TUESDAY 25TH MAY 2021

OPS Excited over Manufacturing Sector’s Recovery from COVID-19 Headwinds Dike Onwuamaeze The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) have expressed excitement over the rebound of the manufacturing sector in the first quarter of

2021, which recorded a growth rate that was higher than its pre-COVID-19 performance.

Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Sunday showed that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 0.51 per cent (year-on-year) in the first

quarter of 2021, (Q1 2021) compared with the 0.11 per cent recorded in the fourth quarter (Q4) 2020.

The data also showed that the manufacturing sector recorded a 3.40 per cent growth rate in Q1 2021 after recording negative growth in

the Q4 of 2020.

In addition, its Q1 2021 performance was also higher than the 0.81 per cent and 0.43 per cent it recorded in Q1 2019 and Q1 2020 respectively, which were pre-COVID-19 era.

MAN Director-General, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, while

reacting to the GDP report said yesterday that the reported 3.40 per cent growth rate of the manufacturing sector in Q1 2021 came as a surprise, giving the numerous challenges facing the sector.

He said: “We are currently experiencing the rising cost

of manufacturing inputs, so it is surprising to see a rate higher than the rate of 0.81per cent in Q1 2019 and 0.43 per cent of Q1 2020, which were relatively stable periods.

“In Q1 2021, manufacturing Continued on page 10

W’Bank Mulls COVID-19 Vaccine Production in Africa... Page 6 Tuesday 25 May, 2021 Vol 26. No 9542. Price: N250

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Attahiru’s Death Has Increased Our Problems,Says President Govs pay condolence visit Expert suggest possible cause of crash Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has said the loss of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and

10 other military officers and men during last Friday's plane crash in Kaduna has increased the nation's problems.

The president, while receiving a delegation of

the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF), at the State House, Abuja, that paid him a condolence visit over the death of the 11 military officers and men, expressed

concern over their death at a time the country is battling security problems.

The President of the Central African Republic, Mr. FaustinArchange Touadéra; King

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia; and the Secretary-General of the Anglican Communion, the Most Reverend Josiah IdowuFearon, also commiserated

with the president.

Buhari reiterated the commitment of his administration to provide Continued on page 8

Buhari Queries Legality of Southern Governors’ Ban on Open Grazing Okays ranching, revival of grazing reserves' take-off in June Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday took issue with Southern governors over their ban on open cattle grazing in the region.

The president, in a statement by his media assistant, Mallam Garba Shehu, described the ban, announced as one of the resolutions the 17 governors from the zone made during their May 11 meeting in Asaba, Delta State, as of questionable legality.

According to him, the governors' action is of “questionable legality, given the constitutional right of all Nigerians to enjoy the same rights and freedoms within every one of our 36 states (and FCT)-regardless of the state of their birth or residence.”

Buhari, hoever, approved ranching and revival of grazing reserves nationwide.

The president's stance on

the Southern governors' Asaba Declaration came a few days after the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), expressed similar views.

Malami, while fielding questions on a live television programme, had kicked against the open grazing ban, saying it was unconstitutional.

The AGF had compared the Southern governors’ decision to their Northern counterparts banning spare parts trading in the North, considering the fact that the majority of spare parts traders in the North are from the South.

He had said: “It is about constitutionality.

Within the context of the freedoms enshrined in our constitution, can you deny a right of a Nigerian? It is as good as saying maybe the Northern Continued on page 8

JOINT ACTION ON DEVELOPMENT...

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (left), and Ogun State Governor, Mr. Dapo Abiodun, during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Lagos-Ogun Joint Development Commission in Abeokuta…yesterday

Akeredolu, Fayemi Back South-west Leaders' Resolutions on Secession, Restructuring... Page 5

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Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike Email Ejiofor.Alike@thisdaylive.com, 08066066268

Akeredolu, Fayemi Back South-west Leaders' Resolutions on Secession, Restructuring Ekiti gov apologises for his absence

James Sowole in Akure and Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, and his Ekiti State counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, have thrown their weight behind the resolutions of leaders of the South-west, which among others rejected separatist agitations in the region.

Fayemi also apologised for his absence from the meeting, which held on Sunday in Lagos.

The South-west leaders had at their meeting told separatist agitators in the region to back off.

While endorsing the resolutions of the Southern governors banning open grazing and demanding a national dialogue, the leaders also called on the federal government to devolve more powers to the states.

Reacting to the leaders’ communiqué, Akeredolu,

who was also absent from the meeting, said he was in support of the outcome of the meeting.

Akeredolu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Richard Olatunde, said lack of timeous communication aside from mix-up, was largely responsible for his inability to attend the meeting.

The governor, nonetheless, described the parley as commendable and timely.

He said: "Akeredolu would have loved to be present at the meeting for several reasons. Far more important, the issues distilled bordered on the Southern governors' Asaba Declaration.

“However, a slight mix-up and communication gap had caused his unintended absence even as an earlier engagement had been fixed for Ibadan weeks before the meeting.

"Nonetheless, the resolutions reached by

the revered leaders at the Lagos meeting are quite commendable and timely.

The issues discussed are germane and are clear indications that men of goodwill are working together to solve the nation's current challenges.

"As one of the leaders of the APC in the Southwest, and more so that, he presided over the Asaba meeting of the Southern governors, nothing could be more spirit-lifting than the outcome of the Lagos meeting on Sunday.

“He, therefore, endorses all the resolutions reached by the leaders who attended the meeting."

Fayemi stated that he had apologised for not attending the meeting.

Fayemi said he supported the resolutions of the leaders, clarifying that his absence from the meeting was as a result of a mix-up in the invitation sent out for the meeting.

Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, said: "For clarity, the invitation

for the meeting, which was said to have been sent via WhatsApp by Mr. Tunde Rahman, an aide to Senator Bola Tinubu, never got to Governor Fayemi.

"The absence of an invitation for the Southwest APC leaders meeting prevented the governor from attending the meeting, as he was not aware.

"Governor Fayemi, however, sent an apology to the meeting through former Ekiti State Governor and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Chief

Niyi Adebayo; as he was already scheduled to attend another engagement at the time he came to learn of the meeting.”

He said as a true democrat, he was in total support of the decisions reached by the South-west leaders at the meeting.

"These decisions included an endorsement of the positions earlier adopted by the Southern Governors’ Forum on the ban on open grazing and the need for true federalism, among others," he said.

My Husband Dreamt of Kaduna Crash, Officer's Widow Laments

Chiemelie Ezeobi

Jennifer, the widow of the late Flight Lieutenant Alfred Olufade, yesterday lamented that her husband dreamt of last Friday’s plane crash a day before the incident.

Olufade was among the 11 persons that died in the ill-fated Nigerian Air Force Beechcraft aircraft, which was conveying the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, some top military officers, and their aides to Kaduna before it crashed whilst landing.

In her tribute to the deceased on her Instagram page, the widow who had barely enjoyed her marriage of three months, said when he informed her he was going to Kaduna, she called repeatedly to dissuade him but he didn't take his call.

She said: "Letter to my husband, my Sparkle+ Late Flt. Lt. AAO. You went too soon, you had bigger dreams and all the dreams scattered ah ah ah my inseparable, they've scattered us.

"Oh Sparkle, you left me so early, oh my best friend where do I start from? I am broken and pieced, my heart aches. This wasn't what you promised me, you said you will always be there for me. Where are you now? Oh, 20th of May you took away my rare gem. We were inseparable; oh God, I am scattered and incomplete.

"Same 20th of May about 4 am, you woke me up with fear and said baby, baby, I had a bad dream. I dreamt that I crashed on our way

to Kaduna; you said it looked - real very real.

"I prayed for you seriously that morning and asked you not to worry. I asked you about your mission order and who you were flying with. You told me Flt. Lt. Asaniyi.

"I said don't worry; you will go and come back. Oh, my World, you did; you went to Enugu, Owerri, and back to Abuja. We did a video call, we spoke at length and you were just smiling and laughing. Little did I know that was your last smile and laugh I would see.

"And the next message I received was you were going to Kaduna; my heart shattered, I smelt danger.

I quickly messaged you, saying wow seriously. I started calling you, you didn't pick. I called and called my Sparkle didn't pick, why didn't you pick up, why?

"I wanted to beg you not to go. My heart panicked.

You told me; you were coming home to eat pounded yam and egusi.

I waited for you. How do I imagine myself eating without you? Is that even possible?

"These three months have been heaven to me. We eat together on the same plate, we prayed together, we laughed together, and cried together.

"I never imagined losing you or typing R.I.P. This wasn't the plan you had for me. We promised to tour the world together; you said you will always be by my side."

BEYOND POLITICS...

L-R: Governors Bala Mohammed (Bauchi); Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Senator Rochas Okorocha during a meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State…yesterday

CBN Raises Capital Requirements for Payment Solutions Service Providers to N250m James Emejo in Abuja The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday issued a new licence requirements for payment systems, increasing the minimum capital requirements for Payment Solutions Service Providers (PSSPs) to N250 million from N100 million.

The new framework also reviewed downward, the capital requirements for licensing of Payment Solution Services (PSSs) to N100 million from N250 million.

Capital requirement for the Switching and Processing licence remains unchanged at N2 billion, including Mobile Money Operator licence, which was retained at N2 billion.

Others include the capital requirements for the Payment Terminal Service Provider (PTSP)

licence, which remains at N100 million.

The Super Agent licence was also maintained at N50 million.

The CBN, in a document released yesterday, stated that eligibility for each licence category was tied to any corporate entity registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), with Memorandum and Article of Association (MEMART).

For switching and processing licence, documentary requirements under the new payment systems framework include a certificate of incorporation of the company, Memorandum and Articles of Association, Form CAC 2A (Return on Allotment of shares) and Form CAC 7A (Particulars of Directors).

Others are tax clearance certificate for three years of

the company (if applicable) and Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) of the company; the company’s profile; detailing the current type of business operation, products and services.

Others are structure of holding company or parent company (if applicable), details of ownership: private/public; ultimate parent; any significant changes in ownership in the last two years, the total number of employees, organogram among a host of other requirements.

Part of the capital requirements for the mobile money operators are N2 billion shareholders’ funds unimpaired by losses, preceding threeyears audited financial statements of the company (If applicable); and escrow of refundable N2 billion into CBN PSP Share Capital

Deposit Account.

It added that the deposit for escrow must be in full (one lump sum) and must be made in the name of the company applying for a licence (not an individual or related company).

Also, escrowed funds are to be invested in treasury bills, subject to the availability of treasury instruments, which would be refunded accordingly.

Application and licensing for super agents also harped on-refundable application fee of N100,000.00 payable to the CBN. It further stimulated that for the validity of the licence, there will be approval-inprinciple for six months and commercial licence validity is as determined by the bank renewable upon satisfactory performance of operations as well as others, as advised from time to time.

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W’Bank Mulls COVID-19 Vaccine Production in Africa Begins consultations with stakeholders

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The World Bank will in the next few weeks make some major announcements concerning its efforts to commence the production of COVID-19 vaccines in some African countries.

The bank said it had already begun consultations with some African manufacturing hubs to that end, noting that the move is to ensure that the jabs are available and accessible to poor nations.

Speaking yesterday at the Global Health Summit co-hosted by the European Union and Italy, President of the bank, Mr. David Malpass, stated that there is an urgent need to find faster and more effective ways to get vaccines to people in developing countries and to plan for future health emergencies.

He added that in the first year of the pandemic, the World Bank group committed $108 billion to help countries respond to the health, economic, and social impacts of the pandemic and authorised $12 billion to help them access and deploy vaccines, with the goal of vaccinating a billion people in developing countries.

According to him, by midyear, the bank expects to have vaccine support operations in 50 countries with at least $4 billion committed and urged countries, manufacturers, vaccine intermediaries and on-the-ground providers to increase the transparency of their own commitments.

He also urged countries with excess vaccine supplies

to release their surplus doses as soon as possible to developing countries that have vaccination operations already in place as well as increase the transparency of delivery commitments.

He said: “Regarding vaccine supplies, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) is making debt and equity investments in health projects and is helping developing countries manufacture vaccines and related supplies.

“As we speak today, Makhtar Diop (Managing Director, IFC) has been meeting with potential manufacturing hubs in Africa and building partnerships with development finance agencies. We’ll be announcing positive developments on this front in the coming weeks.”

Malpass projected that the negative impact of COVID-19 on human capital will be deep and may last decades, noting that over a billion children have been out of school.

“At Tuesday’s Summit on Financing of African Economies, I announced our commitment to provide $150 billion in financing for sub-Saharan Africa over the next five years, a dramatic step up on previous years.

“This draws heavily on contributions from International Development Association (IDA) donors, the World Bank Group’s strong leveraging and mobilisation capabilities, and the reflows from previous loans,” he added.

He stated that it will take

Benue LG Chairman Says 100 Killed in Katsina-Ala George Okoh in Makurdi The Chairman of the KatsinaAla Local Government Area of Benue State, Mr. Alfred Atera, has alleged that over 100 persons were at the weekend killed in four wards of the local government area by suspected herdsmen.

Atera, who spoke on phone with reporters yesterday, listed the council wards to include, Yooyo, Utange, Mbaturan/Mberev and Mbayongo.

He said due to the killings, the people were trooping out in large numbers from the wards as the herdsmen continued to attack and kill residents.

He added: "I have videos of the incident. The herdsmen have developed a strategy. They are not attacking one place. If they attack Kwaanondo, the next thing you hear that they are attacking is Utange. The military is going here and there but before they could get there, the herdsmen have finished and gone to the next point. So, that is the situation in Katsina-Ala.

"We have reported to all security authorities about what is going on. I am in a meeting with my traditional rulers and putting heads together to see what we can do at our own level.

"I am not suspecting any military connivance but I am suspecting bandits - the existing bandits. I think they are trying to get cheap popularity. They are conniving to do that so that we could consider them, which we have refused to do.

It is better to die by Fulani than allow our boys to kill us. The Gana remnants have connived with herdsmen to cause havoc and unrest in our area," the council boss stated.

Meanwhile, efforts to get the police in Benue to confirm the killings failed as the spokesperson of the command, Anene Sewuese Catherine, refused to take her phone calls.

However, a source close to the military special force, ‘Operation Whirl Stroke(OPWS)’ said there was an issue in the area but denied any knowledge of the killing of people.

large new resources to build resilience to shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that many low and middle-income countries need stronger health systems, both for their COVID-19 vaccination campaigns to succeed and to be able to manage and recover from

future outbreaks.

He said to build preparedness, the global community would need major investments in infrastructure and digital connectivity, which are crucial, while maintaining its focus on the particular risks to women, girls, the poorest and most

vulnerable.

The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, had said last week that Intellectual Property (IP) waiver alone wasn’t enough to narrow the huge COVID-19 vaccine supply gap between rich and poor countries.

Okonjo-Iweala, while speaking to the European Parliament, had said it was clear that discussions around vaccine patents alone would not suffice, noting that global leaders need to do more to ensure that there is equitable production and distribution of the jabs.

GOVERNORS’ CONDOLENCES… L-R: Governors Sani Bello (Niger), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Mai Mala Buni (Yobe) during the condolence visit by the representatives of Nigeria Governors' Forum to President Mohammadu Buhari on the death of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and 10 other military officers in Abuja...yesterday godwin omoigui

Report: Credit to Private Sector Rises to N31.822tn Obinna Chima

Banking sector credit to the private sector increased yearon-year by N382 billion to N31.823 trillion as of April, up from the N31.440 trillion it was as at the end of March.

The data were compiled from the latest Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) money and credit statistics for April 2021, posted on the regulator’s website.

The development could be attributed to the aggressive development finance interventions by the central bank since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also, net credit to the government increased to N12.156 trillion year-on-year, as at the end of April, higher than the N11.994 trillion it was at the end of the previous month.

However, demand deposits, which are funds held in an account from which deposited funds can be withdrawn at any time, fell marginally from

N13.834 trillion the previous month, to N13.690 trillion in the review month. Also, narrow money supply (M1), which includes all physical monies such as coins and currency along with demand deposits and other assets held by the central bank, dropped to N15.996 trillion in April, compared with the N16.139 trillion it was at the end of the previous month.

But Quasi Money, which are highly liquid assets other than cash, that can be quickly converted, stood at N22.386 trillion in the review month, from N22.079 trillion the previous month.

Currency-in-circulation also dropped marginally to N2.796 trillion, compared with the N2.809 6 trillion it was the previous month.

The data showed that currency outside banks increased marginally to N2.307 trillion as of the review month, up from the N2.306 trillion it was the previous month.

However, Banks’ Reserves dropped to N10.406 trillion in April, from the N10.529 trillion it was at the end of March.

Meanwhile, as the CBN’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) ends its two-day meeting today, analysts have predicted retention of all the major monetary policy instruments.

The country recorded a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of 0.51 percent (year-on-year) in the first quarter of 2021, (Q1 2021) compared with the 0.11 per cent recorded in the fourth quarter (Q4) 2020, according to figures the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released on Sunday.

Owing to this, analysts at Lagos-based CSL Stockbrokers Limited, expects the MPC to keep the policy rate stable at 11.5 per cent.

The research and investment firm said despite the growth trajectory witnessed in the first quarter of the year, the

economy remained fragile and weaker compared with pre-pandemic level.

“As such, a rate hike might worsen the fundamentals. On the other hand, although inflation retreated in April, risks are firmly tilted to the upside and we expect this to remain a concern for the committee which should stop any consideration of a reduction in rate. We however forecast a 50-basis-points hike in the rate in the second half of the year as the output the gap is projected to narrow,” it added.

Also, the Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, said: “The MPC will need to think very deeply about managing the trade-offs because inflation is still very high; you can take a stand that growth is beginning to come out and you don’t want to stall it.

So, I will not be surprised if they maintain the status quo.”

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INEC: Attacks on Offices a National Emergency Counts losses in Anambra, Enugu, Imo incidents Chuks Okocha in Abuja and David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the continuous burning of its offices in some states should be regarded as a national emergency.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Festus Okoye, said in a statement yesterday that the commission held an emergency session yesterday, as attacks on

its facilities in some states of the federation continue unabated.

In the latest attack, a total of seven Toyota Hilux vans belonging to the commission were burnt down in a Sunday night attack on its headquarters in Awka, Anambra State.

The commission's collation centre and storehouse containing over 50 generating sets and other equipment were also razed.

It also lost valuable assets in the attacks carried out by hoodlums on its local government offices in Enugu and Imo states on

Sunday.

Reacting to the incident, the commission said the attacks were systematic.

It added: "The attacks on the commission's facilities have now become a national emergency. Accordingly, the commission will brief the government and stakeholders on these incidents.”

Despite the setbacks, Okoye said the commission was determined to continue to discharge its responsibilities, including the conduct of the scheduled Anambra State governorship election.

He said in the latest incidents, three offices of the commission were attacked in Anambra, Imo, and Enugu States.

According to him, the Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) for Anambra State, Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji; his Imo State counterpart, Professor Francis Ezeonu, and that of Enugu State, Mr. Emeka Ononamadu, have reported that the attacks took place at various times on Sunday night.

For Anambra State, Okoye said: "The state headquarters office in Awka

was set ablaze in the most devastating onslaught on the commission's facilities so far.

"The attackers were systematic and selective in their targets. The Pavillion, which serves as a collation centre during major elections was burnt down. In what is a major blow to our preparations for the governorship election scheduled for November 6, 2021, two stores housing electoral materials were burnt down."

He stated that new and old (but serviceable) electric generating machines,

numbering 376 for all the electoral wards and the extra numbers for backup were burnt.

He said the generators were recently relocated from the local government areas to the state headquarters in the belief that it is more secured than the LGA offices.

On Imo State, Okoye said INEC's office in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area was attacked about 6.45 pm in an obvious attempt to set the building ablaze.

leaders also covered the deep-rooted ties between the two countries and ways to bolster them across various sectors.

Buhari expressed happiness with the king and thanked him for standing with Nigeria in all situations.

The president also received a message of commiseration from Idowu-Fearon, the Nigerian-born SecretaryGeneral of the Anglican Communion, in London.

Idowu-Fearon prayed for the president and the country as the nation mourns Attahiru and others.

NEWS Channel, THISDAY’s broadcast arm, Balogun noted that the pilot must have carried out the necessary basic checks before departure.

He stated that although the aircraft would usually show weather conditions, a pilot may not be able to determine its intensity until he is fully in flight mode.

He added that before that, the radar screen in front of him would show the category of intensity, explaining that he must have also seen the runway before attempting to land.

“There is something called act of God and weather is one of them. You may have early warning, but the intensity cannot be determined until you are inside it.

“To make it simpler, when you fly at high altitude, sometimes you feel a sudden loss of altitude as if the plane will drop, then it regains strength,” he added.

According to him, this is caused by what he described as a convective current or unstable current, adding that when it happens close to the ground, the pilot may not have enough time to react.

“We are assuming that that took the aircraft off the runway and the pilot hit an object and it exploded,” he added.

Continued on page 10

ATTAHIRU’S DEATH HAS INCREASED OUR PROBLEMS, SAYS PRESIDENT adequate security for Nigerians as well as ensuring their well-being.

Buhari told the NGF delegation led by its Chairman and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, that only God knew why the plane crash happened.

He expressed the resolve to continue to work hard hoping that God would provide the enablement to deal with the challenges.

He said: “This is a situation that only God knows when it will happen and it happened at a time when the security situation in the country is a fundamental issue.

“And to lose choice officers has increased our problem; but we know what we are in for and we will continue to work hard and pray hard so that God will give us the power to appreciate and apply ourselves to the problem.

“The people who elected us, they know the promises we made within the time... the circumstances which we find ourselves...we will keep on trying and continue to do our best.”

Earlier, Fayemi, whose delegation included his counterparts from Yobe State, Alhaji Mai Mala-Buni; and Niger State, Alhaji Sani Bello, had commiserated with the federal government over the

death of the military officers and men, stressing that the incident is deeply felt by the president.

He said when governors canvassed changing of service chiefs, the president heeded, adding that the impact of the action is already being felt.

He described the death of the officers as a big blow but added that the war against insecurity must be won.

He said: “We’ve read your statement and this delegation of governors consider it a duty and as part of our obligation as your representatives to commiserate with you over the loss of your gallant officers. We know it is an event that has touched you. When we mentioned the necessity for a change of service chiefs, you were determined to get the best set of people, you gave your assurance and the military was beginning to feel the impact. We know that this is a major blow and you're unrelenting in your quest/ commitment to ensure peace and security in our country.

“It’s unfortunate the losses we have suffered. We only pray God gives both the families and the country the fortitude to bear the loss, pray that God gives our country greater resolve to continue on the path that

the late COAS towed.

"For us, we must defeat banditry, insurgency, and criminality. That’s the mandate you gave them.

This should not lead to any retreat or surrender on our part.

“As you have promised, we know that our country will do everything to ensure that the administration will do all to take care of the families of the departed officers. It’s an indication of how protected the active officers would be.”

Security of Nigerians My Priority, Says Buhari Meanwhile, Buhari has said his major priority is to provide adequate security for Nigerians as well as to ensure their well-being.

The president, while hosting Touadera at State House, Abuja, told him that his first concern for his people is their security and well-being.

He said: “At all times, that is my first concern, my priority. That is why we are hosting a summit of the Lake Chad Basin Commission in Abuja, to discuss the situation in Chad, and the implications for neighbouring countries.

“The recharge of Lake

Chad with water from Congo Basin is another issue, as it holds great implications for security, since about 30 million people are affected.”

Earlier, Touadera had commiserated with Buhari over the military plane crash last weekend in Kaduna.

He said the Central African Republic was about rebuilding its army, and would need Nigeria’s help, as well as for Nigerian businessmen to come into the country to invest in diverse areas.

“We want closer ties with Nigeria, and that is one of the reasons I am here,” Touadera said.

Also yesterday, Buhari received a phone call from King Salman Bin Abdulaziz who commiserated with him and the people of Nigeria following the recent plane crash in Kaduna.

The Saudi King expressed solidarity with Nigeria in the wake of this national tragedy.

Buhari and the king exchanged pleasantries on the occasion of the Eid which was marked after the 30-day Ramadan fast and prayed for peace, security and progress in the two nations and the subregions.

The Saudi king also prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased military men.

The conversation by both

Expert suggests possible cause of crash An expert, Air Commodore Abayomi Balogun (rtd), yesterday explained the likely cause of the crash of the aircraft in which a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 others lost their lives last weekend.

Balogun disclosed that although the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) would unravel the actual cause of the accident, the incident could have been as a result of bad weather or an act of God which was beyond the control of the pilot.

Speaking on ARISE

BUHARI QUERIES LEGALITY OF SOUTHERN GOVERNORS’ BAN ON OPEN GRAZING governors coming together to say that they prohibit spare parts trading in the North. Does it hold water?

Does it hold water for a Northern governor to come and state expressly that he now prohibits spare parts trading in the North?”

However, Malami came under fire over his criticism, with the Southern governors daring him to challenge their decision in the court.

Chairman of the Southern Governors' Forum, and Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, had described Malami’s opposition to the ban on open cattle grazing as “wicked and arrogant.”

Some senior lawyers and the Founder of Stanbic IBTC and Anap Foundation, Mr. Atedo Peterside, also criticised the minister for his comments.

While the pan-Yoruba socio-political group,

Afenifere, and the spokesman of the Senate had called on Buhari to remove the minister for opposing the ban, the South-east Governors’ Forum had said those who opposed the ban wanted the killings to continue.

But Buhari, while rejecting the governors’ ban, expressed the determination of his administration to address the conflicts of herders and farmers in a sustained and lasting manner that should lead to the emergence of a permanent solution to the frequent clashes between them, as well as the associated problem of the gun-wielding “killer herdsmen.”

The statement from the presidency said Buhari had approved some measures to permanently end the frequent skirmishes between farmers and herders as recommended by the

Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Sabo Nanono.

The statement added that Nanono had submitted a report detailing the recommendations to the president, who endorsed it in April, "well before the actions of the Southern Governors' Forum, which attempts to place a ban on open grazing and other acts of politicking intended by its signatories to demonstrate their power."

The president said the Southern governors' resolutions didn't offer any solution to the herderfarmer clashes that have been continuing in the country for generations.

He said: "But the citizens of the Southern states– indeed citizens of all states of Nigeria– have a right to expect their elected leaders and representatives to find answers to challenges of governance and rights, and not to wash their hands off

hard choices by, instead, issuing bans that say: “not in my state.”

The statement said: "Fortunately, this declaration has been preempted, for whatever it is intended to achieve, and Mr. President, who has rightly been worried about these problems more than any other citizens in consultation with farmers and herders alike, commissioned and approved an actionable plan of rehabilitating grazing reserves in the states, starting with those that are truly committed to the solution and compliant with stated requirements.

"With veterinary clinics, water points for animals, and facilities for herders and their families including schooling - through these rehabilitated reserves, the federal government is making far-reaching and practical changes allowing

for different communities to co-exist side-by-side: supporting farmers to till their fields, herders to rear their livestock and Nigerians everywhere to be safe."

It added that despite the COVID-19 pandemic that took a toll on public finances, the federal funding for the forest reserve project is ready and will take off in interested states by June.

"The entire country is acutely aware of the strain the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on public finances, for both federal and states.

Still, given the pressing urgency of addressing the perennial challenges, the federal funding for the project that has been delayed is now being partly unlocked. Actual work for the full actualisation of the modern reserve system in a few of the consenting states should take off in June," the statement said.

TOP GAINERS ROYALEXCH REGENCY CHIPLC SOVETRUST JAPAUL TOP LOSERS ABCTRANS ENAMELWARE UPDC

NGN NGN 0.06 0.68 0.03 0.37 0.04 0.55 0.02 0.28 0.04 0.57 NGN 0.04 0.37 1.75 16.20 0.07 0.76 JAIZBANK 0.04 0.58 COURTVILLE 0.01 0.20 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦1,420.00 Volume: 1141.146 million shares Value: N1.095 billion Deals: 3,566 As at yesterday 24/5/2021 See details on Page 29

% 9.6 8.8 7.8 7.6 7.5 % 9.7 9.7 8.4 6.4 4.7

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NEWS

Labour Leaders Allege Threat to Lives, Seek Probe of el-Rufai Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and John Shiklam in Kaduna The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday called on the police and other security agencies to interrogate Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, over alleged threats to labour leaders' lives.

It urged the police and other security agencies to hold the state government responsible for any harm to any of its leaders or any worker or any union

property in the state.

In a statement yesterday by the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, the union warned that if any harm is done to any of its leaders or any worker or to any union property in Kaduna State, workers will withdraw their services without any further notice.

NLC also said its attention had been drawn to a viral video where el-Rufai was said to have alleged that the Kaduna protest was sponsored by the Kano State Government.

The statement said: "We

wish to posit that the day any harm is done to any leader of the NLC or any worker or to any union property in Kaduna State, Nigerian workers will withdraw their services without any further notice.

"We also wish to urge the Nigeria Police Force and other security agents to take note of the fresh threats by Mr. Nasir ElRufai against Nigerian workers".

NLC called on the security agents to discharge their duties and interrogate the governor.

It denied being sponsored by the Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.

"We wish to reject this lie which is nothing but another figment of hallucination by a state governor whose past time is oppression, suppression and intimidation," the NLC said.

The congress said since el-Rufai sacked thousands of Kaduna State workers, he had blamed everyone for his industrial malfeasance.

"In recent videos, Mr. el-Rufai has blamed the

federal government for not rallying to his support during the protest by workers. When that failed to gain traction, el-Rufai blamed his colleagues in Nigeria Governors' Forum.

"Now, he has narrowed his blame arrow on the Kano State governor, alleging that it was Alhaji Umar Ganduje who provided NLC with the funds to prosecute our last peaceful protest in Kaduna State," it added.

On the allegation of sponsorship of the Kaduna protest, the NLC said the

Kaduna state governor might just be looking at himself in the mirror, adding that to date, elRufai has not refuted the charge that "he was the one who masterminded the sponsorship of hooligans to attack a peaceful protest by workers, injuring and maiming many workers in the process".

The spokesman of the Kaduna State governor, Mr. Muyiwa Adekeye, did not respond to text messages and phone calls when contacted over the NLC allegation.

Suspected Herdsmen Kill 14 in Plateau Attacks Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Suspected herdsmen on Sunday night killed 14 persons in two attacks on Dong and Kwi communities in the outskirts of Jos, the Plateau State capital.

The assailants reportedly invaded the Dong community and shot at the people sporadically, killing at least seven, including women and children.

The attack on Kwi took a similar pattern, leaving at least another seven dead and several others injured.

Spokesman of state Police Command, Mr. Gabriel Ogaba confirmed the incident.

He said, "On Sunday 23/05/2021 at about 2000hrs, the command received a distress call that yet to be identified

gunmen came out suddenly from a nearby bush, invaded Dong Village, Jos South LGA and killed seven persons.

"A combined team of Policemen, Special Task Force, Vigilante operatives led by a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operation, raced swiftly to the scene but the hoodlums had already fled back into the bush.

