths in the Niger Delta and make them more self-reliant, noting the persistent problem since the laying down of arms which is how to meaningfully engage the ex-agitators, is the cardinal focus of his administration.

He informed the EU that the figure of existing beneficiaries was reviewed upwards to cover indigenes of impacted communities, adding that over five vocational training centres have been established across the Niger Delta Region, with some at various completion stages of completion.

He said the cooperative scheme, once fully operational, would

discourage ex-agitators from continuously depending on the monthly N65,000 stipends, and look to more sustainable ways of living.

Ndiomu regretted that successive leaderships in the region appear to have applied short-term measures in their approach to tackling the problem of youth restiveness.

Responding, Agnieszka Torres De Oliveira, Politics, Press and Information Officer of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, acknowledged that the initiatives of the PAP fall in line with the pillars of the EU, which include security, peace-building and human development.

PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI

DMO: Nigeria Has Not Defaulted in Debt Repayment to China

$1.38bn paid as interest on foreign loans in 2022 FG, states, LGs share N714.629bn March revenue

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

The Debt Management Office (DMO) has debunked a media report that Nigeria had defaulted in its debt repayment to China for which the purported "penalties stand at N41.31 billion.”

According to the report, Nigeria failed to service its debt to China which had accumulated to N110.31 billion in the last two years, adding that from January 2021 to December 2022, the principal fee stood at N69, 009,417,500 ($153.85million), while the interest charges amounted to the sum of N41, 311,455,000 ($92.1 million).

However, the DMO in a rebuttal via an official statement made available to THISDAY yesterday,

said its attention was drawn to the publication.

While advising the public to ignore the story, the DMO noted that a closer look at the publication showed that the body of the report was completely detached from the headline.

"The public is advised to ignore the publication as it is false. A closer look at the media publication shows that the body of the publication is completely detached from the headline which gives the impression that the publishers of the report may have set out to mislead the public.

“The public is assured that Nigeria is fully committed to honouring its debt obligations and has not defaulted on any of its debt service obligations.

"The media report should therefore be disregarded," the DMO admonished.

Meanwhile, interest payments on foreign loans grossed $1.384 billion ($1.384,755,373.26) between January and December 2022.

The amount was expended as interest accruing to multilateral and bilateral as well as commercial loans (Eurobonds).

While multilateral loans which are largely concessionary in nature accounted for $113.23 million of the interest payment, bilateral and commercial took the larger chunk.

In another development, the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) yesterday shared a total sum of N714.629 billion March Federation Account

Revenue to the federal, states and local governments. Citing a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting for April, the Director (Press and Public Relations), Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa, said the N714.629 billion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N497.448 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N202.693 billion and Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) of N14.488 billion.

Total deductions for cost of collection stood at N31.355 billion while total deductions for transfers, refunds and consultancy fees amounted to N126.567 billion.

From the total distributable

NLNG: WITH DECADE OF GAS PLAN, NIGERIA CAN CATCH UP WITH INDUSTRIALISED

of all stakeholders and would need the federal government to make initial funding commitment of between one to $2 billion every year to support the project.

The NLNG boss stated this yesterday, in Abuja, during his keynote presentation at the 13th International Conference and Exhibition organised by the Nigeria Gas Association (NGA), with the theme: "Ensuring the Realisation of Nigeria's Decade of Gas."

The NGA conference was subsumed into the sixth Nigerian International Energy Summit (NIES), holding at the International Conference Center (ICC), Abuja.

Mshelbila, who highlighted the importance of the Decade of Gas agenda to Nigeria's push for economic growth and industrialisation, however, appealed to the in-coming administration not to disrupt the plan but stick to it and drive it to full implementation.

The Decade of Gas agenda is ambitious programme of the federal government launched in 2021 by President Muhammadu Buhari and the immediate-past Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva to help Nigeria achieve industrialisation, economic prosperity and tackle energy poverty by using gas as an enabler.

The programme is being powered by the government in conjunction with a broad team of stakeholders from the Nigerian oil and gas industry and other linkage sectors.

Nigeria currently boasts of having about 209 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas reserve and ranks as the ninth world’s largest gas nation by reserve, but the country is only able to produce between seven to eight billion standard cubic feet per day (bscf) of gas.

While many gas nations of the world have successfully used their gas potential to develop, industrialise and tackle unemployment, economic and energy poverty challenges, Nigeria is still wallowing in all forms of underdevelopment.

Nigeria, Africa's largest nation by population and natural resources is still grappling with acute energy poverty, hunger and starvation, massive youth unemployment, lack of quality education and healthcare, and alarming infrastructure deficit despite its huge oil and gas resources.

According to Mshelbila, the Decade of Gas agenda has a more detailed plan and was so crucial to Nigeria achieving the expected future for all Nigerians.

With the initiative, he said Nigerians now have the opportunity to take control of their destiny, describing the plan as probably the most comprehensive plan the country had put together to date.

"And the reason is because in putting together this plan, we have gone back in time and looked at every other plan that was developed in the past. And we've taken the valuable elements from those ones, and then looked at today's reality, which includes things like the energy transition and put together a plan that we believe is indeed the single most comprehensive plan.

"We realised that if we don't act now, the social acceptability of what we have traditionally done is waning. Funding for the types of activities that we have traditionally done is disappearing", Mshelbila said.

Unfortunately, he said Nigeria had already lost three years out of the 10 years' plan, maintaining

that with the need to also address the environmental pressures, the programme now has about seven years left in the window, with a change in administration now waiting to happen.

"The key promoters who launched this are on their way out. We will have a new administration, but we cannot afford a disruption in the plan. And so the biggest challenge that we have is to ensure that this plan remains on track and is also implemented as plan," he noted. He some countries had used gas to turn their fortunes around, pointing out that the United States deployed technology that completely changed the gas industry through fracking, which was enabled by the use of gas.

NATIONS

While Qatar, which has one of the biggest reserves of gas in the world has now gone into an expansion project that's going to take them from 77 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG export to 126mtpa, Mshelbila argued that Nigeria, through the NLNG, was just trying to ramp up its LNG supply to 30mtpa though the Train 7 project.

However, with the Decade of Gas, he said Nigeria has its own plans to achieve development like Quatar and the rest, noting specifically that, "we do have our own plan. And we can catch up with these countries that are doing these tremendous and amazing things."

According to him, the Decade of Gas was ambitious, but achievable, adding that the agenda focused on

revenue of N714.629 billion, the federal government received N276.141 billion, states got N232.129 billion, while the local government councils received N171.257 billion.

A total sum of N35.102 billion was shared to the relevant states as 13 per cent derivation revenue.

According to the communique, gross statutory revenue of N638.673 billion was received for March 2023, N151.567 billion higher than the sum of N487.106 billion received in the previous month.

From the N497.448 billion distributable statutory revenue, the federal government received N243.564 billion, states received N123.539 billion and the local governments got N95.243 billion.

The sum of N35.102 billion was

four pillars, had looked extensively at the demand side and where the demand was going to be by 2030 or 2050.

Mshelbila explained, "It's looked at the demands across all of the different sectors. It looked at the supply side and then looking at the supply side not just on weaving around reserves to under TCF and so on, but actually gone to the level of identifying what are the 10 key projects that if unlocked, will ensure that we achieve our objective within the decade.

"So, it's down to specifics for each of these 10 projects. The intent is that the key stakeholders for each of those projects will sit down with all the relevant stakeholders: be it Ministry of Petroleum, Ministry of Finance, the regulators, particularly

shared to the relevant states as 13 per cent derivation revenue.

For March 2023, the gross revenue available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) was N218.786 billion, N22.013 billion lower than the N240.799 billion available in the preceding month of February.

The federal government received N30.404 billion, the state governments received N101.347 billion while the local government councils received N70.943 billion from the N202.693 billion distributable VAT revenue.

In the same vein, the N14.488 billion Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) was shared, with the federal, states and local governments receiving N2.173 billion, N7.244 billion and N5.071 billion respectively.

Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and all of the different stakeholders that are necessary to enable those 10 projects to happen.

"And the specific tailored plan will be developed and agreed and put into implementation that's been defined. We've also identified what infrastructure is needed to connect supply and demand. Some of them are in play as has been mentioned. Because the AKK is under construction already, but there are a number of others that need to happen and need to happen quick.

"If this is to work. The key ones have also been identified. We have an idea of the costs and there's an understanding that government needs to lead. But there's a recogni-

Continued on page 33

TINUBU: POLICE MUST INVESTIGATE ADAMAWA GUBER RERUN GIVEN ATTENDANT CONTROVERSY

at the Governor’s Lodge, Abuja, blamed what he described as the Abuja system, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and corrupt security officials for masterminding the drama that played out during the supplementary election.

He, however, singled out the military for praise, saying they saved democracy and allowed the will of the people to triumph.

Fintiri spoke after receiving his Certificate of Return.

The governor said he had resolved to prosecute and jail the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr Hudu Yunusa Ari, following his sordid role in the rerun poll.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said President Muhammadu Buhari did not intervene in the Adamawa State gubernatorial election crisis

BUHARI SEEKS DUE JUDICIAL PROCESS ON ARARUME, NNPCL MATTER

copy of the ruling, the president affirmed that due judicial process would be followed, adding that the NNPCL had already taken steps to go on appeal.

He said his administration respects the rule of law, adding that nothing would be done outside it to resolve the matter.

Buhari therefore called for calm from all sides involved.

Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, set aside the removal of Ararume as the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of NNPC Ltd.

Justice Ekwo in a judgment had held that Ararume's removal by Buhari contravened provisions of the NNPC Ltd laws as well as the Company's and Allied Matters Act. The judge consequently made an order reinstating Ararume as the Non-Executive Chairman of the NNPC Ltd Board with immediate effect.

Ararume had last year dragged Buhari to court over his removal as the Chairman of the Board of the NNPC Ltd. Ararume had demanded a whopping sum of N100 billion as damages caused him due to the unlawful manner he was removed as Board Chairman after his name was used to incorporate the entity.

The president had in a letter dated January 17, and signed by the

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, withdrawn Ararume's appointment without any reason whatsoever, hence legal action was commenced by the former Imo State senator.

The suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/691/2022 was instituted on his behalf by a group of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) comprising Chief Chris Uche, Ahmed Raji, Mahmud Magaji, Ogwu James Onoja, K.C Nwufor and Gordy Uche.

Delivering judgment in the suit after dismissing a total of seven applications against its hearing, Justice Ekwo held that the case of the plaintiff had merit and subsequently ruled in his favour.

According to the judge, the laws guiding the NNPC as well as the Petroleum Industry Act did not empower the president with powers to arbitrarily remove a director from the board of the NNPC, adding that with the new status of the NNPC under the Company's and Allied Matters Act, NNPC is not a statutory agency under the federal government.

Furthermore, Ekwo held that Buhari was wrong when he went ahead to remove Ararume as Board Chairman without following the due process of the law.

According to the judge, before a member of the board of the

NNPC including the non-Executive chairman can be removed from office; there must be a concrete allegation against him or her, the person must be confronted with the said allegation and provided with an opportunity to defend itself.

Ekwo dismissed the claim of the NNPC Ltd that Ararume was removed because he was not qualified, involved in contract fraud, amongst others, noting that no evidence of such was contained in the January 17 letter, for his withdrawal.

According to the judge the defense by NNPC was an exercise in futility at manufacturing reasons for Ararume's removal.

The judge held that the removal of Ararume without fair hearing by the president was, "wrong and cannot be tolerated by a court of law", adding that the, "plaintiff has proved his case, he was not legally and properly removed. I determine question 1 in the positive; 2 in the negative; 3 in the negative and 4 in the positive".

Justice Ekwo also held that the plaintiff having proved his case was entitled to damages.

The court held that the president's letter of January 17, without complying with the NNPC's and CAMA laws, "is wrongful, illegal, null and void and of no consequence and is hereby set aside.

because it was not in his character to micromanage any institution of government. He said the president believed that the task of dealing with the infraction committed by the suspended REC rested with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

At the same time, the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives, led by Ndudi Elumelu, congratulated Fintiri on his re-election, saying it is victory for democracy.

As repercussions continued to unfolded following the controversies that attended the Adamawa State supplementary governorship poll, Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Abubakar Audi, summoned the state Commandant of the corps, Muhammad Bello, to the national headquarters of the organisation to explain his role in the election.

Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Tuesday, led a special prayer session for the incoming administration of Tinubu. Sanwo-Olu prayed for a peaceful transfer of power and progress in the country.

Tinubu, in the statement, said the victorious men and women from the last elections had earned the trust of their people. He called on them to rededicate themselves to the service of their respective constituencies.

According to president-elect, “The supplementary polls have now brought the 2023 elections to a final, fitting conclusion. I observed, with satisfaction, the largely peaceful atmosphere that pervaded the supplementary election on Saturday. It was further testimony that our citizens have accepted democratic norms and have unalloyed faith in the electoral process.

"However, I note the matter of Adamawa supplementary governorship election and I urge police authorities to fully investigate all that transpired in the election given the attendant controversy. In every democratic contest, there has to be one winner. I call on those aggrieved to pursue legitimate means of addressing their grievances."

Tinubu said with the conclusion of the 2023 elections, those elected should prepare to serve the people with diligence and dedication. He implored the elected officials to join hands with him in the pursuit of a

better, stronger, more secure, economically vibrant, and prosperous Nigeria.

Fintiri: Military Saved Democracy, Blames Abuja, APC

Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, yesterday, blamed the Abuja system, APC, and corrupt security officials for the drama that played out during the April 15 supplementary governorship election in the state. Fintiri said it was the military that saved democracy by allowing the will of the people to prevail.

The governor made the assertions while addressing newsmen shortly after he was issued his certificate of return by INEC. He commended some INEC officials for their uprightness and transparent conduct.

Fintiri attributed the controversial events that played out during the elections to desperation, saying, "I give God Almighty (glory) for today. Democracy has won at the end of the day, the will of the people of Adamawa State prevailed."

He, however, vowed to prosecute Ari, saying, "I will direct the state attorney to file charges against him, prosecute him and make sure he is jailed."

The governor said the state government would have preferred to have Ari prosecuted in the state, and not Abuja, since the offence was committed in Adamawa State. He said he was confident that despite the initial delays, he would have won the election at the first ballot on March 18, but for Ari, who stoked crisis and, allegedly, got most of his votes pushed to the APC governorship candidate.

Fintiri apologised to the INEC national commissioners who were injured in the fracas that took place on Sunday, April 16. He said despite the injustice meted out to him, he pledged to be fair to all residents of the state.

Alleging that there was external manipulation from Abuja, the governor admitted that the external influence made the election the toughest in his political career He stated, "It is unfortunate that we have to go through all these to arrive at this moment today. This should have been finished and done since on the 18th of March. But, unfortunately, because of the

attitude of some individuals among us, and indiscretions of some politicians, it had to drag this long for us to be here.

"But thank God, INEC, with very wonderful and excellent personnel, has redeemed the whole process. They redeemed the image battered by so-called REC and today, Nigerians have cause to celebrate democracy.

“Going forward, we should learn from the lessons that we went through in the last one week so that we can continue to build on the process and on our democracy as stakeholders.”

The governor thanked Nigerians and the international community for standing for democracy during the whole saga. He alleged that external forces from Abuja wanted to strangulate democracy in the state.

Fintiri explained, "Yes it was my toughest election because of the external manipulation that was coming from Abuja. They were interested in seeing that they strangle democracy. And you can see to your dismay that even the security agencies that are supposed to protect our democracy were involved in strangling the democracy in Nigeria. Unfortunately, the military had to get involved to save the democracy in Adamawa. It is quite unfortunate."

The governor said he had become a veteran of inconclusive elections, and had learnt a lot.

"I know that I won the election on 18 March, 2023 squarely from the beginning,” he stated.

Fintiri added, “The REC, from the beginning, has been manipulating the election to give it to the APC. Unfortunately, because of the quantum of voting, he became confused and had to declare the election inconclusive, believing that if he is given the second opportunity, he will be able to manipulate. But God did not allow him.

"We won the inconclusive election again squarely and he had to do what he did disgracefully. I think INEC has taken steps and they are going to prosecute him, but I think the right place to prosecute him is in Adamawa, because he committed the offence in my land and I am going to instruct the Ministry of Justice to ensure that he is prosecuted and taken to jail."

Meanwhile, INEC’s National Com-

POLITY

The 2009 Ekiti State Guber Poll Fiasco

By Olusegun Adeniyi

In April 2009, during the court-ordered supplementary poll to conclude the Ekiti State gubernatorial election between then incumbent Governor Segun Oni of the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Dr Kayode Fayemi of the opposition Action Congress (AC), the Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Mrs Olusola Ayoka Adebayo suddenly disappeared with a letter of ‘resignation’ surfacing in the media where she alluded to a plot to manipulate the election. With the current debacle in Adamawa State, the drama of Ekiti as captured in the book, ‘Power Politics and Death: A front-row account of Nigeria under the late President Yar’Adua’, is worth recalling.

Memory of the Ekiti Guber Poll and REC Fiasco

…With the foregoing controversy as a backdrop, the April 2009 gubernatorial re-run elections in Ekiti State where the PDP and AC had equal members in the House of Assembly was bound to be seen as a real test of government’s political will and ability to reform Nigeria’s electoral system. The tribunal ruling had left the AC leading by about 10,000 votes after results from five local governments had been cancelled. This gap led to the belief in the media and civil society that the only way the outcome could be in favour of the temporarily ousted PDP Governor Olusegun Oni was if the polls were manipulated.

As he did in every other state where there were re-run gubernatorial elections, the president was in Ekiti to flag off the PDP campaign for Oni. But in the process, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, broke into a Yoruba song that seemed to suggest the federal government would deploy troops to prosecute the election. “We will use soldiers (for this election), the other time we used MOPOL (mobile policemen), we will use soldiers,” Bankole sang to a thunderous applause from the PDP supporters at the rally in Igede-Ekiti.

Once the Speaker’s allusion to troops’ deployment had been made, I knew there would be a media backlash and not surprisingly, it was the headline news throughout that day and the next. Incidentally, other speakers at the campaign also made veiled threats about the deployment of troops. Launching an attack against former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, believed to be the backer of Dr Kayode Fayemi, (AC candidate for the rerun polls), Osun State governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, said the PDP would deploy every resource available to it for the Ekiti election to ensure that Oni emerged victorious. “We will use the resources at our disposal to ensure that he overcomes. Whatever support he needs, we will give to him. We shall be victorious. We will win the election by all means possible.”

It was not unexpected that the AC would dwell on the faux pas in Bankole’s song about deploying troops. The Director of Communications for the Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, Mr. Yemi Adaramodu, set the tone for this: “We wish to remind the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, that Ekiti people have never been known to succumb to the threat of armed soldiers. The ruling clique tried their luck in the act of intimidation with soldiers and police in the past and got their fingers burnt. It is still the same people that inhabit the space called Ekiti today and they are more than ready to defend their votes.”

The party also advised the president to refrain from deploying troops which in their reckoning was for the ulterior motive to rig the election for his party. When we got back to Abuja, I was convinced the presidency had to wade in. I outlined the implications of bringing the military into partisan politics to the president and he assured me that troops would not be deployed. He had already met with the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, and directed him to increase the strength of the police in Ekiti State with additional squads from five neighbouring states, he told me. Since the election was going to be held only in a fraction of Ekiti state, the president had been assured that the police could offer adequate security. I therefore told the media that troops would not be deployed in the conduct of Ekiti election, but that security would be adequate to take care of any eventuality. This, of course, outraged many people within the PDP and some security chiefs sympathetic to the ruling party who had already labeled me “a closet AC member”. The same charge was leveled against the Minister of State for Finance, Mr Remi Babalola after openly expressing his concerns about the management of the Ekiti election crisis.

The truth of the matter was that I was neither an AC sympathizer nor opposed to the re-election

of Governor Oni. What I considered paramount was the danger inherent in unwittingly dragging the military into the conduct of election in just a section of one state. I knew the president was opposed to deployment of troops, yet I had been reliably informed that there was already a plot to send soldiers to Ekiti on the eve of the election. When this illegal order was eventually carried out, I rushed to the ADC in the presence of whom the president had directed that soldiers were not to be seen on the streets of Ekiti on the day of election. He had to speak with the Chief of Army Staff (Lt General Abdulrahman Dambazau) who was then abroad and had also not been kept abreast of the situation. Counter orders were then issued, and the troops were withdrawn immediately.

But the AC had already released a statement that essentially highlighted the party’s disappointment on the reported presence of troops in Ekiti State, which it noted was inconsistent with the earlier assurance by the president that he would not deploy soldiers to the state. The party added that such development had called to question the credibility and integrity of the president. Knowing that the president had not ordered any deployment of troops, this was not something I could take lightly. I made another statement that troops had not been – and would not be – deployed for the Ekiti elections. Curiously, the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Chris Olukolade, had told the media that the Army headquarters was aware of the presence of soldiers in Ekiti State. “Their going there should not be politicised. It is not about elections. Their being there is purely for security reasons.”

While some within government queried my motives, the basis for my intervention was basically because I knew the instruction did not emanate from the president who as commander in chief was the only person who could authorise deployment of troops. I also knew

those behind the entire plot, and I suspected they were not doing so for altruistic reasons. Owing to the malicious campaign internally launched against me, I had to seek audience with Governor Oni to reassure him I was not covertly working against him, and that I was only doing my job. We met in Abuja, and he expressed appreciation that I would explain my role as he had been told tales about me. Oni no doubt is a very decent man, but the forces involved in Ekiti election really did not care much about him. All the cold calculations were based on PDP ‘stopping Tinubu in the South-west’ and not about the governor securing back his mandate. While I had no problem with PDP attempting to win the South-west, I couldn’t possibly stand aloof if the tactics being adopted would call to question the integrity of the president.

Following the stalemate that dogged the election, these same people would put the whole blame on me with the argument that the election was mismanaged because of my announcement that troops would not be deployed. Without deference to my position as Spokesman to the President, I was directed to report to SSS headquarters for interrogation on my role in the Ekiti saga. When I received the letter the first emotion that I felt was rage. I called the CSO to inform him about the letter and the fact that I was going to ignore it, warning that if any attempt was made to arrest me, I would resign but not quietly. He came to my office to withdraw the letter which he said I should ignore while pleading with me not to inform the president. On reflection later, I decided I would honour the SSS invitation but at a time of my choice. I went on a Saturday and spent about two hours with the panel investigating the fall-out of the Ekiti election. Of course, I was not surprised that the question the investigators wanted me to answer was who gave me authority to announce that soldiers would not be deployed. My response was quite simple: they could go and find out from the president! I happen to have known most of my interrogators, some since my days as a journalist. Air Vice Marshall Moses Akinola Akinsanmi, who left the villa a few months before as Commander of the Presidential Fleet was also in the panel, so the session itself was very friendly as I used the opportunity to also extract information about the Ekiti debacle and what they considered the problem. I realized that my role became crucial because there were allegations that Tinubu had imported some Niger Delta militants and a lot of arms into Ekiti State and that only soldiers could enforce peace in the election. Even while I was not aware of this at the time, I still felt that politicizing deployment of troops could bring incalculable damage to the image of a president who had promised electoral reform. Besides, I could not have envisaged that the police would find it difficult to monitor elections in just a few wards within five local governments in a small state!

The election itself had featured a major drama which began when the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Ayoka Adebayo, disappeared midway into collating the results and afterwards a letter of resignation purportedly written by her appeared in the media. She was believed to have rejected some of the results from Ido Osi Local Government Area, the home base of Governor Segun Oni, and was allegedly inclined to cancel election in tensed Oye-Ekiti because of violence. To rationalize the unfolding event, INEC chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu said he had been informed “that as a result of the pressure of the exercise, the REC broke down and took ill, the commission had no choice but to postpone the remaining election.”

