TUESDAY 4TH JULY 2023

Tribunal Admits EU's Election Observation Report on Presidential Poll INEC says it did not report technical glitch to Amazon Electoral body fails to open defence in Obi's petition against Tinubu, LP presidential candidate’s team mocks INEC Chuks Okocha and Alex Enumah in Abuja The Presidential Election Petition Court (PREPEC) presided by Jus-

tice Haruna Tsammani, yesterday, admitted in evidence, the Final Report of the European Union Election Observer Mission (EU EOB) on the last general election.

The report tendered by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 25 presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, was admitted amidst

objections from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), President Bola Tinubu and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), who are 1st, 2nd

and 3rd respondents respectively in the petition filed by Atiku and his party, the PDP. This emerged just as INEC yesterday, failed to open its

defence in the petition of Mr. Peter Obi challenging the election of Tinubu.

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Naira Strengthens on I&E FX Window, Operators Rule Out Manipulation ... Page 8 Tuesday 4 July, 2023 Vol 28. No 10310. Price: N250

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THE PRESIDENT AND HIS SECURITY CHIEFS...

L-R Chief of Defense Intelligence Major General Epa Undiandeye ; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral E.A Ogalla; Chief of Defence Staff Maj. Gen. C. G. Musa; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI Army Staff, Maj. Gen. T A Lagbaja ; Chief of Air Staff AVM H. B Abubakar and Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, shortly after a meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa Abuja.....yesterday

Tinubu’s 30 Men, 30 Days, 30 Challenges President assures investors of policy consistency, improved business climate In what has become an astonishing surprise to his opponents and non-supporters, but an evident vindication of those who voted him and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Bola Tinubu’s one month in office has not only begun to change old narratives and impressions about his government, it is also fast defining and setting a template for greater expectations.

At his inauguration on May 29, Tinubu promised to hit the ground running, and he did. He took bold decisions that many before him had dreaded and resisted. Despite his controversial mandate, he is proving naysayers wrong on many fronts.

From the inauguration stage at Eagle Square, Abuja, where he surprisingly removed fuel subsidy, Tinubu has taken steps that are pointing curiously, in the direction of his renewed hope agenda.

Continued on page 22

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SHELL'S COURTESY VISIT TO THE PRESIDENT...

L-R: Managing Director, SPDC & Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor; Global Upstream Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Mrs Zoe Yujnovic; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Special Adviser on Energy to the President, Ms Olu Verheijen, during SPDC top management's visit to Tinubu at the State House Presidential Villa, Abuja…yesterday

Bloomberg: World’s 500 Richest People Added $852bn to their Fortunes in H1, 2023... Page 10

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

NEWS

19TH ANNUAL LECTURE OF BRIDGE HOUSE COLLEGE...

L-R: Executive Director, Bridge House College Ikoyi, Lagos, Dr (Mrs) Foluke AbdulRazaq OON; President/Group CEO, Transcorp Plc and Motivating Speaker, Dr (Mrs) Owen Omogiafo OON; receiving an award from the First Lady of Gombe State, Dr (Mrs) Asamu Inuwa Yahaya; and special guest and former Presidential Adviser, Senator Ben Obi, during the 19th Annual Lecture and Prize Giving Day of Class of 2023 of Bridge House College Ikoyi, Lagos, at the Shell Hall of Muson Centre, Lagos...recently

Work as Team to End Insecurity, Tinubu Charges Security Chiefs We’ll work tirelessly for Nigerians to get their lives back, Ribadu vows President may dialogue with bandits, says Yerima Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, held his first meeting with the newly appointed security chiefs, with a call on them to work as a team to deliver their mandates.

National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, disclosed the president’s directives to newsmen in Abuja after the meeting. Ribadu gave a commitment that the team would restore peace and stability in the country, and ensure Nigerians got their lives back.

But former governor of Zamfara State, Senator Sani Yerima, said Tinubu might be considering the option of dialogue with bandits terrorising the northern parts of the country as a way of achieving quick resolution of the problem.

During the maiden security meeting at State House, Abuja, Tinubu assured the Chief of Defence Staff, service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police, and other top military brass of his support.

Ribadu, who spoke with newsmen after the deliberations, said aside from visiting the president to thank him for giving them the opportunity to serve the country, they also received instructions on what the president expected of them.

The NSA said, "We’re here to thank Mr. President for the opportunity he gave us to serve our country and to

serve his own government. We also pledged our loyalty to him, Nigeria and Nigerians. We believe the choice he made is the right one, the correct one, and we know what he wants for this country.

“We’re going to work tirelessly to ensure that we accomplish that objective of securing our country, establishing peace, stability and let’s get our lives back.

“He gave us the assurance that he was with us hundred per cent.

He told us that we must work as a team and that there’s work to be done, he’ll expect us to deliver and we’re grateful for the opportunity.

That’s why we are here.”

Asked what the new security heads were bringing to the job, the NSA said though the task ahead was huge, “it is going to be done, insha Allah.”

On the team’s starting point, Ribadu said, “Where we are today and you can see already things are improving in our country. If you see, the record of crimes and activities of criminals are going down, it will continue to go down.

“We’ll secure this place. Nigerians have seen the quality of the people that are given opportunity, they are probably some of the best we have and they are not going to fail you, they’ll certainly deliver.”

The meeting was the first since Tinubu approved the appointment of the new set of security managers

on June 19.

Ribadu led the team to the meeting, which was attended by Acting Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Christopher Musa; Acting Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja; Acting Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; Acting Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar; Chief of Defense Intelligence, Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye; and Acting Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

Tinubu May Dialogue With Bandits, Says Yerima

Former Zamfara State governor, Senator Sani Yerima, said Tinubu was considering options for the quick resolution of the country's security challenges, including dialogue with bandits in northern Nigeria. Yerima

disclosed this yesterday at State House, Abuja, while speaking with newsmen after a meeting with the president Tinubu.

The former governor had in a recent interview on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Hausa service, advised government to explore the negotiation route with bandits, saying the military option ought to be the last resort. He highlighted the success of the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's negotiations with militants in the Niger Delta in 2007 as a precedent for peaceful resolution of crises.

Yerima, an ex-senator for Zamfara West between 2007 and 2019, blamed the rise of banditry in some parts of the country on poverty and lack of education.

He stated yesterday, "You see, these people are Nigerians, and I believe that the Nigerian government

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday, took its cashless policy sensitisation to the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), in Ondo State capital, urging the school to adopt its digital currency, the eNaira for collection of fees, levies, and revenues within the institution.

Speaking at the event, the CBN Acting Branch Controller, Ondo State, Mr. Giwa Samuel Ademola, said the policy was aimed at reducing physical cash transactions and creating awareness for the adoption of digital payment.

According to Ademola, the eNaira is CBN’s digital currency as well as a digital version of the

physical naira that could be used for payment in all transactions which would also help in operating the cashless policy.

His words: "The eNaira is not just any currency; It is designed to complement the existing physical Naira and to provide a more efficient, secure, and accessible means of payment. It represents a remarkable leap forward in how we interact with money, and it is tailor-made to meet the needs of our vibrant and dynamic community.

"One of the primary advantages of the eNaira lies in its unparalleled convenience. With this digital currency, individuals can swiftly and easily make payments without relying on physical cash or traditional

innocent soul, just in the name of looking for food.

“These people are having very high level of poverty and ignorance. So, if the government now comes up with a programme of rehabilitation just like they did in the issue of Boko Haram when the issue was handled, I'm sure you will have a successful ending of this crisis.

“The economic policy that the government is planning, if you look at the documents of ‘Renewed Hope,’ I'm sure by the time the implementation takes off properly, all these issues would be handled."

Commenting on the dialogue option that had been tried, albeit unsuccessfully, in the North-west, the former governor said state governments did not have the capacity to successfully negotiate with bandits.

Continues online

Federal Appointments: Edo APC Leaders Allege Marginalisation, Seeks Oshiomhole's Intervention Sunday Aborisade in Abuja Leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Etsako Central Local Government Area

of Edo State have called for, "an immediate end to the recurring marginalisation of the area in appointments at the federal level."

They have therefore, urged the

Adopt eNaira Platforms for Collection of Fees, Levies, Revenues, CBN Tells FUTA Fidelis David in Akure

has capacity. The military, security, have the capacity to deal with them immediately if so directed, if they are given the resources they require, the support and political will. But the collateral damage that could be associated with the actions that can be taken, is what I believe should be avoided.

“If you send an aircraft now to where you identify the bandits, it is not only the bandits that would be affected. And if you will recall, Mr. President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, had similar interaction with the militants in Niger Delta, it was successful.

“So, I believe that as Nigerians, if they are called upon by government, the major causes of this problem are poverty and ignorance that you cannot find an educated human being, properly educated human being, who has something to do, to take his arm, a gun to go kill an

payment cards.

“The eNaira streamlines the payment process, allowing for seamless transactions in various scenarios. The eNaira operates on robust blockchain technology, ensuring a high level of security.

"Considering the multitude of benefits associated with the eNaira, I strongly urge FUTA to adopt this for the collection of fees, levies, and revenues within our institution. Furthermore, I encourage all businesses operating within our university to follow suit and embrace the eNaira.

“By doing so, we not only enhance our financial well-being, we also contribute to the broader goal of economic growth in Nigeria,"

he stressed.

While explaining that other institutions in the state would benefit from the sensitisation, he added that the eNaira was safe, convenient, and accessible, and complements existing electronic payment systems rather than replacing them.

The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology Akure, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, represented by the Deputy VC, Academics, Prof. Titi Amos, commended the CBN for choosing FUTA for the sensitisation exercise, saying the institution with a huge student population was determined and well positioned to play a key role in that direction as its students will embrace the innovation.

leader of the party in the State, Senator Adams Oshiomhole to intervene in the matter for the sake of equity, peace and justice.

The APC leaders in the state, made the appeal in a communique made available to THISDAY in Abuja yesterday, after an emergency meeting at the party's secretariat in Fugar, Etsako Central LGA. The meeting was attended by APC leaders and stakeholders in the local government area including the APC South-South Zonal Organising Secretary, Dr. Blessing Agbomhere; the LGA executives led by Chairman John Saliu; Zonal Leaders, Ward Leaders, Ward Chairmen and candidates for the local government elections, among others.

It was agreed that the systematic marginalisation of the area in terms of appointments would no longer be tolerated.

Part of the Communique read: "The APC leaders in Etsako Central resolved that a committee of eminent leaders of Etsako Central should meet with the leader of the party in the State and the Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Comrade Adams Oshiomole to address the recurring injustice

done to members of the party in Etsako Central.

"The APC leaders in Etsako Central observed that Etsako West that has the Senate slot also occupies various offices like Deputy Governor, Federal Road Management Agency, (FERMA), Benin Owena River Basin, Police Service Commission, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Ambassadorial slot while on the other hand, Etsako East has the House of Representatives slot just after eight years in the Senate and a Ministerial Slot, leaving nothing for Etsako Central.

“The Etsako Central APC leaders therefore insist on the need for inclusion of Etsako Central citizens in the first batch of federal appointments including the Ministerial Slot in the current administration of President Bola Tinubu.

"It was also resolved that the party should actively participate in the forthcoming local government elections in Edo State with the sole aim of clinching all the seats.

"To achieve the objective, it was agreed that a campaign council be formed after the councillorship and chairmanship candidates had been presented to the leaders."

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RIGHT TO PROTEIN NIGERIA CONFERENCE...

L-R; Head of Noiler Business Unit at Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery, Korede Afolabi; Regional Director, South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa (SAASSA) at USSEC, Kevin Roepke; Head of U.S Soybean Sustainability and Marketing (SAASSA) at USSEC, Deeba Giannoulis; Business Head of Agro-commodities at West Africa Soy Industry (WASIL), Sreedhar R Kommareddy; and CEO of USSEC, Jim PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN Sutter at the Right To Protein Nigeria conference held in Lagos …recently

NNPC Plans Charging Ports for Electric Vehicles in Filling Stations Nationwide Partners Maiduguri start-up to expand access nationwide Says energy complementarity, not transition needed in Nigeria Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) will begin the installation of electric vehicles charging ports in its filling stations nationwide to boost Nigeria’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Managing Director, NNPC New Energy Limited, Mr. Kanayochukwu Odoe, who disclosed this in the company’s quarterly publication released yesterday, explained that the energy firm was also working with a start-up in Maiduguri, Borno, state to expand the manufacture of electric cars in the country.

Odoe noted that if Nigeria would

to be able to compete with its peers globally, it would need to invest in human capacity, technological capacity development and expansion in order to achieve the net zero carbon target set for 2060 by the federal government.

Pointing out that the use and deployment of electric vehicles have come to stay, the NNPC unit managing director explained that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has now placed the NNPC with some certain responsibilities.

One of them, he said, was to invest in renewable energies and to make renewable energy a business that would attend to demands here

in Nigeria and those with respect to some of the treaties and conventions the country has signed globally.

Also, on capacity expansion with respect to renewable energy, Odoe admitted that there was an existing gap in the power sector with regards to electricity supply, particularly in the rural areas.

He noted that Nigeria must be able to meet the demand by developing capacity to provide power to those in the rural areas with renewable energy sources like solar.

“On electric vehicles, there are two things we are looking at. There is a start-up from Maiduguri that

is into renewables and electric vehicles. It’s a Nigerian start-up.

We are currently discussing with them to expand their capacity to meet local demand in Nigeria. “ It’s something I believe we should invest in not just because it’s our own, but also because they are doing something that hasn't been done before, at least, in this part of the world. So, when we invest in the company, we can have a foothold in the electric vehicles market.

“The next part will be how to provide access to charging ports for the electric vehicles. We have NNPC Retail stations scattered around Nigeria, we are currently

Naira Strengthens on I&E FX Window, Operators Rule Out Manipulation Nume Ekeghe in Lagos and James Emejo in Abuja The naira yesterday appreciated on the Investors and Exporters’ (I&E) foreign exchange (FX) window as it closed at N741/$1 yesterday, compared to the N769/$1 it closed last Friday.

This indicated a notable N28 appreciation, marking the highest gain recorded in a day since the unification of the FX rates.

However, at some parallel market points in Lagos surveyed yesterday, the nation’s currency depreciated slightly to close at N775/$1 from N770/$1 it traded over the weekend, indicating a drop by N5.

In an interview with THISDAY on the disparities in the lowest and highest spot rates, analysts ruled out manipulation, saying transaction on the I&E window reflect a willing

buyer-willing seller model.

The model, which was reintroduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in its latest reform measures introduced to reposition the FX market allows all eligible transactions to access foreign exchange at the I&E window and is aimed towards curbing price arbitrage among others.

The analysts explained that some of the trades were carried out at the lowest spot rates in transactions where companies sell to their subsidiaries.

Head, of Financial Institutions Ratings at Agusto & Co, Mr. Ayokunle Olubunmi, dismissed alleged manipulation of transactions.

He said, “The market is a willing buyer- willing seller and it’s not being manipulated. Yes, CBN intervenes and sells but it’s not in a forceful way to accept a price. The high rates

Sanwo-Olu Reappoints Akosile Chief Press Secretary Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reappointed Mr. Gboyega Akosile, as his Chief Press Secretary (CPS).

The appointment was announced in a statement issued yesterday, by the Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola.

The appointment according to the

Head of Service takes immediate effect. Before his reappointment, Akosile had served as the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Sanwo-Olu during his first term. He was also the Media Adviser to the Governor since the inception of the second term of Babajide Sanwo-Olu's administration on May 29, 2023.

are again as a result of the willing buyer, willing seller model.”

He added that some of the trades recorded at the lower spectrum are usually of companies selling to their subsidiaries.

He added: “Example are companies that export but also have other

subsidiaries that do other businesses; so they sell to themselves at a low rate.”

Furthermore, Managing Director/ chief business officer, Optimus by Afrinvest, Ayodeji Ebo, said he does not believe there are manipulations by the apex bank.

having a discussion on how to install charging points in the stations to serve electric vehicles. These are some of the things we are doing in that area,” the NNPC renewables chief added.

He maintained that although still at its teething stages, there is a potentially vibrant renewable energy market in Nigeria, which must be assessed from two angles- the market angle and the policy angle.

“The policy aspect has more to do with the environment. Now, with respect to the business aspect and meeting the energy needs of the people, we are doing things differently.

“One of the things we are looking at is to embark on solar projects to supply power to the masses. We are looking particularly at disadvantaged areas where the services of the electricity distribution companies are not present.

“We want to bridge that gap.

Now, when we supply solar power to those disadvantaged areas, we will charge electricity bills. That's something different that we are bringing on board that which hasn't been done before.

“On the second aspect of policy, we are now charting a proper course to streamline ways to meet our global obligations as stipulated in

the treaties and conventions that the government has committed to,” Odoe stated.

He added that the NNPC is also currently working on a bio-diesel plant in Cross River State and has signed an agreement with Kebbi State for a bio-ethanol plant.

In addition, the NNEL chief stated that there were also talks to transform waste into energy that can be used for electricity and cooking fuel and reduce the felling of trees while reducing carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

According to him, the debate as to whether to jettison fossil fuel was not so much of transition energy, but rather energy complementarity.

“All the energy forms should actually work side by side, one should not suffer death because the other needs to be born.

“So, what will happen if you marry fossil fuels and renewable energy is that, suppose in Nigeria we have 50 million vehicles emitting 50 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, over time with the introduction of renewable energy side by side fossil fuels, we will get to a point where we have 20 million cars running on fossil fuel and a blend of bio-fuel thereby reducing the volume of carbon emitted.

Ex-Finance Minister, Ahmed Bags World Bank Appointment Insists due process followed in securing new job Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The immediate-past Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed has been appointed as an Alternate Executive Director (AED) at the headquarters of the World Bank Group in Washington D.C, United States of America.

She is billed to resume duties on July 10.

However, an online platform has alleged that due process was not adhered to in securing the plum job, an allegation the former minister has dismissed.

Citing Washington sources, Per Second News, an online platform at the weekend, had alleged that

the former minister had on the eve of the termination of the Buhari’s administration, “single-handedly nominated herself as the federal government’s candidate without the approval of the outgoing President and the incoming President Bola Tinubu.”

The medium further alleged that, "the World Bank Group months ago wrote a letter to the government of Nigeria requesting for the CVs of at least three economists to fill a vacant position of the AED," adding that, "the letter was passed through the office of the Minister of Finance who hid the letter, thereby denying the federal government input into the nomination process."

However, in her reaction to the allegation, the former minister said: "The report (about not following due process) is false. Mr. President (Muhammadu Buhari) approved the nomination. This was conveyed to the bank.”

This was corroborated in a statement by her media adviser, Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi.

In a short response to THISDAY’s inquiry over the controversy, Abdullahi disclosed that Buhari endorsed Ahmed's appointment in April 2023.

He said: "Thank you for your enquiry. In the first instance, the World Bank is a reputable organisation with its rules and processes.

"Secondly, any one working

at that level of AED, must be a representative of his or her country and would have gotten such approval and endorsement from his or her government.

"It will be recalled that the position became available in October 2022.

"Mr. President was notified and approval was gotten in April 2023, but with the understanding that Dr. Zainab Ahmed cannot report until after the end of her tenure as minister.

"Therefore, the former minister couldn’t have nominated herself and also approved such. I can therefore confirm to you that the former President approved her being the AED at the World Bank representing Nigeria."

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FIRST GRADUATION CEREMONY OF SIMON PAGE COLLEGE OF MARKETING...

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Simon Page College of Marketing, Dr Princewill Osaro Omorogiuwa; Senior Marketing Director, Frontline Marketing Africa, The Coca-Cola Company, Bunmi Adeniba; Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Shepherds Limited, Idy Enang; Regional Director, META Africa, Stanislaus Martins; and General Manager, PepsiCo Nigeria, Jimi Taiwo at the first graduation ceremony of Simon Page College of Marketing CIM, UK students in Lagos at the weekend

No Killer Substance Found in Golden Penny Semovita, Says NAFDAC Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confirmed Golden Penny brand of semovita safe and healthy for consumption.

In giving a clean bill of health to Semovita, NAFDAC said, "the results of its investigations and tests showed that there was no plastic or any similar harmful contaminants in Golden Penny Semovita."

Golden Penny Semovita is manufactured by Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, a company registered and accredited by NAFDAC to manufacture food materials.

In the statement, the agency stated that Semovita contains the expected components plus the required Vitamin A. The statement signed by the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, noted that Semovita has no plastic content in it; but only exhibits viscous and elastic properties.

She said: "The attention of NAFDAC has been drawn to a social media video showing a

woman washing Golden Penny Semovita in a sieve using cold water.

"Upon receiving the alerts from various quarters in the community in 2020, the Director General immediately gave a directive to conduct emergency post-marketing analysis using different brands of Semolina.

"The agency investigated this claim by conducting appropriate analytical testing in her internationally accredited laboratories. The results showed that there was no plastic or any similar harmful contaminants in Golden Penny Semovita.

"It contained the expected components plus the required Vitamin A. NAFDAC therefore wishes to inform the general public that the claim in the social media video assertions is misleading."

The statement stated that a woman had claimed that the residue she got after sieving the Semovita flour was plastic.

Adeyeye added that upon receiving the alerts from various quarters, NAFDAC immediately conducted emergency post-marketing analysis using different brands of Semolina.

"NAFDAC therefore wishes to inform the general public that the claim in the social media video assertions is misleading. The alleged Golden Penny Semovita is a brand of semolina, a very popular flour made from wheat and consumed

in several parts of the world.

“Semovita contains mainly water, carbohydrates and about 13 per cent of gluten-forming proteins.

"Gluten is made up of two classes of proteins - glutenin and gliadin, which upon addition of

water combine to form gluten, a protein that gives nutritive value and imparts other characteristic properties to the product.

“Glutenin normally gives a bread dough the ability to rise during baking while gliadin gives it the

viscous and elastic (viscoelastic) properties, or it simply makes it extensible and elastic.

"This latter property is the rubbery/plastic-like appearance that was exhibited in the said video," she said.

Katsina Gov Orders MDAs to Adopt Treasury Single Account Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the state government to immediately adopt the Treasury Single Account (TSA) for all their transactions.

He also directed the state Accountant General to prescribe the framework within which MDAa would conduct their bank and cash

management under the TSA. According to a statement by Radda’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, the marching order was contained in a circular dated July 3, 2023, which he personally signed, was titled: “Treasury Single Account Direction Notice 2023.”

The governor explained that the directive was in exercise of the power conferred on him by the provisions of section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution

of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

According to the circular, “This Notice may be cited as Treasury Single Account Direction Notice and shall be deemed to have come into force on the 3rd day of July 2023.

“Without prejudice to Section 120 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended)

all revenues and monies accruing and forming the Consolidated Revenue Fund including funds from Excess Crude Account, grants or donation for Katsina State shall be paid into a unified account to be referred to as Treasury Single Account out of which all expenditure incurred or approved to be incurred shall be defrayed or paid.”

APC NWC, Governors Meet DICON Civilian Staff Protest Non Payment of Today Ahead of Caucus, NEC

Allowances, Alleges Harassment by Soldiers John Shiklam in Kaduna Civilian staff of the Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Kaduna, have accused the management of the corporation for allegedly ordering soldiers to beat them during a peaceful protest to demand for the non-payment of their allowances.

The peaceful protest which held yesterday, at the Kakuri factory of the corporation, was the second in recent time.

The workers were protesting the non-payment of their six months, “peculiar allowance,” and minimum wage arrears since 2019, as well as promotion arrears for 2020 to 2022.

Narrating their ordeal in the hands of the soldiers, the workers said they arrived at the Kakuri factory of the DICON for the peaceful protest around 8:00am, alleging that the management drafted soldiers to stop the protest.

They alleged that they were forcefully pushed out of the corporation’s premises to the nearby Monday Market in Kakuri.

One of the protesting workers who spoke with journalists alleged said the soldiers were armed and in

the process of chasing them out of the premises, one of their colleagues who was using his mobile phone to record the peaceful protest was beaten.

He said another staff, identified as Bala, a civilian security man in the factory, was arrested and taken into custody by the armed soldiers.

The workers also lamented the lack of enrollment into the IPPIS scheme, saying they were suffering in the service of DICON. They demanded the immediate payment of their full promotion arrears for 2020 to 2022, and their peculiar allowance to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy, among other demands.

Speaking further, he said, “We discovered that all agencies under Ministry of Defence have been enrolled into IPPIS, only DICON staff have not been captured.

“One of our members was beaten by soldiers and another was taken into custody by soldiers because we demanded for our rights. The management ordered the soldiers to deal with us.”

The protesting workers called on the federal government to intervene

by directing the management of DICON to respond to their demands and stop victimising them for voicing out their concerns regarding the maltreatment and denial of their rights.

When contacted on the issue, the DICON Public Relations Officer, Musa Yakubu, said he was not on the ground. “Sorry sir, I am not on ground thank you”, Yakubu said through a text message.

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Progressive Governors' Forum (PGF) will meet today ahead of the National Caucus and the National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings scheduled to hold July 10th and 11th.

Baltimore Gun Battle Highlights Surge in US Mass Shootings A shooting at a holiday block party in Baltimore over the weekend that left two people dead and 28 injured highlights a sustained surge in mass shootings in the United States since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

As of Monday, 340 mass shootings have taken place across the country so far this year. At that pace, the United States will experience 679 mass shootings in 2023, the second most in a calendar year since 2014, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

According to Reuters, in 2019, the

year before the pandemic caused far-reaching changes in the way Americans work, play and interact with one another, the number of mass shootings reached 417, or about 61% fewer than the projected total for 2023.

