THURSDAY 19TH MAY 2022

Returning Ministers: Buhari to Determine Sylva, Ngige, Tallen's Fate, Says Mohammed Declares FG has no plan to ban Facebook FEC okays N169.7bn private sector investments in road Infrastructure Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has

the final say on the fate of members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) who decided to renounce

their political ambitions and remain in the cabinet, so says Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai

Mohammed.

Mohammed also disclosed that the federal government had no plan to

ban the social networking website, Facebook, in Nigeria over alleged biased reportage of happenings in

some parts of the country.

Continued on page 48

As Nigeria Struggles with Growing Commodity Prices, UK’s Inflation Hits 40-year High… Page 5 Thursday 19 May, 2022 Vol 27. No 9900. Price: N250

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FG Declines Consent to Seplat, Mobil Oil Producing Assets Acquisition Deal Obinna Chima The federal government declined its consent to the proposed acquisition of oil and gas assets belonging to Mobil Oil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU) by Seplat Energy.

The government among others, cited overriding national interest as one of the reasons for rejecting

the deal.

The Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr.

Gbenga Komolafe, stated these in two separate letters addressed to the Chairman/ Managing Director, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Mr. Richard Laing as well as the immediate past Chairman of Seplat Energy, Dr.

ABC Orjiako. Both letters obtained

by THISDAY yesterday, were dated May 13, 2022.

Seplat Energy had in February this year, announced its acquisition of oil and gas assets belonging to MPNU. But the deal was subject to Ministerial Consent and other required regulatory approvals.

However, few weeks after, it was reported that the Nigerian

National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited had opted to exercise its Right of First Refusal (RFR) on the sale of the assets, which then put a hold on the transaction.

But Komolafe in the letter stressed that regardless of the mode of the transaction, Mobil Oil still remains to all intents and purposes, the assignor of the asset

under the Nigerian law.

“We also note that MPNU failed to follow the procedure for assignments laid down in the Guidelines by not providing the requisite notices to the Commission at all relevant stages of the transaction. Even if the transaction has been between Seplat Energy Offshore Limited and the MPNU shareholders,

responsibility to ensure compliance with Nigerian laws, rules and regulations always remain that of MPNU, the entity that was awarded the assets.

“We regret to inform you that His Excellency, the Minister of Petroleum Resources has declined his consent to the transaction.

Continued on page 51

The 23 APC Members Seeking to Replace Buhari Story on page 48

Yemi Osinbajo

Ahmad Lawan

Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Ibikunle Amosun

Ogbonnaya Onu

Dave Umahi

Chukwuemeka Nwajuiba

Yahaya Bello

Godswill Akpabio

Tunde Bakare

Kayode Fayemi

Rotimi Amaechi

Ken Nnamani

Abubakar Badaru

Sani Yerima

Ben Ayade

2023: APC Implosion Imminent over Move to Keep Presidency in North, Party Chieftain Warns...Page 8

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

NEWS

BREAKFAST ROUNDTABLE HOSTED BY UNITED NATIONS...

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exchange Limited, Temi Popoola; Chief Executive Officer, Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base (LADOL), Amy Jadesimi; Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Laoye Jaiyeola; Founder, Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), Amina Oyagbola and Chief Compliance Officer/Company Secretary, Oando Plc, Ayotola Jagun, at the CEO Breakfast Roundtable hosted by United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria to commemorate the visit of Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer, United Nations Global Compact to Nigeria... on Tuesday

As Nigeria Struggles with Growing Commodity Prices, UK’s Inflation Hits 40-year High Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Inflation in the United Kingdom soared to an eye-watering 40-year high yesterday with fears things were only going to get worse as the government faces massive pressure to come up with cost-of-living aid.

The headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate rose to 9 per cent in April - up from 7 per cent in March and the peak since 1982, when Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister, the Falklands War was about to start, and unemployment was running at 3 million.

The Bank of England expects the annual rate will get even worse, peaking at 10.25 per cent during the final quarter of the year amid the biggest squeeze on incomes since

records began in the 1950s. That would be more than five times its 2 per cent target, the Daily Mail reported.

Inflation has long been seen as one of the biggest threats to economies. In extreme examples, it has spiralled out of control and sparked panic in several countries.

The German Weimar Republic effectively collapsed after the value of the mark went from around 90 marks to the US dollar in 1921 to 7,400 marks to the dollar in 1921.

In Zimbabwe between 2008 and 2009 the monthly inflation rate was estimated to have reached a mind-boggling 79.6billion per cent.

Although inflation has faded in the minds of Britons who have become used to ultra-low interest

rates and stable prices, it caused chaos in the country in the 1970s.

However, UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, insisted that 'countries around the world are dealing with rising inflation', and he 'stands ready' to offer further support to Britons - while stressing that he cannot 'protect people completely' from pain.

The skyrocketing UK inflation rate is happening as Nigeria’s own index rose to 16.82 per cent in April, recording the highest jump in eight months, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

But many Nigerians think that the figure could be higher, given Nigeria’s perceived penchant for interfering with official data.

Last month, the consumer price

index, which measures the rate of increase in the price of goods and services, jumped amid increases recorded in food and energy prices.

On Monday the Nigeria’s statistics bureau stated that yearon-year, the rate was 1.3 per cent points lower compared to 18.12 per cent recorded in April 2021.

However, the new annual rate was the highest since September 2021 (16.63 per cent).

According to the NBS, urban inflation rate increased to 17.35 per cent (year-on-year) in April 2022 from 18.68 percent recorded in April 2021, while the rural inflation rate increased to 16.32 percent in April 2022 from 17.57 percent in April 2021.

The urban index, it said, rose

to 1.78 per cent in April 2022, up by 0.02 from the rate recorded in March 2022 (1.76), while the rural index also rose to 1.74 per cent in April 2022, up by 0.01 from the rate that was recorded in March 2022 (1.73) per cent.

But in the UK, opposition parties are urging an emergency budget to slash Value Added Tax (VAT) and help struggling Britons who are 'on the brink'.

Experts warned that 'this is what Stagflation looks like', as the UK economy stalls and teeters towards recession after the pandemic and Ukraine war caused chaos.

Analysts said another interest rate hike next month is now 'inevitable', potentially to 1.25 per cent, as the Bank of England scrambles to stop

Osinbajo Laments Unprecedented Leakages in Tax System Says OEDC treaty will worsen revenue losses to Nigeria VP will consolidate on Buhari's projects, programmes if elected, supporters say James Emejo and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday said Nigeria was confronted with unprecedented leakages in tax administration.

He said the situation had threatened fiscal stability in all the tiers of government adding that the revenue leakage is not unconnected with corruption in the tax system.

The vice president spoke at the opening of the 24th Annual Tax Conference of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), themed, “Global Disruption and Digitisation: Implications for Socio-Economic Development.”

Osinbajo also warned that signing unto the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) corporate tax treaty would further, “compound the issue of leakages in our tax system”.

In October 2021, Nigeria rejected the tax agreement signed by 136 countries, to enforce a corporate tax rate of at least 15 per cent.

The countries agreed to the pact amid concerns that multinational companies were re-routing their profits through low tax jurisdictions to cut their bills. The measures were also part of efforts to take advantage of the emerging digital economy.

However, justifying the decision of the country not to endorse the

deal, Osinbajo said it would worsen leakages in tax administration.

Represented at the conference by the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Muhammad Nami, the VP said the conditions set out in the agreement would further shortchange the country of the needed revenues.

Yet, there had been growing concerns by experts that the country stands to benefit more by signing unto the agreement.

But the VP, while addressing the gathering of tax professional clarified that, “We didn’t sign not because we wanted to do it in our own way but one, you have a requirement that for you to be able to tax any digital player or any multinational enterprises globally, that company of enterprise must have annual turnover of $20 billion. That was the first concern.

“The second concern is the averaging mechanism. This $20 billion turnover is not just for the accounting year but for an average of three years. So that enterprise must make $20 billion for three consecutive years otherwise that enterprise would never pay in any country it operates in except to the country of origin.”

Continuing, he said, “Another key thing that caught our attention is that 20 per cent of this $20 billion must be generated in a country like Nigeria else, whatever business

that enterprise does in Nigeria, we cannot subject it to any tax in Nigeria.

“Above all, we should not forget our tax law. The minimum turnover you require as a business in Nigeria to be able to register with the FIRS and pay taxes in Nigeria today is just N25 million.

“And for somebody that makes less than 10 per cent of $20 billion which I believe is about $2 billion in Nigeria and that person will not pay tax in Nigeria.

“I think that injustice is unimaginable, it is wrong and we will stand firm and say we will not accept it, and that’s why we rejected signing the agreement.”

Osinbajo said, “If a company operating in Enugu generated only N25 million ($60,000) is going to open an office in Nigeria, pay for utilities, employ staff , and still pay tax to Nigeria; but somebody who generates maybe $1 billion should walk away with the gross revenue without paying tax to this country, we feel that should not be done.

“Nigeria is the only country that we have and we should not be sensational in discussing these issue, we should not be emotional about it but let’s remain patriotic because if we sign this, then you can name all the multinationals operating in the country, in as much as their global turnover is not up to 10 per cent of what they

earn in the country, then they will stop paying taxes in this country.

“That is why we didn’t sign and we are not being arrogant about it, we are not trying not to move the way the world is going but the right thing should be done.”

Nonetheless, Osinbajo pointed out that the lingering issues of insecurity and criminality, inadequate social economic infrastructure among others, could only be addressed if there’s adequate revenue in the hands of government through effective taxation and compliance.

He charged the CITN and Nigerians in general to ensure compliance with extant tax rules, and “encourage others to comply and report those who are not complying”.

He said the CITN remained a critical part of the taxation ecosystem in the country pointing out that tax constituted a key driver of social harmony, political stability and economic development and growth.

The VP said until the present administration took steps to diversify the economy, past administrations had relied almost exclusively on revenue from crude oil.

He said, “We have however, learnt from recent market trends that crude oil like other commodities is not a sustainable source of domestic revenue.

“This is because as you are

aware, the world had witnessed uncommon modulation in prices of crude oil since 2015 when this administration started.

And in the long run, this would dove-tail into a global move towards green energy which will further weaken the demand for crude oil.

In all these, one message stands out- if we must make progress as a nation, all of us; countrymen and women must surrender an adequate part of our substances for the sake of national development, social harmony and political stability and economic growth.”

Osinbajo said tax professionals must be aware of the costly impact of non-compliance by taxpayers who they hold brief for on government’s revenue adding that the larger society remained crucial and must be given topmost priority in tax administration.

Meanwhile, the National Chairman, Osinbajo Consolidation Organisation, Mr. Oyeniran Oyebamidele has said the vice president would consolidate on all projects and programmes established or initiated by the present administration if elected president next year.

The group disclosed this yesterday, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Pastor Godwin Arome.

Continued online

prices spiralling out of control, Daily Mail reported.

But the pound still dipped further against the US dollar as investors priced in the increasingly grim situation. The unrelentingly ‘miserable’ news continued with pump prices reaching new records, of 167.64p for petrol and 180.88p for diesel.

In a further headache for ministers, the RPI measure of inflation has rocketed even higher to 11.1 per cent in April - with unions threatening strikes unless that is used as the basis for pay rises in the public sector.

United chief Sharon Graham threatened strike action against employers who do not give pay rises in line with inflation, saying calls for wage restraint should be directed at chief executives.

The average cost of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts on Tuesday was 167.6p, higher than the previous record of 167.3p set on March 22 - the day before Mr Sunak announced a 5p cut in fuel duty. Diesel prices have risen to 180.9p.

Tories have warned the Bank of England not to overreact now by pushing up interest rates too quickly, dooming the country to recession.

The average UK house price jumped by £24,000 in the year to March, according to official figures.

Chancellor Sunak, in a statement after the figures yesterday blamed the rising energy prices. ‘'Today's inflation numbers are driven by the energy price cap rise in April, which in turn is driven by higher global energy prices. ‘'We cannot protect people completely from these global challenges but are providing significant support where we can, and stand ready to take further action. '’We're saving the average worker £330 a year through reducing National Insurance Contributions, changing Universal Credit to save over a million families around £1,000 a year, and providing millions of families with £350 each this year to help with their energy bills,'’ he said.

Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan warned there are likely to be a 'couple of bumps to get through' before inflation settles down. ‘'This is something we have to tackle across the board,” she said.

Experts have warned that the poorest households are bearing the brunt of rising prices, with analysis by economic think tanks estimating they face a rate closer to 11 per cent.

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NEWS

COURTSY VISIT TO OBASEKI...

L-R: Head Plantation Development, Sudit Oil, Chief Henry Olatujoye; Chairman, Plantation Owners Forum of Nigeria (POFON), Emmanuel Ibru; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Secretary, National Action Committee on Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Francis Anatogu, and Executive Consultant, POFON, Fatai Afolabi, during a courtesy visit, at the Government House, in Benin City,...yesterday

FG Suspends Accountant-General, Idris, over Alleged Diversion of N80bn Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The federal government has suspended the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris, indefinitely, following his arrest on Monday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged diversion of N80 billion public funds. The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, ordered his suspension via a letter dated May 18, 2022.

When contacted, Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Communications, Mr. Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi, confirmed the development.

Abdullahi stated that the suspension was "to allow for proper and unhindered investigation into the serious allegations" against him, in line with Public Service Rules.

He said the suspension took

effect from yesterday, adding, “He is suspended without pay, and during this period, he is not expected to be at work or have any contact with the office."

EFCC had on Monday announced the arrest of the AGF. In a statement, EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, stated, “Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, May 16, 2022, arrested serving Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris, in connection with diversion of funds and money laundering activities to the tune of N80billion.

“The commission’s verified intelligence showed that the AGF raked off the funds through bogus consultancies and other illegal activities using proxies, family members, and close associates.

“The funds were laundered through real estate investments

in Kano and Abuja.”

The companies used in laundering the funds had, allegedly, been linked to family members and associates of the suspended accountant-general.

Before his arrest, Idris was reportedly summoned repeatedly

for interrogation but he failed to honour the invitations.

President Muhammed Buhari appointed the suspended AGF on June 25, 2015. He succeeded Jonah Otunla, who retired on June 12, 2015.

Idris was reappointed for a

of the Nigerian economy is being forced to change. That means our overreliance on crude oil has not increased our global competitiveness, particularly in the oil trade.

“For us in Edo, we, fortunately, saw this coming and we have prepared ourselves for this transition that we are witnessing. We are in a race against time, just reading the news and seeing what other countries are going through as a result of the Ukrainian war.”

Obaseki continued: “It's really scary that we cannot continue in this direction. Last week, Indonesia and Malaysia banned the export of oil palm. Specifically, for us in Edo, agriculture is key because food production is our priority. First, let's feed ourselves and the extra we have, we will use it to trade.

“We are glad that we have members of the Plantation Owners Forum of Nigeria. You can say whatever you want about agriculture, but at the end of the day, it's about skill and the training of the personnel, which I believe is the most important aspect in agriculture.

“If we don't get all of these right, we cannot compete. We need to be able to produce at a competitive rate to be able to sell. So, that is why I want to encourage you to continue what you are doing.

“For us in Edo, we have a huge opportunity and a unique advantage because you can't transverse

the years consistently indicted the AGF’s office for various lapses.

A native of Kano State, Idris was born on November 25, 1960, and was until his appointment in 2015 Director of Finance and Accounts, Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.

A'Court Inaugurates Committee for Electoral Judicial Manual Alex Enumah in Abuja The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica DongbanMensem yesterday, inaugurated a 13-man Electoral Judicial Manual Committee (EJMC).

The inauguration which held at the Court of Appeal Headquarters in Abuja, has Justice Ignatius Agube as Chairman.

According to the Appeal Court

President, members of the Committee were carefully selected having regards to their experience and expertise not only in electoral matters but also in general judicial administration.

She urged the committee to among other things, consider the extant decisions of the Courts and Tribunals in the light of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the recommendations of electoral observers

Obaseki: Nigeria’s Future Bleak with Oil-dependent Economy The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has decried the country’s over-dependence on crude oil, restating the need to enhance the nation’s global competitiveness through increased investment in agriculture.

The governor, who in a statement yesterday, described the dependence on oil as unsustainable, noted that with increased investment in agriculture, the country would be able to grow sufficient produce to ensure food security, create jobs and improve the livelihoods of citizens.

Obaseki was quoted to have said these while addressing members of the Plantation Owners Forum of Nigeria (POFON), who were on a courtesy visit, at the Government House, Benin City.

Predicting a bleak future with the country’s current overreliance on crude oil, Obaseki said there’s an urgent need to diversify as the nation’s dependence on oil has not been able to enhance the global competitiveness of its economy.

The governor, however, noted that his administration remained committed to economic diversification through agriculture and would sustain programmes and reforms aimed at boosting the sector and ensuring food security.

He said, “As a people and as a country, it is all about economic competitiveness. Whether we like it or not, the current DNA

second term of four-years in June 2019, despite misgivings by labour groups who had said the accountant-general should have retired after turning 60.

Audit reports from the Office of the Auditor General for the Federation (OAuGF) had over

Nigeria without coming to Edo,” the governor added.

Earlier, the Chairman of POFON, Mr. Emmanuel Ibru, who identified the importance of agriculture to the economy, said Edo was one of their major palm oil-producing states in the country as most of their

major stakeholders are from Edo. Commending the governor for his initiatives to boost agriculture development in the state, he noted, “We know that Edo has been making giant strides in various oil palm initiatives. We want to commend you once again.”

such as partners and other critical stakeholders while discharging their assignment.

She added that it was her expectation that the exercise would culminate in the production of the Maiden Edition of the Electoral Judicial Manual which was designed to prepare Nigeria's judicial system for the enormous task imminent with the 2023 elections in focus.

Justice Dongban-Mensem explained that the objective of the Electoral Judicial Manual (EJM) was to provide a quick reference material for all strata of Judges and all persons involved in the electoral adjudicatory process.

The manual she added, would be a guide on frequently litigated electoral issues so that conflicting decisions can be drastically reduced if not totally eliminated.

She recalled that in the past, the manual was titled, ‘Manual for Election Petition Tribunals,’

which gave it a restrictive connotation thereby limiting its usage and discouraging other electoral stake holders from accessing and utilising its rich contents.

She expressed optimism that the Electoral Judicial Manual would be a vital quick reference guide and reference material for all levels of Judges in the discharge of their duties in the election year.

Speaking on behalf of the committee, the Chairman, Justice Ignatius Agube, appreciated the President of the Court of Appeal for the confidence that he had put in them, assuring that by the grace of God they would discharge their duties to His Glory and the glory of Nigeria.

He thus craved the indulgence of members of the committee to put heads together and do the best they can to execute a lasting legacy on the Electoral Process in Nigeria.

APC Presidential Primary Now Commences May 29 Borno holds delegates’ congresses Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced that its presidential primary election is now scheduled to hold from Sunday, May 29th, 2022, to Monday, May 30th, 2022.

Initially, the primary was scheduled to hold between May 30 and June 1, 2022.

But addressing journalists yesterday, after the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Felix Morka said the party approved a revised timetable and schedule of activities.

He said: "The NWC of the APC has made and approved a revised timetable schedule of activities for the House of Assembly, National Assembly and Governorship primaries.

"And appeals that arise from

that governorship and House of Representatives primary election will now take place on Thursday the 26th of May 2022. The Senate and House of Assembly primaries will now take place on Friday, 27th May 2022."

Morka added that the election appeals for governorship and the House of Representatives would take place on Friday, 27th May, 2022, while the appeals for the Senate and House of Assembly primaries would take place on Saturday May 28, 2022.

"Our special convention on presidential primaries will now take place between Sunday 29th May to Monday 30th of May 2022."

The party spokesperson also revealed that the mode of primary to elect the presidential candidate of the party would be made known in the guidelines that would be

made available by the party.

He stated categorically that the leadership of the party was yet to take any decision as regards the zoning of the presidential ticket of the party.

When asked if former President Goodluck Jonathan had submitted his form as being speculated, Morka said he wasn't aware.

Meanwhile, the APC in Borno State has commenced congresses for the election of local governments, state and national delegates that would take part in the party’s primaries for State and National Assemblies seats, governorship and office of the president.

The flag-off took place yesterday in Mafa town, the hometown of Governor Babagana Unara Zulum, just as the exercise was expected to hold simultaneously across the 27 Local Government Areas

of Borno State.

The State Chairman of the APC in Borno State, Ali Bukar Dalori introduced the event before handing over to Chairman of the party’s National Committee on the congresses in Borno State, Prof.

Jones Ode Erue, who presided over the election of 13 delegates in Mafa as part of the flag-off.

Erue announced that his committee has since constituted resident sub-committees for all the 27 Local Government Areas.

A member of the resident committee on Mafa, State Women Leader of the APC, Hajja Fati Kakinna Monguno called out names of all delegates who emerged through consensus.

In his remark, Zulum thanked the national committee for their good work and congratulated all delegates for their successful election.

THURSDAY MAY 19, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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NEWS

SECURITY ON THEIR MINDS...

L-R: Lagos Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso; Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Lagos Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Abiodun Alabi and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, during a security meeting with the Lagos CP, Area Commanders & Divisional Police Officers at Lagos House, Ikeja,...yesterday

2023: APC Implosion Imminent over Move to Keep Presidency in North, Party Chieftain Warns Raheem Akingbolu The ongoing plot by the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to retain power in the north come 2023 could implode the party, one of the party’s chieftain in Bauchi, Alhasan Farouk has warned.

THISDAY had reported yesterday, that in a move that was certainly going to generate shock waves around the country and heighten the already tensed political situation, the APC was working towards zoning its presidential ticket to the North-east, with the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan likely to emerge as its presidential candidate in the 2023 elections.

Owing to this, many in the South who had been strident in

calls for the presidential ticket to be zoned to the South after eight years of Buhari in the saddle are not likely to be amused by this evolving development. Also, with the latest decision of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to allow ad-hoc delegates to elect presidential candidate at its forthcoming convention, the chances of a northern aspirant emerging as the presidential standard bearer have brightened even more.

But Farouk, in a statement made available to THISDAY, stressed that, “unless drastic interventions are made, next year’s general election may prove the final straw for Nigeria’s 62-year experiment as a highly combustible union of disparate ethnic groups each

with an unyielding aspiration to determine its own destiny and a shared suspicion of a nursed domination agenda.”

He noted that President Muhammadu Buhari from the North-west as incumbent, had received widespread criticism from several segments of the society for what was termed a lopsided appointment in Nigeria’s security architecture and several ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) where the north had been unduly favoured.

"With the recent spate of insecurity, banditry, herder-farmer violence, IPOB disruptions, and separatist group agitations in the South-west, it is apparent that the nation has never been more divided. The fallout of the recent melee in Sokoto

following the killing of Deborah Samuel where several Igbo traders and other Southerners were harassed as young residents demanded the release of those who perpetrated the killing of the young student is a clear instance of the delicate religious and ethnic balancing act that needs to be upheld in Nigeria.

“With a fractious polity where ethnic and religious strife has seen sectional violence come to the fore in the north- central, South-east, South-west, the south is eager to stake a claim to the presidency to sooth frayed nerves across the country. Nigeria’s fragile unity is indeed at stake," he said.

He said the dramatic but dangerous tussle was best observed in the APC. "Formed in 2014 as an alliance

Lagos Bans Motorcycles Operation in Six LGAs, Task Force Raids Lekki Rebecca Ejifoma

The Lagos State Government yesterday banned commercial motorcycles, popularly called Okada, from operating in six Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

According to the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who announced the ban during a meeting with police chiefs in the state, it is “total and indefinite.”

The affected LGAs are: Ikeja, Surulere, Eti-Osa, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island, and Apapa.

He said: “After a critical review of our restriction on Okada activities in the first six LGAs where we restricted them on February 1, 2020, we have seen that the menace has not abated. We are now directing a total ban on Okada activities across the highways and bridges within these six local government and their local council development areas, effective from June 1, 2022.”

He explained that the ban would be extended to other areas of the state within a short while.

“This is a phased ban we are embarking on this period, and we expect that within the short while when this ban will be enforced, Okada riders in other places where their activities are yet to be banned can find something else to do,” the governor added.

Sanwo-Olu, who maintained that the recent move is in line with

the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018, called on the police to enforce the ban without compromise.

The governor advised residents of the state patronising Okada riders on the highways to embrace alternative means of transportation provided by the government. This, he said, becomes important, as motorcycles are an unsafe mode of transportation.

“We have provided Last-Mile buses in the affected areas; they are working and effective. We also have medium-capacity buses and high-capacity buses working in these areas. Before the end of the year, we are also bringing the rail along these corridors with their terminals.

We have provided jetties as well to provide alternatives,” Sanwo-Olu reiterated.

“We will not sit back and watch criminally-minded people use that mode of transportation (motorcycles) to perpetrate crimes and criminality in Lagos. Lives are being lost on a daily basis, preventable accidents are happening every day and the riders are not respecting any of our traffic laws.

“The situation has led to a complete breakdown of law and order. This ban has come to stay and we will not tolerate any weakness in enforcement.”

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Taskforce has continued with its mob up exercise to rid the Lekki axis and

the entire state of okada operators, who have remained adamant to the state government's warning.

This exercise is in continuation of the total clamp down on okada operators in the state following the recent killing of a sound engineer, Mr. David Imoh by suspected commercial motorcyclists.

Leading yesterday exercise, the Chairman of Lagos State Task Force, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP)

Shola Jejeloye, stormed the axis in a sting operation at midday.

He seized 115 bikes for flouting the state traffic laws of operating on restricted routes and plying the state’s highways.

Jejeloye pledged that the agency would make do of its promise by ensuring that the illegal business carried by these operators will be frustrated till they obey the laid down laws.

between the north and south to oust the PDP which had held power for 16 years prior, President Buhari emerged as its flagbearer as the representative of the north and with a promise to surrender power to the south in a high-stake power sharing formula designed to promote inclusion and a sense of belonging, an antidote to the inflammable marriage between the ethnic groups.

“Political activities this year, including the primaries of the political parties, were meant to set the stage for the change of guard. However, in the APC, several key northern figures, emboldened by their control of the party, particularly with the recent emergence of a former northern governor, Senator Adamu Abdullahi, as the chairman of the party, are exploring strategies to keep power and leave the southern region out in the cold," he said.

Farouk alleged that the apparent mismanagement of the party processes, due largely to the greed and megalomania of vested interest in the north who do not care about the region but their personal aggrandizement, “and are terrified by the prospect of life without the cover of federal power and immunity, may drive Nigeria to the brink and cause an implosion that could break the country and set on-course a new scramble by the global powers of Europe, America, and China – a project some may well say is underway, especially in the case of China, with booby

trap loans and investments.”

"Nnamdi Kanu, an agitator for an independent Biafra for the Nigeria’s Igbos, a major ethnic tribe that lost over one million of its people in a brutal civil war that lasted three years, often regard Nigeria as the captivity of the other ethnic tribes by the northern region and her dissolution, which he calls for, as a liberation and final solution.

“His sentiment is echoed by Sunday Adeyemo Igboho, a Yoruba separatist who equally calls for the carving out of an independent nation of the Yorubas, another major ethnic tribe. Both figures have been put out of circulation, but they remain widely popular.

“Their message is considered in the southern region as an inconvenient truth and their activism a due litigation of Nigeria’s past and the essence of her union.

“So far, the political leaders of the southern region, especially the west who control the media, have kept their rhetoric from the mainstream, hoping that a change of power in 2023 may help alleviate the fears of the people and rekindle interest in the preservation of the union.

But if they get schemed out of the political play by the northern power brokers, they too may reconsider their position, and with that reality comes the real threat of Nigeria coming undone.

“The center of Nigeria is not holding and the APC’s final act, unless it changes course, may be to preside over the country’s disintegration," he said.

UN: Safely Managed Toilet Waste May Unlock $420bn Global Productivity Dike Onwuamaeze

The United Nations Sanitation and Water for All global partnership (SWA) has stated that access to toilets with safely managed waste might unlock $420 billion in global productivity annually.

This was disclosed in a statement issued yesterday by the Head of Communication, SWA, Mr. Alexandra Reis, to highlight a two-day Sector Minister’s Meeting (SMM) that was projected to attract more than 70 ministers to a landmark meeting on Water and Sanitation, which would be held in Indonesia between May 18 and 19, 2022.

Reis said the event, which would

be hosted in Jakarta by the Government of Indonesia, was convened by the United Nations Sanitation and Water for All global partnership (SWA) and UNICEF. He added that access to soap and water could generate $45 billion per year and reduce the spread of infections in a COVID-19-like epidemic by up to 20 per cent.

The SWA also added that nearly 90 per cent of climate disasters were water-related, including floods, droughts, and deteriorating water quality, stating that 40 per cent of the global population is highly vulnerable to their impact.

SWA said: “Access to soap and water will generate $45 billion

per year and reduce the spread of infections in a COVID-19-like epidemic by up to 20 per cent.

“Universal access to toilets with safely managed waste will generate $86 billion per year in greater productivity and reduced health costs, increasing school and work attendance by three billion days each year and unlocking $420 billion in productive value.”

It stated that over two billion people worldwide, or one in four, live in countries where water supply is inadequate while half of the world’s population could be living in areas facing water scarcity by as early as 2025.

“At least 2 billion people globally

use contaminated drinking water, putting them at risk of contracting cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and polio. “Over 700 children under age five die every day of diarrheal diseases due to lack of appropriate WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) services,” SWA said.

It noted that, “in areas of conflict, children are nearly 20 times more likely to die from diarrheal disease than from the conflict itself.”

Reis said the conference would feature a two-day programme that would include live-streamed plenary sessions while ministerial dialogues would be held under Chatham House Rules to encourage an open and honest debate.

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politics

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG Email nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com (08114495324 SMS ONLY)

Moghalu: With 25 Presidential Aspirants, Neutrality of Party Leadership Will Save APC from Implosion

The Director General of National Inland Waterways and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, George Moghalu, in this interview with Adedayo Akinwale said the neutrality of the party leadership during the presidential primary will save the APC from implosion. Excerpts:

H

ow do you feel about your recent victory at the Supreme Court? Describe the journey to the apex court?

For me, the judgement from the Supreme Court is not a matter of being happy, but rather a matter of mixed feelings.

Because nobody ordinarily would desire to go to court with his party, ordinarily. But when you also feel that you need to right a wrong, when you feel the need to put a stop to the unnecessary impunity. When you need to change the narrative, when you need to get people to understand their limits and that a political process must be honourable. So that at the end of the day, both the winner and the loser in every election, no matter how small, will feel happy. So, I now said no, I need to start and take it to a conclusive end. So when I went to court, and by the grace of God, the federal court in Abuja, agreed with us and our submissions. The aspect of the appeal and Supreme Court was not my decision, but a decision of those who lost in the High Court. So they were the ones who felt the judgement of the High Court was not right, and they appealed against it. We had no choice than to come to defend the appeal. And fortunately, the two steps; both the appeal and the Supreme Court went in our favour.

can’t achieve unity at the end of the day. So by the time you throw up a candidate, you have internal problems, internal disagreement, at the end of the day, we lose. These are things that should be avoided by anybody. I believe that the party itself, the party leadership, must have learnt some lessons from it.

Moghalu

That we should learn our lessons; that we should do what is right, we must obey our guidelines, we must obey our rules. These rules were made by us and it is intended to throw up the proper candidates.

And that’s why the President, in his wisdom, advised the current party leadership not to field unpopular candidates. Field candidates that are acceptable by the people.