With this situation, it was not lost on critical observers that a government that pledged electoral reform in the country was finding

it difficult to conduct transparent election in a fraction of a small state. That displeased the president. But all the briefs he was getting on the botched polls dwelt on the activities of Tinubu who was labeled the brains behind the whole controversy. Media reports were however different; but it didn’t seem to matter as the perception within government also was that Tinubu had the media on his side. With the situation, I advised the president that the wise thing to do would be to reject Mrs Adebayo’s resignation and that she be allowed to conclude the process. Since the insinuation was that there was pressure on her to declare a false result, what was needed, I reasoned, was for the security agencies to embolden her to do the right thing.

In the course of the impasse, the president summoned a security meeting and Iwu was invited to brief them. Before this meeting commenced, I had prepared for the worst because I knew that some people would still press the charge that I was to blame for the fiasco. So, when the ADC rushed to my office I was surprised when he said: “oga (the president) said he wants another copy of the letter from that your Harvard friend you enclosed for him this morning.” This gave me some comfort.

Early that morning, I had received a mail from my friend, Waziri Adio, who was then a Mason Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, and had found his advice very instructive. I printed the mail and put it in the newspaper reports for the president with a note that he should read it. This was the letter he was asking me to reprint for him, which I did.

Waziri had written: “Dear Sege, I must apologise for bothering you on this but after wrestling with this Ekiti State saga for a few days, I decided I should share my concerns with you even if you can’t do anything about them. I know the situation in Ekiti is complicated. Even from afar, I can see that neither party is completely innocent and that the struggle is beyond the interest of Ekiti people. I can see the struggle for/against dominance in Yorubaland; I can see dress-rehearsals for 2011; I can see clash of big and fragile egos.

“For all these reasons and more, Ekiti State has become a battleground and may well become a tipping point for something quite ominous, if we allow the situation to degenerate. But I also see opportunities written all over this: to show that the talk of electoral reform is sincere; to demonstrate that votes will count in future elections; to underscore that rule of law is not a mere convenient rhetoric. More than at any other time, this is the time to show real leadership. Let the votes be counted and the winner duly declared. Who will listen to you when you talk about electoral reforms and decent elections when we needlessly bungle elections in just one state? This is not a time for dilly-dallying. It is the time for clear, forthright, and open instructions.

“If PDP is losing (I say if), this is the time to be strategic in conceding a battle to win the war. If this is the case, let the president instruct INEC to do the right thing, and call Oni to concede and compensate him. If PDP is not losing, then let this whole process be clear and transparent. It is a tough call. But that is what leadership is all about. If well handled, I see a huge opportunity for this administration and Mr. President, as the attendant goodwill can then be spinned positively.”

How the president used the letter at the meeting I had no idea, but the conclusion at the end was that Mrs. Adebayo should be persuaded to conclude the election. Eventually she did by announcing Oni as the winner, but the whole process had been sullied already while the image of government bore an embarrassing taint. The result itself did not endure for long as Fayemi ultimately won at the Court of Appeal but by then the president had left the scene.

Olusegun Oni

Ojikutu: Why I Fell Out with Tinubu

Recently you addressed a press conference and raised the alarm over threat to your life and some other issues. Why did you decide to speak out?

For some time, I have been observing the gradual degeneration into anything goes in Nigeria. Some people have abused me over my last interview, saying I granted the interview because I want to be seen to be busy.

I don’t need to malign anybody to be seen. I know I have done a lot of public works that are commendable by the grace of God and people are still remembering me; that keeps me in people’s memory over many years.

God brought me into public life in 1981. I was known for my work ethics in the private and public sectors and that was what made me to be nominated as deputy governor. I abhor corruption. I was once in charge of the Lagos State Transport Corporation and the land use in Lagos State.

If I wanted to be stinkingly rich with land, I would have compromised. I didn’t take anything from anybody. I have apathy towards corruption.

I hate anything that is fraudulent. I don’t tolerate corruption at all. I don’t believe you have to be corrupt to be okay in this world because God has given all of us the ways and means to be okay in the world. You only have to look inwards and find your own clue into how to be okay and contented. I thank God for contentment.

Based on my experience in private and public sectors, corruption has been on for a long time but it was not supported by the powers that be many years ago. That is where the difference is now. In those days, corruption was on but a lot of people were frowning at it. So it didn’t gain ground but now corruption has become an accepted way of doing things. That is what is frightening me. And this is what has led to me coming out to say where is Nigeria heading to? Where are we heading to?

I was part and parcel of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before I stepped back when my mother said you will not steal and you will not allow others to steal, what are you doing in politics? Don’t let them kill you; come out, especially after Funsho Williams’s death. So, I listened to my mum and I refused the appointment that was given me to continue with the Federal Character Commission and then came out of politics.

It is believed in some quarters that your recent outburst against Asiwaju Bola Tinubu may be a result of your political differences. What can you say about this?

When I was in the PDP in 2002, I was one of the gubernatorial aspirants under PDP but at the same time, I was Commissioner of the Federal Character Commission, representing Lagos State, and the data we were receiving in the Federal Character Commission, showed that Lagos indigenes were being displayed for one reason or the other. So I have to pay a courtesy call to the Governor as the Commissioner representing Lagos State; that was the norm then.

In my letter requesting the courtesy call, I stated that I am coming to discuss indigeneship affairs with him and we have data that showed that they have been marginalised in Lagos.

Bola Tinubu, the then-governor granted the appointment and we went there. When I stood up to present my address, he was very visibly angry, saying I have come to play politics because I am a PDP governorship aspirant. I told him, I am not there to play politics but to present data to him. He said he didn’t see any data. I told him I have already sent ahead what I came to present.

He said he didn’t get anything and I am only playing politics. It was so bad that day and I was shaking. Then one of the commissioners sitting in front sent him a note; I don’t know what was on that note.

After reading the note, he calmed down and told me to present what I came to discuss with him. I said we will send it Sir. The courtesy call finished and when I got to the office, we

packaged everything again and sent it to them. I wasn’t playing politics; it was the fact and figures then. I did not know that it had a fallout.

A few years later something happened. I had land allocated to me on Victoria Island by Raji Rasaki. My governor, Michael Otedola took over that land and gave me another land. It was when I got the C of O that I realised that Governor Otedola has changed the land that was given to me.

I sent him a note that this is not the land on my allocation letter. He was on his way out of the country and told me that when he comes back, we will talk about it. That was in 1993. He never came back as governor.

So I was stalked with land that was not my original allocation. And that land had a problem because there was a squatter on it; a Lebanese squatter, who was making building blocks on it. He said the local government allocated the land to him. Local government has no business and allocating land to anybody according to the law of Lagos State. So, I had to take him to court to recover the land from him. That case went through for about a couple of years and I got judgment.

Shortly after I got judgment to take

over the land from him, some people came to me as developers; actually, it was my husband that they approached. They paid some money and went to do the search.

After doing the search, they came back to say the land C of O has been revoked. I told them I am not aware. When we looked at the date of revocation, it was shortly after the issue between me and Governor Tinubu. So that means he dealt with me after the event by revoking the C of O of my land.

I told them to approach him since I have already given them the document to the land to see what can be done. They went to him and he said I must have known that he took the land. He said I did something and I didn’t approach him to apologise. I asked what did I do wrong and why should I apologise to him.

Were you able to reconcile the issue?

I contacted Oba Akiolu and he stepped in. He said he doesn’t know what we can do because he doesn’t know what is between me and Governor Tinubu and that he doesn’t want to hear anything about me. I said there is nothing between us except the issue of me saying Lagos indigenes have been marginalised.

While the issue was on, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the then President wanted to visit Lagos on tour. During that period, I was the most senior PDP public officer in Lagos. The Governor’s Office invited me to be part of those to meet President Obasanjo. It was supposed

to be an Elders Committee meeting and State Banquet.

It was during Ramadan like this, so my husband and myself, dressed up for the meeting, which was supposed to start at 4pm so that it will end up breaking of fast. When we got there, my husband went to the sitting room and I was with the elders where the meeting was to take place. The Governor’s aides came to meet me and said, ‘Your Excellency, you come for the dinner. This meeting is for elders.’ I told them I was invited to it. It is in the letter that I was given and the aides went away. I didn’t know something was brewing outside. Apparently Chief Molade Okoya Thomas saw me at the meeting and went to tell Governor Tinubu I was there. That was when they told the aides to come and tell me to leave the meeting. And I gave the aides the information that I was invited.

In the meantime, I have already sent my aide to go to the house to get a copy of the letter, because I didn’t bring it along. So when President Obasanjo arrived and they entered the venue; as they entered, Governor Tinubu left. President Obasanjo walking in; walked to me where I was sitting and told me to leave the venue. I asked him why he said I was not invited. He turned to the elders towards where Chief Molade Okoya Thomas was and asked was she invited? Chief Molade Okoya Thomas said, “No. She was not invited. She shouldn’t be here. She is not one of us.” I challenged him based on his three sentences – ‘She was not invited. She shouldn’t be here. She is not one of us.’

Governor Bola Tinubu turned to me and said; you hear that, you have to leave. I said I was invited to the meeting, but as your Excellency pleases, if you say I should leave, I will leave. So I took my bag and went out. A lot of people who were there including Professor Fafunwa were surprised and nobody understood what was going on but they had the statement by Chief Molade Okoya Thomas and also had the statement by Governor Tinubu telling me to go out.

After the meeting, when my husband tried to approach Chief Okoya Thomas, he took to his heels. I have never seen an elderly man run like that because he probably thought my husband wanted to attack him. So since he (Tinubu) walked me out of the meeting, our relationship has not been cordial.

The issue of my pension also came up. Tinubu didn’t pay the pension. He said all of us who were elected before him were not entitled to the pension that was drawn up that addressed all those who were elected. He said the elected only means those who were elected with him and after him. So, he didn’t pay Jakande, Jafojo, Otedola and myself. They said Baba Jakande said he was not interested and Baba said he didn’t tell anybody that.

That at least they will give him what they want to give him before he will now say, I am not interested. I took Lagos State Government to court after I approached Governor Raji Fashola, and he said I should write a letter requesting it. I wrote the letter requesting it and they wrote me back to say I was not entitled.

I gathered all my information together and went to court and I got judgement that they should give me my pension; that the pension is for all the elected officers and up to today, no pension.

All the governors have no power to pay it. Bola Tinubu is the one who puts them there and they dare not go against whatever he wants.

So this has been the situation between us and all of them know that he doesn’t want to hear my name. So in many of their functions, when they are introducing dignitaries, it is either they don’t mention my name or they don’t acknowledge that I am there. You know all sorts of humiliating situations that I was accommodating. I have been stomaching so many usual incidences, innuendoes and snide remarks from those who believe they are doing things to gain the favour of Bola Tinubu.

The issue of my pension also came up. Tinubu didn’t pay the pension. He said all of us who were elected before him were not entitled to the pension that was drawn up that addressed all those who were elected. He said the elected only means those who were elected with him and after him. So, he didn’t pay Jakande, Jafojo, Otedola and myself. They said Baba Jakande said he was not interested and Baba said he didn’t tell anybody that

Ojikutu

Oludare: Nigeria Needs Leadership, Not Power Shift

US-based Nigerian medical practitioner and Convener/National Coordinator of Social Rehabilitation Gruppe (SRG), Dr Marindoti Oludare, in this interview, speaks on expectations of Nigerians from the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Excerpts:

How would you like the Presidentelect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to improve on Nigeria’s health sector when he takes charge?

Asiwaju Tinubu is the man with the juice. He’s got the panacea for all ails that afflict Nigeria, including the malaise in the health sector.

While there’s no one pill that fixes the totality of the problems faced in the health sector hence, we will have to continue innovating, I believe we need to make up for what we lack in desired material resources in required creative resources.

The most important factor in healthcare is financing, because healthcare has never been free. As a finance guru, Asiwaju will bring his expertise to bear, we need to create a more robust health insurance scheme.

The federal government needs to not just invest in doctor/healthcare worker’s training but be interested in its investment in their training and ensure it yields the desired outcome.

Some of the infrastructure needs of the sector are general, like electricity, good roads. Others are specific like CT scan, MRI etc.

The current hospital financing structure is not sustainable, there’s need for a greater accountability in the sector.

Eradication of common diseases like malaria is a smart economic move that will need environmental reforms. And most importantly, the president should not sign that asinine doctor five year licence ban bill. I can bet my life fortune that he will veto that bill should it be passed by the National Assembly.

The bill in the House of Representatives calling for a mandatory five-year service in Nigeria for all medical doctors before they are licensed has caused so much controversy. As a Nigerian-born medical doctor in the US, what is your assessment of it?

Simply put, this bill is STOOPEED. Forrest Gump told us “stupid is as stupid does”.

So let’s examine the aims and premise of this bill for its flaws and “stoopeedeetea”. It aims to ban Nigerian doctors from being given a permanent Nigerian medical license for a period of five years. It is called a Nigerian medical license for a reason, that’s because it is only valid in Nigeria.

The UK, US, Canada, Germany, UAE, etc, don’t need your Nigerian license. You’ll have to take multiple exams and interviews and apply to get their own licenses in order to practice in their own environment. So this bill won’t hurt migration.

The only people who need the Nigerian medical license are those who intend to practice medicine in Nigeria. Hence it will only end up punishing those who want to stay because they are the ones that will be offered half salary and can’t progress with their career because they don’t have a full license hence there are legal implications for allowing them practice unsupervised.

Honorable Johnson and his cohorts in the Green Chamber committed a fallacy of causation called “post hoc ergo propter hoc”. Because doctors left after housemanship, they assumed doctors left because they were waiting to get their permanent

license hence they hoped in denying them that license it would prevent doctors from leaving but they are dead wrong.

I hope these politicians are smart enough to accept the fact that they are wrong and change course. I often say “smart people have the humility to acknowledge their stupidity while other people have the temerity to disacknowledge theirs”. In order words, one must be smart enough to feel stupid because in feeling stupid you’re being smart while in feeling smart you’re being stupid.

What is the philosophy behind your group, Social Rehabilitation Gruppe (SRG) which worked relentlessly for the Tinubu/Shettima presidential campaigns?

SRG aims to change the mindset of the average Nigerian and educate our citizens on a constant basis on what is going on within their environments. This is why we supported Asiwaju and campaigned vehemently for him.

We saw the deception in Lagos too and strategically intervened. We believe Tinubu’s lifelong political struggle has always been and still remains the way out for Nigeria.

I for one never really intended on participating actively in politics until I saw a video where Asiwaju lamented on the acerbic nature of the person insults he receives constantly on social media to the point where if he read them, his blood pressure will rise.

That was a man who’s around my father’s age complaining about unfair insults and criticism, I just couldn’t take it. I seldom fight for myself because I believe I’m tough but I don’t take lightly to bullies. And

I’m happy I got in the fray because for one, I won the intellectual battle online and Asiwaju won the electoral victory.

Before the election, Asiwaju shared the questions, after the election his opponent shared the tears, at least we can say they learnt the art of sharing from him.

What should be the urgent priorities of the incoming administration?

Restructuring. Decentralization of democracy.

Our current democratic structure is an existential threat to the Nigerian economy. You cannot ask a relay team to run at the pace of its slowest runner. Each member of the team needs to be allowed to explore their God given abilities to run the race as fast as they can, doing this is the only way the country being represented by the team can hope to achieve victory. Restructuring the democracy will also bring about effective policing which will give us the security of lives and properties that we yearn for.

Asiwaju told us he wanted to compete with Russia, there’s no competing with Russia while Nigeria is a member of the OPEC cabal, whose disruptive actions in the oil sector has twice destroyed our economy in the 80s and their actions in 2014 has led us to the point we are today. We need to pull out of OPEC and allow foreign investment in our oil production.

Asiwaju should use his vast mind to deal with the subsidy cabal. An unsubsidized oil that is available and affordable is a million times better than a subsidized one that is neither available nor affordable.

Some agitators in the East feel power should have been ceded to that part of the South, alleging marginalisation. How would you rationalise such agitations?

These agitations are based on the premise that a leader only represents the niche constituency where he originates.

These agitations are of a people dejected, who have lost hope in government and what it por-

tends. The centralized structure of the Nigerian democracy also makes people feel they don’t really have the power over their own fate unless they get to the center.

With á decentralized democracy, these agitations will slowly but surely dissipate. The political leaders are trying to exploit there demographic identity for political gains. That’s why they throw religion and culture in the mix, we even had one candidate caught on tape calling the last election a religious war.

While answering a question about the multiple exchange rate at the Lagos Business School, that same candidate said it was á necessary measure. This candidate hails from a region known for its business exploits, these multiple exchange rate policy has damaged the business prospects of Nigeria(hence his tribesmen) yet this candidate got over 90% of the vote from that region.

Can it then be said that this people have made the right decision in supporting their kinsman who supports a policy that has imperiled their own bottomline!? Did they make the right decision for the future of their own economy?

Your state, Ondo, has the highest percentage of votes given to Tinubu. What are the expectations of your people?

Our people are smart, we supported Asiwaju because of his lifelong political positions and his commitment to them. What we want from him is to follow through with his promise of decentralization of democracy.

We should be able to exploit our resources and protect our farmlands and the lives of our people. Ondo State people are not beggars, we are proud and self sufficient. We want to continue helping Asiwaju achieve his goal of turning Nigeria into a viable global economy. We just need our hands untied, we need to be free of the shackles of the current Nigerian system and thank God, Asiwaju has broken the shackles so we will run on our own.

Already, ahead of the 2024 governorship election in Ondo State, a debate has begun on where power should shift to. Where do you stand?

When it comes to power shifting, that’s one thing that I’ll agree to. Power should indeed shift but not in favor of any geographical region.

I agree that power should shift to the people from the politician. There’s no difference between an Akure man and an Akoko man or an okitipupa man. However, the politicians will try to divide based on this geographical differentiations for political expediency.

What the people want is a good life, politicians should focus on enacting policies and creative ideas that’ll give their people good things of life, create jobs, re-engineer education and reimagine the health sector.

We have all been endowed by our creator with some inalienable rights among which include life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. The next government of Ondo state needs to do its work hard to secure these rights for its people. There’s no geographical definition of these, it is universal amongst all people of all ethnicities.

Oludare

Our current democratic structure is an existential threat to the Nigerian economy. You cannot ask a relay team to run at the pace of its slowest runner. Each member of the team needs to be allowed to explore their God given abilities to run the race as fast as they can, doing this is the only way the country being represented by the team can hope to achieve victory. Restructuring the democracy will also bring about effective policing which will give us the security of lives and properties that we yearn for

Tinubu

IWD 2023: Placing Female Employees on Pedestal of Recognition, Reward

As part of the recently commemorated 2023 IWD, Olam Agri, a leading agribusiness, transforming food, feed and fibre with a global origination footprint, processing capabilities and deep understanding of market needs built over 33 years ago, chose to fete and celebrate the extraordinary achievements of its female staff members under the ‘Supercharger’ and Globally Reaching Olam Women, GROW, initiatives. Precious Ugwuzor reports

The world over, women’s role in society is fast evolving. More women are going to college, taking up employment outside the home, climbing up the ladder in the workplace, and making significant contributions to the global economy. It is reported that 10 percent of Fortune 500 companies are presently being led by women.

Women's sports are also gaining more traction as seen in the wild celebrations that followed the English Women's football team's triumph at the Euro Cup in 2022.

Narrowing this down to Africa, there has been an improvement in women’s participation in the economy and politics. Notably, about 20 per cent of the African Union (AU) member states have accomplished a 30 percent women's representation in parliament.

Strategic state administrative roles in finance, defence and foreign affairs, which were usually filled by men, are being occupied by women in some states on the continent.

The remarkable leap in the female gender's socioeconomic participation in Africa is not unattached to the segment's access to formal education, vocational training, and adoption of technology on a wider scale.

The annual International Women’s Day Celebrations (IWD) presents an opportunity to celebrate the impressive achievements of women. It draws attention to women’s economic, social, cultural, and political contributions across communities. It recognises the progress that has been recorded in creating a level playing field for both the male and female genders to advance their careers in whatever industries they choose.

Hence, to commemorate IWD, businesses, governments, and regional and global agencies unfurled their women empowerment credentials as well as spotlighted the women driving change and providing inspiration for others in the category. Olam Agri in Nigeria, a leading agribusiness, chose the commemorative day to demonstrate its

commitment to providing opportunities for women to access equal opportunities and positively impact society.

One of the pillars of the agribusiness Seeds for the Future (SFTF) Foundation's corporate social and sustainability drive is economic empowerment of women. The firm's women empowerment focus has seen it embark on strategic empowerment programmes comprising equipping women with baking skills, supporting female smallholder farmers with irrigation facilities, and sponsoring women to acquire useful certifications, such as the one offered by National Business and Technical (NABTECH) board to women bakers.

To commemorate the 2023 IWD, the agribusiness chose to fete and celebrate the extraordinary achievements of its female staff members under the ‘Supercharger’ and Globally Reaching Olam Women (GROW) initiatives.

The Olam Agri ‘Supercharger’ initiative is targeted at recognising high-performing staff members who are leveraging their job roles and responsibilities to make meaningful impact on the business.

These women are seen as rare breeds who constantly suggest more efficient ways of getting work done, serve as role models, leaders, and coaches, promote positive energy, and demonstrate integrity, accountability, a growth mindset, respect for others and responsiveness at the workplace.

The women who emerged as 'Superchargers' for March 2023 and were celebrated as part of the IWD commemoration are Ayotomilola Oyebanji, Uduak Joshua Eyo-Ansa, Oluwakemi Oni Human Resource Managers in the Group’s Animal Feeds’ business, Jimoh Rasheedat, a Microbiologist in the Quality Control unit. These women are growing leaders who have taken up the opportunity availed them to make impactful contributions to the business.

Elated by the recognition, Ayotomilola captured the mood of the three other women superchargers. According to her, “We are so excited to be recognised for our contributions to the business. Olam Agri motivates its staff members to grow. The business is always willing to recognise and celebrate everyone notwithstanding gender. The ‘supercharger’ recognition will inspire me and my colleagues to perform even better in our roles.”

Speaking about the business’ gender equality focus and IWD commemoration, Ashish Pande, the Country Head for Olam Agri in Nigeria, said, “When you empower a woman, you are indirectly empowering a nation. We understand the role of women in achieving growth. We support our women with access to the right tools, capacity-building trainings, and

growth opportunities that are necessary to advance their careers and lives.”

“We are proud to have some of the women emerge as superchargers in commemoration of the 2023 International Women’s Day. Superchargers are high-performing staff members who leverage their roles to drive organisational strategy & growth,” he added.

Jaideep Biswas, the Regional Head of Human Resources at Olam Agri, commented, “We prioritise diversity and equal opportunities for all our staff members. Of course, that is one of the reasons we have been recognised as an Employer of Choice by the Top Employer Institute for three consecutive years. It is a delight to see our women thriving in their roles as we provide them with the right tools and environment to make useful contributions to the organisation and advance their careers.”

Olam Agri continues to provide valuable pathways for women to advance their socioeconomic relevance.

Without a doubt, recognising women’s contribution to their sector is vital to inspiring more women to raise their productivity levels. Such recognition holds a huge advantage, and the impact would be felt on the nation’s GDP.

Olam Agri is a leading agribusiness, transforming food, feed and fibre with a global origination footprint, processing capabilities and deep understanding of market needs built over 33 years.

With a strong presence in high-growth emerging markets and products across grains & oilseeds, animal feed & protein, rice, edible oils, specialty grains & seeds, cotton, wood products, rubber and commodity financial services, Olam Agri is at the heart of global food and agri-trade flows with approximately 40 million MT in volume traded annually.

Focused on transforming food, feed, and fibre for a more sustainable future, it aims at creating value for customers, enable farming communities to prosper sustainably and strive for a food-secure future.