"Investigation is ongoing, and frantic effort is on, to arrest the fleeing suspects.

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in that area to prevent escalation of violence."

Those killed in the Dong community are Chiyena Oboche, Divine Oboche, Victoria Matthew, Praise Matthew, Danladi

Matthew, Mr. Gospel, and Mr. Istifanus.

Lamenting the attacks, the Senator representing Plateau North in the National Assembly, Istifanus Gyang said in a statement that it was disheartening that, "Shortly after the Inspector General of Police issued a security alert on likely terror attacks on Jos and the FCT, the blood merchants have visited terror on Dong community, adjacent Wild Life Park, Jos and Kwi village, adjacent Yakubu Gowon Airport Jos where a total of 14 persons were butchered to death, including children."

Condemning the attacks, the Senator revealed that "available information indicates that some

persons at a meeting with the Police the week preceding the attacks vowed to visit mayhem on helpless communities.

It is therefore incumbent on the Plateau State Police Commissioner to arrest and prosecute those very persons forthwith."

He also called for decisive action against persons that are known to security agencies for the serial killings, displacement, and forceful occupation of ancestral homelands of communities in Plateau North. He added that inaction on this matter will amount to condonation and complicity.

Also angered by the killings, the state Governor, Simon Lalong directed the security agents to fish out the perpetrators without

delay.

In a prèss statement signed by the state Commissioner of Information, Mr. Dan Manjang, the Governor said he was deeply saddened “by the reoccurrence of violence in parts of Dong in Jos North Local Government Area and Kwi in Riyom on Sunday night where innocent citizens including children and women were murdered in cold blood.

Describing the act as barbaric, callous and a desperate attempt to rupture the peace and security of the state, the Governor said he was deeply distressed by the incident and has vowed to ensure that the cherished values of peace and security and the sanctity

of lives remains sacrosanct in the state.

The statement added that “as soon as the government was alerted about the attacks, it quickly reached out to security agencies who responded immediately and have been in pursuit of the attackers with a view to apprehending them and bringing them to justice.”

It reiterated that the capacity of the security agencies for rapid response and intervention will be boosted once the approved 50 patrol vehicles and 200 security motorcycles are supplied.

The government also encouraged citizens to continue to provide useful information that will lead to the prevention of crime and arrest of criminals.

90 per cent success in combating the attackers.

"The hoodlums first went to "B" Division Police Station and were repelled; then they came to INEC and our men repelled them too.

"I can tell you that we recorded about 95 per cent success. There were no casualties on the part of the police. I want to appeal to journalists to report carefully because we read where people reported that scores of policemen were killed.

"Since last night, we have been moving from hospital to hospital, because we are sure some of the attackers escaped with serious wounds. We are appealing to hospital management to help us track them.

"I want to plead with Anambra people to go about their legal activities," he added.

Eight rifles, consisting of AK-47 and pump-action, were recovered from the attackers, including live ammunition and clothing

items.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Anambra State, Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji, who addressed the journalist, expressed happiness about the success recorded in repelling the attackers.

"The damage is very minimal; we lost six operational vehicles; they also burnt our collation centre and a part of our storehouse. It would have been worse, but I thank the police for their efforts," he stated.

INEC: ATTACKS ON OFFICES A NATIONAL EMERGENCY But the damage was limited to a section of the building, specifically the windows and part of the roof as "no electoral materials or office equipment were destroyed."

In Enugu State, Okoye said: "At about 1.00 pm yesterday (Sunday), our Igboeze South LGA office was attacked. The store was completely burnt down before the Neighborhood Watch and the Enugu State Fire Service responded and prevented the inferno from razing other parts of the

building.

"This is the third attack on INEC facilities in the state in less than two weeks following the destruction of our Udenu LGA office on 13th May 2021 and the state headquarters building in Enugu on 16th May 2021."

Meanwhile, the police have recovered three Hilux vans used by the attackers of the commission’s headquarters in Anambra State, after the gunmen abandoned them due to the police operatives’

superior firepower.

The three vans sighted

by THISDAY at the INEC headquarters were unregistered.

While one of the vans was shot at by the police, another ran into an electric pole while trying to escape and was demobilised.

The third was abandoned by the attackers.

Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Owolabi, who led journalists to inspect the affected facility, said the police registered over

OPS EXCITED OVER MANUFACTURING SECTOR’S RECOVERY FROM COVID-19 HEADWINDS activities more or less rebounded to the level of pre-COVID-19 period.

So, it is expected that the sector will present a better performance in Q1 2021 than what obtained in Q4 2020.

Particularly the food, beverage, and tobacco and the chemical and pharmaceutical subsectors are expected to post higher growths due to the relatively higher capacities utilisation they enjoyed since 2020.

"In addition, it is not out of place for the cement and basic metal, iron, and

steel sector to present high growths in Q1 2021 due to the increased level of construction work going on in different parts of the country backed by government spending across the country.”

He added that the NBS’s Q1 2021 report on the manufacturing sector corroborated MAN’s Manufacturers CEOs Confidence Index (MCCI) of Q1 2021. The MCCI is a quarterly survey of the manufacturing sector. Its index showed improvement in the confidence of

manufacturers in a good number of manufacturing sectoral groups.

He, however, appealed to the “government to intensify its intervention initiatives and follow through on the cost reduction aspect of ease of doing business.

There is urgent need to create a friendlier operating environment and deliberately support the productive sector in a strategic manner.”

LCCI Director-General, Dr. Muda Yusuf, also stated that the recovery of

the manufacturing sector from a negative growth territory in Q4 2020 to a positive growth level of 3.4 per cent in Q1 2021 was a surprise.

Yusuf said: “The sector has been grappling with an unprecedented foreign exchange illiquidity crisis over the past few months. This is coupled with the structural, policy, institutional and macroeconomic challenges that have bedeviled the sector. The data does not reflect the reality of the experiences of most

manufacturers.”

But the Chief Consultant of the B. Adedipe Associates Limited, Dr. Biodun Adedipe, said during the breakfast meeting of the NigeriaSouth Africa Chamber of Commerce held last Thursday that the country’s manufacturing sector was recovering contrary to the sentiments that the manufacturing entities are closing down.

According to him, there are enough activities along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Ogun

State corridor where new factories are sprouting up to confirm the survey outcomes of the NBS. He said: “These things are real. I can tell you here on authority that there are many conversations with foreign investors trying to put money into manufacturing in Nigeria as we speak. These are real foreign investors. I will not want us to go with the sentiment that nothing is happening there. You will see manufacturing always growing.”

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COMMENT

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

WHY OPEN GRAZING MUST BE DISCONTINUED Tanimu Yakubu writes that open grazing has contributed to desertification in the north than anything else

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n 1999-2002, I was a cabinet member in Katsina State Government. When I was preparing our first budget, I was unsettled by the past trends in government support for agriculture.

Year in year out, 80% of the budget for agriculture went into fertilisers procurement.

Knowing the requirements of agriculture as I did then, I felt that I needed to interrogate the tendency to give so much financial support to one need - out of 20 clearly identified necessities of the sector.

I appointed consultants to go round farmers all over the state to generate a list of their actual needs. They came back with 20 items. I directed them to return to the farmers for the ranking of those needs from the most to the least important.

The outcome shocked me to the marrow of my weak bones.

Fertilisers were ranked #13. Desertification was ranked #1; extension service was #2; market/ profitability was #3. Subsidy was not identified as a requisite.

A RECURRING CONCLUSION DRAWN FROM EVIDENCES GATHERED IN THE FIELD WAS THAT OPEN GRAZING WAS A KEY FACTOR RESPONSIBLE FOR DESTROYING 90% OF THE VEGETATION COVER IN NORTHERN NIGERIA FROM 1960 TO 2000. IF WE CAN HELP IT, THIS DESTRUCTIVE TREND THAT’S MAKING OUR ENVIRONMENT INCREASINGLY HOSTILE TO ALL FAUNA AND FLORA MUST BE ARRESTED AND REVERSED. IT MUST ALSO NOT BE IMPORTED TO SOUTHERN NIGERIA

The findings made me to become very interested in the desertification phenomenon. I read a number of reference materials with very authoritative conclusions.

A recurring conclusion drawn from evidences gathered in the field was that OPEN GRAZING was a key factor responsible for destroying 90% of the vegetation cover in Northern Nigeria from 1960 to 2000.

If we can help it, this destructive trend that’s making our environment increasingly hostile to all fauna and flora must be arrested and reversed.

It must also not be imported to Southern Nigeria.

I later personally followed up on many practicing farmers and researchers on why desertification was an important factor in agriculture. Both respondents minced no words in affirming that desertification was responsible for the destruction of topsoil which was held to be a major cause of falling farm yield Yakubu was Special Advisor on Economic Matters to President Umaru Musa Yar’adua

OKOWA AND TREACHERY OF DELTA POLITICS Okowa deserves the support of all to successfully pilot the affairs of the state, writes Ray Umukoro

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feanyi Okowa, a medical doctor and former senator representing Delta north is not known to be the proverbial empty vessel that makes the loudest noise. A deft politician and grassroots man, he seldom talks politics. He prefers to engage his audience on issues of development, nation-building and people empowerment.

And he’s not the gallivanting type either. Not in the class of politicians whose pastime is to junket from place to place in interminable travels that yield no fruits but drain the nation of scarce forex. However, recently, Okowa was drawn to the soapbox to talk politics and even serve notice of much bigger political shenanigans in the coming months. At the core of his message was 2023 gubernatorial election in Delta.

Who succeeds Okowa?

With a good two years left under his belt to complete his second tenure of four years, you would expect that matters of succession and treacherous politics would be kept in abeyance. You would expect members of his cabinet to concentrate on the job at hand: transforming Okowa’s vision of a greater, smarter and more prosperous Delta into reality. But, never! Some members of his cabinet have turned lecherous, at best chameleonic: Working for Okowa at day but turning against him at night. This is the way of some politicians. They lack character. They are shorn of decorum, lacking in honour and deficient in values. Unfortunately, they are working with an Okowa, a man of honour, who values his image far above lucre and lust for power. Okowa could not understand, neither stomach the noxious banal values that these politicians trade openly making them behave like snotty touts at motor parks.

Thus, when Okowa mounted the dais while speaking at the empowerment of constituents of Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency by their represen-

tative and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr. Ndudi Elumelu, in Asaba recently, he was blunt, punchy and direct. He laid it bare. He simply passed a message to the discerning: He is fully aware of the mindless politics, needless alignments and even exchange and offer of money to appointees and by appointees. He did not mince words.

He told Delta people that he was out to serve them, to bring development to the people who massively voted him into office. By the way, since 1999, Okowa holds the record of amassing the highest majority votes cast in favour of any gubernatorial candidate. His victory in 2015 was overwhelming.

It got even more overflowing in 2019 when he trounced the opposition, collectively, with a wide vote margin.

It’s a testimony to his popularity and state-wide acceptance. An indexation of his outstanding performance in his first term.

Therefore, a man of such political stature cannot afford to fail the people who wholly trusted him with representative power. And he’s determined not to fail.

To please his people, he needs equal measure of devotion to duty from his lieutenants. He desired their unalloyed commitment to the development of Delta, not fractious politics. He desired their buy-in to his agenda carefully spelt out and anchored on prosperity for all Deltans.

Alas, some of the appointees have other ideas: marking time when they should be redeeming the time; holding nocturnal meetings and plotting with outsiders on how to install the next governor of Delta at a time they ought to be tilling the ground with Okowa to ensure a prosperous future and a flourishing present for Deltans.

Okowa spoke off the cuff but his message, as always, was lucid and graced with wisdom. His words were carefully chosen, neither acerbic nor caustic. He spoke like a good leader,

counselling from his exalted observatory as the political father of his party in his state. His exact words: “Whoever is coming to rule this state, by the grace of God, must be somebody who is ready to ensure that there is fairness, equity and justice.

“We want somebody who will come to Asaba and see Asaba as his home and not somebody who will come and feel that Asaba as headquarters is misplaced.

“I can see that a lot has been going on in our dear state, especially the scramble on who will replace Dr Ifeanyi Okowa come 2023.

“Unfortunately, some are not even patient. They started their campaigns in the first three months of my second term in office.

“I want to charge our leaders and people to be cautious because politics is such that if you don’t read it rightly, you will directly throw your people into fire.

“I am not all-knowing, but at the appropriate time, leaders must be ready to sit down for us to do a proper analysis politically, before we take decisions so that we will not lead our people into darkness.

“I want to caution our leaders who are jumping the ship because of the very little thing that has been provided for them.

“It is not about self, it is going to be about the people.

“I am the governor of the state and I appreciate it. I believe in equity and will not shy away from the fact that I am from Delta North Senatorial District.

“By the grace of God, in our approach to governance, we have been fair in what we do.

“Shine your eyes so that people will not come to lure you with N500,000 and N1,000,000 and you sell the conscience of your people and you lure them into fire.

“I believe in equity; it has shown

that we are not inferior in Delta North.

Please let us stay cautious, especially, the leaders.

“So, I urge our people that this is the time to stay together; this is the time to think alike and I want to reassure you that in the next one month, we will start the politics.”

Barely 72 hours after he made these statements, Okowa applied a political masterstroke. He dissolved his cabinet.

To many, it came as a surprise. But to perceptive political watchers, it was inevitable. The governor must weed out traitors and political chameleons in his cabinet. The governor explained that he took the action to reduce the growing level of distraction and palpable overheating of the polity by some gladiators in his cabinet.

In six years, Okowa has held Delta State together with the glue of development. The state with a history of upheavals, political and ethnic, does not need the febrile and wearisome politics being played by some actors. Now is the time to listen to the wise counsel of a peaceful governor: Delta politics should not be about self; it should be about the people. As for 2023, it’s rather too early in the day to rev the engine.

History has shown time and again that those who start too early burn out mid-way. Delta needs cohesion, not fragmentation. A governor like Okowa who has given the state a new kick in socio-economic advancement deserves the full support of all appointees and political actors, not the fitful and torridly hesitant commitment being openly and clandestinely promoted by some.

Okowa has taken Delta to a new height in development. His successor must be someone who will not lower the bar but raise it notches higher. Deltans must be guided!

Umukoro, a public policy analyst, wrote from Warri

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, MAY 25, 2021

EDITORIAL THE GROWING COST OF INSECURITY The cost of insecurity to the economy is much greater

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ast week revelation by the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) that banditry, Boko Haram insurgency, farmer-herder’s conflict, separatist agitation, and other violent eruptions cost the nation a whopping sum of $10.3bn in 2020, has continued to elicit debate.

Insecurity, according to the council, has crippled economic activities nationwide and contracted the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2.6 per cent.

The real cost of insecurity is difficult to determine.

GDP figures do not give the entire picture of the fiscal bucket. How do you put a cost to the thousands of people dislodged from jobs and their homes? Or of men and women whose lives were cut short or indeed of nervous investors? How does one account for the destruction of farms by herdsmen, the fear that keeps farmers away from their sources of livelihood and the killing and maiming of farmers?

How does one also account for the rustling of cows and the violence often visited on herders? Or the cost of mobilising and HOW DOES ONE ACCOUNT deploying military FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF troops to 34 of the 36 FARMS BY HERDSMEN, THE states in a federation FEAR THAT KEEPS FARMERS that is not at war AWAY FROM THEIR SOURCES with any country but itself?

OF LIVELIHOOD AND THE By the last count, KILLING AND MAIMING OF more than 36,000 FARMERS? lives have been lost since 2009 to the Boko Haram insurgency and the figure is climbing. Besides, property of all hues homes, offices, schools, have been razed; millions of our citizens have become refugees in their own country with several families dislocated, not to talk of the disruptions in the school calendar. With bandits and kidnappers joining the growing number of criminal cartels, thousands of schools have been forced to close because of incessant abductions of

Letters to the Editor

students and teachers. The local economy in many of these states have been reduced to almost nil. Kano, city of commerce and indeed the largest economy up north with a vibrant textile market, and serving many neighbouring states of Cameroun, Mali, Niger, Chad, and more, is rendered prostrate. Jos, the Plateau State capital and the hitherto tourist destination of many local and foreigners alike is in ruins because of sustained ethno-religious crisis.

H T H I S DAY EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI AJAYI, DAVIDSON IRIEKPEN, MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE

T H I S DAY 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 BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PATRICK EIMIUHI CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT PATRICIA UBAKA-ADEKOYA TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

owever, this is not a challenge restricted to the North. The business environment in practically all parts of the country is now becoming toxic even for the local entrepreneurs. In the South, kidnappers and violent herders have practically seized the space and agriculture is now a high-risk enterprise even for rural dwellers who survive by subsistence farming.

Meanwhile, the federal government that is expected to deploy its formidable national security resources to tackle the challenge seems helpless. There is now an urgent need to develop a framework that would enable the country to effectively respond to any crisis and thus safeguard lives, property and ensure stability and growth in the economy.

Government at all levels must pay attention to the number of people that are available to be recruited into violence. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says that unemployment is around 33%. The situation may in fact be worse. By the time we add the under-employed population, the figures could be really alarming This is a reserved army waiting to be recruited for any enterprise, including violence.

If we must reverse the shrinking investments and restore confidence in the economy, it is evident that the present strategy of mobilising the entire military to combat insecurity is not effective. Soldiers are not trained to perform such delicate assignment. There is therefore the urgent need to develop a framework that will enable the country to effectively respond to internal crisis and safeguard lives and property while ensuring stability and growth in the economy.

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (9501000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

OKOROCHA’S ADVOCACY FOR EXECUTIVE-LEGISLATURE SYNERGY

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ince Nigeria returned to democratic governance in 1999, the issues around separation of powers have remained contentious between the two arms of government executive and legislature. Smarting from our recent history of military rule at the inception of this democratic dispensation, the executive arm perceived the legislature as important, yet constituting a cog in the wheel of governance with their ceaseless oversight of the executive arm. Still they had no choice as the parliament remains recognised in law.

The result is that mutual suspicion between the two arms of government ensued and became a recurring decimal in the country’s political evolution. Of course the most memorable of this cat and mouse relationship was during the era of late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo as Senate President and Umar Ghali Naábba as Speaker of the House of Representatives and former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Other examples abound of the rancorous relationship between the executive and the legislature.

However, in the current ninth Senate, there seems to be a new understanding between the two arms of government, but the remarkable aspect of this is the novel advocacy by the senator representing Imo West senatorial zone, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

He has severally advocated that the three arms of governmentnamely executive, legislature and judiciary must devise a way to collaborate in the interest of the people.

To drive the point home, Senator Okorocha has remained a recurring decimal in Nigeria’s political firmament since the return to civilian rule. His towering status in the politics of this country was firmly established during the time of former President

Obasanjo, as he came close to becoming the president of Nigeria.

His political magic wand remains the mammoth support he enjoys across the country.

Having become a senator in the ninth senate, Owelle Okorocha is once again exhibiting his political wizardry in the red chamber, especially with his advocacy for a tripartite cooperation between the legislature and the other two arms of government – executive and judiciary. Realising the need for a harmonious relationship among the three arms of government, Senator Okorocha is advocating a platform that will bring them together towards achieving the ultimate goal of delivering good governance to the citizens.

This mutually-inclusive approach as he sees it will ensure that thorny issues affecting the polity are thrashed timeously and in a patriotic manner, and this advocacy has started yielding the expected result as the Senate has also bought into it.

A typical example was the retreat between the leadership of the executive and the legislative arms at the Presidential Villa Abuja sometimes last year. The parley was organised in line with the vision and proposition of Owelle Okorocha and the benefits are numerous, as the president and other participants felt elated at the positive outcome and possibilities that lie ahead of them.

It must be conceded that the art of democratic governance is anchored on the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances but the point must be made that countries always tend to adopt unique systems that can suit their peculiar circumstances and in the case of Nigeria, Senator Okorocha appears to be the contemporary Nigeria’s political sage. Or how else can one describe a

politician who is always enunciating ideas and proffering solutions to solve intractable problems in the polity?

In ancient times we had political philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, Karl Marx, Lenin and others who propagated various political theories, and in the present time we must begin to acknowledge men of ideas and thinkers like Senator Okorocha whose inclination always tilts towards finding answers to complex political problems.

From experience and available information his political theories have been tested and worked in the best interest of the people.

While some pundits will naturally question the necessity for such synergy as propounded by Senator Okorocha, as they contend that it negates the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances, yet majority of the people hold the view that a developing country, especial one beset with dwindling oil revenues like Nigeria can do with less acrimonious leadership between the various arms of government.

They also believe that this is the only way the much-expected democracy dividends will cascade to the grassroots in record time, and to lend credence to this position President Muhammadu Buhari had at the executive-legislature retreat admitted to the gladness of participants that the cooperation that existed between the two arms over the last one year had enabled his administration to perform optimally for the benefit of Nigerians.

As Winston Churchill opined jaw-jaw is better than war-war, and this is the best way to characterise the new-found amity between the two arms of government and hopefully the third arm – judiciary will find a place in the union.

Chukwudi Enekwechi, (JP), Kwechis19@yahoo.com

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TUESDAY MAY 25, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Fayemi, Oyetola, Two Other Govs Visit Attahiru’s Family Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola; Niger State Governor, Sani Bello, and Yobe

State Governor, Mala Buni, yesterday visited the family of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Attahiru Ibrahim, to condole with them over the death of the Chief of Army Staff at a Kaduna

Your Spirit Shouldn’t Be Dampened, CDS Tells Military Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, yesterday charged bereaved armed forces personnel mourning the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, to remain steadfast in spite of the tragic event of last weekend.

Speaking at the beginning of the three-day prayer for the late army chief at the Staff Flag House, Niger Barracks, Asokoro, Irabor charged the members of the armed forces to remain steadfast in their duties.

“You should be steadfast in this trying period. Your spirit should not be dampened.

“I encourage the armed forces

to remain steadfast”, he said.

Speaking in an interview with journalists, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Abdulrahman Dambazzau (rtd) said the death of the service chief was a national loss.

“We all came from Allah and to Him we shall return, all of us.

Everybody has his day and time but we don’t know when; so, when we lose anybody among us, we feel it.

“This is a national loss. He was not just in the army; he was the nation’s chief of army staff and his entourage. So we pray that the Almighty Allah, forgive them their sins and shortcomings as human beings”, he said.

crash on Friday.

Fayemi made this known in a statement he issued yesterday, where he also shared pictures of himself and the other governors at the late Attahiru’s residence.

“I and my brother Governors from Yobe, Niger, and Osun State were at the residence of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru to offer our

condolences to his wife and family.

“He will be deeply missed for his selfless service and patriotic duty in Nigeria “May the Almighty Allah grant his family sabar (perseverance) in this difficult period and the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” he wrote.

Oyetola also wrote on the

visit, “As the nation continues to mourn the demise of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and other military officers onboard the ill-fated aircraft, I, today, joined my colleagues to pay a condolence visit to the wife and family members of the late Army boss.”

The Yobe Governor wrote on the visit through the state’s

media handle, “HE. Gov. Mala Buni in company of Governors of Ekiti and Niger state paid a condolence visit to President Muhammadu Buhari and the family of the late Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru who died in a plane crash last Friday along with 10 other military officers

INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT…

Charge D’Affaires, Embassy of Japan, Mr. Shinozawa Takayuki (left); and Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and Air Vice Marshal Muhammadu Muhamned, at the induction of disaster reduction equipment provided by the Japanese government, at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja…yesterday

House to Hold Zonal Hearings on Constitution FG Deploys 350 Foreign Service Officers to Missions Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Review June 1 Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives has fixed June 1 and 2, 2021 for its zonal public hearings on the review of the 1999 Constitution.

The Deputy Speaker of the House and Chairman of the committee, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase in a statement issued yesterday, said the hearing was scheduled to take place across the six geopolitical zones, adding that each zone would have two centres.

Wase said the hearing is open to the general public, executive and judicial bodies, traditional institutions, political parties, civil society organisations and all other

stakeholders.

While revealing that members of the committee will be posted outside their zones to have a feeling of what is obtained in other geopolitical zones, he appealed to the lawmakers to always put Nigeria first and ensure to deliver for the people the best constitution.

He said, ‘’North central zone public hearing will hold in Jos, with Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa states and FCT, in attendance, while Lokoja will serve as the second centre, with Kogi, Niger and Kwara states. The north-east has Bauchi centre, which is made up of Bauchi, Borno and Yobe states, while Yola centre has Adamawa, Taraba and Gombe states.

I’m Not Opposed to Open Grazing Ban, Says Bauchi Gov Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Muhammed, yesterday said he was not opposed to the ban on open grazing, but only detested ethnic criminalisation of herders.

Muhammed made this known at the ongoing 2021 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) – Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) in Ibadan.

The conference is entitled: “The Role of Public Interest in Governance in Nigeria”.

He said that banning of open grazing was good “but the baby must not be thrown away with the bad water”.

The governor said that open grazing was a form of occupation to some ethnic groups According to him, its banning must be done in a persuasive manner that would be beneficial to the herders, farmers and traders.

“We, the elite, must be very careful, not to set up our people that have been living in peace against each other.

“We must guide our utterances as governors, lawyers and every

other profession.

“Disintegration can cause a lot of humanitarian crises that are unimaginable.

“We must come together and dialogue in a manner that will not aggravate the security situation in this country,” Mohammed said.

Ondo Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu said the decision of southern governors to ban open grazing in their states was irreversible.

According to him, the governors have a duty to protect their citizens, including the herders.

Akeredolu said that the lifestyle of open grazing, which was not productive, could not be allowed to continue.

“The federal government must assist those that want to do ranching and spend the way it was spending money on rice production.

“The national livestock programme is so important and must be supported by the Federal Government to save lives.

The federal government has deployed 350 Foreign Service Officers to Nigeria’s missions abroad.

Speaking yesterday during their induction ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, admonished them to change the narratives about the country.

“You are going to represent this country. A lot of the narratives are not always positive about our country, and very often, about our ministry. So, you have huge responsibility on your shoulders.

You are going out to represent Nigeria during very difficult days.

These are very difficult days for our country.

“And sometimes, I worry for your generation because you

are faced with huge challenges within the country and outside the country. And as the best brains that we have, it will now rest on your shoulders to transform the narratives, to transform the narratives about Nigeria, to transform the narratives about our ministry, to transform the narratives about our missions.” ‘’ Every day you go on social media, these days, I am afraid even

to go on social media - if it is not one video clip or the other about the mission, or the ministry or one thing or the other. So, let’s try and turn this around,” Onyeama said.

The minister noted that around the world, Nigerian embassies and Nigerian diplomats were highly regarded in the multilateral sectors, particularly at the United Nations and others as evident in the positions Nigerians were getting.

Appeal Court Voids EFCC’s Seizure of Ozekhome’s Professional Fees DavidsonIriekpen The Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal Lagos has dismissed the appeal filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the judgment of Justice AbdulazuzAnka of the Federal High Court in Lagos, unfreezing the account of a human rights lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN).

Justice Anka had unfrozen Ozekhome’s account in Guaranty Trust Bank and vacated the interim

ex parte order he earlier placed on the funds of Mike Ozekhome’s Chambers, at the instance of the EFCC. The EFCC had obtained the interim ex parte order of forfeiture to freeze the money for 120 days, arguing that the N75million transferred to the account was proceed of unlawful activity, because it was paid to Ozekhome by the then sitting Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, whom it said it was investigating.

The Court of Appeal in

dismissing the appeal brought by the EFCC, held that the anti-graft agency had wrongfully obtained the ex-parte order to freeze the account.

It also held that the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to grant the order, as the defendant could not have committed any infraction to warrant his account being blocked and frozen.

The court after hearing arguments from U. U. Buhari for the EFCC and Ejieke Onuoha for Ozekhome,

held that there was uncontroverted evidence shown in the invoices and receipts issued by Ozekhome to Fayose that the said sum represented part payment for his professional fees in the handling of various cases for Fayose across Nigeria.

The case commenced in 2016 when the EFCC through Justice I.B.M Idris, then of the Federal High Court, Lagos, frozen Governor Fayose’s accounts, accusing him of allegedly keeping proceed of unlawful activity.

PDP Accountable to INEC, Not EFCC, Says BoT Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after its meeting yesterday over the petition against the National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus said that the PDP as a political party was not accountable to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

(EFCC) but to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). report to the EFCC. Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the chairman of the PDP BoT, Senator Walid Jubrin said that the PDP reports directly to INEC as its regulatory body.

He said it was INEC that should raise objections to PDP’s accounts, if any, and not the anti-graft agency

The BoT also blamed Kasim Afegbua for not following due processes of channeling its petition, saying, “he ought to have used the opportunity of the PDP constitution and various organs to ventilate his petition to the various organs of the party.

“In the PDP, aggrieved members ventilate his or her grievances through well-known party organs

and not externalising them. This is moreso when the issues involved have a regulatory body like INEC. “INEC is the regulatory organ of all political parties and the PDP is inclusive. The PDP’s account has been audited by a reputable chattered firm and the report is with INEC and the body has not raised any objection on the account of the party.

FG Cancels FEC, Police Council Meetings in Memory of Attahiru, Others Olawale Ajimotokan inAbuja The federal government yesterday announced the cancellation of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting scheduled for tomorrow and the Police Council meeting slated for Thursday in honour of the memory of the late Chief

of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and 10 other senior military officers and service men.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, announced the calling off of the meetings in a statement issued yesterday.

He said the FEC meeting would now hold on June 2 while the Police Council meeting would take place the following day.

Mustapha said the postponement followed earlier directive by President Muhammadu Buhari for the national flag to fly at half-mast nationwide for three day in addition

to the declaration of yesterday as work-free day for members of the Armed Forces.

The statement said the president urged all citizens to use the period of mourning to pray for the repose of the souls of the departed and strength for the family to bear the painful loss

TUESDAY MAY 25, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY MAY 25, 2021

POLITICS

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

Can Sanwo-Olu Successfully Tackle the ‘Okada’ Menace in Lagos?

Vanessa Obioha writes that commercial motorcycles, better known as, Okadas have always been a big conundrum to different governors of Lagos State, with the attendant complex mix of being an easy means to perpetrate crime and providing a source of livelihood

Sanwo-Olu

Buses for First and Last Mile transportation scheme

I

n the past few months, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has been ramping up projects in different sectors, particularly the transportation sector. As noted in his economic agenda for the state, transportation and traffic management are key areas he desires to transform.

Last April, he commenced the Red Line Project which is a 37km North-South rail route that will run from Agbado to Marina with 12 proposed stations at Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba, Ebute Metta (EBJ), Iddo, Ebute Ero and Marina. Alongside the Blue Line project, this is expected to begin operations in the fourth quarter of 2022.

On the waterways, 15 jetties are at different developmental stages in an effort to push water transportation and increase commuting options for residents, according to the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Frederick Oladeinde. The governor also announced that six new ferries have been handed over to Lagos Ferry Services Company, commonly known as LAGFERRY. A few days ago, the governor unveiled the First and Last Mile (FLM) buses to increase the number of transportation options. According to him, the buses will take care of commuting between the main transit corridor, “and the heart of our various communities where the bulk of our people reside and where high capacity buses will normally not be able to pass through. It is intended to connect various communities with one another.”