Just after midnight on Sunday, gunfire erupted at the scene of an outdoor neighborhood block party in South Baltimore's Brooklyn Homes community. Fifteen of the injured victims were between the ages of 13 and 17, and the rest were over 17, Baltimore's acting police commissioner Richard Worley told

reporters on Monday. The two people killed were 18 and 20.

Seven people were still hospitalized on Monday, four of whom were in critical condition, officials said. Investigators have asked for the public's help in tracking down multiple suspects. Police said they were concerned about retaliation for the shootings.

The rise in mass shootings over the last three years is partly due to the impact the pandemic has had on Americans, according to James Alan Fox, a criminologist at Northeastern University.

The agenda of the meeting, which is slated to hold at 1p.m. at the NWC Hall, National Secretariat of the party in Abuja was not known.

A member of the NWC, who pleaded anonymity and confirmed the meeting, said the agenda of the meeting was not stated in the notice sent to members.

"Yes, a meeting of NWC and PGF has been convened through a 4-line notice of a meeting as posted on our platform today. The meeting is slated for tomorrow, Tuesday 4th July 2023 at the party Secretariat by 1 p.m.

"As usual, the notice, a four-line message is without any agenda on it. Maybe when we meet tomorrow we shall know the agenda."

Another party source noted that the meeting was part of the move by the leadership of the NWC to get the buy-in of the governors elected on the platform of the party of the agenda for the planned Caucus and NEC meetings slated for Sunday and Monday respectively.

It was also gathered that the meeting was aimed at getting members of the PGF to endorse a yet to be approved audit report submitted to the NWC by an external audit firm engaged by Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led NWC.

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Tinubu Assures Investors of Policy Consistency, Improved Business Climate Reiterates nation's readiness for business Shell director applauds President's positive reforms Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Bola Tinubu has assured the business community of his administration's commitment to policy consistency and better business climate to attract investment.

The president, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Mr. Dele Alake, gave the assurance yesterday, while receiving the delegation of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) led by the Global

Upstream Director, Ms. Zoe Yujnovic at the State House, Abuja.

Tinubu, reiterated that Nigeria was ready for business, assuring the Shell management and other investors of his administration's willingness to maintain an opendoor policy and address their concerns.

"We are open for business. We are serious. I give you the assurance of consistency in policy," he stated.

The president welcomed the SPDC's offer for more investments in the Nigerian oil and gas sector,

adding that such investments are needed now more than ever, to enable government meet its obligations.

He recalled that attracting fresh investment was, "a promise I made personally to Nigerians. Whatever it takes, I will fulfill that promise to Nigerians."

Tinubu, also assured that his government was removing all forms of bottlenecks in order to ensure Nigeria becomes an attractive investment destination.

Earlier in her address, Yujnock

applauded what she described as "incredibly strong start" of the Tinubu presidency and expressed optimism that the "bold" steps taken by the government would renew Nigeria's pride of place as an investment destination.

According to her, SPDC was willing to ramp up investment in the country especially in the areas of gas and deep-water assets by pumping in billions of dollars.

She said Nigeria remains a strategic investment country for the company in view of the long

history between the two entities and the prospects held by the county's oil and gas sector.

Tinubu had been lauded for solving, once and for all, the double hedged issues of fuel subsidy and multiple exchange rate regimes in the country.

The president had in Paris, France, recently, said ongoing reforms, starting with removal of fuel subsidy and streamlining of exchange rate, would be sustained for a more competitive economy that attracts Foreign Direct

Investment (FDI), urging investors to take advantage of opportunities in Nigeria.

“We are ready for business, prepared to welcome investments,’’ he had said, while receiving President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim), Prof.

Benedict Oramah and President of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Odile Renaud–Basso, in separate meetings, on the sidelines of the Summit for New Global Financing Pact.

Bloomberg: World’s 500 Richest People Added $852bn to their Fortunes in H1, 2023 Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg lead gains Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Each member of the Bloomberg Billionaires Index made an average of $14 million per day over the past six months, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

It was the best half-year for billionaires since the back half of 2020, when the economy rebounded from a Covid-induced slump.

The gains coincided with a broad stock market rally, as investors brushed off the effects of central bank interest rate hikes,

the ongoing war in Ukraine and a crisis in regional banks.

The S&P 500 rose 16 per cent and the Nasdaq 100 surged 39 per cent for its best-ever first half as investor mania over artificial intelligence boosted tech stocks.

While Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg flirt with scheduling a cage match, Tesla Inc’s chief executive officer came out on top in dollar terms, the report stated.

Musk, the world’s richest person, added $96.6 billion to his net worth this year through

June 30, while Meta Platforms Inc chief executive, Zuckerberg gained $58.9 billion, according to the index.

Gautam Adani’s net worth sank the most in the six-month period, losing $60.2 billion. Adani, chairman of Adani Group, also posted the biggest one-day loss of any billionaire, shedding about $20.8 billion on January 27, after short seller Hindenburg Research accused his conglomerate of accounting fraud and stock manipulation — a claim Adani denies.

Hindenburg, founded by Nate Anderson, also knocked down the net worth of another billionaire: Carl Icahn.

His Icahn Enterprises LP had its steepest one-day drop after Hindenburg disclosed it was shorting the shares, saying the stock was significantly overvalued relative to its holdings. Icahn’s net worth fell $13.4 billion, or 57 per cent — the largest percentage drop of any member of the Bloomberg Billionaires Index in the period.

In Africa, Bloomberg earlier

reported that the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, remained the richest man in Africa, despite the volatility of Nigerian currency against the dollar.

Bloomberg revealed that Dangote with a wealth of $15.6 billion was the richest man for the 12th year running and was the only Nigerian on the list of the top 500 billionaires.

The Nigerian billionaire businessman controls Dangote Industries, including Dangote Cement and also has interests in sugar, salt, fertiliser and packaged foods.

Dangote also recently commissioned the $19 billion petroleum refinery plant, which is now Africa’s largest refinery.

Other Africans listed in the latest top 500 world billionaires list last week for the year 2023 included Johann Rupert now worth $13.3 billion.

Also, Nicky Oppenheimer of South Africa, Nassef Sawiris of Egypt, Natie Kirsh of South Africa, and Naguib Sawiris are worth $9.0 billion, $7.47 billion, $7.37 billion and $5.93 billion respectively.

produced Tinubu as President.

A five member-panel of the PREPEC, presided by Justice Tsammani had on June 23, adjourned hearing in the petition by candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, to July 3.

The adjournment was to enable the respondents, which included Tinubu, his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima and the All Progressives Congress (APC), open their defence of the victory of Tinubu and the APC at the presidential poll.

Obi had closed his case after calling 13 witnesses and had tendered documentary and video evidence to prove that INEC allegedly manipulated the February 25 presidential election in favour of Tinubu and the APC. When the matter came up yesterday, rather than opening its defence, INEC informed the court that although, it had planned to call three witnesses to defend the results of the presidential election, it could not do so because of the unavailability of the 1st witness scheduled for the day.

According to him, the first witness had called him earlier to explain that he could no longer make it to the court due to some

family emergencies.

While praying the court to adjourned the matter till the next day when the witness would be around, Mahmoud stated that the Commission would use three days for the three witnesses and then closed its defence.

Responding, Obi and LP represented by Dr. Livy Uzoukwu, expressed sadness over the development but, did not object to INEC 's request for adjournment.

Same with Chief Wole Olanipakun, who represented Tinubu and Shettima and Lateef Fagbemi, who represented the APC. Following the no-objection, Justice Tsammani subsequently adjourned to today, for INEC to open its case defence.

Peter Obi’s legal team mocked INEC after the electoral management body failed to open its defence.

Speaking with newsmen outside the court premises, Uzoukwu said the action of INEC was further evidence that the electoral body was not ready to defend the outcome of the 2023 presidential election in court.

Uzoukwu while mocking the excuse of domestic reasons given by the commission, said: “I am sure that they are not ready to defend this case. I stand to be proved wrong but I wish they defend this matter so that the public will come to see more things.

“I continue to say that we have never had an election like this last one.”

TRIBUNAL ADMITS EU'S ELECTION OBSERVATION REPORT ON PRESIDENTIAL POLL The EU EOB report tendered

by Atiku's lead lawyer, Chief Chris Uche, who pointed out that the report indicted the electoral umpire for failing to keep to its promise of a transparent, free and fair elections.

Uche drew the court's attention to a paragraph of the report which stated that, "only 31 per cent of the presidential election results were uploaded unto the IReV," as at when INEC announced Tinubu winner, revealing the deficiency in the training of INEC's adhoc staff.

Uche tendered the EU's report at the resumed hearing in the petition of Atiku challenging the declaration of Tinubu as winner of the February 25 presidential election.

The court had on June 23, adjourned for the respondents to open their defence in the petition seeking to nullify Tinubu's victory over alleged irregularities, corrupt practices and non-compliance with the electoral laws amongst others.

Atiku had before closing his case brought in 27 witnesses including experts and INEC's adhoc staff who corroborated his allegations that INEC deliberately manipulated the election process

especially the handling of the technological aspect supposed to have enhanced the credibility of the 2023 general elections.

Amongst the allegations were that INEC deliberately refused to transmit the presidential election results electronically as promised, as Presiding Officers in their individual testimonies confirmed that they could not transmit the presidential election results in the Bi-modal Verification Accreditation System (BVAS) machines to the INEC's Results Viewing (IReV) portals as expected.

The witnesses had also informed the five-member panel that they had to take the results to their various wards for onward transmission by their superiors.

The Presiding Officers had blamed their inability to transmit the presidential results on some technical glitches, although they could not tell if the glitch occurred within the BVAS or network of transmission to the IReV. However, at Monday's proceedings, INEC called its only witness in the case filed by Atiku, its Director of Information Technology (IT), Dr. Lawrence Bayode, who informed the court how the technical glitch was handled at their Cloud Trail Log downloaded

from their account with the Amazon Web Service (AWS).

He explained that the Cloud Trail Log is a device used to monitor their account with AWS. He also told the court that the technical glitch or glitches did not affect actual scores of candidates in the election because once stored in the BVAS it remains intact.

Besides, the witness informed the court that INEC, "does not have a collation system," hence the collation of the election results were done manually.

However, under cross examination by Uche, the witness who claimed to have supervised the configuration of the BVAS, said the device does have an in-built mechanism to select or distinguish presidential election results from the National Assembly results conducted same day with same machines.

He also admitted that as at March 1, when INEC declared Tinubu as winner of the presidential election not all the results from the election had been uploaded unto the IReV. He also admitted that INEC did not have to file a formal report of the said glitches to AWS because they didn't need to, adding that the glitches happened only on

the e-transmission system and not on the BVAS. Bayode also stated that he cannot tell if Tinubu scored only 19 per cent of the votes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the last presidential poll.

Earlier, Uche had succeeded in getting the court to reverse the cross examination procedure, arguing that since all the respondents were on one side, it would not be fair for him to lead the cross examination session, adding that Tinubu and APC's cross examination of the witness who is also on the side of the respondents would only amount to a re-examination.

At the end of cross examination however, Mahmoud announced that the 1st respondent was closing its defence in the matter of Atiku against Tinubu.

Subsequently, Justice Tsammani ordered Tinubu and APC to open their defence today.

Meanwhile, earlier yesterday, the inability of the first respondent, INEC to open its case according to the commission's lawyer, Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud, was due to the unavailability of witnesses it planned to call in defence of the disputed February 25, 2023, presidential election that

ASUU Renews Call for Arrest of Killers of Ajewole, UI Don Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), yesterday, tasked the new Acting Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, to deploy his tactical team to assist the Oyo State Command in unmasking the killers of Prof. Opeyemi Ajewole, of the Department of Social and Environmental Forestry Development of the University of Ibadan.

The union made the call in a statement by the Chairman of UI Chapter of ASUU, Prof. Ayo Akinwole, as family and friends of Ajewole, who was gruesomely gunned down by yet-to-be-identified assailants in the evening of Monday, June 5, 2023, in Ibadan, prepare

to bury him this week.

He said the union was not happy that the killers of their comrade and their motives were yet to be unearthed by the police, urging the acting IGP to take passionate interest in the case and deploy necessary human and technical expertise to unravel the mystery surrounding the killing so that the evil-minded people would be made to face the wrath of the law.

Akinwole, who said the state Command has been trying its best, however noted that the IGP needed to be concerned and use exclusive privileged resources of his office to assist in cracking the criminals behind the killing of Ajewole.

"The union awaits the arrest, parade and prosecution of the killers

of Professor Opeyemi Ajewole. His family needs to experience that justice is served on those behind his gruesome killing.

“And by so doing, the entire people of Nigeria will have more trust in our policing system. As we bury Professor Ajewole this week without, yet the arrest of his killers, we are reminded of how insecure Nigerians are.

"The police and the intelligence community need to rise up and bring the perpetrators to book. The killings of hapless Nigerians must stop. The lives of Nigerians must matter and must be accounted for by those saddled with those responsibilities."

While welcoming the newly posted Commissioner of Police,

Adebola Hamzat to Oyo State, the union charged him to re-energise

the quest to track, arrest and prosecute the killers of Prof. Ajewole.

Eyibio Ebong is New AIG for Ondo, Ekiti Fidelis David in Akure A new Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Ebong Eyibio Ebong, has been deployed to take charge of Zone-17 covering Ondo and Ekiti States.

This was contained in a Statement by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Adeoye Akeem, and made available to Journalists in Akure yesterday.

According to the statement, the new AIG is an indigene of Nkim Itam in ITU Local Government Area

of Akwa Ibom State and enlisted into the Nigeria Police force in 1990.

The statement read: "He attended the prestigious University of Calabar where he bagged B.Sc (Hons) in 1983.

He was enlisted into Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet ASP on 3rd of March, 1990. AIG Ebong has served in different formations and capacities which includes; Patrol and Guard Officer, "C" Division Jos; Commander, Operation Road Walk, Akwanga, Abuja Road Sector; Staff Officer Junior, Staff Officer Inspectorate, Administration Officer, Delta Command; Officer-in-Charge

of Criminal Intelligence Bureau (OC CIB) Bayelsa Command.

"Area Traffic Officer Apapa, Operation Officer Makinde-Oshodi; Escort Commander And Divisional Crime Officer(DCO) Eneren respectively, In Lagos Command; Divisional Police Officer(DPO) Ndoni, Eberi Omuma, Abuloma, Opopo/Nkoro And Borokiri, Rivers Command; Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Central Police Station (CPS) Abakaliki, Nkusu Eda and Issu Onistha, Ebonyi Command; Area Commander Makurdi and Gboko respectively, Benue State Command.

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CONFERRED WITH NIMN FELLOWSHIP...

L-R: Executive Director Printserve Limited, Mrs Oluwemimo Funmilola Akin-Olawuni; President and Chairman-in-Council National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), Dr. Idorenyen Enang; and Managing Director, Printserve Limited, Mr. Akinlabi Adebayo Olawuni after Mr & Mrs Olawuni were conferred with NIMN fellowship at Fraser Suite, Abuja...recently.

Diphtheria Claims One as FCTA Raises the Alarm over Outbreak of Disease Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has declared an outbreak of Diphtheria disease in the nation’s capital.

The Director, FCT Public Health Department, Dr. Sadiq Abdulrahman, said yesterday

that a four-year-old boy died out of the eight suspected cases whose samples were taken to the National Reference Laboratory Gaduwa for analysis.

The outbreak was reported in a village in Dei-Dei close to Niger State.

He said four of the suspected

eight cases were members of the same household and the only case which came out positive was incidentally the only death in the FCT. Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by strains, which could lead to difficulty in breathing, heart rhythm problems and even death.

It targets the organs most especially in the upper respiratory part. The victim will manifest with signs like flu, which may translate to cough and sometimes get worse by affecting the lymph nodes around the upper respiratory system by causing swelling around the neck.

Abdulrahman, cautioned FCT residents on personal hygiene, advising them to report any strange symptoms, especially relating to their respiratory health.

“Two weeks ago we got information from a community within the FCT of about eight suspected cases which triggered

Senate Minority Position: PDP to Write Akpabio, Meeting Deadlocked Says no decision reached so far Abba Moro: I'm interested to become minority leader Chuks Okocha and Sunday Aborisade in Abuja At the end of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) meeting with the party's senators, it was resolved that the party would will write the Senate President Godawill Akpabio , asking for more time for consultation to nominate the members of the minority position.

A source said the inability to reach a decision could be described as a deadlock In a statement by the PDP's NWC signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba titled, "Resolutions of the Meeting of PDP NWC and Party Caucus in the Senate", the party said it would ask the senate leadership for more time.

The statement of the meeting read thus: "The NWC of the PDP today, Monday, July 3, 2023 met with members of the PDP Caucus in the Senate. At the meeting, the importance of a virile and stable opposition in the Senate and indeed the National Assembly was emphasized and the Caucus assured that it will play that important role in the defense of democracy, the interest and wellbeing of Nigerians.

"The meeting condemned in its entirety the alleged subterranean moves by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to meddle with the affairs of the Minority with regards to the emergence of the Minority Leadership which is an exclusive reserve of the Minority Caucus as expressly stipulated by Constitutional provisions and Standing Rules of the Senate.

"The PDP and the Senators continue with consultations on the emergence of the Minority Leadership in the Senate and are resolved to collectively present a unified leadership after due and conclusive considerations. Accord-

ingly, the PDP will continue to provide the necessary leadership in this regard.

"Consequently, the meeting resolved that the PDP NWC communicates to the Senate President, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, on the on-going consultation in the Minority Caucus to the effect that the nominations into the Minority leadership positions in the Senate has not been concluded and that upon conclusion, the nominated list will be formally conveyed to him appropriately for necessary action.

"The PDP NWC commends the members of the PDP Caucus in the Senate for their unity, steadfastness, loyalty to the Party and commitment towards the sustenance and deepening of democracy in our country."

Sources told THISDAY that no agreement was reached at the meeting, as the senators representing various interest stood their grounds. The PDP senators, it was gathered were divided into three camps of those supporting the aspiration of Senator Aminu Waziri Tambawul, Senator Abdul Bingo and Senator Jarigbe Agom Jaribe.

Both Tambawul and Ningi are both protégé of the former vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

While Tambuwal was Atiku’S campaign director general, Ningi also played a prominent role in the last presidential election.

Both Ningi and Tambuwal are from the north. Senator Jaribe is being sponsored by the former governor of Rivers state, Nysome Wike.

The Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, Senator Patrick Abba Moro has confirmed that he was bidding for the position of minority leader in the 10th Senate compounding a contest that had pitched Atiku and the Wike-led tendencies against

one another.

As the Senate resumes today, from its post-inauguration break, the selection of principal officers would be the next battle with the earlier emergence of Akpabio and Senator Barau Jibrin as Senate President and Deputy Senate President respectively.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) which has the majority seats (59 out of 109) in the Red Chamber was expected to produce the majority leader, deputy majority leader, chief whip and deputy chief whip, while minority leader, deputy minority leader, minority whip and deputy minority whip are reserved for the minority caucus.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the dominant opposition party with 36 seats will produce the minority leader and deputy leader.

Meanwhile, Moro, a second term senator who was Chairman Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs in the 9th Senate, called on his party, the PDP to zone the position of minority leader for the 10th Senate to the North Central.

The former Minister of Interior and only PDP Senator re-elected in the North Central zone in the 10th Senate, said he has what it takes to effectively lead the opposition members in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly to achieve the best for Nigerians in the lawmaking process.

“Yes, we are in the process of selecting minority leader as you rightly pointed out. The process is on, and of course, I’m interested in becoming the minority leader of the Senate because I think I am qualified to be. I come from a region, a zone that is sometimes neglected so to say. I won’t call it marginalization but neglect.

“And that is the North Central zone. So, we expect that the PDP will zone the minority leadership of the senate of the caucus of

minority parties to North Central.

And if that happens, we have a parliamentary procedure that respects ranking in addition to other qualifications.

“There are so many persons that are also eminently qualified to be minority leader within the rank of the PDP. As you have rightly said, it’s a dominant opposition political party with 36 senators out of 50. And so we hope that at the end of the day when all the dynamics come into play, the party and the parties involved will do the needful and the right thing to get it right for Nigeria, so that the Senate can kick start the implementation of its agenda for the Nigerian people,” Moro stated.

On external forces trying to influence who becomes the minority leader of the 10th Senate, the Benue South Senator said: “Well, you know that politics is all about interest and so people generally will be interested. Those who want to contest to become leaders have interest. Those outside those who want to contest to become leaders also have interests to protect, to galvanize. And so, in all circumstances therefore there are interests. The minority leadership of the senate is not a personal mandate. It is not a personal institution. It’s for Nigeria.”

The 10th Senate which would resume plenary today, is expected to name the eight other principal officers who would support the presiding officers.

Ranking senators in the majority caucus are expected to emerge as Senate Leader, Deputy Senate Leader, Chief Whip and Deputy Whip.

The Minority Caucus on the other hand, would have their ranking members as Minority Leader, Deputy Minority Leader, Minority Whip and Deputy Whip.

Investigations by THISDAY revealed that while the majority

caucus had zoned the Senate Leader to the South West, the minority caucus has zoned the Senate Minority Leader to the North Findings also showed that ranking senators namely Opeyemi Bamidele, Ali Ndume and Abdulfatai Buhari are strong contenders for the position of Senate Leader.

Senators Abdul Ningi, Adamu Aliero, Aminu Tambuwal, and Simon Mwadkwon, on the other hand, are contesting the position of Senate minority leader.

A South West senator in the minority caucus, told THISDAY, that the minority leader could come from the north.

our team to pick some samples which were taken to the National Reference Laboratory Gaduwa and the NCDC. “As at Friday afternoon the results came out. Out of the eight suspected cases, one came out positive,” Abdulrahman said.

According to him, the disease had been established in about three states across the country, earlier this year - Kano, Lagos and Ondo - while its presence had been established in 21 states of the federation.

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Health Care, Dr. Yahaya Vatsa, has said persons mostly at risk were the unvaccinated ones that live in crowded areas and/or where there is poor sanitation.

He urged FCT residents to ensure that their children are fully vaccinated with three doses of the Pentavalent vaccine as recommended in the National childhood immunisation schedule to mitigate the risk of contracting the disease "The FCTA through the Primary Health Care Board has concluded plans to re-vaccinate all children 14 years and below in the affected community with the appropriate vaccines, irrespective of their previous vaccination status," Vatsa said.

Two Million Katsina Pupils to Get Improved Education Francis Sardauna in Katsina The newly appointed Executive Chairman of the Katsina State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Kabir Magaji, has vowed to reform primary education for the betterment of over two million pupils in the state.

Magaji, who made the pledge when he assumed office yesterday, said a solid foundation would be laid for the growth and development of basic education across the state.

He observed that there were multiple challenges confronting basic education in Nigeria, hence his plans to rejuvenate and resuscitate basic education in the state to enable the two million pupils to get improved education.

According to the new SUBEB chairman, if primary education was adequately transformed in the state, secondary and tertiary education would be easily developed and enhanced by the government.

Magaji said: “So, I will work with all staff of the board, ranging from the management staff to messengers, in order to revamp basic education in Katsina state because primary education is the backbone of any educational development.

“Therefore, I am calling on all staff of the board, including the executive Secretary of the board, our 34 education secretaries, teachers, messengers and even cleaners of this board to support me in order to revamp basic education in Katsina.”

The Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr. Isah Idris Zakari, while handing over the mantle of leadership to the new chairman, said the staff of the board would accord him the needed support and cooperation to actualize his plans.

He added that the staff of the board were ever ready to support the new chairman in his quest to reposition primary education for the betterment of over two million pupils in the state.

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EDITORIAL

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

EFCC: A COMMISSION AT A CROSSROADS The anti-graft agency has fallen far short of its potential

T

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, was recently VXVSHQGHG IURP R΀FH E\ 3UHVLGHQW %ROD Ahmed Tinubu. Bawa, who has since been in the custody of the Directorate for State Services (DSS), is being asked to answer to “weighty DOOHJDWLRQV RI DEXVH RI R΀FH OHYHOOHG DJDLQVW KLP µ +LV R΀FH LV QRZ WHPSRUDULO\ RFFXSLHG E\ WKH FRPPLVVLRQ·V director of operations “pending the conclusion of the LQYHVWLJDWLRQ µ :KLOH WKHUH LV QR WLPHOLQH IRU WKDW it is not lost on Nigerians that the helmsman of an institution created to tackle graft is himself caught in allegations of unwholesome practices. +RZHYHU JLYHQ LQVLQXDWLRQV WKDW %DZD ZDV arrested because of investigations concerning some individuals in the new administration, we hope that the federal government will conclude on these “weighty DOOHJDWLRQVµ DQG PDNH its report known to the public. It is also important that Bawa be availed his rights under the law. But the greater challenge is what the EFCC has become. Despite initial promise, we believe the anti-graft agency has fallen far short of its potential.

It is true that EFCC has over the years arraigned many KLJK SURÀOH SROLWLFDO ÀJXUHV RQ FRUUXSWLRQ FKDUJHV The commission has also recovered billions of naira as proceeds of crime while securing some convictions.

Notwithstanding, there are always questions surrounding recovered money and properties.