We are proud to have some of the women emerge as superchargers in commemoration of the 2023 International Women’s Day. Superchargers are high-performing staff members who leverage their roles to drive organisational strategy & growth

www.thisdaylive.com

See page 21

ONLINE TOOLS

FOR THE LEGAL COMMUNITY

Online platforms with digital tools are providing easy access to vast quantities of legal information, writes

JUDITH UFFORD

2023 CENSUS: WHAT BUHARI SHOULD DO

One of the best legacies that President Muhammadu Buhari is bequeathing to the nation is to have conceived the idea of a national housing and population census, a good 17 years after the last census of 2006. Even more edifying is the fact that the president has chosen to make this year’s census a digital, tech-driven headcount to give it more accuracy. For this alone, the president deserves some commendation.

But there is a challenge. It’s the matter of time and timing. Already, the census date has been joggled by the National Population Commission (NPC). It has been pushed forward from the initial date of March 29 to April 2nd. It’s now to hold from May 3rd to 5th. A three-day job that will task both human capital, technology and money.

However, because the NPC and its many there is an overriding and overwhelming need to, once again, shift the date of the census by two months or three. This is purely a matter of national interest above personal ego. Postponing the census by two months will never erode the credit to the Buhari government; neither will it discredit the brilliant work and tremendous energy deployed by the NPC and its technical partners. Rather, it will provide all stakeholders ample time to make the most of this moment in our national life.

See page 21

EDITORIAL BUILDING MORE WASTEFUL AIRPORTS

Many reasons support this argument of postponement. As I write this, the outstanding 40 percent local content of the aggregate contracts for the census is yet to (FEC). There is not much time between the supply of the technologies by the technical partners. Already, the NPC has shown diligence and trustworthiness in the manner the personal digital assistants (PDAs) from in the project. Several local and international agencies have commended NPC for showing its standard just because it wants to beat a timeline for the census. If Nigeria must conduct a census this year, it must be done very well to compensate for the 17 years wait.

Nigeria is currently writhing in severe convulsion from a poorly managed general elections which was roundly condemned by international watchers, local observers and a majority of Nigerians as a charade. The election was adjudged generally as below par and not in conformity with spelt out procedures and rules as captured in the 2022 Electoral Act and the Rules of INEC, the another international and national ridicule by embarking on a hurriedly planned census. This is not, however, to say that Nigeria does not need a census now. The nation needs

a reliable and credible census. So far, both President Buhari and the NPC have taken the right steps to ensure that this headcount unlike the previous ones is counted as worthy of the time and resources. By infusing a great deal of technology into the process, President Buhari is writing his name in petals of gold. But he must not insist that the census happens under his belt. He can make provision for the funds and other resources required to deliver the census, but he must not stick to May 3-5 date. To do so is to invite another national anomie worse than the one created by the 2023 general elections.

Without a doubt, Nigeria needs a proper and credible headcount. It is the best tool for national planning and development mapping. Any country without a reliable dark as far as development is concerned.

A credible census gives you the demographics of any population. The number of men and women, age brackets of the populace, number and calibre of persons in urban, semi-urban and rural areas. On distribute infrastructure and services to healthcare, water resources, housing, transportation infrastructure and services are reliable headcount data.

Post-Independence Nigeria has had several censuses, but they usually turned out as censored census. Contentious! The 2023 census presents NPC a rare opportunity to play the hero. Nigeria’s last census was in 2006. This year’s census would be happening 17 years after the last headcount. This is unacceptable and does not portray Nigeria as a serious nation.

No nation can develop without reliable population data. Such data is needed for planning, development is a mirage. Just think about it; how do you deploy resources in moments of emergencies? How do you determine where housing projects are needed more; or where certain categories of hospitals should be sited on account of diseases

do you have more aged (elderly) persons; which demographics of the population are in the city centres? Where do you have more women than men and vice versa? These and many more are usually captured in any credible national headcount. And they help the relevant development agencies to plan, allocate resources and provide solutions.

One of the complaints of foreign investors about Nigeria is the lack of current and reliable data on Nigeria’s demographics. At international conferences and business meetings, many investors have bemoaned the absence of contemporary data on Nigeria that would help them make intelligencebased decisions on where, what and when to invest in the country. A corollary to this is that cancelling the 2023 census amounts to keeping development in abeyance.

Holding a national census more than 10 years apart is not ideal for national planning, going by the recommendation of the United Nations (UN). This makes the case of the 2023 census inevitable.

The Chairman of NPC, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, had early in February given a strong hint on the projected outcome of the census. In his words, the “2023 census would signal a new dawn in housing and human headcount in Nigeria as there would be no over-counting or under-counting.”

Kwarra said that the devices, when commissioned with the forms, maps and other digital enhancements, would ensure that enumerators are unable to go beyond the areas assigned to them. In addition, he for the dedication, commitment and huge capacity displayed in the way it has

Another landmark in the census is that it conforms with the local content policy of the Buhari government. The NPC chairman noted that the software (App) that would be deployed to enable and activate the personal digital assistants (PDAs – the tablet to be deployed to conduct the headcount) was

well as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) regulation on Local Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the procurement of the PDA devices.

Cast away all sentiments. Nigeria needs a census now. But the May 3rd date is no longer feasible. NPC should not rubbish the fantastic job done so far. It must tread a higher and noble ground by postponing the census by at least two months. President Buhari should date.

Adamu, retired journalist and civil servant, writes from

TINUBU’S DEBT TO THE NORTHWEST AWAAL GATA canvasses adequate compensation for their loyalty to the APC

The national census exercise should be postponed by at least two months, argues UMAR ADAMU

DEBT TO THE NORTHWEST

It has been acknowledged that the All Progressives Congress would not have won the 2023 presidential elections without the support of the Northwest towards Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s campaign. Despite the Northwest being the country’s largest voting bloc and the APC’s most reliable stronghold since 2015, the emergence of strong presidential contenders from the Northern region such as Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso made the battle more challenging than usual. Nevertheless,

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particularly in his stronghold of Kano State. The second reason is that the people of the North-West region are likely to consider their position in the Tinubu-led government when choosing their leaders in the upcoming to lose an ally with such a large numerical Since Tinubu and Shettima have already taken on executive roles, the struggle for compensation has shifted to the National Assembly. Apart from the South-West and the North-East, each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones has been vying for the positions of Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, with the

Senator Barau Jibrin of the All Progressives Congress is one of the top contenders for the position of Senate President, and his impressive legislative track record speaks volumes. He has been a member of the National Assembly since 1999 and possesses the necessary experience to not only support the Executive branch and coordinate the

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against all odds, the Northwest stood by Asiwaju and provided him with the votes necessary to secure victory.

In the 2023 presidential election, the North-West region contributed 2,652,235 votes out of the total 8,794,726 votes cast in the country. It is noteworthy that Tinubu received more than 30% of the total votes he garnered in the country from this region alone. Consequently, it is imperative that the North-West region is rewarded fairly in the upcoming government. Elections are primarily determined by numbers, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) is well aware of this fact. Therefore, the party strategically selected candidates from securing support and engaged in political

importance as a vote bank in Nigeria, proved to be a valuable asset to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the presidential election, with only Lagos State surpassing its contribution in terms of votes. As a result of Tinubu’s impressive performance, he secured 517,341 votes, while his closest rival, Atiku, obtained a mere 131,716 votes, and Peter Obi received 28,513 votes, consolidating his position as the leading candidate in the race. Despite the presence of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso from the NNPP, who was dedicated to preventing the APC from gaining a substantial number of votes, the party was able to secure victory, indicating that the sub-region, particularly Kano State, is a loyal supporter of the APC and is not just a fair-weather friend. It was a hard-fought battle, but the APC emerged victorious.

If the All Progressives Congress is genuinely concerned about maintaining its grip on power beyond 2027, there are two strategic reasons why prioritizing the

be overlooked. To neutralize Kwankwaso’s politics, it is essential to have a principal

Senator Barau’s victory as the Senator representing Kano North despite the political turmoil caused by the NNPP in the state is a testament to his political pedigree. He is the heavyweight that the APC needs to re-establish a strong presence in Kano State and across the North-West region. He won his election by a landslide, securing 234,652 votes and defeating the candidate of Kwankwaso’s New Nigeria People’s 177,014 votes.

Senator Barau’s experience extends beyond the Senate as he has also served in the House of Representatives from 1999 until 2015, before running for Senate and winning. This extensive experience in both legislative chambers makes him a familiar and adept leader in managing relations, which gives him an edge over any of his colleagues vying for the position of Senate President.

Another factor that sets Senator Barau apart from his colleagues vying for the position of Senate President is his emotional maturity and impeccable record. He has no history of engaging in any dubious or court cases that could potentially ruin his career. Nigeria’s next President of the Senate must show that they are not burdened by such distractions, and Senator Barau exemplary character.

The decision of who becomes Nigeria’s next Senate President is crucial for the All Progressives Congress (APC) as it will determine their electoral future and chances of retaining power beyond 2027. Therefore, the party must take their time to weigh their options and consider the importance of adequately compensating the North-West region. Failing to do so may lead to a loss of support and votes from the region in the next election. It is important for the APC to make a wise decision that will ensure the party’s continued success and hold on power

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practice in Nigeria.

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Thus, legal practitioners can now easily access a wide range of legal materials such as judgments, statutes, precedents, and other legal practice resources with just a few clicks. This has made it easier for legal practitioners to keep up with abreast of changes to legal practice.

One such online platform is LegalDigitalNg.com, which was launched in Nigeria on April 3, 2023. This platform provides Nigerian legal practitioners, researchers, and students with on-demand digital legal tools and resources. It boasts of what would soon possibly be the largest curation of judgments from Nigerian courts, and

to everyone, and users can create accounts and subscribe to gain full access.

Overall, online platforms with digital tools are an important development for the legal community in Nigeria and LegalDigitalNg. com is raising the bar for the legal community in Nigeria by providing easy access to legal information and practice resources, promoting legal education, and making law practice the legal profession continues to evolve, it is clear that platforms like LegalDigitalNg.com will become increasingly important to lawyers, legal researchers, and students.

As someone who subscribes to the leading online platforms in the industry, it is clear that, with its cutting-edge technology, and provision of access to vast quantities of legal materials, legal practice resources, and other important information, LegalDigitalNg.com will and productivity of legal practice in Nigeria. Indeed, the addition of LegalDigitalNG is a move towards the legal community in Nigeria.

Gata

TINUBU’S

AWAAL GATA canvasses adequate compensation for their loyalty to the APC

LEGAL COMMUNITY

Online platforms with digital tools are providing easy access to vast quantities of legal information, writes JUDITH UFFORD

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

EDITORIAL

BUILDING MORE WASTEFUL AIRPORTS

Most of the airports do not make economic sense

Reports that 12 states in the country recently secured licences from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authorities (NCAA) for the construction of airports should worry critical stakeholders. One of them is by the outgoing government of Sam Ortom in Benue State. According to the Commissioner of Information and Culture, Michael Inalegwu, “The site for this airport is going to be at Kura, along Naka Road, about 12 Kilometres from Makurdi town because of the proximity to the Industrial layout”. We do not know how airport has become a priority for the state when there is little or no patronage for the current one in Makurdi. But it appears that the priority project for every governor is to build an airport in their state.

Building airports is capital intensive and so is their maintenance. Airports need permanent technical and administrative personnel who must work to sustain the cost of their existence, even if they are not generating money. For instance, Kebbi State built an airport some years ago with state-ofthe art facilities, but today it barely has scheduled break-even, the airport was handed over to the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)

It is the same experience with other state-owned airports in Bauchi and Gombe that have been taken over by the agency.

Looking at market projections, there is not going to be sudden rise in air transport in Nigeria because of low per capita income, even if alternative means of transport like rail and road do not expand. Right now, out of all the airports built by states, only the and that is because government in both Akwa

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

Letters to the Editor

therefore do not understand the rationale behind building more airports for the states beyond only following the bad example set by the federal government.

When in 2020 the federal government gave approval to states to build airports in Anambra, Benue, Ekiti, Nasarawa and Ebonyi States while taking over the ones built in Kebbi, Osubi and Dutse and Gombe states, we queried the rationale behind the decision. Of the 26 airports being managed by FAAN, only six of them record above 5,000 aircraft movement in a year. All the others depend on the time remains unanswered: In a period of lean resources when the same government is borrowing to meet commitments, why does it have to saddle the country with more cost centres?

The argument that states cannot develop without an airport fails in the face of reality because some of these airports have formed a cluster. An investor travelling to a certain part of Akwa Ibom may have to land at the Calabar Airport to get faster Asaba Airport is closer to a businessman in Onitsha Anambra.

The consequences of building unviable airports are that huge resources, which would have been used to provide other essential infrastructure are spent only serve the interest of the governors who travel through them with charter services, as scheduled services cannot break even for commercial airlines due to low passenger throughput. Since many of these airports do not have critical amenities like expending huge resources to build new airports.

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

LETTERS

HAS NIGERIA BECOME A DUMPING GROUND?

economy, faces great challenges, and indeed a race against time to be considered a developed nation.

the prodigious promise shown at independence in 1960.

In many ways, Nigeria is a lesson in not how to manage a country, especially one as gifted with human and material resources. In fact, even the devastating civil war of 1967-1970 could have been averted if wisdom was engaged. That the scars of that horrible war continue to mark Nigeria more than 40 years later in the form of secessionist agitations is testament to a country that made and how many of them are imported into the country from ing countries like Nigeria horribly exposed to the antics of some developed countries who for all their altruism are not immune to the occasional dollop of opportunism.

rity. What Boko Haram has left in the northeastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, bandits have consumed in the northwestern states of Kaduna, Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara.

What terrorist Fulani herdsmen have left in the northcentral states of Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau and Niger, unknown gunmen have ripped apart in the southeastern states of Anambra, Ebonyi and Imo.

In fact, the activities of the disparate but deadly non-state actors in the country in the past eight years have made it look like the country has been on an all-out war.

Now, it has emerged that the resource curse is hunting Nigeria again with the revelation that some Chinese expatriates know more than they are letting on about the criminals who kill and maim Nigerians.

In a damning report by the Times, a British national daily, it eral reserves. The report went further to accuse China of using economy.

The exhaustive report underpinned by research conducted

with SBM Intelligence, a Lagos-based think thank showed that the network that weaves insecurity in Nigeria is indeed a complicated one.

Though the Chinese embassy in Nigeria has debunked the rewhich has so far proven impossible to contain.

In many states of the country, people are killed every day with the government showing an embarrassing helplessness.

gerians do not know that the law took its full course against those on the list. That is what obtains in a country that lacks transparency, a country where impunity thrives because anything goes. geria. Nigerians demand accountability from their government and then from locals and foreigners alike who seed terror in Nigeria and have succeeded in turning a once peaceful and prosperous country into a pool of blood.

Ike Willie-Nwobu, Ikewilly9@gmail.com

Huge resources which would have been used to provide other essential infrastructure are spent on unprofitable ventures

RATES AS AT APRIL 19,2023

As More Players Spring Up, Stakeholders Optimistic Nigeria Will Become Major Internet Exchange Hub in Africa

Emma Okonji

Folowing the rise in the establishment of Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) in Nigeria, occasioned by the increasing demand for data and internet connectivity, industry stakeholders are of the view that Nigeria will soon become the major Internet Exchange Hub in Africa.

Their optimism is hinged on the fact that established IXPs in Nigeria are already extending access to internet connectivity across Africa.

The recent historic entrance of additional two IXPs: AMS-IX and AF-CIX from MDXi and Rack Centre respectively, into the Nigerian internet space, brings the

total number of established IXPs in Nigeria to seven, a development that has positioned Nigeria as future Internet Exchange Hub in Africa, given the infrastructural capacities of the international IXPs that have established in Nigeria.

Pleased with the growth and expansion of IXPs in Nigeria, the Chief Executive Officer, Internet Xchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), Mr. Mohammed Rudman, told THISDAY that the rise of IXPs in Nigeria would lead to increased domestication of data, reduction in the cost of internet access and exchange cost, with reduced latency in interconnectivity.

Head, Interconnection and Exchange Platform at Rack

centre, Mr. Obinna Adumike, said multiple IXPs in the African regional markets, would improve the quality and reliability of the internet.

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

“IXPs have formed network access points, through which institutions and organisations can connect to the internet. In Nigeria, locally domesticated internet traffic has increased from 30 per cent to 70 per cent within the last seven years. As of today, Nigeria is at

level two, where at least 70 per cent of the internet traffic from major service providers is connected to the IXPN, while only about 30 per cent of internet traffic is connected to international exchanges,” Rudman said. AMS-IX, which launched in Nigeria last week, is one of the largest Internet Exchange operators in the world. It partnered MDXi, an Equinix company, to launch a new Internet Exchange in Lagos, Nigeria.

The new Internet Exchange, AMS-IX Lagos, is situated in the carrier-neutral data center of MDXi, an Equinix Company. Under terms of the partnership, MDXi will serve as the commercial partner of AMS-IX and regional sales and

marketing arm for AMS-IX Lagos. AMS-IX is expected run the technical and operational management of the exchange.

AMS-IX Lagos aims to become an important content hub for West Africa, enabling regional and local Internet Service Providers (ISPs), carriers, and Internet Exchanges to aggregate content from large global content delivery networks, hosting companies and application providers.

CEO of AMS-IX, Peter van Burgel, said: “We intend to add value to the local carriers and IX’s by attracting even more content players to the region and support the local connectivity community. This is a very exciting project for

us as we see it as an important steppingstone for bringing lowlatency affordable internet available for the West-African region.”

Director, MDXi, an Equinix Company, Funke Opeke, said:

“The partnership enables MDXi deliver value to the rich ecosystem of network operators, carriers, content providers, cloud services providers, and enterprises that we have present in the data center. The AMS-IX partnership will help MDXi consolidate its role as content hub not just for Nigeria, but for Francophone and English-speaking West and Central Africa.”

Transforming

The Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Africa, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, has described telecoms as an industry that empowers both individuals and organisations, by eliminating certain barriers

simply by connecting people and transforming lives.

Ogunsanya said this in his keynote address at the NigerianBritish Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) Sharing Experience Series 2023 Forum, with the theme: “Leading to Impact.”

He also shared his experience

and lessons, which he has gathered over time, sharing how his diverse work background has given him a wide-range of perspective that has helped him to lead Airtel as an organisation.

He shared practical advice and leadership principles for developing effective and impactful leadership.

According to him, “Companies keep competing with the past, and capturing market opportunities requires you to compete into the future without losing focus of the present. It’s either you are satisfied with your previous experiences or you keep looking out for future achievements. It is

essential for every individual and organisation to have a purpose because something must drive you asides profit making, and you will be amazed at how that will drive you into the height of success that you intend to accomplish.”

Ogunsanya while speaking on the impact of telecoms on

driving growth in Nigeria, said: “Airtel is able to transform lives by connecting people not only to their loved ones, but also to their passion, experiences and opportunities.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

Emma Okonji

Nwizu: Subsidy Removal, Smooth Transition Will Enhance FX Inflow

Nigeria recorded a steady decline in capital importation from $2.2 billion in Q4’21 to $1.06 billion in Q4’22. But the Co-Managing Partner/Founder, Comercio Partners Limited, an investment banking company during an interview on the performance of the financial markets in the first quarter of 2023, said the Nigerian economy will soon experience a reversal in the downward trend in foreign exchange inflow. He explained how the expected removal of fuel subsidy and a smooth transition come May 29, 2023 will enhance foreign exchange inflow into the economy and hence appreciation of the naira. Excerpts

Given the various challenges that characterised the economy in Q1 ‘23, what is your assessment of the performance of the stock market, vis-a-vis the over 8% YTD return of the NGX?

Despite the challenging macroeconomic environment characterized by the cash crunch, election jitters, inflationary pressures, and a 50-basis point hike in the monetary policy rate by the Central Bank from 17.5% to 18%, the NGX remarkably delivered a year-to-date return of over 8%. This is even more impressive considering the reported 25% decline in sales by manufacturers. The NGX demonstrated its resilience by ending Q1 on a positive note, as evidenced by the robust performance of key market indicators.

The Benchmark All-Share index rallied by 6.33%, closing the quarter at 54,861.87 points, while market capitalization increased from N28.11 trillion at the start of the quarter to N29.65 trillion, indicating an improvement in investor sentiments. Although the value traded decreased by 22.04%, the volume traded increased by 66.04%, reflecting heightened investor activity. Notably, the consumer goods index led the sectoral performance, gaining 19.32%, followed by the oil and gas index at 10.45% and the banking index at 8.50%, the latter being exposed to Ghana’s debt restructuring. It is worth mentioning that stocks such as Tripple Gee and Company Plc, International Energy Insurance, John Holt, and Geregu Power emerged among the top gainers in Q1.

Developments in the FX market were largely negative in Q1’23. Turnover in I&E window dropped by 45% year-on-year to $6.5 billion; external reserves shed 4.1% to $35.57 billion; Naira depreciated by 50 kobo to N461.5/$ in I&E window, and by N19 to N755/$ in the parallel market. What were the factors behind these negative developments and how soon are we going to see a reversal of these trends?

Despite CBN’s best effort to stabilize the exchange rate and its several interventions through the RT 200 policies and its naira4dollar scheme the Naira continued to weaken against the greenback in Q’1 2023. This was quite anticipated given the political and macro-economic landscape experienced during the quarter.

Election spending, associated with the conduct of the presidential and gubernatorial elections held in Q’1 2023, contributed to the decline in the value of the local currency. Elections are usually associated with huge volume of cash moving around. Aside from campaign spending by various aspirants, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was allocated over N300 billion to fund the conduct of the general elections.

The effect of this projected cash movement was however stalled by the CBN Naira redesign policy leading to a cash crunch due to limited supply of the new note. Furthermore, riskaversion among investors also contributed to the slide in the value of the Naira against the dollar. Rational investors tend to display risk aversion during pre-election period to safe heaven asset like the U.S dollar making other currencies drop in value. Another factor that contributed to the decline in Naira value was rising prices.

Despite the CBN’s best efforts to curb inflation by hiking its monetary policy rate by 150 basis points to 18%, the Nigeria headline CPI index printed at 21.91% in February 2023, up from 21.34% in December 2022. Inflation decreases consumers’ purchasing power and erodes the value of money. On the global front, the United States Federal Reserve hiked its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points during the first quarter, significantly strengthening the greenback. Other macroeconomic fundamental issues like low crude oil production and low sales by the CBN at the auction, are identified causes that contributed to the Naira’s decline in value against

the dollar during the quarter. In the same breath, total foreign reserve plummeted to its lowest level since September 2021. Available data on the CBN’s website reveals that Nigeria’s foreign reserves decreased to $35.74 billion on the 24th of March 2023.

This could largely be attributed to the CBN efforts to maintain exchange rate stability by selling the dollar at FX auctions. The sale of the USD at the auctions from the country’s foreign reserves posed a significant challenge to the apex bank. There are two major events that have the potential to reverse these negative trends in the short term. The first is the smooth transfer of power to the next administration. With the new administration in place, we anticipate that the political landscape will become more stable, which will help to soothe the wave of risk aversion among existing and potential investors.

The second is the successful phase-out and removal of fuel subsidies will result in a savings of more than $6 billion, a portion of which can be used to bolster the nation’s reserve. Given the foregoing, as well as projections of a probable change in monetary authority and the breakdown of the multiple foreign exchange rate regime, we expect to begin to see some reversal as early as the beginning of Q’3 2023.

The CBN intensified its monetary tightening with two additional hikes in the Monetary Policy Rate, in January and March. How did these hikes influence interest rate dynamics and performance of the fixed income investment during the quarter?

Local investors as well as markets participants are quite concerned about the CBN’s monetary policy stance. Most investors have questioned the effectiveness of these tools in taming inflation. The rate hike in January was quite expected but the market expected the CBN to adopt a wait and see approach in March to allow some time to see the effects of the previous hikes, but again the apex bank monetary policy committee voted to increase the rate

by half a percentage point to 18%. This event drove mixed sentiment in the fixed income market during the first quarter of 2023. Yields were down on the short term note by an average a full percentage point while the bears dominated the long end of the curve during the first quarter of 2023. Deposit money banks and other financial institutions in a bid to avoid CRR debit from the CBN now participate heavily in the buying of short dated bonds and Treasury bills and this accounted for the bullish sentiments in the short-term notes.