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Managing Director, Abimbola Akinajo described the FLM as the last layer of the Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) for the state — a plan by the government to ensure that public transportation system will be moved from an unregulated framework to a regulated framework.

Under the BRI, there are three layers. The first is the BRT bus scheme which comprises high capacity buses

that mainly travel on dedicated bus routes, commonly known as BRT routes.

The second layer is the standard bus routes, and these are schemes with high or medium capacity buses that travel in mixed traffic mainly, while the

final layer is the FLM bus scheme. The newly launched minibuses are small capacity buses that carry between seven and 11 passengers and travel on routes designated to take one to and from origin and destination.

To reduce cash transactions, commuters will make use of the Lagos State cowry card for fares payment. The buses are fitted with a validator to enable card payments.

From all indications, the FLM buses are designed to weed out commercial motorcycles, commonly known as Okada, on Lagos roads. The news of Okada ban has always been greeted with a mix of glee and protests. On one hand are the motorists, who often see motorcyclists as a nuisance in traffic. On the other hand are the masses and the operators who feel disenfranchised by such laws. Chiefly among the complaints is the economic implications. With the high rate of unemployment in Nigeria, most people engage in motorcycling business as a source of livelihood. Though, Sanwo-Olu disclosed the FLM buses is an alternative way of keeping the Okada riders in employment. Operators are required to make a 20 per cent down payment to be eligible to come under the Bus Finance Scheme. The repayment period for the Bus Finance Scheme shall be for 36 months and the state has negotiated an interest rate of 10 per cent for the outstanding amount. For the average motorcyclist who may have purchased his vehicle on loan, the ban will dig more holes in his already lean pocket and may put him in a financial dilemma. How does he offset his debts and raise capital to operate the FLM bus?

In other words, the FLM enhances and ensures connectivity in the intermodal integrated public transportation drive of the state. According to Akinajo, the routes have been designed to provide connectivity, “not just for the three tiers of bus schemes, but also for all forms of public transportation system in Lagos, to include water transportation, the buses, and the rail transportation system when they become operational last quarter of 2022. These buses will connect community routes to the major BRT bus stops, bus terminals, ferry terminals, as well as train stations.”

Out of the 485 routes identified by the agency for the different tiers of transportation in the state, 286 are FLM routes and are designed to travel not more than 5km. The agency also identified seven routes that the FLM will operate. They include Zone 1: Ikeja and Ketu; Zone 2: Oshodi, Mushin and Surulere, Zone 3: Berger, Yaba and Oyingbo; Zone 4: Lagos Island, Ajah and Ibeju Lekki, Zone 5: Iyana-ipaja and Agege; Zone 6: Mile 2, Iyana-Iba and Ajeromi; Zone 7: Ikorodu and Zone 8: Epe and Badagry.

For the first phase, operations will commence in Zones 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7.

Five hundred buses were released to kick off this first phase. A total of 5,000 buses have been underlined for this project.

Also, to reduce cash transactions, commuters will make use of the Lagos State cowry card for fares payment.

The buses are fitted with a validator to enable card payments.

Oladeinde added that the state has put in place, various measures aimed at readjusting transportation strategies to accommodate the FLM transportation system, “which is all-inclusive, safe, convenient, affordable, accessible, and in line with global practice.”

From all indications, the FLM buses are designed to weed out commercial motorcycles, commonly known as Okada, on Lagos roads. Sanwo-Olu emphasised this during his speech at the unveiling. The governor said that the bus scheme was an important milestone to achieving the intermodal transport system which would give the people the choices they deserved, reducing congestion and journey times, and improving the quality of life. But more importantly, it was also about improving and guaranteeing the security of lives and property of Lagos residents.

Continued on page 19

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POLITICS

Can Sanwo-Olu Successfully Tackle the ‘Okada’ Menace in Lagos?

Treading an Unfamiliar Path

Okadas have always been a big conundrum for different governors of the state since the 2010s. In 2012, the Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola banned Okada in the state from plying over 400 routes. The ban was initially for motorcycles with cylinder capacities below 200cc. This saw most operators buying motorcycles with the required capacity which was nicknamed ‘Fashola Okada’.

His successor Akinwunmi Ambode reportedly considered banning Okada in the state. However, Sanwo-Olu toed a similar line last year when he banned the operations of commercial motorcycles in six Local Government Areas (LGAs), nine Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), and 10 major highways in the state.

The news of Okada ban has always been greeted with a mix of glee and protests. On one hand are the motorists, who often see motorcyclists as a nuisance in traffic. On the other hand are the masses and the operators who feel disenfranchised by such laws.

Chiefly among the complaints is the economic implications. With the high rate of unemployment in Nigeria, most people engage in motorcycling business as a source of livelihood. Though, Sanwo-Olu disclosed the FLM buses is an alternative way of keeping the Bawa Okada riders in employment. Operators are required to make a 20 per cent cting on a petition to it by a down payment to be eligible to come former Edo State Commissioner under the Bus Finance Scheme. The for Information and member of repayment period for the Bus Finance the Peoples Democratic Party Scheme shall be for 36 months and (PDP), Prince Kassim Afegbua, the the state has negotiated an interest Economic and Financial Crimes Commission rate of 10 per cent for the outstanding (EFCC) has requested the National Chairman amount. of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, to release For the average commercial motor- three party officials for interrogation. cyclist who may have purchased his Those to appear before the commission to vehicle on loan, the ban will dig more answer questions bordering on criminal conspiracy holes in his already lean pocket and andabuse of office are the National Auditor, may put him in a financial dilemma. National Organising Secretary and Director How does he offset his debts and raise of Finance. capital to operate the FLM bus?

In an invitation dated May 17, 2021, and While the government may have addressed to Secondus, the commission said tackled the problem of having the FLM the need to obtain clarifications from the party buses ply routes that are close to one’s had become imperative. THISDAY gathered destination or origin, which is one of that the interview,which was to hold on May Okada’s advantages, it, however, fails 19, 20 and 21, 2021 respectively, has now been to see the primary use of Okada in rescheduled for this week. some of these areas. A good number Afegbua, in his petition, had alleged that of people who patronise Okadas do so money generated from the sale of forms and other to beat traffic in the state, particularly sources totalling N10billion was unaccounted for. at a time when most Lagos roads are His petition was triggered by the contents of a undergoing one construction or the leaked memo of an auditor’s query on financial other. For instance, the ongoing road transactions involving the PDP leadership. construction at Iyana-Iba and Okoko The National Auditor of the party, Adamu axis of the Lagos/Badagry Expressway Mustapha, had alleged that his office was causes long queues of traffic because the oblivious of the party’s financial transactions alternative routes are already congested since 2017. and not all are motorable.

He said, “The purpose of this alarm is to Under such circumstances, citizens bring to the notice of this NWC the inability are forced to take an Okada to their of the audit department to perform its funcdestination to beat traffic or risk spend- tions as enshrined in the constitution and the ing over three hours for a 30-minute extant laws, to illustrate as example, the audit journey. department was incapacitated by lack of access The government may have reduced to the necessary inputs that will enable it to the number of time spent in traffic discharge its duties. by removing junctions or roundabouts “For whatever reasons, there is no access that cause major traffic in the heart of to all financial transactions (cash inflows and the city, it has, however not achieved outflows) documents of the party like cashbooks, the same result in the inner parts of receipts. vouchers, registers cheques and bank the city. statements all of which are necessary input No doubt, Okada constitute a lot or pre-audit for due process, internal control of menace on our roads, be it the and reconciliation.” haphazard way the riders meander Mustapha later addressed the media at through traffic or the use of it as a the instance of the party leadership, where means to commit a crime. Perhaps, the he denied accusing the national chairman of FLM buses may be a lasting solution financial malfeasance. to this. As the governor has noted, it But the National Publicity Secretary of will monitor and assess how the FLM the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, and other will help in providing communities and party leadersdismissed the claim as untrue. residents the much-needed alternative Ologbodiyan explained that the audit query to Okadas before he embarks on a full had been dealt with and issues raised therein ban of motorcycles on Lagos roads adequately addressed by the parties NWC and After all, the goal of the FLM is “for the NEC. the full implementation of a safer and In spite of the denial and repudiation, the more efficient alternative means of EFCC still went ahead last week to act on transportation that takes out the need the petition by inviting the party’s officers for for Okada, which the FLM buses will interrogation. While the party is weighing all be speaking to and this will reduce the the options available to it to halt the anti-graft incidence of Okada-related robbery or commission’s encroachment into its internal crime that is committed.” affairs, many observers are wondering if the

If the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission feels it has the powers to invite officials of the Peoples Democratic Party for interrogation, what then are the functions of the Independent National Electoral Commission? Davidson Iriekpen asks

Akinajo

With the alarming rate of insecurity in Nigeria, commercial motorcycles were identified as one of the major means of transportations by criminals to perpetrate crimes. For instance, in a recent stakeholders meeting, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu identified the use of motorcycle to perpetrate crimes in the state and flagrant flouting of traffic rules, thereby resulting in “avoidable accidents with attendant consequences on human life.”

Odumosu added, “An ugly twist to all of these is that anytime there is an accident caused by their reckless actions, they (motorcyclists) often mobilise to traumatise the hapless motorists involved in the accident. They often during this careless act of theirs, mob their victims, create an avenue for their colleagues and other social miscreants alike to unleash terror and theft of valuable items in the vehicle of the victims and other sympathisers around.”

Statistics on the number of deaths recorded in road accidents and crime committed with the use of Okada according to the CP has increased significantly. A total of 280 accidents caused by commercial motorcycles were recorded from January to May this year.

At that meeting, Sanwo-Olu highlighted the various measures the state is taking to reduce the rate of crime. It includes the monitoring of abandoned buildings and properties by commencing the full implementation and enforcement of the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law of 2019. Under this law, abandoned buildings are prohibited irrespective of their state of development.

In addition, the government announced that it will be demolishing shanties that are deemed as illegal structures. Other measures taken by the state include the implementation of the new law prohibiting unlawful societies and cultism, technology deployment, armed personnel and crime-fighting equipment, and transportation reforms under which motorcyclists fall under.

“We have noted with dismay the fact that Okada riders are disregarding and flouting the restrictions we imposed on their activities in certain areas of the metropolis,” Sanwo-Olu said at the meeting.

He added that the state has observed “a worrying trend in which criminals have found commercial motorcycles a useful and enabling tool with which to perpetrate heinous crimes, with the motorcycles acting as quick getaway vehicles.

“As we all know, no society can make progress amid such haughty display of lawlessness and criminality. Our mission of attaining a Greater Lagos can only be achieved when we all resolved to live in an orderly manner.”

A

Secondus

agency has the powers to interrogate officials of a political party on how it spent its finances.

They also wonder if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is not the main supervisory organ of political parties in the country?

For instance, nowhere in the EFCC Act was it stated that the agency would investigate the finances of a political party. Section 6 of the EFCC Act which gives the agency general power to investigate crimes does not mention a political party. Analysts believe that even if it did, it would be inconsistent with the provisions of Sections 225 and 226 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which clearly, give INEC the powers to investigate and scrutinise the accounts of political parties.

Section 6 of the EFCC Act, which spells out the functions of the anti-graft commission does notinclude the investigation of the finances of political parties. Virtually every subsection of the Section 6 expressly states that the commission shall be responsible for - the investigation of all financial crimes including advance fee fraud, money laundering, counterfeiting, illegal charge transfers, futures market fraud, fraudulent encashment of negotiable instruments, computer credit card fraud, contract scam; the co-ordination and enforcement of all economic and financial crimes laws.

It extended it to include the enforcement functions conferred on any other person or authority; the adoption of measures to eradicate the commission of economic and financial crimes; the examination and investigation of all reported cases of economic and financial crimes with a view to identifying individuals, corporate bodies or groups involved; the determination of the extent of financial loss and such other losses by government, private individuals or organisations.

It is believed that the only agency responsible for the investigation of political parties and their finances in the country is INEC. This is why Section 225 of the 1999 Constitution states copiously under the finances of political parties that: (1) Every political party shall, at such times and in such manner as the Independent National Electoral Commission require, publish a statement of its assets and liabilities.

Two, every political party shall submit to the Independent National Electoral Commission a detailed annual statement and analysis of its sources of funds and other assets together with a similar statement of its expenditure in such form as the commission may require. (3) No political party shall - (a) hold or possess any funds or other assets outside Nigeria; or (b) be entitled to retain any funds or assets remitted or sent to it from outside Nigeria.

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

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TUESDAY MAY 25, 2021 •T H I S D AY

LAWYER

A

WEEKLY PULLOUT

THE ASABA DECLARATION: NO GOING BACK

25.05.2021

2/DASHBOARD

25.05.2021

LAWYER

A

WEEKLY PULLOUT

25.05.2021

THE ASABA DECLARATION: NO GOING BACK QUOTABLES ‘We have not heard from our President despite the daily killings that are going on, that have turned Nigeria into a killing field of unimaginable proportion.’

- Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District of Abia State, 9th National Assembly, Federal Republic of Nigeria ‘I refer to the meeting of all the Governors held on the 11th of February this year, where they unanimously agreed that open grazing should no longer be allowed in the country anymore.....whereby ranching will replace open grazing.’ - Femi Falana, SAN, Human Rights Lawyer and Activist

Relationship Between Subsidiary Legislation and Principal Legislation PAGE 4

NCDMB-SBL Partnership’ll Drive Enforcement of Local Content for Nigerian Lawyers PAGE 5

Insecurity: Don't Abandon Nigeria, SAN Begs Youth

PAGE 5

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25.05.2021

The Limits of Free Movement, Criminalising Ransom Payment I seize this opportunity to extend my condolences to the families of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru, Brig General Tunji Olayinka, and all the officers who died in the line of duty in the military plane crash near Kaduna Airport last Friday. May their souls rest in peace. Amen.

President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and Freedom of Movement Before I go into the ‘Word for Today’, permit me to comment briefly on an interview which I read last Saturday, given by the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Mr Bodejo, instructing his members to disobey the ban on open grazing, saying the Fulanis don’t have borders or boundaries, and do not need permission to graze their cows from one area to another; and that wherever there is grass and water, they can feel free to graze their livestock there. This position is runs foul of Section 1 of the Land Use Act 1978, which vests all the lands in Nigeria in the Governors of the States, and Sections 43 & 44 of the Constitution which guarantee an individual’s right to the acquisition of immovable property (land, crops, buildings etc), and provides for the circumstances in which such property can be acquired (or used) by a third party.

Again, like I did last week, I call for restraint in our utterances, in a polity that is already heated, as it is counterproductive to make annoying statements that will only serve to make the environment hotter. Statements like Mr Bodejo’s only exacerbate matters, and for one, will only fuel the bitterness and anarchy that has already encompassed several parts of the country based on feelings of marginalisation and unequal treatment, despite the equity, equality and fairness provisions of the Constitution. Furthermore, for those who have been negatively affected by forcible grazing on their farmland, Mr Bodejo’s statement is anything but conciliatory and unifying.

While I do agree with Mr Bodejo that our right to freedom of movement is guaranteed by Section 41(1) of the Constitution, I go further to state that firstly, this right is reserved for Nigerian citizens only, not for foreign herders, whether they are Fulani or not (which has hitherto been the claim - that the herders causing the mayhem are not Nigerian), and certainly not for animals, as both do not qualify as Nigerian citizens; and secondly, the right to freedom of movement cannot be exercised by committing the tort of trespass or criminal trespass on farmlands or land belonging to others, either by being on their land, passing through, or grazing cattle upon their land and destroying their crops in the process. For example, in places like Benue State where the Penal Code Act applies, see Section 342 thereof, on the offence of criminal trespass.

Also see the case of Mr Christian Spiess v Mr Job Oni SC.197/2013.

The right to freedom of movement is also not at large, as by virtue of Section 45 of the Constitution, the provisions of Section 41(1) shall not invalidate laws that are reasonably justifiable in a democratic society in the interest of public safety, public order, public morality or public health. The Southern Governors who have banned open grazing, and those who have gone ahead to enact laws banning same like Ekiti and Benue States, have done so in the interest of public safety and public order, to protect their citizens, and one can logically conclude that this falls under the exceptions listed in Section 45(1)(a-b) of the Constitution.

See the case of N.U.E.E v B.P.E 2010 7 N.W.L.R. Part 1194 Page 538 at 575. In any event, in a Communique issued by the Northern Governors in February 2021 (three months before that of the Southern Governors), they had resolved that open grazing was no longer sustainable, and emphasised the need for herders to adopt new methods of herding, like ranching. So, majority of the Governors, North and South, seem to be on the same page with regard to open grazing.

The Offence of Ransom Payments The Senate is in the process of passing a Bill which prohibits the payment of ransom to kidnappers, or the receipt of same by them.

Apparently, this Bill, cited as the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Bill 2021, is a substitution of Section 14 of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2013, and provides for a punishment upon conviction of 15 years imprisonment.

While some like the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasiru El Rufai (Mallam), will certainly welcome with applause, the law which is said to have passed the second reading on the floor of the Senate, many, on the other hand, see it is as cruel, insensitive and unnecessary. One of the reasons for Mallam's support of this law as he said, is that, by paying ransoms to kidnappers, we are not only further equipping them with the wherewithal to attack us more, be it insurgents or just ordinary criminals/ bandits, such ransom payments have done absolutely nothing to curb kidnapping, but on the contrary, have made it a more attractive lucrative criminal enterprise, and an incentive for these miscreants to continue their heinous activities. Abductions have fast become common place, and nowhere and no one seems safe anymore. And, while I do not seek to alarm anyone, I believe that it would be remiss of me to downplay the situation we are currently facing, pretending that all is well, when in actual fact, it is not well.

Mallam went on further to use those Fulani Herdsmen who have been engaging in kidnapping as an example, stating that from earning N100,000 per annum from the sale of one cow, they now earn millions from kidnapping, and it would therefore, be an insurmountable task to get them to stop their unholy activities.

Mallam’s answer therefore, is to take the stand of not paying any ransoms, as this will make it abundantly clear to the kidnappers that it is fruitless to abduct anyone, as they will not receive any money in return, thereby removing the attraction of fast and plenty money. Even the legitimate Herdsmen themselves, have not been spared from the violence, as we have heard numerous stories of the Herdsmen being victims of cattle rustling and being murdered, with their temporary settlements also being destroyed in the bargain.

And, while it may be difficult to dismiss Mallam's line of thinking, I can’t say the same about the Senate's move to outlaw ransom payments. In my opinion, one size does not fit all. There are different groups and different types of kidnappers, with different surrounding circumstances; and therefore, all options must be left on the table to tackle each unfortunate incident on its own conditions. Therefore, even if ransom payments are discouraged, outlawing them completely may be wrong; especially as the other side of the argument is that, it is unfair on Nigerians, the Government having failed to fulfil its primary purpose, that is, securing our lives and property (contrary to Section 14 (2)(b) of the Constitution), leaving us as sitting ducks to not only be victims of abductions, but also of crime generally, even to the point where people are now regularly attacked in traffic and robbed in broad daylight, to then ask families of victims of these abductions to sit down and twiddle their thumbs, and do nothing to secure the release of their loved ones, when Government is unable to do so.

If it was the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigations, USA) asking people not to pay ransom because they will get the abductees back, that may be a different case, because they are effective, and known for their ability to

President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore

successfully address thorny situations; but, the sad truth is that, whatever the reasons, there is nothing within the Nigerian law enforcement agencies, which can inspire that type of confidence in anyone, to make people sit back and let them do their thing! Seven years later, over 100 Chibok girls, and four years later, Leah Sharibu are still ‘at large’.

How comfortable does this make any Parent or family feel, that they should relax and rely on Government to rescue their children, instead of using alternative negotiating skills?

American Rescue Late last year, did the US Special Forces not come in to Nigeria to rescue their citizen, Philip Walton, who was kidnapped in Southern Niger and brought to Nigeria? They were said to have carried out the rescue operation successfully, without involving the Nigerian authorities, unlike the botched rescue operation of 2012 carried out by foreign forces with the involvement of the Nigerian authorities; the two foreign abductees were killed by their captors before they could be rescued. The story at the time was that, the mission was unsuccessful because of the moles within our ranks, as the captors seemed to be aware of the impending rescue operation in advance, and therefore, frustrated the operation by not only killing the abductees, but opening fire on the rescuers as they were approaching.

While majority of our Forces are obviously loyal, the issue of terrorists and criminals infiltrating their ranks is a reality that must not be ignored, and till many of these holes are plugged, like identifying these moles, increasing the number of law enforcement generally, be it the Police or the Armed Forces, equipping them adequately and deploying the use of technology, enacting a law prohibiting the payment of ransom may be iniquitous, and will possibly be ignored by the families of victims, if ransom payment is the only way they can successfully secure the release of their loved ones, for now. Government cannot be doing little or nothing, and expect the families of victims to follow suit! The Parents of the Kaduna Forestry College abductees, certainly paid no mind to Mallam’s directive, as they stated unequivocally that they negotiated and paid a ransom, to save their children.

Visiting Bwari As the Law School students wrote their Bar Part 1 examinations last week, I paid a visit to Bwari to see things for myself. To and fro, I observed only two soldiers at one check point on the way back to Abuja from Bwari.

So much for beefing up security in Bwari!

Though the town centre was buzzing with activity and people (absolutely no observance of Covid-19 protocols), it is a distance away from the Law School and some of the external hostels that house many of the students. So, unless security around Law School, other educational institutions, and in Bwari in general, has been beefed up with invisible security agents like “Invisible Woman” of the “Fantastic Four” cartoon fame, Bwari seemed completely porous and unprotected to me. I drove past a Federal Government Girls Secondary School which was properly fenced and gated (at least from the front parts that were visible from the road), but I saw no sign of any law enforcement agents there

“IF IT WAS THE FBI.....

ASKING PEOPLE NOT TO PAY RANSOM BECAUSE THEY WILL GET THE ABDUCTEES BACK, THAT MAY BE A DIFFERENT CASE, BECAUSE THEY ARE EFFECTIVE, AND KNOWN FOR THEIR ABILITY TO SUCCESSFULLY ADDRESS THORNY SITUATIONS.....”

either, and I felt that the height of the fence should be increased.

Conclusion My point? If Government is incapable of doing what it takes to protect us, especially our beloved children, and Parents are left with only the option of praying for the safety of their children while they are in school, in the event that the worst happens, should they then be jailed for taking the only viable option of negotiating with criminals and paying to secure the release of their loved ones? Are people happy to have to go around scouting for money to pay ransoms? Government having failed abysmally in its primary purpose, should Parents and victims be made to suffer for this failure which is not of their making, by not doing everything possible to save their children and loved ones, because they don’t want to give impetus to criminals by giving them money? Is anything more important than saving our children and loved ones?

My dear colleagues, what do you think about this vicious circle - of either payment of ransom and thereby funding criminals and putting them in a better position to further terrorise us, or refusing to make ransom payments and leaving abductees to their fate, which may be death, like the five Greenfield University Students who were murdered last month?

How do we get out of this no-win situation?

4/LAW REPORT

Relationship Between Subsidiary Legislation and Principal Legislation Facts On 22nd September, 2020, the Defendant had invited the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Claimants and other members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN, Chevron Branch) to a meeting. Thereat, the Defendant intimated the Claimants of its intention to embark on a staff reduction exercise, owing to the low global oil prices and the effect of Covid-19, and therefore, invited the Claimants to apply for new positions with the Defendant. Shortly after the meeting, the Managing Director of the Defendant and some Management Committee rolled out a redundancy project for its workers.

While the Claimants asserted that the so called “Project Evolution” embarked on by the Defendant was without notice and recourse to any form of agreement, consensus or discussions on the gratuities, pensions and other emoluments payable to the Claimants as senior employees and as enshrined in the “Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) dated 16th December, 2019 entered into between the Defendant and representatives of the Claimants, the Defendant posited that it informed the Claimants about the terms of the redundancy package for staff in line with the CBA, and duly informed the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of its action and that the project evaluation was being examined by the regulatory bodies.

Given the above, the Claimants embarked on an industrial action by which the Defendant was compelled to suspend the implementation of the decision to reduce the workforce by twenty-five percent. Though the Claimants were able to compel the Defendant to suspend the exercise, they envisaged that the Defendant might be waiting for a perfect opportunity to implement the plan. Thus, the Claimant approached the Honourable Court by way of Originating Summons, seeking inter alia, a declaration that the Defendant is bound by the provisions of the Guidelines for the Release of Staff in the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry.

Along with the Originating Summons, the Claimants filed a Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction by which they sought different prayers and injunctive orders, restraining the Defendant from implementing the redundancy policy or applications for fresh jobs which it sought to enforce.

Honourable Justice Elizabeth A. Oji, PhD

In the National Industrial Court of Nigeria In the Lagos Judicial Division Holden at Lagos On Friday, the 26th day of February, 2021 Before Their Lordships

Honourable Justice Elizabeth A. Oji, PhD Suit No: NICN/LA/411/2020

Issues for Determination The Honourable Court considered the following issues, in its determination of the suit: 1. Whether the Claimants are entitled to the Orders sought in the Motion on Notice; 2. Whether by virtue of Guidelines for the Release of Staff in the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry, 2019 dated 17th day of October, 2019, the Defendant ought to obtain the written approval of the Minister of Petroleum resources before embarking on any staff reduction and or redundancy exercise; and

Between 1.

2.

3.

4.

PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS SENIOR STAFF ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (PENGASSAN) OYEGBANREN OMATSONE ETE AGHAUNOR LAVIN IFEAKACHUKWU AKATA MICHAEL BIBOEBI (Suing for themselves and on behalf of all the members of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria,Chevron Branch) CLAIMANTS

3. If the resolution of issue two is in the positive, whether that obligation had arisen in the circumstances of this case.

Arguments In its argument in support of the Motion on Notice, the Claimants contended that they placed enough material before the court in support of the application for preservative Orders sought.

They argued that there was imminent risk and likelihood of dissipation and total erosion of the res in the suit which may render the eventual decision of the court nugatory. Countering the submission, the Defendant submitted that the reliefs sought in the application overlaps on the substantive issues in the Originating Summons, and that the Claimants failed to give an undertaking as to damages as required by law. The Defendant argued further, that the action which the Claimants seek to restrain will not foist a fiat accompli on the court, and that the application negates known principle of law which enjoins the court not to grant an injunction to force a servant on an unwilling employer. More so, the Claimants did not fulfil the requirements for granting an injunction, by establishing that they have legal rights to remain in the employment of the Defendant or that an award of damages will not be sufficient to compensate the Claimant for any wrong that may result from the action. Further, a determination of the application will amount to determining substantive issues at a preliminary stage.

Regarding the second issue, it was argued for the Claimants that where the law prescribes the method of doing a thing, that method or no other method must be followed – YAKI v BAGUDA (2015) 18 NWLR (Pt. 1491) 288 at 348. Counsel submitted that the Defendant does not have a legally justifiable reason for refusing to comply with legal provisions, as no one is above the law. He argued that there is considerable weight and force in the Regulations on Release of Staff in the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry, 2019, and its provisions will override all the provisions in the CBA between parties and in line with the decision of AMASIKE v THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CAC& ANOR. (2010) LPELR-456(SC) 106. They argued further that the provisions of Section 91 of the Labour Act does not apply to the Claimants, as they do not come under the definition of “worker” under the law.

Responding to the submissions above, the Defendant argued that issues of termination of the contract of an employee, can only be subject to the contractual relationship which is usually between an employer and employee. Counsel submitted further that the Guidelines for the release of staff in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry, 2019, is not binding on the Defendant. He relied on

And CHEVRON NIGERIA LIMITED

DEFENDANT

“......SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATIONS MUST CONFIRM WITH THE PRINCIPAL LAW. IF ANY PROVISION OF THE SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION LIKE THE REGULATIONS ARE INCONSISTENT WITH THE

the case of SHELL PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY v NWAWKA & THE DIRECTOR OF PETROLEUM RESOURCES (2001) 10 NWLR (Pt. 720) 64.

On the third issue, counsel submitted for the Defendant that assuming without conceding that the Defendant is bound by the referenced Guidelines, the Defendant is not in breach thereof.

Counsel argued that, there is provision in the Guideline which mandates the Defendant to seek permission before commencement of its redundancy procedure; what the Guidelines merely prohibits is the declaration of a worker as redundant before an approval is obtained. The Defendant posited that its workers to be declared redundant had not yet been identified, and that even if the provisions of the Guidelines had been breached, it is only the Director of the Department of Petroleum Resources that can enforce same, not private persons.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale The court determined the Claimant’s Motion in Notice and the Originating Summons together, but decided on the issue raised with respect to the Motion on Notice first. After due consideration of the arguments of parties, the court held that for an application of this nature, the conditions stipulated in the case of KOTOYE v CBN (1989) 1 NWLR (Pt. 98) 419 at 411 must be fulfilled. The court observed that the facts relied on in support of the application, are exactly the same as those in the affidavit in support of the Originating Summons. It is settled that the courts are wary to determine at an interlocutory stage, the main issues in the substantive suit – NIGERIAN CIVIL SERVICE UNION v ESSIEN (1985) 3 NWLR (Pt. 12) 306 at 316. The court therefore, declined to make pronouncements on the issue, so as to forestall violation of the right of fair hearing.

Deciding the preliminary issue in the said issue two relating to admissibility of the Guidelines (Exhibit B), the court held that the Guideline was issued pursuant to Section 9 of the Petroleum Act, and this makes it a subsidiary legislation which has the force of law. Subsidiary legislations are to be cited in court, and the court is bound to take judicial notice of such legislation; they need not be tendered in evidence in line with Section 122(1) and (2a) of the Evidence Act, 2011 and that it would be an unnecessary adherence to strict technicalities rather than doing justice between parties, for the court to insist on admitting the certified true copy of the document. Her Ladyship decided further that should it be found that the document requires certification before its admissibility, since the Defendant did not challenge its authenticity, then it would be a good time to employ the provisions of Section 12(2) of the National Industrial Act which enables the court to depart from strict adherence to the provisions of the Evidence Act. Regarding the main issue two, the court held that in a contract of employment, parties are bound by the agreement and the court cannot introduce any term or conditions not agreed to by parties. A court of law should only concern itself with the terms and conditions of the contract. Thus, it is the responsibility of a party who asserts that a particular term is applicable to him, to show how the term becomes applicable to him. The court found that the 2019 Guidelines was issued pursuant to the powers, derived from the Petroleum (Drilling and Production) Regulations, 1969 (as amended) (PDPR) and the Petroleum Act. The relevant Section 15A of the PDPR contains powers ordinarily exercised by the Minister.