And you can only determine this by preparing a credible electoral process. And once the process is credible, free and fair, two things are guaranteed; the winner will feel happy; even the loser will feel happy. Secondly, there’ll be unity in the party. But the moment you manipulate the process, the moment you bend the rules you made, you have created disaffection ab initio and the consequence is that you

What is your fate in the party?

I’m a committed member of APC. How can I leave the house that I built? I make bold to say that I’m one of the very few politicians in this country who has not changed parties.

From All Peoples Party (APP), 1998/99 till we formed APC. I also participated in the process of forming APC. So, I am an APC man in blood, fully committed and dedicated to the ideals of the party.

What is your advise for the party ahead of the upcoming primaries?

With a legion of presidential aspirants in your party, 25 now. There are fears that the quest for zoning of the presidency to the south may fail. Are you not worried that the party has not said anything about zoning?

If I tell you I’m not worried then I’m fooling myself. I’m worried because you have 25 aspirants aspiring for one position, all qualified.

All I believe are capable of running the affairs of the country. It is a great concern, it is a great worry for me as a person, as a committed party person. We may all end up going to pray and ask for divine intervention. I really sympathize with the party leadership currently.

Don’t you think the more the merrier, If based on what you just said, they are going to be guided by the rules and everybody will be allowed to go to the field to contest?

I have no problem with the number so to speak. I have no problem with that. Because certainly the process that will be credible, free and fair, will throw up the best at the end of the day. That’s why I started by saying that they’re all qualified. Okay, they all have the capacity to emerge as president, but that does not remove the fact that there is a clamour for zoning. That does not remove the fact that the South-east, the Igbos have made a case for the presidency to be zoned to the south.

I also believe very strongly that as the days go by that we may reach a point where there must be discussion.

That is where the problem lies. The fear

is that the southern part of the country is always not talking as one.

I don’t agree. I don’t agree with you.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide SanwoOlu said it is only fair that power should return to the South and the South-west is the top in his consideration He’s entitled to his opinion and I respect it.

There was a time the media asked me, where I wish the president to come from? I said from my family, it’s a wish. if I’m the one allocating it, you can’t remove the aspect of selfishness. As long as the person is qualified. I have also said that every street in this country can generate a complete cabinet. It is not about the capacity of the individuals. The governor is entitled to his opinion. His wish is that the presidency be zoned to South-west, I should expect that, just like I wish that it should be zoned to the Igbo nation. I’m also entitled to that. And if you ask somebody, if it’s a matter of go and take it for your people, a lot of us will certainly want to take it for our family members. So, these are the realities of the moment. But when you are looking at politics of our country, you look at equity, fairness, you look at justice, you look at balance, because at the end of the day, it is a matter of numbers. And that’s why there must be handshake across the Niger, because whoever will be the president of Nigeria today, even if he’s of South-east stock, even if he’s of the Igbo stock, he must have the required support from the Kano, he must have the required support from Sokoto, from Lagos, from Oyo, from Rivers State from Cross River, because you’re talking of a Nigerian president, but of Igbo extraction. For you to be a Nigerian president, you must win the confidence of people across the country.

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Jombo: Why I Want to Represent Arochukwu/Ohafia in House of Reps Mr. Kelvin Jombo Onuma is one of the leading House of Representatives aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in Arochukwu-Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia State. In this interview with journalists in Lagos, Onuma, a renowned philanthropist, speaks on his sojourn in politics, how the youths involvement in politics will bring positive change and his exploits in business. Excerpts:

R

ecently, we have seen a lot youths taking part in politics. What is your opinion about youth involvement in politics?

The youths have a part to play in politics. I know we should be in the forefront of politics to be able to influence policies that will shape our future and empower us to take care of our parents and the senior citizens.

All youths must join the political and democratic process; become members of political parties, aspire for party offices from ward executive, local government executive, state executive and party executives at the national level, register to vote and obtain the PVC, aspire for political offices from counsellors, local government chairmen, states and national assembly members, state governors and even president of the federal republic.

Youths must also vote during elections and defend their votes just like they are the group to be mobilized to defend the country if there is an

Jombo

emergency or war.

The youths are the engine room of our nation.

You are the largest political party in our democracy and can win any election if we aggregate ourselves and interest. This is the only country we have and we still have a long way before getting to the departure lounge.

We must reject politicians who use us during elections and abandon us immediately after the election.

We must vote rightly if we want to start rebuilding our nation. Lastly, All youths must reject violence and guns from politicians. They should bring their children from Europe and America and give them the guns. You are also someone’s children and also desire to go abroad and work in big companies.

The Idea that the future should be built for the youths has failed. Can we try building the youths for the future? The Prime Minister of Finland is just 34. Is she better than Nigerian youths? Of course not. The Nigerian youths have demonstrated capacity and leadership in movie, music, sports and IT industry. They have matched

and most times dominated other youths on the global stage. This is a testimony that they will do better if given the opportunity to provide leadership. Nigeria was at her best under the leadership of the youths in the First Republic. It was Nigerians within the youth age that wrestled power from the British colonial masters. The youths have proven capable of providing leadership immediately after independence and they will do it again if given the opportunity and level playing ground. It is lame to use capacity and experience to deny the youths of their rightful place in Nigeria. The good news is that the youth have taken their destiny into their own hands. We are not waiting for anyone to give us power, we are taken it because in a democracy, it requires number and energy. We have both.

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politics

Falae: Seriously, I Don’t Think We Still Have a Government in Nigeria Chief Samuel Oluyemisi Falae was a Federal Permanent Secretary, a one time Managing Director of the Nigerian Merchant Bank and former Minister of Finance. The Ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation during the General Ibrahim Babangida regime and former presidential candidate of the Alliance for Democracy in the 1999 presidential election, spoke with Fidelis David and three other journalists in his Akure, Ondo State country home. Excerpts:

Y

ou seem to be silent on issues concerning Nigeria. We’ve not heard from you in recent times Yoruba have a saying which translates literally as “if you see the tiger everyday, it begins to look like a leopard. In standard translation, it states that, too frequent interaction devalues the object of interaction. In other words, if I keep making statements upon statement ever so frequently, the intervention looses its potency, and in any case, it is natural to human beings to be little frustrated when you have been doing something for a very long time sincerely, passionately, continuously, and no one seems to be bothered, things continue as if there is no intervention.

Sometimes, I have decided to maintain my peace and focus on the things that are now my priorities, that is - my family, my children, my grandchildren, my religion, my farm and my traditional duties at Ilu-abo in Ondo State.

have been the Secretary to the government of Nigeria for four years and I know exactly what is involve in governance, and if you don’t know what you are going to do before you become president in Nigeria, even in normal times, you have failed. You have failed because from the moment you go into office, its going to be one challenge, one crisis after the other; there will be no room for you to sit down and think in a fundamental way as to what you want to do in Nigeria.

You must have thought about it, discussed it and analysed it, bounce it on people, discuss it in focus groups, and articulate a consistent program of engagement with Nigeria if you become the President but if you have not done that and you are going to office, you have failed. I’m talking about normal time not in crises time. In war time, for you to go into office without any idea of what you are going to do is a double tragedy for you and for the country.

Political activities have resumed both at national level and the state level, and we learnt that some of the gladiators have been coming to see you, to seek your support and to hear the words of an elders about the whole matter. What has been your response to them?

First of all, those who have come to see me, both those who were reported in the media and those who are not reported, I have told each and everyone of them that, I retired from partisan politics in February 2019 and that there’s no way I’m going to go back into partisan involvement.

I drew their attention to the crises of Nigeria and I asked them - were you to become president, where will you start?

How will you address this existential threat to the cooperate existence of Nigeria? We call it security challenge. That is the most unacceptable euphemism I’ve ever heard.

It is not security challenge, we are at war - this is war. When you start buying COBRA helicopters that were invented by Americans for war purposes. So we are at war, we’ve been using euphemism to deceive ourselves.

We don’t call terrorists, terrorists, we call them bandits, as if that will take the edge off the evil they are doing. So, we are in a state of an undeclared civil war ravaging in the Northern part of Nigeria. Where do you want to start?

A train was going to Kaduna, for the first time in our history, the train was burnt, passengers were killed, about a hundred others were kidnapped and taken to the forest. What choked me and shocked me was that Kaduna Governor said we know where the terrorists are, we know who they are, if those two statements are true, then the inevitable question is - why are they still there? Why are they not all dead?

If we have a government in Nigeria which suppose to guarantee the security, the life, the wellbeing and the security of the citizens.

If we have such a government, If they know where the terrorists are who they are, why have they not gone to wipe them out? They start negotiating with terrorists and those ones are asking for the release of their leaders so that they can go back and do more havoc. This is nauseating, it’s obscene. I don’t want to get worked up because I’m now of advance age. I don’t want to ruin my health, but these are the things that have made me be on the quiet side because what needs to be done is clear and from what we read, what we hear, the government seems to have wherewithal for doing what needs to be done. They have Tucano Aircraft, they have Cobra helicopters, they have all sorts of other military equipments. Why are they not using them to wage this war and end it?

The way you speak, it seems you are expressing fear about the future of this country. What exactly is your fear?

My fear is already here. My fear is that we may descend into anarchy. Anarchy is a situation where law and order breaks down, anywhere, everywhere, and everytime.

In the language of Thomas Hobbes, the political science thinker, that is what he will call a state of nature where man is wolf to man, ‘Homo Homini Lupus Est’. (Man is wolf to man). In other words, every man to himself and God for us all. If you are stronger than your neighbour, you grab his property, his wife, whatever you want from him, kill him, do whatever you like with him and move on. That is anarchy which we don’t pray to have in Nigeria. But we are seeing the beginnings of such possibility in what has been going on here for the past seven, eight, nine, ten years. That’s my fear, that we should not descend into anarchy where life becomes a state if nature, ‘Homo Homini Lupus Est’. Life has to be short because anybody can kill anyone at Anytime. That is the kind of non-existent which I don’t want Nigeria to be involved in; that’s my fear.

Falae

When this government came seven years ago, I think one of the reasons why people voted for Buhari was because he was a former General, that as a former military person, he will deal with Boko Haram and give Nigeria peace in no time at all, and immediately he took over, he made some noises like moving the headquarters of anti-terrorist team to Maduguri-to the theatre and we said that was a military approach.

For seven years on, matters have gone from bad to worse, so if this trend continues, when is it going to end? And without security, without rest of mind and peace, nothing else can happen, even your physical survival can’t continue if you are not safe. If you can’t do your

business, if you are a trader that you can’t procure whatever you sell from one part of Nigeria that is now at war. Your existence is under threat even in your home. So without security, nothing else is possible.

When military people seize government and they are seeking international recognition, the first criterion that the United Nations and other agencies will look for is, are they able to guarantee peace and security of life and property in the country they have just seized? And if the answer were to be yes, I can assure you, that is 50 percent score towards that issue.

Any government that wants to qualify as a government must be able to at least maintain the security of its citizens and their property. If it’s not able to do so, then it seizes to be a government. It can be anything else but not a government. So that is why I’m asking, do we still have a government? I don’t know. This is what I put to those who wants to see me.

Once upon a time, I had the privilege to

Majority of ethic nationalities in Nigeria are not represented in the House of Reps. The existence is acceptable only as a legislative chamber that can amend laws and pass new law but not to make, to create a fundamental constitutional law that governs all of us seemingly, indefinitely, leave it in the hands as a minority ethnic organization; they are unqualified, in terms of nature of their mandate, in terms of the ethnic composition. So, they cannot give us any constitution

With the unending insecurity in Nigeria now, do you think 2023 is visible?

I have very serious doubt, great doubt about 2023 becoming a reality. Why? Apart from the general state of war and violence, INEC made it to be known about two weeks ago that hundreds of their workers have been killed, some of their offices and equipments and vehicle have been destroyed and burnt. If a clear year before the election -- that is already happening to INEC and its organization and its personnel, what is going to happen between now and election day.

I have great doubt that any sensible election can take place in 2023 because as I said earlier, the state of violence has been progressing to the final stage of anarchy, so if that threat continues, I’m afraid elections will not be visible in 2023 and if that were to happen, then what happens? You cannot hold elections, and the term of office of the present legislators and executive members both at the federal and state levels, their terms of office expire and we are not able to elect their replacements because of anarchy and confusion and chaos; then Nigeria is a limbo. To me it will mean that the Lugardian evil experiments has come to an end.

If we are not able to elect a government to replace the one that is going now, then we arrive at a national political vacuum.

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FEATURES

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

Endless Encomiums for Justice Mary Odili From the encomiums showered on the retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Mary Peter Odili, in over four different events organised to celebrate her retirement, it is undeniable that she had an illustrious career from the magistracy to the highest court in the country in a 44-year period, Vanessa Obioha writes

T

railing the elaborate valedictory court session organised in her honour at the Supreme Court last Thursday, to the thanksgiving church service in Port Harcourt last Sunday where encomiums poured on her, a programme put together for a book presentation in honour on Tuesday and banquet organised by the Rivers State government offered many important personalities another opportunity to eulogise the retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Mary Peter Odili on her illustrious career, after 44 years of meritorious service to the country.

As usual, the Obi Wali Cultural Centre in Port Harcourt was filled to capacity with well wishers, lawyers, judges, justices of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, captains of industry, public officers and six governors in attendance. They had all come from far and near to be part of the book presentation put together in honour of the retired jurist.

The Chairman of the occasion, Chief O.C.J. Okocha (SAN), who kick-started the event, commended Justice Odili for retiring meritoriously and honourably from service after 44 years without blemish.

He said all the encomiums showered on the retired jurist from the valedictory court session in her honour at the Supreme Court on May 12, to the thanksgiving church service in Port Harcourt on May 15, were not just because of her retirement, but that all through her life and career, she had always received praises due to her commitment to her job and the decorous manner she had often conducted herself.

Okocha recalled that as a member of the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), there was no objection when Justice Odili was nominated for promotion to the Court of Appeal bench due to her hard work.

He added that as a member of National Judicial Council (NJC), it was also an overwhelming approval from the council members when she was nominated for promotion to the Supreme Court bench. He revealed that the only objection that came from a member, who faulted the promotion on the grounds that Justice Odili was not from the South-east was dismissed when it was observed that in her curriculum vitae, she cited Imo State as her state of origin.

“It is not a surprise to hear the encomiums that have so far been showered on Justice Odili. That she retired meritoriously and honourably is because of the hard work she put into her job. We are very proud of her.”

Mr. Okey Wali (SAN), who represented the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) at the occasion, described Justice Odili as a big sister not only to senior advocates but to others lawyers generally. He particularly commended the retired jurist for her efficiency, speed and the meticulousness with which she discharged her job at the Supreme Court.

He noted that no matter how long the list of cases on the cause list for the day, Justice Odili when presiding, would exhaust them with speed and thoroughness, and to the satisfaction of litigants.

Wali welcomed the retired jurist back home in good health and sound mind after an exhaustive career.

The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, said he was particularly happy that Justice Odili lived to witness all the encomiums being poured on her.

He added that the calibre of persons who have so far showered the jurist with praises since she retired from service showed the high esteem they hold of her.

On her part, Justice Kudirat Kere-Ekun of the Supreme Court said all of them at the apex court bench were happy to know and work with Justice Odili. She added that having carefully listened to all the encomiums poured, there was nothing said about her that was a lie as the remarks about her were true reflections of her character. She added that the retired jurist was very industrious, efficient, thorough and sound.

Justice Kere-Ekun equally revealed that even though the justices of the Supreme Court had 90 days to get their judgments ready, Justice Odili’s were always ready in three weeks. She added that the apex court would miss her greatly.

Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom,

Justice Odili who spoke on behalf of the governors present at the event, thanked God for Justice Odili’s life, adding that with her humility, he was not surprised to see that she attained the highest peak of her career.

Meanwhile, before the events moved to Port Harcourt, a valedictory court session was held in her honour at the Supreme Court in Abuja last Thursday where the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Muhammad, described Justice Odili as an “irrepressible voice in the temple of justice.” He also described her as an epitome of jurisprudential finesse and an insuperable lioness.

He noted: “We are honouring an amiable lady of alluring qualities and excellence that transcend the legal profession. She offered the best of her intellect to the advancement of the legal profession through her several years of inimitable adjudications at different levels of courts in Nigeria. She is a specimen of hard work, industry, discipline and high moral rectitude.”

Similarly, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, who spoke on behalf of the Body of Senior

Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), praised the retired justice for her contribution to Nigeria’s judicial system. He added that all through the period he appeared before Justice Odili, she conducted herself with dignity and decorum and at no time did she raise her voice against any lawyer.

On his part, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami, represented by Beatrice JedyAgba, Ministry of Justice’s permanent secretary, noted that Mrs Peter-Odili followed the path of honour during her time as justice on the bench of the Supreme Court. He described the retired jurist as a true image of a renowned jurist and African heroine.

From Abuja, the celebration of her retirement moved to Port Harcourt with a thanksgiving church service at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Chaplaincy, Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA) where Governor Nyesom Wike said he would forever remain grateful to Justice Odili for her timely intervention which saved his political career in 2004.

The governor, who revealed that he

"From the Magistrate’s Court where she started her career, to the High Court and Court of Appeal, Justice Odili did not only deliver landmark judgments, but conducted herself with decorum and dignity. These attributes of hers took her to the Supreme Court where she held sway for 11 years"

cried to Justice Odili when his name was excluded from the list of contestants for chairmen of local governments, added that she listened to him and took the complaint to her husband, Dr. Peter Odili, who was governor then.

The governor said he learnt a vital lesson from Mrs. Odili, ‘the determination to build the capacity to be successful in one’s career while not ignoring giving requisite attention to the family’. He said Justice Odili maintained a good balance that made her succeed both in her career as a legal practitioner, a mother and wife.

“I have seen somebody who is very compassionate and very caring. The moment you’re around her husband, she takes care of you. She sees you as her husband’s person and so she will always relate with you. Some of us are direct beneficiaries of the care through our relationship with the husband,” Wike added.

Born as Mary Ukaego Nzenwa into the noble family of His Royal Highness, Eze Bernard Nzenwa and Ugoeze Bernadette Nzenwa of Amudi Obizi, Ezinihitte-Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Justice Odili’s father was a renowned lawyer of international repute, who worked in the United Kingdom before he was made Secretary of Nigerian Airways.

Justice Odili gained admission into the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus where she read law. In her second year at the university, she earned a scholarship for maintaining the second class upper division league with higher scores.

She met her husband, Dr. Peter Odili, a medical doctor, at a campus party and the two began a romantic relationship. In 1976, she graduated with an LLB (Hons) and was rated the best student in the Department of Commercial and Property Law. Shortly after, she attended the Nigerian Law School and received her B.L. certificate in 1977.

After participating in the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) where she served as Pupil State Counsel, Ministry of Justice, Abeokuta, Ogun State (1977-1978), and Pupil State Counsel, Ministry of Justice, Benin-City, Bendel State, Justice Odili commenced her career in the judiciary as a Magistrate Grade III in November 1978.

She tied the knot with Dr. Odili in 1977 and they moved to Port Harcourt where her husband established his medical centre, Pamo Clinics. Between 1980 and 1988, the jurist served as Chief Magistrate Grade I; Chairman of the Juvenile Court; President, Marine Board of Inquiry into the 1979 Buguma Boat disaster; Chairman, Constitution Drafting Committee of the University of Nigeria Alumni Associates; Inaugural Chairperson of the International Federal of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Rivers State; and Secretary, Nigerian Horticultural Society.

With her support, Peter went into politics and served as a member and leader of Rivers State Delegates to the Constituent Assembly.

In 1992, while she was a High Court Judge, Odili served as the Deputy Governor of Rivers State.

In 1999, following her husband’s election as governor, Justice Odili became the First Lady of Rivers State, serving until May 29, 2007.

Justice Odili held the offices of Justice, Court of Appeal, Abuja Division and Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, Kaduna Division.

On May 3, 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan nominated her and two other Appeal Court Justices to the Supreme Court. She was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (JSC) on June 23, 2011.

From the Magistrate’s Court where she started her career, to the High Court and Court of Appeal, Justice Odili did not only deliver landmark judgments, but conducted herself with decorum and dignity. These attributes of hers took her to the Supreme Court where she held sway for 11 years.

At the apex court, she delivered many judgments, which helped to enrich the country’s jurisprudence and redefined the political space. She also in no small measure delivered judgments that put judicial imprimatur on many political, electoral, business and family disputes.

For many years to come, her imprint at the Supreme Court and the judiciary at large will continue to be a reference point.

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͷ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

23

#THISISNIGERIA

–Zeal Akaraiwe

Dividends Of A (Pseudo) Democracy

here’s a very common saying that goes something along the lines of: “By their fruits, you shall know them; can one go to a mango tree and pluck an agbalumo?”

I believe that by being patient and observing the fruits, one can learn everything possible regarding a situation as the fruits reveal the tree’s nature.

Although there is no "ideal" template for democracy across different societies, we can agree on certain consistent “fruits”, or “features”, of a democracy. Given that countries have varied expressions of their individually-evolved democracy, the following commonly aligns: 1.

Strong independent institutions 2.

Respect for and upholding human rights 3.

Adherence to the rule of law 4.

Respect for the spirit, not just the letter, of the Constitution 5.

Institutionalized checks & balances across the arms of government 6.

Freedom of speech 7.

Press freedom 8.

Transparency and accountability 9.

The right to protest 10.

The right to vote and be voted for These are the cardinal points in recognizing a genuine democracy, and if the above do not align, it isn't a democracy. I purposefully put the right to vote and be voted for last because if voting is the sole evidence of a democracy, it isn't a democracy.

So, what is it if it appears like a democracy?

Should it be called a democracy, because the citizens vote like in a democracy but do not reap the “fruits” of democratic governance? It's called an ELECTOCRACY, and it's a pseudo-democracy with a name. What exactly is an "electocracy"?

Simply described, it is a political system in which power is obtained by elections or merely voting.

A more dictionary-type definition would be: "where citizens can vote for their government but cannot directly participate in their governance decision-making; and when the government does not share power with the citizens."

Its characteristics (better known as "consequences") are pretty easy to determine from the definition. I'll give you a few examples of the more obvious ones:

power, there is practically nothing that can be done to remove them. It is a form of government in which, despite being elected, the power obtained is nearly absolute. And I'm sure we've all heard Lord Acton's famous quote: "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

1. Politicians will operate on a "winner-takes-all" basis, and elections will be plagued with violence since it is a do-or-die situation because once in

1. To start with, all citizens, including p oliticians and government leaders, have to

T

2. Accountability to the people is near zero and this breeds another evidence of an ELECTOCRACY in what Malcolm Gladwell calls the ‘Power Distance Index” which remains extremely high i.e. while the people suffer and get impoverished, the politicians are ring-fenced from the reality of the people and therefore are both unaware and uncaring about the quality and standard of living of those who elected them.

3. I will stretch this hypothesis a little and add that a country practicing electocracy will have to decimate its educational sector!! Of course, ending education or schooling in today’s world is impossible so what you will find will be a generational decline in the sustainable development of the education sector. The sector takes low priority of course, a very low “education budget to GDP” ratio; Obviously, the more enlightened and educated the population, the less likely they will accept an electocracy in place of a democracy; hence, a systematic destruction of the sector by all not-so-subtle means necessary.

In order for an electocracy to exist, politicians will have to disrupt democracy's core institutions and blur the borders around the cardinal premise of democracy, "SEPARATION OF POWERS AND ACCOUNTABILITY." You'll note that the executive, legislature, and judiciary will all be in cahoots with one another, deferring to one another rather than holding one another accountable.

The ensuing casualties will be rule of law, accountability and livelihood of the common man.

Now, let’s get a glimpse into the expectations of a successful democracy. A democracy is not just a style of government, it’s a way of life that exudes from the individual citizens that eventually form the voting bloc.

know, respect and abide by the rule of law; and when we have disputes, we have the obligation to, habitually, hand it over to law enforcement. This implies a well-educated, impartial and diligent law enforcement.

2. We also have to submit to and trust the judiciary to adjudicate on the disputes we have and this too implies a well-educated, unbiased, courageous and uncompromised judiciary.

3. As citizens, particularly the media, we have to boldly, without fear or favoritism, hold leaders accountable.

It is no coincidence that “well-educated” is prominent in the building and sustainability of democratic citizens. Nigerians are largely well-schooled and, at best, ill-educated.

Evidence of being schooled is a certificate whereas the evidence of being educated is in the ability to think critically and contribute to solving problems in society.

To know if we have a democracy, just ask yourself, or better still, ask your kids: 1.

Will I call the police when my neighbour upsets me? Will I go to court when I have a car accident? Does our system equip law enforcers to protect me, respect me and abide by the rule of law?

2.

Does the judiciary demonstrate a habitual behavior that signifies “justice delayed is justice denied”?

3.

Do law enforcement and the armed forces protect the vulnerable against aggressors?

Or are they aggressors themselves?

4.

Does the executive act in a transparent manner in the best interest of the citizens? Do they submit to the principle of checks and balances?

5. Does the legislative arm live amongst, and therefore thoroughly understand the daily plight of the ordinary citizens and enact/ amend laws to ensure that the evolution of culture is in the direction of human dignity?

6. What ratio of those in public office use public amenities like public schools, public hospitals, public toilets, public transportation etc?

A democracy is a daily culture founded on education, freedom, protection, human dignity, and the rule of law. A democracy is felt and observed on a daily basis, just as oppression is.

Which of these do you feel? Teach? Live daily?

Democracy isn't something that happens every four years at the polls; it happens every day. So, anything that appears to be a 4-year cycle of activity in which leaders are chosen is merely an electocracy.

In conclusion, just as undetected false money is detrimental to the general economy and undetected fake pharmaceuticals may be lethal to humans, an electocracy, which is essentially an undetected fake democracy, can be fatal to the nation and citizens' well-being.

You can't grow an apple tree with the aim of gathering pineapples, and it's a mistake to think that just because pineapples contain the word "apple" in their name that they're one and the same.

Just because you call what exists a democracy, doesn’t make it one! The fruits define it!

You cannot reap the dividends of a democracy when you are actively involved in, promoting and enshrining an electocracy in the name of a democracy. We must ensure that we educate ourselves so that we do not remain ignorant of the wiles of the enemies of our democracy who are here to steal our commonwealth, kill the future of our children and destroy our livelihoods. If we fail to arm ourselves with knowledge and education, we have only ourselves to blame if they continue to run circles around us!

The dividends of an electocracy is oppression, compromised judiciary, ineffective law enforcement that oppresses the people instead of protecting them!

The dividends of an electocracy is wealth concentrated in the hands of politicians and their families while the general population suffers unemployment and poverty!

I started with a popular quote and so I think I should end with one: “If the blind leads the blind, both will end in a ditch”: this amazing quote subtly puts the responsibility on you, whether you can see or not and whether you are ignorant or not, to ensure that those you follow, those that lead you are not in the same incapacitated position as you. Your ignorance will not save you from the ditch. t;FBM "LBSBJXF JT UIF $&0 PG (SBFNF #MBRVF "EWJTPSZ 5XJUUFS ![FBM@B ] -JOLFE*O ;FBM "LBSBJXF

24

THURSDAY MAY 19, 2022 • T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022

25

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

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Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Email oriarehu.eromosele@thisdaylive.com

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Experts: Land Use Act, FX Volatility Pose Threat to Nigeria’s $363bn Housing Sector Financing Gap

Oluchi Chibuzor Speakers at ‘The Lekki Roundtable’ 2022 conference, have warned that the real estate sector’s contribution to the nation’s gross domestic products (GDP) could be threatened as growth inhibitors like exchange rate volatility, Land Use Charge, conflicting regulation and high taxes are affecting their businesses.

They made the call at a symposium with the theme, “Current Trends for Financing Real Estate Transactions,” organised by the Church of

God Mission as a corporate social responsibility vehicle to encourage more people to venture into real estate entrepreneurship within the Lekki axis.

Speaking at the event, which attracted industry professionals and government officials in the industry, and financial institutions like mortgage banks, the Chief Operations Officer of XTREME Mindz Solutions Limited, Mr. John Obasi maintained that the sector remains a safe avenue for anyone looking for secured ways to invest their money.

Obasi noted that as was

stated by various speakers at the programme, Nigerian youth can participate in the real estate industry and grow their assets considering that the location remains a key investment destination.

“From all the speakers today, anyone can play in the industry with as low as N15, 000, which is a huge opportunity for many youths in the country to begin their career in the industry.

With the knowledge acquired here anyone can use it and then begin as an entrepreneur in the industry,” he stated.

However, real estate players present at the event said that the industry thrives off the back of strong macro fundamentals like disposable income, interest rates, pricing and inflation noting that the sector grew from $3.81bn in 2017 to $7.48bn in 2021.

They maintained that the nation’s huge housing deficit, estimated at 17 million units presents a compelling business opportunity for the Nigerian real estate market.

Speaking, the founder of EXIMA Realty Co Limited, Mr. Hakeem Ogunniran said, “it is

estimated that Nigeria needs two million housing units annually to meet the huge housing gap as the housing funding gap is estimated at $363 billion.”

He noted that Nigeria’s population, which is estimated at 200 million people, presents huge market opportunities adding that increasing urbanization rate further supports the huge market opportunities in the real estate sector.

According to him, “factors like supply chain challenges, limited local inputs, logistical problems associated with importation and

capacity constraints – consultants, skilled artisans.

“Multiple Regulatory authorities, dealing with conflicting rules and directives, cumbersome approval process, limited access to long term funds, exchange rate volatilities and retail financing are still limited and unaffordable. Land Use Act – perfection of title Issues, unduly expensive stamp duties, assessment of income tax, re-certification and rules against individual perfection of title are hindering the industry.”

On his part, President PWAN Continued on page 26

Sanwo-Olu, Others Call for Increased Investment to Bridge Nigeria’s $11trn Infrastructure Deficit Raheem Akingbolu For Nigeria to close the infrastructure gap in the critical sectors of the economy, about $11 trillion would be required, the Association for Consulting Engineering in Nigeria (ACEN), has revealed.

To this end, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu,

professional engineers, experts and other stakeholders have advocated increased investment in the provision of infrastructure to foster real growth and economic prosperity on the continent.

Sanwo-Olu alongside the professional engineers and experts, spoke at the opening of the 28th Annual FIDIC Africa Infrastructure Conference held on

Monday in Lagos, with the theme, ‘Infrastructure Development in Africa’.

While lamenting the dearth of infrastructure in many African countries as one of the drawbacks for achieving meaningful growth in many countries, the speakers noted that infrastructure deficit in subSaharan Africa was exacerbated by low investment and poor funding.

They called on governments across Africa to give attention to the provision of critical socioeconomic infrastructure that could catalyse growth in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and stimulate prosperity.

Cross section of experts and speakers harped on the need for government to take advantage of the public-private partnership

financing model, saying private sector funding will accelerate the delivery of long-term infrastructure, bolster availability of services to the people, and create more jobs.

Governor Sanwo-Olu in his keynote speech, decried lack of infrastructure as one of the factors inhibiting Africa from realising its full potential.

He said, “As the theme of this

year’s conference, “Infrastructure Development in Africa,” connotes, you have dedicated this edition of your conference towards reawakening us as individuals, private organisations and as government to raise awareness about the critical role infrastructure plays in competitive global Continued on page 26

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26

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

L-R: Secretary of Treasury, Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria (AIHN), Mr Abimbola Kasim; former Publicity Secretary, Mr Suru Daniels; President, Prince Ike Chioke; and PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT Secretary of Administration, Mr Egie Akpata, at the AIHN’s 2022 annual general meeting in Lagos… recently

FG Urged to Create Basic Data Infrastructure to Attract Foreign Investments Emma Okonji The Chief Operating Officer of MDXI, MainOne’s Data Centre business, Mr. Gbenga Adegbiji, has called on the federal government to revisit its policies and create basic infrastructure for data centre operations across Nigeria, in order to attract foreign investments in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

Adegbiji who gave the advice during an interview with THISDAY, said: “Investors do not invest based on what any government tells them, but they invest based on what the see, which has to do with growth indices and numbers.