Besides, many of the convicted politicians have also been pardoned, contested and won elections despite KDYLQJ DEXVHG SXEOLF WUXVW LQ SUHYLRXV R΀FHV :KLOH we cannot blame the commission for those political decisions, they nonetheless impact on their work and HͿHFWLYHQHVV Notwithstanding the foregoing, we still believe a resilient and more independent EFCC epitomises the PRVW KRSHIXO SRVVLELOLW\ RI PDNLQJ KHDGZD\ LQ WKH ÀJKW against corruption, especially in a complex country like

1LJHULD <HW WKH ()&&·V OHW GRZQV DUH QRW HQWLUHO\ RI its own doing. There has been massive institutional VWHHSOH FKDVH WR DOO KRQHVW HͿRUWV LQ D FRXQWU\ ZKHUH WKH political system continues to recompense rather than reprimand corruption. The judiciary has also to a large H[WHQW EHHQ D VWXPEOLQJ EORFN WR WKH HͿRUWV LQ ÀJKWLQJ JUDIW 6HYHUDO FDVHV DJDLQVW SURPLQHQW SROLWLFDO ÀJXUHV have been held up in courts for years without the trials HYHQ WDNLQJ RͿ 7KH FRXQWU\·V IHHEOH DQG RYHUVWUDLQHG MXGLFLDU\ RͿHUV LQÀQLWH RSHQLQJV IRU H[SHULHQFHG defence lawyers to secure never-ending and sometimes dizzy delays as well as dubious perpetual injunctions against criminal prosecutions. $OWKRXJK 3UHVLGHQW 7LQXEX KDV QRW PDGH WKH XVXDO VRQJ DQG GDQFH DERXW ÀJKWLQJ FRUUXSWLRQ 1LJHULDQV expect him to tackle the menace. But in doing so, he should publicly state his assurance to break away from the bad practices of past administrations.

This includes interference by the executive with the RSHUDWLRQV RI ()&& +H should initiate laws to improve the independence of the commission, begin the long-term process of reforming and strengthening the court system and take bold steps to advance the work RI WKH ,QGHSHQGHQW &RUUXSW 3UDFWLFHV &RPPLVVLRQ ,&3& DQG &RGH RI &RQGXFW %XUHDX &&% ,Q WKDW regard, the law should be amended to make for open declaration of assets. $V ZH KDYH VDLG RQ WKLV SDJH VHYHUDO WLPHV ÀJKWLQJ corruption in an environment such as ours goes beyond making sensational claims that are not backed by any evidence to putting in place structures that will lead to trials and convictions of those that are guilty without tarnishing the reputation of innocent citizens.

Therefore, the current practice of publicly naming and shaming suspects even before any case has been brought DJDLQVW WKHP ÁLHV LQ WKH IDFH RI LQGLYLGXDO IUHHGRP DQG privacy. In some instances, people are publicly paraded as arrested only to be surreptitiously released and the case dies. If it wants to be taken seriously, EFCC PXVW XQGHUVWDQG WKDW ÀJKWLQJ FRUUXSWLRQ LV QRW DERXW drama. It is serious business.

President Tinubu should initiate laws to improve the independence of the commission, begin the long-term process of reforming and strengthening the court system and take bold steps to advance the work of the ICPC T H I S D AY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

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

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

LETTERS GOODBYE TO A SPECIAL PAPER There have been thousands of newspapers that have gone into permanent retirement, many of them community papers including the Coleraine Albion, my hometown paper, the Canadian SDSHU &XW .QLIH +LJKZD\ &RXULer which carried a biweekly editorial from Tuc the Cat although his words are still available on his blog but now WKH :LHQHU =HLWXQJ DQ $XVWULDQ SDSHU has ceased production at the end of the ÀQDQFLDO \HDU ZLWK RQO\ D OLPLWHG RQOLQH presence available.

Like many papers it died because of a lack of advertising revenue, in this case after a government advertising policy change but the story is a bit more comSOH[ DV LW ZDV ÀUVW SXEOLVKHG LQ DQG was recognised as the oldest paper still being published or at least until three

days ago. :H QHHG PRUH SDSHUV HVSHFLDOO\ physical ones and so the death of the longest lasting paper is a great loss.

As an obsessive letter writer, I had discussed with its letter editor why I wrote to his paper, among many, and it was the age of the paper that impressed PH )RU D SDSHU WR VXUYLYH IRU RYHU years it must be a good paper.

A paper provides the news, some DGV D ORW RI VSRUWV EXW LWV PDLQ EHQHÀW LV that it connects the local community as almost everyone reads it. They provide the stories that make an event more than just a name and date but a part of a comPXQLW\·V KLVWRU\ Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

PHONE SNATCHING ON THE RISE One of the most vicious of vices in our society today is phone snatching. This dastardly act is perpeWUDWHG E\ JDQJV RI \RXWK RI WR \HDUV ZKR FDUU\ weapons and terrorise people. In some instances, they injure their victims or even stab them to death. This evil act is usually plotted and carried out at night but sometimes in broad daylight. The youth disguise as tricycle operators. There is hardly a week that passes without a report of a victim of phone snatching.

This activity poses a great threat to the freedom of PRYHPHQW RI LQQRFHQW FLWL]HQV PDNLQJ LW GL΀FXOW IRU them to go about their normal businesses especially DW QLJKW ZLWKRXW WKH IHDU RI EHLQJ DWWDFNHG 3KRQH VQDWFKLQJ FRQWLQXHV WR EH SHUYDVLYH LQ GLͿHUHQW VWDWHV of the North. It assumes higher degree in states like .DQR %DXFKL 3ODWHDX *RPEH DPRQJ RWKHUV 7KH QHfarious activity can be directly or indirectly attributed WR ODFN RI SDUHQWDO FDUH DQG EURNHQ KRPHV 3HHU SUHVsure is another cause of youth involvement in social vices. The youth who spend more time with their

IULHQGV HDVLO\ JHW LQÁXHQFHG GXH WR WKHLU ZHDN QDWXUH and tender age.

Youth have a high level of curiosity to learn, have fun and practice new things, thus making them deviate. And as the saying goes “show me your friends, DQG , ZLOO WHOO \RX ZKR \RX DUH µ 8QHPSOR\PHQW KDV also added intensity to the crime. According to a reSRUW E\ D JOREDO FRQVXOWLQJ ÀUP .30* WLWOHG ´*OREDO (FRQRPLF 2XWORRNµ 1LJHULD·V XQHPSOR\PHQW UDWH ZDV SURMHFWHG WR ULVH IXUWKHU WR SHUFHQW LQ WKLV year. This revelation is alarming and must be uppermost in the mind of every responsible citizen. “An LGOH PLQGµ DV DQ DGDJH VD\V ´LV D GHYLO·V ZRUNVKRSµ 3DUHQWV QHHG WR NQRZ WKHLU FKLOGUHQ·V IULHQGV VWDWXV DQG RWKHU SHRSOH WKH\ DVVRFLDWH ZLWK 0RWKHUV VKRXOG be close to their children. Children should be taught the moral values that might help in shaping their cognitive ability.

Sulaiman Maijama’a, Faculty of Communication, Bayero University, Kano

TUESDAY JULY 4, 2023 • T H I S D AY

17

TUESDAY JULY 4, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

18

NEWS

PALMPAY HOLDS MEDIA PARLEY…

L-R: Head, Risk and Compliance, Palmpay Nigeria, Donald Ubeh; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Chika Nwosu; Chief Marketing Officer,Sofia Zab; Senior Marketing Manager, Kevin Olumese, and Head User & Product Development, Folusho Adeloju, at a media parley held by Palmpay Nigeria in Lagos…recently

Woman Sets Police Woman, Two Children Ablaze in Anambra A middle-aged woman has been arrested for allegedly setting a police woman and her two children ablaze in Nnokwa, Idemili South Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State.

The suspect, identified as Nneamaka Nwosu, a native of Amawbia in Awka South Local Government Area (LGA), of the state, was said to have come in

contact with the deceased when she became homeless following a divorce.

A resident of the area, who pleaded anonymity, said the suspect (Nwosu) had gone to live with the police woman shortly after she became homeless and in dire need of accommodation following her divorce from her husband.

“As soon as the husband

11 Trapped, Nine Rescued as Building Collapses in Abuja Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja At least nine persons were rescued while 11 persons trapped under the rubble after a four-storey building under construction collapsed yesterday in Dafe community in Life Camp, Abuja.

Many of the rescued victims were given first aid and taken to the hospital for further treatment.

The collapsed structure is said to be a hotel owned by Summit Villa Hotel Services.

Poor quality of materials used for the building is suspected to be one of the reasons for the collapse.

About 20 persons were trapped in the basement of the building when it collapsed about 4.00 p.m yesterday.

The Director General FEMA, Dr Abass Idriss, who led a team of first responders, which included the Director Development Control, Muktar Galadima, to the scene said nine persons were pulled out of the mangled structure around 8.00pm last night.

divorced her, she confided in the policewoman who benevolently offered her accommodation in her apartment.

“On that fateful day, she

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja Two civil society groups, the National Council for Civil Society Organisations (NACCSO) and Vision-One Leadership Development Initiative (VOLDI), have expressed satisfaction on the

The Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has donated the sum of N65 million to 6,166 Pilgrims from the State, who performed the 2023 Hajj in the Holy land of Saudi Arabia as ‘Sallah gift’. A statement by the Director General of Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board Alhaji Laminu Rabiu Danbappa disclosed this yesterday during the post Arafat meeting with officials at Makka. He said each of the pilgrims was given 50

It was gathered that the suspect was apprehended by local vigilance group and some villagers who were attracted by the fire, while she was trying to escape.

security reforms so far carried out by President Bola Tinubu as well as his recent appointment of Service Chiefs, which cut across the six geopolitical zones in the country.

The Director General of the organisations, Mr. Emmanuel Johnny, stated this during

CSOs and NGOs stakeholders’ congress in Abuja yesterday.

Johnny said, “Mr. President has done well in his 30 days in office in the area of security reform by first and foremost, appointed credible and competent Service Chiefs, which cut across the six geopolitical

zones of the nation including the North Central.

“He has also retained the proactive Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, who has done well in just two years in office.”

Lagos Lawmaker Assures Constituents of Inclusive, Progressive Representation Following the successful inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, Hon Seyi Sowunmi, member of the House of Representatives representing Ojo federal constituency of Lagos State on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) has affirmed his commitment to providing quality and progressive representation, championing live

changing legislation and facilitate impactful initiatives and programmes for the betterment of his constituents and Nigerians at large.

He stated this in Abuja at an inaugural dinner put together by his family and close friends to celebrate his inauguration into the 10th National Assembly.

Also, back home, Sowunmi played host to his prominent constituents at an event to thank them for the trust and support reposed in him as their representative at the House of Representatives.

The two events had in combined attendance hundreds of guests from Ojo federal constituency, including

prominent traditional rulers, Christian leaders from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN); Muslim leaders from Council of Chief Imams and Ulama and Nasrul-lahi-li Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT); community leaders, Labour Party leaders and members from national.

Ekiti Speaker Reads Riot Act to Commissioner-Nominees

Gov Yusuf Donates N65m The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. to 6,166 Kano Pilgrims Adeoye Aribasoye, has warned Saudi Riyadh, adding that the gesture was in recognition of the pilgrims’ good behavior in the Holy land. He urged the pilgrims to spend the governor’s gift and their Basic Travelling Allowances (BTAs) judiciously, and avoid reckless spending that might hinder their return journey to the country after the exercise.

Danbappa further urged the pilgrims to keep up the good efforts of positively portraying the image of the state and the country in the Holy land.

“She quickly tied the police woman and her two kids together with a rope inside their room and set them ablaze together with the building,” he said.

CSOs Hail Tinubu’s Security Reforms, Service Chiefs, Other Appointments

GbengaSodeindeinAdoEkiti

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

quarreled with the police woman which led to a fight. She hit the police woman on the head with a pestle and she fell and became unconscious.

Commissioner-Nominees against treating the Legislature with disrespect after they might have been cleared and confirmed for

their positions.

Rt. Hon. Aribasoye warned that henceforth the Assembly will not take it lightly with any commissioner who fails to make available the report of his ministry’s activities on how public funds appropriated are expended before the next budget.

The Speaker, who handed

down the warning yesterday at the commencement of the screening of the commissioner-nominees said the Assembly is empowered by the Constitution and its Standing Order to perform oversight functions and ensure that returns on how public funds are expended are rendered as and when due.

Three commissioner-nominees: Dr. (Mrs.) Kofoworola Aderiye, Mr. Oyeniyi Adebayo (both from Ido/ Osi Local Government) and Mr. Oluwaseun Fakuade (from Oye Local Government) appeared before the state legislators for screening for the office they were nominated by Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

Ogun Begins Conversion of Buses, Motorcycles, Tricycles to Gas, Electricity August James Sowole in Abeokuta

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, yesterday, disclosed that the E-mobility and Gas Mobility Programme of the state, would take off in the first week of August.

The governor also said that

his administration would take advantage of the newly signed electricity bill that regulates the power sector by establishing a company that would generate and distribute power supply in the gateway state.

Abiodun spoke when he

received participants of the Senior Executive Course 45, Group 1, of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, who visited him in Abeokuta.

He said that his administration would, in its second term, focus

on the provision of public utilities, which include water and electricity supply.

The e-mobility and gas mobility involves the conversion of mass transit buses from petroleum fuel to gas and motorcycles (Okada) to electric.

Renews Commitment to Upgrade Education Facilities Nigerian Lady Wins Award in UK Bayelsa The Deputy Governor, Senator Special Assistant on Media, To this end, he said government Olusegun Samuel inYenagoa Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

A United Kingdom based Nigerian woman, Ms. Ije McDougall (nee Iheme), has won the 2023 “Cheshire Woman of the Year Award” for touching the lives of less privileged individuals in Nigeria and The UK. McDougall told journalists in a WhatsApp video interview yesterday that she was shock by her nomination for the prestigious award because “there was no way I could have been nominated, let alone I’ll win the award.”

She said that she was nominated along with other

white women who are doing great things in their various fields of endeavours.

McDougall, who is a human resource professional, said: “I don’t know who nominated me and for what reason, but I got a letter through the post saying I had been nominated for the ‘Cheshire Woman of the Year’ award. I thought it was a scam, when I got a letter that I was nominated for this award.

I felt somebody was trying to pull my legs because ‘Cheshire Woman of the Year’ is too big, there’s no way I would even be acknowledged.”

The Bayelsa State Government yesterday restated its commitment towards upgrading educational facilities at its own tertiary institutions in pursuit of quality education in the state.

Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, stated this while receiving a report from the Committee on the Upgrade of the Faculty of Law, Niger Delta University, Yenagoa Campus, in Government House, Yenagoa.

In a statement by his Senior

Mr. Doubara Atasi, the deputy governor explained that the continuous upgrade of facilities at the institutions would enable them to always satisfy the accreditation requirements of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

would give a facelift to the Faculty of Law, Niger Delta University, Yenagoa, to ensure effective teaching and learning as well as increase the number of law students approved for admission annually by the Council of Legal Education.

PalmPay Celebrates 25m Users, Links Success to Cash Crunch The digital payment company, PalmPay is celebrating 25 million users in Nigeria and has said it achieved the feat mostly during the period of cash crunch in Nigeria.

Global Chief Marketing Officer of PalmPay, Sofia Zab, told journalists

at a media parley in Lagos, the company is rolling out savings service, which includes a 20 per cent interest savings plan available to all users. According to her, the 25 million user milestone is an important landmark in the

company’s journey to reckoning among top fintech players in Nigeria.

She added that Palmpay is also celebrating an extensive network of 500,000 mobile money agents and 300,000 merchants in its payments

ecosystem.

Zab explained that the company achieved the remarkable growth in just four years of its operations in Nigeria as it applies a robust marketing strategy and user-friendly inclusive financial services.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2023

19

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

REPO

A T

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

08056356325

J U L Y

S & P INDEX

3 , 2 0 2 3

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

19.12%

INDEX LEVEL

611.31%

1/4 TO DATE

-0.07%

N462.50/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

16.25%

1-DAY

0.03%

YEAR TO DATE

0.48%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

15.75%

MONTH-TO-DATE

-0.7%

96 Nigerians Killed, 74 Injured in Electricity-related Incidents in One Year

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja At least 96 Nigerians were electrocuted while 74 were injured in power-related incidents in 2022, a THISDAY’s compilation of data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for the four quarters of last year has shown.

NERC in the quarterly reports for 2022, stated that the dead and the injured involved electricity customers and officials of some

of the electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) nationwide.

In August last year, THISDAY reported that in 21 months, spanning January 2020 and September 2021, at least 156 Nigerians were killed while 87 were injured in similar circumstances.

It is believed that even with the huge number of deaths and injuries, the numbers are still largely underreported as many victims do not make many incidents official.

A breakdown of the casualty

figures showed that in the first quarter of 2022, 37 Nigerians died after being electrocuted, 29 persons died in the second quarter, 12 Nigerians were affected in the third quarter while in the fourth quarter, 18 Nigerians lost their lives.

In addition, 74 persons were injured in the period under consideration, distributed as: 18, 24, five and 27 in each of the quarters in the period under consideration.

Although NERC is empowered and actually does sanction Discos

when such incidents happen and operators flout its health and safety regulations, victims complain that compensation is usually meagre compared to the lifelong impacts the incidents have on the dead, injured and their loved ones.

NERC had in 2017 directed all the 11 Discos in the country to renew their comprehensive insurance as provided under Part 5 Section 5.2 of the Health and Safety Code for the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI),

stressing that, “stiffer sanctions await any electricity distribution companies over electrocution or any established case of negligence within their networks.”

It further accused some Discos of placing commercial gains above safety standards and specifications by sheer negligence.

But NERC in the latest report stated that in accordance with section 32(1)(e) of the enabling law, the commission had continued to monitor health and safety

performance in the industry to guarantee the delivery of safe and reliable electricity to Nigerians.

The report showed that out of the 87 mandatory health and safety reports expected from licensees in 2022/Q1, the commission received a total of 78, but said that at the time of the report, Sapele and Egbin Power had two outstanding submissions each, while Yola Disco, Agip power, Geregu power, Shell Continued on page 26

Expert: Nigerians May Pay N10,000 for 100 Units of Electricity if Tariffs Rise Peter Uzoho As apprehension over the anticipated 40 per cent increase in electricity tariff persists, the Chief Executive Officer of PowerCap Limited, Mr. Abiodun Ogunleye, has projected that consumers may be paying as high as N10,000 to vend for 100 units of electricity if the tariff eventually rises.

Ogunleye made the projection in Lagos during a press conference heralding the 2023 PowerSolution Conference slated to hold in Lagos between July 19 and 20, 2023, with the theme: “Sustainable Resolution of the Gaps in the Power Sector.”

According to Ogunleye, who possesses over 30 years’ experience in the power industry, the changes in macroeconomic indices especially

upward changes in inflation and foreign exchange make electricity tariff increase inevitable.

Comparatively, he argued that during President Goodluck Jonathan’s regime, one could buy 100 units of electricity at about N1,500 or N1,600. At the closure of President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime, he stated that it was like N6,000 to N7,000 to buy 100 units

FOOD

of electricity.

“This calculation is going to be leading us to something around N10,000 to buy 100 units. The sector is largely driven by foreign exchange component. The gas suppliers are looking at the international gas market to determine whether they are going to give gas to the generation companies to produce electricity for us locally or to sell their gas

COMMODITIES

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

RICE

100KG

ABUJA

N35,000 – N45,000

SORGHUM

50KG

OYO

N35,000 – N45,000

50KG

PLATEAU (JOS)

PRICE

to somebody on the international market.

“The same machine that is going to be used in Egypt to generate electricity is what we are also going to deploy in Lagos or at any of the load locations in Nigeria. So, realistically, the next question that should come to mind is, what was the exchange rate when Jonathan resumed and how have we fared?,” he asked.

Noting that the Distribution Companies (Discos) and their investors may have been losing money without the knowledge of consumers, Ogunleye pointed out that a lot of the Discos had been taken back by the federal government.

NOTE: The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

T O D AY

STATE

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

100KG JIGAWA

N30,000

BEANS

MAIDU GURI

N22,000 – N30,000

100KG

BENUE

N32,000

50KG BAG

N32,500 – N42,000

100KG

N32,000

100KG LAGOS

N36,000

KADUNA

50KG

KWARA N24,000–N27,000

50KG

ENUGU

N24,000

100KG

KANO

N35,000

50KG

LAGOS

N35,000 – N45,000

50KG

LAGOS

N26,000

100KG

DELTA

N36,000

50KG

RIVERS N36,500 – N46,500

100KG

DELTA

N35,000

50KG

SOKOTO

N60,000 – N70,000

100KG

ABIA

N36,000

100KG

ABIA

N35,700

SIZE

20

TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS FOOD

NAME OF COMMODITY

PALM OIL

COMMODITIES

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

LOCATION

PRICE

100KG KANO

N20,500

ONIONS

100KG

IBADAN

N60,000

MAIZE

100KG

OYO

N10,000

N24,000 – N35,000

100KG BENUE

N27,000

100KG KANO

N30,000

100KG ENUGU

N16,500

100KG BENUE

N65,000

100KG DELTA

100KG LAGOS

N32,000

N14,000

25CL IBADAN N22,000 — N35,000

100KG PLATEAU

N45,000

100KG

ABIA

N11,000

PRICE

25CL LAGOS N20,000-N35000 25CL

PH

STATE

GROUNDNUT

T O D AY

PRICE

STATE

SIZE

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

NAME OF COMMODITY

25CL

IMO

N24,000 – N36,500

100KG DELTA

N34,000

100KG DELTA

N50,000

50KG

LAGOS

N9,000

25CL

EDO

N20,000 – N35,000

100KG

ABIA

N27,000

100KG LAGOS

N60,000

100KG KANO

N9,400

100KG ENUGU

N23 000

100KG ENUGU

N45,000

50KG

N6,000

25CL ABUJA N25,500 – N35,000

BENUE

China Accuses Wealthy Nations of Setting Unrealistic Goals, Opposes Shipping Levy Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja China has urged poorer countries to oppose a levy on shipping emissions and stronger targets for decarbonising one of the world’s most polluting industries, criticising wealthy nations for setting “unrealistic” goals with “significant” financial costs.

According to the Financial Times, Beijing distributed a “diplomatic note” to developing nations as they

prepared for a critical meeting at the UN’s International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in July, according to four people present at IMO discussions.

China’s comments are coming days after France rallied 22 allies behind a shipping emissions levy.

“An overly ambitious emission reduction target will seriously impede the sustainable development of international shipping, significantly

increase the cost of the supply chain and will adversely impede the recovery of the global economy,” China stated in the document.

It added: “Developed countries are pushing the IMO to reach unrealistic visions and levels of ambition. (They are advocating) a flat (levy that) will lead to a significant increase in maritime transport costs.”

The efforts by China, the world’s biggest exporter which also has a

large state-owned shipping industry, have deepened concerns over a lack of progress on decarbonising a fuelintensive sector that delivers up to 90 per cent of traded goods globally, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

By the end of next week the IMO has committed to strengthening its ambition, which has long been criticised by environmental

campaigners as weak, to halve annual shipping emissions from their 2008 levels by 2050.

But participants in the talks at the IMO said China had helped to rally countries in closed-door negotiations that had become deeply divided between developed and developing member states.

Brazil, Argentina and South Africa have also opposed a levy on shipping companies’ emissions,

which they fear would increase the cost of exports for their large commodities markets, according to two people close to the discussions.

According to the note seen by the FT, China called for any revenues generated by IMO regulations to be invested “in-sector”, arguing that wider use of these funds would transfer “the climate change financing responsibility from developed countries to...international shipping.”

Egbin Achieves 1,000MW Generation Milestone, Marine Surveyors Fault Attributes Performance to Industry Support, Employees Safety, Regulatory Agencies for Boat Mishaps Peter Uzoho

Egbin Power Plc, Nigeria’s largest electricity generation company, has announced a record-breaking 1,000 megawatts (MW) power generation, a feat representing a new peak in a two-year record.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mokhtar Bounour, who disclosed this in a statement, explained that the result was made possible through the support and cooperation of industry operators, stakeholders

and the firm’s employees.

Bounour also commended the employees for their commitment towards delivering outstanding performance, which has consistently enabled the company to make significant contribution to the power sector.

He said: “This remarkable achievement recorded on Sunday June 25, 2023, could not have been possible without the support of industry operators.

It is a testament to the fact that collaboration is key to the

progress in the power sector.

“At Egbin Power, we have a culture of excellence deeply entrenched in our operations, and we give priority to human capital development, while we pay high attention to quality maintenance of our facility, in addition to our best-in-class health, safety and environment practice.

“At Egbin Power, we will continue to deliver impactful results in the power sector knowing fully well that electricity is crucial in driving industrial development

and socio-economic growth. We remain steadfast to our goal of empowering lives and livelihoods because we are committed to our stakeholders.”

Bounour reiterated the Genco’s commitment to the goal of increasing the capacity of the plant and to consistently drive sustainability.

Last year, Egbin Power announced a plan for its phase two investment expansion plan that was projected to add up to 1,750MW into the national grid.

World Bank: How Petrol Subsidy Slowed E-mobility Growth in Nigeria Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja A World Bank report has has indicated that Nigeria’s massive subsidy on petrol before the latest removal may have slowed the development of e-mobility and use of alternative vehicles, like electric minibuses, twowheelers and three-wheelers in the country.

Stressing this in a document tagged: ‘E-Trans-Electric mobility and transition in Nigeria: Strategy and implementation’, the bank recalled that fuel subsidy alone funding gulped N4.39 trillion last year.

The bank added that while

Nigeria devotes significant funds to subsidise transportation, the funding had served to discourage the development of e-mobility across the nation.

“The subsidisation of petrol discourages the take-up of alternative vehicles such as electric minibuses, two-wheelers (E2W) and three-wheelers (E3W).

“Regulations to enact policies will also need to be developed, mostly at federal level, adapting the tax regime and permission framework for importing new and used vehicles,” the bank said.