Neither the Section 15A of the PDPR nor Section 9 of the Petroleum Act gives the Minister powers to regulate private contracts of employment, or to introduce terms into the contracts of employment between parties. The Petroleum Act did not contemplate the type of regulation, contained in the Guidelines under consideration. The non-inclusion of the power to regulate private employment contracts, is in tandem with the age-long principle of sanctity of contracts.

In CHUKWUMA v SPDC (1993) 4 NWLR (Pt. 289) 512, the appellate court refused to rely on extraneous agreement and policy statement which was not part of the contract between parties, and which was not incorporated into the contract. By the decision in NNPC & ANOR v FAMFA OIL LIMITED (2012) LPELR-1812SC, subsidiary legislations must confirm with the principal law. If any provision of the subsidiary legislation like the Regulations are inconsistent with the provisions of an Act/Statute, the provisions of the Regulation are, to the extent of its consistencies, rendered void.

More so, by virtue of the 2019 Guidelines, the Defendant does not need to obtain any written approval of the Minister, before embarking on any staff reduction and/or redundancy. The court held further that even if the Regulation is said to be applicable, the Claimants did not establish that the Defendant breached the provisions of the Guidelines, as what is required is written consent before the release of employee and not before the process leading to the identification of persons to be released. There is no evidence before the court showing that the Defendant identified or communicated the names of persons to be declared redundant to bring into force, the application of the Guidelines. It follows that the suit is premature.

PROVISIONS OF AN ACT/

Claims Failed; Suit Dismissed.

STATUTE, THE PROVISIONS OF

Representation M.I. Abu for the Claimants

THE REGULATION ARE, TO THE

Etigwe Uwa, SAN with L. Soetan and O. Omaghomi (Mrs.) for the Defendant.

EXTENT OF ITS CONSISTENCIES, RENDERED VOID"

Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited, Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Report (NMLR)(An affiliate of Babalakin & Co.)

NEWS/5

25.05.2021

NCDMB-SBL Partnership’ll Drive Enforcement of Local Content for Nigerian Lawyers The Director, Legal Services, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Muhammed Umar, has said that the success of any good law such as the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content (NOGICD) Act cannot be hinged on the elegance of its form or content, but rather the commitment of all stakeholders to make a success of it, in spite of any observed limitations.

Speaking during a one-day symposium organised by the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBASBL) and NCDMB themed: ‘NOGICD ACT-Strides: Challenges and Opportunities’, Umar disclosed that the engagement with (NBA-SBL) is one of the stakeholder engagement mechanisms geared towards bringing out the activities of the Board, seeking understanding and engaging people on what the Board is doing.

He also stated that through

L-R: Ayuli Jemide, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association-Section of Business Law (NBA-SBL); Dr. Adeoye Adefulu, Vice Chairman, NBA-SBL; Dr. Bayo Adaralegbe, Partner, Babalakin & Co.; Maureen Obukofe, Legal Services Directorate, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), and Mohammed Umar, Director, Legal Services, NCDMB collaboration, stakeholder the Board will have no other hope we will make progress engagements and education, option but to take you before with time.

“Before the Act, things were there would be understanding the court where sanctions between the Board and its would be applied. Either done in a different way, after stakeholders, which has Law- the contract is cancelled, or the Act, we tried to change yers as critical stakeholders. you pay five percent of the the way things are done. In “If you don’t comply and contract value as a fine. We the past you had business we do our best to engage you, keep doing our best, and we men, portfolio, service companies that would take a job in Nigeria and outsource the entire job out of the country, but now, we insist that jobs be done in Nigeria,

by Nigerians using Nigerian goods or Nigerian services.

There will be challenges, but those who understand what Alex Enumah in Abuja is good for the country are compliant”, he explained.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, In his remarks, the ChairChief Yakubu Maikyau has pleaded passionately with Nigerian youths to sustain their hope in the country, in spite Steve Aya of the numerous challenges confronting the country.

In a bold step aimed 7KH VHQLRU /DZ\HU VSHFLÀtowards decongesting cally appealed that the youths should not abandon the nation, Police cells, and a means because they are the ones of giving justice to various to salvage the nation from suspects who couldn’t get economic, social and political access to court due to ruins. the ongoing nationwide Maikyau, who spoke on the industrial action by judiopening of the Abuja Lawyers' FLDU\ VWDͿ XQGHU DHJLV RI L-R: Rotimi Ogueson SAN; Ayodele Gatta Esq; JS Okutepa,SAN; Football League on Saturday, JUSUN, the Lagos State Ruth Kabruk,Esq; Rhoda Tyoden,Esq(FIDA President) ST recalled the event of 1989 in Saudi Arabia, when Nigerian Ologunorisa SAN, YC Maikyau,SAN, Jane Tapgum,Esq Abdul Government has ordered all State counsel in the youths engaged their USSR Atadoga, SAN Directorate of Public counterpart in a world cup tournament, adding that the VHQWLPHQWDO GLͿHUHQFHV ,W LV physical exercise and proper Prosecutions (DPP), Lagos State Ministry of Justice, to Nigerian team was four goals during football tournaments functioning of the heart.

Fagbemi expressed opti- mobilise and visit various down, but with hope and deter- that sworn enemies bury mination levelled up and won WKHLU GLͿHUHQFHV DQG KXJ mism that the soccer tourna- Police Stations in the State. the game. The senior Lawyer each other, in spite of their ment will not only promote The directive was said that with the kind of hope GLͿHUHQFHV )RU WKLV UHDVRQ unity among Lawyers, but initiated by the State’s and determination exhibited I urge the Nigerian youths promote good health and Attorney-General and at the time, the current youth not to despair, and not to IXWXUH IRRWEDOO VWDͿ Commissioner for Justice, Organiser of the tournaare also capable of bringing abandon Nigeria project, since Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, back the nation to the right the youths are the ones to ment, Mr. Olujimi Poko, 6$1 WR FXVKLRQ WKH HͿHFWV path of glory, in spite of the turn Nigeria to a meaningful who commended Maikyau of the protracted JUSUN nation", he said. for accepting to host this challenges.

In his own remarks, the year's tournament which is strike.

Maikyau, who is the sponsor A statement signed by of the this year's edition of the Chairman of the occasion, WKH ÀIWK GLVFORVHG WKDW WKLV football contest, dedicated Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN year's tournament witnessed the Director of Public Afthe cup named after him described the yearly soccer an increase in participation, fairs, Kayode Oyekanmi, to the Nigerian youths for tournament as a noble idea, from eight last year to 16 this explained that all Counsel their resilience and sense of helping legal practitioners to year. He noted that the com- in the Directorate were show case their potentials. petition was initiated to help mobilised and sent to patriotism.

Fagbemi, whose speech was Lawyers move away from Police Divisions in the He said he was happy to invest in a fertile ground of delivered by Sam Ologunorisa, their sedentary lifestyle, relax State to carry out the work football sponsorship tourna- SAN, noted that football has and also interact with one of District Prosecutors, ment, adding that sport, proved to be a veritable tool of another, adding that proceeds by sifting through IPOs especially football, has kept XQLWLQJ 1LJHULDQV RI GLͿHUHQW from the tournament will be ÀOHV IRU PDWWHUV ZKLFK used to support displaced Nigerians together over the backgrounds. fall within the purview The senior Lawyer la- persons in Abuja. years.

7KH ÀUVW PDWFK RI WKH GD\ of criminal trials.

"Permit me to say that it is mented that sudden death According to a senior occasioned by cardiac arrest was between Maikyau Strikers during football tournaments, be it local or international, has become rampant among and J. S. Okutepa Lions FC; VWDͿ RI WKH 0LQLVWU\ that Nigerians forget their Nigerian Lawyers in recent Maikyau Strikers won with “First and foremost, it LV -XGLFLDU\ 6WDͿ WKDW tribal, political, religious and times, because of lack of a lone goal.

Insecurity: Don't Abandon Nigeria, SAN Begs Youth

man of NBA-SBL, Ayuli Jemide said the NBA-SBL noticed that the Nigerian content for Lawyers was not really being enforced, so the body has been in engagement with the NCDMB, and part of that engagement is to create awareness about the activities generally and as it pertains to Lawyers.

Thus, the NBA-SBL entered a strategic partnership with the NCDMB, in a bid to enforce the Nigerian content for Lawyers.

Jemide who stated that this is just the beginning of many more events between the NBA-SBL and the NCDMB, gave assurance that the partnership will help open constant engagements with the NCDMB that will be a huge success, such that the NBA-SBL can always go to the NCDMB when it has complaints about the activities or the regulations.

“The long-term gain is that, if we can work with the NCDMB to ensure the Nigerian content development for Lawyers is properly enforced, this will improve thousands of Nigerian law firms and Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). We will keep engaging to make enforcement successful.”

He added, “The NCDMB under the leadership of Simbi Wabote, has been

very forward looking and dynamic. Following from the leadership, the Director, Legal Services, Muhammed Umar, has also been very dynamic.

It is of great pleasure that the NBA-SBL is partnering with the NCDMB, on this event.

At the end of this, we will have documented outcomes, and these outcomes will form the basis for other discussions that will help Nigerian content policies in Nigeria”, he said.

Also speaking at the event, Akintunde Adelana, Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, NCDMB, explained that the NCDMB is a government agency responsible for the growth of local capacity in the oil and gas industry, and by extension, the entire economy.

“Lawyers play key roles in the activities of the oil and gas industry; putting together contracts here and there, interpreting the Acts because this is a global industry and there are a lot of legal documents arising from oil and gas business in several sectors of the economy, and in several environments in the world.

Lawyers are very relevant in this area. So, there are a lot of opportunities for Nigerian Lawyers, and this partnership will help to drive that”, he explained.

Lagos Grants Suspects Access to Legal Aid for legal advice, for the residents of Lagos State.

Dr. Martins said the free legal clinic is in accordance with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s theme’s Agenda of “Security and Governance”, to ensure easy accessibility of legal services to all residents of the State.

Also, the Director Citizens Lagos State Attorney-General Mediation Centre, Mrs. and Commissioner for Justice, Biola Oseni said that the Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN legal clinic is held in each community to make legal are on strike, not the consultation closer to the Magistrates and Judges. people, while sensitising Second, they can work the residents on their rights ZLWKRXW MXGLFLDO VWDͿ WKH\ in accordance with the law have legal assistants (the and the State Government people who wear legal Centres to ensure justice, robes in the courtroom) promote peace and harwho they are not part of mony among the citizens.

JUSUN; they also perform Mrs. Oseni noted that the other functions apart from annual Joint Legal Clinic is sitting in court; they can VODWHG WR KROG DW GLͿHUHQW perform other functions, divisions (Ikorodu, Badfor example, Section 33 and agary, Ikeja, Lagos Island, 34 of the ACJA mandates and Epe) of the State.

Magistrates to visit Police While acknowledging the Stations for inspections and HͿRUWV RI 6WDWH $WWRUQH\ decongestion, as was done General/Commissioner in Baba Ijesha's matter. for Justice, Mr. Moyosore In a related development, Onigbanjo, SAN, she noted the State has also provided WKDW KLV R΀FH ZRXOG FRQfree legal consultation to tinue to promote peace and the residents of Igando- harmony in the community.

Ikotun area and environs.

She implored other resiAccording to the Director, dents to take advantage 2΀FH RI WKH 3XEOLF 'H- of the free legal services fender, Dr. Jide Martins, the rendered by the Ministry of -RLQW OHJDO FOLQLF LV DQ HͿRUW Justice, instead of resorting to have a one-stop-shop to self-help.

6/

25.05.2021

Can Dr Isa Pantami be Prosecuted for Acts of Terrorism? (Part 3) Introduction

(Sheikh, Dr, Cleric) Isa Pantami should honourably resign, as Mrs Kemi Adeosun, former Finance Minister, did. Where he fails to do this, Buhari should immediately relieve him of his ministerial position. His antecedents loudly proclaim him as a clear and present danger to Nigeria's asphyxiatingly fragile unity, harmony and religious and ethnic tolerance. I know Buhari will not do it.

At least, make we “siddon look”.

Last week, we saw how Mallam Isa Pantami is not an ordinary Minister. He is charged with the sensitive portfolio of Communications and Digital Economy. In this digitalised world, Pantami by his office has access to Nigerians' private communications, NIN, identities, etc.

We then periscoped into whether, and how he can be prosecuted as an aider and abater of terrorist acts. Today, we shall conclude our discourse to see if truly he is a repentant fellow.

Isa Pantami: The Leopard and Its Unchanging Spots Amongst others in his Salafist ideology and spine- chilling teachings in support of two of the globally most acclaimed deadliest terrorist groups in the world (the Taliban and al-Quaeda), some years ago, Pantami had said unapologetically, "Oh God, give victory to the Talibans and to the al-Quaeda..This jihad is an obligation for every single believer, especially in Nigeria". He also reportedly endorsed the killings of "unbelievers" (non-Moslems).

In a video that has since gone viral (which he was later forced to own up to, after initially denying his previous incendiary and inflammatory statements), he openly castigated then President Goodluck Jonathan, for sending the military to kill Boko Haram insurgents whose blood he regarded as "our Muslim brother's blood".

Hear him: “We are praying to God to answer all our prayers. It is our right and obligation before all Muslim leaders, politicians, government appointees, academics. All of us should not fold our arms and watch helplessly, how they shed our Muslim brothers’ blood and cheat them in vain.

Even if the Boko Haram fighters commit a crime, but can we justify the way and manner they are being killed? Just look at how they are killing people as if they are shooting pigs, even though they committed a crime, why the extrajudicial killing?

Take them before the law for a fair trial. You caught someone sleeping and you killed them. If it is not Muslims that undergo such treatments, who else?

The Niger Delta people did something similar to this. They massacred people, stole weapons, killed expatriates and kidnapped some of them, yet you still accept them back, opened a Ministry for them, gave them a Minister and put them on a monthly salary pay without work.

The militants did more harm, compared to what the Boko Haram boys did. But, why will they do something like this?

Why selective justice? ".

He even prayed for the day when the images on the Naira notes and the "Gregorian date, the Calendar of the infidels”, will be wiped out: "And therefore, we are praying to God, that based on our understanding, we pray for a day when the images on the notes in our pockets will be removed. No Muslim Cleric has ever spoken against these images as forbidden. May be self-sufficient enough not to need this currency. It is against the Religion to put even the images of Companions of the Prophet on the currency. May Allah help us to see that day when the Gregorian date, the Calendar of infidels that on the notes …."

Boko Haram was thereby, given the necessary muscle and many Muslims were innocently led to believe that killing Boko Haram insurgents, amounted to killing Muslims. Nigerians have today, witnessed the corrosive and deadly consequences of Boko Haram’s killings, maiming, arson and the general insecurity enthroned and watered by such dangerous hate preachments. Boko Haram has since abducted the Chibok, Dapchi, Kankara, Kagara and Jangebe girls; blown up the UN headquarters; engaged in serial cases of maiming, killings and kidnaps in Kaduna, Maiduguri, Bauchi, Damaturu, Madalla, Mubi, Gamboru, Yola, Gombi, Kano, Baga, Bunu Yadi, Konduga, Gwoza, to mention just a few places.

Reeling under the weight and yoke of damning public criticisms by a wide spectrum of Nigerians, Pantami (who had earlier denied making the statements), summersaulted and claimed that he has since changed his views and extreme religious ideology, which he claimed had been based on youthful ignorance. Said he: “Some of the comments I made some years ago that are generating controversies now, were based on my understanding of religious issues at the time, and I have changed several positions taken in the past, based on new evidence and maturity”.

“I was young when I made some of the comments; I was in university, some of the comments were made when I was a teenager. I started preaching when I was 13, many scholars and individuals did not understand some of international events and therefore, took some positions based on their understanding, some have come to change their positions later”.

Has he really changed? What has changed? Can a leopard ever change its spots? In saner climes, Pantami should have resigned immediately, without more. Or be sacked forthwith. Lifting the veil off his purported transformation or assumed transfiguration is so easy, when viewed against the background of his new acts even as Minister. Only recently, On March 22, 2021, Pantami’s Ministry hosted a virtual flag-off ceremony, for a capacity development programme empowering 600 youths with VSAT Installation Skills. Pantami himself was present, and he even spoke at the event. It was a Virtual Flag-off Capacity Development Programme on VSAT Installation Skills and TVRO Systems for 600 youths by Pantami.

The ceremony was not covered by Arise, AIT, Channels, NTA, TVC, ITV, or even FM Youtube channels. Rather, a very little-known Islamic TV channel called Al-Afrikiy was contracted to relay an event organised by a whole Federal Government of Nigeria. It must be

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami borne in mind that Al-Afrikiy is not merely an Islamic-influenced learning TV station, it is also an Islam-only TV channel. It broadcasts strictly religious matters.

Why did President Muhammadu Buhari nominate Pantami in the first place? Can he, as Commander-In-Chief, claim not to have access to information regarding Pantami’s dangerous antecedents? I think not. Or, don't you know the reason? Simple: his usual infamous inclination towards prebendalism, cronyism, sectionalism, tribalism, favouritism, religiosity and mediocrity.

By the way, where was the DSS which was supposed to screen Pantami, before his name was sent to the Senate? Why did it turn its focus away from these destructive extremist views of the very Minister in charge of Nigerians' information data, with unabridged access to same, including NIM, BVN, biodatas, etc?

What about our fawning rubber stamp "take-a-bow" Senate, that was supposed to do a very thorough screening of Pantami? Why did it simply allow the camel to pass through the needle's eye? When will it winnow out the chaff from the real wheat? Why has it turned a sacred duty on behalf of Nigerians into a "yes sir" party affair, which suggests that President Buhari can do no wrong, or make any mistake? This is reminiscent of Boxer's slogan of "Napoleon is always right", in George Orwell's Animal Farm. For me, Mallam,

“THE SUDDEN UNEXPECTED KICK BY SOME NORTHERN ELITES AGAINST THE PATRIOTIC RESOLUTIONS PASSED LAST WEEK AT A MEETING HELD IN ASABA BY THE 17 SOUTHERN GOVERNORS OF NIGERIA IS QUITE WORRISOME, AND DEFINITELY UNCALLED FOR. THE KICK IS ILLEGAL, UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND EVEN IMMORAL”

Why Some Northern Elites are Suddenly Worried by the Southern Governors' Asaba Declaration?

The sudden unexpected kick by some Northern elites against the patriotic resolutions passed last week at a meeting held in Asaba by the 17 Southern Governors of Nigeria is quite worrisome, and definitely uncalled for. The kick is illegal, unconstitutional and even immoral. I have since termed the Asaba resolutions the "ACCORD CONCORDIALE". The sudden hoopla and ruckus seems to suggest that these few vocal elements are suddenly scared of certain manifold effects that the unanimous resolutions by the APC, PDP, Benin, Anioma, Yoruba, Igbo, Ijaw, Ikwerre, Ibibio and Efik leading lights may throw up.

What are they afraid of? I do not know. Or, do you? But, let me do some guess work here. They may probably be afraid that the South has finally woken up, and shaken off its Stockholm Syndrome. I guess they are scared that the assumed long suffering 'slaves' of Nigeria may finally achieve their overdue liberation, liberty and freedom, and attain their independence from the asphyxiating grip of perpetual Overlords, 'slave' masters, neoColonialists and territorial expansionists. Perhaps, theirs may be induced fear that the over-belaboured geese whose backside now aches sorely, may finally stop laying the golden eggs for their domineering consumption and bacchanalian and self-centred 'chop-chop- alone' attitude. They may fear that under a true fiscal Federation, anchored on the true principles of Federalism, everyone will now be required to contribute to the baking of the National cake, and not just merely sharing it.

Let my fellow Nigerians please, remind these historical revisionists that we are not all suffering from collective amnesia like the Bourbons of European history, that learnt nothing and forgot nothing. Let them know that we can clearly recall that it was the Northern Governors that actually first set the ball rolling at their Virtual Meeting of 9th February, 2021, about the urgent need to ban open grazing. Their communique was to the effect that open cattle grazing should be immediately abolished. The Forum had then set up a four man Committee headed by its Chairman, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, to implement their decisions. This meeting was immediately followed, upon the Northern Governors' prodding, by the 25th Virtual Meeting of all Nigerian Governors' Forum, two days later, on 11th February, 2021. It was presided over by its Chairman, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State. At this meeting, all the 36 State Governors unanimously agreed to end nomadic rearing of cattle; to end open, night and underage grazing in Nigeria, and to transit to ranching and other modern systems of animal husbandry, in view of its adverse security effects on the country. At this meeting, Gov. Lalong even presented an update on the Northern Governors' steps at ending the scourge.

So, what has changed between February and May? Why the sudden and inexplicable Esan Egbabonalimhin acrobatic summersault by some of the same Northern elites? Why the dripping lachrymal effusion? What are they worried about? What do they know that the rest of us Nigerians don't? Do they really want this country united under agreeable terms of social justice, equity, egalitarianism, mutual respect and ethnic and religious tolerance? Have they ever read about the historic ABURI ACCORD in Aburi, Eastern Region of Ghana, hosted by Ghanaian Head of State, Lt-Gen Ankrah, between Federal Government delegates led by Lt Col Yakubu Gowon and Eastern Nigeria delegates led by Lt Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu? Are they aware that the three year bloody fratricidal and genocidal civil war which claimed over three million lives and unleashed misery and pains on Nigerians, especially Biafrans, finally broke out because of the insincerity that attended its implementation, especially with the passage of Decree No. 8 of 1967, which made a mockery of matters mutually arrived at and agreed upon? Is the Senate President, Senator "take-a-bow” Ahmad Lawan, aware and conscious of the enormity of the functions and responsibilities of his revered office as the Head of one of the three arms of Government, and the number three citizen of Nigeria?

Can he not help to salvage this drifting, compassless Nation, by simply dusting up the over 600 recommendations of the 2014 National Conference mutually agreed up and rolled out after six months of rigorous deliberations, by the 492 delegate- Conferees drawn from all strata, segments, professions and classes, of the Nigerian Nation and ethnic Nationalities from across Nigeria?

Are Nigerians not seeing that the ship of State is fast sinking, while our President who does not even address his people, who again taken off to Paris, France, to attend the Financing Africa Summit. Is this not a case of Nero fiddling while Rome burns?

God, you have always been a Nigerian and shown us mercy.

Please, Baba, continue to remain one and save us from any doom and its cataclysm effect. (Concluded).

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK “The SILENCE of the good people is more DANGEROUS than the BRUTALITY of the bad people”. (Martin Luther King Jr)

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Cattle and Vehicle Parts: Any Correlation?

“THE HON. ATTORNEY-

Introduction Social media was abuzz, last week, with public reaction (mostly negative) to the comparison by the Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, of the ban on open grazing of cattle in the South, with a similar (albeit hypothetical) restriction on the sale of auto spare parts in Northern Nigeria.

He made that allusion as a reaction to that part of a 12-point declaration by the 17 Governors of Southern Nigeria (“the Asaba Declaration”) two weeks ago. Were those criticisms justified, or was the Hon. Attorney-General right?

We shall attempt a few – admittedly subjective – answers, as well as a review of other seemingly controversial parts of what has now turned out to be the Mother of all Declarations (pardon the pun).

The ‘Order Paper’ Apart from the ban on open grazing of cattle, the Southern Governors also called for the practice of true federalism, redressing the allegedly imbalanced appointments of President Buhari to reflect federal character, restructuring of the Federation – including creation of State Police, and convoking a national conference or dialogue.

Reactions As previously noted, the overwhelming majority of public reaction to the Declaration has focused on the ban on open grazing of cattle in the South. Most of the respondents from the core Northern part of the country (apart from Malami, that is) have been harshly critical of the above four items in the Declaration. Everyone – from the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, the coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), former Head of the NHIS, Prof. Yusuf Usman, Miyetti Allah and the Daily Trust Newspaper (in an editorial) – have all pushed back on some, if not all, these four points. Before looking deeper into those reactions (particularly Malami’s ‘bombshell’), an overview of the socio-political and legal context of the Declaration.

Background It is an open secret that the centuriesold practice of unrestricted or open grazing of livestock by mostly Fulani pastoralists, has, in recent years, led to tension with owners of farmland across the country – not only in the South.

This has often spilled over into conflict, leading to bloodshed and loss of lives.

In turn, it has prompted at least four States – including Ekiti and Benue (a Northern State) – to enact legislation to control the practice. Public perception, particularly in the South, that President Buhari (a Fulani) is somewhat reluctant to ‘rein in’ his ethnic kinsmen, the pastoralists (or so-called herdsmen), at least, partly explains the near-unanimity of Southern Governors (only two were absent at the meeting which produced the Declaration) on the issue.

The Law While the legality or otherwise of those

GENERAL’S INTERVENTION IS, TO SAY THE LEAST, UNFORTUNATE, IF NOT UNWARRANTED. SINCE WHEN DID CATTLE BECOME EQUAL TO SPARE PARTS?..... THE HON. ATTORNEY-GENERAL HARDLY NEEDS TO BE TOLD THAT, HE CAN CHALLENGE THE BAN BY Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN

‘new’ laws is yet to be tested, a decision delivered half-a-century ago by a High Court in Abeokuta, the old Western State, has emboldened advocates of the illegality of open grazing. That judgement, by Hon. Justice Adewale Thompson, in Suit No. AB/26/66, categorically declared the ‘custom’ of open grazing as “unreasonable (and) repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience”. The court, therefore “banned open grazing (on the ground that) it is inimical to peace and tranquillity”.

But, of course, as a precedent, that decision only applies to Ogun State - just one of the 17 Southern States which issued the diktat: it does not bind the people of the remaining 16 States (less Ekiti and two others, which have already enacted anti-open grazing legislations).

Accordingly, if the Governors of those States seek to give the ban teeth within their own States, they will need to borrow a leaf from those other States aforesaid.

Beyond that, however, one can pose the question whether such new laws are even necessary or expedient, given the existence of the offence of criminal trespass and the tort of private nuisance in our statute books. Such laws (particularly criminal trespass) are targeted at precisely such behaviour, i.e., the practice of open grazing. For example, Section 342 of the Penal Code, in force in Benue (and other Northern States), specifically provides that: “whoever enters into or upon property in the possession of another with intent to commit an offence or to intimidate, insult or annoy any person in possession of such property or having entered into or upon such property, unlawfully remains there with intent thereby to intimidate, insult or annoy such person or with intent to commit an offence, is said to commit criminal trespass”.

Given that this definition is wide enough to cover trespassing into farmland with one’s livestock to graze thereon (obviously to the farm owner’s annoyance), it is clear that the new anti-open grazing laws are more of a knee-jerk reaction to an old problem, than anything else. This is, however, understandable,

given public anger in the affected States at the seeming impunity with which herdsmen are apparently running riot with their cattle, leaving a trail of sorrow, tears and blood in their wake. Something is better than nothing, it seems, even if it is at the risk of confusing motion with movement.

Accordingly, it is necessary to interrogate the precise parameters (if not outright legality) of the so-called anti-open grazing laws. What is their focus in terms of geographical space?

Are they limited to grazing or foraging simpliciter, or do they include mere movement in transitu? In either case, who can legitimately complain about them – is it not only the landlord (or lady), occupant or person in possession?

Does the government have the locus to complain about alleged damage (or even mere transit/movement, without more) by cattle/livestock?

In the former case, can the State cry more than the bereaved? In the latter, granted that the constitutional guarantee of freedom of movement enures in favour of human beings (and not cattle), is it not unreasonable if not disingenuous, to argue or expect that a person should only transit without some measure of luggage or personal belongings – even if that luggage or belongings are a herd of cattle? This might be akin to playing the Devil’s Advocate, but the point is that the issues are far more nuanced than a cursory or emotional/sentimental reading of the ban might suggest.

And, then, Malami’s Bombshell…

The Hon. Attorney-General’s intervention is, to say the least, unfortunate, if not unwarranted. Since when did cattle become equal to spare parts?

Some have accused him of betraying a certain (anti-South?) mind-set in that position, given the preponderance of Igbos (from the South East) in the auto spare parts business. However, the unbiased, objective observer will certainly be scratching his head to try to make the link between spare parts and cattle - especially because, unlike cattle, the former are typically sold in shops

INVOKING THE ORIGINAL JURISDICTION OF THE SUPREME COURT”

in markets and elsewhere. While they are to be found in virtually every nook and cranny of Nigeria, their purveyors are hardly nomadic or itinerant.

The Other terms of the Declaration As previously noted, critics of the Declaration have pointed out that the issues of federalism, restructuring, federal character in federal appointments and convoking a national conference are constitutional at best, or (in the case of the conference), somewhat otiose. On federal character, the relevant constitutional provision – Section 14(3) – needs to be amended to make it justiciable. The same goes for restructuring (including State Police), as well as so-called ‘true federalism’.

On the National Conference, respected constitutional Lawyer and fiery Buhari critic, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has opined – correctly – that, given the non-implementation of the report of previous Conferences (most notably that of 2014), calling for another one in the circumstances, is both misplaced and unfounded.

Conclusion On the vexed issue of the ban on open grazing, mercifully, the courts are there as the arbiter of all disputes – both real and imagined. The Hon. Attorney-General hardly needs to be told that, he can challenge the ban by invoking the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. If and when we get to that bridge, we shall see how the combatants shall negotiate its crossing. Hopefully, it won’t be a bridge too far.

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The Asaba Declaration:

For quite a while, the South has endured and tolerated the devastation of their crops and agricultural produce, occasioned by the nomadic activities of Herders. But, when some Herders, and criminals disguised as Herders, took things a notch higher, by starting to bear arms and committing what can only be referred to as atrocities, such as rape, kidnapping, and killing, the 17 Governors of the Southern States were compelled to come together on May 11, 2021 at Asaba, the Delta State Capital, to take a firm decision to ban open grazing in their individual States, among other decisions. Is what has now been coined as “the Asaba Declaration” legal and constitutional? One of the South West Governors, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, Chief Ferdinand Orbih, SAN, Norrison Quakers, SAN, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, Dr Kayode Ajulo and Felix Sugaba write in this Discourse, that banning open grazing was not only inevitable, but absolutely necessary to protect the lives and property of the citizens of the 17 Southern States

Our Decision is Irreversible and Will be Enforced Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN

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have just read the press statement credited to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN on the resolution of the Southern Governors Forum to ban open grazing in their respective States. The AGF is quoted to have said that this reasoned decision, among others, is akin to banning all spare parts dealers in the Northern parts of the country, and is unconstitutional.

It is most unfortunate that the AGF is unable to distill issues as expected of a Senior Advocate. Nothing can be more disconcerting. This outburst should, ordinarily, not elicit response from reasonable people who know the distinction between a legitimate business that is not in any way injurious, and a certain predilection for anarchy. Clinging to an anachronistic model of animal husbandry, which is evidently injurious to harmonious relationship between the herders and the farmers, as well as the local populace, is wicked and arrogant.

Comparing this anachronism, which has led to loss of lives, farmlands and property, and engendered untold hardship on the host communities, with buying and selling of auto parts is not only strange, it annoyingly, betrays a terrible mindset.