They look at the population report and the growth of the economy, including security of investments in

the country, before they can invest in the country.

“Attracting foreign investments, goes beyond what the Nigerian government is currently doing by mere visiting these investors in their countries to woo them to invest in Nigeria. They will surely come and invest if they see the need to invest in Nigeria, and a good example is the recent acquisition of MainOne by Equinix because MainOne has over the years, positioned its operations to a standard that is attractive to any foreign investor. Investments are made based on numbers, foreseeable return on investments, and risk that is associated with a particular country.”

According to him, for any willing investor to come to Nigeria

to invest, there must be basic infrastructure on ground. Citing lack of adequate electricity supply, which is a basic infrastructure for data centre operation, Adegbiji said the lack of such basic infrastructure would make it difficult for investors to consider Nigeria as investment destination.

“Adequate and steady electricity supply is key to data centre operation because data centres consume a lot of electricity and any data centre operator will look at the stability of electricity supply of a country, before venturing to invest in that country. If power is achieved, operators will be able to achieve up to 60 per cent of their operations in data centre business,” Adegbiji said.

He therefore advised

government to revisit its policy on power and ensure stable supply of electricity for businesses, in order to attract investors into Nigeria’s technology space.

He said apart from power infrastructure, government needed to also look at the area of deployment of fibre optic cables across the country, adding that a situation where Nigeria has huge broadband capacities on the shores of the country, from the landing of several submarine cables, without commensurate distribution of the fibre optics cables into the hinterland, will continue to deprive Nigerians in the hinterlands, the access to ubiquitous broadband capacities in the country. He further said fibre would remain a critical resource

of any data centre, and that connectivity and power should be considered by government in order to drive development in Nigeria’s technology space.

Adegbiji said he would look forward to a situation, where business owners and students in the northern part of the country, would have the same broadband access with business owners and students in the southern part of the country, adding that government policies must encourage laying of fibre optic cables across the country to enable easy access to internet and broadband connectivity.

He called on government to begin licensing of companies that would invest in micro-grid, in order to generate sufficient

electricity, since data is the next oil for Nigeria.

He also advised government to consider tax incentives for data centre operators, because almost everything needed for data centre operations are imported.

“If data centre operators have to pay 40 per cent tax on every equipment imported into Nigeria, it means data centre operators in Nigeria can never be competitive with other data centre operators outside of the country, because of high cost of tax on every importation of equipment into Nigeria. Government must help to develop data centre operation in a cost-effective way that will further drive technology adoption and digital transformation in Nigeria,” Adegbiji said.

With $32bn Valuation, FTX Pushes for Regulatory Framework in Crypto Market Emma Okonji Given the huge trade volume of crypto currency in Africa, Nigeria inclusive, a centralised crypto currency exchange firm, FTX, has called on the federal government

to licence crypto trading and come up with regulatory framework that will guide the operations crypto currency business in Nigeria.

FTX is a native token designed for the crypto currency derivatives exchange FTX, with numerous uses that are designed to benefit users and increase network effects around the platform.

The firm made the call during its third anniversary in Lagos, which was attended by industry players, including some state government officials.

Business Development Manager, FTX in Africa, Mr. Adebayo Juwon, said: “FTX is the most licensed crypto in the world both in the US, Japan, Europe and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to him; “The reason the rate is low in Nigeria and other African countries is because governments are not providing the regulatory framework, needed to guide the operations of crypto currency trading.

“If there could be a framework where crypto exchanges can be licensed it will be nice, and I am

sure, we will be tagged along. It is the first regulated exchange offering crypto derivatives in the US, licensed to offer products and services in dozens of jurisdictions worldwide.”

Juwon stated that in less than three years, FTX was able to reach a valuation of $32 billion, with six million registered users, operating in 200 countries across the world.

Explaining unique features of the platform, he said: “FTX has low trading fees, sign up and trade in less than three minutes, cross-margining across all products

and supported by more than 260 crypto currencies.

“The innovative products include spot, volatility products, tokenises stocks, TFX Pay and FTX. We are here for everybody. It’s not just for some people, it’s for everybody.”

While advising the federal government on better ways to enhance seamless financial transactions, the Special Assistant to Oyo State Governor on Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Mr. Bayo Akonde, said government must begin to think about adopting

blockchain technology to drive all forms of financial transactions. He said Blockchain technology could also help government to achieve credible results in general election, especially now that Nigeria is preparing for the 2023 general election.

Akonde explained that blockchain technology remained a trusted public platform, that will enhance online transactions, which anyone could trace and see, without anyone having unauthorized access to tamper with it.

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Deputy Business Editor Chinedu Eze Comms/e-Business Editor Emma Okonji Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe Senior Correspondent Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) KayodeTokede(CapitalMarkets) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance)

SANWO-OLU, OTHERS CALL FOR INCREASED INVESTMENT TO BRIDGE NIGERIA’S $11TRN INFRASTRUCTURE DEFICIT

Reporters Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy) Ugo Aliogo (Development)

EXPERTS: LAND USE ACT, FX VOLATILITY POSE THREAT TO NIGERIA’S $363BN HOUSING SECTOR FINANCING GAP

economy in the 21st century.

“This theme is particularly relevant because lack of adequate infrastructure has been identified as one of the key factors responsible for the inability of Africa to realise her full economic potential despite being generously endowed in natural resources.”

Represented by his Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs. Aramide Adeyoye, the governor further noted that without adequate and quality infrastructure, it would be difficult to create jobs especially

Group, Dr. Jayne Onwumere opined that these challenges have always been there, “anybody

for for the people, the growing youth population and to create decent and comfortable living standards.

He said the state government has consistently accorded infrastructure development and renewal priority to build a stronger economic base in line with the status of Lagos State as Africa’s fastest- growing megacity.

President of ACEN, Ajibade Oke, in an address to the participants at the two-day conference, said increasing population in Africa, underscores the need for increased

interested in the industry must take them as they come and remain consistent and patient to make it.

investment in infrastructure.

“There will always be a need for infrastructural development as population increases. This phenomenon is more apparent in Africa where population increases geometrically. Unfortunately, Africa also has huge challenges in infrastructure development, and needs several trillion of dollars to get adequate infrastructure in place that will enable the continent catch up with the rest of the world. The world will not wait for Africa. We need to double up,” Oke stated.

“High asset conversion cycle rate, capital appreciation and high rate of return on equity continue to

He further said the hosting of the conference in Nigeria for the third time was significant in light of the global recovery from COVID-19, adding that infrastructure development is strategic to the efforts at reflating the national economy.

President, International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) Africa, Kabelo Motswagole, stated that the conference theme was apt and auspicious at a time most governments in Africa are looking for alternative ways of funding

make Lekki peninsula a premium location. On the contrary, flooding, disputes and Litigation, high

infrastructure development and maintenance According to him, “this is particularly so as the COVID-19 pandemic expenditure depleted most countries’ development budgets.”

Motswagole added that issues of sustainability and resilient infrastructure were important to Consulting Engineers, insisting that the conference will generate solutions and useful resources that will help government in addressing the challenges of infrastructure.

labour cost, and high intensity of regulation continues to bedevil the corridor.”

127

T H I S D AY THURSDAY MAYMay 19, 2022 Thursday 19, 2022 Vol 27. No 9901 TR

See page 28 US, ‘FIRM CONTAINMENT OF RUSSIA’ AND WORLD PEACE PETER AWELE ODOR argues that the causes of the war should be addressed for peace to reign See page 28

WHERE LIFE IS TWO FOR ONE KOBO! Jungle justice must be severely sanctioned, writes OLUSEGUN ADENIYI See page 29

AFRICA AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY CHIKA ESIOBU provides some biblical insights on environmental issues

See page 29

EDITORIAL THE BANE OF DEFORESTATION

See page 30

& RE A S O

N

opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

IN HIS OWN WORDS Udom Emmanuel is a Presidential material, writes ABULU GABRIEL

UT H

The uncertainly that faces the country is as real as the potential peril associated with the forthcoming election, writes ADEWALE ADEOYE

A DANCE ON THE EDGE OF THE CLIFF Ahead of the 2023 Presidential election, never in Nigerian history have the people been so confronted with an intriguing nightmare.

The uncertainly that faces the country is as real as the potential peril associated with the forthcoming election. One thing is clear: The ruling class, dominated by the Fulani ethnic group, a small fraction being Kanuri, appear to insist on handing over power to its rookie, a President that will dance to the whims and wishes of this tiny but powerful group. Who should blame them? Let us face it, since 1914 when the ethnic groups in Nigeria were forcefully merged, the political contest for control of power and resources have been largely between the ancient ethnic nations mainly Hausa, Yoruba, Fulani, Ijaw, Tiv and Igbo. In reality, Nigeria was created not out of the love for the people, but basically for British economic interest. It was in the bid to protect British trade and property that the then British Prime Minister, Palmerson picked John Beecroft as the Consul in 1849 which spearheaded the piecemeal colonization of existing independent nations. Today, of the major ethnic groups, the Fulani ruling elite have had upper hand since the country’s independence. Gaining and sustaining power is not about education or the number of FHUWLÀFDWHV DFTXLUHG DOO RYHU WKH ZRUOG SRZHU has been secured and sustained through the control of the instruments of coercion which is a country’s security architecture.

Let us concede: The Fulani ethnic group which had inherited some powers since 1804 Jihad, later sustained by the British, is not a novice. Though with little education in the Western sense, small in population and usually WLQ\ LQ SK\VLTXH DQ XQGHUHVWLPDWLRQ RI WKH Fulani political prowess is dangerous, while RYHU HVWLPDWLRQ RI LWV GH[WHULW\ LV D ÁHHWLQJ illusion. From 1500 when Hausaland was besieged by the Tuaregs, Arabs and Berbers, the Fulani were less known in this hemisphere until the 1804 Jihad which completely erased old things and reshaped the history of West Africa. The Fulani have remained a dynamic transmitter of cultures and politics and have played prominent roles in the emergence or destruction and building of empires since helping the Arabs to famish Sarakoli of Wokoro in Ghana, driven out from Senegal and Niger by the Tuaregs in 1050, sold to slavery by Sonni Ali of Songhay, built the Uthman Dan Fodio Empire and have increased their once tiny population in Nigeria since the beginning of the 20th century. Today, the Fulani are just seven percent of Nigeria’s population but dictates the political economy at least by 60 percent. Power has been one of the greatest things sought by the Fulani, knowing that with political domination, every other thing follows. In this pursuit, power is to be attained by all means possible. Sociologists ascribe to them ‘decorous, polite, of great fortitude of EHDULQJ WUHPHQGRXV SDLQ RU D΁LFWLRQ ZLWKRXW showing’ any pain.’ There is a proverb in

Fulfude that If a Fulani man stands his two feet on a red hot iron, the anguish would not be written on his or her face. They are reputed to be patient and diplomatic in statecraft. These attributes may have helped them to sustain the stronghold on Nigeria, but for how long will a system that fuels anguish and poverty reign?

Yet, as the 2023 elections approach, from all indications, it is easy to predict that the Fulani will produce the next President of Nigeria, from either of the mainstream political parties. This is not about President Muhammadu Buhari, but about a time honoured culture of a people hell bent on shaping the form and character of Nigerian politics. That they will determine who becomes the next President has less to do with what Nigerians want or desire, but more to do with precedence, capacity to control and manipulate existing national structures, primordial organization for a common goal, availability of funds and the strategic positions they have occupied before and after 1999. The 27 years of military rule, when might was right, has been used to change the political and economic landscapes of Nigeria to the extent that Presidential elections in the next 100 years will be determined by them boosted by skewed existing laws-mostly military decrees, delineation of wards, local governments and SROOLQJ XQLWV VWDWHV FUHDWHG E\ PLOLWDU\ ÀDW $W present, the Fulani ethnic group is negotiating from the position of strength. Apart from controlling state security apparatus, her people control illicit weapons in the hands of non-state actors leaving others at their mercy.

Since 2015, the group has consolidated on the EULHI VHWEDFNV VXͿHUHG EHWZHHQ DQG when for 16 years, it had only a brief spell under Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua. Again, the APC was deliberately weakened by the Cabal, reduced to a martial structure where decisions are taken by a few people. Who took the decisions that the nomination forms should be N100 million? Who took the decision that former President Goodluck Jonathan should be invited to contest? Where are the minutes of the meeting?

7KH TXHVWLRQ WKHQ FRPHV WR PLQG :KHUH will the next President come from and how?

Before providing an answer, it is important to state that who becomes the President is crucial for the single reason that the position of the President of Nigeria is arguably one of the most powerful seats in the world, given the authority associated with its

Nothing will save Nigeria apart from truth, equity, justice, fairness and responsible leadership all of which are absent at the moment

nature, characterized by over concentration of executive functions in the hands of a single person. We ask: Will power move to the South? In the South West, there are high expectations by the ruling elite that the zone should produce the next President. In 2014, the region provided funds, logistics, a mass-driven tactical campaign that brought in President Buhari. Its greatest error was to concede to an MOU without the signature of the main partner. The South West leaders formed an alliance without terms and conditions, without a written document and without any sense of history, but based on trust that was never proven. From all indications, the hope of the SW producing the next President is dim, due to a combination of the zone’s tactical blunders and the surgical calculation of the Northern ruling elite to set the zone against itself, a feat already achieved with a trophy. In Ogun State alone, there are four aspirants, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Senator Ibikunle Amosu and former Speaker, Hon Dimeji Bankole. The South West also has Dr Kayode Fayemi, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu making six aspirants in total. It should be understood that none of the aspirant would have sought the ticket without gaining the FRQÀGHQFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQF\ DQG PHPEHUV RI Buhari’s kitchen cabinet, indicating that the cabal may have deliberately given the nod, with strong but futile promises, to each of them, albeit privately and stealthily, knowing it was the best way to fuel the intra-personal and regional contradictions among them.

From all indications, the Fulani ruling class, and its ‘yes men’ appear to be weighing many options with the same goal of sustaining their time-honoured privileges and to ensure Fulani total relevance beyond 2023 or what Chief Olusegun Obasanjo described as the Fulanisation of Nigeria. The plots for the survival and control of Nigeria by the ruling Cabal are many. Nothing suggests they care about the trauma of the masses. One plot is to nail or neutralize the agitation for the break-up of the country currently being championed by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, (IPOB).

This may have informed the extension of the tickets to some Igbo leaders including Rotimi Amaechi and the Governor of the Central %DQN *RGZLQ (PHÀHOH ZKR LV IURP $JERU 'HOWD 6WDWH (PHÀHOH LV ,JER EXW ZLWK RQO\ D strand in the tap root of the Igbo mainstream KHULWDJH +LV ZLIH LV <RUXED (PHÀHOH KLPVHOI VSHDNV <RUXED ÁXHQWO\ 7KLV PDNHV KLP WR EH a pride of both the Ika Igbo and potentially a candidate the ruling class thinks can placate the agitators for Biafra. His not having a very strong Igbo root means his full dedication to the Igbo cause may not happen, leaving the ruling class the advantage to manipulate him.

Adeoye, a multiple award-winning Journalist, writes from Lagos

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T H I S D AY

Udom Emmanuel is a Presidential material, writes ABULU GABRIEL

UDOM: IN HIS OWN WORDS It is a season for appraisal for many presidential hopefuls. In an unprecedented manner in the political history of Nigeria, the staggering number of politicians who have indicated interest in succeeding President Muhammadu Buhari is astonishing not only to Nigerians but the international community.

From those without any proven track record of human and materials management to those who have never run any venture in the past are all coveting the plum job of Nigerian president. However, from those who have thrown their hats into the ring, the AkwaIbom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel appears to tower above all in the race. He was a guest on the popular programme of Channels Television, Politics Today on Friday.

Emmanuel, who was a top, accomplished banker before he ventured into politics displayed his competence, clear and wellthought-out plans for the people of Nigeria if his political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hands over the party’s ticket to him for the 2023 presidential elections.

He is not a rookie in government. He reeled out outstanding achievements he has to his name since 2015 when he was elected as the Executive governor. of the oil rich state. As a professional in politics, he highlighted the importance of discipline in relation to the collective position of the party on the 2023 presidential ticket.

He said although he anticipated and hoped IRU D VRXWKHUQ SUHVLGHQWLDO FDQGLGDWH WR Á\ WKH 3'3 ÁDJ WKH SDUW\·V GHFLVLRQ LV LQGHHG ultimate. According to him, aligning with the ultimate party’s decision is the hallmark of discipline as a true party stalwart.

“I love the introductory part where you referred to me as a professional in politics. In our profession, one word that always comes to play is discipline. So, I believe that the party is supreme, so whatsoever decision taken by the party, we are bound by the decision.

No individual can come out to contest the decision of the party whether you are pleased or not. It does not matter; you must fall in line.

“We the Southern governors made our opinion known on zoning the presidential ticket to our region but if our party said no, we will abide by the decision of the open contest.

It is all discipline’’, he said.

When the interviewer attempted to pooh pooh his achievements as the governor by EDQGLQJ DQ XQIRXQGHG XQHPSOR\PHQW ÀJXUH RI SHUFHQW KH ÀUHG EDFN DQG H[SRVHG WKH inaccuracies in the data. He said a state that has become a booming construction site cannot be in the league of states with highest unemployment rates.

He talked about the numbers of teachers that were recruited to schools across the state.

And the rising number of industries that are moving to the state as a result of a conducive business environment.

The Governor said: ‘’If you had not brought that up, I would have been surprised. I have DQVZHUHG WKLV TXHVWLRQ LQ PRUH WKDQ ÀYH OLYH interviews. You see, how do they collate the sample size compared to population size? ‘’If you check that statistics, it includes some states that you yourself will doubt the ÀJXUHV :H DUH WDONLQJ DERXW D VWDWH $NZD -Ibom) where every single local government is a construction site and every single construction site employs many people. As of today, the number of doctors, teachers hired is huge. Just last year, we employed over 3,000 teachers. I took an additional 1000 teachers

into secondary schools. Right now, an additional 1,500 teachers are being recruited into primary schools. ‘’You see all the infrastructural development in every single local government employing people. Look at the number of factories that have been established, these create direct and

indirect jobs. So, it comes to question how they collate those data. ‘’We have seriously doubted the integrity RI WKRVH ÀJXUHV :H GRQ·W NQRZ KRZ WKH\ came about it. Mind you, this is the second state in Nigeria with highest Foreign Direct Investments. This is the state that has attracted GLͿHUHQW LQGXVWULHV ,Q WHUPV RI DYLDWLRQ development, we are there. In terms of all the gateways to industrialization, we are at the forefront. How can you say that the same state is at the forefront of unemployment? It is completely contradictory.

On security, Governor Udom promised to crack the menace using the Akwa-Ibom template that has been adjudged very successful. He said, “You might need to check the opinions of all the security agencies of the security situation in Akwa-Ibom today and let them compare it with the past. If you can run a state, you can run a nation. If you cannot run a small business, you can’t run a multinational.

“The principles of management are the same. When we can do this much as a subnational entity that does not control policies, security agencies, that means we can do much more if given the opportunity to govern at the centre. ‘’If you can run a state for eight years and you get the ratings from security agencies that means you can do more if you are the Commander of the Armed forces of Nigeria.

All these things are not rocket science, how are others doing it? Nothing is impossible when the passion is right. +H GHOYHG LQWR VSHFLÀFV DQG HVSRXVHG the need to get the locals more involved in intelligence gathering and the inclusion of the people in the security architecture.

Governor Udom Emmanuel’s thoughts on development were profound. He demonstrated that he was indeed a retired bank chief executive who is no stranger to GDWD +H FRUUHFWHG WKH GRRP ÀJXUHV ZLWK DFFXUDWH ÀJXUHV IURP WKH VWDWH UHOHYDQW DJHQF\ The presidential hopeful also provided the reasons behind the spike in unemployment rate. According to him, the greatest public health crisis of the century, COVID-19 pandemic slowed down the growth among other factors.

Gabriel writes from Uyo

THURSDAY MAY 19, 2022

PETER AWELE ODOR argues that the causes of the war should be addressed for peace to reign

US, ‘FIRM CONTAINMENT OF RUSSIA’ AND WORLD PEACE Just after WW2 in 1945, George Marshall declared “globalism”. This means that the US should police the world with military might in order to preserve its military and economic overlordship. In 1946 Mr. George Kennan recommended that the US should carry out “firm containment of Russia” while in 1947 President Harry Truman declared the “containment of Communism”. When NATO was created in 1949 as a military alliance, Mr. Kennan declared: “NATO will function as a tripwire, bringing the full military and atomic force of the United States to bear on the Soviet Union if it dared to cross the East-West line”.

These four declarations, made because the Soviet Union was the only country that could match the military power of the US, violated the international relation policy which President George Washington recommended to the US in his Farewell Address (1796) and was “steadfastly maintained” until then.

It heralded terrorism!

For decades, the US was warned that “the expansion of NATO to Eastern Europe would provoke Russia” because it has remained within its territory. Russian president, Vladimir Putin, protested that enlarging the membership of NATO across the East-West line, most notably with the Baltic countries joining the Alliance in 2004, violated the agreement reached and solemn promise made in order to ensure that peace is maintained.

As part of his protest he asked: “What happened to the assurances our Western partners made after the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact?”. Following assurance given to Ukraine and Georgia in 2008 that they will be members of NATO, he warned that it was “direct threat” to Russia.

Mr. Kennan’s “containment of Communism” was achieved with the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact, change from “communism” to capitalism, and “the crash that brought Russia to its knees” — while Boris Yeltsin was the president of Russia, masterminded by the CIA, IMF and World Bank (1998). Ukraine’s membership of NATO which is being pursued with determination is intended to provide the ground for the final onslaught on Russia to achieve the “Firm containment of Russia”, as the US used Diego Garcia for the onslaught against Iraq to murder President Sadam Hussein (Documentary by Christiane Amanpour). Therefore, Ukraine’s membership of NATO is a real and very serious threat not only to Russia but, more seriously, the continued existence of man on earth, because President Putin and the Duma are equally determined that Ukraine will never be a member of NATO. The US government has always meddled in the affairs of European nations and violated their sovereignty and freedom, and also international laws, with impunity. It repudiated the League of Nations and Kellogg-Briand Pact, escalated the crises which preceded WW1 and WW2, and took advantage of the wars to become the most dominant in military, currency and economic terms in the world. Because the US is not in Europe and the US government has the authority that is respected in Europe, it should be a peace maker.

What began as the consequence of the conspiratorial and violent removal of the legitimate president of Russia, President Viktor Yanukovych, in 2014, masterminded by US CIA, just as the CIA had overthrown several presidents and imposed US stooges on the nations, developed into a crisis on February 22, 2014 following the violation of the peace agreement signed on February 21, 2014 by parties to the crisis which Germany, France and Poland guaranteed compliance with. What followed was series of onslaught on Russian diplomats and Russians in Dunestsk and Lugansk; the violation of Russian embassy and consulates, and destruction of properties in Russian Centre of Science and Culture and in Russian Orthodox Church. The provocative attacks got to intolerable peak with the change of the constitutional official language of Ukraine, Russia.

President Vladimir Putin who while the series of actions were carried out sued for peaceful coexistence and preservation of the brotherly bond between Russia and Ukraine, based on their common ancestry, Kievski Rus, their communion under the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR), and respect of the agreements signed to allow the independence of Ukraine to no avail, launched several missiles into Ukraine on February 24, 2022 because the Duma recommended it.

Following the request for help by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who should have made peace with his brother, President Putin, all Russian finances in foreign banks were blocked, avalanche of sanctions were imposed on everything Russian, including Chelsea Football Club, in violation of “separation of sports and politics” rule, because a Russian owned it, and some governments, including China, India and Saudi Arabia, were told to stop business dealings with Russia. These known US strategies for winning a war have failed.

Simultaneously, unprecedented quantum of heavy, sophisticated, precise and effective weapons; intelligence information, and finance were given to President Zelenskyy. Report informed that the intelligence information and mercenaries helped sink Russia’s utility ship and murder several Russian Generals. Altogether, the war is between Russia on one side, Ukraine and governments that are members of the EU and NATO on the other side.

The reiteration at Brussels Summit in June 2021 of the decision reached in 2008 to bring Ukraine into the Alliance, the crossing of the East-West line by NATO, US mastermind of the coup in Ukraine in 2014, and the attacks, destructions, violation of Russian diplomatic heaven and change of the official language that followed it, caused the war and NOT the launch of the missiles. The assertion that President Putin planned to annex Ukraine was a strategic lie, like the lie told about President Sadam Hussein in order to murder him!

The emotions aroused by the images of dead and wounded Ukrainians, buildings destroyed in Ukraine, and Ukrainians fleeing Ukraine on the screens of mainstream media — none seen yet about Russia — are the bases of the condemnation of Russia over the war. But these are effects and not the causes of the war. The causes, revealed earlier, should be addressed for there to be peace between Ukraine and Russia and, indeed, in the world.

Some people have argued that President Zelenskyy has right to belong to NATO. His right ends where the right of President Putin to defend Russians and the territorial integrity of Russia begins. Would they ignore a risk to their lives or the lives of the members of their families? They should note that President Kennedy rejected the installation of missiles in Cuba by Russian president, Nikita Khrushchev, in 1962, 90 miles from the US, at the request of President Fidel Castro after several efforts to murder or overthrow him failed.

The world needs Kellogg-Briand Pact and not NATO. President Biden, a devout Catholic, should end US pursuit of “Firm containment of Russia” without any delay. He should also recant his words: “This man (President Putin) cannot remain in power”. Obviously, President Zelenskyy exposed his political ambition, lust for power and political naivety.

Odor is an independent researcher and public good promoter in Lagos

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY MAY 19, 2022

Jungle justice must be severely sanctioned, writes OLUSEGUN ADENIYI

WHERE LIFE IS TWO FOR ONE KOBO! Concluded from backpage Talking about gay, on 16th February this year (2016), a father of three and personal assistant to a politician was beaten to death in Ondo State after being caught “assisting” his boss in the bedroom. If you are the type that grew up watching “Drakula” and looking at gory pictures, just go online and conduct a search on “gay man killed in Ondo” and you will have murder at its most bestial served you in full course.

There are just too many “Judges” in our society, and they will “convict” and pass judgement on any “crime”. In September 2013, a man and woman were stripped and paraded naked in a village in Benue State. The woman was accused of adultery by sleeping with the man (with whom she was being molested) after the death of her husband. According to the mob, this ZDV DQ RͿHQFH DJDLQVW DQ RUDFOH FDOOHG ‘Alekwu’ in the town which punishes married women who “cheat” on their husbands, even though, in this instance, the man was already dead!

I can go and on because the list of extrajudicial killings in Nigeria is as long as the ´RͿHQFHVµ IRU ZKLFK WKH\ DUH FRPPLWWHG In most instances, it takes the chant of one crazy fellow for these bloodthirsty hounds to appear from nowhere. And they are ever ready to kill just about anybody, perhaps because they always get away with it.

Following the daylight murder in July 2012 in Ekiti State of a 70-year-old woman, Mrs. Rebecca Adewumi, who was tortured to death by some youths because her rival claimed to have seen her (Mrs Adewumi) in a dream tormenting her son, I did an intervention titled “Apani Ma Wagun, Olokiki Oru”. That was after reading the moving account by Mrs Grace 6PLWK ÀUVW GDXJKWHU RI WKH GHFHDVHG who said her mother’s ordeal started at the palace of the Olomuo of Omuo Ekiti, Oba Noah Omonigbehin, where she (the late Mrs Adewumi) was accused of using witchcraft power to harm her stepson: “On getting to Olomuo’s palace, the family was asked to come the following day at 6am and on that day, the palace was full to the brim. My mother was then asked to undress to the pants, after which a series of questions were asked. She was then given a concoction (Obo leaf) said to make witches confess and die. My dear mother was told that she would die within seven days if she was involved in Ola’s matter. Nine days passed and nothing happened, and I left for my base in Lagos. Three weeks after, on June 26, some youths in the town went to our house and brought out my mother and forced her to drink a poisonous item. They then took her outside into the rain where she was beaten and subjected to serious torture. When she was almost dying, they took her back into her room and laid her on the bed. She died on June 30.”

Up till today, there is no indication that anybody has been brought to justice on account of that crime. But in a statement last weekend on the Kano tragedy, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon $UDVH ZKR FRQÀUPHG WKH DUUHVW RI WZR NH\ suspects said he had “directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in-charge of the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID) to deploy

the Homicide Section of the Department to immediately take over the investigation of the (Mrs Abahime’s murder) case and ensure a meticulous investigation and speedy prosecution of the arrested suspects”.

Although we have heard such declarations before, it is important that the culprits be brought to justice, especially DJDLQVW WKH EDFNJURXQG WKDW ÀYH GD\V before the Kano tragedy, one Methodus Emmanuel, a 24-year-old trader based in Padongari, Niger State was also killed by a mob over allegations of blasphemy. But it is comforting that we have political leaders who are sensitive enough to intervene on the Kano tragedy to avert a bigger problem.

It is in that context that one should commend Governors Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna) and Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar (Bauchi) as well as the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun who on Tuesday met with the Ohaneze-Ndigbo leadership in Owerri. “We will not accept a situation where people, either Christians or Muslims, (would) hide under the umbrella of religion to commit crime. If someone had insulted God, the person should be left for God to take care of,” said el-Rufai.

That precisely is a message that needs to be preached in a society where several people are now playing God. I am not advocating disrespect for the tenets of any religion, and I have no sympathy for those who make reckless and inciting statements about the faith of another person. But since the fundamental right of every citizen to life is guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution, it should worry the authorities that extra-judicial killings are becoming the norm in our country today. This is despite that even in cases of KHLQRXV RͿHQFHV ZKLFK DWWUDFW WKH GHDWK penalty, the State cannot execute anybody unless he or she has been convicted by a properly constituted court and availed the right of appeal to the highest court in the land.

Unfortunately, while jungle justice for DOO PDQQHU RI RͿHQFHV DQG HYHQ IRU QR RͿHQFHV DW DOO KDV EHHQ ZLWK XV IRU D ORQJ time, the variant being prescribed in Kano by those who have made themselves the “Avengers of God” is the most dangerous in a politically charged environment like ours. Because it is one that can easily evoke passion and provoke ethno-religious uprising as well as reprisal killings that could snowball out of control. That is why it is important for the Police to ensure there is justice for the family of the late Mrs. Abahime to serve as a lesson to others with similar mindset that there are consequences for such heinous criminality in Nigeria.

ENDNOTE: The foregoing was published six years ago. Now we are back to the same issue, dealing with the same tragedy. No matter what leads people to take the law into their hands, we must stop this dangerous drift by imposing heavy sanctions on the perpetrators. The killers of Deborah must be brought to justice.

Adeniyi is Chairman, THISDAY Editorial Board

CHIKA ESIOBU provides some biblical insights on environmental issues

AFRICA AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY One pertinent issue across Africa today is how much the continent should invest in environmental sustainability, being that the region contributes very little to the burning challenges of global warming and environmental degradation. In this case, the Bible will be looked at to see what might be God’s ideal for how the continent should deal with global environmental issues.