According to the World Bank, this will also involve instating

new framework drawing from international experience as for safe storage, recycling and disposal of batteries and e-waste associated with e-vehicles.

The objective of the study, it said was to facilitate dialogue on urban and rural clean energy e-mobility strategies that reduce air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and health and economic impacts of mobility in Nigeria.

It added that that with the removal of fuel subsidy, the introduction of e-buses should be supported by subsidy and financing solutions to offset the high upfront cost.

It advised that the electricity should come from renewables where possible, with the extent of private involvement to be decided at the outset, and commuters encouraged to use e-buses.

“Regulations to enact policies will also need to be developed, mostly at the federal level, adapting the tax regime and permission framework for importing new and used vehicles and instituting new framework drawing from international experience for safe storage, recycling and disposal of batteries and e-waste associated with e-vehicles.

Shell’s Renewables Boss to Leave after CEO’s Strategy Shift Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Shell’s head of renewable generation, Thomas Brostrom, is leaving the company, a spokesperson has said, weeks after the Chief Executive Officer, Wael Sawan scaled back the company’s energy transition plans.

Brostrom joined Shell from offshore wind giant Orsted in August 2021 to head offshore wind as the company planned to rapidly grow its wind and solar operations as part of a strategy to cut greenhouse gas emissions under previous CEO Ben van Beurden.

Brostrom quickly became head of

renewables in February 2022 after Elisabeth Brinton stepped down less than two years after taking the reins, Reuters reported.

Chief Executive Sawan, who took office in January, announced on June 14 a shift back to oil and gas production while paring back investments in renewables following investor pressure to focus on the most profitable businesses.

Sawan also introduced a new structure to the company’s top leadership that eliminated Brostrom’s role and split it into regions.

“Thomas Brostrøm has elected to leave Shell to pursue an external

opportunity,” the company said.

The company was involved in nearly an eighth of Russia’s shipborne gas exports in 2022, according to analysis from campaign group Global Witness.

Oleg Ustenko, an adviser to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, accused Shell of accepting “blood money”.

Shell said the trades were the result of “long-term contractual commitments” and do not violate laws or sanctions.

As recently as 9 May, a vast tanker capable of carrying more than 160,000 cubic metres of gas compressed into liquid

form - liquefied natural gas or LNG - pulled out of the port of Sabetta, on the Yamal peninsula in Russia’s far north, the report said.

That cargo was purchased by Shell before heading onwards to its ultimate destination, Hong Kong.

It is one of eight LNG cargoes that Shell has bought from Yamal this year, according to data from the Kpler database analysed by Global Witness.

Last year Shell accounted for 12 per cent of Russia’s seaborne LNG trade, Global Witness calculated, and was among the top five traders of Russian-originated LNG that year.

Gilbert Ekugbe The Center for Marine Surveyors, Nigeria (CMSN), has stated that safety and regulatory agencies in the maritime sector are responsible for the frequent boat accidents in the country.

Reacting to the recent boat accident that occurred in Ilorin, Kwara State, President of CMSN, Akin Olaniyan, explained that the recent boat mishaps witnessed in the country over the years has become one accident too many, calling on the Tinubu-led administration to compel the safety agencies and government departments involved in maritime safety to either seat up or be shown the way out.

In his words: “They have become more focused on revenue generation than safety standards. Somebody must be held accountable because the victims of these accidents are the less privileged members of the society does make their lives worth less. If it were an aviation accident, we would have been declaring a

national day of mourning.

“The solution to the marine accident had always been at our finger tips, the safety and regulatory agencies have always paid lip service to the issues of safety because we have always had square pegs in round holes.

“And until we change the narrative, we will always live with the same outcome. We have seen our maritime agencies as financial gatekeepers for revenue generation and as such the fundamental reason for their creation which is developing the maritime industry has been lost.

The safer and cleaner the maritime environment is, the more profitable and investment friendly it will be as our waterways will not be a national gutter as we have it now to our shame. Our waterways should be safe and secured to serve as a transportation conduit to move and people and cargoes around. Our boats and ferries should be locally but properly built and certified and seaworthy and businesses this will generate is humongous.

96 NIGERIANS KILLED, 74 INJURED IN ELECTRICITY-RELATED INCIDENTS IN ONE YEAR power and Shiroro power each had one outstanding report.

“The commission has developed new processes to track the submission of statutory reports (including the health and safety report) by licensees which will guide the implementation of relevant actions against licensees that do not meet their obligations.

“The health and safety reports were analysed in line with the provisions of Section 32(1)(e) of ESPRA for monitoring and evaluating of health and safety performance of licensees to ensure that operators abide by their responsibility of delivering safe electricity services to consumers,” NERC added.

Of the deaths and injuries, NERC stated that the commission had launched investigations into all the reported incidents with a view to understanding the root causes and meting out relevant

actions against the licensees, where applicable.

In line with its strategic goals, the commission said it had intensified efforts at implementing various safety programmes aimed at eliminating accidents in the industry.

“Some of the safety programmes implemented by the commission include the standardisation of protective schemes, public enlightenment on health & safety,” it added.

It also noted that the commission was engaging the relevant government agencies on Right of Way (RoW) violations, and a review of an operational procedure for distribution system operators on fault clearing.

Also in 2022/Q4, NERC said that 85 out of 87 mandatory health and safety reports were received, with Omotosho and Geregu power stations having one outstanding report each at the time.

LAWYER TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2023

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ONUEZE CHUKWUJINKA JOE OKOCHA, OFR, SAN, JP, DSSRS

OCJ Okocha at 70

II THE ADVOCATE

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2023

The AGF Nigeria Needs

Who will be our Next AGF? here has been so much speculation about who will occupy the Ministerial and other positions, in the new Tinubu administration. Closer to home, we Lawyers are rather curious about who will be our next Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), and rightfully so too, since there was nothing particularly spectacular or impressive about the performance of the immediate past AGF, consequently leaving the administration of justice sector in a worse condition than he met it. Sections 174 & 195 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended in 2023)(the Constitution) provide for the office of the AGF and State AGs respectively.

There is a great deal of work to be done, to bring our administration of justice sector up to par, in line with global best practices.

Several names of legal practitioners have been mentioned, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria, for the position of AGF. Past President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, in a recent interview with our Arise TV, even went as far as endorsing ‘the two Tundes’, Babatunde Kwame Ogala, SAN (Beekay), and H.E. Dr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN (BRF) (whom Dr Agbakoba referred to as “a big brain”) as his “Number 1 top assassins” for the position of AGF, stating that after ‘legal failure’, Nigeria requires a strong AGF to do strong work in legal development and law and order; and he believes that the two Tundes fit the bill. The names of all those whom we have heard (I will not bother to mention them, since people have just been speculating), are all eminently qualified for the position; they also already have their work cut out for them, and will certainly do a better job in administration of justice sector reform, than we have seen in the last eight years or more.

T

Office of the AGF: Expectations One thing we can safely say is that, the office of the AGF is not about putting your relatives and cronies in principal agencies that complement the Justice Ministry, to use them as a tool for witch-hunting perceived enemies of Government or personal enemies, nor is it about using the position to amass wealth as a launching pad for higher political office.

It is principally about keeping the Government on the right path constitutionally and legally, giving legal advice and opinions to the President and Government agencies, law and administration of justice sector reform, and defending the rights of the people.

1) A Good Team Player for Positive Development & Administration of Justice Sector Reform Apart from being experienced, we require an AGF who can work hand in hand with the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), to bring about the desired improvements in the administration of justice sector. First of all, discipline must be restored to the sector. The era of law enforcement agencies, indeed, any Government authority or agency, observing our laws in their breach or disobeying court orders, must come to an end. Rule of law, must be entrenched. The active involvement of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in bringing about positive developments in the administration of justice sector, is also crucial.

Last week, I gave a simple example of Police Prosecutors who are non-legal practitioners, still prosecuting cases at the Magistrate Courts, contrary to Section 106 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 (ACJA) and Section 66(1) of the Police Act 2020 (PA).

Thankfully, we have a new IGP. A strong cease and desist message should emanate from the CJN and AGF to the IGP and the Chief Judges of all States, that this unlawful practice should stop immediately, failing which there will be consequences for disobedience.

For one, any Magistrate entertaining unqualified Police Prosecutors must face disciplinary action, including dismissal, while such erring Prosecutors should suffer the same fate of disciplinary action or even dismissal from the Police Force. Isn’t it ironical, that chronic lawbreakers should be the ones purporting to enforce the law against others?

2) An AGF that is bound by the Provisions of the Constitution We require an AGF who will be bound by the provisions of the Constitution, be blind to ethnicity and religion, and therefore, adhere strictly to Sections 10 (religion not being a consideration in the public space) & 42 (no

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive. com onikepob@yahoo.com

The

Advocate “Several names…..mentioned…for the position of AGF. Past President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, in a recent interview with our Arise TV, even went as far as endorsing ‘the two Tundes’, Babatunde Kwame Ogala, SAN (Beekay), and H.E. Dr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN (BRF) (whom Dr Agbakoba referred to as “a big brain”) as his “Number 1 top assassins” for the position of AGF…..” discrimination) thereof. The issue of allowing religion into our public space, has been detrimental to our unity and progress. In 2020, a Kano State Sharia Court sentenced a Musician, Yahaya Sharif Aminu to death by hanging by for blasphemy.

This kind of behaviour, where courts act ultra vires their jurisdiction, must no longer be tolerated. Aside from the fact that the Holy Quran doesn’t prescribe death for a blasphemer, see Quran 33:49; 4:41, and even if it did, Sections 210 & 213 of the Penal Code (applicable in Northern Nigeria) and Section 204 of the Criminal Code (applicable in Southern Nigeria) are the laws that govern the offence of blasphemy in Nigeria, and they both do not prescribe more than a maximum of a two year imprisonment or a fine or both, for committing the offence of blasphemy/ insult to religion. The Constitution does not give the Sharia and Customary Courts the power to exercise criminal jurisdiction, only civil jurisdiction - marriage, divorce, inheritance and the like - see Sections 262 & 282 of the Constitution; and, we require an AGF who is bold enough and willing to do the right thing, by insisting on the provisions of the Constitution in this regard. By virtue of Section 1(1) of the Constitution, it is supreme, and all persons and authorities in Nigeria are all bound by it, including the Sharia and Customary Courts, and the officers that man them. In a Muslim State like Saudi Arabia that applies Sharia Law, Sharia Law is supreme, while in a secular country like ours where the State has no religion,

the Constitution is supreme.

3) A Fearless and Honest Legal Adviser to Government An Attorney-General is not just a legal adviser to the President, Government and its agencies, proposes new laws while vetting old ones for constitutionality, repugnancy etc, he/she represents and protects the rights of the public as well. In the last few years, the AGFs Nigeria has had, seem to have limited themselves to the other roles pertaining to Government, with the President or Governor (in the case of State AGs) being their Number 1 Client, and not that of being the public’s representative in the true sense of the word.

Had the immediate past AGF advised the Government properly, for instance, the incessant contravention of Section 38 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007, and the unlawful ways and means advances made to Government by the CBN, would not have been permitted; while the disastrous currency redesign policy which didn’t follow due process and unleashed so much suffering on Nigerians, contrary to Section 16 of the Constitution, would also not have been allowed.

4) Protection of the Rights of the People While the past AGF wasn’t particularly exemplary even in his role of advising Government on constitutional and legal matters, and policy, there is so much injustice that has been perpetrated against

the public, and the immediate past AGF did nothing to correct it. For example, in the case of the currency redesign policy which plunged Nigerians into so much hardship, if anything, the AGF supported this obnoxious policy, forgetting his role as the protector of the rights of the people. I recall that in 2021, the immediate past AG of Ekiti State, Olawale Fapohunda, SAN instituted an action against the IGP for the unlawful sack of Policewoman, Omolola Olajide for being unmarried and getting pregnant contrary to Section 127 of the Nigeria Police Regulations under Section 46 of the old Police Act 2004, a law that is obviously repugnant and contrary to Section 42(1)(a) of the Constitution; some people criticised Mr Fapohunda for instituting such an action against the IGP, wondering whose side he was on, forgetting that his role as Ekiti State AG was also to protect the rights of the people of Ekiti State, including that of Ms Olajide.

5) Enforcement of the Law How active have AGFs been, for instance, in ensuring that judgements are executed in cases in which judgements have been delivered against the Police, either in damages being awarded against them, or that sentences against convicted Police Officers, are carried out in the interest of justice, especially to act as a deterrent to offenders? Apparently, the Nigeria Police Force is the biggest debtor, when it comes to payment of damages awarded against it. The Police almost never pays!

Lawyers are watching the trial of Police Officer, ACP Drambi Vandi, who is charged with the murder of our pregnant colleague on Christmas Day 2022, Mrs Bolanle Raheem.

In Ekum v State (2022) LPELR-57683(SC) per Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, JSC, the Supreme Court affirmed the judgement of the lower courts convicting and sentencing the Appellant, Police Constable Henry Ekum to death by hanging, for the offence of murder.

Similarly, in Egheghe v State (2020) LPELR50552(SC) per Uwani Musa Abba Aji, JSC, the Supreme upheld the conviction and death sentence on PC Matthew Egheghe for shooting one Emmanuel Victor to death. In this case, the deceased was a passenger on an ‘okada’ which was stopped at a checkpoint. The Policeman collected N50 bribe from the okada rider, and the deceased made a harmless remark about the Police not going to Church, not even on a Sunday (possibly meaning that even on Sundays, the day set aside by Christians for worship, they still collect bribe at the checkpoints).

The Appellant slapped the deceased, and in order to avoid further beatings, the okada rider sought to run off. They were chased, the deceased pulled down and shot several times. Has Egheghe’s sentence been carried out?

Probably not. And, it is the knowledge that, at the end of the day, not much will result from such convictions that gives out-of-control law enforcement agents the impetus to continue with their nonsense unabated. Death sentences must be appealed all the way to the Supreme Court, but, why waste the precious time of the Apex Court whose docket is already heavy, when its judgements will not be executed? Of what use is a judgement that is not executed?

It’s like a toothless bulldog, one whose bark may be frightening, but cannot bite! We require an AGF who will ensure that the Police, and indeed, all Government agencies that have a penchant for disobeying court orders, don’t turn executory judgements into mere declarations.

An up and doing AGF, in protecting the rights of the people, will ensure that such sentences are carried out promptly. When the news filters throughout the Police that there’s zero tolerance for extra-judicial killing as sentences will be executed promptly, and those who may aid the escape of Police suspects will also be charged as accessories to the crime after the fact, like the suspects in the murder of the ‘Apo Six’ who escaped from the top floor of a Police building in Abuja and are still at large to date, the Police will sit up.

Conclusion Some of the observations I have made about the qualities of a good AGF, are only the tip of the iceberg. Advising the Government properly about agreements that Nigeria enters into with other countries/commercial contracts with foreign entities, is also an important role of the AGF, and not just the recapture/redemption of stolen Nigerian funds in foreign accounts, for a consultancy fee, which seemed to be a focus of the immediate past AGF. We hope that unlike what we have seen in the past eight years, the Tinubu administration will get it right, in its choice of AGF.

III

TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

L-R: Judge Susan Mtonga-Wanjelani, Zambia, Administrator NJI, Hon. Justice Salisu Abdullahi, CJN, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, Dr Anthony Idigbe SAN and Hon. Justice Lawrence Gidudu, Uganda

Shubham Chaudhuri

Rivers State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice John Aikpokpo-Martins Simeon Chibuzor Amadi

CJN Tasks Judges on Financial Sector Laws Says judicial integrity paramount in handling capital market cases

Alex Enumah in Abuja The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, has harped on the need for judicial officers to be conversant with the relevant laws governing the financial sector, both within and outside the country.

The CJN gave the charge following the crucial role the Judiciary plays in the development and growth of any nation, including the political and economic environment.

Justice Ariwoola spoke while declaring open a 3-day workshop on the Asset Forfeiture Regime, under the Nigerian Law. The workshop which held in Abuja was organised by the Attorney General Alliance - Africa Programme (AGA-Africa) in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI).

While emphasising that there is a correlation between an efficient Judiciary, stable economy and international financial systems, the CJN stated that Judges can only contribute

their quota, when they are up-to-date with relevant laws.

"The Judiciary is a key player in the society, therefore, it is pertinent for you as judicial officers to be up to date with relevant laws regulating the capital market, so as to have an objective view of the capital market at all times.

"In this light, the effective use of relevant and most importantly, current laws for guidance in adjudicating capital market cases, contributes to the potency of your decisions as

judicial officers", he said.

Adding that, going forward, recent legislations such as the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act MLPPA, 2022, as well as the Proceeds of Crime Act POCA , 2022, amongst others, will enhance the capacity of judicial officers in handling asset forfeiture and capital market cases, "in line with the legal and institutional framework for recovering proceeds of crime as well as the management, confiscation and forfeiture of property or assets

that are procured for unlawful activities; even if the proceeds of crime are used to procure assets in the capital market".

Meanwhile, the CJN urged that besides knowledge of relevant laws, judicial officers must be guided by the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers, in their adjudication of the capital market cases.

Justice Ariwoola said: "It important that I emphasise the need to dispose of cases in a speedy and efficient manner, as justice delayed is certainly

NBA-SBL Unveils Keynote Speaker and Programme Topics The Nigerian Bar Association, Section on Business Law (NBASBL), is excited to announce the highly anticipated 17th Annual International Business Law Conference, scheduled to take place from July 5th to 7th, 2023, at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.

With the timely theme "The Nigerian Business Landscape: Priorities for Law, Policy, and Regulation," the NBA-SBL Conference 2023 is set to be the premier event for professionals, policy-makers, and industry leaders. This Conference will

provide a dynamic platform for insightful discussions and strategic collaborations, aimed at shaping the future of business law in Nigeria.

“On behalf of the NBA-SBL, Ayoyinka Olajide-Awosedo, Chair of the Conference Planning Committee, is honoured to introduce our esteemed Keynote Speaker for the Conference, Shubham Chaudhuri, the current Country Director for Nigeria at the World Bank. Chaudhuri brings a wealth of experience and accomplishments to the Conference, with his expertise

Rivers Chief Judge Calls for Support for NBA The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Hon. Justice Simeon C. Amadi, has admonished Lawyers to constantly support the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in its quest to promote the rule of law and its activities. He spoke at the weekend at Isiokpo, when he declared open the newly built Dr Joseph Nwobike, SAN NBA Isiokpo Bar Centre, Isiokpo Town in Rivers State.

The Jurist, who noted that the Donor is the first Lawyer in the State to build and donate a Secretariat for the NBA, admonished Lawyers to always find ways of helping the Bar and young Lawyers to grow professionally.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the NBA Isiokpo Branch, Dr Cashmia Ofurum, thanked the donor for donating the magnificent edifice to the Branch.

The Donor, Dr Joseph Nwobike, SAN, in his own remarks, said the event was the high point of the

promise to build and donate the Secretariat which he made in September, 2022 to the Branch’s executives, following their plea for office accommodation.

He thanked God for his provision, which made it possible for the project to be delivered within time.

He urged the NBA Isiokpo Branch, to put the building and its facilities to their best use.

Some of the dignitaries who attended the event include Judges of the State’s Judiciary; the Solicitor-General of the State, Mr Egerton Madume; Director of Public Prosecution of Rivers State; the Paramount Ruler of the Isiokpo Ancient Kingdom, HRM Blessing Wagor, Wagidi XL; Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Chris Ezem, the immediate past Secretary to the Abia State Government; Hon. Eloka Tasie-Amadi (DSSRS), former Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Lawyers and the clergy, among others.

in business and economic development. His keynote address will provide valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of the Nigerian business environment and emphasise the critical role of law, policy, and regulation in driving sustainable growth and economic development.

The NBA-SBL Annual Conference 2023 will feature a comprehensive programme, covering a wide range of topical issues crucial to the Nigerian

business landscape. Participants can expect engaging discussions and interactive sessions on key areas such as: 1.

Tr a n s f o r m i n g Nigeria’s Business Environment: Unlocking Potential through Legislative and Policy Reforms.

2.

The Future of Financial Services Regulations in Nigeria: Is there a need for a Paradigm Shift?

3.

The Nigerian Startup Act: From Enactment to Implementation; What’s Next?

4.

The Impact of Emerging Technologies and Digital Transformation on the Nigerian Business and Legal Environment.

5.

Closing Nigeria’s Infrastructural Gap with PublicPrivate Partnerships.

In addition, the Conference will focus on other sectors, including Mining, the Creative Industry, Agriculture, Energy, and Transport, providing valuable insights into these industries.

denied.

"It is ours to ensure that our justice sector is at par and in line with global best practices, remains a task that all stakeholders must close ranks to tackle, as it is the desire of Nigerians that delay in justice delivery is curbed".

According to him, timely, transparent and efficient adjudication, including enforcement of laws, will curb corruption and create incentives for investors.

In an overview of the Asset Forfeiture Regime in Nigeria, a Senior Partner, PUNUKA Attorneys and Solicitors, Chief Anthony Idigbe, SAN, noted that the purpose of the workshop was mainly to share knowledge both in regional and international perspective, on the Asset Forfeiture Regime, particularly in the light of the recent Proceeds of Crime Act, 2022.

He noted that the laws, when applied effectively by the courts will eliminate impunity in the system, serve as a deterrent to others, and in addition, help in bringing back forfeited assets to public use.

Aikpokpo-Martins Emerges NBA-SPIDEL Chairman In a related development, the former 1st Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr John Aikpokpo-Martins, has been elected as the new Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law NBA-SPIDEL.

Other members of the Executive elected jointly and severally as Officers and Members of Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law are: Princess Frank-Chukwuani - Vice-Chairman;

Funmi Adeogun - Secretary; Chinedu Obienu Treasurer; Abdullahi Karaye Financial Secretary; Charity Ibezim - Assistant Secretary.

Members of the Executive Committee include former

Chairman, Dr Monday Ubani; Prof Paul Ananaba, SAN; Kunle Adegoke, SAN; Dr Uju Agomoh; Kunle Edun; Okey Ohagba; Yakubu Bawa; Dorn-Claimz Enamhe; Igbeaku Evulukwu; Chinelo Ofoegbunam; Sam Ajayi Jaiye and Chisom Onuoha.

NBA-SLP Conference: Why Lawyers Can't Afford to Miss It The NBA Section on Legal Practice (NBA-SLP) is set to hold its Annual Conference in Abuja, from July 16 – 19, 2023.

Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Paul Harris Ogbole, SAN in a statement said: “The Section on Legal Practice is primarily to improve legal practice, and to meet the need of the 21st century practice demands, and also to reposition members to embrace the change occasioned by globalisation, information technology, and economic development. The Section is to assist members, to develop and improve legal services to the public.

“The world is a global village. We need to expand the

frontiers of the areas of practice available to our Lawyers. As we continue to increase in numbers as Lawyers in this country, we must find a place of relevance for ourselves here, and across the globe. So, with the advent of the internet, modernity, and artificial intelligence, we see the need for Nigerians to tap into all of those technologies, so that we can take advantage of the world being a global village.

Having said that, the question to ask is, how prepared are we as Lawyers to tap into these advantages? So, the theme of this year’s Conference is: 'Legal Practice Without Borders', which is to examine the practice and transformation of law in Nigeria and the international

environment. It is to critically examine what role our Lawyers can play, and how relevant they can be in the world space. The question is, how prepared are we? How can we take advantage of the goings on around the world? What areas of training do we further need?

How can we position ourselves, so that we can be relevant in the scheme of things? How can Nigerian Lawyers practice well in Nigeria and outside the country? We are happy to know that our Lawyers are doing well in Canada, and elsewhere in Europe. Luckily, our Lawyers are currently Judges somewhere in Canada and Britain”.

“The essence of the Conference is to showcase the

status of the Nigerian Lawyer, the advantages it can bring to bear, and positioning himself/ herself to be a practitioner across the globe.

“We are expecting highclass, world class, highly reputable Judges, Lawyers and Academics. The Conference will attract distinguished jurists, academia, high level government functionaries and corporate executives.

“Giving young Lawyers the opportunity to embark on a debate like this before very seasoned Lawyers and Judges, will provide an opportunity for confidence building, exposure and showcasing themselves, and being role models to so many other young Lawyers.

IV COVER

TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

Onueze Chukwujinka Joe Okocha, OFR, SAN, JP, DSSRS

OCJ Okocha at 70

In a country where life expectancy is barely 52, turning 70 seems almost like a rare privilege that is not available to too many. Born with a silver spoon, Onueze Chukwujinka Joe Okocha, OFR, SAN, JP, DSSRS (OCJ), by sheer determination then propelled himself into greatness. As the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) turned 70 last Thursday, June 29, 2023, friends, colleagues and family gathered at the NBA Port Harcourt Branch Secretariat on Friday to celebrate the septuagenarian at a Public Lecture.

The august occasion was also used to unveil his autobiography, ‘The Moon Also Shines’. His friends Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN; Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN; Awa Kalu, SAN; and His Royal Highness, David Serena-Dokubo Spiff join the sons of OCJ Okocha, Ogbonda and Dr Orowhuo Okocha in showering encomia on him

Congratulations to OCJ Okocha, SAN, a Rare Breed of a Gentleman Chief Bayo Ojo, CON, SAN

I

t gives me great pleasure to join family, friends, colleagues, and associates of Chief OCJ Okocha, OFR, SAN, JP to congratulate him on the occasion of his 70th Birthday.

At some point in the early stages of life, one aspires to what the future holds. But today, we can look back and thank God Almighty for all that he has enabled him to achieve, and for keeping us alive in good health and sound mind till this moment to felicitate with him.