Mr. Malami is advised to approach the court to challenge the legality of the Laws of the respective States banning open grazing, and decision of the Southern Governor Forum taken in the interest of their people. We shall be most willing, to meet him in court.

The decision to ban open grazing stays. It will be enforced with vigour.

Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, Governor of Ondo State, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Open grazing in Nigeria rowing a leaf from the Aburi Accord. We prefer to refer to the decisions collectively as the Asaba Declaration.

The Asaba Declaration is historic in many respects. While the Nation has over the years (during both during Military and Civilian regimes) grown accustomed to periodic meetings of Governors of Northern States and the communiques that usually accompany such meetings, their Southern counterparts have remained in deep slumber until they exploded at Asaba. At Asaba, the Southern Governors irrespective of their political, ethnic and religious persuasions, met to deliberate as a body on critical national issues.

The Declaration At Asaba, the Southern Governors called on President Buhari to convene a “national dialogue” and backed the call for “restructuring the country” to attain true federalism. They also called on the Federal Government to

The Asaba Declaration: Nigeria at Cross-Roads Ferdinand O. Orbih, SAN, FCArb History was made when on the 11th of May, 2021 when the Governors of fifteen of the seventeen States of Southern Nigeria met at Asaba to deliberate on the state of the Nation. The meeting which was held under the auspices of Southern Governors Forum, was followed by a communique containing many important decisions on critical issues affecting Nigeria and her peoples. Some writers have called those decisions the Asaba Accord, perhaps, bor-

“THE DECISION TO BAN OPEN GRAZING STAYS. IT WILL BE ENFORCED WITH VIGOUR”

reflect federal character in federal appointments. Of the many decisions taken by the Governors at the Asaba meeting, the one that has generated the most controversy and rumblings in the polity, is the ban placed on open grazing and movement of cattle by foot in the region, following rampant cases of kidnappings and killings traced to criminal elements amongst the herders.

While Senators from Southern States of Nigeria have backed the Asaba Declaration, some prominent politicians and Senators from the North have come down hard on the Southern Governors on it.

Malami,SAN’s Missile to the Southern Governors The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN (AGF), stated on Channels Television that the Declaration of the Governors is not in alignment with the provisions of the Constitution. He started by attacking the call by the Governors on the Federal Government, to restructure the country. According to the AGF, the Governors cannot deny local government and legislatures in their States financial autonomy, and be talking of restructuring.

Speaking about the ban on open grazing and movement of cattle by foot in Southern Nigeria, the AGF said: “It is about constitutionality within the context of the freedoms expressed in our Constitution, enshrined in our Constitution.

Can you deny the rights of a Nigerian? For example: It is as good as saying perhaps, maybe, the Northern Governors coming together to say they prohibit spare parts trading in the North. Does it hold water?

Does it hold water for a Northern Governor to come and state expressly, that he now prohibits spare parts trading in the North?

Freedom and liberty of movement among others established by the Constitution, if by an inch you want to have any compromise over it, the better approach is to go back to

the National Assembly to say open grazing should be prohibited, and see whether you can have the desired support for the constitutional amendment. It is a dangerous provision (sic) for any Governor in Nigeria, to think that he can bring any compromise on the freedom and liberty of individuals to move around”.

And Governor Akeredolu’s Sharp Response Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, did not waste time in replying the AGF, for faulting the ban placed on open grazing of cattle in Southern Nigeria. The Governor of Ondo State who himself is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Chairman of the Southern Governor’s forum, fired a reply salvo (which is stated in his statement above).

The Constitutional Position The main issue arising from the Asaba Declaration, the AGF’s missile outlined above and Governor Akeredolu’s reply salvo is; whether on a calm and dispassionate consideration of relevant sections of the Constitution and the laws of the land, the Declaration, especially as it pertains to the ban on open grazing and movement of cattle by foot, is legal.

The law is settled that by virtue of Sections 1 and 2 of the Land Use Act, the ownership and control of land is vested in the Governor of a State, and such land shall be held in trust for the use and benefit of all Nigerians, in accordance with the provision of the Act. It is important to point out at this juncture, that the Land Use Act was incorporated into the Constitution by the Military Regime of General Abdulsalami Abubakar that midwifed it. It is therefore, sound in law, logic and common sense, to argue that since the Asaba Declaration wasp proclaimed by Governors of the Southern States of Nigeria on whom the ownership of land in their States is vested, the ban on open grazing and movement of cattle by foot is constitutional, and therefore, legal.

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No Going Back The law is equally settled that by Section 41 of the same Constitution “every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereby or exit therefrom”. The proponents of the argument that the Asaba Declaration is unconstitutional, including the AGF, anchor their argument on this constitutional provision.

With the greatest respect to the learned AGF, he seemed to have glossed over some elementary but fundamental principles of law, in canvassing his position. Firstly, the right to life is the first and foremost right enshrined in the Constitution. A man or woman must be alive, before he or she can enjoy any other right. In Nigeria today, there is no gain saying the fact that, the biggest threat posed to lives of the citizens is the rampaging, gun totting menacing herdsmen terrorising every part of the country through kidnapping, raping of women, murder and other forms of outrageous criminality. If as the Constitution says “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”, should the Federal and State Governments stand in helpless resignation and surrender to this menace? Of course not.

That is why the Southern Governors must be applauded and commended, on the ban placed on open grazing and movement of cattle by foot. It is a first step, in the right direction. Several other steps need to be taken, to give it the necessary bite and force to it.

Secondly, there are no limitless rights in the Constitution. In other words, all rights guaranteed under the Constitution are circumscribed in one form or the other.

Consequently, no right enshrined in the Constitution should be taken in isolation, and applied as such. On the contrary, they must be taken and read within the context of the whole Constitution. For instance, the provisions of Section 41 of the Constitution, cannot be taken in isolation. They must be read together with the provisions of Sections 43 and 44 of the same Constitution which guarantees every citizen the right to own both moveable and immovable property.

The Cattle herders freedom of movement must come to a screeching halt, when it interferes with other citizens’ right to their farmlands, as well as other moveable and immovable property. That is in accord with both common sense, and the Constitution.

The AGF’s views are legally unsustainable.

Attorney-General As Spokesman of the Federal Government Many have called for the resignation of the AGF, for condemning the ban on open grazing of livestock imposed by the Governors of Southern States of Nigeria. I laughed at those calls, because those making them do not understand how the Government of Nigeria works. The AGF in condemning the ban, was expressing the position of the Federal Government of Nigeria. His was a strong message, from the highest level of the Federal Government to the Southern Governors, that their ban on open grazing was of no moment. He was stating in clear terms, that the Federal Government of Nigeria who has the monopoly of all the law enforcement agencies (including the Armed Forces and the Police) will not enforce the ban. The position stated by the AGF and Minister of Justice on the ban, once more brings to the fore, the need to separate the office of the Attorney-General from that of Minister of Justice and Commissioner for Justice at the Federal and State levels of governance, respectively.

We do not have any doubt in our minds that, if Malami, SAN were to speak as Attorney-General of the Federation and not as a Government Minister, his views on the ban on open grazing would have been different. It makes little or no sense at all, to put the largely legitimate law abiding

Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN

business of trading in spare parts, on the same pedestal as the business of grazing cattle on farmlands owned by others while carrying arms and ammunition to perpetuate all sorts of crimes. The ethnic undertone embedded in the comparison, is not lost on any discerning mind. There is simply no basis for that despicable analogy, and I will say no more on it.

Enforcing the Ban Since the Federal Government has stated in clear terms that it will not enforce the ban, the gauntlet has been thrown back to the Governors of the Southern States. It is hereby suggested that the various State Houses of Assembly should pass bills to give legal effect to the ban, and set up the security architecture to enforce it.

There is already a precedent for this. When some States in the Northern Nigeria passed their Sharia Laws banning the sale of alcohol, they also gave it legal bite by setting up their law enforcement agencies- Hisbah to enforce them, and the heavens did not fall.

What is good for the goose is good for the gander! The consumption of alcohol is not as serious a problem as the killings, kidnapping and the general insecurity associated with killer herdsmen bedeviling our dear country Nigeria now. All hands must be on deck, to solve the problem.

Chief Ferdinand O. Orbih, SAN, FCArb

Legal Perspective of Asaba Accord on Open Grazing Norrison I. Quakers, SAN Introduction The myriad of security challenges particularly stemming from tribal and religious groups in recent times in our fatherland, is worrisome. Cattle grazing is predominant amongst those in the Sahel and parts of the Savannah regions of Nigeria, particularly the Fulani ethnic group, since livestock is crucial in their socio-economic structure. However, the nomadic nature and transhumance tradition of local herdsmen, such as Fulani herdsmen in particular, some of whom resort to militia expeditions against farming communities, have made their activities worthy of checkmate since farmers and herdsmen clashes is the most topical issue we have today. Admittedly, unregulated open grazing has been exacerbated by climate change.

This discourse will accordingly examine

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN

the legal framework on Open Cattle grazing in view of the commotion generated by the Resolutions made on Tuesday 11th May, 2021 by the 17 Governors of Nigeria’s Southern States based on what was termed- ‘various national issues including security and restructuring’ culminating in the adoption of a resolution to place a ban on open grazing of animals in Southern Nigeria, in view of the incursions of armed herders, criminals and bandits, whilst adding that Nigeria needed to be restructured to reflect true Federalism.

Background: Grazing Reserve vis-à-vis Ranching Ranching System in agricultural parlance, refers to a system of breeding and raising of cattle, sheep, or horses on rangeland, that is the demarcation of an area of land, including various structures, given primarily to the practice of raising/grazing livestock, as opposed to Grazing Reserves System wherein there are areas in a country or State specifically set aside for the use of pastoralists and intended to be the foci of livestock development.

From a historical perspective, the traditional cattle management system in Nigeria tend more towards Open Cattle Grazing, albeit Cattle Ranching has gained a wider acceptance in recent times, as a timely solution to address the growing crisis threatening national security due to the shortfalls of Open Cattle Grazing, even over Grazing Reserves. This is evidenced by the vehement opposition of creation of Grazing Reserves, in their respective territory by some States making up the Federation.

Hence, the rumour of plans by the Federal Government to establish “Grazing Reserves” in all States of the Federation as a means of stopping the feud between nomadic cattle breeders and farmers, was greeted with wide condemnation.

Open Grazing and Nomadic Cattle Rearing, is common practice amongst nomadic pastoralists in Nigeria. The activities of Fulani herdsmen grazing their cattle across the country has been a focal point at different fora in recent times being a legal cum political problem, particularly as it relates to the need to place restrictions on activities of nomadic herdsmen for the good of the larger populace vis-à-vis protecting the individual rights of nomadic herdsmen.

The Causes of Mass killings and Destruction by Herdsmen Different reasons have been adduced, as causes of killings cum destruction attributed to activities of nomadic herdsmen. Whilst farmers claim rights over their farmlands, nomadic herdsmen claim right of passage for grazing; others claim killings occur as a result

“THE CATTLE HERDERS FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT MUST COME TO A SCREECHING HALT, WHEN IT INTERFERES WITH OTHER CITIZENS’ RIGHT TO THEIR FARMLANDS, AS WELL AS OTHER MOVEABLE AND IMMOVABLE PROPERTY. THAT IS IN ACCORD WITH BOTH COMMON SENSE, AND THE CONSTITUTION. THE AGF’S VIEWS ARE LEGALLY UNSUSTAINABLE”

of cattle rustling (cattle stealing); whereas, some claim killings are based on ethnic grounds and/or are religiously motivated; others on the other hand, view this as failings of Government in prioritising the welfare of the masses resulting in the retention of the traditional cattle management system in Nigeria, as opposed to what obtains in developed climes; likewise there are some who see the crisis as a failure of the practice of true Federalism in Nigeria.

The Need to Address the Excesses of Herdsmen The need to address this menace is expedient, despite that cattle rearing is the common socio-cultural and socio-economic means of survival of the average Fulani man, in view of the following: communities now resort to self help by confiscating cattle found on sight, whilst herdsmen have equally gain grounds treading on foreign soil whilst leaving a trail of blood on the grass they tread; Governors have come out issuing threats to defaulters of laws criminalising Open Grazing; the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association is opposing any bid to restrict their movement, on the ground that the Constitution of Nigeria guarantees their free of movement into any part of the country; the Federal Government is being seen as forcing State Governors to provide grazing land for the herdsmen; some herdsmen recklessly pillage and terrorise local farmers, vandalising their farmlands, whilst they go on desecrating sources of livelihood of these farming communities; the media was constantly awash with reports of Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu’s quit notice to the herdsmen from the reserve forests, thereby placing him at logger heads with Federal Authorities; Sunday Igboho is spitting fire, due to invasion of some villages in the South West by herdsmen; these are amongst cont'd on page 10

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many cases too many to recount, likewise the casualties. Infractions resulting from activities of herdsmen. Of note, some of the notable infractions resulting from activities of herdsmen in Nigeria are: Civil Infractions - Trespass to person since Law of Tort protects the inviolability of the human person; trespass on land in possession of farmers; breach of fundamental human rights of others, such as right to own property, dignity of human person, and of greater concern, the right to life which is recognised by Section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), Article 3 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) 1948, Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966, and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act 1983; amongst others.

Criminal Infractions - Genocide which is defined in Article II of the Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Offence of Genocide 1948 as - ‘any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such: (a) Killing members of the group; and (b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group’; act of murder; arson; terrorism punishable under the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act (as amended); act of kidnapping; criminal assault; amongst others.

Legislations on Grazing There have been legislative efforts geared towards addressing the concern in time past, such as: that of the Northern Regional Government enacting the Grazing Reserves Law in 1965, of which some Northern States still have in place even after the Northern Region ceased to exist. Same though seeks preservation and control of grazing reserves, it does not however, cater for pastoralists migration.

Also, the National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency Act, 2007 birthed National Environmental (Watershed, Mountainous, Hilly and Catchment Areas) Regulations, 2009. Though Item 5 (4)(a) of the Regulation states that the Local Government in conjunction with the State Government and the Agency shall designate areas to be reserved for grazing and any other activities necessary to conserve the resources of areas, threatened by degradation, however, no area has been designated as a watershed, mountainous, hilly and catchment areas for same to be operational.

Grazing Bills Already, the National Assembly has in times past been confronted with Bills for grazing reserves and related issues such as - the first National Grazing Reserve Commission Bill of 2008, sponsored by Senator Zainab Kure; “A Bill for an Act for the Establishment of Grazing Areas Management Agency and for other related matters, 2016 (SB 292)”, sponsored by the former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; Senator Barnabas Gemade’s “A Bill for an Act to provide for the Establishment of National Ranches Commission for the Regulation, Management, Preservation and Control of Ranches and for connected purposes, 2016 (SB 293)”, Senator Chukwuemeka Utazi’s (PDP Enugu North) “A Bill for an Act to Control the Keeping and Movement of Cattle in Nigeria and for related Matters thereto, 2016 (SB 311)”; and the ‘Bill for an Act to Establish the National Grazing Route and Reserve Commission, to establish and control Grazing Routes and Reserves in all parts of Nigeria and other incidental matters’, which was sponsored by Honourable Sunday Karimi from Kogi State. Also, a draft Bill for a National Forestry Act evolved in October 2001 to accord legislative backing to forest policy initiatives, but its finalisation into law suffered setbacks.

Laws by States on Anti-Grazing Some Laws by States on Anti-Grazing are: the Benue State Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017, albeit challenged in Court in The Incorporated Trustees of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Socio-Cultural Association & 2 Ors v The National Assembly & 13 Ors Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/527/2017. Sections 19-20 of same, makes provision for offences under the law to the effect that no individual or group shall, after the commencement of the law, engage in open nomadic livestock

Chief Ferdinand Orbih, SAN herding or grazing in the State outside the permitted ranches. Where an individual or group of persons contravenes this provision, the penalty is stated as imprisonment for a term of five years or a fine of one million Naira only. Movement of livestock on foot from one destination to another, as well as rustling of animals from any ranch is also prohibited by the law.

Oyo State law on the subject in 2019 prohibited open rearing and grazing of livestock in the State. Taraba and Ekiti also have anti-grazing laws, to curb the menace posed by nomadic pastoralists. Of note, the Ekiti State Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017 states in

“THE AGF IN CONDEMNING THE BAN, WAS EXPRESSING THE POSITION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA. HIS WAS A STRONG MESSAGE, FROM THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO THE SOUTHERN GOVERNORS, THAT THEIR BAN ON OPEN GRAZING WAS OF NO MOMENT”

part, that - “no person shall cause or permit any cattle or other ruminants belonging to him or under his control to graze on any land in which the Governor has not designated as ranches, no cattle or other ruminants shall by any means move or graze at night and that cattle movement and grazing are restricted to the hours between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm”.

The Taraba State Anti-Open Grazing Law, likewise, banned open-rearing and grazing of livestock. By virtue of the Taraba State Anti-Open Grazing Law, anyone who openly grazes livestock or moves livestock by means other than in a Motor vehicle or moves without permit commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to: (a) For any first offender, a fine not exceeding N500, 000 or imprisonment of 1 year; (b) For any Subsequent offences, a fine of not less than N1, 000,000:00 or imprisonment not exceeding two years.

Position of the Law on Cattle Grazing Colonies cum Ban on Open Grazing In an attempt to eliminate the menace of open grazing, different suggestions have been proffered, the most contentious being - the establishment of cattle grazing colonies in States of the Federation for the Fulani herdsmen.

Of note, the position of the law on this in particular, is as captured in Wuyah v Jama’a Local Govt, Kafanchan (2013) All FWLR (Pt. 659) wherein the Court admonished that Government should not compulsorily acquire any land that belongs to a person and alienate to another private individual or body for his/its private use. Thus, Section 51(1)(h) of the Land Use Act which permits acquisition of land by Governor “for obtaining control over land required for or in connection with economic, industrial or agricultural development” would not support the proponents of Cattle Colonies in States in this regard, since the herdsmen like farmers are private businessmen.

Nonetheless, arguments of critics and proponents of cattle colonies and open grazing, have pitched Nigerians against primordial lines. Some Southern State Governors, at their last meeting held in Asaba, Delta State capital on May 12, 2021 rose above partisan politics to adopt 12-point resolutions which addresses this. The move is definitely laudable, since the commitment of the Federal Government for Convocation of a National Dialogue/Conference to address pressing national issues is in doubt. Legal cloak is not lacking in the Asaba Resolutions on the subject, considering the following provisions of law as hereunder examined.

Section 37 of the Constitution provides that: “The privacy of citizens, their homes, correspondence, telephone conversations and telegraphic communications, is hereby guaranteed and protected.”. Section 14(2)

(b) of the Constitution expressly provides that - ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government’.

Likewise, every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to the right to life, which is guaranteed by Section 33 of the Constitution. Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognises that - “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person”.

Looking at it from the point of view of the rights of the herdsmen, admittedly, Section 41 (1) of the Constitution provides that - “every citizen is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereto or exit therefrom’’.

Hence, flowing from the provision of Section 41(1) of the Constitution, there have been arguments in some quarters on infractions of the right to freedom of movement of the herdsmen who are equally Nigerian citizens, as a result of the anti-open grazing laws. It would appear that the different anti-grazing laws infringe on the right of the herders to move freely across Nigeria, but this is not the correct position of the law, when extrapolated against the direct consequences of unrestrained open grazing on others, since the various anti-grazing laws were primarily enacted to prevent the destruction of lives cum properties of the larger populace; as such, same will fall under the purview of Section 45 of the Constitution which allows any law that is reasonably justifiable in the interest of public safety to override the ‘right to freedom of movement’.

Of note, there is a subsisting judgement delivered by Hon. Justice Adewale Thompson of Abeokuta Division of the High Court on 17th April, 1969 in Suit no AB/26/66 which is binding and is not subject of an appeal, banning open grazing for being inimical to peace and tranquility. Therein, the Learned Judge held as follows: “I do not accept the contention of Defendants that a custom exists which imposes an obligation on the owner of a farm to fence his farm, whilst the owner of cattle allows his cattle to wander like pests and cause damage. Such a custom if it exists, is unreasonable, and I hold that it is repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience and therefore, unenforceable…in that it is highly unreasonable to impose the burden of fencing a farm on the farmer, without the corresponding obligation on the cattle owner to fence in his cattle. Sequence to that I ban open grazing, for it is inimical to peace and tranquility and the cattle owners must fence or ranch their animals for peace to reign in these communities”.

Role of State Government in Conflict Resolution The term - ‘Conflict Resolution’ can be regarded as any process that resolves disputes via resolution processes that are varied which may be- fact-oriented, legally binding, participatory, informal, amongst others. The role of State Governments in conflict resolution between Fulani herdsmen and farmers is very significant, since they are the Chief Executives of their respective States.

In a democratic setting as ours, such resolution must be fair, just and legal, hence, should become self-supporting and self-enforcing; consequently, the Governors of Southern Nigeria’s Asaba Resolutions of May 12, 2021 banning open grazing in their region cannot be faulted, since the Resolutions are ideal to achieve an enduring outcome in the region against the backdrop of recurrent herdsmen attacks.

Of note, Section 2(2) of the Constitution provides- ‘Nigeria shall be a Federation consisting of States and a Federal Capital Territory’. Also, Section 5(2) of the Nigerian Constitution provides-“Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the executive powers of a State: (a) shall be vested in the Governor of that State and may, subject as aforesaid and to the provisions of any Law made by a House of Assembly, be exercised by him either directly or through the Deputy Governor and Commissioners of the Government of that State or officers in the public service of the State”. This is in line with Section 176(2) of the Constitution which provides that, the Governor of a shall be the Chief Executive of that State. It is in the light of this that Section 215(4) of the Constitution makes it mandatory for a Commissioner of Police to carry out the lawful direction of the Governor of a State. cont'd on page 11

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“......ALLOWING ANIMALS

Remarkably the power of the State House of Assembly to make laws bordering on ‘grazing’ is accorded legal cloak by a conjunctive reading of Section 4(7) and Item 18 Part II Second Schedule (Concurrent Legislative List) - ‘industrial, commercial or agricultural development of a State’ of CFRN 1999. Likewise, Item 40 of Part 1 Second Schedule (Exclusive Legislative List) of CFRN 1999 provides expressly that, States are to consent before the National Assembly can by legislation designate any portion of their State as a national park.

Furthermore, the management of land is under the control of the State Governor, as such, the Governor is in charge of allocation of land, since the Land Use Act of 1978 vests all land in the territory of a State on the Governor of that State, and gives the Governor the power to grant statutory right of occupancy to persons.

Environmental Degradation Resulting From Unregulated Cattle Grazing Open cattle grazing and rearing is one of the causes of environmental degradation, since land in itself is a natural resource that requires a sustainable management. There is no particular Act of the National Assembly to checkmate the nomadic pastoralism causing degradation of the environment, though there are several laws on the protection of the environment, hence the legislations by States in this regard appear to be timely, considering that nomadic pastoralism is a threat to the Sustainable Development Goal 15 precisely.

Also, the livestock sector generates greenhouse gas emissions, resulting in land and water degradation; not forgetting to mention other secondary practices such as bush burning, to improve pasture lands for cattle.

Conclusion The issue of open grazing requires an unbiased approach to resolve, hence the Asaba Resolution cannot be faulted; short-term and long-term measures are required, in addressing the menace of open grazing. Adopting a change in some of our agricultural practices is required. Government should encourage large-scale farming by the herdsmen by a public private partnership scheme, since intensive farming of livestock offers many advantages over traditional methods; age-long crude methods of animal husbandry should be mechanised, and herdsmen must embrace modern “sedentary and industrial” grazing and pasturing methods. There should be enlightenment of herdsmen on the need to equally acquire or lease land for the purpose of grazing, whilst Government should facilitate low-interest loans for them.

The Federal Government must accept the importance of adhering to true Federalism, in recognition of the powers of State Governors.

A large number of people are in unfortunate conditions and suffer deprivation in Nigeria due to activities of these herdsmen, hence the Southern State Governors cannot be faulted, considering the extant legal framework on the subject. States should be allowed to exercise control over their region; a Committee of stakeholders should be promptly set up by the Southern State Governors to deliberate on how to implement their lofty resolutions.

There is need for proper documentation of foreign herders as provided for by the ECOWAS Protocol, which requires transhumant herders to obtain the International Transhumance Certificates (ITC). All concerned States in Nigeria should have laws banning open grazing with provisions for ITC, and should ensure public participation in enacting same.

State Environmental Protection Agencies must provide mechanism that will ensure compliance with Anti-Open Grazing laws, such as the Ekiti Grazing Enforcement Marshall (EGEM) who has teamed up with the Police, to implement the State’s Anti-Grazing Law. The activities of the herdsmen should be constantly monitored by the Government, likewise the Nigerian borders. Casualties of the crisis should be provided with timely and adequate reliefs. Currently, the failure of the Nigerian Government in fulfilling its constitutional responsibility of protection of lives and property by decisively dealing with this menace, is fuelling same, hence Government at all levels must live up to their responsibilities. Likewise, Government should investigate all allegations of complicity, and other failures of security forces to protect Nigerians.

The Great Green Wall Initiative for the

TO WANDER FOR SEVERAL KILOMETRES AND MILES, ARE FORMS OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS PUNISHABLE UNDER OUR PENAL LAWS. FOR INSTANCE SECTION 495 OF THE CRIMINAL CODE PROHIBITS CRUELTY TO ANIMALS”

Norrison Quakers, SAN,

Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN,

Sahara and Sahel programme initiated and adopted by the Head of Governments and States of the African Union in 2005, to improve food security in about twenty-one countries of the Sahel region in Africa amongst others, culminating in the enactment of National Agency for the Great Green Wall (Establishment) Act, 2015 in Nigeria, is being threatened by the activities of herdsmen. Consequently the Asaba Declaration of the Southern Governors Forum, is not misplaced from a continental periscope.

this is desirable. The ban on open grazing is therefore, necessary to protect the genuine herdsmen and help preserve their vocation from the marauders.

Norrison I. Quakers, SAN

Prohibition of Open Grazing is Constitutional Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN The proponents of open grazing support it, with the right to freedom of movement granted under Section 41 of the Constitution. This section cannot be interpreted to violate other constitutional provisions, especially Section 43 that grants the right to private or public property.

You cannot deploy the right to movement of person and cattle to violate the right of another citizen to own property, such as land or farmland, or else you become a trespasser.

It is in this regard that I disagree with the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation, when he said that the ban on open grazing is unconstitutional. That cannot represent a proper interpretation of the Constitution, with all due respect.

The AGF is a member of the Executive arm of Government, under Section 5 of the Constitution. The Constitution has not assigned any role to the AGF, to make proclamations for the country. To that extent, his comment is ultra vires, being beyond and outside his office as a Minister. The role of interpreting the Constitution, is the exclusive preserve of the courts under the Constitution.

Let the Houses of Assembly of the States who have proscribed open grazing, go ahead to make laws to support their declarations. It is only after then, that the AGF can approach the court for judicial interpretation.

I urge the Governors to proceed speedily, with the implementation of their lawful and courageous declarations, and not be misled, intimidated or distracted by the comments from the Federal Government.

There is no doubt that we cannot generalise, to say that all “Fulani herdsmen” are guilty of violence and destruction, but we must tackle those criminals who have invaded their ranks, for other purposes other than grazing. Truth is, genuine Fulani herdsmen offer food, dairy, employment and prosperity for the land, and

Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN

Legality or Otherwise of the Southern Governors’ Decision to Ban Open Grazing Sir Kayode Ajulo, PhD Abstract At the meeting of the 17 Southern Governors held in Asaba, Delta State, the Governors resolved among others to ban open grazing in the Southern Part of Nigeria, as a step to tackle Farmers-Herders crisis in the South.

No sooner had the meeting lapsed that comments, criticisms and paroxysms ensued in different quarters of the Federation, particularly from political pundits, legal minds and concerned members of the society.

While some sections have argued that placing a ban on open grazing was a step in the right direction to palliate the spate of farmers-herders crisis, others have criticised the decision of the Southern Governors, labelling same as an infringement of fundamental rights to freedom of movement and ownership of property. And some have even noted that the banning of open grazing by the Southern Governors, is analogous to proscription of sale of goods and services by some section of the country in the North.

I have carefully and pensively spectated the intent and purport of the decision of the Governors, and everyone with a right thinking mind should commend the Southern Governors who, without prejudice to their various political divides, ideologies and idiosyncrasies have presented a common front to ensuring a prompt and lasting amelioration to the spate of insecurity which has beleaguered the country like cascading tumults.

Introduction As a preliminary point, it is pertinent to state that while it seems that the country has been pushed to the brink of a precipice by the trajectory of banditry, kidnapping and attempted treason, collegial efforts must be put in place to safeguard the country from the dire quagmire which we have found ourselves.

What the Southern Governors have assiduously displayed is a great milieu of nationalism. A fore-runner idea that what has been happening in the country in the past few years is not an ethnic affair, nor is it right to call it an inter-party face-off”. It

baffles the mind, how persistently we fall prey to the divide-and-rule tactics!

To be sure, we must admit that the actions and utterances of some sections of the country, have lent credence to this unfortunate tribalisation of issues in Nigeria. The “our-son, our-own” syndrome, so prominent and agog in the Nigerian Political landscape, has aided an increasing sectionalisation of national issues.

Let us be clear on a point: I believe the issue at hand is one of constitutionalism and rule of law, not sectional or regional issues.

We must eliminate the blindness which still obscures the truth of that position.

Legality or Otherwise of the Ban on Open Grazing In addressing the pantomime generated by some self-acclaimed panjandrums, to the effect that the ban on open grazing is in violation of the right to freedom of movement and right to own property, I am inclined to note that the right to freedom of movement and ownership of property though clearly guaranteed under Section 41 and 43 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, are not absolute rights, and the protection of individual rights must be considered in line with overriding national interest.

The absoluteness or otherwise of fundamental rights of individuals, has been severally subjected to judicial interpretation by the Apex Court. In the case of Chike Obi v D.P.P (1961) 1 ANLR 186 Ademola C.J.N (as he then was) described the freedoms as “ordered freedom”. In the case of N.U.E.E v B.P.E (2010) 7 NWLR (Pt. 1194) 538 at 575, the Supreme Court, per Chukwuma-Eneh JSC, held: The fundamental right under Section 40 as well as other rights i.e under Sections 37, 38, 39 and 41 has to be read subject to what is reasonable within a democratic society…that is to say, the Defendants/Appellants’ right under Section 40 among other fundamental rights under the 1999 Constitution, are not absolute.

They have to be exercised to the limits of the ambit of Section 45 of the 1999 Constitution.

For instance, Section 41(2) (a) of the 1999 Constitution provides that a person’s right to freedom of movement may be negated by imposing restrictions on his movement, where he has committed or is reasonably suspected to have committed a criminal offence.

Section 45 of the same Constitution further provides that all fundamental rights can be circumscribed in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health, or for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedom of other persons.