Africa’s contribution to global environmental degradation is minuscule when compared to the rest of the world. The electricity the United States uses for air-conditioning of buildings alone is equal to the entire electricity consumption of the continent of Africa. The cruel paradox is that, although Africa contributes the OHDVW WR JOREDO FOLPDWH FKDQJH LW VXͿHUV WKH most in terms of health, economic, geographical and social consequences. African nations are confronted with a slew of environmental issues that endanger the region’s population. Water pollution, air pollution, and droughts are the continent’s most serious environmental issues, DOO RI ZKLFK KDYH YHU\ VWURQJ QHJDWLYH HͿHFWV on the health of Africans.

There are several scriptures that show the magnitude and place of environmental management in the task allotted to humankind.

First, God’s plan for creatures such as birds and animals is for them to increase. What this means is that any action or activity that brings about a reduction in biodiversity is contrary to God’s will.

The Bible says so in Genesis 21:22–23.

21So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase LQ QXPEHU DQG ÀOO WKH ZDWHU LQ WKH VHDV DQG OHW the birds increase on the earth.”

Indeed, species, rather than increasing, are becoming extinct at up to 1,000 times the normal rate due to persistent pressure from habitat degradation and climate change connected with increasing human industrialization and modernity related activities. The variety of life God created to support natural systems and human civilization worldwide is dwindling.

Further down in this creation story, it was time for man to be created. First, the Bible says that God created man in His own image and likeness; if God is a creator, then man was created to create, to increase and expand the species, not to decimate it. When God breathed into man, he gave him his terms of reference, or scope of work, which were already planned ahead. It was simple: “be responsible for the ÀVK LQ WKH VHD WKH ELUGV LQ WKH DLU WKH FDWWOH DQG yes, Earth itself and every animal that moves on the face of the Earth.”

Basically, humanity was given the job of ensuring that the species would live and grow.

In a typical case where God gave clear instructions to the Israelites on how to build a city, he makes it clear that vegetation or natural habitat should surround the city. This instruction is to be found in Numbers 35:4-5.

“The pasture surrounding the Levites’ towns is to extend 1,500 feet in each direction from the city wall.” The outside borders of the pasture are to measure three thousand feet on each of the four sides—east, south, west, and north— with the town at the center. Each city will be supplied with pasture. “ Essentially, humans need to stay close to

nature, to give and to get from nature. Each city will be given pasture.

In another instance, when the Israelites were going to war, God instructed them to not FXW GRZQ WKH WUHHV QRU VHW ÀUH WR WKH YHJHWDWLRQ part of the cities they were going to conquer.

Deuteronomy 20:19-”When you besiege a city for a long time, while making war against

it to take it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an ax against them; if you can eat of them, do not cut them down to use in the VLHJH IRU WKH WUHH RI WKH ÀHOG LV PDQ·V IRRG µ *RG WROG PDQ WKDW WKH WUHH RI WKH ÀHOG is man’s food. The King James Translation RI WKH %LEOH VD\V ´)RU WKH WUHH RI WKH ÀHOG LV man’s life.” Five centuries ago that scientists GLVFRYHUHG WKDW SODQWV JLYH RͿ WKH R[\JHQ that humans need to survive, as well as mop up the carbon dioxide they exhale from the environment. Additionally, only plants have the capacity to make food on earth with sunlight, in a process known as photosynthesis. Humans and animals cannot survive on Earth without plant life.

Many are in agreement that individualism, greed, and late stage ultra-capitalism, which Africa has not historically, been a notable part of, have devastated the environment.

Yet, the countries laden with the guilt of environmental degradation are calling on African countries to make expensive, even XQDͿRUGDEOH FRQFHVVLRQV DQG LQYHVWPHQWV in environmental sustainability. This has led many Africans to reject the call, terming it as a ploy to keep African countries stagnant and unable to toe the same line of economic prosperity that brought the more advanced nations to where they are today. <HW WKHUH DUH EHWWHU PRUH DͿRUGDEOH environmentally sustainable ways of advancement than the regrettable path that has led to global climate change. Africans PXVW WKHQ EH SDFHVHWWHUV LQ ÀQGLQJ WKLV SDWK Africa’s role at this time will be to correct that which the rest of the globe has desecrated in God’s world. This is a call for a higher level of innovation to come from Africa. The western-led innovation that has been adapted by the East and in many parts of the globe is a race towards extinction for humanity, which includes Africa.

African Christians must now work on the kind of innovation that will meet up with God’s mandate to man to replenish the earth and not to deplete it. This means looking beyond fatal short-term gains to focusing on the very type of innovation that will show the shallowness and ungodliness of the innovation pathway that has brought us the current global environmental crisis.

Dr. Esiobu @drchikaesiobu

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T H I S D AY

THURSDAY MAY 19, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

THE BANE OF DEFORESTATION The authorities must give adequate attention to preserving the environment

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Some 1.5 million trees are felled every day owing to illegal logging. About 484 plant species are also threatened with extinction

T H I S D AY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022

31

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Tackling Menace of Domestic Violence Ugo Aliogo examines the impact of domestic violence on the society, and the failure of policies and legislations to address the menace

C

ases of domestic violence in Nigeria have taken an upward swing in recent weeks, especially with the death of late gospel artiste, Osinachi Nwachukwu, which went viral and attracted much media attention. It was alleged that Nwachukwu died from domestic violence and not throat cancer as widely claimed. Whether this revelation is true or not, domestic violence has remained a recurring decimal not just in Nigeria society, but globally.

However the efforts to curb the menace through policies, laws and penalties differ from society to society.

It is important to state that women do not only experience domestic violence, Men are also victims.

There was a time in Nigeria were wives were killing their husbands, but it didn’t receive much media attention because the societal configuration makes possible for men to always be on the wrong side of the law always.

The United Nations defines violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.”

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), violence against women, particularly intimate partner violence and sexual violence is a major public health problem and a violation of women’s human rights.

Estimates published by WHO indicate that globally, about one in three (33 percent) women worldwide have experienced either physical and or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.

The estimates also indicate that almost one-third of women aged 15-49 years, who have been in a relationship, report that they have been subjected to some form of physical and/or sexual violence by their intimate partner.

Also, a report from Nigeria’s National Population Commission (NPC) estimates women’s lifetime exposure to IPV from their partner at 19 per cent for emotional IPV, 14 percent for physical IPV, and 5 percent for sexual IPV. In 2021, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) reported that it recorded 10,007 reported cases of domestic violence, including sexual abuse perpetrated against adults and children between May 2019 and August 26, 2021.

The breakdown of the cases shows that domestic violence ranked highest with a total of 4,150 cases.

Five of the victims were said to have died.

EXPERT OPINION In an interview with THISDAY, the Executive Director, Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), Hansatu Adegbite, said domestic violence is not a case of parents who raise male children who don’t respect the girl-child as it can also be both ways.

She also argued that there are a lot of factors that are responsible for domestic violence in the nation which has made it an acceptable practice in some families, communities, cultures, traditions and religions, “personal traumas, childhood experiences and personality disorders are also a part of the reasons too.”

Corroborating the views raised by Adegbite was the argument made by the Women’s Rights Programme Manager, ActionAid Nigeria (AAN), Nkechi Kanny, who stated that domestic violence is a complex problem in Nigeria, “a common problem and people live with it as if it is a norm in society.

Just like terrorism is a global threat to peaceful human co-existence and human rights because they both use violence and intimidation as means to achieve their goals.

She disclosed that women and children are the most vulnerable when it comes to issues of domestic violence and abuse, and analyses have shown that domestic violence in Nigeria may be directly or indirectly motivated by religious beliefs, existing cultural norms, perceptions that promote patriarchy, weak enforcement of laws that protect the rights of women and children, stigma, and the culture of silence.

She further explained that the patriarchal system in the country subjects women to violence and religion is used as a tool for correcting behaviour and exerting male dominance, especially in marriages as Churches, Mosques and Shrines play major roles

The AAN Programme Manager hinted that the policies created have not been sufficient due to the corruption in the system, cultural and religious influences, weak public awareness systems, poor domestication of government policy, and lack of will by responsible agencies to persecute the perpetrators, “these are factors affecting the eradication of domestic violence.”

Her viewpoint is that while the introduction of these policies has been a laudable improvement in tackling the issue of domestic violence, there are still loopholes that need to be addressed in the fight against domestic violence, adding that the legal approach to combating domestic violence in Nigeria has been riddled with some irregularities.

Kanny, noted: “Even though some States do not have laws passed to tackle domestic violence, some have laws that are deficient for women and children. The level of protection and recourse offered to victims of domestic violence has also been a subject that needs improvement and most significantly, the reluctant attitude of relevant agencies responsible for taking necessary actions.”

EFFORTS OF NGOS, CSOS Kanny stated that over the years both local and international NGOs together with Civil Society Organizations have contributed immensely to ensuring the eradication of domestic violence in the country. She stated that ActionAid International has responded to raising issues of Domestic Violence (DV) which resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic in 40 countries across Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East. in shaping the beliefs and perceptions of victims of domestic violence in the country.

According to her, “There are religious ideologies on women being inferior to men, the perception of women as ‘unclean’ and the portrayal of virtuous women as ‘submissive’. The frown on divorce by some religious groups makes it further difficult for victims to leave abusive marriages, all of which endorse domestic violence.

The lack of discussion of domestic issues also creates a space in which ostensibly socially unacceptable behaviour becomes allowable and even commonplace. Because conversations about domestic violence are off-limits, many women do not share abuse incidents with anyone.

“Violence and male dominance have gradually developed into the way of life for many families, this is promoted by existing cultural norms and religious beliefs which have slowly been passed to male children who watch their parents perpetrate such abuse against their mothers and sisters without being persecuted by the society or its government.

“Public awareness about domestic violence and the punishment for perpetrators has not been fully actualized, most act of violence against women and children still go unpunished, rather society casualizes most of these actions and applaud the perpetrators in some cases. The government has failed to introduce subjects into the school curricular systems that directly discourage domestic violence stating the punishment for such actions and the society has subconsciously driven the idea that promotes female subordination and male supremacy/dominance that promotes domestic violence.”

LEGISLATIONS AND POLICIES Adegbite posited that the issue is not the passing of legislation and policies, but their implementation with severe consequences, adding that in a country like Nigeria, paperwork needs implementation, sanctions and heavy consequences for them to be effective.

On her part, Kanny argued that domestic violence is a major problem and most states in Nigeria have risen to this challenge by putting in place legislation to champion the fight against domestic violence which includes policy formulations, planning,

awareness, justice for victims and prosecution of persecutors through the concerted efforts of ministries, parastatals, and agencies.

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

32

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Adegbiji: Data Centre Investment Will Grow Nigeria’s Economy The Chief Operating Officer, MDXi, a subsidiary of MainOne, Mr. Gbenga Adegbiji, speaks on the business opportunities of data centre operations and the need for Nigerian government to take advantage of the opportunities to further deepen digital transformation. Emma Okonji presents the excerpts: competition with the existing data centres in the country. Is Nigeria data market ready to withstand the expected market competition?

Competition in data centre business is good for the Nigerian economy and such competition is inevitable.

Investors see the population of Nigeria and its potential and they are interested in enlarging the bucket of the competition and create a bigger bucket where everybody can operate. It is about expanding the data centre market and building more infrastructure that will enable the industry to grow. In data centre business, the opportunities are there and we need to unlock the opportunities. Aside the opportunities, there are also challenges, which are surmountable and investors need to understand that doing business in Nigeria, is quite different from doing business in Europe or Asia. This is because Nigeria is a unique market with its own peculiarities.

Recently, some foreign data companies are showing interest in data centre investment in Nigeria. How will this impact on the Nigerian economy in terms of infrastructure development and job creation?

DXi, which is a fully owned subsidiary of MainOne, is the data centre business of MainOne, and it was founded by MainOne in 2014, but it started operations in 2015. We have four operational data centres, two in Lagos, Nigeria, one in Accra, Ghana, and one in Cote d Ivoire. Recently, MainOne was acquired

by Equinix, which makes Equinix the new owner of MDXi and MainOne. So the intention of Equinix to invest in data centre business in Nigeria, will impact on Nigeria’s economy in the areas of infrastructure development and job creation.

Equinix shopped for data centre in Africa to invest in, and it found MainOne as a credible company with global standard of operations and it acquired MainOne. As a foremost data centre operator across globe, the entrance of Equinix into Africa, through Nigeria, will drive a lot of infrastructural development and job creation in Nigeria. Aside Equinix, other data centre operators are also indicating interest to invest in Nigeria, which is a good development that will further open the data centre business in Nigeria for economic growth. Nigeria’s huge population is one factor that is attracting foreign investors to invest in Nigeria. The Equinix that I know, has its African strategy, which the company wants to drive through MainOne, which will benefit Nigeria in many ways.

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The Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, recently said Nigeria has moved from a mono economy that was dependent on oil, to a diversified economy in the area of digital technology.

How will data centre expansion in Nigeria further help to diversify Nigeria’s economy?

Data centre has the capacity to drive diversification of Nigeria’s economy, because data itself is the next big thing that will propel growth of the Nigerian economy. New technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (AR), Internet of Things (IoT), Autonomous Driving that will be powered by AI, including 5G technology, are fast evolving, which means that more data would be generated, which will lead to increase in data analytics and this calls for more data points and data infrastructure like data centres. So data centres will play major roles in all of these and also help the Nigerian economy to grow faster. Government therefore needs to do more in supporting the growth of data centres across the country. This is an opportunity for Nigerian government to become an active player in the fourth industrial revolution, which is about knowledge economy.

Government should take action to create timeline in achieving stable electricity supply in Nigeria and to rollout infrastructure that will drive data centre development in Nigeria.

Recent statistics showed that Nigeria lacks manpower in the area of digital skills that are driving global economies. How will this be addressed in line with global demand for digital skills?

Nigeria does not really lack digital skills, but looking at the percentage of those with digital skills, when compared with those without digital skills, via-a-vis the population of Nigeria, then the statistics may be right to have deduced that Nigeria lags behind in digital skills acquisition. Generally, technology skills are scarce, which is not peculiar to Nigeria alone. The rate at which technology is evolving, creates huge gap between technology growth and the required technology skills’ growth, and this is a global challenge. We need to do a lot of automation to address the challenge, and government needs to encourage digital skills training and put policies in place that will make skilled Nigerians to remain and work in Nigeria instead of traveling abroad for greener pastures.

MainOne for instance, is training Nigerians on digital skills, through the MainOne Academy. We recruit fresh graduates and take them through the MainOne Academy, where we teach them new technologies and different certifications for six months to one year, depending on the course, and we graduated the last set of trainees about three weeks ago. With the training, MainOne is helping the society and the Nigerian economy to have personnel in digital skills. We integrate some of them into our company to work for us, while some get well-paid jobs in other organisations, and some of them even travel abroad to further develop their skills. So Nigeria needs more training of youths in digital skills, to fill that gap created by evolving technologies. Government can also give incentives for more companies and organisations to train Nigerian

Adegbiji youths on digital skills.

Since the launch of MDXi in 2015, how has the centre impacted on businesses that offer cloud and internet services across the country?

To be honest, the impact has been huge and I am going to give specific examples. We launched MDXi in 2015 so that we can provide data centre and interconnect services to Nigerians. Before 2015, companies in Nigeria used to interconnect from London, but since we launched MDXi, many companies now host their data with MDXi in Nigeria and do their interconnect from Nigeria, which has helped them in saving huge operational cost. The MDXi enterprise business contributes more than 40 per cent growth in businesses for companies who host their data with MDXi. Before our launch in 2015, most businesses suffered from outages, leading to operational downtime, but MDXi has been able to address that challenge for organisations, which now leads to higher returns on investment. With MDXi, companies now enjoy data service availability and reliability.

MainOne has helped a lot of businesses in Nigeria to develop into big Fintech companies that are currently driving the Nigerian economy. MDXi is supporting businesses and their customers to communicate faster across West Africa.

MDXi, Which is driving MainOne’s Data Centre operations, recently launched its second data centre along the Lekki corridors in Lagos.

What must have prompted the expansion plan and how will it impact on the Lagos and Nigerian economy?

The Lekki Data Centre 1 was our first data centre and there was need for expansion after some years of operation, hence we established the Lekki Data Centre 2. Over the years, our customers expanded, and their demand for additional rack space in our data centre increased, which motivated the need for a second data centre in order to meet the growing needs of our customers. A lot of companies now run their main Information Technology (IT) services from our data centre and we need to expand because we have almost reached the full capacity in our Lekki Data Centre 1.

Businesses are expanding and IT services are also expanding and we need to expand our data centre operations to meet the growing needs of our customers.

How will MDXi operations help to drive software development in Nigeria and reposition Nigeria as a hub for technology development?

Software development in Nigeria is fast growing

and we have Software-as-a-Service, Infrastructureas-a-Service and cloud computing, where data is stored in the cloud, and MDXi provides the support service. MDXi has several customers who offer cloud services and Infrastructure-as-a-Service to their customers and they rely on MDXi to offer such services to their customers. With this, MDXi is providing real support for software development in Nigeria.

Tell us about the certification of MDXi and its capacity to protect data in a digital era where hacking of data centres and organisations’ network is on the rise?

MDXi has certifications at different levels of operation. We also have the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCIDSS) certification that has to do with payments and this guarantees security to all organisations involved in offering payment services, that operates using the MDXi Data Centre. We also have the ISO27001 certification that addresses cybersecurity. To attain such certifications, requires high level of security standards, which we have built over the years and we are involved in periodic testing in-house, as well as penetration testing to ensure that we maintain the high security standard required for data centre operations. We also have Soc2 certification that deals with processes and measures, including operational efficiency.

What is MainOne’s future-build plans along the Shagamu axis in Ogun State and the expansion plan beyond the shores of Nigeria?

We have the Shagamu operations, which is our disaster recovery site for customers who are interested in handling their disaster recovery operations in Shagamu, which is some distance away from their Lekki operation centre, that will give them the geographical redundancy and the separation that they will need. We have fibre connectivity from Lekki in Lagos State to Shagamu Ogun State to host the disaster recovery site. From Shagamu, we service our customers around that environ.

The Shagamu facility is not a data centre at the moment and we need more customers in that axis in order to upgrade it to a full data centre. The Shagamu facility is just a Point of Presence (PoP), servicing few businesses in that environment. For our expansion plan, we are looking at building more data centres in Lagos and in other parts of the country because our customers are also expanding and they are deploying services in more than one city.

The new data centres that are springing up in Nigeria, will no doubt create market

How will you describe the acquisition of MainOne

by Equinix, and what has been the impact in the area digital infrastructure since the acquisition last year?

The acquisition of MainOne by Equinix has opened doors for more investment opportunities in Nigeria.

Investors were initially watching to see the first global investor that will invest in data centre business in Africa, but as soon as Equinix entered Africa and Nigeria through MainOne, other global companies are beginning to show interest to invest in Nigeria data centre business, which of course is now driving competition, which I earlier spoke about. Equinix entrance into Nigeria, turned out to be a good signal for global investors who now see Nigeria as a country to invest in, and investments drive development. Equinix entrance into Nigeria is also a signal that MainOne has a data centre infrastructure that is of global standard that could be leveraged upon for further expansion. It is also a signal that MainOne has a reliable ecosystem that can be developed across West Africa.

Government must therefore understand the opportunities that are associated with the coming of Equinix into Nigeria and tap those opportunities as fast as possible.

Lagos has reached advanced stage in its 3,000km broadband fibre optic cable connectivity initiative that seeks to make Lagos a hub for technology development in the country. How will MainOne’s broadband cable support the Lagos fibre optic cable initiative?

MainOne is open and ready to work with Lagos State government in the area of broadband deployment via fibre, since that is our core business. MainOne started a project called the Digital Lagos some years ago and the plan was to connect Lagos with broadband though fibre cable. The MainOne business will always complement what Lagos State is doing in the area of broadband connectivity.

As the COO of MDXi, how have you been able to achieve a stable infrastructure management in the two MDXi centres, considering the amount of electricity needed to power data centres, vis-a-vis the poor electricity situation in the country?

Business stability is key for business growth and digital infrastructure development starts from the planning stage.

What we did as MDXi, was to first of all have a very good knowledge of our environment and to have a good knowledge of data centre operation and how best we can operate it in Nigeria, given the peculiarities of the Nigerian market. Before we started, I travelled round the world to see how global data centres are built and managed. All the ideas from that travel were brought to bear in the design and operation of MDXi. Firstly, we were able to design our MDXi facility to be resilient. Today, we have a certified Tier 111 data centre, but we have gone beyond the requirements of a Tier 111 data centre.

The reason for that is because we understand the Nigerian business environment. We also did direct connection to the power grid, in order to have constant power supply, because we understand very well that data centre is about stable electricity supply. All these brought stability in managing our data centres in Nigeria, which led to customer satisfaction. We also developed our operational services that are tailored to our own environment. Again, we have very good and reliable partners, which gave us the leverage to have access to high quality equipment for our operations, which also added to our ability to achieve a stable infrastructure management in both MDXi Data Centres. We bought the best of equipment in the industry and that has brought about stability and reliability in our data centre business.

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022

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BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

Pantami: A Continental Change Icon

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he Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has again, broken the internet and recorded yet another very significant first. Another feat, which like all others preceding it, brings national and global recognition to Nigeria in particular, and Africa in general.

In the last couple of years, he has become the symbol of undeniable change. In a society where ineptitude, self aggrandisement, corruption, pretentious discretion, learned lawlessness and senseless resistance to progressive change seem to have a free rein in the most unexpected quarters, Pantami came and disrupted the norm. The magnitude of change and the impact of his leadership capabilities is a shock to those who are stuck in the doldrums of yesterday.

Professor Pantami has just been appointed Chairman of the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) 2022 by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This historically positions him as the first Nigerian to ever serve in this capacity. In conveying and justifying this appointment, the Secretary General of the International Communications Union (ITU) said “In light of his overall commitment to information and knowledge societies and the active role he has played in WSIS.” The Professor of Cybersecurity is a catalyst for change and operates an impactful leadership style. Prof Pantami does not hide behind the ease of short term, one-hit-wonder-glories. He conceives strategies that hitherto didn’t exist and follows through from draft to implementation with matchless focus. This article is an attempt to highlight the resounding impact of the Professor’s leadership. It is not enough to focus on the various novel policies, projects and strategies he has established - as in my humble opinion, they limit the scope of his achievements. I shall however mention in passing some of these history-altering strategies to lend credence to my assertions.

I will broadly categorise them into two.

Firstly, the re-designation of the Ministry to include the “Digital Economy” nomenclature and secondly, The National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) initiative. These brilliant ideas form the bedrock of Prof Pantami’s foundational change.

Within a little over two years in office - as the Digital Economy driver, Nigeria has seen the offshoots of the aforementioned translate into sixteen policies, some of which are already in full effect, and some at various stages of implementation. Nigeria is well on its way to compiling its first comprehensive data base and like it or not, essential services are becoming more accessible, less cumbersome, transparent and efficient. Earlier this year, I was flagged down by officers of the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) on my way to work, one of those mornings when the clock seemed to be on a marathon and everything that could slow you down was in full effect. Within a minute that it took me to park properly and retrieve my vehicle documents, the officer waved at me, saying “madam your papers are up to date you can go.” I didn’t understand what just happened and in spite of my hurry, I asked how he knew without even looking at them.

Then he pointed to the official vehicle parked a few metres away. “We checked it out on our system” That is what a digital society feels like: efficient, effective and transparent.

Before January 25th 2019, the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) was non-existent.

It took the intervention of my boss as the then Director General of NITDA, to initiate a clearly strategic policy and nurture it to a full-fledged, functional public parastatal today. The story of NDPR and the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) is a discourse for another day; but suffice to state here that, that singular action inspired a revolution about data protection in Africa.

Prof Pantami is a known advocate of skills.

Particularly, digital skills and he has continued to ensure unprecedented investments in digital skills without going cap in hand to anybody but by meticulously and doggedly laying an unshakeable foundation, which like a flower in bloom, is attracting the bees. Besides the numerous digital skills training programmes he has initiated for various institutions and individuals, he has ensured sustainability by establishing institutions and policies that guarantee continuity. The first of its kind in Africa, functional National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, which

Pantami has become a breeding ground for innovators and innovations is to his credit. The Nigeria Startup Bill is still generating excitement in the ecosystem just understanding its potential. The National Assembly is dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s (if any) and the most supportive bill yet specifically geared towards the unhindered development of an indigenous ecosystem would be birthed and of course, there is the almighty 5th Generation network deployment.

Thanks to the unprecedented level of awareness and consciousness brought about

by Pantami’s relentless campaigns and initiatives; nothing is, and will ever remain the same again - agriculture, education, health, commerce, finance, aviation, entrepreneurship, manufacturing, security, communications and most importantly the business of Ggvernance. Everything is changing.

All the elements and factors are keying into the enabler- technologies.

The ripple effects of what I have enumerated thus far, is a game changer for any economy.

The World Bank Diagnostic report on the Nigeria Digital Economy expressly states that “as the biggest economy in Africa, Nigeria is well positioned to develop a strong digital economy. This would have a transformational impact on the country”.

Besides potential and resources, the main vehicle for transformational impact is leadership.

Focused, intentional, result-oriented leadership.

And this is the void Pantami has come to fill and he is doing it like he was born for it.

He is equipped with the capacity to lead, the bravery to chart new courses, the will to insist on doing it right and the resilience required in these peculiar climes to ignore distractions and stay the course. Professor Pantami if nothing else, has shone the light in a very dark tunnel and paved the path to the realisation that a digital economy is the enabler. The awareness has been created and the response has been overwhelming.

Currently, the focus like never before, is on Nigeria’s digital economy and I am talking on a global scale. Thanks to the intentional leadership and vision of Patami; the offices of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy has become a breeding ground of viable ideas and a Mecca of sorts for egg heads who understand and share the future he is bent on bringing to reality. The world is excited about Pantami. Like a phoenix he rises through the most patriotic actions we have witnessed in these climes. While we bicker and waste precious time and energy debating on the rather mundane and ridiculous, the world is embracing this symbol of change. On a daily

basis, global corporations, tech giants of repute, policy makers of no mean repute, diplomats, royalties, captains of industry, Private sector investors, security chiefs, throng to his office seeking collaborations and partnerships that we

had only hitherto read of happening in other climes, with Nigeria. These are verifiable facts as there are investments which prove renewed faith in the country owing to the breath of fresh air Pantami epitomises.

The world knows that this is a man who must be taken seriously by all accounts. The world sees Professor Pantami as Africa’s game changer and is responding in like manner. Easily the most performing Minister in Nigeria today, he has attracted the most investment through his sector into the country.

Microsoft for instance, just established the Africa Development Centre in Lagos, Nigeria. This is a multi-million-dollar investment that has given impetus to the minister’s capacity building initiatives.

This centre, is going to be a melting pot of the best innovations Africa can boast of. At inception, 700 innovators trained to be trainers were already on ground. On a working visit to the Honourable Minister, on April 1, 2022, the President of Microsoft Corporation Mr Brad Smith said, “We are excited about Nigeria in part because of your leadership and your role in the digital economy plan and we are willing to invest in Nigeria because we are confident in your digital economy drive.”

On February 14, 2022, the European Union (EU) came calling. Leader of the delegation, Executive Vice President, Her Excellency Margrethe Vestager was excited to announce an Eight Hundred and Twenty Million Euro investment through its Global Gateway Initiative, in the digital economy sector in key areas like digital infrastructure, entrepreneurship, skills and governance because in her words “the leadership of the Honourable Minister has restored confidence in the country’s digital potential.”

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

T H I S D AY ˾ , MAY 19, 2022

34

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

ÜÙßÚ ÏËÞßÜÏÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ˝ Chiemelie Ezeobi ×ËÓÖ chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 07010510430

Ensuring Universal Health Coverage in Gombe During his inauguration as the fourth executive Governor of Gombe State on May 29, 2019, Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya vowed to provide an enabling and conducive environment aimed at strengthening good governance by pursuing meaningful and mutually beneficial policies, programmes and projects towards enhancing the wellness, wellbeing and socio-economic status of the state and the citizenry. Segun Awofadeji reports that three years down the line, the governor has initiated Universal Health coverage in the state using Primary Health Care as the corner stone to increase efficient, qualitative and affordable healthcare facilities and services as well as ensure availability of essential drugs, vaccine and immunisation across the 11 Local Government Areas of the state

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hree years after his inauguration, landmark and remarkable achievements have been recorded placing Gombe state popularly called “Sahel in the Savannah” in a position of light and as one of the fasted growing states, not just in the Northeast sub - region, entire Northern extraction but Nigeria in general.

While campaigning for the governorship seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya discovered with concern that majority of people in the local government areas of the state did not have access to quality health services due to inadequate infrastructure, absence of basic medical equipment and manpower.

Governor Yahaya at the time promised to among others to proactively implement strategies to achieve Universal Health coverage in the state using Primary Health Care as the corner stone to increase efficient, qualitative and affordable healthcare facilities and services as well as ensure availability of essential drugs, vaccine and immunisation across the 11 Local Government Areas of the state.

And in his inaugural speech, the governor lamented that “Our healthcare delivery system is in a pitiable condition. We would, therefore, commence building of additional healthcare institutions, provision of medical facilities, equipment, training and retraining of healthcare personnel for better service delivery across the state.”

Apparently worried by the decay and poorly functional health system owing to years of neglect of this very important sector by past administrations, the Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya-led new government upon assuming office also declared a state of emergency in the sector and set up a comprehensive agenda for the holistic overhaul of the system.

The Gombe State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru described the approach adopted by the administration towards revamping the health sector as broad-based and multi-disciplinary.

“The health sector is one area where the governor covertly declared a state of emergency, and he did so because when he came into office the sector was literally gasping for breath but mid way into his tenure the situation is far much better now and I think you have seen it for yourselves”.

To undertake any critical sector of the state for development like the health sector with the intent on making meaningful impact on the lives of the benefiaries in the respective communities across the state, funding remains key and it is in realisation of this fact that the Inuwa Yahaya administration considered it expedient to increase the budgetary allocation to the Primary Healthcare Development Agency by 49 per cent in 3020 and 30 per cent in 2021.

Through the Primary Health Care Development Agency, at least one Primary health centre in each of the 114 wards in the state was either consructed or rehabilitated to deliver quality healthcare services to the people at the grassroot level and to guarantee effective service delivery, each of the PHCs have been provided with a motorised borehole and solar power.

At an interactive session between state governors and high level Gavi delegation on Zero- Dose Children, PHC Coordination and COVID-19 response in Nigeria, held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya says his administration revitalised and strengthened the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Gombe State in order to reduce the burden on secondary health facilities and ensure easy access to quality healthcare by all and sundry.

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is an independent public-private partnership and multilateral funding mechanism that aims to expand global access to and use of vaccines, particularly among vulnerable children.

Governor Inuwa commented on his administration’s efforts at strengthening the health system and ensuring PHC autonomy through its Equity Fund in addition to the ongoing Basic Healthcare Provision Fund(BHCPF), which is a federal and state funded initiative.

He told the gathering that Gombe has enacted a law recently that earmarked not less than one per cent of the state’s and local government’s consolidated revenue as equity fund.

“This fund alongside the BHCPF is being used to enroll poor and vulnerables in our communities to access health care at their ward level PHC. This has created a sustained source of funding to the PHCs enabling them to conduct their activities without

Newly constructed OPD at Gombe Specialist Hospital hindrance, including the conduct of regular outreaches to underserved communities”.

He revealed that over 40,000 poor and vulnerables, including internally displaced persons from the insurgency-wrecked neighbouring states have so far been fully covered under the state health insurance scheme, known as GoHealth.