There is no doubt that he has had a brilliant career, with his contributions as a trailblazer in his chosen field, the legal profession. He is an inspiration and a role model to many, and his achievements are indelibly engraved in Nigeria’s jurisprudence as one of Nigeria’s finest, which is evident in his being acclaimed as a renowned legal luminary and a rare breed of a gentleman.

As he celebrates his 70th birthday, I pray that God will grant him sound health, peace of mind and all-round fulfilment to continue to contribute to national development and nation building.

I wish him many happy returns.

Chief Bayo Ojo, CON, SAN, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice

As My Dear Friend OCJ Turns 70!

Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN Chief OCJ Okocha, SAN, popular by his acronym - OCJ is a dear friend on many, many fronts. He is also a brilliant Lawyer, and achieved so many firsts.

We were classmates at Law school in 1978, the best achieving class in the history of the Law School.

We were classmates at the renowned University of London College systems, I at London School of Economics and OCJ, at the Famous UCL. OCJ became of the youngest Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch, followed in quick succession as Attorney-General of Rivers State. OCJ was not done taking Silk and getting into early service at the NBA, to become the Millennium President of our great Association in 2000. I was appointed by OCJ to the Body of Benchers without any solicitation, for which I’m very grateful. I am now a ranking Life Bencher. OCJ was not done, becoming the Chairman of the Council of Legal Education, and topped it up with the icing on the cake as Chairman of the Body of Benchers!!!!

OCJ is also my Younger brother, in age and relationship. His Mother is from my village, Umuasele, in Onitsha. So, we have a professional connection, family relationship and friendship from a long time!!

I am very proud to welcome OCJ to the 7th floor

"There is no doubt that he has had a brilliant career, with his contributions as a trailblazer in his chosen field, the legal profession"

of life. I joined this exclusive club on 29 May, 2023.

I raise a whiskey glass, in honour of my friend and brother. I salute his lovely and loyal wife, Ifeoma and all the kids. To my dear Friend and Brother!!

Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association

OCJ Okocha, OFR, SAN: A Man of The Bar! Awa U. Kalu SAN, FNIALS Whether you call him “OCJ”, “Onez”, “My President”, “Juju Priest”, or “My Man”, you will be making reference to the same person - a colossus in size and in achievements.

Unknown to many, O.C.J Okocha, OFR, SAN, somehow, means “Prosperity foretold” For, “O” stands for Onueze, i.e. the mouth, the word or the spokesman of the King or God; “C” is for Chukwujinka i.e. God has His design, moves in a mysterious way; and “J” is for Joe or Joseph. Okocha - his surname- reminds one of the quintessential Jay Jay Okocha, the former Captain and No. 10 player in the very illustrious Super Eagles during his playing career. He was a wonderful “No. 10” and the heartbeat of the Super Eagles of his time.

The reader would find some coincidence between the younger Jay Jay Okocha’s career, and what will follow this introduction of O.C.J Okocha - “OCJ” as he is generally known and appreciated.

How We Met I recall that OCJ and I met in the last quarter of the year 1973, when he arrived from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and I from Umuahia in the then East Central State, now Abia State, in response to the offer for undergraduate studies in Law by the then University of Ife, Ile-Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). He and I were interested in sports,

particularly athletics, and had to undergo some tests for the purpose of getting into the University sports team, which at the time was necessary for gaining accommodation on Campus. OCJ made the University team and lived on campus, and I did not quite make the cut for which reason my first session was spent at the University Off-Campus accommodation at Ifewara.

Of course, Off-Campus had its thrills and frills, while those on campus had their own peculiar experiences.

But, OCJ and I hit it off from the first day we arrived, and, to date, a lot of those who knew us at the time still ask me about my brother OCJ, and our friendship still remains quite warm and close. Both of us graduated on the same day in flying colours and proceeded to the only campus of the Nigerian Law School, which was in Victoria Island, Lagos, at the time. Today, that single Law School Campus has yielded to campuses in Kano, Port Harcourt, Yenagoa, Enugu, Yola and Bwari, Abuja (Headquarters). Both of us have had experience as home grown Lawyers; but, in his own case, he had a stint for his LL.M at University College, London. Take note, that this is not about us. It is about OCJ, who only a few days ago, turned 70 while I did so on the 9th of March this year.

OCJ’s Legal Journey I have conferred on myself, the indulgence of calling OCJ, A Man of the Bar. This is because, it is my belief that he and Chief Wole Olanipekun, CON, SAN, are the two Nigerian Lawyers that probably, have been decorated with all the titles available to a Nigerian Lawyer. To that extent, OCJ is on record as the Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch (1986-1989); Attorney-General/Commissioner for Justice, Rivers State (1990-1992); Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt (1994-1996); President, Nigerian Bar Association (2000-2002). Climbing the staircase and the ladder of success was not difficult for OCJ, for, he also served as Member, Federal Judicial Service Commission (2000-2005); Chairman, Judiciary Service Committee, Nigerian Bar Association (2005-2006); Member, National Judicial Council (NJC) (2010-2014); Chairman, Council of Legal Education (2012-2016); Vice Chairman, Body of Benchers

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TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

COVER OCJ Okocha at 70 (2019-2020); Chairman, Body of Benchers (2020-2021).

As a Bar man, OCJ has for long been a member of the International Bar Association; has also for long been a Notary Public, and is presently a Life Bencher. To cap his achievements as a Lawyer, the Nation having taken notice of his service to the Legal Profession, decorated him as an Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR).

OCJ is the prophet, who is also known in his hometown.

He is adorned with the title Eze Enwa Gbaganu-Oha of Obio, in the famous Ikwerre Land of Rivers State.

Indeed, he is acknowledged in Duncan Mighty’s “Port Harcourt Boy”, in which notable Ikwerre dignitaries as well as doyens of Port Harcourt (The Garden City) are prominently recognised. In the panthium of the Garden City, Duncan Mighty took note of erstwhile Governors of Rivers State - Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, Nyesom Wike, as well as Tonye Harry, Kenneth Kobani, Timi Alaibe, King Edward Pepple, Akarolo Chimbiko and so on. The reader may not be aware that OCJ took a long while to ensure that he had garnered all the other laurels after being a “Chiefson” for a long time - his grandfather having been a Paramount Ruler.

Looking at OCJ as a person, being tall, prominently handsome with a regal bearing, you must appreciate that he has been illimitable and destined to be as present as he has been for a long while. OCJ at the University was my roommate for two sessions, and my course mate at the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos for another session, for which reason, I have the authority and distinguished privilege to write every single word that I have written, except that I would reserve the rest of my knowledge until appropriate fees are paid as consultancy.

On a final note, OCJ must be acknowledged as one of the pacesetters of the Nigerian Law School Class of 1978 - the Golden Class that has produced the highest number of indigenous Justices of the Supreme Court, as well as the Court of Appeal; the most number of past Presidents of the Nigerian Bar Association, past Attorneys-General of different States of the Federation (one Attorney-General of the Federation), as well as the highest number of members of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria. This class has also contributed, the tallest members of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria. A man is known by the company he keeps.

It is instructive to acknowledge that behind, beside, or in front of every successful man there is a woman, and I state with unqualified confidence that OCJ, at the celebration of his 70th birthday, must have a very beautiful, dutiful and elegant woman beside him. Permit me to ask all the readers of this tribute to give Ifeoma O.C.J. seventy big gbosas, and half of seventy gbosas to his handsome sons and beautiful daughters. I know that OCJ will not celebrate another seventy years (being an orphan), but may God Almighty grant him good health to celebrate another thirty or more, in prosperity and in the full presence of his loving family.

Awa Kalu, SAN, former Attorney-General of Abia State

All Hail Onueze Chukwujinka Joe Okocha — OCJ, OFR, SAN, on his Arrival at the Proverbial Seventh Floor !

David Serena-Dokubo Spiff It is common feature of society these days, that whenever a person becomes extraordinarily accomplished, his initials instantly metamorphose to his name ! JFK, MKO, OBJ, IBB, GEJ, BAT etc, are veritable examples.

Thus, “O.C.J.“ is no longer initials, but the universally acknowledged name of that physically and professionally gargantuan personality, OCJ Okocha, OFR, SAN, JP, etc.

The Urbane, Intelligent, physically present, handsome, conscientious, legal juggernaut and community leader, is certainly one of the best-known remarkable personalities of our time, in this clime.

At the University of Ife in the seventies (now Obafemi Awolowo University), OCJ excelled not only in academics, but also in extracurricular activities, especially athletics. There, he was specially trained by one of the best athletes in the World at the time — the legendary American Sprinter, Lee Evans. Lee had won two gold medals in the 1968 Summer Olympics, setting world records in the 400 metres and the 4 × 400 metres relay, both of which stood for 20 and 24 years respectively. He knew and mentored OCJ personally, and had tremendous regard for him.

In social circles, OCJ so excelled, that he was second to none in the glitterati of Port Harcourt municipality, or wherever he tarried even for a brief moment. His vibrant activities in “the other space” are still being

Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN

Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN

Awa Kalu, SAN

His Royal Highness, David Serena-Dokubo Spiff

Ogbonda C. J. Okocha

Dr Orowhuo Okocha

collated and, subject to approval of his other half, his beloved wife (Aunty Ifeoma), could form the main plank of the next chapter of this piece. That notwithstanding, trust me, not even the joint exploits with his all-time best friend, Architect Harcourt Adukeh, in the small hours at Lido Night Club, Coppa Cabana, Club 67, Land of Canaan or at the Beacon Disco Bar, at Ile Ife, can blight his extraordinary academic attainments. To put things in full context, in the 1970s Great Ife, nubile, teenage ‘chicks’ would hold eligibles at “breast-point” and say, “take me to Beacon”! Good boy OCJ survived all that, for he was imbued with a massive dose of personal discipline, never to be distracted by what the great Ray Ekpu in another context, would call “the pursuit of lascivious passion”!

OCJ, to me Onez or Onny, Co-Member of the Nigerian Law School Diamond Class of 1978, deserves to be venerated, applauded and celebrated. He has achieved virtually everything that’s there to achieve in the Legal Profession , and in society at-large.

Let the drums roll for this Living Legend !

I salute you, Onez, on this laudable milestone.

Bravo, pride of our City, our State and our nation !!!

HRH Sir David Serena-Dokubo Spiff (LLB, BL), the Amadabo of Spiff Town, Ada Ama, Twon Brass, Bayelsa State

OCJ Okocha SAN: My Father and I Ogbonda C. J. Okocha I would like to join my voices to those who are celebrating the 70th Birthday Anniversary of my father, O. C. J. OKOCHA, OFR, SAN, JP, DSSRS, whom I affectionately refer to as Paps!

I am his first son and eldest child, and my full name is Ogbonda Chinedum Johnathan Okocha, which means that my initials are also O. C. J. In celebrating my father, I thank God for keeping him hale and hearty these last 70 years, and I hope and pray that God keeps him in good health and spirits for many, many more years. May he never know lack, and may his dreams continue to come true.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPS!!!

Ogbonda C. J. Okocha

"As a Bar man, OCJ has for long been a member of the International Bar Association; has also for long been a Notary Public, and is presently a Life Bencher"

As I Celebrate my Dad OCJ at 70 Orowhuo W. A. Okocha, Esq., PhD I am the second son of O. C. J. OKOCHA, OFR, SAN, JP, DSSRS, the Founder and Managing Solicitor of the Law Firm of OKOCHA & OKOCHA, an illustrious shining light in the Legal Profession, and the holder of the Chieftaincy title of EZE ENWA-GBAGANU-OHA of Obio Kingdom, which title translates to “the Moon that shines over everyone”. I am also a Legal Practitioner, and his Partner at OKOCHA & OKOCHA. Without sounding immodest, my father has most definitely excelled in the Legal Profession, and has definitely built a legacy to be admired and envied. He has literally achieved all that can be achieved within the Legal Profession, with perhaps, the only achievement I can recall that he has yet to attain being the position of the Attorney-General of the Federation. If you type his name into your preferred online search engine, you will understand what I am talking about. As a Legal Practitioner myself, it is very easy to feel as though I am perpetually in his shadow, and I had my own role to play in creating this feeling.

On Sunday, the 29th of June, 2003, at the jollification to celebrate my father’s 50th birthday, I made a speech wherein I laid down a gauntlet, and challenged myself to be greater than him, to the point that I concluded the said speech by saying that someday, people would refer to us as “Oros and his Dad”, rather than “OCJ and his son”.

Twenty years later, this has not happened! I also made a joke that when prospective clients show up at the law firm looking for “Barrister Okocha”, that they would be asked “the Dr or the SAN?”.

Again, even despite my repeated admonitions to our secretaries and administrative staff, this has never happened. Instead, these same staff are perpetuating my “misery” by continuing to ask prospective clients if they are there to see “OCJ or his son?” It also didn’t help that, despite all that he had achieved in the legal profession by his 50th birthday, he has not slowed down, and has continued to rack up achievements and honours in the last 20 years. It is well.

For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing should not be misconstrued as a complaint. On the contrary, I constantly remind myself of the speech I made at his 50th birthday as motivation, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to practice law in the same jurisdiction as my father, and to have a relationship with him that transcends our personal lives into a professional relationship.

Growing up, I can recollect that my father somehow managed to straddle being a disciplined, hardworking professional, as well as being a jolly good fellow, and a wonderful person to have in attendance at parties and social gatherings. From an early age, I recall that people spoke glowingly of his antics in the courtroom and, as far as I could eavesdrop, there were a lot of rib-cracking jokes told at the parties we often had at home. He was also a strict disciplinarian when necessary, yet, at the same time, allowed us, his children, the freedom to be our own individuals and to chase our own dreams. From an early age, I realised that he gave his all in all that he did, be it business or pleasure, and it inspired and influenced my

approach to life today – I try to work hard and play hard at the same time, and to constantly strike the balance where my work ethic does not stop me from having all the fun I want, neither does my proclivity to have a good time detract from my ability to deliver work correctly and on time.

For those who may wonder, although I concede to the possibility of an inadvertent or subtle influence, I make bold to say that my father did not attempt to influence or direct my decision to study law, nor did he attempt to overly influence or direct the professional path taken by any of his children. Instead, he left us to our devices. Thankfully, my father supported my dreams, even when it seemed as though they might not have come to fruition, and provided, in the numerous ways parents provide for their children, when I embarked on a six-year sojourn after my Call to the Nigerian Bar in pursuit of both an LLM and a PhD. Upon my return to practice, I have witnessed firsthand my father’s disciplined and admirable work ethic, including his ability to work weekends and on public holidays, despite his age, both biologically and at the Bar; and, while our professional relationship has evolved and continues to evolve over the years, two things have remained constant and consistent: the first is that he is result-driven – as long as you deliver on work correctly and on time, you are free to do as you like in your own time, with no attempt to micromanage your affairs; and, secondly, our relationship is firmly compartmentalised – work conversations are to be held in the office, and family conversations are to be held at home. The latter is particularly important for a healthy work-life balance, because even though we occasionally tease each other about working on weekends and public holidays, it has transcended to my own growing family, and I rarely take work home, so my wife knows that she only has to contend with our son (and basketball) for my attention when I am out of the office.

Overall, being a Legal Practitioner that is the son of an illustrious, perspicacious Legal Practitioner, is like living in the shadow of the moon. Focusing only on the positives, he is the first point of reference and comparison to those who observe me in practice, and I don’t think I have ever been in any courtroom or gathering of Lawyers where I have not been recognised as being his son. I don’t mind this, however, as a result of the fact that my current professional path is a fulfilment of a boyhood dream.

I shall now conclude this essay by saying that, on the personal front, as my father crosses this threshold of 70 and forays deeper into old age, I wish him all that he wishes himself. I hope that he continues to do all the things that he loves, but I hope that he makes a conscious decision to slow down, where necessary, on work and the things that burden him, so that while he continues living the life that he enjoys, he does so without the attendant stress that comes from having too much on one's plate.

Above all, I pray that God Almighty continues to guard, guide and protect him, and grants him his heart's desires. Professionally speaking, also, I relish the daily opportunity to live in the shadow of the moon, and hope that I can be a source of inspiration to others, as he has inspired me, and also hope that someday soon, prospective clients will not have to choose between “the Dr and the SAN”, but will have to answer “which SAN?” HAPPY 70TH BIRTHDAY POPS!!!

Orowhuo W. A. Okocha, Esq., PhD (“Oros”)

VI IMAGES

TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

The OCJ Okocha Family

Celebrant, Chief OCJ Okocha, OFR, SAN, and his wife Mrs Ifeoma Okocha

L-R: 26th President of the NBA, Okey Wali, SAN and Managing Partner, Principles Law Partnership, Mrs Miannaya Essien, SAN

L-R: CJ, Rivers State, Hon. Justice Simeon C. Amadi; Chairman, Body of Benchers, Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili, JSC (Rtd) and OCJ Okocha

L-R: Alabota Dame Sekibo, Alabo Sir Abiye Sekibo and a cross-section of guests

L-R: H. Odein Ajumogobia, SAN; Alabo Ferdinand Alabraba and former Attorney-General, Rivers State and former Member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ken Chikere

L-R: Guest Lecturer, Chief Dumo Kaizer Johnny Oruobu; Mrs Ine Dokubo-Spiff; Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili, JSC (Rtd); Hon. Justice Harriba Dagogo-Jack of the of Rivers State High Court and Chairman of the Occasion, HRH Sir Serena Dokubo-Spiff

L-R: Children of OCJ Okocha, Akubeze, Ogbonda and Nnenda

L-R: Children of OCJ Okocha, Dr Orowhuo, Akubeze, Nnenda, Ogbonda, Gloria, Tamunodiepiriye; Alabota Dame Alali Sekibo and Alabo Sir Abiye Sekibo

L-R: Tamunodiepiriye Okocha; Tamunodiepiriye's Parents and OCJ's in-laws, Alabota Dame Alali Sekibo and Alabo Sir Abiye Sekibo L-R: Nnenda Hayatuddini; Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili, JSC (Rtd); Akubeze Okocha and OCJ Okocha

L-R: H. Odein Ajumogobia, SAN; Soboma Ajumogobia and OCJ Okocha

Unveiling the Autobiography

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4.7.2023

4.7.2023

VII

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2023

21

SPECIAL REPORT

Major Policies, Actions, and Challenges in Tinubu’s First 30 Days in Power Obinna Chima

T

he 29th of June, 2023, made it exactly one month since President Bola Tinubu was sworn in as Nigeria’s 16th president. Right from the podium, while delivering his inaugural speech, the former Lagos governor sent a clear message to Nigerians that suggested it would not be business as usual. From his speech, he created the impression that he was ready for business and not the usual kicking of the can down the road that the country has experienced over the years. From the thorny issue of petrol subsidy and the decision to unify the various foreign exchange rates in the country, Tinubu made it clear that he was on a mission to steer the economy towards a growth path and wean it off perennial bottlenecks.

However, while some of his policies have been welcomed and have excited the financial markets and investors, they have also been greeted with attendant challenges, including spiralling inflation, increased poverty level and job losses.

KEY POLICIES/ACTIONS IN 30 DAYS FUEL SUBSIDY IS REMOVED

From his “fuel subsidy is gone” statement on his inauguration day, in which he further clarified that the 2023 Budget made no provision for subsidy payment, it was clear that Tinubu was out to end a controversial policy that successive governments since the eighties could not address due to vested interest. It was widely believed that fuel subsidy benefitted the rich and hurt the economy badly. However, the pronouncement by Tinubu immediately shot up the pump price of petrol from about N185 per litre at filling stations in some cities in the country to an average of N600 per litre. Indeed, the consensus was that the notorious fuel subsidy policy was a drain on Nigeria’s revenue and was opaque, prompting the call for its removal. As of the first half of 2023, payment for the fuel subsidy was about N3.3 trillion. In addition, the continuous retention of the fuel subsidy by previous governments was a huge burden on Nigeria’s ability to service its debts and created a situation whereby the federal government was borrowing for consumption. This also impeded the country’s ability to invest in human capital development. The government is expected to record significant savings from the action.

MANAGING LABOUR

Following the fuel subsidy removal, it was expected that members of the two labour centres – the Nigeria Labour

Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) – would hit the streets in protests. But that was not the case, as the Tinubu-led administration was able to nip the anticipated industrial action in the bud. After a series of meetings, the government promised the unionist that it would work out palliatives, likely a wage increase, among others, to cushion the impact of the hike in fuel price, which has also led to the increase in transportation cost and cost of living.

THE MAN WHOSE SIGNATURE IS ON THE NAIRA NOTE IS SUSPENDED

Another development in his first 30 days was the suspension of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele.

From Tinubu’s “monetary policy needs thorough house-cleaning” comment on his inauguration day, it was clear that Emefiele’s days as the head of the apex bank were numbered. More so, ahead of the 2023 general election, Tinubu, who was then the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had alleged that the naira redesign project and the cash withdrawal limits introduced by the Emefiele last October were meant to derail his presidential bid.

“They hoarded money, they hoarded naira; we will go and vote, and we will win. Even if they change the ink on the naira notes, whatever their plans, it will come to nought. We are going to win,” Tinubu had said at one of his campaign rallies.

He reaffirmed this last week during separate meetings in Ogun State, at the palaces of the paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, in Ijebu-Ode, and Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, in Abeokuta, during a thank-you visit to the royal fathers, maintaining that the cashless policy was part of obstacles thrown in his way.

A trader said the markets are watching to see what would happen to the man who signs the Nigerian currency, adding that until that is resolved, there is likely to be a wait-and-see in terms of serious investment flows.

EFCC CHAIRMAN IS SUSPENDED

The president also suspended the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa.

For Bawa, he was removed to allow for proper investigations into his conduct while in office. His suspension followed weighty allegations of abuse

of office levelled against him, according to the government. While in office, many lawyers and civil society organisations were calling for his removal by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

SACK OF BUHARI’S APPOINTEES ON BOARDS

Tinubu also announced the sack of the governing boards of all federal government parastatals, agencies, institutions and government-owned companies.

The dissolution of the boards was in exercising the president’s constitutional powers and in the public interest, the Director of Information in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey, had said.

According to Bassey, the dissolution does not affect boards, commissions and Councils listed in the Third Schedule, Part 1, Section 153 (i) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

“In view of this development and until such a time new boards are constituted, the chief executive officers of the parastatals, agencies, institutions, and government-owned companies are directed to refer matters requiring the attention of their boards to the president, through the permanent secretaries of their respective supervisory ministries and offices,” the statement said.

It added, “Permanent Secretaries are directed, also, to route such correspondences to Mr President through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Consequently, all ministries, departments and agencies are to ensure compliance to the provision of this directive which took effect from Friday 16th June, 2023. Permanent secretaries are particularly directed to inform the chief executive officers of the affected agencies under the supervision of their respective ministries/offices for immediate compliance.”

ABOLISHMENT OF SUPPORT FOR PROFESSIONAL BODIES

In line with its cost-saving measures, the federal government recently notified professional bodies and councils that it would cease to fund them beginning from the 2024 budget. The move was also in line with the decisions of the Presidential Committee on Salaries (PCS) and recommendations in the Orosanye committee report. The Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation (BoF), Ben Akabueze, conveyed the message via memos sent to the professional bodies.

Some of the memos obtained by THISDAY were addressed to the Registrar/CEO, Optometrist and Dispensing Optics Board, and the Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology (NiCFoST).

“I wish to inform you that the presidential committee on salaries (PCS) at its 13th meeting approved the discontinuation of budgetary allocation to professional Bodies/Councils effective 1st January, 2024,” stated the memo. “The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to inform you that, in compliance with PCS’s directives, this office will no longer make budgetary provisions to your institution, which means that you will be regarded henceforth as a self-funded organisation.”

It added, “For the avoidance of doubt, you will be required, effective 1st January 2024, to be fully responsible for your personnel, overhead and capital expenditures.”

SIGNING OF ELECTRICITY BILL INTO LAW

Tinubu in his first 30 days also assented to the electricity bill, which authorises states, companies and individuals to generate, transmit and distribute electricity. The new electricity law repealed the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) which was signed by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005. The EPSRA (2005) provided the legal, regulatory and governance frameworks underpinning the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). The new Act provides a framework for the improvement of access to electricity in rural, unserved, underserved, peri-urban and urban areas through the use of conventional sources and renewable energy off-grid and mini-grid solutions.

SIGNING OF STUDENT LOAN BILL INTO LAW

Tinubu also signed the Student Loan Bill into law in his first 30 days in office.

Commenting on the new law, the Permanent Secretary in the federal ministry of education, David Adejoh, stressed that “what the President has done goes beyond a symbolism, it’s a demonstration of intent in terms of how he wants to handle education as he progresses in his Presidency.

“The difference this bill makes is that it’s going to be a loans board so that people that don’t have whatever reason, don’t qualify to be able to apply for a loan. I’m very sure the country has learned from recovery rates of loans and the experience we had will be able to guide how this federal students’ loans board will work.”

The new law which was sponsored by Tinubu’s Chief of Staff and immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, among others, states Continued on page 22

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2023

SPECIAL REPORT: TINUBU’S 30 DAYS IN OFFICE

MAJOR POLICIES, ACTIONS, AND CHALLENGES IN TINUBU’S FIRST 30 DAYS IN POWER that, “the loan referred to in this Act shall be granted to students only for the payment of tuition fees.

“The granting of the loan to any student under this Act shall be subject to the students/applicants satisfying the requirements and conditions set out under this Act.” But analysts have pointed out that this was not the first time the country would be having a legislation on students’ loan and have continued to question how it is going to operate.