By way of comparison, an individual right cont'd on page 12

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herdsmen. It is a total shame that we hear nothing, see nothing, emulate nothing and learn nothing from other nations.

to freedom of expression is guaranteed only to the extent that he does not make defamatory, scandalous or derogatory statements against another person. Also, an individual right to ownership of property is guaranteed only to the extent that he pays the requisite fee for the acquisition of same. Hence, fundamental rights are only fundamental, and not absolute!

The case of Dokubo-Asari v FRN (2007) LPELR-958 (SC) easily comes to mind in this regard, wherein the Apex Court hinted as follows: “The corporate existence of Nigeria as a united, harmonious, indivisible and indissoluble sovereign nation, is greater than any citizen’s liberty or right. Once the security of this nation is in jeopardy and it survives in pieces rather than in peace, the individual’s liberty or right may not even exist”.

Acts Which Culminated in the Ban of Open Grazing Be that as it may, what is more crucial, more fundamental, are the acts which culminated in the proscription of open grazing by the Southern Governors. It is an open secret that the herdsmen -farmers crisis in the Southern part, is one of the underlying issues of insecurity in Nigeria.

Considering the nomadic nature of the business of open grazing, many atrocities have been reportedly been perpetrated by these herders who encroach and invade on farm lands, forest reserves and properties of private citizens, occasioning economic loss, damage to properties and lives without remorse.

Arising from this migration and other factors, roaming cows, sheep and goats, scavenging around school playgrounds, government residential areas, private properties both at night and during the day, have become common place in our cities. They hinder traffic flows, endanger human and vehicular movement.

While I understand the nomenclature of the business of the herders, and having been a Legal Consultant to the Miyetti Allah between 2005 and 2008, however, placing a ban on open grazing will keep at bay the incessancy of the encroachments and anarchy attributable to open grazing.

The provisions of the Land Use Act are clear to the point that, all lands in a State are vested in the Governor of that State. The Governor holds the lands, for and on behalf of the people of the State. Section 1 (1) of the Land use Act provides: "Subject to the provisions of this Act, all land comprised in the territory of each State in the Federation are hereby vested in the Governor of that State, and such land shall be held in trust and administered for the use and common benefit of all Nigerians in accordance with the Provisions of this Act".

Section 2(1)(a) and (b) of the Act further provides as follows: "2(1) As from the commencement of this Act (a) All land in urban areas shall be under the control and management of the Governor of each state; and (b) All other land shall, subject to this Act, be under control and management of the Local Government within the area of jurisdiction of which the land is situate".

That all lands comprised in the territory of each State of the Federation vests in the Governor of the State by the Land Use Act has been re-affirmed by the judicial pronouncement of the Supreme Court in the case of Calabar Central Cooperative Thrift and Credit Society Ltd & Ors v Bassey Ebong Ekpo (2008) 6 NWLR (Pt. 1083) 362 at 395 where it was held that the Land use Act vests all land comprised in the territory of each State, except land vested in the Federal Government or its agencies, solely in the Governor of the State who holds such land in trust for the people, and is responsible for allocation of land in all urban areas to individuals and organisations for residential, agricultural, commercial and other purpose.

In Savannah Bank of Nigeria Ltd & Anor v Ajilo & Anor (1989) 1 NWLR (Pt. 97) 305 the Court of Appeal held that the main purpose of the Land Use Act, is to achieve a fusion between the Land Tenure System in the then Northern Nigeria and the South, whereby absolute ownership of land by families, communities and individuals became abolished, while all land within each State became vested in the Governor of that State. Hence, any person or organisation who desires to be granted a right of occupancy in respect of any land, shall apply for such grant to the

Foreign Lessons There is nowhere in Europe where open grazing is practiced. Holland, a country of 17 million people (the same population as Kano), does not graze her cows in the open.

Yet, it is one of the world’s highest producers of milk products.

In 2019, Holland exported 17 million kilos of skimmed milk to Germany. To the Philippines, it exported 12.7 million kilos. Cheese export to Germany alone in the same period, fetched her Euros1.2 billion.

New Zealand (population five million), a country that is one third of the population of Kano, has a yearly export value of milk products of over $6 billion.

Nigeria expends her hard currency on importation of milk products from other countries, as if Nigerian cows are bereft of milk. It is puzzling that no government at any level or private individual in the North, has deemed it worthy to invest in such vital industry. Yet, we are arrogantly being wheedled by their official agents to welcome the marauding herdsmen and their barren cows into our farms, cities and living rooms. It attests to a country, that is bent on destroying itself.

Dr Kayode Ajulo

Felix Sugaba

Governor or the Local Government as the case may be. Upon being satisfied that an applicant is qualified to be granted a right to occupy any parcel of land, the Governor or the Local Government, may grant such right of occupancy, and a certificate of occupancy shall be issued to the applicant.

Similarly, the various Forestry Laws have granted imprimaturs to the Governors of the State to exercise authority over the forests in the State. For instance, Section 42 (1) (e) and (g) of the Forestry Law of Ondo State provides that whosoever in any forest reserve, except with authority in writing of the prescribed officer, digs, cuts, turns or cultivates the soil or makes a farm or plantation; pastures cattle or permits cattle to trespass or trespasses in any part of forest reserves in which trespass, shall be prohibited by an order of the Governor.

I cannot, for instance, say because I am basking in the euphoria of being a Legal Practitioner, proceed to Aso Villa and pitch my tent as a chambers there, on the footing that I have freedom of movement without obtaining permit from relevant allied authorities. From all indications, any attempt to criticise the actions of the Governors, is clearly calculated to fan into flames the embers of sectionalism, and to polarise people along ethnic lines to the detriment of national security.

tions and the overall depressing atmosphere which open grazing has permitted, it is my belief that the action of the Governors is a step in the right direction.

Whatever angle the present issue tilts, one thing is certain, open grazing is archaic, anachronistic and out of synch with modern day realities. What is more itinerate rearing of animal and breeding animals on crops, grass and other plants which might be dangerous to the health of the animals and allowing animals to wander for several kilometres and miles, are forms of cruelty to animals punishable under our Penal laws. For instance Section 495 of the Criminal Code prohibits cruelty to animals.

Ranching offers more benefits to both the herders and farmers, and to the peaceful co-existence of the nation. The benefits of ranching as evidenced in other parts of the world, include the production of healthier animals, production of better products and protection of the ecosystem.

Conclusion In the light of the current social, economic implications including psychological intimida-

Sir Kayode Ajulo, PhD, Managing Partner, Castle of Law, Abuja

As Federal Government Officials Grandstand Over Southern Governors’ Communique Felix Eghie Sugaba Agents of Nigerian Central (Federal) Government, are at it again. This time, against the backdrop of the recent communique issued by the Governors of Southern Nigeria after their meeting in Delta State. As always, they are neither pretentious nor disguising their allegiance, even as they masquerade as officials of the Nigerian State. The choristers of Nigerian dominant and bulling tribe have upped their sleeves in unison, condemning the Communique, hauling and spewing gutter verbiage over the airwaves.

“HOLLAND, A COUNTRY OF 17 MILLION PEOPLE (THE SAME POPULATION AS KANO), DOES NOT GRAZE HER COWS IN THE OPEN. YET, IT IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S HIGHEST PRODUCERS OF MILK PRODUCTS”

Southern Governors Communique The communique essentially bans open grazing of cattle across the land, and calls for National Dialogue to facilitate a political and economic restructure of the country. The Governors pledged their commitment to “peaceful co-existence on the basis of justice, fairness and equity”. Ordinarily, one would wonder why anyone would fault a call for a measure, that is targeted at dealing with a monstrous hurricane of insecurity that is currently sweeping the land. To do so is to betray a sense of naivety over the hugely determined, savaged and mean political force that is confronting the country.

The Lawans and Malamis, are telling us to cling to the Fulani primordial way of life, no matter the cost and consequences. They want Nigerians to regard the existential danger to our polity, as significantly inconsequential to the overall interests of the Fulani herdsmen/

Dialogue and Restructuring How does one reconcile the obfuscate stance of the Fulani herdsmen/herdsmen and their seeming disdain for dialogue? In security parlance, achievement is deemed to have been made if the warring parties agree to a dialogue, in that such agreement is an indication that the parties recognise the problem. Dialogue is only possible, if waring parties agree to dialogue.

Given the number of conferences we have convoked in the country, and the plethora of communiques and recommendations that the powers that be in Nigeria banished to the dust bin of no-history, it is apparent that the South has been dialoguing with itself. Some of the North has never been, and it is still not interested in dialogue. It is not interested in any kind of restructuring that will result in economic or political tampering with its Father Christmas Central government.

Why would they dialogue over 68 items on the exclusive list that is at their beck and call?

Why would they agree to dialogue, when they unequivocally believe that this powerful and humongous presidency is their birth right?

Why would they succumb to dialogue, when the leadership of a considerable number of the Parastatals like NPA, NNPC, FCT and the MDA´s are exclusively `zoned` to them?

As the agitation for secession gains steam across the country, it is increasingly becoming difficult not to find merit in the position taken by the arrow heads of the secessionist groups.

The middle ground is shrinking, by the day.

The moderate voices of the Falanas and the Agbakobas are fading and drowning gradually, in this sea of Fulani/Northern intransigence and bully.

The lesson herein, is audible enough for the deaf to comprehend. The South is flirting with a whirlwind, that tears into pieces every flag of peace and olive branch that is extended to it. The Fulani is neither apologetic nor remorseful over its political crusade of conquer and dominate. The reality on ground does not suggest, or indicate otherwise. Where therefore, lies our optimism for one Nigeria?

Somebody should tell the Senate President, to direct his sarcastic statement to the marines.

The Military that concocted the pieces of papers it called Nigerian Constitution, ensured that the National Assembly was Hausa/Fulani dominated. This is the forum the Senate President is calling the South to seek respite.

It is akin to asking the thief who stole and butchered a pig, to join the search for the pig.

Let us face it. Who needs war? Nobody, of course. But, war is a diplomatic tool that is used to settle scores when all else fails.

The current circumstances indicate that the options are fast running out and the drum beats of war are sounding. Abiola once said “if rape was inevitable, a woman would lie down and enjoy it”. This rape on our collective sensibility is repel-able. The rape on our dignity is preventable. The rape on our freedom, is avoidable. The rape on our resources, is resistible. By their communique, the Southern Governors have so indicated. It is clear and audible, for all to hear.

Felix Eghie Patrick Sugaba, Zurich, Switzerland

25.05.2021

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT

13

NCF, Partners to Fund, Train Community Organisations Committed to Biodiversity Conservation Bennett Oghifo

T

he Director General, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Dr. Muhtari Aminu-Kano, has assured that the foundation would, in collaboration with its partners, provide maximum support, through funding, trainings and others to community-based organisations across Nigeria that show strong commitment in biodiversity conservation efforts.

The Kingdom hosts the Gashaka-Gumti National Park, which was gazatted from two games reserves in 1991. It measures about 6,402 square kilometers, making it the largest in Nigeria and Africa in general.

The NCF director general thus called on communities across Nigeria to appreciate and support biodiversity conservation efforts within their areas to ensure the sustenance of the projects which would offer

them immense socio-economic and environmental benefits, if properly nurtured and protected.

GBSI, which is an autonomous biodiversity programme by residents of Gashaka Community, has a Board of Trustees with the Emir of Gashaka Kingdom, Alhaji Zubairu Hamman Gabbo as Chairman and is being used as an avenue to reward the community for its steadfastness in protecting the national park within its domain.

In a speech entitled “Community-Based Organisation: Issues and Implications for Rural Biodiversity,” Dr. Aminu-Kanu said the people of Gashaka deserved recognition, applause and commendation for jealously guarding and protecting the national park in their area and making sure that the organisms there were still intact.

He noted that the Emir of Gashaka Kingdom, Alhaji Zubairu Hamman Gabbo and

his community have been quite supportive, and promised that the foundation would continue to assist whatever they did thus making sure that their efforts were not in vain.

The NCF DG commended Emir Gabbo, specially, for his fatherly sacrifice in donating six hectares of prime land in his community in support of the Gashaka Biodiversity Support Initiative.

He said, “The Nigerian Conservation Foundation has had a long history with Gashaka and the Gashaka-Mumti National Park. For long time, we have supported the protection, research and community based activities in the park, and in partnership with some of our international partners including the WWF, BirdsLife and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). So all that have culminated in today because today is the launch of a genuinely independent, autonomous community

based organisation in support of biodiversity around a very rich and highly biodiversed and largest national park in Africa.

It is really a historical moment.

“The Emir and his community have been quite supportive, and this is remarkable because it is not the same story around other parts, not just in Nigeria, but around the world.

“It is their culture, motivation and works that have led to the endurance of biodiversity in the park and I can say that confidently coming from Kano, which is an urban area, we have degraded our own biodiversity.

“It is because they have taken care of those resources, not just for themselves but for Taraba, Nigeria and the rest of the world and they have done that at considerable cost.

“They have restricted their own access to resources that they could, if they had given a short view, they could have thought they would maximise their economic benefits by

Emir of Gashaka Kingdom, Alhaji Zubairu Hamman Gabbo

destroying those resources.

“But their culture, attitude, behaviour and leadership have resulted in the fact that those resources are still intact.

“We must recognise, applaud and commend their endurance and forbearance for what they have currently. And we must strive to support whatever they

do in whichever way we can make sure that their efforts are not in vain.

“To provide some sort of succur to the community in order for them to also derive some benefits from those resources that they had been safeguarding for us and the rest of humanity.”

Richard Nyong at 40: A Man Changing Nigeria’s Housing Narrative With His Dream

Nyong

Fadekemi Ajakaiye Since Independence, Nigeria’s teeming population has consistently grown by over 2%

yearly thereby making her the most populous African nation with over 90 million more people than second placed Ethiopia, according to Worldometer, an online data center.

Whilst Nigeria’s growing population has provided some leverage however, it has also made the shortage of infrastructure and other essentials more conspicuous.

With a reported housing deficit of over 17million as of August 2012, when it was estimated that Nigeria will require 700,000 houses annually as compared to the

less than 100,000 that was being constructed at the time to effectively cater for its people’s housing needs according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

An obvious lacuna in the housing industry, it became obvious that the government would require more support in this sector to help close the gap thus, Richard Nyong – Founder & CEO, Lekki Gardens Estates Limited, fresh from the university spotted this trend and identified it as a key opportunity to contribute his own quota towards what

NIOB to Hold Talks on Sustainable Building Services The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has concluded plans to hold its 2021 Mandatory Continuous Professional Development workshop on sustainable building services.

The NIOB said in a statement that it recognises the critical role of building services in providing comfort and utility to users and occupants, hence the need to address stability, functionality, economy and utility as key variables of user experience in a completed building.

According to the institute, quality planning and expertise in the assembly of components contribute to the lifetime performance of a building.

The President of the NIOB, Kunle Awobodu, said stories of leaking pipes, odour from improperly ventilated systems, poor installation of systems disruption in building utility could be attributed to poor workmanship.

“The NIOB is set to address these and several issues from first principles in the workshop,” he said.

The workshop, which

would be both physical and virtual with the theme, ‘Sustainable building services practices in Nigeria: Enhancing performance and user satisfaction’ is scheduled to hold on Wednesday, May 26 and Thursday, May 27, 2021.

It also has as its sub-themes, ‘Effects of design and material selection on building services systems performance and maintenance’, ‘Addressing materials and workmanship challenges in building services installation’ and ‘Early stage defects and their effects on costs of operation and maintenance’.

Other sub-themes are ‘Reliability, breakdowns and lifespan of building services systems; ‘The challenges of building services design and installation practice in Nigeria’; and ‘Health and safety considerations in building services installation practice’.

Eminent and experienced industry practitioners and researchers will serve as resource persons at the workshop.

The resource persons include a former Governor of

Ogun State and a renowned engineer, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; Prof. Ikemefuna Mbamali of the Department of Building, Ahmadu Bello University; and a professor of construction management, Summerstrand North Campus of the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, John Smallwood.

Other resource persons are Dr. Nkeleme Emmanuel Ifeanyichukwu, a post- doctoral fellow of the Department of Construction Management, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa; Dr. Buhari Mohammed Manzuma, a senior lecturer at the Department of Building, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Professor of Construction Management, University of Cape Town, South Africa, Abimbola Windapo; and the immediate past Chairperson, Women Association of Quantity Surveyors in Nigeria, Mrs. Aderonke Oyelami.

Online registration and participation in the workshop can be done by visiting the institute’s website.

could have been described as a fragmented sector at the time.

From identifying good land deals and matching them with buyers as a third-party sales consultant, to acquiring some pieces of land of his own from his commissions, it was only a matter of time before Richard Nyong became a household name in the Nigeria’s real estate industry.

Young, charismatic and courageous, Richard is the perfect salesman. His people’s person skills and high emotional quotient meant that he could effectively connect with his clients and project the value he was offering above that of any other player so as to ensure that his clients got the maximum value possible for their investment.

After stint of successes in

land sales, Richard strategically scaled his business to include property development which would then offer him the opportunity to directly contribute towards developing more housing units in the country. Fast forward from 2012 when Lekki Gardens was founded till date, Richard Nyong has developed over 15,000+ housing units across Lagos, Abuja, Ogun and Port Harcourt. The man who is now regarded as “The Indisputable King of Nigeria’s Real Estate Industry” has not only made luxury housing affordable rather, he has also made the process of homeownership easy with his range of tailormade payment plans for different house types.

In less than a decade, Richard Nyong’s contribu-

tions have made the Nigeria real estate sector vibrant and appealing to other investors who have all ventured into the market to contribute their quota towards narrowing the housing gap. Richard turns 40 in the coming days, and one would expect that for all he has accomplished at such a young age, the billionaire businessman will go into early retirement however, that does not seem to be the case as rumor has it that he is already touring other African countries with the same vision of making affordable shelter available to all.

In all, “life they say starts at 40”, so it appears we might have to wait to see what other disruptions Richard Nyong can steer with his wealth of experience and fortitude.

Onalaja to Become 20th President Rotary Club of Maryland Chief Executive Officer of RevolutionPlus Group, Bamidele Onalaja is to be installed President of Rotary Club of Maryland, Ikeja.

He will be installed as the 20th President of the 20 year-old club and the event is slated for the MUSON Centre, Lagos with the Ooni of Ife, His Majesty, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi as Royal Father of the day.

Onalaja, a serial entrepreneur and philanthropist, who sits atop eight companies in the RevolutionPlus Group of companies is the current Chairman of Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) Lagos State Chapter. He holds a first degree in Economics and a Masters in Business Administration (Marketing) from Lagos State University (LASU).

An alumnus of the Lagos

Business School (Pan African University), Onalaja is also a member of Project Management Institute (PMI), USA, having obtained an Advanced Diploma in Project Management from the University of Lagos, (UNILAG).

He founded RevolutionPlus Property Development Company in 2014 but before then, he has worked at several real estate companies such as the Agbara Estates Limited, Refuge Homes Ltd., and later Cornerstone Mortgage Bank, as well as Safe Trust Mortgage Bank.

Before his election as President of Rotary Club of Maryland, Onalaja has been a Major Donor having contributed over $10,000 to the Rotary Foundation and has served the club in various capacities such as Secretary and later, Vice President as well

as the District 9110, Rotary International at committee levels.

He is married to Rtn. Tolulope Onalaja, who is also a Major Donor to Rotary Foundation and a Past President of Rotary Club of Lagos West and the relationship is blessed with children who are also Paul Harris Fellows.

Onalaja

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T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͳ˜ 2021

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Group Business Editor Obinna Chima

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Quick Takes Wema Bank Holds AGM Today

RENDERING ACCOUNT TO SHAREHOLDERS

L-R: Operations Director, Seplat, Effiong Okon; Director, External Affairs and Sustainability, Dr. Chioma Nwachuku; Chief Executive Officer, Roger Brown; Chairman, Dr. ABC Orjiako; and Company Secretary/General Counsel, Edith Onwuchekwa, at Seplat’s hybrid 8th Annual General Meeting held at the company’s headquarters in Lagos … recently

Sylva: FG to Scale up Domestic Gas Expansion, Monetisation Drive Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva, has stated that the federal government will continue to ramp up its current domestic gas expansion drive as well as its monetisation programme to increase the country’s supply of the much needed foreign exchange earnings.

Speaking when he appeared virtually at the formal opening of the new headquarters of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the minister stressed that the company was expected to play a major role in achieving the objective.

ECONOMY Sylva noted that the country’s gas reserves must be fully explored for the full benefit of Nigerians, noting that has remains a major game-changer for Nigeria, especially with the renewed attention to the commodity as a lower carbon energy source.

“In this decade of gas, I am assured that the NLNG will continue to support our drive for domestic gas expansion, while playing a fundamental role in monetising the vast gas resources in the country to provide the much needed foreign exchange earnings and enable domestic industrialisa-

tion and growth as well as national development,” he stated.

He noted that in a space of 32 years, the NLNG has become a major player in the global gas business, rising from a single train production to six operational trains and one more soon to be under construction.

According to him, the success of the company remains a model worthy of emulation, reason the NLNG has demonstrated corporate excellence by situating the corporate head office in the state where it operates.

“This is a win-win development for us in government, for the host state as well as for shareholders and NLNG

alike which has been soaring in delivering value to stakeholders,” he added.

In his remarks, Managing Director of the NLNG, Mr. Tony attah, stated that over the years Nigeria LNG has operated a model hinged on transparency, excellence while caring for its stakeholders.

He reiterated that there’s are currently over 4,000 persons on its undergraduate programme, the Bonny vocational centre and other youth programmes, mentioning that the N120 billion Bodo-Bonny road which is being co-financed to the tune of 50 per cent by the NLNG Continued on page 24

Minister Seeks Single-digit Funding for MSMEs James Emejo and Folalumi Alaran in Abuja The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Mariam Katagum, has called for accessible financing for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) at single-digit interest rate.

The minister specifically tasked the financial sector to continue to support the federal government’s initiatives to boost affordable financing to small businesses by granting cheap credit to the MSMEs sector at single digit.

She made the call in her remarks at the virtual Ecobank MSME and Financial Inclusion Summit themed: “Unlocking Credit Growth in a Changing MSME Lending Landscape”.

Katagum, said as partners

ECONOMY in progress, “I charge Ecobank Plc and the financial sector as a whole, to continue to provide the much-needed support for federal government initiatives by facilitating and granting accessible financing for the MSME sub-sector, at single digit. I repeat at single digit.”

While praising the organisers, she said the event came at a time when the present administration is strategically repositioning the MSMEs landscape towards achieving its full potentials with a view to contributing more to the economy.

The minister said small businesses remained the driving force behind structural changes and sustainable economic

growth and development, particularly with respect to their contributions to job and wealth creation.

She added that these enterprises play a significant role in the economy and are crucial drivers of innovation and competition in many sectors.

Katagum said: “The federal government has overtime created platforms to improve access to finance for MSMEs in order to boost production, increase the value of trade, enhance the investment climate, and foster innovation and entrepreneurship.

“This is in addition to the deliberate and pragmatic policies geared towards supporting and sustaining small businesses in the country, thereby equipping entrepreneurs to compete globally, especially under the

Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA).”

She added that these initiatives also highlighted the importance of digital technology in promoting enterprises and sustainable industrialisation for economic growth.

In a statement by the Assistant Director, Information, Mrs. Oluwakemi Ogunmakinwa, Katagum further explained that in a bid to guarantee continuity in support of MSMEs in the country, the government had harnessed the prime policies of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and the National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP) into the Nigeria Continued on page 24

Wema Bank Plc is to hold its Annual General Meeting for the year ended December 31, 2020, today. The statutory annual gathering of shareholders and other critical stakeholders of the bank will take place at the bank’s corporate head office where the financial results for the year 2020 and other important issues related to the growth plans of the bank will be deliberated on.

InlinewiththecurrentCovid-19preventionandcontainmentprotocols, the meeting will be held virtually with shareholders enabled to take part via a Zoom conference call. At the meeting, there will be strict adherence to social distancing rules and use of face mask by every participantatthephysicalmeetingasdirectedbythehealthauthorities.

WemaBankPlcrecentlyreleaseditsauditedresultsfortheyearended 31st December 2020. The bank recorded a year-on-year double-digit growth of 39.42 per cent in customer deposit of N804.87 billion in full year2020,upfromN577.28billionrecordedinfullyear2019.Theresults showed that net loans closed at N360.08 billion, which was a growth of 24.49 per cent, compared with N289.24 billion recorded in 2019, as the bank continues to support its customers across multiple sectors of the economy. Similarly, Wema Bank’s non-performing loans (NPL) was pushed down to 4.70 per cent year-on-year, from 7.38 per cent in 2019. The Chief Finance Officer of the bank,Tunde Mabawonku, who gaveupdatesontheresults,saidthebankweatheredthedisruptionsof the 2020 financial year through a sharp focus on safe lending, keeping non-performing loans low and driving transaction income.

“We have remained resilient and have continued to grow efficiently aswepersistinadaptingourcorporatestrategytoyieldstrongfinancial results despite the adverse economic situation,” he explained further.

Ruff ‘n’ Tumble Marks 25th Anniversary

Ruff ‘n’ Tumble is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

The statement explained that Ruff ‘n’ Tumble has maintained a strong standing at the forefront of the children’s clothing market for two and half decades by ensuring, “that each stitch, each color, each cut and each print is intentionally thought out with the needs of children in mind always.” It explained that from school to play, to truly special occasion, the design and the craftsmanship, “is reflective of a child’s active life, adding that with quality this high, and so close to home– traveling abroad to shop becomes a mere afterthought.”

“Boasting of girls dresses and tops that float, shine, swing and sway to make your girl the brightest flower in the garden, and boys shirts, trousers and suits primed to make him the leader of the pack, Ruff ‘n’ Tumble has a wide array of clothing for every need.

“Starting from babies as young as six months to our ‘big kids’ on the cuspofadolescence,theoptionsarelimitlessforeachgroup.Withthese wide ranging options at your fingertips, we’ve made the experiences as seamless as possible for our busy, doting parents.

“The Ruff ‘n’ Tumble online store has been designed with ease in mind, helping you in real time every step of the way.The Ruff ‘n’Tumble physical retail spaces aren’t left behind, with easy to navigate store designs that double as children’s play areas. Shopping for your kids is now easier than ever and so much fun to boot!

MoukaWins‘OutstandingMattress’Award

Mouka, Nigeria’s manufacturer of mattresses, pillows and other bedding products, has emerged the winner of the ‘Most Outstanding Foam and Mattress Company of the Year’ at the Nigerian Real Estate and Property Awards 2021, held recently in Lagos.

The award was bestowed on Mouka for its laudable achievements in the sleep sector and its reputation for exceptional product quality.

The Chief Executive Officer of Mouka, Mr. Raymond Murphy, stated that the award reflected the uptick in demand from affluent Nigerians whoareacquiringnewpropertythatMoukaisexperiencinginthemarket.

“They expect the best and it is partly for that reason that Mouka designed and recently launched the new Royal Pillow Top Mattress.

“Thisisatopoftherange,internationalspecmattressthatisexpertly crafted to international standards in a dedicated facility in Lagos.The product is comparable with any similar top end mattress to be found in theUK,USAorEurope,exceptathalfthepriceandinnaira,”Murphysaid.

“We weathered 2020 and delivered our best financial performance. This was only made possible through the dedication of our staff and the support from our shareholders and other key business stakeholders. It is quite rewarding to see the GMD/CEOVFD Group, Nonso Okpala

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T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͳ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

BUSINESSWORLD SYLVA: FG TO SCALE UP DOMESTIC GAS EXPANSION, MONETISATION DRIVE remains a model of how collaboration could lead to developmental strides.

On health, he stated that remarkable contributions were made to government to ameliorate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, emphasising that the Bonny malaria elimination programme was on course while over ,3,000 persons are currently connected to the health insurance scheme.

The NLNG, he said, now supplies LPG directly to the Rivers people instead of taking it to Lagos first, as was the practice before now, stating that the story of the office building won’t be possible without the contractors who carried out the project.

Also, while speaking, the Group Managing Director Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, who was represented by the Chief Financial Officer of the corporation, Mr. Umar Ajiya, said the NNPC would continue to support the NLNG to achieve its set goals.

He stated that as a shareholder in the company, the NNPC was proud to be part of the prosperity of the company, saying that the launching of the building is a major step forward towards improved working conditions and better collaboration with local communities.

MINISTERSEEKSSINGLEDIGIT FUNDING FOR MSMES She said: “Undoubtedly, the financial Sector plays a critical role in the development of these MSMEs, by providing credit facilities for start-ups and for business expansion.

“Under the MSME Survival Fund and the Guaranteed Offtake Schemes, the government earmarked N75 billion for the revival and sustainability of MSMEs which have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These schemes had, in the last few months, injected a large quantum of funds into the hands of the operators of MSMEs and their businesses and invariably reflated the economy”.

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

NEWS

DPR Charges Stakeholders on Harnessing Oil, Gas Resources for Africa’s Devt Peter Uzoho The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has charged stakeholders in the African oil and gas industry to rise to the challenge of harnessing the over 125 billion barrels oil reserve and 625 trillion cubit feet (tcf) of natural gas deposits in Africa for the development of the continent.

The Director of DPR, Mr. Sarki Auwalu, gave the charge while delivering the host-country address at the just concluded fifth edition of the Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC).

The event held virtually with the theme: “Post COVID-19, from Global Crises to Global Opportunities,” organised by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN).

Auwalu stated that Africa must not be cowed to abandon its quest to grow its economies and jettison the development of its resources by the doomsday narrative on the probable end of oil era.

He added that the huge oil

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Chinedu Eze (Aviation) ÜÙ×ÙÝÏÖÏ ÌÓÙÎßØ (Maritime) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafor (Energy) Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) Reporters

ÙÝË ÖÏÕÒßÙÑÓÏ (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy)

harnessing its over 125 Billion Barrels of proven oil reserves and 625 Trillion Cubic Feet of Natural gas for the development of the continent.

“African must not be cowed to abandon its quest to grow its economies by the doomsday

narrative of end of oil era and jettison the development of its resources. “It must be used to fuel development the same way other continents utilised dirtier fossil fuels to fuel their economic transformation,” he said.

To achieve that, according

to the DPR director, Africans, “must take our destinies in our hands and join hands across all spectrum - technical, economic, legal commercial, operational, financial, and political to drive regional energy security and economic sustainability.”

STOCK-TAKING

L-R: Non-Executive Director, Champion Breweries Plc, Mrs. Helen Umanah; Chairman, Dr. Elijah Akpan, and Finance Director, Mrs. Nkechi Ojeyokan, at the 45th annual general meeting of Champion Breweries Plc in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State... recently ETOP UKUTT

India’s Slowing Purchases Put West Africa Oil Exports at Risk Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja West African crude sellers have been dealt a big blow by its key buyer, India slowing down its purchases as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the world’s third-largest oil consumer.

India’s state-owned refiners typically issue tenders for a large proportion of their crude requirements, but with the latest wave of the pandemic in the country still raging, no new tenders have been issued since late April, according to trading sources. Refiners such as Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Hindustan

Petroleum Corp. Limited and Bharat Petroleum Corp. Limited usually buy significant amounts of Middle Eastern and West African crudes through regular tenders.