The global financial markets experienced some earth tremor with the collapse of two regional banks in the U.S while regulators had to intervene to save a number of banks. But there are fears that these developments may spread and affect banking systems in other countries. Should investors in Nigeria be concerned and what is your advice to them in terms of how to respond to this development?

The U.S economy with a GDP of $23.32 trillion (2021 world bank estimate) stands to be the largest economy in the world today. History has also taught many investors to fear and worry when there is a crisis in major economy like the U.S. The CBN however addressed these concerns and worry in its 147 monetary policy committee held on Monday 20th March to Tuesday 21st March 2023 and allow me quote a section of the Communiqué.

“The MPC hence took time out to discuss the recent bank failures in the US and Switzerland, an event that occurred following the persistent interest rate hikes in the US, and how this has adversely impacted the broad portfolio of banks in the US. It noted that whereas MPR was increased by 500 basis points in Nigeria, from 12.5 per cent in 2022 to 17.5 per cent in January 2023, the Financial Soundness Indicators (FSIs) in Nigeria shows that the Nigerian banking system remain resilient due largely the stringent prudential guidelines put in place by the CBN which has resulted in a strong build-up of not only the Cash

Reserve Ratio (CRR) in Nigeria, but also the Liquidity Ratio and Capital Adequacy Ratio.” Having established these positions from the apex bank perspective, investors are advised not to panic. Historically, what creates a run; in global events like this is when investors panic and begin to act on it, which can cause a wave across the financial industry. So far, the U.S Federal Reserve has joined other regulators in lifting the $250,000 per account deposit insurance for customers of the affected banks, reducing the risk of a possible financial contagion. Investors are highly advised, however, to be more diligent while making financial decisions. They should desist from investing without conducting due diligence on the banks. Potential and existing investors must be aware of the risks associated with the investments they hold. Understanding risk is critical to lowering investor anxiety.

What are your projections for the financial markets and the economy in general in Q2’23?

Despite the challenges faced in Q1 2023, including political unrest, fuel scarcity, and cash constraints, there are expectations of a more stable economy for Nigeria in Q2 due to the swearing-in of a new government that is expected to implement reforms that would stimulate growth and investment. Nonetheless, the global economy’s highly volatile nature remains a threat to Nigeria’s economy. The interbank market is expected to receive over N2 trillion in Q2 2023 of which the most is concentrated at the end of April from OMO maturity, bond coupon payments, and bond maturity.

Despite the projected liquidity, we expect the market to remain generally bearish during the quarter. Our position is premised on the central bank’s hawkish monetary policy stance, which translates into higher rates on government bonds. Also, expected CRR debt will mop up liquidity and reduce banks’ ability to extend excess cash into the system. Despite this, there is still a possibility of minimal demand for the newly issued one-year treasury bill, as the rate remains relatively attractive. Overall, it is expected to be a slow quarter for the fixed income markets. For the Nigerian stock market, the easing of the cash crunch is expected to lead to positive financial results for companies, which should in turn have a positive impact on Q2 GDP numbers, thus representing an improvement from Q1. However, in light of the persistent uptick in inflation and the high-interest rate environment, operating expenses and production costs are expected to remain high, thereby affecting companies’ bottom line. Nevertheless, there is optimism for an improvement in the NGX ASI in Q2. With the proposed removal of the fuel subsidy, change in monetary authorities and successful transition of power to the new administration, we expect to see some appreciation in the local currency against the greenback in Q’2. As the nightmare of historic flooding during the latter part of the year 2022 is now behind us, we expect improved activities in the agricultural sector while service sector components like Information and Communication will act as major catalysts to non-oil growth.

However, our optimism regarding the non-oil sector still recognizes the existence of legacy issues like insecurity and unchecked disturbances to local food production, poor road networks and infrastructure as well as the perennial FX crisis and its ripple effect on the cost of production. Furthermore, we expect the improvement in oil production to continue its positive trend and perform even better than last year. We expect these improved activities to nudge the GDP growth above 3.2% reflecting better performance compared to the 3.1% GDP growth of 2022.

Nwizu

NCS Gets Triple Awards on Ethics, Value

Nosa Alekhuogie

The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has been recognised with triple awards for its commitment to work ethics and value orientation.

The Centre for Ethics and Self Value Orientation, which recognised NCS with the awards, have over the years, profiled NCS and its leaders and found them worthy of the awards.

The awards, which were presented to NCS President, Prof. Adesina Sodiya in Lagos on Tuesday, include: Ethical Conduct/Leadership Compliance Certificate, presented to Sodiya; Integrity

Orientation

Icon of Nigeria (IION) Award, presented to Sodiya and Corporate Ethics and Integrity Award, presented to Nigeria Computer Society (NCS).

Presenting the award, the leader of the team, Prince

Huawei Moves to Enhance Business Growth with Cutting-edge Technologies

Emma Okonji

In today’s digital age, data is swiftly emerging as a new form of oil and currency, providing businesses with a window into the needs and desires of customers like never before, but most companies are not well-positioned to turn these data sets into insights to make better business decisions and store and protect them from cyberattacks, according to experts who gathered at this year’s Huawei Information Technology (IT) Day (Nigeria).

In his welcome speech, the CEO of Huawei Nigeria, Chris

Lu, said there had been an explosion of data over the years, which presents an opportunity for businesses to start processing and harnessing data to boost revenue.

“As we enter the yottabyte era, data applications are multiplying, making trustworthiness and reliability a key component of data infrastructure. At Huawei, we currently have 12 Research and Development (R&D) centers, over 4000 R&D engineers, and 3000 patents dedicated to storage, helping businesses across the globe,” Lu said.

Huawei’s resilience as Original

Equipment Manufacturing (OEM), has had a tremendous impact on businesses while it continues to develop new technologies.

On the issue of data infrastructure transformation trend – Huawei F2F2X (Flash To Flash To Anything), Principal Storage Architect, Enterprise Storage Solution, Tang Zhihao, said: “Ocean Protect is an all-flash system that offers lightning-quick performance with a consistent backup and recovery time window.

Zhihao said F2F2X would redefine dedicated backup storage as a flash-based system,

andfacilitate new opportunities for businesses.”

Regional Coordinator, Southwest, Galaxy Backbone (GBB), Dauda Oyeleye, said Huawei recorded significant achievements contributing to the development of ICT in Nigeria through collaboration with the Nigerian government and other industry players.

Oyeleye chronicled the milestones of Galaxy Backbonean agency specialised in hosting, cloud computing, EDMS, data centre, and consulting services for organisations of all sizes, since it commenced its partnership with Huawei.

Neobank, Offers Payment, Management Solutions

Emma Okonji

OurPass, the one-click checkout company, has rebranded to become a global neobank for businesses that will revolutionise commerce in Nigeria.

OurPass is providing businesses with access to banking, payment and business management tools to enable them start, grow and scale their businesses. OurPass was launched in

2021 after raising a $1 million pre-seed led by Tekedia Capital with a goal to helping businesses increase their sales conversion rates by eliminating long entry forms at checkout, using its one-click checkout solution. The drivers of the business however realised that beyond offering a niche service, they could provide end-to-end solutions that would help entrepreneurs grow every aspect of their business.

Giving details of the rebranding, the Founder and CEO of OurPass, Samuel Eze, said: “With a mission to create a borderless world of successful businesses, we are committed to making it easier for businesses, irrespective of size and location, to gain access to banking services. We are not stopping there, we are also providing them with access to all the payment and business management tools they need to

grow and thrive.”

The neobank offers free business account numbers within five minutes when businesses sign up: Access to capital to build their businesses, and Investment opportunities with its fixed deposits offering. Its optimized payment tools, such as POS terminals, QR codes, and instant transfers, also enable businesses to receive and make payments seamlessly.

Motor Africa, OnePipe Partner to Offer Payment Services in Nigeria

Emma

Motor Africa, a mobility and IOT

infrastructure startup in Nigeria, in partnership with OnePipe, a fintech infrastructure provider, has launched a lending as a service (LaaS) proposition to help mobility entrepreneurs gain access to working capital in the

form of an overdraft to finance car repairs, purchase genuine spare parts, vehicle and personal insurance, smart phones, and cash for personal and family welfare support needs.

The technology, which generates analytical telemetry and remittance income data, assists registered lenders in making informed lending

decisions while also managing seamless credit repayments.

Motor Africa, a trade name of envio Logistics Inc., has activated more than 2,000 vehicles already on its platform and is now poised to enable those vehicle owners have access to credit services.

The service manages driver repayments to the vehicle owner

and provides car maintenance oversights at partnered workshops.

Co-founder and CEO of envio Logistics Inc, Sylvester Chude, who has been an active participant in the mobility industry, stated that cooperating with OnePipe will facilitate automatic payout settlements to vehicle owners and lending partners.

Salih Musa Yakubu, said the leaders of NCS, had over the years, displayed high since of leadership roles in driving the principles of NCS. According to him, the Centre had in the last 17 years, consistently committed to monitoring public leaders and holding government officials accountable to the people, for the purpose of eliminating corruption in the Nigerian system.

Yakubu, who frowned at the leadership styles of several past leaders of Nigeria, said Nigeria was planned to become a developed nation in 1985, but explained that such vision

has become an illusion because past leaders were insincere and corrupt.

Responding, Sodiya, thanked the organisers for profiling NCS and for declaring NCS worthy of the awards. Some notable Nigerians who have been awarded as IION in the past, include the former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; immediate past Treasurer and Vice President of World Bank, Arunma Oteh; Elder Statesman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, and the current Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, among others.

IoT Africa Advocates Adoption of IoT, Wins Tech Award

Emma Okonji

For its contributions to the development of the tech ecosystem in Africa, IoT Africa Networks, the continent’s leading provider of Internet of Things (IOTs) solutions and services, has won the Tech Innovation Award at the Tech Unite Africa Conference, which took place recently at the MUSON Centre, Lagos. Executive Director of IoT Africa Networks, Melanie Ayoola, who presented the keynote at the event, used the occasion to advocate for the increased adoption of IoT solutions among businesses to efficiently manage their operations, maximise resources and assets, optimise costs, and improve work safety.

Ayoola said IoT-integrated assets would provide real-time capability and data that improve decision-making, enhance the quality of services and solutions, and drive organisational growth, adding that this is especially as sensors provide valuable information regarding output, quality, machine conditions, environmental conditions, and so much more.

According to her, “Forwardthinking leaders are adopting technology in order to utilise all the innovations of IoT and improve their business strategy, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fully applying critical operational insights to harness key business benefits.

L-R: Associate Director, Environment, Social and Governance Services, KPMG, Marilyn Obaisa-Osula; Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, Lagos Business School, Dr. Henrietta Onwuegbuzie; Chairman of the United Nation Global Compact Network in Nigeria, Oluwasoromidayo George; CEO Auldon Group and Henley Alumni President, Paul Orajiaka; Program Administrator Pan Atlantic University, Ify Orajiaka and Executive Director, Head Credit Analysis, Africa, Standard Chartered Bank, Tersoo Bossua, during Henley Nigeria Alumni Association event held in Lagos…recently

Okonji

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

Adopting CSR to Impact Healthcare in Nigeria, the NLNG Example @ LUTH

As part of its corporate social responsibility, the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited, NLNG, initiated a multi-billion naira programme known as hospital support programme to boost the healthcare delivery system in 12 federal university teaching hospitals cutting across the six geopolitical zones. Uzoma Mba writes that the goal of the the goal of the project was to support the provision of quality medical care for Nigerians through the improvement of tertiary healthcare delivery system in the country, with attendant impacts on medical research and retention of in-country medical expertise

L-R: Acting CMD, LUTH, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo; former GM, External relations and Sustainable Development, Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited, Mrs. Eyono Fatayi-Williams; Minister of State for Health, Hon. Ekumankama Joseph Nkama; former Board Member, NLNG Ltd, Dr Mrs Cordelia Agboti; Board Chairman, LUTH, Alhaji Isa Bello Sali and GM, Finance, NLNG, Mr. Alkali Bashir at the commissioning of Block C (Obstetrics and Gynaecology Wards) of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos

Corporate social responsibility according to the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation is a management concept requiring companies to integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and interactions with their stakeholders.

The concept guides a corporate entity to achieve a balance of economic, environmental and social imperatives, while at the same time addressing the expectations of shareholders and stakeholders.

On this note, it is important to draw a distinction between corporate social responsibility, which can be a strategic business management concept as distinct from charity, sponsorships or philanthropy.

Even though the latter can also make a valuable contribution to poverty reduction, directly enhance the reputation of a company and strengthen its brand, the concept of corporate social responsibility clearly goes beyond that.

UNIDO actually identifies key corporate social responsibility issues to include environmental management, eco-efficiency, responsible sourcing, stakeholder engagement, labour standards and working conditions, employee and community relations, social equity, gender balance, human rights, good governance, and anti-corruption measures.

Acting in fulfilment of this concept, the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited, NLNG, initiated a multi-billion naira programme known as hospital support programme to boost the healthcare delivery system in 12 federal university teaching hospitals cutting across the six geopolitical zones.

The programme is in two phases and the NLNG has begun the inauguration of such completed executed projects in the benefitting federal university teaching hospitals under the phase 1 programme in Lagos, Kano, Bayelsa and Cross River States.

On March 27, 2023, the project commissioning started with the inauguration of an obstetrics and gynaecology ward, reconstructed, upgraded and equipped by the NLNG at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH.

The inauguration of the hospital ward at LUTH will be followed by the commissioning of an intensive care unit at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Yenagoa; an occupational therapy and neuromodulation rehabilitation centre at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, and a neurosurgical and stroke centre at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar.

Before now, the commissioning of such projects executed by the NLNG began in 2022, with the opening of a maternity centre at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, and a new intensive care unit at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, all of which were selected in the first phase of the hospital support programme.

“The NLNG Hospital Support Programme is NLNG’s national corporate social responsibility initiative which aims to boost the healthcare delivery system in 12 federal university teaching hospitals cutting across the six geopolitical zones in the country. The programme started in 2022”, a statement by the firm said.

At the LUTH commissioning on March 27, the NLNG’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, represented by Mr.

L-R: GM, External relations and Sustainable Development, Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited, Mr Andy Odeh; former GM, Mrs. Eyono Fatayi-Williams; former Board Member, NLNG Ltd; Dr Mrs Cordelia Agboti; Minister of State for Health, Hon. Ekumankama Joseph Nkama; and Acting CMD, LUTH, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo at the commissioning of Block C (Obstetrics and Gynaecology Wards) of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos

federal government is determined to see the nation’s health institutions attain world class status soon.

The NLNG chief executive also commended the authorities of LUTH for their resilience, commitment and determination to ensure the delivery of the project on time and according to specification. He also tasked the authorities of LUTH to ensure that the new facilities are put to effective use, not just for patients but also for trainee doctors, nurses and other users.

Andy Odeh, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, disclosed that the goal of the project was to support the provision of quality medical care for Nigerians through the improvement of tertiary healthcare delivery system in the country, with attendant impacts on medical research and retention of in-country medical expertise.

He said the company has helped in reshaping the country’s health sector for a better and more responsive system on the road to making it a destination for world-class healthcare delivery and called on LUTH’s management to ensure that the facilities were put to practical use for patients and training purposes.

While expressing delight at accomplishing another step to move the needle on the nation’s ailing health sector, Mshelbila, observed that since the hospital support programme commenced last year, the NLNG has helped in re-shaping Nigeria’s health sector for a better and more responsive approach to healthcare delivery, in an attempt to make the country a destination for world class healthcare delivery.

“We are here to commission the obstetrics and gynecology ward (block C) of LUTH. This building was a four-storey structure in a moribund state but it has been re-constructed, its facilities fully upgraded and properly equipped to boast of a first-rate obstetrics and gynecology consulting centre anywhere in the world.

“This obstetrics and gynaecology ward of LUTH is the third in the phase one of our hospital support programme being commissioned. The remaining three projects in phase one at Calabar, Yenagoa and Kano, have been completed and will soon be commissioned.

Today, we are glad that the newly reconstructed and equipped ward will help increase the capacity of LUTH in admitting and managing more patients’ ailments. Also, in addressing the infrastructure shortfall of the hospital, am delighted that more facilities have been provided for the teeming number of patients in this metropolitan city of Lagos; while a more congenial environment have been provided for dispensation of efficient healthcare delivery system. These are parts of grounds for our setting out to implement the hospital support programme in our tertiary health institutions”, the NLNG chief executive added.

He commended the authorities of LUTH for collaborating effectively with the NLNG project team in delivering the project within the timeline and on budget.

Block C houses the obstetrics and gynecology ward, four-storey building. Presently it contains 120 beds and associated furniture - overbed table, bedside locker, mattress, and pillows

with Macintosh to serve the prenatal and postnatal services at LUTH. Moreover, other facilities that got a facelift include the waiting room, nurses’ stations, private wards, consulting rooms, radiation room, sluice room, doctors and nurses call rooms and administrative offices and rooms with associated furniture.

“We are delighted to be part of progress in giving more Lagosians better healthcare. As Denzel Washington said it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished. It’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back. Healthcare delivery is one of the four pillars of NLNG corporate social responsibility interventions. The rest are education, infrastructure and empowerment.

“As NLNG delivers value to the world and revenue to the nation; it is resilient on ensuring that its basic development agenda is progressed significantly, through its corporate social responsibility initiatives. The health support programme came on board due to shortfalls witnessed in our health sector during COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The board of NLNG was gracious to approve the investment of $6 million for uplifting of specific health facilities in 12 tertiary health institutions across six geopolitical zones in the country. The hospitals are divided into two phases. Phase one is made up of six institutions and they are Lagos University Teaching Hospital; University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja; Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano and University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin. Others are Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Yenagoa, and University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Cross Rivers State. The second phase of the programme which commenced at the beginning of this year are Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos; University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.

Work in Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba and Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi will commence next year”, Mshelbila said. He however, acknowledged the contributions and support from the Federal Ministry of Health particularly the minister in the success of the hospital support project, adding that he is encouraged to believe that the

He concluded by saying that “NLNG believes this is one of the projects we can all look back on with pride; which other people will see and benefit from and which acclaims its key objective of being a globally competitive LNG company, helping to build a better Nigeria”.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, who was represented by the Minister of State for Health, Ekumankama Joseph Nkama, stated that the NLNG has proven to be a reliable partner in the sustainable development of the healthcare system in the country. He declared that the project executed at LUTH by the NLNG has complimented the efforts of the federal government in improving the quality of healthcare in LUTH, stating that the renovation and equipping of the 120-bed obstetrics and gynaecology ward at block C section underscores the fact that the renovated block C was built about 60 years ago and has not undergone any major renovation since then.

“The federal government and the ministry of health are grateful to NLNG for this wonderful gesture. We are also mindful of the company’s other efforts in supporting infrastructure renewal in all sectors, particularly the health sector,” said the minister.

The newly commissioned LUTH project entailed the complete renovation and upgrade of the obstetrics and gynaecology ward, a four-storey building, and the provision of 120 beds to serve the prenatal and postnatal services. Other facilities include a waiting room, nurses’ stations, private wards, consulting rooms, radiation room, and doctors and nurses call rooms, among other facilities.

For the 61-year-old LUTH, the hospital can beat its chest that the good times are here. Apart from increased budgetary allocation from the federal government, as attested to by the acting Chief Medical Director, Prof. Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo, the hospital has been lucky in attracting projects that have contributed to the infrastructural renewal that are funded by well-meaning Nigerians, corporate bodies, and multinational corporations like the NLNG.

Indeed, the ward renovation and equipping project initiated on January 24, 2022, is part of the NLNG’s sustainable development programme to contribute its quota to the hospital’s growth. “Like we’re all aware, government alone, even in the developed world cannot fully fund healthcare. I therefore appeal to all well-meaning Nigerians, corporate bodies, and multinational corporations to also extend their social corporate responsibility to us as an institution”, Prof Adeyemo pleaded.

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

The goal of the project was to support the provision of quality medical care for Nigerians through the improvement of tertiary healthcare delivery system in the country, with attendant impacts on medical research and retention of in-country medical expertise

Nordica Fertility Centre: 2 Decades of Solving Infertility in Nigeria

RebeccaEjifoma

Since its establishment two decades ago – April 14 of 2003 – Nordica Fertility Centre, a leading innovative fertility clinic in Nigeria, has continued to help couples conceive through innovative assisted reproductive technology.

The MD and CEO of Nordica, Dr Abayomi Ajayi remarked on the centre’s track records at the flag-off of its 20th-anniversary celebration and unveiling of the anniversary logo at its Ikoyi office in Lagos state.

Ajayi said, “This is a milestone in the history of our great brand, which has assisted fertility-challenged couples from all walks of life and all geographical locations within and outside the shores of Nigeria, resulting in the birth of thousands of babies and still counting.”

He narrated how the journey started as the dream of a man who felt that Nigerian couples with infertility needed to avail themselves of the latest technology in the fertility management space at the time.

Not oblivious to the roles of others, the fertility expert acknowledged the pioneering efforts of a few others alongside himself which eventually led to the evolution of a world-class practice in Nigeria comparable to any leading fertility centre in developed cities.

Hence, he expressed: “We are proud to say that our thrust to bring the latest technology, techniques and skills to bear on the fertility management landscape in Nigeria has seen us chart a course for innovative solutions to the benefit of our esteemed clients over the past 20 years.”

Ajayi listed the introduction of various male factor treatments, including IMSI and PICSI, to help men with low or immotile sperm parameters achieve assisted conception.

Meanwhile, the MD gives his team a pat on the back for launching a successful freezing facility to help women achieve conception at later dates. “Achieving conception later may be due to medical or lifestyle reasons such as cancer treatment. The review of our 2022 report showed a post-thaw survival rate of 92.2 per cent “Nordica co-founds the Oncofertility Specialists Association Nigeria to promote Oncofertility awareness and research in Nigeria, and

FERTILITY

investment in minimally invasive procedures to resolve a myriad of fertility and non-fertility-related challenges, especially for our female clients.”

Nordica fertility centre also invested in the first non-invasive solution for fibroid management in the West African sub-region and the third on the African continent, the High-Intensity Focussed Ultrasound (HIFU), the latest technology, which allows women to treat fibroids without any surgical procedure globally.

He said: “As the Chief Responsibility Officer of this organisation, we are proud to say that we have weathered various storms but come out even stronger by taking steps in the right direction at establishing a sustainable enterprise.

“With a clear vision backed by a formidable team and the Can Do spirit of the dogged Nigerian, we are here today as a testament of what can happen when men stay focussed on a divine call to serve humanity through science. We have built a knowledge-based organisation where continuous learning is the key to our success story.

“With a very heavy investment in our most valuable asset, our people, our focus on building human capital has been at the heart of all we do because this gives us the competitive edge in the

market. Our people make a difference.

Following its first establishment on April 14, 2003, at the Victoria Garden City (VGC) and with a city centre clinic on Turton Street, Yaba, Nordica has since set up clinics in Asaba (Delta State), Abuja the FCT, Surulere and Lekki (Fibroid Centre) in Lagos to give more accessible and more convenient access to its services.

In the words of Ajayi, “It has not just been about running a successful business but about touching lives and creating impact in our operating environment.”

Today, Nordica Fertility Centre has partnered the Fertility Treatment Support Foundation (FTSF), Fertility Awareness Advocate Initiative (FAAI), Ighodalo Foundation and the among others, to give access to free IVF treatments to deserving Nigerian couples.

“We have vigorously pursued a knowledge transfer initiative through our Physicians Roundtable, which is our special purpose vehicle to help with the continuous professional development of specialists and general practice doctors to improve knowledge in the area of fertility management via virtual and physical training programmes,” as the centre plans to do more this year. The gynaecologist told journalists.

Margaret, 39 Urgently Needs N10m toTreat Breast Cancer

Margaret Onabe, a 39-yearold mother of one has called on well-meaning Nigerians, nongovernmental organisations, as well as the government to help her raise N10m for the treatment of her stage three breast cancer.