“Our recent investment that saw the complete revitalisation of 1 PHC in every ward has greatly improved the confidence of the people in our public health system; and as such with the commencement of the formal sector programme, we have witnessed the selection of public PHCs as their primary providers despite having the option to select private facilities by the formal sector employees”.

He contended that public trust is a key driver of uptake of essential health services including immunisation, noting that if adequate investment is made to improve the standard of the public health facilities and provide them with basic equipment and manpower, people will continue to have trust in the public heath system.

To ensure quality service delivery of the PHCS across the state, Doctors, Nurses and other medical staff are posted to all the 114 Primary Health Centres.

THISDAY checks revealed that government embarked on the upgrading of the state specialist hospital including the installation of relevant equipment that were hitherto lacking such as Xrays and Ultrasound machines, ECG, Echo, Endoscopy and equipping of the dialysis centre constructed by the past administration but left unequipped. In addition to that, one general hospital in each of the three senatorial zones is upgraded so as to make available to the people specialized services and reduce the burden on the state specialist hospital.

The general hospital in Kumo is being completely reconstructed while that of Kaltungo and Bajoga are undergoing a state-of-the-art transformation.

Other Cottage hospitals/health clinics are also gradually being renovated and upgraded such as Cottage hospitals in Mallam Sidi, Bojude, Kuri and General Hospital in Nafada. The government has also embarked on ensuring the construction of a cottage hospital in Filiya, Shongom LGA, the only LGA without any secondary health facility in the state. Still, government established a 12-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the SSH Gombe.

Also to ensure the realisation of the Universal Health coverage in the state Governor Inuwa Yahaya provided counterpart funding to the tune of N605 million to NSHIP project, and to strengthen primary Healthcare, the government introduced the Gombe state Contributory Health Scheme (GO-Health) which uses the sector wide approach to healthcare financing.

To ensure the effective coordination of health personnel, facilities and service delivery, the government, for the first time in the history of the state, established the Hospital Services Management Board and appointed credible, experienced and dedicated personnel to serve on the board, while remodelling of the State Specialist Hospital Gombe, General Hospitals Bajoga, and Kaltungo are testaments to the effort of the Inuwa Government to transform the health sector for the benefit of the people.

Other major strides recorded by the Inuwa Yahaya administration during the period under review include ensuring the commencement of housemanship at the specialist hospital where at least 30 young doctors have been engaged to undergo their internship training.

This was a strategic move considering the fact that the housemanship quarters located at the specialist hospital was abandoned for over 20 years. Its construction started in 1999 and

“To undertake any critical sector of the state for development like the health sector with the intent on making meaningful impact on the lives of the benefiaries in the respective communities across the state, funding remains key”

all previous governments abandoned the project.

The successful completion of the quarters in addition to the employment of specialist consultants enabled the state to secure accreditation to commence this programme. With this singular achievement, it means having at least 30 doctors every year undergo their training at the hospital thereby boosting the human resource availability at the facility.

Also, employment of Consultants and Senior Registrars is also significant. For the first time in the history of the state, there are close to 20 specialist consultants working at the state specialist hospital.

Before the coming of this administration, there were only 2-3 consultants. This was made possible because of the governor’s approval of the upward review of consultant’s salary in the state. This has made consultants in the state to earn more than their colleagues at the Federal Teaching Hospital.

This has greatly resulted in drawing specialists to the state civil service.

Government also secured accreditation to commence residency training in Obstetrics/ Gynecology and Family Medicine. Securing this accreditation would not have been possible if the necessary infrastructure, equipment and consultants are not available. With this now, the state will attract doctors from all over the country to come for specialist training in these fields of medicine thereby significantly increasing the available manpower to provide services.

The deployment of 147 nurses/midwives to all the 114 renovated PHCS in the state has been quite revolutionary in the state. This move has made available at least 1 nurse/midwife at all the PHCS located in the various wards of the state and drastically reduced the referral rate from the PHCS and reduced the incidence of maternal deaths associated with pregnancy and childhood morbidity/mortality.

While commending the efforts of the Inuwa Yahaya - administration in transforming the state’s health sector in the last three years, Muhammad Hassan of Gombe State University declared that “if there is one area one could vividly see the exemplary demonstration of political will and determination to provide the necessary strategic direction and oversight is the governor’s ability to take the centre stage whenever issues related to governance and leadership in the health system is concerned”.

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

T H I S D AY ˾ , MAY 19, 2022

35

NEWS

BATN’s Quest to Reduce Carbon Footprints, Contribute to Economic Diversification Given its contributions to Nigeria’s economic diversification and socio-economic development over the years, the recent visit of the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigeria Export Promotion Council provided an opportunity for the British American Tobacco Nigeria to highlight its focus to reduce its carbon footprints as well as the health impact of its business through scientifically proven risk-reducing products. Emeka Eze reports

L-R: Director, Legal Affairs, British American Tobacco (BAT) West and Central Africa, Pat Rich; Oyo State Trade Promotion Advisor, Nigeria Exports Promotion Council (NEPC), Mrs Bolanle Emmanuel; Director of Operations, BAT West and Central Africa, Alberto Kauer; Area Controller, Oyo/Osun Command, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Babajide Jayeoba; Director, External Affairs, BAT West and Central Africa, Odiri Erewa-Meggison; and the Comptroller, immigration Service, Oyo State Command, Mr Isa Alhassan Dan Suleiman, during a courtesy visit by top state officials of the NCS, NIS and NEPC to the BAT factory, Ibadan, recently

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he British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) was recently commended for its contributions to Nigeria’s economic diversification and its role in the country’s socio-economic development over the years. But beyond that, for its move to reduce its carbon footprints as well as the health impact of its business through scientifically proven risk-reducing products.

This commendation was given by the zonal heads of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) when representatives of the agencies recently paid a courtesy visit to the BAT factory in Ibadan.

While the NCS team of officials was led by the Controller Oyo/Osun Command, Mr Babajide Jayeoba, NIS Comptroller, Oyo State Command, Mr Isah Dansuleiman was there with his team and the Trade Promotion Advisor of the NEPC, Mrs. Bolanle Emmanuel, led the Oyo State NEPC delegation.

Speaking, the Director, Legal Affairs, BAT West and Central Africa, Pat Rich, said the occasion presented an opportunity to engage with the company’s crucial partners, expressing hope that the partnership be sustained.

Director, External Affairs, BAT West and Central Africa, Odiri Erewa-Meggisson, in turn, said the company’s bid to expand its scope across the West and Central Africa market necessitated an expansion of the initial investment in the company’s factory from $150 million to over $185 million.

“It is an indication of how committed we are as a group in investing in Nigeria, which is the hub of our business in West and Central Africa.

“Nigeria is important to us and you (trade regulatory agencies) are critical to our business because our relationships help to drive a sustainable business not just for today but also well into the future. Nigeria is a hub for the West and Central Africa region.

“We have collectively paid more than N400 billion to date and have grown from exports of products from the initial three countries to 14 countries now, thereby generating foreign exchange for the country and employment for over 350,000, in direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians,” ErewaMeggisson added.

Also speaking, Director of Operations, BAT West and Central Africa, Alberto Kauer said: “We have several opportunities, which include generating more exports and by so doing increasing revenues and growing the Nigerian economy.

“Every year, we generate about $110million dollars from exports to 14 African countries from BAT

facilities in Nigeria. As a company, we need the support of all the agencies of government here today to do this together. This year, we are going to install the first solar energy in the company.

In this factory, we have the capacity to produce more even as we keep doing our business in the right way.”

Highlighting the company’s business transformation to build A Better Tomorrow™ and its business sustainability agenda, he said BAT is focused on reducing the health impact of its business through new categories and scientifically proven risk-reducing products and reducing its carbon footprint, adding that the company plans to install the first solar energy in the factory next year.

On their part, Dansuleiman and Jaiyeoba thanked BAT for its huge contribution to the Nigerian economy and pledged their continued support for the company and sustained cooperation between their organisations and the company.

According to Jaiyeoba, BAT is one of NCS’s very compliant companies, noting how critical it is for the service to support the company by promoting its trade in order to generate revenue for government, especially through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA).

While expressing delight for the value added

by BAT to the Nigerian economy, the NEPC Oyo State Trade Advisor, in her address, promised that management of the NEPC will not relent in ensuring that it clears the outstanding Export Expansion Grants (EEG) due to BAT. BAT is a leading, multi-category consumer goods business with a purpose to build A Better Tomorrow by reducing the health impact of its business through offering a greater choice of enjoyable and less risky products for adult consumers.

The company continues to be clear that combustible cigarettes pose serious health risks, and the only way to avoid these risks is not to start or to quit. BAT encourages those who would otherwise continue to smoke to switch completely to scientifically-substantiated, reduced-risk alternatives*† . In order to deliver this, BAT is transforming into a truly consumer-centric multi-category consumer products business.

BAT’s ambition is to have 50 million consumers of its non-combustible products by 2030 and to generate £5billion of New Categories revenue by 2025. BAT has set stretching ESG targets including achieving carbon neutrality for Scopes 1 & 2 by 2030 and eliminating unnecessary single-use plastic and making all plastic packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.

BAT employs over 53,000 people and operates in over 180 countries.

FERTILITY Fertility Preservation Part 1 With Dr. Kemi AILOJE drkemi@lifelinkfertility.com www.lifelinkfertility.com +2348033083580

he process of preserving eggs, sperm, or reproductive tissue in order to have biological children in the future is known as Fertility Preservation. Fertility preservation gives couples or individuals the ability to have children in the future where they would otherwise be unable to do so due to a medical condition or treatment.

Fertility preservation is a new field that includes a range of fertility therapies for patients who are about to undergo medical treatment that may have an impact on their future reproductive outcomes. Although fertility preservation is most commonly associated with cancer treatment, it has also been used for medical conditions such as lupus, inflammation of the kidney, and impaired blood cells in the bone marrow, as well as in adolescent females with conditions linked to premature ovarian failure.

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5. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) – POI or Premature ovarian failure or premature menopause occurs when ovarian function is interrupted prematurely before the age of 40.

Ovarian deficiency results in a decrease in serum estrogen levels, which can lead to infertility.

WHEN IS FERTILITY PRESERVATION RECOMMENDED? Fertility preservation is recommended for individuals who are: 1. Undergoing major surgeries, radiation or chemotherapy – These therapies rapidly attack dividing healthy cells in the body, such as the sperm cell and ovarian follicle cells (egg).

These patients may exhibit symptoms similar to menopause in females or andropause in males, which may indicate reproductive damage.Prior to these treatments, it is important to test for anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels in females so as to predict long term post-chemotherapy loss of ovarian function, and thus the need for planning fertility preservation for future use.

7. Uterine fibroids – Fibroids are abnormal growths that develop in or on a woman’s uterus. Sometimes these tumors become quite large and cause severe abdominal pain and heavy periods. A further complication includes infertility. When fibroids are left untreated, they can take up a lot of space in the womb that a growing fetus needs, making it difficult or even impossible for a woman to conceive or maintain a pregnancy.

2. Ageing – In females, increasing age is directly related to decreased reproductive potential. This can be due to a variety of factors, including the number of eggs available and their overall reproductive quality. Males experience declining fertility as they age as well. Ageing in male declines the quality of sperm but does not affectthe overall sperm count. These changes may be attributed to the decrease in testosterone that men experience as they age.

3. Endometriosis - This is a condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus leading to pelvic pain and an irregular menstrual cycle. Although endometriosis reduces fertility, it does not always prevent conception.

Women who have a family history of early menopause or other medical conditions such as endometriosis are encouraged to pursue fertility preservation options to help ensure their ability to have a child when they are ready.

4. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) – this is the most common endocrine disorder that women experience during their reproductive years. Anovulation is common in females with PCOS, that is, patients with PCOS may not release an egg regularly. Since the link between infertility and PCOS has been well established, fertility treatment such as ovulation induction has been used in females with PCOS to produce eggs which may be preserved for future use.

6. Exposure to toxic chemicals –The body requires proper hormone functioning to maintain normal menstrual cycles and to conceive. These toxic chemicals such as pesticides, fire retardants, dioxin, chloroform, heavy metals and chemicals used in the production of plastics mimics the estrogen hormone in the body leading to irregular menstrual cycles, problems with the ovarian eggs, implantation failure during IVF, PCOS, endometriosis and higher rates of infertility. Exposure to toxic chemicals can reduce ability to conceive and have children.

8. Autoimmune disease– Autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic skin disease and celiac diseaseaffects female fertility by prematurely depleting ovarian reserve, interfering with fertilization and implantation, and increasing the risk of miscarriage and other pregnancy complications.

FERTILITY PRESERVATION IN MALES Fertility preserving options in males includes: 1. Sperm cryopreservation – Men who want to preserve their fertility before undergoing treatment for cancer or another fertility-threatening disease can have their sperm frozen and stored at a fertility clinic or sperm bank. Sperm is obtained through masturbation in post-pubescent boys and men for future use in a process known as cryopreservation. This is the most well-known method of male fertility preservation. Sperm can also be obtained through testicular aspiration and stored for future use in prepubescent boys.

Researchers are also investigating methods for cryopreserving testicular tissue samples in order to re-implant them into the body after treatment.

2. Gonadal shielding in males – This procedure involves placing small lead shields over the testicles to reduce the amount of radiation exposure and protect the testicles.

Radiation therapy for cancer and other conditions can have a negative impact on fertility, especially if it is used in the pelvic area. Some radiation treatments employ cutting-edge technology to focus the rays on a very small area TO BE CONTINUED

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T H I S D AY ˾ , MAY 19, 2022

NEWS

Advocates Clinch N1.5m Grant to Empower Mothers with Cerebral Palsy Children Rebecca Ejifoma

L-R: Adetola-Kazeem; VP of the Association, Olorunfunmi Adebajo; winner of the grant, Tobiloba Ajayi; and Dan Okoye during the presentation of cheque to the winner of the grant in Lagos

Mamora Calls for Improved Access to Healthcare Delivery ˾ Ý ËÖÖ×ËÜÕ ÝÏÏÕÝ ÓØàÏÝÞ×ÏØÞ ÓØ ÒÏËÖÞÒÍËÜÏ Rebecca Ejifoma The Minister of state for Health, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora has called for improved access to healthcare delivery systems through robust social marketing and behavioural change communication to strengthen the health system of the nation.

The minister made this call at the maiden edition of the Hallmark HMO Stakeholders Engagement in Lagos. It was on the theme, “Strengthening Health Systems to Improve Wellbeing”.

Represented by the CMD, Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta, Dr Ademola Dada, the senator highlighted that strengthening the healthcare system will ensure Nigerians imbibe the culture of accessing health facilities early in any disease condition for better outcome. He added: “People should be able to access the nearest Primary Healthcare Centre to get a determined minimum

level of care.”

According to Mamora, this would over time improve the nation’s health indices and also enable the secondary and tertiary healthcare systems to receive referred patients from the primary level, and not overload these levels of care.

Speaking also, the Chairman of Hallmark Health Services Limited, Mr. Eddie Efekoha appealed to the government and corporate organisations to invest more in strengthening healthcare systems.

Efekoha insisted that this move would enable Nigerians to have access to quality healthcare services.

“In strengthening the health systems, there is a need to look at various factors including the adequacy of health facilities, availability of adequate health equipment in the facilities, their accessibility by a generality of the Nigerians populace,” says the chairman.

In her submission, the MD and CEO of Hallmark HMO, Mrs. Dotun Adeogun, said they were poised to continue to support the established health systems to make access a reality.

Meanwhile, the Founder of Flying Doctors Healthcare Investment Company, Dr. Ola Brown, saw the need for stakeholders’ engagement at this time of election.

“A lot of Nigerians,” she pointed out, “are getting more interested in what they can get out of the political process in terms of what different candidates stand for.

“And that is one of the things Hallmark HMO is doing to ensure all Nigerians have healthcare that is accessible and acceptable and affordable healthcare”.

This, she continued, can be achieved by policies that crowds in private sector money into healthcare around taxation and levies that bring in funding to

healthcare.

Brown emphasised: “Our budget for healthcare from the federal level is about N1bn a year. The UK spends N250bn, and the US spends N1trn.”

Admitting that healthcare is expensive, she insisted that Nigeria got to do more with less.

“We are never going to get the US budget. Then how do we get what is usable and provides for all Nigerians.

Brown hinted: “We can get more money in two ways, skills and outsourcing medical skills. We have a huge brain-drain problem. Why not change that into a brain-drain opportunity?”

She further urged the government to make trade deals with countries that need doctors, adding, “Give them a certain number of doctors every year in exchange for a fee. Countries like Cuba and Philippines have done this. And it’s a source of income for them”.

#EndMalariaInNigeria Commends Pastor E.A Adeboye for Speaking Up in Support of Campaign to End Malaria in Nigeria ˾ ÒËÜÑÏÝ ÑÙàÏÜØ×ÏØÞ ÞÙ ÎÏÍÖËÜÏ ÝÞËÞÏ ÙÐ Ï×ÏÜÑÏØÍã ÙØ ËÖËÜÓË #EndMalariaInNigeria campaign has commended the position of the General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) that the havoc caused by Malaria in Nigeria is 100 per cent higher than the impact of COVID-19.

Quoting him, the campaign revealed that “He said: ‘I read in the newspaper that in 2021 the number of people who died of malaria in Nigeria was about 200, 000 and the number of people who died of Coronavirus in the same year is less than 2000’ he questioned which one is more deadly, coronavirus or malaria?”

According to Francis Nwapa, managing director, Hatch Pest Control and Environmental Service Ltd/Convener #EndMalariaInNigeria, “from all indication, the government has abandoned the populace who does not have access to qualitative medical service and properly planned society in terms of modern infrastructural development to their fate. Malaria

medication has become huge economic burden on the poor working class of Nigeria. “#EndMalariaInNigeria reiterates and calls on Nigerian Government to adopt the resolutions reached by the movement at our last program tagged ‘Mosquito Talk’ held on 25th of April 2022 to commemorate the World Malaria Day. “The communique, made available to the media, states: That government has a vital role to play in eradicating malaria in Nigeria and government should prioritise preventive rather than curative measures as a panacea to ending malaria in Nigeria; “That promoting Insecticide Treated Net, ITN, as a means of malaria control in Nigeria is cosmetic without rolling back Mosquitoes and having good governance that can address the problem of mass poverty, citing poor housing structures, poor power supply as a reason why ITN cannot replace sanitation

and proper water management to discouraging breeding site for mosquitos as a means of controlling malaria in Nigeria; “On Malaria Vaccine, the panel resolved that administering malaria vaccine without eliminating mosquito breeding sites will amount to putting the cart before the horse.

“The introduction of COVID-19 vaccine has revealed that those vaccinated are still at risk of contacting the virus if safety measures are not observed and as such it’s important to first resolve Nigeria’s poor environmental and public health deficits so that vaccine can be a complementary measure of malaria control; “There must be political intervention to guarantee total roll back of malaria and mosquito by provision of good governance that can eradicate mass poverty since study has shown that the poorer the people are, the higher the incidence of malaria due

to overpopulation, squalor, and clustering of poor people in unplanned slums and urban ghetto without proper public health sanitation, drainage and waste disposal system.

“To achieve primary health focused good governance, citizens should exercise their civic right wisely by voting for political parties and candidates that will make the health of citizens a priority; “That government should declare a State of Emergency on Malaria, an endemic disease that has claimed highest casualties in human lives than Covid-19. HIVAIDS in Nigeria.

“As a step in this direction, all tiers of government must make water and waste management a priority by ensuring total reconstruction of all drainages in Nigeria in such a way that breeding mosquito sites are eliminated and an end to poor waste management;

Two disability rights advocates, Tobiloba Ajayi and Rachael Inegbedion, have clinched a N1.5 million Cross-Cohort Collaboration Initiative (CCCI) grant from the Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria (MWFAAN).

While defending the project titled, “Empowered Mothers, Thriving Children”, Ajayi told the audience that it aims to support less-privileged mothers who have children living with cerebral palsy.

The duo’s project has a goal to alleviate poverty and promote inclusive economic opportunities for 10 low-income mothers of children and youths with Cerebral Palsy across Nigeria.

It further aims to strengthen the educational outcomes of 10 children and youths with Cerebral Palsy through STEM and Robotics Learning.

While noting that mothers often endure the physical and emotional brunt of giving birth to children with disabilities, she told participants that these mothers are sometimes forced to stop work or become “accidental business owners” to care for such needy children. She continued: “Some experience marital problems while some are isolated and lack social and financial support to cater for the social, medical and educational needs of their cerebral palsy children.

Ajayi won the grant alongside a disability advocate, Rachael Inegbedion.

In his remark, the President of MWFAAN, Ahmad AdetolaKazeem, said the initiative was to foster unity across the association’s cohorts. He added that it is also to create an enduring impact in members’ communities, adding that “Fellows team up, identify challenges and proffer viable solutions to them.”

Speaking on the theme, “Synergising for Transformative Impact”, Co-founder and Project Director of HACEY Health Initiative, Isaiah Owolabi, charged MWFAAN members on collaborations.

He, however, implored them not to be discouraged when rejected in their quest for partnership.

Owolabi added: “You need to think about how to build partnerships and synergies with individual experts and institutions on how to strengthen the impact of your programme. Most importantly is to think of how to cause systemic change.”

Chairman, Board of Trustees of the United States Government Exchange Alumni Association, Dan Okoye, applauded MWFAAN members for the initiative, as he encouraged them to sustain it.

Other proposals included “Project Si Chool” by a lawyer, Winifred Otokhina of Tonymay Foundation. It was the first runner-up while Kunle Adewale and Timothy Undiandeye’s proposal came second.

Climate Change Biggest Health Challenge to Humanity, Says Minister ˾ Ý ßÜÑÏÝ ÍÖÓ×ËÞÏ ÜÏÝÓÖÓÏØÞ ×ÏËÝßÜÏÝ ÓØ Olawale Ajimotokan ÓØ ÌßÔË Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu has described climate challenge as the biggest health threat facing humanity.

He stated this in Abuja while addressing the multi-stakeholder dialogue/engagement on the triple crises (climate, health and economic recovery) and the key role of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and the needed actions.

He lamented that climate change was also affecting the social and environmental determinants of health such as clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food and secure shelter.

The minister, who was represented by the Coordinator Clean Nigeria, Mrs Chizoba Okpara, said that it was in cognisance of the key role of WASH in stemming the tide of these triple crises, that the ministry of water resources set up a National WASH Emergency Response Committee in the wake of the outbreak of the COVID- 19 pandemic in the country.

He said these platforms helped provide the needed support to states and ensure that WASH services were being prioritised across the country. The minister also said 78 of the 774 Local Government Areas of the country are open defecation free.

He noted that with the deadline of 2025 Open Defecation Free Target date for the country there was still a lot to be done to move the remaining 696 LGAs to open defecation free status and sustain the 78 LGAs as open defecation free.

In his remarks at the multi-stakeholder dialogue, the National Coordinator, Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN), Mr Benson Attah, has clamoured for the integration of climate-resilient measures in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes in the country. He said sustainable access to safe water, improved sanitation and hygiene contributed to improvements in public health, nutrition, girl’s education and poverty reduction, thereby promoting food production and income generation, adding the integrating climate change into the WASH sector would reduce the threat reflected in flooding, loss of water sources due to decreasing rainfall and increasing demand for water.

“The time has come when the ministers from Ministries of Environment, Health and Finance should commit to prioritise investment in WASH service delivery, this will provide more value for everyone.

“I wish to seize this opportunity to recommend that, climate resilience measures should be integrated in to water, sanitation and hygiene-(WASH) in order to reduce climate risk.

THURSDAY MAY 19, 2022 • T H I S D AY

37

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ MAY 19, 2022

38

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Access Bank Emerges Best Performing Stock, Awosika Chairman of the Year Access Bank has emerged the best performing stock in 2021 by the Nigeria Exchange Limited (NGX).

The Bank earned this recognition at the 2022 Nigerian Investor Value Awards (NIVA) organised

by BusinessDayin collaboration with the Nigeria Exchange Group.

Also, Chairman, Board of Directors of the Bank, Dr Ajoritsedere Awosika emerged as the ‘Board Chairman of the Year’ under the listed company awards category.

Access Bank was named the best stock in the ‘Financial Services -Banking’ category for its exemplary performance and creating value on the NGX compared to other quoted banks in the past year. Similarly, Awosika was adjudged the best based on her outstanding leadership

and business strategy during the period under review.

The Nigerian Investor Value Awards recognises leaders of public and private companies who have created sustainable alpha-generating value for their shareholders through their strategic priorities, operating efficiencies, organisational values, and market engagement activities.

The listed segment of the awards recognises stellar performance of the public companies creating value on the Nigerian Stock Exchange based on criteria such as share price, dividend payments, sustainability, brand value, market leadership and business strategy against their peers in the year under review.

Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exchange Limited, Temi

Popoola, who was represented by the Divisional Head, Capital Markets, Mr. Jude Chiemeka, said the award by the Businessday Media Limited underlined Nigeria Exchange Group’s goal of promoting actionable and effective multi-stakeholder dialogue on issues central to a well-functioning financial system.

The Publisher, Businessday, Frank Aigbogun said the NIVA, formerly known as the Top 25 CEOs Award, recognises the contributions of astute businessmen and women who toil day and night to ensure the Nigerian economy grows. He noted that the capital market has remained strong in the mix of the global realignment that is going on consequent upon the Ukrainian crisis.

FCT to Partner Oak Homes to Tackle Housing Challenge Oak Homes, a Lagos-based top notch-housing firm, has made debut in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, in a bid to redefine the concept of luxury living in the city.

The company’s entry into the FCT was heralded on Tuesday by a ground-breaking ceremony, performed by the FCT Minister of State, Ramatu Tijanni.

The minister, who was represented by her Special Assistant on Technical Matters, Tpl. Mubdiyu Mustapha, expressed joy over Oak Homes’ in-road into Abuja.

She described the development as something unique from a private mortgage developer.

“This is the begining of better things to come in the area of housing development in Abuja from a private developer. The government doesn’t have the resources required to build the exquisite homes you develop for individuals as you are set to do.

In this wise, the administration is willing to engage in a PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) that can

guarantee accelerated delivery through the provision of land and on-site infrastructure,” she said.

She added that, “The FCT is keen on partnering with the private sector to fund housing deficit and With development costs borne by Private developers, it is expected that developers such as Oak Homes are able to bring cheap funds to the table for the construction of the houses, thereby guaranteeing unit selling prices that are affordable to the target market segment.”

Consequently, she said the FCT shall continue to work with the private sector and development partners to ensure that continuous progress is made in this direction.

Earlier, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Oak Holdings, Mr. Olukayode Olusanya, explained that the project was designed to echo architectural magnificence in luxury buildings and finesse in real esate engineering. He said The Oak Villas would also redefine the concept of luxury living in Abuja.

The Oak Holdings boss described the Oak Villas as a private development of expansive living areas with careful attention to details and ignition of affluence.

He said, “The Oak Villas perfectly embodies the technical ingenuity and extreme inequality of the 21st century. A heady confluence of engineering prowess, architectural phenomenon and an unparalleled concentration of personal wealth.”

He expressed the optimism that Abuja would be receptive to what the company has to offer, promising to change the narrative by building castles that befit a smart modern city.

“The villas will have private cinemas and swimming pool, fully fitted with the best of furnishings that will appeal to the selected few for whom it is designed. The development will be totally smart: where technology meets security and will be available to the market from 2023,” he explained.

IMG Grows Profit by 27%, to Offer Bonus Shares A frontline manufacturer of industrial gas, Industrial and Medical Gas (IMG) Nigeria Plc, has posted a net profit of N372 million in its 2021 financial year as against N292 million in 2020, an increase of 27 percent, despite the inclement operating environment.

Besides, the company’s Directors are proposing one bonus of Ordinary Share for every five Ordinary Shares held by shareholders, whose names appear in the Company’s Register of Members at the close of business on Friday, June 10, 2022.

By the statement filed with the capital market regulators, the proposed bonus shares, which indicates the Company’s strategic decision to reinvest its profit to build a strongerfinancial base in the nearest future, shall increase the shareholders’ outstanding shares and boost liquidity of the Company’s stock on the NGX. Approval of the bonus shares is one of the major items on the agenda for IMG’s hybrid Annual General Meeting (AGM), scheduled for Friday, June 24, 2022. In the review period, IMG’s total revenue was up by 16.4 percent to hit N3.69 billion in

2021 from N3.17 billion in the preceding yearwhile its total assets inched up.

During the meeting, IMG’s Chairman, Mr Abiodun Alabi, shall review the global economic outlook, the Nigerian economy, emerging success stories of divestment of Linde Group and acquisition of 60 percent holding in the Company by T.Y. Holdings, which significantly increased the Holding’s stake to 72 percent and the change of the Company’s name from BOC Gases to IMG Nigeria Plc as part of its brand positioning.

Autochek Acquires Morocco’s KIFAL Auto to drive North Africa Expansion Sunday Ehigiator Autochek, the automotive technology company making car ownership more accessible and affordable across Africa, has announced the acquisition of KIFAL Auto, Morocco’s leading automotive technology startup, to drive its expansion into North Africa.

In a statement, the company reveal6 that the acquisition represents the first major expansion of a West Africa-based startup into North Africa and its bidded to facilitate effective Pan-African collaboration to drive innovation

across the continent’s growing automotive market.

Commenting on the acquisition, CEO and co-founder, Autochek Etop Ikpe said, “from my first interaction with Nizar and his team at KIFAL Auto, I was so impressed by their passion for delivering effective solutions and their commitment to innovation.

They have built an excellent platform and we are thrilled to have them onboard at Autochek to support the work we are doing to improve the automotive finance value proposition in Africa. There are so

many parallels in our individual stories and I look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship for years to come.”

Also commenting on the development, CEO and Founder of KIFAL Auto, Nizar Abdallaoui Maane, said “I have long been an admirer of the work Autochek has done to enable improved experiences across Africa’s automotive value chain. There is so much we can learn from each other and I am looking forward to bringing my experience and expertise to deliver more game changing innovation in Morocco and beyond.

L-R: Distributor, Triple Focus, Mrs. Adebayo Yetunde; Managing Director, CHI Limited, Mr. Eelco Weber; Distributor, Bizzak Global Services, Mrs. Lawal Olabisi; Marketing Director, CHI Limited, Mrs. Toyin Nnodi; Distributor, Owoyemi Superstores Limited, Mrs. Abimbola Orupete; and Sales Director, CHI Limited, Bola Arotiowa, during the 2nd annual Hollandia Dairy Day celebration in Lagos, on Wednesday

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE ͯͶ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $117.20 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $113.07 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), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

39

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͷ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

Seplat’s Shareholders Approve $0.10 Dividend,Orjiako Retires as Chairman Kayode Tokede The shareholders of Seplat Energy Plcyesterday approved a total dividend payout of $0.10 per share dividend.

The shareholders gave their approval at the company ninth Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos.

Speaking to shareholders, the chairman of Seplat Energy, Dr Ambrosie Orjiako said that

“Our operational and financial performance in 2021 reflects the challenges of our business in Nigeria. Our average working interest production was 47,693 boepd including 29,091 bopd of liquids and 107.9 MMscfd of gas (18,602 boepd).”

According to him, “Our robust operational performance, despite our operational challenges meant that we were able to meet our dividend

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

commitment and, with the Board having approved a Q4 dividend of $0.025 per share, we once again returned $0.10 per share to our shareholders for the 2021.”

He pointed out that “Since we raised $535 million at our initial public offering in May 2014, we have returned over $400 million to shareholders in the form of dividends.”