A report by Hellenic Shipping recently indicated that the last such buy tender was awarded

by HPCL on April 23 for crude loading from West Africa in early June, according to S&P Global Platts data.

IOC last bought crude loading mid-to-late June in a tender that closed April 15 and the refiner has since cut run rates across its refineries to an average of 88 per cent, cutting rates across its nine refineries to 96 per cent-98

per cent in the first half of April.

Indian refineries typically consume a diet of sweet and sour crudes, and the country is the single-largest buyer of Nigerian crude.

Over the past few months, most of the sweet crude requirements have come from Nigeria, where oversupply has forced sellers to offer their oil at relatively economical prices.

“Three weeks without IOC weighs dramatically on Nigeria.

IOC is the biggest Nigerian grades buyer. IOC skipped the last June loading window and now seem to have skipped July 1-10 also,” said a second trader.

However, sellers of Nigerian crudes are now said to be seeking other buyers in Asia and Europe as India’s COVID-19 situation remains shrouded in uncertainty amid stringent regional lockdowns and sagging domestic consumption.

Length in the European market as a result of continuous flows of competitively priced WTI Midland from the US could limit the upside for Nigerian demand in the region.

“I think any rise in demand and hence value coming from Europe for Nigerian crude is going to be limited and remain so until the whole market is better

balanced. We still have far too much competing light sweet crude available in Europe,” one trader said.

In Asia, Indonesia’s Pertamina, Thailand’s PTT and Taiwan’s CPC are common buyers, but Thailand could take more West African crude on the back of high official selling prices issued by Middle East producers and delayed refinery turnarounds due to the ongoing pandemic in the country, sources said.

The opportunity for low-cost Nigerian crude is likely to seem attractive to refiners in Thailand who also need their share of sweet crude for refinery processing.

FG approves Seven Ministerial Regulations on Nigerian Content Emmanuel Addeh Seven Nigerian Content Ministerial Regulations have been approved and gazetted, making them legislations that can be implemented by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), the board has said.

Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Wabote, disclosed this at a colloquium organised by the board in collaboration with the Nigerian Bar

Association’s Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL), with the theme “Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act-Strides, Challenges & Opportunities.”

The executive secretary, who was represented by the Director Legal Services, Mr. Mohammed Umar, stated that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva approved the guidelines, and became effective on April 2, 2021.

He listed the guidelines to

include Research & Development, (R & D); Training, Capacity Development; Growth of Indigenous Capacity as well as Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Enforcement and Compliance Regulation.

Others include Registration of Operators and other professionals with Nigerian professional bodies, Technology Transfer and Establishment of operations in Nigeria.

The board noted that Sections 36, 40, 41, 42, 47, 55 and 101 of the NOGICD Act empowers the

minister of petroleum resources to make regulations that will foster the development of Nigerian content.

“The board held several engagements with diverse spectrum of the oil and gas industry stakeholders before finalising the regulations and transmitting it to the minister for ratification,” Wabote stated.

He said the compliance and enforcement regulation was intended to ensure compliance with the NOGICD Act and

other regulations and give effect to section 68 of the Act in ensuring efficient and accountable promotion of local content in the diverse sectors of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.

The ES stated that the regulations had divided offences punishable under section 68 of the Act into two categories, adding that the first category comprises the major offences which can lead to criminal prosecution while the other offences would be treated with administrative sanctions.

Chams Group Boosts Operations with New Appointments Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe

and gas resources in Africa must be used to fuel development of the continent the same way other continents utilised dirtier fossil fuels to fuel their economic transformation. “Indeed, for a better and secured future, Africa must rise to the challenge of

The Board of Directors of Chams Plc has announced key appointments into its group operations to strengthen efforts aimed at expanding its business solutions and offerings to larger markets.

The appointments are also to meet shareholders’ expectations and deliver long-term value which is fundamental to the company’s business growth and financial sustainability. Mayowa Olaniyan, a finance and management expert

with over 27-years’ experience that spans across finance, audit, automobile, and technology, has been appointed Managing Director/CEO of Chamsmobile Limited. Until her appointment, Olaniyan oversaw Chams Plc’s finance, strategy and services as Executive Director. She also drove the financial and business strategy that shot the Chams Group back to profitability. Prior to that role, she served as the Chief Strategist and Financial Officer.

A chartered accountant of repute, a Fellow of the Institute of

Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and Associate of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), global body for professional Accountants, Mayowa holds an MBA from Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, UK. She has a degree in Applied Accounting and post graduate diploma from Oxford Brooks University, UK. Also, Kayode Akomolafe has been appointed Executive Director, Chamsmobile Limited. Before his appointment, he was the Chief Operating Officer, Chams Plc. He is an

accomplished professional in project management with over 20 years experience in diverse field which include Identity management, solution design, system architect, customer service, IT operations and infrastructure.

He holds a bachelor of Technology from Federal University of Technology Akure, he also holds a Master Degree in Information System Technology from University of Liverpool, UK as well as Executive MBA from Lagos Business School.

In the same, Patricia Duru

has resumed as the new Group Chief Financial Officer of Chams Plc with effect from March 8, 2021. Prior to joining Chams Plc, she served as Chief Financial Officer of Interconnect Clearinghouse Nigeria Limited where she played a pivotal role in the financial growth of the business as well as significantly improving shareholder value over the last five years. Duru will support the board in driving the Group’s strategic vision and harnessing greater wealth-building opportunities for shareholders.

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T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͳ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Orjiako: Seplat is Driving Nigeria’s Energy Transition The Chairman Board of Directors, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, Dr. ABC Orjiako, in this interview speaks on how the company has been at the forefront of Nigeria’s energy transition, business performance as well as commitment to advancing shareholders’ fortunes. Goddy Egene and Peter Uzoho present the excerpts:

S

eplat has successfully concluded its eight annual general meeting (AGM). How would you rate the performance of the company in 2020?

The year under consideration was a good year for Seplat. During that period, our Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) was successful and we had a very well controlled cost and despite the impact of COVID-19, we remained very resilient in supplying gas to the domestic market as 30 per cent of Nigeria’s gas comes from us and we are very happy being the dominant company in that space. With respect to our growth, the performance stems from our prudential policy to comply with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Globally all businesses were heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and we saw an unprecedented low in oil prices in the second quarter of 2020, which has never been seen before. Last year, we showed the resilience of our business and also showed the counterbalance of our gas business, which is linked to oil prices. Our operational and financial performance reflects the very challenging conditions described above. Our average Working Interest Production was 51,183boepd, including 33,714bopd of liquids and 101MMscfd gas (17,469boepd). Of this, our Eland assets contributed 8,855bopd, or 26 percent of total liquid volumes. The performance of our oil business was affected by falling demand, the quotas imposed upon Nigeria by OPEC, problems with the Trans Forcados pipeline, a suspension of production resulting from an accident at OML 40 in July and a further suspension following problems with a storage vessel at the same site.

Our gas business was affected by TAM at our Oben gas plant, as well as gas wells ceasing production earlier than anticipated and of course, the impact of COVID-19 related lockdowns on demand in the Nigerian economy. We drilled six oil wells and three gas wells during the year, choosing to focus on higher-margin oil wells in the first six months of 2020 and the development of gas fields in the second half of the year. Furthermore, we redoubled our efforts to drive a strong safety culture throughout the organisation. Our financial performance was as good as could be achieved in such a difficult year. Revenues of $530 million reflected the lower demand and pricing environment and non-cash impairment provisions of $153 million, obliged by revaluation of assets at lower oil prices, reversed an operating profit of $121 million.

As part of the deliberations at the AGM, shareholders voted for a change of name of the company. What inspired this change?

When we started Seplat, environmental stewardship resonated very strongly in our core values. Today, our core values are Value creation, Integrity and Partnership (VIP). When we started business, obviously, what was happening at that time was that oil was making revenue but over time, things started to change.

Globally today, the world is transiting from combustion-driven economies to electricitydriven economies. That comes with a real strong impact on demand for oil and gas and as this happens, you then come back to what happens in the environment. From the beginning, we knew that we would have carbon footprints, therefore, we committed to making sure that environmental stewardship remains constant in our core values. Today, when you see those core values coming down to the three things I mentioned earlier, there is partnership, not just with people and communities, but also with the environment. Looking at businesses globally, you will find that a lot of things have to do with protecting the environment, especially in terms of climate change. In 2015, the Paris Conference came alongside its agreement where there was commitment towards reducing carbon emission. And shortly after that, there were a lot of climate change advocates who have continued to make very strong statements, demanding that the environment must be protected. As a company, we are well aligned to that and today, I am happy to say that Seplat aligns

We are sitting on good cash flows, as we just raised the $650 million which is one of the largest bonds raised in the Nigerian capital market, particularly for an oil company. It is safe to say that leverage wise and cash flow wise, we are fine and it is also safe to say that we have headroom on our debt facilities today and we do not see any need to raise equity or go to shareholders to raise money for our business. We are organic, we are growing and widening our business as we are in the gas space and going into potential renewables in the future, which is part of our organic business. Furthermore, the inorganic is also part of it as well and in the next 12-24 months, we would witness an unprecedented shift from the onshore, to focus on a new skill set which is the deeper water.

We are sensible and have some high criteria at the board to make sure that any M&A done is profitable.

Seplat is embarking on a share buy-back, tell us about it?

This addresses the overall value creation for our shareholders and anything we do in our strategy, we have our investors and shareholders in mind. We are not going to do share buy-back if it does not bring value. If we are going to do share buy-back that will bring value and re-rate our securities, then it is something for shareholders and other stakeholders. If it is in tender offer, it means that via the process, we are putting cash in the pockets of our shareholders and so it is a value creating tool for us. We are not just going to do that for doing sake, as we want to do it for value creation.

Orjiako with corporate governance and best practices, and for a company that has carbon footprints and also reiterates our commitment towards reducing carbon emissions, we therefore, have aligned towards providing energy solutions in the energy-transition environment. This means that Seplat is committed to providing solutions towards access to energy and providing electricity in Nigeria at an affordable rate, as well as ensuring that gas is made cheaper than diesel. This means that you have set a roadmap to reducing your emission. This is also part of the plans of the company’s development of its oil and gas business, as well as its intended diversification into renewable energy. When we say we are providing energy solutions, what we are looking to do is to balance the demand for power and make sure we provide cleaner energy which means that carbon emission is much reduced.

Why is energy transitioning so important at this point in time?

The world as a whole is in a transition and that transition started from combustion such as airlines, cars and ships, which all constitute almost 60 per cent of the demand for oil in the world. That transition is now moving from that combustion to electricity, and to an extent, gas. And so, we are now beginning to see a lot of countries by legislation going the cleaner energy way for electricity. So being that we are an energy company, there is the need for us to align ourselves with this. Being also that we are a carbon footprint company, this is very important to us. Therefore, we have seen a world moving into cleaner energy and in providing cleaner energy solutions in the transition world, it means that apart from producing liquid hydrocarbon and commercialising our gas in which we have seen growth, the contribution of gas revenue in our topline or bottom-line is continuously increasing.

How did the outbreak of Covid 19 affect the ANOH Gas project?

It is indeed one of the biggest investments in Nigeria and we are happy to be part of it, as a major force in our gas strategy. It is the processing plant that we are developing in a joint venture with the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC). We have completed equity funding of

the project at the end of 2020 and in February 2021, we announced that our AGPC joint venture has successfully raised $260 million in debt, to complete the project funding. The fact that a consortium of Nigerian and international banks were prepared to commit up to $450 million was a strong sign of confidence in ANOH, which is one of the most important strategic infrastructure projects in the country. Although its completion has experienced some inevitable delays because of Covid-19 restrictions on imports, the ANOH project will significantly enhance Seplat’s position as Nigeria’s leading supplier of processed gas for the domestic energy market. Although driving Nigeria’s transition to gas remains our priority, it is essential that we ourselves transition for a long-term future in which renewables are an important part of Nigeria’s energy mix.

Seplat has aligned with the government’s gas-to-power initiative. Can you shed some light on what the company is doing?

We are ahead when it comes to reducing gas flares as we flare out and convert the gas to petro-dollar or gas-dollar to our shareholders.

Once this is done, what are the impacts? One is, therefore, aligning to the government’s gas-topower supply evolution. The industry can create jobs, as it would create the real socio-economic impact, which we do in various ways. For a country with over 33 per cent unemployment rate, we are contributing towards reducing that.

Apart from providing gas to power, we are also in the process of driving the Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) production market as it will play a major role in empowering the economy, help preserve Nigerian forests, as deforestation and desert encroachment can be arrested by making sure the people are using LPG rather than firewood in their homes. This would not only mean that they use cleaner energy, but they are also protecting the environment. So, it is not just the fact that we are changing our name, we are doing that because we have embraced cleaner energy and we are providing cleaner energy solutions to the society. Going forward, we will make sure that our Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) scores are on the increase.

Seplat raised $650 million bond recently.

How has this decision impacted the business?

You have made a decision to pay dividends four times every year. What does this entail?

Our financial performance enabled us to maintain our commitment to paying dividends. While other companies were cutting back or cancelling payments for the 2019 financial year, because of the prevailing uncertainties, we honoured our commitment and paid an interim dividend of US$0.05, for a total dividend of US$0.10 for 2019. In October 2020, we announced an interim dividend of US$0.05 and the Board has since approved an additional top-up of US$0.05, maintaining our US$0.10 dividend for the 2020 financial year. Since we raised $535 million at our initial public offering (IPO) in May 2014, we have returned $344 million to shareholders in the form of dividends. For our dividend policy which obviously changed, the easy way to go about it is time value of money and cash flow.

If a shareholder received dividend in the same amount once in a year, the fund might not go a long way in meeting needs or when inflation is on the rise and so the ability of the shareholder to purchase will reduce whereas if you spread this revenue, you will get your money at different times in the year which will improve the cash flow of shareholders.

What is your outlook for 2021?

Having proved our resilience again, and in the most challenging and unprecedented environment we have ever experienced, I am confident that Seplat will build on its strong foundations to become a larger, more diverse and more sustainable energy company in the years to come. Given Nigeria’s need to improve access to energy and the potential for significant market growth, we are very well positioned to consolidate and strengthen our position as Nigeria’s energy champion. I believe that the move to change our brand to Seplat Energy Plc reflects our intention to be at the forefront of Nigeria’s energy transition in the next decade of our journey. We will continue to build value for our shareholders, either through organic growth or through carefully selected acquisitions that will deliver the scale or expertise we will need in the coming years. As the pandemic and its impacts recede, demand for oil and gas is already recovering and, thanks to the cost-cutting initiatives we implemented in 2020, as well as our prudent financial management, we are positioned very strongly to take advantage of the global recovery we are beginning to see.

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Financing Food Security through Agric Mechanisation Oluchi Chibuzor

A

griculture plays a significant role in both the human and economic resources of a nation; it is seen as the backbone of a nation’s economy as it enables the provision of food and raw materials and generates employment opportunities for a very large proportion of the population.

Based on its climatic and agroecological conditions, Nigeria possesses the potential to produce a wide variety of crops. The northern part is fertile for the production of cereals such as sorghum, maize, millet, cotton, cowpea and groundnut. In contrast to the Middle Belt and Southern part of the country have the potential to produce cocoa, cassava, yam, plantain and many more food crops.

The production of these crops has the potential to create employment via cultivation, distribution, processing, warehousing, and marketing. As a critical sector of the economy, agriculture drives economic development and industrialisation of economies by providing necessary raw materials for industries. According to the 2020 PricewaterhouseCoopers report, Nigeria’s agriculture contributed about 24 per cent of the nation’s GDP over the past eight years (2013-2020) while employing almost 36 per cent of the total labour force in the country. This is no mean feat as it ranks agriculture as the largest employer of labour in the country. Over 80 per cent of the nation’s agro farmers, consisting of small-scale farmers, produce over 90 per cent of the nation’s food consumption value.

In the early 1960s, Nigeria earned most of its foreign exchange from agriculture. The nation’s over-dependence on crude oil has since led to the under-development of the nation’s agro sector.

Other challenges affecting the nation’s

Sogunle agriculture sector are lack of access to finance, absence of value addition, supply-chain linkages, and outdated agriculture system.

Some sub-national and national government initiatives have sought to provide succour.

In Nigeria, for instance, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and state agro support schemes such as the Anchor Borrower’s Programme help provide small-scale farmers with adequate financing. So much, however, still needs to be done to bridge the demand and supply gap of agricultural produce.

With a population of over 200 million, the optimum actualisation of the inherent benefits associated with agriculture and its value chain have been largely missed through the absence

of mechanisation in farming. Outdated methods of agriculture such as the use of hoes and cutlasses reduce efficiency as these methods are time-consuming. Nigeria’s failure to adopt advanced mechanised systems has reduced the quality of its agricultural products due to lack of finance to acquire heavy machinery.

Private institutions are now also involved in the quest to make a change. Take the Stanbic IBTC Vehicle Asset Financing (VAF), for instance.

It is targeted at providing financing for heavy machines needed for agricultural purposes. It offers an affordable and flexible solution to farmers, enabling them to acquire heavy-duty farm machines to scale up agricultural activities.

Nigeria has equally had to deal with low yields per hectare over the years. This is primarily due to shortages in the supply of inputs such as seedlings and fertilisers, as well as inadequate irrigation and harvesting systems. They hinder productivity and yield rates. Undoubtedly, the complete neglect of the value chains associated with the sector has contributed to shortages of resources, lack of financing for small-scale farmers and inefficient transport systems.

Stanbic IBTC is also contributing to providing relief in this space. The bank, in partnership with the United Nations, provides seed funding solution to women across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory.

The partnership, valued at $40 million and spread across five years, provides economic empowerment for women, and bridges the gender gap in agricultural productivity and incomes while increasing their access to resources and markets. Also, the seed funding is targeted at women in the shea nut and rice value chains. It is geared towards providing an enabling environment for women to thrive and gain access to developmental opportunities especially in the agro-industry.

The Stanbic IBTC N50 billion agro finance solution is also in partnership with the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL). This is focused on boosting Nigeria’s agricultural productivity and modernisation. Signed in 2017/2018, the partnership seeks to create over 92,000 direct jobs, impact about 200,000 lives, boost incomes of rural farmers and complement the government’s efforts to drive inclusive economic growth through agriculture. It equally reaffirms Stanbic IBTC’s commitment to promoting agriculture as a profitable enterprise and Nigeria’s economic development.

Stanbic IBTC is quietly but surely emerging as a major contributor to Nigeria’s economic development through its involvement in the agricultural sector. It is also helping to reduce the nation’s unemployment levels especially among its growing youth population.

The end-to-end financial institution has various agro-targeted finance solutions geared at encouraging maximum participation in the industry. These solutions include the Stanbic IBTC Agribusiness Finance solution, a versatile and supportive offering that offers flexible payment options for farmers, thereby maintaining continuous cash flow; the Stanbic IBTC Agricultural Production solution, a short-term business offering for crop and livestock farmers, among others.

Nigeria and indeed Africa’s economic growth and development are intertwined with the ability to harness the agricultural potential.

The landmass is available; the manpower is abundant, and with meaningful support and investment, agriculture can be a true game-changer.

Stanbic IBTC is showing what is possible, and other corporates should take a leaf. Nigeria can become food sufficient when players in both the private and public work together.

Food security is possible.

Tough Times Best for Spotting Opportunities, Say Texem Facilitators Professor of Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship at University of Surrey and ESADE Visiting professor and open innovation,Prof.WimVanhaverbekeandCEOofCambridgeUniversityEnterprise,Dr.TonyRaven,arefacultiesonTEXEM’s forthcoming programme: ‘Leading And Driving Innovation for Success During Tough Times,’ scheduled to hold between May 26th and 27th. Under Raven’s leadership, the number of spin-outs created by Cambridge University Enterprise, has gone up by 250 per cent. The Cambridge University Enterprise venture funding capacity has grown by 730 per cent. In this interview, they share insights into why leading and driving innovation in tough times is critical and why executives should attend the TEXEM, UK’s programme slated to commence tomorrow. Excerpts: Why is it necessary for all leaders to be innovative?

It is not necessary to be innovative in everything you do. Still, if your organisation does not innovate in its core products and services, others will do it for you vide Kodak, Nokia, Blackberry, Polaroid…… Better to obsolete your products and services with innovations than have someone else do it for you.

What are the skills necessary to drive innovation?

A mind that is open to new possibilities and a belief that you will succeed. We will be exploring this and more during this programme.

What’s the role of the leader during tough times?

To act early, understand the environment or potential environment, share your vision and communicate, communicate, communicate what is happening and what you want from the team.

Is organisational success attainable during tough times?

Absolutely. It is easy to prosper in good times, but it needs good leadership and management with a clear focus on how to thrive in tough times. Moreover, when you emerge from the tough times, the well-managed companies that are still standing will have a market cleared of the less well-managed competitors that did not make it.

How could executives optimise the benefits of virtual executive development programmes?

This is not an exercise in cut and paste what you have heard/learnt. It’s about stimulating you to think deeply about your context and how to make it work for you. As my mentor said to me, “Don’t follow what’s written in the leadership textbooks, do the things the next textbooks will be written about” There is a whole range of successful leadership styles

What would happen if leaders refuse to innovate?

Others will do it for you and take your business from you in the process. This TEXEM’s forthcoming leadership programme will offer valuable insights into this.

Raven out there, from autocratic to leaderless. Work out which one is you, and then be true to yourself. Very few can carry off the sustained act of being someone they are not. During this forthcoming programme, Prof Wim and I would be leveraging TEXEM’s tested and proven methodology to deliver a truly exciting, inspiring and valuable experience on how to win through innovation.

How can leaders spot opportunities in tough times and harness them?

Tough times are the best times for spotting opportunities and doing something about them because everyone sees the imperative to change.

The most challenging times to innovate are the good times where complacency is the enemy of doing something new. Would we have discovered all the new ways in which we now work if the pandemic hadn’t forced it to happen?

Why is Texem Uk’s Leading and Driving Innovation programme important for all executives to attend?

There are three types of people: those that make things happen, those that watch things happen or those that wonder what’s happened. Innovation is the way you make things happen. This programme leading and driving innovation in tough times would inspire you on how to be a successful innovative leader. No executive and aspiring strategic leader can afford to miss this programme.

Participants such as CEOs, Chief Operating Officers, Chief Financial Officers, Chief Innovation Officers, Head of Product Development, Human Resource Managers, General Managers, Chief Marketing Officers, Chief Accounting Officers, and Chief Procurement Officers are welcome on this programme. In addition, participants could include Chief Publicity Officers, Chief Commercial Officers, Chief Sales Officers, Chief Technical Officers, Chief Learning Officers and everyone else who occupies a leadership position. Dear visionary leader, this TEXEM UK’s leadership programme is a rare opportunity to glean valuable and requisite actionable insights to thrive irrespective of your challenging and fast-paced operating context. You can choose to apply as an individual or as a group from your organisation.

TUESDAY MAY 25, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWSXTRA

Mustapha: APC Must Respect Pact for Southern President in 2023 Chuks Okocha in Abuja A national chairmanship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji MB Mustapha, yesterday urged critical stakeholders of the party to uphold the sanctity

of the pre-merger agreement by party leaders to rotate both the presidency and party chairmanship between the North and the South.

Mustapha, whose campaign train berthed in Lagos, told reporters that the honourable

thing for APC was to keep to the agreement.

He said: “There was an agreement for the presidency and the party leadership to rotate between the North and the South. Zoning must be strictly adhered to as it is honourable

Daniel: Gaza War Casualties Less than Nigeria’s Daily Records Olawale Olaleye A former Ogun State governor and member, All Progressives Congress (APC) Contact and Strategy Committee, Mr. Gbenga Daniel, yesterday, said the level of insecurity in the country has become unacceptable, adding that the casualties recorded in the recent war between Israel and Palestine on Gaza was not as much as the casualties recorded daily in Nigeria.

Speaking with select journalists in his office in Lagos, he dismissed the alleged secession bid for Yoruba nation, saying the South-west people would prefer a Nigeria, where there was equity, justice and fairness than breaking away.

Daniel said there was a whole lot to do about security, adding that, “some of us are still asking questions. “I agree that the level of insecurity has reached an

unacceptable level.

“Without admitting that we are in a state of war, the level of casualties we are seeing is not different. The number of casualties in the Isreali/Gaza war is not close to what we record here on a daily basis.”

Daniel disclosed that the last time he was at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, he raised the issue of insecurity with a staff of President Muhammadu Buhari, who assured him that there were plans to tame the scourge.

He, however, advised the political class to rally round the government of the day and put aside their differences.

“When a country is in a state of insecurity, the solution is to join hands to find solution and not engage in political sloganeering,” he said.

On the purported secession

agenda of the Yoruba people, Daniel explained that, “The entire Yoruba nation is united and they know what they want out of this nation. “Ordinarily, no one wants to pull out of Nigeria and our people are united in their aspiration. What is different is the level of expectations,” stressing that the extremists advocating session also thought their approach was the best.

“Our people are looking for a Federal Republic, where there’s equity and fair-play. Some people have said the constitution is the problem hence the moderates feel the constitution can be rewritten.

Nobody wants a state, where he is treated as a second class citizen. Constitution amendment is tough – a tall order – but doable,” noting that, the National Assembly should do the needful in that respect.

to keep to the agreement.

“The presidency should go to the South and the national chairmanship of the party should go to the North.”

Mustapha stated that if elected as APC national chairman, he will focus on promoting the inclusion of youths and women in decision making and ensure that they are allowed to play prominent roles in government.

“The youths, with over 60

per cent the voting population and Nigeria’s population, must dictate who becomes the president in 2023. The elders should step aside; and this should cut across all political parties,” he added.

According to him, one of his main agenda is to enthrone party discipline, promote internal democracy, supremacy of the party and gender equality, by carrying women along in party affairs.

Responding to questions on how he would help the party to foster national unity, he said every part of the country must be given a sense of belonging by ensuring equitable distribution of resources and reflecting federal character in political appointments.

He added that equity, fairness and justice are the only ways the APC can survive beyond 2023.

Tinubu will Serve Everyone, Says Group Vanessa Obioha A group of politicians from the National Assembly and grassroots leaders yesterday reaffirmed their dedication to rally support for the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as the right presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, “who they believe will uphold true federalism in the country.”

The group under the umbrella of South-West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA) at a meeting in Lagos yesterday expressed confidence that Tinubu is the right candidate to emerge from the South-west region for the 2023 presidential elections owing to his past record

of identifying persons with true leadership skills.

According to the Chairman of the group, Senator Adedayo Adeyeye, “The APC leader has shown over time that he is for everyone,” as he gave an instance of when Tinubu was the governor of Lagos State, stating that he was fair to all groups.

“He believes in true federalism and has the political capacity to push that forward. We are clamouring for Tinubu because he is not going there to serve Yoruba interests only.

He is going to serve the people of Nigeria. He has demonstrated this as the governor of Lagos State.

“He has been fair to all groups.

He is not going to be President of the Yoruba people but of Nigeria,

working for the interests of all Nigerians. We need to arrest the centrifugal forces and ensure that everyone is represented well.

“This is a very diverse country.

He is going to bring out the best in people which is a hallmark of good governance. He has sown seeds all over the country. They are bearing fruits. He is capable and ready. There is all likelihood that by the Grace of God, he will make it.”

The group dismissed the thought that age and health may not favour their candidate. They regarded such as viral antagonistic comments on social media politically motivated, assuring Nigerians that Tinubu has the capacity to lead the country right.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ MAY 25, 2021

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

FG SetsNewStandardsfor Solar ComponentsImportation,Manufacturing Stories by Emmanuel Addeh ÓØ ÌßÔË The federal government has introduced additional standards for solar panels, batteries, inverters, meters and charge controllers for manufacturers and importers of components of the product in the country.

Coming under the framework of the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP), a technical assistance programme co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the German government, the government stated that the standards will support its objective of accelerating access to energy.

In addition, it noted that the new standards will enhance a regulated solar market in the country and ensure that the potential opportunity within the Nigerian market for renewable energy technology deployments

is unlocked.

The Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mr. Farouk Salim, who spoke during the event, noted that making use of quality components guarantee the lifespan of technologies and makes projects more bankable and sustainable to attract the level of investment required to grow the market.

“It also builds confidence of end users as importers, manufacturers, retailers and project developers begin to use standardised products and components,” he said.

The DG stated that Nigeria has all it needs to succeed in the renewable energy space, noting that it is the future of sustainable energy supply.

He emphasised that industries in the country were suffering because of lack of energy, stressing that given the country’s natural

resources, it shouldn’t happen.

He maintained that Norway, one of the biggest oil producers in Europe, gets at least 60 per cent of its energy from renewables , using wind , sun and others.

“These standards that we have set with the help of stakeholders for solar panels, charge controllers, electricity meters, inverters and batteries will make sure industry meets good manufacturing best practices,” he stated.

He further pledged to support manufacturers and importers, stressing that those cutting corners will be prosecuted to serve as a deterrence.

In his remarks, Minister of Power, Mr Sale Mamman, explained that there was the need to accelerate renewable energy development, noting that it was important for access to socio-economic growth.

L-R: ICT Officer, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Obilana Olayiwola; Chairman, South West Zone, Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Taiwo Ebenezer; President, Aminu Gwadabe; Compliance Dept, NFIU, Akubo Emmanuel; National Treasurer, ABCON, Gbadamosi Mohammed, and Executive Secretary, Cletus Uduma, at the commencement of the ABCON nationwide training on BDCs’ operations in Lagos…yesterday

MARKET INDICATORS

…Mulls Elevation of Survey Institute to Varsity The federal government has disclosed plan to elevate the oldest specialised institution for the teaching of surveying and geo-informatics in Nigeria, the Federal School of Surveying in Oyo, Oyo State established in 1908, to a university.

Surveyor General of the Federation (SGoF), Mr. Taiwo Adeniran, who is also Chairman of the Governing Council of the school, speaking after the council meeting of the institution, stressed that the Gambian Government had officially made a request for the training of its nationals on surveying and geo-informatics at the institution.

He added that the rector and management staff of the school were looking to collaborate with the Federal University of Technology, Akure and Ajayi Crowther University, Abeokuta since the school would be running some other courses like geology, geo-physics, hydrography and

post-graduate courses among others. According to him, the council was putting in place necessary arrangements for the school to benefit some projects from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) as part of efforts to upgrade the school to meet standards of foremost institutions of higher learning.

A statement by the Head of Press and Public Relations, OSGoF, Michael Abu, said the SGoF was conducted round some of the ongoing projects, including administrative complex, 1000-seat capacity lecture theatre and the Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) capable of streaming data for users and other consumers in Lagos, Ibadan and Osogbo. Adeniran encouraged the institution to put the projects to good use so as to increase the capacity for Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

He said his focus was to install CORS across the country for

streaming of data, and for online surveying and mapping in order to do away with unwarranted errors.