Margaret, who is a hairdresser, said she was diagnosed in June 2022, and that lack of finance to properly treat it has pushed the cancer into stage 3.

She said doctors at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) have assured her that this was the last stage for her proper treatment if she wants to live to train her 10 year old daughter.

“I am running against time. I do not want to die.

I have gone through five courses of chemotherapy already, and I have many more to go through. Each therapy costs N114,000.

I need urgent financial support since the cancer has already spread to the other breast. I have used up all my savings and borrowed from friends and relatives to cover this, but I still need N10 million to treat the cancer,” she said tearfully.

Those who are touched by her plight can reach her on +2348148947710. Her account details are: Margaret Onabe, Ecobank, account No. 3453001582.

With Dr. Kemi AILOJE drkemi@lifelinkfertility.com

www.lifelinkfertility.com

+2348033083580

Hirsutism (Part 1)

Adults have two types of hair: vellus hair (soft, fine, short, and colorless) and terminal hair (long, dark, and coarse).

Women have vellus hair on their face, arms, chest, and back, with terminal hair limited to the armpits and pubic region. Men have terminal hairs all over their bodies because their androgen hormone levels are far higher than females (usually 4-20 times higher).

Androgens are a type of sexual hormone. They aid in the initiation of puberty and play a role in reproductive health and body development. Androgens are produced by both sexes, but men produce more. The most common androgen is testosterone. If a woman’s hair follicles are exposed to high androgen levels or become more sensitive to normal androgen levels, her soft, vellus hairs can transform into terminal hairs, a condition known as Hirsutism.

WHAT IS HIRSUTISM?

This is a condition in which a woman’s coarse body hair grows in a pattern similar to that of men. Increased amounts of soft hair are more indicative of nonhormonal causes of hair growth, which are more common in various ethnicities. Increased amounts of coarse and often dark hair, such as that seen in the pubic region, are more indicative of a hormonal cause of hair growth.

This is most common on the face, back, midline chest, lower abdomen, inner thigh, and buttocks. Arm hair can also darken, making the hair appear thicker. Extra hair growth caused by excess male hormones (Androgens), primarily testosterone, is common in hirsutism.

THE ANDROGEN HORMONES

Androgens are a class of hormones that influence male characteristics and reproductive activity. The primary androgens found in both males and females are Testosterone and Androstenedione. Androgens are sometimes referred to as male hormone, but don’t be misled by the name. Androgens are produced by both male and female bodies, albeit in different amounts. In fact, androgens have over 200 actions in women and are present in higher concentrations than estrogens. They are, of course, much more prevalent in men and play an important role in male characteristics and reproductive activity. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and DHEA sulfate are some other androgens (DHEA-S). One of the primary functions of androgens in a woman’s body is to be converted into female hormones known as estrogens.

Androgens in Women

Androgens are produced in the ovaries, adrenal glands, and fat cells in women. Women may produce too many or too few of these hormones. Androgen excess and deficiency disorders are among the most common hormonal disorders in women. Androgens play an important role in the hormonal cascade that initiates puberty

in women, stimulating hair growth in the pubic and underarm areas. Furthermore, it is thought that these hormones regulate the function of many organs, including the reproductive tract, bone, kidneys, liver, and muscle. Androgens are required for estrogen synthesis in adult women and have been shown to play an important role in bone loss prevention as well as sexual desire and satisfaction. Excess androgens can cause virilizing effects such as acne, hirsutism (excess hair growth in inappropriate places such as the chin or upper lip), and hair thinning on the head (balding).

SYMPTOMS OF HIRSURISM

When high androgen levels cause hirsutism, other symptoms, known as virilization, may develop over time. Virilization symptoms could include:

CAUSES OF HIRSURISM

Hirsutism may be caused by:

Genetics: Women whose immediate family members experience symptoms of hirsutism are more likely to experience it themselves.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): The most common ovarian cause of hirsutism is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The syndrome is characterized by irregular ovulation and, as a result, irregular menstrual cycles, increased hair growth or the presence of acne, and, in some cases, polycystic ovaries (small growing follicles – not true cysts). The majority of PCOS women are overweight or obese, resulting in elevated insulin levels, insulin resistance, or diabetes. Insulin is closely linked to androgenic hormone production in PCOS patients. Elevated insulin levels are frequently associated with increased levels or activity of androgenic hormones, resulting in increased hair growth.

Cushing syndrome:Cushing’s syndrome, a rare disease, can also cause hirsutism. Cushing syndrome is caused by the adrenal glands producing too much cortisol. Although hirsutism is seen in Cushing syndrome patients, high blood pressure, diabetes, muscle weakness, fatigue, red stretch marks, and obesity are all common signs and symptoms. In such clinical presentations, specific and advanced hormone testing is recommended to differentiate Cushing syndrome from hirsutism. Cushing syndrome symptoms can also be found in women who are on long-term steroid therapy.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: This inherited condition is characterized by adrenal glands’ abnormal production of steroid hormones such as Cortisol and Androgen. The most common adrenal gland abnormality that can cause hirsutism is Non-classical Adrenal Hyperplasia (NCAH), which causes the adrenal glands to overproduce androgens. NCAH, like PCOS, is associated with irregular menstrual cycles TO

L-R: Client Experience Manager, Grace Bisi-Akinlabi; MD/ CEO Nordica Fertility Centre, Dr Abayomi Ajayi; and the Clinic Manager/Infertility Counsellor, Tola Ajayi

Nigerian Breweries Upbeat Amid Forex Scarcity, Insecurity

Gilbert Ekugbe

Nigerian Breweries Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to investing in Nigeria despite lingering unavailability of foreign exchange and heightened insecurity in the country.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Hans Essaadi, explained that headwinds have deepened for businesses in the country and the nation at large, but optimistic that the company would forge ahead with capacity expansion programmes despite the harsh business terrain.

Essaadi at Nigerian Breweries’ pre-annual general meeting in Lagos, said the move is a testament of the company’s long term view and commitment to Nigeria.

“For over 77 years, we have built a strong legacy weathering so many storms. We have been faced and still being faced by storms especially with the Russia-Ukraine crisis that has made the price of diesel skyrocket. We are optimistic

that we would sail through like we have always done over the past 77 years,” he said.

He lamented over the scarcity of foreign exchange for businesses in the country, stressing that over 50 per cent of its input cost is largely dependent on imports.

“Global energy crisis is skyrocketing with inflation putting lots of pressure on disposable income as this also puts pressure on our revenues. The insecurity situation is also a major challenge as it is hindering both local and foreign investments in the country,” he said.

He said the long term fundamentals for Nigeria are positive, but lamented that the first half of 2023 has been extremely difficult for industries.

He advised that a predictable and sustained excise roadmap is a significant success factor for increased government revenue.

In his outlook for 2023, the Nigerian Breweries boss said with the benefit of an enabling environment, the Nigerian beer

market fundamentals remain positive with growth potentials, but bemoaned that Nigeria’s macroeconomic indicators, security and infrastructure however continues to remain high-risk.

He further stated that lower disposable income and high input costs as a result of inflation and naira devaluation are putting margins under pressure, stressing that additional excuse burden will further cripple business performance in 2023 while also expressing concerns on the prolonged forex scarcity.

Also speaking, the Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mrs. Sade Morgan, said sustainability is at the heart of Nigerian Breweries’ business, stressing that the company has continued to make steady progress on its Brew a Better World agenda focusing on raising the bar on climate action, accelerating its social sustainability agenda through community impact and advocating the moderate consumption of alcohol.

AFEX Opens Registration Across Nigeria, Kenya for Ag-Hackathon

AFEX, Nigeria’s leading commodities market player, has announced that it is now accepting applications from talents in Nigeria and Kenya for the Ag-hackathon component of its Code Cash Crop event.

Also, it unveiled, “Scaling Market-Led Solutions,” as the theme for the fourth edition of its annual Code Cash Crop event, set to be held in August 2023.

Code Cash Crop, it said in a statement, is an exciting industry event that harnesses innovation across the Agriculture, Finance and Technology sectors, to solve problems related to Africa’s food systems.

“The maiden editions focused on aggregating sector players to discuss how their industries align and opportunities for collaboration. The third edition featured discussions around the theme of Disrupting Agriculture Trade Infrastructure, including considerations of cross border payment infrastructure and introducing efficiency into agriculture marketplaces. CCC 3.0 also witnessed the creation of

the Ag-Hackathon, which brought together over 350 young people to collaborate and pitch solutions that disrupt Agriculture Trade Infrastructure in Africa.

“This year’s theme focuses on prioritizing conversations and ideation around solutions that address a significant gap in the market while optimizing sustainability and profitability. Both the ag-hackathon and the Code Cash Crop main event will bring the biggest innovators together to consider efficiency and competitiveness as key signposts to a thriving food system in Africa, “it said.

It added, “For the first time, Code Cash Crop will be expanding into Kenya, as the Ag-hackathon is open to participants in both Nigeria and Kenya. Through this platform, young entrepreneurs have a unique opportunity to create innovative ideas and profitable business models that solve problems in the ecosystem. The 4.0 challenge invites technological inventions and innovations to cater to pressing needs in the market, with emphasis on data and analytics, access to market and input, as well

MARKET INDICATORS

as credit facilities.”

The Vice President of Corporate Services at AFEX, Mariam Tobun, speaking about this year’s edition of the event stated, “We recognize the shift in the global and local markets that calls for solutions that prioritize sustainability and strong unit economics, and this is a key consideration in our theme for the year. Code Cash Crop is undoubtedly an essential piece of the Agricultural ecosystem, and for 4.0 we are incredibly committed to promoting conversations and engineering profitable solutions through the Aghackathon. It is a unique opportunity to have the important voices in the room asking the important questions”.

The grand finale will feature a live pitch session from the Ag-hac kathon participants, networking and panel discussions from industry experts across Agriculture, Agribusiness, Finance, Government and other stakeholders, as well as exhibitions from startups within the same industries.

AXA Mansard Health Launches TV Commercial on Health Insurance

Ebere Nwoji

AXA Mansard Health has introduced a new television commercial campaign tagged, “More Wellness for Less,” jingle targeted at increasing health insurance adoption in Nigeria. The new campaign according to the company is a 1-minute film that highlights the benefit Nigerians can get from having health insurance plans.

According to the firm, over the years, health insurance has been known as a tool for protecting one’s family/loved ones - particularly during their working years when children are younger and financially dependent, to ensure that they are properly catered for in the event of one’s death.

Speaking on new development, the chief executive officer, AXA Mansard Health, Tope Adeniyi, noted that, the new initiative was driven to provide quality health insurance services that were affordable and hassle-free.

Adeniyi said, that health was central to the well-being of each individual, noting that the new campaign would address the physical and mental well-being of Nigerians, so that, they would be active to perform their civic duties and responsibilities as well as contribute to the development of the country.

He noted that the service was available across all its online channels, agency offices, and branches nationwide, adding that products under this initiative

were very cheap when compared with the services offered.

“We also have products at N2,000 per month on Easy Care.

There is a Bronze Plan that you can buy at about N60,000 per annum. So, we have a range of simple products that enable you to have access to decent health insurance services; you can configure them based on your lifestyle, “Adeniyi said.

In the same vein, the chief client officer, AXA Mansard Insurance, Rashidat Adebisi, said, the well-being of Nigerians was central to the insurer which was why it placed so much emphasis on creating solutions that would address the health status of the people.

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $84.37 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $84.59 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 8 MARCH, 2023

L-R: Managing Editor, Proshare, Teslim Shitta-Bey; Co-Founder & CTO, ThriveAgric, Ayo Arikawe; Head, Clearing and Settlement, AFEX, Nancy Olisakwe; CEO, Releaf, Ikenna Nzewi ; CEO, Graeme Blaque, Zeal Akaraiwe, at the Grand Finale of the 2022 Code Cash Crop held in Lagos...recently

Afriland Properties Declares N1.9bn Earnings as Shareholders Approve N137.4m Dividend

Kayode Tokede

Despite strong economic headwinds, leading indigenous property management, investment, and development company, Afriland Properties Plc has reported an upward trend for the financial year ending December 31st, 2022.

The real-estate firm reported a 19per cent increase in revenue declaring a total revenue of N1.9billion from the total

revenue of N1.6billion earned during the corresponding period in 2021. The financials of the company were presented by the Directors of the Company to shareholders at its 10th Annual General Meeting ((AGM) that took place in Abuja. During the meeting, the shareholders also approved the Board’s proposal to pay a sum of N137.4million as total dividends payout.

Addressing shareholders, the Chairman, Afriland Properties,

Emmanuel Nnorom stated that the company is focused on delivering adequate returns to shareholders, while still growing its retained earnings.

He said the company recorded a strong operating performance, growing its revenue by 19per cent to N1.9billion from N1.6billion in 2021, while its Profit Before Tax (PBT) rose to N1.8billion from N1.6billion the previous year. The Company’s total assets equally grew by 12per cent to N19.billion

from N17.3billion in 2021.

Managing Director/CEO of Afriland Properties, Uzo Oshogwe lauded the Company’s efforts in the past year, acknowledging the efforts of staff as well as support from the Board of Directors and shareholders as key success drivers.

The real estate Chief Executive pointed out that having a healthy financial statement in a year of significance for the company was appropriate, she

stated, “This year is a special one for us as we celebrate our 10th anniversary. Over the years we have remained consistent in our promise to deliver and sustain value through people and projects. Our records speak to notable achievements in the real estate sector and we have remained resilient to record significant milestones.”

“In line with our growth strategy, we plan on commissioning some of our projects this year and

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF 19/04/23

believe they will bring real value to investors and stakeholders. Oshogwe also spoke on the company’s efforts to ensure environmental sustainability. “As part of our sustainability efforts, we have focused on increasing efficiency and reducing emissions. Our steps to accomplish this include partnering with a recycling organisation to recycle our plastic waste and measure what we generate and recycle each year.”

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

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

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA:

Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 18Apr-2023, unless otherwise stated.

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

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF.

Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS

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

BetWinner Nigeria’s Maha Otu Is Youngest Director in Sports Betting

Take us through your work trajectory. How did you get here?

Iknow I appear to be too young.

Maha people are surprised to know that I am Maha. Nobody actually expects a young person, let alone a young lady, to be a director in a sports betting company in Nigeria. I never imagined it myself. I studied Industrial Chemistry. So, initially, I wanted to work in a brewery. As a young Nigerian, that was what I was targeting. I did my internship in a brewery. I loved it. That’s what I wanted to do. But we have to make do with what we get in Nigeria, so I started out in sales with a telco company, and from there, I got a job as a customer service consultant in a sports betting company. That was how I got into the sports betting industry.

Before that, I really had no idea of something called an industry for sports betting. I had no idea it was an industry until I got the customer service job. And I think that’s the best way to start; starting from the very bottom, interacting with customers and really understanding challenges that customers may face, both online and offline.

What year were you a customer service personnel?

This was in 2019. From there, I worked hard and was diligent, and then I got the job with BetWinner. I joined BetWinner as the Team Lead. This was in 2020. I was the one who personally set up the company here in Nigeria, got the team, employed everybody here initially, and then tried to grow the company. I think the shareholders saw something in me that, maybe, I didn’t see in myself and decided to appoint me as a director in 2021. So that was how I actually got to this position as a director for BetWinner, Nigeria.

2020 was a very challenging year for the world with COVID. How did you wade through all those challenges?

For me, at that point in time,

while we were all locked down, it was a time to learn, and I think for most people, too… I was working at the time from home. I initially was thinking of leaving the industry and going into tech. So, that COVID period was the time for me to learn a tech skill, but when I was appointed as a director, I had to take up this full responsibility and understand that I have a bigger role to play in the industry than I thought. So that was how I navigated the whole COVID period.

Was it the offer to be a director that made you stay?

It’s not just about the offer. It’s something that I did not see myself attaining, being a director is like a peak in the industry. Being a team lead, the next position you’re thinking about is the managerial position.

FORECAST

Arsenal Set to Return to Winning Ways Against Southampton

Davidson

Abraham

On Thursday, Manchester United will visit Sevilla as they hope to advance to the semi-final of the UEFA Europa League. The red devils face an uphill task to qualify for the next round of the competition. Man United looked set to go to Spain with a handy two-goal advantage before capitulating to Harry Maguire and Malacia’s own goals late in the game. Man United are the favourites going into the game, while Sevilla cannot be written off given their record in the tournament, which they have won a record six times. With the adoring Sevilla fans set to cheer and rally their team to victory and Man United having more quality, any sides could come out on top on

Thursday. The same thing applies to Bayer Leverkusen when they visit Union St. Gilloise Vs Leverkusen; After a 1-1 draw in Germany, the encounter between these two sides is a winner-takes-it-all event.

In the Europa Conference League, Fiorentina and West Ham have been tipped by bookmakers to dispatch Lech Poznan and Gent, respectively, easily.

If there are no surprises, Arsenal and Paris Saint-German should pick up all three points against Southampton and Angers. Liverpool, Real Madrid and Porto face easy games that they expect to win easily. Real Madrid should have no problems beating Celta Vigo at home, while Porto and Liverpool are expected to beat Pacos De Ferreira

Let’s say customer service manager at the time, and then I am appointed as the director. So that means there is something that I have personally to offer. There’s something that I personally didn’t see in myself that probably the shareholders saw and believed that I could actually do it.

So I wasn’t going to give up all of that and go and chase something else I wasn’t even sure about.

What would you say are some landmarks or those out-of-the-box things that you did that made them say, ‘You know what? We want

you to be the director!’?

I think it was about me being ambitious and not giving up… because we were just coming out of COVID, and I set up this company during that time. Doing everything diligently and being really smart about it. As a

request is coming in, we needed to employ the best hands. I did employ the best hands. I have people in the company who I believe in and who I trust and who also ended up earning the trust of the company, as well. I feel all of that contributed to my getting this position because I earned that trust. They believed that they had someone that they can trust here in Nigeria because the shareholders are not here. So, they needed eyes on the ground, and they saw me as an individual who has earned their trust to handle this position.

Do you own part of the company now? Do you have shares? Not at the moment. No.

What were some of the challenges of setting up the team?

Setting up the team was postCOVID. That was September 2020, after the lockdown. There was not much of a challenge setting up the company and employing people at the time. A lot of people lost their jobs. And I also had a pool of people who I have worked with, who I could trust to come and work with me as well, and who believed in my vision and my goals for this company. There was not much of a challenge setting up the company at that time.

Stakeholders Advocate Safer Gambling for Young Gamers

Vanessa Obioha

As the gaming industry continues to attract young players, stakeholders are becoming increasingly concerned

about their safety, particularly in gambling. One of the main attractions of gaming is the promise of rewards, often cash prizes, which can lead to a mindset of playing to win or

make money among gamers.

To address this issue, Virtually Safe, a tech platform that advocates for internet safety for young people, recently convened a workshop to discuss the importance of a safer gambling environment for young gamers.

“We did a vox pop during our Safer Internet Day campaign and realised that a lot of young people are into gambling, and some of them are already addicted to it,” said the founder of Virtually Safe, Damian Ezirim.

The workshop, held in collaboration with Crucial Compliance and the Adam Bradford Agency, brought together

representatives from gaming companies such as Betway, Gamble Alert, and LEAP Africa to discuss ways to promote gaming as a form of entertainment and build a protective platform for young players.

“Young people are vulnerable. Some of them do not realise that they are already addicted to gambling. Every money they get is channelled into gambling because gaming is easily accessible on their phones,” said Ezirim. “So we are looking at measures gaming companies can take to protect these young gamers.

THU/

West Ham Vs Gent1

FRI/ 21/04/2023Arsenal Vs Southampton1

FRI/ 21/04/2023Angers Vs Paris SG2

SAT/ 22/04/2023 Liverpool Vs Nottingham Forest Over 1.5

At 27 years, Maha Otu is at the top of her career ladder, a position many peers only see in their dream. This achievement is even more remarkable because she is a woman in the largely male-dominated sports-betting industry, reports the GAMINGWEEK TEAM

“I just want to make BetWinner a successful company in Nigeria.That is my major goal. That will determine a whole lot of things for me, and it will determine how I am seen in the industry and how to also measure other women in the industry; for people who might want to consider giving women the same role. BetWinner, Nigeria, is majorly an online sports betting company. We’re not looking at going retail for now. So, we want to first understand and gain that online audience.”

Maha Otu

and Nottingham Forest, respectively. In the FA Cup, Pep Gaurdiola’s Cityzens are expected to soundly

defeat Sheffield en route to the FA Cup final as they seek to win their first English Cup title since 2019.

LAYLATUL QADR (NIGHT OF MAJESTY) SPECIAL...

Senate Presidency: Opposition Parties Not Planning to

Frustrate APC Leadership on Zoning, Lawmaker Declares

Vows to support best aspirant from the ruling party Group canvasses support for Barau Jubrin

Segun James and Dike Onwuamaeze in Lagos

A ranking Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District in the Senate, Senator Francis Fadaunsi has debunked reports of opposition parties planning to gang up against the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) to produce the next Senate President.

Fadaunsi, an opposition member of the parliament, in a chat with journalists, said rather than scheme for power, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members were united in their resolve to contribute their quota to good governance in the next administration.

"The meeting of the minority caucus has started but it is not

to frustrate the APC leadership move on zoning. We are prepared to support the best aspirant from the geo-political zone where the presiding officers' positions would be zoned to," he declared.

Speaking in the same vein, a North Central Senator-elect who pleaded anonymity, said the minority caucus would not rock the boat as far as constitution of the presiding officers of the Senate was concerned.

According to him, "What we are after is the best candidate of the lot. And as far as some of us are concerned, the ruling party should know how to give us the best hand for the job. We are not unaware of legislative conventions around the world. Can we be different? No!"

Meanwhile, another ranking Senator from the North East has raised the alarm over what he called desperate attempts by few Senators in opposition trying to coerce the ruling party to zone the Senate Presidency to either the south-east or the south-south.

The Senator who preferred not to be quoted said the few Senators have been deploying all sorts of tactics including guile against unsuspecting senators-elect into the zoning issue apparently to weaken the base of the APC in the north especially the north-west.

In his words, "The presidentelect Bola Ahmed Tinubu has to be extra-careful of these tactics aimed at whipping up religious sentiments into issues as serious

FG, Groups Raise the Alarm over Rising TB Cases in Anambra

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

The Federal Ministry of Health, in conjunction with some nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) have raised the alarm over the high level of tuberculosis cases in Anambra State.

The NGOs - KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation and Breakthrough Action Nigeria - made the revelation during a workshop for journalists, to create awareness on the disease in the state.

Representatives of the federal ministry of health, KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, Breakthrough Action Nigeria, Mrs. Stella Eke, Dr. Oke Chijioke and Mr Iheanacho Oji, respectively spoke on the transmission, treatment and the stigma associated with the disease.

The facilitators stressed that tuberculosis was now very prevalent among children in Anambra State.

The speakers discouraged members of the society against stigmatisation of tuberculosis patients, while urging people who have symptoms of the disease to quickly go for tests.

Chijioke said: "The low childhood tuberculosis awareness and refusal by parents to have their children tested has remained a major bane of eradicating the disease.

"To test children for tuberculosis, you have to take their stool. This is because children do not know how to spit out sputum after coughing, rather they swallow them.

"But the challenge now is that

parents refuse to let doctors have their children's stool for the test.

Some attribute such demands to fetishism, while many attribute their illness to their uncle's in the village. We need the media to sensitise the people about this."

Eke, gave some symptoms of tuberculosis to include: coughing exceeding two weeks, weight loss, excessive sweating at night and others.

Earlier, the Programme Manager

tion that government cannot fund everything itself."

Within the plan, he said the federal government would put down, "an initial one to $2 billion every year, on top of which, it can attract counterpart funding from the private sector. So the whole funding aspect of it is also understood."

Fourthly, he the plan had also looked at the commercials, which were very essential and had looked at the pricing, with regards to how to move from the current regulated gas pricing regime to a cost-reflective pricing, all the way to a market-led or market-driven pricing system.