19. NATIONAL COHESION

Nigeria is more divided since the 2023 general election, and the government must ensure that the divisions and fault lines pushing the country to the brink are bridged.

20. POOR FUNDING OF EDUCATION SECTOR The government must address the education sector’s poor funding to improve the output level and address perennial industrial action by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities and other unions in the higher institutions.

30 CHALLENGES 1. WHERE IS THE FOREX LIQUIDITY?

Despite the two laudable initiative by Tinubu, it is a common knowledge that the major issue with the country’s forex market remains the shortage of dollar supply as demand continues to surge. Therefore, the president must ensure that measures are taken by both the fiscal and monetary authorities to improve dollar liquidity in the country. Therefore, there must be deliberate efforts to address the massive crude oil theft as well encourage non-oil exports so as to boost inflows of dollar to the country.

21. WEAK PUBLIC SERVICE

Reforms in the public sector are highly necessary to ensure efficiency and better service deliveries in parastatals, agencies and ministries of government.

22. DILAPIDATED REFINERIES

The federal government-owned refineries must be fixed to decrease imports, generate currency savings, fight inflation, and ultimately improve the country’s macroeconomic outlook.

2) WHERE ARE THE PALLIATIVES TO CUSHION POVERTY?

One area in which the Tinubu-led administration has been severely criticised is its inability to structure measures and palliatives to ease the pains suffered by Nigerians due to the removal of the fuel subsidy. The sudden fuel subsidy removal has caused untold hardship as Nigerians now grapple with the challenges of meeting up with not only the high cost of petrol but also the increase in the prices of goods and services. To many analysts, the new government ought to get the National Assembly’s approval of the World Bank’s $800 million and commence its rollout to alleviate the suffering of the masses. The NLC and TUC had suspended their planned protest in the hopes that the new government would address the adverse effects of the policy on workers.

The government had directed the National Economic Council (NEC), led by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, to devise an approach and work on palliatives.

3. STATE GOVERNORS TO GET RICHER

With the removal of petrol subsidies, federation account allocations to the state governors are expected to increase. This could lead to wastage by the governors as there had been allegations of wasteful spending and money laundering by some of them.

4. HOW WILL TINUBU CAGE INFLATION?

Although the Consumer Price Index (CPI), used to gauge inflation, increased marginally from 22.22 per cent in April to 22.41 per cent, it is expected that inflation will accelerate further when the impact of the policy percolates. While the World Bank has already projected that Nigeria’s inflation would hit 25 per cent in the coming months due to the adverse effect of fuel subsidy removal, analysts at KPMG are projecting 30 per cent, with more Nigerians expected to be pushed into poverty.

5. HOW WILL TINUBU MANAGE RISING POVERTY?

The World Bank recently disclosed that no fewer than four million Nigerians were pushed into the poverty trap in the first six months of this year, with another 7.1 million more expected to join the conundrum if properly targeted measures are not taken to manage the impact of fuel subsidy removal. According to the Washington-based financial institution, “compensating transfers will be essential in helping to shield Nigerian households from the initial price impacts of the petrol subsidy reform.”

The multilateral development institution disclosed this during the Nigeria Development Update (NDU) launch last week. Dissecting the NDU, the World Bank Lead Economist for Nigeria and co-author of the report, Alex Sienaert, said four million more Nigerians were pushed into poverty in the first half of 2023. Sienaert, who stressed the need for a new social compact to

protect poor and most vulnerable Nigerians in the aftermath of fuel subsidy removal, noted that about 7.1 million more Nigerians would further slip into the poverty quagmire at the end of the year if the right incentives were not properly channelled to help poor and vulnerable Nigerians. Commenting on the headwinds of the forex reforms, he observed a number of adverse consequences, including rising inflation and the increase of debt-to-GDP to about 46 per cent.

6. ANTICIPATED JOB LOSSES

As a fallout of the high energy cost, some businesses may find it difficult to retain their workers, which may lead to layoffs and unemployment in the country.

7. REDUCED PRODUCTIVITY

One of the effects of the fuel subsidy removal without emplacing measures to cushion the impact of the policy is reduced productivity, as some state governments have already announced a reduction in the number of working days. This they did to reduce the number of days civil servants commute to their workplaces.

8. INSECURITY

Insecurity remains a challenge to the Tinubu administration as the spate of killings and activities of terrorists have continued unabated.

9. MASSIVE OIL THEFT

Beyond the fuel subsidy removal, the Tinubu-led administration would have to address the massive crude oil theft in the country that has for decades remained a huge drain on the economy of Nigeria.

For this government to succeed, it must end crude oil theft and channel the funds to other critical sectors of the economy.

10. FIGHTING CORRUPTION

The fight against corruption at national and international levels continues to be a serious challenge. The Tinubu-led government must address this challenge as it erodes trust, weakens democracy, hampers economic development and exacerbates poverty.

11. ELECTORAL REFORM

There is a need for electoral reforms to encourage continuous participation in the country’s electoral process and address some irregularities observed during the 2023 general election that brought Tinubu to power.

12. WEAK HEALTH SYSTEM

Nigeria has a poor health system, especially at the local government level. This is responsible for the high death rate in the country, especially the high maternal mortality rate, one of the highest in the world. The Tinubu administration must work hard to fix this challenge.

Also, Nigeria continues losing medical practitioners to

developed countries due to poor working conditions and remuneration. The country’s doctors-to-patient ratio is about one to 5,000.

13. AGRICULTURE

The previous government anchored its economic diversification agenda on agriculture with programmes such as the Anchor Borrowers’ Scheme. There is a need for the present administration to either maintain it or introduce other innovative initiatives to encourage agricultural activities.

14. NNAMDI KANU

The government must also address the issue of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, as Nnamdi Kanu’s continued incarceration is believed to be part of the reason for the instability in the South East. In addition, the perceived injustice that has led to the rise of some separatist groups in the country must be addressed to ensure stability in Nigeria.

15. RISING DEBT PROFILE

At about N77 trillion, there are concerns that the country’s debt is becoming unstainable. Therefore, the federal government must take steps to shore up its revenue and reduce its appetite for debt.

16. ORONSAYE-JODA’S REPORTS

23. INADEQUATE POWER SUPPLY

Nigeria’s power supply remains poor, a major factor constraining industrial development and production output. The new government must take steps to improve the power supply from its present level.

24. SUSTAINING REFORMS

ECONOMIC

Inconsistent policy administration remains a challenge in Nigeria, and Nigerians would eagerly look forward to the government sustaining some of the policies it has introduced.

25. INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS

Nigeria has weak institutions and would require institutional reforms to implement its reforms and development programmes to achieve the desired outcome.

26. BAD ROADS

The government must commit more funds to road projects to reduce the travelling time and deaths on the roads.

27. POOR RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE

More funds are also expected to be committed to developing more railways in the country.

Steve Oronsaye’s report appears to be gathering dust on the federal government’s shelf. The Oronsaye Panel was set up in 2011, culminating in the submission of an 800-page report on April 16, 2012, recommending the disbandment and merger of 102 government agencies and parastatals. “Ahmed Joda’s Report is equally as important as Steve Oronsaye’s Report,” said Eric Teniola, a political analyst. He added, “On Ahmed Joda’s Panel Report, the full recommendations must be implemented by the next President. The recommendations summarised are for both the core and indirect poverty alleviation.”

28. CREDIT FOR MSMES

17. MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS

Lack of job opportunities, poverty, and corruption force thousands of young Nigerians to leave the country every year for greener pastures. Most of these persons go through extremely dangerous routes to Europe, and many die on the road. The government must create a conducive environment for its citizens. There are even more concerns that millions of Nigerians disillusioned by the outcome of the last presidential election, which not a few strongly believe was systematically rigged, are bent on leaving the country by hook or by crook.

The disenchanted lot is torn between patriotism and partisanship, with several questions on their minds wondering if Tinubu’s presidency will be a departure from the norms associated with the establishment and tokenism. Or, will the new government, which they have declined to confer any legitimacy on, be more or less the same as the old order?

Nigerians are watching to see how Tinubu would navigate this challenge and manage the expectations of the political class. Presently, the politicians who helped him to power are insisting that they want to be part of the government, while some others have advised the president to prioritise competence and experts. Specifically, some have warned the president to avoid persons like former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, who appears to be forcing himself on the president.

18. SHORING UP REVENUE BASE

The federal government must initiate deliberate efforts to increase revenue. And to achieve this, there must be an alignment between the fiscal and monetary policy authorities.

Operators of micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) would look up to the government to initiate policies that would unlock financing to support their businesses and make them competitive.

29. MULTIPLE TAXATION

One of the challenges affecting businesses in the country is multiple taxation. Businesses face different taxes, levies and fees, which eat deep into their profitability.

30. ILLEGAL MIGRATION/JAPA

TINUBU’S 30 MEN, 30 DAYS, 30 CHALLENGES Continued from page 1 Not only has he made crucial appointments considered germane to the smooth take-off of his government, he has also been making rather hard choices in the overall interest of the country and its people, not minding the temporary discomfort they seem to be causing.

With the appointment of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume; Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu; Acting InspectorGeneral of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and the Service Chiefs across the three branches of the armed forces, Tinubu has made no pretence about his pledge of hitting the ground running.

To further give fillip to this disposition, the president recently sought approval for the nomination of 20 special advisers from

the National Assembly. He has started fixing different people in different places, pending the appointment of ministers, just so nothing stalls the delivery of the dividends of democracy.

Though the total number of appointees is less than 30, we nonetheless identify some important and influential players helping to shape the direction of the government.

Some of the special advisers include Mr. Dele Alake (Special Duties, Communications and Strategy), Yau Darazo (Political and Intergovernmental Affairs), Wale Edun (Monetary Policies), Olu Verheijen (Energy), Zachaeus Adedeji (Revenue), John Uwajumogu (Industry, Trade and Investment), and Salma Anas (Health).

He also appointed former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, as Special Adviser on Policy Coordination; Hannatu Musa Musawa as Special Adviser, Culture and entertainment economy; Abdullahi

Abubakar Gumel, Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly matters (Senate), while Olarewaju Kunle Ibrahim is senior special assistant, National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).

Talking about policy pronouncements and commensurate actions to boot, the president, apart from the fuel subsidy removal, also managed the fallout by preventing any untoward actions from labour through engagement of the various trade unions.

In addition to further showing concern about certain areas of the economy, the president suspended the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, over alleged abuse of offices.

Some of the other policy pronouncements that have made the Tinubu administration a darling of many, including the global business

community, are the unification of the forex rates, the sacking of parastatals and agencies’ boards, and the abolishment of support for professional bodies, among others.

In demonstration of his seriousness and commitment to the Nigerian Project, the president had also signed some executive orders and bills into law, as soon as he assumed office. They included the students’ loan, electricity tariff, and the data protection laws, among others.

Although the president is not unmindful of the effects of some of his actions, which he has since described as the pains of baby steps, he is equally not oblivious of more challenges that seem to lie ahead of his government.

These challenges include looming inflation and poverty as a result of subsidy removal, anticipated job losses, reduced productivity; the need to provide palliatives to ameliorate these effects, insecurity, massive oil theft,

fighting corruption, electoral reform, and weak health system.

The challenges also involve giving more incentives to farmers, addressing the cases of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and other separatist agitators, the rising debt profile, addressing the Oronsaye-Joda reports, constituting his cabinet, shoring up the revenue base, and encouraging national cohesion as a result of the divisive election that brought him to power.

Tinubu also needs to properly fund the education sector, strengthen the weak public service, fix the dilapidated refineries, solve the perennial challenge of inadequate power supply, sustain the economic reforms, undertake institutional reforms, sustain the infrastructure renewal, including road and railway, give more credits to the MSMEs, fix the challenge of multiple taxation and the exhausting Japa syndrome.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2023

23

SPECIAL REPORT: TINUBU’S 30 DAYS IN OFFICE

His Appointments Since Assumption of Office on May 29 Deji Elumoye and Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

S

ince taking over the reins of power, President Bola Tinubu has made appointments into key positions, which in some way, has also shown the direction of the new government.

Aside what appears to be some form of regional balancing in his appointments, Tinubu has also been applauded for ensuring a semblance of gender balance in his key picks.

Not many would also disagree that a number of his new aides are could be described as round pegs in round holes.

Listed below are the appointments so far.

Though he has not made up to 30 appointments in the last 30 days, we identify some individuals, male and female, who could be rightly described as power behind the scene. They are very influential in shaping decisions of the president.

GEORGE AKUME- Recently appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Akume was at various times governor, senator and minister. His office oversees ministries and parastatals of the federal government.

Recall that the announcement of the appointments of service chiefs, the Inspector General of Police and suspension of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, emanated from his office.

George Akume

FEMI GBAJABIAMILA-He’s the Chief of Staff (CoS) to the president and a member of Tinubu’s kitchen cabinet.

Nigeria’s erstwhile Speaker of the House of Representatives, he oversees the president’s official activities on a daily basis.

Wale Edun-Edun is a very close ally of the president who oversees some of his business interests especially in the media.

He is also a member of Tinubu’s kitchen cabinet and is presently the special adviser to the president on monetary policy.

NUHU RIBADU-The pioneer chairman of the EFCC, Ribadu was recently appointed the National Security Adviser (NSA) to the president and has been a close political ally of Tinubu for over a decade.

Nuhu Ribadu

Wale Edun

Femi Gbajabiamila

DELE ALAKE- Alake is a member of Tinubu’s kitchen cabinet. He is believed to have come a long way with the president, having served as Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy (1999 to 2007) while Tinubu held sway as governor of the state.

He is currently the Special Adviser to the president on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy.

OLU VERHEIJEN - She is the Special Adviser to the president on Energy and doubles as a member of the president’s think tank. She also worked closely with Tinubu’s economic team to develop an economic blueprint for the nation.

HADIZA BALA USMAN - Usman is the Special Adviser to the president on Policy Coordination. A former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), she also worked in the presidential campaign team of

Olu Verheijen

Tinubu and Shettima in the run-up to the general elections.

HANNATU MUSAWA-Now a Special Adviser to the President on Culture and Entertainment Economy, Musawa was also a member of the TinubuShettima presidential campaign team.

FOLASHODUN ADEBISI- Adebisi was recently mappointed by the president as the Acting Governor of the CBN. He attended the University of Lagos where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

He was Deputy Governor, Operations of the CBN and represented the Governor of the apex bank on the Board of the Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS) before his latest appointment.

ABDULLAHI GUMEL- The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate).

Hadiza Bala Usman

OLAREWAJU KUNLE IBRAHIM Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).

ABDULKARIM CHUKOL- Until his new role as Acting Chairman, EFCC, he was the Director of Operations of the Commission.

A pioneer staff member of the commission and member of the EFCC Cadet Course One, Chukkol is an investigator with specialty in cybercrime and money laundering.

KAYODE EGBETOKUN - He is Acting Inspector General of Police and had before now served as Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the president when he was governor of Lagos state from 1999 to 2007.

ADENIYI ADEWALE - He is the Acting Comptroller General of Customs who was at various times Comptroller of Lagos airport Command as well as Continued on page 34

Dele Alake

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2023

SPECIAL REPORT: TINUBU’S 30 DAYS IN OFFICE

HIS APPOINTMENTS SINCE ASSUMPTION OF OFFICE ON MAY 29

Maj. Gen. Christopher Musa spokesperson of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

MAJ. GEN. CHRISTOPHER MUSA – The new Acting Chief of Defence Staff is a member of the 38th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and was commissioned on September 21,1991 into the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps.

He holds a Masters in Defence Studies from the National Defence University in Beijing, China and has held several command appointments. He was in the thick of the fight against Boko Haram at a point and was Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai and Infantry Corps before his recent appointment.

MAJ. GEN. TAOREED LAGBAJA – Lagbaja is a member of the 39 regular course of the NDA. He holds a Bachelor’s in Geography from NDA Kaduna and a Master’s from U.S. Army War College.

He was formerly the Chief of Operations (Army) and was General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Kaduna, and 82 Division, Nigerian Army Enugu. He was also Commander, Operation Harmony IV in the Bakassi Peninsula, the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Operation Zaki.

He was also deeply involved in Operation Lafiya Dole, Operation MESA/UDO KA, and was GOC 1 Division in Kaduna.

REAR ADMIRAL EMMANUEL OGALLA- He is the Acting Chief

Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar

Maj. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja of Naval Staff and hails from Enugu.

A member of the 39 Regular Course of NDA, until his recent appointment, he was the Director of Lessons Learnt at the Naval Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans. He had held several command appointments and attended several courses before he was picked by the president to head the navy.

AIR VICE MARSHAL HASSAN ABUBAKAR Abubakar was appointed Acting Chief of Air Staff

by Tinubu recently. The new CAS is a member of 39 Regular Course of NDA and was commissioned Pilot Officer on 19 September 1992. He was the Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command before his latest posting.

MAJ. GEN. EMMANUEL UNDIANDEYE-The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Undiandeye was until his appointment the Commandant of the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji, Kaduna State. He is of the Intelligence Corps of the Nigerian Army.

THOSE WIELDING POWER BEHIND THE SCENE OLUREMI TINUBU - First Lady and former ranking senator, Remi as she’s fondly called by her admirers, has a lot of influence over her husband.

SEYI TINUBU - He is the president’s

Kayode Egbetokun

Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla son who was actively involved in the electioneering campaign of his father.

He mobilised several youth groups to key into his father’s election project.

After his father’s election, he’s been seen around the State House and even travelled with the president to France.

SIMON LALONG - He served as Director General of Tinubu-Shettima campaign group. Lalong, a former governor of Plateau state lost his bid to serve in the 10th Senate.

NASIR EL-RUFAI – A former governor of Kaduna state and a strong force behind the massive votes received by the president in NorthWest, el-Rufai was said to have sold the candidature of Tajudeen Abbas from his home State, Kaduna, as House Speaker to Tinubu. He is known for his bluntness and is believed to be close to the president.

GBENGA DANIEL – He is a very close friend of the president who served in the transition committee that set the pace for Tinubu after his election as Governor of Lagos State in 1999.

Since then, they have remained friends and with Daniel’s presence in the Red Chamber as a senator, he is likely to influence his colleagues to support executive bills brought before the senate.

BAYO ONANUGA - He served as spokesperson of the Tinubu-Shettima

campaign group during the February 25, 2023 poll. Onanuga is also a very regular face at the State House and is reportedly being pencilled down for a ministerial appointment.

BABATUNDE FASHOLA - He has come a long way with the president since Tinubu’s days as governor of Lagos state when he served as Chief of Staff. Fashola played a prominent role during the presidential election as he was in charge of the Situation Room where the election results were coordinated.

BABATUNDE OGALA – Ogale is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and ally of the president who once served as National Legal Adviser to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He served as agent to Tinubu at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja where the 2023 presidential election result was collated and announced by the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

ABIODUN FALEKE - A member of Tinubu’s kitchen cabinet who was also on the card for CoS before Gbajabiamila was eventually appointed. A ranking member of the House of Representatives, Faleke is Tinubu’s contact person in the Green Chamber. He has been liaising with the leaders and members of the 10th House on behalf of the president.

Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2023

25

SPECIAL REPORT: TINUBU’S 30 DAYS IN OFFICE

Is He Winning Nigerians Over?

Many believe that the steps taken so far by President Bola Tinubu within 30 days of his assumption of power are deliberate attempts to warm his way into the hearts of Nigerians, Adedayo Akinwale reports

W

hen President Bola Tinubu indicated an interest in running for the presidency ahead of the 2023 general election, not many gave him a chance, as they believed that his age and alleged failing health would hinder his performance.

Based on this, there was a sustained bitter campaign against his person, which in most cases centred around his age, alleged ill health and gaffes he made during the campaigns.

Besides, the country’s experience in the hands of the immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari, especially with his ill health and presumed inertia, was a harrowing nightmare Nigerians were determined to avoid at all costs.

To many, voting against Tinubu and APC was seen as the only way not to set the country backwards for another decade like many believed Buhari had done.

It was in the light of this that Nigerians, especially the youth population, decided that voting for the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, was the most certain way of avoiding another pitfall.

Obi was seen as the bridge and the most competent candidate to set the country on the right path of progress and prosperity.

Though many did not have an atom of trust in his competence to revitalise the country, Tinubu never lost confidence in himself. He campaigned vigorously, exuding confidence to emerge victorious.

After his eventual emergence as the 16th president of Nigeria, though the aggrieved candidates are still challenging his legitimacy in court, Tinubu’s presidency started on a stormy sail when he declared during the May 29 inauguration that “subsidy is gone.”

His first declaration as president sent shockwaves across the country. While there is a consensus that the petrol subsidy must go, no one anticipated that the government would remove the subsidy without first emplacing some form of palliative to cushion the effects on the masses.

A few days after the declaration, the new pricing template was adjusted while negotiations were ongoing between the Tinubu government, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

During that period, petrol was sold between N194 and N200, but the pump price suddenly jumped to between N500 and N550 per litre.

The NLC saw the decision as an ambush, pulled

out of the negotiation, and decided to mobilise for a nationwide strike while the TUC continued the negotiation.

While NLC was busy mobilising affiliate bodies for the strike, the federal government secured a court injunction from the National Industrial Court restraining the NLC from embarking on strike.

Consequently, the government was able to get the NLC to return to the negotiating table and the planned strike was eventually called off. Subsequently, a joint committee to review the proposal for a wage increase and a framework and timeline for implementation were set up. Despite Tinubu’s presidency running into troubled waters with the removal of the subsidy, he waded through.

Tinubu had, at a recent interactive session with select Nigerian traditional rulers, on the platform of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), at the State House, Abuja, described the subsidy as an elephant that could have brought the country to its knees.

After demolishing the wall of Jericho, which was the petrol subsidy, Tinubu has soldiered on, especially with the signing of important bills expected to bring positive reforms in the country.

For instance, the president recently assented to the electricity bill passed in July 2022 seeking to repeal the Electricity and Power Sector Reform Act, 2005, which makes it become the Electricity Act. The Electricity Act will henceforth solidify all legislations that handle the electricity supply industry to provide an inclusive and ideal institutional framework to control the postprivatisation phase of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry and encourage private sector investments.

Based on the objectives of the Electricity Act, there will be de-monopolisation of Nigeria’s electricity generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity at the national level, to empower states, companies, and individuals to generate, transmit and distribute electricity.

In addition, the president has also assented to a fresh amendment to the Constitution, unifying the retirement age of judicial officers in the country. It was the first bill he signed

into law upon his inauguration.

With the signing of the Constitutional Amendment Bill, judicial officers’ retirement age and pension rights have been effectively brought into uniformity and other related matters.

Also, the president recently signed the Students Loan Bill into law to fulfil one of his campaign promises to liberalise education funding in the country.

The law recommends two years’ imprisonment or N500,000 or both for students who default in repayment, or anyone found aiding defaulters.

Tinubu also last Monday approved the immediate retirement of all service chiefs and the inspector general of police, advisers, and the comptroller-general of customs and appointed their replacements with immediate effect. The service chiefs sent on immediate retirement were the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen General Farouk Yahaya, Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo.

A statement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, announced the retirement of the affected officers.

The statement signed by the Director, Information Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey, on behalf of the SGF, also stated that the president appointed Maj. Gen. C.G. Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff, Maj. Gen. T. A Lagbaja as Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral E.A. Ogalla as Chief of Naval Staff and AVM H.B. Abubakar as Chief of Air Staff.

Also appointed were Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as the National Security Adviser, DIG Kayode Egbetokun as the Acting Inspector General of Police and Maj.-Gen. EPA Undiandeye as the Chief of Defence Intelligence. Other appointments approved by the president, according to the statement, included Col. Adebisi Onasanya as commander, Brigade of Guards; Lt. Col. Moshood Abiodun Yusuf, 7 Guards Battalion, Asokoro, Abuja; Lt. Col. Auwalu Baba Inuwa 177, Guards Battalion, Keffi, Nasarawa State; Lt. Col. Mohammed J. Abdulkarim, 102 Guards Battalion, Suleja, Niger and Lt. Col. Olumide A. Akingbesote, 176 Guards Battalion, Gwagwalada, Abuja.

The president also approved the appointments of other military officers for the Presidential Villa. They are Maj. Isa Farouk Audu, (N/14695) Commanding Officer State House Artillery; Capt. Kazeem Olalekan Sunmonu, (N/16183) Second-in-Command, State House Artillery; Maj. Kamaru Koyejo Hamzat, (N/14656) Commanding Officer, State House Military Intelligence; Maj. TS Adeola (N/12860), Commanding Officer, State House Armament and Lt. A. Aminu (N/18578), second-in-command of the State House Armament.

The president appointed special advisers in different capacities and approved the immediate dissolution of the governing boards of all federal government parastatals, agencies, institutions, and government-owned companies.

Tinubu approved the appointments of two additional special advisers and two senior assistants.

They are Hadiza Bala-Usman as a special adviser (Policy Coordination); Hannatu Musa Musawa as a special adviser (Culture and Entertainment Economy); Senator Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel as a senior special assistant (National Assembly Matters — Senate) and Hon. Olarewaju Kunle Ibrahim, as a senior special assistant (National Assembly Matters — House of Representatives).

The president also approved the appointment of Adeniyi Bashir Adewale as the acting comptroller general of customs.

The new appointments were widely applauded.

However, many analysts believe that Tinubu should have waited for a new attorney general of the federation and minister of justice to advise him on the status of the bills and the possible reasons Buhari did not sign them.

According to analysts, Tinubu should have waited until after the appointment of ministers before signing the bills. They wondered why he quickly signed, suggesting he was driven by sheer populism.