Because of the cost implications, he explained that he was already in contact with big providers for partnership to would benefit the country in no small measure, with the country according to him, requiring about 200 of such facilities. In her comments, Rector of the school, Dr. Olayinka Nihinlola-Dosunmu expressed appreciation for the release of some funds for the ongoing projects in the school, mentioning that the new lecture theatre and the administrative complex would be completed before the end of the year.

She noted that with the increase in prices of building materials, the N220 million lecture theatre and N88 million required about additional N40 million and N88 million after review for completion.

Zero Emissions: OPEC, IEA Differ On Upstream Oil Investments Claim The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) advocacy for net-zero emissions can increase oil market volatility and jeopardise needed investment in fossil fuels, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has said in a report to its members.

The oil producer group disputed the IEA’s May 18 assessment that no new oil and gas upstream projects should be developed, if the world is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

“The claim that no new oil and gas investments are needed post-2021 stands in stark contrast with conclusions often expressed in other IEA reports and could be the source of potential instability in oil markets if followed by some investors,” said the OPEC report, which was seen by S&P Global Platts. OPEC added: “While the (net zero) scenario seems overly ambitious in terms of assumptions and results, it will certainly influence investment decisions, which may curb demand (growth) for fossil fuels, such as oil and gas, as many policymakers and oil and gas companies use the IEA’s scenarios for their strategic planning.”

The IEA outlined its first

roadmap for how the global energy sector can achieve net-zero emissions in its attention-grabbing report, seeing global oil supplies needing to shrink more than 8 per cent annually.

Under this scenario, oil demand would never regain its pre-pandemic peak in 2019, shrinking to 24 million b/d in 2050. OPEC’s most recent longterm oil market forecast, issued in October, projects global demand to rise from pre-pandemic levels of about 100 million b/d to peak at 109.3 million b/d around 2040, before declining to 109.1 million b/d in 2045 and plateauing “over a relatively long period.”

The CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Co, Sultan al-Jaber, said the ramp-up in coronavirus vaccination rates around the world was, “very much encouraging” for global economic growth and the recovery in oil demand.”

“The economic landscape is looking quite positive,” he said at the Columbia Global Energy Summit, which was webcast.

“We are seeing a healthy rebalancing of oil markets. Demand is back up to 95 million b/d.”

ADNOC pumps the vast majority of crude in the UAE,

which holds the seventh largest oil reserves in the world and is a key member of OPEC. The UAE as a whole produced 2.61 million b/d in April, according to the latest S&P Global Platts survey of OPEC output, just under its quota under a supply accord between OPEC and its allies.

Jaber, who also is the UAE’s minister of industry and its special envoy for climate change, said ADNOC’s long-term forecast sees global oil demand increasing to 106 million b/d by 2030.

An industry-wide pullback in upstream investment due to oil price volatility and mounting environmental, social and governance concerns, will leave low-cost – and low-carbon – oil producers, such as ADNOC, in an advantaged position, said Jaber, who did not address the IEA roadmap. ADNOC has previously announced plans to invest $120 billion over the next five years, with the aim of hitting a production capacity of 5 million b/d by 2030, and has touted its flagship Murban crude grade as having one of the lowest carbon intensities among the world’s crudes.

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 ˜ Ͱͮ ͰͮͰͯ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $65.29 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $65.95 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).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͱͳ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Custodian Investment to Buy Out Minority Shareholders of UPDC Goddy Egene Custodian Investment Plc is to make a mandatory takeover offer (MTO) to minority shares of UACN Property Development Company Plc (UPDC) following the approval given by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) dated May 18, 2021.

In notification to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) yesterday, Custodian Investment Plc said following the approval, it

had been authorised to proceed with the MTO to be made to minority shareholders of UPDC for the purchase of up to 34,415,332 ordinary shares of 50 kobo shares at 90 kobo per share.

Custodian Investment had last year completed acquisition of the 51 per cent majority equity stake in UPDC) Plc from UAC of Nigeria Plc. Group Managing Director, Custodian Investment, Wole

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

Oshin had said the acquisition was motivated by the fact that Custodian and UACN shared the view that their ambitions for capturing opportunity in the real estate industry will be better achieved working in partnership.

“UPDC is one of Nigeria’s leading real estate development companies, having completed several landmark residential and commercial developments over the past twenty years.

This transaction will provide

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

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

Custodian with a platform to capture arising real estate opportunities. It also immediately provides recurring cash flow visibility and attractive yields as a result of its direct exposure to Nigeria’s leading real estate investment trust (UPDC REIT) with a track record of profitability and annual dividend distribution which offers a good compliment for our product portfolio,” Oshin said.

The shareholders of UPDC

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

recently authorised the board of directors to enter into loan agreement with Custodian Investment Plc and UACN to discharge its outstanding debt obligations.

They authorised the company, “to enter into a shareholder loan agreement with Custodian Investment PLC and UAC of Nigeria Plc for the provision of a shareholder loan required by the company for the discharge of its outstanding debt obligations; that

O F

in furtherance of the foregoing resolution, the company be and is hereby authorised to create a charge over such asset(s) of the company as the directors may determine, in favour of the majority shareholders as security for the shareholder loan.”

The company was equally authorised to create a charge over such its asset(s) as the directors may determine, in favour of the majority shareholders as security for the shareholder loan.

2 4 / 0 5 / 2 0 2 1 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

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TUESDAY MAY 25, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

24 HOURS...

24 HOURS...

Ebubeagu, Police Nab 38 Bandits, Kill One in Ebonyi Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki The South-east Security outfit codenamed ‘Ebubeagu,’ in collaboration with the police has arrested 38 suspected bandits in Ebonyi State and killed one of the gunmen.

Commissioner for Internal Security, Border Peace and Conflict Resolutions, Mr. Stanley Okoro Emegha, disclosed yesterday in Abakaliki, the state capital, that thirty-seven of the suspects were arrested in the Agubia axis of Ikwo Local Government Area of the

Police Arrest 12 Suspects, Repel Attack on Station in Lagos Sunday Ehigiator The Lagos State Police Command has revealed that it tactically repelled some hoodlums who attempted to set ablaze the Oke Odo Division, Lagos State Command of the force yesterday and arrested 12 suspects in connection with the attempted attack.

A statement that was issued by the State’s Police Spokesperson, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, stated clearly that no live was lost and that no police station burnt.

The command also said that it has restored normalcy to Elemoro where another set of hoodlums attempted to set ablaze the newly built police station, which accommodates

the Area J Command, Ajah and Elemoro Division of the command, in connection with a case of fatal accident recorded in the area yesterday.

Adejobi said: “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, has deployed adequate personnel to the areas. He has also ordered that the incidences at Oke Odo, Ile Epo and Elemoro be thoroughly investigated. The details of the incidences will be revealed as soon as possible.

“The Commissioner of Police therefore appealed to the general public to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses as all hands are on deck to suppress any act of lawlessness and criminality in the state.”

Lagos, Ogun Sign MoU on Devt of Infrastructure in Border Communities SegunJames Lagos and Ogun states have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for joint development of infrastructure in borderline communities between both states.

With the MoU, Lagos State can now build roads and other infrastructures inside Ogun State territory without waiting for permission.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his Ogun State counterpart, Prince Dapo Abiodun, inked the document at ceremony in Abeokuta,OgunStatecapital,yesterday to kick off the Lagos-Ogun Joint Development Commission. The signing was witnessed by top

government functionaries from the two states.

The Commission will see to the development of infrastructure such as roads and security among others in border towns between the two states.

Sanwo-Olu, in his speech said the megacity status of Lagos State necessitated the need for synergy between Lagos and nearby state of Ogun in the area of development.

“Lagos, as a megacity with a population of over 22 million people reaffirms the need for greater synergy with other states, especially our immediate neighbours for sustainable socio-economic development.

APC to Consult Buhari, Govs, Others on National Convention Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The National Secretary of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, has said that the committee would consult President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, governors and other major stakeholders of the party before taking any decision on the party’s national convention scheduled to hold next month.

The Secretary stated this yesterday while fielding questions from journalists after he held an emergency meeting to ratify the APC FCT Area Council primaries.

He said there would be no crisis in the party in June as

far as the party’s convention is concerned.

“I want to assure you that there will be no crisis in our party in June. Convention can be done in June and congresses can start and end in June but it all depends on what the leaders of this party agreed upon.

“This committee is honest and we have never lied to Nigerians.

We can always fight and resolve at the family level.”

The Secretary noted the committee was aware that party members would like to hear from the committee as regards the party’s convention slated for next month.

He added that the committee was looking into so many things, adding that the committee has to consult extensively before it would do anything.

state, while allegedly plotting to attack some security and other government facilities in the state.

According to him, the suspects were arrested during a joint operation coordinated by him and the Ikwo Local Government Council Chairman, Mr. Steve Orogwu and the Ikwo Divisional Police Officer, (DPO).

He added that the suspects were arrested following a tip-off that they were about to attack

police stations in the area and set ablaze some of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices and some Courts in the Local Government Area.

Emegha said that the suspects came into the state from different parts of South-east to carry out the operation while others also came from the different local government areas of Ebonyi State.

“We got information that there were people gathering to go and

burn some Police stations, burn some INEC officers and court in the area and then the Ebubeagu quickly mobilised and swoop in on them”.

“It was discovered that they have a map and came from different places like Enugu, Imo and others from different local government area of Ebonyi State.

We asked questions, they said they have the authority of whoever they called their boss, I don’t know

to burn those places”.

“But unfortunately, luck ran out of them and they were all arrested and have been handed over to the police”.

The commissioner said the suspects have confessed to the crime. According to him, the suspects said they were working on the instruction of their “boss” who the security agencies are working hard to unravel.

CONSOLING A FRIEND...

L-R: Wife of Okey Ezibe, Mrs. Uju Ezibe: legal practitioner, Mr. Osita Mbamalu; his wife, Ijeoma; former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi; and Chairman, BoT of Balogun Business Association, Lagos, Mr. Okey Ezibe, during the burial of Mrs. Joy Njideka Mbamalu at Igbo Ukwu, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State...recently

Two Suspected Bandits Burnt to Death in Niger Protesters set ablaze Gauraka Police Station Laleye Dipo in Minna Few hours after 11 persons were kidnapped at Gauraka in the Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State, two suspected kidnappers were allegedly burnt alive by a mob in Madalla area of Suleja LGA of the state.

Madalla is a few kilometers from Gauraka.

The angry mob allegedly set the two suspected bandits on fire at about 10 a.m. yesterday.

An eyewitnesses told THISDAY that the suspected bandits were about to escape when the people in the area rounded them up and set them on fire with petrol and used tyres.

It could not be confirmed if there was any link between the

Gauraka kidnap incident and the burnt suspected kidnappers.

In an early morning raid, bandits stormed Gauraka town in the Tafa LGA and kidnapped not less than 12 residents. The figure has now risen to 15, according to a credible government source in Minna.

The heavily-armed criminals shot sporadically into the air

as they went from house to house kidnapping their victims and taking them to unknown destination.

Following the development, hundreds of youths and other villagers poured out on the road blocking the ever busy AbujaSuleja-Kaduna road thereby preventing free flow of traffic on both sides of the road.

Omo-Agege: No Senator will Influence Constitution Review Deji ElumoyeinAbuja Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, yesterday said the recent view against the nation’s restructuring expressed by the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, will not influence the report of the Senate Constitution Review Committee.

He, however, disclosed that a new version of the 1999 Constitution

of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will be ready for the President’s assent

by July, this year.

Omo-Agege, who is the Chairman of the 58-man Senate Ad-hoc committee on Constitution Review, also said similar view against restructuring espoused by Senator Abdullahi Adamu, will not in anyway affect the report of the Ad - hoc committee on Constitution Review.

The committee Chairman who made this known while briefing journalists on Zonal Public Hearings slated for Wednesday (tomorrow) and Thursday this week across the six geo - political zones and National Public Hearing slated for next week in Abuja, emphasised that the views of the two Senators were personal and not that of the Senate.

When asked whether such views

against restructuring would not influence the Committee to come up with cosmetic constitution review report as against very substantial ones expected from them by Nigerians, Omo - Agege stressed that the aggregate of opinions gathered from Nigerians at the hearings and from memoranda already received, will shape the report of the committee.

House to Consider Bill Seeking to Scrap NYSC Udora OrizuinAbuja The House of Representatives is considering scrapping of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Alteration Bill, 2020, which is seeking to repeal the NYSC Act, has been billed for second reading.

The sponsor, Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante, in the explanatory

memorandum of the proposal, listed the various reasons why the NYSC should be scrapped.

One of the reasons, according to Abiante, is due incessant killing of innocent corps members in some parts of the country due to banditry, religious extremism and ethnic violence.

The statement read: ‘’This bill seeks to repeal Section 315(5)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) on the

following grounds-incessant killing of innocent corps members in some parts of the country due to banditry, religious extremism and ethnic violence; incessant kidnapping of corps members across the country.

“Public and private agencies and departments are no longer recruiting able and qualified Nigerian youths, thus relying heavily on the availability of corps members who are not being well remunerated, and get discarded

with impunity at the end of their service year without any hope of being gainfully employed. Due to insecurity across the country, the NYSC management now gives considerations to posting corps members to their geopolitical zone, thus defeating one of the objectives on which the Corps was set up i.e. ‘developing common ties among the Nigerian youths and promote national unity and integration’.”

Tambuwal Loses Commissioner for Agriculture The Sokoto State governor, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal has lost the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Azika Tureta, who died yesterday at the Usmanu Danfodiyo Teaching Hospital.

The grassroots politician was buried yesterday in Tureta, his hometown by 11am.

According to a statement

credited to one of the top aides to the governor of Sokoto State, the departed politician was described as humble, amiable and grassroots politician who has made his mark as a politician in the state.

“Truly, Hon Tureta served his people and state well by standing on what is right and fighting for their development and survival

long time before now” He was at one time a member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Bodinga, Dange Shuni and Tureta Federal Constituency on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), before later emerged as the chairman of the party in the state.

“Tureta was a very hardworking, strategic leader that appreciates team work and talents even among our party elders during our hey days.

“People of Tureta, Sokoto state and our government lost an icon, a committed, trusted ally and great politician with ideas, respect and courage on issues that affects well-being of the people.

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˜ ͺͽ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

TUESDAYSPORTS I N T E R N AT I O N A L F R I E N D LY

Rohr Picks Musa, Ekong, 22 Others for Cameroon Duel in Austria

Super Eagles are primed for another showdown with Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in another friendly in Vienna, Austria Coach Gernot Rohr has selected captain Ahmed Musa, deputy captain William Ekong and home boys John Noble and Anayo Iwuala among the 24 Super Eagles who will do battle with five-time African champions Cameroon in a prestige friendly in Austria on Friday next week.

The list also has goalkeepers Maduka Okoye and Francis Uzoho, defenders Ola Aina and Chidozie Awaziem, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Abdullahi Shehu, and forwards Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon and Simy Nwankwo.

Turkey-based former U20 defender Valentine Ozornwafor, Denmark-based midfielder Frank Onyeka and Lorient FC of France’s Terem Moffi are also included.

Nigeria, who have won the Africa Cup of Nations three times but have been bumped

by Cameroon in the final of the competition on three other occasions, defeated the Indomitable Lions 3-0 in a friendly in Belgium in October 2015, and have not lost to the Lions in regulation time since a 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Yaounde on 27th August 1989.

THE FULL SQUAD Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (APOEL Nicosia, Cyprus); John Noble (Enyimba FC); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands) Defenders:Chidozie Awaziem (FC Boavista, Portugal); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany);

Tyronne Ebuehi (FC Twente, The Netherlands); Valentine Ozornwafor (Galatasaray FC, Turkey) Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Abdullahi Shehu (Omonia Nicosia, Cyprus); Frank Onyeka (FC Midtjylland, Denmark); Abraham Marcus (CD Feirense, Portugal) Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars FC); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Peter Olayinka (Slavia Praha, Czech Republic); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Anayo Iwuala (Enyimba FC); Terem Moffi (FC Lorient, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Simy Nwankwo (Crotone FC, Italy)

Leeds‘ Ayling Beats Ndidi, Others to Top Tackler Prize Femi Solaja with agency report Barely 24 hours after his club, Leicester City missed out from playing in the UEFA Champions League next season, Super Eagles midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, yesterday again missed out of the Best Tackler Award as Leeds United’s Luke Ayling claimed the prize.

Like Ndidi, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yves Bissouma also missed out of the award.

For the records, Ayling made 108 successful tackles, Bissouma finished in second place with four tackles less while Denmark international and Tottenham Hotspur star, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, was third with 98 tackles to his credit.

Ndidi who finished next to Aaron Wan-Bissaka last term, placed fourth in the period under review with 96 tackles.

The Nigeria star player was on course with fellow countryman, Kelechi Iheanacho

Wilfred Ndidi...missed out of the Tackler Award for a Champions League spot as they led Spurs 2-1 on the last day of the season for 75 minutes.

With Chelsea losing away at Aston Villa, the ticket appeared in the kitty but the tide changed and the Foxes were condemned to play in the second tier Europa League with 2-4 loss to the North London team.

That slip by Leicester in the remains 15 minutes of that high tempo game, saved The Blues from missing out of topflight

European club football next season.

Ayling was on parade from start to finish for Leeds in Sunday’s 3-1 triumph over West Bromwich Albion at Elland Road.

Although Marcelo Bielsa’s Whites finished in ninth place having accrued 59 points from 38 games, the 29-year-old would have something to cheer following his aweinspiring performance for the West Yorkshire-based outfit in the just-concluded season.

Since Ndidi’s move from Belgian topflight side Genk, the Super Eagle has been outstanding for Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes in the English elite division.

In his first season, the 24-year-old topped the tacklers’ chart with 138 successes and in the process was named as Leicester City’s Young Player of the Year for the 2017/18 season.

Abuja Agog for 43rd CBN Senior Tennis Open After the qualifying rounds that ended on Sunday, the Main Draw chart of the 43rd edition of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Senior Tennis Open Championships served-off yesterday at the Package ‘B’ of the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

Players are to battle for the top Perez’s in both the men and women’s singles categories as well as the doubles and the wheelcahir men and women’s singles division.

The men’s singles will be

played in the round of 64 with Joseph Imeh as top seed while the women’s singles category will be observed in the round of 32 where Quadri Oyinlomo who is the back-to-back champion is the player to beat.

Oyinlomo won the title in 2019 and 2020 and is going for the third straight win of the event.

Other top players listed for hostilities include Christian Paul, Clifford Enosoregbe, Abdulmumuni Babalola and

Shehu Lawal among others.

In the women category, the likes of former Champions, Sarah Adegoke and Christy Agugbom, Blessing Samuel, Aanu Aiyegbusi, Ronke Akingbade, Blessing Anuna and US-based Marylove Edward will be on parade.

Sarah Adegoke who blamed injury for her inability to claim the title last year, has vowed to stop the defending champion Quadri Oyinlomo in this edition to reclaim her lost glory.

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

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Tuesday May 25, 2021

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Price: N250

MISSILE Wike to Babangida Aliyu

“Muazu Babangida Aliyu is a political liability to the PDP; he is not an asset…. Muazu Babangida Aliyu is what you call a chronic liar and serial betrayer. He is a mole in PDP. I challenge him, he is a mole in PDP” – Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, describing as a mole in the PDP.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI abati1990@gmail.com

Nigerian Air Force and Its Crashing Planes

T

he Nigerian Air Force is the youngest arm of the Nigerian military having been established only on April 18, 1964. In the course of its 57 years of operation, defending the air space of Nigeria and the country’s territorial integrity, the NAF has seen action in many theatres of operation: the Nigerian Civil war, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali, the Gambia and Nigeria’s zone of terror, the North East, producing in the process some of the finest officers that have served their country in the best traditions of military service. Modern warfare is no longer all about boots on the ground or physical combat. Advancements in technology and Artificial Intelligence have motivated more countries to invest more in technology, brain power and air power, in the same manner in which having a large Navy was the fashion at the turn of the 19th Century.

In terms of military aircraft strength, Nigeria is ranked 65 out of 140 countries in a 2021 Global Firepower Index, far behind Egypt (10), Algeria (22). Morocco (40), Sudan (51), Tunisia (58) and Kenya (59). But whereas it is generally agreed that Nigeria needs to re-tool, fund, and re-position its military, especially in the face of the spread of terrorism, the more urgent concern is the manner in which Nigerian Air Force aircraft have been crashing from the skies. The Nigerian Air Force operates Nigeria’s Presidential Fleet. Either now or in the past, whenever an aircraft under the control of the Air Force crashes, much anxiety is necessarily expressed about an arm of the Nigerian military whose motto is “Willing...Able..

Ready”. The question is reasonably asked: how able or ready is the Nigerian Air Force?

Air accidents no doubt occur, and there have been over 60 of such accidents in Nigeria since 1925 when the first aircraft flew across Nigerian skies. This could be due to technical error, sabotage, inclement weather, or an act of God. Where a military aircraft is involved, conspiracy theories are generated. A quick look at the history of air mishaps involving the Nigerian military indicate until now, a pattern of occasional, even if tragic occurrences. On September 26, 1992, a Nigerian Air Force Hercules C-130 crashed just a few minutes after taking off from the Lagos Airport, leading to the death of all 158 persons on board. On September 12, 1997, a Dornier 228-212 belonging to the NAF also crashed with 10 persons on board. Nobody survived. Nine years later, precisely on September 17, 2006, a Dornier 228 military plane crashed at Vandekiya, Benue State killing 14 military officers including 10 Generals. In August 2015, another Dornier 228-212, NAF 030 crashed in Kaduna, all seven on board died. On September 28, 2018, a Nigerian Air Force Pilot died after two aircraft crashed around Katampe Hill, Abuja, while rehearsing for the nation’s 58th Independence Day celebrations. In each of these incidents, valuable men were lost; families were thrown into sorrow. In at least two incidents, it was widely speculated that the officers who lost their lives were victims of sinister power play within the military. Each time such an accident occurs, the public is told that investigations would be conducted and that the Accident Investigation Bureau had taken charge of the famous “Black Box”. But nobody ever shares the “secrets” in that Black Box with the public, whether the air mishap was civilian or military.

There is however a need to insist on transparency.

Air mishaps involving the Nigerian military have now become so regular, so unbelievable. The latest occurred on Friday, May 21, 2021 when a Beechcraft KingAir 350i, NAF 203 crashed near Kaduna International Airport. Eleven military officers, including the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, lost their lives in that mishap. General Attahiru assumed office on January 26, 2021. He was appointed by the President along with the current Chief of Defence Staff,

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao General Lucky Irabor, Chief of Naval Staff – Rear Admiral Awwal Gambo, Chief of Air Staff – Air Marshall Oladayo Amao. The Irabor squad hit the ground running, with Attahiru visiting the war front immediately to address his troops. He was a hands-on General, He had fire in his belly.

His voice echoed the amplitude of his position.

It was as if he needed to prove a point having been removed previously, rather unceremoniously, as Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole by the man he succeeded, that is his former boss, now retired Gen. Tukur Buratai.

With Attahiru in that ill-fated aircraft was Brigadier General Abdulkadir Kuliya, then acting Chief of Military Intelligence described by his colleagues as a detribalised Nigerian with a kind heart, Acting Provost Marshall of the Army, Brigadier General Olatunji Olayinka, Chief of Staff to the COAS, Brigadier-General Mohammed Abdulkadir, Aide-De-Camp to the COAS, Major Lawal Aliyu Hayat, Major Nura Hamza and the pilots. Flt Lt. Taiwo Olufemi Asaniyi was looking forward to his wedding. Flt. Lt. A.A. Olufade got married only two months ago! Sergeants O.I. Adesina, Umar Saidu and ACM Olamide Oyedepo also had a bright future ahead of them. Sgt Opeyemi Adesina of Iddo Community, Egbedore LGA, Osun State died three weeks after his daughter’s dedication. But now all that is ended. Gone. Flt Lt. Olufade’s father is devastated. Who wouldn’t be? Asaniyi’s fiancée has posted a touching tribute on social media.

It is heart-breaking. Hopes aborted. Potentials unfulfilled.

Nigerians are outraged that the Federal Government did not handle the tragedy well. They expected the President to attend the funeral. He wasn’t there. They thought if the President could not make it, then the Vice President would show up. Here, the problem is that the Vice President can only represent the President if he is directed to do so. He cannot go on a frolic of his own without the President’s permission. The President sent the Minister of Defence, General Bashir Magashi to represent him, but this particular representative only ended up adding petrol to public anger.

General Magashi could not deliver a written speech in a fluent manner. He expressed displeasure on behalf of the President. Displeasure that a funeral ceremony was taking place? He mixed up titles in a rather windy protocol list. He ruined it all by conveying “heartless felt condolences” on behalf of the President. Heartless! Magashi obviously was not prepared. He probably did not read the script. People find themselves in important positions in line with Peter’s principle and when they do not rehearse before engaging in the task of public communication, they stutter and descend to lower depths. Magashi is a lawyer and a distinguished soldier in his earlier career.

But all geriatics in government who may have

issues reading prepared speeches should just be allowed to speak vernacular going forward. General Magashi could just have spoken Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba and have someone translate it for him.

Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba languages are officially recognized in the Nigerian 1999 Constitution in Section 55. Why struggle with the English language under difficult circumstances when you can just speak one of the three languages recognised by the Nigerian Constitution! As if that was not enough, it took the Federal Government till Monday, May 24 to direct that the Nigerian flag should be flown at half mast in honour of the dead. The gesture was so belated, it was seen as an afterthought. And then the President declared a May 24 holiday for men of the Nigerian Air Force in the middle of a war in the North East.

Nigeria is probably the only country where a whole division of the Armed Forces would be directed to go on holiday for 24 hours!

One of the spokespersons for President Buhari has offered the explanation that the President could not attend the funeral ceremonies for the fallen officers for security reasons. We have been told that the President needs 48 hours’ notice before he can move from the Villa. Are we being told that the President is now being held hostage?

Or what? He is Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, for crying out loud. He has an entire Brigade of Guards protecting him and the FCT. What 48-hour security clearance does the President require to protect his movement between the Villa and the National Cemetery to honour his own troops who fell while on official duty? It also took the Vice President more than 24 hours to issue a condolence message via Twitter. Was that also for security reasons?

Governance is about substance, symbols and gestures. The consensus among Nigerians is that the President showing up at the funeral ceremony would have been a morale booster for the military. I think so too.

We had a guest on The Morning Show, Arise TV on Monday, May 24, Retired Air Commodore Abayomi Balogun, NAF pilot for more than 30 years. He was of the firm opinion that nobody should worry about the morale of the troops.

Soldiers he said know what they signed up for. They are ever prepared to pay the ultimate sacrifice. And whether or not the President attends a funeral of fallen men, the task of defending Nigeria goes on. Commodore Balogun is a very articulate man who knows his field like the back of his hands. That was how he came across. But upon further reflection on his views, I disagree with him. Loyalty to one’s country, serving and dying for it, is not an automatic obligation. Soldiers are human beings. They also have families. They expect to be appreciated for their sacrifice. That is why recently, they have been bold enough to complain about welfare, rebel against their commanders, and post uncomplimentary videos on social media about the Nigerian military. A strong morale emboldens the soldier. We need to be more sensitive to their needs, feelings and concerns.

And this: While the big men dropped the ball, their wives picked it up. We must commend Mrs Aisha Buhari and Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo for their empathy, compassion, and beyond the-other-room responsible citizenship. Mrs. Osinbajo, the Vice President’s wife visited the wives of all the 7 Abuja-based officers from Niger Barracks to NAF Base. She was accompanied by Senator Remi Tinubu and others. First Lady, Mrs Buhari also visited the wife of the late Chief of Army Staff. She was accompanied by her children and others. President Buhari has now made phone calls to some of the affected families. We are glad he finally got security clearance for that.

Beyond our review of responses to this tragedy, what remains is to raise questions about what needs to be done to check the crisis of repeated

crashes afflicting the Nigerian Airforce. Three aircraft belonging to the military have been involved in accidents within the last 90 days, this year alone.

The affected aircraft were not involved in combat.

They did not crash in a theatre of war. They were engaged either in a reconnaissance operation or utility transportation. Three months ago, that is on February 21, 2021, a Beechcraft KingAir B350i plane belonging to the NAF developed engine failure on its way to Minna. It was asked to return to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, from where it commenced its journey. It crashed on its way back. All seven personnel on board died. On March 31, 2021, NAF Alpha Jet 475 on a reconnaissance mission was declared missing. Its wreckage was later found in Bama, Borno State. The body of one of the pilots (Flt, Lt. Chapele Ebiakpo) was found intact. The other pilot (Flt. Lt. John Abolarinwa) could not be found. Two months later, there has been no word from the Air Force authorities.

In Nigeria, accident peril is treated as top secret.

This must stop. Secrecy in matters involving loss of human lives breeds distrust against the system, and promotes speculations. The May 21 crash that took the life of the former Chief of Army Staff Ibrahim Attahiru has been linked to the self-immolation, a few days earlier, by Ibrahim Shekau, leader of the Boko Haram who was reportedly cornered and ambushed by the rival Islamic State of the West African Province, and who chose to commit suicide. Could the NAF plane crash of May 21 be a form of reprisal attack? Did the Nigerian military know anything about the reported death of Abubakar Shekau?

The Presidency said President Buhari had to stay away from the funeral of the dead officers for security reasons. Is there something we should know that no one is willing to tell us?

Whatever anyone is thinking, nobody can live forever. There will be people today who will be calling the former Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai, to congratulate him on his good luck of having been removed from office.

Attahiru and his team were on their way to Kaduna to attend the Passing Out Parade (POP) of recruit officers. That could indeed have been Buratai performing the same function. That is life. Exits and entrances. Each man at his own time. But one thing: Attahiru and his crew would not have died in vain if every effort is made to check the emerging trend of Air Force planes crashing in non-combatant situations. Not even in Colombia do military aircraft drop from the skies like this! The Nigerian Government must institute an independent inquiry and review beyond the preliminary findings of the Accident Investigation Bureau which appears to be part of an entrenched culture of secrecy.

The standard response from the Nigerian military is to deny any wrong-doing. Spokesperson of the Nigerian Air Force, Commodore Edward Gabwet has said that the aircraft involved in the 2021 mishaps were all brand new. Really?

Is he sure? New things can crash, yes, but how new? We would like to know. Safety is the first consideration in aviation. How safe are the NAF planes? How often are they maintained? It is not enough to blame the weather, the most convenient fall-guy in situations like this. How well does the NAF maintain its aircraft? How capable are its personnel? Is the NAF “willing… able..and ready?”

Finally, the coffins of the fallen soldiers had not yet been sealed before those interested in their positions began to jostle for space and opportunity, with stories and permutations – ethnic, class and religious – about who should emerge as the next Chief of Army Staff. It is the prerogative of the President to choose his own lieutenants. He should act swiftly, decisively and wisely. Our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased.

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