Also, within the period of time, the NLNG boss said the stakeholders had worked out a schedule that looked at actions that needed to be taken in the first six months, first 12 months, first 24 months and had subsequently led to a detailed schedule with milestones and other key elements.

for childhood TB, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer, Dr. Chukwulobelu Ugochukwu, who delivered an opening remark during the programme and also presented a paper, stated that Anambra has 14 testing centres and over 800 treatment facilities across the state.

"TB is treated through dedicated oral medication for six months, but after the first three months of medication, the patient will no longer be infectious," he said

He further explained, "There's a governance that's been put in place that has the Minister of State for Petroleum leading. It has sponsors that cut across industry, including the regulators and all those who need to be at the table.

"There are various project streams led again by multidisciplinary teams across the industry. All is set. Three years have gone and we have continued with piecemeal implementation of little parts of it. And yes, certain things are happening but the coordination is not there. The speed and urgency is not there. And most importantly, having all of the stakeholders coordinating in putting this together.

"The actual implementation is something that we're still waiting for. There is one piece and I must add this, which is missing from the decade of gas and that is security. That has not been included in there. But it is also an essential piece that

as the leadership of the Senate. The antics are aimed at ensuring that the APC in the north loses out of a strong political position so the opposition can have a field day planning and mopping up for 2027. They must not be allowed to succeed."

In a related development, a chieftain of the APC in Kano State, Malam Muazu Dansarauniya, has advised the leadership of the party to zone the Senate presidency to the north-west region.

Dansarauniya told newsmen in Kano at the weekend that the performance of the party in the zone during the presidential election makes it to stand in pole position for the top parliamentarian seat. He said it was only fair, just and democratic for the party’s leadership to ensure that the seat for the Senate presidency goes to the north-west and to Kano specifically, the political heartbeat of the north.

He explained that the APC, despite the votes it contributed to the election of the president-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, has only one senator, Sen. Barau Jibril, in Kano state and any mistake of not making him the Senate president may affect the strength and control of the region by the party.

“The president-elect and leadership of the party is to look at the votes recorded in the north-west during the presidential election as a yard stick in zoning the Senate presidency to the region.

“We have done very well in

needs to happen."

More so, he said security in the Niger Delta was also another important element of the Decade of Gas Plan that must be addressed, especially the issue of crude oil theft.

"That, in addition to all that we currently have in the plan is what we need to transform not just our gas industry but our economy as a country.

"The project has support across board, it started out with NLNG sponsoring the work and the development of the plan," he noted.

With the programme now at the implementation phase, Mshelbila maintained that all the different stakeholders represented in different ways were now supporting financially and otherwise and that it was an indication of commitment for Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG).

As the new administration is about to assume office, he warned

this presidential election. We have contributed the most votes.

“So you see, even in terms of reward and recognition, we have the right to say we need to have the Senate presidency.

“The Presidency has gone to our partners in the Southwest, the Vice Presidency has gone to our partners in the Northeast, and the largest voting block and the largest political block deserves the presidency of the Senate,” he said.

Dansarauniya described the call by the NNPP as deliberately geared towards seizing control of the region by disallowing the APC to have a strong political leadership like the Senate president from the region.

He said calls by the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Reps-elect, Abdulmumin Kofa, who condemned allotting the Senate presidency to the north as a disservice to the nation.

“I believe that is unfair for a minority party to basically come in and dictate to the APC what to do.

“But very importantly, we need to look at the motive behind this statement.

“We know that Jibrin is from NNPP and the NNPP leader is from Kano and Kano is the heartbeat of north-western politics as well as northern Nigeria.

“So what they are trying to do is to strategically convince APC not to put a political leader on that space so that they can monopolise the politics of the region. We can see

that they should not consider tinkering with the policy or starting a new one since everybody was behind it and that all that the policy needs now was for it to be implemented.

Mshelbila concluded, "And so, I believe that we're spending today to deliberate on this decade of gas. Because it is important that as key stakeholders, we understand it and we also support it. And we also ensure that we're not going back to the days where every 10 years, we're either doing gas master plan, we're doing this other plan, that other plan.

"We have it and so my appeal to those who have the ears of the incoming administration is to come in and settle down quickly. “Let us simply pick this up and run with it. This is probably the best example of public private partnership that we can ever have in this country. This is how we can secure the future economy of Nigeria."

their plans,” said the APC chieftain.

“Therefore, if NNPP people are saying that you don’t love Nigeria if you say you are giving us the Senate presidency, it is just a strategy to mobilise and have the entire Northwest to themselves, which is a very important block.

“Now we have seen how close this election has been, Northwest votes alone could have physically doubled what the rest of Nigerian votes could have given if we galvanise and institutionalise support in the region.

“So I’m calling on our leaders, the National Chairman of our party, the president-elect, to look at what the president has outlined as a government of national competence, and when we look at competence, we will not go beyond our senatorial presentation in Kano in the person of Sen. Barau Jibril.

“Some people talk about fairness and equity in terms of politics. I want to highlight this, democracy has a principal rule, this rule is about participation,” Dansarauniya explained.

“You cannot not participate and then ask for a reward. The people that are asking for a reward, we are asking them to galvanise themselves, organise themselves in the next election and contribute to the success of the party.

“So you cannot basically deny the party votes and when the party is basically and equitably and fairly sharing its positions you now say because of national unity you want to take the critical position.

“All I’m saying to our brothers in other regions is 2027 is not far away, go back, work hard, join us to make success of the next election and you will get your fair share of reward and recognition,” he said.

Meanwhile, The Rescue North West APC, (Rescue Group) has asked that the presidency of the Senate should be zoned to the geopolitcal area, saying in view of their contribution to the eventual success of the party in the general election, it deserved to be compensated with the position.

The group in a statement signed by the Coordinator, Rescue Group, Muktar Dahiru-Gore stated: "The North West contributed the most votes to help our ever resilient and politically savy, President- elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to win the 2023 presidential election."

The group insisted that the North West zone contributed about 30 per cent of the votes that made both the president-elect and the APC to win the election.

R-L: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu Olowo and his counterpart for Transportation, Dr. Federic Oladeinde, during the Laylatul Qadr (Night of Majesty) Eve Special Prayer at the Lagos House, Ikeja... on Tuesday

NLNG: WITH DECADE OF GAS PLAN, NIGERIA CAN CATCH UP WITH INDUSTRIALISED NATIONS

2023

PRE-ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING MEDIA BRIEFING OF NIGERIAN BREWERIES...

Dino Melaye Defends His Victory in Kogi PDP Guber Primary Election

Promises to boost state IGR, support SMEs if elected

Emma Okonji and Nosa

Alekhuogie

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the November 2023 election for Kogi State, Dino Melaye, has clarified the controversy trailing his emergence as the party’s candidate.

Melaye stressed that there was no manipulation in the primary election, arguing that the primary election was the fairest and most transparent he had seen anywhere.

Melaye said this on ARISE NEWS Channel, the broadcast arm of THISDAY News.

He assured the people of Kogi State of increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), increased support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and also a boost in employment, if elected as the next governor of the state.

According to him, there was need to rescue the people of Kogi State from the present maladministration, insecurity, corruption and negative vices.

Reacting to the statement of the governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, who had criticised his emergence as the winner in the party's primary election, Melaye said he had no response to give

to a man who was suffering from post-election trauma.

Melaye added that regardless of the governor’s support in 2019, he owes the party a lot.

He further said he was being witch-hunted by Wike because he refused to support his 2023 presidential ambition.

Speaking about his plans and what he would do differently if voted as the next governor of the state, Melaye said: "There are no plans to be dependent on the federal allocation that comes from Abuja, neither am I going to be an Abuja-based governor like the present governor.

“I am going to live in Kogi State and hold monthly meetings with key stakeholders across every local government of the state."

Melaye also promised to be a people’s governor by allowing people determine the policy implementation and direction.

He also talked about revolutionising the education sector in the state and revealed that the state education curriculum would be changed across schools in the state.

The PDP governorship candidate also noted that the foundation of education in the country was faulty, adding that he would begin to initiate changes

in school curriculum from Kogi State if elected as governor of the state.

Concerning the issues of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and unemployment in Kogi State, he said he would boost the state's IGR and concentrate on small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) for women.

“We are going to make sure we get funds from donor agencies across the globe, NGOs all over the world to make sure we partner with international donor agencies to ensure we increase SMEs in Kogi State.

“We are going to access these opportunities because many governors and local governments

do not know that these funds are available to be accessed,” he said.

Speaking further on the politics of zoning, Melaye said it would be fair that the governorship should naturally be zoned to Kogi West as they have never been given an opportunity to produce the Governor of the state like Kogi East that have had the seat for

sixteen years and Kogi Central that have had it for eight years. He added that this was one of the reasons he decided to run for the office of the governor of the state.

Melaye therefore urged Kogi people to support Kogi West in producing the next governor for peace, inclusivity and equity.

Edo Government Warns Residents against Use of Norvasc 5mg Tablets

Debunks false claims on HIV prevalence, says only 0.6% of pregnant women living with virus

Adibe

Edo State government has warned residents against the sale and usage of Norvasc 5mg tablets produced by United States-based drug developer Viatris Inc, following the discovery of iron wires in samples taken from the shipment.

In a statement, the Edo State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Obehi Akoria, said the warnings followed the alert by the National

Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Akoria said, “NAFDAC has issued an alert and warning that the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered the recall of six million tablets from two batches of Norvasc 5 mg tablets produced by U.S-based drug developer Viatris Inc, following the discovery of iron wires in samples taken from the shipment and claims from Taiwan Norvasc

Traders Seek Oba of Benin’s Intervention in Planned Markets’ Demolition by State Govt

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Traders at the popular Osa market otherwise known as 'Ekiosa market' have appealed to His Royal Majesty, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, to prevail on Edo State government to halt the planned demolition of the market.

This comes on the heels of a 2-week ultimatum handed down to traders at Oba market and Osa market, both in Benin City to take shelters in other markets for their trading activities.

The ultimatum was issued by the government, through the leader of Edo State Market Women Association, Madam Blacky Omoregie Ogiamien, pending when the markets are rebuilt.

Spokesperson of the traders, Blessing Owie, who staged a peaceful protest to the palace

of the traditional ruler in Benin City, said the government’s plan to demolish the Osa market would send traders into indebtedness and penury having obtained loan facilities to reconstruct their shops when government intervention was not forthcoming after the fire disaster that engulfed the market on December 19, 2019.

She appealed to Oba Ewuare II to request the state government to provide a perimeter fencing, gate and standby fire service station in the market as alternative to the planned demolition.

The spokesperson also appealed to the Oba to send a delegation of chiefs to the market for an on-thespot assessment of the markets in order not to leave anyone in doubt.

According to her, they were excluded from the state govern-

ment’s N100 million livelihood support loan meant for traders who incurred losses in the disaster.

"We cry to the palace for help as our last resort. When fire inferno occurred in Ekiosa in 2019, we lost our shops and goods. I lost four shops with goods. We hustle under the rain and sunshine, trading along the road and at times, the government taskforce came and drove us away. We had to borrow. We took loans to rebuild our shops.

"Each trader was made to pay N20,000 levy to market security before permission was given to rebuild the shops with blocks. We also pay security and waste levies and taxes to Oredo Local Government Council daily.

"We didn't get support from the government; we did not benefit from the N100 million that was

given to traders who lost their shops in the market fire.

"We have widows, single mothers and breadwinners amongsy us. Our father should help us to talk to the Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki not to demolish the market. Rather, he should fence the market and provide gates for us. Our businesses are our lives and only means of survival," Owie pleaded.

Responding on behalf of Benin Palace Chiefs who received the protesting market women, Chief Uyi Okungbowa, the Ogua of Benin, stated that their grievances have been duly acknowledged and communicated to concerned authorities.

Okungbowa however, advised the traders to shun violence, assuring them of amicable resolution of the issues canvassed by them.

users that the tablets when cut into halves contain iron wire.

“The above information makes the two batches of Norvasc 5 mg tablets substandard.”

The Commissioner added, “All persons, pharmaceutical outlets and health facilities who may have any of these batches of Norvasc 5 mg tablets in stock should immediately dispose of them using the appropriate channels.

“Please be vigilant!!! Do not use this product. Please contact your doctor to discuss suitable alternatives. The State Ministry of Health can be contacted using the following numbers: 09016350001; 09114972470; 09116076093.”

Meanwhile, the state government has described as false and misleading comments by a purported doctor that 30 out of 50 pregnant women in Edo State are persons living with the Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV).

Akoria, in a statement, urged residents to disregard the false and deceptive claims, noting that only 0.6 percent of pregnant women were living with the virus in the state.

The statement read: “The attention of the Edo State Ministry of Health has been drawn to a video on social media in which a purported "doctor" stated that 30 out of 50 pregnant women in Edo State are persons living with HIV.

“This claim suggests that the prevalence of HIV in pregnant women in Edo State is an alarming 60%, which is completely untrue.

“According to the National AIDS Indicator Survey (NAIS), 2018 - the most recently updated survey on HIV in Nigeria, Edo State has an estimated 44,000 persons living with HIV: a prevalence rate of 1.8 per cent.”

Akoria further noted, “So far, in 2023 in Edo State, 10,019 pregnant women have been tested for the HIV virus, out of which 59 tested positive, giving a positivity rate of 0.6 per cent.

“The State Ministry of Health and its agencies actively work with partners to prevent and reduce transmission of HIV, provide treatment, and other required support for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIVS).

“There are personal, social, cultural, and societal factors that underlie poor disclosure of HIV status. Individual, couple, and family counselling are in place at every level in our healthcare system to provide the necessary support for PLHIVS.”

She added, “We urge all residents in Edo State and other concerned persons to completely disregard unfounded claims made by persons of questionable credentials whose motives may not pass integrity tests.

“The State Ministry of Health will address the professional and regulatory concerns that the video has raised. Please contact us using the following phone numbers if further clarification is required: 09016350001; 09114972470; 09116076093.”

Emenyonu in Benin City

L-R: Incoming Sales Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc (NB Plc), Ayodele Lawal; Finance Director, Ben Wessels Boer; Legal Director/Company Secretary, Uaboi Agbebaku; Managing Director, Hans Essaadi; Corporate Affairs Director, Sade Morgan; Supply Chain Director, Martin Kochl and Marketing Director, Emmanuel Oriakhi, during the 2023 Pre-Annual General Meeting Media Briefing of NB Plc held in Lagos…yesterday

COALITION FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE...

Sultan of Sokoto Felicitates Muslim Ummah

The President-General, Supreme Council for Islamic Affair (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has felicitated Muslim Ummah on the occasion of ‘Idul Fitr.

Abubakar, in a statement signed by the Director of Administration

of the NSCIA, Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu, “enjoined Muslims to search for the crescent of Shawwal 1444 A.H. immediately after sunset on Thursday, 29th Ramadan 1444 A.H. which is equivalent to 20th April 2023.

“We beseech Allah to grant everyone the opportunity to witness many more of it. In the

spirit of Ramadan, Muslims are reminded that Zakatul Fitr is a compulsory food-levy imposed on privileged Muslims, to be given to the less-privileged in the society.

“The Council, therefore, appeals to all concerned to ensure that they do not only comply but also comply on time. The stipulated practice is to give out the prescribed

measurement to beneficiaries in the last two days of Ramadan and not later than before the ‘Id prayer.

“Consequent upon the advice of the National Moon-Sighting Committee (NMSC), the PresidentGeneral enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Shawwal 1444 A.H. immediately after sunset on today,

Etsu Nupe Charges Muslims to Keep Showing Kindness, Love After Ramadan

The Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of traditional rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has charged Muslims to continue to

show love and kindness to others even after the Ramadan.

Speaking at the final Ramadan Tafsir held at the Maasaba Jumma’at Mosque in Bida on Tuesday, Abubakar admonished the faithful

not to limit their act of giving to the fasting period but make it a daily affair.

The monarch also appealed to wealthy individuals and philanthropists to continue to show

Iwuayanwu: I Never Said Yorubas Are Political Rascals

Says turn of Owerri to produce next Imo governor

Alex

Enumah in Abuja

Several weeks after he was reprimanded for allegedly calling Yoruba political rascals, foremost Igbo leader and Chairman of Council of the Igbo sociocultural group, the Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuayanwu has denied ever referring to the Yoruba as such.

Iwuayanwu, who made the clarification yesterday night while speaking on a Channels television stated that his statement at the height of political tension occasioned by the recently concluded general elections was manipulated by some persons for reasons best known to them.

Speaking on 'Politics Today', a Channels Television programme, the Igbo leader, who noted that he had had to assure his people in Lagos of their safety, maintained that the Igbos had never had problems with the Yoruba, amongst whom they have been living peacefully.

"When I spoke in Awka, I didn't say Yoruba are political rascals, I never said it," he said.

He recalled that at the time, Igbo in Lagos were worried about their investment in Lagos, saying, "most of them are afraid that they would be killed, their children were afraid of going to school because they are being threatened.

“So as a leader and one who has a very good relationship with the Yoruba and having established businesses in Lagos,” Iwuayanwu said he had to reassure his people of the safety of their lives and

investments in Lagos.

"I have to arise and I told our people that I have been in touch with many Yoruba, I have businesses in Lagos, I am very close to Yoruba, I had a Yoruba director who work in my company and have relationship with many Yoruba.

"So, I told them not to worry that we have no problem with Yoruba at all but that those who are causing all these are political rascals. I didn't say Yoruba. I am shocked that a man, a Nigerian would go and cut off my statement. If you read what was circulated all over the world I didn't say that, I didn't say Yoruba are political rascals, I said that those who are beating them," he explained.

While noting that he had prevailed on Igbo not to bother, but remain in Lagos, because those causing the crisis were rascals, he regretted that somebody somewhere went to join his speech to make it look like he was referring to the Yoruba as political rascals.

On the forthcoming governorship election in Imo State, Iwuayanwu who has been nominated as President General of Ohanaeze, disclosed that for fairness and equity, the Owerri zone ought to produce the next governor in November 2023.

According to him, the Owerri zone was the only zone that has yet to have its fair share of the principle of rotation in the state since in the 1990s, saying the principle of zoning was adopted in the

state to give everyone a sense of belonging and avoid a situation, where one group dominated the others, adding that the principle also brought about stability.

"We are republican, even in the village we like to do things by zoning, we don't want a situation where one group grabs everything. We want things to be done by zoning so that everyone has a sense of belonging and will feel happy," he said.

gratitude to God by helping others and exhibiting total submission to God’s commandments.

“Beyond Ramadan, we must also show the attitude of giving at all times; we must touch the poor and we must touch our people,” Abubakar said.

He observed that many Muslims became saints during the Ramadan but would go back to committing sins after the period, advising that the faithful should continue to abstain from sinful acts at all times.

"Many Muslims quit smoking, drinking alcohol, fornication, adultery, backbiting and other negative tendencies during the Holy month of Ramadan but think sin is permitted after the season,” he said, warning that God hates sins, therefore, Muslims must remain Holy for all their prayers to be answered at all times.

Abubakar also underscored the need for sustainable peace and unity in the country, arguing that there was no alternative to peace, because without peace, meaningful development would continue to elude the country.

29th Ramadan 1444 A.H. which is equivalent to 20th April 2023.

“If the crescent is sighted by Muslims in accordance with the moon sighting and verification standards, then His Eminence would declare Friday, 21st April 2023 as the 1st of Shawwal and the day of ‘Idul Fitr. However, if the crescent is not sighted that day, then Saturday, 22nd April 2023, automatically becomes the day of ‘Idul Fitr.

“In addition to the established and traditional Islamic leaders in each locality, the following members of the National MoonSighting Committee (NMSC) can

be contacted to report any credible and positive sighting of the crescent of Shawwal 1444 AH:

“The Council encourages all Muslims to pray fervently to the Almighty Allah, especially during the concluding part of Ramadan, for the peace, security and development of Nigeria.

“While wishing us all happy ‘Idul Fitr, the Council enjoins Muslims all over the country to be on the lookout for the announcement to be made by His Eminence, the President-General of NSCIA on the night of Thursday 20th of April, 2023. ‘Id Mubarak in advance!”

Eid-el-Fitr: FRSC Deploys 950 Personnel in Kwara

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kwara State Command, has deployed 950 personnel for this forthcoming Eid El Fitr celebrations to help manage road uses during the period in the state.

The Sector Commander in the state, Mr. Fredrick Ogidan, stated this in Ilorin in a statement.

He said out of the 950 personnel deployed, 322 would be Special Marshalls, 27 patrol vehicles, two power bike, four Ambulances and a 70 tonne tow-truck to monitor all roads during the Eid-el-Fitri celebrations.

He also said the command has deployed personnel for traffic control at strategic location within Ilorin township and major cities in the state during the Eid special patrol scheduled from 20th to 25th April 2023.

He enjoined the motorist to obey traffic rules and regulations such as avoiding excessive speeding, overloading, obstruction, use of phone while driving, passenger manifest violation, operation of mechanical deficiency and rickety vehicles, and lane discipline/route violation among others.

"In other to achieve free flow of traffic and reduction in road traffic crash during the festivity, the heavy tow-truck, ambulances and rescue Marshals will be station along major highway within the state. The operation is targeted toward achieving 5% reduction in road traffic death and injuries being the corps 2023 Corporate Strategic Goal.

While wishing the good people of state of a happy Eid-El-Fitri celebration, Ogidan advised motorist to exercise caution and drive towards ''Safer Roads and Fulller Lives.”

Exparte Order: Group Petitions NJC, Seeks Sanction against High Court Judge, Imo CJ

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

A civil society organisation, Forum for Accountability and Good Leadership has petitioned the National Judicial Council against a judge of the Imo State High Court, Justice B. C. Iheka and the State Chief Judge (CJ) and Justice, T. R. Chukwuemeka-Chikeka.

The group asked the NJC to punish the High Court Judge for granting an ex parte order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from concluding the election into the Isu/ Njaba/Nkwerre/Nwangele Federal Constituency of Imo State, despite his lack of jurisdiction on the case.

The forum equally indicted the CJ of Imo State over alleged

administrative failures in assigning a case to a judge who had been sworn in as a member of the Election Petition Tribunal.

The group noted that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the federal constituency, Harrison Nwadike, had filled a suit marked HOW/274/2023, against Prof. Mrs. Roseta Okechukwu, the Returning Officer for the election.

It explained that Justice Iheka, while ruling on the matter, had ruled that, “Until the supplementary election for the entire 133 Polling Units in the 11 Wards of Njaba Local Government Area is conducted by INEC, the defendant, or any other person, whomsoever and howsoever, acting in her stead is hereby restrained from an-

nouncing or declaring the result of the 2023 Isu/Njaba/Nkwerre/ Nwangele Federal Constituency election, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice in this case.”

The group, at a press conference yesterday, said they had written a petition to the NJC to look into the actions of the judge.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Tochukwu Ohazuruike, alleged that the judge knew he was without jurisdiction when he made the order.

He cited provisions of the constitution and the Electoral Act to back up the claim that State High courts do not have jurisdiction in elections matters such as this and also the fact that INEC being a proper party was not joined in the

suit, yet the judge restrained INEC from completing the process.”

Ohazuruike further alleged that the prayers of the plaintiff in the Writ of Summons were also the prayers granted by the court in the ex parte, saying the implication was that without hearing the defendant or any other person who was interested in the case including the PDP candidate who had filed for joinder, the court determined the prayers of the plaintiff.

The group further indicted the Chief Judge of Imo State Justice, over what it called administrative failures in assigning such a case to a judge who she knew was not going to be available having been sworn in as a member of Election Petition Tribunal.

L-R: Country Director, Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice (CGGEJ), John Mayaki; Co-convener, Ayobami Oyalowo; Convener, Mr. Kasim Afegbua and Co-convener, Cletus Obun, during a press conference by CGGEJ on the zoning of Senate President to South South political zone in Abuja... recently PHOTO: ENOCK REUBEN

Laleye Dipo in Minna

Segun James

PRESENTATION OF AWARD CERTIFICATE...