This school of thought believed that a new justice minister would have scrutinised the bills before advising him to sign or decline assent. But others, especially his supporters, argued that with the president’s actions in the last 20 days, even his critics would appreciate that he was ready for the job.

While the expectations of Nigerians have not really been met by his performance in the last 20 days, his supporters believe that he has been able to silence some of his critics within his first few days in office.

26

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2023

SPECIAL REPORT: TINUBU’S 30 DAYS IN OFFICE

On the Scale: One Month After A month on the saddle, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has recorded several governance landmarks. Louis Achi sifts the mundane from the substantial

F

ormer French president, Giscard D’Estaing who was born in World War 1 and fought in WW2 counselled statesmen and world leaders: “There can be no response to history without effort.” The Frenchman’s counsel was clearly inspired by the human crises that defined his era.

In his presidential inauguration speech on May 29, 2023, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu fundamentally promised to make the imperative effort to respond to Nigeria’s peculiar history. While a 30-day timeline is too short to meaningfully gauge a sustainable governance impact, it could serve as an important indicator of where a leader is headed. It would also serve to separate political hot air from substance.

In The Beginning: Setting sail, President Tinubu took about eleven engagement steps that should properly be seen both in context and content: 1. Shortly after his May 29 inauguration, President Tinubu met with the Service Chiefs and National Security Adviser, erstwhile appointees of former President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss security, mindful that national security is key to other governance issues.

2. Later he sacked and replaced all the service chiefs, heads of security agencies and para-military organisations.

3. In what some have seen as his most striking move, the president suspended Godwin Emefiele as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor. According to the presidency this was sequel to the ongoing investigation of Emefiele’s office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy. A president appoints and fires the CBN governor in sync with the legislature the confirming authority.

4.

The president held a forum with governors of the 36 states and pitched that differences must be shelved, noting that all must jointly focus on alleviating the sufferings and pains of the people.

5. He subsequently appointed Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, former Reps Speaker as Chief of Staff and Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, a former Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, as Deputy Chief of Staff.

6.

In a similar fashion, the president appointed Senator George Akume to serve as Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

7.

Within this period of review, the president has also met with traditional rulers and tasked them with supporting the administration’s efforts at ensuring lasting peace and unity by promoting responsible behaviour and patriotism within their jurisdictions. He also assured them of government’s support as they continue in their role as custodians of the nation’s unique cultural values.

8. He selected and got senate’s approval for 20 special advisers 9.

Tinubu negotiated with JOHESU. For days, Health workers’ union under the umbrella of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) had been on strike, however, the body suspended its 12-day-old strike following a meeting with the president.

National vice-president of JOHESU, Obinna Ogbonna, told newsmen that the strike was suspended due to the progress made during an engagement with President Bola Tinubu.

He said the health workers called a meeting shortly after meeting with the president and decided to call off the strike, and gave a 21-day timeline to the government.

10. In a similar fashion, the president was able to broker a deal with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), causing them to also suspend plans to hold a strike and protests over the subsidy removal issue. According to the authorities the president was able to reach 7 key agreements with the NLC and other labour unions in a bid to abort the strike.

Impactful Initiatives:

President Tinubu

President Tinubu within this review period confronted several key issues that should properly be recognized as non-routine and assessed for their policy impact: President Tinubu boldly tackled some of the most challenging issues facing the country. On his inauguration day, he controversially announced the ending of petroleum subsidies although budgetary provisions for the subsidy was deliberately tailored to lapse with the past Buhari administration.

In confronting the inescapable challenges of the abrupt fuel subsidy removal, the president met with representatives of major oil marketers in Nigeria, charging them to work with his government to be able to meet the needs and demands of Nigerians.

He also met with Exxon Mobil Executives, marking the continuation of his administration’s efforts to secure the collaborations of critical players in the oil sector towards ensuring stability and transparency and fair competition in the sector.

Following his meeting with the oil marketers, the president directed the National Economic Council (NEC) led by Vice President Kashim Shettima to device an approach and begin the process of working on interventions to mitigate the impact of subsidy removal on Nigerians.

The NEC is to come up with palliative measures to aid Nigerians even as the nation transitions and adjusts to being without subsidy.

Within this period of review, besides ordering unification of Naira exchange rates, Tinubu assented to four bills:

Judicial Officers Law:

The bill titled ‘Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (fifth altercation) (No.37), 2023’ was the first to be signed into law by the president on June 8. The law harmonises the retirement age for judges and pegs it at 70 years.

The legislation also ensured uniformity in the pension rights of judicial officers of “superior courts of record” specified in section 6(5) of the 1999 constitution (as amended). The courts listed in section 6(5) are the supreme court, court of appeal, federal high court, high court of Abuja, high courts of states, sharia court of appeal, national industrial court, and customary courts of appeal, among others.

Electricity Act: He also signed the bill which empowers states, companies and individuals to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity. The new electricity law repeals the Electricity and Power Sector Reform Act of 2005 and consolidates the laws relating to the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

The legislation provides an omnibus and institutional framework for the post-privatisation phase of Nigeria’s power sector in the areas of generation, transmission, distribution, supply, trading, and general use of electricity.

The primary objective is to create a comprehensive legal and institutional framework to guide the operation of a privatised, contract, and rule-based competitive electricity market in Nigeria.

Under the law, states would be able to issue licences to private investors who have the ability to operate mini-grids and power plants, but such licences would not apply to the distribution of

electricity between states or internationally.

Student Loan Act President Tinubu also assented to a law that will facilitate the provision of financial assistance to Nigerian students in tertiary institutions. The legislation allows students to access interest-free loans from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.

The federal government said it was working out modalities to begin the disbursement of the loans from September. According to the act, all students who have secured admission into any public Nigerian university, polytechnic, college of education, or any technical and vocational education and training (TVET) school can apply for the loan.

The act stipulates that the student’s income or family’s income must be less than N500,000 per annum to be qualified for the loan. This dimension has infused some controversy to the new law.

According to the legislation, employers of successful applicants must deduct the loan from their salaries after they must have completed their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.

Data Protection Law Tinubu also signed the data protection bill into law within this review period. The act of parliament allows for the establishment of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC). The legislation empowers Nigerians to seek redress in the event of a data breach.

The law stipulates that citizens’ personal data should be “processed in a fair, lawful and accountable manner”.

After 24 years of unbroken democratic rule in Nigeria, the challenges of forging a genuine nation state and constructing a democracy worthy of the name still appear overwhelming.

Will Tinubu make the difference? Big question.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2023

27

SPECIAL REPORT: TINUBU’S 30 DAYS IN OFFICE

How the World Sees His First 30 Days in Office Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

N

ot many gave him a chance, but if President Bola Tinubu’s recent decisions are anything to go by, especially the political will to take major actions that could redirect the country, Nigeria could be in for a pleasant surprise.

Beyond the four corners of the country, Tinubu also appears to be gaining positive reviews internationally, at least in the first 30 days of his administration.

Presented below are some reflections of what major global news media houses and world economic organisations say about Tinubu’s first one month as Nigerian leader.

Reuters Analysis: Baba Go-fast?

Nigeria’s Tinubu Stuns Wary Investors with Quick Reforms Nigeria’s new president, in office for less than a month, is pushing to put Africa’s largest economy on a reform track that investors have eyed for decades, fuelling excitement that money could flow to a nation that many had deemed uninvestible.

President Bola Tinubu’s bold actions, including removing restrictions on the naira currency that allowed it to hit a record 790 to the dollar and subsidy removals that tripled petrol prices, could take stress off the battered finances of Africa’s largest economy.

But investors, burned by previous reforms that ultimately proved hollow, say it will take time to build trust and listed myriad questions over the final shape of the economy.

“The reaction is one of, ‘finally’,” said Tunde Ajileye, a partner at Lagos-based SBM Intelligence.

“If this stays, then it would mean that (Tinubu) had been able to remove the two subsidies that have crippled Nigeria fiscally and monetarily for the last decade.”

Tinubu is from the same party as predecessor Muhammadu Buhari. The latter took six months to appoint cabinet members and was dubbed “Baba Go-slow”, combining a term used across Africa meaning father and Nigerian slang for Lagos’s ubiquitous traffic jams, due to his pottering pace.

By contrast, Tinubu lifted fuel price caps days after taking office on May 29, suspended controversial Central Bank chief Godwin Emefiele

some 10 days later and on Wednesday removed FX restrictions.

The tangle of multiple exchange rates for everything from international school fees to food imports created foreign currency shortages and hobbled investment due to issues getting money out.

“Just the fact that you have seen quite a bit of movement in a relatively short space of time has gotten a lot of people in the market excited,” said Goldman Sachs economist Andrew Matheny.

Nigeria’s international dollar bonds and the country’s stock market have been boosted by the speedy reforms.

Tinubu also this week appointed banker Olawale Edun as a key monetary policy advisor. London-based investors said Edun has briefed in recent weeks on the government’s economic plans, and his appointment is likely to cheer many.

Investors, though, remained wary, citing years of damaging currency controls; Goldman Sachs pegged the backlog of FX demand at a staggering $12 billion.

“We are still to see whether this will allow the FX backlog to clear, where the new market rate will stabilise, whether this will catalyse inflows into the country and ... that there will be no issues pulling money out of the country,” said John Mumo, a partner at Blakeney, an Africa-focused equities fund management firm.

Joe Delvaux, a portfolio manager at Europe’s largest asset manager Amundi, said it could take months or more to lure longer-term cash.

“Ultimately, you also have to keep in mind that the biggest provider of FX will still be the CBN,” Delvaux said. “We need to see that the system works,” he added.

Perennial corruption that has hobbled Nigeria for decades also looms; Tinubu suspended the head of the anti-graft agency this week for alleged abuse of office. Nigeria is ranked 150 out of 180 in Transparency International’s 2022 corruption perceptions index - and has been on a downward trend since 2016.

Investors also worry about low tax receipts and falling oil output - structural reforms that will take far longer to sort.

Some are also hoping to see a more orthodox interest rate policy. Inflation hit a near 20-year high of 22.41% in May

and a weakening naira will amplify price pressures. Meanwhile interest rates, which Tinubu has said he would like to see fall, were hiked by 50 bps last month to 18.5%.

“Investors will need to see positive real rates and evidence that they will be able to repatriate their earnings before local currency debt is back in play,” said Patrick Curran, senior economist at Tellimer.

Bloomberg: Africa’s Giant Raises Hopes of Fresh Start Nigeria’s new president, Bola Tinubu, has delighted investors with decisions he’s taken in just two weeks in office. The question now is whether he can stay the course.

So far he’s abolished a costly fuel subsidy, suspended the contentious central bank governor and signalled that an exchange rate policy overhaul is imminent. The stock market has soared to a 15-year high on optimism he has the mettle to implement the difficult political decisions needed to turn Africa’s largest economy around.

That Nigeria needs a reboot is beyond doubt. Half of adults are under- or unemployed and oil production — the lifeblood of the economy — is at lows last seen in the 1980s. The government spent the vast bulk of revenue it collected last year on servicing its debt and the figure could top 100 per cent this year.

The scrapping of subsidies on gasoline, which consume billions of dollars each year, will go some way toward stabilising public finances. And the removal of Godwin Emefiele as the central bank governor is the likely precursor to the end of a multiple exchange rate regime that’s underpinned a thriving black market.

But the hard part lies ahead. Government institutions are dysfunctional, corruption is endemic and insecurity remains a perennial problem. Armed bandits and Islamist militants have free rein across large swathes of territory.

Even a bigger task will be to create jobs and tackle poverty in a nation where about 40 per cent of the population of more than 200 million live in poverty.

Question marks also remain over the 71-year-old Tinubu’s commitment to clean governance. He’s been dogged for decades by corruption allegations that’s he’s denied but never completely dispelled.

The early days of the Tinubu administration have been a case of so far, so good. But Nigeria has had many false dawns before — there is a still a long way to go.

World Bank, IMF, Back Economic Reforms Not to be left out, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have also lauded Tinubu’s decision to carry out what they described as ‘bold reforms.’

“The recently undertaken PMS subsidy an FX reforms are historic, NGN3.9 trillion in savings in 2023 alone, stops Nigeria from going over a fiscal cliff and sets the stage for a new, upward Investment, growth, and development trajectory,” Alex Sienaert, chief economist at World Bank Nigeria, said in Abuja at the launch of the Nigeria Development Update for June 2023.

The report added: “Headline inflation is expected to rise from 18.8 per cent in 2022 to 25 percent in 2023; however by Q1 of 2024, the subsidy removal will start to have a disinflationary effect, meaning that it will alleviate inflationary pressures despite higher petrol prices.”

However, the bank stated that if there are no buffers to cushion the impact of the reforms, over 7.1 million Nigerians will be further thrown into the poverty net on the back of the ongoing changes.

On his part, Shubham Chaudhuri, Country Director for World Bank for Nigeria, said the bold reforms require some form of buffers to cushion the impact of its consequences over the next few months to ensure that the trust of Nigerians is rebuilt.

“There’s also need to restore the confidence of investors, which will be challenging; World Bank is here to provide whatever support in terms of ideas, potential solutions, and additional concessional financing,” he said.

For Ari Aisen, Resident Representative of the IMF in Nigeria, the reforms were long overdue.

“It is natural that these policies have some side effects; we have seen inflation already high and it is likely to increase further, and in our view it will be difficult to tailor macroeconomic policies to reduce inflation and achieve durable macro stability.

“The central bank has a key role in stabilising the economy and it will require much tighter monetary position and stance than we currently see,” he said.

28

T H I S D AY ˾ AY, JULY 4, 2023

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

SMEDAN, Sterling Bank to Create Nigeria’s Largest SME Database Nume Ekeghe Sterling Bank Plc, has signed an agreement with the Small & Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to establish a comprehensive database of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria.

The bank noted that this will help in scaling intervention programs and providing tailored solutions that truly contribute to the growth of SMEs. The signing ceremony took place in Lagos, where the Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, expressed his optimism about the collaboration.

He stressed the significance of authentic partnerships that

arise from opportunities rather than regulations noting their tendency to produce favourable results.

He considered this particular venture as a promising endeavour of this nature, emphasizing that external regulatory pressure did not play a role in compelling their cooperation.

Director General of SMEDAN, Mr Olawale Fasanya expressed his appreciation for the bank’s initiative and highlighted the MoU’s immense value to SMEDAN’s operations.

Fasanya stressed the criticality of data to their activities, citing their recent online registration of SMEs. Despite registering approximately

3.8 million SMEs through this initiative, the data still requires cleaning.

Fasanya emphasized that the availability of accurate data would enable SMEDAN to connect SMEs operating within the same market.

Chief Product Officer at Sterling Bank, Mustapha Otaru, described the bank’s approach to managing SMEs as an ecosystem and emphasised the federal government’s importance of collaboration with SMEDAN. He acknowledged that progress is impossible without such partnerships.

The Head of SME Products at Sterling Bank, Bolanle Tyson, underscored the integral role of SMEs in economic growth.

Ehimuan Exits Google After 12yrs Emma Okonji Google’s pioneering West Africa Director, Dr. Juliet Ehimuan, who is one of the most prominent African women in tech and an instrumental leader in Google’s regional growth, has announced her departure from the company, after 12 years of service.

Ehimuan announced her departure via LinkedIn at the weekend, stating her intent to take on a broader role within the regional tech landscape. She unveiled plans to collaborate with corporate executives, global investors, African governments and startup founders to drive growth, excellence and digital transformation within the African tech ecosystem and the broader business landscape.

Ehimuan’s departure marks a significant transition for Google in Africa. During her tenure, first as Country Director for Nigeria and then Director for West Africa, Ehimuan led her team in driving transformative digital initiatives. From the successful Get Nigeria Businesses Online project, to strategic partnerships and deployment and localisation of key products like Google Maps, Streetview, and YouTube. ng; her leadership has enabled a profound and far-reaching impact on the region’s tech ecosystem.

One of the pivotal moments under her stewardship was the inaugural Google for Africa event in Lagos in 2012, where Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced the landmark commitment to train 10 mil-

lion Africans in digital skills, 100,000 developers in-depth web and mobile development skills, and a Google for Startups accelerator for Africa to support African tech entrepreneurs.

These initiatives underline Ehimuan’s dedication to nurturing the next generation of technology leaders in Africa.

Over the last 12 years, the continent has become increasingly important to Google’s global strategy and a destination for significant investment. Google has committed increasing sums to growing Africa’s tech ecosystem, including $50 million for growth-stage start ups through the Africa investment Fund in early 2020 and $1 billion toward Africa’s digital transformation in 2021.

APMTerminals,NDLEA RaiseAwareness against Drug Addiction, Stigma APM Terminals Apapa has collaborated with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in commemorating the 2023 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, otherwise known as World Drug Day, is marked on 26 June every year to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving a world free of drug abuse.

The theme for this year was, “People First: Stop Stigma And Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention.”

Speaking during an event in Apapa to mark the day, Health and Safety Manager at APM Terminals Apapa, Felix

Ugwuagbo, said the company is partnering with NDLEA as part of its contribution to creating awareness about the negative impact of stigma and discrimination on people who use drugs and their families.

He said with counselling, encouragement and support from family members and the society, drug users can overcome their addiction and lead meaningful lives.

Also speaking at the event, NDLEA Commander, Apapa Special Area Command, Udotong Noah Essien, said the agency offers education and rehabilitation to drug users.

“We do not just castigate people who abuse drugs but we do our work creatively with

distinction and honour. Our role is to make positive impact in our towns, cities and states so that our nation will be a better place to live and work in. To this effect, we have declared war against drug abuse by bringing you all to join in the revolution,” he said.

NDLEA Assistant Command General of Narcotics, Florence Ezeonye, said stigma and discrimination are impediments to the campaign against drug abuse. She enjoined Nigerians to develop attitudinal change towards people who use drugs and use friendly language towards them. She also asked family members to offer support and encouragement to those undergoing treatment for drug use.

L-R - Director Marketing Communications, 9mobile, Saidat Lawal-Mohammed; 9mobile Brand Ambassador, BNXN; Chief Executive Officer, 9mobile, Juergen Peschel; 9mobile Brand Ambassador, Beauty Tukura; 9mobile Brand Ambassador, Samo Agbero/ Vader the Wild Card; Chief Financial Officer, 9mobile, Nkem Oni-Egboma; Chief Sales Officer, 9mobile, Victor Nwaobia, at a Press Conference to unveil the 9mobile Brand Ambassadors in Lagos recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS (MILLION NAIRA) MARCH 2023 Money Supply (M3)

54,634,063.50

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

442,402.18

Money Supply (M2)

54,191,661.32

-- Quasi Money

32,839,133.46

-- Narrow Money (M1)

21,352,527.87

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,445,439.42

---- Demand Deposits

119,907,088.45

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

5,992,904.55

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

48,641,158.95

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

70,596,115.20

---- Credit to Government (Net)

27,529,720.19

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

43,066,395.01

--Other Assets Net

11,123,812.79

Reserve Money (Base Money

15,975,739.59

--Currency in Circulation

1,683,498.35

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

14,292,241.24 419,889.49

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

April 2023

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.80

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

18.00

Treasury Bill Rate

5.73

Savings Deposit Rate

4.59

1 Month Deposit Rate

7.32

3 Months Deposit Rate

7.92

University Don Calls for National Economic Rebirth

6 Months Deposit Rate

9.84

12 Months Deposit Rate

8.18

By Gbenga Sodeinde Ø ÎÙ ÕÓÞÓ

Prime Lending rate

14.05

Maximum Lending Rate

28.59

A University Don, Prof. John Adebayo Oloyede, has called for national economic rebirth to address fundamental issues confronting the economic development in Nigeria.

He made the call in the 72nd inaugural lecture, titled: “Financial sector Reforms and the Exchange rate stability; Dynamic and Paradox of the Nigerian Economy,” delivered at Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti.

Specifically, he said that one

indispensable instrument to achieve this remains a well structured, reformed and efficient financial system by taking cognizance of the dynamics and paradoxical issues.

He identified issues that must be addressed as sustainable mechanisms for good governance, transparency and accountability for public office holders with appropriate sanctions for default; the supremacy of the constitution and law, including forum for national dialogue and consensus on all contending national issues such

as resource control, revenue allocation among others.

Others, he said are observance of democratic values and practice including the freedom of speech, thought, association and the press as well as free and fair elections and apparatus for budgetary, monitoring and control for effective financial management.

Prof. Oloyede said that government should promote stable policy environment by adopting highly disciplined economic policy that avoids large unpredictable swings in the size of budget deficit.

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˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 16 JUNE, 2023

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

T H I S D AY ˾ AY, Ͳ˜ 2023

29

MARKET NEWS

Stock Market Resumes New Week Positive, Appreciates by N534bn Kayode Tokede Trading activities resumed new week positive yesterday as the stock market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) gained N534 billion over investors demand for MTN Nigeria Communication Plc, among others.

Accordingly, the NGX All Share Index (ASI) gained by 980.97 basis points or1.61 per cent to close at 61,949.24 basis

points.

Also, market capitalisation gained N534 billion to close at N33.732 trillion.

As measured by market breadth, market sentiment was positive, as 67 stocks gained relative to 13 losers. Eterna, Meyer, Fidelity Bank, Japaul Gold & Ventures, Linkage Assurance and University Press recorded the highest price gain of 10 per cent each to close at N23.10, N2.64, N7.70, 77 kobo, 77 kobo and

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R

DEALS

N2.75 respectively, per share.

Transnational Corporation (Transcorp) followed with a gain of 9.97 per cent to close at N3.86, while Access Holdings rose by 9.94 per cent to close at N18.25, per share.

On the other hand, Tripple Gee & Company led the losers’ chart by 9.87 per cent, to close at N3.38, while Secure Electronic Technology and Cornerstone Insurance followed with a decline of 9.09 per cent each

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

to close at 30 kobo and N1.00 respectively, per share.

Associated Bus Company depreciated by 6.82 per cent to close at 41 kobo, while Julius Berger declined by 3.23 per cent to close at N30.00 49, per share.

The total volume traded rose by 20.78 per cent to 1.205 billion units, valued at N14.04 billion, and exchanged in 12,128 deals.

Transactions in the shares of FCMB Group topped the activity chart with 173.808 million shares

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

valued at N930.697 million.

United Bank for Africa (UBA) followed with 160.674 million shares worth N2.119 billion, while Access Holdings traded 132.519 million shares valued at N2.384 billion.

Jaiz Bank traded 80.638 million shares valued at N138.393 million, while Transcorp sold 74.964 million shares worth N285.248 million.

On this week’s trading on NGX, analysts at United Capital

A S O F

Plc said “we expect the bullish sentiments in the equities market to persist on the back of the attractiveness of the market over the depressed rates in the fixed-income market.

“Also, we believe the positive sentiments around the new policies to continue to drive the rally in the market. Lastly, we expect investors to begin to take positions ahead of the upcoming of Q2, 2023 earnings season.”

J U LY / 0 3 / 2 3 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

30

TUESDAY, ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

VISITING MR. PRESIDENT...

L-R: Former international soccer star and President of the Republic of Liberia, George Opong Weah, with Nigeria leading fashion designer, Oluwaseyi Adekunle, popularly known as Seyi Vodi, when the latter paid him a courtsey call in Monrovia...recently.

UTME Controversy: Accused Candidate Denies Forgery Allegation, Says She’s Traumatised Anambra govt set up panel of inquiry into Ejikeme’s score School principal expresses surprise over announcement discrediting student's score David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka and Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The candidate accused by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) of falsifying her UTME score, Mmesoma Ejikeme, yesterday, has insisted that she didn’t tamper with her record as alleged by the examination board.

Ejikeme who stated this in a viral video seen by THISDAY, said the accusation by JAMB has left her traumatised.

JAMB had in a statement on Sunday, accused Miss. Ejikeme of doctoring and inflating her UTME result from 249 to 362 and that she used the inflated score to attract a N3 million scholarship from Innoson Motors.

She was also set to be awarded by the Anambra state government which has set a panel of inquiry into the allegation.

The statement from JAMB had alleged: “The most pathetic of them all is the case of Miss Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma, who claimed to have scored 362 in the 2023 UTME and was awarded a N3 million scholarship

by Chief (Dr.) Innocent Chukwuma.

“She was even set to be honoured by the Anambra State Government when one of its top officials put a call through to JAMB to confirm her claim only for the Board to reveal that Miss Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma had actually scored 249 and not 362 she claimed.

“She had manipulated her UTME result to deceive the public to fraudulently obtain a scholarship and other recognitions.”

However, speaking in the video, Ejikeme said, “My name is Ejikeme

Mmesoma. I’m the owner of this result.

I went to the JAMB portal to print this result and this is the result they gave me. This is my aggregate, 362.

“They scanned the QR code on my result and it showed a Yoruba name — Omotola Afolabi who scored 138.

“The same Omotola scored 338 when it was rechecked and this evidence showed that there is a problem.

“This is exactly how I printed and downloaded it from their site. So, saying that I forged my result is what I don’t know and I am traumatised that they accused me of forging my results because I’m not capable of forging my result,” she added.

She however stressed that both JAMB and the DSS when informed did not carry out their investigation on the matter before the board concluded that she forged her result.

Relatedly, Anambra State government yesterday said it has instituted a panel of inquiry into the controversy trailing the matter.

Reacting to the controversy, Anambra State Ministry of Education in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Nnaemeka Egwuonwu, stated that a panel had been instituted, and that investigation would unravel the truth about how Miss Ejikeme got her result.

Part of the release read: "Education Commissioner, Prof. Ngozi ChumaUdeh regretted that the development was very embarrassing, coming at a time when the Soludo-led administration is repositioning in her avowed determination to get education right in the State.