He explained that “The

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

performance of our oil business was impacted by two lengthy shut-ins at one of the third-party operated export routes that we rely upon. This underscores the need for alternative export routes to mitigate this risk.

“We drilled five oil wells and three gas wells during the year; the oil wells have a combined gross potential of 17.5 kbopd and the gas wells have a combined gross rate of 130 MMscfd of gas

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

and 5.2 kbpd of condensate. I am particularly proud of our strong safety record which saw us reach 24 million hours without any Lost Time Injury (LTI) from our operated assets in 2021.”

He explained that the company introduced hydrocarbons into the Amukpe-Escravos Pipeline (AEP) and are poised to launch this alternate export route which will enable the company to evacuate up to 40 kbopd gross from our

O F

OMLs 4, 38 and 41. According to the chairman, this is an achievement worthy of note and this performance translated into revenues of $733 million and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of $372 million, up 38 per cent and 40 per cent respectively, from 2020, as our business recovered from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

1 8 / 0 5 / 2 0 2 2 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

40

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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

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

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

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

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

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

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 17May-2022, unless otherwise stated.

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

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

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.36% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.73 3.80 5.43% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A info@anchoriaam.com ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 23.16 23.86 14.17% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 518.17 533.79 14.85% ARM Ethical Fund 44.27 45.60 13.63% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.06 1.06 -2.01% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.04 1.04 2.38% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.96% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 105.27 105.27 8.14% AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Naira 1,105.93 1,105.93 10.59% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.12 2.12 8.62% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.43 2.49 32.36% CAPITALTRUST INVESTMENTS AND ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED halalfif@capitaltrustnigeria.com Web: www.capitaltrustnigeria.com; Tel: 08061458806 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Capitaltrust Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.04 1.04 3.10% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.77% Paramount Equity Fund 20.92 21.3 19.94% Women's Investment Fund 156.82 158.74 10.43% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.81% Cordros Milestone Fund 138.04 138.88 10.57% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 109.41 109.41 5.16% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.26% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.04 1.04 7.60% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.11 1.11 21.17% Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 102.29 102.29 4.23% FBNQUEST ASSETS MANAGEMENT LIMITED invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Bond Fund 1450.88 1450.88 10.21% FBN Balanced Fund 199.67 201.16 13.93% FBN Halal Fund 119.53 119.53 9.20% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.06% FBN Dollar Fund (Retail) 123.70 123.70 4.99% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 175.35 177.69 14.71% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.02% Legacy Debt Fund 3.97 3.97 -0.81% Legacy Equity Fund 2.01 2.06 15.83% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.22 1.22 1.44% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn

Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A

FSDH Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.65% Vantage Balanced Fund 3.16 3.23 17.72% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 140.10 140.10 2.24% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.37 1.41 15.22% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.08 1.08 4.12% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.57 1.59 10.50% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,159.06 1,159.06 3.43% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 101.56 101.56 6.55% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 7.96% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.75 1.78 9.11% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.73 11.75 4.94% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 6.17% PACAM Equity Fund 1.65 1.66 16.32% PACAM EuroBond Fund 116.11 118.92 0.92% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 135.48 138.93 11.09% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.02 1.02 9.25% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,831.19 3,876.13 11.32% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 238.61 238.61 1.22% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.56 1.58 20.77% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 319.66 319.67 2.02% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 286.99 291.29 18.55% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.67% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 13,124.63 13,315.55 18.17% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.32 1.32 1.79% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 118.36 118.36 1.19% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 109.22 109.22 2.58% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund 1.13 1.15 21.29% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.57 1.60 15.54% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.2625 1.28 16.01% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.10 1.10 2.78% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 2.01 2.01 2.50% United Capital Eurobond Fund 124.74 124.74 1.96% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.85% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 14.45 14.59 9.94% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 16.71 16.90 14.56% Zenith Income Fund 22.59 22.59 2.56% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.65% VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD funds@vetiva.com Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 4.28 4.38 6.73% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 6.85 6.95 17.14% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 20.71 20.91 17.03% Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.16% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 22.85 23.05 14.26% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 152.84 154.84 -3.10%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

122.16 53.16

1.62% 0.82%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

16.22 154.93 122.52 24.59 23.62

16.32 158.73 125.18 24.69 23.72

15.94% 17.69% 18.22% 0.00% 0.00%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.55

12.10%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

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

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

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

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022

41

FOCUS As Access Bank Transits to Access Corporation Oluchi Chibuzor writes on how Access Bank’s transition to Access Corporation will positively impact trade in Africa

O

ver the years, governments and policy makers in Africa have been stressing the need to boost trade in the continent.

Africa presently lags behind other regions of the world in terms of continental trade. According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), intra-Africa exports amount to only 16.6 per cent of total trade in the continent.

In March 2018, African countries signed a landmark trade agreement, the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA), which commits countries to remove tariffs on 90 percent of goods, progressively liberalize trade in services, and address a host of other non-tariff barrier.

The agreement was expected to create a single African market of over a billion consumers with a total GDP of over $3 trillion. This would make Africa the largest free trade area in the world.

According to Vera Songwe, the Executive Secretary. United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the signing of the AfCFTA in Kigali, came at a time when the benefits of trade were being actively contested, and global powers that traditionally promoted trade as a crucial driver of growth are now calling into question its very tenets.

“This apprehension is not without cause. It is broadly recognised that, while globalisation and trade produced the impressive economic expansion of the past three decades, the gains have not been fairly distributed.

“The World Bank population-weighted Gini index shows that inequality rose steeply between 1988 and 1998 and declined only moderately by 2013. Although global poverty has fallen, prosperity has not been fully shared,” she added.

With its sight on these gap and concerns, Access Holdings Plc, trading as Access Corporation, recently announced its commencement of operations, with focus on improving trade in the continent.

The holding company which builds on Access Bank’s scale and ethical standards said it would have portfolio companies with significant complementarities, allowing the ecosystem to walk with customers across their life cycle while delivering value to stakeholders.

The Group CEO of Access Corporation, Herbert Wigwe, while speaking on its debut said: “Trade has been one of our strongest strengths and it is something we have pursued, even before the AfCFTA agreement came into place. We told ourselves that we want to be Africa’s gateway to the world. What that does is that it means that you will support intraAfrican trade; there is diaspora remittances and the third has to do with payments.

“So, those are things that we are doing and we are doing better than the rest. In the areas which we have not consolidated, through our payment company structure, we would literally build that in-road seamlessly across the continent. As Africa, we must support and develop our continent ourselves. So, supporting local businesses is important, ensuring greater financial deepening is also important and if we grow our continent to be strong, then institutions within the continent would be stronger.

“However, you need to manage risks as you do this. So, in some markets that are large in terms of trade, we would basically do more to support businesses. All of these things stand on a tripod: Strong capital – both financial and human capital; strong risk management and strong governance and the governance framework has to run through everything that we do.”

According to Wigwe, across Africa, there are opportunities for the financial institution to expand to high-potential markets, leveraging the benefits of AfCFTA. He said AfCFTA, among other benefits, would expand intra-Africa trade and provide real opportunities for Africa.

Wigwe said the financial instition would use its office in London to expand representative offices in India, Lebanon and China.

He stated that the plan is for Access Bank to establish its presence in 22 African countries so as to diversify its earnings and take advantage of growth opportunities in Africa.

According to him, Africa has enormous potential and there are opportunities for

Wigwe an African bank that is well run, that understands compliance and has the capacity to support trade and the right technology infrastructure to support payments and remittances, without taking incremental risks.

“We believe that we are best positioned to basically do all of that. Our focus is to become an aggregator in Africa and we are building a global payment gateway and providing trade finance support and correspondent banking across the continent. We are focusing on the key markets.

“The approach would always be that in the country we wish to go to, that we have the right skills. We would not just be a drop in the country in which we are present, we would make sure that we have an impactful presence in each of the major countries in which we are present.

“In doing this, we are also mindful of the country we are going to so as to make sure that it is of benefit to the bank. As we do this, we are working with our friends and partners.

“We are diversifying our earnings away from volatile markets as well and we are orchestrating our operations from the global payments gateway and ensuring that using Access Bank UK, providing corresponding services from digital

platforms, the overall profitability of our franchise,” he explained.

Commenting further, on AfCFTA, he said the bank would use its digital framework to benefit from the deal.

“Coming to Nigeria, we think we need to continue to entrench ourselves in the local market because there is still so much work to be done.

“So, we are doing everything possible to satisfy our customers and also to ensure that our channels are adequately secured.

We are also ensuring that our staff are very efficient,” the CEO said.

Access Bank recently transited from core banking into a full financial services holding company.

The new company known as Access Holdings, trades as Access Corporation.

This change is expected to see the institution evolve from a bank into a large-scale ecosystem player offering a new globally connected set of services.

This ecosystem offers specialised services at the same time as a seamless integrated experience to improve both relevance and convenience.

Access Corporation now oversees a group of portfolio companies with significant complementarities that will drive more value for customers and stakeholders.

These include: Access Bank Group:

“We recognise and embrace the change that is currently happening and, as we have previously demonstrated, we will lead. Access Corporation will be a driving force in the ongoing digital revolution to the benefit of our stakeholders.”

Banking remains its core, now equipped to provide best-in-class, seamless and consistent Customer Experience, and service delivery in its operations in Nigeria, and across its 14 subsidiaries in Africa, Europe and Asia.

Lending Company: The consumer lending company, serving individuals and SMEs. The products on offer include buy-now-pay-later loans, car loans, small mortgages, salary-based loans, working capital loans, durable goods loans, point of sale loans and much more.

This is a digital business, focused on speed, convenience and value.

Payment Company: The payment services company will drive payments domestically, across the African continent and beyond.

Primarily a business services company, the Payco will make payments simpler, faster and more efficiently. The focus will be on; Switching, Card Processing, New and Emerging Payments.

As Access Payment gateway to facilitate e-commerce, the Payco will partner with organisations to be the most-trusted Fin Tech enabler in the continent.

Insurance Company: The financial institution recognises that Insurance is key to sustaining businesses, and it is a tool to protect intergenerational wealth and benefit societies.

Access Insurance Brokerage would provide a value-added insurance brokering service focused on your individual and business protection needs.

“Your banking service experience will be highly improved, and you will be connected to even more exceptional opportunities to suit your lifestyle and business needs. I will continue to support the banking group as well as other business verticals with the new holding company and hope we can also count on your continued support as we write the next 20 years of our journey together”, Wigwe wrote.

Continuing, Wigwe explained: “Many of you would have heard us talk about Access Corporation earlier this year. This natural evolution of our company will ensure that we continue to use digital tools and our partnership with fintechs to support our customers’ lifestyles outside of the banking system.

“We have set our sights on and delivered ambitious plans to transform the African financial services sector over the last 20 years. Until now, we have concentrated on banking, with the goal of becoming the World’s Most Respected African Bank. Our banking subsidiary is now Nigeria’s largest bank by assets and Africa’s largest in terms of customer base.

“It is now time for us to take the next transformative step, where we provide our customers with beyond banking services delivering new interconnected financial services across customers’ needs.”

He stressed that the Access Bank Group would continue to operate in Nigeria and through its subsidiaries and business offices in Africa, Europe, and Asia.

“These businesses, when combined, will position Access Corporation to provide banking services, including intra-and inter-Africa trade, consumer lending, payments services, and insurance services to our customers, thereby improving wealth diversification and preservation.

“Looking ahead five years, Access Corporation will be a leading financial and ecosystem player, with services spanning B2B and B2C marketplaces, B2B services, health, housing, digital, mobility content, mobility, core banking offerings, and other financial services such as insurance and wealth management,” Wigwe added.

“We recognise and embrace the change that is currently happening and, as we have previously demonstrated, we will lead. Access Corporation will be a driving force in the ongoing digital revolution to the benefit of our stakeholders.

“This transition will allow us to offer more career development opportunities across portfolio companies for our employees, allowing us to attract and retain the best talent in an increasingly global marketplace.

“We will unlock more value for our customers by focusing on distinct business opportunities with high growth rates globally, such as payments and consumer lending,” he said.

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THURSDAY, ͹΁˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

FORTY-EIGHT

The 23 APC Members Seeking to Replace Buhari W

hen all is said and done – after all the back and forth, the frenzy by both pretenders and contenders – only 23 aspirants are up for screening. Twenty-four actually returned their nomination forms. But Akinwumi Adesina pulled out of the race a few days ago, leaving these 23 members (22 men and one woman) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to slug it out for the presidential ticket.

But questions remain about the strange rush to make a visible impression on the APC presidential dashboard. What do they really want? Why such an unwieldy number for just one office? Has the presidency become an all-comers affair?

Is the motivation really the love of country, or personal aggrandisement, or just pursuit of ambition? How many of the aspirants actually have the capacity to manage a society as complicated as Nigeria?

How is the ruling party going to manage this huge number of people ready to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari without creating needless crises that may even ruin the party?

The questions are endless.

But the D-Day is almost here.

Meet the 22 men and one woman who want to succeed Buhari. They come from diverse backgrounds – reflecting Nigeria’s rich diversity.

Yemi Osinbajo Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo is believed by many as ordinarily the most ideal to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari after working together for almost eight years. And against all odds, Osinbajo, on April 11, 2022, declared his intention to succeed his principal, Buhari, through a short video uploaded on all the social media platforms.

With his form submitted and consultations going on in almost every part of Nigeria, the die is cast.

Ahmad Lawan News that the current President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, was eyeing the presidency was like a rumour many had thought would not evolve into reality and this was for obvious reasons. Interestingly, he is among the 23 other aspirants and appears to truly mean business.

Even as many continue to say God forbid to Ahmad's presidential ambition, Lawan is unperturbed.

No one knows what the owners of Nigeria have up their sleeves.

Since he joined the race, he is not crisscrossing the country to woo delegates. Well, who knows, maybe his confidence comes from his backers - that he doesn't need to woo delegates. Or maybe it's just a reflection of his nature and how he treats otherwise important issues with levity - like the way he conducts Senate's business. He has practically turned the senate and by extension, the federal legislature into an appendage of the executive. This ironically, has remained what he’s been selling in his public statements in the name of being cooperative with the executive. Everyone is waiting to see how he will emerge.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu In many respects, a lot of political analysts, have begun to think that the tide is slowly tilting in the favour of a former governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This though changes nothing about the swirling perception about him

to know Nigeria and her challenges.

Despite his personal inadequacies, he wouldn’t stop getting a deserved mention until this is over.

Abubakar Badaru

Ajayi Boroffice

Dimeji Bankole

Rochas Okorocha

Nicholas Felix Nwagbo

– his corrupt disposition – it has however, improved his standing in the race for the APC ticket. For a man, who considers this project a life-long ambition and the first to publicly declare his intention, he knows this is definitely not a sprint and is ready for whatever lays ahead.

Sani Yerima

Ibikunle Amosun The former governor of Ogun State and senator for Ogun Central, Ibikunle Amosun, comes to the race with credibility, nobility and record of stellar performance as governor.

A close ally of the president, Amosun boasts not just very deep knowledge in finance - combined with his executive and legislative exposures - he is not just ready for the race for the presidential ticket, but the task of leading the country to the next level. With his forms filed for consideration, maybe he is ready.

Ajayi Boroffice A senator from Ondo State, Ajayi Borrofice, incidentally, made it to the point of submission, even though the misgivings about his decision to run have yet to subside.

The fact that he has also crossed this one line, counts form him in many ways, even though it has not fundamentally altered the subsisting beliefs about his aspiration and his true intentions.

Ogbonnaya Onu At this stage, the Minister of Science of Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, is arguably one of the names to watch out for.

Unlike some of his colleagues, who chickened out, when the reality of what might be lurking next door stared at them, Ogbonnaya is not joking with the demand for a president from the South-east part of the country, albeit for Nigeria and Nigerians. While some still have reservations about him, he certainly would stand shoulders higher than many of the other contenders.

Dimeji Bankole Former speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, might have sent a clear message too, staying up to this stage. Earlier considered as one of the jokers in the race, he cannot be described as such again, having made it to the second round. But how he plans to waltz through the political landmines and beat the heavyweights to their game, is yet to be seen.

Young and personable, being Nigeria’s president requires more, lest, he knows.

Yahaya Bello Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is one seemingly indomitable spirit in the race for Buhari’s job. Despite many things working and standing against his plausible choice and decision, especially, the unsavoury public perception about him, he has continued to give his all, just to prove he was not in the race to play around. Bello remains one

A prominent and critical factor in some of the APC power centres is the Jigawa State Governor, Abubakar Badaru. He cannot be pushed back as far as the race for the APC ticket is concerned. Whilst a majority of the people think his being in the race is to negotiate the office of the vice-president, who says if the South mismanages their chance, he would not gladly take the presidency itself?

This is why this Jigawa governor cannot be underrated.

Uju Kennedy Ohnenye interesting character in the race for the APC ticket and can no longer be taken for granted.

Ikeobasi Mokelu

Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, is in the race for justice, equity and fairness, which the Igbo demand. In addition, he is convinced he has the gravitas to turn things around. Interestingly, he has some good record of performance, after serving Ebonyi for nearly eight years now. But how far his record of a relatively small Ebonyi would take him cannot be taken out of the concerns for his decision, when push comes to shove.

Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio, declared his intention to run for president, he has yet to catch the sort of attention expected to underscore his seriousness. Although he has been holding some skeletal consultations in view of his aspiration, Akpabio has not come out as strong as some of the frontliners.

Yet, he is not one to be pushed behind in the scheme of things. He is grounded and understands the terrain as well as its tricks. With record of outstanding performance as governor, albeit largely superficial, he is probably coming into the race with an uncommon resolve to change the face of the presidential run.

Rochas Okorocha

Uju Kennedy Ohnenye

Senator and former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has always wanted to be president of Nigeria and this is about his fourth attempt. He might come off simple and sociable, he is equally of a serious and progressive standing. He means business and is determined to give all that it would take to, not only emerge candidate of the party, but also ensure that the Igbo gets its rightful place in the body polity.

As the only female aspirant in the race for the APC presidential ticket, Uju Kennedy Ohnenye, has fought a good fight so far and to the awe of many, who had thought she would have long fallen by the way side. At this stage, nothing can be put past this woman of courage as she trudges on. Her confidence and belief in her ability to turn the tide are indeed, notes for file.

Dave Umahi

Chukwuemeka Nwajuiba Unpredictable Minister of State for Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajuiba, appears to be one candidate setting the pace for the others in many respects, an indication he is not in the race to while away time. He obtained his form first and was the first to resign after Buhari handed the order. He submitted his form as quickly as he could and was ready early enough for screening.

He is following rules and setting his own standards. Whoever underrates this south-easterner would do so at a huge cost, in addition to the fact that some northern elites seem to have a thing for him.

Godswill Akpabio Since the former Minister of Niger

Tunde Bakare If there was a list of people deemed as likely to chicken out from the race, one name most certainly to be missing in that list is the General Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Lagos, Pastor Tunde Bakare. He has not only been calling himself the number 16 to the office of the president, succeeding Buhari; he has been working to realising it too for some time. Thus, crossing the second round was not a surprise, and how far he would push this further is also not what anyone can envisage.

Nicholas Felix Nwagbo Young and unknown Nicholas Felix Nwagbo, has sent a subliminal message to his critics by crossing

Tein Jack-Rich the second stage of the process of his aspiration. A US-based Nigerian pastor at the Miracle Church International, is the second pastor in the race for APC ticket after Bakare.

Whatever he intends to achieve with this, only time will tell.

Kayode Fayemi Ekiti State Governor, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, who has led his colleagues as Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), is without a doubt, a man of class, panache and character. And with capacity and competence not in question, he is one of those who has marked up the ranks and quality of those aiming Buhari’s job, more so from the Southwest. Even though he kept this ambition close to his chest, he has never pretended about it and has always meant business. For Fayemi, the game is on and right.

Rotimi Amaechi Unquestionably the mostexperienced in the race, having not just held different offices in the past 23 years, but has remained in government for that stretch of time since the return of civil rule in 1999, the immediate past Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, is one issue, whose name is expected to send jitters each time it is mentioned. He knows the game, especially, palace politics, and has since declaring for the office of the president, shown the stuff he is made of. Amaechi is one man to watch out for and whose capacity for showing up insidiously is top notch. He boasts competence too.

Ken Nnamani Renowned largely for killing former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s third term agenda, a former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, is another face of the South-east in the race that cannot be taken for granted. He has capacity, experience, maturity and has shown

Former governor of Zamfara State, Senator Sani Yerima’s presidential ambition is one that a lot of political observers have yet to situate in context. But from the time he obtained his forms to submitting them, he has neither flinched not fidgeted about what he wanted. He clearly has some plans up his sleeves. Whatever they are, all eyes on him as the battle for the APC ticket thickens.

Ikeobasi Mokelu A former Minister of Information and Culture during the late Gen. Sani Abacha junta, Chief Ikeobasi Mokelu, was among the last to venture into the race for the APC ticket. But, he is already boasting that his presidency would apply honour, character, and integrity in the application of efficient and sustainable governance at all levels and in the three arms of government.

Whatever his end game is, the floor is open, at least, for now.

Ben Ayade Fustian and unashamed, the Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, is another presidential hopeful on the APC long list of aspirants, whose intention is hard to decode. Disadvantaged from many points, this timid-looking former member of the opposition PDP, is gradually wearing a serious look, having crossed the second round of the nomination process. Although not much has been seen of him in terms of consultation, the question of how much of home support he could garner has kept coming back each time is name is put up in focus

Tein Jack-Rich Forty-seven years old Tein JackRich is the President and Founder of Belemaoil Producing Limited, a company often described as the first indigenous oil exploration and production company in Nigeria, even though that consideration is arguable. Coming from an oil producing community in AkukuToru Local Government Area of Rivers State, not a few understood yet what a completely apolitical Jack-Rick was doing flexing muscles in an otherwise muddy political terrain. But he seems convinced about his decision and is leaving nothing to chance as the journey to the presidential primaries continues.

RETURNING MINISTERS: BUHARI TO DETERMINE SYLVA, NGIGE, TALLEN'S FATE, SAYS MOHAMMED The disclosure came as FEC approved N169.7 billion private sector investments for road infrastructure through the government's Tax Credit Programme (TCP), during the weekly virtual meeting.

FEC also approved the sum of N3, 491,622,340 for the purchase of a property in Abuja for the Ministry of Aviation.

Mohammed, who briefed newsmen after the FEC meeting yesterday at the State House, Abuja, said he would need to confirm the status

of the returning ministers from the president.

He said, “The question about ministers returning or not going, I think you need to give me more time so that I can tell you exactly what the situation is. Right now, I need to crosscheck.

“I need to confirm again from Mr President what the situation is.

You see, the final decision on who is going, who's coming back, who's not, lies with Mr. President."

Presidency sources yesterday told THISDAY that President had since asked the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and the Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele to stay on in their jobs even though they had initially nursed the ambition of contesting the 2023 election. While Malami had purchased forms to vie for Governor in his home State of Kebbi, a group of rice farmers purchased forms for Emefiele to contest for ticket to vie

for the presidential election.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige; his Women Affairs counterpart, Dame Pauline Tallen; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timpre Sylva, had rescinded their decisions to contest for elective offices in the 2023 general election.

Malami was physically present Continued on page 50

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DRESSED IN TIV TRADITIONAL DRESS IN PURSUIT OF HIS LIFELONG AMBITION...

All Progressives Congress National Leader and presidential aspirant, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, dressed in Tiv traditional dress on Tuesday when he visited Benue State to meet APC delegates. With him are former Senate President Ameh Ebute and Mrs. Regina Akume, wife of a former governor of the State, Senator George Akume ...yesterday.

You Can't Get Bail Now, Court Tells IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu Strikes out additional charges accusing Kanu's lawyers of complicity

Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Binta Nyako of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court yesterday told the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, that he cannot be granted bail until he explains to the court why he breached the previous bail given to him in April, 2017.

But the trial continues on May 26.

However, the court struck out six additional charges filed against Kanu wherein some of the IPOB leader’s lawyers were accused of communicating with him during his absence from trial.

Kanu is standing trial on alleged treasonable felony and terrorism charge.

He was initially arraigned with four others on a six count charge bordering on alleged treasonable felony and conspiracy in 2015.

Following failing health while in custody, Justice Nyako had then admitted him to bail in the sum of N100 million with three sureties in like sum among whom must be a serving Senator.

However, few months after his bail he fled the country after soldiers invaded his family house in Abia State, forcing the prosecution to apply for the revocation of his previous bail in 2019.

His absence stalled his trial until he was rearrested and brought to the country last year to continue trial.

However, Kanu through his lawyer had told the court upon re-arraignment that he didn't jump bail but only fled for his life after the military's attack on his family house in 2017.

After his re-arraignment in July, last year, the court had ordered his remand in the custody of the Department of State Service (DSS) pending the conclusion of the trial.

However, claiming ill health and harsh condition at the DSS' custody, the IPOB leader had applied that he be released on bail, so as to enable him adequately prepare for his trial.

However, the court in a ruling delivered yesterday, rejected the application on the grounds that the defendant must explain to the court his prolonged absence from trial since 2017, when he was granted bail until last year when he was re-arraigned.

The judge held that until that was done, the defendant cannot be considered for a fresh bail.

"Until the issue of absence of the defendant for his trial, with all the bail conditions breached is determined, the instant application of the defendant for bail will at best be premature and it is refused.

"However, the defendant is at liberty to re-file the application", Justice Nyako held.

Justice Nyako observed that Kanu's trial had suffered various setbacks owing to over 19 interlocutory applications that had been filed in the matter.

She appealed to parties to allow the case to proceed on trial and justice dispensed accordingly.

Meanwhile, Justice Nyako struck out an additional six-count charge filed against Kanu by the federal government.

The judge struck out the amended charge after it was withdrawn by the federal government.

In the amended charge, the federal government listed some lawyers representing the IPOB leader, including Ifeanyi Ejiofor and Maxwell Opara, as accomplices of the defendant.

According to the amended charge, the lawyers were said to have had constant communication with Kanu after he jumped bail and fled the country.

At yesterday's proceedings, Kanu's lead lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, drew the court's attention to the amended charge, adding that that was the seventh amendment by the prosecution.

Responding, prosecution counsel, Mr. David Kaswe said the trial

could go on pending when the amended charge was adopted.

He noted that the charges in the amendment were not different from the previous ones.

“We are not substituting a charge.

They are not new charges,” he said.

Interjecting, Ozekhome, said: “The new amended charge, they attached a lot of new pieces of evidence and documents. The

pictures of lawyers waiting to have a meeting with the defendant which they took with their hidden cameras.”

The judge, however, noted that she had taken judicial notice of the amended charge and that trial cannot continue on the previous charge.

Consequently, the prosecution applied to withdraw the amended

Adamawa Guber: Court Orders Service of Suit against Primary on PDP, INEC Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday ordered the service of a court process against the governorship primary of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State on the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The suit was filed by a governorship aspirant of the PDP, Mr. Abubakar Waziri challenging his planned disqualification from the May 23 primary.

He had filed an ex parte applica-

tion asking the court to restrain the PDP and INEC from conducting the governorship primary without him.

However, delivering ruling in the motion, Justice Egwuatu held that it was in the interest of justice for all the parties to appear and respond to the issues in the matter.

"The reliefs are too weight to be granted without putting them on notice," the judge said.

He subsequently adjourned till May 26.

Earlier, counsel to Waziri, Louis Alozie (SAN) informed the court that the purported disqualification of Waziri was done in breach of

Kwara on Path of Good, Steady Recovery under AbdulRazaq, Says Tinubu Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Former Lagos Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, Mr. Bola Tinubu has said Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has excelled and put the state on the path of good and steady recovery under three years of his administration.

Tinubu stated this in Ilorin, Tuesday, when he led members of his presidential campaign team to Government House, Ilorin to seek support of the state delegates in the forthcoming presidential primaries of the party.

He told the APC members: "We have seen it now that AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has excelled and put your state on the path of good recovery. You have seen it yourself.

"You are receiving your salaries as and when due. I have heard testimonies from market women and others about his good work.

A governor that cannot afford to pay salaries is not worthy to lead any group.

"We are going to continue to work together. Never will Kwara State slide (back) to the hands of the termites. Never again."

Tinubu had earlier received applause, a standing ovation, and voice endorsements of his bid, after the Governor spoke extensively about his outstanding roles in the ‘Otoge’ campaign and then introduced him to the delegates ahead of the presidential primaries.

Speaking to the AbdulRazaq's strides in basic education, health and rural-urban development, Tinubu applauded the governor for committing himself to the course

of humanity.

"For a governor who three years ago was his own person, what we have seen is enough testimony of his good job. He committed himself to humanity and public good," he said.

The presidential aspirant said he was better prepared to chart the path of success and prosperity for Nigerians, promising to use education and social welfare as effective weapons against poverty in the country.

"We are coming up with a lot of programmes, just make me your president. I know better how to do it. I can chart the path to success. I can navigate the road to prosperity. I can make the way for your education. I can mentor the children for successful future.

"I believe in it because education is the greatest weapon against

charge and it was struck out.

Sometimes this year, the federal government had re-arraigned Kanu on a 15-count charge of treasonable felony, but the judge, had on April 8, struck out eight out of the 15-count on the grounds that they were mere repetitions that did not disclose any offence that could be sustained by the proof of evidence before the court.

poverty. I am standing before you because of good education," he said, with his speech frequently interspersed by applause from the audience.

"I thank you for this uproar and smooth endorsement. I thank you.

May God not put you to shame."

The former Lagos governor said AbdulRazaq had earned the right to win another term in office and would be fully supported for the bid.

Tinubu said whatever grievances among some party chieftains would be resolved, adding that disagreements are a key element of party politics and can always be managed.

"I will intervene, those who are aggrieved should reunite with the party. We will calm the fraying nerves. They should remain with the party and work with Governor

AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for a second term. For the coming election, we are re-electing Governor AbdulRazaq. So, we will settle the differences," he said.

Tinubu was accompanied on the campaign trail by an army of battle-tested politicians, serving and former parliamentarians, technocrats, and his media top guns, including former Borno Governor Kashim Shettima and former TETFUND chief Prof Sulaiman Bogoro.

AbdulRazaq had earlier led a powerful delegation of the state government and APC generals in the state to welcome the APC leader from the airport -- after which their long motorcade meandered through the highway lined by seas of admirers to the palace of the Emir of Ilorin Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.

the Electoral Act and the party guidelines after both the Yola South Local Government Area and the Steering Committee cleared him for having fulfilled all the requirements to participate in the primary election billed for May 23.

Waziri had sought the following reliefs: "A declaration that the plaintiff is duly qualified to contest the gubernatorial primary election of the 1st defendant in Adamawa State for the selection/election of the 1st defendant’s candidate for the governorship election in Adamawa State.

"A declaration that the 1st defendant cannot arbitrarily and capriciously disqualify the plaintiff from contesting the Gubernatorial Primary Election in Adamawa State on grounds other than those stipulated in the constitution and to disallow the plaintiff to participate in the processes leading to the election including failure to issue nomination forms (Forms EC9 and EC9B) is illegal and unconstitutional."

He further asked the court to declare that the PDP cannot issue the plaintiff with a certificate of disqualification after the 1st defendant’s appeal panel had adjudged and declared the plaintiff qualified, eligible and cleared him to so contest.

While he asked the court to restrain the PDP from excluding or disallowing him from contesting the gubernatorial primary election in Adamawa State slated for May 23, he urged the court to restrain INEC from accepting the result of any primary election of the PDP in which the plaintiff was not allowed to contest.

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I NEED YOUR SUPPORT...