Onobhayedo; Final Student of University of Lagos and Winner of EY Young Tax Professional of the Year (YTPY) 2023, Moyosoreoluwa Dada; EY Chief Operating Officer, Oluwabusiayo Layade; and EY Associate Director, Tax Services and YTPY Coordinator, Akeem Ogunseni, at the presentation of Award Certificate ceremony in Lagos... on Tuesday

In Three Months, Bandits Killed 214 People, Abducted 746 in Kaduna

The Kaduna State Government has disclosed that 214 people were killed while 746 others were abducted by bandits from January to March 2023.

Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed thisyesterday while presenting the first quarter of 2023 security report to Governor Nasir El-Rufai, at the Government House, Kaduna.

The report showed that Kaduna central senatorial district recorded the highest number of casualty with 115 deaths followed by Kaduna South and Kaduna North senatorial districts with 61 and 38 deaths respectively.

The report also indicated that of

the 746 people kidnapped, Kaduna central senatorial district accounted for 492 victims followed by Kaduna south senatorial district with 221 while 33 people were abducted in Kaduna north senatorial district.

Receiving the report, El-Rufai said, the state government did its best to prevent the sad incidents “through institutional measures and pragmatic actions.”

He appealed for intense security operations over the remaining 39 days of the current administration and beyond to ensure that, “the change of baton at the federal level does not result in a dangerous lull that criminal outlaws can exploit.”

According to him, “These measures include persistent pressures on the federal government to launch

comprehensive and sustained military operations against the terrorists and criminal elements that are menacing our people and their lives, liberty and livelihoods.

“There is every reason to intensify and sustain simultaneous ground and air kinetic actions across the seven frontline states of the Northwest region and Niger which have continuous and contiguous forest ranges and are most heavily impacted by this security challenge.”

The governor, who promised that the state government would continue to do everything within the powers of a state to ensure security, added: “We have invested considerable resources and energy in managing security to the extent that the Constitution of our nation

permits a subnational.

“Our interventions since 2015 include supporting the federal security agencies deployed in our state with vehicles and other logistics, collaborating with other frontline states to fund military operations in the 2015-2016 period and investments in security infrastructure and technology.

“The lessons learnt in the 20162019 period informed our decision to establish the first sub-national Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs at the beginning of our second-term in 2019.

“The mandate of the Ministry is to manage the state government’s relationship with the federal security agencies deployed in the state and to coordinate their activities

towards securing our people in an atmosphere of unprecedented challenges,” El-Rufai said.

He commended security agencies for constant collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs in securing the state.

El- Rufai also commended traditional and community leaders “for being the leading and influential anchors of peaceful coexistence and intelligence-gathering in our various urban and rural communities,” saying, “The security reports presented today are the last set I would be receiving as governor of Kaduna State.

“We would be passing the baton to Senator Uba Sani in 39 days.

I have no doubt that he would continue the engagements with the

federal government to decentralise policing, put more boots on the ground and significantly improve the equipment and technology deployed in the security sector.”

He, however, expressed concern over the failure of traditional rulers in Zangon Kataf Chiefdom to prevent youths from taking laws into their hands, saying action would be taken to send clear message to them in that regard.

“We note with concern the continued failure of traditional and community leaders in Zangon Kataf Chiefdom to prevent resort to self-help by recalcitrant youths, and assure you all that we will take some actions to send a message in this regard,” the governor said.

TINUBU: POLICE MUST INVESTIGATE ADAMAWA GUBER RERUN GIVEN ATTENDANT CONTROVERSY missioner, Dr. Baba Billa, presented the Certificate of Return to Fintiri and his deputy, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta, in Abuja.

Billa, who represented INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, also presented Certificates of Return to National Assembly members at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, while members of the state Houses of Assembly-elect were directed to contact the state offices of INEC for their certificates.

Lai Mohammed: Why Buhari Didn't Interfere in Adamawa Poll Crisis

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said President Muhammadu Buhari refused to intervene in the Adamawa State gubernatorial election crisis because it was not his style to micromanage any institution of government.

The minister said Buhari believed it was INEC’s duty to deal with the situation.

Answering questions from newsmen after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided by the vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, at the State House, Abuja, Mohammed claimed ignorance of any petition written to Buhari on the need to take action against Ari, whom he said was an employee of INEC.

Asked to give the reaction of the federal government to the matter, the minister said, "I don't think that this government has ever intervened in the way the Independent National Electoral Commission conducts its elections. So, there's no need for us to intervene. It was entirely an INEC matter and INEC handled it.

"The chairman of INEC is in charge of all employees at INEC and he's handling it. So, what do you want the government to do?”

On whether the president was disappointed by the attitude of the REC, Mohammed said, "The president does not micromanage any institution."

On INEC's alleged report to the appointing authority, the minister responded, "I think you go ask INEC. INEC handles all these businesses. Honestly, if I were you, I will ask INEC that question. You said INEC took certain steps, right; it’s in the context of INEC to so do.

“I'm not aware that there's a petition. It was not addressed to me. That's why I said your best bet is probably to ask INEC. You see, the president does not micromanage every institution. I think I'm the wrong person you are asking this question.”

Mohammed also explained why he accused the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, of committing treason, saying if his running mate had called for insurrection and he did not react, he was guilty as charged.

Explaining the accusation, which he made during a recent trip to the United States, Mohammed said, "What I said about Mr Peter Obi is very clear. I said Mr Peter Obi has every right to seek redress in court, like Labour Party. But nobody has the right to call for insurrection or to threaten to say that if the presidentelect is sworn in, that will be the end of democracy.

"That was precisely what the running mate of Mr Peter Obi said on live television. And I have not heard Peter Obi rein him in or correct him. So, if your running mate said something, of course, he is saying it on behalf of the party and that of the candidate.

"That's why it's an act of treason for anybody to say if a duly elected president in Nigeria is sworn in, that will be the end of democracy. It's treason for anybody to say if you

swear in a duly elected president, you're swearing-in the military. It is crazy. So, I don't see anything controversial in that."

Commenting on his recent media tour of the United States and United Kingdom, Mohammad said, "I went to the US to balance the skewed report about the just concluded elections and everywhere I went, I said unequivocally that the last general election in Nigeria has been most transparent and that despite the efforts of the opposition to de-legitmise or soil the elections.

"I stated there that two reasons why these elections were key were, one, that the use of technology, BVAS, made it difficult for anybody to do the usual thing before by over-voting, stuffing ballots and the rest because once it takes your biometrics, you can't vote twice. Secondly, the president, before the elections, promised that he would provide a level playing ground and he did.

“In the first instance, he did not confer any advantage on the ruling party and that is why, as far as we are concerned, we would rather lose the election than win at all costs. And the results showed it. The president lost the presidential election in his own state, Katsina.

“It has never happened before for the sitting president to lose in his own state. I went further to say that the president prevented anybody from using the security to rig elections. Of course, the last election was the least violent in the history of Nigeria."

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who also addressed the reporters, said he was not aware that the Comptroller General of Immigration, Idaho Jere Idris, had been removed.

Some reports had it that Immigration boss had been asked to leave office following the expiration of his initial one year extended tenure.

But when asked to clarify the matter, Aregbesola said, "It is Greek to me."

Fintiri's Victory is Triumph for Democracy, Says Elumelu

Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives congratulated Governor Ahmadu Fintiri on his victory at the just concluded governorship election. Leader of the caucus, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, expressed delight over the outcome of the poll, in a statement.

Elumelu said Fintiri’s re-election marked the triumph of the will of the people of the state in the exercise of their democratic right to choose their preferred leader in an election.

Describing the victory as a triumph for democracy, he urged Fintiri to remain focused and continue in his excellent delivery of service.

Elumelu stated, "From the results of the main election and the supplementary poll, it was clear that Governor Fintiri remains the clear choice of the people. His ultimate victory further proves that no matter how much falsehood, tyranny and manipulations appear to thrive, the truth will always prevail at the end of the day.

"The Minority Caucus again congratulates Governor Fintiri and urges him to remain focused and continue in his excellent delivery of service, particularly, his massive legacy infrastructural development projects and empowerment of citizens for which the people of Adamawa State overwhelmingly re-elected him as Governor."

NSCDC CG Summons Adamawa Commandant over Poll Debacle Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence

Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Abubakar Audi, summoned the Adamawa State Commandant of the Corps, Muhammad Bello, to their national headquarters of the organisation in Abuja, to explain the role he played in the just concluded election in the state.

A statement by the corps spokesman, Commandant Olusola Odumosu, yesterday, said it was in connection with the controversy surrounding the just concluded Adamawa State governorship supplementary election, where the corps was accused of complicity along with other security agencies.

The corps’ helmsman directed the state commandant to immediately hand over affairs of the command to his immediate subordinate to allow him time to provide the management of the corps with an explanation of the role he played in the exercise.

Audi emphasised that NSCDC was a non-partisan and non-political organisation that would not tolerate the involvement of personnel or any of its formations in political controversies, as widely alleged.

The statement quoted the NSCDC helmsman as saying, “I have summoned the state commandant to national headquarters to face the management team and explain himself in clear terms. We are known for our integrity, neutrality and non-partisanship in election matters, that is why we will not take the case of Adamawa lightly.

“I have ordered him to hand over the command to his immediate deputy because his role in the rerun election is currently being investigated and if he is found culpable, then he will have himself to blame.”

Sanwo-Olu Prays for Guidance, Progress as Tinubu Takes over May 29

Lagos State Governor, Babajide

Sanwo-Olu, Tuesday, led a special prayer session for the incoming administration of Bola Tinubu, supplicating for peaceful transfer of power and progress in the country.

Sanwo-Olu also committed his second term to God, seeking divine guidance in adequately addressing challenges confronting Lagos.

The prayer was held during the yearly Ramadan lecture organised by Lagos lesser Hajj pilgrims in Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where the governor was represented by the deputy governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat.

Dignitaries at the event held at Makarem Ajyad Hotels, included Chief Judge of Lagos, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba; Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. Anofiu Elegushi; Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Affairs, Hon. Abdullahi Ahmad; Chairman of Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Prince Tajudeen Olusi; Prince Rabiu Oluwa; and Chairman of Lagos Muslim Pilgrim Board, Alhaji AbdulGafar Mofesaiye.

Hamzat said Makkah remained the rallying point for the Muslims, noting that Muslim pilgrims from Lagos used the occasion of the spiritual journey to offer prayers for the country, Lagos and their fellow countrymen.

He said, “We believe prayers have been helpful for us to achieve our objectives and sustain our unity. In Lagos, we usually commit everything we do to prayer and God-willing, things have been really promising for us.”

Hamzat described Tinubu’s victory in the last general election as an “answered prayer” for Nigerians, stressing that the former Lagos State governor has comprehensive plans towards improving the conditions of the citizens.

John Shiklam in Kaduna

L-R: Director/Talent Leader for EY West Africa, Jane

IMPROVED OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY ON THEIR MINDS…

Police Arrest Woman for Allegedly Defrauding German Man of $220,000

Rebecca Ejifoma

The Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Ikoyi-Lagos, has arrested 21-year-old Cynthia Chioma Atuonah, for alleged fraudulent conversion, stealing, and obtaining $220,000 by pretence from a German man.

The Police Public Relations Officer for the Commissioner of Police Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi in Lagos, SP Yitayo Johnson disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday.

The suspect, a 2019-graduate of Economics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) and also claimed to be a model and proprietress of a Massage Spa known as The-Chi-Place, was said to have lured the 50-year-old victim on Instagram by feigning romantic intentions towards him, thereby gaining the victims’ trust and goodwill.

According to the statement, Atuonah promised to marry the victim, invited him to Nigeria for

You’re Home Makers, Nation Builders, Cleric Tells Women

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The President and General Overseer of the United Apostolic Church of Christ (UACC), Rev. James Owoyemi, has said that the role of women as home makers and nation builders could not be over emphasised.

Owoyemi stated this while speaking with journalists during the thanksgiving of the church’s maiden National Women Conference with the theme “Christian Family in Times Like This,” held at Oke-Ola, Powerline, Moniya, Ibadan.

He maintained that charity begins at home and said that women play significant roles in how their children turn out in future.

According to him, since children are regarded as leaders

of tomorrow, it is incumbent on parents, particularly mothers, to set them on the right path in order to be able to contribute their quota to nation building in future.

The cleric, who spoke on the topic: “Don’t Allow the Current Situation to Stop You from Taking Care of Your Mother,” reminded children on the need to have respect for their mothers, adding that “your inward estimation of your mother should be outwardly expressed at all times by your proper and respectful conduct toward her.”

He said: “God has nothing good to say in His Bible about the child who does not honor his mother. On the contrary, He has much bad to say and many dire pronouncements about the future of such children.”

Eid-el-Fitr: FG Declares Friday, Monday Public Holidays

The federal government yesterday declared Friday, April 21 and Monday, April 24 as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

This is contained in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Shuaib Belgore, said in a statement that the minister, Rauf Aregbesola, made the declaration in Abuja.

The minister congratulated Muslims for the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan, urging them to imbibe the virtues of kindness, love, tolerance, self-denial and sacrifice as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

“The self-restrain, self-denial, sacrifice and deep spiritual consciousness that accompanied the fasting period should not end but be maintained and improved

visits on several occasions, and then convinced him to relocate permanently to Nigeria to live together as husband and wife.

“In a ploy to dispel suspicion, the victim was made to meet with

Atuonah Chiomas’ parents at IkotAbasi, Akwa Ibom State, where he received their blessings to marry their daughter,” the statement read in part.

Atuonah was also said to

have convinced the victim to return to Germany to sell his house in Stuttgart and forward the proceeds of the sale, together with his pension and life savings, to her domiciliary account in Fidelity

Bank Plc to buy a house in Nigeria where they would both live as husband and wife as well as to establish a joint business outfit as indicated in the bank transfer narration.

Uzodimma: Govt ‘ll Help Implement Imo Charter of Equity

Governor Hope Uzodimma has promised that the government under his watch would religiously help to implement the recent Imo Charter of Equity as proposed and endorsed by the Imo State Council of Elders at its first quarterly meeting held recently.

The Governor gave the assurance when he received in audience a delegation of the Imo Elders Council

led by the Chairman, HRM Eze (Dr.) Cletus Ilomuanya, in Owerri yesterday.

According to a statement, members of the Imo Elders Council had come to formally present to the Governor the communique on the outcome of their meeting with regard to the Imo State Charter of Equity, and to also present to him their choice, Chief Emmanuel

Iwuanyanwu, as the replacement for the late President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof George Obiozor.

Uzodimma thanked the elders for proposing and adopting the Charter of Equity which he strongly believes “is a road map towards political stability, peace and inclusiveness of all the zones in Imo State.”

He said he was convinced that

Imo Charter of Equity will ensure equity, help douse political tensions and ensure peace and promised to help to ensure it is applied to the letter.

“The Charter of Equity is not intended to muscle the political ambition of any person, rather it is to ensure harmony, peace and it will enlarge the political space for all,” he said.

Two Remanded for Allegedly Killing Colleague over N65,000 Theft in Kwara

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

A Magistrate Court in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, has remanded Mr. Olasunkanmi Olarewaju (aka Abore) and Mr. Adeniyi Juwon ( aka Jboy) for allegedly beating one Abiodun Oyinloye to death for allegedly stealing N65,000.

They were dragged to court on a two-count charge of

criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide contrary to Sections 97 and 221 of the penal code.

According to the Police First Information Report (FIR), “On April 9, 2023, at about 0700hrs, one Olasunkanmi Olarewaju aka Abore ‘m’ called him on the phone that he (Olarewaju) and Juwon have killed Abiodun Oyinloye ‘m’ for stealing his N65,000.

“Immediately, police action led to the arrest of Olarewaju and Juwon of different addresses in Omu-aran town.

“During discreet investigation conducted at SCID in Ilorin, it was revealed that you Olarewaju conspired with Juwon and attacked Oyinloye for stealing sixty-five thousand naira being the proceed of dried leave suspected to be Indian hemp

which you were selling.

“It was further revealed that you, Olarewaju, after you and Juwon killed Oyinloye you concealed the deceased body in a room within his compound.

“During investigation, you Olarewaju and Juwon both confessed to have conspired together to beat Oyinloye till death for stealing N65, 000.”

Angry Mob Kills Tricycle Operator for Stabbing Man to Death in Bayelsa

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

There was pandemonium in Okaka area in Yenagoa metropolis as angry mob beat a Keke (tricycle rider) to death after he allegedly stabbed his passenger to death over minor argument of N50.

The incident, which happened at the Saptex

junction of the ever busy Mbiama-Yenagoa road at about 5pmyesterday, caused heavy gridlock at the expressway, with many people running for safety as the mob moved towards the Amarata axis.

The Keke rider, who is said to from the Northern part of the country reportedly stabbed the young man in his lower

abdomen and attempted to flee before he was apprehended by the mob. He was subsequently beaten to death and his body set on fire when they found out that the man he stabbed has given up the ghost.

The Bayelsa State Police Command has to deployed Anti Riot squad to restore

normalcy as youths were mobilising to storm places occupied by Northerners in the state capital.

In a statement by the Command’s Spokesman, Asinim Butswat, the Command condemned the action of the tricycle rider and appealed to members of the community to be calm.

upon.

“This is for you to be a better person and true worshiper,” he said.

He gave assurance that President Muhammadu Buhari was fully committed to peaceful transition of government following successful elections.

He also assured Nigerians of government’s commitment to the provision of security for the lives and property of every citizen as well as foreigners in the country.

The minister commended security agencies on the successes recorded in the fight against criminals across the country, urging Nigerians to be part of the nation’s security architecture by being vigilant.

He pointed out that security was everybody’s responsibility.

10th

Assembly:

Adedayo AkinwaleinAbuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Integrity Group has called on the leadership of the party to rise to the occasion by putting proper structure and machinery in motion to ensure acceptable zoning formula and the emergence of the right leadership in the 10th National Assembly.

Group Charges APC on Zoning Formula

The group in a statement issued yesterday and jointly signed by its Coordinator, Malam Dawu Mohammed and Secretary, Chisom Nwakanma, said the ruling party must prove to Nigerians that it was capable of taking care of the people through robust legislations and execution of public-interest policies.

The group said: “For our party,

the APC, we call on the leadership to rise to the occasion, and to remember that it is not enough to win the presidency, and to have a majority of lawmakers in the Senate and House of Representatives.

“To do this, it is time to set the proper structure and machineries in motion. First, we must put the right leadership at the National

Assembly.”

The group said this was not just to give the necessary impetus to the realization of the campaign promises made, but to ensure stability, focus, progress and a robust legislative machinery to oil the wheel of the country’s social, economic, political, security, and other vital sectors, in the years ahead.

Police Arrest 42 Suspected Cultists in Two Weeks in Lagos

The police operatives in Lagos State have arrested no fewer than 42 suspected cultists in different parts of the state in the last two weeks.

The Commissioner of Police (CP) in the command, Idowu Owohunwa, disclosed this yesterday while parading the

suspects before newsmen in Ikeja.

Owohunwa said that the suspects were arrested after he distributed the tactical operatives from the command headquarters to different police divisions, cultism was commonly mentioned.

He said the suspects were arrested in Ikorodu, Ijora and

Ebute-Metta area of the state, while 10 arms, 13 cartridges, knives and assorted charms were recovered from them.

The police boss said many persons were arrested during the raids, stressing that after thorough screening, the police found hard evidence against

them to be culpable of cultism.

Owohunwa said that cultism had been identified as one of the major security challenges in the state, stressing that investigations revealed that the suspects used semi automatic and automatic shotguns to bring tears and sorrow to innocent people.

Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Council, Gbenga Komolafe(left), and Chairman, Independent Petroleum Producers Group and Waltersmith, Abdulrazaq Isa, at the sixth edition of the Nigeria International Energy Summit held in Abuja…recently

EKITI VARSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION VISITS OYEBANJI…

L-R: Chairman, Board of Trustees, Ekiti State University (EKSU) Alumni Association, Dr. Wale Jegede; Secretary to Ekiti State Government/ EKSU alumnus, Dr. (Mrs) Habibat Adubiaro; Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji; Gloabl President EKSU

Killer Police Officer Dismissed, Remanded, to Face Trial in Delta

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba and Sylvester Idowu inWarri

A Magistrate Court in Asaba, the Delta State capital, yesterday ordered that a dismissed police officer be remanded in connection with the alleged shooting to death of a phone dealer, Mr. Onyeka Ibe, at a checkpoint mounted by a stop-and-search team of police on Ugbolu-Illah Road two weeks ago.

Following the reported killing of

Ibe by Inspector Ubi Ebri attached to the Area Command Asaba Patrol Team on April 5, 2023, the State Police Command had ordered an orderly room trial at the command headquarters in Asaba.

The state police authorities subsequently announced the dismissal of the accused on April 18, 2023, promising to charge him to court the next day.

The state Police Public Relations

IPPG Pledges Partnership for Growth of Oil and Gas Industry

Yetunde Bello

The Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) has pledged to continue to partner with relevant industry stakeholders towards the growth and development of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

The Chairman of the IPPG, Mr. Abdulrazaq Isa, stated this at the 6th edition of the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2023 recently held in Abuja.

According to a statement issued yesterday, he said: “The year 2023 promises to be a very important year for ourindustry; not only will our dear country be witnessing a political transition come May 2023, but we shall begin to see numerous changes across the entire oil and gas value chain.”

He explained that IPPG has an important role to play going

forward and is best placed to ensure the optimal development of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources as its members have demonstrated financial and technical capability to develop the country’s hydrocarbon resources, with proven appetite for supporting the government’s energy security vision through building a broader value-adding midstream and downstream businesses.

Meanwhile, the group has called on the incoming administration to address the bottlenecks mitigating against industry growth and energy security.

“The administration’s agenda for the industry should be geared toward improving investor confidence through the effective implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and strengthening regulatory institutions,” Isa said.

NYSC Begins Free Medical Services in Sokoto

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has commenced free medical services targeting at least 500 residents of Sifawa community in Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

THISDAY gathered that the medical outreach exercise is taking place under the NYSC’s Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD).

The state NYSC Coordinator, Alhaji Usman Yakubu-Yaro, said the outreach was to reach at least 500 members of the community with free treatment and other healthcare talk Yakubu-Yaro said ailments to be attended to include malaria, typhoid, hypertension, diarrhea, cholera, diabetes, among others.

According to him, “Any other ailment that cannot be

Officer (PPRO), Bright Edafe, a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), who disclosed this to journalists in Asaba, stated that the court ordered the suspect’s remand in prison custody at the

meantime.

However, Edafe noted that there was need for members of the public to know the actions so far carried out by the command on the matter with the state police

boss promising that the matter would not be swept under the carpet but openly prosecuted.

The PPRO said: “The Command wishes to inform members of the public as promised

that the said Police Inspector has been dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) after the conclusion of the orderly room trial at the state headquarters in Asaba.

Man Jailed Two Years for Stealing a Tuber of Yam in Niger

Laleye Dipo in Minna

A 30-year-old man, Mr. Mande Zaki, of Kuta in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, has been sentenced to spend two years in the Minna Correctional Centre for stealing a tuber of yam.

In addition, Zaki is to spend another one month jail term or

pay N1000 fine for trespass.

The sentences were pronounced by Chief Magistrate Aishatu Loko Ibrahim after an encounter between Zaki and the Niger State Chief Judge, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik, who was on a prison decongestion exercise of correctionl centres.

Justice Abdulmalik had been

told that Zaki was awaiting trial for stealing and criminal trespass, an offence the convict owned up to. Zaki told the Chief Judge when asked if he actually stole “yams” that “it is true that I stole a tuber of yam because I was seriously hungry.

“I stole one yam from the place when I went to search for

my goat. This is the first time I am getting involved in this kind of problem. I have never stolen anything before. I was hungry and this pushed me to steal the yam, please have mercy on me.” But Justice Abdulmalik asked the chief magistrate to “summarily” try Zaki, which led to his conviction.