"For now, Anambra State Gov-

ernment will continue to celebrate Nkechinyere Umeh, who was declared the highest by JAMB, having scored a cumulative mark of 360, while security agents are investigating the allegation of falsification of result levelled against Ejikeme Mmesoma, who had earlier been showcased in the social media as having scored the highest."

Meanwhile, the principal of

AGSS, Mrs. Uchekwukwu Edum, has expressed surprise at the press release discrediting their student, saying the controversy over the score was not new to her, but that the school was still awaiting the outcome of a detailed investigation by Department of States Services (DSS), when the news of the alleged forgery was broken on Sunday.

When THISDAY contacted Edum

Hundreds of street sweepers in Edo State yesterday, took to the streets of Benin City, the state capital to protest their N17,800 monthly salaries.

The sweepers who were majorly women dressed in their overall jackets, brandished placards with different inscriptions, such as, "we are tired of N17,800 monthly payment," increase our salaries," among others.

Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, leader of the group, Madam Gloria Efosa, said they have been working with the N17,800 minimum wage increment effected by the Adams

Oshiomhole’s administration, and that they had approached the General Manager, Edo State Waste Management Board, Mr. Charles Imariagbe, but were told that they are not part of government workforce.

"Since, Obaseki became governor, we have been working with the minimum wage that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole administration increased. When we went to the General Manager of the Waste Management Board, Mr. Charles Imariagbe, he told us that we don't have employment letters and that Obaseki said that he does not know us as his workers.

“But if they want to do anything,

(students) were scratching and checking their results.

"The first person had 295, another person had 265, and so on. We were still on it when Mmesoma came and brought her own result, and it was 362, and we requested that she brings evidence and when she did, we rejoiced with her.

Continues online

PAP Introduces Programme to CurbYouth Unrest in Niger Delta Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt The Interim Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Maj. Barry Ndiomu (Rtd) has introduced a counselling and mentoring programme for ex-agitators, with the aim to curb all forms of unrests in the Niger Delta region.

Chairman, PAP Strategic Communication Committee (SCC), Mr. Nature Dumale, who explained the programme said the initiative was introduced by Ndiomu to help ex-agitators deal with stress-related challenges that could force them into violent reactions.

Speaking at a programme tagged: "Resilience Building Workshop," organised by PAP in Port Harcourt, in the presence of all members of the strategic committee as well as over 150 ex-agitators, Dumale said it was part of Ndiomu's efforts to eliminate all threats to the existing peace in the Niger Delta.

Dumale, stressed that PAP boss adopted the strategy after realis-

ing that mental exhaustion, lack of alternative dispute resolution mechanism and knowledge gap among ex-agitators and other stakeholders were the reasons for some violent actions in the region.

Describing the workshop facilitated by Dr. Olusola EphraimOluwanuga, as a product of sheer vision, Dumale said the amnesty office was making efforts to organise similar programme in the nine states of the region.

He said: "Every effort is being made by the current Interim Administrator, PAP, Maj.-Gen. Ndiomu (retd) to completely stop all forms of threats to peace in the Niger Delta.

The Interim administrator wants to curb anything that could bring renewed violent agitation in the region.

"This training on resilience building is necessary, timely and complement other programmes introduced by the interim administrator. He came up with the establishment of cooperatives to transform ex-agitators from stipend

Edo Street Sweepers Protest N17,800 Monthly Salaries Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

on phone, on what she knew of Miss Ejikeme's result, which showed she had 362, she stated that she and the student had been at DSS to make statements, and were waiting for outcome of investigation, but were surprised that no one heard from them, only for JAMB to make announcement discrediting their student.

She said: "What I can tell you is that we were in school when they

they will come and pack us to go do cleaning for them.

"On Saturday, July 1, after we have finished doing our job, they came, packed us to go and clean up dirts at New Benin Market. After they have used us to do the dirty job, we wanted to talk of the poor payment, but they did not allow us talk about it and that is why we are here.

"With the Nigerian economic situation, what will somebody buy with N17,800? If you have five children, how do you pay rent, school fees and feed with N17,800?

That is why we are here, they even blocked us at Urhokpota Hall.

“A woman blocked us on the

road and told us that if we protest to government house, we are going to lose our jobs. We are tired, that is why we are here."

Efosa, added that one of their colleague was killed on duty on the 18th of April, 2023 and nothing was given to the family as at today.

"One of our colleague was crushed by a hit and run car, while on duty on the 18th of April. She was taken to UBTH mortuary, but they rejected the corpse, because she was badly crushed and nothing has been given to the family."

In his reaction, Imariagbe, said the matter was before them and that they were considering increasing the street sweepers take home pay.

earners to entrepreneurs.

"So, this training makes delegates to understand that no matter the challenges encountered in their entrepreneurial efforts, they should not give up but continue to push on to realise their objectives. So this training coming before the kick-off of the cooperative programme is a welcomed development.

"We thank the interim administrator for the wisdom in rolling out this training at this time. We plead with him to take the training to all

the nine states of the Niger Delta and to make it compulsory for all ex-agitators. We are grateful to him and we appreciate his leadership."

Other participants described the training as life-changing, saying if they had been exposed to such opportunity earlier, they would have avoided some past mistakes.

The participants commended Ndiomu for his initiatives in PAP and appealed to him to extend the programme to all the states in the region.

Monday Market: Zulum Asks C'ttee to Fast-track Reconstruction Governor of Borno State, Babagana Umara Zulum, has stressed the need to speed up ongoing reconstruction of Maiduguri Monday market towards resumption of traders for business activities.

According to a statement yesterday, Zulum gave the task on Sunday in Maiduguri, during an unscheduled visit to assess progress of work at the market.

The Maiduguri Monday Market, a bustling centre of trade and commerce was severely impacted by a fire disaster on February, 26, 2023. The wild fire had razed the market completely with property worth billions of naira destroyed.

Zulum, in response took measures including the release of N2 billion in February, to a committee he constituted.

The governor had doled out N1 billion for allocation to victims of the fire disaster as palliative while construction work began immediately.

Some prominent citizens and friends of Borno State made donations which the governor said was going into a special account.

Zulum had visited the market a number of times to supervise reconstruction works.

At his latest visit during the weekend, the governor emphasised the importance of completing the project as quickly as possible in order to minimise economic sufferings already faced by traders and residents who rely on the market for their daily needs.

Timely completion of the Monday Market reconstruction would not only restore economic activities but also boost the morale of residents, the governor said.

Also during his visit, Zulum directed the high-powered committee to strictly work with the original master plan of the market in the cause of their work.

Zulum noted that compliance with the original master plan would be part of measures to prevent or mitigate against fire disasters in future.

The governor also expressed satisfaction with ongoing reconstruction works at the Maiduguri Monday Market.

Zulum said he was confident of a speedy completion.

He assured traders and residents that when completed, the reconstructed market should have improved facilities for a vibrant economic environment.

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TUESDAY, ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

COURTESY VISIT...

Co-Founder, Taj bank Nigeria, Sherif Idi (left) and Founder, TEXEM, UK, Dr Alim Abubakre, during a recent courtesy visit in Abuja

Reforms: Nigeria Set for Phenomenal Economic Growth, Says Olawepo-Hashim A stakeholder in Nigeria’s energy sector and a former presidential candidate, Mr. Gbenga OlawepoHashim, has indicated that Nigeria may be set for a huge economic growth owing to the current financial and economic reforms embarked on by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the past one month.

The new administration, according to report, inherited a floundering economy, with gross

domestic product (GDP) growth rates for 2022 at 3.1 per cent and for the first quarter of 2023 at 2.31 per cent. The 2022 trade surplus at only $2.85 billion dwindles in comparison to 2014’s $54.1 billion.

Also, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Nigeria’s economy fell from $2.2 billion in 2014 to $0.47 billion in 2022, while budget deficit rose by 370.54 per cent from 2016 to 2023. Total public debt as of June 2013 was N7.93 trillion. It’s now

at around N77 trillion.

“But in the last one month, the president has announced two major economic reforms. These include ending the debilitating petrol subsidies and the unification of the naira’s multiple exchange rates. The petrol subsidies, experts agree, has strained Nigeria’s public accounts, contributing to a situation where higher global oil prices hurt, rather than help the economy,” a statement quoted Olawepo-Hashim

to have said.

He noted that the current policy reforms have eliminated distortions in the foreign exchange management on the one hand; and the removal of the corrupt system of oil subsidies on the other hand.

“Before now, in Nigeria, there are four foreign exchange (FX) markets: the Interbank FX market, the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window, Bureau De Change (BDC) window, and the Small and Medium Enter-

RSHA: Fubara's N200bn Supplementary Budget Now at Committee Stage Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt The N200 billion Supplementary Appropriation Bill for 2023, presented to the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) by Governor Fubara Siminalayi is now at the committee stage, after it passed second reading on the floor of the House, yesterday.

The Rivers State governor had last week sent the bill to the House for the state lawmakers to consider and grant approval. This, when approved, would alter the earlier passed 2023 budget of the state from N544.6 billion to N744.6billion.

According to Fubara, the budget when approved and passed into law would be used to construct a star project in the state to be known as "Port Harcourt ring road".

The governor said the project would be funded from Internally Generated Revenue(IGR) and the state's statutory refunds.

Debating on the bill during plenary yesterday, all the lawmakers that contributed spoke in favour of the bill.

In their separate speeches each praised the potential benefits drivable from the proposed "ring road" project when executed; noting that it woulf decongest traffic, enhance the fight against insecurity, promote the opening up of communities in the state, just as it will attract investors.

They appealed for immediate passage of the bill to facilitate fast

manifestation of the outlined and perceived benefits.

In his remarks, the House Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, commended the project, describing it as star project of the present state administration and a good one for the state.

"This is one project that will link the roads within the city of Port Harcourt to other roads through the link road," he said.

He assured that many benefits would be derived from the project when completed, noting that this was the demonstration of the consolidation electioneering campaign mantra of this administration.

"No one government can solve all problems, previous administrations in the state solved quiet a lot of problems, what the current administration is doing in to solve more problems.

"Government is a continue, whatever the immediate past administration did not complete, the current administration will complete it, even the administration's that will come in the future will continue from where this current one will stop, in all one thing is permanent; good news for the people of Rivers State," he stressed.

He therefore, committed the bill to an adhoc committee, led by the member representing Eleme constituency, Igwe Obe Oforji.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the sitting, the Leader of the House, Edison Ehie, explained that

the project for which the bill was being sought for approval was multifaceted in benefits and would enhance the activities of Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state.

"From the education sector to the health sector to works; when the bill is passed into law and the ring road built, it will enhance the emergency Department of the health sector, in the area of security, this is one project that will assist in curbing crimes and criminality in

the state; as it will help security agencies to arrive scenes in any part of the state on good time.

"The project traverses different Local Government in the State, from Port Harcourt City to Obio Akpor, to Oyibo, Eleme, to Ahoada and Etche Council areas."

Also speaking with journalists, Offorji, noted that the project when implemented would alleviate the suffering currently being faced by his constituents in the Eleme/Onne axis of East-West road.

prises (SME) window. However, due to the limited FX supply from exporters and foreign investors, the CBN played a significant role in supplying FX (in this case, USD) to these windows,” he added.

Olawepo-Hashim however stated that the policy to unify the exchange windows should have a long-term positive effect on foreign exchange rate and free flow of capital in the country while also yielding a positive impact due to increased confidence in the new government.

According to him, the removal of subsidies regime in the pricing of petroleum products was expected to lead to more investment in mid and downstream subsectors of the oil and gas sectors with a net effect of creation of value added needed jobs.

He stressed that the new law on decentralisation of electricity generation, transmission and distribution if properly implemented with concomitant policies, was capable of attracting about $300 billion dollars over five to seven years into the electricity sector from local and foreign financing sources.

Olawepo-Hashim equally explained that Nigeria at per capital comparison with South Africa needs to generate, transmit and distribute about 200,000 MW of electricity, adding that, “we can if

we stay steadfast to needed reform.

Nigeria recorded that fit before with liberalisation of the telecom sector as she moved from a nation of 400,000 telephone lines in 1999 to a nation of 222 million active lines now.”

While stressing the importance of a naira exchange rate based on market indicators and informed projections to settle around N660/$1 within the next six to nine months, he urged government to pay attention to immediate deployment of relevant social intervention programmes to cushion the effect of inflation on the burgeoning numbers of the poor.

He also emphasised that, “our economic growth expectations must be inclusive and must not leave the majority of our people behind.

It is a great season of hope and confidence for Nigeria. The nation is steadily on to an assured future as an economic power house and great nation.”

Olawepo-Hashim argued that, “Nigeria with the right policy mix will exceed the projection of Price Water Cooper that Nigeria will be the ninth largest economy in the world by 2050,” adding that, “we are capable of hitting the great economic Milestone predicted by PWC much earlier and climbing higher on the ladder.”

Court Nullifies PDP's Expulsion of Chimaroke Nnamani Alex Enumah in Abuja and Wale Igbintade Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday, nullified the expulsion of a former Governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Justice Omotosho nullified Nnamani's expulsion on the grounds that he was not given fair hearing in accordance with the PDP Constitution.

Delivering judgment in the suit filed by the former governor challenging his expulsion from the PDP, over alleged anti-party activities, the court observed that Article 57 of the Constitution of the PDP stipulated that only the National Executive

Council (NEC) has the powers to convene a disciplinary committee as against the National Working Committee (NWC), which took the decision.

The court, while remarking that the Supreme Court held that the issue of party membership, etc, was within the party's jurisdiction and a no-go area to the courts, argued that Section 46(2) of the Constitution vested the power on the court to hear alleged breach of person's rights.

"This court will not dabble into the internal affairs of party but will restrict itself to whether the fundamental right of the plaintiff has been breached," he said.

He said though these rights were not absolute, they were entrenched

in Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, and that the African Charter on Peoples Rights also made provisions for fundamental rights.

The judge agreed that a member of a political party must abide by its rules and regulation, having freely submitted himself to its rules, but said the court would only interfere where the party had violated its own rules and regulation.

"But the complaint of the plaintiff is that he was not given fair hearing," in accordance with Article 57 of the party's constitution, the judge held.

While describing the party's action as a gross violation of its own constitution, the judge held that it has rendered all the actions null and avoid.

He said the court was convinced that the plaintiff had been able to establish his case against the respondents, and consequently gave an order nullifying the decision of the PDP NWC that was taken on February 10, expelling the exlawmaker.

The PDP NWC, had at its 566th meeting held on February 10, expelled Nnamani over allegations bordering on anti-party activities.

He was initially suspended on January 20, before he was subsequently expelled.

His party had accused him of campaigning for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, against the PDP's candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Tuesday, July 4, 2023

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CSO to Peace Committee

“It is a historic fact that elections hardly end with the declaration by the electoral body after voting. This is because almost always the last and final announcement is from the judiciary. It is, however, disturbing that despite the avalanche of election petitions and likely far-reaching outcomes that could follow the decisions; the National Peace Committee has been quiet...” --Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy, telling the NPC, led by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, that its silence is worrisome.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI abati1990@gmail.com

The Ministers Nigeria Needs T

here has been so much talk of late about the Ministerial appointments that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is about to make. Given the fast-paced style of governance that he has adopted so far, it is expected that he would not waste time in coming up with a list of cabinet Ministers. The 1999 Constitution vests the President with Executive powers under Section 5(1)(a) and in other parts of that basic document to hire and also fire, if need be, persons who would assist him in the discharge of his functions as President, Commander in Chief. The Nigerian President is in fact in a position to dispense as many as 5, 000 patronages, the powers vested in his office and person are that enormous, and expansive. But of all appointments, the composition of the Federal Executive Council of the Federation is critical as seen in Sections 144(5) and 147 of the 1999 Constitution. In Section 147 (3), the Constitution says expressly that Ministerial appointments “shall be in conformity with the provisions of section 14(3) of this Constitution: Provided that in giving effect to the provisions aforesaid the President shall appoint at least one Minister from each state, who shall be an indigene of such state”.

Thus, every state is entitled to have at least one Minister in the Federal cabinet and this probably explains why there has been so much hustling and jostling by a band of aspirational office seekers, sycophants and rent-seeking characters who have been pushing and shoving to get a Ministerial appointment. It is so bad that some emergency civil society groups, obviously sponsored, have been quite vocal in making specific recommendations. Some outrightly shameless ones have gone on media platforms to recommend themselves to the President openly. I have also seen a statement by persons purporting to be defending the interest of the indigenous people of the Federal Capital Territory insisting that an indigene of the FCT must be made a Minister quoting Section 299 of the Constitution. Individuals and media platforms have also announced their own choices, including partisan lobby for some former Governors who probably need a Ministerial appointment at the centre to remain relevant, not to mention the large crowd of party stalwarts, henchmen, and supporters who believe that they or their children or associates must be compensated with Federal appointments.

Every Nigerian politician seeking an elective position invariably chalks up IOUs, for which other persons expect to be compensated with appointments, contracts or access. It is the reason why government appointments are more or less, “job for the boys”. In the last dispensation, one Governor appointed over 400 aides. A certain Special Adviser was put in charge of groundnut oil! In the present administration, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has already announced the appointment of 33 Legislative aides. Is Dr. Abbas such an “invalid” that he needs up to 33 aides? President Tinubu certainly has many IOUs to settle, but he must not do that with appointments into the Federal cabinet. Every person that he seeks to appoint must be competent, capable and fit for purpose. He may strike a balance between technocrats and politicians, but even in doing so, nobody should show up on that list simply because they know the right people or out of a sense of entitlement. Tinubu’s Ministers must not be persons who are ready to genuflect to get a title simply because they are out of job. Nigeria is in need of renaissance, a complete overhaul. We cannot achieve that objective with a cabinet of average persons. It is still too early to forget what Nigeria went through in the past eight years under President Buhari. Most of the Ministers who served under him were great unknowns. They stayed in office for eight years, sleep-walked through office, and on top of that they were decorated with national honours! The few ones who made an effort got noticed of course simply because it is always easy to stand out in an ocean of mediocrity. No other Federal cabinet was that lacklustre since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.

Tinubu cannot afford to go in that direction. He must

President Bola Tinubu give direction from the front, not from the rear. The quality of his appointees would enable us to know the actual quality of his own mind. Usually, it is part of the process that Governors and party leaders in the various states would nominate persons to the President to appoint as Ministers. Tinubu must be suspicious of such recommendations. What we have seen is that state party chieftains and Governors usually send to Abuja, persons who they do not believe would have the capacity to challenge their authority back home. It is easier for an average character to make it to the nomination list than a person of great ability and substance. This is why the President must screen his own nominees thoroughly before submitting their names for consideration. Nobody should be made a Minister who does not have demonstrable ability. The Federal cabinet cannot be a forum for the gathering of the tribes, or party agents, boys and girls who would be too willing to do the President’s bidding. They must be men and women who can tell the President what is right, not yes-men, not one of those clowns in the corridors of power who will kneel down at every opportunity for the President or crawl on all fours before him, as was once reported.

President Tinubu must send the right signal by departing from the old mode of nominating persons for Ministerial appointments. When he sends the names of his nominees to the Senate for screening in line with Section 147(6), he should attach the exact portfolios for which a particular nominee is being considered. Till date, the screening of Ministerial nominees has been a complete charade. Questions that are posed to the persons being screened may have no bearing whatsoever with the portfolio that would be assigned to them eventually. This creates room for a resort to inane and jejune questions such as who is the Governor of your state? as if the nominee is expected not to know the name of his state Governor. Or something like sing the national anthem, or recite the national pledge. This must stop, otherwise these Nigerian Senators would start asking such questions as what is your favourite food? Or have you renewed your birth certificate? Yes. Now that the Federal Government wants Nigerians to renew the proof of ownership of their vehicles every year, we may soon get to a ridiculous point where both birth and marriage certificates may have to be renewed annually so government can gain more revenue! For Ministerial appointments, nominees must be engaged in specific areas, to determine their knowledge level and expertise, and their policy plans with well-thought-out timelines, and key performance indicators. Nobody

should insult our intelligence with the kind of hollow ritual that Ministerial screenings have become.

The Senate must not abdicate responsibility. It took the Israelites 40 years to get to the promised land.

Nigeria cannot continue to beat about the bush. The Senate must not clear anybody for clearing sake. It must look out for nation-builders, and change-agents who can add value to the growth and development process.

The screening must be thorough and meaningful.

The Senate must not rely on the wisdom of its own members alone, it must seek the services of subject-area experts who can help prepare relevant questions. In the past, some Ministerial nominees who had served in the National Assembly or as state Governors were asked to simply bow and go. This must not be the case this time around. We don’t want Ministerial nominees bowing like ostriches. The whole idea of our recommendation is to allow all Nigerians to watch the process on live TV, and express opinions. Whoever is not good enough should be rejected by the Senate.

As he prepares to announce his list of Ministers, President Tinubu should pay attention not just to Federal Character, in selecting the best and the brightest, he must ensure inclusion, equity, and gender justice. He must look beyond party affiliations and select only those who can serve with distinction, across party lines, locally and from among the rich human resource that Nigeria has in the diaspora. He must include young persons, and also persons living with disability who are often discriminated against most unfairly in this country. The size of the cabinet is another issue. The Constitution already prescribes that all the 36 states must be represented, and if you add the FCT as is being canvassed, that gives us a total of 37 Ministers.

But is it compulsory that a Minister must head a Ministry? Is it possible to tweak the designations in such a way that some Ministers can be Minister in charge of Departments and Agencies and still be

Cabinet members? It is something that can be given some thought. The objective is to have a compact, effective team, and reduce the cost of governance.

The Tinubu administration in this regard would have to visit the Oronsaye Report. Nigeria’s Federal Government is over-bloated. It needs to be trimmed down to cut away fat, wastages and leakages, and thereby reduce cost. Tinubu has shown so far that he can summon the courage to take hard decisions.

This is one more hard decision that he needs to take for the people’s benefit. At the sub-national level, state houses of assembly must discourage Governors seeking to appoint hundreds of aides.

Not everyone can be appointed a Minister. Those who would eventually make the final list must see the opportunity to serve their country at the Ministerial level as a major recognition and must then devote themselves strictly to serving Nigeria. They must not end up as Ministers looking out only for narrow, ethnic and geographical interest. The other day, I was shocked to listen to an elder statesman berating the Minister from his home state for failing to divert Federal Government projects to his state. It is not for nothing that the cabinet is tagged “Executive Council of the Federation” and nowhere in the Oaths of Office/ Allegiance is it stated that a government official shall use his or her office to pursue parochial interests. When the government is formed, the Ministers should be able to have access to the President, not just at Council meetings but whenever they need to engage with him. It is strange to hear that in more recent years, some Ministers did not have access to the President.

Some of them probably never met him one-on-one.

Nigeria cannot afford to have Ministers who would go to Abuja to sleep on the job, and warm the chair.

It would be Tinubu’s responsibility to keep everyone on their toes and set specific, measurable targets for performance.

Signs of The Times

T

he times have indeed changed indicating how policy shifts can affect the people’s mood and habits and the environment in which we live. Following the removal of fuel subsidy and the harmonization of the foreign exchange regime, Nigerians have been compelled to make radical changes in how they live. Has anyone noticed the sharp reduction in the number of vehicles on Lagos roads and the disappearance of traffic gridlock in some parts of the city? With fuel now selling between N488 -N570 per litre across the country, it takes some people on the average up to N40, 000 or more to fill their vehicle’s fuel tanks. Within the same period that the cost of fuel has increased, electricity has also become very expensive, even if the electricity companies are still threatening to hike their tariffs. Inflation is as high as 22.41%, and would most certainly continue to rise.

Vehicle owners have learnt to choose their travels within the city carefully, gone are those days when it was fashionable to drive here and there. We are all going through a season of serious adjustment.

In many homes, light is switched on only when it is needed to check the meter from going haywire.

And yet in this same country, once upon a time, you could switch on all the lights in your apartment, and even leave those lights on when not at home.

Nobody can afford to do that anymore. The street as they say in popular lingo is not smiling. Salaries have not been increased, the price of everything including tomato and onions has gone up, a loaf of bread, which used to be a common man’s favourite is now an expensive item on the family menu. Last week was the annual Eid-el-adha, the festival of sacrifice. Very few families could afford to buy and slaughter rams. A moderate-size ram was about N175, 000- that used to be the price of a very big

cow. To buy a cow now, these days, you’d need close to N500, 000.

In those days, around the Eid-el-Kabir festival, it was possible to see young children going to the field with the rams that their parents had bought for the occasion. There was something called ram fight: an exciting game whereby rams are set against each other to head butt one another. The rams had names and there was a prize for the champion ram.

It wasn’t all fun, some rams that went up against a tough challenger could simply slump and die. I didn’t see any young men fighting with rams in open fields this year. No parent would even have allowed anybody to gamble with a ram of N175, 000. It was generally a very moderate celebration around town except in Ijebu Ode where the usual post-Ileya Ojude Oba was held as is the tradition, three days after the festival. The Ojude Oba lived up to its reputation as a cavalcade of colour, music, dance, and memorable advertisement of the richness of Yoruba culture and artistry. I noticed though that many of the persons that I know who used to stay behind in Ijebu-Ode for days after the festival, quickly rushed back to Lagos.

One of them confessed that the times have truly changed. His landlord had just served notice that the rent in the building where he lives would go up by 200% by January 2024, due to the rising cost of building materials, and the depreciation of the Naira.

He rushed back to Lagos to engage the landlord wondering how the landlord of a house built more than two decades ago can possibly complain about the high cost of building materials. The man told my friend that we are now in the era of market forces, and that rent is also subject to the forces of demand and supply. We have been on that matter since last week!

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