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde (left) with PDP Presidential aspirant, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, during Saraki’s visit to the Oyo State Government House... yesterday

Atiku: INEC Rigged 2019 Elections for APC in Five States Urges PDP Members not to allow ruling party steal their votes again Francis Sardauna in Katsina A former Vice-President and presidential hopeful, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of rigging the 2019 elections for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)

in fives states of Katsina, Kano, Yobe, Kaduna and Borno.

He, however, advised members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to allow the APC steal their votes in the 2023 general election.

Addressing PDP delegates and leaders of the party in Katsina, Atiku said he won the 2019 elections in

the five northern states but the APC rigged the results in connivance with the nation's electoral umpire.

"I thank the Katsina State delegates for supporting me in Port Harcourt in 2018. I also thank the entire people of Katsina state for supporting the PDP during the 2019 general elections.

"Katsina, Kano, Borno, Yobe and Kaduna were among the states where APC rigged our results. So, I thank the people of Katsina State for supporting PDP, and I hope this time around you will not allow them to steal your votes," he said.

The former vice president, who proclaimed himself as a unifier,

promised to unite the country irrespective of religion or tribal difference for peaceful coexistence and development to thrive if elected president in 2023.

He also assured the people that his government would restore security, revamp industries, reform the economy of the country and

Army Warns Personnel, Says Strike Amounts to Mutiny To probe allegation of corruption, extortion against top brass Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Nigerian Army, yesterday, warned its personnel against contemplating any strike action, because it would be treated as mutiny.

The warning followed an alleged open letter to the president written by some aggrieved personnel, accusing the army top brass of corruption and extortion in relation to staff salaries and allowances.

A statement from the Nigerian Army Headquarters, signed by her spokesman, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, stated that, the alleged aggrieved personnel were a product of manipulation following the determination of the army to ensure accountability in the system.

"The Nigerian Army (NA) has noted with concern, reports alleging that some ‘pseudo’ aggrieved personnel wrote an open letter to the president, accusing the top brass of the Nigerian Army (NA) of corruption and extortion.

"More worrisome is the insinuation that soldiers have threatened to embark on strike, an action which is tantamount to mutiny in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

"Contrary to the report, the Nigerian Army, as part of her effort to guard against fraudulent practices and entrench accountability and transparency in the system, subscribed to the Integrated Personnel Pay Roll System (IPPS) as directed by the federal government, since 2018 and this has facilitated flawless payment of salaries and allowances of personnel.

"The IPPIS does not permit any personnel access to payment processes. These processes, undoubtedly, provide zero opportunity for anyone or group of persons to manipulate personnel entitlements," the statement explained.

It added that, the involvement of the armed forces in IPPIS ensures accountability and that, "It is also important to state that the Nigerian Army and sister services, jointly

operate a Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS), which is applicable to the Armed Forces of Nigeria in general.

"Therefore, what is applicable to personnel of other services (Nigerian Navy and Air Force), invariably applies to personnel of the NA. Suffice it to state that personnel salaries and allowances are promptly and appropriately paid, without any form of shortchange."

While disputing the allegations,

the Army said, "Therefore, the vague allegation of corruption and extortion clearly depicts a shallow understanding of the processes of payments of personnel salaries and allowances.

"As it stands presently, all monthly entitlements of personnel have been disbursed. The allegations contained in the anonymous letter are therefore a ridiculous attempt at disparaging the Nigerian Army and causing disaffection among personnel," it said.

The army further expressed doubt that the personnel of the Nigerian Army would be involved in such falsehood, but has resolved to investigate the matter to ascertain its veracity.

The statement read further: "Though it is weird that personnel of the NA, whose morale is considerably high under the command of the incumbent Chief of Army Staff, will make such allegations and threat, given the prioritised and

prompt attention accorded soldiers' welfare, including timely payment of their salaries and allowances by the current administration.

"The Nigerian Army as a professional institution would however investigate the claims made in the report to establish its veracity and take appropriate action, where necessary."

Nwachukwu said the army would not be cowed by any group, whose aim was to demoralise personnel.

create more jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the country.

While accusing the government of President Muhammadu Buhari of being insensitive to the development of the education sector, Abubakar said he would revitalise education and end industrial actions for effective and efficient learning.

He further vowed to devote more powers and resources to states to enable governors develop their states and avoid overdependence on the federal government for survival.

"I promised to unify the country that is why I am being referred to as Mr unifier. By unifying this country, I mean to say that no part of this country will be neglected.

"Every part will have a sense of belonging. Every religious faith will have a sense of belonging and no part will be discriminated against.

It is only when you do, that you will have the unity of this country," he said.

He, therefore, appealed to the Katsina State delegates to vote for him at the PDP presidential convention billed for 28 and 29 of this month in Abuja.

RETURNING MINISTERS: BUHARI TO DETERMINE SYLVA, NGIGE, TALLEN'S FATE, SAYS MOHAMMED at yesterday’s council meeting, while Tallen and Sylva attended the meeting virtually from their offices in Abuja.

Ngige was said to be away on official engagement in South Africa, where he was attending the global conference on child labour in Durban, organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

The information and culture minister also shed more light on the recent meeting between the federal government and Facebook’s management over the alleged biased coverage of the country by the blogging platform. He said both parties had a fruitful discussion, adding that the government is not contemplating banning Facebook operations in the country.

Mohammed stated, "We had a very robust discussion with Facebook.

Facebook saw our point and they said they're going to do much more than what they were doing. So if they do that, why would we ban them? We don't ban for banning sake. We ban or we only suspend operations if, for any reason, lives are threatened and they do not listen."

He also said the government was able to express its reservation about some of the reports on Facebook.

According to him, "At that meeting, we expressed our displeasure that Facebook was becoming a power of choice for those who stay outside Nigeria, in particular, to incite violence, killings, burning

of government properties, killing of soldiers and policemen. And that they do more than what they are doing now in looking at the contents, which are unwholesome, which are being used on their platforms.

"Incidentally, the BBC did a documentary on this particular issue and found out that some of them who call themselves social media warriors in England, in France, and other places, have in recent times been using the Facebook platform to incite violence in Nigeria. And we've all seen the real life impact of those war mongering, the young couple who are going to marry, soldiers who were gruesomely murdered.

"Over this weekend in Anambra State, policemen were killed, military barracks were attacked. And we did warn Facebook to, please, do more than what they are doing now. And I must say that their response was quite encouraging. They said they are going to do much more."

Speaking on the approval of N169.7 billion private sector investments for road infrastructure through the government's TCP, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, who also briefed newsmen, stressed that the programme was initiated in 2019, through Executive Order 7 signed by the president, which allowed the private sector to finance public infrastructure in lieu of tax and then offset it overtime using tax credits.

Fashola said the first project FEC

approved, based on TCP, was the 234-kilometre road from Bali to Sheti through Gashaka to Gembu in Taraba State at the sum of N95, 232,474,010.72. He disclosed that an existing N20 billion, under NNPC Tax Credit Scheme, would be used to kick-start the project.

Fashola said the second project, under the tax credit scheme, approved

by Council covered three roads.

"The applicant in this case is Mainstream Energy Solutions, a major energy player in the country, is now seeking to also participate in this policy by investing a total of N74, 486,577, 050," he said.

Furthermore, Mohammed, who briefed journalists on behalf of his colleagues in aviation, power, and agriculture, said FEC approved the sum of N3, 491,622,340 for the purchase of a property in Abuja for the Ministry of Aviation. He said the property to be acquired was to enable the ministry co-locate with many of its agencies.

The minister stated, "This property will enable the ministry to be in the same building with many of its agencies. As of now, many of the agencies operate from rented properties and this is a drain on government, apart from the fact that it does not allow for good coordination of activities.

“Necessary checks and legal searches have been made and the council approved the purchase today."

The minister also said Council

awarded a N553.575 million contract for the establishment and deployment of Advanced Report Generation Utility Engine Web-based Reporting Tools in favour of Messrs Sinecou Limited with delivery date of 12 months.

Mohammed further disclosed that the power ministry got approval for the upward review of the original contract sum in respect of the construction of 232 kilometres Yola, Song, Gombe, Mubi, Gulako 132 KV double circuit transmission line, from $16 million plus N1.248 billion, to $16.698 billion plus N2,337,643,640.

He added that the sum of N409 million was approved for the power ministry to purchase replacements of defective circuit breakers, and disclosed that a memo from the Minister of Agriculture seeking approval for a National Agricultural Technology Innovation Policy was approved.

Mohammed stated, "Another memo by the Minister of Power also sought approval for the repair and refurbishment of defective nine sets of 330 KV, 13 sets of 132 KV, and 26 sets of 33 KV Crompton grips circuit breakers for the Transmission Company of Nigeria. Some of these circuit breakers are weak, having been there for more than 35 years and the total sum is N409, 089,841.

And this is to help the network of the TCN. "A memo of the Minister of Agriculture seeking approval for

a national agricultural technology innovation policy was approved.

It is a policy that aims at better synergy and alignment with MDAs to overcome inadequate coordination on policy implementation. It will address the issue of fragmentation of mandates and rivalries among MDAs in the agricultural sector. It will help livestock development and it will support the establishment of functional models of ranches, grazing reserves and integrated meat and dairy processing among others.

“The policy is also going to help promote knowledge creation and transfer through reorganising, unbundling and strengthening agricultural research and training systems. The policy will give access to mechanisation via tractor and implement hiring scheme. It will also impact on quality extension service delivery, leading to enhanced technology adoption to strengthen the value chain for quality crops, fisheries and aquaculture, among others.”

Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clement Agba, who also spoke after the FEC meeting, said the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, presented a memo on the Phase 3 of the Lighthouse programme on digital infrastructure of voluntary assets and income declaration scheme bids and tax harmonisation normalisation analytics and application programme interface.

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SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FOR ALL...

L-R: CEO of Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), conference host and convener, Damilola Ogunbiyi; Akeem Shagaya; GMD/CEO, MOJEC International Holdings, Chantelle Abdul, and CEO, Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company Limited (InfraCredit), Chinua Azubike, at the ongoing Sustainable Energy for All Forum taking place at Kigali, Rwanda…yesterday

Amaechi in Kano, Recalls Enemies Wanted to Kill Him in 2015 Because He Supported Buhari Says he once drove out of the state at 1am to stay alive Urges Kano delegates to vote for him Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano A former Minister of Transportation and presidential hopeful, Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday, painted an emotional basis why the people of Kano should vote for him, saying, not only did political enemies want him dead, he was once forced to drive out of Kano at 1am just to stay alive.

Amaechi, who appealed to Kano delegates to vote for him considering the numerous achievements he has attracted to the state as minister, said his commitment to providing employment through infrastructure development for the people of Kano

made him to site the biggest railway project in the state, adding that if elected president, he would focus on more development projects in the area.

"I speak to your conscience, let us see how your conscience will prick you on the day of voting, so that you look at your God; look at your ballot paper and vote for your conscience. I was here in Kano as a governor of Rivers State, when I got information that they were after my life.

“They refused to allow me fly out of Kano. I had to take my destiny in my hands and started praying to God, and I drove from

here to Abuja by 1am to stay alive.

The reason why they wanted me dead was because I was supporting Muhammadu Buhari for President.

"When President Buhari appointed me minister, the first railway project I thought was important was Lagos to Kano. I had started working on the Kano-Kaduna railway before I resigned. I had visited Kano more than three times, inspecting that railway project and presently, we have achieved between eighty to one hundred kilometers of rail line already.

“Even though we have not placed the track, we have done the foundation. Your Governor told you

FG DECLINES CONSENT TO SEPLAT, MOBIL OIL PRODUCING ASSETS ACQUISITION DEAL “Nothing in this letter shall be deemed to be a waiver, on the part of the Commission, of any rights under the Guidelines, any law, rule or regulation, and the Commission reserves all its rights in respect of the subject matter.

Please accept the assurances of my highest esteem,” the Commission’s boss stated in the letter addressed to Laing, with reference number: NUPRC/LD/1189/01, titled: “Re: Potential Sale and Purchase of the Equity (Shares) of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited.”

He also made reference to the multinational oil company’s letter dated March 30, 2022 with Ref: MPN-PGA-NUP-CCE-0322-0027 on the above subject matter.

Komolafe highlighted contents of the letter MPNU wrote then to the NUPRC on the proposed acquisition, and in particular, the section that stated that the transaction was between parties who were not privy to the Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and the MPNU dated June 28, 1990, and that does not trigger any relevant rights or obligations under the JOA for either NNPC or MPNU. Also, the MPNU had stated in the letter that the sale of shares by shareholders of MPNU would have no bearing on the consent or preferential right and option requirements of the JOA in favour of NNPC and that the NNPC does not have preferential rights in respect to the transaction.

In addition, the regulator made reference to another aspect of the letter Mobil wrote to it on the matter that, the

MPNU shareholders would be proceeding with their efforts to satisfy the conditions required for the approval of the proposed transaction, and the procurement of the consent of the Minister of Petroleum Resources.

Furthermore, the Commission pointed out that: “You may also be aware that the Commission is in receipt of a letter of 10th March 2022, written by Seplat Energy to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, requesting the consent of the Minister of Petroleum Resources to the transaction. This letter was received by the Commission on March 30, 2022.

“Please be advised that even if the transaction in question were between parties who are not privy to the JOA, MPNU remains the leaseholder of the assets subject to the transaction and the focal point of contact with the federal government of Nigeria on any matter or dealings with the assets.

“In this regard, you may wish to note that paragraph 3.1 of the Guidelines and Procedures for Obtaining Minister's Consent to the Assignment of Interest in Oil and Gas Assets 2021 provides, in line with extant Nigerian law, that ‘an Assignment involves the transfer of an OPL, OML, MF or OGPL or an interest, power or right therein by any company or person with equity, participating, contractual or working interest in the said OPL, OML, MF or OGPL, through merger, acquisition, take-over, divestment or any such transaction that may alter the ownership, equity, rights or interest of the assigning company in question, not minding the nature of upstream

arrangement that the assigning company may be involved in, including but not limited to Joint Venture (JV), Production Sharing Contract (PSC), Production Sharing Agreement (PSA),Service Contract (SC), Sole Risk (SR) or Marginal Fields operation.’

“Also note that overriding National interest will always be the compass of the law. Paragraph 3.1.1 of the guidelines also expressly restates that assignment shall include, but not be limited to: ‘assignment by way of exchange or transfer of shares: This shall entail the acquisition of part or all of the shares of a company which holds an OPL, OML, MF or OGPL in Nigeria.”

According to the regulatory commission, until an assignment was completed, including the granting of Ministerial consent to such assignment, the leaseholder remains the registered owner of the asset and the only one with the locus to interact with the government in respect of the asset.

Also, in the letter addressed to Orjiako, the regulatory commission also highlighted relevant sections in the Guidelines and Procedures for Obtaining Minister's Consent to the Assignment of Interest in Oil and Gas Assets 2021.

“Thus, regardless of the mode of the transaction, MPNU, remains, to all intents and purposes, the assignor under Nigerian law and is the proper person to bring an application for Ministerial consent to the transaction, not Seplat.

Consequently, you are hereby requested to revert to MPNU, the assignor, to receive updates on your application,” it stated.

about Dala Inland Dry Port. Dala Inland Dry Port had been in the ministry of Transportation for twenty years. I could have declined approval of the project but I knew that the economy of Kano people is large and I needed to create employment for Kano people.

"So, I immediately approved the project, and I asked the contractor that I want to commission it. I could have commissioned it before I left the ministry but I wanted the President to commission it. Before I resigned, we had gone for final inspection and we were ready to commission.

"I visited Dala Inland Dry Port with your Governor and I saw some small children running to us, and I asked both the Governor and the owner of Dala Inland Dry Port, what are you people doing to these children? They're of school age and they're not in school. Immediately, I told the owner of the Dala Inland Dry Port that I would not give him a license if he did not build a school for the children. I also told him not only to build a school, they (children) must attend the school

free of charge. Today, that school is completed and he will hand it over to the government," he said.

To this end, Amaechi said, "It means that I have the people of Kano in my heart, it means that I love you, it means that I am tested and trusted. Please, compare me to others; don't vote based on sentiments, vote for me because I have the capacity.

Check my records, look at all the offices that I have occupied before, what did I achieve? And see if I have not achieved enough to qualify for your votes.

“So, when you match out that day, match out with your conscience in your hand. If you want us to move forward, if you want the economy of Kano to expand further, to create employment, vote for me. I have created employment in Kano by the mere fact that I approved Dala Inland Port. The Kano-Kaduna railway has created nothing less than twenty thousand employment opportunities.

“People will ask you how you paid me back for the things I did for Kano. You need to encourage me

by voting for me. You have about four hundred and sixty something delegate votes, give me those votes, don't waste it; it will be a total waste to take it somewhere else.

"I know what poverty is and I will chase away poverty, because the reason for banditry is lack of availability. We will provide opportunity for everybody and chase the bandits out of town. I have done it before as a governor.

By God's grace and by the grace of the people of Nigeria, I will chase bandits away.

“What you must do is to vote for me and I promise you, together, we will develop Kano State and Nigeria.

One thing I will focus on in Kano is social housing, because when you're building you are creating jobs and you're creating accommodation for people," he said.

Earlier, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of the state, lauded the presidential hopeful for his sterling leadership qualities and stressed that the projects attracted to the state by him would remain indelible in the hearts of the people.

Police Parade Killers of Two Officers, Kidnappers of Greenfield Varsity Students, 31 Others

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Nigeria Police, yesterday, paraded 31 suspects arrested in connection with major violent crimes, including kidnapping, culpable homicide, rape, unlawful possession of firearms among others.

Parading the suspects in Abuja, Police Spokesman and Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Mr Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said operatives of the Force Intelligence Bureau Special Tactical Squad (FIB-STS), also recovered a total of 61 firearms including 41 AK 47 rifles, 8 Type 06 rifles, four Light Assault Rifles (LAR), four pump action guns, two locally made firearms, one G3 rifle, one dane gun, 376 rounds of live ammunition of different calibres and the sum of N2 million from the suspects in the course of investigations.

Prominent among the cases was one of kidnapping, where the duo of Aminu Lawal (aka Kano), and Murtala Dawu (aka Mugala),

both working in synergy with the kidnap kingpin known as Yellow Ashana, confessed to the kidnap and murder of two police officers and one vigilante in 2021.

They also confessed to the kidnap of students from the Greenfield University in Kaduna State and the mindless murder of five victims before the payment of ransom and eventual release of the others.

"Intelligence shows that their area of operations include Dan Hunu, Kekebi, Dan Busha Rido, Maraban Rido, and Kumi Sata, all in Kaduna State.

"FIB-STS operatives caught up with them in March, 2022, after being on their trail upon the mention of their names in connection to the kidnapping of Bethel Baptist School students in 2021," he said.

Similarly, a five-man trans-border syndicate, which carried out kidnapping operations between Adamawa State in Nigeria and Burha, Fituha, and Kesu in

Cameroun were arrested.

Members of the the gang included Abubakar Mohammed, 28; Shehu Mohammed, 38; Abdullahi Ali, 30; Abubakar Ali, 18 and Hussaini Sule, 18, all males from Mubi, Adamawa State.

"They target wealthy individuals, who possessed beautiful houses or cars. They confessed to the kidnap and multiple rape of a newly wedded woman at Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, whom they released upon receipt of N1million ransom.

"They were apprehended by operatives of the FIB-STS after collecting a ransom sum of 2 million for one Alhaji Moni of Buladega Village on the 11th of May 11, 2022," he said.

Police detectives also apprehended the duo of Umar Muhammed aged 40 years old from Mitchika in Adamawa State and Musa Buba, 29, from Hong in Adamawa State, who were famous for their kidnapping activities.

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EFCC Arrests former NDDC MD Nsima Ekere, for N47bn Fraud Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arrested former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Nsima Ekere.

He was arrested over alleged diversion of funds to the tune of N47 billion through registered contractors of the NDDC. He was at the helm of affairs at the NDDC between 2017 and 2019.

Spokesman of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the arrest.

He said he was arrested in Lagos, yesterday and was undergoing interrogation by EFCC investigators as of last night.

The agency had on Tuesday arrested former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Patricia Etteh, over her alleged involvement in N287 million contract awarded by

the Commission.

The former Speaker was picked up Tuesday evening by the anti-graft agency

and is presently undergoing interrogation.

Etteh is to answer questions over her involvement in a N287

million solar power street light project in Akwa Ibom State executed by Phil Jin Projects Ltd. Though she was neither a

director nor the contractor, the agency was probing a strange payment of N130 million into her bank account by the contractor.

Further investigation showed that when Etteh was confronted she claimed that she gave a loan to the contractor.

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L-R: President, Association for Counseling, Matchmaking and Physiotherapy of Nigeria (ACMPN), Mrs. Tolulope Oko- Igaire; Certified Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, Mrs. Serah Agbelusi; Secretary, ACMPN, Mr.Tosin Olusola, and Professional mental health Counselor, Theodora Okafor, during 2022 international mental health awareness week in Lagos… recently

Another Guber Aspirant FCT Chief Judge Tasks Police, Others on Effective Justice Delivery Withdraws in Protest,as Plateau APC Crisis Deepens Alex Enumah in Abuja

Seriki Adinoyi inJos

As the crisis rocking Plateau All Progressive Congress (APC) continue to deepen, another frontline gubernatorial aspirant, Ambassador Yohanna Margif, has withdrawn from the race in protest.

Margif, who announced his decision yesterday while addressing journalists in Jos, the state capital, however, did not state his next line of action.

According to him, the decision to withdraw from the race was also conveyed in a letter he presented to the APC ward Chairman of Margif/Kopmur ward in Mushere, Bokkos LGA which was also copied to the APC local

government and state executives.

In the protest letter dated May 17, 2022, Margif alleged total collapse of internal democracy in the state APC, impunity and imposition of unpopular candidates as part of the reasons he dumped the party.

He said that the money he paid to purchase the party’s nomination forms should be considered as his own donation to foster the growth of democracy on the Plateau, in Nigeria and in Africa.

He decried the impunity in APC, insisting that the bridge of the party to Plateau people has been broken and it’s now in total collapse.

Abia APC Litigants Get Pardon, Party Survives Attempt to Remove Exco Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The leadership of the Abia State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has pronounced forgiveness on aggrieved members who had engaged in legal battles to topple the state executive committee that emerged through the party congress.

The Abia State Chairman of APC, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, made this known while addressing newsmen in Umuahia after he emerged unscathed in the latest court battle to oust him

and the entire State Executive Committee (SEC) of the party.

An FCT High Court presided over by Hon. Justice Babangida Hassan, on Monday struck out the latest suit filed by the aggrieved group led by the former State Chairman, Mr. Donatus Nwankpa, and a former Federal Lawmaker, Hon. Acho Obioma.

In the Suit No FCT/HC/ PET/1273/2022: Nwachukwu Success Ugochukwu & Anor Vs APC & Anor filed in April, the claimants asked the court to nullify the Abia APC Exco and appoint a caretaker committee.

Gombe Reconstitutes Muslim, Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards Segun Awofadeji in Gombe Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has approved the reconstitution and appointment of Chairmen and Board Members of the State’s Muslim and Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards.

Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, who conveyed the Governor’s approval, said His Royal Highness, Alhaji Haruna Abdulkadir Rasheed, Emir of Dukku, as Chairman

of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.

Also appointed as members of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board are; Sheikh Usman Isa Taliyawa, Sheikh Adamu Girbo Mohammed, Sheikh Abdulmumini Ibrahim (Na’ibi), Sheikh Muhammed Bello Doma, Sheikh Bashir Ladan, Sheikh Naziru Umar, Seikh Adamu Muhammad Dokoro, Alhaji Salisu MaiBuredi, Alhaji Abdullahi Haladu Kuri and Malam Adamu Damo Nafada.

The Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal High Court, Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf , has called on the Police and other prosecutorial agencies in the country to work towards achieving an effective justice system in the country.

Baba-Yusuf made the call yesterday in Abuja, at a workshop to enhance the prosecutorial powers of police in line with modern times.

The workshop was organised

by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Project Team, NBA Institute of Continued Legal Education and the Macarthur Foundation. It was titled: ‘The Role of Nigeria Police in the Implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, (ACJA)20215 and Compliance with the Principle of Human Rights in Law Enforcement.

Speaking, the CJ remarked that for achieving the objectives of ACJA, “largely depends on the existence of effective and efficient prosecutorial agencies with the

mastery of the law to facilitate proceedings in order to meet the demands of justice as the need arises.”

“And this is where the Nigeria Police Force and criminal defense lawyers come in. As we all know, the Nigeria Police Force is one of the gatekeepers in the Nigerian criminal justice system, with the responsibility to implement the ACJA. “It therefore goes without saying that to effectively discharge this enormous responsibility, the police including criminal

defense lawyers generally, need to possess adequate knowledge of the provisions of the ACJA and their applicability in criminal proceedings. Anything to the contrary could occasion grave consequences in the criminal justice system that may spell doom for the society”.

While commending the organisers for convening the training workshop, he urged participants to make use of the knowledge acquired to promote a seamless administration of Justice in Nigeria.

Makinde, Kwara Gov Flag Off 76.6km Ogbomoso-Iseyin Road Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, was yesterday joined by his Kwara State counterpart, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to flag off the construction of the 76.67 kilometres OgbomosoFapote-Iseyin road, saying the project is of economic importance to both Oyo and Kwara states.

The project connects Ogbomoso, which is less than 30 minutes from Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, to Iseyin, a city in Oke Ogun zone of Oyo State, which also shares

a boundary with Kwara.

Governor AbdulRazaq, while speaking at the ceremony, which had in attendance a former Military Administrator of Oyo and Ogun states, Major-General Oladayo Popoola, member representing Iseyin/Kajola/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa Federal Constituency, Hon. Shina Peller, top government functionaries of the Oyo State government and leading traditional rulers in Ogbomoso zone, lauded Makinde for thinking outside the box, stating that the project is an economic road and a greenfield

project that would impact the economy of Oyo State and also be of benefit to Kwara State.

He said travellers from Northern Nigeria, including Kwara, will have an easier access to Oyo and even Ogun states.

He commended Makinde for creating huge economic values along the axis, saying that the project, like many other road infrastructure projects undertaken

by Governor Makinde, were for posterity.

He said: “I congratulate Your Excellency for this important road

project. This road seeks to connect Ogbomoso to Iseyin and that will bring comfort to and reduce travel time for people who want to travel further South to Abeokuta.

“Similarly, it represents a shortcut for those coming from Northern Nigeria, including Kwara, who are travelling to Iseyin or headed to Igboora or Abeokuta. In all of these, you are creating huge economic values along this axis. You are also saving lives because the ever-busy Oyo/Ogbomoso road will be decongested.

VFD Group Rewards Shareholders with N10.78 Dividend, Grows Interest Income by 99% Dike Onwuamaeze

VFD Group Plc grew its gross earnings by 50 per cent from N6.65 billion to N9.95 billion in the financial year that ended December 31, 2021, and would reward its shareholders with a dividend of N10.78 per share.

This was disclosed by the Group Managing Director and CEO of VFD Plc, Mr. Nonso Okpala, who said that the good financial showings attested to the continued

headline growth from diverse income streams and resilience across all financial indicators, amidst macroeconomic headwinds during the year under review.

Other highlights of the financial report showed that the group’s interest income grew significantly by 99 per cent from N3.69 billion in 2020 to N7.33 billion while the trading and other non-interest income grew by 156 per cent from N4.01 billion to N10.26 billion during the year under review.

Moreover, the group’s shareholders’ funds also recorded 64 per cent growth from N8.92 billion to N14.64 billion while its total assets grew by 26 per cent from N81.68 billion to N102.82 billion in 2020.

However, the VFD’s Profit Before Tax decreased slightly by three per cent from N4.08 billion to N3.94 billion in 2020.

Based on the results, Okpala announced that VFD Group Plc has proposed “a final

dividend of N10.78 per share with an additional bonus share for every two shares held by its shareholders. This is N2.3 per share higher than the dividend paid last year, thereby reaffirming the commitment made to its shareholders to continuously grow wealth.”

He described “2021 was a difficult year for the group because we were forced to navigate the most difficult health and economic times in recent history.”

Poverty Responsible for Child Labour in Africa, Says Ngige Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige has linked the scourge of child labour to pervasive poverty in the African continent.

The minister, however, noted that the current administration in Nigeria has adopted multipronged approach to fight child

labour through reduction in poverty index, despite teething challenges.

He disclosed this yesterday, while addressing the International Labour Organisation (ILO) 5th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour, holding in Durban, KwazuluNatal, South Africa.

The minister who co-chaired

the day’s panel, said Nigeria faced numerous challenges in the fight against Child Labour but was doing everything possible to stem the social malaise.

According to him, the challenges in the fight to eradicate child labour include low revenue earnings due to fall in crude oil prices and production, over dependence

on imported goods/ items and low agricultural production and the consequential economic recession.

He attributed the worsening scenario in Nigeria to COVID-19 pandemic which stagnated economic activities all over the world, pushing the country into a second economic recession in 2020.

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NEWSXTRA

Five Feared Killed as Traders, Hoodlums Clash in Abuja Minister orders closure of Deidei market

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Five persons were killed in a fracas that ensured yesterday at Dei International Market in Abuja after an unidentified woman was crushed by an articulated vehicle after falling off a commercial motorbike.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Mohammad Bello, who led the Commissioner of Police, Sunday Babaji , Director DSS and other sister security agencies to the scene where multi million naira worth of building materials were razed has also directed the indefinite closure of the affected market until further notice.

He also directed the community and the market leaders to fish out the hoodlums responsible for the crisis.

He said: “The community and market leaders must fish out hoodlums and bad eggs among them, unfortunately this time around hoodlums carry arms and they shot innocent people. As a matter of fact, I

saw four corpses, this is very sad and totally unequivocally unacceptable in Abuja.

“We have agreed with security agencies that full scale investigations will be done, and the communities have to be part and parcel of the solution or else there will be no peace. In the interim the timber market and the surrounding markets, including all the activities on road that have clustered the road and made it unpassable will all stop untill the technical team reviews everything, and then we will take the next decision.

“I am appealing to other communities within the FCT that there is no tribal or religious misunderstanding because all the leadership of various communities have lived here in peace for many years.

This is simply the matter of criminals and hoodlums taking the laws into their hands,” he said.

On his part, the Vice Chairman Timber Shed Market, Ifeanyi Chibata, told the minister that between 45

and 50 shops were burnt while 25 vehicles were set ablaze during the riot.

He put the total value of

destroyed plank and building materials at over N1 billion.

The Secretary Tomato and Onions Sellers Association

Dei-Dei Dahiru Garba Mani, revealed that the four persons were shot by hoodlums during the clash

in the market.

He said the corpses of the victims were taken into the mosques

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2022: Oni Warns Buhari against Breakdown of Peace NDLEA Arraigns Two over Alleged Ekiti Governorship candidate of the The call came yesterday orders of the governor.

SDP campaign office, Dr. Dare Democratic Party in Ekiti following a pandemonium that The leader of the gang, Ojo, confirmed that an official 2.169kg of Heroin Possession Social state, Segun Oni has called erupted in Ado-Ekiti as one of one Apase, was said to have report had been made to the

Wale Igbintade

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday arraigned a knight of the Catholic Church, Sir Basil Okafor and Edwin Okwuchukwu Izuchukwu, before a Federal High Court, in Lagos on charges bordering on conspiracy, unlawful possession of 2.169 kilograms of Heroin and perversion of justice.

According to the prosecutor, Mr. Umar Hussaine, the defendants were arrested on March 28, 2022, at their residence, 26 Akpomule Street, Isolo-Okota Area of

Lagos State.