Kidney Transplant: Ohanaeze Ndigbo Appeals to UK for Mercy for Ekweremadus

Sunday Okobi

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has written to the United Kingdom (UK) Government through the Chief Clerk of the Central Criminal Court in London, appealing for mercy in the sentencing of Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Lady Beatrice, in the kidney transplant case in the UK.

The Igbo apex group, through

Two

handled by the Corps’ Medical Volunteers would be referred to a more competent hospital for treatment.”

He said a team of NYSC medical corps members comprising medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other auxiliary health personnel, were deployed for the exercise.

Yakubu-Yaro explained that the exercise was part of the visions of the NYSC DirectorGeneral, Brig. General Yusha’u Ahmad, to support vulnerable families, especially in the rural settlements.

The coordinator also said the programme was established in 2014 among other reasons; utilised NYSC’s medical personnel as volunteer agents in the provision of healthcare services for rural communities.

the Chairman, Council of Elders of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel lwuanyanwu, in the letter of appeal for mercy for the Ekweremadus, stated that the group believes in the supreme worth of the individual, in his right to life and liberty and pursuit of happiness, as well as the belief in the sacredness of human life and human right.

“I am therefore, in sympathy with

the case of Mr. David Nwamini, who was taken to the UK for a kidney transplant, appealing for mercy.

“Ekweremadu must have learnt a lesson from this painful experience. We will appreciate it if a prerogative of mercy is extended to him and his wife, even if for the sake of their daughter who is ill, who would still need their support and parental love to survive this difficult time in her

life. Please, accept the assurances of my highest esteem.”

The letter stated that the Ohanaeze Ndigbo is aware of the legal issues involving one of its illustrious sons, Ekweremadu, and his wife, Beatrice, adding that “Ekweremadu is one of our illustrious members. From my contact with him, he is intelligent, patriotic, and kind; please temper justice with mercy.”

Persons Dead in Perimetre Wall Collapse in Abuja

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Two persons were pronounced dead yesterday after a perimeter fence of a building collapsed on the site workers at Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent in Wuse 2, Abuja.

The Director-General Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Abbas Idriss,

confirmed the incident.

While giving accounts of what transpired, Idriss said the emergency agency received a distress call at about 10 a.m. that there was a building collapse in the affected part of the FCT.

He said when its rescue team got to the scene, they discovered that it was a perimeter wall that was inadvertently breached that

fell on the artisans working on a building still at foundational level.

He said six persons were evacuated from the debris with two persons confirmed dead on the spot.

The four persons, who sustained varying degrees of injuries, were rushed to Asokoro General Hospital where they

were receiving treatment. According to him, “The uncompleted building was not the one that collapsed, rather it was the fence of a building close to it. What happened was that they (contractors) excavated deep into the foundation of the fence of the building housing the bank and caused the wall to fall on them.

A’Ibom Gov Gives Reason for Developing Rural Communities

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has stated that rural communities in the state will continue to reap the dividends of their support to his administration and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with more rural development projects

to be unveiled.

The governor gave the assurance yesterday while inaugurating a 3.5km Afaha Iman-Leprosy Hospital road completed with a 0.715Km outfall drainage in Etinan Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, “The reason we are concentrating

on inaugurating community rural roads within this period is to make two categorical statements-to show the world that we have kept out promise that in our second term, our concentration will be a lot on rural development and today, this is one of those outcomes. Secondly, it is to come back to

the community to tell them thank you with projects launch.”

Emmanuel said the Ekpene Obom Leprosy Hospital in Etinan Local Government Area established by the Qua Iboe Church since 1927 was of great significance being among the first generation mission hospitals in the state.

Kogi Judiciary Uncovers Syndicate Behind Issuance of Fake Enrolment Orders

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

Following the anti-fraud mechanism put in place by the Chief Judge of Kogi State, Hon. Justice Josiah Joe Majebi, to sanitise the state judiciary, especially the High Court of Justice, the state

judiciary has uncovered the syndicate behind issuance of fake enrolment orders.

This move was in line with the vision of the Council of Judges of the state, and has begun to yield unprecedented results as hitherto underground dealings

are beginning to be uncovered in the high court system.

Justice Majebi is not taking lightly the discovery that has just been made of a syndicate behind the issuance of court Enrolment Orders to the public, and has directed that the culprits be investigated

by the police.

Preliminary investigations has revealed that that Court Enrolment Orders were being issued without passing through the required process of formal application to the court for issuance of same by recipients.

Alumni Association,Mr. Dipo Bamisaye, and a national officer, Chief Kemini Doubra, during a visit by the leadership of EKSU Alumni Association to the governor in Ado- Ekiti…recently

Inter Set up Milan Derby Champions League S’final

Man City beat Bayern aggregate 5-3 to face holders Madrid

Duro Ikhazuagbe with agency report

Inter defeated Benfica aggregate 5-3 yesterday to set up a Milan Derby in the Champions League semi-finals.

The un-replied two goals the Italian side scored in the first leg

in Lisbon saved Simone Inzaghi wards from exiting the competition as Benfica fought a bruising battle at San Siro to hold Inter 3-3 in the second leg of the quarter final last night.

Earlier on Tuesday, AC Milan had snatched the other ticket to

the semi final from Napoli at the Diego Maradona Stadium with an aggregate 2-1 victory over Victor Osimhen’s Napoli.

As he did in the first leg, Nicolo Barella gave Inter the lead with an excellent finish, before Fredrik Aursnes equalised for the visitors

with a powerful header before half-time.

Lautaro Martinez put Inter back in front, before substitute Joaquin Correa added another with a fine effort, though late goals from Antonio Silva and Petar Musa meant Roger Schmidt's men at least ended their

recent losing run with the 3-3 draw scoreline.

Elsewhere last night, Manchester City set up a Champions League semi-final clash with holders Real Madrid as Erling Haaland's goal ended Bayern Munich's hopes of a comeback.

Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel felt his side needed a miracle to go through after losing the first leg 3-0 - and they squandered plenty of opportunities to get back into the game.

Haaland made them pay as he lashed home a shot into the top corner to cap off a swift counterattack, 15 seconds after Ederson had saved Kingsley Coman's shot at the other end.

That was the Norwegian's 48th goal for City this season, but he could have reached that figure earlier in the game but blazed over a penalty after a Dayot Upamecano handball.

Just like in the first leg last week, Upamecano - who was also beaten easily for the 57th-minute goal - had a nightmare.

The French centre-back was

UCL

shown a red card early in the game for a professional foul on Haaland, but it was overturned because the City striker was offside.

Joshua Kimmich scored an 83rdminute penalty for Bayern after a harsh handball decision against Manuel Akanji, but the German champions were never going to find three more goals in the last seven minutes as the game ended aggregate 4-1.

Drogba Sad, Says I Don’t Recognise My Club Chelsea

Lautaro Martinez celebrating scoring Inter Milan’s second goal as the Italian Serie A club defeated Benfica aggregate 5-3 to qualify for the semi final of the UEFA Champions League last night

Rivers Utd Battle Enyimba in Star Match of Round of 64

Nigeria’s only remaining flag-bearers in African club competitions this year, Rivers United FC will be up against two-time CAF Champions League winners Enyimba FC of Aba in what is indisputably the star match of Round of 64 of this year’s Federation Cup competition.

The ‘Pride of Rivers’ host Tanzania’s Young Africans in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup fixture in Uyo on Sunday, and will then have the clash with Enyimba FC as vintage preparatory match for the return leg in Dar es Salaam.

At the draw held inside the NFF Secretariat on Wednesday, Akwa United FC were drawn to play Wikki Tourists of Bauchi in another big game, just as multi-title winners Rangers International of Enugu will take on Adamawa United FC.

Heartland FC of Owerri have been drawn to play Jedo FC of Sokoto while Kogi United square up to Mailantarki FC of FCT.

The women’s Round of 32 fixtures were also drawn yesterday, with Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt up against Golden Sun of Bayelsa State and Naija Ratels of FCT to play Adamawa Queens

All Round of 64 matches in the men’s competition and Round of 32 matches in the women’s competition will hold on Wednesday, 26 April. The Round of 32 matches in the men’s competition have been scheduled for Wednesday, 3 May, with the Round of 16 on Wednesday, 10 May. Quarter final matches are to take place on Wednesday, 17 May.

The semi-finals of both competitions will come up on Wednesday, 24 May with the men’s and women’s grand finale on Saturday, 27 May.

ALL THE ROUND OF 64 FIXTURES (MEN)

Heartland FC (Imo) vs Jedo FC (Sokoto)

Bayelsa Utd (Bayelsa) Vs Essien Ayi FC (Cross River)

Ahudiya FC (Abia) Vs Jigawa Golden Stars (Jigawa)

ABS FC (Kwara) Vs Bendel Insurance FC (Edo)

Standard FC (Kaduna) Vs Ekiti Utd (Ekiti)

FC Basira (Nasarawa) Vs Sunshine Stars (Ondo)

EFCC FC (FCT) Vs Katukan Tsafe FC (Zamfara)

Wikki Tourists (Bauchi) Vs Akwa Utd FC (Akwa Ibom)

Warri Wolves (Delta) Vs Beyond Limit FC (Ogun)

3SC (Oyo) Vs Adamimogo FC (Ondo)

Mighty Jets (Plateau) Vs Niger Tornadoes Feeders (Niger)

Malumfashi FC (Katsina) Vs Gombe Utd (Gombe)

Osun Utd (Osun) Vs Katsina Utd (Katsina)

Bendel Insurance Feeders (Edo) Vs Maikunkele FC (Niger)

Cynosure FC (Ebonyi) Vs Kano Pillars Jnr (Kano)

Lobi Stars (Benue) Vs FC One Rocket (Akwa Ibom)

Jama Utd (Zamfara) Vs Plateau Utd (Plateau)

Rivers Utd (Rivers) Vs Enyimba FC (Abia)

Ingas FC (Enugu) Vs Novia FC (Adamawa)

El-Kanemi Warriors (Borno) Vs De Cardinal FC (Rivers)

Nasarawa Utd (Nasarawa) Vs Kebbi Utd (Kebbi)

DMD FC (Borno) Vs ABJ FC (Bauchi)

Ikorodu City (Lagos) Vs Crusader FC (Bayelsa)

Gateway Utd (Ogun) Vs Kwara Utd (Kwara)

FC Ebedei (Ekiti) Vs Hope of Glory FC (Cross River)

Yobe Desert Stars (Yobe) Vs Igbajo FC (Osun)

Adamawa Utd (Adamawa) Vs Rangers Int’l (Enugu)

Ilaji FC (Oyo) Vs Kano Pillars (Kano)

Green Berets FC (Kaduna) Vs FR Ebunuja (Imo)

Ozalla FC (Anambra) Vs Doma Utd (Gombe)

Kogi Utd Feeders (Kogi) Vs Edel FC (Anambra)

Mailantarki FC (FCT) Vs kogi United (Kogi)

Rainstorm Wreak Havoc at National Stadium in Lagos

Duro Ikhazuagbe

The rain storm that swept through Lagos yesterday brought down one of the floodlight poles at the 51-year old National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

Eye witnesses at the National Stadium told THISDAY that there were no casualties from the crashing of the mighty floodlight pole.

A staff of one of the National Sports Associations dotting the Sportscity said that it was the grace of God that there were no human beings and cars parked near the site of the crashed pole.

“As the rain became heavy, we had to seek refuge in the Squash Association building. We were waiting for the rains to subside when suddenly we saw one of the floodlight pole crashing down. But thank God there was nobody near where the pole fell,” observed the staff who gave his name simply

as Sunny.

The National Stadium in Lagos which has been in the news for the wrong reasons for weeks now used to be the pride of sports loving Nigerians. For years, the complex was abandoned to rot away.

It took the intervention of outgoing Sports Minister, Chief Sunday Dare to get billionaire sports betting company owner, Chief Kessington Adebutu, to adopt the main-bowl pitch for repairs.

Following losing run of Chelsea in the on-going season and exit on Tuesday from the UEFA Champions League, former team striker, Didier Drogba, has said that he does not "recognise the club" compared with when he played at Stamford Bridge. Drogba won 12 major honours between 2004 and 2012 under previous owner Roman Abramovich, whose generous backing turned the Blues into serial trophy winners following his takeover in 2003.

The 56-year-old was forced to sell the club last year after he was sanctioned by the UK government over alleged links to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"It is not the same club anymore," Drogba, 45, told Canal+. "I don't recognise my club. There is a new owner and a new vision.

"We try to compare with what was done under the Abramovich era, where there were many acquisitions of players, but the choices were very intelligent.

"Bringing in players like Petr Cech, Andriy Shevchenko, Hernan Crespo, Michael Essien, Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, and I go on. It was to win titles and they are players who already

have some experience. Here the strategy is different, they bet on young players.

"I think they certainly lack charismatic players and leaders. It needs players who take responsibility."

Former Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast: "Under Abramovich, 90% of the players coming in needed to perform straight away. And if you don't, you are out.

"Now there is a group of players who arrived in January, except perhaps Enzo (Fernandez) and Joao Felix, that look like they are more for the future.

"The future is what, next year? Two years? Chelsea fans are not used to waiting."

Speaking before Tuesday's match against Real, Frank Lampard dismissed suggestions the club is "broken", though he admitted they are "not where we want to be".

Speaking after the game the former midfielder added: "There are probably reasons for the transition. We can't be too short-term with it.

"People will make a lot out of this season for Chelsea because we've had so much success. The reality is that this club is going to be back."

Eight Persons to Stand Trial Over Maradona’s Death

An Argentine appeals court yesterday confirmed that eight health professionals will stand trial over their alleged role in the death of football legend Diego Maradona, ESPN reports.

As requested by prosecutors, the eight are accused of “simple homicide with wanton disregard” and could face between eight and 25 years in jail if found guilty.

Maradona died on Nov. 25, 2020, aged 60 from heart failure after he had undergone brain surgery earlier that month. An autopsy revealed that Maradona died in his sleep of acute pulmonary edema, a buildup of fluid in the lungs, because of congestive heart failure.

After a unanimous decision not to dismiss the case, the San Isidro Board of Appeals confirmed

on Tuesday that neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov and six other health workers, all involved in Maradona’s medical care, will be tried.

The date of the trial has yet to be set but is expected to start in 2024.

Carlos Fabian Blanco, one of the judges of the San Isidro appeals court, said that there was enough evidence brought forward by the prosecutors for the eight health professionals to stand trial.

Nursing coordinator Mariano Perroni, nurses Ricardo Omar Almiron and Gisella Madrid, psychologist Carlos Diaz, medical coordinator Nancy Forlini and clinical doctor Pedro Di Spagna will also be tried.

Remains of the collapsed floodlight after the rainstorm at the National Stadium in Lagos...yesterday

Yomi Awoniyi to Abdul Ningi

“About158delegateswhoemergedfromthestateadhoccongressofMarch29werereplaced bytheSenatorAbdulNingiCongressCommitteeworkinginconcertwith(Dino)Melaye’s enablerswithinthepartyhierarchyatthehighestlevel.Togiftanyaspirantatotalof158 votesinacontestfor739votesinvolvingeightaspirantsisfraudulent,duplicitous,sinful,and unwholesomebecauseitconfersundueadvantageonthefavouredaspirant”—formerKogi deputygovernoraccusingPDPofriggingtheprimariesforMelaye

Adamawa: When the Umpire Goes Rogue

Residents of Yola woke up last Sunday morning to the announcement of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Aisha Binani as ‘winner’ of the Adamawa State gubernatorial election. It didn’t matter to the errant Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Hudu Yunusa Ari, that the results were still being collated as of the time he made his pronouncement. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was quick to suspend Ari and reported him to the Inspector General of Police for possible prosecution and the president for further disciplinary action. The commission has also concluded the results tabulation and announced the incumbent Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the real winner of the election.

As unfortunate as the Adamawa debacle may seem, this is not the first time we have witnessed the sordid scenario of electoral officials going rogue. That nobody has ever been punished for it perhaps explains why the problem has festered in a nation where citizens have come to accept that there are no consequences for bad behaviour. During the 2019 presidential and national assembly elections, INEC sacked one of its collation officers, (name withheld) assigned to Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State. The professor of physics at the University of Jos had attempted to abscond without declaring the results but was apprehended by some youths who forced him back to the collation centre.

“We had to remove him because he was drunk and could not perform the assignment,” the then Head, Voter Education, of INEC in Plateau, Mr. Osaretin Imahiyereobo, told the media. “We are waiting for him to come to Jos and explain why he behaved the way he did,’’ he added. By the time the professor was forced back, he could only give a cock and bull story of why he needed to visit a friend. I am not aware that he has responded to the allegation of being drunk and is probably still at the university.

Perhaps the most controversial electoral fiasco to date remains the ‘resignation’ in 2009 of the then Ekiti REC, Mrs Olusola Ayoka Adebayo during the conduct of a court-ordered supplementary gubernatorial election in the state. In the letter, dated 28th April 2009 addressed to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (who only read about it in the media), Mrs. Adebayo caused a crisis by absconding from duty during collation of results. “Unfortunately, the circumstances changed in the middle of the process; therefore, my conscience as a Christian cannot allow me to further participate in the process” she wrote in the letter she gave the media. I detailed that episode in my book, ‘Power, Politics and Death: A front-row account of Nigeria under the late President Yar’Adua’, because I was caught in the crossfire of the dirty intrigues.

The challenge of course must be located in the desperation of our politicians who will do anything for power. During the 2019 general election, the returning officer for Imo West Senatorial District said he had been detained at the collation centre for days while announcing the results. “My name is Ibeabuchi Izuchukwu Innocent, a professor at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), the returning officer for Imo West (Orlu) senatorial zone. I have been held hostage here for days so I’m trying to ease off and take my life home back to my children and for the sake of that I am calling these results under duress,” the returning officer said, as he announced the name of then outgoing Governor, Rochas Okorocha of the ruling APC

as winner. For securing electoral victory under duress, INEC withheld Okorocha’s certificate of return. He approached the Federal High Court which ruled that the commission had no such powers before he received his certificate of return. But to forestall such brazen acts of brigandage in future elections, a new enactment (Section 65 of Electoral Act, 2022) now empowers INEC to review results. That clause may have saved the day in the Adamawa debacle.

Meanwhile, an issue often ignored is that RECs are appointed by the president and given the little that I know from another life, they are primarily nominees of connected people, including those in the ruling party. And because of that, many of the RECs see themselves as untouchable.

I don’t know how the suspended Adamawa REC got his job, but Ari is a lawyer and retired permanent secretary from the Bauchi State civil service who has also attended the Executive Course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS). He was one of the 19 RECs sworn-in last November.

Like some of the new RECs, I understand that Ari came with a mindset, probably aided and abetted by those who nominated him for the job. The same people may also have given him assurances of protection from any transgression in his assignment. Since the supplementary process

began, Ari, according to INEC sources, has failed to respond to any official correspondence from the commission’s headquarters in Abuja. That Ari had support in what he was doing could be seen from the way the withdrawn Commissioner of Police for Election Security, Mohammed Barde, aided a brazen violation of the law. One of the security personnel who assisted Ari was also seen on television wearing a face mask, ostensibly to disguise his identity.

Even when a total of 15 political parties contested the Adamawa State gubernatorial election, Ari made it appear as if it was between only the APC and PDP. And last Sunday, he offered no details about accredited observers or breakdown of results before pronouncing his choice of next governor for Adamawa State. Although Ari was invited to appear at the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Monday, I confirmed last night that he was yet to show up, perhaps afraid the commission would order his immediate arrest. But everything appears to have been well choreographed. Accompanied by security officials, Ari swiftly flew out of Yola in a private jet the moment he pronounced Binani as ‘governor-elect’ last Sunday morning (I have the video evidence). Who paid for the jet? That the purported winner gave an “acceptance speech” immediately after the declaration by the suspended REC is very telling.

The swift suspension of the results collation by INEC saved Adamawa State from descending into violence. However, the REC must be held to account for his action. As Reuben Abati argued in his column, ‘Supplementary elections and the debacle in Adamawa’ on Tuesday, Ari is liable for prosecution given specific penalties dealing with electoral offences in the Electoral Act, 2022. Section 120(4) which prescribes imprisonment for a term of three years applies to Ari: “Any person who announces or publishes an election result knowing same to be false or which is at variance with the signed certificate of return commits an offence and is liable on conviction or imprisonment for a term of 36 months.”

Since a signed certificate of return will now be issued to Fintiri by INEC, Ari has infringed on this provision by his fraudulent declaration of Binani as winner.

INEC has taken decisive steps by concluding the process as provided by law and reporting Ari to the IGP for investigation and possible prosecution, and to the president for further action which should be instant termination of his appointment. The commission has also withdrawn the delegated powers that RECs exercise under the Third Schedule, Part I, 15(h) to the constitution and warned Ari to stay away from its Yola office. In any case, it would be suicidal for him to even contemplate going back to the state after such misadventure. Ari has thus effectively ended his career in INEC.

Now to Binani. On Tuesday, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released a report on the decline of female participation in politics and decision-making in Nigeria. No woman has ever been appointed as secretary to the government of the federation despite constituting almost half of the country’s population. No woman has been elected president, vice president or governor. “Female ministers appointed in 2018 were six and in 2019, only seven were among the 43 appointed ministers,” according to the NBS report which examined female representations within the three arms of government. “The years 2018 and 2019 have the same figure of seven women and 72 men as principal officers (in the National Assembly). Only nine women out of 106 members of the House of Representatives occupied principal positions in 2019.”

Given such lopsidedness in the distribution of political opportunities, it was no surprise that many Nigerians were rooting for Binani to win the gubernatorial election in Adamawa State. But not in the manner she elected to do it. I have been told by some of her friends that Binani is suffering from a vicious campaign of calumny from Fintiri and his supporters. That may well be true. I have also read Binani’s rebuttal to the allegation that she bribed the REC and other INEC officials. In the absence of any proof to the contrary we should believe her. But there is only one way to interpret her part in this sordid drama: She has only inverted the positive cliché that “what a man can do, a woman can do even better” into something negative: “what a man can do, a woman can do even worse”.

The male dominated politics of Nigeria has been about desperation for power at all costs. By shopping for an order ex-parte in Abuja to restrain INEC from concluding the electoral process in Adamawa, Binani has shown that the do-or-die mentality among our politicians is in their DNA, irrespective of gender. That’s why we must commend the judiciary for not abetting the brazen illegality. If Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja had granted Binani’s request, Adamawa would have been boiling today. But the man who should be held accountable is the suspended REC.

Since we live in a country where officials tend to believe their actions are beyond public scrutiny, I will not be surprised if Ari gets away with his infractions on the Adamawa election. But it would be a tragedy if he does. If a lawyer and retired permanent secretary who goes about with the mni lapel could engage in such a blatant attempt to manipulate an election, where lies the hope of the country? Security agencies must find out what motivated Ari to act in the way he did and seek out his accomplishes.

As I stated earlier, the Adamawa gubernatorial fiasco reminds me of a similar crisis during the 2009 court-ordered supplementary poll to conclude the Ekiti State gubernatorial election between then incumbent Governor Segun Oni of the then ruling PDP and Dr Kayode Fayemi of the opposition Action Congress (AC). For the benefit of interested readers, I have excerpted that section of my book because there are interesting parallels to draw.

Overall, if there is anything that has come out quite clearly from the misconduct of the suspended Adamawa REC, it is that in Nigeria today, both the codes of morality and the boundary between right and wrong have simply disappeared for many public officials. That is what should worry all of us.

NOTE: Please see page 14

By shopping for an order ex-parte in Abuja to restrain INEC from concluding the electoral process in Adamawa, Binani has shown that the do-or-die mentality among our politicians is in their DNA, irrespective of gender. That’s why we must commend the judiciary for not abetting the brazen illegality. If Justice Inyang Ekwo had granted Binani’s request, Adamawa would have been boiling today.

Binani