The prosecutor told the court that the two defendants without lawful authority, possessed, dealt and distributed the said quantity of the prohibited drug.

He further alleged that the first defendant, obstructed authorised officers of the NDLEA, who were on official assignment to arrest him in connection with the seized 2.169 kilograms of Heroin, by throwing his mobile phone iPhone 7*A1661 with IMEI Numbers 3494 7108650649 containing MTN SIM card number 09036306438 into a Toilet Water Closet.

Thugs Disrupt Factional SDP EventArea,in Ilorin Elder James Olajide, was Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Disruptions yesterday marred the political event organised by some suspended members of the Social Democratic Party(SDP) in Ilorin, Kwara State, following the invasion of the venue of the event by about 20 suspected thugs.

The incident happened at a press conference held at the main hall of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ilorin.

During the melee, a suspended member of the party, who claimed to be a factional Chairman of the SDP in Ifelodun Local Government

beaten to a pulp.

The authentic SDP leadership in the state last Tuesday suspended eight members from the party for alleged anti-party activities.

Those suspended from the party, according to the statement issued by the acting Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Lekan Akanbi, are: Mr. Ibrahim Mabolaje, Mrs. Iyabo Eiyebiokin, Mr. Sulyman Danialu, and Mr. Abdulganiyu Jase.

Others are: Mr. Adelowo Julius, Mr. Adamu Muhammed, Mr. Bello Oluwole, and Mr. Bolaji Amogun.

Group Congratulates Jonathan on International Appointment A sociocultural organisation, The Unity Group (TUG) has congratulated former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, on his recent appointment as a member of the International Advisory Board of the European Corporate Council on Africa and the Middle East (ECAM Council).

Jonathan’s appointment into the Board was made known last week through a statement by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, who disclosed that by the appointment, Jonathan has become the first sub-Saharan

African leader to serve on the board of the ECAM Council, which he said, is a non-profit organisation established with the purpose of promoting and developing relations between the countries of Europe, Africa and the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, with Italy playing a leading role.

Reacting to the development, TUG in a statement yesterday said the appointment is another testimony of Jonathan’s ever rising profile as an international statesman and a rare personality of focus.

on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General (IG)of Police, Usman Alkali Baba to urgently wade in to halt the reprehensible activities of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi which he said are capable of causing crisis of an unimaginable magnitude.

the campaign buses belonging to Otunba Ladi Owolabi, the deputy governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was allegedly snatched at gun point by suspected thugs hired by the state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

The bus was said to have been driven straight to the government house, on the

coordinated the dastardly act.

Meanwhile, the SDP has reported the matter to the state Police Command.

This was contained in a statement issued by the campaign office of the SDP Governorship candidate, Chief Segun Oni in Ado-Ekiti and made available to journalists.

The Secretary General of the

state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adesina Moronkeji.

Speaking with journalists yesterday, Owolabi vowed never to succumb to the unwarranted intimidation by the ruling APC which he said has lost touch with the people of the state and afraid of facing the electorate, come June 18.

Osun 2022: Court Affirms Ademola Adeleke as PDP Candidate YinkaKolawoleinOsogbo

The Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State capital yesterday ruled on the validity of Senator Ademola Adeleke as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate for the July 16 governorship election in Osun State.

The court dismissed a suit filed by Prince Dotun Babayemi, seeking to be declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)candidate for the July 16governorship election in Osun state.

The court consequently affirmed Senator Adeleke as the validly elected PDP candidate for the poll.

In his judgement, which took over one hour, 30 minutes, Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel, held that the primary election conducted at the WOCDIF Centre, Osogbo, on the 8th of March, 2022, which produced Babayemi was null and void.

According to Justice AyoEmmanuel, Babayemi did not participate in the PDP primary election.

Justice ayo-Emmanuel, who held that the court could not pick

candidates for any political party, also added that it was an internal party issue and therefore the matter was dismissed.

During the PDP gubernatorial primary election held on March 8, the Wale Ojo faction which produced Dotun Babayemi held a parallel primary at the WOCDIF Centre, Osogbo.

In the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognised PDP primary held at the Osogbo City Stadium, under the supervision of Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo,

as Chairman, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke was declared the winner.

In a list of candidates later released

by INEC, Adeleke was recognised as a duly elected candidate of PDP in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state.

It was for this reason that Babayemi approached the court to challenge the submission and nomination of Ademola Adeleke by the PDP to INEC and the validity of the primaries conducted at the stadium against the one conducted at WOCDIF

Police Rescue Kidnapped Victim, Recover Arms, Vehicles in Anambra

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

The Police have rescued a kidnapped victim, Ijideofor Attama in Anambra State.

Attama was said to have been kidnapped on Nnewi road last week, and a ransom of N10million placed on him by his kidnappers, before he was rescued.

A statement issued by the state Police Command spokesperson, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, said: “Anambra State Police Command operatives on

May 17, 2022, rescued a kidnap victim, one Ijideofor Attama, 32, from Igboetiti in Enugu State.

“Attama was abducted on May 14, 2022, at about 10p.m. on Nnewi road in his Toyota Rava 4 SUV by a gang of five armed men operating with a grey Toyota Sienna vehicle with registration number KGE 117 PZ Imo State, and whisked him away to an unknown destination.

“The kidnap gang was in fact already asking for N10 million ransom from the victim’s family, but fortunately, the victim

escaped from where he was kept and alerted the security guards in the area. The police operatives where also contacted and immediately came to his rescue.”

Ikenga said following the successful rescue of the victim, the police operatives arrested two of the suspects, Chukwudere Eze, 30, of Ogbunka in Orumba South LGA of Anambra State and Raphael Obasi, 40, of Arondizuogu in Imo State, while the operatives also recovered a brown Toyota Sienna.

Ikenga’s statement further noted that: “In another development, on May 16, 2022, at about 4:30p.m., the Police Command, while responding to a distress call on the attack on the vigilante office, engaged some hoodlums in a gun duel on Ifite road, Awka, and in a bid to flee from the police operatives, the gunmen abandoned three of their vehicles one brown Lexus SUV, black Toyota Corolla, without registration number and a brown Mercedes Benz with registration number AA 274 EYF.

Edo PDP: Setback for Obaseki’s Camp as Court Recognises Orbih’s Allies Chuks Okocha in Abuja

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), its National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) among others to ensure that only those who emerged as delegates in the ad-hoc delegates election

monitored by INEC in Edo State partake in the party primaries to choose candidates for the various elective political offices.

The order was made by Justice I. E. Ekwo on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 and was upon an exparte motion brought by some of the special delegates on the behalf of others.

The delegates, who brought the motion are all believed to be aligned to the Chief Dan

Orbih who is in control of the mainstream of the party in Edo State. Attempts by those aligned to Governor Godwin Obaseki to wrest control of the process have largely been unfruitful with the party base remaining cohesive under the patronage of Orbih, the former state chairman now national vice-chairman, South-south.

The plaintiffs, who brought the case on behalf of the 19

National Delegates were Fred Attah, Henry Amienkhenan, Gideon Ikhine and Prince Tijani Ugbodaga.

In the affidavit of claim, they affirmed that they were elected during the May 10, 2022 Local Government Congresses and as such that no other person outside those who emerged should be given the right as national delegates in the primary elections.

THURSDAY, ͹΁˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

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Heartbreaks for Rangers’Aribo, Bassey as Eintracht Frankfurt Win Shootouts Duro Ikhazuagbe

The dream of Nigeria’s trio of Calvin Bassey, Joe Aribo and Leon Balogun to lay their hands on the UEFA Europa League trophy crashed last night after former Arsenal player, Aaron Ramsey missed his spot kick in the shootouts that ensued after regulation and extra time deadlocked one-all.

Super Eagles midfielder, Joseph Ayodele-Aribo had fired the Scottish giants into the lead in the 59th minute.

Aribo cashed on a misjudged header from Frankfurt’s Djibril Sow and chased defender Tuta in a tangle which allowed the Nigerian international ,a free run on goal. He didn’t strike his shot cleanly but it rolled past the diving Kevin Trapp in goal for the German club.

Some of the over 100,000 Rangers fans inside the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium and those outside in Seville went wild in celebration of 50 years European Cup jinx about to be broken.

But that was not to be as Frankfurt fought back in the 69th minute as Filip Kostic drilled a cross from the left and Connor Goldson allowed it run by him as Rafael Borre slides in before Bassey could get there.

Borre rammed the ball home from six yards for the equalizer and dragged the game into extra

E U R O PA L E AG U E F I N A L

time. With no clear winner in sight after 120 minutes of

football showpiece in which Bassey stood out in five-star

performance, the game winner had to be decided in penalty shootouts.

Ramsey’s poor kick ruined the night for the Gers who

rightly deserved to have their hands on the trophy to end 50 years wait for another European competition honour.

It was indeed heartbreaking as

Rangers' players crumpled to their feet as Frankfurt's bench spewed on to the pitch as they heralded in their own second European trophy.

Eintracht Frankfurt players celebrating winning the 2021/2022 Europa League Cup 5-4 in shootouts after regulation and extra time ended 1-1 in Seville, Spain last night

Mexico Unveil Squad for Nigerian Friendly in the USA Team Nigeria to Battle Jamaica, Japan in Group C of Detroit 2022 Head Coach of Mexico’s senior national team, Gerardo Martino, yesterday released his squad list for the international friendlies against Nigeria, Uruguay and Ecuador in the United States of America.

Martino’s 37-man squad have Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Raul Jimenez, experienced goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, Atletico Madrid’s Herera Lopez Miguel and Sevilla midfielder Corona Ruiz Jesus Manuel.

The El Tri, as the Mexicans are known will play Super Eagles in the first friendly at the AT & T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, on May 28 before taking on Uruguay and Ecuador in the two other friendlies.

Eagles are to play Ecuador in a second friendly at the at the Red Bull Arena, Harrison, on June 2.

The Mexicans are using the friendlies to prepare to take on Suriname and Jamaica in the

Nations League.

The full list of players include; Goalkeepers: Acevado Lopez Carlos, Guillermo Ochoa, Talavera Diaz Alfredo, Cota Rodolfo.

Defenders: Include, Aguirre Germain, Alvarez Nahin, Alvarez Velasquez, Angulo Alberto, Julian Araujo, Araujo Alejandro, Arteaga Daniel, Dominguez Caesar, Gallardo Jesus Daniel, Montes Jasib, Moreno Alfredo, Kings Rosemary Daniel, Sanchez Eduardo, Vazquez Felipe, Midfielders: Alvarado Fernandez Carlos, Artuna Romero, Beltran Cruz, Chavez Gerrardo, Cordoba Reyes, Corona Jesus Manuel, Guardardo Hernandez, Gutierrez Galadis, Herrera Lopez Miguel, Lainez Leyia Diego, Lira Mendez, Pineda Alvarado, Romo Barron Luis, Sanchez Erick Daniel , Vega Alexis.

Forwards:Raul Jimenez, Flores Marcelo, Gimenez Tomas, Martin Maz, Pizarro Thomas.

Atseye Joins CBN Tennis Q’final Train Nigeria current tennis top seed, Henry Atseye, has booked his place in the quarter-finals of the on-going 44th CBN Senior Tennis Championship holding at the Moshood Abiola Stadium Abuja when he dispatched Michael Michael, 6-1, 6-4 .

Also in the quarter-finals is Igbinovia Wilson following his 7-5, 6-1 win over Toriola while Ikechukwu Iloputa fought hard enough to earn a 7-6-, 6-1 win over Thomas, the former Champion.

Philip Abayomi is also through to the quarter-finals of the men's single category.

In the women's singles category, Oyinlomo Quadre sent out Jeusi

Jesutoyosi packing via a 2-0 win that ended 6-1, 6-1 in favour of Quadre while Ezeh Chidinma lost 6-4, 6-0 to Toyin Asogba.

According to today's quarterfinals pairings, Atseye will lock horns with Gabriel while Iloputa tackles Wilson in some of the quarter-final fixtures in the men's category while high riding MaryLove Edwards faces Oyinlomo Quadre in what has been considered as the battle of the titans. Godgift goes up against Madueke.

Meanwhile, MaryLove said yesterday she expects a tough match today while Quadre also admits “this is tennis where anything can happen."

Super Eagles’ Calvin Bassey (left) and other Rangers players consoling Aaron Ramsey after missing the spot kick that denied Rangers winning the Europa League trophy in Seville, Spain ...yesterday

Team Nigeria has been drawn in Group C alongside Japan and Jamaica at the official draw ceremony for the Special Olympics Unified Cup Detroit 2022 which held last Friday at the Detroit Athletic Club (DAC).

The male 11-a- side unified football tournament, modeled after the FIFA World Cup and presented

by Toyota, will begin on the 31st of July in Detroit, USA, with over 300 athletes from 25 countries around the world to compete in Unified Sports.

It brings together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to play on the same team, demonstrating how playing and competing together breaks down barriers and ultimately creates communities of acceptance and inclusion.

Special Olympics Nigeria athletes are upbeat as they intensify their training in preparation for the game.

Team Nigeria's first group stage match will be against Japan on the 1st of August 2022, followed by a

SPECIAL OLYMPICS match against Jamaica the next day.

The Unified Cup is expected to attract 10,000 spectators, 1,000 volunteers, and 500 family members and dignitaries, all with the common goal of breaking down social barriers through the joy of sport and the power of inclusion. Following the inaugural competition in Chicago in 2018, the Special Olympics Unified Cup Detroit 2022 will be the second tournament in this single-sport series.

Special Olympics Nigeria is part of a worldwide movement (Special Olympics International) that is aimed at changing the misconceptions individuals have about people with intellectual disabilities (PWID).

Its mission is to provide various sports training and athletic competitions in a variety of Olympictype sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities thus providing a platform where their abilities are celebrated in the society.

Okpekpe International 10km Road Race Gets MTN Boost Telecommunications giant, MTN Nigeria has swelled the growing list of blue chip companies who have identified with the historic, World Athletics Elite Label Okpekpe International 10km Road Race.

Race Director, Zack Amodu, confirmed yesterday that MTN, the largest mobile telecommunications operator in Nigeria has affirmed its support for the eighth edition of the race which holds on Saturday May 28, 2022 in Okpekpe near Auchi in Edo State.

“We are delighted to have MTN identify with the first World Athletics label road race in West Africa and I think it is only fitting

that we have the largest mobile telecommunications operator in Nigeria supporting an event that has been designated through its label status as one of the leading road races in the world,” said Amodu who revealed MTN Nigeria will be supporting the event in many ways including monetary support.

“MTN Nigeria will be offering us monetary and data (hynet flex boxes with active data) support for the race as well as optimising their network in and around Okpekpe town.

“The Okpekpe Network optimization involves the deployment

of network infrastructures to event areas covering Apama road where the race will be flagged off and Okpekpe, the finish point.”

This, according to Amodu will promote increased productivity and usability and allow data to be exchanged effectively and efficiently.

The race director also says MTN Nigeria's support also extends to the athletes, officials, spectators and indigenes of Okpekpe who will benefit from the special 30% discount on data bundles for Nigerians on their network at the event.

'This will be in addition to the

branded t-shirts, umbrellas, wrist bands, pens, notepads and other give aways that will be distributed to spectators at the venue.'

“This is a win-win situation for everybody that will be in Okpekpe on race day, especially those on the MTN network. Okpekpe is the first road running event in West Africa to be granted a World Athletics label status.

“The race is the next major road running event on World Athletics calendar which means the focus of the entire world is now on Okpekpe after last Sunday's elite label races across the globe,” concludes Amodu.

55

THURSDAY, ͹΁˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

SPORTS

Alaba Returns to Madrid Training Ahead of UCL Final David Alaba is back training with Real Madrid's first team and is expected to be fit for the Champions League final later this month.

The defender has been dealing with a groin injury that has kept him out of Real's last four league games and forced him to miss the Champions League semi-final

second leg against Manchester City.

It seems as though his absence from the team could be coming to an end as Marca said that Alaba is back in first-team training and the plan is for him to be eased back into competitive action with minutes against Real Betis on Friday.

Medical staff are satisfied

that Alaba is ready to return and, should he make it through the Betis game without further issue, he will be free to feature in the Champions League final on May 28.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti could look to rest a number of his top talents for the final game of the domestic campaign, with the

league title already wrapped up, but Alaba will need to play as part of his recovery.

There is not expected to be any sign of Eden Hazard, who picked up a knock to his troublesome ankle during his impressive cameo against Cadiz. The injury is not

expected to be serious whatsoever, but given his lengthy troubles with that area, Real will not take any risks and will allow him to sit the Betis game out.

Like Alaba, Hazard is almost certain to be fit for the Champions League final against Liverpool.

Marcelo should start against Betis, in what is expected to be his final game at the Santiago Bernabeu, but there will likely be no sign of Gareth Bale, who battles a back injury which brought a premature end to his Real career last month.

Nigeria Battles Ghana, Eight Others for ITTF WC Slots

Host, Nigeria will slug it out with Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, and six other nations at the Western Region qualifiers for the 2023 ITTF World Championships (WC) which kicks off today at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

Four events – team (men and women) and singles (men and women) – will be jostled for at the three-day tournament with

Nigeria’s Rilwan Akanbi and Fatimo Bello defending their titles in the singles events while Nigeria will also be aiming to retain the team events titles.

Apart from Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, and Senegal, others teams participating in the tournament include; Mali, Guinea, Niger Republic, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, and Togo.

Already, all is set for the commencement of the championships as the participating teams will be targeting the few slots from the region on the final day on May 21.

Team Nigeria returned from their camp in Ogun State on Tuesday and they are expected to be led

by Akanbi while other members of the team include Amadi Umeh, Azeez Solanke, and Taiwo Mati.

Premier League Plans Real Trophy Presentation at Etihad, Replica in Anfield Premier League officials have confirmed they will set up identical presentations at the Etihad Stadium and at Anfield as the title race has gone down to the wire.

It looked as though the title race was over when Southampton led Liverpool on Tuesday evening as a victory for the Saints would have handed the title to Manchester City.

However, Jurgen Klopp's side fought back to win 2-1. Therefore, the winners of the 2021-2022 Premier League season will be decided following City's clash with Aston Villa and Liverpool's game against Wolves.

According to UK’s The Telegraph, the Premier League Chief Executive Officer, Richard Masters, will be at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday with the genuine trophy.

Meanwhile, a replica trophy will be present at Anfield in case Liverpool are able to come from behind and beat City to the Premier League title.

However, Liverpool must beat Wolves and rely on City to lose against Aston Villa to be in with a chance of getting their hands on the trophy.

A win at the Etihad will secure Pep Guardiola's side their fourth title in five Premier League seasons.

Speaking ahead of Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Southampton, Jurgen Klopp said it would be very 'unlikely' that City would drop points against Villa but insisted it is 'possible'.

The Liverpool manager said: “Of course it is unlikely because City play at home against Aston Villa, who play only on Thursday. That game will be tough against Burnley because they fight for survival.

David Alaba is back from groin injury after missing four matches including the second leg of the Champions League clash with Manchester City.

Zenith Bank/Ikoyi Club Primary Schools Swimming to Hold May 21 After the success of the recently concluded Zenith Secondary School Swimming competition at the Ikoyi Club, all is now set for the primary school swimming contest, expected to take place on May 21stat the swimming pool section of the elite club.

According to the Chairman of the swimming section of the club, Kunle Adeniji, all is set for the competition as he also praised the sponsors, Zenith Bank for

their support.

Grange School retained the Zenith Bank/ Ikoyi Club Inter School Swimming meet title recently with Kalu siblings, Chukwudi and Chioma at the forefront of the Ikeja-based school's triumph accounting for nine of their 21 medals - 13 gold, 7 silver and 1 bronze.

Adeniji stressed the importance of catching them young while revealing that some of the swimmers

that competed in the secondary school meet have competed at the primary school level before.

Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Ebenezer Onyeagwu, said the outfit would continue to bring out hidden talents for the country.

He added: “Zenith Bank is committed to sports development and that is why we focus on youth programmes so that we can raise future champions for Nigeria."

“But it is football. I think the time when City became champion (in 2019) it was because of 11 millimetres. If someone wants us to be champion then we have to win first and Aston Villa need to get a point at City. It is possible, not likely but possible. That is enough.”

While Guardiola said: “Against

this Liverpool side, you cannot win the league with four games to go. You have to fight until the end. The big privilege is that it is at home and it is in our hands.

“We won't look at anyone else - we'll just try and win our game. I'm pretty sure the Etihad Stadium will be full and they'll be supporting us.”

The real Premier League trophy to be on the stand at Etihad Stadium ...on Sunday

GOtv Boxing Night Returns to Ibadan on June 4 Ibadan, capital of Oyo State, will host the 25th edition of GOtv Boxing Night (GOtv Boxing Night 25). The prestigious professional boxing event will take place at the Old Gymnasium of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium (formerly Liberty Stadium) on 4 June.

A total of seven bouts across weight divisions are scheduled for the event.

Speaking on the event, Public Relations Manager, GOtv Nigeria, Jennifer Ukoh-Osamwonyi, said, “Since the first edition of the GOtv Boxing Night, it has become the biggest platform for discovering boxing talent and promoting boxing as a sport in Nigeria.

“For the 25th edition, we expect to see hardworking boxers showcase their skills in the ring.

As always, MultiChoice Nigeria is committed to this project and we will continue to provide our support”.

The heavyweight division will see the explosive Olanrewaju “Larry King” Adebiyi duel with Solomon Imole in an eight-round challenge bout. Punch machine, Michael “Emirate” Godwin is lined up to face the acclaimed bruiser Stephen Kadima in a cruiserweight challenge contest.

In the light heavyweight division, Segun “Success” Olanrewaju, who recently fought in Russia,

will square up against Anambra dynamite, Victor Bennet. Segun “War” Adeyemi will be in action against Ademola Ibrahim in a light welterweight clash. Two fast-rising lightweight ring artists, Azeez “Latest” Ayobam and Sodiq Oyakojo, will clash, while Samuel “Apata Roro” Moses goes head-to-head with Wale Anifowoshe.

The super welterweight class will have the teak-tough Jafar Suliamon taking on Basiru Kabiru.

This is the third time that Ibadan will be hosting the event, with two previous editions having taken place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium’s Indoor Sports Hall, which is currently being renovated.

Thursday, May 19, 2022

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Presidency to Northern Elders Forum

“Nigerians listen to elected leaders, not opinionated tin gods who have no traction with any responsible group. The Nigerian government does not take guidance or invitations from such groups – only from the Nigerian people, who put governments in office. Any group can refer to themselves as ‘leaders’, but in Nigeria, if you have not been elected to a leadership role, then, you are not – and the government certainly doesn’t recognise you as such”—Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, responding to a statement by NEF.

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

Where Life is Two for One Kobo!

E

xpectedly, condemnation has trailed last Thursday’s lynching of Miss Deborah Samuel by her College of Education, Sokoto colleagues for alleged blasphemous post on WhatsApp. As I commiserate with her traumatized family, I hope this unfortunate killing does not degenerate into another Christian versus Muslim crisis, because it is not about religion. The issue is also not about the legality of blasphemy but about the eagerness and recklessness of those who take law into their own hands and perpetrate extra judicial killings. Since it is about the rule of law and sanctity of life in Nigeria, those who shield perpetrators of this kind of cruel vigilante justice are also complicit.

Instructively, two days after Deborah was murdered in Sokoto, a sound engineer identified as David was lynched and burnt to death at Lekki in Lagos. Purportedly due to a misunderstanding with a commercial motorcyclist, popularly called Okada rider, over N100 change. Although the Lagos suspects have been arrested by the police and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has made the usual pledge that justice will prevail, the reality of existence in Nigeria today is that of mob rule. But before I come back to this, let’s dispense with the issue of blasphemy.

A report by the American Pew Research Center published in January this year revealed that “79 countries and territories out of the 198 studied around the world (40%) had laws or policies in 2019 banning blasphemy, which is defined as speech or actions considered to be contemptuous of God or of people or objects considered sacred.” Blasphemy laws, according to the respected research center, “were on the books in 2019 in all five global regions covered by the analysis, including 18 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, 17 in the Asia-Pacific region, 14 in Europe and 12 in the Americas.” But it is noteworthy that in recent years, many Western countries have been walking away from blasphemy legislation. In December 2018, for instance, Canada repealed section 296 of the criminal code which states: “Everyone who publishes a blasphemous libel is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years”.

Meanwhile, I do not know how ‘blasphemy’ in Islam applies to Christians in a multi-religious country that pretends secularity, but the real problem is the ease with which people take the law into their own hands. Not to mention the tacit endorsement such criminals receive when identity is involved. Even if we assume that the late Deborah published something considered blasphemous, should anybody or any group of people have the right to be her accuser, judge and executioner? I am delighted that respected Islamic scholars including Ahmad Gumi, Nurudeen Lemu and others have weighed in. But our courts have also settled this matter conclusively in the murder of Abdullar Alhaji Umaru, although the criminal suspects were Muslims.

The story began on 14th July 1999 when one Abubakar Dan Sallah and five friends were told that Umaru was heard abusing Prophet Mohammed at Randali Village in Kebbi State. “On hearing this, Muhammadu Sani (3rd accused) used a machete which was

Am) verse 151 as follows: ‘And do not kill the souls Allah has forbidden (to be killed) except by legal right.’”

The message here is simple: In a society where life could be so casually snuffed out by a mob of irrational people, as it happened to Deborah, everything else is game. All forms of mob rule are heinous. But one associated with blasphemy is particularly dangerous because of the potential for sparking ethno-communal reprisals that often spin out of control. We must therefore come down heavily on jungle/ mob justice, whether motivated by religious or other considerations because anyone can fall victim. That unfortunately is what those who are justifying the daylight murder of a fellow human being fail to understand.

Incidentally, I addressed this issue on 9th June 2016, following a similar ‘blasphemy killing’. I invite readers to go through it again so that we can understand what fuels Nigeria’s gradual descent into anarchy.

==========

The late Deborah

with him on Abdullah Umaru on the head and Abdullah fell down. Then Abubakar Dan Shalla (5th accused) slaughtered Abdullah with a knife on the neck just like a goat. When they were sure that Abdullah died, they all dispersed and ran away. We too left the corpse and went home,” said one of the accused persons at the Kebbi State High Court where they were charged for murder.

At the end of trial, Justice Mohammed Suleiman Ambursa (currently the Chief Judge of Kebbi State) convicted Sallah and his friends and sentenced them to death by hanging. The judgement was affirmed by the Court of Appeal, Kaduna Division in October 2003. The case then went to the Supreme Court where on 12th October 2012 the five Justices (Sylvester Umaru Onu, George Adesola Oguntade, Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, Walter Samuel Onnoghen and Ibrahim Tanko Muhammed) unanimously upheld the conviction. Interestingly, the main authority in that judgement happens to be the current Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Muhammed. He delved into Islamic jurisprudence to arrive at his own position: “The trite position of the law under Sharia is that any sane and adult Muslim, who insults, defames or utters words or acts which are capable of bringing into disrepute, odium, contempt, the person of Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) such a person has committed a serious crime which is punishable by death. However, as observed by the court below, Islamic law has not left the killing open in the hands of private individuals. The offence alleged has to be established through evidence before a court of law. In the same murder trial that also ended in a unanimous death sentence for another accused person, Usman Kaza at the apex court, it was the current CJN who also delivered the vital verdict: “Sharia guarantees and values the sanctity and dignity of human life. The Quran has several verses in various chapters where it outlaws such nefarious acts.

For instance, it provides in chapter 6 (Surat – An’

Until last Thursday afternoon, Mrs Bridget Abahime, an indigene of Orodo town, Mbaitoli LGA in Imo State, was selling plastic materials at the popular Kofar Wambai market in Kano.

An altercation with a neighbor led to the 74-year-old woman being accused of speaking blasphemy. The mob moved in to complete the rest of the tragic story and today, Mrs Abahime is no more.

President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Umar Ganduje and other critical stakeholders have all condemned the gruesome murder with the usual promise by the Police that the main suspects, who have already been apprehended, will be brought to justice. I am sorry to say, I have no faith in that pledge.

While the authorities may express indignation over this specific murder, perhaps because of our delicate fault-lines, it is important for us to also note that it is a familiar crime that will happen again. The Kano tragedy particularly rankles because, as the 17th century French mathematician, Blaise Pascal, pointed out, “men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from a religious conviction.”

However, before we address the issue of “blasphemy”, we must first deal with the impulse that drives Nigerians to take the life of fellow citizens, most often without any rational justification. In 2008, a commercial motorcycle (Okada) rider hit a woman on Aba/Port Harcourt Expressway in the Rivers State capital, claiming that he saw three cats crossing the road and that it was after hitting one of them that it turned to the woman. The poor victim of a careless ‘Okada’ rider was immediately pounced upon and clubbed to death. You will find the story online. There is also a video of an eleven-year-old boy named Samuel who was lynched because, according to the mob, he was TRYING to kidnap a school child like himself with N50.

The image was shown on a private television station in Lagos. It didn’t matter to his accusers who were dragging him along concrete road that the boy was vehemently protesting his innocence as they hit him with dangerous objects before eventually setting him ablaze.

That incident sparked an online campaign called “Don’t Walk Away”.

If that campaign meant anything, it made no impact on 21 July 2013, when a 25-yearold undergraduate of Delta State University, Ifechukwude Nwainokpor, and his friend (identified simply as Kazeem) were attacked and beaten to death by a mob at the Ajara area of Badagry because “their faces looked strange in the neighborhood”. According to Mr. Samuel Nwainokpor, his son, Ifechukwude and friend were just passing through a street in the area when a misunderstanding ensued between them and some hoodlums who eventually handed them over to the Vigilante. If you are interested in how the two young men were murdered, just Google and you can read and watch the eight-minute gruesome video clip on your mobile handset.

Because of the outrage that followed that tragedy, the then spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide, had this to say: “The incident is quite pathetic. Even if they were armed robbers, no one has the right to take the life of another. Why then do we have the police and the judiciary? The Nigerian police as well as the law condemn mob action and jungle justice. The commissioner of police has set up a high-powered investigation body to investigate the matter.”

Of course, we are yet to know the result of that “high-powered investigation body”.

What we do know is that between then and now (2016), there have been dozens of cases of extra-judicial killings of people “convicted” of robbery by the mob and you will find many of them on Youtube. Yet, as it happened in Kano, many of those Nigerians may not have committed the offence for which they were so exterminated by the mob. At least, that was the case with the ‘Aluu Four’, which is documented in Wikipedia as “necklace lynching”.

For those who may have forgotten, the ‘Aluu Four’ refers to four undergraduates at the University of Port Harcourt – Chiadika Lordson; Ugonna Kelechi Obuzor, Mike Lloyd Toku and Tekena Elkana – who were roasted alive by a mob on 5th October 2012 on the allegation that they were thieves. As it was later to be revealed, the students were attempting to collect a debt from a man who instigated the mob against them by alleging that the students were trying to steal laptops and mobile phones. The tragedy was captured live as those four promising undergraduates were brutalised, stripped naked and burnt.

The way it is so easy for just anybody to brand the other and secure immediate “conviction and punishment” in our country is so worrying. And if you want to be sure whether our country is better than a jungle, just do a simple online search on “Ejigbo pepper sellers” and see how a woman and her stepdaughter were publicly violated in a most bestial manner before being tortured to death on grounds of an unproven allegation that they stole pepper at a market in Ejigbo, Lagos.

She is a witch. He is gay. They are thieves.

And now, she has committed blasphemy!

The moment somebody levels that sort of accusation against you in our country today, you will be lucky to survive the brutalities that will follow.

Continued on page 29

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